Assembly of connectors to form a hybrid electrical / optical contact

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly of connectors for forming a hybrid electrical / optical contact. It comprises a female connector (1) and a male connector (2). Each connector (1, 2) includes a connector body (19, 20) and an insulator (21, 22) within which an electrical contact (3, 4) is positioned. This electrical contact (3, 4) has in its center an optical insert (7, 8) containing an optical contact (5, 6) and an optical fiber. Each optical contact (5, 6) is mounted on the optical fiber and includes an optical sensor (25, 26). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly of connectors for forming a hybrid electrical / optical contact Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a set of connectors for forming a hybrid electrical / optical contact. Previous technique

[0002] The electrification of vehicles, driven by the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, leads to an increase in the weight of electrical power distribution systems.

[0003] One solution is to increase the voltage level in order to reduce the cable cross-sections. However, the use of high voltages poses safety problems for people and equipment, particularly if the voltage is direct current (DC). With direct current, the arc is maintained until the power supply is interrupted.

[0004] Electrification is also accompanied by an increase in the power carried by cables and connectors which can lead to heating.

[0005] Under these conditions of use, a connection failure at the connector level can generate heating exceeding the permitted limits or an electric arc, leading to serious safety problems for people and equipment (electrocution, power failure, fire).

[0006] In order to be able to anticipate a failure related to a connection problem, the distribution system must be able to monitor any abnormal temperature variations of the connector, as well as its mating state.

[0007] Existing solutions use a high-voltage interlock loop (HVIL) of electrical type to detect the coupling state, and an electrical temperature sensor (thermistor type) to measure the temperature of the electrical contacts of the connectors.

[0008] Today, the HVIL and temperature measurement functions are located inside the connector, but the electrical contacts are outside. This distance between the electrical contacts and the sensors (HVIL and temperature) poses problems with the reliability of the coupling state detection and problems with the accuracy of the temperature measurement of the electrical contacts.

[0009] Another disadvantage of electrical solutions is their sensitivity to electromagnetic disturbances.

[0010] Another drawback of electrical solutions is the proximity of the sensor and the H VIL contacts to the high voltage, which can create risks of insulation failure and necessitate the addition of a galvanic decoupling protection device. Presentation of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks with a completely innovative approach.

[0012] More specifically, the invention aims to provide a more reliable technique based on optical security functions.

[0013] An objective of the invention is to provide such a safety technique integrated into the connector allowing to reduce the risks associated with overheating and connection faults.

[0014] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved, according to a first aspect, by means of a set of connectors to form a hybrid electrical / optical contact, notable in that it comprises a female connector and a male connector, each connector includes a connector body and a cable insulator inside which is positioned an electrical contact, said electrical contact has in its center, an optical insert containing an optical contact and an optical fiber and; each optical contact is mounted on the optical fiber; the assembly being configured for a coupled position when the male and female connectors touch each optical fiber ensures optical continuity, and each electrical conductor ensures electrical continuity.

[0015] Thanks to these arrangements, the main advantages of a hybrid contact based on the integration of an optical contact in the center of the electrical contact are as follows: - the optical part of the hybrid contact makes it possible to know the state of connection and the temperature of the electrical part of the hybrid contact. - reduce the size of the contacts in the connector, with an insulator having a single cavity instead of two cavities (one for the electrical contact and one for the optical contact). - detect the individual coupling state of each electrical contact in the case of a connector with multiple hybrid contacts. - to know the temperature of the electrical contact via an optical temperature sensor placed at the center of the electrical contact without being disturbed by the environment external to the electrical contact.

[0016] The invention is advantageously implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically operative combination.

[0017] In one embodiment, the optical contacts disconnect before the electrical contacts disconnect during the electrical contact uncoupling phase.

[0018] In one embodiment, at least one optical contact comprises at least one optical sensor of the type temperature, light, deformation, sound, or any other physical quantity. The optical sensor is configured to measure, for example, temperature or other physical quantities.

[0019] In one embodiment, each optical fiber is contained in a tube.

[0020] In one embodiment, each optical contact is held in the insert optical via clips, or any type of mechanical retention system.

[0021] In one embodiment, each connector further comprises at least one electrical contact which contains the optical insert.

[0022] In one embodiment, the end of the optical fiber is beyond the electrical conductor.

[0023] In one embodiment, each optical contact, each clip, each optical insert and each electrical contact are made of metallic material, for example stainless steel.

[0024] In one embodiment, only the male connector or only the female connector comprises an optical insert, an optical fiber and an optical temperature sensor.

[0025] In one embodiment, the optical contacts are mounted on springs in order to compensate for assembly play in the male and female connectors. Brief description of the figures

[0026] Other advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given for explanatory purposes and in no way as a limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Fig. 1 represents a diagram of the uncoupled male and female connectors according to an example embodiment;

[0028] Fig. 2 represents a diagram of the male and female connectors coupled according to an example embodiment;

[0029] Fig. 3 represents a diagram of the male and female connectors in the disconnection phase position. Description of the implementation methods

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a diagram of the uncoupled male and female connectors.

