Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
TITLE
CONNECTION BETVVEEN A REINFORCED HARNESS AND AN ELECTRICAL
COMPONENT
Technical field
The present invention relates to the field of connection between a reinforced
harness and an electrical component, in particular an integrated coupling
connector, as well as a method for coupling a reinforced harness to an
electrical
component, in particular an integrated coupling connector.
Prior art
In aircraft, the electrical couplings are made primarily by means of
electrical
harnesses. These electrical harnesses typically comprise a reinforcement
surrounding the strand of cables for electromagnetic (EM) protection, in
particular
to attenuate EM disturbances received or transmitted by the harness.
To couple a reinforced harness to a connector, a rear coupling (or
"backshells") is
often used. The rear coupling allows the electrical coupling of the harness to
the
connector while maintaining the EM protection around the connection. More
specifically, the rear coupling is a metal part, tubular in shape generally
flared
towards the front. The harness cables intended to be plugged into the
connector
pass inside the rear coupling via a passage at the rear, while the
reinforcement of
the harness is attached around a coupling section surrounding the passage.
Once
the cables are plugged in, the rear coupling is coupled forward to the
connector.
Various shapes of rear coupling exist allowing reinforced harnesses of
different
diameters to be coupled reliably to connectors, even those of small diameter.
However, an integrated coupling connector is sometimes preferred because it is
lighter. Moreover, it is also less complicated to install because it comprises
one
less component, effectively integrating the functions of the connector and the
rear
coupling in one piece. Unfortunately, a small diameter harness cannot be
properly
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coupled to such a connector. In particular, the passage at the rear of the
integrated coupling connector should be wide enough to allow the insertion as
well
as the plugging of the cables to the connector portion of the integrated
coupling
connector, and therefore the section of the integrated coupling connector
cannot
be reduced beyond a certain diameter. Consequently, it is difficult to attach
the
reinforcement of a small diameter harness around this section.
Thus, the reinforcement of the small diameter harness is often attached so
that it
only partially surrounds the section of the integrated coupling connector, or
not
attached at ail. Sometimes the reinforcement is forced to surround the
section,
which distorts the harness reinforcement mesh and leaves windows through which
EM disturbances can be received or transmitted. In any case, the EM protection
represents a significant regression and is not satisfactory.
There is therefore a need to make a connection between an integrated coupling
connector and a reinforced harness capable of maintaining good EM protection.
Presentation of the invention
The object of the present invention is consequently to overcome the
aforementioned
needs and disadvantages by proposing a widened reinforcement harness
comprising a
reinforced harness, a non-deformable ferrule and a reinforcement portion which
is
distinct and has a greater diameter than the reinforcement of the harness, the
non-
deformable ferrule being arranged around the harness with the reinforcement of
the
harness passing inside the non-deformable ferrule and folded on the outer side
of the
non-deformable ferrule, a first end of the reinforcement portion being
attached around
the folded portion of the reinforcement of the harness and a second end being
arranged
to be attached to a section of an electrical component.
Preferably, the first end of the reinforcement portion is attached with a
clamp.
Advantageously, a first heat-shrinkable sleeve envelops the first end of the
reinforcement
portion.
The object of the present invention also provides a connection, comprising an
electrical
component with a section and a widened reinforcement harness as described
above, the
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second end of the reinforcement portion being attached around the section of
the
electrical component.
Preferably, the second end of the reinforcement portion is attached with a
clamp.
More preferably, the electrical component is an integrated coupling connector.
Advantageously, a second heat-shrinkable sleeve envelops the first end of the
reinforcement portion as well as a portion of the first heat-shrinkable
sleeve, and further
envelops the second end of the reinforcement portion.
The object of the present invention also provides a method for coupling the
reinforcement of a reinforced harness to a section of an electrical component,
the
method comprising providing a non-deformable ferrule around the reinforced
harness,
folding the reinforcement of the harness from the inner side of the non-
deformable
ferrule to the outer side of the non-deformable ferrule, providing a
reinforcement portion
which is distinct and has a greater diameter than the reinforcement of the
harness,
attaching one end of the reinforcement portion around the folded portion of
the
reinforcement of the harness, and attaching the second end of the
reinforcement portion
to the section of the electrical component.
Preferably, the method comprises attaching each of the ends of the
reinforcement
portion with a clamp.
Advantageously, the method comprises attaching the reinforcement of the
harness to the
section of an integrated coupling connector.
Brief description of the figures
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon
reading a
preferred embodiment of the invention, described with reference to the
appended
figures, among which:
[Fig. 1] shows a cross-sectional view of a connection between an integrated
coupling
connector and a harness; and
[Fig. 2] shows various steps of producing the connection of Figure 1.
