Cable glands

Abstract

To provide a cable ground capable of suppressing damage to a sleeve and ensuring cable retention and dust and waterproof performance of the sleeve even when the cable is of a small diameter.SOLUTION: The cable ground includes a ground body, a cap, a sleeve, and a sleeve collet 5. The sleeve collet 5 includes a cylindrical portion 51 fitted into the outer circumference of the sleeve, a flange 52 extending radially inwards from one end of the cylindrical portion 51, and a spiral tube 53 extending axially from the radially inner end of the flange 52. The spiral tube 53 is arranged to wrap around the outer circumference of the cable and protrude towards the cap through an aperture hole in the cap, with a slit 563 extending in a spiral shape. A slit 562 is formed in the flange 52 and a slit 561 is formed in the cylindrical portion 51. The slit 561 is connected to a slit 563a via a slit 562a.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable gland for holding a cable. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art When connecting a cable to an electric device, a technique is known in which the cable is held via a cable gland attached to a housing or the like of the electric device.

[0003] A conventional cable gland generally includes a gland body, which is a cylindrical member through which a cable can be inserted and which is attached to a wall of a housing or the like, a sleeve fitted into the gland body, and a cap (cap nut) screwed onto the outside of the gland body. The sleeve has an insertion hole through which the cable is inserted. The cap includes a cylindrical peripheral wall and a front wall formed at one end of the peripheral wall, and an opening through which the cable is inserted is formed in the front wall.

[0004] In such cable glands, when the sleeve is fitted into the gland body with the cable inserted through the sleeve's insertion hole and the cap is tightened onto the male thread of the gland body, the sleeve is pressed into the gland body, causing the conical tapered surface of the gland body to deform the sleeve radially inward, bringing the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve's insertion hole into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cable. This makes it possible to prevent foreign matter (such as water, oil, dust, etc.) from entering the housing of the electrical device, and also to firmly hold and fix the cable itself.

[0005] Also proposed is a cable gland equipped with a sleeve collet that is attached to the sleeve (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The sleeve collet is provided to surround the sleeve, and is configured so that when the sleeve is compressed, the deformation of the sleeve is released into the cap or the empty space in the gland body, preventing a decrease in the sleeve's cable retention force and dustproofing and waterproofing performance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6831899 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In this case, the cable gland can hold the insertable cable, but if the cable is small in diameter, the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the cap opening and the outer circumferential surface of the cable becomes large, and the area of ​​the sleeve exposed through the cap opening becomes large. In such a case, if hot water is sprayed from the cap at high pressure, the sleeve may be damaged, resulting in a decrease in cable holding force and dustproof and waterproof performance.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an object to provide a cable gland that is capable of suppressing damage to the sleeve and ensuring the cable retention force and dustproof and waterproof performance of the sleeve, even when the cable is small in diameter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The cable gland according to the present invention is a cylindrical member through which a cable can be inserted, and includes a gland body having a cylindrical cable holding part, a male thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cable holding part, and a conical tapered surface formed inside the cable holding part, a cylindrical sleeve having an insertion hole through which the cable passes and fitted into the cable holding part, a sleeve collet attached to the sleeve, and a cap screwed to the cable holding part. The cap includes a cylindrical peripheral wall part having a female thread that meshes with the male thread of the cable holding part, and a front wall part formed at one end of the peripheral wall part, and an opening hole through which the cable is inserted is formed in the front wall part. With the sleeve and the sleeve collet fitted into the cable holding part, the cable gland is adapted to deform the sleeve and the sleeve collet radially inward by the conical tapered surface when the cap is fastened to the male thread of the cable holding part. The sleeve collet includes a cylindrical part fitted into the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve, a flange extending radially inward from one end of the cylindrical part, and a spiral tube extending axially from the radially inner end of the flange. The spiral tube is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the cable and is disposed so as to protrude toward the cap through an opening in the cap, and a first slit is formed so as to extend in a spiral shape. A second slit is formed so as to extend in a radial direction in the flange, and a third slit is formed so as to extend in an axial direction in the cylindrical portion. The third slit is in communication with the first slit via the second slit.

[0010] With this configuration, the sleeve is covered by the spiral tube and the flange, so that even if hot water is sprayed at high pressure from the cap side when the cable is small in diameter, damage to the sleeve is suppressed and the sleeve's cable holding power and dustproof and waterproof performance can be ensured.

