Insulated wire connector

Abstract

To provide a coated wire connector which facilitates a connection of a coated wire with an alligator clip.SOLUTION: A connector 10 comprises an insulation member 1 and a screw member 2 having conductivity. The insulation member 1 is capable of introducing a coated wire W in an outer peripheral direction. The screw member 2 includes a head part 2h, a screw part 2s and an acute part 2a. The screw part 2s is capable of being threaded with a top of a curved part 11 of the insulation member 1. When the head part 2h is rotated, the acute part 2a is movable back and forth toward an inner wall of a curved part 12 of the insulation member 1. The acute part 2a is capable of being conducted with a core wire Wc by breaking an insulation coating Wi of the coated wire W introduced into the curved part 12. An alligator clip Ca provided in a terminal of a measurement cable Cb connected to an electrical measuring instrument can be held by the screw part 2s extending from the curved part 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for insulated electric wires, and more particularly to a structure of a connector for insulated electric wires suitable for electrically connecting to a core wire of an insulated electric wire such as a drop wire installed at a consumer's destination from a utility pole or the like, and measuring the quantity of electricity in the drop wire. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a high-voltage overhead distribution line is installed on the top of a utility pole or the like. The voltage of this overhead distribution line is stepped down by a transformer installed on the utility pole. A low-voltage distribution line connected to the transformer branches into multiple branch lines. The terminals of the branch lines are electrically connected to the drop line using a C-type compression sleeve. The C-type compression sleeve is covered with an insulating sleeve cover that can be opened and closed freely.

[0003] By the way, sometimes the voltage of a service line is measured. In this case, a voltmeter is installed on the top of a utility pole. If a service line branch terminal box that connects multiple branch lines and service lines is installed on a utility pole, the voltage of the service line can be measured by connecting the alligator clip on the end of the measurement cable connected to the voltmeter to the terminal on the service line branch terminal box.

[0004] When the service line branch terminal box was not installed on the utility pole, the voltage of the service line was measured by removing the C-shaped sleeve cover that covered the end of the service line, and then peeling off the insulating tape that was wrapped around the C-shaped sleeve that compressed the core wire of the service line, and then electrically connecting it to a part of the twisted wire that made up the core wire with an alligator clip.

[0005] In this way, the conventional method of connecting the lead wire and the voltmeter required the removal of the C-type sleeve cover and the peeling off of the insulating tape, which took a lot of work time. Also, when the diameter of the stranded wire was large, there was a problem that the alligator clip was easily dislodged.

[0006] To address the problems with the conventional connection work between service lines and voltmeters, an uninterruptible power tool that can directly and electrically connect to the core of a covered electric wire in an uninterruptible power supply state has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, an uninterruptible power tool that can be easily attached to and detached from a covered electric wire in an uninterruptible power supply state has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-217155 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2002-184482 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The uninterruptible power tool according to Patent Document 1 comprises a clamp body having a hook portion through which an insulated electric wire can be introduced from the outer circumferential direction, and a clamp screw having an annular blade portion formed at its tip that can break through the insulation and screwed into the clamp body, and the clamp body has a fixing screw that can fix the bypass cable so that it can be electrically connected.

[0009] The uninterruptible power tool according to Patent Document 1 makes it easy to electrically connect the insulated electric wire and the bypass cable, but since the clamp body is made of a conductive material, there is a problem in that it is not easy to attach the uninterruptible power tool to the service line due to concerns about short circuits.

[0010] The uninterruptible power tool according to Patent Document 2 comprises a clamp body having a hook portion through which an insulated electric wire can be introduced from the outer circumferential direction, and a clamp screw having a sharp tip portion capable of breaking through the insulation and screwed into the clamp body. The clamp body holds a nut member therein which screws into the clamp screw, and the nut member has a screw portion which can be electrically connected to a crimp terminal attached to the end of the bypass cable.

[0011] The uninterruptible power tool according to Patent Document 2 has a clamp body made of an insulating material, so there is no need to worry about short circuits and it can be easily attached to the service line. However, there is a problem in that it is not easy to detachably connect the clamp screw and the alligator clip via the nut member.

[0012] There is a need for a connector for a covered electric wire that is suitable for electrically connecting to the core wire of a covered electric wire such as a service line to measure the electrical quantity of the covered electric wire, that is free from the risk of short-circuiting with a charged object placed on a utility pole, and that allows easy connection of the core wire of the covered electric wire to an alligator clip.

[0013] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and has an object to provide a connector for a covered electric wire that is suitable for measuring the electrical quantity of a covered electric wire such as a drop wire, that does not cause a short circuit with an object to be charged, and that makes it easy to connect the core wire of the covered electric wire to an alligator clip. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The inventors conceived that a connector for insulated electric wires could be constructed from a C-channel-shaped insulating member with a portion of the periphery open so that the insulated electric wire can be introduced from the outer periphery, and a conductive screw member formed at its tip with a sharp portion capable of breaking through the coating and screwed into the insulating member, and that by screwing the screw member forward with the insulated electric wire introduced inside the insulating member, the sharp portion can break through the coating and be electrically connected to the core wire, and an alligator clip can be detachably connected to the shank of the screw member, and based on this, the inventors have invented the following new connector for insulated electric wires.

