Conductive strip

Abstract

The invention relates to a thin, flexible conductive strip, each face of which is covered with a layer made of PET or of another insulating polymer. The conductive strip comprises a first layer of PET or of another polymer covered with a layer of superconducting ink comprising an ink based on at least 70% graphene. The layer of conducting ink is covered with a layer of adhesive and with a second layer made of PET or of another polymer. The layer of conducting ink is disposed in the form of two rectilinear strips arranged side-by-side without touching one another, the conductive strip comprising, at one of its longitudinal ends, a connector arranged to connect the conductive strip to a power grid.

Description

[0001] CONDUCTIVE STRIP

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to thin conductive strips, in particular usable for supplying heating films by ohmic resistance.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] In particular, FR 1 189 552 discloses a method for manufacturing elements for the electrical heating of surfaces, in which a non-conductive layer coated on one side of a metal strip is applied to the surfaces to be heated, the non-conductive layer is bonded by means of an adhesive to the surfaces to be heated, and the other side of the metal strip is covered with an insulating layer. The electrical connections between the metal strips are made by copper elements, soldered with tin to the ends of the metal strips. More precisely, a copper element transversely connects one end of a first strip to one end of a second strip, by soldering. A disadvantage of this method lies in the actual soldering operation, which is carried out directly between the thin metal strips and which constitutes the sole connecting element between these strips.The welding carried out, due to the temperature reached, risks damaging the metal strips, or even destroying them.

[0006] When adding electrical points to already operational spaces, it is necessary to either make cuts in the walls or to position visible electrical trunking. These installations are often expensive because they are not always easy to carry out. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The aim of the present invention is to propose thin and flexible electrical connection strips for conducting electrical energy, in particular avoiding the risk of deterioration thereof.

[0008] Another aim of the present invention is to be able to position new electrical points without damaging the existing space, i.e. without making cuts in the walls and without adding visible electrical trunking.

[0009] An aim of the present invention is to provide a thin and flexible conductive strip solution comprising at one of its longitudinal ends a connector arranged to connect the conductive strip to an electrical network. Another aim is to provide a conductive strip allowing it to be used in a heating film system. It is also an aim of the present invention to provide a conductive strip which is simpler to produce in a factory, with more efficient manufacturing processes.

[0010] According to a first aspect, a conductive strip is presented. It is a thin and flexible conductive strip covered on each of its faces with a layer of PET or other insulating polymer. In at least one embodiment, the conductive strip can be wound on itself. According to one embodiment, the conductive strip comprises a first layer of PET or other polymer covered with a layer of superconducting ink comprising a layer also based on at least 50% graphene. In one embodiment, the layer of conductive ink is covered with a layer of glue and a second layer of PET or other polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the layer of conductive ink is arranged in the form of two rectilinear strips arranged side by side without touching. Likewise, the conductive strip comprises at one of its longitudinal ends a connector arranged to connect the conductive strip to an electrical network and another electrical device.

[0011] In one embodiment, the strip is arranged to be connected at one of its ends to an electrical network and at the other end to an electrical appliance, the end connectable to the electrical network being connected in a secure and sealed connection box.

[0012] Preferably, the strip is covered on at least one side with adhesive tape.

[0013] In one embodiment, the strip is covered on one side with a treatment arranged to receive a coating of the paint or wallpaper type.

[0014] To facilitate its transport, the conductive strip can be rolled up.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the strip is arranged to be connected to a heating film system.

[0016] SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of several embodiments given solely by way of example, in no way limiting, with reference to the schematic figures, in which:

[0018] - Figure 1 shows the different layers present in an electrothermal structure according to an embodiment described in this document;

[0019] - Figure 2 illustrates an equivalent electrical diagram representing an electrothermal layer which can be deployed in one embodiment of the electrothermal structure;

[0020] - Figure 3 shows a view of the layers used in an electrothermal structure according to one embodiment;

[0021] - Figure 4 shows the layers present in an electrothermal structure according to another embodiment; and

[0022] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a strip according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] As illustrated in figures 4 and 5, a thin and flexible conductive strip 1 covered on each of its faces with a PET layer comprises a first PET layer covered with a layer of superconductive ink comprising an ink based on at least 50% graphene, the conductive ink layer being covered with a layer of glue and a second PET layer, the conductive ink layer being arranged in the form of two rectilinear strips 2, 3 arranged side by side without touching the conductive strip comprising at one of its longitudinal ends a connector 4 arranged to connect the conductive strip to an electrical network and to another device.

[0024] In this example, the strip is arranged to be positioned on conductive tracks of the connector.

[0025] Once positioned, the strip is sandwiched by a connector cover, for example by clipping.

[0026] In the example shown, the connector is fixed to the support plate before receiving a cover ensuring the sealing of the electrical connection.

[0027] In this example, the strip is arranged to be connected at one end to an electrical network and at the other end to an electrical device, the end connectable to the electrical network being connected in a secure and waterproof connection box.

