Electro-insulating connector support for three-phase transformer

Abstract

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

Description

Title of the invention: Electro-insulating connector support for three-phase transformer Technical sector

[0001] The present invention relates to an electro-insulating connector support for a three-phase transformer of the type which comprises a single magnetic core shared between three transformer assemblies, each transformer assembly including an adjacent primary winding and a secondary winding wound around the same portion of said magnetic core.

[0002] The proposed invention relates to improvements in the connection between the three primary windings, between the three secondary windings and between these and the main electrical connectors of the three-phase transformer which allow the three-phase transformer to be connected to a circuit, said improvements facilitating the automated manufacturing of the three-phase transformer, increasing its manufacturing speed and reducing its cost and manufacturing errors. State of the art

[0003] Connector supports for three-phase transformers are known with three transformer assemblies defined in three portions thereof, each transformer assembly being formed by an adjacent primary winding and secondary winding wound around the same portion of the magnetic core.

[0004] In this type of three-phase transformers, the three primary windings are interconnected with each other by a second end of each of them, and the three secondary windings are interconnected with each other by a second end of each of them.

[0005] To facilitate the connection of the three-phase transformer with an electrical circuit, in a simple and safe manner, it is known to include a connector support to which six main electrical connectors are fixed, a first end of each of the primary windings and of each of the secondary windings being connected to one of said main connectors.

[0006] This construction results compact and efficient, nevertheless the connection of the primary and secondary windings between them and with the main electrical connectors is difficult and expensive, because it requires to precisely position each of the various connection cables that connect the first ends and the second ends with the primary and secondary windings along a specific connection path with complex geometry around the three-phase transformer, to reach its corresponding connection point, which makes it difficult, makes it more expensive and / or prevents the automation of the step of connecting the first and / or second ends of the corresponding primary and secondary windings.

[0007] The present invention provides a solution to this and other problems by making the manufacture of said three-phase transformers easier and less expensive, by simplifying the process of connecting the primary and secondary windings, and by allowing partial or total automation of said connection process. Brief description of the invention

[0008] This document provides an electro-insulating connector holder for a three-phase transformer having three transformer assemblies each including a primary winding and a secondary winding.

[0009] According to the above, the proposed three-phase transformer includes three transformer assemblies, each formed by a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding and the secondary winding may both be wound around the same portion of the magnetic core.

[0010] The primary winding may be of electrically conductive wire. The secondary winding may be adjacent to the primary winding and may be of electrically conductive wire.

[0011] Optionally, each portion of the magnetic core is an elongated bar-shaped portion, the primary and secondary windings being wound around the same portion of the magnetic core, around a same geometric axis defined by said elongated portion of the magnetic core. According to one aspect, each of said portions of the magnetic core is connected to the remaining portions of the same magnetic core by its two ends through the body of the magnetic core, so that all portions of the magnetic core are connected to each other. Other embodiments are also contemplated.

[0012] The proposed connector support is a single body, for example made of plastic, comprising three portions, each being intended to remain adjacent to one of the three transformer assemblies when the connector support is associated with the three-phase transformer.

[0013] The proposed connector carrier includes six main electrical connectors attached thereto, each formed by a main terminal adapted to be connected to a first end of one of the primary windings or the secondary windings. In this way, the connector carrier provides main electrical connectors, each in connection with a first end of each of the primary or secondary windings, thereby facilitating the connection of the three-phase transformer to an electrical circuit through the main electrical connectors of the connector carrier.

[0014] Optionally, the main electrical connectors are partially recessed into the connector carrier, providing fixation.

[0015] Each of the three primary windings and the three secondary windings may have a first end of the electrically conductive wire connected to one of the main electrical connectors. In this way, the main electrical connectors allow easy and secure connection of the primary and secondary windings of the three-phase transformer to an electrical circuit.

[0016] It is further proposed, in a manner not known in the existing state of the art, that the connector carrier comprises, embedded in the three portions thereof, an electrically conductive primary connector which, in each portion of the connector carrier, includes a primary terminal external to the connector carrier, adapted to be connected to a second end of the corresponding adjacent primary winding, the primary connector interconnecting the three primary windings.

[0017] Similarly, the connector support further includes, embedded in the three portions thereof, a secondary connector electrically conductive and insulated from the primary connector, which, in each portion of the connector support, includes a secondary terminal, external to the connector support, intended to be connected to a second end of an adjacent secondary winding, the secondary connector interconnecting the three secondary windings.

[0018] Thus, each of the three primary windings has a second end of the electrically conductive wire, opposite the first end, connected to the second ends of the other primary windings, typically in a Y connection, and each of the three secondary windings has a second end of the electrically conductive wire, opposite the first end, connected to the second ends of the other secondary windings, typically in a Y connection.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the connector support includes, embedded in the three portions thereof, an electrically conductive primary connector. Thus, said electrically conductive primary connector is a connector which runs along the three portions of the connector support, a portion of the primary connector being adjacent to one of the transformer assemblies, another portion of the primary connector being adjacent to another of the transformer assemblies and another portion of the primary connector being adjacent to the last of the transformer assemblies.

