Underwater cable connector

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of underwater cable connectors, and discloses an underwater cable connector which comprises a female head, one end of the female head is clamped with a male head, the outer surface of the female head is provided with a side plate, the outer surface of the side plate is provided with an installation hole, a reinforcing assembly is fixedly installed in the installation hole, and the outer surface of the male head is provided with a connecting plate. And a mounting rod is arranged at one end of the connecting plate and is mounted in the reinforcing assembly in a matched manner. Distributed mechanical interlocking is constructed through the synergistic effect of the reinforcing assembly and the mounting rod, the single-point locking force of a traditional buckle structure is dispersed into multi-point elastic constraint of the balls and the pressure springs, and the local stress peak value is greatly reduced through the radial pressure of evenly-distributed balls; and a stable locking force transmission path can be formed under deep water, high pressure and continuous impact by matching with rigid support of the protective shell, so that the male head and the female head always keep rigid occlusion in an extreme environment, and the possibility of locking force attenuation and accidental unlocking is blocked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of underwater cable connector technology, specifically an underwater cable connector. Background Technology

[0002] Underwater cable connectors are specialized devices used to connect, extend, or branch cables in underwater environments, ensuring the reliability of power transmission, signal communication, or data transmission. They are widely used in submarine communication networks, offshore wind power, oil and gas extraction, scientific research and exploration, and other fields. Underwater cable connectors generally consist of a female connector and a male connector.

[0003] In existing underwater cable connectors, the female connector is typically installed with a snap-fit ​​mechanism. After the male connector is inserted into the female connector and rotated at a certain angle, the snap-fit ​​protrusion engages with the groove. While this snap-fit ​​locking design allows for quick insertion and removal and simplifies the installation process, its reliance on the mechanical engagement structure of the protrusion and groove can lead to a decrease in locking force due to material fatigue or wear under long-term dynamic loads or extreme environments (such as deep water pressure or continuous water flow impact), thus posing a risk of accidental unlocking. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide an underwater cable connector that solves the problem that snap-on underwater cable connectors are prone to material fatigue and loss of locking force under long-term dynamic loads or extreme environments (such as deep water pressure and continuous water flow impact), which can lead to accidental unlocking.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] This utility model relates to an underwater cable connector, including a female connector, one end of which is snapped with a male connector. The outer surface of the female connector is provided with a side plate, and the outer surface of the side plate is provided with a mounting hole. A reinforcing component is fixedly installed in the mounting hole. The outer surface of the male connector is provided with a connecting plate, and one end of the connecting plate is provided with a mounting rod. The mounting rod is fitted and installed inside the reinforcing component.

[0007] Furthermore, one end of the mounting rod has a tapered surface.

[0008] Furthermore, the reinforcement component includes a housing, an inner sleeve is provided inside the housing, a plurality of radially extending mounting grooves are provided on the outer surface of the inner sleeve along the circumference, a ball is movably embedded in each mounting groove, the ball part protrudes from the outer surface of the inner sleeve, and a cover plate is installed on the upper surface of the housing.

[0009] Furthermore, the inner surface of the inner sleeve is provided with a boss, which extends circumferentially along the inner surface of the inner sleeve, and a compression spring is provided below the cover plate, with both ends of the compression spring abutting against the lower surface of the cover plate and the upper surface of the boss, respectively.

[0010] Furthermore, a protective shell is installed on the outer surface of the outer casing, and the cover plate is threaded to one end of the protective shell, with the protective shell fitting into the interior of the mounting hole.

[0011] Furthermore, an annular sealing film is provided between the mating end faces of the male and female connectors.

