Electrical connection element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connection element for connection of an electrical connector (17) with a cable (15) connected on the connection element (10), wherein the connection element (10) has a mechanism (21) which is configured to secure the connection element (10) in a predetermined position on the electrical connector (17), and wherein the connection element (10) has on a contact region between the connection element (10) the electrical connector (17) that is generated after the connection of the electrical connector (17) with the cable (15) at least one layer made of a sealing material, which is configured to seal a region of the connecting element (10) on the electrical connector (17) in a liquid tight manner.

Claims

1. A connection element for connecting an elongated electrical connector with a cable connected to the connection element, said connection element comprising: a mechanism configured to secure the connection element in a predetermined position on the elongated electrical connector; wherein the connection element and the elongated electrical connector each have a transverse region extending transversely to a direction of elongation of the elongated electrical connector; and at least one layer made of a sealing material and provided on a region of the connection element which contacts the elongated electrical connector when the connection element is arranged on the elongated electrical connector so that the elongated electrical connector is connected with the cable, said at least one layer being configured to seal the transverse region of the connection element on the transverse region of the elongated electrical connector in a liquid tight manner in the predetermined position.

2. The connection element of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is configured to orient the connection element on the elongated electrical connector.

3. The connection element of claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes at least one spring element, which is configured to clamp the connection element on the elongated electrical connector.

4. The connection element of claim 3, wherein the spring element is arranged on the connection element so that upon connection of the elongated electrical connector with the cable via the connection element the spring element at least partially surrounds the elongated electrical connector so that a force acting on the connection element has to overcome a compression force and a tensile force exerted by the spring element to displace the connection element relative to the elongated electrical connector.

5. The connection element of claim 1, further comprising a touch-protection cover configured to at least partially engage form fittingly in a receptacle provided on the elongated electrical connector.

6. The connection element of claim 5, wherein the mechanism is configured to orient the touch-protection cover on the elongated electrical connector so that the touch-protection cover form fittingly engages in the at least one receptacle.

7. The connection element of claim 6, wherein the mechanism is arranged on the touch-protection cover so that the mechanism exerts at least one of a compressive force and a tensile force on at least one of the touch-protection cover and the elongated electrical connector, when the connection element is arranged on the elongated electrical connector so as to compress the sealing material upon engagement of the touch-protection cover in the at least one receptacle and to generate a liquid-tight region of the connection element on the electrical connector.

8. An elongated electrical connector, comprising: a body; and at least one receptacle formed on the body, said at least one receptacle being configured to receive a part of a connection element so as to form a form fitting transition with the part of the connection element when a force supplied by a mechanism of the connection element acts on the elongated electrical connector, wherein the formfitting transition is liquid tight, wherein the connection element and the elongated electrical connector each have a transverse region extending transversely to a direction of elongation of the elongated electrical connector; and at least one layer made of a sealing material is provided on a region of the connection element which contacts the elongated electrical connector when the connection element is arranged on the elongated electrical connector so that the elongated electrical connector is connected with the cable, said at least one layer being configured to seal the transverse region of the connection element on the transverse region of the elongated electrical connector in a liquid tight manner in the predetermined position.

9. A method for connecting an elongated electrical connector with a connection element, said method comprising: arranging a connection element on an elongated electrical connector, said elongated electrical connector having a receptacle; and with a mechanism of the connection element acting on the elongated electrical connector to thereby secure the connection element on the elongated electrical connector in a predetermined position in which at least a part of the connection element is received in the receptacle so as to form a liquid tight transition between the receptacle and the at least one part of the connection element; forming the connection element and the elongated electrical connector each with a transverse region extending transversely to a direction of elongation of the elongated electrical connector; providing at least one layer made of a sealing material on a region of the connection element which contacts the elongated electrical connector when the connection element is arranged on the elongated electrical connector so that the elongated electrical connector is connected with the cable; and configuring said at least one layer as to seal the transverse region of the connection element on the transverse region of the elongated electrical connector in a liquid tight manner in the predetermined position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows a connection element according to the state-of-the-art.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a first view of a possible embodiment of the connection element according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a further view of the connection element of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(5) Throughout all the Figures, same or corresponding elements may generally be indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the Figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.

(6) FIG. 1 shows a connection element 1, which connects a cable 3 with an electrical user 5. The connection element 1 includes a coated cap nut 7 and a plastic cap 9, which is configured as a touch- and splash water protection. Because the connection element 1 has no mechanism for securing the connection element 1 on the electrical user 5, it may occur that the coated cap nut 7 partially detaches from the electrical user 5 and splash water can enter into a contact site between the electrical user 5 and the cable 3, which may cause damage to the electrical user 5.

(7) FIG. 2 shows a connection element 10, which has a protective cap 11, which protects a region 13 against entry of liquid and contact with a user. In region 13 a cable 15 extends, which is connected with an electrical connector 17, when the connection element 10 is arranged on the electrical connector 17. In order to orient the connection element 10 on the electrical connector 17, the electrical connector 17 has a receptacle 19, in which the protective cap 11 form-fittingly engages. By means of a mechanism 21 arranged on the connection element 10 the connection element 10 is oriented on the electrical connector 17, so that a sealing system 23 made of a layer of sealing material slides together with a part 25 of the protective cap 11 into the receptacle 19 of the electrical connector 17. For this purpose the mechanism 21 is tensioned between the electrical connection 17 and the protective cap 11 and as a result pulls the part 25 with the sealing system 23 into the receptacle 19 of the electrical connector 17. This means that the mechanism 21 exerts a tensile or compression force on the protective cap 11 or the electrical connector 17, so that the protective cap 11 is displaced relative to the electrical connector 17 or the electrical connector 17 is displaced relative to the protective cap 11.

(8) FIG. 3 shows the connection element 10 in a position in which the mechanism 21 has pulled or pushed the part 25 of the protective cap 11 together with the sealing system 23 into the receptacle 19 of the electrical connector 17. Correspondingly the mechanism 21 is relaxed and only exerts a very minor tensile or compressive force with respect to the protective cap 11 or the electrical connector 17.

(9) What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims and includes equivalents of the elements recited therein: