EP0576666B1 - Method for connecting an electrical cable with a light metal conductor to a standardized terminating element, and connecting member therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

To connect an electrical cable (12) with a light metal conductor (14) to a standardized terminating element such as a connector contact, the partially stripped end of the cable is inserted into a blind hole (20) in a connecting member (10) made of a cold-formable electrically conductive material. Specifically, the stripped cable end is inserted into a tapered intermediate portion (24) and a bottom portion (22) of the hole (20), while the adjacent end of the cable sheath (16) is inserted into an entry portion (26) thereof which has a larger diameter. Since the member (10) has a tapered outer surface around the blind hole, radial compaction of the member results in the cable end being embedded therein so that said member is rigidly mechanically connected to both the conductor and the sheath of the cable.

Description

The invention relates to a method for connecting an electric cable comprising a core of a light metal such as aluminum, coated with an insulating sheath, to a standardized end element such as a connector contact. The invention also relates to a connecting piece usable in the implementation of this method.

The invention applies to all industries using long lengths of electric cables and for which financial and / or weight savings are desired. The aeronautical industry is one of these industries.

In the manufacture of aircraft, certain cables with a large cross-section of copper core fitted in particular to the main power supply circuits have been replaced in recent years by cables with an aluminum core. Despite the need to use aluminum core cables with a larger section to compensate for a lower conductivity compared to that of copper, the mass balance shows a gain of around 50%.

To take full advantage of the weight saving obtained by the use of cables with aluminum core, it would be logical to also replace the cables with copper core of smaller section by cables with aluminum core. This replacement is notably envisaged on cables going from gauge 10 (4.9 mm section) to gauge 24 (0.2 mm section).

However, if the difference in tensile strength between the two materials does not poses no particular problem for cables with a section greater than 5 mm, it becomes critical for cables with a smaller section. Indeed, the forces exerted on the cables, in particular during the making of the cabling, may then be detrimental to the electrical continuity of the circuits, therefore to the safety of aircraft.

In the case of cables of smaller cross section, obtaining a mechanical resistance of the connections made with cables with aluminum core equivalent to that obtained with cables with copper core requires involving the insulating sheath of the cable, made with plastic materials with high mechanical and electrical performance, to the solidity of the connection.

In addition, the sensitivity of aluminum to chemical attack requires, unlike copper, to make the connection between the aluminum cable and the copper contact tight, in order to isolate the aluminum from the ambient environment.

However, given the larger diameter of the cable with an aluminum core compared to the cable with a copper core, any increase in diameter of the contacts to ensure the tightness and the tensile strength of the connection makes it difficult, if not impossible, 'use of the standardized tools necessary for fitting and unlocking the contacts, if the most common standardized connectors are used, for unlocking the contacts from the rear.

Furthermore, an increase in diameter of the cavities which are formed on the standardized connectors for receiving the standardized contacts is difficult to envisage without a modification of the location of the cavities, due to the proximity of these on the existing connectors. However, a modification positions of the cavities would be tantamount to making all the standardized connectors currently used obsolete.

Finally, a change in connection technology to use contacts with front unlocking would require major modifications and the creation of new connectors, which is obviously not desirable.

Furthermore, it is known from document FR-A-1 099 263 to place an end element of uniform thickness on the partially stripped end of an electric cable. The end element comprises a closed part, of small diameter, which surrounds the stripped end of the cable, and a part of larger diameter surrounding the adjacent, non-stripped part of the cable. This preamble of claims 1 and 9 is based on this state of the art.

It is also known from document GB-A-977 466 to crimp a ferrule initially having a frustoconical outer surface on a frustoconical cable, in order to mechanically link the cable to the ferrule.

In addition, document EP-A-0 018 863 proposes to interpose a tubular sleeve between a bare wire and an electrical connection end-piece.

The invention specifically relates to a method for connecting an electric cable comprising a light metal core such as aluminum on a standardized end element such as an electrical contact ensuring a stable and reliable electrical connection, a additional mechanical strength on the insulating sheath and a seal vis-à-vis the external environment, without complicating the implementation, without making obsolete the standardized connectors currently used and preserving as much as possible the use of existing tools.

