SEAL FOR DOUBLE RAIL LADDER ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

Seal (100) for a double rail conductor arrangement (10), comprising: a sealing carrier (110), with two mutually complementary sealing carrier parts (110A, 110B) that can be attached to one another, each having an E-shape and forming a first receiving space for a first rail-shaped conductor (200) between a first outer leg (111A, 111B) and a middle part (113A, 113B) and a second receiving space for a second rail-shaped conductor (300) between a second outer leg (112A, 112B) and the middle part (113A, 113B), and a conductor-side sealing element (120), with two mutually complementary sealing element parts (120A, 120B) which are formed on an inner side of the respective sealing carrier part (110A, 110B) facing the first and second receiving space in order to be brought into contact with the first and second rail-shaped conductor (200, 300).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a seal for a double-rail conductor assembly and a double-rail conductor assembly with such a seal. Such a sealed double-rail conductor assembly can be used, for example, in an on-board electrical system, a charging system, a traction path, or the like of a vehicle, motor vehicle, etc. State of the art

[0002] In automotive engineering, for example, rail-shaped conductors are used for electrical cables. These usually have a rectangular cross-section and are elongated in order to supply components of the on-board network with current or energy. For this purpose, an arrangement with two rail-shaped conductors, i.e. a double rail conductor arrangement, can also be used, in which a first rail-shaped conductor forms a supply line and a second rail-shaped conductor forms a ground line. Typically, such a rail-shaped conductor or such a double rail conductor arrangement should be sealed against environmental influences, such as water ingress. However, this is even more difficult if a double rail conductor arrangement is to be used because no suitable seal is known.

[0003] DE 10 2018 109 863 B4 discloses a multi-component seal for sealing a rail, in particular a busbar for an on-board power supply system of a motor vehicle, relative to a housing.

[0004] US 5 588 856 A discloses a sealing element, an assembly for sealing a hollow element, a method for sealing a hollow element, a method for sealing a multi-conductor connector and a sealed multi-conductor connector.

[0005] DE 102017 116 445 A1 discloses an electrical flat conductor arrangement for a vehicle, comprising at least one substantially dimensionally stable flat conductor rail, which is at least partially covered with a plastic sheath for electrical insulation, wherein a housing comprising at least partially a magnetic material and a polymer material is arranged to encompass at least partially the flat conductor rail.

[0006] The CN 2 12 033 714 U discloses a waterproof and dustproof busbar bushing.

[0007] DE 10 2017 113 992 A1 discloses a busbar arrangement for sealing installation in a recess of a partition wall.

[0008] US 2015 / 0 235 735 A1 discloses a grommet seal for sealing a cable connection area for cables against moisture. Description of the invention

[0009] An object of the invention is therefore to provide a seal for a double-rail conductor arrangement using structurally as simple as possible means.

[0010] The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the description, and the accompanying figures.

[0011] A seal for a double-rail conductor arrangement is proposed. The seal comprises a seal carrier with two complementary, attachable seal carrier parts, each of which has a substantially E-shape and forms a first receiving space for a first rail-shaped conductor between a first outer leg and a central part, and a second receiving space for a second rail-shaped conductor between a second outer leg and the central part.

[0012] In addition, the seal has a conductor-side sealing element with two mutually complementary sealing element parts, which are formed on an inner side of the respective seal carrier part facing the first and second receiving space in order to be brought into contact with the first and second rail-shaped conductors.

[0013] This seal can be used to seal two parallel rail-shaped conductors, i.e., a double-rail conductor arrangement, particularly at interfaces such as a housing, a conductor bushing, or similar. Due to the two-part design of the seal carrier and / or the conductor-side sealing element, the seal can be easily attached to the rail-shaped conductors from the side in relation to the longitudinal direction of the double-rail conductor arrangement, thus enabling simple installation.

[0014] As used herein, a double-rail conductor arrangement comprises the first and second rail-shaped conductors, which are arranged parallel to one another with mutually facing flat sides. In other words, the two rail-shaped conductors can be arranged one above the other with mutually facing flat sides with respect to a support structure, such as part of a vehicle body or the like. One of the rail-shaped conductors can form a supply line and the other rail-shaped conductor can form a ground line. The first and second rail-shaped conductors can be provided with an insulating jacket around which the seal proposed here is applied. Preferably, the first and second rail-shaped conductors are spaced apart from one another in the region of the seal.