[0012] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] (1) When the mounting rod is inserted into the shell along the axial direction, its conical surface contacts the ball and applies radial extrusion force, forcing the ball to roll outward along the mounting groove until it abuts against the inner wall of the shell. At this time, the ball converts the radial pressure into the axial displacement of the inner sleeve, driving the inner sleeve to move upward and compress the compression spring to a balanced state. The reaction force of the compression spring is transmitted to the ball through the boss, forming a radial multi-point locking of the mounting rod, and finally realizing the bidirectional fixation of the mounting rod in the axial and radial directions. Through the synergistic effect of the reinforcement component and the mounting rod, a distributed mechanical interlock is constructed, dispersing the single-point locking force of the traditional snap-fit ​​structure into multi-point elastic constraints of the ball and the compression spring. The radial pressure of the ball is evenly distributed, which greatly reduces the local stress peak. With the rigid support of the protective shell, a stable locking force transmission path can be formed under deep water pressure and continuous impact, so that the male and female heads always maintain rigid engagement in extreme environments, blocking the possibility of locking force decay and accidental unlocking.

[0014] (2) The sealing film of this utility model forms a radially tight fit interface when the male and female heads are connected by its elastic material, which effectively blocks the penetration of external water and plays a good protective role.

[0015] Of course, any product implementing this utility model does not necessarily need to achieve all of the advantages described above at the same time. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the female head structure of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the male connector structure of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the reinforcement component structure of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the reinforcing component and mounting rod structure of this utility model;

[0022] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:

[0023] In the figure: female head 1, side plate 101, male head 2, connecting plate 201, mounting rod 202, reinforcing component 3, outer shell 301, inner sleeve 302, boss 3021, ball bearing 303, cover plate 304, compression spring 305, protective shell 306. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0025] Please see Figures 1-5 As shown, this utility model is an underwater cable connector, including a female connector 1, one end of which is snapped with a male connector 2. The outer surface of the female connector 1 is provided with a side plate 101, and the outer surface of the side plate 101 is provided with a mounting hole. A reinforcing component 3 is fixedly installed in the mounting hole. The outer surface of the male connector 2 is provided with a connecting plate 201, and one end of the connecting plate 201 is provided with a mounting rod 202. The mounting rod 202 is installed inside the reinforcing component 3.

[0026] By constructing a distributed mechanical interlock through the synergistic effect of the reinforcement component 3 and the mounting rod 202, the single-point locking force of the traditional snap-fit ​​structure is dispersed into multi-point elastic constraints, forming a stable locking force transmission path under deep water pressure and continuous impact, so that the male head 2 and the female head 1 always maintain rigid engagement in extreme environments, blocking the possibility of locking force attenuation and accidental unlocking.

[0027] One end of the mounting rod 202 has a tapered surface.

[0028] The reinforcement component 3 includes a housing 301, an inner sleeve 302 is provided inside the housing 301, and a plurality of radially extending mounting grooves are provided on the outer surface of the inner sleeve 302 along the circumference. A ball bearing 303 is movably embedded in each mounting groove, and the ball bearing 303 protrudes from the outer surface of the inner sleeve 302. A cover plate 304 is installed on the upper surface of the housing 301.

[0029] The inner surface of the inner sleeve 302 is provided with a boss 3021, which extends circumferentially along the inner surface of the inner sleeve 302. A compression spring 305 is provided below the cover plate 304, with its two ends abutting against the lower surface of the cover plate 304 and the upper surface of the boss 3021, respectively.

[0030] A protective shell 306 is installed on the outer surface of the outer shell 301, and a cover plate 304 is threaded to one end of the protective shell 306. The protective shell 306 is installed inside the mounting hole.

[0031] An annular sealing film is provided between the mating end faces of male connector 2 and female connector 1. The sealing film is made of rubber.

[0032] The sealing film, through its elastic material, forms a radially tight fit when the male connector 2 and the female connector 1 are mated, effectively blocking the penetration of external water and providing a good protective effect.

