WO2018220549A1

WO2018220549A1 - Cable comprising a discontinuous writable layer

Info

Publication number: WO2018220549A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/053842
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabrice Benichou; Romain VENDITTI
Original assignee: Nexans
Priority date: 2017-05-30
Filing date: 2018-05-30
Publication date: 2018-12-06
Also published as: EP3631817A1; FR3067163B1; FR3067163A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable (10) comprising an outer sheath (12) and a longitudinally discontinuous writable layer (14) formed on the outer sheath such that it cannot be detached from the sheath. Therefore, with the cable (10) of the invention, it is possible to identify a mark on the writable layer (14) and to guarantee the permanence of this mark by preventing the untimely detachment of the writable layer (14).

Description

DISCONTINUOUS INPUTABLE LAYER CABLE

The present invention relates to a cable having an inscription layer on its outer surface for writing information on the cable itself, in particular to identify it in its environment.

When carrying out an electrical installation, the marking of one or more of the cables of the electrical installation makes it easier to assemble and connect this installation and to reduce the risks associated with a bad connection. To achieve this marking, it is known to position on a cable a ring, a piece of tape or other reported element allowing the handwriting of information.

However, the marking of the cables by the use of inserts is not easy during the introduction of the cables because this marking requires the installer to handle both the cable itself, a reported element and a means of registration, such as a pen. This manipulation is made all the more difficult as the installation conditions are precarious, for example because of the climatic conditions or the limited space available around the cable itself.

To facilitate this marking, a cable named Iris Tech developed by the company Prysmian includes a continuous line of color extending over the entire length of the cable. Handwritten inscriptions may be worn on this line. The color of the border is different for each cable size so that a visual identification of the color of the border identifies the cable section. For example, the border is violet for a 4 mm ² section and blue cable for a 6 mm ² section cable.

A major disadvantage of Iris Tech type cables is that the border is poor for a handwritten information since the border is narrow and its color can make the inscriptions very legible, especially when the border is purple or blue. In addition, once the cable is marked, it is difficult to find the information on the border because it can be positioned on the entire length of the cable. Identifying this information can be difficult.

Furthermore, the document US 2013/0240240 relates to a cable comprising a band attached to the outer surface of the cable for writing handwritten information. The strip is detachably designed, i.e. removal of the strip is done without causing deformation or alteration of the sheath surrounding the cable during removal. Thus, the modification of an initial marking can be carried out by replacing or removing the band identified by an inscription. However, it is difficult to guarantee a good behavior over time and a lack of detachment, even partial, of the detachable strip taking into account the environment and / or stresses facing the cable. A risk of loss of information on the cable is therefore present.

There is therefore a need for a cable on which information can be easily registered and quickly identifiable.

For this, the invention relates to a cable comprising:

an outer sheath, and

a longitudinally discontinuous inscription layer formed on and indissociable from the outer sheath.

A longitudinally discontinuous inscription layer provides a marking area of the cable at different positions along the length of the cable. Thus, when the cable is cut to the desired length for its use, it is possible to set the distance separating two successive portions of the inscription layer so as to have at least a portion of the inscription layer on the portion of cable cut. In this way, it is possible to define where the inscription layer will be placed on the portion of cable to facilitate identification of the marking of this portion. Moreover, by having the possibility of adjusting the distance separating the portions of the inscription layer, it is possible to reduce the cable falls between two cuts when it is desired to have an inscription layer at a specific position by example at one or both ends of the cable. Moreover, the fact that the inscription layer is inseparable from the outer sheath of the cable makes it possible to guarantee the durability of the marking made on the cable while avoiding any inadvertent detachment.

Thus, when placing a plurality of cables by an operator, the marking of information on the marking area of each of the cables allows the operator to identify the cables between them so as to facilitate their connection. after an electrical installation.

According to one embodiment of the cable, the inscription layer forms a zone adapted to the inscription of information.

According to one embodiment of the cable, the zone is adapted to the handwritten inscription of information. In this way, the marking can be achieved by a pen directly on the inscription layer. This facilitates the identification of the cable while allowing great flexibility to the user in the registration of information.

According to one embodiment of the cable, the inscription layer comprises at least two inscription portions separated longitudinally by a distance of between 10 cm and 10 m, preferably between 15 cm and 5 m, preferably between 20 cm and 1 m, preferably equal to at 50cm.

According to one embodiment of the cable, the inscription layer extends transversely on the outer sheath over a distance of between 15% and 50%, preferably between 30% and 50%, of the outer diameter of the outer sheath.

According to one embodiment of the cable, the inscription layer extends transversely around the outer sheath and forms a portion of a circle having an angle of between 54 ° and 180 °, preferably between 90 ° and 180 °, preferably between 108 ° and 180 °, preferably 120 °.

According to one embodiment of the cable, each inscription portion extends longitudinally over a distance of between 3 cm and 10 cm and transversely over a distance of at least 3 mm, preferably at least 4 mm.

According to one embodiment of the cable, the inscription layer is made by depositing material on the outer sheath. According to one embodiment of the cable, the inscription layer is printed on the outer sheath.

