Abstract
The invention is directed to a cable assembly (10, 10a-b), comprising a cable (10, 10a-b) with a cable hose (11, 11a-b) and at least one conductor (12, 12a-f) arranged therein. The cable hose (11, 11a-b) is spaced a distance apart from the conductor (12) forming a first interstitial space (15, a-b) between the at least conductor (12) and the cable hose (11, 11a-b). At least one tube (20, 20a-b) for conveying of a cooling fluid (21), and a connector (30) comprising at least one contact member (31) interconnected to the at least one conductor (12) and a chamber (32). Said chamber (32) comprises a first port (33) which is interconnected to the first interstitial space between the at least one conductor (12, 12a-f) and the cable hose (11, 11a-b) and a second port (34a, 34a-b) which is interconnected to the at least one tube (20, 20a-b).
Claims
1-54: (canceled)
55: A cable assembly, comprising a. a cable with a cable hose and at least one conductor arranged therein, wherein the cable hose is spaced a distance apart from the conductor forming a first interstitial space between the at least conductor and the cable hose, and b. at least one tube for conveying of a cooling fluid, and c. a connector comprising at least one contact member interconnected to the at least one conductor and a chamber wherein said chamber comprises i. a first port which is interconnected to the first interstitial space between the at least one conductor and the cable hose and ii. a second port which is interconnected to the tube.
56: The cable assembly according to claim 55, wherein the at least one tube for conveying of the cooling fluid is arranged inside of the cable hose.
57: The cable assembly according to claim 55, wherein the at least one tube for conveying the cooling fluid is arranged outside of the cable hose.
58: The cable assembly according to claim 55, wherein a spacer is arranged in the first interstitial space.
59: The cable assembly according to claim 58, wherein the spacer is arranged between the cable hose and at least one conductor.
60: The cable assembly according to claim 58, wherein the spacer is a helix.
61: The cable assembly according to claim 58, wherein the spacer is at least partially formed at the cable hose and/or at a first sheath of a conductor.
62: The cable assembly according to claim 55, wherein at least one tube is helically wound around the at least one conductor.
63: The cable assembly according to claim 55, wherein at least one tube to convey a cooling fluid is arranged in the center region of the cable hose and at least two conductors are arranged radially around the at least one tube between the at least one tube and the cable hose.
64: The cable assembly according to claim 63, wherein a first spacer is wrapped helically in a first lay direction around the bundle formed of the at least two conductors and the at least one tube.
65: The cable assembly according to claim 55, wherein the at least one conductor has a first sheath.
66: The cable assembly according to claim 55, wherein the at least one contact member comprises a channel for cooling of the contact member, wherein the channel is interconnected to the first interstitial space and/or to tube to convey cooling fluid.
67: The cable assembly according to claim 55, wherein the cable assembly comprises an adapter charger for the interconnection of the at least one conductor to at least one contact member which is further interconnected to an outer power source and the at least one first interstitial space and/or tube conveying the cooling fluid fluid-tight to an external fluid machinery.
68: The cable assembly according to claim 67, wherein the adapter charger comprises a second chamber with a first port which is interconnected to the tube and a second port which is interconnected to the first interstitial space of the cable.
69: The cable assembly according to claim 67, wherein the cable assembly comprises a cord which interconnects a port of the adapter charger to the connector to provide strain relief of the cable.
70: The cable assembly according to claim 55, wherein the cable assembly is surrounded by a second sheath forming a second interstitial space between the at least one cable hose of the conductor and the second sheath.
71: The cable assembly according to claim 70, wherein the second interstitial space receives a pressurized control fluid.
72: A cable for a cable assembly according to claim 55.
73: A charging system for an electric energy storage comprising a cable assembly according to claim 55.
74: A connector for a cable assembly according to claim 55.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0068] The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description of the given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which should not be considered as limiting to the invention described in the appended claims.
