Electrically insulating touch protection device and connection assembly having such a touch protection device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrically insulating touch protection device for an end of an electrical conductor, having an insulation tube and a housing, the housing being configured to receive the end of the electrical conductor, wherein the housing comprises an end portion pointing towards the insulation tube, the end portion having a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is configured to be insertable into the insulation tube and the second section is mountable on the insulation tube. By inserting and mounting the end portion in sections, the insulation tube remains partially visible from the outside of the housing. This makes it possible to verify by visual monitoring whether the insulation tube and the housing have been correctly connected and whether this is the case permanently. The risk of undetected incorrect assembly and / or failure is thus reduced, so that the touch protection device according to the invention provides increased safety. The invention also relates to a connection assembly having such a touch protection device.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrically insulating touch protection device for an end portion of an electrical conductor, in particular an elongated electrical conductor. The present invention further relates to a connection assembly having such a touch protection device, for example, but not limited to, for high-voltage applications in the automotive and energy-related fields. BACKGROUND

[0002] For reasons of electrical safety, electrical conductors connecting electrical units, for example battery modules for power transmission in automotive engineering and energy technology, are usually provided with a touch protection. For better manufacturability, the touch protection there is usually composed of several individual parts that are connected to one another. These individual parts each segmentally surround the electrical conductor and are usually inserted, pressed and / or otherwise connected to one another in an overlapping manner during assembly of the touch protection. This is disadvantageous, as explained below.

[0003] The overlapping usually results in blind assembly, which makes it difficult to verify the perfection of the connection immediately or indirectly after installation. For example, a touch protection whose individual parts are incorrectly plugged together, in particular not completely, can not be detected during the factory inspection. In addition, it is not possible to verify the perfect continuation of the connection without doubt. During maintenance of the touch protection, it can be overlooked that individual parts of the touch protection have loosened during use and are about to fall off. In certain cases, all of this can result in a failure of the touch protection, so that there is a safety risk.

[0004] The present invention is therefore based on the object of improving the safety of the touch protection device and the connection assembly. SUMMARY

[0005] This object is met by a touch protection device of the type mentioned at the outset, having an insulating tube and a housing configured to receive an end portion of an electrical conductor, wherein the housing comprises an end portion directed towards the insulating tube, which end portion has a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment is configured to be insertable into the insulating tube and the second segment is placeable on the insulating tube.

[0006] The present invention is advantageous in that the end portion can have the first segment inserted into the insulating tube and can simultaneously have the second segment mounted on the insulating tube. In other words, the second segment can be placed simultaneously when the first segment is inserted or when the first segment has already been inserted into the insulating tube.

[0007] The insulating tube and the housing can thus be connected and adapted to jointly surround the end portion of the electrical conductor on all sides in the connected state and to protect against unintentional touching. The insulating tube is further adapted to act as a touch protection for the remaining portion of the electrical conductor.

[0008] Most importantly, by segmentally inserting and placing the end portion, the insulation tube remains partially visible from the outside of the housing, in particular at the end portion of the housing. This makes it possible to verify by visual monitoring whether the insulation tube and the housing have been connected correctly and whether this is the case permanently. The risk of undetected incorrect assembly and / or malfunctions is thus reduced, so that the touch protection device according to the application provides an increased level of safety.

[0009] The basic object can also be met by a connection assembly having a touch protection device according to the application and an electrical conductor, wherein an end of the electrical conductor is arranged in the insulation tube and in the housing of the touch protection device, and wherein a first segment of the end portion is inserted into the insulation tube and a second segment of the end portion is placed on the insulation tube.

[0010] The connection assembly according to the application likewise benefits from the advantages just mentioned. In particular, the insulation tube at least partially surrounds the first segment from the outside. The exact positioning of the insulation tube relative to the housing can thus be verified by visual inspection. This increases the safety of the connection assembly according to the application.

[0011] The application can also be further improved by the following embodiments, which are advantageous in themselves and can be combined with one another at random.

[0012] According to a possible embodiment of the touch protection device, the end portion of the housing can be configured in the form of a sleeve and divided into two parts. To this end, the first segment and the second segment can be arranged continuously in the circumferential direction relative to the insulation tube. In addition, the first segment and the second segment can be separated from one another by a gap, in particular by a gap extending in the longitudinal direction relative to the insulation tube. The gap serves to guide the wall of the insulation tube through between the first segment and the second segment in the circumferential direction.

[0013] The housing preferably comprises two gaps, wherein the insulation tube extends from the outside of the housing through one of the two gaps to the inside and again from the inside of the housing through the other of the two gaps to the outside. As a result, the wall of the insulation tube can be closed in the circumferential direction, i.e. not configured with slits or interruptions.

