CONNECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection system consisting of a first connection element and a second connection element and a linking element which is provided in order to link two devices. The first connection element and the second connection element are preferably formed as plug-in connectors and the linking element is provided in the form of a cable-sheath assembly which carries cables and lines. The advantageous teaching according to the invention allows connection systems of this type to be designed such that the cables and lines provided in the linking element and a sheath surrounding same are not mechanically overloaded, even under heavy mechanical loads, preferably tensile loads.

Claims

1. A connection system, consisting of at least a first connection element and a second connection element, as well as a linking element, wherein the linking element consists of at least one inner element and one outer element surrounding the inner element, and wherein the linking element links the first connection element and the second connection element.

2. The connection system according to claim 1, wherein the inner element consists of at least one line, the line being designed for transmitting data and/or energy.

3. The connection system according to claim 2, wherein the line is an electrical line and/or an optical line and/or a fluid line.

4. The connection system according to claim 2, wherein the lines have different moduli of elasticity.

5. The connection system according to claim 4, wherein the outer element has a lower modulus of elasticity than at least one of the lines.

6. The connection system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the lines is force-fittingly connected to the first connection element and to the second connection element.

7. The connection system according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the lines is designed to transfer a force between the first connection element and the second connection element and has a higher modulus of elasticity than the remaining lines.

8. The connection system according to claim 2, wherein the first connection element and the second connection element each have a coupling element, wherein the coupling element connects the first connection element and the second connection element in each case to the linking element.

9. The connection system according to claim 8, wherein the coupling elements are designed for sealing the first connection element or the second connection element to the linking element in an environmentally-sealed manner, and wherein the coupling elements are designed for transferring force from the first connection element or the second connection element to the linking element.

10. The connection system according to claim 8, wherein the coupling elements are made of an elastically deformable material.

11. The connection system according to claim 10, wherein the coupling elements are made of a polymer.

12. The connection system according to claim 8, wherein the coupling element is designed as a flat seal, and wherein the coupling element has at least one opening.

13. The connection system according to claim 12, wherein the inner element is accommodated in the opening of the coupling element.

14. The connection system according to claim 13, wherein one of the lines is accommodated in each case in one of the openings of the coupling element.

15. The connection system according to claim 14, wherein all lines are accommodated in the openings in an environmentally-sealed manner and at least one of the lines is force-fittingly accommodated in one of the openings.

16. The connection system according to claim 15, wherein one of the lines has a higher frictional connection to the coupling element than the other lines, and wherein the line has the greatest modulus of elasticity compared to the other lines.

17. The connection system according to claim 2, wherein radial sealing surfaces and axial sealing surfaces are formed on the coupling element.

18. The connection system according to claim 2, wherein the outer element of the linking element is provided one flange each at two ends, the flange being in environmentally-sealed contact with the coupling element.

19. The connection system according to claim 18, wherein the flange of the outer element is in environmentally-sealed contact with an axial sealing surface of the coupling element and the lines with radial sealing surfaces of the coupling element are in environmentally-sealed contact.

20. The connection system according to claim 1, wherein the inner element is accommodated in the outer element in a freely movable manner.

Description

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in greater detail below. Therein:

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a connection system according to the invention in a functional representation;

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a further connection system according to the invention in a functional representation;

[0031] FIG. 3 shows a detailed representation of a linking element according to the invention in section; and

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a connecting element according to the invention with a connected linking element.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a functional representation of a connection system according to the invention. The connection system essentially consists of a first connection element 1, a second connection element 2 and a linking element 3. The linking element 3 in this case is designed as an elongated element. The linking element 3 may preferably be a cable, cable-sheath assembly or the like.

[0034] The linking element 3 has two opposite ends, each of which are connected to one of the connection elements 1, 2. The connection elements 1, 2 are preferably designed as, for example, plug-in connectors, cable ends or junction boxes. The linking element 3 in this case is connected to the first connection element 1 and to the second connection element 2 and is in contact with them.

