M12 plug-in for threaded cable connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a centrifugal pump comprising a module (2). The module (2) comprises at least one cable connection assembly (3) with at least one threaded connection (5). An M12 jack is integrated into the threaded connection (5).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] M12 plug-in for cable gland

[0003] The invention relates to a centrifugal pump with a module comprising a cable connection arrangement with at least one screw connection.

[0004] The speed of a centrifugal pump and, accordingly, the impeller shaft torque and the pump's flow rate are typically controlled by a control module in an electronics housing. Such a module for driving a centrifugal pump can be located close to the electric motor and includes, for example, a frequency converter and a speed control device. Furthermore, such a module can include additional control devices. For this purpose, the module's electronics housing requires, for example, inputs for sensor signals and outputs for control signals. The signals are usually transmitted via cables, which are often introduced into such a module via cable glands.

[0005] A cable gland or screw connection is a cable entry in the function of a gland that provides a particularly good seal for a cable, wire or insulated conductor as it passes through an enclosure wall.

[0006] A module includes at least one cable connection assembly for connecting the cables for the input and output signals. To connect a cable, a feedthrough is typically activated in an existing screw connection, and the cable ends are manually connected to the cable connection assembly. Alternatively, a hole can be drilled into the module's electronics housing and the signal cable inserted through the hole. The disadvantages of this approach are the considerable installation effort and the difficulty of adequately sealing against the ingress of dirt and water.

[0007] An M12 connector is a circular connector with a metric locking thread and is a standard for connecting sensors and, more recently, bus cables. The male version of the circular connector for connecting signal-carrying cables is called an M12 connector, and the female version is called an M12 socket.

[0008] If no connection option is available to accommodate such a standardized connector, the electronics housing of a module for driving a centrifugal pump must be expanded to include an M12 socket. This also results in significant assembly effort, combined with the sealing issues already mentioned.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a centrifugal pump with a module that enables a quick and secure connection for standardized signal routing. The connection of a signal-carrying line should be as simple and cost-effective as possible. Furthermore, the connection of a signal-carrying line should offer the greatest possible protection against the ingress of dirt and liquids.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by a centrifugal pump with a module. Preferred variants can be found in the independent main claim, the subclaims, the description, and the drawings.

[0011] According to the invention, an M12 socket is integrated into a screw connection of the module. The integration of an M12 socket into an M20 screw connection is particularly advantageous because the socket can occupy exactly the available internal space of the screw connection. A fixing element can be used to secure the connection to ensure a robust design.

[0012] In a cost-effective variant of the invention, the module features several screw connections with integrated M12 sockets. This allows the module to provide all the necessary signal inputs and outputs for control and regulation.

[0013] Ideally, the M12 socket connects to the module's cable connection arrangement. This makes the connection ready for use as a plug-in connection, eliminating the need for subsequent manual assembly and connection. This also protects the installed electronics from potentially improper access.

[0014] A cable gland includes a seal and a cover in the form of a nut with an internal thread, even when not connected. In a particularly advantageous design variant, the gland includes a nut with an internal thread into which an M12 connector is integrated. To connect, for example, a new sensor, simply unscrew the blind nut and screw in the nut with the integrated M12 connector. This results in a very quick and efficient plug-in installation of a new signal-carrying cable with minimal effort.

[0015] Ideally, an M12 connector fits perfectly into an M20 gland (clarify: principle, choice of words) without any challenging assembly effort. The M12 connector, which is inserted into an M20 gland, can be secured using a fixing element, such as a grub screw.

[0016] Preferably, the cable gland includes a sleeve for inserting, supporting, and positioning the signal-carrying cable connected to the M12 connector. The sleeve has an elongated shape for insertion into the cable gland and fits precisely into the specified opening of the cable gland in terms of diameter.

[0017] In a particularly advantageous variant of the invention, the sleeve has a length of more than 50%, preferably more than 60%, in particular more than 70%, of the screw connection length. This protects and supports the transition area of ​​the flexible cable into the rigid screw connection over a sufficiently large area.

[0018] Ideally, the cable gland design includes a sealing element that protects the cable entry and thus the M12 connector from the ingress of dirt and liquids.