According to one embodiment of the cable, the inscription layer is printed on the outer sheath by wheel marking or by ink jet marking, preferably by an electrophotography method.

According to one embodiment of the cable, the inscription layer is fluorescent and / or phosphorescent.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example and with reference to the appended drawing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable diagram according to the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cable 10 comprises an outer sheath 12 and a longitudinally discontinuous inscription layer 14 formed on and inseparable from the outer sheath 12. The cable 10 may be an entire cable mounted on a storage coil or a portion of cable obtained after cutting an entire cable. The cable 10 is preferably a power supply cable for electrical installations, such as lighting system, industrial machinery or power outlet. The cable 10 is preferably configured for low voltage installations, i.e. preferably less than 1KV. The section of the cable 10 is preferably less than 15 mm in diameter and may have a number less than or equal to 5 conductors.

The term "longitudinally discontinuous" means that the inscription layer 14 comprises at least one inscription portion 16 extending partially along the length of the cable 10 along the longitudinal axis A. In other words, the discontinuity of the inscription layer 14 does not imply to have several inscription portions 16 but only that the inscription layer 14 does not extend over the entire length of the cable 10 along the longitudinal axis A When the inscription layer 14 comprises several inscription portions 16, a gap is formed between two successive inscription portions 16.

The term "indissociable" means that the outer sheath 12 and the inscription layer 14 can not be separated from one another without be tampered with or without affecting their integrity. Therefore, the inscription layer 14 is an integral part of the outer sheath 12.

The cable 10 extends along a longitudinal axis A and has a substantially circular section defined by a radial axis B and a tangential axis C. These three longitudinal axes A, radial B and tangential C form a base, preferably orthonormal . The term "substantially circular" means any circular or quasi-circular section, for example of the flattened circular type. In general, the cable 10 may have any shape making it possible to place the inscription layer 14 on the outer sheath 12.

The inscription layer 14 extends in three dimensions along the longitudinal axes A, radial B and tangential C. The extension of the inscription layer 14 along the longitudinal axes A and tangential C defines a curved surface having a section defined by an angle D. This surface forms a registration area. In addition, the inscription layer 14 has a thickness defined by the extension of the inscription layer 14 along the radial axis B. In other words, the inscription layer 14 has a tile shape at the Outer cladding surface 12. As an alternative to a rectilinear longitudinal extension along the longitudinal axis A, the inscription layer 14 may extend longitudinally along a non-rectilinear trajectory, for example along the longitudinal axis. a helical path.

To enable a user to mark the cable 10, the inscription layer 14 forms a zone suitable for writing information. For example, the inscription layer 14 is made of a material allowing an ink to remain on the inscription layer 14 so as to ensure the good behavior of the information over time. In addition, this area can be adapted to the registration of information by its color or its color field. Thus, the inscription layer 14 can be made to have a light color, preferably a white color field. Still more preferably, the color or the color field of the inscription layer 14 is chosen so as to have a high contrast with respect to the color or the color field of the outer sheath 12, which is preferably dark, so still preferred black color, so as to improve the readability of the information listed and the location of the inscription layer 14. To allow the inscription layer 14 to be adapted to the inscription of a information, in particular manuscript, each inscription portion 16 extends longitudinally, ie along the longitudinal axis A, over a distance of between 3 cm and 10 cm and transversely, ie along the tangential axis C, over a distance of at least 3 mm, preferably at least 4 mm. These dimensions of the inscription layer 14 allow a good readability of the information written on it. Indeed, a character or glyph of usual size (for example font size 11) has a height of about 3 mm. The height of the inscription layer 14 is therefore at least equal to 3 mm to maintain good readability of the information recorded while having a reduced height of the inscription layer 14. To improve this readability, the height of the inscription layer 14 is preferably at least 4 mm to maintain a margin above and below the inscription. Preferably, the dimensions of the inscription portions 16 are identical along the same cable 10 to facilitate the production of the inscription layer 14.

Furthermore, to allow a reading of the information inscribed on the inscription layer 14 when the surrounding brightness is low or zero, the inscription layer 14 may be fluorescent and / or phosphorescent. It is thus possible to read the information written on the cable 10 in the dark.

In order to facilitate the marking of the cable 10, the zone formed by the inscription layer 14 can be adapted to the handwritten inscription of information. In other words, the writing layer 14 is configured so that the ink of a pen can be held on the writing layer 14 to mark the cable 10.

