EP3590152B1 - Connection device to be crimped onto an end section of cable, comprising a conducting sheath provided with a wall separating two housings - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to connection devices for crimping onto a terminal section of an electric cable.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

European patent application EP 0 275 344 describes such a device comprising a lug provided with a tubular portion to be crimped onto a cable terminal section, and a metal sleeve to be fitted onto the cable terminal section before crimping. The terminal section and the sleeve initially have, in section, a shape of an angle sector. The end section and the sleeve are deformed together to become a cylindrical end section and sleeve that can be introduced into the tubular portion of the terminal.

It is also known, in particular from the patent application French 2,947,960 , such a device which comprises a conductive element and a one-piece insert. The conductive element has a tubular portion while the one-piece insert has a sheath disposed inside the tubular portion. The sheath is configured to receive the cable terminal section and more precisely the aluminum core of this terminal section. The sheath has a plurality of perforations and is made of a material harder than aluminum so that the sheath is capable of deforming the core of the terminal section of the cable during crimping of the tubular portion and of the sheath on the core of the terminal section, which then becomes embedded in the perforations of the sheath.

This connection device is particularly appreciated because it makes it possible to obtain excellent electrical continuity between the connection device and the core of the aluminum cable, in particular because the embedding of the aluminum core in the perforations of the sheath allows to break on the surface of the aluminum core the layer of alumina which is a poor electrical conductor.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to increase the possibilities of using such a connection device, or in any case to improve its performance, while retaining its simple, convenient and economical nature.

The invention proposes for this purpose a connection device for crimping onto a terminal section of an electric cable according to claim 1.

Unlike the aforementioned prior connection device whose envelope is formed by an insert or sheath delimiting a single housing, in the connection device according to the invention the envelope delimits at least two housings, separated from each other by a longitudinal wall.

The existence of these two separate housings and of this wall which separates them means that, in the connection device according to the invention, the wall of the perforated envelope is available not only at the periphery of the envelope but also at the inside the envelope.

There is therefore more contact surface between the casing and the terminal section of the cable, which is subdivided into at least two portions each disposed in a respective housing.

This is favorable to the performance of the connection device in terms of electrical continuity.

The fact that the wall which separates the two housings has a longitudinal orientation, that is to say the same orientation as the portions of the cable terminal section in the device, offers the advantage of maximizing the contact surface between this wall and the longitudinal portions of the terminal cable section.

It will be observed that the conductive envelope of the connection device according to the invention is capable of being implemented in a simple, convenient and economical manner, in particular with the advantageous characteristics set out below.

It will be noted that the connection device according to the invention is suitable, like the aforementioned prior connection device, for an electrical cable with a flexible aluminum core; and that surprisingly the connection device according to the invention is also able to equip the end of certain cables for which it was thought that a device of this type did not make it possible to obtain the required electrical continuity, for example cables commonly referred to as CTC cables or Continuously Transposed Conductors cables.

It is known that such cables are used to make electrical windings, for example to make transformers, and that they comprise several conductors, each individually insulated, each conductor generally being referred to as a strand. The fact that the cable comprises several conductors insulated from one another makes it possible to limit the increase in impedance of the cable due to the “ skin ” effect occurring when the cable is traversed by a high-frequency current.

At each end of such a cable, it is necessary to connect all the conductors to an element whose potential they must take, for example an input or output terminal of a transformer.

Traditionally, to equip one end of such a cable with a connection device, the different strands are separated from each other (the insulating sheath of the cable is removed) then the insulating coating is removed for each strand, which is generally made of E-mail. Then, a connection device such as a terminal is welded or brazed on the strands from which the insulating coating has been removed.

Such removal of the coating is traditionally carried out by flame burning or by mechanical abrasion, which makes the operations for removing the coating such as the enamel particularly difficult and costly.

The invention is based on the observation that contrary to the general opinion according to which such a cable with strands each covered with a layer of insulating coating necessarily required prior removal of the insulating coating, it is in fact possible not to proceed to this operation.

The invention is also based on the observation that it is possible to remedy the existing incompatibility of the general opinion between such a cable with strands each covered with a layer of insulating coating and a crimp connection device such than the aforementioned prior device.

It has in fact been observed that if the strands of the cable are placed in the sheath of a crimp connection device such as the previous device mentioned above, the parts of the strands in direct contact with the sleeve have their insulating coating broken by the wall of the sleeve during crimping, then the parts of the strands in contact with another strand have their insulating coating which remains intact.

It will be noted that the observation that the parts of the strands in direct contact with the sheath have their insulating coating broken by the wall of the sheath during crimping, was not self-evident. Indeed, in the strands of a cable with Continuously Transposed Conductors, the insulating coating has a thickness which is an order of magnitude considerably greater than the thickness of the layer of alumina which forms on the conductive core. aluminum cables, namely of the order of a tenth of a millimeter for the thickness of the layer of insulating coating made of material such as enamel and of the order of a nanometer for the alumina layer. Moreover, alumina is a relatively brittle material, and therefore easy to break, whereas an insulating coating made of a material such as enamel is relatively ductile since it must support without breaking the bending which occurs when the cable is coiled.

