阅读说明：本技术 电缆 (Cable with a protective layer ) 是由 L·哈尔伯格 于 2019-02-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种电缆(100),其包括第一导体(200a)和第一导体绝缘体(300a),其中第一导体(200a)包括在电缆(100)的第一端和第二端之间的至少一个第一断点(11a、11b、11c…,11n),第一导体绝缘体(300a)包括在电缆(100)的第一端和第二端之间的至少一个第二断点(12a,12b,12c,…,12n)。电缆(100)被构造为使得如果电缆(100)经受高于第一预定限值的力,则第一导体(200a)在至少一个第一断点(11a,11b,11c…,11n)处断开,如果电缆(100)经受高于第二预定限值的力,则第一导体绝缘体(300a)在至少一个第二断点(12a、12b、12c…、12n)处断开,以避免车辆碰撞后的危险电击。(A cable (100) comprising a first conductor (200a) and a first conductor insulator (300a), wherein the first conductor (200a) comprises at least one first break point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) between a first end and a second end of the cable (100), and the first conductor insulator (300a) comprises at least one second break point (12a, 12b, 12c, …, 12n) between the first end and the second end of the cable (100). The cable (100) is configured such that if the cable (100) is subjected to a force above a first predetermined limit, the first conductor (200a) is broken at least one first break point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n), and if the cable (100) is subjected to a force above a second predetermined limit, the first conductor insulator (300a) is broken at least one second break point (12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n) to avoid a dangerous shock following a vehicle collision.)

1. An electrical cable (100) for distributing electrical energy within a vehicle, the electrical cable (100) comprising:

-a first conductor (200a) for distributing electrical energy between a first end and a second end of the cable (100);

-a first conductor insulator (300a) electrically insulating the first conductor (200 a);

wherein the first conductor (200a) comprises at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) between the first and second ends of the cable (100), the first disconnection point comprising a weakening of the first conductor (200a), the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) being configured such that if the cable (100) is subjected to a force above a first predetermined limit, the first conductor (200a) is disconnected at the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) to cut off the distribution of electrical energy at the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11 n);

and

the first conductor insulator (300a) comprises at least one second break point (12a, 12b, 12c, …, 12n) between the first and second ends of the cable (100), the second break point comprising a weakening of the first conductor insulator (300a), the at least one second break point (12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n) being configured such that if the cable (100) is subjected to a force above a second predetermined limit, the first conductor insulator (300a) breaks at the at least one second break point (12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n) to avoid a dangerous shock after a vehicle collision.

2. The electrical cable (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one first break point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and the at least one second break point (12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n) are displaced relative to each other such that the at least one first break point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and the at least one second break point (12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n) are located at different positions between the first and second ends of the electrical cable (100) to cause the first conductor (200a) and the first conductor insulator (300a) to break at different positions between the first and second ends of the electrical cable (100).

3. The cable (100) of any of the preceding claims, the cable (100) further comprising:

-a second conductor (200b) for distributing electrical energy between a first end and a second end of the cable (100);

-a second conductor insulator (300b) electrically insulating the second conductor (300 b);

wherein the second conductor (200b) comprises at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n) between the first and second ends of the electrical cable (100), the third disconnection point comprising a weakening of the second conductor (200b), the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n) being configured such that if the electrical cable (100) is subjected to a force above a third predetermined limit, at least the second conductor (200b) is broken at the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n) to break the electrical energy distribution at the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13 n).

4. The electrical cable (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second conductor insulator (300b) comprises at least one fourth break point (14a, 14b, 14c, …, 14n) between the first and second ends of the electrical cable (100), the fourth break point comprising a weakening of the second conductor insulator (300b), the at least one fourth break point (14a, 14b, 14c …, 14n) being configured such that at least the second conductor insulator (300b) is broken at the at least one fourth break point (14a, 14b, 14c …, 14n) if the electrical cable (100) is subjected to a force above a fourth predetermined limit.

