CN219246404U

CN219246404U - Ethernet cable for automotive applications

Info

Publication number: CN219246404U
Application number: CN202320150450.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 蒂齐亚诺·阿莱奥蒂; 格拉齐亚诺·罗辛
Original assignee: Ask Industries SpA
Current assignee: Ask Industries SpA
Priority date: 2022-01-20
Filing date: 2023-01-20
Publication date: 2023-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 2033-01-20
Also published as: IT202200000227U1; ES1302861U; ES1302861Y; FR3131975A3; DE202023100233U1

Abstract

The utility model provides an ethernet cable (100) for automotive applications, comprising at least one pair of cables (1, 2) adapted to transmit signals and at least one dielectric layer (10) externally arranged around each cable of the pair of cables (1, 2), the ethernet cable further comprising: -a first shield (20) arranged externally around at least a portion of the dielectric layer (10); a second shield (30) arranged to externally cover at least a portion of the first shield (20), the second shield (30) comprising a plurality of electrically conductive wires (32) woven into a mesh arrangement.

Description

Ethernet cable for automotive applications

Technical Field

The present utility model relates to an ethernet cable for automotive applications with an improved shield.

Background

Ethernet cables are well known for connecting devices to transmit signals and exchange data with each other.

For this purpose, according to a widely known form, the ethernet cable comprises a set of wires (commonly called twisted pair) dedicated to signal transmission and at the ends of which two RJ 45-type connectors are arranged.

In addition, the ethernet cable may be equipped with appropriate shielding to protect the wires from interference and achieve better performance in quality.

In the automotive field, due to the inherent conditions of use, the ethernet cable used must have adequate characteristics not only in terms of mechanical strength, flexibility, cost effectiveness of production and ease of installation, but also in terms of the quality level of the transmitted signal and the durability of this quality level over time, taking into account, for example, the narrow space, the possible sources of interference and the required plurality of wiring.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore a main object of the present utility model to manufacture an ethernet cable with an improved shield in order to ensure a high quality of the transmitted signal during a sufficient lifetime.

The above object is achieved by an ethernet cable according to the present utility model. According to the utility model, an ethernet cable for automotive applications is provided, comprising at least one pair of cables adapted to transmit signals and at least one dielectric layer (10) arranged externally around each cable of the pair of cables. The ethernet cable further comprises: a first shield externally disposed around at least a portion of the dielectric layer; a second shield arranged to externally cover at least a portion of the first shield, the second shield comprising a plurality of electrically conductive wires woven into a mesh arrangement.

Optionally, the second shield is configured to cover at least 90% of the outer surface of the first shield.

Optionally, the second shield comprises 80 to 120 conductive wires.

Optionally, the diameter of each conductive line is comprised between 0.10mm and 0.15 mm.

Optionally, each conductive wire comprises an aluminum core.

Optionally, each conductive wire includes at least one first copper cladding disposed around the aluminum core.

Optionally, each conductive line includes a second tin coating disposed around the first copper coating.

Optionally, the thickness of the first copper cladding layer is in the range of 5% to 10% of the outer diameter of each conductive wire, and the thickness of the second tin cladding layer is in the range of 0.5% to 2% of the outer diameter of each conductive wire.

Optionally, the first shield comprises at least one layer of electrically insulating material and at least one electrically conductive layer formed from at least one aluminum foil.

Optionally, the total thickness of the first shield is comprised between 0.03mm and 0.06 mm.

Preferred embodiments form the subject matter of the dependent claims, the content of which is intended to be part of the present description.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the utility model will emerge from the following detailed description, given purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 schematically shows a portion of an ethernet cable according to the present utility model;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the Ethernet cable shown in FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating conductive wires used in the shield of the ethernet cable of fig. 1.

It should be noted that in the following detailed description, identical or similar components may have identical or different reference numerals from a structural and/or functional point of view, irrespective of whether they are shown in different forms of embodiments of the present utility model or in separate components.

It should also be noted that for clarity and conciseness in describing the present model, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and some of the features described may be shown in somewhat schematic form.

Detailed Description

When the terms "adapted to" or "arranged" or "configured" or "shaped" or similar terms are used in this document, any reference to any whole component or any portion of a component or combination of components is to be understood to mean and correspondingly include the structure and/or configuration and/or shape and/or positioning.

In addition, when the term "substantially" or "substantially" is used herein, it is understood to include the current variation of plus or minus 5% from the stated reference value.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a possible example of an ethernet cable according to the utility model for automotive applications, indicated by the general reference numeral 100, comprising:

at least one pair of cables 1, 2 adapted to transmit signals;

at least one dielectric layer 10 arranged externally around each cable of the pair of cables 1, 2.

The dielectric layer 10 may be made of a plastic material such as expanded polypropylene or expanded polyethylene.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cable 100 comprises only one pair of cables 1, 2, and thus only one twisted pair, around each of which a respective dielectric layer 10 is provided.

It is clear that ethernet cable 100 using a different number of cables suitable for transmitting signals may be implemented and that the construction and/or material of the or each dielectric layer 10 may also be modified appropriately, depending on the specific requirements.

The ethernet cable 100 according to the present utility model further comprises:

a first shield 20 externally disposed around at least a portion of the dielectric layer 10;

a second shield 30 arranged to cover at least a part of the first shield 20 externally, the second shield 30 being intended to be connected to earth for suitably protecting the signal transmission cables 1 and 2 from external disturbances.

