Device for passing through thread-like elements
The device with overlapping fringes in intumescent material addresses the inflexibility and waterproofing issues of existing solutions, providing a flexible and secure passage for filiform elements through vehicle partitions.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2021006184
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-06-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-06-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing solutions for passing filiform elements through vehicle partitions, such as foam plates and comb systems, lack flexibility, leading to inadequate waterproofing and the need for frequent replacements when cable configurations change.
A device featuring two combs with overlapping fringes in intumescent material, where the distance between the free ends of the fringes is greater than a quarter of the heel length, ensuring flexible cable passage while maintaining good sealing.
The device provides flexible and secure passage for filiform elements, ensuring complete waterproofing even in the presence of cables, without the need for frequent replacements, thus addressing the limitations of existing solutions.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Device for passing filiform elements
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for passing filiform elements suitable for being installed in a vehicle of the type comprising:
[0002] - a frame defining an opening suitable for allowing threadlike elements to pass through in a substantially longitudinal direction and defining two opposite edges; and
[0003] - two combs made of intumescent material fixed to the frame opposite each other of on either side of the opening and completely covering the opening, each comb comprising a heel fixed to the frame along one edge of the opening and a plurality of fringes extending from the heel towards the opposite edge of the opening.
[0004] For safety reasons, it is necessary to ensure complete fire-tightness of internal partitions and electrical boxes in vehicles, particularly in railway vehicles.
[0005] Internal partitions and electrical boxes are often crossed in several places by threadlike elements, such as cables or pipes, creating openings which need to be sealed.
[0006] It is known to install foam plates made of intumescent material to seal its openings. The foam plates are previously drilled to allow the cables to pass through.
[0007] However, this solution has the disadvantage of lacking flexibility. Indeed, in the event of a change in the number of cables or the diameter of the cables passing through the opening, it is necessary to replace the installed foam plate with a new foam plate adapted for the new configuration of the cables.
[0008] It is known, in particular from WO 2015 / 086367, to install two combs comprising fringes made of intumescent material. They are arranged opposite each other in the same plane with the free ends of the fringes joined together. In order to cross the opening, the cables pass between the two combs, lifting the fringes.
[0009] However, the deformation of the fringes of the two combs reduces the fire tightness of the partition.
[0010] An aim of the invention is to propose a flexible device allowing the passage of cables through a partition while ensuring good fire-tightness of the partition.
[0011] To this end, the invention relates to a device for passing filiform elements of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the fringes of the two combs overlap in an overlapping zone, the distance between the free ends of the fringes of the two overlapping combs in the absence of filiform elements being greater than a quarter, and preferably greater than half, of the length measured from the heel to their free end of the fringes of the comb having the shortest fringes.
[0012] The device for passing filiform elements according to the invention comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:
[0013] - The distance between the free ends of the fringes of the two overlapping combs in the absence of filiform elements is substantially equal to the length of the fringes of the comb having the shortest fringes. - The width of each fringe is between 5 and 10 millimeters. - The device includes at least one screw for fixing the heel of each comb to the frame. - The device comprises metal retaining sheets fixed to the heel of each comb and clamping the heel against the frame. - The fringes of the two combs have different widths and / or thicknesses. - The intumescent material forming the combs has a degree of intumescence greater than 10 at a temperature above 150°C. - The two combs have different degrees of intumescence.
[0014] The invention also relates to an electrical box suitable for installation in a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising a partition and a device for passing filiform elements of the aforementioned type, in which the frame is formed by the partition in which the opening is provided.
[0015] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising at least one device for passing filiform elements.
[0016] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
[0017] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of an electric vehicle trunk rovary equipped with a device for passing filiform elements according to the invention;
[0018] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a front view of the device for passing filiform elements of [Fig.l] in the absence of a filiform element;
[0019] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a sectional view along axis AA of the passage device of filiform elements of [Fig.2];
[0020] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of a comb of the passage device figures 1 to 3;
[0021] - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a sectional view along axis AA of the passage device of filiform elements of [Fig.2] crossed by a filiform element;
[0022] - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a front view of a second embodiment of the device for passing filiform elements according to the invention;
[0023] - [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a sectional view along the axis BB of the passage device of filiform elements of [Fig.6]; and
[0024] - [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a front view of a third embodiment of the device for passing filiform elements according to the invention.
[0025] [Fig.l] illustrates an electrical box 10 pressed against a wall 11 of a vehicle, and more particularly fixed inside the vehicle. The vehicle is for example a railway vehicle. Alternatively, the vehicle is a road vehicle, such as a bus, an air vehicle or a maritime vehicle.
[0026] The trunk 10 comprises a housing 12 having a bowl shape with a flat bottom 13, here square, bordered by four lateral partitions 14, two by two perpendicular. Each lateral partition is extended by an external fixing edge 15. The housing 12 is pressed against the wall 11 of the railway vehicle and is held there by screws 16 passing through the fixing edges 15. The housing 12 is formed for example from a folded sheet metal.