5. The electrical cable (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n), the at least one second disconnection point (12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n), the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n) and the at least one fourth disconnection point (14a, 14b, 14c …, 14n) are located at different positions between the first and second ends of the electrical cable (100) to cause the first conductor (200a), the first conductor insulator (300a), the second conductor (200b) and the second conductor insulator (300b) to be disconnected at different positions between the first and second ends of the electrical cable (100).

6. The electrical cable (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and/or the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n) is defined by a smaller cross section of the conductor (200a, 200b) at the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and/or the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n) than a cross section of the conductor (200a, 200b) outside the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and/or the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13 n).

7. The electrical cable (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and/or the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n) is defined by a weakening of the material structure of the conductor (200a, 200b) at the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and/or the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n) compared to the material structure of the conductor (200a, 200b) outside the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and/or the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13 n).

8. The electrical cable (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second disconnection point (12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n) and the at least one fourth disconnection point (14a, 14b, 14c …, 14n) are displaced with respect to each other such that the at least one second disconnection point (12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n) and the at least one fourth disconnection point (14a, 14b, 14c …, 14n) are located at different positions between the first and second ends of the electrical cable (100) to cause the first conductor insulator (300a) and the second conductor insulator (300b) to be disconnected at different positions between the first and second ends of the electrical cable (100).

9. The electrical cable (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor (200a, 200b) is severed at the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and/or the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n), and the lengths of the conductor (200a, 200b) on each side of the severance are held together by a surrounding conductor insulator (300a, 300b) at the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and/or the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13 n).

10. The electrical cable (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first disconnection point (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and/or the at least one third disconnection point (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n) comprises a joint of the conductors (200a, 200b), wherein the conductors (200a, 200b) are wound, bundled, glued or welded such that the joint is weaker than the conductors (200a, 200b) if the electrical cable (100) is subjected to a force above a predetermined limit value.

11. The electrical cable (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical cable (100) further comprises a jacket (400) surrounding the conductor (200a, 200b) and the conductor insulator (300a, 300b) for causing the conductor (200a, 200b) and/or the conductor insulator (300a, 300b) to break within the jacket (400).

12. The electrical cable (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor (200a, 200b) and/or the conductor insulator (300a, 300b) comprises a plurality of first disconnection points (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n), a plurality of second disconnection points (12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n), a plurality of third disconnection points (13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n) or a plurality of fourth disconnection points (14a, 14b, 14c …, 14 n).

13. The electrical cable (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of first discontinuities (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) and the plurality of second discontinuities (12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n) are located at a predetermined distance with respect to each other, and the first electrical cable (100) comprises more first discontinuities (11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n) than second discontinuities (12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n) to cause the first conductor (200a) to break within the first conductor insulator (300 a).

14. A vehicle (50) comprising

A vehicle battery (60);

electrical components (70a, 70b, 70c, 70 d);

and a cable (100) according to any one of claims 1-14,

wherein the cable (100) is a high voltage cable for distributing electrical energy between the vehicle battery (60) and the electrical component (70a, 70b, 70c, 70d), wherein the cable (100) is adapted to be disconnected for preventing a person from contacting the conductor (200a, 200b) and thereby avoiding a dangerous electric shock after a vehicle collision.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of cables for distributing electrical energy and safety devices for such cables for avoiding dangerous electric shocks.

Background

Cables have been used to distribute electrical energy since the entry of electricity into society. Some cables have their conductors insulated by air, such as aerial cables, but for most cables the conductors are insulated by conductor insulation, usually a dielectric material, for example to prevent short circuits and fires, and to avoid dangerous electrical shocks when touched by humans or animals. Social electrification continues and more devices become more electronic. Electrical devices for human use need to be safely operated and also need to be safe when the operation of the device fails to work in order to avoid dangerous electric shocks to the person using the electrical device. Examples of electric devices for human use are power tools, household appliances, toys, household appliances, electric machines, electric cars, garden tools, industrial power cables, distribution cables, etc. The cable is sometimes torn and worn, which may lead to damage of the insulation, and therefore the conductor of the cable may come into contact with, for example, a person or other torn and worn conductors, causing short circuits and fires, as well as dangerous electric shocks when a person touches the conductor. For example, in a vehicle accident, the cable may be damaged.

