FR3091422A1 - Electrical connection element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connection element (40). The electrical connection element (40) comprises an insulating sheath (43), a terminal (50) and a fixing element (60). The insulating sheath (43) surrounds a central electrical conductor (41). The terminal (50) is electrically connected to the central electrical conductor (41). The fastener (60) is used to secure the terminal (50) to an electrical component (30). The electrical connection element (40) comprises a cover (70) configured to retain the fixing element (60) captively relative to the terminal (50), at least partially covering the fixing element (60) . The cover (70) is fixed to the insulating sheath (43). Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Description

Title of the invention: Electric connection element

Technical area

The invention relates to the general technical field of aircraft turbomachines such as turbojets and turbopropellers. More specifically, it relates to the protection against loss of a fastening element of an electrical connection element for aircraft.

State of the prior art

The electrical connection elements of known structure for aircraft generally include an insulating sheath, a lug and a lug fixing element such as a screw or a nut.

The insulating sheath surrounds a central electrical conductor to which the terminal is electrically connected. The screw or nut is used to attach the terminal to an electrical component, for example a bomier.

During aircraft manufacturing or maintenance operations, the fastener may be lost inside the aircraft. It can then be difficult to find, which lengthens the manufacturing or maintenance operation.

Statement of the invention

The invention aims to at least partially solve the problems encountered in the solutions of the prior art.

In this regard, the invention relates to an electrical connection element. The electrical connection element includes an insulating sheath, a terminal and a terminal fixing element. The insulating sheath surrounds a central electrical conductor. The terminal is electrically connected to the central electrical conductor. The fastener is used to secure the terminal to an electrical component that is external to the electrical connection element.

According to the invention, the electrical connection element comprises a cover configured to retain the fixing element captively relative to the terminal, at least partially covering the fixing element. The cover is attached to the sheath of the electrical conductor.

Thanks to the cover of the electrical connection element according to the invention, the risks of loss of the fastening element are reduced, while limiting the duration and the difficulty of installing the electrical connection element in an aircraft or maintenance operations of the electrical connection element. Furthermore, the cover makes it possible to meet the legal requirements for protection of the fastener against losses in the aircraft in a reliable manner.

The invention may optionally include one or more of the following characteristics, combined or not.

According to a particular embodiment, the insulating sheath at least partially surrounds the cover. Preferably, the insulating sheath is made of heat-shrinkable material.

According to another particular feature, the cover is fixed to the insulating sheath by elastic interlocking.

According to a particular embodiment, the cover is made of an electrically insulating material such as a plastic material or a composite material. Alternatively, the cover includes an insulating coating such as a layer of paint.

According to a particular embodiment, the cover is detachable relative to the insulating sheath.

According to another particular feature, the cover is detachable relative to the fixing element.

According to another particular feature, the cover is supported on the fixing element, preferably at least partially surrounding the fixing element.

According to a particular embodiment, the cover comprises a lateral partition which projects outwards relative to the fixing element, the lateral partition being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the central conductor.

According to another particular feature, the cover comprises a transverse partition which projects outwards relative to the fixing element, the transverse partition being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the central conductor.

According to a particular embodiment, the fixing element comprises a screw. Preferably, the fastener includes a washer which is located between the terminal and the screw.

According to another particular feature, the fixing element comprises a nut. Preferably, the fastener includes a washer which is located between the terminal and the nut.

The invention also relates to a method of connecting an electrical connection element as defined above, to an electrical component.

The connection method comprises a step of fixing the cover to the insulating sheath of the electrical conductor, the cover at least partially covering the fixing element, to retain the fixing element relative to the terminal. The step of fixing the cover to the insulating sheath is carried out after assembly of the fixing element to the terminal.

According to a particular embodiment, the connection method comprises a step of separating the insulating sheath of the cover, and removing the cover relative to the terminal. The connection method further comprises a step of replacing the fixing element.

Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description of exemplary embodiments, given for purely indicative and in no way limiting, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

[Fig.l] is a partial schematic representation in perspective of an electrical apparatus according to the first embodiment shown,

[Fig.2] is a schematic representation in longitudinal section of the electrical connection element of the electrical apparatus according to the first embodiment shown, [fig.3] is a partial schematic representation in perspective electrical equipment according to the second embodiment shown,

[Fig.4] is a schematic representation in longitudinal section of the electrical connection element of the electrical apparatus according to the second embodiment shown,

[Fig.5] is a partial schematic perspective view of an electrical apparatus according to a third embodiment shown.

Detailed description of particular embodiments

Identical, similar or equivalent parts of the different figures have the same reference numerals so as to facilitate the passage from one figure to another.

