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(11) | EP 3 667 823 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR |
| (57) According to an aspect, there is provided a branch connector (100) for electrically
connecting a plurality of wires with each other, the branch connector (100) comprising:
a plurality of adjacent cavities (112, 114) for receiving the electrical wires through
open ends (E1, E2) of the branch connector (100); a plurality of holes (202, 204,
206, 208) extending to the plurality of adjacent cavities (112, 114); and a plurality
of pressing elements (512, 522, 532, 542) for extending through the plurality of holes
(202, 204, 206, 208) and for pressing the electrical wires in the plurality of adjacent
cavities (112, 114) against an electrically conducting body (110) of the branch connector
(100), wherein the branch connector (100) further comprises a gap (120) extending
in a direction that is parallel with a direction of the plurality adjacent cavities
(112, 114).
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TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to electrical connectors. Particularly, the invention relates to branch connectors.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electrical connectors are used to electrically connect electrical wires with each other. For example, a branch connector can be used to electrically connect one wire with a plurality of wires. This may enable electrical current and/or signal to travel from said one wire to said plurality of wires.
[0003] Normally such branch connectors suffer from problems with quality of connection. For example, movement of the connector and/or the wires may cause the electrical connection between the connector and the wires to deteriorate. Therefore, there seems to be room to develop connectors that reduce the effect of such movement on the quality of the electrical connection (s).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0004] According to an aspect, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
[0005] In the presently disclosed branch connector, an additional gap extending parallel with the cavities is provided in the body of the branch connector. This increases flexibility of the branch connector which in turn reduces the effect of movement by the wires and/or by the branch connector. As the effect of movement is reduced, the electrical connection between the branch connector and the wires may be more robust. This may be experienced as, for example, decreased maintenance costs.
[0006] One or more examples of implementations are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] In the following embodiments will be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 illustrate branch connectors according to some embodiments;
Figures 5A and 5B illustrate attachment of wires into the branch connector according to some embodiments;
Figure 6 illustrates an electrical circuit comprising a branch connector and plurality of wires;
Figure 7 illustrates a manufacturing method according to an embodiment; and
Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 illustrate the branch connector according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0008] The following embodiments are exemplifying. Although the specification may refer to "an", "one", or "some" embodiment(s) in several locations of the text, this does not necessarily mean that each reference is made to the same embodiment(s), or that a particular feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.
[0009] In prior art solutions, adjacent cavities (there can be more but at least two cavities) may be separated from each other. For example, a connector may have two through holes arranged such that a wire can be inputted to the holes from each direction. So, two holes may enable connecting four wires with each other. However, as explained above, this may generate problems in electrical connection between the wires and the connector.
[0010] Figure 1 illustrates a branch connector 100 according to an embodiment which this problem is addressed. Figure 1 may be understood as illustrating the branch connector 100 from one of its ends (see E1 and E2 e.g. in Figure 2). E.g. Figure 1 may be a frontal view of the branch connector 100. Referring to Figure 1, the branch connector 100 for connecting a plurality of wires with each other is shown. The branch connector 100 comprises: a plurality of adjacent cavities 112, 114 for receiving the electrical wires (see 510, 520, 530, 540 in Figures 5A, 5B, and 6) through open ends (see E1 and E2 e.g. in Figure 2) of the branch connector 100; a plurality of holes 202, 204, 208, 210 (these holes are illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, for example) extending to the plurality of adjacent cavities 112, 114; and a plurality of pressing elements 512, 522, 532, 542 (these elements are shown in Figures 5B and 5C, for example) for extending through the plurality of holes 202, 204, 206, 208 and for pressing the electrical wires 510, 520, 530, 540 in the plurality of adjacent cavities 112, 114 against a body 110 of the branch connector 100. The body 110 of the branch connector is electrically conducting.
[0011] Moreover, in the presented branch connector 100, the branch connector 100 further comprises a gap 120 extending in a direction that is parallel with a direction of the plurality adjacent cavities 112, 114. Such gap may provide flexibly and/or elasticity to the body 110. In other words, such arrangement may increase flexibility and/or elasticity of the body 110 compared to the prior art solutions. Such parallel extending gap 120 is not discussed in the known solutions.