[0011] In the cable gland, a plurality of first slits and a plurality of second slits may be provided, and one third slit may be provided. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the cable gland of the present invention, even when the cable has a small diameter, damage to the sleeve can be suppressed and the cable retention force and dustproof and waterproof performance of the sleeve can be ensured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cable gland according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the cable gland of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a view of the cable gland of FIG. 2 from a different angle. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cable gland of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a sleeve collet of the cable gland of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a view of the sleeve collet of the cable gland of FIG. 2 from a different angle. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a cap of the cable gland of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0015] An example of a cable gland of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the cable gland 1 is attached to a wall 160 of a housing of an electric device and is configured to hold a cable 150 (see Fig. 4) connected to the electric device. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cable gland 1 includes a gland body 2, a cap 3, a sleeve 4, a sleeve collet 5, a lock nut 6, a washer 7, and a packing 8.

[0017] The ground body 2 is a substantially cylindrical member (e.g., made of resin) with a substantially hexagonal flange portion 21 formed in the center in the axial direction (axial direction of the cylinder), and a cylindrical cable holding portion 22 and an attachment portion 23 formed on both sides (axial sides) of this flange portion 21.

[0018] A male thread 22a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cable holding portion 22. Also, a male thread 23a is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the mounting portion 23. The mounting portion 23 is inserted into a mounting hole 161 formed in a wall 160 of the housing of the electrical device.

[0019] In the following description, the cable holding portion 22 side of the gland body 2 (the cap 3 side of the cable gland 1) is referred to as the front side (X1 direction side), and the opposite side is referred to as the rear side (X2 direction side).

[0020] The gland body 2 has an insertion hole (through hole) 24 for inserting a cable formed along the axial direction (X1 and X2 directions). A conical tapered surface 25 for pressing a sleeve 4 (described later) inward (diameter-reducing direction) is formed midway in the axial direction of the insertion hole 24. The conical tapered surface 25 is a tapered surface whose diameter decreases toward the rear side. The sleeve 4 and sleeve collet 5 (described later) are fitted into the front side of the insertion hole 24.

[0021] Further, a groove 26 for preventing rotation of the sleeve collet 5 relative to the gland body 2 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 24. The groove 26 is formed to extend in the axial direction, from the front end of the cable holding part 22 until it reaches the conical tapered surface 25. A plurality of grooves 26 (for example, three) are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0022] Further, a groove-shaped bypass passage 27 extending in the axial direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cable holding part 22. This bypass passage 27 is formed so as to extend from the front end of the cable holding part 22 until it reaches the flange part 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the bypass passage 27 is configured to communicate the space between the sleeve 4 and the sleeve collet 5 and the cap 3 with the outside. Therefore, when water is sprayed at high pressure from the cap 3 side, the water that has entered through an opening hole 32a of the cap 3, which will be described later, and its pressure are released to the outside of the gland body 2 through the bypass passage 27. For example, a plurality of (for example, two) bypass passages 27 are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0023] Further, a groove 28 (see FIG. 3) for preventing rotation of the washer 7 of the gland body 2 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the mounting portion 23. The groove 28 is formed to extend in the axial direction, from the rear end of the mounting portion 23 to reach the flange portion 21. For example, one groove 28 is provided.

[0024] The cap 3 is a cap nut-shaped member (made of resin, for example) and is screwed onto the outside of the cable holding part 22. The cap 3 has a cylindrical peripheral wall part 31 with a substantially hexagonal outer circumferential surface, and a front wall part 32 covering the front side (one end in the axial direction) of the peripheral wall part 31. A female thread 31a that meshes with the male thread 22a of the cable holding part 22 of the gland body 2 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the peripheral wall part 31 of the cap 3. A circular opening hole 32a for passing the cable 150 is formed in the center of the front wall part 32 of the cap 3. The inner diameter of the opening hole 32a is smaller than the outer diameter of the sleeve 4 and the outer diameter of the sleeve collet 5. Therefore, the sleeve 4 and the sleeve collet 5 can be press-fitted into the cap 3.