• introduction au moins partielle d'une partie terminale dénudée du câble dans une partie de fond d'un trou borgne formé dans une pièce de raccordement réalisée dans un matériau déformable et électriquement conducteur, et d'une partie adjacente non dénudée du câble dans une partie d'entrée du trou borgne, de plus grand diamètre que la partie du fond ;
• introduction de la partie terminale dénudée du câble, encastrée dans la pièce de raccordement, à l'intérieur de l'élément d'extrémité normalisé ; et
• sertissage de l'élément d'extrémité normalisé sur la pièce de raccordement ;

caractérisé par le fait que, ladite pièce de raccordement a une épaisseur qui augmente au moins en partie autour de la partie de fond et autour de la partie d'entrée du trou borgne, en allant vers une extrémité ouverte de ce dernier, et en ce que l'introduction de la partie terminale dénudée du câble, encastrée dans la pièce de raccordement, à l'intérieur de l'élément d'extrémité normalisé est précédée d'un compactage radial de la pièce de raccordement pour lui donner, autour de la partie d'entrée du trou borgne, un premier diamètre extérieur sensiblement égal au diamètre extérieur initial de la gaine du câble et, sur le reste de sa longueur, un deuxième diamètre extérieur sensiblement égal au diamètre extérieur initial de l'âme du câble.According to the invention, this result is obtained by means of a method of connecting a cable electrical, comprising a light metal core coated with an insulating sheath, on a standardized end element, comprising the following steps:

• at least partial introduction of a stripped end portion of the cable into a bottom portion of a blind hole formed in a connection piece made of a deformable and electrically conductive material, and of an adjacent non-stripped portion of the cable in a portion entry of the blind hole, of larger diameter than the bottom part;
• introduction of the stripped end portion of the cable, embedded in the connection piece, inside the standard end element; and
• crimping of the standard end element on the connecting piece;

characterized in that, said connecting piece has a thickness which increases at least partly around the bottom part and around the entry part of the blind hole, going towards an open end of the latter, and in this that the introduction of the stripped end portion of the cable, embedded in the connection piece, inside the standardized end element is preceded by a radial compaction of the connection piece to give it, around the entry portion of the blind hole, a first outside diameter substantially equal to the initial outside diameter of the cable sheath and, over the rest of its length, a second outside diameter substantially equal to the initial outside diameter of the cable core.

Under the effect of compaction, the variations in diameter initially present on the outside of the connecting piece are transferred inside the blind hole. Therefore, a mechanical connection is made both between the connecting piece and the light metal core of the cable and between the connecting piece and the insulating sheath of the latter. In addition, the tightness of the connection between the element standardized end and cable is secured.

In addition, compaction makes it possible to introduce the end of the cable on which the connection piece has been fixed into the standard end element and to crimp this end in this element, in the same way as if the electric cable were directly mounted in the standard end element.

It should be noted that, as a variant, the connection piece may be formed directly by the end element, so that no subsequent crimping is necessary.

Preferably, a connecting piece is used which has at least one frustoconical outer surface around the bottom part and around the entry part of the blind hole.

In this case, a connection piece is advantageously used which comprises, between the bottom part and the entry part of the blind hole, a frustoconical tubular part of constant thickness, the surface tapered outer surface forming a single tapered surface with the outer surface of the tapered tubular part.

When the core of the cable is formed of strands assembled into strands and delimiting inter-strand spaces between them, a connection piece is preferably used, the frustoconical tubular part of which has a section substantially equal to that of said inter-strand spaces.

Although the radial compaction of the connecting piece can be carried out in different ways, this compaction is advantageously carried out by force passage through a calibrated tool. For this purpose, it is possible to pull on a rod-shaped part formed beyond the blind hole in the connection piece. This rod-shaped part is then cut before the connecting piece is introduced and crimped into the end element.

The subject of the invention is also a connecting piece as defined by the characteristics of claim 9.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe longitudinale partielle d'une pièce de raccordement prévue pour être montée à l'extrémité d'un câble électrique comportant une âme en métal léger, pour permettre le raccordement de ce câble sur un élément d'extrémité normalisé ;
• les figures 2A à 2I sont des vues en coupe longitudinale illustrant schématiquement différentes étapes de mise en oeuvre du procédé de raccordement selon l'invention ; et
• les figures 3A et 3B sont des sections transversales représentant respectivement l'âme du câble électrique dans son état initial et après son compactage radial.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a connecting piece intended to be mounted at the end of an electric cable comprising a light metal core, to allow the connection of this cable on a standardized end element ;
• FIGS. 2A to 2I are views in longitudinal section schematically illustrating different stages of implementation of the connection method according to the invention; and
• FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross sections respectively representing the core of the electric cable in its initial state and after its radial compaction.

