Shield connection with axial pressure

Abstract

Shield connection (1) for high-current interfaces (3), comprising the shield connection (1) a shielding socket (5); a shield connector (7); wherein the shield socket (5) is designed to receive the shield plug (7); wherein an elastic element (9) is provided on the shielding socket (5); wherein the elastic element (9) is dimensioned and arranged in the shielding socket (5) such that it can withstand an axial compressive force (F A ) on the shielding plug (7) when the shielding plug (7) is plugged into the shielding socket (5); wherein the shield connection (1) has an intermediate element (11); wherein the intermediate element (11) is provided on the elastic element (9) and is designed to be inelastic.

Description

State of the art

[0001] For high-current applications, for example between 60 V and 1500 V or between 50 A and 300 A, all components should be shielded as completely and continuously as possible, since otherwise the electromagnetic waves would impede the flow of the high current.

[0002] For this purpose, shielding can be provided, in particular, at an interface or contact point of the high-current connector. The shielding can be provided on either a socket or a plug and is referred to accordingly as a shielded socket and shielded plug.

[0003] The shield socket is connected to the socket and the shield plug to the plug, so that when the plug is inserted into the socket, the shield plug is also inserted into the shield socket at the same time.

[0004] Due to the relatively large longitudinal extension of the shield connector, it has only low rigidity. Therefore, the free side of the shield connector, i.e., the side of the shield connector facing forward in the plug-in direction, can be subject to significant fluctuations. Particularly in applications involving the shield connection in a motor vehicle, the shield connection, and especially the shield connector, can be subjected to high vibration loads. This can cause relative movement of the shield socket and the shield connector at the interface. This can lead to fretting corrosion at the contact point.

[0005] US Pat. No. 4,330,166 A discloses an electrical connector with significant shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI), and in particular against electromagnetic pulses (EMP). Known EMI-shielded connectors are improved by adding a conductive spring washer, such as a wave washer made of a beryllium-copper alloy. The spring washer is located in the plug portion of the connector, establishing electrical contact with the socket portion when the plug and socket are mated.

[0006] An electrical plug-in coupling is known from DE 34 39 502 A1. The plug-in coupling, consisting of two coupling halves, uses a bellows-shaped grounding ring to shield against electromagnetic radiation (EMR). The bellows is arranged in front of the shoulder of a housing, which supports a coupling nut enclosing the bellows and the housing front section. When the coupling halves are connected, the bellows is axially compressed between the shoulder of this housing and the end face of the other housing. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] There may therefore be a need for an improved shield connection for high-current interfaces and for a corresponding manufacturing method for shield connections, which in particular enable a reduction of fretting corrosion at the interface of the shield connection.

[0008] This need can be met by the subject matter of the present invention according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims. Features, details, and possible advantages of a device according to embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below.

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention, a shield connection for high-current interfaces is presented. The shield connection comprises a shield socket and a shield plug. The shield socket is designed to receive the shield plug. The shield plug is designed to be inserted into the shield socket. An elastic element is provided on the shield socket, which element is dimensioned and arranged on the shield socket in such a way that it can withstand an axial compressive force F A on the shielding plug when the shielding plug is plugged into the shielding socket.

[0010] In other words, the idea of ​​the present invention is based on exerting additional axial pressure through the elastic element on the shielding plug, and in particular on a front area of ​​the shielding plug, viewed in the plugging direction. The elastic element is dimensioned such that, when the shielding socket and the shielding plug are plugged in, it is pressed together by the shielding plug. The elastic element exerts an axial pressure or an axial force F Aon the shield connector. This significantly increases the rigidity and stability of the shield connector. This reduces or prevents fluctuations or relative movement between the shield connector and the shield socket. Furthermore, frictional wear at the interface or contact point of the shield connection can be reduced or prevented. Thus, thanks to the inventive design of the shield connection for high-current interfaces, high vibration resistance can be achieved.

[0011] The shield connection can also be referred to as a shielding connection or shielding connection. The shield connection can be used, for example, at high-current interfaces in motor vehicles. In particular, the shield connection can be used at high-current interfaces or contacts in the engine compartment or on engine components of a motor vehicle. The high vibration resistance of the shield connection according to the invention can be particularly advantageous in these applications with high dynamic requirements.