[0035] Contact elements provided in the connection elements 1, 2 are provided for further contacting and transfer. The connection system in this case is provided for transmitting signals, data and energy. Electrical signals and/or energy, optical signals and/or energy and/or a fluid flow may be transmitted depending on the packaging.

[0036] Another connection system according to the invention as a functional representation is shown in FIG. 2. In addition to the connection system shown in FIG. 1, this other connection system also has two coupling elements 6. The coupling elements 6 are provided between the first connection element 1 and the linking element 3 as well as between the second connection element 2 and the linking element 3.

[0037] The coupling elements 6 in this case are designed as a link between the linking element 3 and the first connection element 1 and the second connection element 2. The coupling elements 6 establish both the mechanical connection and an environmentally-sealed connection.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a linking element 3 according to the invention as a detailed view in section. The linking element 3 consists of an outer element 4 and an inner element 5. The inner element 5 in this case is arranged to be freely movable in the outer element 4 and is completely surrounded by the latter.

[0039] The inner element 5 is formed from three lines 5a, 5b, 5c. The three lines 5a, 5b, 5c are arranged in the outer element 4 and are freely movable therein. The line 5a is an electrical line for transmitting electrical signals, data and energy. The line 5b is designed as an optical line for transmitting optical signals, data and energy. The line 5c designed as a fluid line is provided for transmitting flowable media.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a sectional representation of a connection element 1 according to the invention with a connected linking element 3. The linking element 3, shown in the right-hand area, is guided with the end shown into a receptacle of the connecting element 1. For the sake of clarity, only one line 5a′ of the inner element 5 of the linking element 3 is shown. The line 5a′ is also the line according to the invention having the greatest modulus of elasticity compared to the other lines 5b, 5c, not shown.

[0041] The outer element 4 of the connecting element 3 is designed as a sheath. The lines 5a′ and 5b and 5c (not shown) are accommodated in the outer element 4. A flange 4a is provided on the outer element 4 axially at the end of the outer element 4. The flange 4a has a sleeve, which is inserted into the free end of the outer element 4 and is firmly connected to the outer element 4.

[0042] The flange 4a is designed in such a way that it is held at a taper in the connection element 1. On the side facing away from the linking element 3, the flange 4a has a surface, which is designed for environmentally-sealed contact with the coupling element 6.

[0043] A coupling element 6 is arranged on the side of the flange 4a facing away from the linking element 3. The circular coupling element 6 has two openings 7 shown here. In this case, the line 5a′ is accommodated in the one opening 7, only half of the second opening 7 being shown in section.

[0044] The coupling element 6 is pressed onto the flange 4a by means of a screw connection 8 on the connection element 1. As a result of the pressing, the coupling element 6 is compressed, as a result of which a radial deformation of the coupling element 6 is simultaneously produced. This radial deformation ensures a force-fitting connection of the line 5a′ in the opening 7. As a result of the pressing of the coupling element 6 against the flange 4a between the coupling element 6 and the flange 4a, an environmentally-sealed connection is simultaneously produced.

[0045] The advantage of the invention according to the invention is that, as a result of lines 5a, 5b, 5c having different moduli of elasticity, the entire axial force acting on the connection system may be absorbed by a line 5a′. By appropriately designing the diameter of the openings 7, it may thus be ensured that the line 5a′ transfers the greatest force onto the coupling element 6. This ensures that sensitive lines 5a, 5b, 5c are unable to be overstretched, unduly stretched or damaged.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0046] 1 First connection element [0047] 2 Second connection element [0048] 3 Linking element [0049] 4 Outer element [0050] 4a Flange [0051] 5 Interior element [0052] 5a Electrical line [0053] 5b Optical line [0054] 5c Fluid line [0055] 6 Coupling element [0056] 6a Radial sealing surface [0057] 6b Axial sealing surface [0058] 7 Opening