Insulating protection intended to be mounted on an electrical connector and assembly comprising such protection

Abstract

Insulating protection intended to be mounted on an electrical connector and assembly comprising such protection One aspect of the invention relates to an insulating protection (PI) intended to be fixed on an electrical connector, the electrical connector comprising a base, at least a first terminal and a second terminal, the insulating protection (PI) comprising a fixing means (CR) configured to be able to be fixed on the electrical connector so as to at least partially cover the base, and an insulating separation means (P1, P2) arranged so as to completely separate the first terminal from the second terminal when the insulating protection is fixed on the electrical connector. Figure to be published with the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Insulating protection intended to be mounted on an electrical connector and assembly comprising such protection TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The technical field of the invention is that of electrical connections in aircraft.

[0002] The present invention relates to an insulating protection and in particular an insulating protection making it possible to increase the length of the leakage paths in order to limit the risk of short circuits or partial discharges. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Electric or hybrid propulsion aircraft constitute a very promising market with prospects and significant demand in intra-urban and inter-urban transport for goods or people. Many projects are regularly launched either by established players or by new entrants. Propulsion is carried out by one or more electric motors, the number varying according to the architecture of the aircraft, and these electric propulsion systems use ever higher voltage levels, which poses the problem of partial discharges at altitude.

[0004] Indeed, traditionally, connectors do not require protection because their characteristics specify the limits in terms of insulation distances. However, the use of ever smaller connectors to pass ever higher voltages and at altitude brings constraints that must be anticipated in terms of partial discharges. In particular, the use of very high level voltages (up to 1000V) at altitude leads to the occurrence of partial discharge phenomena more quickly than on conventional alternating or direct voltages (115Vac / 230Vac / 28Vdc) mainly used in aeronautics.

[0005] Given these high voltages, the insulation distances (potentials / potentials and potentials / ground) must be increased. The same applies to the creepage distances between the HVDC (for high direct voltages) or HVAC (for high alternating voltages) potentials. Otherwise, systems that have connectors whose male or female pins are connected to a high voltage (alternating or direct) may be faced with insulation distances that are too short or creepage lines (path along the connector materials between the two potentials) that are too short, causing the appearance of partial discharges.

[0006] There is therefore a need to be able to adapt the connectors currently used in aeronautics for applications requiring high voltages. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention offers a solution to the problems mentioned above, by proposing insulating protection which makes it possible to significantly reduce the risk of discharge and to increase the length of the leakage line between the different connection terminals.

[0008] For this purpose, one aspect of the invention relates to an insulating protection intended to be fixed to an electrical connector, the electrical connector comprising a base, at least a first terminal and a second terminal, the insulating protection comprising a fixing means configured to be able to be fixed to the electrical connector so as to at least partially cover the base, and an insulating separation means arranged so as to completely separate the first terminal from the second terminal when the insulating protection is fixed to the electrical connector. A first electrode is said to be separated from a second electrode when no part of the first electrode is opposite any part of the second electrode.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, the risk of short circuit (or partial discharge) between the terminals of the electrical connector or between a terminal of the electrical connector and its base is reduced or even eliminated. In addition, the creepage distance length between the terminals or between each terminal and the base is increased, taking into account in particular the presence of the separation means.

[0010] In addition to the characteristics which have just been mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the insulating protection according to a first aspect of the invention may have one or more complementary characteristics among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0011] In one embodiment: • the fixing means comprises a hollow body made of insulating material comprising a first apex and a second apex opposite the first apex and: • at the level of the first apex, a first opening and a second opening; • at the level of the second summit, a main opening; • the separation means comprises a plate of insulating material in contact with the first vertex and arranged perpendicular to the surface of this first vertex between the first opening and the second opening.

[0012] In one embodiment, the fixing means comprises, at the first vertex, a third opening and a fourth opening; and the separating means comprises a second plate made of insulating material, said second plate being in contact with the first vertex and arranged perpendicular to the surface of this first vertex between the first opening and the fourth opening on the one hand, the second opening and the third opening on the other hand, the first plate of insulating material being arranged between the first opening and the second opening on the one hand, the fourth opening and the third opening on the other hand.

