Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01V—GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS
  • G01V15/00—Tags attached to, or associated with, an object, in order to enable detection of the object
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
  • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
  • H01B7/36—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form with distinguishing or length marks

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a device for the visual identification of cables or conduits, this device having applications in the fields of electrical, computer, etc. with regard to cables, as well as in the pneumatic and hydraulic fields if it is acts of ducts.
• the term “cable” here includes electrical wires and cables of any length and size, carrying signals or carrying electrical energy, and also optical fiber cords, such as those designated as "garters” optical.
• the problem of identifying and / or tracking cables or conduits is common, or to identify a cable or conduit from a set of cables or conduits more or less numerous and intermingled, or simply to know the path of a single cable or conduit. For example, one may be required to identify and follow a computer "patching" cord, mixed with a multitude of other similar cords in a patch cabinet.
• a first method is simply to follow manually or visually the continuity of a cable or conduit, with risks of human error related to the difficulty of following a cable or conduit when it is in the middle of a multitude of other cables or conduits of similar appearance.
• this method is inapplicable in the case of cables or conduit that have portions inaccessible by hand or in view, for example for cables or conduits passing through false floors or false ceilings.
• Another known technique consists, with the aid of an electronic injector (when it comes to electric cables), to emit an electrical signal that propagates along the cable, and which theoretically can be detected in every respect of this cable, for example by means of a sensor emitting an audible or visual signal.
• this technique does not identify a cable precisely, when it is in the middle of other contiguous cables.
• this is a technique that sometimes requires interrupting the normal function of the cable, and which remains unenforceable in some cases, by for cables or conduits made of electrically nonconductive material, for example optical "garters" or rubber hoses.
• Yet another known category of tracking systems consists of visual tracking devices, which use optical fibers whose path follows the cable or leads to locate.
• visual tracking devices which use optical fibers whose path follows the cable or leads to locate.
• such a method is in practice limited to illumination of one end of the fiber, when light is injected at its other end.
• a variant of this latter solution consists in incorporating, into the cables or conduits, electrically conductive wires which lead to light-emitting diodes or other illumination means located only at the ends of the cables or conduits - see US Pat. No. 5,666,453, US 6577243 and US 6975242, or the patent application US 2006/0057876.
• the known solutions considered here are not suitable for tracking and marking the entire path of a cable or conduit since they only make it possible to identify a cable end or conduit.
• these solutions are uncertain, or even inapplicable, in the case where the operator does not know where to look for the other end of the cable or conduit. This last assumption is common, and it must also be considered that an end of the cable or led to identify may be located, for example, inside a cabinet, a box or a closed drawer, or under a false floor or false ceiling, etc., so be invisible or inaccessible.
• cords for computer connections for example between a computer and a peripheral device such as a printer, cords along which extends at least one electroluminescent wire.
• This wire is electrically powered by the terminal electrical connectors of the cord, and via an electronic control circuit incorporated in one of these terminal connectors or located at mid-length of the cord.
• the arrangement is such that the electroluminescent wire illuminates when the cord is properly connected at its ends, and / or when a signal passes through the cord.
• the present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages previously described, and thus aims to provide a device for locating cables or electrical conduits or not which, while still simple and economical design, allows a visual identification not only of the end but still the entire path of a cable or conduit, even if another end of the cable or conduit is not directly accessible, and this without requiring high power, the proposed device is functional in all circumstances and in particular , even if the ends of the cable or cord to be identified are disconnected.
• the invention essentially relates to a device for visually identifying cables or conduits over their entire length, this device comprising at least one electroluminescent wire extending along the cable or led to locate, the electroluminescent wire being provided to be electrically powered temporarily so as to visualize the path of the cable or conduit, connection means for the power supply of the electroluminescent wire being placed near each end of the cable or conduit, so close to the terminal connectors of this cable or conduit, or being placed at an intermediate point of the length of the cable or conduit, said connection means being independent of the terminal connectors.
• electroluminescent wire is meant a wire including a central electrical conductor or “core” covered by a phosphor-based layer with electroluminescence properties, itself surrounded by at least one other electrical conductor wound around it.