[0015] The seal carrier is a structural part that can also be referred to as a hard component. It can, for example, be made from a suitable plastic material, for example by injection molding or the like, wherein the plastic material can, for example, be a thermoplastic. The seal carrier itself, despite its hardness and / or rigidity, can still contribute to sealing, for example by having a profiling or other surface structuring on its outer side. In contrast, the conductor-side sealing element, like every other sealing element described herein, is primarily designed to achieve a sealing effect and is therefore preferably made from a plastic material that is softer and / or more elastic than the plastic material of the seal carrier, such as a thermoplastic elastomer or similar.A sealing element can, for example, be formed with sealing lips or the like.

[0016] The mutually complementary design of the seal carrier parts and / or the conductor-side sealing element parts can be understood to mean that, when assembled or fastened to one another, they complement each other to form the seal carrier or the sealing element, respectively, and jointly form the latter. Both the seal carrier parts and the sealing element parts can be identical parts, which are preferably assembled in a mirror-inverted manner.

[0017] The seal can be a so-called 2K part, manufactured, for example, using a two-component injection molding process. Accordingly, "molded" can be understood as combining two different materials—namely, the seal carrier and the conductor-side or housing-side sealing element—and bonding or joining them together in some way.

[0018] According to a further development, the two seal support parts, i.e., the first and second seal support parts, can have a complementary locking mechanism by which they can be fastened to one another. For example, one seal support part can have a first part of the locking mechanism, and the other seal support part can have a complementary second part of the locking mechanism. This offers the advantage that the seal can be attached to the double-rail conductor arrangement simply by locking it in place, which can even be done without tools. If necessary, the load can also be released again without causing damage.

[0019] In a further development, the locking mechanism can have a plug-in tongue with a locking lug on one seal carrier part and a plug-in sleeve with a locking tongue on the other seal carrier part for engaging with the locking lug. The combination of plug-in tongue and plug-in sleeve facilitates easy guidance of the two seal carrier parts relative to each other and smooth locking of them together.

[0020] According to a further development, at least one circumferential channel can be formed in the seal carrier, which is designed to receive a sealing compound and / or the potting compound. By circumferential side can be understood that the channel follows the E-shape of the seal carrier, wherein the channel can be formed on both an outer side and an inner side of the seal carrier. The channel is preferably designed in the form of a groove. The channel can extend along a circumferential direction of the seal carrier, which runs transversely to a longitudinal extent of the first and second rail-shaped conductors. The channel does not necessarily have to be filled with a sealing compound and / or potting compound, but can be formed in any case in order to be able to use one and the same identical part for several sealing requirements or sealing classes.However, if a high tightness requirement is to be met, the sealing compound and / or potting compound can be introduced into the duct, preferably after the seal has been installed on the double-rail conductor arrangement.

[0021] In a further development, the channel can extend transversely to a longitudinal direction of the first and second rail-shaped conductors, and a housing-side sealing element can be formed on the seal carrier, which is configured to seal the channel laterally, i.e., toward or along the longitudinal direction of the first and second rail-shaped conductors, by means of a housing-side sealing element. This allows a high sealing effect to be achieved.

[0022] According to a further development, if the channel is located on an inner side of the seal carrier or seal carrier part, it can also be sealed by the conductor-side sealing element described above toward or along the longitudinal direction of the first and second rail-shaped conductors. This allows a high sealing effect to be achieved.

[0023] In a further development, a first circumferential channel can be formed in the seal carrier along an outer circumferential surface and a second circumferential channel along an inner circumferential surface. As described above, each of the two channels can be sealed by the sealing elements described above, in particular laterally relative to the direction of the channel extension. This allows even high sealing classes and sealing requirements to be met.