The existence of the two separate housings and of the wall which separates them makes it possible, in the connection device according to the invention, to avoid or in any case reduce the risks of one strand of the cable being protected from the wall of the wrapped by another strand.

• l'enveloppe comporte au moins deux dites parois longitudinales formant chacune un fourreau délimitant un dit logement, chaque fourreau étant voisin d'un autre fourreau dans ladite enveloppe de sorte que le logement de chaque fourreau est séparé du logement du fourreau voisin par la paroi longitudinale de ce fourreau et par la paroi longitudinale du fourreau voisin ;
• l'enveloppe comporte une dite paroi longitudinale formant une structure délimitant les deux dits logements, qui sont séparés l'un de l'autre par une portion de ladite paroi longitudinale ;
• ladite paroi longitudinale est conformée de sorte que les logements sont disposés en au moins une rangée ;
• ladite paroi longitudinale est conformée de sorte que les logements sont disposés en plusieurs rangées adjacentes ;
• chaque logement s'étend longitudinalement entre une première extrémité où l'enveloppe présente au moins une ouverture d'introduction de la portion longitudinale respective dudit tronçon terminal de câble, et une deuxième extrémité, opposée à la première extrémité, où l'enveloppe présente une butée configurée pour limiter l'enfoncement de la portion longitudinale du tronçon terminal de câble dans le logement ;
• ladite paroi longitudinale est une feuille métallique perforée selon un motif prédéterminé, découpée et pliée ;
• ladite paroi longitudinale est un fil métallique enroulé en hélice ; et/ou
• ladite paroi longitudinale est un treillis métallique.

According to advantageous characteristics, for reasons of simplicity, convenience and economy of implementation of the connection device according to the invention:

• the envelope comprises at least two said longitudinal walls each forming a sleeve delimiting a said housing, each sleeve being adjacent to another sleeve in said envelope so that the housing of each sleeve is separated from the housing of the neighboring sleeve by the longitudinal wall of this sheath and by the longitudinal wall of the neighboring sheath;
• the casing comprises a said longitudinal wall forming a structure delimiting the two said housings, which are separated from each other by a portion of said longitudinal wall;
• said longitudinal wall is shaped so that the housings are arranged in at least one row;
• said longitudinal wall is shaped so that the housings are arranged in several adjacent rows;
• each housing extends longitudinally between a first end where the casing has at least one opening for introducing the respective longitudinal portion of said cable terminal section, and a second end, opposite the first end, where the casing has a abutment configured to limit the depression of the longitudinal portion of the cable terminal section in the housing;
• said longitudinal wall is a metal sheet perforated according to a predetermined pattern, cut and folded;
• said longitudinal wall is a helically wound metal wire; and or
• said longitudinal wall is a metal mesh.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a connection device and an electric cable comprising a plurality of strands, each of said two housings of the conductive casing receiving a respective longitudinal portion of a terminal section of said electric cable comprising at least one said strand .

• chaque brin dudit câble électrique est pourvu d'une âme en matière conductrice et d'un revêtement isolant recouvrant ladite âme conductrice de sorte que les brins sont électriquement isolés les uns des autres, l'enveloppe conductrice étant réalisée dans une matière conductrice plus dure que la matière du revêtement isolant et que la matière conductrice de l'âme de chaque brin, de sorte qu'après sertissage de la portion tubulaire et de l'enveloppe conductrice sur le tronçon terminal du câble électrique, pour chaque brin, l'âme du brin et l'enveloppe conductrice sont en contact direct ;
• le revêtement isolant des brins comporte de l'émail isolant, tandis que la matière conductrice de l'enveloppe conductrice comporte du cuivre ;
• chaque brin du câble électrique comporte une âme massive en matière conductrice ;
• lesdits logements et lesdits brins sont configurés de sorte que chaque logement peut recevoir au plus deux dits brins superposés ; et/ou
• la portion tubulaire et l'enveloppe conductrice sont serties sur le tronçon terminal du câble électrique, de sorte que l'âme de chaque brin vient directement au contact de l'enveloppe conductrice, tandis que l'enveloppe conductrice vient directement au contact de l'élément conducteur, les brins étant ainsi mis en continuité électrique par l'enveloppe conductrice et l'élément conducteur.

According to simple, convenient and economical characteristics of the assembly according to the invention:

