An underground cable coupler and method of use thereof

Abstract

This invention discloses an underground cable coupler and its usage method, belonging to the field of coupler technology, aiming to solve the problems of cumbersome and time-consuming operation of existing underground cable coupler interface sealing structures. The coupler includes a housing and side covers on both sides. A connecting seat is provided on the outer side of the side cover. Four circumferentially distributed guide grooves are formed on the side of the connecting seat away from the side cover. A connecting plate is radially slidably disposed within the guide grooves. A sealing block is fixed to the end of the connecting plate away from the side cover. A spring is provided between the bottom surface of the guide groove and the connecting plate. The spring preload ensures that the four sealing blocks fit tightly together to achieve cable interface sealing. It also includes a transmission component that is drively connected to all four connecting plates, enabling the four connecting plates to slide radially synchronously. This invention, through a single-action synchronous transmission structure, requires only pulling any one sealing block to drive all sealing blocks to open and close synchronously, reducing operation steps while ensuring the consistency of the opening and closing actions of each sealing block, avoiding problems such as jamming or uneven sealing pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of coupler technology, and in particular to an underground cable coupler and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Underground cable couplers are electrical connection devices widely used in underground locations such as urban integrated pipe corridors, subway tunnels, and civil defense projects. They are mainly used to connect, disconnect, and transfer signals of power cables or communication cables. Underground environments are often humid and dusty, and there is even a risk of water seepage in some areas, which places high demands on the protection level of the coupler interfaces.

[0003] Existing couplers typically employ rotary-fastening caps or bolt-locked sealing rings for their interface sealing structure. When connecting or replacing cables, operators must first loosen the fasteners, remove the cap, and then pry open the sealing flaps or remove the sealing plugs one by one. After the cable is inserted, multiple steps must be reversed to re-establish the seal. This process is cumbersome, time-consuming, and particularly inconvenient when working in confined underground spaces. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the above shortcomings, the present invention provides an underground cable coupler and its usage method, aiming to improve the problems of cumbersome operation and long time consumption of the interface sealing structure of existing couplers.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an underground cable coupler, including a housing, side covers on both sides of the housing, a connecting seat on the outer side of the side covers, four circumferentially evenly distributed guide grooves on the side of the connecting seat away from the side covers, a connecting plate radially slidably disposed in the guide grooves, and a sealing block fixedly connected to the end of the connecting plate away from the side covers; it also includes a spring, the bottom surface of the guide groove and the connecting plate are elastically abutted by the spring, a telescopic rod is disposed in the inner ring of the spring, and the preload of the spring drives the four sealing blocks to fit tightly to achieve the sealing of the cable interface;

[0006] It also includes a transmission assembly, which is connected to four connecting plates, and the four connecting plates slide synchronously radially along their corresponding guide grooves.

[0007] It also includes a sealing strip, which is fixedly installed on the mating surface of the sealing block.

[0008] Preferably, it also includes a limiting plate and a rack plate. The limiting plate is fixedly disposed at one end of the connecting plate near the side cover, and the limiting plate is in contact with the connecting seat; the rack plate is fixedly disposed on the limiting plate.

[0009] Preferably, the transmission assembly includes a rotating shaft and four sets of mounting plates. The four sets of mounting plates are evenly distributed and fixedly disposed on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting seat. The mounting plates include a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate arranged in parallel. The rotating shaft is rotatably disposed between the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate.

[0010] Preferably, the transmission assembly further includes a first gear and a second gear. The first gear is fixedly disposed at the end of the rotating shaft away from the side cover and meshes with the corresponding rack plate. The second gear is fixedly disposed at the end of the rotating shaft close to the side cover.

[0011] Preferably, the transmission assembly further includes a synchronizing gear, which is rotatably sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting seat, and the second gear meshes with the outer teeth of the synchronizing gear.

[0012] Preferably, the connector has a central hole inside, and the central hole includes a tapered section.

[0013] Preferably, a positioning seat is fixedly provided at the bottom of the outer casing.

[0014] Preferably, it also includes an operating block, which is fixedly disposed at the end of the sealing block away from the side cover.

