Electrical connector, electrical system including such a connector and rail vehicle including such a system

Abstract

To provide a robust electrical connector, which allows passage through a sealed partition, and easy connection and disconnection with terminals of electrical appliances, while limiting skin and proximity effects when operating at certain frequencies.SOLUTION: An electrical connector (10) comprises a pair of plates (20), with a first electrically conductive plate (12) and a second electrically conductive plate (14), each plate having a central portion (24) and two connection lugs (32, 34). The connection lugs of each plate extend longitudinally from opposite edges (28, 30) of the central portion, and are shifted laterally relative to each other. The first and second plates are stacked on top of each other, the central portions being superimposed and separated by a spacing (36). The connection lugs of the first and second plates are, on the side of each of the opposite edges, shifted laterally relative to each other. The electrical connector has an isolation structure comprising an interlayer of an electrically insulating material housed in the spacing (36) between the central portions of the first and second plates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector configured to connect two electrical devices to each other using at least two connection terminals. The present invention also relates to an electrical system including such an electrical connector, as well as a rail vehicle including such an electrical system. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of power converters, particularly in the field of on-board power converters for rail vehicles, it is known that electrical devices are connected to one another to ensure the conversion of electrical energy received from an external source, such as a catenary, into energy usable by other devices on the rail vehicle. While some electrical devices can be exposed to the elements, for example on the roof of a rail vehicle, without requiring special protection, other, more sensitive devices require special protection against water and / or dust. More generally, such electrical devices may be subject to various protective measures against water and / or dust. To facilitate access to these electrical devices, especially during maintenance work, a modular structure for the power converter is preferred. The electrical devices are then housed in several different compartments, each providing an appropriate level of protection for the electrical devices housed therein, separated by watertight bulkheads while being integrally electrically connected to one another, and this connection is reversible.

[0003] It is known to use connectors comprising conductive rods embedded in a block of rigid insulating material, such as polymeric plastic. The conductive rods are connected to the electrical equipment on either side of the dividing wall and have a cross section suitable for the current to be carried. The block of insulating material is tightly attached to the wall by means of sealing elements.

[0004] However, electrical converters nowadays operate at higher frequencies, e.g., above 10 kHz, to limit energy losses during conversion. In these so-called "mid-frequency" ranges between 10 kHz and 150 kHz, electrical conductors are subject to the so-called "skin effect," i.e., electrons pass only through the surface layer of the conductor, reducing the effective cross-section of the conductor, causing heating and degrading the performance of the power converter. Moreover, when two separate conductors are placed near each other and carry the same current in the same direction, an effect known as the "proximity effect" is added to the skin effect, further limiting the effective cross-section of the electrical conductor.

[0005] In order to limit the skin effect, it is known to use cables with several strands of small cross section that are insulated from each other. Such cables are sometimes called "Litz wire". To penetrate the leaktight bulkhead, the ends of the Litz wire are each crimped into a specific end cap, and the leaktightness across the bulkhead is ensured by additional end caps that are attached to the cable gland. While these end caps are structurally complex and relatively fragile, the assembly and disassembly of such systems, for example during maintenance, is time-consuming, and the Litz wire is also bulkier and more fragile than conventional cables.

[0006] FR1423398A, for example, describes a welding electrode comprising conductive strips associated in pairs, each having a central portion and connecting lugs distributed on opposite sides of the central portion. The central portions are overlapped and separated by insulating sheets. The electrodes are exposed and no special sealing device is provided.

[0007] These problems are specifically addressed by the present invention, which provides a robust electrical connector that allows for sealing wall penetration, easy connection and disconnection to the terminals of electrical devices, while limiting skin and proximity effects when operating at certain frequencies. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] FR1423398A Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To this end, the present invention relates to an electrical system comprising a first electrical device and a second electrical device separated by a partition parallel to a transverse plane, each of the first and second devices having at least two connection terminals, the first electrical device electrically connected to the second electrical device via an electrical connector, the electrical connector comprising a pair of plates, a first conductive plate and a second conductive plate. Each plate has a central portion and two connection lugs. The connection lugs of each plate extend longitudinally from opposite edges of the central portion in a straight line with the central portion, the opposite edges being part of the contour of the central portion and located on either side of the transverse plane, and the connection lugs of each plate are laterally offset from each other. The first and second plates are stacked on top of each other, with their central portions overlapping and separated by a gap. The connection lugs of the first and second plates are laterally offset from each other on each side of the opposite edges. The electrical connector further comprises an insulating structure comprising an intermediate layer of electrically insulating material housed in the gap between the centers of the first and second plates.