[0069] FIG. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a cable for a cable assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view;
[0070] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the cable of FIG. 1;
[0071] FIG. 3 schematically shows a second embodiment of a cable for a cable assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view;
[0072] FIG. 4 shows detail A of FIG. 3;
[0073] FIG. 5 schematically shows a third embodiment of a cable for a cable assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view;
[0074] FIG. 6 schematically shows a fourth embodiment of a cable for a cable assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view;
[0075] FIG. 7a schematically shows a fifth embodiment of a cable for a cable assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view;
[0076] FIG. 7b shows a cross-section of the cable of FIG. 7a;
[0077] FIG. 8a schematically shows a sixth embodiment of a cable for a cable assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view;
[0078] FIG. 8b shows a cross-section of the cable of FIG. 8a;
[0079] FIG. 9 schematically shows an embodiment of cable assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view;
[0080] FIG. 10 shows the cable assembly of FIG. 9 with the connector being partially clipped for illustrative purposes;
[0081] FIG. 11 schematically shows another embodiment of a cable assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view;
[0082] FIG. 12 shows the cable assembly of FIG. 11 with the connector being partially clipped for illustrative purposes;
[0083] FIG. 13 schematically shows another embodiment of a cable assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view;
[0084] FIG. 14 shows the cable assembly of FIG. 13 with the connector being partially clipped for illustrative purposes;
[0085] FIG. 15 schematically shows another embodiment of a cable assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view;
[0086] FIG. 16 shows the cable assembly of FIG. 15 with the connector being partially clipped for illustrative purposes;
[0087] FIG. 17 schematically shows another variation of a cable assembly according to the present invention in a perspective view with the connector being partially clipped for illustrative purposes;
[0088] FIG. 18 shows a breakout of the cable according to the cable assembly of FIG. 18;
[0089] FIG. 19 shows details of the connector according to the cable assembly of FIG. 17;
[0090] FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of an adapter of the charging station for a cable assembly according to FIG. 17 with the adapter charger being partially clipped for illustrative purposes;
[0091] FIG. 21 shows the adapter charger according to FIG. 20 in a side view with the charger being partially clipped for illustrative purposes;
[0092] FIG. 22 shows first details of the flange section of the adapter charger according to the cable assembly of FIG. 21;
[0093] FIG. 23 shows second details of the contact section of the adapter charger according to the charger of FIG. 21;
[0094] FIG. 24 shows a cable assembly comprising a connector according to FIG. 17 and a charger according to FIG. 20;
[0095] FIG. 25 schematically shows a connector with an impact absorbing means according to the invention;
[0096] FIG. 26 schematically shows the connector of FIG. 25, the impact absorbing means being disconnected from the rest of the connector housing for illustrative purposes;
[0097] FIG. 27 schematically shows another connector with an impact absorbing means according to the invention;
[0098] FIG. 28 schematically shows the connector of FIG. 27, the impact absorbing means being disconnected from the rest of the connector housing for illustrative purposes;
[0099] FIG. 29 schematically shows yet another connector with an impact absorbing means according to the invention;
[0100] FIG. 30 schematically shows the connector of FIG. 29, the impact absorbing means being disconnected from the rest of the connector housing for illustrative purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0101] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the invention, an embodiment that is presently preferred, in which like numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed.
[0102] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a first possible embodiment of a cable 10 for a cable assembly 1 according to the invention. The cable 10 comprises a cable hose 11. Inside of the cable hose 11 a first and a second conductor 12a, 12b are arranged which extend along the cable 10. The conductors 12a, 12b are spaced a distance apart the cable hose 11, forming a first interstitial space 15. As well, the cable 10 comprises two tubes 20a, 20b that are arranged for conveying a cooling fluid along the cable 10 and are arranged inside of the cable hose 11. The conductors 12a, 12b and the tubes 20a, 20b are arranged such that they form some kind of a bundle 2 and are twisted/stranded in a first lay direction. The first interstitial space 15 between the bundle 2 and the cable hose 11 as well as between the conductors 12a, 12b and the tubes 20a, 20b can be filled/flooded with cooling fluid as well. During operation of a cable assembly (not shown), cooling fluid typically will first be conveyed in the tubes 20a, 20b in a first direction (e.g. positive z-direction) from a first end of the cable 10 to a second end, where a connector (not shown) is arranged. In the connector or a cable terminal means, the cooling fluid will be bypassed to the first interstitial space 15 where it is conveyed back to the first end of the cable 10. Between the bundle 2 and the cable hose 11 a spacer 25 is arranged which keeps the conductors 12a, 12b spaced apart from the cable hose 11 such that the cooling fluid 21 can circulate around the conductors 12a, 12b which allows highly efficient heat transfer from the conductors 12a, 12b to the cooling fluid. The spacer 25 is wound helically around the bundle 2 in a lay direction that is opposite to the one of the bundle 2, which improves distribution of the cooling fluid 21 within the first interstitial space 15 and hence increases heat transfer. At the same time, the spacer 25 structurally stabilizes the bundle 2 during assembly of the cable 10. With an embodiment of a cable 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 high electrical currents can be transmitted using conductors 12a, 12b that have a relatively low cross section. Hence, an embodiment of a cable 10 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 can be used to conduct high electrical currents while still being relatively flexible and thus easy to handle.
