Abstract
The invention relates to a guide device for guiding a contacting of electrical conductors of a cable with electrical contact means of a component, comprising: a guide housing which is at least partially electrically insulating, and a guide structure, which is formed on the guide housing for guiding the electrical conductors and/or the electrical contact means during contacting.
Claims
1. A guide device for guiding a contacting of electrical conductors of a cable with electrical contact means of a component, comprising: a guide housing which is at least partially electrically insulating, and a guide structure which is formed on the guide housing for guiding the electrical conductors and/or the electrical contact means during contacting, characterized in that the guide device is designed to predetermine the specific arrangement and assignment of the electrical contact means to the electrical conductors during contacting.
2. The guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide structure is designed to guide a relative movement of the electrical conductors and the electrical contact means with respect to one another during contacting, in order to introduce the electrical contact means into the conductors in the axial direction of the cable and/or to introduce the respective electrical contact means into the associated conductor in the axial direction of the conductor.
3. The guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide structure is formed on a first side of the guide housing for mechanically guiding the electrical conductors, and for this purpose preferably comprises openings on the guide housing, and is formed on a second side of the guide housing for mechanically guiding the electrical contact means, and for this purpose preferably comprises further openings on the guide housing in order to guide the electrical conductors and the electrical contact means towards one another starting from the different sides, so that the contacting is preferably provided guided in an interior space of the guide housing.
4. The guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one coding is spatially formed on the guide housing in order to predetermine the specific arrangement and assignment of the electrical contact means to the electrical conductors, the at least one coding comprising a mechanical and/or geometric coding, in which a geometric profile, in particular a spatial shape and/or contour, extends through the guide device, the profile preferably defining a guide cavity for a guide means and preferably for a guide pin of the component and/or of the cable, so that a specific orientation of the component and/or of the cable is predetermined for the contacting, in order to block a movement of the component and/or of the cable relative to one another in the event of a deviation from the specific orientation, wherein the guide cavity is particularly preferably designed for transmitting a fluid, in particular for transmitting a medium such as air or a liquid, wherein the at least one coding comprises a geometric and/or extruded profile of the guide device and/or a tube.
5. The guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one coding is provided on the guide housing, the at least one coding comprising an electrical coding and/or a color coding, in which a systematic arrangement of the electrical conductors is provided, so that a specific assignment of the electrical contact means is predetermined for the contacting.
6. The guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide device is designed as a guide grommet for the cable.
7. A connection system, comprising: a component for connection to an electrical cable, the component comprising a plurality of contact means for making contact with conductors of the cable, the contact means being electrically conductive, the electrical cable, in which the conductors are accessible for contacting with the contact means, wherein the conductors are electrically conductive, and wherein the conductors each have an exposed conductor cross-section, a guide device for guiding the contacting of the conductors with the contact means, the guide device having a guide housing which is designed to be at least partially electrically insulating, and the guide device having a guide structure which is designed on the guide housing for guiding the conductors and/or the contact means for contacting, characterized in that the guide device is designed to predetermine the specific arrangement and assignment of the contact means to the conductors during contacting.
8. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the connection system for contacting the contact means with the conductors is designed in each case in an axial direction of the corresponding conductor in order to electrically connect the contact means directly to the exposed conductor cross-sections, and/or that the guide device is designed to guide the contacting linearly in the axial direction of the cable and/or the corresponding conductor.
9. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one coding on the guide housing interacts with a coding of the cable in such a way that a specific assignment of the conductors with the contact means and/or a specific connection position between the cable and the guide housing is predetermined, in that, in particular, the coding of the cable is formed by means of a rotationally symmetry-free cross-section of the cable, preferably by means of a rotationally symmetry-free inner and/or outer contour of the cable, and/or that a further coding is formed on the guide housing, which interacts with a coding on the component, preferably in such a way that a specific assignment of the conductors with the contact means and/or a specific connection position between the component and the guide housing is predetermined.
10. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the electrical conductors of the cable are twisted together, in particular in the form of one or more twisted pairs, twisted threes or twisted fours, in that the at least one coding of the cable has a continuous course along the extension of the cable and a course which is matched to the twisting in such a way that at each point of the cable along the extension of the cable the at least one coding and the electrical conductors have the same relative position to one another, in particular in a plane transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the direction in which the cable extends.
11. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that an electrical connection is established between the cable and the component, in particular in that the contact means are pierced into associated conductors, and/or in that the connection system comprises a seal, in particular a material-fitting and/or force-fitting and/or form-fitting seal which seals the connection and in particular a cable section adjacent to the connection with respect to an environment of the connection system, in particular in accordance with IP20 or IP67, in that the seal is preferably formed, in particular in the case of a form-fitting seal, by means of a heat-shrink tubing or the heat-shrink tubing which forms the strain relief.
12. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the cable has along its extension on its outer circumference, preferably at regular intervals from one another, a plurality of strain relief contours, particularly preferably in the form of circumferential recesses, in particular grooves or notches, or elevations, in particular beads or steps, preferably for a heat-shrink tubing or a strain relief, and in that the component has a strain relief, in particular a heat-shrink tubing formed as a strain relief, which is preferably attached to the component, for the cable, which cooperates with the strain relief contour of the cable in such a way, that in particular the cable is strain-relieved by the strain relief forming a form-fit with the strain relief contour of the cable, preferably by the strain relief engaging behind the strain relief contour or engaging in the strain relief contour.
13. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the seal is formed by means of a sealing compound, in particular adhesive or casting compound, wherein, in particular in the direction of extension of the cable and/or perpendicular to the direction of extension of the cable a sealing chamber for receiving the sealing compound is formed between the cable and the component and/or the guide housing, in which sealing chamber the sealing compound is located and preferably completely fills the sealing chamber, the sealing chamber preferably having a filler opening for the sealing compound, which is closed in particular by the sealing compound, wherein the sealing chamber preferably has an outlet opening for the sealing compound, which is closed in particular by the sealing compound, wherein in particular a section of the component and/or of the housing guide delimiting the sealing chamber is formed from a transparent material, so that the degree of filling of the sealing chamber with the sealing compound may be determined optically.
14. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the seal is formed by means of a released content of the microencapsulation, in particular of the cable or the component or the guide housing.
15. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that an attachment of the cable to the component is formed by means of a force-fit and/or form-fit and/or material-fit connection and/or in that an attachment of the cable to the guide housing is formed by means of a force-fit and/or form-fit and/or material-fit connection and/or in that an attachment of the guide housing to the component is formed by means of a force-fit and/or form-fit and/or material-fit connection.
16. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the contact means each have a tip and/or are needle-shaped in order to contact the conductors by the contact means being pierced on and/or through the exposed conductor cross-sections.
17. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the conductors are each designed as a strand, each of which has flexible single wires in order to electrically conductively surround a contact means introduced and in particular pierced through the respective conductor cross-section and/or in that the conductors and contact means provided for one another extend from two opposite directions into the guide housing, in particular into individual channels provided for this purpose, in order to make contact with one another there.
18. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the contact means are designed to be introduced, preferably pierced, into the conductors at and/or through the exposed conductor cross-sections, the respective conductor with its exposed conductor cross-section and the contact means introduced, preferably pierced, therein being at least partially surrounded by an insulating sheath and/or by a shielding.
19. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the conductors each form a line with a surrounding insulating sheath, the lines being colour-coded, in particular by a different color of the insulating sheaths, a corresponding counter-coding being provided on the guide device in order to assign a guide structure and preferably openings of the guide housing to the corresponding lines in terms of colour.
20. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the conductors of the cable are each formed as strands in order to form a receptacle for inserting the contact means of the component, preferably for piercing the contact means in the form of a contacting tip into the strands, wherein the guide device is provided between the cable and the component to guide the insertion and preferably piercing with a predetermined arrangement and assignment of the contact means of the component with the conductors of the cable.
21. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the contact means lead electrically to electrical contact conductors of a plug assembly or socket assembly of the component, in that the position and/or arrangement and/or assignment and/or dimensioning of the electrical contact conductors differs from that of the contact means, in particular in the guide housing and/or on the cut surface.
22. The connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the connection system comprises an insertion mechanism, in particular a screw mechanism, a lever mechanism or a plug-in mechanism, in order to carry out the contacting movement, the insertion mechanism preferably being designed to move the cable in the direction of the component during the contacting movement, the connection system or the insertion mechanism preferably comprising an adjusting mechanism, for setting a predetermined depth of penetration of the contact means into the conductor at the insertion mechanism, preferably as a function of a cable type of the cable and/or continuously and/or in several predefined stages, wherein the connection system or the insertion mechanism preferably has an indexing means which is designed to index the current depth of penetration for a user during the contacting movement.