In Figure 1, there is shown a connecting piece 10 in the state it initially occupies before mounting at the end of an electrical cable 12 formed of a core 14 of a light metal such as aluminum and an insulating sheath 16 covering the core 14, with the exception of its stripped end illustrated in FIG. 1.

As already indicated, the mounting of the connecting piece 10 at the end of the cable 12 is intended to allow the connection of the latter on a standardized end element such as a contact of a standardized connector. In addition, this connection must be such that it provides a mechanical traction connection between the standard end element and the cable core as well as between the standard end element and the sheath. Finally, this connection must be sealed, in order to protect the exposed part of the light metal core 14 from the environment.

The connecting piece 10 is made of an electrically conductive material and having good cold deformation capabilities, such as annealed brass covered with a protective layer of tin or silver which is very malleable and electrically conductive.

The connecting piece 10 has a symmetry of revolution about a longitudinal axis and it has a recessed part 10a adapted to receive the partially stripped end of the electric cable 12 and a solid part 10b, in the form of a cylindrical rod, designed to allow pulling this part through calibrated tools such as dies. It should be noted that if the compaction is carried out by other means, the solid part 10b can be eliminated.

The hollowed out part 10a of the connecting piece 10, which constitutes the essential part thereof, is turned upwards in FIG. 1. This hollowed out part has an outer surface 18 of frustoconical shape, the diameter of which increases progressively from the solid part 10b to its end. The external surface 18 can for example form an angle of approximately 3 ° with the longitudinal axis of the connecting piece 10.

A stepped blind hole 20 is formed coaxially in the recessed part 10a of the part 10, so as to be able to receive the partially stripped end of the electric cable 12.

More precisely, the stepped blind hole 20 comprises, starting from the bottom, a cylindrical bottom portion 22, a frustoconical intermediate portion 24 and a cylindrical inlet portion 26 of larger diameter than the bottom portion 22. The frustoconical portion 24 is separated of the bottom part 22 by a shoulder 27 and it forms with the longitudinal axis of the part an angle equal to the angle formed with this same axis by the outer surface 18. In the example considered, this angle is therefore substantially equal to 3 °. Thus, the frustoconical tubular part 28 formed in the part 10 around the frustoconical part 24 of the blind hole 20 has a constant thickness. The inlet portion 26 is located in the immediate extension of the frustoconical portion 24 and has a diameter equal to the largest diameter of this frustoconical portion.

Furthermore, the diameter of the bottom portion 22 of the blind hole 20 is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the core 14 of the electrical cable 12 and the diameter of the inlet portion 26 is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the insulating sheath. 16 of the cable. This characteristic makes it possible to engage the non-stripped portion of the cable 12 adjacent to the stripped end portion of this cable in the inlet portion 26 of the blind hole 20 and to penetrate the end of the stripped end portion of the cable 12 into the bottom portion 22 of the blind hole 20, as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

More precisely, when the non-stripped portion adjacent to the stripped end portion of the cable 12 is introduced into the inlet portion 26 of the blind hole 20, the stripped end portion of the cable 12 passes through the frustoconical portion 24 and partially penetrates the bottom part 22, so that its end is located at a certain distance from the bottom of the blind hole 20.

In the embodiment illustrated more precisely in the figures, the core 14 of the electric cable 12 is formed by a set of strands 30 assembled in a strand and whose initial section is illustrated 5 in FIG. 3A. As this figure shows, each individual strands 30 of the core 14 then have a circular shape in section and inter-strand spaces 31 exist between the adjacent strands of the strand.

When the end of the electric cable 12 has been introduced into the stepped blind hole 20 formed in the connection piece 10 in the manner described above, this piece is placed in a tool formed by two juxtaposed dies 32 and 34. More precisely , the solid rod-shaped part of the connecting piece 10 is successively introduced into the dies 34 and 32, so that the die 34 which has the largest internal diameter is turned towards the hollow part of the piece 10. The inside diameter of the die 34 is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the insulating sheath 16 of the cable 12, while the inside diameter of the die 32, of smaller section, is substantially equal to the initial outside diameter of the core 14 of the cable electric.

