Cable connection structure

Abstract

To provide a cable connection structure capable of facilitating assembly.SOLUTION: A cable connection structure 1 comprises: a cable 2 with a plurality of connectors, in which a connector 5 is attached to an end part of a cable 3; and a relay member 6 that electrically relays the cables 2 with a plurality of connectors to each other. In the cable 2 with at least one connector of the cable 2 with a plurality of connectors, the connector 5 is an axial connector having a housing 51 that includes: a first portion 511 into which the end part of the cable 3 is inserted; and a second portion 512 that is formed on an outer peripheral side of the first portion 511, and is assembled to the relay member 6 in an axial direction X of the first portion 511. The relay member 6 includes an attachment part 611 that can be attached to an attachment object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable connection structure.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a high-voltage equipment system in which a plurality of high-voltage cables provided on the roof of a railway vehicle are connected via a joint device. The high-voltage equipment system described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of high-voltage cables, a plurality of cable connector portions into which the respective high-voltage cables are inserted, and a joint device that electrically connects the plurality of cable connector portions.

[0003] Each of the plurality of cable connector portions has a base cylinder portion into which a high-voltage cable is inserted and a fitting cylinder portion formed to be orthogonal to the base cylinder portion, and is formed in a substantially T-shape as a whole. Further, the joint device has a base portion and a plurality of joint connector portions protruding from the base portion. Then, the plurality of cable connector portions are fitted to different joint connector portions in the extending direction of the fitting cylinder portion (that is, the direction orthogonal to the high-voltage cable).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, we consider a case in which the high-voltage equipment system described in Patent Document 1 is modified so that the assembly direction of at least one cable connector and joint is parallel to the high-voltage cable. In this case, if the joint device is immovable from the location where the high-voltage equipment system is installed (for example, the roof of a railway vehicle), it is necessary to move the cable connector and the high-voltage cable connected thereto toward the joint device at a specific location in the axial direction of the high-voltage cable. However, moving a high-voltage cable in its axial direction is relatively difficult, and there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of facilitating the assembly of the joint device and the cable connector.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a cable connection structure that can be easily assembled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a cable connection structure comprising: a plurality of connector-equipped cables, each having a connector attached to its end; and a relay member that electrically relays the plurality of connector-equipped cables from one another, wherein in at least one of the plurality of connector-equipped cables, the connector is an axial connector having a housing that includes a first portion into which the end of the cable is inserted, and a second portion formed on the outer circumference of the first portion and assembled to the relay member in the axial direction of the first portion; and the relay member has a mounting portion that can be attached to an object to be attached. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cable connection structure that can be easily assembled. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of the cable connection structure in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view of the cable connection structure in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of the cable connection structure in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is an exploded cross-sectional view of the cable connection structure in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a front view of the relay member in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the cable connection structure in the second embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a front view of the relay member in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The embodiments described below are presented as preferred specific examples for carrying out the present invention, and while some parts specifically illustrate various technically preferable technical matters, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments.

[0011] Figure 1 is a plan view of the cable connection structure 1 in this embodiment. Figure 2 is a side view of the cable connection structure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cable connection structure 1. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a part of Figure 3. Figure 5 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the cable connection structure 1. In addition, Figure 2 also shows the roof 101 of the railway vehicle 10 to which the cable connection structure 1 is to be attached, and the bolt B3 that fixes the relay member 6 to the roof 101.

[0012] The cable connection structure 1 comprises two connector-equipped cables 2, each with a connector 5 attached to its end, and a relay member 6 that mechanically and electrically connects the two connector-equipped cables 2.

