Technical Field

The invention relates to a cable feedthrough element for feeding cables through an opening in a mounting panel.

More particularly, the invention relates to a cable feedthrough element which ensures electromagnetic compatibility for feeding shielded cables through the opening in the mounting panel.

Background of The Invention

All electrical and electronic devices emit some electromagnetic energy to the environment during operation. This electromagnetic field has a direct effect on devices and cables. Electromagnetic Interference is the effect of devices or systems from this energy that is produced or present in the environment. The electromagnetic field has a particularly negative effect on the operation of highly sensitive electronic devices and impair the operating accuracy of these devices and the accuracy of the signals.

Electromagnetic Compatibility can be defined as the fact that one device or system does not affect other devices or systems while they are operating and is not affected by their operation.

One of the main factors determining the quality of electromagnetic compatibility is the cables connecting the devices. Because the cables act as both electrical and magnetic interference sources.

For the above-mentioned reasons, shielded cables are used in areas where environmental interference is important. These types of cables are used with EMC type cable glands. EMC type cable glands ensure grounding shielded (screened) cables.

In present art, the contact elements tighten shielded cables by means of sealing element and EMC feature is provided. The sealing element is compressed by one of the parts forming the cable feedthrough element. In this compression operation, the sealing element abuts against and pushes the contact element. The contact element presses the cable shield with the force transmitted by the sealing element. However, the biggest disadvantage of this working principle is that the sealing elements produced from the elastomer material lose their elasticity due to the effects of aging. Less force is transmitted from the sealing element (which loses its elasticity) to the contact element over time. This causes the contact element to press the cable shield with a decreasing force. As a result, the EMC feature may be interrupted and the system may be damaged. The cable feeding element does not meet the expected screening and grounding characteristics.

EP1886390 discloses a frame that provides cable passage and reduces electromagnetic interference. The frame comprises compressible modules through which the cables can pass, the conductive layer in contact with said modules and the clamping unit. The installation of said frame is a complex and time-consuming process due to the parts that it contains. In addition, installation errors can occur depending on the dexterity and experience of the operator. Installation errors are unacceptable as they will reduce EMC performance. Due to the aging effect, the modules through which the cables pass, press the cable less in time. In this case, the EMC feature may be interrupted. Therefore, it may be necessary to tighten the clamping unit at certain intervals.

As a result, due to above described disadvantages and inadequacy of existing solutions, it has been necessary to make development in the related art.

Purpose of The Invention

The invention has been developed with inspiration from existing situation and purposes to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages.

The main purpose of the invention is to prevent electromagnetic fields from passing through the cable feedthrough element in any direction and to direct unwanted electromagnetic energy carried by the cable shield to the ground. Thus, 360 ° electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is provided in the system where the cable feedthrough element is used.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide an EMC property independent from aging. For this purpose, there is a protrusion which ensures contact continuity of the contact element. Another purpose of the invention is to allow the simultaneous assembly of a plurality of cables together. This saves both installation space and time. The cable feedthrough ensures that large diameter high-current cables are installed close to each other in the mounting panel, thus saving installation space and time.

Another purpose of the invention is to prevent loss and damage of the contact element during the assembly of pre-terminated cables such as cable lugs and connectors. The contact element is positioned in a groove in the cable feedthrough element. This prevents loss and damage of the contact element. In addition, the installation time is reduced.

Another purpose of the invention is to simplify installation by reducing the need for complex components. This reduces installation failures.

It is a further purpose of the invention to provide the inspectability the contacting of the contact element to the cable shield during assembling. Thus, it is visually proved that the EMC feature is fully achieved. This increases user satisfaction and confidence. It also accelerates fault detection and intervention in the event of a failure.

A cable feedthrough element for installing shielded cables is invented to achieve the above-mentioned purposes, comprising; a lower body mounted in the opening on a mounting panel and having at least one housing providing passage of the shielded cable, at least one sealing element disposed in said at least one housing and providing sealing protection, an upper body mounted on the lower body, at least one tubular part protruding on the upper body and providing passage of shielded cable, at least one contact element for contacting the shielded cable and having at least one contact spring contacting on at least one point of the shielded cable when the shielded cable is pressed, at least one bend on the contact spring which retains the contact element in the tubular part by engaging a groove formed in the tubular part, at least one retaining ring which has at least one contact spring on it and which allows the bend to dislocate from the groove by the sealing element pushing the contact element during the assembly of the upper body to the lower body and at least one protrusion which is adjacent to the groove and allowing the contact element to continuously press the shielded cable by preventing the bend to return back to the groove.

