Abstract
An electrical connector includes a connector housing configured for mating with a corresponding counter-connector. Further, the electrical connector has an electrical contacting means arranged in the connector housing and configured for electrically contacting with the electrical conductor. The electrical contacting means is further configured for establishing an electrical contact with the counter-connector. Moreover, the electrical connector includes an insulative sleeve attachable to the electrical contacting means. The insulative sleeve is shaped to prevent a finger of a human from touching the electrical contacting means.
Claims
1. An electrical connector, comprising: a connector housing configured to mate with a corresponding counter-connector; an electrical contacting means arranged in the connector housing and configured to electrically contact the electrical conductor, wherein the electrical contacting means is further configured to establish electrical contact with the counter-connector, and an insulative sleeve attachable to the electrical contacting means, wherein the insulative sleeve is shaped to prevent a finger of a human from touching the electrical contacting means.
2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the insulative sleeve comprises a substantially hollow cylindrical shape and wherein the electrical contacting means has a through hole shaped to at least partially receive the insulative sleeve therein.
3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrical contacting means and the insulative sleeve extend in a mating direction of the electrical connector in an assembled condition and wherein the insulative sleeve extends further in the mating direction than the electrical contacting means.
4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the insulative sleeve comprises a mating end with a hollow opening and wherein the hollow opening has a diameter that at least partially protects the inside of the insulative sleeve against finger contact.
5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the insulative sleeve comprises fixing means for attaching the insulative sleeve to the electrical contacting means and wherein a through hole is formed through the insulative sleeve and the electrical contacting means such that an affixing element configured to affix the electrical connector to the counter-connector is arrangeable at least partially inside the insulative sleeve.
6. The electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein the fixing means comprises at least one outer latching arm configured to establish a snap connection with the electrical contacting means in an assembled condition.
7. The electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein the insulative sleeve is configured such that the affixing element is affixable to a counter-affixing element of the counter-connector inside the insulative sleeve.
8. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein the affixing element is a screw, and the counter-affixing element is a threaded sleeve.
9. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connector comprises an affixing element configured to affix the electrical connector to the counter-connector and wherein the affixing element is arranged at least partially inside the insulative sleeve when assembled.
10. The electrical connector according to claim 9, wherein the insulative sleeve is configured such that the affixing element is protected against finger contact.
11. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing comprises a cover that allows insertion of an affixing element when the cover is in an open state.
12. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the insulative sleeve is attached to the electrical contacting means and wherein the connector housing comprises: a first recess configured for inserting the electrical conductor; and a second recess configured for inserting an affixing element being configured for affixing the electrical connector to the counter-connector.
13. The electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein the electrical contacting means and the insulative sleeve are arranged adjacent to the first recess.
14. The electrical connector according to claim 12, wherein the first recess and the second recess are configured such that an insertion direction for the affixing element is substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction for the electrical conductor.
15. The electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein the insulative sleeve comprises at least one inner latching arm configured to establish a snap connection with the affixing element in an assembled condition.
16. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the insulative sleeve comprises at least one stopper protrusion and wherein the at least one stopper protrusion abuts the electrical contacting means in an assembled condition.
17. The electrical connector according to claim 16, wherein the at least one stopper protrusion is arranged at an outer circumference of the insulative sleeve.
18. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the electrical connector comprises a bushing and wherein, in an assembled condition, the insulative sleeve is arranged at least partially in the bushing.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] The present invention is now described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first electrical connector according to some embodiments;
[0039] FIG. 2 is a detailed section view of the first electrical connector with the insulative sleeve being attached according to some embodiments;
[0040] FIG. 3 is a detailed section view of the first electrical connector according to some embodiments;
[0041] FIG. 4 is a detailed section view of the first electrical connector in an assembled condition according to some embodiments;
[0042] FIG. 5A is a detailed section view of the first electrical connector during a finger insertion test according to some embodiments;
[0043] FIG. 5B is a detailed section view of the first electrical connector during a finger insertion test according to some embodiments;
[0044] FIG. 6A is a top view of an insulative sleeve for the first electrical connector according to some embodiments;
[0045] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an insulative sleeve for the first electrical connector;
[0046] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second electrical connector according to the present disclosure according to some embodiments;
[0047] FIG. 8 is a detailed section view of the second connector according to some embodiments;
[0048] FIG. 9A is a detailed section view of the second connector during a finger insertion test according to some embodiments;
[0049] FIG. 9B is a detailed section view of the second connector during a finger insertion test according to some embodiments;
[0050] FIG. 10A is a top view of an insulative sleeve for the second electrical connector according to some embodiments; and
[0051] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of an insulative sleeve for the second electrical connector according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0052] FIGS. 1 to 5 depict a first electrical connector 100 according to the present disclosure and FIGS. 7 to 9 depict a second electrical connector 200 according to the present disclosure, wherein it is understood that the first electrical connector 100 may be connected to the second electrical connector 200. Hence, the second electrical connector 200 may also be referred to as counter-connector 200. The second electrical connector 200 is partially configured as the first electrical connector 100. This will be understood from the use of equivalent reference signs, wherein only the first digit, i.e., “1” and “2”, deviates between the first electrical connector 100 and the second electrical connector 200. Accordingly, the description for the second electrical connector 200 is not repeated.