• each strand of said electric cable is provided with a core of conductive material and with an insulating coating covering said conductive core so that the strands are electrically insulated from each other, the conductive envelope being made of a conductive material harder than the material of the insulating coating and the conductive material of the core of each strand, so that after crimping the tubular portion and the conductive envelope on the terminal section of the electric cable, for each strand, the core of the strand and the conductive envelope are in direct contact;
• the insulating coating of the strands comprises insulating enamel, while the conductive material of the conductive envelope comprises copper;
• each strand of the electric cable comprises a solid core of conductive material;
• said housings and said strands are configured so that each housing can receive at most two said superimposed strands; and or
• the tubular portion and the conductive envelope are crimped on the terminal section of the electrical cable, so that the core of each strand comes directly into contact with the conductive envelope, while the conductive envelope comes directly into contact with the conductive element, the strands thus being placed in electrical continuity by the conductive envelope and the conductive element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 montre schématiquement en coupe transversale un câble électrique multibrin dont une extrémité doit être équipée d'un dispositif de connexion selon l'invention pour qu'à cette extrémité tous les brins de ce câble soient au mis au potentiel d'un élément auquel cette extrémité du câble doit être raccordée ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective isolée d'un fourreau d'une enveloppe conductrice que comporte le dispositif de connexion selon l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue similaire à la figure 2, mais avec le fourreau qui est vu sous un autre angle ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de côté du fourreau et d'un brin du tronçon terminal du câble, prêt à être inséré dans le fourreau ;
• la figure 5 est une vue similaire à la figure 4, mais en perspective et avec le brin du tronçon terminal de câble qui est inséré dans le fourreau ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective de l'enveloppe conductrice du dispositif de connexion selon l'invention et d'un élément conducteur que comporte en outre ce dispositif de connexion, l'enveloppe comportant une pluralité de fourreaux identiques à celui illustré sur les figures 2 à 5, et étant prête à être insérée avec le tronçon terminal de câble dans une portion tubulaire de l'élément conducteur, chaque fourreau recevant un brin du tronçon terminal du câble ;
• la figure 7 est une vue similaire à la figure 6, l'enveloppe conductrice recevant le tronçon terminal du câble et étant disposée dans la portion tubulaire ;
• les figures 8 et 9 sont des vues similaires à la figure 7, montrant respectivement en perspective et en vue de côté le dispositif de connexion après sertissage ;
• la figure 10 est un détail d'une section de la zone du dispositif de connexion qui contient la portion terminale du câble, cette section étant orientée transversalement et prise dans la zone déformée par le sertissage, au milieu de cette zone suivant la direction longitudinale ;
• les figures 11 et 12 sont des vues similaires aux figures 3 et 5 respectivement, mais pour une variante des fourreaux de l'enveloppe conductrice ;
• les figures 13 et 14 sont des vues respectivement en perspective et en bout d'une structure que comporte une variante de l'enveloppe conductrice ;
• les figures 15 et 16 sont des vues similaires aux figures 14 et 13 respectivement, mais avec des brins d'un tronçon terminal de câble reçus dans la structure ; et
• les figures 17 à 20 sont des vues similaires aux figures 13 à 16 respectivement, mais pour une autre variante de l'enveloppe conductrice.

The description of the invention will now be continued with the detailed description of exemplary embodiments, given below by way of non-limiting illustration, with reference to the appended drawings. On these:

• there figure 1 schematically shows in cross section a multi-strand electrical cable, one end of which must be equipped with a connection device according to the invention so that at this end all the strands of this cable are at the potential of an element to which this end of the cable must be connected;
• there figure 2 is an isolated perspective view of a sheath of a conductive envelope that comprises the connection device according to the invention;
• there picture 3 is a view similar to the figure 2 , but with the scabbard seen from another angle;
• there figure 4 is a side view of the sheath and of a strand of the terminal section of the cable, ready to be inserted into the sheath;
• there figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 4 , but in perspective and with the strand of the cable terminal section which is inserted into the sheath;
• there figure 6 is a perspective view of the conductive casing of the connection device according to the invention and of a conductive element which this connection device also comprises, the casing comprising a plurality of sheaths identical to that illustrated in the figures 2 to 5 , and being ready to be inserted with the cable terminal section into a tubular portion of the conductive element, each sheath receiving a strand of the terminal section of the cable;
• there figure 7 is a view similar to the figure 6 , the conductive casing receiving the terminal section of the cable and being arranged in the tubular portion;
• THE figure 8 And 9 are views similar to the figure 7 , showing respectively in perspective and in side view the connection device after crimping;
• there figure 10 is a detail of a section of the zone of the connection device which contains the terminal portion of the cable, this section being oriented transversely and taken in the zone deformed by the crimping, in the middle of this zone in the longitudinal direction;
• THE figures 11 and 12 are views similar to figure 3 And 5 respectively, but for a variant of the sheaths of the conductive envelope;
• THE figures 13 and 14 are perspective and end views, respectively, of a structure comprising a variant of the conductive envelope;
• THE figures 15 and 16 are views similar to figures 14 and 13 respectively, but with strands of a cable terminal section received in the structure; And
• THE figures 17 to 20 are views similar to figures 13 to 16 respectively, but for another variant of the conductive envelope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF REALIZATION

There figure 1 schematically illustrates in cross section an electric cable 10, one end of which must be equipped with a connection device 20 according to the invention, as shown in the figures 6 to 9 .

The electric cable 10 comprises a plurality of strands 11, here six, and an insulating sheath 12 enveloping the strands 11. The electric cable 10 further comprises an internal partition 13 extending inside the insulating sheath 12.

The strands 11 are all identical and each comprise a core 14 of conductive material and an insulating coating 15 covering the core 14, so that the strands 11 are electrically insulated from each other.

Here, the conductive material is copper and the material of the insulating coating 15 is insulating enamel.