[0014] In general, the housing can have any desired even number of gaps, which are distributed in the circumferential direction on the end portion of the housing and each separate an even number of segments of the end portion from one another in pairs. Correspondingly, the wall of the insulation tube travels through the gaps in the circumferential direction alternately from the outside of the housing to the inside and from the inside of the housing to the outside.

[0015] The insulation tube is advantageously configured individually so as to be pulled onto the electrical conductor. In particular, the insulation tube can be placed or elastically pulled onto the electrical conductor from the end of the electrical conductor. The insulation tube can receive the electrical conductor there with play or a precise fit. This means that the inner diameter of the insulation tube is preferably greater than or equal to the outer diameter of the electrical conductor. As a result, the insulation tube and the electrical conductor remain movable relative to one another for locally limited mechanical stress compensation movements. The resulting connection assembly is then less rigid and thus easier to handle during installation.

[0016] Alternatively, the insulation tube and the electrical conductor can also be connected to one another by force fit, wherein the inner diameter of the insulation tube is chosen to be at least slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the electrical conductor.

[0017] The insulation tube is at least in one end region optionally made of an elastically expandable material, for example silicone. In particular, the entire insulation tube can be made of such a material as a soft component. The insulation tube can optionally be configured as a heat protection tube, wherein a glass fiber web is incorporated into the material of the insulation tube.

[0018] The housing is preferably made of a material that is at least dimensionally stable compared to the end region of the insulation tube. In addition, the housing can have a receiving portion which surrounds the end of the electrical conductor in a shell-like manner. The end portion and the receiving portion of the housing can be arranged next to one another in the longitudinal direction and shaped as a single piece. The end of the electrical conductor can there project from the end region of the insulation tube and be received in the receiving portion of the housing.

[0019] According to a further possible embodiment of the touch protection device, in order to facilitate the reception of the end of the electrical conductor in the housing, the housing can be formed by two housing halves which can preferably be joined. In the joined state, the two housing halves can each form the end portion and the receiving portion of the housing. In particular, one of the two housing halves can comprise a first section of the end portion and the other of the two housing halves can comprise a second section of the end portion. More precisely, the first section can continue the receiving portion of one housing half in a half-tube-like manner and the second section can continue the receiving portion of the other housing half in a half-tube-like manner, wherein the inner diameter of the second section is greater than the outer diameter of the first section.

[0020] The two housing halves can exist as separate components before the joining or can be held in a pivotable manner by a hinge.

[0021] According to a further possible embodiment of the touch protection device, the two housing halves can each comprise mutually complementary latching elements. The two housing halves can be latched to one another by the latching elements. Alternatively, the two housing halves can be screwed, glued and / or welded together.

[0022] To establish a positive-fit connection preventing relative movement between the housing and the insulation tube in the longitudinal direction, the end portion of the housing and the insulation tube can each comprise mutually complementary positive-fit elements. In other words, each positive-fit element is arranged on the end portion of the housing and one associated positive-fit element is arranged on the insulation tube. More precisely, the positive-fit element of the end portion is arranged on the first section of the first housing half.

[0023] One of the positive-fit elements is preferably configured as a protrusion, in particular a pin-shaped, spindle-shaped or dome-shaped protrusion, and the other of the positive-fit elements is configured as a socket complementary to the protrusion. This leads to a relatively simple geometry of the positive-fit elements.

[0024] If the positive-fit element configured as a socket is provided in the end region of the insulation tube and is configured as a passage opening, the positive-fit connection between the housing and the insulation tube can be particularly easily verified after assembly. The passage opening can there extend from the interior to the exterior of the insulation tube. The positive-fit element configured as a protrusion can correspondingly be provided on the first section of the end portion. In particular, the protrusion can protrude in the radial direction from the first section with respect to the insulation tube, pointing outwards and jutting through the passage opening. The free end of the protrusion is then visible from the outside. In particular, it can be verified by visual inspection in this way whether the protrusion actually juts through the passage opening correctly.

[0025] To prevent stress peaks in the material of the insulation tube, the passage opening can be configured as a circular hole. Alternatively, the cross section of the passage opening can correspond to the protrusion.

[0026] The free end of the protrusion optionally comprises a latching bead. The latching bead at least partially runs around the free end of the protrusion, thereby for example preventing the insulation tube from slipping off the protrusion.

[0027] Additionally or alternatively, the protrusion can be chamfered. In other words, the free end of the protrusion can have a chamfer, which points towards the insulation tube and serves as an insertion chamfer when inserting the first section into the insulation tube.