Referring to Figures 1, 3 and 5, the aircraft comprises at least one

Electrical equipment 20. The electrical equipment 20 is in particular part of the turbomachine 1 of the aircraft. The electrical equipment 20 comprises an electrical component 30 and at least one electrical connection element 40. It is configured to operate under high power in the aircraft, for example at an intensity greater than 2 or 3 amps, preferably at a higher intensity at ten amps.

The electrical component 30 comprises a base 32 and at least one connection element 33, 35. The base 32 is a terminal block base for the electrical connection element 40. The base 32 comprises in particular at least two junction orifices 37 of which only one is shown in FIG. 1 or in FIG. 3. Each junction orifice 37 serves to connect an electrical connection element 40 to the base 32 by means of a connection element 33, 35.

Each connection element 33, 35 is configured to mechanically engage a fastening element 60 and a lug 50 of the electrical connection element 40. In the first embodiment and the third embodiment, each connection element 35 comprises a nut. In the second embodiment, each connection element 33, 35 comprises a screw 33.

The electrical component 30 is for example a voltage and / or current measuring device, an electrical circuit breaker, an electrical contactor and / or an electrical switch.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, each electrical connection element 40 comprises a central electrical conductor 41, an insulating sheath 43, a terminal 50, a fastening element 60, and a cover 70. The electrical connection element 40 extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis XX of the central conductor 4L The central conductor 41, the insulating sheath 43 and at least part of the cover 70 are annular around the longitudinal axis XX.

A longitudinal direction or a lateral direction is defined as a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X of the electrical connection element 40. A radial direction is a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X-X and intersects with this axis. The electrical connection element 40 serves to electrically connect the central electrical conductor 41 to the electrical component 30.

The insulating sheath 43 comprises a flexible body 44 and a fixing edge 45 which are spaced apart longitudinally and which are joined longitudinally. The flexible body 44 surrounds the central electrical conductor 4L The fixing edge 45 surrounds the cover 70. The insulating sheath 43 is made of heat-shrinkable and electrically insulating material, in particular plastic. The insulating sheath 43 delimits the connection element 40 radially partially towards the outside with respect to the longitudinal direction XX.

The terminal 50 comprises a plate 52 and an eye 51. The plate 52 is made of electrically conductive material and it is electrically connected to the central conductor 4L It is traversed substantially in its center by the eye 51. It comprises a connecting edge 54 at the level of the electrical connection region of the central conductor 41 and of the terminal 50. The connection edge 54 has a projecting portion which forms a bearing area for the cover 70 of the connection element 40. The eye 51 of the terminal forms a passage opening for the fixing element 60 or for a connection element 33 of the apparatus 20.

In the first embodiment shown, the fixing element 60 comprises a screw 62 and a washer 68. The fixing element 60 serves to fix the terminal 50 to an electrical component 30 which is external to the element electrical connection 40.

The screw 62 comprises a head 61 and a threaded rod 63. The screw 62 is configured to mechanically engage the nut 35 of the electrical component 30 in order to electrically connect and rigidly secure the terminal 50 to the base 32 of the electrical component.

The threaded rod 63 is configured to mechanically engage the eye 51 and a threaded central hole in the nut 35 by mechanical cooperation. The washer 68 is located between the plate 52 of the terminal 50 and the head 61 of the screw 62.

With reference to the embodiments of Figures 1 to 5, the cover 70 at least partially covers the central conductor 41, the fastening element 60 and the terminal 50. The cover 70 is partially covered by the insulating sheath 43 .

In the embodiments shown, it is in one piece and made of electrical insulating material such as a plastic material or a composite material. The cover 70 comprises a fixing portion 72 and a retaining portion 74 which are spaced apart from one another by being contiguous, in the longitudinal direction X-X. In general, the cover 70 is configured to retain the fixing element 60 captively relative to the terminal 50.

The fixing portion 72 comprises an annular lug 72a and a tubular portion 72b. It is configured to fix the cover to the insulating sheath 43.

The annular lug 72a is covered by the insulating sheath 43. The annular lug 72a and the fixing edge 45 jointly define an attachment zone A of the cover 70 to the insulating sheath 43. The cover 70 is fixed to the insulating sheath 43 by tightening the insulating sheath 43 around the cover 70, at the level of the fixing zone A. In addition, the annular lug 72a mechanically engages by shape cooperation the fixing edge 45 of the insulating sheath 43. The annular lug 72a is in particular mechanically connected to the fixing edge 45 by elastic interlocking. The elastic fitting of the annular lug 72a and of the fixing edge 45 limits the risks of sliding of the cover 70 relative to the insulating sheath 43 in the longitudinal direction XX, by immobilizing the cover 70 relative to the insulating sheath 43 according to the direction longitudinal XX.