Disclosure of Invention

Today, cables for distributing electrical energy are required to be safer cables even when the cables are exposed to special circumstances or wear or tear. In a vehicle, for example, the cable may be damaged in a vehicle collision, and the cable may then pose a danger to humans. There is a need for a cable that prevents a person from coming into contact with a conductor and thus from dangerous electric shocks, for example after a vehicle collision and in any other application where cables for electric energy distribution are used close to a person.

Electric vehicles, particularly automobiles, trucks and buses, are increasingly commonly provided with electric motors for propulsion. Typically in such vehicles, a high voltage battery supplies power from the high voltage battery to the motor through a high voltage cable. According to one aspect, power is supplied to the motor through a cable having two conductors, one conductor supplying power to the positive pole of the motor and the other conductor supplying power to the negative pole of the motor. Therefore, high voltage cables connected to batteries in vehicles are generally safer than wires such as household appliances because of the need to simultaneously contact the positive and negative conductors of the high voltage system in such electric vehicles to get an electric shock. However, the problem of cable exposure to particular environments still exists, such as vehicle impact or wear and tear, in which case the high voltage cables in electric vehicles often become dangerous to humans.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a cable that seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination.

The present disclosure presents a cable for distributing electrical energy within a vehicle. The cable includes a first conductor for distributing electrical energy between a first end and a second end of the cable and a first conductor insulator electrically insulating the first conductor. The first conductor includes at least one first discontinuity between the first and second ends of the cable, the first discontinuity including a weakening of the first conductor. The at least one first disconnection point is configured such that if the cable is subjected to a force above a first predetermined limit, the first conductor is disconnected at the at least one first disconnection point to cut off the distribution of electrical energy at the at least one first disconnection point. The first conductor insulator includes at least one second discontinuity between the first and second ends of the cable, the second discontinuity including a weakening of the first conductor insulator. The at least one second breakpoint is configured such that if the cable is subjected to a force above a second predetermined limit, the first conductor insulator breaks at the at least one second breakpoint to avoid a dangerous shock following a vehicle collision. An advantage of such a cable is that it can be designed such that the disconnection position of the cable, in particular the position where the first conductor and the first conductor insulation of the cable should be disconnected, is predictable when the cable is subjected to a force above a predetermined limit value. According to one aspect, the first predetermined limit is different from the second predetermined limit. According to one aspect, the first predetermined limit is the same as the second predetermined limit.

According to one aspect, the at least one first disconnection point and the at least one second disconnection point are displaced relative to each other such that the at least one first disconnection point and the at least one second disconnection point are located at different positions between the first end and the second end of the electrical cable to cause the first conductor and the first conductor insulator to be disconnected at different positions between the first end and the second end of the electrical cable. An advantage of the cable being disconnected at different locations is that the first conductor insulator is more likely to cover the first conductor so that the first conductor is not exposed to human contact or exposed to short circuits with any other conductors or conductors in the vicinity of the cable.

According to one aspect, the electrical cable further includes a second conductor for distributing electrical energy between the first and second ends of the electrical cable and a second conductor insulator electrically insulating the second conductor. The second conductor includes at least one third discontinuity between the first and second ends of the cable, the third discontinuity including a weakening of the second conductor. The at least one third disconnection point is configured such that if the cable is subjected to a force above a third predetermined limit, at least the second conductor is broken at the at least one third disconnection point to cut off the distribution of electrical energy at the at least one third disconnection point. An advantage of such a cable is that it may be designed such that the disconnection position of the cable, in particular the position at which the second conductor of the cable should be disconnected, is predictable when the cable is subjected to a force above a third predetermined limit.

According to one aspect, the second conductor insulator comprises at least one fourth break point between the first and second ends of the cable, the fourth break point comprising a weakening of the second conductor insulator, the at least one fourth break point being configured such that at least the fourth conductor insulator breaks at the at least one fourth break point if the cable is subjected to a force above a fourth predetermined limit. An advantage of such a cable is that it may be designed such that the disconnection position of the cable is predictable, in particular the position at which the second conductor insulation of the cable should be disconnected, when the cable is subjected to a force above a fourth predetermined limit.