[0013] A second aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising an insulating protection according to the first aspect of the invention and an electrical connector, the electrical connector comprising a base, at least a first terminal associated with a first polarity and a second terminal associated with a second polarity different from the first polarity, the first terminal and the second terminal projecting from the base, the means for fixing the insulating protection being fixed to the electrical connector so as to at least partially cover the base, and the means for separating the insulating protection being arranged so as to completely separate the first terminal from the second terminal.

[0014] In addition to the characteristics which have just been mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the assembly according to the second aspect of the invention may have one or more complementary characteristics among the following, considered individually or according to all technically possible combinations.

[0015] In one embodiment, the electrical connector comprises a third terminal associated with a third polarity different from the first and second polarities, and a fourth terminal associated with a fourth polarity different from the first polarity, the second polarity and the third polarity, the separation means being arranged so as to completely separate the terminals from each other.

[0016] The invention and its various applications will be better understood upon reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0017] The figures are presented for information purposes only and in no way limit the invention.

[0018] [Fig.lA] to [Fig.lE] show an insulating protection according to an embodiment of a first aspect of the invention.

[0019] [Fig.2A] to [Fig.2D] and [Fig.3] show an insulating protection according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention.

[0020] [Fig.4] shows an assembly according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

[0021] [Fig.5] shows an assembly according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Unless otherwise specified, the same element appearing in different figures has a single reference.

[0023] A first aspect of the invention illustrated from [Fig.lA] to [Fig.lE] relates to a insulating protection PI intended to be fixed on a CE electrical connector. Generally speaking, as illustrated in [Fig.lA] (side view) and in [Fig.lB] (top view), the CE electrical connector comprises a base EM, at least a first terminal BRI (intended to be associated with a first polarity) and a second terminal BR2 (intended to be associated with a second polarity different from the first polarity), the first terminal BRI and the second terminal BR2 preferably projecting from the base EM. Of course, as will be detailed below, the CE electrical connector may comprise additional terminals BR3, BR4 (see [Fig.2A] and [Fig.2B] introduced below). In such a CE electrical connector, when too high a voltage is applied to the first terminal BRI and the second terminal BR2, there is a risk of short circuit (or partial discharge) DC, this risk being even higher at altitude.The PI insulating protection according to the invention aims in particular to reduce, or even eliminate, this risk.

[0024] To this end, as illustrated in [Fig. IC] (side view) and in [Fig. 1D] (top view), the insulating protection PI according to the invention comprises a fixing means MF configured to be able to be fixed on the electrical connector CE so as to at least partially cover the base EM. By covering the base in this way, the insulating protection PI according to the invention makes it possible to reduce or even eliminate the risk of short circuit between a terminal BR1 / BR2 of the electrical connector CE and the base EM which is generally at ground potential. The insulating protection PI according to the invention also comprises an insulating separation means MS arranged so as to completely separate the first terminal BRI from the second terminal BR2 when the insulating protection PI is fixed on the electrical connector CE. It is this separation means MS which will make it possible to reduce or even eliminate the risks of short circuit CC between terminals BR1 / BR2 mentioned above.In one embodiment, the insulating protection PI is manufactured, at least in part (for example the separation means MS and / or the fixing means MF), in an insulating material chosen from Poly-arylamide (also known by the acronym PAA), Polyamide (also known by the acronym PA66), Polysulfone (also known by the acronym PSU), PEEK GLx.

