JPS5910025B2 - underwater connector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electrical cable connector that can be repeatedly attached and detached underwater, and particularly to a wet type underwater connector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Electrical cables are used for various types of work under the sea or on the seabed to transmit power or electrical signals, and underwater connectors are used to electrically connect the cables to equipment installed under the sea or on the seabed.

As such underwater connectors, so-called dry type underwater connectors, which are connected in the air and used underwater, are widely used because they are less technically difficult. However, so-called wet type underwater connectors, which are connected and used underwater, have technical difficulties and have not been widely used. In particular, devices that can be repeatedly attached and detached underwater are hardly ever put into practical use. In the case of wet-type underwater connectors, the joining part of the male and female connectors is filled with a fluid insulator such as silicone grease, but in order to be able to be repeatedly connected and disconnected underwater, the sealing performance when connecting the connectors must be It is necessary to ensure that the fluid insulation returns to its pre-coupled state when the connector is released. An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems and provide a wet type underwater connector that can be repeatedly attached and detached underwater.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained with reference to embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. The underwater connector of this invention consists of a combination of a male connector 1 and a female connector 2.

The male connector 1 has a cylindrical connection part 4 formed at one end of an insulator 3, a support pin 6 for a male electrode 5 protruding from the center thereof, and a male electrode 5 attached to the tip of the support pin 6. , a conductor 7 is connected to the electrode 5. A donut-shaped cover plate 8 is fitted on the inner circumference of the cylindrical connection part 4, and the cover plate 8 is connected to the inner circumference of the connection part 4, the outer circumference of the electrode 5 and the support pin 6, and an O-ring 9, respectively. A spring 10 provided inside the connecting portion 4 closes the open end of the connecting portion 4 in the uncoupled state. Further, a hole 11 that opens to the outer circumferential surface is provided in the inner part of the connecting part 4. The outer peripheral surface of the male connector 1 has an annular chamber 13 that can be expanded and contracted by a bellows 12.
The annular chamber 13 is in communication with the inside of the connecting portion 4 through the hole 11. Also,
A screw 14 for mechanical connection with the female connector 2 is formed at the tip of the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 4 .

In addition, the inside of the connecting part 4 and the annular chamber 1 communicating with this
3 is filled with a fluid insulator such as silicone grease. On the other hand, the insulator 15 of the female connector 2 is formed to have a diameter that matches the inner periphery of the connection portion 4, and has a connection hole 16 in its end surface. A female electrode 17 is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the connection hole 16, and the connection hole 16 can receive the aforementioned male electrode 5 and its support pin 6. A closing cover plate 18 is inserted into the open end of the connection hole 16 via an O-ring 19, and under normal conditions, a spring 20 provided inside the hole 16 closes the open end in a watertight manner. It's summery.
Further, a communication hole 21 is provided at the back of the connection hole 16, and communicates with the expandable annular chamber 23 formed by the bellows 22, as described above. In addition, insulator 1
A union nut 24 for mechanical connection is provided on the outer peripheral surface of 5.
A conductor 25 is connected to the female electrode 17. Note that the connection hole 16 and the annular chamber 23 communicating therewith are filled with the same fluid insulator as described above. When the above-mentioned male and female connectors 1 and 2 are connected, the respective cover plates 8 and 18 compress the springs 10 and 20 and retreat, and the fluid insulators filled therein pass through the holes 11 and 21 into each annular chamber. Escape on 13.23.

Each annular chamber 13, 23 expands as the internal pressure increases and absorbs fluid insulation. Due to the above coupling, the male and female electrodes 5 and 17 come into contact and are electrically coupled. Further, both connectors 1 and 2 are mechanically connected by union 5 joint mechanisms 14 and 24 to prevent the springs 10 and 20 from coming off due to their elasticity. When the connectors 1 and 2 are uncoupled, the elasticity of the springs 10 and 20 causes the cover plate 8 to
, 18 are restored, the fluid insulator moves into the annular chamber 13, 23.
Return to the original state from within. Note that although the connector described above is shown in the case where one pair of male and female electrodes 5 and 17 is provided, a similar configuration can be made in the case where a plurality of pairs of these electrodes are provided.

Further, the mechanical coupling means for both the connectors 1 and 2 is not limited to the above-mentioned union joint mechanisms 14 and 24, but other appropriate means may be employed. Since the underwater connector of the present invention is as described above, the fluid insulator is absorbed into the annular chamber formed by the bellows when the connector is coupled, and when the connector is uncoupled, the lid is closed by the spring. By returning, the fluid insulator is restored and can be repeatedly attached and detached underwater. In addition, before joining, the parts of both insulators that form the inner circumferential surface of the male electrode support pin and the connection hole on the female electrode side are covered with a fluid insulator. Since the body interface is sealed by a fluid insulator, sufficient insulation properties are obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings are cross-sectional views showing embodiments of the invention. 1...Male connector, 2...Female connector, 3...Insulator, 4...Connection part, 5...Male Electrode, 6...support pin, 8...cover plate, 10...spring,
11... Hole, 12... Bellows, 13
......Annular chamber, 15...Insulator, 16.
... Connection hole, 17 ... Female electrode, 18
・・・・・・Lid plate, 20-・・・Spring, 2
1... Hole, 22... Bellows, 23.
...Annular chamber.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 Consists of a combination of a male connector and a female connector, with a male electrode protruding from the center of a cylindrical connection part provided on the male connector, and a retractable chamber provided on the outer periphery of the male connector and the above connection part. A closing lid that communicates with the inside and has resilient elasticity is fitted on the open end of the connection part in a watertight manner, and a female electrode is installed deep in the connection hole provided in the female connector, and the outer periphery of the female connector is An underwater connector characterized in that a retractable chamber provided in the connecting hole communicates with the inside of the connecting hole, and a closing cover having resilient elasticity is fitted to the open end of the connecting hole in a watertight manner.