According to one aspect, the first, second, third and fourth predetermined limits are different predetermined limits. According to one aspect, the first, second, third and fourth predetermined limits are all the same predetermined limits. According to one aspect, the first and third predetermined limits are the same predetermined limit and are different from the second and/or fourth predetermined limits.

According to one aspect, the at least one first break point, the at least one second break point, the at least one third break point, and the at least one fourth break point are located at different locations between the first end and the second end of the electrical cable to cause the first conductor, the first conductor insulator, the second conductor, and the second conductor insulator to break at different locations between the first end and the second end of the electrical cable. An advantage of the cable being disconnected at different locations is that the first conductor insulator is more likely to cover the first conductor and the second conductor insulator is more likely to cover the second conductor so that the first and second conductors are not exposed to human contact or exposure resulting in a mutual short circuit or a short circuit with any other electrical conductor in the vicinity of the cable.

According to an aspect, the at least one first and/or the at least one third breaking point is defined by a smaller cross section of the conductor at the at least one first and/or the at least one third breaking point than a cross section of the conductor outside the at least one first and/or the at least one third breaking point. This means that the conductor is more easily broken where the cross section is smaller, because the conductor is stronger outside the smaller cross section.

According to one aspect, the at least one first and/or the at least one third breakpoint is defined by a weakening of the material structure of the conductor at the at least one first and/or the at least one third breakpoint, compared to the material structure of the conductor outside the at least one first and/or the at least one third breakpoint. In other words, the conductor is more easily broken at the weakening of the material structure, because the conductor is stronger at the point where the material is not weakened.

According to one aspect, the at least one second disconnection point and the at least one fourth disconnection point are displaced relative to each other such that the at least one second disconnection point and the at least one fourth disconnection point are located at different positions between the first end and the second end of the electrical cable to cause the first conductor insulator and the second conductor insulator to break at different positions between the first end and the second end of the electrical cable. An advantage of the displacement of the break points of the first and second conductor insulators is that this limits the risk of the first and second conductors being short-circuited or a person touching the first and second conductors at the same time, which avoids dangerous electric shocks, thus making the cable safer.

According to one aspect, the conductor is severed at the at least one first and/or the at least one third break point, the lengths of conductor on each side of the severance being held together at the at least one first and/or the at least one third break point by a surrounding conductor insulator. In other words, the conductor is divided into segments, and when the cable is subjected to a force above a predetermined limit of the surrounding conductor insulation, the cable may break, causing the conductor to separate at the cut.

According to one aspect, the at least one first and/or third disconnection point comprises a joint of conductors, wherein the conductors are wound, bundled, glued or welded such that the joint is weaker than the conductors if the cable is subjected to a force above a predetermined limit. This has the advantage that the conductor can define well where the disconnection is to take place and can define how strong the joint is.

According to one aspect, the cable further includes a jacket surrounding the conductor and the conductor insulation to facilitate breaking of the conductor and/or the conductor insulation within the jacket. In other words, the jacket may be more resilient than the conductor insulator, so the conductor insulator breaks before the jacket.

According to one aspect, the conductor and/or the conductor insulator comprises a plurality of first breakpoints, a plurality of second breakpoints, a plurality of third breakpoints or a plurality of fourth breakpoints. In other words, the cable may be designed such that there are multiple breakpoints between the first and second ends of the cable to ensure that the cable can be disconnected at any point.

According to one aspect, the plurality of first discontinuities and the plurality of second discontinuities are located at predetermined distances relative to each other, and the first electrical cable includes more first discontinuities than second discontinuities to cause the first conductor to break within the first conductor insulator. An advantage of more first breakpoints than second breakpoints is that the first conductor is more likely to break within the first conductor insulation so that the first conductor is not exposed to human contact or exposed to short circuits with any other conductor or conductance in the vicinity of the cable.