[0013] In this embodiment, the two connector-equipped cables 2 connected to the relay member 6 have similar configurations. Each connector-equipped cable 2 includes a cable 3, a cable terminal 4 fixed to the cable central conductor 31 of the cable 3, and a connector 5 into which the end of the cable 3 is inserted.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, the cable 3 comprises, in order from the center, a cable central conductor 31, an internal semiconducting layer (not shown), a cable insulator 32, an external semiconducting layer 33, a cable shield layer (not shown), and a cable sheath 34. The cable central conductor 31 is made of stranded wire. The internal semiconducting layer and the external semiconducting layer 33 are made of a polymer-based material that has conductivity due to the dispersion of conductive powder, and serve to mitigate the concentration of electric fields. The cable shield layer is formed, for example, by spirally winding a wire around the external semiconducting layer 33, and is connected to the ground potential when the cable connection structure 1 is in use. The cable sheath 34 is made of, for example, electrically insulating rubber and constitutes the outermost layer of the cable 3.

[0015] Cable 3 is stripped in steps so that the cable central conductor 31, cable insulator 32, and cable outer semiconducting layer 33 are exposed in that order. A cable terminal 4 is fixed to the exposed cable central conductor 31 in cable 3.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cable terminal 4 is composed of a substantially cylindrical conductor. The cable terminal 4 is formed with a caulking hole 41 that opens on the end face on the side connected to the cable 3, and a female screw hole 42 that opens on the end face on the side connected to the connector 5. By inserting the cable center conductor 31 into the caulking hole 41 and caulking the cable terminal 4 toward the cable center conductor 31, the cable center conductor 31 and the cable terminal 4 are mechanically and electrically connected. A bolt B1 for mechanically and electrically connecting the cable terminal 4 and a connection conductor 52 described later is screwed into the female screw hole 42 formed in the cable terminal 4. The cable terminal 4, the cable center conductor 31 and the cable insulator 32 exposed in the cable 3 are inserted into the housing 51 of the connector 5.

[0017] The connector 5 includes a housing 51, a connection conductor 52 held by the housing 51, a first plug member 53 and a first cover 54 that close the opening of a first part 511 of the housing 51 described later, and a second plug member 55 and a second cover 56 that close the opening of a second part 512 of the housing 51 described later.

[0018] The housing 51 has an insulator 51a, a first semiconductive layer 51b, a second semiconductive layer 51c, a tubular member 51d, and a third semiconductive layer 51e that are integrally formed with each other. The housing 51 can be manufactured by insert molding in which members constituting the housing 51 (that is, the first semiconductive layer 51b, the second semiconductive layer 51c, the tubular member 51d, and the third semiconductive layer 51e) and the connection conductor 52 are arranged in a molding die for forming the insulator 51a, and a molten resin for forming the insulator 51a is injected into the molding die and cured.

[0019] The insulator 51a is made of a polymer-based material such as silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber (i.e., EPM), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). Each of the first semiconductive layer 51b, the second semiconductive layer 51c, and the third semiconductive layer 51e is made of a polymer-based material in which conductive powder is dispersed to impart conductivity. The first semiconductive layer 51b is arranged around the connection conductor 52 and is arranged so as to surround the ends of the cable terminal 4 and the cable 3, and alleviates the electric field concentration around the connection conductor 52, the cable terminal 4, and the ends of the cable 3. The second semiconductive layer 51c is arranged around the cable insulator 32 and the external semiconductive layer 33 of the cable, and alleviates the electric field concentration around the cable insulator 32. The third semiconductive layer 51e constitutes the outer surface of the connector 5, and alleviates the electric field concentration on the outer periphery of the housing 51.

[0020] The tubular member 51d is provided at the end of the housing 51 on the side from which the cable 3 is drawn out. The tubular member 51d serves as an insertion port when the cable 3 is inserted into the housing 51. The space between the tubular member 51d and the cable 3 is sealed by a sealing portion 7 so as to be watertight. The tubular member 51d is made of a material having good adhesiveness to the sealing portion 7. For example, the sealing portion 7 is formed by winding a polyethylene tape, an epoxy tape, etc. provided with an adhesive material, and the tubular member 51d is made of a metal such as brass or an aluminum alloy.