Description of embodiments
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Figure 1 shows a connection 100 between an integrated coupling connector 50
and a
reinforced harness 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2
shows the same connection 100 at various assembly steps to facilitate the
understanding
of the invention.
The harness 10 is of a known type and includes cables 15 which are grouped
together in a
strand, the latter being surrounded by a reinforcement 20 (of the braided
type) to protect
it from electromagnetic (EM) interference. In this embodiment, the harness 10
also
comprises individual reinforced cables. The cables 15 and the harness 10
comprise
insulating layers. To couple this harness with an integrated coupling
connector, it must be
prepared.
In a known manner, the harness 10 is stripped and unreinforced towards one
end, which
consists in locally removing the outer insulation 12 and the reinforcement 20
of the
harness 10. Then, the reinforced cables 15 of the harness are stripped at a
location which
is even closer to the end in order to then expose the conductive portion of
the cables 15.
The reinforced cables 15 can also be unreinforced, but while keeping their
terminations of
the reinforcements 16 attached to the harness 10.
The integrated coupling connector 50 is substantially cylindrical in shape
with a sleeve 54
at the rear made of metal comprising a passage 53 giving access to its
interior where the
cables 15 of the reinforced harness 10 can be plugged into the integrated
coupling
connector 50. The outer side of the sleeve has an external coupling section
55. This
section 55 is intended for the attachment of the reinforcement 20 of the
reinforced
harness 10 as well as for the take up of the reinforcement terminations 16 of
the
individual cables 15, if necessary. In contrast to a combined rear coupling
and connector,
the integrated coupling connector 50 is lighter in weight and less complicated
to install.
As can be seen in Figure 1, cables 15 of the harness 10 are received in the
passage 53 of
the integrated coupling connector 50. The conductive portions of the cables 15
are
plugged into the integrated coupling connector 50 to electrically connect the
cables 15
and the integrated coupling connector 50.
However, the harness 10 is small compared to this integrated coupling
connector 50.
More specifically, the diameter of its reinforcement 20 is too small to
surround the
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section 55 of the integrated coupling connector 50 which has a greater
diameter. The
reinforcement 20 is made of metal, and cannot extend sufficiently, either
materially or
structurally, to fit to the diameter of the section 55. By way of example, the
diameter of
the section 55 may be comprised between 12 and 15mm, while that of the
reinforcement
5 20 may be comprised between 5 and 6 mm.
In order to allow the correct coupling of the harness 10 to the integrated
coupling
connector 50, while maintaining good EM protection, the reinforcement of the
harness is
widened. This reinforced harness with its widened reinforcement, called
"widened
reinforcement harness" allows to connect to the integrated coupling connector
50.
As can be seen from the figures, the widened reinforcement harness 30
comprises
a non-deformable ferrule 46. The non-deformable ferrule 46 is in the shape of
a
short circular tube. It has a size which allows its installation around the
reinforcement harness 10, being slightly larger than the diameter of the
reinforcement 20 of the harness 10. It is installed at a position just behind
the end
of the reinforcement 20 of the harness 10. The reinforcement 20 however, which
now passes inside the non-deformable ferrule 46, is folded on the outer sicle
of the
non-deformable ferrule 46 to form a folded portion 22, its end ending behind
the
non-deformable ferrule 46 as shown.
A reinforcement portion 40 is provided to fit the reinforcement 20 of the
reinforced
harness 10 to the section 55. It is distinct and does not form an integral
part of the
reinforcement 20 of the reinforced harness 10. The reinforcement portion 40
has a
greater diameter than the reinforcement 20 of the harness 10. In particular,
it is
wide enough to surround the reinforcement 20 of the harness 10 folded on the
non-deformable ferrule 46. At the same time, the other end of the
reinforcement
portion 41 is able to surround the section 55 of the integrated coupling
connector
50, without being deformed.
The reinforcement portion 40 is typically straight. Altematively, it can be
produced
in a flared manner, which can facilitate fitting to the smallest diameter of
the
harness 10, and the largest diameter of the integrated coupling connector 50.
Moreover, its mesh and its material can be identical to those of the
reinforcement
20 of the harness 10 in order to ensure good electrical continuity and good EM
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protection. Nevertheless, it is understood that even the latter can also be
different
according to the needs.
A first end 41 of the reinforcement portion 40 is positioned around the folded
portion 22 on the ferrule. It is attached thereto with a clamp 48.