The present disclosure also presents a vehicle including a vehicle battery, an electrical component, and an electrical cable according to any aspect of the present disclosure. The cable is a high voltage cable for distributing electrical energy between a vehicle battery and electrical components, wherein the cable is adapted to be disconnected to prevent human contact with the conductor, thereby avoiding dangerous electrical shock after a vehicle collision. The advantage of such a vehicle is that in the event of tearing of the cable due to a vehicle collision, the persons in and around the vehicle are safer, since the cable prevents the persons from coming into contact with the conductor and thus avoids dangerous electric shocks.

Drawings

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example aspects as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1a illustrates an exemplary electrical cable having a first conductor including at least one first break point, and a first conductor insulator including at least one second break point, according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1b illustrates an exemplary disconnected cable having a disconnected first conductor and a disconnected first conductor insulator according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary cable having two conductors, wherein at least one first break point, at least one second break point, at least one third break point, and at least one fourth break point are located at different positions between the first and second ends of the cable.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary cable in which the first conductor, the first conductor insulator, the second conductor, and the second conductor insulator are broken at different locations.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary vehicle including a vehicle battery, electrical components, and an electrical cable according to any aspect of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Various aspects of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the methods and apparatus disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein. Like reference numerals in the drawings refer to like parts.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary aspects of the disclosure. However, many variations and modifications may be made to these aspects without substantially departing from the principles of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and not limited to the particular aspects discussed above. Thus, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should also be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the exemplary embodiments may be implemented at least partly in hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be implemented by the same item of hardware.

Social electrification continues and more devices become more electrified. Electrical equipment for human use needs to be safe for operation, also when the operation of the equipment fails, to avoid dangerous electrical shocks to the person using the electrical equipment. Electric devices for human use include electric tools, household appliances, toys, household appliances, electric machines, electric cars, gardening tools, industrial power cables, distribution cables, and the like. The cable is sometimes torn and worn, which may lead to damage of the insulation, and therefore the conductor of the cable may come into contact with, for example, a person or other torn and worn conductor, causing short circuits and fires, as well as dangerous electric shocks when a person comes into contact with the conductor. For example, in a vehicle accident, the cable may be damaged.

The inventors have recognized that there is a need for a solution in which the cable is designed for preventing a person from touching the conductor, thereby avoiding dangerous electric shocks, for example, after a vehicle collision, and in any other application where a cable for distributing electric energy is used in close proximity to a person.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a cable that alleviates, mitigates or eliminates one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the art, singly or in any combination.

Cables according to the prior art traditionally have conductors and conductor insulators, the cross-section of the cable being the same anywhere between the first and second ends of the cable. If the cable according to the prior art is subjected to a force above a predetermined limit value, the cable will break, but the position at which the cable will break, in particular the position at which the conductor will break and/or the position at which the conductor insulation will break, cannot be predicted.

The present disclosure presents a cable 100 for distributing electrical energy within a vehicle. Cable 100 includes a first conductor 200a for distributing electrical energy between a first end and a second end of cable 100 and a first conductor insulator 300a that electrically insulates first conductor 200 a. According to one aspect, the conductors are typically made of a conductive material, typically a metal such as copper or aluminum. According to one aspect, the conductor comprises a plurality of thin conductors wound together. According to one aspect, the conductor insulator is typically made of an electrically insulating material, typically a plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride or cross-linked polyethylene. First conductor 200a includes at least one first discontinuity 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n between the first and second ends of cable 100, the first discontinuity including a weakening of first conductor 200 a.

The at least one first disconnection point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n is configured such that if the cable 100 is subjected to a force above a first predetermined limit, the first conductor 200a is broken at the at least one first disconnection point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n to cut off the distribution of electrical energy at the at least one first disconnection point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11 n. The cable may be subjected to any one or combination of tensile, tractive and/or torsional forces. Any cable may be exposed to special conditions or wear and tear during normal use. In examples where cables are used in a vehicle, such forces may result from vehicle chassis deformation caused by, for example, a vehicle accident. Such forces may also be generated when the rescue service personnel, for example, opens or moves a colliding vehicle.