[0024] According to a further development, a strain relief can be formed on an inner side of the respective seal carrier part facing the first and second receiving space, which strain relief is designed to apply a pressing force to a surface of the first and / or second rail-shaped conductor. For example, the strain relief can be formed by tongues, in particular spring tongues, projecting into the respective receiving space and designed to exert a compressive force and / or pressing force on the respective rail-shaped conductor. The tongues can be formed on the seal carrier part at one end and be in contact with the rail-shaped conductor with a free end. The tongues can also be shaped such that they engage in the insulating sheath of the respective rail-shaped conductor, for example via a lug, hook or the like.The strain relief allows for a high mechanical resistance of the double-rail conductor arrangement or the seal.

[0025] In a further development, the seal carrier can be made of a harder and / or stiffer plastic material than the conductor-side sealing element. For example, the seal carrier can be made of an injection-moldable thermoplastic or similar material, and the conductor-side sealing element, like the housing-side sealing element, can be made of a thermoplastic elastomer. This provides the seal with both high mechanical resistance and a high sealing effect.

[0026] According to a further development, the seal can further comprise a housing configured to enclose the seal carrier and the conductor-side sealing element. In other words, the housing can preferably completely enclose both the seal carrier and the conductor-side sealing element arranged on its inner side, and optionally also the housing-side sealing element. With this protective housing, the double-rail cable arrangement can be used in a variety of ways, for example, in a vehicle or motor vehicle.

[0027] Also proposed is a double-rail conductor arrangement. This can be used, for example, in the on-board power supply system of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle. The double-rail conductor arrangement comprises a first rail-shaped conductor, a second rail-shaped conductor, and a seal in one or more of the embodiments described above. Two seal carrier parts and two sealing element parts of the seal are applied around the first and second rail-shaped conductors from a lateral direction with respect to a longitudinal direction of the first and the second rail-shaped conductors, which are guided parallel thereto.

[0028] This double-rail conductor arrangement exhibits a high sealing effect, with the seal carrier parts providing structural strength to the seal, and the sealing element parts achieving the high sealing effect. Because both the seal carrier and the conductor-side sealing element are designed in two parts, the seal can be particularly easily attached to the double-rail conductor arrangement. One of the rail-shaped conductors can form a supply line, and the other rail-shaped conductor can form a ground line. The rail-shaped conductors can each be provided with an insulating sheath. The advantages described above can be achieved through the design variants described above.

[0029] The invention also relates to a vehicle with a described double-rail conductor arrangement or to the use of such a double-rail conductor arrangement in a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle. There, the double-rail conductor arrangement can be used in the vehicle's on-board power system, with one of the rail-shaped conductors forming a supply line and the other rail-shaped conductor forming a ground line.

[0030] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a manufacturing method for a seal for and / or for a double-rail conductor arrangement with a seal described above. In the method, the seal carrier and the conductor-side sealing element are manufactured using a multi-component injection molding process according to one or more of the embodiments described above. This seal can be easily attached to the double-rail conductor arrangement from the side. Optionally, a channel of the seal carrier can be filled with a sealing compound and / or a potting compound.

[0031] Further features, advantages and possible applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of advantageous embodiments and the accompanying figures.

[0032] Brief Description of the Figures: An advantageous embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a double-rail conductor assembly with a seal (without housing) attached thereto according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a double-rail conductor arrangement with a part or half of a seal (without housing) attached thereto according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of part or half of a seal for a double-rail conductor arrangement according to one embodiment. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a double rail conductor assembly with a seal (with housing) attached thereto according to one embodiment. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a double rail conductor assembly with a seal (with housing) attached thereto according to one embodiment.

[0033] The figures are merely schematic representations and serve only to illustrate the invention. Identical or equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals throughout. Detailed description

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a double-rail conductor arrangement 10 which can be used, for example, in an on-board power supply system of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle. The double-rail conductor arrangement 10 has a seal 100 which surrounds a first rail-shaped conductor 200 and a second rail-shaped conductor 300. Accordingly, in the double-rail conductor arrangement 10, two individual electrical conductors in the form of busbars are guided parallel and, if appropriate, also spaced from one another such that their flat sides face one another or run parallel to one another. One of the first and second rail-shaped conductors 200, 300 can be used as a supply line and the other as a ground line. Each of the first and second rail-shaped conductors 200, 300 preferably has an insulating jacket.