[0021] The housing 51 has a cylindrical first portion 511 into which the end of the cable 3 is inserted, and a cylindrical second portion 512 that is formed on the outer peripheral side of the first portion 511 and is assembled to the relay member 6 in the axial direction X of the first portion 511. In this specification, a connector 5 in which the housing 51 includes the aforementioned first portion 511 and second portion 512 is called an axial connector. In this embodiment, all of the two connectors 5 connected to the relay member 6 are axial connectors. Hereinafter, the connector 5 is also referred to as an axial connector 5.

[0022] In this embodiment, the axial connector 5 is configured such that the direction in which the cable 3 is inserted into the first portion 511 and the direction in which the second portion 512 and the intermediate member 6 are assembled are in the same direction. In this embodiment, each connector-equipped cable 2 is provided with an axial connector 5 at least at the end of the cable 3 that is connected to the intermediate member 6, and the other end of the connector-equipped cable 2 may be provided with a connector other than the axial connector 5, or a connector similar to the axial connector 5. When simply referred to as "connector 5" or "axial connector 5", unless otherwise specified, it refers to the connector on the side connected to the intermediate member 6. In this embodiment, the axial connector 5 includes the first portion 511 and the second portion 512, as well as a third portion 513 that connects them to each other.

[0023] Each of the first part 511 and the second part 512 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The first part 511 and the second part 512 are formed so that their central axes are parallel to each other. In the direction in which the central axes of the first part 511 and the second part 512 extend, the second part 512 is formed to be shorter than the first part 511.

[0024] Hereafter, the direction in which the central axes of the first part 511 and the second part 512 extend will be referred to as the axial direction X. Furthermore, one side of the axial direction X from which the cable 3 is drawn out of the axial connector 5 will be referred to as the base end, and the opposite side will be referred to as the tip end. For example, in each of Figures 1 to 3, for the cable 2 with a connector located to the right of the intermediate member 6, the tip end is on the left side of the page and the base end is on the right side of the page, whereas for the two cables 2 with connectors located to the left of the intermediate member 6, the tip end is on the right side of the page and the base end is on the left side of the page.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second portion 512 is fitted with the intermediate member 6 by inserting the intermediate member 6 in the axial direction X through the opening at the tip end. The space partitioned by the second portion 512 into which the intermediate member 6 is inserted is sometimes called the insertion space 512a (see Figure 5). The tip end of the second portion 512 protrudes further forward than the tip end of the first portion 511. This prevents interference between the first portion 511 and the intermediate member 6 during the fitting process between the second portion 512 and the intermediate member 6.

[0026] The third portion 513 connects the first portion 511 and the second portion 512 at a position closer to the tip than the center position of the first portion 511 in the axial direction X. A connecting conductor 52 is provided in the third portion 513 so as to penetrate the third portion 513 in the direction in which the first portion 511 and the second portion 512 are aligned. Hereafter, the direction in which the first portion 511 and the second portion 512 are aligned may simply be referred to as the "alignment direction Y".

[0027] The connecting conductor 52 is made of a highly conductive material such as a copper alloy. The connecting conductor 52 is formed in a plate shape that is elongated in the direction of alignment Y and has thickness in the axial direction X. Although not shown in the figures, at least a portion of the surface of the connecting conductor 52 that comes into contact with the first semiconducting layer 51b may be curved or the like to improve adhesion with the first semiconducting layer 51b.

[0028] The connecting conductor 52 is embedded in the first semiconducting layer 51b and has an embedded portion 521 that contacts the first semiconducting layer 51b, a cable connection portion 522 exposed on the inside of the first portion 511, and a relay member connection portion 523 exposed in the insertion space 512a of the second portion 512. Bolt insertion holes 522a and 523a that penetrate in the axial direction X are formed in the cable connection portion 522 and the relay member connection portion 523, respectively. The cable connection portion 522 is fastened to the cable terminal 4 using a bolt B1, and the relay member connection portion 523 is fastened to the relay member 6 using a bolt B2.