[0012] In an embodiment, the gap 120 and the plurality adjacent cavities 112, 114 have a common inner surface 192. One example of this is shown e.g. in Figure 1, wherein a wall 122 between adjacent cavities 112, 114 comprises the gap 120 extending in a direction that is parallel with a direction of the adjacent cavities 112, 114, the gap 120 opening a space between the adjacent cavities 112, 114 (i.e. opening the wall 122) and defining the adjacent cavities 112, 114 to have a common inner surface 192. In a way, the gap 120 may be understood as an aperture between the cavities 112, 114. The gap 120 may be understood as a gap that provides flexibility to the body 110, or at least increases flexibility compared with solutions that do not comprise said gap 120. Moreover, the gap 120 and the adjacent cavities 112, 114 having the same inner surface is a difference to the prior art in which the cavities 112, 114 are closed from each other and do not comprise the gap 120 that increases flexibility of the body 110.
[0013] However, it is possible to obtain the gap 120 in different ways. One such example is shown in Figure 8 which represents branch connector according to an example embodiment. Referring to Figure 8, the branch connector 100 may be otherwise similar as discussed with respect to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5A, 5B, and 6, but the gap 120 may be situated and/or formed differently. That is, the gap 120 may be situated between the cavities 112, 114 and the upper part or section of the body 110. As shown in the Figure, the cavities 112, 114 may be substantially enclosed by additional walls 802, 804. However, these walls comprise a hole or opening 804, 814 for the pressing elements so that the pressing elements can be used to press the wires against the body (e.g. against portion 132, 134). The holes or openings 804, 814 define the cavities 112, 114 and the gap 120 to have a common inner surface 192. In all embodiments, the gap 120 is for providing flexibility for the branch connector 100. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the gap 120 may extend to area of both cavities 112, 114 (e.g. if two cavities are used). In a way it can be understood that the gap 120 prevents the upper section of the body 110 to be in contact with the lower section of the body 110 from other areas than the side walls so that the upper section between the side walls may flex.
[0014] Some other embodiments are discussed later with respect to the embodiments of Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.
[0015] So, in an embodiment, the gap 120 is situated between the side walls (i.e. outer walls) of the body 110 or branch connector 100, and shares a common inner surface with the cavities 112, 114. Referring to Figure 8, the difference with Figure 1 is that the additional walls 802, 812 are used, and hence the gap 120 has a bit different dimension and location. Effect may remain the same.
[0016] In an embodiment, the gap 120 is situated at an upper portion of the body 110. For example, the gap 120 may define a space between the wall 122 and an upper wall or upper portion of the body 110. This is explicitly shown in Figure 1, for example. The wall 122 may separate the cavities 112, 114 from each other, and especially the lower portions of the cavities which are configured to receive the wires 510, 520. So, the wall 122 may extend from the lower portion or bottom wall of the body 110 towards the upper portion of the body, but as shown in Figure 1, may not extend to the upper wall of the body 110. Hence, there may be the gap 120 as shown in Figure 1, for example. This gap 120 may provide flexibility and thus enhance the electrical connection between the body 110 and the wires 510, 520.
[0017] Going back to the other embodiment shown e.g. in Figure 1, skilled person understands that the common inner surface 192 may mean that the cavities 112, 114 share the same space and therefore have the same inner surface 192. However, it is noted that there is the wall 122 between the cavities 112, 114 so that the wires (lets refer only to 510 and 520 at this point) may have a reserved or designated slot in the branch connector 100. So, essentially each cavity 112, 114 may be for receiving one wire 510, 520, and the wall 122 between the cavities enables the wires not to be in direct contact with each other. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the gap 120 is situated at an upper portion of the wall 122. This can be seen in Figure 1, for example. Upper portion may refer here to the part that is closer to the plurality of holes 202, 204, 206, 208. Thus, the wires 510, 520 may configured to be pressed against portions 132, 134 that may be situated at a lower portion of the branch connector 100. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the upper portion may refer to the section that is located between the holes 202, 204, 206, 208 and holes 804, 814.