[0010] According to the present invention, the electrical connector is configured to mate with the sealing member so as to sealingly penetrate the partition wall, with two of the terminals of the first device being connected to two of the connection terminals of the electrical connector provided on one side of the corresponding partition wall, while two of the terminals of the second device being connected to two of the connection terminals of the electrical connector provided on the other side of the partition wall.

[0011] The present invention reduces the skin effect due to the conductive elements in the plate. The connecting lugs can be connected to any type of cable or connecting bar, not limited to Litz cables. Assembly and disassembly are simple. The crossed configuration of the connecting lugs of the conductor elements, combined with the alternating configuration of the connecting lugs of two consecutive conductor elements, minimizes the proximity effect, reduces the inductance of the connection, and therefore reduces electrical losses.

[0012] There are several pairs of conductive elements depending on the power flowing through the electrical connector.

[0013] According to advantageous but non-essential aspects of the invention, such an electrical system may incorporate one or more of the following features, in any technically feasible combination: - the electrical connector comprises at least a second pair of plates, consisting of a third plate and a fourth conductive plate, each plate of the second pair having a central portion and two connecting lugs. The connecting lugs of each plate extend longitudinally from opposite edges of the central portion and are laterally offset from each other. The third and fourth plates are stacked on top of each other, with their central portions overlapping and separated by a gap. The connecting lugs of the third and fourth plates are laterally offset from each other on each side of the opposite edges. All plates of the electrical connector are stacked on top of each other and all central portions overlap, while the insulating structure comprises an intermediate layer of electrically insulating material accommodated in each gap between two immediately adjacent central portions, and for two immediately adjacent plates, the connecting lugs provided on one side of the opposite edges are laterally offset from each other. All connection lugs belonging to plates provided on one side of the opposite edges and separated from one another by an odd number of plates are superimposed and are electrically connected to one another by a connecting member. - The insulating structure comprises a body integrally receiving the central portion of each plate, the body being made by overmolding the central portion of the plate with an electrically insulating material, with only the connecting lugs protruding from the body. - The insulating structure is made from a single piece of polymer material. The insulating structure is configured to mate with the sealing member to seal and separate the opposite edge side connection lugs from each other. - The plates have an identical structure to each other. the plate is made from a metal having a thickness between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, the metal being preferably chosen from copper and its alloys or aluminium and its alloys;

[0014] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a railway vehicle, comprising an electrical system as described above.

[0015] The invention will be better understood, and these other advantages will appear more clearly, in the light of the following description of embodiments of an electrical connector, an electrical processing subassembly, and a railway vehicle equipped with such an electrical processing subassembly, given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus including an electrical system having an electrical connector according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of an electrical connector according to the present invention, belonging to the electrical system of FIG. 1, with some elements omitted for clarity; [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic view of a detail of the device of FIG. 1 shown in frame III in FIG. 1 and including the electrical connector of FIG. 2; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an electrical system 1, which may be incorporated into a rail vehicle. The electrical system 1 includes an electrical converter 2, which is an example of an electrical system. The electrical converter 2 is designed to convert electrical energy collected from an external source, such as a catenary, into electrical energy for use by other electrical equipment in the system 1.

[0018] The converter 2 comprises a first electrical circuit 4, a second electrical circuit 6 and a transformer 8. The first circuit 4, the second circuit 6 and the transformer 8 are illustrated schematically in FIG.

[0019] The first and second circuits 4 and 6 each have two connection terminals, while the transformer 8 comprises two coils arranged around a ferromagnetic core, each with two connection terminals. One of the two coils of the transformer 8 is connected to the first circuit 4 by an electrical connector 10, and the other coil of the transformer 8 is connected to the second circuit 6 by another electrical connector 10.