[0029] The cable insulator 32 and cable central conductor 31 exposed in the cable 3, and the cable terminal 4 are inserted into the base end side of the cable connection portion 522 inside the first portion 511. In the free state (i.e., when the cable 3 is not inserted), the inner diameter of the portion in the first portion 511 into which the cable insulator 32 is inserted is smaller than the outer diameter of the cable insulator 32 in the free state (i.e., when it is not inserted into the first portion 511). When the cable 3 is inserted into the first portion 511, the cable insulator 32 expands the inner diameter of the first portion 511 as it is inserted into the first portion 511.

[0030] When the cable 3 is inserted into the first section 511, the first semiconducting layer 51b is in contact with the tip end of the cable insulator 32 over its entire circumference, and the second semiconducting layer 51c is in contact with the cable insulator 32 and the cable outer semiconducting layer 33 over its entire circumference at a position closer to the base end than the first semiconducting layer 51b. With the cable 3 inserted inside the first section 511, the cable connection section 522 and the cable terminal 4 are mechanically and electrically connected by inserting the bolt B1 through the bolt insertion hole 522a of the cable connection section 522 and screwing it into the female screw hole 42 of the cable terminal 4.

[0031] The bolt B1 has a male threaded portion B1b extending from the head B1a toward the tip. The male threaded portion B1b is screwed into the first plug member 53.

[0032] The first plug member 53 includes a metal nut member 531 with a female screw hole 531a into which the male screw portion B1b is screwed, a metal fitted member 532 with a square hole 532a for fitting the drive angle of a socket wrench (not shown), and a molded resin 533 that integrates the nut member 531 and the fitted member 532. The first plug member 53 is fixed to the bolt B1 by screwing the male screw portion B1b of the bolt B1 into the female screw hole 531a of the nut member 531 using a socket wrench. The first plug member 53 closes the opening at the tip of the first part 511. When the opening at the tip of the first part 511 is closed by the first plug member 53, the tip end of the first part 511 is covered by a first cover 54 made of a polymer material (silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber (i.e., EPM), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), etc.).

[0033] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the two connector-equipped cables 2 are arranged in such a manner that the axial directions X of the first portion 511 are approximately parallel to each other. Furthermore, the two connector-equipped cables 2 are arranged in such a manner that the alignment directions of the first portion 511 and the second portion 512 are the same (the Y direction in Figures 1 and 3).

[0034] The two axial connectors 5 connected to the relay member 6 are arranged in a symmetrical orientation with respect to the axial direction X. The two axial connectors 5 connected to the relay member 6 are arranged such that at least a portion of the first portion 511 faces each other in the axial direction X, and at least a portion of the second portion 512 faces each other in the axial direction X. The relay member 6 is then connected to the two axial connectors 5.

[0035] The relay member 6 has a base portion 61 and two protrusions 62 that project from the base portion 61 on both sides in the axial direction X. The base portion 61 is positioned between two axial connectors 5 connected to the relay member 6, and the two protrusions 62 are inserted into the inside of two different second portions 512.

[0036] Figure 6 is a front view of the connecting member 6. In Figure 6, the roof 101 of the railway vehicle 10 and the bolt B3 are represented by a dashed line.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, the base portion 61 is formed to extend in a planar direction perpendicular to the axial direction X, more so than the two protruding portions 62. The base portion 61 has two mounting portions 611 protruding on both sides in the alignment direction Y at one end in the height direction Z, which is perpendicular to both the axial direction X and the alignment direction Y.

[0038] The two mounting portions 611 have bolt insertion holes 611a formed through them in the height direction Z. As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the two mounting portions 611 are detachably fixed to the roof 101 of the railway vehicle 10, which is the target of the cable connection structure 1, by inserting bolts B3 through the bolt insertion holes 611a and screwing them into the roof 101.