[0025] 7, a protrusion 33 that protrudes rearward (toward the X2 direction) is formed on the rear surface (the surface facing the flange 52 of the sleeve collet 5) of the front wall portion 32 of the cap 3. The protrusion 33 has an arc-shaped cross section and is formed to extend in the radial direction. For example, one protrusion 33 is provided.

[0026] 4, the sleeve 4 is provided to prevent foreign matter (e.g., water, oil, dust, dirt, etc.) from entering the housing of the electrical device. The sleeve 4 is made of, for example, rubber and is elastically deformable, and is provided with an insertion hole 4a through which the cable 150 can be inserted. The sleeve 4 includes a cylindrical main body 41 and a flange portion 42 provided on the other end (the end on the X2 direction side) of the main body 41. The flange portion 42 is formed to protrude outward from the main body 41 by the thickness of the sleeve collet 5.

[0027] The sleeve collet 5 is fitted onto the sleeve 4 and configured to regulate deformation when the sleeve 4 is press-fitted. The sleeve collet 5 is made of, for example, resin and configured to allow the cable 150 to be inserted therethrough. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the sleeve collet 5 includes a cylindrical portion 51 fitted onto the outer periphery of the sleeve 4, a flange 52 extending radially inward from one end (the end on the X1 direction side) of the cylindrical portion 51, and a spiral tube 53 extending in the axial direction from the radially inner end of the flange 52.

[0028] The cylindrical portion 51 is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the main body portion 41 of the sleeve 4. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 51 corresponds to the outer diameter of the main body portion 41, and the cylindrical portion 51 can be fitted in the main body portion 41 in a closely contacting state. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 51 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the flange portion 42 of the sleeve 4. In addition, the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 51 corresponds to the inner diameter of the front side of the insertion hole 24 of the gland body 2.

[0029] The other end (the end on the X2 direction side) of the cylindrical portion 51 is formed with a plurality of notches 54 extending in the axial direction. The plurality of notches 54 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The plurality of notches 54 are provided to facilitate deformation of the other end side of the cylindrical portion 51 in the diameter reducing direction. A protrusion 55 that fits into the groove portion 26 is formed on the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 51. The protrusion 55 is formed so as to protrude radially outward from the cylindrical portion 51. A plurality of protrusions 55 (e.g., three) are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0030] Further, one slit 561 (see FIG. 5) is formed to extend in the axial direction in the cylindrical portion 51. The slit 561 is formed over the entire axial length of the cylindrical portion 51, and is provided so as to divide the cylindrical portion 51 in the circumferential direction. The slit 561 is an example of a "third slit" in the present invention.

[0031] The flange 52 is disposed along an end face on one end side of the sleeve 4 (end face on the X1 direction side). The flange 52 is arranged to be interposed between the cap 3 and the sleeve 4. The flange 52 is formed with three slits 562 extending in the radial direction. The three slits 562 are disposed at intervals in the circumferential direction. One of the three slits 562, slit 562a (see FIG. 5), is connected to slit 561. The slit 562 is an example of a "second slit" in the present invention.

[0032] The spiral tube 53 is wound around the outer circumferential surface of the cable 150 and is disposed so as to protrude toward the cap 3 through the opening hole 32a of the cap 3. Three slits 563 are formed in the spiral tube 53 so as to extend in a spiral shape. The three slits 563 are disposed at intervals in the axial direction and are connected to the corresponding slits 562. That is, the spiral tube 53 is constituted by three band-shaped bodies extending in a spiral shape from the flange 52. One of the three slits 563, slit 563a (see FIG. 5), is connected to slit 562a. The slit 563 is an example of the "first slit" of the present invention.

[0033] In the sleeve collet 5, the slit 561 is connected to the slit 563a via the slit 562a. Therefore, the slits 561, 562a, and 563a provide cuts over the entire axial length of the sleeve collet 5. That is, the sleeve collet 5 is divided in the circumferential direction by the slits 561, 562a, and 563a. Therefore, it is possible to insert the cable 150 into the sleeve collet 5 via the slits 561, 562a, and 563a.