[0012] The shielded socket can also be referred to as a shielding female connector. The shielded socket surrounds the socket of the high-current interface. The shielded plug can also be referred to as a shielding male connector and surrounds the plug of the high-current interface. The shielded plug is self-supporting. This means that one end or end region of the plug is attached, for example, to a pin holder. The opposite end, also referred to as the free end, is not attached. Both the shielded socket and the shielded plug are made of an electrically conductive material to shield against electromagnetic waves.

[0013] When the high-current interface, also called high-current contact, is merged, that is, when the plug is plugged into the socket, the shield plug is also plugged into the shield socket.

[0014] The elastic element can, for example, comprise or consist of materials such as rubber, silicone, and / or metals. In particular, the elastic element is designed to change its shape when force is applied by the shielding connector and to return to its original shape when the applied force is removed.

[0015] The elastic element can be arranged in the shielding socket such that it is located opposite the open end of the shielding socket. This means that the free end of the shielding plug is located on the elastic element when plugged in. For example, the elastic element can be fixed in the shielding socket. In particular, the elastic element can be glued or clamped into the shielding socket.

[0016] Furthermore, the elastic element is dimensioned such that, viewed in a cross-section of the shield connection parallel to the longitudinal axis, the length of the shield plug combined with the elastic element exceeds the total length of the shield socket. This results in the elastic element being compressed when the shield plug is inserted into the shield socket, exerting axial pressure on the free end of the shield plug.

[0017] The axial compressive force exerted by the elastic element on the shield connector runs parallel to the plugging direction or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shield connection.

[0018] Furthermore, lamellae running parallel to the longitudinal axis can be provided inside the shielding socket. These lamellae can establish electrical contact between the shielding socket and the shielding plug.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the elastic element is selected from the following group of elastic elements: rubber segment, rubber ring, spring and spring ring.

[0020] A rubber ring can, for example, be a ring running along the inner wall of the shielding socket. A rubber segment can be a segment of the rubber ring. For example, several segments can be provided in the shielding socket. Furthermore, the elastic element can be designed as a spring washer or as a single spring. The spring or spring washer can be designed as a diaphragm spring, a leaf spring, or a torsion spring. The springs can be made of a metal such as spring steel.

[0021] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the elastic element is arranged in the shielding socket in such a way that it exerts the axial compressive force on a front region or a front end, also referred to as the free end, of the shielding plug, viewed in the plugging direction.

[0022] According to the invention, the shield connection further comprises an intermediate element. The intermediate element is provided on the elastic element and is designed to be inelastic.

[0023] In particular, the intermediate element can be designed as an intermediate disk and comprise a plastic or metal. The intermediate element is inelastic, i.e., non-elastic, mechanically stable, plastic, or hard. This allows the intermediate element to protect the elastic element from the force exerted by the front or exposed area of ​​the shield connector. The intermediate element can be designed as part of the elastic element, i.e., in one piece or integrally with the elastic element. Alternatively, the intermediate element can be designed separately from the elastic element. The intermediate element transfers the force exerted when the shield connector is inserted to the elastic element.

[0024] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the intermediate element is designed to transmit a force F directed radially towards the interior of the shielding connector Qon the shielding plug when the shielding plug is plugged into the shielding socket.

[0025] The radial force F Q can be a force directed perpendicular to the plug-in direction or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shield connection. The radially directed force F Q can help reduce the radial fluctuation of the shield connector and thus the radial relative movement between the shield connector and the shield socket, or between the shield connector and the lamellae of the shield socket. This further increases the vibration resistance of the shield connection. This means that in addition to the axial stabilization of the free end of the shield connector by the elastic element, the intermediate element also enables radial stabilization.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the intermediate element is designed to taper radially toward the interior of the shielding connector. In other words, the intermediate element tapers toward the interior of the shielding connector or has a wedge-shaped cross-section that tapers toward the interior of the shielding connector.

[0027] This means that a surface of the intermediate element forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the shield connection or the shield connector that is different from zero. Thus, the intermediate element has a slope relative to the longitudinal axis of the shield connection. The design of the intermediate element, tapered radially toward the interior of the shield connector, contributes to a radial force F Q on the free end or the front end in the plug-in direction of the shield connector.