[0039] In this embodiment, the mounting portion 611 has a bolt insertion hole 611a and is shown as being bolted to the object to be mounted, but it is not limited to this and any configuration that can be fixed to the object to be mounted is acceptable. For example, the mounting portion 611 may be shaped to lock onto the object to be mounted (e.g., a snap-fit ​​shape), shaped to fit onto the object to be mounted (e.g., press-fit), or have a structure with a saddle band attached that can be fixed to the object to be mounted.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, at least a portion of one of the two mounting portions 611 is positioned between the two first portions 511 in the axial direction X. In this embodiment, the mounting portion 611 positioned between the two first portions 511 is configured not to protrude from the two first portions 511 on the side opposite to the second portion 512 (i.e., the lower side in Figures 1 and 3), although a portion may protrude.

[0041] The protruding portion 62 is formed in a tapered shape, with its outer diameter decreasing as it extends from the base portion 61 toward the protruding side. In addition, the inner circumferential surface of each second portion 512 is formed in a tapered shape that follows the outer circumferential surface of the protruding portion 62 into which it is inserted.

[0042] The relay member 6 has a relay conductor portion 63 that electrically connects the respective relay member connection portions 523 of the two connector-equipped cables 2, and a relay insulating portion 64 that has electrical insulation properties and covers the relay conductor portion 63.

[0043] The intermediate conductor section 63 is formed to be elongated in the axial direction X. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, both end faces of the intermediate conductor section 63 in the axial direction X are exposed end faces 63a that are exposed from the intermediate insulating section 64. Female threaded holes 63b for screwing bolts B2 are formed at both ends of the intermediate conductor section 63 in the axial direction X.

[0044] The intermediate insulating portion 64 is made of an electrically insulating resin. The intermediate insulating portion 64 covers the portion of the intermediate conductor portion 63 excluding the exposed end face 63a. The mounting portion 611 is also formed from a part of the intermediate insulating portion 64. In such a case, the intermediate insulating portion 64 may be treated to increase its rigidity so as to withstand the axial force of the bolt B3, or a collar made of metal or the like may be embedded in the bolt insertion hole 611a.

[0045] The intermediate member connection portion 523 and the intermediate conductor portion 63 are mechanically and electrically connected to each other when the protruding portion 62 of the intermediate member 6 is inserted inside the second portion 512, and the bolt B2 is inserted through the bolt insertion hole 523a of the intermediate member connection portion 523 and screwed into the female threaded hole 63b of the intermediate conductor portion 63.

[0046] Bolt B2, like bolt B1, has a male threaded portion B2b extending from the head B2a toward the tip. The male threaded portion B2b is screwed into the second plug member 55. The second plug member 55 has the same configuration as the first plug member 53, so a redundant explanation is omitted.

[0047] The cable connection structure 1 is used in a railway vehicle 10. In this case, the cable connection structure 1 is installed, for example, on the roof 101 of the railway vehicle 10. When the cable connection structure 1 is installed on the roof 101 of the railway vehicle 10, both the axial direction X and the alignment direction Y are horizontal. This prevents the entire cable connection structure 1 from protruding significantly upward in the vertical direction from the roof 101, and as a result, air resistance during the operation of the railway vehicle 10 can be reduced.

[0048] When assembling the cable connection structure 1, for example, the relay member 6 is left free and not fixed to the roof 101, and then the two connector-equipped cables 2 are connected to the relay member 6. Alternatively, for example, one connector-equipped cable 2 and the relay member 6 may be assembled, then the aforementioned one connector-equipped cable 2 and the relay member 6 may be attached to the roof 101, and then the remaining connector-equipped cable 2 may be connected to the relay member 6. As described above, the cable connection structure 1 of this embodiment offers a high degree of freedom in assembly and is easy to assemble.

[0049] The intermediate member 6 is fixed to the roof 101 by aligning the bolt insertion hole 611a of the intermediate member 6 with a female thread provided at a predetermined position on the roof 101, inserting the bolt B3 into the bolt insertion hole 611a, and screwing it into the female thread on the roof 101. In this way, the cable connection structure 1 is fixed to the roof 101 of the railway vehicle 10 in a detachable manner. Note that if the intermediate member 6 is free from the roof 101 (i.e., movable relative to the roof 101) before being attached to the roof 101, it may become impossible to detach it from the roof 101 after being attached to the roof 101.