[0028] The positive-fit element configured as a protrusion and arranged on the first section of the first housing half can act as one of the aforementioned latching elements and be configured complementary to a latching element arranged on the second section on the second housing half. To this end, the protrusion can be configured flat on the side facing away from the second housing half. This forms a bearing surface for the associated latching element of the second housing half, which is formed for example by a claw-shaped latching hook or a pair of claw-shaped latching hooks, which engages around the free end of the protrusion and latches on the bearing surface when the housing halves are joined.

[0029] This leads to a partial functional integration in the associated elements, i.e. the latching elements and the positive interlocking engagement elements, which contributes to saving installation space.

[0030] According to another possible embodiment, in order to lock the positive interlocking engagement connection between the insulation tube and the housing, the touch protection device can comprise a radial locking. The radial locking can be configured as a locking element which is configured to cooperate with the positive interlocking engagement elements of the first section. The radial locking can for example be provided on the second section of the end portion and lock the insulation tube on the first section, preferably in radial direction. In other words, the radial locking prevents the insulation tube from being unintentionally removed from the first section in radial direction.

[0031] In order to achieve a further functional integration, at least one latching element on the second section of the second housing half can serve as a locking element and thus form a radial locking. For example, the pair of claw-shaped latching hooks just described can fulfill the function of the radial locking. The latching bead on the free end of the protrusion advantageously supports the radial locking by preventing the pair of claw-shaped latching hooks from unintentionally deflecting or slipping in radial direction.

[0032] Alternatively, the touch protection device can also comprise a separate locking clip as a locking element which is configured to be mounted on the free end of the protrusion and assumes the function of the radial locking. In the attached state, the locking clip can provide a stop surface directed towards the insulation tube and in particular larger than the cross section of the passage opening. As a result, the locking clip also prevents the insulation tube from being unintentionally removed from the first section.

[0033] In order to strengthen the positive interlocking engagement connection between the housing and the insulation tube, several pairs of positive interlocking engagement elements can be distributed over the end portions of the insulation tube and the housing. The pairs of positive interlocking engagement elements can be distributed uniformly or non-uniformly, in particular over the circumference of the touch protection device. In general, the angular distance between the individual positive interlocking engagement elements of the housing should correspond to the angular distance between the individual positive interlocking engagement elements of the insulation tube in order to enable the positive interlocking engagement elements associated with each other to engage with each other. Optionally, the length distance between the individual positive interlocking engagement elements of the housing also corresponds to the length distance between the individual positive interlocking engagement elements of the insulation tube.

[0034] For example, two pairs of positive interlocking fitting elements can be arranged diametrically opposite, i.e. at a respective angular distance of 180°. Correspondingly, the insulation tube can have passage openings and the end portion of the housing has two protrusions. The two passage openings are arranged on oppositely arranged sides of the insulation tube and the two protrusions extend in opposite directions from the end portion, in particular away from the first section of the end portion. Advantageously, each of the two protrusions passes through only one passage opening of the insulation tube. In this embodiment, the insulation tube thus cannot be removed from the housing simply by sliding. Rather, the insulation tube has to be widened in the end region in order to be able to be removed from the housing. This reduces the possibility of unintentional detachment of the insulation tube from the housing.

[0035] In contrast, the insulation tube in the present embodiment has to be widened manually or using special tools in the end region in order to be able to slide over the first section of the end portion during assembly. The end region of the insulation tube can then be relaxed.

[0036] The insulation tube can at least partially stretch over the first section of the end portion. In other words, the outer diameter of the first section can at least slightly exceed the inner diameter of the insulation tube. This results in a frictionally engaged connection between the insulation tube and the first section of the end portion. This frictionally engaged connection can additionally or as an alternative to the positive interlocking fitting connection described above be used to attach the insulation tube to the housing.

[0037] Optionally, a further frictionally engaged connection can be produced by pressing the insulation tube between the first section and the second section of the end portion. This is useful, for example, as an additional measure for attaching the insulation tube to the housing when the housing is formed from two housing halves. In order to enlarge the pressing surface, the two housing halves, in particular the first section and the second section, can comprise claws which overlap in the radial direction and between which a gap extends and between which the wall of the insulation tube is pressed together.

[0038] As an alternative to the embodiment with two housing halves, it is also conceivable for the housing to be configured in one piece or integrally. As part of the assembly, the first section would then be inserted into the insulation tube in the longitudinal direction, while the second section would be mounted on the insulation tube in the longitudinal direction, while the wall of the insulation tube would be slid into the gap in the direction opposite the longitudinal direction.