[0103] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show another embodiment of a cable 10 for a cable assembly according to the invention. The cable 10 comprises a central tube 20 for conveying of a cooling fluid 21. Six conductors 12a-f are arranged radially around the tube 20 between the tube 20 and the cable hose 11. Each of the conductors 12a-f comprises a first sheath 13 that provides electrical insulation. The resulting bundle 2 is stranded in a first lay direction and is helically wound by a spacer 25 in a second lay direction. Thus, again distribution of the cooling fluid 21 in the first interstitial space 15 and consequently also heat exchange can be improved.
[0104] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a cable 10 for a cable assembly according to the invention. The cable hose 11 has an oblate shape, hence does not have a circular cross-section. The cable 10 comprises two conductors 12a, 12b which are both helically wound by a separate spacer 25a, 25b and a tube 20a for conveying of a cooling fluid. As well, an auxiliary tube 51 for conveying of an auxiliary fluid and a signal conductor 53 which serves as thermal sensor are arranged in the first interstitial space 15 between conductors 12a, 12b and cable hose 11. As well, the embodiment of a cable 10 shown comprises a thermal sensor 50 that is arranged in the first interstitial space 15. The thermal sensor 50 shown is embodied a highly thermo-sensitive electrical conductor and serves to detect critical temperature at any location inside of the cable 10 along (z-direction) the cable 10.
[0105] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a cable 10 for a cable assembly according to the invention which comprises a conductor 12 arranged in the cable hose 11 and which is helically wound by a spacer 25. Outside of the cable hose 11 a tube (not shown) for conveying of a cooling fluid may be arranged.
[0106] FIGS. 7a and 7b show an embodiment of a cable 10 with a concentric structure. In the center of the cable 10 a tube 20 to convey a cooling fluid 21 is arranged. A first concentric layer of conductors 28a envelopes the tube 20, allowing thermal transfer between the first concentric layer of conductors 28a and the cooling fluid 21 inside of the tube 20. A first electrically insulating tube 26 envelops the first concentric layer of conductors 28a. A second concentric layer of conductors 28b envelopes the first electrically insulating tube 26. A second electrically insulating tube 27 which is also impermeable for cooling fluid envelops the second concentric layer of conductors 28b. Spacers 25a-f are arranged around the second concentric layer of an insulation in order to define a first interstitial space 15 between the second insulating tube 27 and the cable hose 11 of the cable to convey a cooling fluid 21 in a second direction along the cable 10. Good results using such a cable 10 may be obtained if cooling fluid 21 with an initial low temperature is first conveyed in the tube 20 along the cable 10 whereby sufficient thermal transfer between the first concentric layer of conductors 28a and the cooling fluid 21 takes place. The low temperature of the cooling fluid induces a high temperature gradient which effects efficient heat dissipation from the first concentric layer of conductors 28a to the cooling fluid 21 in the tube 20, although the area of interface between the first concentric layer of conductors 28a (respectively the first electrically insulating tube 26) and the tube 20 is relatively low. After being conveyed along the cable 10, the cooling fluid has a slightly increased temperature and is bypassed to the first interstitial space 15 between where it is conveyed in the opposite direction along the cable 10. As the area of interface between the second concentric layer of conductors 28b (respectively the second electrically insulating tube 27) and the first interstitial space 15 is relatively large, sufficient dissipation of heat from the second concentric layer of conductors 28b to the cooling fluid 21 in the first interstitial space 15 can be obtained, even if the temperature of the cooling fluid 21 is higher than it initially was in the tube 20.