[0028] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the intermediate element is designed integrally or in one piece with the elastic element. For example, the intermediate element can be designed together with the elastic element as an intermediate disk with a spring-functioning structure. Another example of a one-piece elastic element with an intermediate element could be a rubber ring with a hard surface that is designed to taper radially inward.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the shield connection further comprises a first axially extending lamella in the inner region of the shield socket. Furthermore, the shield connection comprises a second axially extending lamella inside the shield socket. If necessary, a plurality of further axially extending lamellas can be provided inside the shield socket. The lamellas are designed to withstand a force F directed radially toward the interior of the shield plug. L on the shield connector when the shield connector is inserted into the shield socket. The lamellae exert an additional radial force from the outside on the shield connector.

[0030] Furthermore, a method for producing a shield connection for high-current interfaces as described above is presented. The method comprises the following steps: providing a shield plug; providing a shield socket designed to receive the shield plug; providing an elastic element in the shield socket; arranging and dimensioning the elastic element in the shield socket such that it can withstand an axial compressive force F A on the shielding plug when the shielding plug is plugged into the shielding socket.

[0031] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which, however, are not to be construed as limiting the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows a plastic cross-section through a high-current interface with a shield connection in the mated and unmated state Fig. 2 shows a cross section through a shield connection in the assembled state according to an embodiment of the invention Fig. 3A shows a section of a cross-section of the shielding socket Fig. 3B shows a section of a cross-section of the shield socket with the shield plug inserted Fig. 4 shows a cross-section of the shield connector with the forces acting on the shield connector when plugged in

[0032] All figures are merely schematic representations. In particular, distances and size relationships are not shown to scale. Corresponding elements in the different figures are provided with the same reference numbers.

[0033] In Fig. 1 shows a high current interface 3 with a shield connection 1. In the right area of Fig. 1 shows the high-current interface 3 and thus also the shield connection 1 in the connected state. In the left area of Fig. Figure 1 shows the high-current interface 3 and thus the shield connection 1 before mating or in the unmated state. The high-current interface 3 has a contact carrier 27 with a socket contact 25. The socket contact 25 is designed to accommodate a plug 17, also referred to as a pin. The plug 17 is arranged on a pin holder 19.

[0034] The high-current interface 3 should be shielded continuously and on all sides to prevent interference with the high-current flow due to electromagnetic waves. For this purpose, a shielded socket 5 is provided on the socket contact 25 and a shielded plug 7 is provided on the plug 17. A shielding plate 21 can be provided between the shielded socket 5 and the contact carrier 27. If the plug 17 is inserted into the socket contact 25, the shielded plug 7 is also inserted into the shielded socket 5 at the same time. The shielded plug 7 can be inserted into a space formed between the shielded socket 5 and the contact carrier 27. In this way, an overlapping shield connection 1 is created. The shielded socket 5 is in electrically conductive contact with the shielded plug 7. The electrical contact between the shielded socket 5 and the shielded plug 7 can be achieved, for example, via lamellae 13, 15 running axially inside the shielded socket 5, such as in Fig. 2 shown.

[0035] The shield connector 7 arranged or attached to the pin holder 19 is relatively long. This leads to a low rigidity of the shield connector 7. If the high-current plug connection 3 is arranged in the engine compartment or on engine components of a motor vehicle, the high-current interface 3 and thus also the shield connection 1 can be exposed to high vibration loads. During vibration, large fluctuations or relative movements can occur at the free end of the shield connector 7, i.e., at the end of the shield connector 7 opposite the end attached to the pin holder 19. The relative movement at the contact point between the shield connector 7 and the shield socket 5 or the lamellae 13, 15 of the shield socket 5 can lead to fretting corrosion at this point.

[0036] To prevent this fretting corrosion, an elastic element 9 is arranged on the shield connection 1 between the free end of the shield plug 7 and the shield socket 5. The elastic element 9 is in Fig. 1 is designed as a rubber ring. When the shield connection 1 is plugged in, the rubber ring is compressed in the axial direction by the shield connector 7. As a result, the elastic element 9 generates an axial compressive force F A , which for example in Fig. 4. This force increases the rigidity and stability of the shield connector 7 or the free end of the shield connector 7. Thus, the fluctuation of the shield connector 7 in the axial direction can be significantly reduced, so that hardly any relative movement can occur between the shield connector 7 and the shield socket 5 or the lamellae 13, 15 of the shield socket 5 in the axial direction. This reduces fretting corrosion at the shield connection 1 and increases the vibration resistance of the shield connection 1.