[0039] In order to prevent the insulation tube from being unintentionally pulled out of the integrally formed housing, the positive interlocking fitting connection described above can also be established between the insulation tube and the integrally formed housing. For this purpose, for example, the first section of the integrally formed housing can comprise a pin-shaped, spindle-shaped or dome-shaped protrusion. In this case, the protrusion is preferably arranged on the side of the first section facing away from the second section. In particular, the protrusion can extend away from the second section in the radial direction. A corresponding passage opening is optionally formed in the insulation tube.

[0040] As part of the assembly of this embodiment, the insulation tube and the housing can initially be aligned relative to each other such that the passage opening and the protrusion are aligned in the longitudinal direction. The insulation tube can then be stretched on one side in the radial direction on the side where it is aligned with the protrusion in the longitudinal direction, so that the protrusion does not hinder the insertion of the first segment into the insulation tube. The first segment can then be inserted into the insulation tube until the passage opening is aligned with the protrusion in the radial direction. Finally, the insulation tube with the passage opening can be mounted on the protrusion, thereby obtaining a positive interlock fit connection.

[0041] In embodiments with a one-piece housing, the positive interlock fit connection between the insulation tube and the housing can optionally be locked with the locking clip described above.

[0042] As an addition or alternative to the already described positive interlock fit and frictional engagement connection, the connection assembly can also comprise a further similarly configured housing arranged at the opposite end of the electrical conductor. In this embodiment, the insulation tube can be held between the housing and the further housing to lock it in place in the longitudinal direction.

[0043] According to a possible embodiment of the connection assembly, the electrical conductor can be configured as a round conductor, preferably made of electrically conductive braid. This makes it possible to bend the electrical conductor freely when installing the connection assembly, thereby adapting the profile of the connection assembly to the geometric environmental conditions. However, the choice of shape and material of the electrical conductor is not limited thereto and can be adapted to the respective application.

[0044] According to a further possible embodiment of the connection assembly, the end of the electrical conductor can be configured as a battery contact. In other words, the contact element can be attached to the electrical conductor and configured to be connected to a battery, in particular to a traction battery or a battery module of an electric vehicle. The present invention can then be used directly in battery applications.

[0045] For attaching the contact element, the connection assembly can comprise an attachment element, for example a screw. The screw is preferably made of a metallic material for reasons of strength. In addition, the screw can comprise an electrically insulating protective cap which, together with the touch protection device, prevents the electrically conductive components of the connection assembly from being touched unintentionally. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] The present invention is explained in more detail below by means of several embodiments, whose different features can be combined with one another as desired in accordance with the above description. Similar, identical or functionally identical elements in the drawings have the same reference signs insofar as appropriate.

[0047] wherein

[0048] Figure 1 A schematic perspective exploded view of a connection assembly with an electrical conductor and a touch protection device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown;

[0049] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the first assembly step of the connecting components;

[0050] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the second assembly step of the connecting components;

[0051] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the third assembly step of the connecting components;

[0052] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the fourth assembly step of the connecting components; and Figure 6 It is shown as a local section. Figure 5 A schematic perspective view of the connecting components. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The following will combine Figures 1 to 6 A schematic structure of the touch protection device 1 according to the present invention and the connection component 2 according to the present invention according to an exemplary embodiment will be described.

[0054] As from Figure 1 As can be seen, the touch protection device 1 in the exemplary embodiment may include an insulating tube 4 and a housing 6. The connecting assembly 2 further includes the touch protection device 1 and a preferably elongated electrical conductor 8.

[0055] The insulating tube 4 is advantageously configured separately, allowing it to be pulled onto the electrical conductor 8. Specifically, the insulating tube 4 can slide across one end of the electrical conductor 8. The insulating tube 4 can receive the electrical conductor 8 there with clearance. In other words, the inner diameter 14 of the insulating tube 4 is larger than the outer diameter of the electrical conductor 8. This is in… Figure 4 The most clearly shown is shown in the image.

[0056] Alternatively, the insulating tube 4 can also receive the electrical conductor 8 with a precise fit when the inner diameter 14 of the insulating tube 4 corresponds to the outer diameter 16 of the electrical conductor 8. Alternatively, the insulating tube 4 and the electrical conductor 8 can be further connected to each other by force fit, wherein the inner diameter 14 of the insulating tube 4 is selected to be at least slightly smaller than the outer diameter 16 of the electrical conductor 8.