The tubular portion 72b covers the central conductor 41 longitudinally outside the attachment zone A and the insulating sheath 43. It extends in the longitudinal direction XX from the annular lug 72a to a support flange 77 of the cover 70. It is located radially between the central conductor 41 and the insulating sheath 43 with respect to the longitudinal direction XX.

The retaining portion 74 comprises the support flange 77, a protective flange 75, 76 and a retaining flange 78, 79. The retaining portion 74 is annular around a longitudinal axis YY of connection of the terminal 50 to electrical component 30.

An axial direction is defined as a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis YY of connection. A transverse direction is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction and to the connecting direction Y-Y, in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction X-X.

The retaining portion 74 is configured to retain the fixing element 60 captively relative to the terminal 50, at least partially surrounding the fixing element 60.

The support flange 77 extends around the fixing element 60. It is in mechanical contact with the connection edge 54 of the terminal 50. The cover 70 bears on the terminal 50 at an area d 'support B which includes the support rim 77 and the connecting edge 54. The cover 70 is detachable relative to the fixing element 60, by only taking support on the terminal 50.

The retaining rim 78, 79 extends in the longitudinal direction XX from the support rim 77 and the tubular portion 72b while bearing on the fixing element 60, to retain the fixing element 60 axially in the direction YY for connection to terminal 50.

The protective flange 75, 76 extends radially relative to the longitudinal axis XX of the connection element 40, extending axially in the direction Y-Y of connection. The protective flange 75, 76 is configured to protect the fastener 60 mechanically and electrically.

In the first embodiment and in the third embodiment, the support flange 77 extends around the head 61 of the screw 62.

The retaining rim 78 bears on the head 61 of the screw 62.

The protective rim 75 extends around the head 61 of the screw 62. It extends from the retaining rim 78, projecting relative to the head 61 of the screw in the connection direction Y-Y. The protective flange 75 is configured to protect the head 61 of the screw 62 against loosening and / or mechanical damage. It is configured to electrically isolate the screw 62 from the electrical environment of the electrical connection element 40.

The electrical equipment 20 according to the second embodiment differs mainly from that according to the first embodiment by the structure of the fastening element 60, by that of the connecting element, and by that of the cover. 70.

In the second embodiment shown, the fastening element 60 comprises a nut 64 instead of the screw 62. Each connection element 33, 35 is a screw 33 which is configured to mechanically engage the nut 64.

The nut 64 comprises a base 66, a threaded central orifice 65 and an annular body 67. The base 66 of the nut 64 is configured to bear on the washer 68.

The annular body 67 extends from the base 66 delimiting the central threaded opening 65 with the base 66.

The threaded central hole 65 and the threaded central hole of the eye 51 of the terminal are configured to mechanically engage, by shape cooperation, a threaded rod of a screw 33 of the connection element.

The washer 68 is located between the plate 52 of the terminal 50 and the base 66 of the nut 64. The support flange 77 of the cover 70 of the connection element 40 according to the second embodiment extends around the base 66 of the nut 64.

The retaining flange 79 is supported on the base 66 of the nut 64.

The protective rim 76 extends around the base 66 of the nut 64. It extends from the support rim 77, projecting relative to the base 66 of the nut in the connection direction YY. In the second embodiment, the axial extent of the protective edge 76 in the direction of connection Y-Y is greater than that of the protective edge 75 of the connection element 40 according to the first embodiment. Indeed, the protective flange 76 is intended to mechanically and electrically protect the screw 33 of the connection element. The protective flange 76 is configured to protect the nut 64 against loosening and / or mechanical damage. It is configured to electrically isolate nut 64.

The electrical connection element 40 according to the first embodiment or according to the second embodiment is connected to the base 32 of the electrical equipment 20 according to the method described below.

First of all, the insulating sheath 43 is placed around the central conductor 41, and the fixing element 60 is assembled to the terminal 60. In the first embodiment and in the third embodiment, the screw 62 is screwed through the eye 51 of the terminal 50. In the second embodiment, the nut 64 is supported on the terminal 50 by means of the washer 68.

Then, the cover 70 is put in place, so that the lug 72a mechanically engages the fixing edge 45 by elastic interlocking, and so that the retaining portion 74 retains the fixing element 60 relatively to the terminal 50. In particular, the support flange 77 is in mechanical contact with the terminal 50. The retaining flange 78, 79 is supported on the fastening element 60, to retain it axially in the connection direction YY. The protective flange 75, 76 surrounds the fixing element 60, to protect it mechanically and electrically.