[0020] It will be understood that each of the connectors 10 is integrally connected to two terminals of one of the first or second electrical circuits 4 or 6 on the one hand, and to two terminals of one of the respective coils of the transformer 8 on the other hand. In Figure 1, the electrical connector 10 is illustrated schematically. In particular, the connection of the terminals of the first and second circuits 4 and 6 is not detailed in Figure 1. The connection of the terminals of the first and second circuits 4 and 6 can be inferred from the structure of the electrical connector 10 and will be detailed later in this description, in particular with the aid of Figures 2 and 3.

[0021] The first or second electric circuit 4 or 6 is an example of a first electric device having at least two terminals, while the transformer 8 is an example of a second electric device having at least two terminals.

[0022] The first circuit 4, the transformer 8 and the second circuit 6 are each subject to different environmental protection requirements. These protection requirements may relate to water and / or dust and are often given in the form of a standardized protection index, known as the "IP code", and defined for example by the IEC 60529 standard. The IP code usually involves two numbers, one for protection against solid objects and one for protection against water.

[0023] Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 1 for illustrative purposes, the first and second circuits 4 and 6 are subject to a protection code of IP65, while the transformer 8 is subject to a protection code of IP20.

[0024] In order to ensure the level of protection in accordance with the required IP Code, the first circuit 4, the second circuit 6 and the transformer 8 are each provided in respective zones Z1, Z3 and Z2 which define volumes within which the corresponding IP Code is maintained by external means not detailed.

[0025] To maintain an adequate level of protection in each of zones Z1-Z3, zones Z1, Z2, and Z3 are separated by leak-tight partitions. Zones Z1 and Z2 are separated by partition 57, while zones Z2 and Z3 are separated by partition 56. Partitions 56 and 57 are illustrated schematically as blend lines in Figures 1 and 3.

[0026] Each of the connectors 10 is designed to be connected to two respective electrical devices, each having at least two respective terminals, through one of the bulkheads 56 or 57. Each of the connectors 10 is therefore provided with an insulating structure 58, which cooperates with sealing and / or fixing members to ensure mechanical retention of the electrical connector 10 with respect to the respective bulkhead 56 or 57. The sealing and / or fixing members are not shown in the figures.

[0027] For example, at least two terminals of the electrical device correspond to a polarity, or phase in the case of an AC signal, with polarity being relevant to the design and operation of the electrical device.

[0028] In the illustrated example, one of the connectors 10 is provided on the left in Fig. 1 and connects the first circuit 4 provided in zone Z1 to the primary winding of the transformer 8 provided in zone Z2, while the other connector 10 is provided on the right in Fig. 1 and connects the secondary winding of the transformer 8 provided in zone Z2 to the second circuit 6 provided in zone Z3. One of the connectors 10 in the example therefore connects the two terminals of the first circuit 4 to the two corresponding polarities of the primary winding of the transformer 8, while the other connector 10 connects the two terminals of the second circuit 6 to the two corresponding polarities of the secondary winding of the transformer 8.

[0029] Each connector 10 includes four connection terminals, referenced 46, 48, 50 and 52, which are integral with an insulating structure 58.

[0030] The internal structure of the electrical connector 10 is described in detail below.

[0031] The two electrical connectors 10 shown in Figure 1 are identical in structure and function, and the following description will be made with reference to the right-hand connector 10 in Figure 1.

[0032] Terminals 46 and 48 are each connected to a respective terminal of second circuit 6 , while terminals 50 and 52 are each connected to a respective terminal of the secondary winding of transformer 8 .

[0033] In other words, two of the terminals of the second circuit 6 are connected to two connection terminals 46 and 48 of the connector 10 provided on the same first side of the bulkhead 56, while two terminals of the transformer 8 are connected to two connection terminals 50 and 52 of the connector 10 provided on the same second side of the bulkhead 56.

[0034] 2 and 3 illustrate one embodiment of connector 10 in more detail.

[0035] Connector 10 includes at least two conductive plates. Advantageously, connector 10 includes at least four conductive plates, with the plates being "crossed," i.e., two plates connected to the same terminal are interposed with another plate connected to the other terminal. Crossing the plates reduces the proximity effect between the plates, thus increasing the overall efficiency of connector 10, for reasons that will be explained in more detail later in this description.

[0036] In this illustrative example, electrical connector 10 has four conductive plates referenced as 12, 14, 16, and 18. However, alternatively, the number of plates may vary. Therefore, it is understood that everything described herein is applicable to these embodiments.

