Longitudinally water-tight cable shoe

Abstract

Tubular cable lug (10) for connecting a cable to an interface, comprising: a web (11); a first tubular element (12) for receiving a cable; a flange element (13) with a bore (14) for connecting to an interface; wherein the web (11) is arranged between the bore (14) of the flange element (13) and the first tubular element (12) and effects a longitudinal water seal between the first tubular element (12) and the flange element (13); wherein the flange element (13) is at least partially formed as a flat-pressed second tubular element.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a tubular cable lug for connecting a cable to an interface and a method for producing such a tubular cable lug. background

[0002] Tubular cable lugs are generally known in the art. Tubular cable lugs are used to electrically connect cables to an interface. The tubular cable lug has an opening for a cable and a flange for the interface to be connected. Moisture or the penetration of water from the cable side to the contact between the cable and the cable lug poses a problem. In this context, it has become apparent that there is a further need to provide tubular cable lugs for connecting a cable to an interface.

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tubular cable lug for connecting a cable to an interface, in particular it is an object of the present invention to provide a tubular cable lug that is as insensitive to moisture as possible and is cost-effective.

[0004] These and other objects, which will be mentioned upon reading the following description or which may be recognized by a person skilled in the art, are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims develop the central idea of ​​the present invention in a particularly advantageous manner. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a tubular cable lug for connecting a cable to an interface is provided, comprising: a web; a first tubular element for receiving a cable; a flange element with a bore for connection to an interface; wherein the web is arranged between the bore of the flange element and the first tubular element and effects a longitudinal water seal between the first tubular element and the flange element; wherein the flange element is at least partially formed as a flat-pressed second tubular element.

[0006] The term tubular cable lug is to be understood broadly here and refers to a cable lug that has at least one tubular element and a flange element. The tubular element is made in particular from a tube and has a closed circumference. In other words, a tubular cable lug is not a punched cable lug and therefore does not require a solder seam to close the circumference area for receiving a cable. The tubular cable lug is preferably used to connect a cable to a pole or another electrical interface. For this purpose, the flange is screwed against the pole, for example with a screw, so that a current can flow between the cable located in the tubular cable lug and the pole.

[0007] The term tubular element is to be understood broadly here and refers to a rotationally symmetrical hollow body with an opening for receiving a cable. The tubular element can have different lengths. The tubular element can have different wall thicknesses. The tubular element can have a chamfer at the opening. The tubular element can be coated. The tubular element can be made of copper. The first tubular element is preferably terminated with a web on the side opposite the opening for receiving the cable. The second tubular element is preferably terminated with a web on one side.

[0008] The term "flange element" is to be understood broadly in this context and refers to an interface for connecting the tubular cable lug to another corresponding electrical interface. The flange element preferably has a bore for this purpose. A screw, for example, can be passed through the bore and screwed to the electrical interface (e.g., a terminal).

[0009] The term "web" is to be understood broadly in this context and refers to a structural, water-impermeable barrier designed to directly prevent the transport of water between the flange element and the first tubular element, and vice versa. In a starting semi-finished product from which the tubular cable lug is manufactured, the web represents an impermeable wall between two tubular elements. The web preferably has a length of no more than one and a half times the wall thickness of the tubular elements. This prevents ear formation in the web area during forming or pressing.

[0010] The invention is based on the realization that tubular cable lugs require a longitudinal water seal between the flange element and the first tubular element. In the prior art, pipes are pressed into a flange on one side and provided with a bore. The transition area between the flange and the other unpressed side is sealed using a complex soldering process, dip tinning or hot-dip tinning. The present invention, however, solves this problem by using a pipe with a first tubular element and a second tubular element and a web located between them as the starting semi-finished product. The first tubular element is then pressed and provided with a bore to produce the flange element. The web prevents the transport of liquid between the flange element and the first tubular element. The web thus efficiently enables a longitudinal water seal between the flange element and the second tubular element.The invention eliminates the need for complex sealing by dip-tinning or hot-dip tinning. The starting semi-finished product is preferably symmetrical. This has a positive effect on handling during the manufacturing process. By eliminating hot-dip tinning or dip-tinning, alternative coating variants can be used. The starting semi-finished product is preferably produced by extrusion. This can have a beneficial effect on the necessary material requirements. By eliminating hot-dip tinning or dip-tinning, production time and costs can be reduced.

[0011] The tubular cable lug is preferably a one-piece construction. The tubular cable lug is preferably made from a one-piece semi-finished product. This can have a positive impact on handling. This can have a positive impact on costs.

[0012] Preferably, the web is arranged in the flange element.

[0013] Preferably, the web has a length of less than one and a half times the wall thickness of the first pipe element. Preferably, the web has a length of less than twice the wall thickness of the first pipe element. Preferably, the web has a length of less than four times the wall thickness of the first pipe element. By choosing a small wall thickness, ear formation during the pressing of the flange can be avoided. This has a positive effect on the manufacturing quality.

[0014] Preferably, the web is arranged in a transition region between the flange element and the first pipe element.