[0053] As is understood from FIG. 1 with FIG. 7, the first electrical connector 100 serves for connecting an electrical conductor 110 to the counter-connector 200, particularly to an electrical conductor 210 of the counter-connector 200. In the first electrical connector 100 the electrical conductor 110 includes a cylindrical insulated busbar 111 and a busbar terminal 112 with a through hole, as can be e.g., seen in FIG. 4.
[0054] As exemplarily shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrical connector 100 includes a connector housing 120 configured for mating with a corresponding counter-connector 200. Thereby the connector housing 120 includes an inner part 123 and an outer part 124 which surrounds the inner part 123 and exemplarily prevents the penetration of water and/or dust.
[0055] Further, as depicted in FIGS. 2 to 5, the electrical connector 100 includes an electrical contacting means 140 being arranged in the connector housing 120 and configured for electrically contacting with the electrical conductor 110, namely the busbar terminal 112. The electrical contacting means 140 is further configured for establishing an electrical contact with the counter-connector 200. Particularly, the electrical contacting means 140 is a bushing and has a substantially hollow cylindrical shape with a through hole in an axial direction of the hollow cylindrical shape. In the following, the term “contacting means” and “bushing” are used synonymously for element 140. Thereby a first flat surface 143 of the hollow cylindrical shape is arranged for contacting the electrical conductor 110 and particularly the busbar terminal 112 (as shown in FIG. 4). Further, a second flat surface 144 of the hollow cylindrical shape is arranged for contacting the electrical contacting means 240 of the counter-connector 200.
[0056] Further, as depicted in FIGS. 2 to 5, the electrical connector 100 includes an insulative sleeve 150 being attachable to the electrical contacting means 140. Thereby in FIGS. 2, 4, 5A, and 5B the insulative sleeve 150 is attached to the electrical contacting means 140.
[0057] As can be seen in FIG. 5B, the insulative sleeve 150 is shaped, i.e., has the length and the diameter, to prevent a finger 1 of a human from touching the electrical contacting means 140. Particularly, FIG. 5B illustrates that a test finger 1 according to IPxxB as per ISO 20653 fails to reach the electrical contacting means 140. This is as the finger 1 abuts the insulative sleeve 150 and the connector housing 120 before contacting the electrical contacting means 140 being recessed inside the connector housing 120.
[0058] Further, according to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the insulative sleeve 150 is arranged in the bushing 140. Particularly, the insulative sleeve 150 extends through the bushing 140 along the whole axial length of the bushing 140.
[0059] Moreover, as depicted in FIGS. 1 to 6, the insulative sleeve 150 includes a substantially hollow cylindrical shape and the electrical contacting means 140 has a through hole 141 shaped to at least partially receive the insulative sleeve therein 150.
[0060] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 5A, and 5B, in an assembled condition, the electrical contacting means 140, i.e., the bushing, and the insulative sleeve 150 extend in a mating direction of the electrical connector 100. Thereby the insulative sleeve 150 extends further in the mating direction than the electrical contacting means 140. Particularly, the insulative sleeve 150 extends further in the mating direction than the electrical contacting means 140 by the mating direction length of the electrical contacting means 140 multiplied by at least 1.0.
[0061] As depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the insulative sleeve 150 includes a mating end 151 with a hollow opening 159. The hollow opening 159 has a diameter that protects the inside of the insulative sleeve 150 at least partially against finger contact according to IPxxB as per ISO 20653.
[0062] Further, FIGS. 5A, 6A, and 6B depict that the insulative sleeve 150 includes fixing means 155a, 155b, 155c, 155d for attaching the insulative sleeve 150 to the electrical contacting means 140, wherein the fixing means 155a, 155b, 155c, 155d are provided in form of four outer latching arms 155a, 155b, 155c, 155d, configured for establishing a snap connection with an undercut 142 of the electrical contacting means 140 in an assembled condition. Further, a through hole is formed through the insulative sleeve 150 and the electrical contacting means 140 such that an affixing element 160 (here in the form of a screw) configured for affixing the electrical connector 100 to the counter-connector 200 is arrangeable at least partially inside the insulative sleeve 150 and the electrical contacting means 140.