[0107] FIGS. 8a and 8b show a second embodiment of a cable 10 that has a concentric structure. In the center of the cable 10 a stranded conductor 12 is arranged which comprises a first sheath 13 that provides electrical insulation as well as it is impermeable for cooling fluid. A first electrically insulating tube 26 which is impermeable for cooling fluid envelops the first sheath 13, spaced a distance apart from the first sheath 13. The first sheath 13 and the first electrically insulating tube 26 are interposed with first spacers 25 arranged around the center conductor 12 in order to define a first interstitial space 15a between the first sheath 13 and first electrically insulating tube 26 to convey a cooling fluid in a first direction along the cable. A concentric layer of multiple conductors 28a is arranged such that it envelops the first electrically insulating tube 26. A second electrically insulating tube 27 is be arranged such that it envelops the concentric layer of multiple conductors 28a. Second spacers 25 are arranged around the second electrically insulating tube 27 in order to define an additional interstitial space 15b between the second electrically insulating tube 27 and the cable hose 11 to convey a cooling fluid in a second direction along the cable 10 as schematically shown in FIG. 8b. For the same reasons as given above regarding FIGS. 7a and 7b, efficient cooling may be obtained if cooling fluid is first conveyed in the first interstitial space 15a and subsequently in the additional interstitial space 15b. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show an embodiment of a cable assembly 1 according to the invention, comprising a cable 10 with a cable hose 11 and two conductors 12a, 12b which are arranged inside the cable hose 11. At one end of the cable 10 a connector 30 is arranged. The connector 30 comprises a contact member 31 which is electrically interconnected with one of the conductors 12a. The connector 30 further has a chamber 32 which comprises a first port 33 that is interconnected with the cable hose 11, respectively the first interstitial space 15 inside the cable hose 11. As well, the chamber 32 comprises a second port 34 which is interconnected with a tube 20 (only shown in FIG. 10) arranged in the cable 10 for conveying of a cooling fluid 21. The cable 10 may be a type of cable as disclosed in FIG. 1. As indicated in FIG. 10 by means of the dashed arrow, the cooling fluid 21 may enter the chamber 32 via the second port 34 and then be conveyed in a channel 35 for cooling the contact member 31. Hence cooling fluid 21 is provided by the tube 20 and conveyed from the second port 34 through the channel 35 in order to cool the contact member 31 and afterwards through the chamber 32 to the first port 33 from where it is conveyed in the first interstitial space (not shown in detail) of the cable 10 in order to cool the conductors 12a, 12b arranged inside of the cable hose 11. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the connector 30 comprises a data port 36 that can serves as an entry point for a data cable 54.
[0108] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show a further embodiment of a cable assembly 1 according to the invention, comprising two cables 10a, 10b which each comprise only one conductor 12 and one connector 30 (not all visible in the Figures). The cables 10a, 10b may e.g. be a type of cable as shown in FIG. 6. As schematically shown in FIG. 12, for each one of the cables 10a, 10b the connector 30 comprises a chamber 32 which has a first port 33 interconnected with the cable hose 11a of the cable 10a-respectively the first interstitial space (not shown) therein- and a second port 34 that is arranged to be connected to a tube 20a for conveying of a cooling fluid. As in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, cooling fluid (indicated by the dashed arrow) can be conveyed from the second port 34 through the chamber 32, thereby cooling a portion of the connector 30, to the first port 33 and then through the first interstitial space (not shown in detail) of the cable 10a in order to cool the conductor 12 arranged inside of the cable hose 11. Alternatively, also only one tube 20a may be used in order to provide cooling fluid both cables 10a, 10b.
[0109] FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show a further embodiment of a cable assembly 1 according to the invention with a similar setup like the embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. Yet, the cable assembly 1 shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 comprises only one cable 10 interconnected with a connector 30. In order to obtain temperature regulation of the cable assembly 1respectively cooling of the conductors 12 , cooling fluid (indicated by the dashed arrow) provide by a tube (not shown) can enter a chamber 32 arranged within the connector 30 via a second port 34 and circulate around conductors 12a, 12b arranged inside of the cable hose 11 and extending through the chamber 32 to contact members 31 (only one contact member is visible). Thus, the portions of the conductors 12a, 12b arranged within the chamber 32 can be prevented from overheating. As well, the chamber 32 comprises a first port 33 that is interconnected with the cable hose 11 and through which the cooling fluid can leave the chamber and be conveyed in the first interstitial space (not shown) inside of the cable hose 11. In addition, the connector 30 comprises a data port 36 that can serves as an entry point for a data cable (not shown) and is fluidically sealed by a closure 37.