[0015] A method for using an underground cable coupler includes the following steps:

[0016] S1. When no cable is inserted, the four sealing blocks fit tightly together under the preload of the spring, sealing the cable interface;

[0017] S2. Manually pull any one of the sealing blocks outward to drive the corresponding connecting plate to slide outward along the guide groove. Through the transmission component, the other three connecting plates and sealing blocks will slide outward synchronously, and the four sealing blocks will open simultaneously.

[0018] S3. Align the cable end with the center of the connector and insert it into the preset position. Release the sealing block. The spring pushes the four connecting plates and the sealing block to retract towards the center simultaneously. The sealing block wraps around the outer wall of the cable, and the sealing strip fills the gaps between the sealing block and the cable, and between the sealing blocks.

[0019] S4. When pulling out the cable, manually pull out any one of the sealing blocks. All four sealing blocks will open simultaneously. Pull out the cable. After releasing the sealing block, the spring will push the four sealing blocks back to their original positions and close.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0021] 1. Multiple sealing blocks are driven by spring preload to close towards the center in their natural state, achieving automatic sealing of the connection port when not in use. Stable protection can be maintained without additional operation. When it is necessary to connect or replace cables, the operator only needs to pull any one sealing block outward, and the transmission component will drive all sealing blocks to open synchronously and evenly. After the cable is inserted, the sealing block is released, and the spring rebounds to automatically complete the wrapping and sealing of the cable's outer wall, reducing operation steps and operation time.

[0022] 2. The sealing blocks in the transmission assembly are forced to move synchronously through a gear and rack mechanism, which structurally ensures the consistency of the opening and closing actions of each sealing block and avoids problems such as jamming or uneven sealing pressure caused by asynchronous opening and closing. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A 3D view of an underground cable coupler;

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0025] Figure 3 Three-dimensional for underground cable coupler interface Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 4 Three-dimensional for underground cable coupler interface Figure 2 ;

[0027] Figure 5 for Figure 4 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the transmission structure of the transmission assembly;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a partial sectional view of the connecting seat, connecting plate, spring, and telescopic rod.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a sectional view of the connector.

[0031] Legend:

[0032] 1. Outer shell; 101. Side cover; 102. Positioning seat; 2. Connecting seat; 201. Guide groove; 202. Center hole; 2021. Tapered section; 3. Sealing block; 31. Sealing strip; 4. Operating block; 5. Connecting plate; 501. Limiting plate; 6. Spring; 7. Telescopic rod; 8. Rack plate; 9. Gear one; 10. Rotating shaft; 11. Gear two; 12. Synchronous gear; 13. Mounting plate one; 14. Mounting plate two. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Example 1

[0034] Reference Figures 1-8 This embodiment discloses an underground cable coupler and its usage method, including a housing 1. Side covers 101 are fixedly mounted on both sides of the housing 1, and a connecting seat 2 is fixedly mounted on the outer side of the side covers 101. Four circumferentially distributed guide grooves 201 are formed on the side of the connecting seat 2 away from the side covers 101, extending radially along the connecting seat 2. The four guide grooves 201 are circumferentially distributed.

[0035] A positioning seat 102 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the outer casing 1. The positioning seat 102 has mounting holes. Operators can use the mounting holes on the positioning seat 102 and bolts to quickly fix the device on the pre-set underground installation foundation.

[0036] A connecting plate 5 is radially slidably disposed within the guide groove 201. A sealing block 3 is fixedly connected to one end of the connecting plate 5 away from the side cover 101. The sealing block 3 has a fan-shaped structure, with four sealing blocks 3 evenly distributed around the center of the connecting seat 2. Sealing strips 31 are fixedly disposed on both radial mating surfaces of the sealing blocks 3. The sealing strips 31 are made of aging-resistant and highly elastic rubber material, which can be squeezed and deformed when the sealing blocks 3 are closed, filling the gaps between the sealing blocks 3 and between the sealing blocks 3 and the outer wall of the cable, achieving excellent waterproof and dustproof effects, and adapting to the harsh environment of underground dampness and dust.

[0037] It also includes a spring 6, which elastically abuts against the bottom surface of the guide groove 201 and the connecting plate 5. The inner ring of the spring 6 is provided with a telescopic rod 7. During installation, the spring 6 is in a pre-compressed state, continuously applying radial elastic force towards the center of the connecting seat 2 to the connecting plate 5, ensuring that the four sealing blocks 3 can fit tightly together when no cable is inserted, forming a complete circular sealing structure; the telescopic rod 7 provides precise guidance for the spring 6, preventing the spring 6 from tilting or getting stuck during compression and rebound.

