Cable connection mount

The subject of the invention is a cable connector housing, consisting of an elongated body, sealing material, and possibly support members mounted at both ends of the body and provided with cutouts in which the connected cables are mounted.

The cable connector housing according to the invention is applicable in the field of electrical and communication cable and cable connectors, especially fiber optics, as well as connectors of any elongated objects, e.g. pipes, especially heating ones.

Polish Patent No. PL 93 029 presents a device for shaping thermoplastics, especially the ends and connectors of high-voltage power cables with thermoplastic insulation. The device consists of an injection cylinder, equipped with an injection chamber and piston, and a bipartite mold, whose forming socket is connected to the injection chamber by means of an inlet channel. After plasticizing the plastic in the injection cylinder, it is pressed with a piston under pressure into the forming socket, after which the mold is disconnected from the device, and then after cooling it, the finished product is removed.

The end cover or cable connectors produced in the described device have the form of a single, shaped disposable insulating element, the removal of which may damage the wires. Obviously, this type of cover cannot be used for connectors of optical fibers and fibers, whose fittings must allow easy access to the connected optical fibers. In addition, the described cover does not protect the cable connector against axial forces, which is extremely important for fiber optic cable connectors. The device for producing this shield has large dimensions, a complex structure and requires the use of explosive cartridges generating pressure inside the injection chamber, which makes it expensive to operate.

A detachable head of a high voltage cable is known from Polish patent specification PL 158 424. The head consists of a hermetic socket and a plug located on it, coaxial cable, made of insulating material. The cable is equipped with a heat-shrinkable polefin tape stuck to its external insulation (using hot melt adhesive), while the space between the cable and the head plug is filled with hardened, insulating cast material, preferably elastic.

This type of sealing is of limited use because it is adapted to seal the socket and plug with special constructions. It cannot be used to seal the fiber optic cable connector. The use of this seal as a connector housing of ordinary electric cables is uneconomical because it requires the use of additional elements (socket and plug), and is time-consuming to install and uninstall.

Polish patent specification PL 174 938 is known for a cable connector housing, consisting of a two-part body pressed by means of springing grips, provided with openings for connecting the connected cables, with an immobilization assembly, detachably connected with the body and cables, and with sealing material filling the body . The immobilization assembly consists of a clamp, provided with a member

177 945 middle placed between the cables and closing it on both sides of identical side members, as well as from the arm, pivotally attached on one side to the middle member, on the other hand - provided with a pin, cooperating with the body hole.

Although the described housing protects the cable connector against deformation and mechanical stress, the immobilizing member located outside the body may be damaged, resulting in a weakening of the mechanical strength of the housing.

The cable connector housing known from international patent application No. WO 93/26070 consists of a body, a sealing material contained therein filling the free space between the connected cables, and a support member equipped with radial notches in which they are mounted radially in the radial direction wires.

The disadvantage of this fitting is its difficult installation, resulting from the need to use clamps clamped around the cables and their exact positioning before closing the body. Furthermore, this luminaire does not sufficiently protect the connector against axial cable shifts.

From EP 0 538 008, a cable connector housing is known, equipped with a two-part longitudinal body filled with sealing material. The luminaire is also equipped with closing ends of the body sealed supporting members, consisting of two circular plates connected by bolts, and equipped with U-shaped radial cut-outs, which are sockets for mounting connected cables. The connected cables are embedded in radial notches with the help of holders made of elastic sealing material, and with the use of cable ties placed around the supporting members. After closing the body of the fixture, both supporting members are embedded in its transverse grooves.

The disadvantage of this solution is the need to use different sealing clips depending on the diameter of the cables to be connected, and their exact positioning in the cutouts of the supporting members. In addition, it is necessary to use cable ties around the supporting members to securely attach the cables to the body. This complex luminaire design consequently leads to high manufacturing costs and time-consuming installation.

US Patent No. 4,387,268 describes a cable connector housing equipped with a body consisting of two parts in the shape of gutters connected along their long edges. The longitudinal edges of the body are provided with longitudinal grooves forming a through channel after the housing is closed, through which the sealing material is injected into the center of the body, preferably self-hardening silicone or polyurethane elastomer. The luminaire is also equipped on both sides with detachable elements fastening the cables to this luminaire, between which there is a chamber connected to the through channel.