The connection device 20 to be installed at one end of the cable 10 is used to bring all the strands 11 of this cable to the potential of an element to which this end of the cable must be connected. For this, as explained below, at the end concerned the device 20 brings the strands 11 of the cable 10 into electrical continuity.

In the cable 10, the strands 11 are arranged in two rows located on either side of the internal partition 13.

The cable 10 is here a winding cable, intended to be wound on a winding support. The subdivision of the cable 10 into a plurality of strands 11 insulated from each other makes it possible, in known manner, to limit the increase in impedance of the cable 10 due to the " skin " effect occurring when the cable 10 is traversed by high frequency current. So that each strand 11 (which has the same length as the other strands 11) can make the same number of turns as the other strands 11 once the cable 10 is wound on the winding support, the strands 11 are by construction of the cable 10 continuously transposed along this cable, from one row to another. Such a cable 10 is commonly referred to as Continuously Transposed Conductors.

For example, the strand 11 that we see at the top right of the figure 1 is transposed above strand 11 seen at top left while strand 11 seen at bottom left is transposed below strand 11 seen at bottom right; And so on.

The insulating sheath 12 is here made of insulating paper. Its nature determines in particular the dielectric properties of the cable 10.

Each strand 11, like its conductive core 14, has a flattened shape in section, here substantially rectangular, and has two opposite large faces 16 and two opposite small faces 17 extending from one to the other of the large faces 16.

We will now describe the connection device 20 with reference to the figures 2 to 9 .

The connection device 20 is here a crimp terminal comprising a conductive element 31 and a conductive envelope 21 ( figures 6 to 9 ) here formed of a plurality of sleeves 22 which are here identical. Each sheath 22 is configured to receive a strand 11 of the terminal section of the stripped cable 10, that is to say that the insulating sheath 12 has been removed from the terminal section.

THE figures 2 and 3 show in detail a scabbard 22.

Each sheath 22 is an elongated tubular element of substantially rectangular section comprising a wall 23 of conductive material defining an internal space, or housing 24, provided to receive a strand 11 of the terminal section of the cable 10.

The conductive material of the wall 23 is here a copper material, more precisely brass.

The wall 23 comprises two main longitudinal portions 26 extending opposite and two lateral longitudinal portions 27 extending opposite and from one to the other of the main longitudinal portions 26. In section, the main longitudinal portions 26 form the long sides of the rectangle while the lateral longitudinal portions 27 form the short sides of the rectangle.

The sheath 22 extends longitudinally between a first end 18 and a second end 19.

At its first end 18, the sheath 22 has an opening 25 for introducing a strand 11 extending from one to the other of the main longitudinal portions 26 and lateral longitudinal portions 27, and opening into the housing 24.

The opening 25 is delimited by a portion 29 of the wall 23 flared outwards, this flared portion 29 playing the role of a guide to facilitate the insertion of the strand 11 of the terminal section of the cable 10.

Note that here the core 14 of the strand 11 is solid, that is to say it is a single block (and not composed of a plurality of small son).

At its second end 19, the sheath 22 has an abutment 38, formed by an extension of a portion of the wall 23 protruding here from a main longitudinal portions 26 and extending opposite the housing 24.

In the wall 23 are formed a plurality of perforations 28 each emerging on either side of the latter, that is to say both in the housing 24 and outside the sheath 22. The perforations 28 are formed on each of the main 26 and side 27 portions. The perforations 28 are formed on almost all of the sheath 22, only a portion 30 close to the end 18 is devoid of perforations.

The perforations 28 are arranged in a predetermined regular pattern, here a grid, and all have a predetermined outline, here circular.

To manufacture the sheath 22, a perforated metal sheet of predetermined thickness is provided from which a blank (not shown) is cut from which the wall 23 is obtained by bending.

THE figures 4 and 5 show the sheath 22 and a strand 11 of the terminal section of the cable 10, respectively before and after the insertion of this strand 11 into the sheath 22.

In order to be able to individually separate one strand 11 from the other strands 11 of the terminal section of the cable 10, the terminal section is first stripped, that is to say the insulating sheath 12 is removed at this level.

The individualized strand 11 is then placed in the housing 24 of the sheath 22, by inserting it through the opening 25, and by pushing it into the housing 24 until it comes into contact with the stop 38 .

It will be noted that the housing 24 has a rectangular shape in section configured so that the strand 11, also of substantially rectangular shape, is received in an adjusted manner in the sheath 22. In other words, the portion of the strand 11 received in the sheath 22 is in contact, or at least in close proximity, through its entire periphery, with each of the main longitudinal 26 and lateral 27 portions of the wall 23, as well as with the abutment 38.

We will now describe with reference to figures 6 to 9 , the conductive element 31 and the conductive casing 21 that comprises the connection device 20, which here is a crimp terminal.

The conductive element 31 comprises a tubular portion 33 connected to a flat portion 34 by a transition portion 35. The tubular portion 33 has an opening located opposite the flat portion 34 and which opens into an internal space of the portion. tubular 33.

The flat portion 34 is a generally parallelepiped-shaped contact pad. It has an orifice 36 configured to receive a threaded rod belonging to an electrical connection terminal (not shown) for example provided with a support flange. To ensure electrical contact between the terminal and the terminal 20, the flat portion 34 is clamped between the support flange and a nut screwed onto the threaded rod.