The inscription layer 14 is also adapted to the handwritten inscription of information by its dimensions. Indeed, the dimensions of the inscription layer 14 along the longitudinal axes A and tangential C are chosen so as to form a suitable area for a handwritten inscription. For this, the inscription layer 14 extends transversely, i .e. along the tangential axis C, on the outer sheath 12 over a distance of between 15% and 50%, preferably between 30% and 50%, of the outer diameter of the outer sheath 12, or more generally of the outer perimeter of the outer sheath 12 in a cross section to the longitudinal axis A. Alternatively or complementary, the inscription layer 14 may extend transversely, i .e. along the tangential axis C, around the outer sheath 12 and form a circle portion having an angle D between 54 ° and 180 °, preferably between 90 ° and 180 °, preferably between 108 ° and 180 °, preferably 120 °. The angle D is defined in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A, ie along a cross-section of the cable 10. The inscription layer 14 is further defined so that each of the inscription portions 16 extends along the longitudinal axis A over a distance of between 3 cm and 30 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 20 cm, preferably between 3 cm and 10 cm. The larger the area of a registration portion 16 is, the easier the registration is and a large amount of information can be carried on the registration layer 14.

The inscription layer 14 may be made by depositing material on the outer sheath 12. By way of example, the inscription layer 14 may be printed on the outer sheath 12. In this case, the material forming the The inscription 14 is in the form of an ink printed on the outer surface of the outer sheath 12. In general, the inscription layer 14 is obtained by any method allowing the inscription layer 14 to be inseparable. of the outer sheath 12 and to be formed longitudinally discontinuous along the longitudinal axis A. The method of obtaining the inscription layer 14 is chosen in particular so as to be able to produce an inscription layer 14 having a thickness or a range of predetermined thicknesses. "Thickness" is understood to mean the dimension of the inscription layer along the radial axis B. The inscription layer 14 is printed on the outer sheath 12 by means of wheel marking or by ink jet marking. Preferably, the inscription layer 14 is printed on the outer sheath 12 by an electrophotography method, for example with the use of a laser printer. In this way, the inscription layer 14 may be formed by a plurality of ink spots deposited on the outer sheath 12.

In FIG. 1, the inscription layer 14 comprises two inscription portions 16 separated longitudinally. According to the above-mentioned definition of "longitudinally discontinuous", the cable 10 may comprise a single inscription portion 16. Thus, the cable 10 has at least one inscription portion 16. Preferably, the cable 10 comprises at least two registration portions 16. When the inscription layer 14 comprises at least two inscription portions 16, the inscription portions 16 are separated longitudinally by a distance of between 10 cm and 10 m, preferably between 15 cm and 5 m, preferably between 20 cm and 1 m, preferably equal to 50cm. To facilitate cutting of the cable 10 as a function of the location of the inscription portions 16, for example at one or both ends of the cables obtained after cutting, the distance between two successive inscription portions 16 is preferably identical. over the entire cable 10. For the same reason, each of the inscription portions 16 preferably comprises identical dimensions along the longitudinal axes A and tangential C.

Similarly, the cable 10 is shown in FIG. 1 with a single inscription layer 14. Alternatively, the cable 10 may comprise a plurality of inscription layers 14 formed on and around the outer sheath 12. In fact, a cable 10 comprising a plurality of inscription layers 14 makes it possible to indicate, for a given longitudinal position, information of a different nature or that it is preferable to dissociate at different angular positions on the cable 10. More generally, increase the number of inscription layer 14 makes it possible to increase the area of the writing area at a longitudinal position of the cable 10, for example at one end of the cable 10. Preferably, the inscription layers 14 are formed at a different angular position so as not to be superimposed. Thus, when the cable 10 comprises two marking layers 14, these preferably form pairs of inscription portions arranged at the longitudinal position but angularly offset about the longitudinal axis A. Thus, the identification of information spread over several registration portions 16 is faster and can be achieved directly or by rotating the cable 10 about the longitudinal axis A.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples and to the embodiment described and shown, but it is capable of numerous variants accessible to those skilled in the art.

Claims

A cable (10) comprising:

an outer sheath (12), and

- A longitudinally discontinuous inscription layer (14) formed on and indissociable from the outer sheath.

2. Cable (10) according to claim 1, wherein the inscription layer (14) forms a suitable area for the registration of information.

3. Cable (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the area is adapted to the handwritten inscription of information.

4. Cable (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inscription layer (14) comprises at least two inscription portions (16) longitudinally separated by a distance of between 10cm and 10m, preferably between 15 cm and 5 m, preferably between 20 cm and 1 m, preferably equal to 50 cm.

Cable (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the inscription layer (14) extends transversely on the outer sheath over a distance of between 15% and 50%, preferably between 30% and 50% of the outer diameter of the outer sheath.

A cable (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the writing layer (14) extends transversely around the outer sheath and forms a circle portion having an angle (D) of between 54 ° and 180 °, preferably between 90 ° and 180 °, preferably between 108 ° and 180 °, preferably 120 °.

7. Cable (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each inscription portion (16) extends longitudinally over a distance of between 3 cm and 10 cm and transversely over a distance of at least 3 mm. preferably at least 4 mm.

8. Cable (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inscription layer (14) is formed by deposition of material on the outer sheath (12).

9. Cable (10) according to claim 8, wherein the inscription layer (14) is printed on the outer sheath (12).

A cable (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the writing layer (14) is printed on the outer sheath (12) by thumbwheel or ink jet marking, preferably by an electrophotography process.

The cable (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the writing layer (14) is fluorescent and / or phosphorescent.