[0018] As the skilled person understands, in the prior art solutions there is no gap 120 in the wall 122 (see e.g. Figure 1) or between the cavities and the upper section (see Figure 8). The presently suggested gap 120 enables the branch connector 100 to be more flexible and thus enhances the electrical connection between the wires 510, 520 and the branch connector 100. The flexibility may be caused by the upper part of the branch connector 100. As there is the gap 120, at least the upper part may flex (i.e. move with respect to the wall 122 at least from the area that is opposite to the wall 122) as shown with an arrow 592 in Figure 5B.
[0019] In an embodiment, the gap 120 extends whole length of the adjacent cavities 112, 114. For example, with reference to Figure 2 showing a dimensional view of the branch connector 100, the cavities 112, 114 may extend from one open side E1 to another open side E2 of the branch connector 100. Essentially, the cavities 112, 114 may thus be open from both sides (i.e. through holes). The length of the cavities 112, 114 may thus refer to the length from end E1 to end E2, and the gap 120 may thus extend from end E1 to end E2.
[0020] In an embodiment, the gap 120 extends at least half of the length of the adjacent cavities 112, 114.
[0021] In an embodiment, the gap 120 extends at least three fourths of the length of the adjacent cavities 112, 114. For example, in the example of Figure 11 the gap 120 may extend less than the whole length of the cavities 112, 114.Referring to Figure 1, the diameter D2 of the gap 120 in the wall 122 is less than a half of a diameter D1 of a cavity of the plurality of adjacent cavities 112, 114. It is noted that cavities 112, 114 and/or gap 120 are not necessarily uniformly shaped (e.g. cavities 112, 114 may have different shape than a circle which may also be possible). In an embodiment, with reference to Figure 1, D2 is less than fourth of D1. So, a relatively small gap may suffice. So, the diameter of the aperture 120 in the wall 122 may be substantially small so that there is a substantially large space for each wire in each cavity. For example, if there would be no wall 122 between the cavities 112, 114, the wires 510, 520 could spread and come into physical connection with each other when the pressing means are used to press the wires against the portion(s) 132, 134. For example, direct physical connection between copper and aluminum wires may increase oxidation and/or corrosion. Also, without the wall 122 the wire strands may spread too much (i.e. because of the pressing force) and the electrical connection between the body 110 and the wire may become less conducting. Hence, it may be beneficial to have the proposed open cavity 112, 114 for each wire. I.e. each wire can be inputted into a designated cavity 112, 114.
[0022] In an embodiment, the body 110 comprises aluminum. For example, the body can be made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. In an embodiment, the aluminum alloy is high strength aluminum alloy.
[0023] In an embodiment, the body 110 is coated. For example, the coating may comprise tin. Hence, the coating may be performed, for example, with tin or tin alloy. E.g. the coating may be a tin coating. Coating may reduce oxidation and/or corrosion, for example.
[0024] Aluminum body 110 and tin coating are used as examples and therefore other materials may be employed. However, aluminum and tin may be especially suitable for the branch connector 100 due to their electrical properties and corrosion resistance. So, the wires 510, 520 may be connected with the electrically conducting body 110.
[0025] In an embodiment, the branch connector 100 further comprises a cover for the body 110. Said cover is shown in Figure 6 with reference sign 610 and may be electrically insulating (e.g. plastic cover). The cover 610 may enclose the body 110. In an embodiment, the cover further encloses the pressing elements 512, 522, 532, 542. Thus, in a sense, it can be understood that the cover 610 may enclose the whole branch connector 100.