[0015] Preferably, the first tubular element and the second tubular element have identical dimensions in the unpressed state, so that an initial semi-finished product of the tubular cable lug is mirror-symmetrical to the web and rotationally symmetrical to a longitudinal axis of the tubular cable lug.

[0016] The term "identical dimensions" in this context means that the first tubular element and the second tubular element each have the same length, the same inner diameter, and the same outer diameter. The longitudinal axis in this context means an axis through the center of the first tubular element along the longitudinal orientation of the first tubular element. This significantly simplifies handling during the production of the tubular cable lug, since it makes no difference whether one side of the initial semi-finished product or the other side of the initial semi-finished product is machined into the flange element. This significantly reduces the handling effort.

[0017] Preferably, the tubular cable lug comprises at least partially copper.

[0018] Copper is very suitable as an electrical conductor and, due to its ductility, also offers good forming properties.

[0019] Preferably, the tubular cable lug has a coating from the following group: silver, nickel, tin.

[0020] The coatings enable better corrosion protection. Since the present invention eliminates the need for soldering to create a longitudinal water seal, any coating can be used for the tubular cable lug.

[0021] Preferably, the first tubular element has a first inner diameter and the second tubular element in the unpressed state has a second inner diameter, and wherein the first inner diameter is greater than, less than, or equal to the second inner diameter.

[0022] By choosing a uniform inner diameter, a symmetrical starting semi-finished product can be used. By choosing a smaller or larger second inner diameter, flange elements of different sizes can be realized. For example, a small flange element can be realized with a small second inner diameter, or a large flange element with a large second inner diameter. By choosing a smaller or larger first inner diameter, smaller or larger cables can be accommodated.

[0023] Preferably, the first tubular element has a first chamfer and the second tubular element has a second chamfer in the unpressed state, and wherein the first chamfer is the same size as the second chamfer.

[0024] The first chamfer serves as an insertion aid for the cable. The arrangement of the chamfer on the first and second tubular elements facilitates handling during the production of the tubular cable lug, as the initial semi-finished product is mirror- and rotationally symmetrical.

[0025] Preferably, the first tubular element has a first length and the second tubular element has a second length in the unpressed state, and wherein the first length is less than, greater than, or equal to the second length.

[0026] By selecting equal first and second lengths, a mirror-symmetrical starting semi-finished product can be created. This has a positive effect on handling during tubular cable lug production. By selecting a smaller or larger first length, a different cable connection length can be achieved. By selecting a smaller or larger second length, a different flange element length can be achieved.

[0027] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing a tubular cable lug described in more detail above, comprising: providing a starting semi-finished product for the tubular cable lug, wherein the starting semi-finished product comprises a first tubular element and a second tubular element and a web, wherein the web is arranged between the first and the second tubular element; pressing the second tubular element to form a flange element; and introducing a bore into the flange element.

[0028] Preferably, the method further comprises coating the tubular cable lug. The coating may comprise silver, tin, and / or nickel.

[0029] Preferably, the provision of the starting semi-finished product involves extrusion of a cylindrical raw material. Extrusion enables cost-effective mass production. Extrusion does not produce chip waste, as occurs, for example, during drilling. Description of the preferred embodiments

[0030] Below is a description of the figures, showing Figure 1 a schematic sectional view of a tubular cable lug; Figure 2 a schematic plan view of a tubular cable lug; Figure 3 a schematic sectional view of a starting semi-finished product for a tubular cable lug; and Figure 4 a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a tubular cable lug.

[0031] Figure 1shows a schematic sectional view of a tubular cable lug 10. The tubular cable lug 10 is used to connect a cable (not shown) to an interface (not shown). The tubular cable lug 10 has a first tubular element 12. The first tubular element 12 is designed to receive a cable (not shown). The cable is stripped at least in the area in which it is inserted into the tubular cable lug in order to establish an electrical connection with the tubular cable lug. By connecting the tubular cable lug, for example with a screw (not shown), to a connection interface (not shown), an electrical connection can be established between the cable and the interface. The tubular cable lug also has a flange element 13. A bore 14 is arranged in the flange element 13.A screw (not shown) can be guided through the bore 14 and electrically connected to an interface, for example a pole (not shown). The flange element 13 in this case has a length 17. The first tubular element 12 in this case has a length 18. The area between the flange element 13 and the first tubular element 18 is referred to as the transition area 15. The transition area 15 in this case has a length 16. In the present case, a web 11 is arranged in the transition area 15. The web 11 effects a longitudinal water seal between the first tubular element 12 and the flange element 13. The web 11 can alternatively be arranged in the flange element 13 between the bore 14 and the transition area 15. The flange element 13 is designed in this case as a flat-pressed second tubular element. The tubular cable lug 10 in this case is made of copper. The tubular cable lug 10 is also coated with tin.The tubular cable lug 10 is designed in one piece.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of a tubular cable lug 50. In this case, the tubular cable lug 50 again has a first tubular element 52. In this case, the tubular cable lug 50 has a flange element 53 with a bore 54. In this case, the flange element 53 is also designed as a flat-pressed tubular element. The tubular cable lug 50 is produced from a starting semi-finished product. The starting semi-finished product has a first tubular element 52 and a second tubular element. The two tubular elements are separated from one another by a web arranged in the transition region 55. The pressing process of the second tubular element creates the flange element 53. Due to the pressing, the tubular element expands in the flat-pressed state, so that a larger cross-sectional area is present than in the unpressed state.