[0020] The primary connector may include, in each portion of the connector support, a primary terminal external to the connector support, i.e., the primary connector includes a primary terminal adjacent to one of the transformer assemblies, another primary terminal adjacent to another of the transformer assemblies, and another primary terminal adjacent to the last of the transformer assemblies.

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

[0022] The connector support further includes, embedded in the three portions thereof, a secondary connector electrically conductive and insulated from the primary connector, which, in each portion of the connector support, includes a secondary terminal external to the connector support.

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

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

[0025] Similarly, the connection of the second ends of each of the primary and secondary windings to the corresponding adjacent primary and secondary terminals can also be easily automated, thereby speeding up production and reducing costs. Brief description of the figures

[0026] The foregoing and other advantages and features will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are to be taken by way of illustration and not limitation, in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] shows a perspective view of the proposed connector support according to a embodiment in which each of the three portions of the connector support incorporates two main electrical connectors;

[0028] [Fig.2] shows the connector carrier of [Fig.l], with the primary connector, the secondary connector and the six main electrical connectors separated therefrom;

[0029] [Fig.3] represents a plan view of the connector support of [Fig.l];

[0030] [Fig.4] shows a perspective view of a connector support according to a alternative embodiment, in which all the main electrical connectors are grouped on one side of the connector holder, and in which the connector holder includes a perimeter channel for housing therein the first ends of the three primary windings and the three secondary windings by guiding them to the side of the connector holder which houses the six main electrical connectors, said perimeter channel including two side access openings in each of the portions of the connector holder for the entry of the first ends into the perimeter channel;

[0031] [Fig.5] shows the same connector carrier as in [Fig.4], with the primary connector and secondary connector separate therefrom;

[0032] [Fig.6] shows the same connector support as in [Fig.4], but from a lower side.

[0033] Detailed description of the invention and some examples of embodiments

[0034] The attached figures show illustrative and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] The invention is directed to a connector support for a three-phase transformer.

[0036] It is understood that the three-phase transformer includes a magnetic core with three primary windings and three secondary windings wound around three portions of the same magnetic core, thus constituting three transformer assemblies.

[0037] Thus, the magnetic core includes a first portion with a first primary winding and a first secondary winding wound therearound constituting a first transformer assembly; a second portion with a second primary winding and a second secondary winding wound therearound constituting a second transformer assembly; and a third portion with a third primary winding and a third secondary winding wound therearound constituting a third transformer assembly, the first, second and third primary and secondary windings being made of electrically conductive wire.

[0038] The electrically insulating connector support (40) is intended to be associated with the magnetic core, and integrates six main electrical connectors (50). Said connector support (40) includes 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.

[0039] Each of the first, second and third primary windings and each of the first, second and third secondary windings has a first end and a second end, each first end being connected to one of the main electrical connectors (50) attached to the connector holder (40), allowing easy and secure connection of the primary and secondary windings of the three-phase transformer to an electrical circuit via said main electrical connectors (50).

[0040] The connector carrier (40) further includes, embedded in the first, second and third portions (41, 42, 43) thereof, an electrically conductive primary connector (60) with a primary terminal (61, 62, 63) exposed in each of the first, second and third portions (41, 42, 43) of the connector carrier (40), each exposed primary terminal (61, 62, 63) being connected to one of the second ends first, second and third primary windings, the second ends being interconnected through the primary connector (60).

[0041] The connector carrier (40) also includes, embedded in the first, second and third portions (41, 42, 43) thereof, an electrically conductive secondary connector (70), insulated from the primary connector (60), with a secondary terminal (71, 72, 73) exposed on each of the first, second and third portions (41, 42, 43), each exposed secondary terminal (71, 72, 73) being connected to one of the second ends of the first, second and third secondary windings, the second ends being interconnected via the secondary connector (70).

[0042] The manufacturing of the connector holder (40), including the main electrical connectors (50), the primary connector (60) and the secondary connector (70), with the corresponding primary (61, 62, 63) and secondary (71, 72, 73) terminals, can be easily automated. Furthermore, the connection of the second ends of the primary and secondary windings to the primary (61, 62, 63) and secondary (71, 72, 73) terminals can also be easily automated, which simplifies the construction of the three-phase transformer.

[0043] Optionally, it is proposed that the primary terminals (61, 62, 63) and the secondary terminals (71, 72, 73) are arranged on an outer perimeter of the connector support (40), for example around it and easily accessible to facilitate the automatic connection of the second ends thereto.

[0044] Each of the primary electrical connectors (50) may be partially embedded in the connector carrier (40), remaining attached thereto. Each of the primary electrical connectors (50) may include an exposed connection portion, for connection to an electrical circuit, and a portion embedded in the connector carrier (40), electrically insulated from the primary (60) and secondary (70) connectors, which provides attachment to the connector carrier.

[0045] Preferably, the recessed portion of each main electrical connector (50) is between the exposed connection portion and the main terminal (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) of the same main electrical connector (50).