[0057] Both the insulating tube 4 and the housing 6 are made of an electrically insulating material. The insulating tube 4 may also optionally be made of an expandable elastic material (e.g., silicone) at least in one end region 10. In particular, the entire insulating tube 4 may be made of this material as a soft component and is stretchable compared to the housing 6. The insulating tube 4 may optionally be configured to be heat-resistant. For this purpose, a glass fiber mesh may be incorporated into the material of the insulating tube 4.

[0058] The housing 6 is made of a material which is dimensionally stable at least compared to the end region 10 of the insulation 4. In addition, the housing 6 is configured to receive the end portion 12 of the electrical conductor 8. In particular, the end portion 12 of the electrical conductor 8 can protrude from the end region 10 of the insulation tube 4 and be received in the housing 6. To this end, the housing 6 can comprise a receiving portion 32 which surrounds the end portion 12 of the electrical conductor 8 in a shell-like manner (see Figure 3 ).

[0059] From Figure 1 It can further be seen that the housing 6 has an end portion 18, which is preferably sleeve-like, which points towards the insulation tube 4 and comprises a first segment 21 and a second segment 22, which follows the first segment 21 in the circumferential direction 20 with respect to the insulation tube 4. The end portion 18 and the receiving portion 32 of the housing 6 can be arranged next to each other in the longitudinal direction 34 with respect to the insulation tube 4 and be formed as a single piece.

[0060] The first segment 21 can be inserted into the insulation tube 4 and the second segment 22 is configured such that it can be placed on the insulation tube 4. In other words, the second segment 22 can be placed at the same time as the first segment 21 is inserted or when the first segment 21 has already been inserted into the insulation tube 4.

[0061] The first segment 21 and the second segment 22 together form the end portion 18 of the housing 6 and are separated from each other by a gap 36 which extends in the longitudinal direction 34. The housing 6 comprises, for example, two gaps 36, wherein a wall 46 of the insulation tube 4 extends in the circumferential direction 20 from the outside of the housing 6 through one of the two gaps 36 to the inside and from the inside of the housing 6 through the other of the two gaps 36 to the outside. The wall 46 of the insulation tube 4 passes between the first segment 21 and the second segment 22, respectively.

[0062] It is also conceivable that the housing 6 comprises an arbitrary even number of gaps which are distributed in the circumferential direction 20 over the end portion 18 of the housing 6 and each separate an even number of segments of the end portion 18 of the housing 6 from each other. The wall 46 of the insulation tube 4 then alternately extends in the circumferential direction 20 from the outside of the housing 6 through one of the gaps to the inside and from the inside of the housing 6 through the adjacent gap in the circumferential direction 20 to the outside. In particular, the insulation tube 4 passes between two adjacent segments in the circumferential direction 20.

[0063] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the housing 6 is formed from two housing halves 24a, 24b, wherein one of the two housing halves 24a comprises the first segment 21 and the other of the two housing halves 24b comprises the second segment 22. In addition, the two housing halves 24a, 24b each form the end portion 18 and the receiving portion 32 of the housing 6.

[0064] The first segment 21 continues the receiving portion 32 of the first housing half 24a in a half-tubular manner. Correspondingly, the second segment 22 continues the receiving portion 32 of the second housing half 24b in a half-tubular manner, wherein the inner diameter 40 of the second segment 22 is larger than the outer diameter 38 of the first segment 21.

[0065] In particular, the first segment 21 forms a circumferential segment 42 of the end portion 18, which at least partially surrounds the electrical conductor 8 from the outside in the circumferential direction 20 and in turn is surrounded by the insulation tube 4 from the outside. The second segment 22 forms the remaining segment 44 of the end portion 18, which at least partially surrounds the insulation tube 4 from the outside. The remaining segment 44 complements the circumferential segment 42 there towards the end portion 18 of the housing 6.

[0066] The housing halves 24a, 24b are configured to be joined. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the housing halves 24a, 24b are configured to be joined by means of a snap-in connection. Figure 1 In the shown exemplary embodiment, the housing halves 24a, 24b each comprise a claw portion 58a, 58b, which overlap in the radial direction 60 when the housing halves 24a, 24b are joined. The gap 36 each runs between the claw portions 58a, 58b.

[0067] In addition, the housing halves 24a, 24b each comprise a latching element 26a, 26b on the inside 56, 62, respectively, which are configured to establish a positive locking connection with the other housing half 24b, 24a, respectively. Figure 1 The housing halves 24a, 24b are shown in the figures as separate components, but can also be connected to each other in a pivotable manner by means of a hinge. Furthermore, the two housing halves 24a, 24b comprise mutually complementary latching elements 26a, 26b. In the shown exemplary embodiment, the first housing half 24a comprises a plurality of latching tabs 28 as latching elements 26a. The second housing half 24b comprises as latching elements 26b latching windows 30 complementary thereto, into which the latching tabs 28 hook in a latching manner (see Fig. 3). Alternatively or additionally, the housing halves 24a, 24b can be screwed, glued and / or welded together. Figure 5 ) Alternatively or additionally, the housing halves 24a, 24b can be screwed, glued and / or welded together.