[0037] The plates 12 to 18 are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal geometric plane P1.

[0038] Plates 12 and 14 are adjacent to one another, i.e., contiguous with one another, and define a first pair of plates 20. Plate 12 is thus the first plate of first pair 20, while plate 14 is the second plate of first pair 20. Similarly, plates 16 and 18 are adjacent to one another and define a second pair of plates 22. Plate 16 is thus the first plate of second pair 22, while plate 18 is the second plate of second pair 22.

[0039] The plates 12 to 18 are made of a conductive material.

[0040] Advantageously, the plates 12 to 18 are made from a metal such as copper or aluminium or an alloy thereof, or any other suitable material.

[0041] Advantageously, the plates 12 to 18 have an identical structure.

[0042] Each plate 12-18 has a central portion 24 that is flat and defines a center 26. For each central portion 24, an axis A24 is defined as an axis that is perpendicular to the central portion 24 and passes through the center 26. The axis A24 is therefore perpendicular to the longitudinal plane P1.

[0043] Each central portion 24 has a first edge 28 and a second edge 30 opposite the first edge 28. In the illustrated example, the central portions 24 are rectangular in shape and also have side edges 31. The side edges 31 are opposite and parallel to one another, while the first and second edges 28 and 30 are also parallel to one another.

[0044] A geometric midplane P2 is defined as a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal plane P1, passing through the center 26 and perpendicular to the edges 28 and 30.

[0045] A transverse geometric plane P3 is also defined as a plane that passes through the center 26 and is perpendicular to both planes P1 and P2. Plane P3 is therefore perpendicular to the side edge 31.

[0046] Alternatively, although not shown, the central portion 24 of each plate 12-18 may be circular or elliptical in shape. In such cases, the opposite edges defined above refer to portions of the contour of the central portion, located on either side of the transverse plane P3 and cut by the mid-plane P2. Similarly, the lateral edges refer to portions of the contour of the central portion, located on either side of the mid-plane P2 and cut by the transverse plane P3.

[0047] Plates 12, 14, 16 and 18 are stacked in pairs with spacers 36 between them, as described below. In other words, none of plates 12-18 is in electrical contact with an immediately adjacent plate.

[0048] For example, the central portions 24 of each plate 12-18 are overlapped, the axes A24 of each plate 12-18 coincide, and the edges 28 and 30 of each plate 12-18 are parallel to one another.

[0049] Advantageously, all edges 28 of plates 12-18 lie in the same geometric plane parallel to axis A24. Similarly, all edges 30 lie in the same geometric plane parallel to axis A24. Similarly, all side edges 31 on the same side of mid-plane P2 lie in the same geometric plane parallel to axis A24. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 2, central portions 24 of all plates 12-18 are contained in a cylinder with a rectangular cross section and a straight generatrice parallel to axis A24, giving connector 10 a compact structure while reducing the proximity effect between plates.

[0050] The first and second pairs of plates 20 and 22 are therefore superimposed parallel to axis A24.

[0051] Each of the plates 12-18 further comprises a first connecting lug 32 and a second connecting lug 34. The connecting lugs 32 and 34 are designed to be connected to terminals of an electrical device to be connected by the connector 10.

[0052] In the illustrated example, connecting lugs 32 and 34 have a rectangular shape with a width less than the width of central portion 24. Lug 34 is longer than lug 32.

[0053] For each plate 12-18, the connecting lug 32 extends longitudinally from the first edge 28 in line with the central portion 24 and in line with one of the side edges 31, while the connecting lug 34 extends longitudinally from the second edge 30 in line with the central portion 24 and in line with one of the side edges 31.

[0054] That is, the connecting lugs 32 and 34 of each plate 12-18 extend longitudinally from the opposite edges 28 and 30 in a straight line with the central portion 24 of a respective one of the plates 12-18.

[0055] In other words, the connecting lugs 32 and 34 are provided on either side of the transverse plane P3.

[0056] For each plate 12-18, the lugs 32 and 34 are provided on either side of the mid-plane P2, in other words, the connecting lugs 32 and 34 are laterally offset from each other in a direction perpendicular to the mid-plane P2.