[0027] The housing 12 defines with the wall 11 an interior space in which electrical elements are arranged.
[0028] One of the partitions 14 of the housing 12 comprises a device 18 for passing filiform elements formed of electric cables, connecting the electric elements to the outside of the housing 12.
[0029] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the device 18 for passing filiform elements comprises a frame 20 defining a rectangular opening 22 and two combs 24, 26 made of flexible intumescent material arranged opposite one another and completely closing the opening 22.
[0030] In the example considered, the frame 20 is formed by the partition 14 in which the opening 22 is formed.
[0031] The opening 22 is crossed by the cables 19 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the opening 22.
[0032] The first comb 24 is fixed on the frame 20 along a first edge 28 of the opening 22 and the second comb 26, along a second edge 30 of the opening 22 opposite and parallel to the first edge 28.
[0033] As illustrated in [Fig.4], each comb 24, 26 comprises a heel 34, from which it is fixed to the frame 20 along an edge 28, 30 of the opening 22 by two screws 32, and an alignment of fringes 36 extending in line with the opening.
[0034] The fringes 36 extend in a substantially transverse direction towards the opposite edge 28, 30 of the opening 22.
[0035] The heel 34 defines a transverse edge of each comb 24, 26 extended by two fixing wings 35 at the two ends, thus giving a U shape to the heel 34. It matches the shape of the opening 22 over half of its circumference.
[0036] The screws 32 are received in two orifices 38 provided in the heel 34 of each comb 24, 26, and more particularly on the fixing wings 35.
[0037] The passage device 18 comprises U-shaped metal sheets 40 fixed on the heel 34 of each comb 24, 26 by the fixing screws 32.
[0038] The metal sheets 40 are, for example, made of aluminum.
[0039] Together, the sheets form an outer frame completely enclosing the two combs 24, 26 between them and the partition 14, as can be seen in [Fig.3].
[0040] Each fringe 36 extends between the heel 34 and a free end 42 and is, for example, rectangular in shape. They extend parallel to each other, being separated by a notch of substantially zero width.
[0041] Advantageously, all the fringes 36 of the same comb 24, 26 are of identical shape and dimension.
[0042] The length L of the fringes 36 of the same comb 24, 26, defined as the distance measured from the heel 34 to the free end 42, is for example between 10 mm and 200 mm.
[0043] The width of the fringes 36 of the same comb 24, 26, defined as the distance separating the two gaps bordering the fringe, is for example between 5 mm and 20 mm.
[0044] The thickness of the fringes 36 of the same comb 24, 26, is for example, between 1 mm and 8 mm.
[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the two combs 24, 26 have identical dimensions.
[0046] The length L of the fringes 36 of the two combs 24, 26 is such that in the absence of cables, the fringes 36 of the two combs 24, 26 overlap in an overlap zone 44.
[0047] The overlap distance D is defined as the distance between the free ends 42 of the fringes 36 of the two overlapping combs 24, 26 in the absence of cables 19.
[0048] According to the invention, the distance D between the free ends 42 of the fringes 36 of the two overlapping combs 24, 26 is greater than a quarter, and preferably greater than half, of the length L of the fringes 36 of the comb having the shortest fringes. The fringes 36 of the two opposite combs 24, 26 partially overlap, for example over 2 / 3 of their length L as can be seen in Figures 2 and 3.
[0049] In the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, the distance D between the free ends 42 of the fringes 36 of the two overlapping combs 24, 26 is equal to the length L of the fringes 36. The fringes 36 of the two opposite combs 24, 26 completely overlap.
[0050] The overlap distance D is advantageously greater than the transverse dimension of the cables 19 to be passed.
[0051] An intumescent material used to form the combs is a material capable of undergoing volume expansion upon exposure to high temperature, either by forming a microporous foam, commonly called “meringue”, of a volume greater than the initial volume, or by forming a plurality of filaments.
[0052] The degree of intumescence is defined as the ratio between the volume after expansion and the initial volume.
[0053] Advantageously, the intumescent material forming the combs 24, 26 has a degree of intumescence greater than 10, and advantageously greater than 20, in the event of exposure to a temperature greater than 150°C.
[0054] The intumescent material forming the combs is for example made of graphite with a degree of intumescence substantially equal to 12 in the event of exposure to a temperature above 180°C.
[0055] In the event of a fire breaking out inside or outside the electrical box 10, the temperature exceeding 150°C, the two combs 24, 26 undergo a volume expansion, so as to completely cover the opening 22. The cables 19 are thus enclosed in the intumescent material of the combs 24, 26. The opening 22 is completely fireproof.
[0056] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 5, the fringes 36 are flexible and are deformed in a substantially longitudinal direction, and rest on a cable 19 in the overlapping zone 44.