[0015] (1) A connector for a covered electric wire according to the present invention is a connector for a covered electric wire for electrically connecting to a core wire of the covered electric wire to measure an electrical quantity of the covered electric wire, the connector comprising: an insulating member in the shape of a C-channel having a pair of opposing curved portions formed therein and having a part of an opening on the outer periphery to enable the covered electric wire to be introduced from the outer periphery direction; and a conductive screw member having a screw portion that screws into the apex of one of the curved portions and a tip portion of the screw portion that advances and retreats toward the inner wall of the other curved portion when the head is rotated, the screw member forming a sharp portion at the tip portion of the screw portion that can break through the insulating coating of the covered electric wire introduced inside the other curved portion and be electrically conductive with the core wire, and an alligator clip provided at the end of a measurement cable connected to an electrical measuring instrument can be clamped by the screw portion extending from one of the curved portions.

[0016] (2) It is preferable that the insulated electric wire connector according to the present invention further includes an insulating lead-in wire cover that covers the insulating member and the screw member in a state in which the alligator clip is connected to the screw member. Effect of the Invention

[0017] The insulated electric wire connector of the present invention is suitable for electrically connecting to the core wire of a insulated electric wire such as a service line, for measuring the electrical quantity of the insulated electric wire, without the risk of short-circuiting with a charged object placed on a utility pole, and it is easy to connect the core wire of the insulated electric wire to an alligator clip. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a covered electric wire connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the insulated electric wire connector according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the insulated electric wire connector according to the embodiment, illustrating a state in which a tip portion of a screw member is connected to a core wire of the insulated electric wire. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the insulated electric wire connector according to the embodiment, in which the insulated electric wire connector is covered with a drop-in wire cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] [Configuration of insulated wire connector] First, the configuration of the insulated electric wire connector according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0021] (Overall composition) 1 or 2, a covered electric wire connector (hereinafter, simply referred to as connector) 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be electrically connected to a core wire Wc of a covered electric wire W such as a drop wire, and can measure the voltage of the covered electric wire W. The covered electric wire W has a core wire Wc made of a twisted wire covered with an insulating coating Wi. The connector 10 includes a C-channel-shaped insulating member 1 and a conductive screw member 2.

[0022] 1 to 3, the insulating member 1 has an opening 1s which is an opening at a portion of the outer periphery. The opening 1s allows the insulated electric wire W to be introduced from the outer periphery direction. The insulating member 1 also forms a pair of opposing curved portions 11 and 12. The pair of curved portions 11 and 12 are connected by a side wall portion 13. The side wall portion 13 is disposed opposite the opening 1s (see FIG. 3).

[0023] 2, the insulating member 1 has a screw hole 11h at the top of one curved portion 11. The screw portion 2s of the screw member 2 can be screwed into the screw hole 11h. The screw hole 11h penetrates toward the bottom surface of the other curved portion 12. The other curved portion 12 can accommodate a coated electric wire W placed on its bottom surface (see FIG. 3).

[0024] 1 to 4, the screw member 2 has a head 2h and a threaded portion 2s. A cross recess is formed in the head 2h for turning the screw member 2 with a tool such as a screwdriver. A sharp portion 2a is formed at the tip of the threaded portion 2s.

[0025] Referring to Figures 3 and 4, when the screw portion 2s of the screw member 2 is screwed into the top of one of the curved portions 11, the head 2h can be rotated using a tool such as a screwdriver, allowing the tip of the screw portion 2s to move toward or away from the inner wall of the other curved portion 12.

[0026] 3 or 4, the sharp portion 2a of the screw member 2 can break through the insulating coating Wi of the coated electric wire W introduced into the other curved portion 12 and be electrically connected to the core wire Wc.

[0027] 1, the screw portion 2s extending from one of the curved portions 11 can hold an alligator clip Ca. The alligator clip Ca is attached to the end of a measuring cable Cb connected to an electric measuring instrument (not shown). This allows the voltage of the insulated electric wire W to be measured.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, after removing the connector 10 from the insulated electric wire W, pinhole-like peeling may occur in the insulating coating Wi. Therefore, it is preferable to perform an insulating treatment by wrapping an insulating tape around the outer circumference of the insulated electric wire W.

[0029] 5, the connector 10 is preferably covered with an insulating, openable / closable lead-in wire cover 3. A commercially available openable / closable sleeve cover can be used as the lead-in wire cover 3. The lead-in wire cover 3 can accommodate the connector 10 inside the main body 30 with the alligator clip Ca connected to the screw member 2.

[0030] 5, the lead-in wire cover 3 can lead out the insulated electric wire W from one lead-out portion 31, and can lead out the insulated electric wire W and the measurement cable Cb from the other lead-out portion 32. The lead-in wire cover 3 can prevent the screw member 2 and the alligator clip Ca from coming into contact with a charged object installed on the utility pole.

