SYSTEM WITH ONE CABLE AND ONE SEALING SLEEVE FOR THIS CABLE

Description

[0001] The present invention claims priority from French application No. 2107234 filed on 05.07.2021.

[0002] The invention relates to a system comprising a cable, in particular an electrical cable, a connector for this cable, and a sealing sleeve between this cable and the connector. This invention is advantageously applicable in a field subject to climatic conditions, in particular in the automotive field.

[0003] Patent document FR-A1-2786033 discloses a sealing sleeve arranged around a wire, so as to increase the diameter of the wire to ensure a seal between this wire and a housing in a connector.

[0004] A problem with this solution is that if the connector is in a position where water in contact with the wire runs from the wire to the connector, during use and with movements or vibrations of the wire relative to the connector this water will seep between the sleeve and the wire, and between the housing and the sleeve, ultimately reaching the active parts of the connector and creating a risk of short circuit.

[0005] Further prior art can be found in: GB 612 213 A, EP 2 042 787 A2, WO 2017 / 184443 A1.

[0006] The aim of the invention is to remedy this problem by ensuring a seal even if water runs down the wire towards the connector.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a system comprising: a cable comprising a core and a sheath encircling the core, one end of this core being intended to be connected to a connector, a sealing sleeve encircling the core, comprising a first end fixed to the cable, and a second end, opposite the first end, intended to cover at least part of the connector receiving the core, the first end comprising a ring disposed between the sheath and the core over a predetermined length.

[0008] Thus, the ring creates a "roof tile" effect which allows the cable to be oriented so that water runs off towards the connector: this "roof tile" effect prevents water from penetrating between the sleeve and the cable sheath.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ring is made of a more rigid material than the sheath.

[0010] This ring can then be inserted by force between the sheath and the core, the ring moving the sheath away from the core as it is pushed in over the predetermined length. This ring is thus pre-stressed in the sheath, which has the effect of improving the seal while holding the ring in place by adhesion. In addition, glue can be added.

[0011] Inserting the ring into the sheath allows for a very simple cable manufacturing process: only one final step is added, inserting the ring into the sheath, while all the spinning and / or extrusion steps remain unchanged.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sheath is deformed over the entire length predetermined by the presence of the ring.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, this ring comprises a beveled end edge between the sheath and the core.

[0014] This beveled edge makes it easier to insert the ring into the sheath.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, a normal to this bevel is oriented towards the sheath.

[0016] Thus the sheath is moved away from the core by the ring.

[0017] It will be noted that advantageously the ring is adjusted to a cross-section of the core, so as not to damage the core by being perfectly guided by the latter when inserting the ring into the sheath, and so as not to cut the sheath but only to deform it by spreading it apart.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, this ring comprises a sharp end edge between the sheath and the core.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, this system comprises a clamping collar encircling the sheath and the ring.

[0020] This collar has the advantage of reinforcing the connection between the ring and the sheath, by increasing the bearing force between the sheath and the ring and therefore the friction.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the sealing sleeve comprises the ring and a body extending from the ring, the ring covering the body, the body comprising the second end.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, this body comprises a more flexible material than the ring.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ring and the body are made from a single piece.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the ring and the body are made from a single piece by bi-material injection.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the core is made of an electrically conductive material, and the ring and the sheath of an electrically insulating material.

[0026] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a connector, and a system as previously described, the end of the core being connected to the connector, the second end covering at least the part of the connector receiving the core.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the part of the connector receiving the core is oriented upwards, so that a liquid in contact with the sheath of the cable flows by gravity along the cable to the connector.

[0028] Other features and advantages will appear on reading the following description of a particular, non-limiting embodiment of the invention, given with reference to the single figure in which:

[0029] [ Fig 1 ]: represents a schematic sectional view of a system according to the invention.

[0030] There figure 1 discloses a system according to the invention comprising: a cable 1 comprising a core 3 and a sheath 2 encircling the core 3, one end of this core 3 being intended to be connected to a connector 4, a sealing sleeve 5, 6 encircling the core 3, comprising a first end i1 fixed to the cable 1, and a second end i2, opposite the first end i1, intended to cover at least part of the connector 4 receiving the core 3, the first end i1 comprising a ring 5 arranged between the sheath 2 and the core 3 over a predetermined length L3.

[0031] It will be noted that the second end i2 covers at least a part of the connector 4 receiving the core 3 over a second predetermined length L2. This connector 4 is adapted according to the technology of the cable 1, the part of the connector 4 receiving the core 3 being for example a hollow protrusion surrounding the core 3 and receiving on its periphery the second end i2 of the sleeve 5, 6.