As in the solution described above, this luminaire also requires the use of clamps with different diameters, and each cable is fastened and positioned in the luminaire independently of the others. This inconvenience, together with a large number of its components (up to twelve), increases its manufacturing costs, extends the time of installation and increases the likelihood of making a mistake during installation. There may be an equal number of cables on both sides of this luminaire.

The object of the invention is to provide such a cable connector housing that will eliminate the disadvantages of similar cable connectors and housings known to date, and simplify its design and installation, as well as protect the connected cables against axial and radial shifts.

This goal was realized in the construction of the cable joint housing, which is characterized by the fact that it is equipped with shrinking clamping tapes, wrapped around at least one cable at the ends of the connector, embedded in both ends of the body.

A favorable solution of the cable connector housing is obtained when at least two clamping straps are wrapped around the cable ends with sealing material between them. In this solution, the clamping straps are interconnected, preferably by means of screw connectors, parallel to the axis of the cable.

The wrapping tapes wrapped around the cable are preferably embedded in the annular grooves of the body.

At least a portion of each clamping strip used in the housing is preferably deformable. The deformable parts of the strip are in the form of two thin spans connecting its non-deformable parts. Most preferably, the deformable parts of the clamping tape are alternately distributed with non-deformable parts at least along the end portion of this tape.

Each clamping strip is preferably provided with protrusions on one side and on the other with cooperating cavities forming snap connections of the tape wrapped around the cable.

The object of the invention is also realized in a variant of the cable joint housing, which is characterized in that it is equipped with shrink clamping tapes wrapped around at least one cable at the ends of the connector, embedded in the notches of the supporting members.

Embedded in the radial notches of the clamping member supporting members preferably protrude partly from these notches towards the inner wall of the body, the protruding parts of the clamping strands projecting therefrom being most preferably embedded in the annular grooves of the body.

At the ends of the joint, there are preferably two rigid support members, spaced apart, between which the sealing material is located.

Each housing support member preferably has a modular structure consisting of several parts connected to each other by means of pins and holes on their front surfaces, the parts of each support member preferably being in the form of parts provided with a cut-out, and possibly full parts. The parts of each supporting member are preferably a segment of a circle.

The support members are preferably embedded in the annular grooves of the body.

Also in this embodiment at least part of each clamping strip is preferably deformable. The deformable parts of the strip are in the form of two thin spans connecting its non-deformable parts. Most preferably, the deformable parts of the clamping tape are alternately distributed with non-deformable parts at least along the end portion of this tape.

Each clamping tape is preferably provided with protrusions on one side and on the other with cooperating cavities forming snap connections of the tape wrapped around the cable.

The advantage of the cable connector housing according to the invention is its simplicity of construction (small number of components) and installation (automatic positioning and compression of clamping strips), high mechanical strength, easy access to its interior, and protection of connected cables against axial and radial shifts. The luminaire according to the invention can also be used to connect different numbers of cables with different diameters.

The invention is exemplified in the drawing, in which Figure 1a is a perspective view from the side of the two cables, Figure 1b is the cable connector according to Figure 1a with terminal strips at its ends forming part of the cable housing, in a perspective and side view, Fig. 1c - Cable connection and part of the housing according to Fig. 1b, provided with sealing material constituting another element of the housing, in perspective view and from the side, Fig. 1d - cable connector and part of the housing according to Fig. 1c, equipped with an open body constituting the last housing element, in perspective and side view, Fig. 1 e - cable connection with the housing according to Fig. 1 d closed around it, in perspective and side view Fig. 2a - perspective view of the clamping strap used in the housing according to Fig. 1, Fig. 2b - perspective view of the second end of the clamping strap according to Fig. 2a, Fig. 3a - perspective part of the clamping strap variant in perspective view, Fig. 3b - perspective ending second part of the clamping strap according to Fig. 3a in perspective view, Fig. 4a - ending part of the other clamping strap variant in perspective view

