Protective sheath, in particular for electrical cables, and method for manufacturing same

Abstract

The invention relates to a protective sheath comprising an assembly of at least one electrically non-conductive thread, referred to as a core thread, which contributes to the final shape given to the sheath, and electrically conductive threads, as well as at least one protective film combined with all or part of one of the surfaces of the sheath, and characterized in that the protective film is combined by welding. Such assembly of the film by welding and not sewing ensures that the sheath is not damaged during its manufacturing.

1 . A protective sheath comprising an assembly of at least one electrically non-conductive thread, referred to as a core thread, which contributes to the final shape given to the sheath, and electrically conductive threads, as well as at least one protective film combined with all or part of at least one of the surfaces of the sheath, wherein the protective film is combined with the thread assembly by welding. 
     
     
         2 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the thread assembly comprises at least one material adapted to allow the welding of the protective film. 
     
     
         3 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective film is welded along one or more continuous and/or discontinuous surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the thread assembly comprises at least one additional non-conductive thread that is distinct from the core thread and designed for welding, particularly made in material distinct from the material of the core thread. 
     
     
         5 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the thread assembly is obtained by weaving at least one weft thread formed by the core thread in non-conductive material and warp threads formed by the conductive threads, and possibly other threads in non-conductive material, wherein at least one of the threads in non-conductive material used for welding is incorporated as the weft or warp thread. 
     
     
         6 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective film is less than 10 mm thick, particularly less than 1 mm, preferably about 0.05 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the welding of the protective film is made by heat transfer or ultrasound. 
     
     
         8 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective film is welded at several welding points extending in a general direction along the longitudinal axis of the sheath, particularly at a distance of about 10 mm from the longitudinal edges of the protective film. 
     
     
         9 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the thread assembly comprises functional threads, for example threads that serve the function of identification or marking. 
     
     
         10 . The method for manufacturing a sheath according to  claim 1 , comprising a step of assembling several threads including electrically conductive threads to form a ribbon, a step of associating a protective film over all or part of at least one of the surfaces of the ribbon, wherein the step of associating the protective film is achieved by welding. 
     
     
         11 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective film is welded over only part of one of the surfaces of the sheath. 
     
     
         12 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the threads in the thread assembly that are used for joining by welding to the protective film are the core thread or a combination of the core thread and other threads included in the thread assembly, wherein each thread may have single or multiple filaments. 
     
     
         13 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the thread or threads that are used for joining by welding are made of thermoformable material, particularly of plastic or composite material. 
     
     
         14 . The protective sheath according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective film is made of plastic material, and may comprise composite material. 
     
     
         15 . The use of a sheath according to  claim 1 , to safely route, particularly for electromagnetic shielding, cable bundles carrying electrical signals among others, especially in the following areas: aeronautics, aerospace, automotive, maritime, construction.