Electrically insulated connector holder for three-phase transformer

Abstract

An electrically insulated connector holder for a three-phase transformer wherein the connector holder (40) is a separate body comprising six main electrical connectors (50) attached thereto, each comprising a main terminal (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56); and a primary connector (60) conductively embedded in three portions (41, 42, 43) thereof, in each portion comprising a primary terminal (61, 62, 63), the primary terminal being external to the connector holder; and wherein the connector holder (40) further comprises a secondary connector (70), which is electrically conductive and insulated from the primary connector (60), embedded in three portions (41, 42, 43), each portion comprising a secondary terminal (71, 72, 73), which is external to the connector holder (40), the secondary connector (70) interconnecting the three secondary windings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electrically insulating connector holder for a three-phase transformer, comprising a single magnetic core shared between three transformer assemblies, each transformer assembly comprising a primary winding (primary winding) and a secondary winding (secondary winding) adjacent to each other and wound around the same portion of the core.

[0002] The proposed disclosure relates to improvements in the connections between the three primary windings, the connections between the three secondary windings and the connections between these windings and the main electrical connector of a three-phase transformer, which improvements allow the three-phase transformer to be connected to an electrical circuit, and the improvements facilitate the automated manufacturing of the three-phase transformer, increase its manufacturing speed and reduce its cost and manufacturing errors. Background Art

[0003] The present disclosure proposes a connector holder for a three-phase transformer having three transformer assemblies defined in three parts thereof, each transformer assembly being formed by a primary winding and a secondary winding arranged adjacent to each other and wound around the same part of a magnetic core, as is known.

[0004] In this type of three-phase transformer, three primary windings are connected to each other at a second end of each of the primary windings, and three secondary windings are connected to each other at a second end of each of the secondary windings.

[0005] In order to facilitate simple and safe connection of a three-phase transformer to an electrical circuit, it is known to include a connector holder to which six main electrical connectors are fixed and to which the first end of each primary winding and each secondary winding is connected to one of said primary connectors.

[0006] Although this construction is compact and efficient, the connection of the primary and secondary windings to each other and to the main electrical connector is difficult and expensive because it requires precise positioning of each of the different electrical connection cables that connect the first and second ends to the primary and secondary windings along specific connection paths with complex geometry around the three-phase transformer in order to facilitate reaching their respective connection points, which hinders the step of connecting the first and / or second ends of the respective primary and secondary windings, increases the cost of this step, and / or prevents the automation of this step.

[0007] The present disclosure proposes a solution to this and other problems by facilitating and reducing the manufacturing cost of the three-phase transformer, simplifying the procedure of connecting the primary and secondary windings, and allowing partial or complete automation of the connection procedure. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present disclosure relates to an electrically insulating connector holder for a three-phase transformer as described below.

[0009] A three-phase transformer (not falling within the scope of protection sought) comprises three transformer assemblies, each transformer assembly comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding arranged adjacent to each other.

[0010] According to the foregoing, the proposed three-phase transformer comprises three transformer assemblies, each of which is formed by a primary winding composed of conductive wires and a secondary winding composed of conductive wires, the primary winding and the secondary winding being arranged adjacent to each other, both being wound around the same part of the magnetic core.

[0011] Typically, each portion of the core will be an elongated portion in the form of a bar, and the primary and secondary windings are wound around the same portion of the core, around the same geometric axis defined by the elongated portion of the core. Typically, each of the portions of the core will be connected at both ends thereof through the body of the core to the remainder of the same core, so that all portions of the core are interconnected to each other. Other embodiments are also contemplated.

[0012] The proposed connector holder is a single body, usually made of plastic, comprising three parts, each of which is intended to be arranged adjacent to one of the three transformer components when the connector holder is associated with a three-phase transformer.

[0013] The proposed connector holder comprises six main electrical connectors fixed thereto, each of which comprises a main terminal intended to be connected to a first end of one of the primary windings or a first end of one of the secondary windings. In this way, the connector holder provides main electrical connectors, each of which is connected to a first end of each primary winding or a first end of each secondary winding, thereby facilitating the connection of a three-phase transformer to an electrical circuit through the main electrical connectors of the connector holder.

[0014] Typically, the main electrical connector is partially embedded in a connector holder which provides for securement.