First conductor insulator 300a includes at least one second discontinuity 12a, 12b, 12c, …, 12n between the first and second ends of cable 100, the second discontinuity including a weakening of first conductor insulator 300 a. Fig. 1a illustrates an exemplary electrical cable having a first conductor including at least one first break point and a first conductor insulator including at least one second break point according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

The at least one second disconnection point 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n is configured such that if the cable 100 is subjected to a force above a second predetermined limit, the first conductor insulator 300a breaks at the at least one second disconnection point 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n to avoid a dangerous shock following a vehicle collision. An advantage of this cable 100 is that it may be designed such that when the cable is subjected to a force above a predetermined limit, the location at which the cable 100 should break is predictable, in particular the location at which the first conductor 200a and the first conductor insulator 300a of the cable 100 should break. According to one aspect, the first predetermined limit is different from the second predetermined limit. According to one aspect, the first predetermined limit is the same as the second predetermined limit.

The inventors have realized that this prevents human contact with the conductor if the conductor is held within the insulation when the cable is broken. According to one aspect, the at least one first break point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and the at least one second break point 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n are displaced relative to each other such that the at least one first break point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and the at least one second break point 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n are located at different positions between the first end and the second end of the cable 100 to cause the first conductor 200a and the first conductor insulator 300a to break at different positions between the first end and the second end of the cable 100. As shown in fig. 4, according to one aspect, the cable 100 has one first break point 11b of the first conductor 200a, the first break point 11b being at a first distance from a first end of the cable 100, the first end being adapted to be connected to a vehicle battery 60, and the cable 100 also has one second break point 12b of the first conductor insulator 300a, the second break point 12b being at a second distance from the first end of the cable 100, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, which is adapted such that the first predetermined limit is lower than the second predetermined limit when the cable 100 is subjected to a force, such that the first conductor 200a breaks before the first conductor insulator 300a, thereby ensuring that the first conductor 200a remains within the first conductor insulator 300a when the first conductor 200a breaks.

Fig. 1b illustrates an exemplary disconnected cable having a disconnected first conductor 200a and a disconnected first conductor insulator 300a according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In particular, fig. 1b shows that due to the at least one first disconnection point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and the at least one second disconnection point 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n being displaced relative to each other, the cable is disconnected such that the first conductor 200a is held within the first conductor insulator 300 a. This will prevent a person from making contact with first conductor 200a, for example touching first conductor 200a with a finger or any contact of first conductor 200a with the skin of a person. An advantage of cable 100 being disconnected at different locations is that first conductor insulator 300a is more likely to cover first conductor 200a so that first conductor 200a is not exposed to human contact or exposed to short circuits with any other conductors or conductors in the vicinity of cable 100. This can not only prevent dangerous electric shock of a person but also prevent fire or sparks from being caused by a short circuit.

According to one aspect, cable 100 further includes a second conductor 200b for distributing electrical energy between the first and second ends of cable 100 and a second conductor insulator 300b that electrically insulates second conductor 300 b.

Second conductor 200b includes at least one third disconnection point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n between the first and second ends of cable 100, the third disconnection point including a weakening of second conductor 200 b. The at least one third disconnection point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n is configured such that if the cable 100 is subjected to a force above a third predetermined limit, at least the second conductor 200b is broken at the at least one third disconnection point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n to cut off the distribution of electrical energy at the at least one third disconnection point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13 n. An advantage of such a cable 100 is that the cable 100 may be designed such that when the cable is subjected to a force above a third predetermined limit, the position at which the cable 100 should be broken is predictable, in particular the position at which the second conductor 200b of the cable 100 should be broken.