23. A cable for connection to a component, the cable having a plurality of electrical conductors, the conductors each having an exposed conductor cross-section for electrical contacting with contact means of the component, characterized in that the cable is designed to electrically connect the exposed conductor cross-sections directly to the contact means, and in particular to provide the contacting with a movement of the conductors and the contact means in each case parallel to one another in an axial direction of the corresponding conductor and/or of the cable.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0081] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description, in which embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. The drawings showing:
[0082] FIG. 1 Variants of cables and components according to embodiments of the invention, each in a sectional view.
[0083] FIG. 2 Parts of components according to embodiments of the invention, each in a sectional view.
[0084] FIG. 3 Various conductors of cables according to embodiments of the invention, each in a perspective view.
[0085] FIG. 4 a perspective view of a contacting or cut surface of cables according to embodiments of the invention.
[0086] FIG. 5 a perspective view of a contacting side of components according to embodiments of the invention.
[0087] FIG. 6 a perspective view of a component according to embodiments of the invention.
[0088] FIG. 7 a perspective view of a component according to embodiments of the invention.
[0089] FIG. 8 a sectional view of a cable and a component connected thereto according to embodiments of the invention.
[0090] FIG. 9 a perspective view of a contacting or cut surface of a cable according to embodiments of the invention.
[0091] FIG. 10 a top view of a cable according to embodiments of the invention.
[0092] FIG. 11 a method according to embodiments of the invention.
[0093] FIG. 12 a perspective view of a guide device according to embodiments of the invention.
[0094] FIG. 13 A perspective view of a cable according to embodiments of the invention.
[0095] FIG. 14 A further perspective view of a cable according to embodiments of the invention.
[0096] FIG. 15 A schematic representation of an insertion mechanism according to embodiments of the invention.
[0097] FIG. 16 A further schematic representation of parts of an insertion mechanism according to embodiments of the invention.
[0098] FIG. 17 Another schematic representation of an embodiment of a connection system.
[0099] FIG. 18a Another schematic representation of an embodiment of a component.
[0100] FIG. 18b Another schematic representation of an embodiment of a component.
[0101] FIG. 19a Another schematic representation of an embodiment of a connection system with a seal.
[0102] FIG. 19b Another schematic representation of an embodiment of a connection system with a seal.
[0103] FIG. 19c Another schematic representation of an embodiment of a connection system with a seal.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0104] In the following figures, the identical reference symbols are used for the same technical features, even for different embodiments.
[0105] FIGS. 1 to 10 schematically illustrate embodiments of the invention. Specifically, variants of an electrical cable 2 are shown, which is used to connect to an electrical component 20. The cable 2 may have at least one electrical conductor 4 for this purpose. Furthermore, a connection system 1 according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated, which may comprise the cable 2 and the component 20. The sectional planes A-A and G-G are marked in the various views.
[0106] In FIG. 1, the cable 2 is shown in a state in which it is fully electrically and mechanically connected to the component 20. It may be seen that, in this state, the contact means 28 are inserted into the cable 20 and, in particular, into the electrical conductors 4 of the cable 20 in order to establish a secure mechanical and electrical contact. Clearly visible here, the contact means 28 have a tip 30 in order to be pierced into the conductors 4. The component 20 is designed here as a plug connector, possibly with a threaded screw connection arranged in the area 24, in order to be attached to a connection of a device such as a fieldbus module, actuator or sensor. This allows the cable 2 to be connected to the device for transmitting electrical energy and/or data via the plug connector.
[0107] In contrast to conventional solutions, the design of the cable 2 may significantly simplify the connection between component 20 and cable 2. For this purpose, structural additions may be made to the cable 2, such as, for example, at least one coding 50 formed spatially on the cable 2. In FIG. 1 it may be seen that the cable 2 has at least one cavity 6, which serves to form the at least one coding 50 on the cable 2 as further illustrated in FIG. 9 (see, for example, FIG. 9). Such a coding 50 may also be provided on the component 20 and then in particular be referred to as counter-coding 27 if this is formed complementary to the coding 50 on the cable 2. The coding of the cavity 6 means that a correspondingly counter-coded pin 26, preferably guide pin 26, may only be inserted into the cavity 6 as guide means 26 if the orientation of the component 20 relative to the cable 2 is correct (i.e. according to a lock-and-key principle). Otherwise, the insertion of the pin 26 into the cavity 6 may be prevented by other parts of the cable 2. This may then also block the establishment of the connection between cable 2 and component 20. The coding 50 on the cable 2 may thus specify a specific arrangement and assignment of electrical contact means 28 of the component 20 with the electrical conductors 4 of the cable 2.