[0034] In addition, a plurality of recesses 57 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction on the front side surface (surface facing the front wall portion 32 of the cap 3) of the flange 52 of the sleeve collet 5. An inclined surface 57a and a locking surface 57b are formed in the recess 57 so as to face each other in the circumferential direction. The inclined surface 57a is disposed on one side in the circumferential direction (the screwing direction side), and the locking surface 57b is disposed on the other side in the circumferential direction (the side opposite to the screwing direction). The recesses 57 of the sleeve collet 5 and the protrusion 33 of the cap 3 are provided to allow the cap 3 to rotate in the screwing direction, while restricting rotation in the opposite direction (the loosening direction of the cap 3). In addition, when the cap 3 is screwed into the cable holding portion 22, the protrusion 33 is fitted into the recess 57 according to the rotation angle, giving a clicking sensation.

[0035] 2 and 3, a circular mounting hole 161 for mounting the cable gland 1 is formed in the wall 160. The mounting hole 161 has a periphery formed with a notch 161a.

[0036] The lock nut 6 is a nut (e.g., made of resin) for fixing the gland body 2 to a wall 160 of an electric device, and is formed with a female thread 6a that meshes with the male thread 23a of the mounting part 23 of the gland body 2. That is, the wall 160 is sandwiched between the lock nut 6 and the flange part 21, whereby the cable gland 1 (see FIG. 1) is attached to the wall 160.

[0037] The washer 7 includes a washer body 71 that is sandwiched between the wall body 160 and the lock nut 6, a protrusion 72, and a tongue 73. The washer 7 is configured to prevent the gland body 2 from rotating relative to the wall body 160. The washer body 71 is formed in the shape of an annular plate having a circular hole 7a. The protrusion 72 and the tongue 73 are formed on the periphery of the circular hole 7a of the washer body 71.

[0038] The protrusion 72 protrudes forward (X1 direction) and is configured to be able to fit into the notch 161a of the wall 160. The tongue 73 is bent rearward (X2 direction) and is configured to be able to fit into the groove 28 of the attachment part 23. Therefore, the rotation of the washer 7 relative to the wall 160 is restricted by fitting the protrusion 72 into the notch 161a, and the rotation of the gland body 2 relative to the washer 7 is restricted by fitting the tongue 73 into the groove 28.

[0039] The packing 8 is an annular member (e.g., made of rubber) having a circular hole 8a, and is sandwiched between the flange 21 of the gland body 2 and a wall 160 of the electrical equipment. The packing 8 is provided to seal the gap between the wall 160 and the cable gland 1.

[0040] -Installation Procedure- Next, a procedure for attaching the cable gland 1 having the above structure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0041] (S1) First, the packing 8 is fitted into the mounting portion 23 of the gland body 2, and the mounting portion 23 is inserted into the mounting hole 161 of the wall 160 of the electrical equipment from the front side of the wall 160 (the front side of the housing of the electronic equipment).

[0042] (S2) The washer 7 is fitted into the mounting portion 23 of the gland body 2 inserted into the mounting hole 161 of the wall body 160. At this time, the tongue piece 73 is inserted into the groove portion 28, and the protrusion portion 72 is fitted into the notch 161a. Then, the lock nut 6 is screwed into the male thread 23a of the mounting portion 23 (the male thread 23a of the portion protruding from the back side of the wall body 160), thereby attaching (fixing) the gland body 2 to the wall body 160.

[0043] (S3) The cable 150 is inserted through the insertion hole 24 of the gland body 2, and the cap 3 and the sleeve 4 are passed over the cable 150 on the front side of the gland body 2. Then, the sleeve collet 5 is fitted onto the cable 150 between the cap 3 and the sleeve 4 from the radially outside. That is, the cable 150 is inserted into the sleeve collet 5 through the slits 561, 562a, and 563a.

[0044] (S4) The sleeve 4 and the sleeve collet 5, which are inserted into the cable 150, are moved relatively along the cable 150, so that the sleeve collet 5 is attached to the sleeve 4. Then, the sleeve 4 with the sleeve collet 5 attached is fitted into the front side of the insertion hole 24.