[0110] FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 show a further embodiment of a cable assembly 1 according to the invention which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. As indicated by the dashed arrows, the cable assembly 1 comprises channels 35 for cooling of two contact members 31a, 31b whose designs are differing from each other. The contact members 31a in the foreground of FIG. 16 is designed such that the cooling fluid can circulate around it, whereas the other contact member 31b is designed such that the cooling fluid can enter an opening arranged inside of the contact member 31b, such that it can be conveyed to a corresponding connector (not shown) interconnected with the cable assembly 1.
[0111] FIG. 17 shows another variation of a cable assembly 1 according to the invention comprising a cable 10 and a connector 30. For better illustration purposes, the connector 30 is partly sectioned to gain an inside view. The internal structure of the feeding cable 10 can be seen in FIG. 18. FIG. 19 shows a detailed view of the connector 30.
[0112] FIG. 18 shows the cable 10 feeding the connector 30, which comprises two high power conductors 12a, 12b to provide the sufficient electrical energy for a fast charging process. Each conductor 12 is surrounded by a spacer 25a, 25b and a cable hose 11a, 11b. Between each cable hose 11a, 11b and conductor 12a, 12b is a first interstitial space 15a, 15b which is filled with a cooling fluid 21. The cooling fluid 21 in the first interstitial space 15a, 15b is flowing in the direction away from of the connector 30. A tube 20 accommodates the cooling fluid 21 flowing the opposite direction. A cord 18 for strain relief and a grounding cable assembly 17 may be included in the cable as indicated. Further additional cable parts are possible but not shown here in detail. An outer shelf 41 surrounds all individual cable parts forming a second interstitial space 16 between the individual cable parts present within the same.
[0113] As seen in FIGS. 17 and 19, each conductor 12a, 12b and cable hose 11a, 11b is connected to a first port 33a, 33b inside the connector 30. Here, each conductor 12a, 12b is electrically connected to a contact member 31a, 31b. The tube 20 coming from the cable 10 with the cooling fluid 21 is split at a fluid divider 29 in two separate streams in tubes 20a, 20b which are each connected to a second port 34a, 34b.
[0114] From each second port 34a, 34b, the cooling fluid 21 flows through a channel 35a, 35b in a first chamber 32a, 32b surrounding the contact members 31a, 31b to cool the same. A sealing 38a, 38b is provided to prevent further effusion of the cooling fluid 21 inside the connector 30. Each first chamber 32a, 32b is connected to a first port 33a,33b, where the conductor 12a, 12b and cable hose 11a, 11b are connected so that the cooling fluid can leave the first chamber 32a, 32 b through the first interstitial space 15a, 15b to be fed back. The preferred direction of travel form the cooling fluid 21 is indicated in the detailed view of FIG. 19 by arrows, however, an opposite direction of the cooling fluid 21 is also possible.
[0115] The connector 30 comprises several connecting pins 39 to configure the electrical connection to the chargeable vehicle: Two high power DC charging pins 391 for the fast charging of the vehicle battery are each connected to the contact members 31a, 31b, respectively the conductors 12a, 12b. Additionally, a grounding pin 392 to facilitate electrical earth and two optional AC charging pins 393a-b (220 V) may be provided (respective cables are not illustrated in the cable built-up in FIG. 20).
[0116] At the other end of the cable 10, the cable is connected to a power station for electrical vehicles through an adapter charger 60, as depicted by FIGS. 20 and 21. The adapter charger 60 comprises a contact section 610 and a flange section 620. Details of the flange section 620 are shown in FIG. 23, meanwhile details of the contact section 610 are shown in FIG. 24.