[0108] The at least one coding 50 may comprise a mechanical and/or geometric coding 50 of the cable 2, in which a geometric profile 7 extends in the axial direction A of the cable 2. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, the profile 7 may be provided by a t-shaped opening of the cavity 6 on the cable 2 and a corresponding t-shaped counter-coding 27 may be provided on the component 20. The cavity 6 may also be designed to transmit a fluid, preferably a medium such as air or a liquid. In addition to a t-shaped coding, an L- or Y-coding or other forms are also conceivable.
[0109] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the component 20 in the form of a plug connector, in which a protruding wall 40 is provided for connector assembly 40 (see also FIGS. 6 and 7). The wall 40 may, for example, be attached to a printed circuit board 42 of the component 20 in order to provide a locking device and/or anti-twist protection and/or a seal 44 on the cable 2. This wall 40 may optionally have a locking mechanism 22 to enable secure attachment to the cable 2.
[0110] FIGS. 3 and 4 further illustrate that the cable may have the multiple conductors 4 in the form of strands, also referred to as stranded conductors. Each of these stranded conductors may have several fine, twisted wires 12, which may be surrounded by an insulating layer (insulation) recognizable in FIG. 4. This insulation is made, for example, from materials such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. It may serve to insulate the conductors 4 both from each other and from the external environment. In addition, the insulation may often be color-coded to make it easier to identify and wire. In order to minimize electromagnetic interference, a shield made of a metal mesh or metal foil may be provided around the insulated conductors 4 as filling material 10. Furthermore, an additional inner sheath may be placed around the shielding to increase the mechanical stability of the cable 2. Furthermore, the entire cable 2 may have a robust outer sheath 8, which is preferably made of materials such as PVC, PE or thermoplastic elastomer and may have special properties such as flame resistance or oil resistance. This multi-layered structure allows the cable 2 to be highly flexible and robust, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
[0111] In further optional designs of the cable 2, the conductors may be highly flexible and provided with 360 full shielding. This full shielding serves to effectively shield electromagnetic interference (EMC) and thus ensure the integrity of the data transmission. Other optional versions include overmoulded versions of the cable 2 with highly resistant PUR overmoulding, which are specially designed for use in harsh environments. The cables may be designed to be self-assembled, i.e. assembled in the field (on site at the system). In particular, this means that the cables themselves have the structural adaptations that allow them to be connected and disconnected quickly and easily and adapted to a desired length. In this way, the cables may be quickly adapted or replaced as required without the need for special tools or specialist knowledge.
[0112] The electrical conductor 4 may be made of copper or aluminum, for example. Other materials such as gold, silver, carbon fiber and conductive polymers may also be used as a component of the conductor 4, depending on the application. In addition, composite materials made from various of these elements may also be used in specialized applications in order to optimize specific properties such as conductivity, weight and corrosion resistance.
[0113] Further, the at least one coding 50 may comprise a geometric and/or extruded profile 7 of the cable 2 and/or a conduit (not explicitly shown) and/or a grommet. The at least one coding 50 may further comprise an electrical coding 50 of the cable 2, in which a systematic arrangement of the electrical conductors 4 of the cable 2 is provided, so that a specific assignment of the electrical contact means 28 of the component 20 is predetermined for the connection. In FIG. 5, a corresponding coding 50 is illustrated, in which the contact means 28 of the component 20 are arranged in a corresponding manner with different lateral spacings.
[0114] In FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-8, a component 20 for connection to an electrical cable 2 is shown schematically. The component may have at least one electrical contact means 28 for making electrical contact with at least one electrical conductor 4 of the cable 2 in an axial direction A of the cable 2 or conductor 4. The axial direction A, or longitudinal direction of the cable 2, is illustrated in FIG. 1 by a vertical arrow. Furthermore, the at least one electrical contact means 28 may be designed to make the electrical contact in the electrical cable 2i.e. in particular within the sheath 8.
[0115] FIGS. 6 and 7 further illustrate that a further structure such as a locking and/or orientation structure 60 may be provided, for example, to further simplify the correct alignment of the component 20 relative to the cable 2 during the connection. The structure 60 is formed, for example, as a groove or material recess on the component 20 and/or on the cable 2.