177 945 in perspective, fig. 4b - second end part of the clamping band according to fig. 4a, in perspective view, Fig. 5 - cross-section of the cable connector, in cross-section, fig. 6a three-cable connector, in perspective and side view, fig. 6b - cable connector according to Fig. 6a with terminal strips installed at its ends constituting part of the cable housing, in perspective view and from the side, Fig. 6c - cable connector and part of the housing according to Fig. 6b, equipped with supporting members constituting the next element of the housing, in perspective and side view, Fig. 6d - cable connector and part of the housing according to Fig. 6c, equipped with the open body being the last housing element, in perspective and side view, Fig. 6e - cable connector with the housing according to Fig. 6d closed around it, in perspective view from the side, Fig. 7a - three cable connector, in perspective and from the side view, Fig. 7b - cable connector according to Fig. 7a with the clamping straps installed at its ends, which are part of the cable housing, in perspective and side view, Fig. 7c - the cable connector and part of the housing according to Fig. 7b, equipped with modular support members constituting another housing element, in perspective and from the side, Fig. 7d - cable connection and part of the housing according to Fig. 7c, fitted with sealing material constituting another housing element, in perspective view and from the side, Fig. 7e - cable connector and part of the housing according to Fig. 7d, equipped with an open body constituting the last housing element, in perspective and side view, Fig. 7f - cable connector with the housing Fig. 7e closed around it, in perspective and side view, Fig. 8a - part of a modular support member with a cut-out, in different views, Fig. 8b - parts of a housing support member: with a cut-out and full in perspective view, Fig. 8c - full part of the housing support member, in different views, Fig. 9a, the modular housing support member consisting of four parts with cutouts according to Fig. 8a, in top view, Fig. 9b - the modular housing support member consisting of three parts with top cut-outs according to Fig. 8a and one full part according to Fig. 8c, and Fig. 9c - a modular housing support member, consisting of two parts with cutouts according to Fig. 8a and two full parts according to Fig. 8c, in view in advance.

At both ends of the connector 21 of two communication or electric cables 23 shown in Fig. 1, there are two clamping tapes 25 (Fig. 1b) each, between which sealing material 27 (Fig. 1c) is preferably in the form of a sealing strip. Around this part of the cable connector housing according to the invention, the body 29 (Fig. 1 d) is closed, preferably consisting of two identical parts in form and troughs. The inner wall of the body 29 is provided with annular grooves 31, which are the seat for clamping straps 25. When closing the housing, its body 29 exerts pressure on the clamping straps 25 and the sealing material 27 between them, causing the cables 23 to tighten and the straps to shrink clamping 25 and compression of the sealing material 27, which improves the sealing properties of the housing. The two parts of the body 29 are connected along their longitudinal edges by means of any fastening elements, preferably screw fasteners or clamps (Fig. 1e).

The housing 29 of the cable connector housing is preferably made of metal, e.g. aluminum, or plastic, e.g. polypropylene, or high molecular weight polyethylene. If the body 29 is made of plastic, it is preferably made by blowing.

The clamping tape 25 of the cable connector housing according to the invention shown in Figs. 2a and b is shrinking under mechanical pressure, and equipped with staggered deformable parts 1 and non-deformable parts 3. Deformable and non-deformable parts 1 and 3 are arranged on the end sections of the tape, preferably along its entire length length, which allows this tape to shrink uniformly after being wrapped around the cable. Each deformable part 1 of the band 25 is provided with two thin spans 5 at the edges of the strip connecting the non-deformable parts 3. The thin spans 5 deform by bending, folding, or telescopic folding, or crumbling, outwards or inwards tapes, in the direction of the arrows shown in the drawing, parallel to the axis of the connected cables.

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The deformation of the clamping band 25 prevents the formation of gaps between its successive turns through which the sealing material could escape.

The non-deformable parts 3 of the clamping band 25 are provided with protrusions 7 and recesses 9 on both sides thereof which form snap joints when wrapping the band. This design of the tape prevents accidental axial displacement of its subsequent turns with respect to each other. The protuberances 7 of the non-deformable parts 3 also compress the connected cables, which also prevents the axial displacement of the cables, and allows the sealing material to be held in one position.