[0038] A limiting plate 501 is fixedly installed at one end of the connecting plate 5 near the side cover 101, and the side of the limiting plate 501 near the connecting seat 2 is in contact with the end of the connecting seat 2 near the side cover 101. This structure restricts the axial displacement of the connecting plate 5 and effectively prevents the connecting plate 5 from detaching from the guide groove 201 during sliding. A rack plate 8 is vertically fixed at the end of the limiting plate 501 away from the center of the connecting seat 2, and the toothed surface of the rack plate 8 faces the outside of the connecting seat 2.

[0039] The system also includes a transmission assembly, which is connected to all four connecting plates 5 to enable synchronous radial sliding of the four connecting plates 5 along their corresponding guide grooves 201. The transmission assembly includes a rotating shaft 10 and four sets of mounting plates. The four sets of mounting plates are circumferentially and fixedly disposed at one end of the connecting seat 2 near the side cover 101. Each set of mounting plates includes a first mounting plate 13 and a second mounting plate 14 arranged in parallel. The rotating shaft 10 is rotatably disposed between each set of first mounting plate 13 and second mounting plate 14. The transmission assembly also includes a first gear 9 and a second gear 11. The first gear 9 is fixedly disposed at the end of the rotating shaft 10 away from the side cover 101 and meshes with the corresponding rack plate 8. The second gear 11 is fixedly disposed at the end of the rotating shaft 10 near the side cover 101. The transmission assembly also includes a synchronizing gear 12, which is an external gear ring structure that rotatably fits on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting seat 2. All four second gears 11 mesh with the external teeth of the synchronizing gear 12.

[0040] When any one of the sealing blocks 3 is pulled outward, the rack plate 8 drives the gear 9 to rotate. The gear 9 drives the gear 11 to rotate synchronously through the rotating shaft 10. The gear 11 then drives the synchronous gear 12 to rotate as a whole. The synchronous gear 12 simultaneously drives the other three gears 11, gear 9, rack plate 8 and connecting plate 5 to move synchronously, ultimately realizing the synchronous opening of the four sealing blocks 3.

[0041] The connector 2 has a central hole 202 inside, which includes a tapered section 2021. The tapered surface of the tapered section 2021 guides the end of the inserted cable, guiding the cable smoothly into the central hole 202; the small-diameter end of the tapered section 2021 provides axial guidance to the end of the cable, allowing the cable to be smoothly inserted into the interface.

[0042] An operating block 4 is fixedly provided at the end of the sealing block 3 away from the side cover 101. The operating block 4 is used by the operator to hold and pull the sealing block 3 outward.

[0043] When using the coupler of this embodiment, without a cable inserted, the four sealing blocks 3 are tightly fitted together under the preload of the spring 6, and the sealing strips 31 are pressed against each other, sealing the opening of the central hole 202 to achieve a seal. When a cable needs to be inserted, the operator manually pulls any one of the sealing blocks 3 or the operating block 4 outward, which drives the four sealing blocks 3 to open outward synchronously through the transmission component; the cable end is aligned with the central hole 202 and inserted, the sealing block 3 is released, the spring 6 rebounds, pushing the four sealing blocks 3 to retract towards the center, wrapping the outer wall of the cable; when the cable is pulled out, the above operation is repeated to open the sealing blocks, and after the cable is removed, the sealing blocks are released and automatically reset and close.

[0044] Example 2

[0045] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment further defines the specific structure of the operating block 4. The operating block 4 is a rectangular block structure, fixedly disposed at the end of the sealing block 3 away from the side cover 101, and its surface is provided with anti-slip texture.

[0046] The operator only needs to pinch any one of the operating blocks 4 with their fingers and pull it outward to drive the four sealing blocks 3 to open synchronously through the transmission component. The operating block 4 directly transmits the operating force to the connecting plate 5, avoiding problems such as deformation of the sealing block and detachment of the sealing strip 31 that may occur when the operator pulls the sealing block 3 directly, thus protecting the integrity of the sealing structure. The anti-slip texture increases the friction between the fingers and the operating block 4, allowing operation even when the fingers are oily or wet.