[0116] FIG. 8 shows that the cavity 6 of the cable 2 may also be interrupted by a connecting part 14. This connecting part 14 may repeatedly interrupt the cavity 6 in the axial direction A of the cable 2. In particular, it serves as a sealing for condensate. This has the advantage that moisture is prevented from penetrating the cable 2, thus ensuring that it remains functional. Accordingly, the connecting part 14 may also serve as a sealing element.
[0117] Furthermore, a locking pin 45 is shown in FIG. 8, which may be provided on the contact means 28 in order to fix the position on the cable 2 after the connection has been made. More generally formulated, a locking device 45 may be provided on the component 20 or on the cable 2 in order to fix the established connection.
[0118] It is further illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 that the coding 50 may comprise a first coding 51, which is provided by the shape of the cavity 6. This refers in particular to the shape of the opening of the cavity 6 with the profile 7 recognizable in FIG. 9. Alternatively or additionally, a second coding 52 may be provided, which is provided by the arrangement and/or formation of the conductors 4. In particular, the coding may be provided here by the formation of the strand 4 to the tip 30 of the contact means 28 or, conversely, the counter-coding may be provided by the formation of the tip 30 of the contact means 28 to the strand 4. Due to the tip 30, the contact means 28 may be designed accordingly as a needle, which then penetrates a conductor cross-section 5 of the conductor 4 for contacting during the connection (see FIG. 13). Different lengths of the contact means 28 may also be provided for a leading, e.g. of a safety contact means 29.
[0119] FIG. 8 further shows that the component 20 may comprise the at least one contact means 28 in the form of a piercing means, which is designed to be pierced into an electrical conductor 4 of the cable 2 in the form of an electrical strand 4 in the axial direction A of the cable 2 or the conductor 4. The bending apart of the single wires of the strand 4 at the pin tip 30 is illustrated in FIG. 8.
[0120] In FIG. 1 it is further illustrated by a dashed line that at least one of the contact means 28 may be designed as a safety contact means 29, which is designed to lead with regard to at least one or all of the other contact means 28. This allows the safety contact means 29 to contact one of the electrical conductors 4 of the cable 2 before the at least one or the other of the contact means 28 when the connection is made, i.e. during a contacting movement.
[0121] FIG. 10 shows that (e.g. every 5 mm) a recurring marking 62 may be provided on the cable 2, which indicates a depth of penetration of the electrical contact means 28, preferably in the form of piercing means. This marking 62 may be printed on, for example. The marking 62 may, for example, be provided in the form of a line or dot. The marking 62 may also be a mechanical marking which, for example, interacts with an insertion mechanism 80.
[0122] In FIG. 12, according to further embodiments of the invention, a connection system 1 with a component 20 and a cable 2 may be seen. The component 20 may be provided for connection to an electrical cable 2. For this purpose, the component 20 may comprise a plurality of contact means 28 for making contact with conductors 4 of the cable 2. In the electrical cable 2 shown, the conductors 4 may be accessible from the outside for contacting with the contact means 28. In FIG. 12, the conductors 4 are surrounded by an insulating sheath 11 and are thus part of lines 13, specifically stranded lines 13 (see FIG. 13). Both the contact means 28 and the conductors 4 are electrically conductive here. Furthermore, the conductors 4 may each have an exposed conductor cross-section 5 for contacting (see FIGS. 13 and 14).
[0123] The connection system 1 may be designed for contacting the contact means 28 with the conductors 4 in axial direction A of the cable 2 or conductor 4 in order to electrically connect the contact means 28 directly to the exposed conductor cross-sections 5. For this purpose, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the contact means 28 may each have a tip 30 and/or be needle-shaped. In other words, the conductors 4 may be contacted by piercing the contact means 28 through the exposed conductor cross-sections 5 in axial direction A.
[0124] In FIGS. 12 to 14, among others, a contact surface 9 is provided on the cable 2, at which the conductors 4 are accessible for contacting with the contact means 28. Specifically, the contact surface 9 may lie in a cut plane of the cable 2, which is created, for example, by cutting the cable 2 at this point. It may be seen that the conductors 4 there may be adjacent to the outside from an interior of the cable 2 (see FIGS. 13 and 14) or protrude (see FIG. 12) and are thus visible and accessible from outside the cable 2. In FIGS. 13 and 14, the respective exposed conductor cross-section 5 also lies in the sectional plane.