[0019] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the screw connection with integrated M12 connector is sealed to IP68. This makes the screw connection and the cable connection to the M12 connector dustproof and waterproof.

[0020] The advantageous design of the M12 connector in an M20 cable gland significantly reduces installation effort. For integration, for example, of a new, wired sensor signal, the module's electronics housing no longer needs to be opened or even drilled through for installation. This also eliminates further problems with sealing a hole and cable entry.

[0021] Ideally, the inventive design of the module, with an M12 connector integrated into the screw connection, can optimize the space within the module. By providing at least one, ideally several, screw connections with integrated M12 connectors, subsequent installation within the module is no longer necessary, thus eliminating the space reserved for this purpose.

[0022] In a particularly advantageous variant of the invention, for example, sensors are connected exclusively via M12 connectors and no longer via terminal contacts in the module for controlling or regulating a centrifugal pump. This allows the module to be improved in terms of space and footprint.

[0023] Advantageously, the M12 connector fits perfectly into an M20 screw connection. This allows retrofitting M12 connectors for modules already in operation for driving centrifugal pumps into existing M20 screw connections quickly, inexpensively, and without major installation effort. This allows, for example, a sensor to be efficiently retrofitted with an M12-based connector.

[0024] The use of such a plug-in connector in screw connections can be implemented cost-effectively even in small quantities, and the M12 plug-in connector can be used in many, even very different, modules for driving centrifugal pumps.

[0025] According to the invention, a cable gland is used as an M12 plug-in connector for sensors for connection to controls or regulations of centrifugal pumps.

[0026] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments with reference to the drawings and from the drawings themselves.

[0027] It shows:

[0028] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electric motor with a module,

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a side view of an M12 connector. Fig. 1 shows an electric motor 1 with a module 2, which is used to drive a centrifugal pump using the electric motor 1. The module 2 is mounted on the electric motor 1 and sits flush with the cooling fins. A current-carrying cable 7 is connected, as an example, to the current-carrying screw connection 6 of the terminal block 13.

[0030] Module 2 comprises three cable glands 5, which, together with the current-carrying cable gland 6, form the terminal block 13. Each cable gland 5 consists of a fixed sleeve 4 with an external thread and an external hexagon element 14, as well as a nut 8 with an internal thread. An M12 socket is integrated into each fixed sleeve 4 with an external thread and positioned with a fixing element. The M12 sockets each have a connection to the cable connection arrangement 3, in which further signal processing takes place in control or regulation components.

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a side view of an M12 connector 9. A sealing element 10 is arranged behind the M12 connector 9, to which the specially shaped sleeve 11 is connected. With the help of the sleeve 11, the cable 12 is inserted to the M12 connector 9 and is protected and held. The sleeve 12 has an elongated shape and is designed to be particularly flexible. The sleeve 12 has a length of 60% of the screw connection length. The nut 8 (not shown) with an internal thread is pushed over the illustrated M12 connector 9 from the cable side, whereby the sealing element 10 within the nut 8 forms a seal against dirt and water according to IP68 in the direction of the M12 connector 9.

Claims

Patent claims M12 plug-in for cable gland 1. Centrifugal pump with a module (2) comprising a cable connection arrangement (3) with at least one screw connection (5), characterized in that an M12 socket is integrated into the screw connection (5).

2. Centrifugal pump according to claim 1, characterized in that the screw connection (5) comprises a nut (8) with internal thread in which an M12 plug (9) is integrated.

3. Centrifugal pump according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the screw connection (5) has a sealing element (10).

4. Centrifugal pump according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the screw connection (5) comprises a sleeve (11 ) in which a cable (12) is connected to the M12 connector (9).

5. Centrifugal pump according to claim 4, characterized in that the sleeve (11 ) has a length of more than 50%, preferably more than 60%, in particular more than 70%, of the screwing length.

6. Centrifugal pump according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the M12 socket has a connection to the cable connection arrangement (3). Centrifugal pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the screw connection (5) is sealed according to IP68. Use of a screw connection (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as an M12 plug-in connector for sensors for connection to controllers or regulators of centrifugal pumps.

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