The structural and characteristic features and all advantages of the invention will be clarified with the detailed description of the figures and the following description. Therefore, the evaluation should be done by taking into account these figures and detailed explanation.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 : is an exploded view of the cable feedthrough element. Figure 2: is an assembled view of the cable feedthrough element.

Figure 3: is a cross-sectional view of the cable feedthrough element with cable assembly.

Figure 4: is a cross-sectional view of the upper body without contact element.

Figure 5: is an overview of a preferred embodiment of the contact element. Description of Part References

A. Shielded cable

B. Cable feedthrough element

10. Lower body

11. Housing 20. Upper body

21. Shelter part

22. Tubular part

23. Groove

24. Protrusion 25. Recess

30. Sealing element

31. Slit

40. Contact element 41. Contact spring

42. Bend

43. Retaining ring

44. Extension

50. Shroud

51. Tab

52. Annular extension 60. Connecting element 70. Mounting panel

Detailed Description of the Invention

In this detailed description, the preferred embodiments of a cable feedthrough element (B) disclosed under the invention have been disclosed solely for the purpose of better understanding of the subject.

Referring to Fig. 1 , the cable feedthrough element (B) according to the invention comprises the lower body (10), the upper body (20), the sealing element (30) and the contact element (40). The cable feedthrough element (B) allows the plurality of shielded cables (A) to pass through the opening formed on a mounting panel (70). The cable feedthrough element (B) provides electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) by grounding of shielded cables (A). Thus, electrical and electronic devices and systems are not affected by electromagnetic interference. The cable feedthrough element (B) allows passage of more than one shielded cable (A), thus saves installation space. The cable diameter increases depending on the amount of energy transferred by the cable. In particular, cables used in energy systems such as wind turbines, solar panels etc. have larger diameters than the one used in other industrial applications. In addition, these energy systems have both cable clutter and limited installation space. The cable feedthrough element (B) has advantage particularly in such places. The cable feedthrough element (B) also enables the simultaneous assembly of multiple cables, thus reducing the installation time. The lower body (10) enables the cable feedthrough element (B) to be mounted in the opening on the mounting panel (70). The lower body (10) may be mounted in the opening on the mounting panel (70) from the front or rear. Thus, the user can mount the lower body (10) in a preferred direction within the confined installation space and in the cable clutter. The lower body (10) is preferably made of conductive material. In this way, the electromagnetic interference on the shielded cable (A) is grounded. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, metal or alloys are used as conductive material. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower body (10) is secured to the opening on the mounting panel (70) by at least one connecting element (60). The lower body (10) may also be secured to the mounting panel (70) by other fastening methods which may be performed by a person skilled in the art. At least one housing (11) is provided on the lower body (10) allowing cable passage. The housing (11) is preferably in conical form. The width of the housing (11) also permits the passage of pre-terminated cables in the form of connectors, cable lugs, etc.

At least one sealing element (30) is fixed in the housing (11) on the lower body (10). The sealing element (30) prevents the passage of dust, liquid, etc. behind the mounting panel (70) after the installation of the cable feedthrough element (B). Therefore, the sealing element (30) provides sealing protection. The sealing element (30) is preferably made of elastomeric material. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sealing element (30) has a slit (31). The slit (31) provides ease of installation, especially in pre-terminated cables. In different embodiments of the cable feedthrough element (B), the sealing element (30) may also be fixed to different parts of the structure. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the sealing element (30) is mounted after the contact element (40). Thus, the user can monitor the contact of the shielded cable (A) with the contact element (40). This ensures correct installation and increases customer satisfaction. In addition, loose contact due to wrong assembly can be detected immediately. Therefore, damage to the system and users is prevented. The contact of the shielded cable (A) to the contact element (40) enables the detection of faults and intervention more quickly in systems where there is plurality of cables.