[0031] (Configuration of insulating material) Next, the configuration of the insulating member 1 according to the embodiment will be described. With reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, the insulating member 1 is formed of synthetic resin having insulating properties. A plastic pipe having insulating properties can be processed into a desired shape, and synthetic resin having insulating properties can also be molded into a desired shape.

[0032] 3, it is preferable that the width g of the opening 1s of the insulating member 1 is slightly smaller than the diameter d of the insulated electric wire W. The insulated electric wire W can be introduced into the insulating member 1 by utilizing the elasticity of the insulating member 1. The elastic return of the insulating member 1 can prevent the insulating member 1 from falling off the insulated electric wire W.

[0033] 3, by forming the insulating member 1 from an elastic body such as plastic, a covered electric wire W larger than the diameter d of the covered electric wire W to be connected can be introduced into the insulating member 1. For example, the insulating member 1 according to the embodiment can introduce a covered electric wire W of 60 sq (diameter about 9 mm) into the insulating member 1, but can also introduce a covered electric wire W of 80 sq (diameter about 10 mm) into the insulating member 1.

[0034] (Screw member configuration) Next, the configuration of the screw member 2 according to the embodiment will be described. With reference to Figs. 1 to 4, the screw member 2 can be a tapping screw with a sharp tip, or a wood screw with a sharp tip. By using a tapping screw or wood screw, it is possible to form a female thread by rotating the screw member 2 without forming a female thread in the fastened member by simply drilling a pilot hole. A cross recess or a slotted groove may be provided in the head 2h. A commercially available product can be used as the screw member 2.

[0035] (Function of the connector for insulated electric wires) Next, the operation and effects of the connector 10 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0036] 1 to 4, a connector 10 according to an embodiment includes an insulating member 1 capable of introducing a coated electric wire W from the outer periphery into the inside, and a conductive screw member 2 having a screw portion 2s that screws into the apex of one curved portion 11 and a tip portion of the screw portion 2s that advances and retreats toward the inner wall of the other curved portion 12. When the screw member 2 is rotated, the sharp point 2a breaks through the insulating coating Wi of the coated electric wire W to establish electrical continuity with the core wire Wc. The voltage of the coated electric wire W can be measured by clamping an alligator clip Ca to the screw portion 2s extending from one curved portion 11.

[0037] In the connector 10 according to the embodiment, the screw member 2 can be electrically connected to the core wire Wc in the middle of the insulated electric wire W without removing the C-shaped sleeve cover and further peeling off the insulating tape wound around the C-shaped sleeve. Then, the voltage of the insulated electric wire W can be measured by clamping the screw member 2 with an alligator clip Ca.

[0038] Furthermore, referring to Figure 5, by storing the connector 10 inside the drop line cover 3 with the alligator clip Ca connected to the screw member 2, it is possible to prevent the screw member 2 and the alligator clip Ca from coming into contact with the charged object installed on the utility pole.

[0039] The insulated electric wire connector according to the present invention has the following effects. (1) Since there is no need to remove the C-shaped sleeve cover and furthermore peel off the insulating tape wrapped around the C-shaped sleeve, the work time required for connection to the drop line can be shortened. (2) The screw member has a small diameter and is formed with a screw thread, so that the screw member can be securely clamped by the alligator clip. (3) Since the conductive screw member protrudes slightly from the insulating member, contact with the object to be charged can be suppressed. (4) It is safe because there is no need to use a knife to peel off the insulating tape. [Explanation of symbols]

[0040] 1 Insulating material 1c supply section 2 Screw parts 2a Sharp part 2h head 2s Screw part 10 Connectors (connectors for coated electric wires) 11·12 Pair of curved sections W-coated wire Ca Alligator Clip Cb measurement cable Wire core Wc insulation coating

Claims

1. A connector for a covered electric wire for electrically connecting to a core wire of the covered electric wire to measure an electrical quantity of the covered electric wire, an insulating member having a C-shaped channel shape, the insulating member having a pair of curved portions opposed to each other, and an opening formed by opening a part of the outer periphery so that the covered electric wire can be introduced from the outer periphery direction; a conductive screw member having a screw portion that screws into the apex of one of the curved portions, and a tip portion of the screw portion moves toward and away from the inner wall of the other curved portion when a head portion is rotated, thereby fixing the insulated electric wire to the inner wall of the other curved portion, the screw member has a tip portion at a tip end of the screw portion that is capable of breaking through an insulating coating of the coated electric wire introduced into the other curved portion and electrically connecting the core wire, An alligator clip provided at an end of a measurement cable connected to an electrical measuring instrument can be clamped to the screw portion extending from one of the curved portions, The width of the opening is smaller than the diameter of the insulated wire.

2. 2. The insulated electric wire connector according to claim 1, further comprising a drop-in wire cover that covers the insulating member and the screw member in a state in which the alligator clip is connected to the screw member.

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