[0057] For any two of consecutive plates 12-18, i.e., for immediately adjacent plates 12 and 14, or 14 and 16, or 16 and 18, connecting lugs 34 are provided on either side of mid-plane P2, in other words, lugs 34 are laterally offset from each other in a direction perpendicular to mid-plane P2.

[0058] Similarly, the connecting lugs 32 of two immediately adjacent plates 12-18 are also provided on either side of the mid-plane P2, in other words, the lugs 32 are laterally offset from each other in a direction perpendicular to the mid-plane P2.

[0059] More generally, for two immediately adjacent plates 12-18, the connecting lugs 32 and 34 provided on one side of the respective opposite edges 28 and 30 are laterally offset from one another in a direction perpendicular to the plane P2.

[0060] It will be understood that the lugs 32 and 34 of the first plate 12 of the first pair 20 and the lugs 32 and 34 of the first plate 16 of the second pair 22 are superimposed parallel to the axis A24. In other words, the first plate 16 of the second pair 22 is obtained by translation of the first plate 12 of the first pair 20 parallel to the axis A24, and the first plates 12 and 16 of the first and second pairs 20 and 22 are separated from each other by the second plate 14 of the first pair 20.

[0061] Similarly, the lugs 32 and 34 of the second plate 14 of the first pair 20 and the lugs 32 and 34 of the second plate 18 of the second pair 22 are superimposed parallel to the axis A24. In other words, the second plate 18 of the second pair 22 is obtained by translation of the second plate 14 of the first pair 20 parallel to the axis A24, and the second plates 14 and 18 of the first and second pairs 20 and 22 are separated from each other by the first plate 16 of the second pair 22.

[0062] Two immediately adjacent central portions 24 define between them a gap 36. The spacers 36 each have the shape of a flattened parallelepiped and extend parallel to the longitudinal plane P1.

[0063] Advantageously, the insulating structure 58 comprises an intermediate layer of electrically insulating material, which is accommodated in each of the gaps 36 between two immediately adjacent central portions 24. The intermediate layers of the insulating structure 58 are capable of electrically insulating the immediately adjacent central portions 24 from each other. For ease of reading the figure, the intermediate layers are not shown.

[0064] Advantageously, the intermediate layers contained within the spaces 36 are capable of mechanically holding adjacent central portions 24 relative to one another.

[0065] The lugs 32 provided on the same side of the mid-plane P2 are superimposed in a direction parallel to the axis A24.

[0066] Likewise, the lugs 34 provided on the same side of the mid-plane P2 are superimposed in a direction parallel to the axis A24.

[0067] The lugs 32 and 34 overlap each other and are also mechanically and electrically connected to each other by a connecting member 38 .

[0068] In the illustrated example, each connecting member 38 comprises a first outer plate 40, a middle plate 42, and a second outer plate 44. The outer and middle plates 40, 44, and 42 are rectangular in shape and are attached to the respective lugs 32 or 34 by fasteners 45 located at the corners of the plates 40-44. Without limitation, the fasteners 45 may be screws or rivets, and are preferably made from metal or at least a conductive material.

[0069] Advantageously, plates 40-44 are made from a conductive material, such as metal, that is compatible with the material of plates 12-18.

[0070] The lugs 32 and 34 are connected by respective connecting members 38 to form four terminals 46, 48, 50 and 52. In the example illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the four terminals 46-52 are each parallelepiped in shape.

[0071] Advantageously, terminals 46-52 may have various or even unusual shapes to facilitate recognition of the terminals when connecting connector 10 to an electrical device.

[0072] It will be appreciated that terminal 48 is electrically connected to terminal 52 while terminal 46 is electrically connected to terminal 50 .

[0073] Terminals 48 and 52 are provided on either side of mid-plane P2 in a so-called cross configuration, while terminals 46 and 50 are also provided on either side of mid-plane P2 in a cross configuration.

[0074] Alternatively, although not shown, the terminals 48 and 52 may be provided on the same side of the plane P2, in which case the lugs 32 and 34 of each of the plates 12-18 are also provided on the same side of the plane P2 in a so-called linear configuration.

[0075] In the illustrated example, lugs 32 and 34 are disposed along their lengths parallel to mid-plane P2.

[0076] Alternatively, although not shown, one or more of the lugs 32 or 34 may deviate from the plane P2 away from the central portion 24 while maintaining the overlap of the lugs 32 or 34 parallel to the axis A24.