Finally, the insulating sheath 43 made of heat-shrinkable material is heated, so that the insulating sheath 43 encloses the annular lug 72a of the cover by fixing the cover 70 to the insulating sheath 43.

The method for separating the electrical connection element 40 from the base 32 is described below.

First of all, the insulating sheath 43 is separated from the cover 70, by cutting the insulating sheath 43 and mechanically disengaging the annular lug 72a from the fixing edge 45. Then, the cover 70 is removed from the terminal 50, by removing the cover 70 of the central conductor 41 and of the terminal 50.

Finally, the fastening element 60 is disassembled from the terminal 50. In the first embodiment and in the third embodiment, the screw 62 is unscrewed through the eye 51 of the terminal 50. In the second embodiment embodiment, the nut 64 is distant from the terminal 50.

Optionally, the fixing element 60 is replaced by another fixing element 60, before implementing the connection method as described above with this new fixing element 60.

The electrical equipment 20 according to the third embodiment differs mainly from that according to the first embodiment in that it relates to a three-phase electrical installation instead of a single-phase electrical installation such as electrical equipment 20 according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment. Therefore, the electrical apparatus 20 according to the third embodiment comprises three electrical connection elements 40 in addition to the electrical component 30.

Referring to Figure 5, the apparatus 20 comprises a first electrical connection element 40a which corresponds to a first phase, a second electrical connection element 40b which corresponds to a second phase, and a third electrical connection element 40c which corresponds to a third phase.

These three electrical connection elements 40a, 40b, 40c are arranged parallel to each other. The longitudinal axis XI-XI of the central conductor 41a of the first electrical connection element 40a, the longitudinal axis X2-X2 of the central conductor 41b of the second electrical connection element 40b, the longitudinal axis X3-X3 of the central conductor 41b of the third electrical connection element 40c are two by two parallel.

Each of the electrical connection elements 40 of the electrical equipment 20 has a structure substantially identical to the electrical connection element 40 of the first embodiment, except that each cover 70 further comprises a separation flange 82 , 84. Each separation flange 82, 84 serves to mechanically separate and electrically isolate the corresponding connection element 40. In particular, the separation flanges electrically isolate the phases of each of the electrical connection elements 40 of the apparatus 20 from each other.

In the third embodiment, each separation flange 82, 84 comprises a lateral partition 82 and a transverse partition 84.

Each side wall 82 projects outwardly relative to the fastener 60 and the tubular portion 72b of the cover. Each lateral partition 82 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X over substantially the entire length of the cover 70 along the longitudinal axis X-X of the connection element 40.

Each transverse partition 84 projects outwardly relative to the fastening element 60 and to the tubular portion 72b of the cover. Each transverse partition 84 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X-X and to the direction of connection Y-Y at least over the entire width of the terminal 50 in the transverse direction.

The first connection element 40a comprises a first lateral partition 82a and a first transverse partition 84a. The second connection element 40b comprises a second lateral partition 82b and a second transverse partition 84b. The third connection element 40c comprises a second lateral partition 82c and a second transverse partition 84c. The lateral partitions 82a, 82b, 82c are spaced apart from one another transversely. The transverse partitions 84a, 84b, 84c are substantially aligned with each other transversely.

The electrical component 30 of the electrical equipment 20 according to the third embodiment comprises three connection elements 35a, 35b, 35c which are each of the nuts 35.

The base 32 of the electrical component 30 has three junction holes 37a, 37b, 37c which are spaced from each other in a junction direction. Each of the junction orifices 37a, 37b, 37c and each of the connection elements 35a, 35b, 35c is used to connect the electrical connection element 40a, 40b, 40c corresponding to one of the electrical phases to the base 32.

The method of connecting each of the electrical connection elements 40a, 40b, 40c of the apparatus according to the third embodiment is similar to that of each connection element 40 according to the first embodiment.

The method of separating each of the electrical connection elements 40a, 40b, 40c from the apparatus according to the third embodiment is similar to that of each connection element 40 according to the first embodiment.

Thanks to the cover 70 of each electrical connection element 40, the risk of loss of the fastening element 60 of each electrical connection element 40 is reduced, while limiting the duration and the difficulty of installing the electrical connection element 40 in an aircraft or maintenance operations of the electrical connection element 40. Furthermore, the cover 70 makes it possible to meet the legal requirements for protection of the fixing element against losses in the aircraft .

Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the invention which has just been described without departing from the scope of the description of the invention.

Alternatively, the aircraft is a propeller plane or a helicopter. In this case, the turbomachine 1 is a turboprop or a turboshaft.