[0117] As depicted in FIG. 23, the flange section 620 is cylindrically formed and comprises an internal hollow first chamber 42. On the outside the flange section 620 exhibits a support nut 627 and a screw threat 626 that can be secured on a structure of a power station or else by means of a counter nut (not shown here). On one side panel of the cylinder 629a, the cable 10 is attached and passed through to the internal first chamber 42, in which the outer shelf 41 of the cable 10 is removed. The internal cable parts are guided to ports 621624, which pass the individual parts of the cable 10 through the second side panel 629b. In this application example, a data port 621, a port for cooling fluid 622, a port for each of the two conductors 623, a port for the supporting cord 624 and an additional port 44 can be found. However, depending on the individual application and cable built-up, alternative arrangements and different kinds of ports are possible. The port for the cooling fluid 622 is connected to the tube 20 of the cable 10 on the internal side of the flange section 620. On the outer side, the port for the cooling fluid 622 is connected to a tube 20c which is further connected to a fluidic pump as indicted by the dashed arrow 70. From the pump a tube 20d reconnects the fluidic path from the pump back to the adapter charger 60 to the contact section 610, as indicated by the second dashed arrow 71. The tube 20d guides the cooling fluid 21 to a fluid divider 29 where the tube splits again in two tubes 20a, 20b which further lead to a first ports 613a,b of the contact section 620, as it can be seen in FIG. 20. The conductors 12a, 12b, together with the cable hoses 11a, 11b and the cooling fluid 21 accommodated in the first interstitial space 15a,15b in-between are guided through the ports 623a, 623b of the flange section 620 and are each further connected to a second port 614a,b of the contact section 610.
[0118] A section view of the contact section 610 is illustrated in FIG. 23. From the top left hand side of the figure, the cooling fluid 21 is delivered from the pump through the tube 20d, as indicated by the dashed line. The tube 20a is attached to a first port 613a, from where the cooling fluid 21 enters a second chamber 612a surrounding a contact member 611a of the contact section 610. The contact member 611a electrically connects to a connecting pin 616a which is meant to be attached to the power source of the overall system (not shown here). The cooling fluid 21 leaves the second chamber 612a through the first interstitial space 15a between the conductor 12a and the cable hose 11a. The assembly of the connected parts, charger, cable and connector, are depicted schematically in FIG. 24.
[0119] Hence the full cooling circle starts at a pump (not shown here), is guided through the tube 20c to the port 622 of flange section 620 from where it enters the tube 20 of the cable 10. After travelling through the cable 10 to the connector 30 the cooling fluid stream is slit at the fluid divider 29 of the connector 30 in the tubes 20a, 20b to cool the two contact members 31a, 31b. From here the cooling fluid 21 is guided back to the adapter charger 60 in the first interstitial spaces 15a, 15b through the cable 10. At the contact section 610 the cooling fluid 21 cools the contact members 611a,b and is being led back in the following to the pump via the tubes 20a, 20b, the second fluid divider 29 and tube 20d. This direction of the cooling circle is advantageous since the plug contact of the connector 30 has a higher electrical resistance and hence more heat development than it is the case for the permanent connection through the connecting pins 616a,b of the adapter charger 60.
[0120] Additionally to the variation as shown in FIG. 17-24, the cable assembly 1 can be expanded by a security system for cable leakage. Therefore, the cable 10 being surrounded by the second sheath 41 and forming the second interstitial space 16 in-between the individual cable parts and the outer sheath 41 can be additionally impinged with a pressurized control fluid 40 by an external device which can increase the pressure of the control fluid 40 such as e.g. a compressor or other means (not shown here). The pressurized control fluid 40 is fed in the cable assembly 1 through the port 44 on the flange section 620 of the adapter charger 60. From here, the pressurized control fluid 40 first enters the first chamber 42 of the adapter charger 60 and propagates through the second interstitial space 16 of the cable 10 until it reaches the connector 30. Here it fills out a second chamber 43 with the pressurized control fluid 40. The external device which controls the pressure of the control fluid impinges these spaces with a predetermined pressure. All parts and hollow sections in which the pressurized fluid is kept are made fluid-tight to ensure a preferably constant pressure level so that the external device which controls the pressure of the control fluid 40 does not have to operate continuously. However, if the pressure level falls under a first limit, a detecting means (45) detects the pressure loss and activates the external device which controls the pressure of the control fluid to maintain a target value of the pressure. If the cable is damaged, the pressure level falls under a second limit that is lower than the first limit and the system is able to identify the leakage and can deactivate the cable assembly 1 for security reasons.