Referring to Fig. 2, the upper body (20) comprises a shelter part (21) surrounding at least one housing (11) and at least one tubular part (22) protruding on the upper body (20). The upper body (20) is preferably made of conductive material. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, metal or alloys are used as conductive. The upper body (20) is preferably mounted on the lower body (10) by means of connecting elements (60). However, in different embodiments of the invention, the upper body (20) can be mounted to the lower body (10) by snap-fit or other mounting methods and elements.

The shelter part (21) surrounds at least one housing (11) located on the lower body

(10). Thus, the shelter part (21) builds continuity between the lower body (10) and the upper body (20). The shelter part (21) screens the cables passing through the housings

(11) in every direction and ensures the continuity of EMC feature. In addition, the shelter part (21) provides for alignment of the lower body (10) and the upper body (20). This reduces installation faults.

Referring to Fig. 3, the tubular part (22) rises on the upper body (20), allowing the passage of the shielded cable (A). The contact element (40) is mounted in the interior of the tubular part (22). The tubular part (22) and the contact element (40) allow the passage of pre-term inated cables in the form of connectors, cable lugs, etc. In this way, it is not necessary to remove the contact element (40) from the tubular part (22) during cable assembly. This shortens the installation duration. It also prevents the contact element (40) to be lost during assembly. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the tubular part (22) rising on the upper body (20) are designed close to each other in order to save space. Thus, the invention can be used in applications where the cable diameters are relatively large and the installation space is limited.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is a protrusion (24) adjacent the groove (23) formed in the tubular part (22). The surface of the protrusion (24) facing the groove (23) is inclined. Thus, when the contact element (40) is pushed by the sealing element (30), the bend (42) on the contact spring (41) easily comes out of the groove (23). The other surface of the protrusion (24) has a structure that prevents returning of the bend (42) to the groove (23). In preferred embodiments of the invention, the other surface of the protrusion (24) is perpendicular to the direction in which the bend (42) returns to the groove (23). The protrusion (24) prevents the bend (42) to return back into the groove (23) after the contact element (40) has clamped the shielded cable (A). Thus, the clamping of the shielded cable (A) by the contact element (40) is guaranteed and continuous contact with the shielded cable (A) is ensured. This prevents the reduction of the EMC feature by aging.

Referring to Fig. 5, the contact element (40) comprises at least one contact spring (41) and at least one retaining ring (43). The contact element (40) contacts the shield of the cable to provide grounding. As a result, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is ensured in the system. The contact spring (41) contacts the shield of cable at at least one point. At least one bend (42) is provided on the contact spring (41). Said bend (42) engages the groove (23) in the tubular part (22). Thus, it is ensured that the contact element (40) is positioned in the tubular part (22). At least one contact spring (41) is provided on the retaining ring (43). The retaining ring (43) that contacts the sealing element (30) is a portion of the contact element (40). At least one extension (44) is provided on the retaining ring (43). The extension (44) increases the contact surface between the contact element (40) and the sealing element (30). This prevents the sealing element (30) from being damaged by the contact element (40) during assembly of the upper body (20) to the lower body (10).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a shroud (50) is used to provide sealing protection to the cable feedthrough element (B) and to protect the contact element (40) from external effects. The shroud (50) is inserted on the edge of the tubular part (22). The tab (51) formed on the shroud (50) engages the recess (25) formed in the edge of the tubular part (22). In preferred embodiments of the invention, the shroud (50) is made of elastic material. At least one annular extension (52) is provided on the shroud (50). The annular extension (52) has two basic functions. The first is to increase the strength of the shroud (50). The second is to limit the movement of the clamp, clip, or similar clamping member mounted on the shroud (50). This prevents dislocating of the clamping member.

When the upper body (20) is assembled to the lower body (10), the contact element (40) automatically contacts the shield of the cable. During the assembly of the upper body (20), the contact element (40) is pushed by the sealing element (30). Thus, the contact element (40) moves in the opposite direction of the upper body (20) in the tubular part (22) and comes out of the groove (23). As the bends (42) come out of the groove (23), the contact springs (41) converge in and press the shield of the cable. The protrusion (24) adjacent to the groove (23) prevents the contact element (40) from returning and entering the groove (23). This enables the contact element (40) to clamp the shielded cable (A) continuously. Therefore, the clamping force of the contact element (40) on the shielded cable (A) is not reduced over time. By the help of the invention, the EMC property of the cable feedthrough element (B) continues without being affected by aging.