[0068] As can also be seen in the figures, the end portion 18 of the housing 6 and the insulation tube 4 each comprise mutually complementary positive locking elements 48a, 48b for establishing a positive locking connection. Figure 1 One of the positive locking elements 48a is preferably configured as a protrusion 50 and the other one of the positive locking elements 48a is configured as a socket complementary to the protrusion 50. As can be seen in the figures, the protrusion 50 is configured as a pin. Figure 1 Instead of the pin shape shown, the protrusion 50 can also be configured in the shape of a mandrel or a dome.

[0069] The positive locking element 48b configured as a socket 52 is provided on the insulation tube 4, preferably in the end region 10 of the insulation tube 4, and is formed by a passage opening. The passage opening 54 extends as a circular hole from the inside 56 to the outside of the insulation tube 4. Optionally, the cross section of the passage opening 54 can correspond to the protrusion.

[0070] Correspondingly, the positive interlocking engagement element 48a configured as a protrusion 50 is arranged on the first section 21 of the end portion 18 of the housing 6. The protrusion 50 protrudes from the first section 21 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 34 in the radial direction 60 and projects through the passage opening 54, thereby preventing a relative displacement between the insulating tube 4 and the first section 21 in the longitudinal direction 34 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). In particular, the protrusion 50 only passes through the insulating tube 4 once.

[0071] The positive interlocking engagement element 48a configured as a protrusion 50 can also comprise a free end 66, wherein the free end 66 comprises a latching bead 68. The latching bead 68 at least partially runs around the free end 66, thereby giving the protrusion 50 a mushroom-like shape.

[0072] The protrusion 50 can also serve as a latching element 26a on the first housing half 24a. To this end, the protrusion 50 can be configured to be flattened on the side facing away from the second housing half 24b. This forms a bearing surface 70 for the associated latching element 26b of the second housing half 24b, which is formed, for example, by a claw-shaped latching hook 72 or a pair of claw-shaped latching hooks 72, which engages around the free end 66 of the protrusion 50 and latches onto the bearing surface 70 when the housing halves 24a, 24b are joined (see Figure 5 ).

[0073] The pair of claw-shaped latching hooks 72 also fulfils the function of a radial lock, which locks the insulating tube 4 on the first section 21 in the radial direction 60. In other words, the pair of claw-shaped latching hooks 72 prevents the insulating tube 4 from being removed from the first section 21 in the radial direction 60 unintentionally. The latching bead 68 on the free end 66 of the protrusion 50 again advantageously prevents the pair of claw-shaped latching hooks 72 from being deflected or slipping in the radial direction 60 unintentionally, thereby additionally supporting the radial lock.

[0074] Alternatively, the radial lock can also be implemented by a separate locking clip (not shown) mounted on the free end 66 of the protrusion 50. In the mounted state, the locking clip can provide a stop surface, which points towards the insulating tube 4 and is, in particular, larger than the cross-sectional area of the passage opening 54, thereby preventing the insulating tube 4 from being removed from the protrusion 50 above the locking clip.

[0075] As can be seen from Figure 1 , several pairs of positive interlocking engagement elements 48a, 48b can be arranged distributed on a circumference, preferably evenly distributed on the end portion 18 of the housing 6 and on the insulating tube 4. The pairs of positive interlocking engagement elements 48a, 48b can also be distributed on a circumference with uneven intervals, as long as the angular distance between the positive interlocking engagement elements 48a of the housing 6 corresponds to the angular distance between the positive interlocking engagement elements 48b of the insulating tube 4.

[0076] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two pairs of positively interlocking mating elements 48a, 48b are arranged diametrically opposite to each other. In particular, the first housing half 24a comprises two protrusions 50, which protrude from the first section 21 in opposite directions. Correspondingly, the insulation tube 4 comprises two passage openings 54, which are arranged on diametrically opposite sides of the insulation tube 4.

[0077] In Figures 1 to 6 , the electrical conductor 8 is shown as a round conductor 76. In particular, the electrical conductor 8 can be a conductive braid 74 having a round cross-sectional area. However, the shape of the electrical conductor 8 is not limited thereto and can be adapted to the respective application.