[0050] (Operation and effects of the first embodiment) In this embodiment, at least one of the multiple connector-equipped cables 2 is an axial connector 5 having a housing 51 in which the connector 5 has a first portion 511 into which the end of the cable 3 is inserted, and a second portion 512 formed on the outer circumference of the first portion 511 and assembled to the relay member 6 in the axial direction X of the first portion 511. The axial connector 5 allows the cable 3 to be attached to the first portion 511 and the relay member 6 to the second portion 512 to be attached on separate axes. Therefore, the attachment of the cable 3 and the relay member 6 to the axial connector 5 becomes easier. The relay member 6 also has an attachment portion 611 that can be attached to an object to be attached (for example, the roof 101 of a railway vehicle 10). Therefore, the timing of attachment of the relay member 6 to the object to be attached can be arbitrarily determined before, during, or after the assembly of the multiple connector-equipped cables 2 and the relay member 6. Therefore, the degree of freedom in assembling the cable connection structure 1 is improved, and the assembly of the cable connection structure 1 is made easier.

[0051] Furthermore, the relay member 6 has a relay conductor portion 63 that electrically connects multiple connector-equipped cables 2 to each other, and a relay insulating portion 64 that covers the relay conductor portion 63 and has electrical insulation properties, and the relay insulating portion 64 has a mounting portion 611. This ensures electrical insulation between the mounting target and the cable connection structure 1.

[0052] Furthermore, the mounting portion 611 has a bolt insertion hole 611a, and the intermediate member 6 is fastened to the mounting object with a bolt B3 inserted through the bolt insertion hole 611a. Therefore, the structure of the mounting portion 611 can be easily simplified.

[0053] Furthermore, the two connector-equipped cables 2 are arranged so that at least parts of the first section 511 and at least parts of the second section 512 face each other, and a portion of the relay member 6 is positioned between the first sections 511 of the two connector-equipped cables 2 in the axial direction X. Therefore, the space between the first sections 511, which tends to become dead space, can be effectively utilized, making it easier to miniaturize the entire cable connection structure 1.

[0054] Furthermore, each connector 5 of the multiple connector-equipped cable 2 is an axial connector 5. Therefore, since the assembly of the multiple connector-equipped cable 2 to the relay member 6 is performed along the axial direction X, it is not necessary to secure a large space for assembly in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction X. As a result, the cable connection structure 1 can be installed even in a limited space.

[0055] Furthermore, the tip end of the second part 512 protrudes further forward than the tip end of the first part 511. Therefore, when connecting the second part 512 to the intermediate member 6, interference between the first part 511 and the intermediate member 6, for example, which would reduce work efficiency, is suppressed.

[0056] Furthermore, the cable connection structure 1 is used in a railway vehicle 10. Since assembly of the cable connection structure 1 is difficult on the railway vehicle 10, this embodiment of the cable connection structure 1 is preferable.

[0057] As described above, this embodiment provides a cable connection structure that can be easily assembled.

[0058] [Second Embodiment] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cable connection structure 1 in this embodiment. Figure 8 is a front view of the relay member 6. In Figure 8, the roof 101 of the railway vehicle 10 and the bolt B3 are represented by a dashed line.

[0059] This embodiment relates to a cable connection structure 1 in which three connector-equipped cables 21, 22, and 23 are connected by a relay member 6.

[0060] The connectors connected to the relay member 6 in the three connector-equipped cables 21, 22, and 23 are axial connectors 5. The three connector-equipped cables 21, 22, and 23 are arranged in a manner in which the axial directions X of the first section 511 are substantially parallel to each other. Furthermore, the three connector-equipped cables 21, 22, and 23 are arranged in a manner in which the alignment directions of the first section 511 and the second section 512 are in the same direction (Y direction in Figure 7).