[0057] When a cable 19 is inserted into the passage device 18 in a substantially longitudinal direction, the cable 19 pushes fringes 36. Each fringe 36 in contact with the cable 19 lifts and places itself along the periphery of the cable 19, so as to leave no space reducing the seal.
[0058] In the event of a fire breaking out inside or outside the electrical box 10, the temperature exceeding 150°C, the two combs 24, 26 undergo a volume expansion, so as to completely cover the opening 22. The cables 19 are thus enclosed in the intumescent material of the combs 24, 26. The opening 22 is completely fireproof.
[0059] Such a passage device 18 therefore makes it possible to guarantee good fire-tightness. Indeed, in the absence of cables, the at least partial overlapping of the fringes 36 of the combs 24, 26 ensures complete covering of the opening 22. In the presence of cables, the fact that the fringes 36 of the combs 24, 26 are placed along the periphery of the cables 19 makes it possible to ensure that the intumescent material expands around the cables 19 in the event of an increase in temperature.
[0060] In addition, unlike the solution with foam plates, it is not necessary to replace the device in the event of a change in the number of cables or the diameter of the cables passing through the opening.
[0061] In a variant illustrated in [Fig.8], the two combs 24, 26 have different dimensions. The fringes 36 of the two combs 24, 26 have widths and / or thicknesses different.
[0062] The fringes 36 of the second comb 26 have a width greater than the fringes 36 of the first comb 24.
[0063] In addition, the frame 20 being more limited in space along the edge 28 of the opening 22, the heel 34 of the first comb 24 is chosen to be smaller than the heel 34 of the second comb 26. In order to save space, the heel 34 of the comb 24 does not have fixing wings 35. The screws 32 for fixing the comb 24 are received in two orifices 38 formed in the rectangular part of the heel 34.
[0064] The two combs have different degrees of intumescence. The comb 24 being smaller, it has a higher degree of intumescence so that after expansion, the two combs 24, 26 occupy the same volume.
[0065] In a variant, the passage device 18 comprises two additional combs fixed opposite the first two combs initially described on the other side of the frame 20. Advantageously, the two additional combs are fixed by means of the same fixing screws 32 as the first two and are also protected by a metal sheet. The presence of two additional combs makes it possible to increase the fire-tightness.
[0066] According to another embodiment, the frame 20 is formed by an internal partition of the vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, in which an opening 22 is provided. The internal partition of the railway vehicle is, for example, a partition of a service room or a compartment of a passenger room. The filiform elements 19 are, for example, pipes for supplying air and / or water to the service room.
Claims
Claims
1. Device for passing filiform elements suitable for being installed in a vehicle comprising: - a frame (20) defining an opening (22) suitable for allowing filiform elements (19) to pass in a substantially longitudinal direction and defining two opposite edges (28, 30);and - two combs (24, 26) made of intumescent material fixed to the frame (20) facing each other on either side of the opening (22) and completely covering the opening (22), each comb (24, 26) comprising a heel (34) fixed to the frame (20) along an edge (28, 30) of the opening (22) and several fringes (36) extending from the heel (34) towards the opposite edge (28, 30) of the opening (22), characterized in that the fringes (36) of the two combs (24, 26) overlap in an overlapping zone (44), the distance (D) between the free ends (42) of the fringes (36) of the two combs (24, 26) overlapping in the absence of filiform elements (19) being greater than a quarter, and preferably greater than half of the length (L) measured from the heel (34) to their free end (42) of the fringes (36) of the comb (24, 26) having the shortest fringes (36).;
2. Device for passing filiform elements according to claim 1, in which the distance (D) between the free ends (42) of the fringes (36) of the two combs (24, 26) overlapping in the absence of filiform elements (19) is substantially equal to the length (L) of the fringes (36) of the comb (24, 26) having the shortest fringes (36).
3. Device for passing filiform elements according to claim 1 or 2, in which the width of each fringe (36) is between 5 and 10 millimeters.
4. Device for passing filiform elements according to any one of the preceding claims comprising at least one fixing screw (32) of the heel (34) of each comb (24, 26) on the frame (20).
5. Device for passing filiform elements according to any one of the preceding claims comprising metal retaining sheets (40) fixed to the heel (34) of each comb (24, 26) and clamping the heel (34) against the frame (20).
6. Device for passing filiform elements according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fringes (36) of the two combs (24, 26) have different widths and / or thicknesses.
7. A device for passing filiform elements according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intumescent material forming the combs (24, 26) has a degree of intumescence greater than 10 at a temperature greater than 150°C.
8. Device for passing filiform elements according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the two combs (24, 26) have different degrees of intumescence.
9. Electrical box suitable for installation in a vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising a partition (14) and a device for passing filiform elements (19) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the frame (20) is formed by the partition (14) in which the opening (22) is formed.
10. Vehicle, in particular a railway vehicle, comprising at least one device for passing filiform elements (19) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.