[0033] Figure 3shows a starting semi-finished product 100 for a tubular cable lug. The starting semi-finished product 100 has a first tubular element 101. The first tubular element 101 serves to accommodate a cable. The starting semi-finished product 100 also has a second tubular element 102. A web 103 is arranged between the first tubular element 101 and the second tubular element 102. The starting semi-finished product 100 can be produced, for example, by extrusion. The first tubular element 101 in this case has a chamfer 105. The second tubular element 102 in this case also has a chamfer 106. The starting semi-finished product 100 is rotationally symmetrical to the longitudinal axis 104 in this case. The starting semi-finished product 100 is also mirror-symmetrical to the web 103 in this case. This symmetrical design of the starting semi-finished product 100 has a positive effect on the production of the tubular cable lug, since no additional handling processes are necessary for alignment.Alternatively, the inner diameter 107 of the first tubular element 101 can differ from the inner diameter 108 of the second tubular element 102. This allows different cable diameters or different flange geometries to be realized or enabled. Furthermore, the length 109 of the first tubular element 101 can differ from the length 110 of the second tubular element 102. This allows the connection of the cable to the first tubular element to be varied or the flange geometry to be varied. The outer diameter of the first tubular element preferably corresponds to the outer diameter of the second tubular element. In the present case, the web has a length 111 of four times the wall thickness of the first tubular element. Preferably, the web has a length 111 of twice the wall thickness of the first tubular element.

[0034] Figure 4 shows a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a tubular cable lug described above.

[0035] Step S10 comprises providing a starting semi-finished product for a tubular cable lug. The starting semi-finished product comprises a first tubular element, a second tubular element, and a web. The web is arranged between the first and second tubular elements.

[0036] Step S 20 comprises pressing the second pipe element into a flange element.

[0037] Step S 30 comprises drilling a hole in the flange element.

[0038] Furthermore, the method may include coating the tubular cable lug with tin, silver, or nickel. Providing the starting semi-finished product may include extrusion of a cylindrical raw material. List of reference symbols

[0039] 10, 50 Tubular cable lug 11 Web 12, 52 First tubular element 13, 53 Flange element 14, 54 Bore of flange element 15, 55 Transition area 16 Length of transition area 17 Length of flange 18 Length of first tubular element 100 Initial semi-finished product tubular cable lug 101 First tubular element 102 Second tubular element 103 Web 104 Longitudinal axis 105, 106 Chamfer 107 Inner diameter of first tubular element 108 Inner diameter of second tubular element 109 Length of first tubular element 110 Length of second tubular element 111 Length of web

Claims

1. A tubular cable lug for connecting a cable to an interface, comprising: a web; a first tubular element for receiving a cable; a flange element with a bore for connection to an interface; wherein the web is arranged between the bore of the flange element and the first tubular element and effects a longitudinal water seal between the first tubular element and the flange element; wherein the flange element is at least partially formed as a flat-pressed second tubular element.

2. Tubular cable lug according to claim 1, wherein the tubular cable lug is one-piece.

3. Tubular cable lug according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the web is arranged in the flange element.

4. Tubular cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the web is arranged in a transition region between the flange element and the tubular element.

5. Tubular cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the web has a length of less than one and a half times a wall thickness of the first tubular element.

6. Tubular cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first tubular element and the second tubular element have identical dimensions in the unpressed state, so that an initial semi-finished product of the tubular cable lug is mirror-symmetrical to the web and rotationally symmetrical to a longitudinal axis of the tubular cable lug.

7. Tubular cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular cable lug comprises at least partially copper.

8. Tubular cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tubular cable lug has a coating from the following group: silver, nickel, tin.

9. Tubular cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first tubular element has a first inner diameter and the second tubular element has a second inner diameter in the unpressed state, and wherein the first inner diameter is greater than, less than, or equal to the second inner diameter.

10. Tubular cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first tubular element has a first chamfer and the second tubular element has a second chamfer in the unpressed state, and wherein the first chamfer is the same size as the second chamfer.

11. Tubular cable lug according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first tubular element has a first length and the second tubular element has a second length in the unpressed state, and wherein the first length is less than, greater than, or equal to the second length.

12. A method for producing a tubular cable lug according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising: providing a starting semi-finished product for the tubular cable lug, the starting semi-finished product comprising a first tubular element and a second tubular element and a web, the web being arranged between the first and second tubular elements; pressing the second tubular element into a flange element; and introducing a bore into the flange element.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising coating the tubular cable lug.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein providing the starting semi-finished product comprises extrusion of a cylindrical raw material.

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