[0063] As depicted in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B the electrical connector 100 includes an affixing element 160 being configured for affixing the electrical connector 100 to the counter-connector 200. The affixing element 160 is arranged partially inside the insulative sleeve 150. In this example, the affixing element 160 is a screw and the counter-affixing element 260, as e.g., depicted in FIG. 8 is a threaded sleeve.
[0064] Further, as depicted in FIG. 5A, the insulative sleeve 150 is configured in length and diameter such that the affixing element 160 is protected against finger contact according to IPxxB as per ISO 20653. Particularly, FIG. 5A illustrates that a test finger 1 according to IPxxB as per ISO 20653 fails to reach the affixing element 160 being arranged partially inside the insulative sleeve 150.
[0065] Moreover, exemplarily from FIGS. 5A and 5B it is understood that the insulative sleeve 150 is configured such that the affixing element 160 is affixable to a counter-affixing element 260 of the counter-connector 200 inside the insulative sleeve 150. Particularly, the insulative sleeve 150 has four mating slots 157a, 157b, 157c, 157d extending in an axial direction of the insulative sleeve and which allow for the insulative sleeve 150 to engage with inside ribs of the insulative sleeve 250 of the counter-connector 200, as depicted in FIGS. 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B. Hence, the affixing element 160 and the counter-affixing element 260 may get in contact inside the insulative sleeve 150.
[0066] It is understood that the insulative sleeve 250 of the counter-connector 200 is rotated by 45° around its axis in the view of FIG. 8 compared to the perspective shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. Hence, in FIG. 8 the inside ribs of the insulative sleeve 250 of the counter-affixing element 260 are not depicted in cut-view and in FIGS. 9A and 9B the outer latching arms 255a are not visible.
[0067] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the connector housing 120 includes a cover 170 which in an open state allows the insertion and manipulation of an affixing element 160. Moreover, the connector housing 120 includes a further larger cover 175 which in an open state allows the mounting of the electrical contacting means 140 and/or the inner part 123 of the connector housing 120.
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5A, and 5B, the insulative sleeve 150 is attached to the electrical contacting means 140. Moreover, as will be understood from FIG. 3 with FIG. 4, the connector housing 120 includes a first recess 121 configured for inserting the busbar terminal 112, wherein the electrical contacting means 140 and the insulative sleeve 150 are adjacent to the first recess 121. Further, as will be also understood from FIG. 3 with FIG. 4, the connector housing 120 includes a second recess 122 configured for inserting the screw/affixing element 160 being configured for affixing the electrical connector 100 to the counter-connector 200. Thereby, the first recess 121 and the second recess 122 are configured such that an insertion direction for the affixing element 160 is perpendicular to an insertion direction for the electrical conductor 110.
[0069] As depicted in FIGS. 5B and 6A, the insulative sleeve 150 includes four inner latching arms 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d, configured for establishing a snap connection with the affixing element 160 in an assembled condition. In FIG. 5B the snap connection with the affixing element 160 is established, wherein a protrusion on each of the four inner latching arms 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d is engaged with a respective recess on the affixing element 160.
[0070] Further, in FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B it is illustrated that the affixing element 160 includes two angular recesses spaced apart in an axial direction of the affixing element 160 and which allow for the affixing element 160 to be positioned in two different positions relative to the electrical connector by means of the inner latching arms 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d. Thus, the affixing element 160 may be axially displaced, e.g., for being screwed into the counter-affixing element 260.
[0071] The insulative sleeve 150, as depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B, includes four stopper protrusions 154a, 154b, 154c, 154d, wherein the four stopper protrusions abut the electrical contacting means 140 in an assembled condition. Further, the four stopper protrusions are arranged at an outer circumference of the insulative sleeve 150.
[0072] Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the following claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
[0073] As used herein, ‘one or more’ includes a function being performed by one element, a function being performed by more than one element, e.g., in a distributed fashion, several functions being performed by one element, several functions being performed by several elements, or any combination of the above.
[0074] It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact.
[0075] The terminology used in the description of the various described embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “including”, “includes”, and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
[0076] As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” is, optionally, construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context.
[0077] Additionally, while terms of ordinance or orientation may be used herein these elements should not be limited by these terms. All terms of ordinance or orientation, unless stated otherwise, are used for purposes distinguishing one element from another, and do not denote any order of arrangement, order of operations, direction or orientation unless stated otherwise.