According to one aspect, second conductor insulator 300b includes at least one fourth break point 14a, 14b, 14c, …, 14n between the first and second ends of cable 100, the fourth break point including a weakening of second conductor insulator 300b, the at least one fourth break point 14a, 14b, 14c …, 14n being configured such that if cable 100 is subjected to a force above a fourth predetermined limit, at least fourth conductor insulator 300a breaks at the at least one fourth break point 14a, 14b, 14c …, 14 n. An advantage of such a cable 100 is that the cable 100 may be designed such that when the cable is subjected to a force above a fourth predetermined limit, the location at which the cable 100 should be broken is predictable, in particular the location at which the second conductor insulator 300b of the cable 100 should be broken.

According to one aspect, at least one first break point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n, at least one second break point 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n, at least one third break point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n, and at least one fourth break point 14a, 14b, 14c …, 14n are located at different locations between the first and second ends of the cable 100 to cause the first conductor 200a, the first conductor insulator 300a, the second conductor 200b, and the second conductor insulator 300b to break at different locations between the first and second ends of the cable 100.

An advantage of cable 100 being disconnected at different locations is that first conductor insulator 300a is more likely to cover first conductor 200a and second conductor insulator 300b is more likely to cover second conductor 200b, such that first conductor 200a and second conductor 200b are not exposed to human contact or exposure to cause shorting of the conductors to each other or to any other electrical conductance in the vicinity of cable 100. This is particularly important in electric vehicles, where a cable with two conductors is often used, for example for supplying power from a high voltage battery to an electric motor. In such cables, one conductor supplies the positive pole of the motor and the other conductor supplies the negative pole of the motor. If such a cable is damaged, for example by a car accident, the two conductors should not touch each other to avoid a short circuit or be exposed to human contact, as this would likely lead to a dangerous electric shock.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary cable in which first conductor 200a, first conductor insulator 300a, second conductor 200b, and second conductor insulator 300b are broken at different locations. In fig. 3, first conductor 200a is broken at least one first break point 11b, first conductor insulator 300a is broken at least one second break point 12b, second conductor 200b is broken at least one third break point 13a, and second conductor insulator 300b is broken at least one fourth break point 14 a. First conductor 200a is surrounded by first conductor insulator 300a and second conductor 200b is surrounded by second conductor insulator 300 b. In this way, the first and second conductors (200a, 200b) avoid mutual contact, which limits the risks of short-circuiting each other and exposure to human contact.

According to an aspect, the at least one first disconnection point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and/or the at least one third disconnection point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n is defined by a smaller cross section of the conductor 200a, 200b at the at least one first disconnection point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and/or the at least one third disconnection point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n than the cross section of the conductor 200a, 200b outside the at least one first disconnection point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and/or the at least one third disconnection point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13 n. This means that the conductor is more easily broken at smaller cross sections, because the conductor is stronger outside the smaller cross section. In particular, the conductor has poor resistance to cable tension at break points where the cross section is small.

According to an aspect, the at least one first disconnection point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and/or the at least one third disconnection point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n is defined by a weakening of the material structure of the conductor 200a, 200b at the at least one first disconnection point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and/or the at least one third disconnection point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n compared to the material structure of the conductor 200a, 200b outside the at least one first disconnection point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and/or the at least one third disconnection point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13 n.

In other words, the conductor is more easily broken at the weakened material structure because the conductor is stronger at the non-weakened material structure. According to one aspect, the weakening of the material structure comprises a length of porous material. According to one aspect, the weakening of the material structure is caused, for example, by flattening of the conductor, which makes the conductor less resistant to shear forces. According to one aspect, the weakening of the material structure comprises a mixture of other metals in a section of the conductor.

According to one aspect, the at least one second disconnection point 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n and the at least one fourth disconnection point 14a, 14b, 14c …, 14n are displaced relative to each other such that the at least one second disconnection point 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n and the at least one fourth disconnection point 14a, 14b, 14c …, 14n are located at different positions between the first and second ends of the electrical cable 100 to cause the first conductor insulator 300a and the second conductor insulator 300b to break at different positions between the first and second ends of the electrical cable 100. An advantage of the displacement of the break points of first conductor insulator 300a and second conductor insulator 300b is that this limits the risk of first conductor 200a and second conductor 200b shorting or the risk of a person contacting first conductor 200a and second conductor 200b simultaneously, which avoids dangerous electrical shock and thus makes cable 100 safer.