[0035] As in Fig. 1, the seal 100 has a seal carrier 110 which is formed from two seal carrier parts 110A, 110B, which can also be halves, which are complementary to one another, i.e. they supplement one another to form the seal carrier 110, and can be fastened to one another. For example, the seal carrier parts 110A, 110B can also be identical parts. The seal carrier parts 110A, 110B each have a substantially E-shape and form a first receiving space for the first rail-shaped conductor between a first outer leg 111A, 111B and a central part 113A, 113B, and a second receiving space for a second rail-shaped conductor 300 between a second outer leg 112A, 112B and the central part 113A, 113B. Optionally, the seal carrier parts 110A, 110B can have a surface structure with a sealing effect on their outside, as shown in Fig. 1. This surface structure can also be made of a different material from the remaining (first) plastic material, wherein the surface structure is preferably softer and / or more elastic than the remaining (first) plastic material of the seal carrier part 110A, 110B.

[0036] According to Fig. 1, the two seal carrier parts 110A, 110B have a complementary locking mechanism 114, 115 by which they can be fastened to one another. For example, the seal carrier 110 has a plug-in tongue 114 with a locking lug on one of the seal carrier parts 110A, 110B, and a plug-in sleeve 115 with a locking tongue on the other seal carrier part 110A, 110B for engaging with the locking lug. It should be noted that if the parts are identical, both seal carrier parts 110A, 110B each have a plug-in tongue 114 and a plug-in sleeve 115.

[0037] Although in Fig. 1 hidden, but as in for example Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the seal 100 also has a conductor-side sealing element 120 and, optionally, a housing-side sealing element 130. Similar to the seal carrier 110, the conductor-side sealing element 120 and the optional housing-side sealing element 130 have two sealing element parts 120A, 120B and 130A, 130B, respectively, which are complementary to one another in order to jointly form the respective sealing element. The two sealing element parts 120A, 120B and 130A, 130B, respectively, which are formed on an inner side of the respective seal carrier part 110A, 110B facing the first and second receiving space, can be brought into contact with the first and second rail-shaped conductors 200, 300.

[0038] According to Fig. 1, the seal 100 has in or on the seal carrier 110 a first circumferential channel 116 and, optionally, a second circumferential channel 117. The second channel 117 is located on an inner side of the seal carrier 110 and is thus in Fig. 1 hidden, but in Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. The channel 116, 117 runs transversely to a longitudinal extension direction L of the double-rail cable arrangement 10 or the rail-shaped conductors 200, 300. The channel 116, 117 is designed to accommodate a casting compound and / or sealing compound in order to achieve a sealing effect in the direction of the longitudinal extension direction L. Preferably, the channel 116, 117 is formed in the form of a groove, wherein the two seal carrier parts 110A, 110B complement one another, so that a channel 116, 117 running around the double-rail cable arrangement 10 is formed.

[0039] Furthermore, the seal 100 according to Fig. 1, on an inner side of the respective seal carrier part 110A, 110B facing the first and second receiving space, a strain relief 118 is formed onto the seal carrier part 110A, 110B. The strain relief 118 is configured to apply a pressing force to a surface of the first and / or second rail-shaped conductor. For example, the strain relief 118 can be formed by tongues, in particular spring tongues, projecting into the respective receiving space and configured to exert a compressive force and / or pressing force on the respective rail-shaped conductor. The tongues can be molded onto the seal carrier part at one end and can be in contact with the respective rail-shaped conductor 200, 300 with a free end. The tongues can also be shaped in such a way that they engage in the insulation sheath of the respective rail-shaped conductor 200, 300, for example via a nose, hook or similar.

[0040] It should be noted that the seal 100 can be manufactured, for example, by a multi-component injection molding process, in which the seal carrier 110 can be made from a first plastic material and the sealing element 120, 130 can be made from a second plastic material that is different from the first plastic material. The first plastic material preferably has a higher hardness and / or higher rigidity than the second plastic material, which in turn is softer and / or more elastic than the first plastic material.

