Self-piercing connector

Abstract

A self-piercing connector comprising, a first body, a second body, the first body comprising a first cutting member for piercing a fluid conduit insulating layer to engage a fluid conduit first conductor, the second body comprising a second cutting member for piercing the fluid conduit insulating layer to engage a fluid conduit second conductor, the first cutting member having a semi-circular form and comprising portions that extend tangentially from each end of the first cutting member, the second cutting member having a semi-circular form and comprising portions that extend tangentially from each end of the second cutting member, the first cutting member and the second cutting member electrically isolated from each other, the first body comprising a first connection member for engaging a cooperating second connection member on the second body, a first body receiver for receiving an electrical conductor connectable to the first cutting member, and a second body receiver for receiving an electrical conductor connectable to the second cutting member.

Claims

1. A self-piercing connector comprising; a first body; a second body; the first body comprising a first cutting member for piercing a fluid conduit insulating layer to engage a fluid conduit first conductor; the second body comprising a second cutting member for piercing the fluid conduit insulating layer to engage a fluid conduit second conductor; the first cutting member having a semi-circular form and comprising portions that extend tangentially from each end of the first cutting member; the second cutting member having a semi-circular form and comprising portions that extend tangentially from each end of the second cutting member; the first cutting member and the second cutting member electrically isolated from each other; the first body comprising a first connection member for engaging a cooperating second connection member on the second body; a first body receiver for receiving an electrical conductor connectable to the first cutting member; and a second body receiver for receiving an electrical conductor connectable to the second cutting member.

2. The self-piercing connector as in claim 1, wherein the first body and the second body are not electrically conductive.

3. The self-piercing connector as in claim 1, wherein the fluid conduit conveys a liquid.

4. The self-piercing connector as in claim 1, wherein the first connection member comprises a latch.

5. The self-piercing connector as in claim 4, wherein the second connection member comprises a hook.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with a description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamp body.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of an assembled connector.

(4) FIG. 3 is an end view of a clamp body.

(5) FIG. 4 is an end view of a clamp body.

(6) FIG. 5 is an end view of an assembled connector.

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clamp engaging a fluid conduit.

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the clamp engaging a fluid conduit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamp body. Connector 100 comprises two clamp bodies. Clamp body 10 comprises a semi-circular form. Clamp body 10 comprises an inner surface 11 and on outer surface 12. A groove 13 and groove 14 each extend radially and circumferentially from inner surface 11.

(10) Each clamp body 10 comprises a latch 15a, 15b and cooperating hook 26a, 26b on clamp body 20. Closure of a complete connector comprises engagement of a clamp body 10 with a cooperating clamp body 20. A hook 16a of clamp body engages a corresponding latch 25a of a clamp body 20. Clamp body 10 and clamp body 20 are substantially mirror images of each other.

(11) Cutting member 30 is disposed in groove 14. Cutting member 30 has a semi-circular shape and having extended portions 31a, 31b which extend tangentially beyond the body to engage body 20. Cutting member 30 comprises a sharpened edge 31 on the radially inward side of cutting member 30. Sharpened edge 31 cuts or otherwise penetrates an insulating layer when the clamp is applied to a fluid conduit 90.

(12) Cutting member 40 is mounted in a groove 19 in body 20. A corresponding cutting member portion 40a, 40b each engage groove 13 when the connector is closed on a fluid conduit. A corresponding cutting member portion 30a, 30b each engage a cooperating groove in body 20 when the connector is closed on a fluid conduit.

(13) Body 10 comprises a receiver hole 17 through which an electrical conductor can be connected to cutting member 30. Cutting member 30 is conductive.

(14) Fluid conduit 90 can be used to transport water, urea, hydraulic fluid, diesel fuel or any other liquid with which fluid conduit 90 is compatible.

(15) Each body 10, 20 comprise an electrically insulating material such as plastic.

(16) FIG. 2 is a side view of an assembled connector. Body 10 is engaged with body 20. Latch 25a is engaged with hook 16a. Latch 25b is engaged with hook 16b.

(17) Cutting member 30 and cutting member 40 have a separation x and as such are electrically insulated from each other. Separation x prevents cutting member 30 from coming into electrical contact with cutting member 40. Cutting member 30 is in groove 14. Cutting member 40 is in groove 19.

(18) FIG. 3 is an end view of a clamp body. Fluid conduit 90 is shown in the assembled position within the connector. Cutting member 30 is shown having cut or otherwise penetrated insulating layer 91. Cutting member 30 has a semi-circular shape and extended portions 31a, 31b which extend tangentially beyond the body 10. Disposed within layer 91 are conductors 92a which extend the length of fluid conduit 90. Cutting member 30 penetrates layer 90 sufficient to electrically contact conductors 92a. Cutting member 30 is conductive, therefore once installed cutting member 30 electrically connects all conductors 92a. However, given its semi-circular form cutting member 30 does not contact all conductors 92 in fluid conduit 90, instead only contacting a portion of the conductors, namely, 92a.

(19) FIG. 4 is an end view of a clamp body. Fluid conduit 90 is shown in the assembled position within the connector. Cutting member 40 is shown having cut or otherwise penetrated insulating layer 91. Cutting member 40 has a semi-circular shape and having extended portions 41a, 41b which extend tangentially beyond the body 20. Disposed within layer 91 are conductors 92b which extend the length of fluid conduit 90. Cutting member 40 penetrates layer 90 sufficient to electrically contact conductors 92b. Cutting member 40 is conductive, therefore once installed cutting member 40 electrically connects all conductors 92b. Cutting member 40 does not contact all conductors 92 in fluid conduit 90, instead only contacting a portion of the conductors, namely, 92b. Conductors 92a and conductors 92b comprise all conductors 92 in fluid conduit 90.

(20) Body 20 comprises a receiver hole 18 through which an electrical conductor 81 can be connected to cutting member 40.

(21) FIG. 5 is an end view of an assembled connector.

(22) Body 20 is engaged with body 10 via the latches and hooks described herein. Connector 100 is closed about fluid conduit 90. Cutting member 30 completes a circuit with conductors 92a. Cutting member 40 completes a circuit with conductors 92b. Cutting member 30 and cutting member 40 are not electrically connected to each other. Conductors 92a are electrically insulated from conductors 92b.

(23) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the clamp engaging a fluid conduit. To install, body 10 is disposed opposite body 20 on a desired position on fluid conduit 90. Body 10 is then press fit until the latches of body 10 engage the hooks of body 20 and vice versa.

(24) Portions 30a, 30b and 40a, 40b align with the cooperating groove in the respective body 20, 10 to facilitate final assembly of the connector.

(25) Electrical conductors 80 and 81 can then be connected to cutting member 30 and cutting member 40 respectively as may be needed to complete a desired circuit. Connector 85 connects the conductors 80, 81 to an electrical power system to energize conductors 92a and 92b respectively. A single conductor 80 or 81 may be used as well depending on the desired circuit and application. Conductors 92a and 92b comprise resistance heating elements used to raise a temperature in fluid conduit 90 to thereby prevent a fluid from freezing, for example. Electric power can be provided by a vehicle electrical system or other suitable source.

(26) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the clamp engaging a fluid conduit. Connector 100 is shown fully engaged with fluid conduit 90. Connector 85 can be connected to a power source (not shown).

(27) Although a form of the invention have been described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations may be made in the construction and relation of parts and method without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described herein.