In general, the electrical equipment 20 is intended to be installed on an aircraft. The electrical equipment 20 can also be located in the aircraft outside of the turbomachine 1, for example near the cabin of the aircraft to electrically power the cabin.

Alternatively, the electrical equipment 20 is configured to operate at medium power in the aircraft, typically with an intensity of less than 1 amp.

The structure of the electrical component 30 can vary depending on whether it is a voltage and / or current measuring device, an electrical circuit breaker, an electrical contactor and / or an electrical switch. Furthermore, the configuration, the number and the position of each junction orifice 37 and of each connection element 33, 35 may vary. The connection elements 33, 35 of an electrical component 30 may be different from the others.

The cover 70 can be fixed differently to the insulating sheath 43, for example by gluing or by heat welding.

As a variant, the insulating sheath 43 may comprise a lug which cooperates mechanically with a recess in the cover 70, for fixing the cover 70 to the insulating sheath 43.

In another variant, the cover 70 is not connected by elastic interlocking to the insulating sheath 43. In particular, it can be fixed to the insulating sheath 43 while being only enclosed by the insulating sheath 43.

The cover 70 can also be detachably assembled relative to the insulating sheath 43, by being reversibly attached to the insulating sheath 43. In this case, it is not necessary to replace the insulating sheath 43 each time the cover 70 is removed relative to the terminal 50.

The cover 70 can be fixed to the fixing element 60, for example by gluing, by heat welding or by elastic interlocking.

The cover 70 can comprise a lug which cooperates mechanically with a recess of the fixing element 60 or vice versa, to fix the fixing element 60 to the cover 70.

When the fixing element 60 is fixed to the cover 70, the cover 70 can be fixed to the fixing element 60 at the level of the support flange 77.

The cover 70 can be devoid of protective edge 75, 76, in particular when it comprises a lateral partition 82 and / or a transverse partition 84. As a variant, the cover 70 only partially surrounds the fixing element 60.

In addition or as a variant, each cover 70 may comprise two lateral partitions 82 which are mutually parallel and which each extend on either side of the terminal 70 in the transverse direction.

The cover 70 can be made in several parts rather than being in one piece.

The cover 70 can be made at least partially of electrically conductive material, for example metallic material. In this case, the cover 70 is for example coated with an electrically insulating material such as a layer of paint.

Depending on the material or materials constituting the cover 70, the cover 70 can be manufactured at least partially by forging, by molding, by injection and or by coating.

The fasteners 60 and / or the connecting elements 33, 35 may include studs.

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] Electrical connection element (40), comprising: an insulating sheath (43) surrounding a central electrical conductor (41), a terminal (50) electrically connected to the central electrical conductor (41), an element (60) for fixing the terminal (50) to an electrical component (30) external to the electrical connection element (40), characterized in that it comprises a cover (70) fixed to the insulating sheath ( 43), configured to retain the fixing element (60) captively relative to the terminal (50), at least partially covering the fixing element (60). [Claim 2] Electrical connection element (40) according to the preceding claim, in which the insulating sheath (43) at least partially surrounds the cover (70), the insulating sheath (43) preferably being made of heat-shrinkable material. [Claim 3] Electrical connection element (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (70) is fixed to the insulating sheath (43) by elastic interlocking. [Claim 4] Electrical connection element (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (70) is made of electrically insulating material. [Claim 5] Electrical connection element (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (70) is detachable relative to the insulating sheath (43) and / or relative to the fixing element (60). [Claim 6] Electrical connection element (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (70) bears on the fixing element (60), preferably at least partially surrounding the fixing element (60) . [Claim 7] Electrical connection element (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (70) comprises a lateral partition (82) which projects outwards relative to the fixing element (60), the lateral partition (82) being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (XX) of the central conductor, and / or in which the cover (70) comprises a transverse partition (84) which projects outwards relative to the element of fixing (60), the transverse partition (84) being substantially perpendicular to the ion axis gitudinal (X-X) of the central conductor. [Claim 8] Electrical connection element (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing element (60) comprises a screw (62) and / or a nut (64), the fixing element (60) comprising preferably a washer which is located between the terminal (50), and the screw (62) or the nut (64). [Claim 9] Method of connecting an electrical connection element (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, to an electrical component (30), comprising: a step of fixing the cover (70) to the insulating sheath (43), the cover (70) at least partially covering the fixing element (60), to retain the fixing element (60) relative to the terminal ( 50), after assembly of the fixing element (60) to the terminal (50). [Claim 10] Connection method according to the preceding claim, comprising: a step of separating the insulating sheath (43) from the cover (70), and removing the cover (70) relative to the terminal (50), and a step of replacing the fixing element (60). 1/3