[0026] Referring now to Figures 1, 2, and 8, the portion 132, 134 is toothed. So, at least a part of an inner surface of each of the plurality of adjacent cavities 112, 114 may be toothed. This may increase quality of the electrical connection between the wires and the body 110, as the toothed potion 132, 134 may break surface of the wires. So, for example, if a wire has oxidation(s), the toothed portion 132, 134 may remove or reduce such oxidation(s) from the wire when the wire is pressed against the toothed portion 132, 134. For example, the pressing elements 512, 522 may be screwed (i.e. rotated), and the screwing may further enhance the oxidation breaking effect. So, the wire may be pressed between the element 512, 522 and the portion 132, 134. Accordingly, the plurality of holes 202, 204 and the plurality of pressing elements 512, 522 are arranged and dimensioned such that tightening a pressing element 512, 522 causes an electrical wire 510, 520 to be pressed against the toothed part 132, 134 of the inner wall of the cavity 112, 114.
[0027] According to an embodiment, with reference to Figure 1 and 2, the outer side walls of the body 110 comprise a thinning or thinnigs 212, 214. Side walls may be illustrated with S1 and S2 in Figure 2. So, both side walls of the body 110 may comprise a thinning 212, 214. This thinning may further enhance the flexing of the upper part of the body 110. Skilled person understands what is meant with a thinning: essentially it means that at least a portion of the side wall has a thinner section compared to some other portion of the side wall. For example, in the present example Figures, the body 110 may essentially have a cuboid or cubic shape (e.g. is a rectangular cuboid), where side walls are thinner compared with, for example, upper and lower sections of the body 110. I.e. the outer side walls may be thinner than top and bottom walls of the body 110 which can be observed for example in Figures 1 and 8. Essentially, the side walls of the body 110 may be flexible. The thinned walls may be understood also as walls having reduced thickness compared with the top and/or bottom walls of the body 110 or compared with the side walls without the thinning.
[0029] In an embodiment, D2 is 1 to 5 millimeters (mm), preferably about 3 or 4 mm. However, this may depend on the diameters of the body 110. It may suffice that there is a gap regardless of the size of the gap.
[0030] For example, width of the body 110 may be between 4 and 6 cm (e.g. 5.5 cm), and height between 3 to 5 cm (e.g. 4 cm). Length may be between 5 and 8 cm, for example. So, for example, the cavities 112, 114 and the gap 120 may be about 5 to 8 cm long.
[0031] In an embodiment, the thinning 212 and/or 214 is about 1 mm deep with the above described diameters. In relative terms, the thinning may be between 1 and 2 percent of the total width of the body 110, for example. It is noted that the thinning 212, 214 may be situated either at the outside or inside surface of the side wall, or both.
[0032] However, it needs to be noted that these dimensions should be understood as examples of some embodiments, and it is possible to utilize different dimensions depending on the wires or cables that need to be connected with each other.
[0033] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate some embodiments of the branch connector 100. Figure 3 illustrates a side view (e.g. S1) and Figure 4 illustrates a top view of the branch connector 100. For example, Figures 3 and 4 may illustrate branch connector 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2 or in Figure 8.
[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the thinning 212 may be situated between the ends E1 and E2. In an embodiment, the thinning 212 extends the whole length of the body 110 as shown in Figure 3.
[0035] In Figure 4, the holes 202, 204, 206, 208 are shown (these holes can be referred to as apertures or bolt holes also). Furthermore, although not shown with reference signs, the toothed part may be seen through the holes 202-208. So, for example, if a wire is inputted into a cavity, a pressing element may be used to tighten the wire against the toothed part via the corresponding hole 202-208. For example, in the example of Figure 4, four wires can be inputted (two in each cavity from opposite ends E1, E2).
[0036] Figures 5A and 5B illustrate some example embodiments about wires 510, 520 in the cavities 112, 114 and how they can be tightened or fixed to the cavities 112, 114. It is noted that only two wires 510, 520 are shown as only one end (e.g. E1 or E2) is illustrated. As noted above, two more wires can be inserted into the cavities 112, 114 from opposite sides.