[0061] Hereafter, of the three connector cables 21, 22, and 23, the one located to the right of the relay member 6 in Figure 7 will be referred to as the first connector cable 21, and the two to the left of the relay member 6 will be referred to as the second connector cable 22 and the third connector cable 23, respectively, from top to bottom.

[0062] The two axial connectors 5 of the first connector cable 21 and the third connector cable 23 are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other in the axial direction X. The two axial connectors 5 of the second connector cable 22 and the third connector cable 23 are arranged symmetrically with respect to each other in the alignment direction Y. The two axial connectors 5 of the second connector cable 22 and the third connector cable 23 are arranged such that the side where the second part 512 is located relative to the first part 511 is the side of the two axial connectors 5 that is closer to each other. A relay member 6 is connected to the three axial connectors 5.

[0063] The relay member 6 has a base portion 61 and three protrusions 621, 622, and 623 projecting from the base portion 61 on both sides in the axial direction X. The base portion 61 is positioned in the axial direction X between the first connector cable 21, the second connector cable 22, and the third connector cable 23. The three protrusions 621, 622, and 623 are inserted into the second portions 512 of different axial connectors 5.

[0064] The base portion 61 has two mounting portions 611 protruding from one end in the height direction Z, on both sides in the alignment direction Y. The configuration of the mounting portions 611 is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0065] The three protrusions 621, 622, and 623 each have a first protrusion 621 projecting from the base portion 61 to one side in the axial direction X, and a second protrusion 622 and a third protrusion 623 projecting from the base portion 61 to the other side in the axial direction X. The first protrusion 621 is connected to the axial connector 5 of the first connector-equipped cable 21, the second protrusion 622 is connected to the axial connector 5 of the second connector-equipped cable 22, and the third protrusion 623 is connected to the axial connector 5 of the third connector-equipped cable 23. In the alignment direction Y, the first protrusion 621 is formed between the second protrusion 622 and the third protrusion 623.

[0066] The intermediate conductor section 63 comprises a base conductor section 631 which constitutes the base section 61 and is formed to be elongated in the direction Y, and three protruding conductor sections 632 which extend from the base conductor section 631 in the axial direction X and constitute three protruding sections 621, 622, and 623. The end face of each of the three protruding conductor sections 632 opposite to the base conductor section 631 is an exposed end face 63a exposed from the intermediate insulating section 64. Each protruding conductor section 632 has a female screw hole 63b which opens to the exposed end face 63a and is used to screw in a bolt B2.

[0067] The intermediate insulating portion 64 is made of an electrically insulating resin. The intermediate insulating portion 64 covers the portion of the intermediate conductor portion 63 excluding the exposed end face 63a. In this embodiment as well, a part of the intermediate insulating portion 64 constitutes the mounting portion 611.

[0068] The other configurations of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. In addition, among the reference numerals used in the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments, those that are the same as those used in the previously described embodiments represent the same components, etc., as those in the previously described embodiments, unless otherwise specified.

[0069] (Operation and effects of the second embodiment) This embodiment also provides the same functions and effects as the first embodiment.

[0070] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which three connector-equipped cables 21, 22, and 23 are connected to the relay member 6, but four or more connector-equipped cables may also be connected.

[0071] (Summary of the embodiments) Next, the technical concept understood from the embodiments described above will be described using the reference numerals and other symbols from the embodiments. However, the reference numerals and other symbols in the following description are not limited to the components in the claims that are specifically shown in the embodiments.

[0072] [1] A cable connection structure (1) comprising a plurality of connector-equipped cables (2, 21, 22, 23) with connectors (5) attached to the ends of cables (3), and a relay member (6) that electrically relays the plurality of connector-equipped cables (2, 21, 22, 23) from each other, wherein in at least one of the plurality of connector-equipped cables (2, 21, 22, 23) the connector (5) is an axial connector (5) having a housing (51) having a first portion (511) into which the end of the cable (3) is inserted, and a second portion (512) formed on the outer circumference side of the first portion (511) and assembled to the relay member (6) in the axial direction (X) of the first portion (511), and the relay member (6) has a mounting portion (611) that can be attached to an object to be attached (101).