[0125] According to FIG. 13, the conductors 4 may each form a line 13 with a surrounding insulating sheath 11, whereby the lines 13 protrude from the contact surface 9 (see FIG. 12) or are flush with it (FIGS. 13 and 14). Furthermore, the solution according to embodiments of the invention may avoid stripping, so that the protruding conductors 4 and/or the exposed conductor cross-sections 5 are each still completely or partially surrounded by the insulating sheath 11. However, the protruding conductors 13 may be at least partially or completely freed from a cable sheath 8 of the cable 2 over the entire circumference (see FIG. 12).
[0126] The connection system 1 may have a guide device 70 shown in FIG. 12, which is formed separately from the cable 2 and the component 20 and/or is movably or detachably connected to the cable 2 and/or the component 20. The guide device 70 may be designed to mechanically guide the contacting in the axial direction A of the cable 2, and preferably to guide the conductors 4, in particular the lines 13, and/or the contact means 28 for contacting in the axial direction A of the cable 2. In other words, the guide device 70 may provide a linear guide for the cable 2 and/or the component 20. When the component 20 and the cable 2 move in a linearly guided manner relative to each other for contacting, this may also be referred to as a contacting movement.
[0127] The guide device 70 may have a guide housing 72 with a guide structure 71. In FIG. 12, the guide structure 71 is specifically provided in the form of openings of the guide housing 72 in order to provide the mechanical guide for the respective conductors 4, in particular cables 13, and/or contact means 28. As shown in FIG. 12, the guide structure 71 may be formed on a first side 76 of the guide housing 72 to receive the conductors 4, in particular cables 13, and may be formed on another, opposite second side 77 (facing away from the first side 76) of the guide housing 72 to receive the contact means 28.
[0128] The lines 13 in FIG. 12 may have different colors and thus be color-coded. Corresponding colors may also be provided in the area of the openings 71 to facilitate assignment.
[0129] Furthermore, at least one coding 50 or counter-coding 27 with the properties as described above may also be provided on the guide device 70, for example in the form of a guide grommet.
[0130] A part 44 of the component 20 and/or the guide device 70 in FIG. 12 may seal the contact surface 9 in the connected state and/or mechanically lock it and/or provide anti-twist protection. Here, for example, an O-ring or a sealing lip on the guide device 70 is conceivable as a sealing element. A latching lug (not explicitly shown) or a latching hook may serve as a locking element. A projection or a groove may serve as anti-twist protection.
[0131] FIGS. 15 and 16 show an example of an insertion mechanism 80, which may be arranged on the guide structure 71 for controlling the contacting movement in order to insert the at least one or the multiple electrical contact means 28 into the associated electrical conductor 4 with a predetermined depth of penetration 90 in an axial direction A of the conductor 4 and/or the cable 2.
[0132] The insertion mechanism 80 may be designed to insert, in particular pierce, the respective contact means 28 linearly guided by the contacting movement into the associated electrical conductor 4 with the predetermined depth of penetration 90, in particular depth of piercing 90, the predetermined depth of penetration 90 preferably being in the range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm, preferably 1 mm to 6 mm, preferably 2 mm to 4 mm.
[0133] The insertion mechanism 80 may further comprise a pressure element 81 and a transmission arrangement 82. Here, the transmission arrangement 82 may be connected to the pressure element 81 in a force-transmitting manner in order to set the pressure element 81 in motion when force is applied manually or mechanically to the transmission arrangement 82. In this way, the respective electrical contact means 28 may be introduced, preferably pierced, into the associated electrical conductor 4 by the pressure element 81 via the contacting movement. Here, a travel 93 for the pressure element 81 between a starting position 91 and an end position 92 may be determined by the predetermined depth of penetration 90 and/or may be structurally predetermined. Furthermore, an adjusting mechanism 84 may be provided to adjust the predetermined depth of penetration 90 and preferably the travel 93 in the insertion mechanism 80, preferably depending on a cable type of the cable 2 and/or continuously and/or in several predefined stages.
[0134] Furthermore, FIG. 15 schematically illustrates that the insertion mechanism 80 may be configured as a lever mechanism 80 in which a transmission arrangement 82 comprises a lever arm 82. This may serve to transmit a manual or machine application of force to the transmission arrangement 82 into the controlled contacting movement, in which the control is such that the contacting movement is linearly guided and/or the depth of penetration 90 is predetermined and/or controlled and/or limited and/or the predetermined and/or a current depth of penetration 90 is indexed for a user.
