Electrical connectors – Coupling part including flexing insulation – Sealing
Patent
1998-10-07
2000-04-04
Abrams, Neil
Electrical connectors
Coupling part including flexing insulation
Sealing
174 65SS, 174 76, H02G 318
Patent
active
060454032
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention present relates to a line connector between two electric lines, preferably for connecting the (first) line, especially a high-temperature line, of a measuring sensor to the (second) line, especially a PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene-insulated line, of a wiring, in particularly of a wiring harness
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
In order to contact the electric lines of a measuring sensor, especially of a planar lambda probe, to the lines of a wiring harness usually used in motor-vehicle construction, and to protect this junction from outer influences, it is known to extrusion coat with plastic around the contact joints after making the electrical connection. Since the lambda probe is subject to high temperatures, its electric line is a high-temperature line which is surrounded by an enclosing (sheathing) tube. The individual wires of the sensor are guided in the enclosing tube, insulated from one another in a mineral powder. As mentioned above, the electrical contact joints of the two lines, together with the end area of the enclosing tube, are embedded in the plastic extrusion coat. The transition zone between the enclosing tube and the plastic extrusion coat represents a weak point which, due to environmental influences and especially because of the different materials (metal/plastic), may not remain impervious over the service life, so that moisture and foreign matter can penetrate therein. This can lead to shunts of the electric conductors. It is also possible, viewed over the service life, for the transition zone (enclosing tube, plastic extrusion coat) to be mechanically damaged, resulting in a pulling-apart, twisting, or the like, whereby a breakdown of the sensor functioning can occur.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A line connector according to the present invention is advantageous in that, because of the seal arranged on the end area of the enclosing tube and pressed radially on the outer side of the enclosing tube, an additional protection is provided, the seal also being embedded into the extrusion coat. Thus, even if permeability occurs between the enclosing tube and the extrusion coat due to environmental influences/vibrations, etc., this will not result in moisture and foreign matter being able to penetrate to the contact joints of the two lines, since it is prevented by the seal. The seal pressed firmly onto the surface of the metal tube also provides the line connector with a high mechanical strength, so that besides the electrical functional reliability, the mechanical long-term stability is also assured.
According to another embodiment of the invention present, the clamping device is formed by a housing accommodating the seal. Consequently, the seal is surrounded by the housing, the housing exerting radial force on the seal which presses it firmly against the surface of the enclosing tube.
In particular, the housing has a two-part construction, the radial pressure of the sealing device on the metal tube being effected by the assembly of the two housing parts. Therefore, the result of the radial movement of the two housing parts is that corresponding housing parts move toward the seal to press it against the enclosing tube.
It is advantageous if the two housing parts are able to latch together axially. This permits a very simple housing assembly, since it is merely necessary to move the two housing parts, slipped onto the enclosing tube, axially toward each other, the housing parts applying the force on the sealing device. During the final phase of this axial shift, the two parts latch together, the radial pressure applied on the seal being maintained.
According to a further embodiment of the invention present, the inner side of the housing at least partially forms an abutting (i.e., contacting) wedge for the seal. A "abutting wedge" means a formation of at least one part of the housing which, because of a surface inclined toward the axial direction, thus inclined toward the center axis of the enclosing tube, exerts a force on the seal due to the axial shift, the
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Effenberger Karl-Heinz
Heil Siegbert
Kamm Klaus
Schmitz Heinz Dieter
Wehrmann Johann
Abrams Neil
Robert & Bosch GmbH
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