[0037] Referring to Figure 5A, the wires 510, 520 are shown within the cavities, but they are not yet fixed to the cavities 112, 114 respectively. Referring now to Figure 5B, pressing elements 512, 522 are shown each associated with a respective hole (i.e. holes 202-208) and wire 510, 520. Pressing element 512 is shown to be tightened more than pressing element 522 in the Figure. As shown, the tightening the pressing element 512, 522 causes the space between the pressing element and portion 132, 134 to reduce, and thus the wire 510, 520 is pressed against the portion 132, 134. Majority of the electrical connection may thus happen via the portion 132, 134. In other words, the wires 510, 520 may, due to the pressing force, conduct majority of the electrical current via the lower portion of the body 110. This electrical connection is illustrated with arrow 577 in Figure 5B. This may be caused by the wires 510, 520 having most of their surface area being in direct contact with the lower portion of the body 110 (e.g. portion 132, 134). Naturally, if conducting material is used in the pressing elements 512, 522, electrical connection may happen also via said pressing elements.
[0038] Still referring to Figure 5B, the pressing force may cause the wire to spread. Hence, as noted above, the designated cavities (although opened) may be beneficial. As shown in the Figure, wall 122 may prevent the wire 510 to spread too much and enables the wire 510 to remain in shape. This enhances electrical connection. Also, the wall 122 may prevent the wires 510, 520 to become in direct contact with each other. This may be beneficial, for example, if one of the wires 510, 520 comprises and/or is aluminum and the other comprises and/or is copper. Direct contact between aluminum and copper wires may increase oxidation.
[0039] In an embodiment, the pressing elements 512, 522 (and also 532, 534) are bolts or screws. Therefore, the holes 202-208 may comprise a thread for the bolts or screws. So, bolts or screws may be one way to enable tightening the wires 510, 520 against the portion 132, 134.
[0040] Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment. Referring to Figure 6, the plurality of adjacent cavities 112, 114 are through holes, the plurality of adjacent cavities comprising first and second cavities 112, 114, wherein the first cavity 112 is configured to receive a first wire 510 via a first open end E1 of the branch connector 100 and a third wire 530 via a second open end E2 of the branch connector 100, and wherein the second cavity 114 is configured to receive a second wire 520 via the first open end E1 and a fourth wire 540 via the second open end E2. As shown in the Figure, pressing elements 512, 522, 532, 542 (e.g. bolts) can be used to attach the wires 510, 520, 530, 540 to the body 110. Only hole 202 is illustrated with reference sign, but each pressing element may be inputted into a respective hole in the body 110.
[0041] According to an embodiment, there is provided an electric circuit comprising the branch connector 100 and the plurality of wires 510, 520, 530, 540. In an embodiment, the plurality of wires 510, 520, 530, 540 comprise at least one aluminum wire and at least one copper wire.
[0042] In an embodiment, with reference to Figure 6, the branch connector 100 further comprises the cover 610. The cover 610 may enclose the body 110, but comprise openings for the pressing elements 512, 522, 532, 542 and for the wires 510, 520, 530, 540. I.e. wires may be inputted/outputted and the pressing elements operated accordingly via the openings. For example, the cover 610 may comprise a base and a lid, wherein the body 110 may be inputted into the base and enclosed using the lid which may be removably attachable to the base. The cover 610 may further comprise attachment elements for attaching the branch connector 100 to an external object, such as a wall or a ceiling.
[0043] In an embodiment, the cover 610, such as the lid, comprises elements configured to penetrate to the cavities 112, 114, for example, via holes 266, 267 shown in Figure 4. Said elements may prevent the wires inputted from opposite sides to the same cavity 112, 114 from becoming into direct contact with each other. So, the holes 266, 267 may be located such that they are situated approximately above cavities 112, 114 halfway between opposite ends E1, E2. Said cavities 266, 267 may be similar as holes 202-208, but may have a smaller diameter.
[0044] Figure 7 illustrates a flow diagram illustrating a manufacturing method according to an embodiment. Referring to Figure 7, the method for for manufacturing a plurality of branch connectors (i.e. branch connector 100) comprises: obtaining a longitudinally extending blank bar comprising open ends, a plurality of adjacent cavities and a gap (block 710) (e.g. the gap may be situated between the adjacent cavities as discussed in some embodiments); cutting the longitudinally extending blank bar transversely into sub-sections, each sub-section defining a body of the branch connector (block 720); and providing the plurality of pressing elements into the corresponding plurality of holes (block 730).