[0135] Furthermore, an indexing device 83, also illustrated in FIG. 15, may be provided in order to visually or haptically or acoustically indicate a current depth of penetration 90 during the contacting movement.
[0136] FIG. 16 shows that the insertion mechanism 80 may also have a nut 85, preferably a union nut 85, which is designed to establish a mechanical connection between the component 20 and the cable 2 and to be screwed onto a thread 86 for this purpose. Furthermore, a transmission arrangement 82 may be provided, which is designed to transmit a movement, in particular a rotary movement, of the nut 85 on the thread 86 to a pressure element 81. Furthermore, the pressure element 81 may be arranged and guided in the region of a guide space 87 in order to move through the guide space 87 of the guide structure 71 by the transmitted movement along a longitudinal axis of the thread 86 in order to thereby exert a force for inserting the electrical contact means 28, wherein the guide space 87 is designed to receive a part of the component 20 and/or the at least one electrical contact means 28.
[0137] Furthermore, according to FIG. 16, a holding element 88 may be provided, which is firmly connected to the pressure element 81 in order to limit the contacting movement when the holding element 88 encounters a counter-holding element 89.
[0138] In FIG. 11, a method 100 for making a connection of a cable 2 to a component 20 according to embodiments of the invention is shown schematically. According to a first step 101 of the method, a connection system 1 comprising a cable 2 and a component 20 and a guide device 70 may be provided, wherein the cable 2 comprises a plurality of electrical conductors 4, wherein a respective conductor cross-section 5 of the conductors 4 is exposed and accessible from the outside, and wherein the component 20 comprises a plurality of contact means 28 for contacting the conductors 4 of the cable 2. According to a second step 102, the contact means 28 may be inserted into the conductors 4 through the exposed conductor cross-sections 5 in order to establish contact between the contact means 28 and the conductors 4, wherein the insertion may be guided by the guide device 70, and wherein the specific arrangement and assignment of the contact means 28 to the conductors 4 may be predetermined by the guide device 70.
[0139] FIG. 17 schematically shows an embodiment of the connection system 1 according to the invention, which comprises an embodiment of the component 20 according to the invention and an embodiment of the cable 2 according to the invention. The cable 2 has a plurality of mutually spaced strain relief contours 172. The strain relief contours 172 are formed as circumferential grooves and are evenly spaced apart along the cable 2. A strain relief 171 of the component 20 engages in such a strain relief contour 172, wherein the strain relief 171 is formed in one piece with the component 20 and prevents that an accidental pulling on the cable 2 leads to an unintentional release of the electrical connection between the cable 2 and the component 20. The electrical connection is established by means of pointed contact means, each of which is pierced into only one predetermined electrical conductor of the cable. The electrical conductors of the cable 2 extend twisted to one another along the length of the cable 2. The cable 2 also has a coding 50 which interacts with a counter-coding of the component 20 in such a way that the contact means of the component 20 only come into electrical contact with the electrical conductors provided for this purpose during the establishment of the electrical connection between the component 20 and the cable 2, in that the coding 50 and the counter-coding together form a guide and prevent any other contact between the conductors of the contact means. For this purpose, the coding 50 of the cable 2 is formed on the circumference of the cable as a helical or threaded groove running in the direction of extension of the cable 2. Alternatively, instead of a groove, an analogously designed bead may be provided. The coding 50 has a continuous course along the direction of extension of the cable 2 and has the same relative position to the electrical conductors of the cable 2 at every point along the extension of the cable 2, transverse or perpendicular to the direction of extension of the cable 2. In other words, the cable 2 may be shortened to a desired length at any point of the cable 2 in order to establish an electrical connection between the cable 2 and the component 20, since the constant relative position along the cable ensures the intended electrical contacting. The contact surface 9 is formed at the cable end 217, at which the contact means are pierced into the conductors of the cable.
[0140] FIG. 18a shows a schematic embodiment of the component 20 according to the invention. The contact means 28 for contacting the electrical conductors of the cable may be seen. The contact means 28 lead electrically to contact conductors 180 of a plug 181 of the component 20, where the contact conductors 180 form a plug assembly 181. The course of the guide from the contact means 28 to the contact conductors 180 of the plug 181 is not formed in a straight line, but is angled at least once, preferably vertically, whereby the plug 181 is formed on a side of the component 20 that extends transversely or perpendicularly to the insertion direction of the cable 2. Instead of a plug 181 with a plug assembly 181, a socket with a socket assembly may be provided.