[0031] The safety device is achieved by integrating two optical contacts 5, 6 located in the center of the electrical contacts 3, 4 of the male and female connectors 1, 2. The optical contact 5, 6 is integrated inside the electrical contact 3, 4. We obtain a solid sub-assembly forming a single hybrid electrical / optical contact 3,5,7,9 and 4,6,8,10.

[0032] The safety device performs two main functions. The first function, a temperature sensor type, allows the temperature of the electrical contacts 3, 4 to be measured. The temperature measurement is ensured by the electrical energy distribution system via the analysis of the signal reflected or transmitted by an optical sensor 25, 26 on the optical fiber 11, 12.

[0033] The second function allows the coupling or uncoupling state of the electrical contacts 3, 4 of the male connector pair 2 and female connector pair 1 to be detected.

[0034] Optical contacts 5, 6 are mounted on optical fibers 11, 12 comprising a temperature sensor 25, 26. The optical sensors are positioned inside the optical contacts 5, 6, which are themselves held in optical inserts 7, 8 by means of clips 9, 10. The optical inserts 7, 8 are positioned in the center of the electrical contacts 3, 4. The optical contact 5, 6, the clip 9, 10, the optical insert 7, 8 and the electrical contact 3, 4 are made of metallic material and are mechanically in contact in order to ensure thermal conduction between the electrical contact 3, 4 and the temperature sensor 25, 26.

[0035] The male and female connectors 1, 2 include the hybrid contacts, the connector bodies 19, 20, the insulators 21 and 22.

[0036] The hybrid electrical / optical contact is mounted on a specific cable 23, 24, comprising an insulator 17, 18, an electrical conductor 15 and 16 and tubes 13, 14 located in their center. The tubes 13, 14 contain an optical fiber 11, 12.

[0037] In the uncoupled position, the optical contacts do not touch, the distribution system does not detect the transmission of the optical signal and does not allow the supply of voltage and current to the line on which the pair of connectors is installed.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a diagram of the coupled male and female connectors.

[0039] Fig. 2 incorporates some elements described previously.

[0040] In the coupled position, the optical contact 6 and the optical contact 5 touch each other 27 so that the optical fiber 11 and the optical fiber 12 ensure optical continuity between the male connector 2 and the female connector 1. Thus, the transmission of an optical signal through the pair of connectors allows the electrical distribution system to verify that the electrical contacts are in the correct coupling position 28. As long as the optical signal is detected by the distribution system, it can allow the supply of voltage and current to the line on which the pair of connectors is installed.

[0041] Figure 3 shows a diagram of the male and female connectors in the phase position of Disconnection. Figure 3 incorporates some elements described previously.

[0042] During the uncoupling phase, the optical contacts 5, 6 disconnect 29 while the electrical contacts 3, 4 are still coupled 30. The system then detects the loss of the optical signal and cuts off the power supply before the electrical contacts are completely uncoupled, preventing the creation of an electric arc and thus ensuring the protection of people and equipment. List of reference signs

[0043] [Tables 1] References Designations 1 female connector 2 male connector 3,4 electrical contacts 5,6 optical contacts 7,8 optical inserts 9, 10 clips 11, 12 optical fibers 13, 14 tube 15, 16 electrical conductor 17, 18 cable insulation 19, 20 connector body 21,22 insulators 23,24 specific cable 25,26 optical sensor 27 optical contact 5 and optical contact 6 are touching 28 correct mating position 29 optical contact 5 and optical contact 6 are disconnected 30 electrical contacts 3, 4 are mated

Claims

Demands

1. A connector assembly for forming a hybrid electrical / optical contact, characterized in that it comprises a female connector (1) and a male connector (2), each connector (1, 2) comprising a connector body (19, 20) and an insulator (21, 22) of the cable (23, 24) within which is positioned an electrical contact (3, 4), said electrical contact (3, 4) having in its center an optical insert (7, 8) containing an optical contact (5, 6) and an optical fiber (11, 12); each optical contact (5, 6) is mounted on the optical fiber; the assembly being configured for a mated position when the male connector (2) and female connector (1) touch each optical fiber (11, 12) ensures optical transmission, the cable (23, 24) having at least one electrical conductor (15, 16) ensuring electrical transmission; at least one optical contact includes at least one optical sensor of the temperature, light, deformation, sound or any other physical quantity type.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical contacts (5, 6) disconnect before the electrical contacts disconnect during the electrical contacts (3, 4) uncoupling phase.

3. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein each optical fiber (11, 12) is contained in a tube (13, 14).

4. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein each optical contact (5, 6) is held in the optical insert (7, 8) by means of clips (9, 10), or any type of mechanical retention system.

5. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the optical fiber (11, 12) has an end extending beyond the electrical conductor (15, 16).

6. Assembly according to claim 4, wherein each optical contact (5, 6), each clip (9, 10), each optical insert (7, 8) and each electrical contact (3, 4) are made of metallic material.