[0045] More precisely, the blank bar may be cut (e.g. using water cutting) into sub-sections where each sub-section forms a body 110 of the branch connector 100. So, the cavities 112, 114 may be already be present in the blank bar. Similarly, the gap 120 may also be present in the blank bar. The cutting may thus be used to form the bodies 110 from a blank bar that may have essentially the same features as the body 110 (but is longer). However, the holes 202, 204, 206, 208 may either be present in the blank bar or be added later in the process. The pressing elements for fixing the wires may be provided to each sub-section (i.e. each body 110) once the holes 202-208 are present in the blanks. The pressing elements may be, for example, pre-tightened or pre-fixed to the body 110.
[0046] Above, reference is made, for example, to wires such as wires 510, 520. In the context of the present solution wires mean electric(al) wires or electric(al) cables, such as electric wires for conducting electricity and/or electric signals. For example, the branch connector 100 can be used to provide signal from one wire to plurality of wires (i.e. branching). However, it is possible to use the described connector as an in-line connector, for example. So, for example, two wires can be electrically connected with each other using the branch connector 100.
[0049] In an embodiment, the wires 510, 520, 530, 540 comprise both at least one aluminum wire and at least one copper wire.
[0050] In an embodiment, the wires 510, 520, 530, 540 comprise at least two wires. In an embodiment, the wires 510, 520, 530, 540 comprise four wires.
[0051] Figures 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 illustrate some embodiments of the branch connector 100 and/or the body 110. Specifically, Figures 9 to 12 illustrate some example embodiments regarding the position and/or dimensions of the gap 120 and/or the wall 122. Figures 13 and 14 relate to the detachable attachment of some parts of the branch connector 100 and specifically the body 110.
[0052] Referring to Figure 9, the gap 120 may be arranged at any location on the wall 122. For example, in Figure 1 it is illustrated to be situated in the upper part of the wall 122, but in Figure 9 it is shown to be situated in the lower part of the wall 122 (e.g. at the level of the portions 132, 134 and between the portions 132, 134). However, in an embodiment, the gap 120 may be situated in the middle of the wall 122. Upper wall may refer to the portion of the wall 122 that is closer to the holes 202, 204 and lower wall may refer to the portion of the wall 122 that is closer to the toothed portions 132, 134.
[0053] Referring to Figures 10 and 12, the wall 122 may comprise on or more portions 122A, 122B. For example, the wall 122 may comprise two portions 122A, 122B. In one example, one of the portions 122A extends from the upper portion of the body 110 towards lower portion of the body 110, and the other portion 122B extends from lower portion of the body 110 towards upper portion of the body 110. In an embodiment, the portions 122A, 122B are arranged to lap with each other or in other words be parallel with each other (see Figure 10). In an embodiment, the portions 122A, 122B are arranged within each other (see Figure 12). So, in the example of Figure 12 the portion 122A is situated partially within portion 122B. In the described embodiments of Figures 10 and 12, the gap 120 may be arranged between the portions 122A, 122B. Therefore, there is room for the portions 122A, 122B to move and thus provide flexibility for the body 110 and thus improve the electrical connection between the body 110 and the wires 510, 520.
[0054] It is noted that in the described solution, the gap 120 may extend parallel with the cavities 112, 114, and may further extend the whole length of the cavities 112, 114 (i.e. from one open end E1 to other open end E2). However, this is not always necessary as shown in Figure 11, wherein the gap 120 is situated at either end E1, E2 of the body 110 and extends parallel with the cavities 112, 114 but not the whole length of the body 110. So, there may be a neck in the wall 122 that connects the lower and upper parts of the body 110 to each other. The neck is thinner than the length of the body 110. In another example, the gap 120 may be situated at both ends of the E1, E2 of the body and the neck may be situated therebetween. In such case the gap 120 comprise actually two gaps separated by the neck. So, the neck may be situated at either end E1, E2 of the body or between the open ends E1, E2. Essentially, the gap 120 does not necessarily extend the whole length of the body 110. However, in some embodiments it does, and it may be beneficial for providing a considerably simpler manufacturing process.