In particular, in the ethernet cable 100 according to the present utility model, the second shield 30 comprises a plurality of conductive wires, indicated with reference numeral 32 in fig. 2 and 3, which are braided with a suitable braiding pitch to form a mesh or a grounding braid intended to be connected directly to the ground or indirectly (i.e. with the interposition of additional conductors) to the ground.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the ethernet cable 100 further comprises an outer jacket 3 arranged around the second shield 30 and effectively forming an outer jacket of the ethernet cable 100 itself, the outer jacket 3 being made of a suitable plastic material, such as lead-free anti-migration PVC.

In addition, according to a widely known implementation and for this reason, the ethernet cable 100 is provided at its ends with corresponding connectors (not described in detail here) to allow connection to devices transmitting signals therebetween.

In one possible embodiment, the second shield 30 is configured to cover at least 90% of the outer surface area of the first shield 20.

The definition refers to a percentage of optical coverage above 90%.

In particular, the second shield 30 comprises a number of 80 to 120, preferably 90 to 100, conductive wires 32, wherein the wires are substantially identical to each other.

According to one possible embodiment, the plurality of conductive wires 32 are divided into groups or mandrels, e.g., 15 to 20 in number, each mandrel comprising 5 to 6 wires in number. The braiding pitch of the mandrels used to form the web is, for example, comprised between 25 and 35mm (inclusive of the indicated endpoints of the range).

Conveniently, the diameter of each conductive wire 32 is comprised between 0.10mm and 0.15mm (inclusive of the end points of the indicated range), preferably substantially equal to 0.13mm.

In a possible embodiment, as schematically shown in fig. 3, each conductive wire 32 comprises an aluminum core 32A.

Further, each conductive wire 32 preferably includes at least one first copper cladding 32B disposed about the aluminum core 32A.

In particular, the thickness of the first copper clad layer 32B is in the range of 5% to 10% of the total diameter of the conductive wire 32.

Usefully, according to one possible embodiment, each conductive wire 32 further comprises a second tin coating 32C arranged around the first copper coating 32B.

In particular, the thickness of the second tin coating layer 32C is in the range of 0.5% to 2% of the total diameter of the conductive wire 32.

Furthermore, the first shield 20 comprises a multilayer structure comprising at least one first electrically insulating layer and at least one second electrically conductive layer intended to be arranged around the dielectric layer 10.

In particular, the thickness of the first shield 20 as a whole is comprised between 0.03mm and 0.06mm (inclusive of the end points of the indicated range).

The electrically insulating layer may be made of a suitable plastic material, such as PET or polypropylene (PP).

Preferably, the conductive layer may be made of one or more aluminum foils.

In case the first shield 20 comprises a structure formed of only two layers, the first electrically insulating layer constitutes the inner layer and is arranged around the dielectric layer 10, while the electrically conductive layer constitutes the outer layer intended to be in electrical contact with the second shield 30.

In the case of using two pieces of conductive material (e.g., aluminum), the first shield 20 may be made by interposing an electrically insulating sheet between the two conductive sheets.

In practice it has been found that the ethernet cable 100 according to the utility model achieves the intended purpose, since it allows an improved shielding compared to the solutions currently known.

This result is achieved by means of the constructive design of the first shield 20 and in particular of the second shield 30, which makes it possible to guarantee a high level of quality of the transmitted signal, thus maintaining the electrical and mechanical properties of the cable 100 for a long time.

Naturally, the embodiments and implementation details previously described can vary widely from what has been described and illustrated purely by way of preferred and non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present utility model, in particular as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ethernet cable (100) for automotive applications, comprising at least:

at least one pair of cables (1, 2) adapted to transmit signals;

-at least one dielectric layer (10) externally arranged around each cable of the pair of cables (1, 2);

characterized in that the ethernet cable (100) further comprises:

-a first shield (20) arranged externally around at least a portion of the dielectric layer (10);

-a second shield (30) arranged to externally cover at least a portion of the first shield (20), the second shield (30) comprising a plurality of electrically conductive wires (32) woven into a mesh arrangement.

2. The ethernet cable (100) of claim 1, wherein the second shield (30) is configured to cover at least 90% of the outer surface of the first shield (20).

3. The ethernet cable (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second shield (30) comprises 80 to 120 conductive wires (32).

4. The ethernet cable (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the diameter of each conductive wire (32) is comprised between 0.10mm and 0.15 mm.

5. The ethernet cable (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein each conductive wire (32) comprises an aluminum core (32A).

6. The ethernet cable (100) of claim 5, wherein each conductive wire (32) comprises at least one first copper cladding (32B) disposed around the aluminum core (32A).

7. The ethernet cable (100) of claim 6, wherein each conductive wire (32) comprises a second tin coating (32C) disposed around the first copper coating (32B).

8. The ethernet cable (100) of claim 7, wherein the thickness of the first copper cladding (32B) is in the range of 5% to 10% of the outer diameter of each conductive wire (32), and the thickness of the second tin cladding (32C) is in the range of 0.5% to 2% of the outer diameter of each conductive wire (32).

9. Ethernet cable (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first shield (20) comprises at least one layer of electrically insulating material and at least one electrically conductive layer formed by at least one aluminium foil.

10. The ethernet cable (100) of claim 9, wherein the total thickness of the first shield (20) is comprised between 0.03mm and 0.06 mm.