The non-deformable ferrule 46 is essential. It prevents the reinforcement 20
of the
harness 10 from being crushed due to the tightening of the clamp 48. As the
reinforcement 20 is not deformed, the mesh is respected, and the uniform
protection guaranteed around the reinforced harness 10. Moreover, it allows
the
clamp 48 to tighten the reinforcement portion 40 against the folded portion 22
of
the reinforcement 20 thus ensuring a reliable electrical connection
therebetween.
Preferably, it is made of metal, for example copper.
The second end 42 of the reinforcement portion 40 is positioned around the
coupling section 55 of the integrated coupling connector 50. It is attached
thereto
with another clamp 58. In this case, the reinforcement terminations 16 of the
reinforced cables 15 are also taken up on the same section 55, inside the
second
end 42 of the reinforcement portion 40. Of course, the two clamps 48, 58 on
the
connection 100 can be of the same size, or of different sizes. Preferably,
they are
made of metal.
In general, the reinforced harness 10 as well as the integrated coupling
connector
50 are known parts. Moreover, the non-deformable ferrule 46, the reinforcement
portion 40 and the clamps 48, 58 are also readily available standard parts.
In some cases, the reinforced harness 10 may also comprise a self-welding
sleeve
17 connected to the reinforcement of a cable 15. The self-welding sleeve may
also
comprise a reinforcement termination 18 which may also be coupled to the
section
55, such as terminations of the reinforcements 16 of the cables 15, inside the
reinforcement portion 40. The self-welding sleeve 17 can advantageously be
connected to the wiring behind the connection 100.
Furthermore, to ensure the tightness of the connection, a first heat-
shrinkable
sleeve 35 is provided around the harness 10, in particular enveloping the
first end
41 of the reinforcement portion 40. A second sleeve 36 is provided enveloping
the
first end 41 of the reinforcement portion 40 as well as a portion of the first
heat-
shrinkable sleeve 35 above. This second heat-shrinkable sleeve 36 extends
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beyond the second end 41 of the reinforcement portion 40, and engages with a
shoulder 56 on the integrated coupling connector 50. Therefore, it envelops
ail the
conductive parts of the connection 100.
The heat-shrinkable sleeves 35, 36 protect the connection 100 from percolation
of
water, and from impacts. Moreover, they hide the portions of the connection
100
well and make them cleaner. The electrical connection 100 when complete is
about the same size as that using a combined rear coupling and connector.
Therefore, this has no impact on the routing of cables/harnesses in its
vicinity.
A preferred method for coupling the reinforcement 20 of a harness 10 to a
section
55 of an integrated coupling connector 50 will now be described. The
reinforced
harness 10 is first prepared, unreinforced and stripped as necessary. A non-
deformable ferrule 46 is placed around the reinforced harness 10. Then, the
reinforcement 20 of the harness 10 is folded on the outer side of the non-
deformable ferrule 46.
A reinforcement portion 40, which is distinct and has a greater diameter than
the
harness reinforcement 20, is placed with a first end 41 around the folded
portion
22 of the reinforcement 20 of the harness 10. The reinforcement portion 40 is
then
attached thereto with a clamp 48. The reinforcement 20 of the harness 10 is
now
widened, effectively forming a widened reinforcement harness 30. The second
end
42 of the reinforcement portion 40 is placed around the section 55 of the
integrated coupling connector, and is then attached thereto with another clamp
58.
Thanks to this invention, it is possible to couple a reinforced harness 10
with a
small diameter to the integrated coupling connector 50. As the mesh of the
reinforcement 20 of the harness 10 is not deformed, there are no windows
through
which the EM disturbances can be received or transmitted, and the precise
protection granted to the reinforced harness 10 by the manufacturer is
retained.
Moreover, the reinforcement portion 40 extends from the reinforcement 20 of
the
harness 10 to the section 55 of the integrated coupling connector 50, and
maintains good EM protection which is uniform and continuous around the
connection 100. ldeally, the protection provided by the reinforcement portion
40
around the cables 15 is at least that provided by the reinforcement 20 of the
reinforced harness 10. Furthermore, the connection 100 between the reinforced
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harness 10 and the integrated coupling connector 50 weighs less than a
connection comprising a combined rear coupling and connector.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to an integrated
coupling
connector, it is understood however that the invention can be applied to other
components, such as a standard rear coupling, and even those having a section
which is flot too wide for the harness. Of course, the invention can be used
with
various reinforced harnesses, whether of the braided type or otherwise. The
invention can also be easily retrofitted to already existing connections in an
aircraft. However, the invention is not limited to aircraft, and can be used
in ships,
buildings, etc.
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