[0047] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the number of sealing blocks can be set to three, five, or six according to actual needs, as long as they are evenly distributed circumferentially; the synchronizing gear can also adopt an internal gear ring structure, in which case the second gear meshes with the internal teeth of the synchronizing gear; the shape of the operating block can also be designed as cylindrical, hemispherical, or other shapes that are easy to hold. These simple modifications and substitutions should all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An underground cable coupler comprising a housing (1), both sides of which are provided with side covers (101), characterized in that, A connecting seat (2) is provided on the outer side of the side cover (101). Four guide grooves (201) are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction on the side of the connecting seat (2) away from the side cover (101). A connecting plate (5) is radially slidably provided in the guide groove (201). A sealing block (3) is fixedly connected to one end of the connecting plate (5) away from the side cover (101). A spring (6) is also included. The bottom surface of the guide groove (201) and the connecting plate (5) are elastically abutted by the spring (6). A telescopic rod (7) is provided in the inner ring of the spring (6). The preload of the spring (6) drives the four sealing blocks (3) to fit tightly together to achieve the sealing of the cable interface. It also includes a transmission assembly, which is connected to four connecting plates (5) in a transmission manner, and the four connecting plates (5) slide synchronously radially along the corresponding guide grooves (201); It also includes a sealing strip (31), which is fixedly installed on the mating surface of the sealing block (3).

2. An underground cable coupler according to claim 1, characterized in that It also includes a limiting plate (501) and a rack plate (8). The limiting plate (501) is fixedly installed on one end of the connecting plate (5) near the side cover (101), and the limiting plate (501) is in contact with the connecting seat (2). The rack plate (8) is fixedly installed on the limiting plate (501).

3. An underground cable coupler as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that, The transmission assembly includes a rotating shaft (10) and four sets of mounting plates. The four sets of mounting plates are evenly distributed and fixed on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting seat (2). The mounting plates include a first mounting plate (13) and a second mounting plate (14) arranged in parallel. The rotating shaft (10) is rotatably disposed between the first mounting plate (13) and the second mounting plate (14).

4. An underground cable coupler according to claim 3, wherein, The transmission assembly also includes a first gear (9) and a second gear (11). The first gear (9) is fixedly disposed at the end of the rotating shaft (10) away from the side cover (101) and meshes with the corresponding rack plate (8). The second gear (11) is fixedly disposed at the end of the rotating shaft (10) near the side cover (101).

5. An underground cable coupler according to claim 4, characterized in that, The transmission assembly also includes a synchronous gear (12), which is rotatably mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting seat (2), and the gear two (11) meshes with the outer teeth of the synchronous gear (12).

6. An underground cable coupler as defined in claim 1, wherein, The connector (2) has a central hole (202) inside, and the central hole (202) includes a tapered section (2021).

7. An underground cable coupler as defined in claim 1, wherein, A positioning seat (102) is fixedly provided at the bottom of the outer shell (1).

8. An underground cable coupler as defined in claim 1, wherein, It also includes an operating block (4), which is fixedly disposed at one end of the sealing block (3) away from the side cover (101).

9. A method of using an underground cable coupler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that Includes the following steps: S1. When no cable is inserted, the four sealing blocks (3) fit tightly together under the pre-tightening force of the spring (6) to seal the cable interface; S2. Manually pull any one of the sealing blocks (3) outward, causing the corresponding connecting plate (5) to slide outward along the guide groove (201). Through the transmission assembly, the other three connecting plates (5) and sealing blocks (3) slide outward synchronously, and the four sealing blocks (3) open synchronously. S3. Align the cable end with the center of the connector and insert it into the preset position. Release the sealing block (3). The spring (6) pushes the four connecting plates (5) and the sealing block (3) to converge towards the center simultaneously. The sealing block (3) wraps around the outer wall of the cable. The sealing strip (31) fills the gap between the sealing block (3) and the cable, and between the sealing blocks (3) and the sealing blocks (3). S4. When pulling out the cable, manually pull out any one of the sealing blocks (3). The four sealing blocks (3) will open simultaneously. Pull out the cable. After releasing the sealing block (3), the spring (6) will push the four sealing blocks (3) to reset and close.

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