[0055] Referring to Figure 13, the body 110 comprise at least one detachable part 1302, 1304. For example, upper part 1302 of the body 110 may be removably attachable. For example, lower part 1304 of the body 110 may be removably attachable. For example, both parts 1302, 1304 may be removably attachable. Such solutions may enhance the production of the body 110. In the example of Figure 13, the upper part 1302 is shown to be detachably attachable to the body 110 (e.g. to the rest of the body 110 comprising the lower part 1304). The different parts (e.g. 1302, 1304) of the body 110 may be attachable directly or via adapter(s) to each other.
[0056] However, in an embodiment, the body 110 is an integral body 110. Therefore, it may be formed by one integral part (e.g. integral aluminum part).
[0057] In the example of Figure 14, the wall 122 is removably attachable to the body 110 (e.g. directly or via adapter). So, for example, the body 110 may not initially comprise the wall 122 which can be fixed to the body 110 later.
[0058] Even though the invention has been described above with reference to an example according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the invention is not restricted thereto but can be modified in several ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and they are intended to illustrate, not to restrict, the embodiment. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. Further, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that the described embodiments may, but are not required to, be combined with other embodiments in various ways.
1. A branch connector for electrically connecting a plurality of wires with each other,
the branch connector comprising:
a plurality of adjacent cavities for receiving the electrical wires through open ends of the branch connector;
a plurality of holes extending to the plurality of adjacent cavities; and
a plurality of pressing elements for extending through the plurality of holes and for pressing the electrical wires in the plurality of adjacent cavities against an electrically conducting body of the branch connector,
wherein the branch connector further comprises a gap extending in a direction that is parallel with a direction of the plurality adjacent cavities.
2. The branch connector of claim 1, wherein the gap and the plurality adjacent cavities
have a common inner surface.
3. The branch connector of claim 1 or 2, wherein the gap is arranged between the adjacent
cavities, the gap opening a space between the adjacent cavities and defining the adjacent
cavities to have the common inner surface.
4. The branch connector of claim 3, wherein the adjacent cavities are separated by a
wall, wherein the gap opens the space in the wall directly between the adjacent cavities.
5. The branch connector of any preceding claim, wherein the body of the branch connector
comprises aluminum.
6. The branch connector of any preceding claim, wherein the body of the branch connector
is coated.
7. The branch connector of any preceding claim, wherein at least a part of an inner surface
of each of the plurality of adjacent cavities is toothed.
8. The branch connector of claim 7, wherein the plurality of holes and the plurality
of pressing elements are arranged and dimensioned such that tightening a pressing
element is configured to cause an electrical wire, when situated in the a cavity,
to be pressed against the toothed part of the inner surface.
9. The branch connector of any preceding claim, wherein the gap extends whole length
of the adjacent cavities.
10. The branch connector of any preceding claim, wherein outer side walls of the body
comprise a thinning.
11. The branch connector of claim 10, wherein the outer side walls are thinner than top
and bottom walls of the body.
12. The branch connector of any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of adjacent cavities
are through holes, the plurality of adjacent cavities comprising first and second
cavities, wherein the first cavity is configured to receive a first wire via a first
open end of the branch connector and a third wire via a second open end of the branch
connector, and wherein the second cavity is configured to receive a second wire via
the first open end and a fourth wire via the second open end.
13. The branch connector of any preceding claim, further comprising:
an electrically insulating cover for the body.
an electrically insulating cover for the body.
14. A method for manufacturing a plurality of branch connectors according to claim 1 to
13, the method comprising:
obtaining a longitudinally extending blank bar comprising open ends, a plurality of adjacent cavities and a gap;
cutting the longitudinally extending blank bar transversely into sub-sections, each sub-section defining a body of the branch connector; and
providing the plurality of pressing elements into the corresponding plurality of holes.
15. An electric circuit comprising the branch connector according to any of claims 1 to
13 and the plurality of wires.