• electroluminescent son which extend over the entire length of the cable or conduit and are associated with connection means, which allows the operator to continuously view the path of the cable or conduit, through the illumination of the electroluminescent son (s), either from an accessible end, or from an intermediate point of the length cable or conduit.
• the particular device of the invention is the possibility of illumination over a very great length, up to several hundred meters, by a single electroluminescent wire and a single power supply point.
• the power supply of the electroluminescent wire being independent of the terminal connectors related to the main function of the cable or conduit, the invention is applicable to all cables or cords or conduits, including those provided with optical type end connectors or pneumatic or hydraulic, and that the device of the invention remains functional even if said terminal connectors are disconnected.
• the visual tracking device may include one or more electroluminescent wires integrated in the manufacture of the cable or led, or electroluminescent son or being placed on the surface of the cable or conduit, or embedded in the cable or conduit but made visible in this case through a transparent or translucent sheath.
• the visual identification device which is the subject of the invention, may be a device made of electroluminescent wire (s) manufactured separately and added to the cable or conduit, by being applied and fixed against its surface, for example by gluing or by mechanical fastening.
• the locating device may be supplemented here by an accessory for the introduction of the electroluminescent wire, that is to say for the application and fixing by gluing of the electroluminescent wire on the cable or conduit.
• the mechanical bonding of the electroluminescent wire with the cable or conduit can be achieved by wrapping both the cable or conduit and the electroluminescent wire in the same transparent or translucent sheath slit longitudinally or helically, particularly a flexible sheath in the case of a cable, the sheath preferably being removable.
• the use of a specific accessory is here also possible, for the establishment of such a sheath around the cable.
• the electroluminescent wires usable here can be cut to the proper length, without degradation of their structure and properties; they can thus be applied to any pre-existing configurations of cables or ducts. It is also conceivable to succeed, over the length of a cable or conduit, two or more elementary electroluminescent son electrically connected to each other.
• electroluminescent wires also have the special feature advantageously used in the context of the present invention, that they can be electrically supplied equivalently from any point along their length.
• connection means for the electrical supply of the electroluminescent wire are in particular placed near each end of the cable or conduit, but at a distance from these ends. These connection means thus make it possible to inject the electric current at an already located and accessible end of the cable or conduit, and to follow the cable or conduct from this end, over its entire length.
• the dissociation of the terminal connectors and these connection means also allows easier access to said connection means.
• the connection means for the power supply of the electroluminescent wire may also be placed at an intermediate point of the length of the cable or duct, and the cable or led in this case can be followed from any point of its length.
• the dissociation of the terminal connectors and these connection means also allows easier access to said connection means.
• connection means for the electrical supply of the electroluminescent wire are made in the form of a connector fixed to said electroluminescent wire, and surrounding the cable or duct, the power connector being designed to cooperate with a power injector. formed of two opposite half-shells, and having internal electrical contacts, the two half-shells being close to one another by enclosing the cable or conduit.
• a power supply injector of the electroluminescent wire can be brought over the cable or conduit, without it being necessary to interrupt this cable or conduct by cut or by disconnection.
• the power connector advantageously has a general spherical shape, while the feed injector comprises two hemispherical half-shells, which facilitates its passage, without risk of snagging, in narrow places.
• connection means for the electrical power supply of the electroluminescent wire are intended to be, themselves, used in combination with a power supply injector, designed to reach these connection means even in very inaccessible corners especially thanks to to a clamp configuration, more or less strongly elongated, the two branches respectively bear the two half-shells, including hemispherical.
• An advantage of such power supply means is that they do not require any manual threading operation, and that they allow a supply of current in various directions while ensuring a certain electrical contact.
• the supply injector advantageously comprises an adaptable electronics, designed to electrically supply the electroluminescent wire according to its own characteristics and / or the particular visual effects desired, for example flashing effects, or particular colors of illumination. It is also understood that this electronics is external to the cables or conduits, and common to all these cables or conduits, which makes the solution of the invention simple, compact and economical.
• Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of this device, along M-II of Figure 1, on an enlarged scale;
• Figure 3 is a sectional view similar to Figure 2, illustrating a variant of the device
• Figure 4 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of the device of Figure 1, at a power supply connector of the electroluminescent wire;
• Figure 5 is a simplified cross-sectional view at this power connector, according to VV of Figure 4;
• Figure 6 is an perspective view, in the open state, of an accessory used for the establishment of the electroluminescent wire;
• Figure 7 is a plan view over the accessory of Figure 6, in use;
• Figure 8 is a sectional view of this accessory, according to VIII-VIII of Figure 7;
• Figure 9 shows a power connector of the electroluminescent wire
• Figure 10 shows the end portion of a cord, provided with the connector according to Figure 9;
• Figure 11 is a perspective view of a power injector, usable in combination with the connector of Figures 9 and 10;
• Figure 12 is a perspective view of a label holder usable in combination with the device of the invention
• Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a double connector that can electrically connect two sections of electroluminescent wire
• Figure 14 is a schematic sectional view of a variant of the supply connector of the electroluminescent wire;
• Figure 15 shows the feed injector, usable in combination with the connector of Figure 14.
• the device of the invention is represented, by way of example of application, in association with an "optical jumper", that is to say a generally designated cord. by the reference numeral 2, combining two parallel optical fibers 3 and 4.
• the two ends of the cord 2 comprise optical connectors 5 and 6, known per se and not detailed.
• the marking device associated with the bead 2, mainly comprises an electroluminescent wire 7, which extends along the bead 2, from one end region to the other end region of this bead 2, to which it is fixed by means described below.
• electroluminescent wire 7 itself, it is a product known per se, and in particular used until now for decoration purposes, including a central electrical conductor or "core" covered with a a phosphor-based layer with electroluminescent properties, itself surrounded by at least one other external electrical conductor wound around of it.
• a central electrical conductor or "core” covered with a a phosphor-based layer with electroluminescent properties, itself surrounded by at least one other external electrical conductor wound around of it.
• WO 2004/064452 A1 and JP 7235376 A reference may be made here to the patent documents WO 2004/064452 A1 and JP 7235376 A.
• the electroluminescent wire 7 is for example fixed to the bead 2 by a flexible adhesive thread 8, of the "putty" type, as shown schematically in FIG. 2, the electroluminescent wire 7 being attached to the optical fibers 3 and 4 of the bead.
• the electroluminescent wire 7 is thus fixed to the cord 2 in a repositionable manner.
• the accessory 9 also advantageously comprises at least one inner fin 11 of curved profile, which promotes the removal of a release film initially applied to the element consisting of the electroluminescent wire 7 and the glue 8 , this without hindering the passage of the cord 2 through the accessory 9.
• the electroluminescent wire 7 is mechanically fixed to the bead 2, by means of a flexible translucent sheath 12 which has a longitudinal slot 13.
• the sheath 12 here envelops the bead 2 with its two optical fibers 3 and 4, and the electroluminescent wire 7, so as to secure them.
• FIG. 5 there is provided a feed injector 14 which is formed of two half-shells 15 and 16 opposite, articulated to one another, which are to enclose the cord 2 and the end
• the feed injector 14 is itself electrically connected to an electronic box 17, which electrically supplies the device with the desired electrical voltage and frequency, to obtain the illumination of the electroluminescent wire 7, on the electroluminescent wire 7. its entire length, as symbolized by the arrows 18 in Figure 1.
• the feed injector 14 comprises two half-shells 15 and 16 of shape hemispherical, which are carried respectively by the two branches 19 and 20 of a clamp, articulated to each other along an axis 21.
• a spring 22, mounted between the two branches 19 and 20, provides a reminder of these- ci in a position of approximation of the two half-shells 15 and 16.
• the latter comprise, internally, electrical contacts 23 electrically connected to power supply son 24, themselves externally connected (here not shown) to the housing 17 previously mentioned.