[0025] More particularly, in the embodiment illustrated in [Fig.lC] and [Fig.lD], the fixing means MF comprises a hollow body CR, preferably a hollow cylinder CR (for example a right circular cylinder as illustrated in the figures), made of insulating material comprising a first vertex SI and a second vertex S2 opposite the first vertex. In addition, the hollow body CR comprises, at the first vertex SI, a first opening 01 and a second opening 02, the first opening 01 being intended to receive the first terminal BRI and the second opening 02 being intended to receive the second terminal BR2. It also comprises, at the second vertex S2, a main opening OP intended to receive the base EM so that the base EM is inserted, at least in part, into the hollow body CR when the insulating protection PI is fixed on the electrical connector CE. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the separation means MS comprises a plate PI made of insulating material in contact with the first vertex SI and arranged perpendicular to the surface of this first vertex SI between the first opening 01 and the second opening 02 (in other words, the projection of the plate PI on the first vertex SI forms a line located between the first opening 01 and the second opening 02 and completely separates the two openings 01 / 02). This embodiment is particularly suitable for CE electrical connectors intended for single-phase for which a first terminal BRI corresponds to the phase and a second terminal BR2 corresponds to the neutral.In one embodiment, the thickness of the plate PI is greater than or equal to 1 mm in order to ensure good mechanical strength for the latter, in particular with regard to vibrations. In one embodiment, the hollow body CR comprises, at the main opening OP, a thread, so as to be able to screw the insulating protection PI onto the base EM of the electrical connector CE.

[0026] As illustrated in [Fig.lE], once the insulating protection PI is mounted on the electrical connector CE, in addition to limiting the risk of short circuit CC, the separation means MS makes it possible to increase the length of the creepage line LF between the first terminal BRI and the second terminal BR2, the length of this creepage line LF being able to be modulated using the separation means MS, in particular by varying the dimensions of the latter.

[0027] In a second embodiment illustrated in [Fig.2A] and [Fig.2D], the CE electrical connector comprises a base EM, a first terminal BRI (intended to be associated with a first polarity), a second terminal BR2 (intended to be associated with a second polarity different from the first polarity), a third terminal BR3 (intended to be associated with a third polarity different from the first and second polarities) and a fourth terminal BR4 (intended to be associated with a fourth polarity different from the first, second and third polarities), said terminals BR1-BR4 projecting from the base EM. In this embodiment, the insulating protection PI is configured to limit or even eliminate the risk of DC short circuit between the four terminals BR1-BR4 or between the terminals BR1-BR4 and the base EM of the CE electrical connector, said base EM generally being mechanically grounded to the chassis which supports it.

[0028] For this, in this embodiment, as illustrated in [Fig.2C] and [Fig.2D], the fixing means MF comprises a hollow body CR, preferably a hollow cylinder CR (for example a circular right cylinder as illustrated in the figures) comprising a first vertex SI and a second vertex S2 opposite the first summit SI. In addition, the hollow body CR comprises at the first summit SI, a first opening 01, a second opening 02, a third opening 03 and a fourth opening 04, the first opening 01 being intended to receive the first terminal BRI, the second opening 02 being intended to receive the second terminal BR2, the third opening 03 being intended to receive the third terminal BR3 and the fourth opening 04 being intended to receive the fourth terminal BR4. It also comprises, at the second summit S2, a main opening OP intended to receive the base EM so that the base EM is inserted, at least in part, into the hollow body CR when the insulating protection is fixed on the electrical connector CE.Furthermore, in this embodiment, the separation means MS comprises a first plate PI made of insulating material, said first plate PI being in contact with the first vertex SI and arranged perpendicular to the surface of this first vertex SI between the first 01 and the second opening 02 on the one hand, the fourth opening 04 and the third opening 03 on the other hand. The separation means MS also comprises a second plate P2 made of insulating material, said second plate P2 being in contact with the first vertex SI and arranged perpendicular to the surface of this first vertex SI between the first opening 01 and the fourth opening 04 on the one hand, the second opening 02 and the third opening 03 on the other hand. This embodiment is particularly suitable for CE electrical connectors intended for three-phase power for which three terminals are each associated with a phase and a fourth terminal is associated with the neutral.An illustration of a PI insulating protection according to this embodiment manufactured by additive manufacturing is shown in [Fig.3].