[0033] In use, first install the male connector 2 and female connector 1 onto the external structure. When the male connector 2 is inserted into the female connector 1, the mounting rod 202 is inserted axially into the housing 301. Its tapered surface contacts the ball bearing 303 and applies radial compressive force, forcing the ball bearing 303 to roll outward along the mounting groove until it abuts against the inner wall of the housing 301. At this time, the ball bearing 303 converts the radial pressure into axial displacement of the inner sleeve 302, driving the inner sleeve 302 to move upward and compress the compression spring 305 to a balanced state. The reaction force of the compression spring 305 is transmitted to the ball bearing 303 through the boss 3021, forming a radial multi-point pressure on the mounting rod 202. Locking ultimately achieves bidirectional fixation of the mounting rod 202 in both the axial and radial directions. Through the synergistic effect of the reinforcing component 3 and the mounting rod 202, a distributed mechanical interlock is constructed, dispersing the single-point locking force of the traditional snap-fit ​​structure into multi-point elastic constraints of the ball bearings 303 and the compression spring 305. The evenly distributed radial pressure of the ball bearings 303 significantly reduces the local stress peak. Combined with the rigid support of the protective shell 306, a stable locking force transmission path can be formed under deep water pressure and continuous impact, so that the male head 2 and the female head 1 always maintain rigid engagement in extreme environments, preventing the possibility of locking force attenuation and accidental unlocking.

[0034] During disassembly, the magnetic block is attracted to the outer surface of the cover plate 304 to apply magnetic force, driving the boss 3021 to move upward against the preload of the compression spring 305, and simultaneously driving the ball 303 to disengage from the inner wall of the outer shell 301, releasing the radial constraint on the mounting rod 202. At this time, the mounting rod 202 can be freely pulled out along the axial direction, and then the male head 2 can be pulled outward to separate the male head 2 from the female head 1.

[0035] The preferred embodiments of this utility model disclosed above are merely illustrative of the present utility model. These preferred embodiments do not exhaustively describe all details, nor do they limit the utility model to the specific implementations described. Clearly, many modifications and variations can be made based on the content of this specification. This specification selects and specifically describes these embodiments to better explain the principles and practical applications of this utility model, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to better understand and utilize it. This utility model is limited only by the claims and their full scope and equivalents.

Claims

1. An underwater cable connector comprising a female head (1) to which a male head (2) is attached at one end, characterized in that: The outer surface of the female head (1) is provided with a side plate (101), the outer surface of the side plate (101) is provided with a mounting hole, and the mounting hole is fixedly provided with a reinforcing assembly (3); The outer surface of the male head (2) is provided with a connecting plate (201), one end of the connecting plate (201) is provided with a mounting rod (202), and the mounting rod (202) is fitted and mounted in the inside of the reinforcing assembly (3).

2. An underwater cable connector according to claim 1, characterised in that: One end of the mounting rod (202) is provided with a conical surface.

3. An underwater cable connector according to claim 1, characterised in that: The reinforcing assembly (3) comprises an outer shell (301), the inside of the outer shell (301) is provided with an inner sleeve (302), the outer surface of the inner sleeve (302) is provided with a plurality of radially extending mounting grooves in the circumferential direction, each mounting groove is movably provided with a ball (303), the ball (303) partially protrudes from the outer surface of the inner sleeve (302), and the upper surface of the outer shell (301) is provided with a cover plate (304).

4. An underwater cable connector according to claim 3, characterised in that: The inner surface of the inner sleeve (302) is provided with a boss (3021), the boss (3021) extends in the circumferential direction of the inner surface of the inner sleeve (302), the lower surface of the cover plate (304) is provided with a compression spring (305), and the two ends of the compression spring (305) abut the lower surface of the cover plate (304) and the upper surface of the boss (3021) respectively.

5. An underwater cable connector according to claim 3, characterised in that: The outer surface of the outer shell (301) is provided with a protective shell (306), the cover plate (304) is screw-connected to one end of the protective shell (306), and the protective shell (306) is fitted and mounted in the inside of the mounting hole.

6. An underwater cable connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: An annular sealing rubber sheet is arranged between the butt joint end surfaces of the male head (2) and the female head (1).

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