The clamping band shown in Figs. 3 and 4 differs from the strap according to Fig. 2 in the shape of the protuberances 7 and the depressions 9 of its non-deformable parts 3. Both strips 25 are finally provided with wedge-shaped non-deformable projections 11 (the strap shown in Fig. 3 can be cut off) along the dotted line), allowing it to be smoothed after wrapping around the cable. The protuberances 7 of the non-deformable parts 3 of the strip according to Fig. 4b are equipped on their front surfaces with pointed projections 13 which stick into the insulating jacket of the cable.

The clamping band 25 is made of plastic, for example high molecular weight polyethylene, or of polypropylene or of metal, for example of steel or aluminum.

The closing of the body 29 of the cable connector housing shown in Fig. 5 resulted in automatic seating in its grooves 31 and squeezing (and thus shrinkage) of the clamping tapes 25 wrapped around the cable 23 (whose alternating turns are shown in the drawing as hatched and bright areas), which are mutually connected by connecting elements 33, for example stiffening spans, rods, or preferably screw fittings. Between the two clamping tapes 25 there is a sealing material 27, preferably a gel, compressed by the body 29, preferably in the form of a sealing tape wrapped around the cables 23 together with the clamping tapes 25. The sealing material 27 can also be compressed by the connecting elements 33 of the clamping tapes 25.

The variant of the housing according to the invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is adapted to the connector 21 of several cables 23 (Fig. 6a), around which the clamping tapes 25 (Fig. 6b) are wrapped, analogously to the tapes according to Figs. 1 to 5. At both ends the joints 21 are end members 35 (Fig. 6c) of the housing, each of which consists of two, preferably circular support members 37, and sealing material 27 located between them. Each support member 37 is provided with radial notches 39 constituting the seatings for the clamping tapes 25 wrapped around the cables 23 in which they are locked, which prevents the cables from sliding in both radial and axial directions. In each radial cutout 39 one cable or bundle of cables can be embedded, as well as more than one clamping strip 25. Each side of the connector may have a different number of cables with different diameters, to which the appropriate number of turns of the clamping tape 25 are selected.

The sealing material 27 between the support members 37 is preferably of identical identical cross-sectional shape to the support members 37, and is provided with corresponding cut-outs adapted to accommodate cables 23. Unused radial cut-outs 39 of the end members 35 are filled with end caps 41 (Fig. 6d ), preferably in the form of a sealing material.

Another variant of the housing according to the invention shown in Fig. 7 differs from the housing according to Fig. 6 in that the sealing material (Fig. 7d) between the supporting members 37 is not provided with cutouts and the cables 23 are pressed into this material. The use of plugs for unused notches in this solution is therefore unnecessary.

In both housing solutions according to the invention (Figs. 6 and 7), the sealing material 27 may be in the form of a sealing tape or elastic sealing block, provided with cutouts. The sealing material 27, irrespective of its shape, can be installed in the housing simultaneously with the installation of the supporting member, or before or after

177 945 steel. The sealing material is also preferably located on the inner wall of its body 29.

Each support member 37 is rigid and made of plastic, for example high molecular weight polyethylene, or polypropylene or metal, e.g. steel or aluminum.

Closing the housing body 29 around the joint 21 (Figures 6d and 6e, 7e and 7f) in a manner analogous to that of the body 29 according to Fig. 1 causes compression of the sealing material 27 between the supporting members 37. The sealing material 27 can also be compressed by bringing the supporting members 37 closer together, by means of screw connectors not shown in the drawing, or other elements located between these plates. The compressive force can be derived from shrinkage of the sealing material under the influence of temperature, or from additional compressive elements, e.g. from springs. The closing of the body 29 also causes automatic clamping and seating of the clamping tapes 25 in the associated radial notches 39 of the supporting members 37, due to protruding these tapes beyond the contour of the notches. The inner wall of the body 29 (analogously as in Fig. 1) is provided with transverse grooves 31, serving as a nest for clamping straps and supporting members 37. Thanks to this housing structure according to the invention, accurate positioning of clamping straps on cables becomes unnecessary.

Each supporting member 37 can have both a uniform and modular structure consisting of several interconnected elements', such as for example the quarter-circular parts 43 in Fig. 7c.