[0029] A second aspect of the invention illustrated in [Fig.4] and [Fig.5] relates to an assembly EN comprising an insulating protection PI according to a first aspect of the invention and an electrical connector CE. In an embodiment illustrated in [Fig.4], the electrical connector CE comprises a base EM, a first terminal BRI associated with a first polarity and a second terminal BR2 associated with a second polarity different from the first polarity. In addition, the first terminal BRI and the second terminal BR2 project from the base EM. Furthermore, the insulating protection PI according to a first aspect of the invention is mounted on the electrical connector CE so that the separation means MS completely separates the first terminal BRI from the second terminal BR2 (in other words, no part of the first terminal BRI faces any part of the second terminal BR2).Preferably, the separation means MS comprises a plate PI as described previously separating the first terminal BRI from the second terminal BR2. Preferably, the separation means MS is sized so that the leakage path between the first terminal BRI and the second terminal BR2 is greater than . a threshold length chosen according to the usage constraints (in particular the altitude of use), for example a threshold length greater than or equal to 5 cm, or even greater than or equal to 10 cm.

[0030] In an embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 5], the electrical connector CE further comprises a third terminal BR3 associated with a third polarity different from the first and second polarities, and a fourth terminal BR4 associated with a fourth polarity different from the first polarity, the second polarity and the third polarity. In addition, in this embodiment, the insulating protection PI is mounted on the electrical connector CE so that the separation means MS completely separates the terminals BR1-BR4 from each other. Preferably, the separation means MS comprises a first plate PI and a second plate P2 as described previously separating the terminals BR1-BR4 from each other.Preferably, the separation means MS is dimensioned so that the leakage path and / or the insulation distance between two terminals BR1-BR4 is greater than a threshold length chosen according to the usage constraints (in particular the usage altitude or even the voltage level), for example a threshold length greater than or equal to 5 mm, or even greater than or equal to 10 mm.

Claims

Claims

1. Insulating protection (PI) comprising a fixing means (MF) and a separation means (MS) in which: - the fixing means (MF) comprises a hollow body (CR) made of insulating material comprising a first vertex (SI) comprising a first surface and a second vertex (S2) opposite the first vertex (SI) and: • at the first vertex (SI), a first opening (01) and a second opening (02); • at the second vertex (S2), a main opening (OP); - the separation means (MS) comprises a plate (PI) made of insulating material in contact with the first vertex (SI) and arranged perpendicular to the surface of this first vertex (SI) between the first opening (01) and the second opening (02).

2. Insulating protection (PI) according to the preceding claim in which: - the fixing means (MF) comprises, at the first vertex (SI), a third opening (03) and a fourth opening (04); - the separation means (MS) comprises a second plate (P2) made of insulating material, said second plate (P2) being in contact with the first vertex (SI) and arranged perpendicular to the surface of this first vertex (SI) between the first opening (01) and the fourth opening (04) on the one hand, the second opening (02) and the third opening (03) on the other hand, the first plate (PI) made of insulating material being arranged between the first opening (01) and the second opening (02) on the one hand, the fourth opening (04) and the third opening (03) on the other hand.

3. Insulating protection (PI) according to one of the preceding claims in which the insulating protection (PI) is made of a material chosen from Polyarylamide, Polyamide, Polysulfone, PEEK GLx.

4. Assembly comprising an insulating protection (PI) according to one of the preceding claims and an electrical connector (CE), the electrical connector (CE) comprising a base (EM), at least a first terminal (BRI) associated with a first polarity and a second terminal (BR2) associated with a second polarity different from the first polarity, the first terminal (BRI) and the second terminal (BR2) projecting from the base (EM), the fixing means (MF) of the insulating protection (PI) being fixed on the electrical connector (CE) so as to at least partially cover the base (EM) and the separating means (MS) of the insulating protection (PI) being arranged so as to completely separate the first terminal (BRI) from the second terminal (BR2).

5. Assembly according to the preceding claim in which the insulating protection is a protection according to claim 2 or claim 3 in its dependence on claim 2, and in which the electrical connector (CE) comprises a third terminal (BR3) associated with a third polarity different from the first and second polarities, and a fourth terminal (BR4) associated with a fourth polarity different from the first polarity, the second polarity and the third polarity, the separation means (MS) being arranged so as to completely separate the terminals (BR1-BR4) from each other.

6. Assembly according to one of the two preceding claims in which the separation means (MS) of the insulating protection (PI) is dimensioned so that the leakage path and the insulation distance between any two terminals of the electrical connector (CE) is greater than a threshold length.

7. Assembly according to the preceding claim in which the threshold length is greater than or equal to 5 mm.

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