[0078] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the end portion 12 of the electrical conductor 8 is configured as a battery contact 80. In other words, a contact element 82 is attached to the end portion 12 of the electrical conductor 8 and is configured to be connected to a battery, in particular to a traction battery or a battery module of an electric vehicle.

[0079] In order to attach the contact element 82 to the battery, the connection assembly 2 comprises an attachment element, for example a screw 84. The screw 84 is optionally made of a metallic material and can comprise an electrically insulating protection cap 86, which together with the touch protection device 1 prevents the electrically conductive components of the connection assembly 2 from being unintentionally touched.

[0080] The assembly of the exemplary embodiment of the connection arrangement 2 shown can be carried out as follows:

[0081] In a first assembly step 101, the insulation tube 4 is pulled over the electrical conductor 8 above the end portion 12 of the electrical conductor 8 and is positioned spaced apart from the end portion 12 of the electrical conductor 8 (see Figure 2 ).

[0082] In a second assembly step 102, the end portion 12 of the electrical conductor 8 is placed in the receiving portion 32 of the first housing half 24a (see Figure 3 ). Alternatively, the first housing half 24a can of course also be placed on the end portion 12 of the electrical conductor 8.

[0083] In a third assembly step 103, the end region 10 of the insulation tube 4 is widened, for example manually or using a special tool, and is pulled over the first section 21 of the first housing half 24a. Alternatively, the first section 21 of the first housing half 24a can also be inserted into the widened end region 10 of the insulation tube 4 together with the electrical conductor 8. It is important that the positively interlocking mating elements 48a, 48b are aligned in pairs. The end region 10 of the insulation tube 4 is then released so that the positively interlocking mating elements 48a, 48b engage in pairs (see Figure 4 ).

[0084] In a fourth assembly step 104, the second housing half 24b is joined with the first housing half 24a such that the latching elements 26a, 26b latch with each other. In particular, the second section 22 is mounted on the end region 10 of the insulation tube 4, wherein the portion 88 of the insulation tube 4 remains visible (see Figure 5 ).

[0085] The free end 66 of the protrusion 50 can optionally be chamfered. In other words, the free end 66 can have a chamfer (not shown) which points towards the insulation tube 4 and which facilitates the self-expansion of the end region 10 of the insulation tube 4 upon insertion of the first section 21 in the third assembly step 103.

[0086] As a result of the third assembly step 103, the end region 10 of the insulation tube 4 can optionally stretch over the first section 21 of the end portion 18 such that the first section 21 and the insulation tube 4 enter into a frictionally engaged connection.

[0087] In addition, the insulation tube 4 can be pressed between the first section 21 and the second section 22 of the end portion 18. In particular, the claw portions 58a, 58b can press the insulation tube 4 to form an additional frictionally engaged connection (see Figure 6 ).

[0088] As an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, it is also conceivable to configure the housing 6 in one piece or integrally. As part of the assembly, the first section 21 would there be inserted into the insulation tube 4 in the longitudinal direction 34 and at the same time the second section 22 would be mounted on the insulation tube 4 in the longitudinal direction 34, while the wall 46 of the insulation tube 4 would be slid into the gap 36 in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction 34.

[0089] In order to establish the above-mentioned positive interlock fit connection, the first section 21 of the integrally formed housing 6 can comprise a pin-shaped protrusion 50, preferably on the side facing away from the second section 22. In particular, the protrusion 50 can extend away from the second section 22 in the radial direction 60. A passage opening 54 is correspondingly formed on the insulation tube 4.

[0090] As part of the assembly of this embodiment, the insulation tube 4 and the housing 6 can initially be aligned relative to each other such that the passage opening 54 and the protrusion 50 are aligned in the longitudinal direction 34. The insulation tube 4 can then be stretched on one side in the radial direction 60 on the side thereof aligned with the protrusion 50 in the longitudinal direction 34, such that the protrusion 50 does not hinder the insertion of the first section 21 into the insulation tube 4. The first section 21 can then be inserted into the insulation tube 4 until the passage opening 54 is aligned with the protrusion 54 in the radial direction 60. Finally, the insulation tube 4 with the passage opening 54 can be mounted on the protrusion 50, thereby obtaining the positive interlock fit connection.

[0091] In embodiments with a one-piece housing 5, the positive interlock fit connection between the insulation tube 4 and the housing 6 can optionally be locked with the locking clip described above.

[0092] As an addition or alternative to the positive interlock fit and frictional engagement connection already described, the connection assembly can also comprise a further similarly configured housing arranged at the other oppositely disposed end of the electrical conductor. The insulation tube can be held between the housing and the further housing to lock it in place in the longitudinal direction.