[0015] Each of the three primary windings and each of the three secondary windings has a first end of an electrically conductive wire connected to one main electrical connector, so that the main electrical connector allows easy and safe connection of the primary and secondary windings of the three-phase transformer to an electrical circuit.

[0016] The present disclosure also proposes, in a manner unknown in the prior art, that a connector holder comprises a conductive primary connector (primary connector) embedded in three parts thereof, and in each part of the connector holder comprises a primary terminal (primary terminal), which is outside the connector holder and is intended to be connected to the second end of a corresponding adjacent primary winding, the primary connector connecting the three primary windings to each other.

[0017] Similarly, the connector holder also includes a conductive secondary connector (secondary connector) insulated from the primary connector embedded in three parts thereof, and in each part of the connector holder, includes a secondary terminal (secondary terminal), which is outside the connector holder and is intended to be connected to the second end of an adjacent secondary winding, the secondary connector connecting the three secondary windings to each other.

[0018] In this sense, each of the three primary windings has a second end of the conductive wire opposite to the first end, which second end is typically connected to the second ends of the other primary windings in a Y-shaped connection, and each of the three secondary windings has a second end of the conductive wire opposite to the first end, which second end is typically connected to the second ends of the other secondary windings in a Y-shaped connection.

[0019] The present disclosure proposes that the connector holder includes a conductive primary connector, which is embedded in three parts of the connector holder. Therefore, the conductive primary connector is a connector extending along the three parts of the connector holder, wherein a part of the primary connector is adjacent to one transformer assembly, another part of the primary connector is adjacent to another transformer assembly, and another part of the primary connector is adjacent to the last transformer assembly.

[0020] In each part of the connector holder, the primary connector includes a primary terminal that is outside the connector holder, that is, the primary connector includes a primary terminal adjacent to one transformer assembly, another primary terminal adjacent to another transformer assembly, and yet another primary terminal adjacent to the last transformer assembly.

[0021] Each primary winding will have a respective second end connected to the primary terminal adjacent thereto, so that the second ends of the three primary windings will be interconnected by the primary connector.

[0022] The connector holder also includes an electrically conductive secondary connector insulated from the primary connector embedded in three parts thereof, wherein in each part of the connector holder, a secondary terminal is included, the secondary terminal being outside the connector holder.

[0023] Each secondary winding will have a respective second end connected to the secondary terminal adjacent thereto, so that the second ends of the three secondary windings will be interconnected via the secondary connector.

[0024] The manufacture of the connector holder including the primary connector and the secondary connector embedded therein can be easily automated.

[0025] Similarly, the connection of the second end of each primary winding and each secondary winding to the respective adjacent primary terminals and the respective adjacent secondary terminals can also be easily automated, which allows for accelerated production and reduced costs.

[0026] In an embodiment, the primary terminals and the secondary terminals are arranged in an outer periphery of a connector holder.

[0027] In one embodiment, each of the main electrical connectors includes an exposed connection portion and an embedded portion in the connector holder, electrically insulated from the primary connector and the secondary connector.

[0028] In one embodiment, the embedded portion of each main electrical connector is included between the exposed connecting portion and the main terminal of the same main electrical connector.

[0029] In an embodiment, each of the three parts of the connector holder includes two of the main terminals.

[0030] In an embodiment, the main terminals are arranged in an outer periphery of the connector holder.

[0031] In one embodiment, each portion of the connector retainer includes exposed portions of two of the main electrical connectors extending therefrom.

[0032] In one embodiment, the exposed portions of the main electrical connector are pins extending from the connector holder parallel to each other.

[0033] In one embodiment, the connector retainer has a triangular configuration defining three apex regions, and wherein each portion includes one of the apex regions.

[0034] In an embodiment, the connector holder has an annular configuration surrounding a central hole, intended for at least partial insertion of a portion of a magnetic core of the three-phase transformer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The aforementioned and other advantages and features will be better understood based on the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which must be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, in which:

[0036] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a proposed connector holder according to an embodiment, wherein each of the three parts of the connector holder integrates two main electrical connectors;

[0037] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A connector holder having a primary connector, a secondary connector and six main electrical connectors separated from each other;

[0038] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A top view of a connector retainer;

[0039] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a connector holder according to an alternative embodiment, wherein all the main electrical connectors are concentrated on one side of the connector holder, and wherein the connector holder includes a peripheral channel for receiving therein first ends of three primary windings and three secondary windings, directing them to the side of the connector holder receiving the six main electrical connectors, the peripheral channel including two side access openings in each portion of the connector holder for the first ends to enter the peripheral channel;

[0040] Figure 5 Shown with Figure 4 an identical connector holder, and wherein the primary connector and the secondary connector thereof are separate from each other;

[0041] Figure 6 Shown with Figure 4 The same connector holder, but viewed from the underside. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The drawings show illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0043] The present disclosure relates to a connector holder for a three-phase transformer.