The tubular portion 33 has a constant outer diameter over its entire length.

For more details on the conductive element 31, reference may be made to the patent application French 2,947,960 , which describes a crimp terminal whose conductive element is similar to the conductive element 31.

Unlike the connection device described in this document, where the conductive envelope is formed by an insert with a single housing, the conductive envelope 21 that comprises the connection device 20 has a plurality of housings 24 each delimited by a sheath 22.

The conductive envelope 21 is here formed by six sheaths 22. The conductive envelope 21 therefore comprises as many sheaths 22 as the cable 10 comprises strands 11; and comprises as many housings 24 as sheaths 22.

As we see on the figures 6 to 9 , in the casing 21 each sleeve 22 is adjacent to at least one other sleeve 22 so that the housing 24 of each sleeve 22 is separated from the housing 24 of the neighboring sleeve by the wall 23 of this sleeve 22 and by the wall 23 of the neighboring sheath 22.

To introduce the terminal section of the cable 10 into the sheaths 22, the terminal section is stripped beforehand and the strands 11 are introduced one after the other in a respective sheath 22 as explained above.

The terminal section of the cable 10 provided with the casing 21 formed by the sheaths 22 is then placed in the tubular portion 33, through the opening, and the tubular portion 33 is crimped, in known manner, in a crimping device ( not shown) having a pair of jaws.

For more details on the crimping device, reference may be made to the patent application French 2,947,960 or patent application French 2,995,459 .

Under the effect of the bringing together of these jaws, each sheath 22 then comes into contact with the strand 11 arranged in its housing 24, the material of the coating 15 is embedded through the perforations 28 until it is broken, which allows contact direct between the core 14 of the strand 11 and the sheath 22 and therefore good electrical contact.

We will observe (see the figure 8 And 9 ) that the crimped portion is shaped with a B-section. Such a crimping section has the advantage of allowing the conformity check by simple measurement of the thickness of the crimped portion.

It will be noted that the terminal section of the cable 10 and the casing 21 are driven into the tubular portion 33 to a depth such that the portion 30 of each sheath 22 is partially outside the tubular portion 33, while the part of the sheath 22 on which the perforations 28 are provided, that is to say the major part of the sheath 22, is almost entirely received in the tubular portion 33 ( figure 7 ). After crimping, due to the deformation of the material, the portions 30 and/or the perforated parts of the sheaths 22 may protrude more significantly outside the tubular portion 33

It will be noted here that in order to be able to deform the insulating coating 15 and the core 14 of each strand 11 during crimping, the wall 23 is made of a conductive material that is harder than the material of the insulating coating 15 and than the conductive material of core 14 of each strand 11.

It will also be noted that during crimping, the sheaths 22 are pressed against each other and/or against the conductive element 31.

Thus, an electrical continuity is created between all the sheaths 22 and the conductive element 31.

There is therefore, via the sheaths 22 and the conductive element 31, electrical continuity between the cores 14 of each of the strands 11. Consequently, the strands 11, which were initially electrically insulated from each other, are placed in electrical continuity by the conductive element 31 and by the casing 21 formed by the sheaths 22.

It will be noted that since each strand 11 comes into contact through its entire periphery with each of the main longitudinal 26 and lateral 27 portions of the sheath 22 in which it is received, the insulating coating 15 is broken over the entire periphery of the strand 11, which is conducive to good electrical contact.

There figure 10 is a detail of a section of the crimped portion, this section being oriented transversely and taken in the middle of this portion in the longitudinal direction.

In this detail, three strands 11A, 11B and 11C can be seen placed in electrical continuity through the casing 21, and more precisely through the sheaths 22 in which they are received. These sleeves 22 are here in contact by their respective main longitudinal portions 26.

Are particularly visible on this figure 10 a first contact zone C1 between the core 14A of the strand 11A and the main portion 26A of its sheath 22A; a second contact zone C2 between the core 14B of the strand 11B and each of the main portions 26B of its sheath 22B, which main portions 26B also come into contact with one another; and a third contact zone C3 between the core 14C of the strand 11C and the main portion 26C of its sheath 22C.

In zone C1, core 14A of strand 11A became embedded in a perforation 28 of main portion 26A, which broke coating 15A and allowed direct contact between core 14A and sheath 22A.

In zone C3, in a similar way, the core 14C of the strand 11C became embedded in a perforation of the main portion 26C, which broke the coating 15C and allowed direct contact between the core 14C and the 22C scabbard.

In zone C2, it will be noted that the coating 15B has not only been broken but also dragged along the surface of the core 14B of the strand 11B, leaving uncovered a large part of the core 14B, which is in direct contact of the sheath 22B. It will be observed on this subject that the section shown in part on the figure 10 was taken in a zone of particularly important deformations since this section is taken in the middle of the deformed zone along the longitudinal direction.

It will be noted that at the outlet of the perforations 28, the wall 23 has sharp-edged edges which favor the breaking of the coating 15.

We will now describe with reference to figures 11 and 12 a variant 122 of the sheath 22.