When a pull is exerted on the solid rod-shaped part of the connecting piece 10, the cooperation of the die 32 of smaller diameter with the frustoconical outer surface 18 of the piece 10 has the effect of gradually giving this surface frustoconical the shape of a cylinder of diameter equal to the initial diameter of the core 14 of the cable. As successively illustrated in FIGS. 2C and 2D, this leads, in a first step, to invert the cone initially formed on the external surface 18, to form a cone 22a whose diameter, on the contrary, gradually decreases, in the part of bottom 22 of blind hole 20, which initially had a cylindrical shape. The inverted cone 22a which is thus formed in the bottom part of the blind hole 20 of the part 10 achieves an effective mechanical connection between the core 14 of the cable 12 and the connecting piece 10. The connection mechanical obtained between the core of the cable 14 and the connecting piece 10, allows the cable to be trapped during the operating process of compacting the core and the insulated cable.

Thanks to this mechanical connection, any tensile force exerted on the core of the cable 14 is automatically transmitted to the connecting piece 10.

When the traction exerted on the cylindrical rod-shaped part of the connecting piece 10 continues, the frustoconical tubular part 28 of the piece 10 in turn passes through the die 34. This part of the piece 10 is thus given the shape of a cylindrical tube 28a (FIGS. 2E and 2F) whose outside diameter is substantially equal to the initial outside diameter of the core 14 of the electric cable and whose inside diameter depends on the thickness initially presented by the part 10 in this zoned. This thickness is advantageously chosen so that the section of the frustoconical tubular part 28 is substantially equal to the initial section of all the inter-strand spaces 31. Thus, the radial compaction of this part 28 of the connecting piece 10 results in a radial compaction of the core 14 of the electric cable sufficient to essentially remove the inter-strand spaces 31, while maintaining the total cross section of the strands 30 of the core 14 of the cable at a value substantially equal to that which it had before its compaction. FIG. 3B illustrates a section of the core 14 of the cable 12 produced in this zone after the compaction has been carried out.

As illustrated in FIG. 2F, the traction exerted on the solid part 10b in the form of a rod of the connecting piece 10 continues until the open end of this piece arrives at the level of the larger die 34 diameter. The die 32 of smaller diameter is then slightly beyond the end of the sheath 16 adjacent to the stripped part of the cable.

In this last phase, the radial compaction of the connecting piece 10 is continued by the die 32 around the frustoconical part 24 of the hole 20 and by the die 34 around the cylindrical part 26 of this hole. Under the effect of its passage through the die 34, the end of the frustoconical surface 18 initially surrounding the entry portion 26 takes a cylindrical shape and a diameter is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the sheath 16.

On the other hand, the cone initially present on the external surface of the part 10 is reversed and transferred to the internal surface of this part, that is to say that the initially cylindrical part 26 takes a frustoconical shape 26a whose diameter decreases progressively to the end of part 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2F. A mechanical connection is thus created between the connecting piece 10 and the insulating sheath 16. Thanks to this mechanical connection, any tensile force exerted on the insulating sheath is automatically transmitted to the connecting piece 10.

When the radial compaction operation which has just been described is completed, the solid rod-shaped part of the connecting piece 10 is cut slightly beyond the bottom of the blind hole 20, as illustrated in FIG. 2G. A cable 12 is then available, the end of which is embedded in a closed tubular piece 10 and crimped in a sealed manner on the end of the sheath 16, so that the stripped end of the core 14 of the cable, made of a light metal easily oxidizable, not in direct contact with the outside atmosphere.

In addition, the crimping of this piece 10 both on the sheath 16 and on the core 14 ensures an effective mechanical connection which uses both the mechanical resistance of the core and that of the cable sheath when a tensile force is exerted on the latter.

Furthermore, the dimensions of the end of the cable are identical to those of a partially stripped cable which would not be embedded in the part 10, which makes it possible to envisage the connection of this cable to an end element such as '' a standardized contact, using existing tools. It should be noted that this essential characteristic is obtained without the effective cross-section of the cable being appreciably reduced in the connection zone, since the radial compaction of the core of the cable inside the part 10 is carried out so that the shape presented in section by each of the strands 30 of the cable is modified (FIG. 3B) and the spaces 31 initially present between these strands are practically eliminated, without the section of each of the strands being really modified.

Finally, the compaction of the core 14 of the cable allows, taking into account the constituent and protective materials of the part 10, to overcome the constraints of differential expansion.

In Figure 2H, there is illustrated the introduction of the end of a cable 12 embedded in accordance with the invention in a part 10, inside the female part 36 of a standardized contact 40. When this end is completely inserted into the female part 36, the end of the part 10 appears opposite an insertion control hole 42 passing through the female part 36. A standard crimping pliers can then be used in a conventional manner in order to crimp the female part 36 of the contact 40 on the part 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2I.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described by way of example, but covers all its variants. Thus, the connection method according to the invention can be used for standard end elements different from the contacts 40 of connectors illustrated in FIGS. 2H and 2I. These standardized end elements can in particular be constituted by lugs of different types, contacts of relay sockets, contacts of module modules, contacts of ground modules, etc.