According to one aspect, the conductors 200a, 200b are severed at least one first break point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and/or at least one third break point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n, the respective lengths of conductor 200a, 200b on each side of the severance being held together by a surrounding conductor insulator 300a, 300b at least one first break point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and/or at least one third break point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13 n. In other words, the conductor is divided into segments, and when the cable 100 is subjected to a force above a predetermined limit of the surrounding conductor insulators 300a, 300b, the cable 100 may break, resulting in the conductor separating at the cut.

According to one aspect, the conductors are held together by gluing the conductors to the surrounding conductor insulation at a predetermined location between the first and second ends of the cable 100. According to one aspect, the conductors are held together by gluing the conductors to the surrounding conductor insulation at a predetermined location between the first and second ends of the cable 100.

According to one aspect, the at least one first disconnection point 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and/or the at least one third disconnection point 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n comprises a joint of conductors 200a, 200b, wherein the conductors 200a, 200b are wound, bundled, glued or welded such that the joint is weaker than the conductors 200a, 200b if the cable 100 is subjected to a force above a predetermined limit. This has the advantage that the conductor can define well where the disconnection is to be made and can define how weak the joint is. According to one aspect, different glues of different strengths may be used at predetermined locations between the first and second ends of cable 100. According to one aspect, the two ends of the conductor overlap and overlap the overlapping portions to ensure that the resistance at the joint is not higher than the resistance of the conductor itself.

According to one aspect, cable 100 further includes a jacket 400 surrounding conductors 200a, 200b and conductor insulators 300a, 300b for facilitating the disconnection of conductors 200a, 200b and/or conductor insulators 300a, 300b within jacket 400. In other words, the jacket may be more resilient than the conductor insulators 300a, 300b, such that the conductor insulators 300a, 300b break before the jacket. According to one aspect, the sheath is made of a resilient rubber or plastic material, such as a polyurethane material.

According to one aspect, the conductor 200a, 200b and/or the conductor insulator 300a, 300b comprises a plurality of first disconnection points 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n, a plurality of second disconnection points 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n, a plurality of third disconnection points 13a, 13b, 13c …, 13n or a plurality of fourth disconnection points 14a, 14b, 14c …, 14 n. In other words, cable 100 can be designed with multiple breaks between the first and second ends of cable 100 to ensure that cable 100 can be disconnected at any point. In other words, with multiple breakpoints between the first and second ends of the cable 100, the cable 100 can be disconnected at multiple locations, which is very useful in environments where it is difficult to predict where the cable may be damaged (e.g., in a vehicle accident).

According to one aspect, the plurality of first discontinuities 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n and the plurality of second discontinuities 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n are located at a predetermined distance relative to each other, and the first electrical cable 100 includes more first discontinuities 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n than second discontinuities 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n to cause the first conductor 200a to break within the first conductor insulator 300 a. An advantage of more first disconnection points 11a, 11b, 11c …, 11n than second disconnection points 12a, 12b, 12c …, 12n is that first conductor 200a is more likely to break within first conductor insulator 300a, so that first conductor 200a is not exposed to human contact or exposed to short circuits with any other conductor or conductance in the vicinity of cable 100.

According to any aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure also proposes a vehicle 50, the vehicle 50 comprising a vehicle battery 60, electrical components 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d and an electrical cable 100. Cable 100 is a high voltage cable for distributing electrical energy between vehicle battery 60 and electrical components 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, wherein cable 100 is adapted to be disconnected to prevent a person from contacting conductors 200a, 200b, thereby avoiding a dangerous electrical shock following a vehicle collision.

Such a vehicle has the advantage that it is safer for people in and around the vehicle in case of a vehicle collision causing a tear in the cable, since the cable prevents people from coming into contact with the conductor and thus dangerous electric shocks are avoided.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments. However, many variations and modifications may be made to these embodiments. Accordingly, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the embodiments being defined by the following claims.