[0044] It will be appreciated that a three phase transformer will comprise a magnetic core, with three primary windings and three secondary windings wound around three portions of the same magnetic core, constituting three transformer assemblies.

[0045] In that sense, the magnetic core includes: a first part having a first primary winding and a first secondary winding wound thereon, constituting a first transformer component; a second part having a second primary winding and a second secondary winding wound thereon, constituting a second transformer component; and a third part having a third primary winding and a third secondary winding wound thereon, constituting a third transformer component, and the first primary winding, the second primary winding and the third primary winding and the first secondary winding, the second secondary winding and the third secondary winding are made of conductive wire.

[0046] An electrically insulating connector holder 40 is intended to be associated with the magnetic core and integrates six main electrical connectors 50. The connector holder 40 comprises a first portion 41 adjacent to the first transformer assembly, a second portion 42 adjacent to the second transformer assembly and a third portion 43 adjacent to the third transformer assembly.

[0047] Each of the first primary winding, the second primary winding and the third primary winding and each of the first secondary winding, the second secondary winding and the third secondary winding has a first end and a second end, and each first end is connected to a main electrical connector 50 fixed to the connector holder 40, allowing the primary winding and the secondary winding of the three-phase transformer to be easily and safely connected to the circuit through the main electrical connector 50.

[0048] The connector holder 40 also includes a conductive primary connector 60 embedded in the first part 41, the second part 42 and the third part 43 thereof, and has exposed primary terminals 61, 62, 63 in each of the first part 41, the second part 42 and the third part 43 of the connector holder 40, each of which is connected to one of the second ends of the first primary winding, the second primary winding and the third primary winding, and the second ends are connected to each other through the primary connector 60.

[0049] The connector holder 40 also includes a conductive secondary connector 70 embedded in its first part 41, second part 42 and third part 43 and insulated from the primary connector 60, and has exposed secondary terminals 71, 72, 73 in each of the first part 41, second part 42 and third part 43, each of which is connected to one of the second ends of the first secondary winding, the second secondary winding and the third secondary winding, and the second ends are connected to each other through the secondary connector 70.

[0050] The manufacture of the connector holder 40 including the main electrical connector 50, the primary connector 60 and the secondary connector 70, and the corresponding primary terminals 61, 62, 63 and secondary terminals 71, 72, 73 can be easily automated. In addition, the connection of the second ends of the primary winding and the secondary winding to the primary terminals 61, 62, 63 and the secondary terminals 71, 72, 73 can also be easily automated, thereby simplifying the construction of the three-phase transformer.

[0051] Alternatively, it is suggested that the primary terminals 61 , 62 , 63 and the secondary terminals 71 , 72 , 73 are arranged around the periphery of the connector holder 40 , which are easily accessible to facilitate automatic connection of the second end thereto.

[0052] Each main electrical connector 50 can be partially embedded in the connector holder 40 and fixed thereto, including an exposed connection portion for connecting to its circuit, and an embedded portion in the connector holder 40 that is electrically insulated from the primary connector 60 and the secondary connector 70 to provide fixation to the connector holder.

[0053] Preferably, the embedded portion of each main electrical connector 50 is included between the exposed connecting portion of the same main electrical connector 50 and the main terminals 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 .

[0054] It is also proposed that each of the three parts 41, 42, 43 of the connector holder 40 comprises two main terminals 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 for connecting first ends of the primary winding and the secondary winding of a respective adjacent transformer assembly.

[0055] According to the foregoing, each of the first, second, and third parts 41, 42, 43 of the connector holder 40 will include a main terminal 51, 52, 53 for connecting to a first end of the primary winding and another main terminal 54, 55, 56 for connecting to a first end of the secondary winding.

[0056] It is also proposed that the main terminals 51 , 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 are arranged around the periphery of the connector holder, facilitating automation of the connection of said terminals to the first ends of the primary and secondary windings.