Furthermore, the radial compaction obtained in the embodiment represented by force passage through calibrated tools such as dies can be replaced by any equivalent process such as methods of rolling by balls or rolls, methods of magnetoforming or compaction methods in tools with movable jaws. Consequently, the solid rod-shaped part 10b of the part 10 can, in certain cases, be eliminated. The cutting step of this part then disappears.

It is also possible to use the connection method according to the invention to directly fix the standard end element to the end of the cable. In this case, shapes comparable to those which have been described for the hollowed out part 10a of the part 10 are provided directly on the end element to which the cable is to be fixed.

Finally, it will be understood that the precise shapes described in the hollowed out part of part 10 should not be considered as limiting. In particular, any variations in thickness initially presented by the part 10 in line with the stripped core of the cable and the end of the sheath adjacent to this stripped core makes it possible to obtain the desired tightness and mechanical connection, when '' a radial compaction of the part is carried out.

Claims (11)

1. Process for the connection of an electric cable (12) having a light metal core (14) covered with an insulating sleeve (16) to a standardized end element (40), comprising the following stages:

   - an at least partial introduction of a bare terminal portion of the cable into a bottom portion (22) of a blind hole (20) formed in a connecting part (10) made from an electrically conductive, deformable material, and an adjacent, non-bare portion of the cable into an inlet portion (26) of the blind hole having a larger diameter than the bottom portion,

   - introduction of the bare terminal portion of the cable (12), embedded in the connecting part (10) into the standardized end element (40) and

   - crimping the standardized end element (40) onto the connecting part (10),

   characterized in that said connecting part has a thickness which at least partly increases around the bottom portion (22) and around the inlet portion of the blind hole (20) passing towards an open end of the latter and in that the introduction of the bare terminal portion of the cable (12), embedded in the connecting part (10), into the standardized end element (40) is preceded by a radial compacting of the connecting part (10) so as to give it, around the inlet portion of the blind hole (20), a first external diameter substantially equal to the initial external diameter of the cable sheath and, over the remainder of its length, a second external diameter substantially equal to the initial external diameter of the cable core.
2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that use is made of a connecting part (10) having at least one truncated cone-shaped, outer surface (18) around the bottom portion (22) and around the inlet portion (24) of the blind hole (20).
3. Process according to claim 2, characterized in that use is made of a connecting part having a tubular truncated cone-shaped portion (28) with a constant thickness between the bottom portion and the inlet portion of the blind hole, said truncated cone-shaped outer surface (18) being extended on said tubular portion.
4. Process according to claim 3 applied to the connection of a cable (12), whose core (14) is formed from wires (30) assembled in strand form and defining between them inter-wire spaces (31), characterized in that use is made of a connecting part, whose truncated cone-shaped, tubular portion has a section substantially equal to that of said inter-wire spaces (31).
5. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radial compacting of the connecting part (10) is carried out by the force passage through a calibrated tool (32, 34).
6. Process according to claim 5, characterized in that the force passage is carried out by exerting a tension on a rod-shaped portion formed beyond the blind hole (20) in the connecting part.
7. Process according to claim 6, characterized in that after the radial compacting of the connecting part (10), the rod-shaped portion is separated therefrom.
8. Process according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the end element (40) is directly used as the connecting part.
9. Connecting part made from an electrically conductive and deformable material and having a symmetry of revolution about a longitudinal axis and having, along said axis, a staged blind hole (20) having a bottom portion (22) and an inlet portion (26) with a larger diameter than the bottom portion, said connecting part to be fitted by radial compacting on the partly bare end of an electric cable (12) having a light metal core (14), covered with an insulating sheath (16), in order to permit a connection of said cable to a standardized end element (40), characterized in that said connecting piece (10) has a thickness increasing at least partly around the bottom portion (22) and around the inlet portion of the blind hole (20) passing towards an open end of the latter.
10. Connecting part according to claim 9, characterized in that it has at least one truncated cone-shaped, outer surface (18) around the bottom portion (22) and around the inlet portion (26) of the blind hole (20).
11. Connecting part according to claim 10, characterized in that it has a constant thickness, truncated cone-shaped, tubular portion (28) between the bottom portion and the inlet portion of the blind hole (20), the truncated cone-shaped, outer surface (18) being extended on said tubular portion.

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