[0077] Each of the terminals 46-52 further includes a fixing hole 54. The holes 54 are configured to receive connecting members of an electrical device to which the connector 10 is connected. These connecting members may be cables or conductor bars (not shown) that mate with the terminals 46-52 to reversibly connect the electrical device to the terminals 46-52 while ensuring good electrical contact and mechanical strength.

[0078] 3 is a bottom view of connector 10 from FIG. 2, with connector 10 shown connected to transformer 8. One of the coils of transformer 8 is partially and schematically shown, here connected to terminals 52 and 50 of connector 10. Transformer 8 is an example of an electrical device subject to a first specific IP protection constraint, and transformer 8 is here housed in zone Z2.

[0079] Terminals 46 and 48 of connector 10 are connected to a second electrical device, which is not shown in FIG. 3, but which is subject to a second IP protection requirement and is here accommodated in area Z3.

[0080] Zones Z2 and Z3 are separated by a partition wall 56.

[0081] Insulation structure 58 includes a body 60 , a peripheral tongue 62 and a locating relief 64 in addition to the intermediate layer received in gap 36 .

[0082] The insulating structure 58 is made of an electrically insulating material. In the illustrated example, the insulating structure 58 is made of a polymeric plastic. The main body 60 completely covers the central portions 24 of the plates 12-18, thereby ensuring electrical insulation of the central portions 24 and spatial fixation of the plates 12-18 relative to one another. In other words, the main body 60 integrally receives the central portions 24 of each of the plates 12-18.

[0083] In the illustrated example, the central portions 24 are superimposed on one another and are each rectangular in shape, while the body 60 has a parallelepiped shape.

[0084] Advantageously, the body 60 ensures electrical insulating continuity and mechanical retention continuity with the intermediate layers housed in each of the gaps 36 .

[0085] Advantageously, the body 60 and the intermediate layer housed in each of the spaces 36 are made of the same material. More advantageously, the body 60 and the intermediate layer are manufactured by overmolding the central portion 24, with only the lugs 32 and 34 protruding from the body 60. During overmolding, the insulating material of the body 60 is in a viscous state and is shaped around the central portion 24 by molding, preferably under pressure. The insulating material of the body 60 is preferably a thermoplastic material, and the overmolding is carried out under heat. During cooling, the insulating material solidifies.

[0086] As a result of the overmolding process, the central portions 24 of the plates 12-18 are embedded in the body 60 of the insulating structure 58, with only the connecting lugs protruding from the body 60 of the insulating structure 58, as shown in FIG.

[0087] Preferably, the insulating structure 58 is made in one piece. For this purpose, during manufacture by overmolding, the plates 12-18 are kept spaced apart, while the insulating material of the insulating structure penetrates in a viscous state between the central portions 24 of the plates 12-18, forming an insulating interlayer after cooling and solidification of the insulating material. In other words, the body 60 and the interlayer housed in one of the respective spaces 36 together form a monolithic part.

[0088] Peripheral tabs 62 project from the periphery of body 60 in a plane parallel to transverse plane P3.

[0089] In the illustrated example, the tab 62 straddles the leak-tight septum 56 .

[0090] Tabs 62 have a closed, continuous contour and are configured to mate with a sealing and / or securing member to tightly and reversibly secure connector 10 to wall 56. The sealing and / or securing member is not shown.

[0091] The terminals 46 and 48 on the one hand and 50 and 52 on the other hand, which are provided on either side of the transverse plane P3 and integrally on either side of the partition wall 56, are therefore sealingly separated by the insulating structure 58 which mates with the sealing member. In other words, the connecting lugs 32 or 34 on the opposite edge sides 28 or 30 are sealingly separated from each other.

[0092] The positioning relief 64 is connected to the body 60 and the tongue 62 and advantageously has an asymmetric shape with respect to the transverse plane P3, allowing good positioning of the sealing member with respect to the insulating structure 58.

[0093] It will be appreciated that connector 10 allows for the connection of two electrical devices located on either side of leak-tight septum 56. Of course, connector 10 can be attached to a non-leak-tight septum.

[0094] More generally, the shape of the insulating structure 58 can therefore be freely chosen, particularly for the integration of the connector 10 with the rest of the track vehicle 1, as long as the central portion 24 is completely covered by the body 60 and only the lugs 32 and 34 protrude from the body 60.