In the following description, the same numerical references are used for the similar elements between the sheath 122 and the sheath 22, but with the addition of the number 100.

In this variant, the wall 123 of the sleeve 122 is not obtained from a metal sheet which is perforated and which is bent but from a metal wire 39 which is wound helically, here according to a predetermined step.

Each turn of the wire 39 successively has a first straight portion 41, a first curved portion 42, a second straight portion 43 and a second curved portion 44. The first straight portions 41 together form one of the main longitudinal portions 126 of the wall 123 , while the second straight portions 43 together form the other of the main longitudinal portions 126 of the wall 123. The first curved portions 42 together form one of the lateral longitudinal portions 127 of the wall 123, while the second curved portions 44 together form the other of the lateral longitudinal portions 127 of the wall 123.

At its second end 119, the sheath 122 has a stop 138, formed by an end portion of the metal wire 39 extending opposite the housing 124.

The metal wire 39 delimits an opening in a helical band 40 which extends continuously from the first end 118 to the second end 119 of the sheath 122. The opening 40 emerges on either side of the wall 123, that is to say both in the housing 124 and outside the sheath 122.

During crimping, the coating 15 penetrates the opening 40 and breaks along the wire 39 which can then come into contact with the core 14.

It will be observed that the sleeves 22 and 122 have a wall 23 or 123 which is perforated in a distributed manner according to a predetermined full-hollow pattern.

For the sleeves 22, the perforations 28 are distributed over the entire wall 23 except on its portion 30 located in the vicinity of the end 18; and the wall 23 is perforated according to the full-hollow pattern of the grid arrangement of the perforations 28.

For the sheaths 122, the opening 40 is distributed over the entire wall 123, which is perforated according to the full-hollow pattern given by the pitch of the helical winding of the wire 39 and by the width of this wire.

We will now describe with reference to figures 13 to 16 a structure 222 that comprises a casing 221 which is an alternative embodiment of the casing 21. In the following description, the same elements between the structure 222 and the sheath 22 are taken up with the same numerical references but with the addition of the number 200 .

The structure 222 is configured to receive four strands 11 of the terminal section of the stripped cable 10.

The structure 222 is an elongated profiled element extending longitudinally between a first end 218 and a second end 219. The structure 222 has a first longitudinal side 47 and a second longitudinal side 48, opposite the first longitudinal side 47.

The structure 222 comprises a wall 223 with a profile in the shape of a straight zig zag, that is to say a zig zag whose branches are parallel and the points replaced by a segment transverse to the branches.

Here, the profile of the wall 223 has five branches and therefore delimits four housings 224, arranged in a row, each provided to receive a strand 11 of the terminal section of the cable 10.

The wall 223 extends between a first longitudinal edge 49 extending along the first longitudinal side 47 of the structure 222 and a second edge longitudinal 50, opposite the first longitudinal edge 49, extending along the second longitudinal side 48 of the structure 222.

The wall 223 has first longitudinal portions 45 extending substantially parallel to each other and straight to each other, and second longitudinal portions 46 extending transversely to the first longitudinal portions 45 and each connecting two adjacent first longitudinal portions 45 .

The first longitudinal portions 45 each extend from one to the other of the first and second longitudinal sides 47 and 48 of the structure 222. The second longitudinal portions 46 each extend along a longitudinal side 47 or 48 respective, two longitudinal portions 46 connected to the same first longitudinal portion 45 extending respectively along one and the other of the longitudinal sides 47 and 48.

The first longitudinal portion 45 extending from the first longitudinal edge 49 of the wall 223 here forms a first end wall 52, while the first longitudinal portion 45 extending from the second longitudinal edge 50 of the wall 223 here forms a second end wall 53.

Each housing 224 is delimited by two adjacent first longitudinal portions 45 and by the second longitudinal portion 46 connecting these two first longitudinal portions 45. The housing 224 has a longitudinal opening 51 extending opposite the second longitudinal portion 46 delimiting this housing and opening onto the longitudinal side 47 or 48 of the structure 222 opposite this second longitudinal portion 46.

The openings 51 of the housings 224 open alternately on one of the first and second longitudinal sides 47 or 48, then on the other of the first and second longitudinal sides 47 or 48 of the structure 222. In other words, the openings 51 of two housings 224 neighbors of the column open respectively on one and on the other of the longitudinal sides 47 and 48 of the structure 222.

It will be noted that the first end wall 52 and the second end wall 53 each delimit a single respective housing 224; while the first longitudinal portions 45 located between these end walls 52 and 53 each delimit two neighboring dwellings 224. More specifically, each longitudinal portion 45 has a first face delimiting one of the housings 224 and a second face, opposite the first face, delimiting the neighboring housing 224. The first longitudinal portions 45 therefore separate two separate housings 224 from each other.

At its first end 218, the structure 222 also has openings 225 each opening into a respective housing 224 and extending from one to the other of the first longitudinal portions 45 delimiting this housing 224, as well as from the second longitudinal 46 delimiting this housing 224, up to its opening 51.

At its second end 219, structure 222 has openings similar to openings 225.

Alternatively, abutments similar to abutment 38 of sheath 22 extend opposite housings 224 to limit the insertion of strands 11 of cable 10.