Of the quarter-circular parts 43 shown in Figure 8, various constructions of the support member 37 (Figure 9) of the housing according to the invention can be assembled. Each support member 37 consists of at least one quarter-circular portion A with a cut-out 39 (Figures 8a and 8b), and optionally at least one quarter-circular full portion B (Figures 8b and 8c), depending on the number of cables to be connected. The quarter-circular parts 43 are provided on their faces 48 with a pin 45 and an opening 47 cooperating with the opening 47 and a pin 45 of another part 43. The quarter-circular parts 43 may of course be connected in other ways, not directly but indirectly, e.g. in the form of a frame .

The cutouts 39 of the quarter-round parts A are provided with beads 49 and grooves 51 that cooperate with the associated protuberances and recesses of the clamping strips 26, which prevents axial displacement of the connected cables.

Each modular support member 37 may consist of a different number of quarter-circular parts A and B. Three designs of support member 37 are shown in Figures 9a, b and c, which consist of four parts A with a cut-out 39, three parts A and one full respectively parts B, and two parts A and two parts B.

The sealing material 27 used in the housing according to the invention is preferably a known mastic with very high elasticity and low creep susceptibility and high mechanical strength. The mastic contains non-crystalline materials, e.g. bituminous, elastomeric, optionally thermoplastic polymers, and preferably fillers or make-up liquids. Such mastic is described in U.S. Patents no. US 3 243 211, no. US 3 297 819, no. US 3 396 460 and no. US 4 206 786. The mastic softening temperature is about 130 ° (according to ASTM E28 standard), the peel strength at 23 ° is 52 N / cm (according to QAPK 027 test), compressive strength at least 160N, preferably at least 250N (according to ISO 04587), and elasticity - preferably 100%.

The sealing material can also be a gel, for example silicone, urea, urethane or thermoplastic. The gel preferably contains polymer compositions with an oil filler. The Stevens-Volland gel hardness used is at least 45 g, preferably at least 50 g, especially at least 55 g, and most preferably in the range from 55 g to 60 g. The gel stress relaxation is not more than 12%, preferably not more than 10%, and most preferably - no more than 8%. The relative elongation at break of the gel at room temperature is at least 100%, preferably at least 600%, especially at least 1000%, and most preferably 1400% (according to ASTM D638). The gel stretching modulus at 100% deformation is 1.8 MPa, preferably 2.2 MPa, and its permanent deformation after compression - not more than 35%, preferably not more than 25%. The penetration of the cone probe with its immersion into the gel to a depth of 0.1 mm is at least 50, preferably at least 100, especially in the range from 200 to 400, and most preferably 350 (according to ASTM D217).

The gel polymer composition contains elastomer blocks, or relatively hard copolymer blocks. Examples of copolymers containing styrene-butadiene blocks, for example diblock or styrene-butadiene or styrene-isoprene triblock copolymers, are given in International Patent No. WO 88/00603. The polymer composition preferably contains at least one styrene ethylene propylene styrene block. The liquid gel fillers are preferably oils, e.g. hydrocarbons: paraffinic, naphthenic, or synthetic oils, preferably polymeric or polypropene, optionally mixtures thereof, and most preferably a mixture of aromatic (paraffin) and naphthenic (hydrocarbon) oil. The gel also contains complementary agents, for example moisture obsorbers (benzoyl chloride), antioxidants, pigments, and fungicides.

Of course, other sealing materials, e.g. elastomers, natural or synthetic rubber, binders, especially pressure-sensitive, or lubricants, preferably silicone, can be used in the housing according to the invention.

List of markings deformable parts of the clamping band of the cable joint 3 deformable parts of the clamping band of the binding 5 thin spans of deformable parts 1 7 protuberances of the non-deformable parts 3 9 cavities of the non-deformable parts 3 wedge clamps of the clamping band 13 sharp protrusions of the clamping band 21 sharp cable clamps shrinking clamping band binding connectors 27 sealing material of the cable connector housing 29 housing of the cable connector annular grooves body 29 33 connecting strips of clamping tapes 25 35 end member of the cable connector housing variant 37 end member supporting member 35 39 radial notches of the supporting member 37 41 end caps of radial notches 39 43 quarter-circular parts of the supporting member 37 45 pin of the part 43 hole of the part 43 end face of the bead notches 39 51 notch grooves 39

A quarter-round part of supporting member 37 with cut-out 39 B Quarter-round full part of supporting member 37

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