Braided Protective Sheath With Integrated Detection Strand

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting faults in electrical cable harnesses are complex, weight-increasing, and inefficient, especially when applied to multi-wire harnesses, as they require individual wrapping of each conductor and do not effectively anticipate mechanical stresses or electromagnetic interference.

Innovation Solution

A protective sheath with integrated detection strands that are braided into the existing braiding elements, allowing for the monitoring of electrical performance and stress detection without adding significant weight or altering the harness's operation, using methods like reflectometry to locate faults.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual detection elements are wrapped around each conductor, then fault detection capability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault detection capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single integrated protective sheath structure. Instead of wrapping individual detection elements around each conductor, the invention integrates detection strands within the common protective sheath that surrounds all conductors, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining fault detection capability across the entire harness assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective sheath is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical protection, electromagnetic shielding, and fault detection. By integrating detection strands within the same sheath structure that provides protection and shielding, the invention eliminates the need for separate detection components, thereby reducing device complexity while improving reliability through comprehensive monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If detection elements are added to monitor cable stress, then fault prediction capability is improved, but weight of the cable assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault prediction capabilityVSAvoidweight of cable assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The detection strands are merged with the protective sheath structure itself, sharing the same material composition and physical space. This integration ensures that the detection functionality is achieved without adding separate weight-bearing components, thereby improving fault prediction capability while minimizing increase in overall cable assembly weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If protective sheath is added for electromagnetic shielding, then electromagnetic protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The detection strands are integrated during the same braiding process used to create the electromagnetic shielding sheath. This concurrent manufacturing approach incorporates detection functionality into the existing protective sheath structure without requiring separate manufacturing steps, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving enhanced electromagnetic protection and fault detection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for early fault prediction in electrical cable harnesses, reducing maintenance costs and downtime by integrating detection within the protective sheath, maintaining the harness's integrity and operation while providing comprehensive fault detection without increasing payload or complexity.

Implementation Method 1

monitoring of electrical performance and stress detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

sheath of metallic shielding, generally obtained by braiding of metallic wires, which ensures electrical continuity between the equipment housings via the connection of the shielding to the connectors located at the ends of the harness

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Data Source

PatentUS10175281B2Protective sheath for an electrical harness in order to prevent the deterioration of same

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for predicting faults in a harness formed by a plurality of cables gathered together, in particular electrical cables, comprising a protective sheath (10) intended to surround the harness, the sheath (10) comprising a plurality of braided elements (100), said braided elements (100) being braided together to form a tubular sheath, each braided element (100) comprising a plurality of longitudinal braiding strands (101) arranged to form a web, characterised in that the sheath (100) comprises at least one electrically conductive detection strand (102), said detection strand (102) being arranged with the braiding strands (101) of a braided element (100) so as to be incorporated into the web forming said braided element (100), the detection strand (102) being electrically insulated from the braiding strands (100) of said braided element (100).