[0073] [2] The cable connection structure (1) according to [1], wherein the relay member (6) has a relay conductor portion (63) that electrically connects the plurality of connector cables (2, 21, 22, 23) to each other, and a relay insulating portion (64) that has electrical insulating properties and covers the relay conductor portion (63), and the relay insulating portion (64) has the mounting portion (611).

[0074] [3] The mounting portion (611) has a bolt insertion hole (611a) formed therein, and the relay member (6) is fastened to the mounting target (101) by a bolt (B3) inserted through the bolt insertion hole (611a), as described in [1] or [2].

[0075] [4] The cable connection structure (1) according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the plurality of connector cables (2, 21, 22, 23) each have two connector cables (2, 21, 22, 23) each equipped with the axial connector (5), the two connector cables (2, 21, 22, 23) are arranged such that at least parts of the first portion (511) and at least parts of the second portion (512) face each other, and a part of the relay member (6) is positioned in the axial direction (X) between the first portions (511) of the two connector cables (2, 21, 22, 23).

[0076] [5] The cable connection structure (1) according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein each of the connectors (5) of the plurality of connector-equipped cables (2, 21, 22, 23) is the axial connector (5).

[0077] [6] In the axial connector (5), when the side opposite to the side from which the cable (3) is pulled out is considered the tip side, the tip end of the second portion (512) protrudes further towards the tip than the tip end of the first portion (511), the cable connection structure (1) according to any one of [1] to [5].

[0078] [7] A cable connection structure (1) used in a railway vehicle (10) as described in any one of [1] to [6].

[0079] (Note) Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described herein do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential for solving the problem of the invention. Moreover, the present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1…Cable connection structure 10…Railway vehicles 101...Applicable to installation 2, 21, 22, 23… Cables with connectors 3… Cable 5… Connector (axial connector) 51… Housing 511…Part 1 512…Second part 6…Relay component 611... Mounting part 611a... Bolt insertion hole 63…Intermediate conductor section 64…Relay insulation section B3... Bolt X…Axis direction

Claims

1. Multiple cables with connectors attached to the ends of the cables, The system includes a relay member that electrically relays the multiple connector-equipped cables from each other, In at least one of the plurality of connector-equipped cables, the connector is an axial connector having a housing that includes a first portion into which the end of the cable is inserted, and a second portion formed on the outer circumference of the first portion and assembled to the relay member in the axial direction of the first portion. The relay member has a mounting portion that can be attached to the roof of a railway vehicle. A cable connection structure, In the state in which it is installed on the roof of the railway vehicle, the direction of alignment between the first part and the second part, the axial direction of the first part, and the axial direction of the second part are horizontal. Cable connection structure.

2. The relay member has a relay conductor portion that electrically connects the plurality of connector-equipped cables together, and a relay insulating portion that covers the relay conductor portion and has electrical insulating properties. The relay insulating portion has the mounting portion, The cable connection structure according to claim 1.

3. The mounting portion has a bolt insertion hole formed therein. The aforementioned relay member is fastened to the roof of the railway vehicle with a bolt inserted through the bolt insertion hole. The cable connection structure according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Each of the aforementioned plurality of connector-equipped cables has two connector-equipped cables, each having the aforementioned axial connector. The two cables with connectors are arranged such that at least parts of the first portion and at least parts of the second portion face each other. A portion of the relay member is positioned in the axial direction of the first portion between the first portions of the two connector-equipped cables. The cable connection structure according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Each of the connectors in the aforementioned plurality of connector-equipped cables is the aforementioned axial connector. The cable connection structure according to claim 1 or 2.

6. In the axial connector, when the side opposite to the side from which the cable is pulled out is considered the tip side, the tip end of the second portion protrudes further towards the tip than the tip end of the first portion. The cable connection structure according to claim 1 or 2.

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