[0057] According to another embodiment, each portion of the connector holder 40 may include exposed portions of two main electrical connectors 50 extending therefrom, and the corresponding main terminals are integrated in the same portion of the connector holder 40. By placing the main electrical connectors 50 distributed between the different portions 41, 42, 43 of the connector holder 40, the internal connections present in the connector holder 40 are simplified.

[0058] Preferably, the main electrical connectors 50 , or at least their exposed portions, are pins extending from the connector holder 40 parallel to each other.

[0059] Preferably, the portion of the magnetic core of each transformer assembly defines a central axis about which the respective primary and secondary windings are wound, the central axes of the three portions of the magnetic core being parallel to one another.

[0060] The magnetic core of a three-phase transformer that is not part of the scope of the present disclosure typically has an inner bore surrounded by three sections forming the three transformer components, and a primary winding and a secondary winding are wound around each of the sections of the magnetic core.

[0061] The magnetic core may have a triangular configuration defining three vertex regions, and wherein each transformer component is formed in one of the vertex regions. According to this embodiment, the three parts of the magnetic core are formed by three parallel long bars, each of which is arranged in one vertex region, and the three parts of the magnetic core are connected to each other by an upper triangular part and a lower triangular part of the magnetic core that are parallel to each other, together forming a magnetic core having an inner hole.

[0062] Preferably, the connector retainer may have a triangular configuration defining three apex regions, wherein each portion 41 , 42 , 43 of the connector retainer comprises one of said apex regions.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the connector retainer 40 may have an annular structure surrounding a central hole intended for at least partially inserting a portion of a magnetic core of a three-phase transformer, and the connector retainer is arranged around the central hole, closer to the primary winding and the secondary winding.

Claims

1. An electrically insulating connector holder for a three-phase transformer, the connector holder being provided with three transformer assemblies, each transformer assembly comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein: The connector holder (40) is a single body comprising three parts (41, 42, 43), each part being intended to be arranged adjacent to one of the three transformer assemblies when the connector holder is associated with the three-phase transformer; The connector holder (40) comprises six main electrical connectors (50) fixed thereto, each main electrical connector comprising a main terminal (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) intended to be connected to a first end of one of the primary winding or the secondary winding; It is characterized in that The connector holder (40) comprises an electrically conductive primary connector (60) embedded in the three parts (41, 42, 43), each part (41, 42, 43) of the connector holder (40) comprising a primary terminal (61, 62, 63) outside the connector holder (40) intended to be connected to the second end of a respective adjacent primary winding, the primary connector (60) interconnecting the three primary windings; and wherein The connector holder (40) also includes a conductive secondary connector (70) embedded in the three parts (41, 42, 43) and insulated from the primary connector (60), and in each part of the connector holder (40), a secondary terminal (71, 72, 73) is included, which is outside the connector holder (40) and is intended to be connected to the second end of the adjacent secondary winding, and the secondary connector (70) connects the three secondary windings to each other.

2. The connector holder according to claim 1, characterized in that: The primary terminals (61, 62, 63) and the secondary terminals (71, 72, 73) are arranged in the outer periphery of the connector holder.

3. The connector holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Each of the main electrical connectors (50) includes an exposed connection portion and an embedded portion in the connector holder (40) and is electrically insulated from the primary connector (60) and the secondary connector (70).

4. The connector holder according to claim 3, characterized in that: The embedded portion of each main electrical connector (50) is included between the exposed connection portion and the main terminal of the same main electrical connector (50).

5. The connector holder according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each of the three parts (41, 42, 43) of the connector holder (40) includes two of the main terminals (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56).

6. The connector holder according to claim 5, characterized in that The main terminals (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) are arranged in the outer periphery of the connector holder (40).

7. The connector holder according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that: Each portion (41, 42, 43) of the connector holder (40) includes exposed portions of two of the main electrical connectors (50) extending therefrom.

8. The connector holder according to any one of the preceding claims 3 to 7, characterized in that The exposed portion of the main electrical connector (50) is pins extending from the connector holder (40) parallel to each other.

9. A connector holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The connector retainer has a triangular configuration defining three apex regions, and wherein each portion (41, 42, 43) includes one of the apex regions.

10. A connector holder according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The connector holder (40) has an annular configuration surrounding a central hole and is intended for at least partial insertion into a portion of a magnetic core of the three-phase transformer.

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