• the two half-shells 15 and 16 have on their edges respective indentations 25 and 26 coming in correspondence when these two half-shells are brought together, to allow a free passage to the cord 2 in a diametrical direction.
• the feed injector 14 is provided to cooperate with a supply connector 27 of complementary external shape and therefore spherical, placed on the cord 2 at one end of the electroluminescent wire 7, as shown in particular in Figures 9 and 10
• the connector 27, itself formed of two hemispherical parts 28 and 29 folded against each other, has a diametrical inner channel 30 for the passage of the cord 2.
• One of the hemispherical parts 28 carries two electrical contacts 31 , each having an inner portion in electrical connection with a conductor of the electroluminescent wire 7, and an outer portion.
• the spherical shape of the power connector 27 can also be advantageously used, as shown in FIG. 12, for a removable attachment of a label holder 32 having two hemispherical portions 33 and 34 forming a retaining clip. on the connector 27, and an elongate plate 35 adapted to receive an identification tag 36.
• the tag 36 may be protected by a small transparent removable plate 37.
• the label holder accessory 32 can be produced in various colors, in order to ability to comply with a user-defined color code or standards applicable to the relevant area of use.
• the spherical shape of the "clamp" portion 33, 34 of the accessory 32, and its advantageous embodiment of an electrically insulating material, such as a molded plastic material, furthermore make it possible to isolate the electrical contacts 31 of the connector 27 electrically.
• the electroluminescent wire 7 has so far been described as a single element, the length of which corresponds to that of the cord 2 to which he is associated.
• the device may comprise two or more elementary sections of electroluminescent wire, succeeding along the cord 2, or along a cable or conduit.
• it is necessary to connect together two successive sections of electroluminescent wire which is achievable as shown in Figure 13 by applying the principle of spherical connectors 38 and 39, here close together and receiving respectively the ends of two son electroluminescent 7a and 7b.
• the two connectors 38 and 39 are interconnected by contacts and electrical connections such as 40 and 41, belonging to a connecting element 42 which caps these two connectors 38 and 39 by closing on them.
• the visual identification device is particularly applicable to the identification of cords 2 or "jumpers" of optical fibers, in a mixing cabinet.
• the two electrical conductors of the electroluminescent wire 7 could be advantageously used for transmitting information on the state of correspondence between the ends of the cord, cable or conduit, by example with an electronic device as described in the international patent application WO 2005/032162 A1.
• the electroluminescent wire 7 could be powered temporarily, and thus illuminated, when operations for modifying the Brewing assignments are programmed by an electronic device, which can facilitate and secure the actions of the operator.
• the power supply of the electrical conductors of the electroluminescent wire 7 can be done, for example, by a spherical connector corresponding to a half of Figure 13 previously commented, the electrical connections being made with the fixed stirring portion.
• Figure 14 shows a variant of the power connector
• the connector 27 is, here again, made in spherical shape, by joining two hemispherical parts 28 and 29, and is traversed diametrically by the cord 2. Two opposite cylindrical parts
• a flexible blade 47 allows the adaptation of the connector 27 to the cords 2 of various sizes.
• FIG. 15 shows a supply injector 14, again shaped as a clamp, which is specially adapted to the connector 27 according to FIG. 14, this supply injector 14 being arranged to tighten on the spherical portion of the connector 27, and to cooperate with the two contacts 45 and 46 of the latter.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Geophysics (AREA)
• Electroluminescent Light Sources (AREA)
• Electric Cable Installation (AREA)
• Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
• Insulated Conductors (AREA)
• Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
• Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2006
  • 2006-11-24 FR FR0610311A patent/FR2909186B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2007
  • 2007-02-22 CN CN200710085814XA patent/CN101188350B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-02-22 US US11/677,825 patent/US7748860B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-11-22 WO PCT/FR2007/001920 patent/WO2008071867A2/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2007-11-22 KR KR1020097013147A patent/KR20090106489A/ko not_active Ceased
  • 2007-11-22 JP JP2009537678A patent/JP5204118B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2007-11-22 EP EP07870324A patent/EP2092374A2/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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