[0037] In Fig. 2 is a cross section through a Fig. 1 shown similar shield connection 1. In contrast to Fig. 1 is in the embodiment of Fig. 2, an intermediate element 11 is further provided between the elastic element 9 and the free end of the shield connector 7. The intermediate element 11 can be designed as a disc, i.e., circumferentially. Furthermore, the intermediate element 11 can have a slope relative to the longitudinal axis 29 of the shield connection 1 or relative to the plug-in direction 31.

[0038] The intermediate element 11 can be designed to be inelastic or mechanically stable and serve to protect the elastic element 9 from the free end of the shield connector 7. Furthermore, the intermediate element 11 can contribute to a radially inwardly directed force F by means of a conically inwardly tapered design or by means of the bevel. Qon the shield connector. This can contribute to reducing the radial fluctuation of the shield connector 7 and thus the radial relative movement between the shield connector 7 and the shield socket 5 or the lamellae 13, 15 of the shield socket 5. Thus, the intermediate element 11 further increases the vibration resistance of the shield connection 1.

[0039] In Fig. 3A shows a section of a cross-section of the shielding socket 5. In the embodiment of Fig. 3A the intermediate element 11 is designed as a spring or as a spring ring.

[0040] In Fig. 3B shows a section of a cross-section of the shielding socket 5 with the shielding plug 7 inserted. In the embodiment of Fig. 3B, the elastic element 9 is designed as a rubber ring. Furthermore, the free end of the shield connector 7 is designed with a curve or bent. A curve of the free end of the shield connector 7 can also contribute to the deflection of a force F acting radially toward the interior of the shield connection 1. Q through the intermediate element onto the shield connector 7 and thus increase the stability of the shield connection 1.

[0041] In Fig. Figure 4 also shows a cross-section of the shielding connector 7 on the pin holder 19. The forces acting on the shielding connector 7 when plugged into the shielding socket 5 are indicated. The force F A is an axial compressive force exerted by the elastic element 9 on the free end of the shield connector 7. Furthermore, the force F Q a compressive force exerted by the intermediate element 11 on the free end of the shield connector in the radial direction. The force F Lis a radial compressive force exerted on the shield connector 7 by the axially extending lamellae 13, 15.

[0042] Finally, it is noted that expressions such as "comprising" or similar are not intended to exclude the possibility of further elements or steps being provided. Furthermore, it should be noted that "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, features described in connection with the various embodiments may be combined with one another in any desired manner. It is further noted that the reference signs in the claims are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Claims

[1] Shield connection (1) for high-current interfaces (3), comprising the shield connection (1) a shielding socket (5); a shield connector (7); wherein the shield socket (5) is designed to receive the shield plug (7); wherein an elastic element (9) is provided on the shielding socket (5); wherein the elastic element (9) is dimensioned and arranged in the shielding socket (5) such that it can withstand an axial compressive force (F A ) on the shielding plug (7) when the shielding plug (7) is plugged into the shielding socket (5); wherein the shield connection (1) has an intermediate element (11); wherein the intermediate element (11) is provided on the elastic element (9) and is designed to be inelastic. [2] Shield connection (1) according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element (9) is selected from the following group of elastic elements (9): rubber segment, rubber ring, spring and spring ring. [3] Shield connection (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the elastic element (9) is arranged in the shield socket (5) in such a way that it absorbs the axial compressive force (F A ) on a front area of ​​the shielding plug (7), viewed in the plugging direction (31) of the shielding plug (7). [4] Shield connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate element (11) is designed to transmit a force (F Q ) on the shielding plug (7) when the shielding plug (7) is plugged into the shielding socket (5). [5] Shield connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate element (11) is designed to taper radially towards the interior of the shield connector (7). [6] Shield connection (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate element (11) is formed integrally with the elastic element (9). [7] Shield connection (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a first axially extending lamella (13) inside the shielding socket (5); and a second axially extending lamella (15) in the interior of the shielding socket (5); wherein the lamellae (13, 15) are designed to transmit a force (F L ) on the shielding plug (7) when the shielding plug (7) is in the shielding socket (5).

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