The structure 222 also has a plurality of perforations 228 formed in the wall 223 and similar to the perforations 28 formed in the wall 23 of the sheath 22.

The structure 222 also has a portion 230 devoid of perforations, similar to the portion 30 of the sheath 22.

The structure 222 is manufactured in the same way as the sheath 22, that is to say from a metal sheet which is perforated and which is bent.

THE figures 15 and 16 show the structure 222 with a strand 11 inserted in each of the housings 224.

Strands 11 are inserted into housings 224 through openings 225 or 51.

We will now describe with reference to figures 17 to 20 a structure 322 that includes a casing 321 which is another alternative embodiment of the casing 21. In the description which follows, the same numerical references are repeated for the similar elements between the structure 322 and the structure 222, but with the addition of the number 100 except for references 45 to 51 where the number 300 is added.

The structure 322 is similar to the structure 222, except that the wall 323 has two parts 54 of section in the shape of a straight zig zag and a junction wall 55 connecting the two parts 54.

Each part 54 delimits two housings 324 so that the structure 322 has four housings 324 arranged in two adjacent rows, each part 54 defining two neighboring housings 324 of a row.

In each part 54, the wall 323 extends between a first longitudinal edge 349 extending along a first longitudinal side 347 of the part 54 and a second longitudinal edge 350, opposite the first longitudinal edge 349, extending along a second longitudinal side 348 of part 54.

The wall 323 further has, for each part 54, a first side wall 56 extending the part 54 transversely from its first longitudinal edge 349 while extending along the first longitudinal side 347; and a second side wall 57 transversely extending portion 54 from its second longitudinal edge 350 extending along second longitudinal side 348.

The side wall 56 is configured to close the longitudinal opening of the housing 324 opening onto the first longitudinal side 347, that is to say that this wall 56 delimits the housing 324. The second side wall 57 is configured to close the longitudinal opening of the housing 324 opening onto the second longitudinal side 348, that is to say that this wall 57 delimits the housing 324.

The second side wall 57 of one of the parts 54 is joined to the first side wall 56 of the other of the parts 54 so as to form together the junction wall 55. The junction wall 55 is located between the two parts 54 and delimits a housing 324 with each of the parts 54.

It will be noted that in each part 54, a first longitudinal portion 345 separates two neighboring housings 324 of a row.

Two neighboring housings 324 each belonging to one of the two rows are separated from each other by the junction wall 55 and by a second longitudinal portion 346 which extends along the junction wall 55.

As a variant, the structure 322 is replaced by a similar structure but delimiting more than two housings 324 per row, possibly with the side walls 56 and 57 which are longer so as to close the openings 351 of several housings 324 of a row. ; or similarly the structure 222 is replaced by a similar structure but in which the number of housings such as 224 is different from four, possibly with the first and second longitudinal edges 49 and 50 which extend from the same longitudinal side 47 or 48.

As a variant, the conductive envelope 221 or 321 is replaced by a similar envelope but comprising several structures such as the structure 222 or 322, depending on the number of strands 11 that the cable 10 comprises, for example between two and twenty structures 322; or similarly the conductive envelope such as 21 is replaced by a similar conductive envelope but comprising a number of sheaths such as 22 or 122 different from six, for example between five and eighty-four.

In variants, the conductive envelope comprises at least two different structures, for example a sheath 22 or 122 and a structure 222 or 322.

• la paroi des fourreaux et/ou de la structure est faite différemment que par une feuille perforée et pliée ou que par un fil enroulé en hélice, par exemple par un treillis de fils métalliques, comportant des fils de chaîne orientés longitudinalement et des fils de trame orientés transversalement, conformés en boucle rectangulaire, régulièrement disposés le long des fils de chaîne et assujettis à ceux-ci, ou encore par un treillis métallique fait autrement qu'avec des fils, par exemple par fabrication additive ;
• l'enveloppe conductrice est ajourée suivant un motif plein-creux différent d'un agencement de perforations en quadrillage, de la largeur d'un fil et de son pas d'enroulement en hélice, ou du maillage d'un treillis de fils, par exemple un agencement de perforations en quinconce ;
• les logements tels que 24, 124, 224 ou 324 ont un profil différent de rectangulaire, par exemple circulaire ou ovale afin de recevoir des brins de câble ayant une telle section ; et/ou
• la matière conductrice dont est faite l'enveloppe est différente du laiton, par exemple en inox, en nickel ou en un autre alliage de cuivre tel qu'un alliage cuivre-nickel.

In variants not shown:

• the wall of the sheaths and/or of the structure is made differently than by a perforated and folded sheet or by a wire wound in a helix, for example by a mesh of metal wires, comprising longitudinally oriented warp wires and weft wires oriented transversely, shaped in a rectangular loop, regularly arranged along the warp threads and secured thereto, or even by a metal mesh made other than with threads, for example by additive manufacturing;
• the conductive envelope is perforated according to a full-hollow pattern different from an arrangement of grid perforations, from the width of a wire and its helical winding pitch, or from the mesh of a trellis of wires, by example a staggered arrangement of perforations;
• the housings such as 24, 124, 224 or 324 have a profile different from rectangular, for example circular or oval in order to receive cable strands having such a section; and or
• the conductive material of which the casing is made is different from brass, for example stainless steel, nickel or another copper alloy such as a copper-nickel alloy.