[0028] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the strip is arranged to be connected to a flexible, substantially planar, multi-layer electrothermal structure (100), having a front face intended to let infrared rays pass and a rear face opposite the front face, the structure (100) comprising: at least one electrical input terminal (131); at least one electrical output terminal (132); a substrate for receiving a plurality of layers of the structure, the substrate comprising at least one polymeric substrate layer (110) having a substrate width and a substrate length, i.e. a substrate surface; at least one electrothermal layer (140) comprising a resistive element (149) having an input and an output; and at least one conductive layer (130) for connecting: the input terminal (131) of the structure to the input of the resistive element (149); and the output terminal (132) of the structure at the output of the resistive element (149);the structure (100) being covered with a passivation having a passivation width and a passivation length, i.e. a passivation surface, the passivation comprising at least one polymeric passivation layer (120); characterized in that: the electrothermal layer (140) comprises a plurality of elongate insulated strips (145) of an electrothermal material, said strips (145) being arranged to be interconnected with each other to create said resistive element (149); and the conductive layer (130) comprises a conductive material which is formed and connected to: break out the input of the resistive element (149) on a plurality of input points (138) along the length of a first of the electrothermal strips (145) as well as on a plurality of corresponding input points (138) along the length of the remaining electrothermal strips (145);and consolidating the output of the resistive element (149) from a plurality of output points (139) along the length of the first of the electrothermal strips (145) as well as from a plurality of corresponding output points (139) along the length of the remaining electrothermal strips, (145) the output points (139) being distinct from the input points (138); the passivation width being different from the substrate width and the shape of the conductive layer bringing at least a portion of the conductive material to the edge of the widest layer between the passivation and the substrate, thus leaving free a surface of conductive material to make two electrical contacts accessible by an external power supply at least on one side of the structure in the direction of the passivation width or the substrate width, a first of the contacts forming the input terminal of the structure and the second contact forming the output terminal of the structure.;

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Thin and flexible conductive strip (1) covered on each of its faces with a layer of PET or other insulating polymer, characterized in that the conductive strip (1) comprises a first layer of PET or other polymer covered with a layer of superconducting ink comprising an ink based on at least 50% graphene, the conductive ink layer being covered with a layer of glue and a second layer of PET or other polymer, the conductive ink layer being arranged in the form of two straight strips (2, 3) arranged side by side without touching the conductive strip (1) comprising at one of its longitudinal ends a connector (4) arranged to connect the conductive strip to an electrical network and to another device.

2. Conductive strip according to claim 1, the strip is arranged to be connected at one end to an electrical network and at the other end to an electrical device, the end connectable to the electrical network being connected in a secure and sealed connection box.

3. Strip according to claim 1 or 2, covered on at least one side with adhesive tape.

4. Strip according to any one of the preceding claims, covered on one side with a treatment arranged to receive a coating such as paint or wallpaper.

5. Conductive strip according to any one of the preceding claims, the conductive strip being windable.

6. Conductive strip according to any one of the preceding claims, arranged to be connected to a heating film system.

7. Strip according to claim 6, arranged to be connected to a flexible, substantially planar, multilayer electrothermal structure (100), having a front face intended to allow the passage of infrared rays and a rear face opposite to the front face, the structure (100) comprising: at least one electrical input terminal (131); at least one electrical output terminal (132); a substrate for receiving a plurality of layers of the structure, the substrate comprising at least one polymeric substrate layer (110) having a substrate width and a substrate length, i.e., a substrate surface; at least one electrothermal layer (140) comprising a resistive element (149) having an inlet and an outlet; and at least one conductive layer (130) for connecting: the inlet terminal (131) of the structure to the inlet of the resistive element (149); and the outlet terminal (132) of the structure to the outlet of the resistive element (149); the structure (100) being covered with a passivation having a passivation width and a passivation length, i.e., a passivation surface, the passivation comprising at least one polymeric passivation layer (120);characterized in that: the electrothermal layer (140) comprises a plurality of insulated, elongated strips (145) of an electrothermal material, said strips (145) being arranged to be interconnected with each other to create said resistive element (149); and the conductive layer (130) comprises a conductive material which is formed and connected to: split the inlet of the resistive element (149) on a plurality of inlet points (138) on the length of a first of the electrothermal strips (145) as well as on a plurality of corresponding inlet points (138) on the length of the remaining electrothermal strips (145);and consolidate the output of the resistive element (149) from a plurality of output points (139) along the length of the first of the electrothermal bands (145) as well as from a plurality of corresponding output points (139) along the length of the remaining electrothermal bands, (145) the output points (139) being distinct from the input points (138); the passivation width being different from the substrate width and the shape of the conductive layer bringing at least a portion of the conductive material to the edge of the widest layer between the passivation and the substrate, thus leaving a free surface of conductive material to make two electrical contacts accessible by an external power supply at least on one side of the structure in the; direction of the passivation width or substrate width, one of the contacts forming the input terminal of the structure and the second contact forming the output terminal of the structure.

Images