[0032] It will also be noted that the core 3 is stripped over a third predetermined length L1, so that the core can pass through the sleeve 5, 6 to connect to the connector 4, the ring 5 being arranged at the cut end of the sheath 2.

[0033] It should also be noted that the figure 1 illustrates an encirclement of the core 3 by the sleeve 5, 6, this sleeve 5, 6 never being in contact with the core 3. This has the effect of creating an air gap around the core 3 promoting for example electrical and / or thermal insulation, but this is not necessary and the sleeve 5, 6 can be partially or totally in contact with the core 3.

[0034] It will be noted that the cross-section of the core is advantageously circular, but not necessarily: This core 3 can be made up of a single solid wire of circular or trapezoidal section, a braid, or several twisted or parallel wires.

[0035] This cable 1 is for example an electric cable, in particular a cable of an electrically powered vehicle comprising a traction battery and an electric motor powered by this battery, the cable 1 being connected to the battery by the connector 4. This cable 1 works for example at a potential between 350 and 600V. But this invention applies to other types of cable, for example optical cables, or communication network cables, or even domestic electrical cables.

[0036] The ring 5 is for example made of a more rigid material than the sheath 2. For example, the ring 5 is made of polyvinyl chloride, while the sheath 2 is made of polyethylene, but other insulating plastic materials are possible.

[0037] The sheath 2 is deformed over the entire predetermined length L3 by the presence of the ring 5.

[0038] This ring 5 includes a beveled end edge between the sheath 2 and the core 3.

[0039] Alternatively or additionally, this ring 5 comprises a sharp end edge between the sheath 2 and the core 3.

[0040] If this ring 5 is inserted by force into the sheath 2, it will be noted that the greater the predetermined length L3, the greater the hold of the ring 5 in the sheath 2. However, if the section of the cable 1 is circular, a predetermined length L3 of 0.5 to 1.5 times the diameter of the sheath 2 will advantageously be noted, so that the installation of the ring 5 is easy. The same characteristic will be noted for the second predetermined length L2.

[0041] Optionally, a clamp 7 encircles the sheath 2 and the ring 5.

[0042] For example, the sealing sleeve 5, 6 comprises the ring 5 and a body 6 extending from the ring 5, the ring 5 covering the body 6, the body 6 comprising the second end i2. This body 6 is then fitted into the ring 5 and is held in this fitting by gluing and / or by a tight fit between the ring 5 and the body 6. But other assembly possibilities are envisaged, such as for example a screwed assembly between the ring 5 and the body 6.

[0043] This body 6 is made for example from a single piece, in particular by bi-material injection if the body 6 is made of a more flexible material than the ring 5.

[0044] The cable is for example an electric cable, and the core 3 is made of an electrically conductive material, and the ring 5 and the sheath 2 of an electrically insulating material.

[0045] This invention advantageously applies to a motor vehicle comprising the connector 4 and a system as previously described, the end of the core 3 being connected to the connector 4, the second end i2 covering at least the part of the connector 4 receiving the core 3.

Claims

1. System comprising: - a cable (1) comprising a core (3) and a sheath (2) encircling the core (3), one end of this core (3) being intended to be connected to a connector (4), - a sealing sleeve (5, 6) encircling the core (3), comprising a first end (i1) fixed to the cable (1), and a second end (i2), opposite the first end (i1), intended to cover at least part of the connector (4) receiving the core (3), characterized in that the first end (i1) comprises a ring (5) arranged between the sheath (2) and the core (3) over a predetermined length (L3).

2. System according to claim 1, the ring (5) being made of a more rigid material than the sheath (2).

3. System according to one of the preceding claims, the sheath (2) being deformed over the entire predetermined length (L3) by the presence of the ring (5).

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, this ring (5) comprising a beveled end edge between the sheath (2) and the core (3).

5. System according to one of the preceding claims, this ring (5) comprising a sharp end edge between the sheath (2) and the core (3).

6. System according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a clamping collar (7) encircling the sheath (2) and the ring (5).

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, the sealing sleeve (5, 6) comprising the ring (5) and a body (6) extending the ring (5), the ring (5) covering the body (6), the body (6) comprising the second end (i2).

8. System according to claim 6, the ring (5) and the body (6) being made from a single piece.

9. System according to one of the preceding claims, the core (3) being made of an electrically conductive material, and the ring (5) and the sheath (2) of an electrically insulating material.

10. Motor vehicle comprising a connector (4) and a system according to one of the preceding claims, the end of the core (3) being connected to the connector (4), the second end (i2) covering at least the part of the connector (4) receiving the core (3).