In each of the examples illustrated, each housing 24, 124, 224 or 324 is configured to receive a single strand of the cable 11. In variants not illustrated, the housing such as 24, 124, 224 or 324 is configured to receive at most two superimposed strands 11, with each strand 11 in direct contact with the wall such as 23, 123, 223 or 323.

It will be observed that in each of the examples described and represented, the wall such as 23, 123, 223 or 323 has a longitudinal orientation in the connection device 20, that is to say that it is oriented along the longitudinal direction of the tubular portion 33 of the conductive element such as 31.

In each of the examples illustrated, the longitudinal cable portions received in the casing such as 21, 221 or 321 are strands comprising a solid core covered with an insulating coating. In variants not shown, the longitudinal portions are different from such a strand, for example parts of the core of a cable formed by a multitude of fine wires, for example made of aluminium.

Claims (15)

1. A connection device for crimping on an electric cable terminal section, including a conductive element (31) having a tubular portion (33) and including a conductive envelope (21; 221; 321) perforated in a distributed manner according to a predetermined solid-hollow pattern, said tubular portion (33) and said envelope (21; 221; 321) being configured so that the envelope (21; 221; 321) can be disposed inside the tubular portion (33) with the terminal section disposed inside the envelope (21; 221; 321) and then so that the tubular portion (33) and the envelope (21; 221; 321) can then be crimped onto the terminal section; characterised in that the envelope (21; 221; 321) includes at least one longitudinal wall (23; 123; 223; 323) separating two separate housings (24; 124; 224; 324) each configured to receive a respective longitudinal portion (11) of said cable (10) terminal section.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the envelope (21) includes at least two said longitudinal walls (23; 123) each forming a sleeve (22; 122) delimiting a said housing (24; 124), each sleeve (22; 122) being adjacent to another sleeve (22; 122) in said envelope (21) so that the housing (24; 124) of each sleeve (22; 122) is separated from the housing (24; 124) of the neighbouring sleeve (22; 122) by the longitudinal wall (23; 123) of this sleeve (22; 122) and by the longitudinal wall (23; 123) of the neighbouring sleeve (22; 122).
3. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the envelope (221; 321) includes a said longitudinal wall (223; 323) forming a structure (222; 322) delimiting the two said housings (224; 324), which are separated from each other by a portion (45; 345, 346, 56, 57) of said longitudinal wall (223; 323).
4. The device according to claim 3, characterised in that said longitudinal wall (223; 323) is shaped so that the housings (224; 324) are disposed in at least one row.
5. The device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that said longitudinal wall (323) is shaped so that the housings (324) are disposed in several adjacent rows.
6. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that each housing (24; 124) extends longitudinally between a first end (18; 118) where the envelope (21) has at least one opening (25) for introducing the respective longitudinal portion (11) of said cable (10) terminal section, and a second end (19; 119), opposite the first end (18; 118), where the envelope (21) has a stop (38; 138) configured to limit the depression of the longitudinal portion (11) of the cable (10) terminal section in the housing (24; 124).
7. The device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said longitudinal wall (23; 223; 323) is a cut and folded metal sheet perforated according to a predetermined pattern.
8. The device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said longitudinal wall (123) is a metal wire (39) wound helically.
9. The device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said longitudinal wall is a metal mesh.
10. An assembly including a connection device (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and an electric cable (10) including a plurality of strands (11), each of said two housings (24; 124; 224; 324) of the conductive envelope (21; 221; 321) receiving a respective longitudinal portion of a terminal section of said electric cable (10) including at least one said strand (11).
11. The assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that each strand (11) of said electric cable (10) is provided with a core (14) made of conductive material and an insulating coating (15) covering said conductive core (14) so that the strands (11) are electrically insulated from each other, the conductive envelope (21; 221; 321) being made of a conductive material harder than the material of the insulating coating (15) and than the conductive material of the core (14) of each strand (11), so that after crimping the tubular portion (33) and the conductive envelope (21; 221; 321) on the electric cable (10) terminal section, for each strand (11), the core (14) of the strand (11) and the conductive envelope (21; 221; 321) are in direct contact.
12. The assembly according to claim 11, characterised in that the insulating coating (15) of the strands (11) includes insulating enamel, while the conductive material of the conductive envelope (21; 221; 321) includes copper.
13. The assembly according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that each strand (11) of the electric cable (10) includes a massive core (14) made of conductive material.
14. The assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that said housings and said strands (11) are configured so that each housing can receive at most two said superimposed strands (11).
15. The assembly according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the tubular portion (33) and the conductive envelope (21; 221; 321) are crimped on the electric cable (10) terminal section, so that the core (14) of each strand (11) directly contacts the conductive envelope (21; 221; 321), while the conductive envelope (21; 221; 321) directly contacts the conductive element (31), the strands (11) thus being brought into electrical continuity by the conductive envelope (21; 221; 321) and the conductive element (31) .

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