[0045] (S5) The female thread 31a of the cap 3 is aligned with the male thread 22a of the cable holding portion 22 of the gland body 2, and the cap 3 is fastened to the gland body 2. When the cap 3 is rotated in the screwing direction, the protrusion 33 of the cap 3 is fitted into the recess 57 of the sleeve collet 5, generating a clicking sensation, and the protrusion 33 abuts against the inclined surface 57a and passes through the inclined surface 57a. During this screwing process of the cap 3, the sleeve collet 5 and the sleeve 4 are pressed backward by the cap 3. Therefore, the sleeve 4 and the sleeve collet 5 are pressed into between the conical tapered surface 25 and the cable 150. Note that if the cap 3 is unexpectedly rotated in the opposite direction to the screwing direction relative to the gland body 2 with less than a predetermined torque due to vibration or the like after the cap 3 has been fastened, the protrusion 33 is engaged with the locking surface 57b, and the rotation of the cap 3 in the opposite direction relative to the gland body 2 is restricted.

[0046] -effect- As described above, according to the cable gland 1 of this embodiment, since the sleeve 4 is covered by the spiral tube 53 and the flange 52, even if hot water is sprayed at high pressure from the cap 3 side when the cable 150 has a small diameter, damage to the sleeve 4 is suppressed and the cable holding force and dustproof and waterproof performance of the sleeve 4 can be ensured. In addition, since the slits 561, 562a, and 563a are formed in the sleeve collet 5, the cable 150 can be easily inserted into the sleeve collet 5.

[0047] Furthermore, in the cable gland 1 of this embodiment, the bypass passage 27 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cable holding portion 22, so that even if high-pressure water is sprayed from the front side of the cap 3, the pressure can be released.

[0048] -Other embodiments- It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments, but is defined by the claims. The technical scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims.

[0049] For example, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a notch 54 extending in the axial direction is formed at the other end of the cylindrical portion 51 of the sleeve collet 5, but this is not limited to this, and a notch extending in the axial direction may be formed at one end of the cylindrical portion of the sleeve collet. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be effectively applied to a cable gland used for holding a cable in an electric device or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 Cable Gland 2. Grand body 3 Cap 4 Sleeve 4a Insertion hole 5 Sleeve collet 6 Lock nut 6a Female thread 7 Washer 7a circular hole 8. Packing 8a Circular hole 21 Flange 22 Cable holder 22a Male thread 23 Mounting part 23a Male thread 24 Insertion hole 25 Cone tapered surface 26 Groove 27 Bypass Passage 28 Groove 31 Peripheral wall section 31a Female thread 32 Front wall 32a opening hole 33 Protrusion 41 Main body 42 Flange 51 Cylindrical part 52 Flange 53 Spiral Tube 54 Notch 55 Protrusion 57 Recess 57a Slope 57b Locking surface 71 Washer body 72 Protrusion 73 Tongue piece 150 Cable 160 Wall 161 Mounting hole 161a Notch 561 Slit (3rd Slit) 562, 562a Slit (second slit) 563, 563a Slit (first slit)

Claims

1. a gland body which is a tubular member through which a cable can be inserted, the gland body having a cylindrical cable holding portion, a male thread formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cable holding portion, and a conical tapered surface formed inside the cable holding portion; a cylindrical sleeve having an insertion hole through which a cable passes and fitted into the cable holding portion; a sleeve collet attached to the sleeve; a cap that is screwed onto the cable holding portion, The cap includes a cylindrical peripheral wall portion having an internal thread that engages with the external thread of the cable holding portion, and a front wall portion formed at one end of the peripheral wall portion, and an opening hole through which a cable is inserted is formed in the front wall portion, In a cable gland, the sleeve and the sleeve collet are deformed radially inward by the conical tapered surface when the cap is fastened to a male thread of the cable holding portion with the sleeve and the sleeve collet fitted in the cable holding portion, the sleeve collet includes a cylindrical portion fitted onto an outer periphery of the sleeve, a flange extending radially inward from one end of the cylindrical portion, and a spiral tube extending in the axial direction from a radially inner end of the flange, the spiral tube is wound around an outer circumferential surface of the cable and is disposed so as to protrude toward the cap through an opening of the cap, and a first slit is formed so as to extend in a spiral shape; The flange has a second slit formed therein so as to extend in a radial direction, A third slit is formed in the cylindrical portion so as to extend in the axial direction, The cable gland, wherein the third slit is in communication with the first slit via the second slit.

2. 2. The cable gland according to claim 1, A cable gland comprising a plurality of the first slits and a plurality of the second slits, and a single third slit.

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