[0093] Reference signs

[0094] 1 touch protection device

[0095] 2 connection assembly

[0096] 4 insulation tube

[0097] 6 housing

[0098] 8 conductor

[0099] 10 end region

[0100] 12 end

[0101] 14 inner diameter

[0102] 16 outer diameter

[0103] 18 end portion

[0104] 20 circumferential direction

[0105] 21 first section

[0106] 22 second section

[0107] 24a, 24b housing halves

[0108] 26a, 26b latching elements

[0109] 28 latching protrusion

[0110] 30 latching window

[0111] 32 receiving portion

[0112] 34 longitudinal direction

[0113] 36 gap

[0114] 38 outer diameter

[0115] 40 inner diameter

[0116] 42 circumferential section

[0117] 44 remaining section

[0118] 46 wall

[0119] 48a, 48b positive interlocking engagement elements

[0120] 50 protrusion

[0121] 52 receptacle

[0122] 54 passage opening

[0123] 56 interior

[0124] 58a, 58b claw portions

[0125] 60 radial direction

[0126] 62 status

[0127] 64 cross section

[0128] 66 free end

[0129] 68 latching bead

[0130] 70 support surface

[0131] 72 latching hook

[0132] 74 braid

[0133] 76 round conductor

[0134] 80 battery contact

[0135] 82 contact element

[0136] 84 screw

[0137] 86 protective cap

[0138] 88 portion

[0139] 101 first assembly step

[0140] 102 second assembly step

[0141] 103 third assembly step

[0142] 104 fourth assembly step

Claims

1. An electrically insulating touch protection device (1) for the end (12) of an electrical conductor (8), having an insulating tube (4) and a housing (6), the housing being configured to receive the end (12) of the electrical conductor (8), wherein the housing (6) includes an end portion (18) pointing toward the insulating tube (4), the end portion having a first segment (21) and a second segment (22), wherein the first segment (21) is configured to be inserted into the insulating tube (4) and the second segment (22) is positioned on the insulating tube (4).

2. The touch protection device (1) as described in claim 1, wherein, The first segment (21) and the second segment (22) are separated from each other by a gap (36).

3. The touch protection device (1) as described in claim 2, wherein, The housing (6) includes two gaps (36), wherein the insulating tube (4) extends from the outside of the housing (6) through one of the two gaps (36) to the inside, and extends from the inside of the housing (6) through the other of the two gaps (36) to the outside.

4. The touch protection device (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The housing (6) is formed by two housing halves (24a, 24b), wherein one of the two housing halves (24a) includes the first segment (21) of the end portion (18) of the housing (6), and wherein the other of the two housing halves (24b) includes the second segment (22) of the end portion (18) of the housing (6).

5. The touch protection device (1) as described in claim 4, wherein, The two housing halves (24a, 24b) each include complementary latching elements (26a, 26b).

6. The touch protection device (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The end portion (18) of the housing (6) and the insulating tube (4) each include mutually complementary forced interlocking elements (48a, 48b).

7. The touch protection device (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein, One of the forced interlocking elements (48a) is configured as a protrusion (50), and the other of the forced interlocking elements (48b) is configured as a socket (52) complementary to the protrusion (50).

8. The touch protection device (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein, The forced interlocking engagement element (48b) configured as a socket (52) is disposed on the insulating tube (4) and configured as a channel opening (54).

9. The touch protection device (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein, The forced interlocking engagement element (48a) configured as a protrusion (50) includes a free end (66), wherein the free end (66) includes a latch ball (68).

10. The touch protection device (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The second segment (22) of the end portion (18) includes a radial locking member that locks the insulating tube (4) onto the first segment (21).

11. The touch protection device (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein, At least one of the latching elements (26b) is arranged on the second segment (22) and forms the radial locking element.

12. The touch protection device (1) as claimed in claim 6, wherein, Several pairs of forced interlocking elements (48a, 48b) are distributed on the end portion (18) of the housing (6) and the insulating tube (4).

13. The touch protection device (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The insulating tube (4) is made of an expandable material and extends at least partially over the first segment (21) of the end portion (18).

14. A connection assembly (2) having a touch protection device (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 and an electrical conductor (8), wherein the end (12) of the electrical conductor (8) is disposed in the insulating tube (4) and the housing (6) of the touch protection device (1), wherein the first segment (21) of the end portion (18) is inserted into the insulating tube (4) and the second segment (22) of the end portion (18) is mounted on the insulating tube (4).

15. The connection component (2) as claimed in claim 14, wherein, The end (12) of the electrical conductor (8) is configured as a battery contact (80).

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