[0046] It is also proposed that each of the three portions (41, 42, 43) of the connector support (40) includes two of the main terminals (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), for the connection of the first end of the primary and secondary winding of the corresponding adjacent transformer assembly.

[0047] According to the above, each of the first, second and third portions (41, 42, 43) of the connector support (40) includes a main terminal (51, 52, 53) for its connection with the first end of the primary windings and another main terminal (54, 55, 56) for its connection with the first end of the secondary windings.

[0048] It is also proposed that the main terminals (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) are arranged on an outer perimeter of the connector support, for example around it, which facilitates the automation of the connection of these to the first ends of the primary and secondary windings.

[0049] According to another embodiment, each portion of the connector support (40) may include, projecting therefrom, the exposed portion of two of the main electrical connectors (50). The corresponding main terminals may be embedded in the same portion of the connector support (40). This simplifies the internal connections existing in the connector support (40) by locating the main electrical connectors (50) distributed between the different portions (41, 42, 43) of the connector support (40).

[0050] Preferably, the main electrical connectors (50), or at least their exposed portion, are parallel pins projecting from the connector support (40).

[0051] Preferably, the portion of the magnetic core of each transformer assembly defines a central axis, around which the corresponding primary and secondary windings are wound, the central axes of the three portions of the magnetic core being parallel to each other.

[0052] The magnetic core of the three-phase transformer, which is not part of the scope of the present invention, has for example a hollow interior surrounded by three portions which form the three transformer assemblies, a main winding and a secondary winding being wound around each of said portions of the magnetic core.

[0053] The magnetic core may have a triangular configuration which defines three apex regions and where each transformer assembly is formed in one of said apex regions. According to this embodiment, the three portions of the magnetic core are formed by three elongated bars parallel to each other, each arranged in one of the apex regions, the three portions of the magnetic core being connected to each other by an upper triangular portion and a lower triangular portion of the magnetic core parallel to each other, together forming the magnetic core having a hollow interior.

[0054] Preferably, the connector support may have a triangular configuration defining three apex regions, wherein each portion (41, 42, 43) of the connector support includes one of said apex regions.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector support (40) may have an annular configuration surrounding a central hollow provided for the insertion, at least partial, of a part of the magnetic core of the three-phase transformer, the connector support remaining around it, closer to the primary and secondary windings.

Claims

Claims

1. An electrically insulating connector holder for a three-phase transformer having three transformer assemblies each including a primary winding and a secondary winding, wherein: the connector holder (40) is a single body that includes three portions (41, 42, 43), each adapted to remain adjacent to one of the three transformer assemblies when the connector holder is associated with the three-phase transformer; the connector holder (40) includes six main electrical connectors (50) attached thereto, each including a main terminal (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56) adapted to be connected to a first end of one of the primary windings or the secondary windings;characterized in that the connector support (40) includes, embedded in the three portions (41, 42, 43) thereof, an electrically conductive primary connector (60) which, in each portion (41, 42, 43) of the connector support (40), includes a primary terminal (61, 62, 63) external to the connector support (40), adapted to be connected to a second end of the corresponding adjacent primary winding, the primary connector (60) interconnecting the three primary windings; and wherein the connector support (40) further includes, embedded in the three portions (41, 42, 43), a secondary connector (70) electrically conductive and insulated from the primary connector (60), which, in each portion of the connector support (40), includes a secondary terminal (71, 72, 73), external to the connector support (40), adapted to be connected to a second end of an adjacent secondary winding, the secondary connector (70) interconnecting the three secondary windings.;

2. The connector carrier of claim 1, wherein the primary terminals (61, 62, 63) and the secondary terminals (71, 72, 73) are disposed on an outer perimeter of the connector carrier.

3. The connector carrier of claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the main electrical connectors (50) includes an exposed connection portion and a portion embedded in the carrier. connectors (40), electrically insulated from the primary (60) and secondary (70) connectors.

4. A connector carrier according to claim 3, wherein the recessed portion of each main electrical connector (50) is comprised between the exposed connection portion and the main terminal of the same main electrical connector (50).

5. A connector carrier according to claim 4, wherein each of the three portions (41, 42, 43) of the connector carrier (40) includes two of the main terminals (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56).

6. The connector carrier of claim 5, wherein the main terminals (51, 52, 53, 54, 54, 55, 56) are disposed on an outer perimeter of the connector carrier (40).

7. A connector carrier according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein each portion (41, 42, 43) of the connector carrier (40) includes, projecting therefrom, the exposed portion of two of the main electrical connectors (50).

8. A connector carrier according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the exposed portion of the main electrical connectors (50) are parallel pins projecting from the connector carrier (40).

9. A connector carrier according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector carrier has a triangular configuration which defines three apex regions and wherein each portion (41, 42, 43) includes one of said apex regions.

10. A connector holder according to any preceding claim, wherein the connector holder (40) has an annular configuration surrounding a central hollow provided for at least partial insertion of a portion of the magnetic core of the three-phase transformer.

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