[0141] FIG. 18b shows a further schematic embodiment of the component 20 according to the invention, which differs from the embodiment of FIG. 18a in that the plug 181 is formed on a side of the component 20 that faces away from the side of the component 20 on which the cable may make electrical contact with the contact means 28. In addition, the course of the guide from the contact means 28 to the contact conductors 180 of the plug 181 is formed in such a way that the arrangement and/or assignment of the contact conductors 180 of the plug 181 differs from that of the contact means 28.
[0142] FIG. 19a shows an embodiment of a connection system 1. Here, a strain relief 171 is formed by means of a heat-shrink tubing 191. The heat-shrink tubing 191 also serves to seal the electrical connection between the cable 2 and the component 20. The heat-shrink tubing 191 engages in a circumferential groove that forms the strain relief contour 172. In addition, the heat-shrink tubing is attached to the component 20.
[0143] FIG. 19b shows a further embodiment of a connection system 1. Here, the cable 2 has a microencapsulation 193 which, on contact with an activation substance 194, releases a sealing compound which seals the electrical connection between the cable 2 and the component 20 to the environment. Of course, it is also possible that the component 20 has the microencapsulation while the cable 2 has the activation substance. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the activation, i.e. the release of the microencapsulation, takes place by means of heat or light or radiation or in another suitable manner.
[0144] FIG. 19c shows a further embodiment of a connection system 1. Here, a sealing chamber 198 in the component, which is bounded by the cable 2 and the component 20, is sealed to the environment by means of a sealing compound 195. Preferably, the component 20 has a filler opening 196 for filling the sealing compound 195. Furthermore, the component 20 may have an outlet opening 197, from which the filled sealing compound 195 may escape if the sealed chamber 198 is already filled with the sealing compound 195. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that the component 20 has a viewing window which delimits the sealing chamber 198, whereby a degree of filling of the sealing chamber 198 by means of the sealing compound 195 may be visually identified by a user.
[0145] The contact means are not shown in FIGS. 17 and 19a to 19c for ease of representation or are not visible due to the chosen representation.
[0146] The foregoing explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention solely by way of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments may be freely combined with one another, provided this is technically expedient, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0147] 1 System, connection system [0148] 2 cables [0149] 4 Core, strand, conductor [0150] 6 Cavity [0151] 7 Profile [0152] 8 Sheath, cable sheath [0153] 9 Contact surface, cut surface [0154] 10 Filling material [0155] 12 Single wire [0156] 14 Sealing for condensate [0157] 20 Component [0158] 22 Locking, unlocking [0159] 24 Threaded screw connection [0160] 26 Guide, guide means [0161] 27 Counter-coding [0162] 28 Contact means, pin [0163] 29 Safety contact means [0164] 30 Pin tip [0165] 40 Connector assembly [0166] 42 Printed circuit board [0167] 44 Locking device, anti-twist protection, seal [0168] 45 Locking pin [0169] 50 Coding [0170] 51 First coding [0171] 52 Second coding [0172] 60 Structure [0173] 62 Depth marker [0174] 70 Guide device [0175] 71 Guide structure [0176] 72 Guide housing [0177] 76 First side [0178] 77 Second side [0179] 80 Insertion mechanism [0180] 81 Pressure element [0181] 82 Transmission arrangement [0182] 83 Indexing device, indexing [0183] 84 Adjusting mechanism [0184] 85 Nut [0185] 86 Thread [0186] 87 Guiding space [0187] 88 Holding element [0188] 89 Counter-holding element [0189] 90 Depth of penetration [0190] 91 Starting position [0191] 92 End position [0192] 93 Travel [0193] 100 Method [0194] 101 First process step [0195] 102 Second process step [0196] A Axial direction [0197] 217 Cable end [0198] 171 Strain relief [0199] 172 Strain relief contour [0200] 180 Contact conductor [0201] 181 Plug, plug assembly [0202] 191 Heat-shrink tubing [0203] 193 Microencapsulation [0204] 194 Activation substance [0205] 195 Sealing compound [0206] 196 Filler opening [0207] 197 Outlet opening [0208] 198 Sealed chamber