[0095] In the illustrated example, each connector 10 comprises two pairs of plates 20 and 22, stacked parallel to axis A24 and arranged as described above.

[0096] In a variant not shown, only the first pair 20 is present, i.e. only plates 12 and 14 are present.

[0097] The connecting member 38 therefore includes only outer plates 40 and 44, and the terminals 46-52 are connected to each other by only one of the respective plates 12 or 14.

[0098] In another embodiment, three pairs of plates, similar to the pairs of plates 20 or 22 described above, are superimposed.

[0099] The first plate of each pair of plates, particularly the lugs 32 or 34 of the first plate of each pair of plates, are overlapped with each other parallel to the axis A24, while the second plate of each pair of plates, particularly the lugs 32 or 34 of the second plate of each pair of plates, are overlapped with each other parallel to the axis A24.

[0100] The lugs 32 or 34 of each first plate are laterally offset from the lugs 32 or 34 of each second plate.

[0101] The connecting member 38 therefore comprises two spacer plates of the type of the spacer plate 42, while the terminals 46-52 each comprise three lugs 32 or 34.

[0102] It will be appreciated that the power carrying capacity of connector 10 varies depending on the number of plate pairs of the type 20 and 22 in connector 10. This makes it easy to design and manufacture connectors 10 suitable for various power ranges.

[0103] In the power range under consideration, i.e., above tens of kilowatts, e.g., above 50 kW, the skin effect begins to become particularly noticeable for frequencies above 10 kHz. Because the lugs 32 or 34 of terminals 46-52 are each mounted on a plate, each 32 or 34 has a cross-section with a high perimeter-to-area ratio. In other words, the lugs 32 or 34 have a high surface area relative to their volume, which is advantageous for transporting current under conditions where the skin effect tends to dominate.

[0104] It will be appreciated that the thinner the plates 12-18, the less the skin effect will be experienced by the connector 10. On the other hand, plates 12-18 that are too thin are mechanically fragile and unsuitable for industrial environments such as railroad cars.

[0105] In practice, the plates 12 to 18 have a thickness of, for example, between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

[0106] It will therefore be appreciated that while the geometry of plates 12-18, and in particular the thickness of plates 12-18, can be selected to mitigate the effects of the skin effect at the frequencies and powers envisaged for a particular application, the total number of plates of the type of plates 12-18, and in particular the number of plate pairs of the type of plate pairs 20 and 22, will be selected according to the total power to be transmitted through connector 10.

[0107] In the illustrated example, terminals 46-52 are cross-connected to terminals of an electrical device. Terminals 46 and 50 are coupled together, while terminals 48 and 52 are coupled together. It will be appreciated that when connector 10 is connected to an electrical device in operation, a current line passes through central portion 24 of each of plates 12-18 in a diagonal line connecting respective lugs 32 and 34.

[0108] The current lines passing through two immediately adjacent central portions 24 are therefore crossed in a plane parallel to the longitudinal plane P1, reducing proximity effects such as inductance effects and advantageously reducing the impedance of the connection and therefore energy losses.

[0109] In the illustrated example, central portions 24 of plates 12-18 each have a rectangular shape, which is selected to reduce proximity effects, reducing the inductance of the connection and therefore the heating of connector 10. Alternatively, central portions 24 may have other shapes, for example, selected to reduce leakage lines.

[0110] In the illustrated example, connector 10 couples first and second circuits 4 and 6 to transformer 8, with these circuits 4 and 6 and transformer 8 operating at AC frequencies where the skin effect becomes significant, i.e., frequencies above 10 kHz. Of course, connector 10 can be used to connect electrical devices that operate at lower frequencies, particularly low frequencies, or even direct current.

[0111] The above-described modes of operation and variations can be combined to create new modes of operation of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1. Electrical System 2 Electrical Converter 4. First Electrical Circuit 6 Second Electrical Circuit 8. Transformers 10 Electrical Connector 12, 14, 16, 18 Conductive plates 20 First pair 22 Second pair 24 Center part 26 center 28 First Edge 30 second edge 31 Side edge 32 First connecting lug 34 Second connecting lug 36 Gap 38 Connecting member 40 First outer panel 42 Middle Plate 44 Second outer panel 45 Fasteners 46, 48, 50, 52 Connection terminals 54 Fixed hole 56, 57 Leak-proof bulkhead 58 Insulation structure 60 Main Unit 62 Peripheral tongue 64 Locating relief surface A24 axis P1 longitudinal plane P2 midplane P3 transverse plane Z1, Z2, Z3 area

Claims

1. An electrical system (1) comprising a first electrical device (4, 6) and a second electrical device (8) separated by partitions (56, 57) parallel to a transverse plane (P3), wherein each of the first electrical device and the second electrical device comprises at least two connection terminals, and the first electrical device is electrically connected to the second electrical device via an electrical connector (10), - the electrical connector comprises a pair of plates (20), including a first conductive plate (12) and a second conductive plate (14), each plate (12, 14) having a central portion (24) and two connecting lugs (32, 34); - the connecting lugs of each plate extend longitudinally in a straight line with the central portion (24) from opposite edges (28, 30) of the central portion, the opposite edges being part of the contour of the central portion, the part of the contour being on either side of the transverse plane (P3), the connecting lugs (32, 34) of each plate (12, 14) being laterally offset from one another; - the first conductive plate (12) and the second conductive plate (14) are stacked on top of each other, the central portions overlapping and separated by a gap (36); - the connecting lugs (32, 34) of the first conductive plate (12) and the second conductive plate (14) are laterally offset from each other on each side of the opposite edges; an insulating structure (58) comprising an intermediate layer of electrically insulating material received in the gap (36) between the central portions (24) of the first conductive plate (12) and the second conductive plate (14); The electrical system (1), characterized in that the electrical connector (10) is configured to mate with a sealing member so as to sealingly penetrate the partitions (56, 57), and two of the connection terminals of the first electrical device (4, 6) are connected to two of the connection terminals (46, 48, 50, 52) of the electrical connector (10) provided on one side of the corresponding partition wall, while two of the connection terminals of the second electrical device are connected to two of the connection terminals of the electrical connector provided on the other side of the corresponding partition wall.

2. The electrical connector (10) comprises at least a second pair (22) of plates, consisting of a third plate (16) and a fourth plate (18) that are electrically conductive, each plate (16, 18) of the second pair (22) comprising a central portion (24) and two connecting lugs (32, 34); - the connecting lugs of each plate (16, 18) extend longitudinally from opposite edges (28, 30) of the central portion and are laterally offset from one another; - said third plate and said fourth plate are stacked on top of each other, said central portions overlapping and separated by a gap (36); - the connecting lugs (32, 34) of the third plate (16) and the fourth plate (18) are laterally offset from one another on each side of the opposite edges, All of the plates (12, 14, 16, 18) of the electrical connector (10) are stacked on top of each other, and all of the central portions (24) overlap; the insulating structure (58) comprising an intermediate layer of electrically insulating material received in each gap (36) between two immediately adjacent central portions; 2. The electrical system (1) of claim 1, wherein for two immediately adjacent plates, the connecting lugs (32, 34) on one side of the opposite edges (28, 30) are laterally offset from each other.

3. 3. The electrical system (1) according to claim 2, wherein all the connecting lugs (32, 34) belonging to plates (12, 14, 16, 18) provided on one side of the opposite edges (28, 30) and separated from each other by an odd number of plates are overlapped and electrically connected to each other by a connecting member (38).

4. 4. The electrical system (1) of claim 1, wherein the insulating structure (58) comprises a body (60) that integrally receives the central portion (24) of each plate (12, 14, 16, 18), the body being made by overmolding the central portions of the plates with an electrically insulating material, and only the connecting lugs (32, 34) protruding from the body.

5. 5. The electrical system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the insulating structure (58) is made integrally from a polymer material.

6. 6. The electrical system (1) of claim 1, wherein the insulating structure (58) is configured to mate with a sealing member so as to seal and separate the connection lugs (32, 34) provided on the sides of the opposite edges (28, 30) from each other.

7. 7. An electrical system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plates (12, 14, 16, 18) have an identical structure to one another.

8. 8. An electrical system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plates (12, 14, 16, 18) are made from a metal having a thickness between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, the metal being preferably selected from copper and its alloys or aluminum and its alloys.

9. A railway vehicle comprising at least one electrical system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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