[0121] FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 show a first connector 30 with an impact absorbing means 310 according to the invention. The connector 30 comprises a connector housing 301 which has a mechanical guard 302 that partially surrounds two electrical connecting pins 39 of the connector 30. The mechanical guard 302 is essentially embodied as a collar 303. As shown, the impact absorbing means is arranged at a ridge region 304 of the collar 303, which typically will impact on the ground when being dropped and/or will get in contact with e.g. a coat of varnish of a vehicle. The impact absorbing means 310 as shown is made from a rubber-like material which is feasible to absorb mechanical impulses and at least partially convert them into thermal energy, as well as to distribute induced mechanical stress. An outer/peripheral face of the impact absorbing means 310 form a sealing means 313 that is arranged to be arranged to interact with a corresponding mating connector (not shown) such that when in a coupled state with the corresponding mating connector an essentially fluid tight interconnection between the at least one sealing means 313 and the corresponding mating connector is established. As shown, the impact absorbing means 310 comprises an augmentation 311 that is arranged at a bend 306b of the collar 303 in order to increase damage protection. As indicated in FIG. 26, the impact absorbing means 310 of the embodiment of a connector 30 shown is interconnected with the connector housing 301 by means of an adhesive connection, respectively by a glue.
[0122] FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 show another embodiment of a connector 30 where the impact absorbing means 310 is interconnected with the connector housing 301 by means of a mechanical connection, in particular by form locking. Therefore the impact absorbing means 310 comprises openings 312 arranged receive protrusions 305 arranged at the connector housing 301 (in FIG. 28 only one of the openings 312 and one of the protrusions 305 is visible). Such an embodiment of a connector 30 according to the invention may be advantageously be produced using two-component injection molding.
[0123] FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 show another embodiment of a connector 30 comprising two impact absorbing means 310a-b that are arranged at two mechanical guards 302a-b, respectively the ridge regions 304 of two collars 303a-b. As indicated, both impact absorbing means are shaped such that they provide sufficient mechanical protection but do not interfere with locking means 307 of the connector 30. Thus functionality of the connector 30 provided impact absorbing means according to the invention is not affected. This is important in order to comply with certain industrial standards for connectors.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0124]
TABLE-US-00001 1 Cable assembly 310, 310a-b Impact absorbing means 2 Bundle 311 Augmentation 10, 10a-b Cable 312 Opening 11, 11a-b Cable hose 313 Sealing element 12, 12a-f Conductor 320 Interconnecting arrangement 13 First sheath 31, 31a-b Contact member (connector) 15, 15a-b First interstitial space 32 First chamber 16 Second interstitial space 33 First port 17 Grounding cable assembly 34, 34a-b Second port 18 Supporting cord 35 Channel 20, 20a-b Tube 36 Data port 21 Cooling fluid 37 Closure 25, 25a-f Spacer 38 Sealing 26 First insulating tube 39 Connecting pins 27 Second insulating tube 391a-b Fast DC charging pin 28a-b Concentric layer of conductors 392 Grounding pin 29 Fluid divider 393a-b AC charging pin 30 Connector 40 Pressurized control fluid 301 Connector housing 41 Second sheath 302, 302a-b Mechanical guard 42 First camber for control fluid 303, 303a-b Collar 43 Second chamber for control fluid 304 Ridge region 44 Port (for pressurized fluid) 305 Protrusion 45 Detecting means 306a-b Corner/bend 50 Thermal sensor 307 Locking means 51 Auxiliary tube 52 Auxiliary fluid 621 Data port 53 Signal conductor 622 Port for cooling fluid 54 Data cable 623 Port for conductors 60 Adapter charger 624 Port for cord 610 Contact section 625 Port for grounding cable 611 Contact member (charger) 626 Screw thread 612 Second chamber (charger) 627 Support nut 613 First port (charger) 70 Fluidic path to pump 614 Second port (charger) 71 Fluidic path from pump 615 Channel (charger) 616 Connecting pin (charger) 617 Sealing (charger) 620 Flange section