[0041] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a double-rail conductor arrangement 10 with only one part or one half of the seal carrier 110 described above, here using the example of the seal carrier part 110A. It should be noted again that the seal carrier part 110B can be designed identically. In Fig. 2 elements or features are now recognizable that in Fig. 1 are at least partially obscured. Fig. 2 shows the second channel 117, which is located on the inside with respect to the seal carrier 110 and extends parallel to the outer first channel 116 transversely to the longitudinal direction L of the double-rail line arrangement 100. Fig. 2 also the conductor-side sealing element 120 which is located inside the seal carrier 110 and which seals the inner, second channel 117 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0042] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of only one part or half of the seal 100, here using the example of the seal carrier part 110A. In Fig. 3 shows the above-described E-shape of the seal carrier part 110A with the first outer leg 111A, the second outer leg 112A, and the central part 113, which can also be referred to as a type of central web. Furthermore, the strain relief 118 or its tongues, which are hinged on one side to the seal carrier part 110A, can be seen in more detail, wherein Fig. For clarity, only two exemplary tongues are shown in Figure 3. It can be seen that the conductor-side sealing element 120 also has a corresponding E-shape.

[0043] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the double rail ladder arrangement 10 from Fig. 1 with a housing 140 arranged around the seal carrier 110, the conductor-side sealing element 120, and, optionally, the housing-side sealing element 130. For example, the housing 140 is designed in multiple parts, wherein the multiple parts can be locked together to hold the housing 140 to the double-rail conductor assembly 10.

[0044] Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the double rail conductor arrangement 10 from Fig. 4. Here, both channels 116, 117 are now filled with a potting compound 150 and / or sealant. It should be noted that, depending on the tightness requirement or tightness class, none or only one of the channels 116, 117 may be filled with the potting compound 150 and / or sealant.

[0045] In summary, the seal 100 comprises halves that are held together by a locking mechanism and / or snap-in mechanism. Both halves can be slid laterally over the two rail-shaped conductors 200, 300, which can also be referred to as flat conductors. Sealing lips applied to the seal carrier 110, i.e., the conductor-side sealing element 120, the housing-side sealing element 130, and / or, optionally, the surface structure with a sealing effect, seal a transition between the seal 100, an interface, and the rail-shaped conductors 200, 300. Optionally, the potting compound 150 can be introduced into at least one of the channels 116, 117. This makes it possible to implement different sealing requirements (IP classes). LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10 double rail conductor arrangement 100 seals 110 seal carrier 110A first seal carrier part (first seal carrier half) 110B second seal carrier part (second seal carrier half) 111A first outer leg 111B first outer leg 112A second outer leg 112B second outer leg 113A middle section 113B Middle section 114 locking mechanism 115 locking mechanism 116 first channel 117 second channel 118 Strain relief 120 conductor-side sealing element 130 housing-side sealing element 140 housings 150 casting compound 200 first rail-shaped conductor (flat conductor(rail) 300 second rail-shaped conductor (flat conductor (rail) L Longitudinal extension straightener of double-rail conductor arrangement or rail-shaped conductor

Claims

[1] Seal (100) for a double rail conductor arrangement (10), comprising: a seal carrier (110) with two mutually complementary, attachable seal carrier parts (110A, 110B), each having an E-shape and forming a first receiving space for a first rail-shaped conductor (200) between a first outer leg (111A, 111B) and a central part (113A, 113B) and a second receiving space for a second rail-shaped conductor (300) between a second outer leg (112A, 112B) and the central part (113A, 113B), and a conductor-side sealing element (120), having two mutually complementary sealing element parts (120A, 120B) which are formed on an inner side of the respective seal carrier part (110A, 110B) facing the first and second receiving space in order to be brought into contact with the first and second rail-shaped conductors (200, 300). [2] Seal according to claim 1, wherein the two seal carrier parts (110A, 110B) have a mutually complementary locking mechanism (114, 115) by means of which they can be fastened to one another. [3] Seal according to claim 2, wherein the locking mechanism (114, 115) has a plug-in tongue (114) with a locking lug on one seal carrier part (110A, 110B) and a plug-in sleeve (115) with a locking tongue for engagement with the locking lug on the other seal carrier part (110A, 110B). [4] Seal according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one circumferential channel (116, 117) is formed in the seal carrier (110), which is designed to receive a casting compound (150). [5] Seal according to claim 4, wherein the channel (116) extends transversely to a longitudinal extension direction of the first and second rail-shaped conductors (200, 300), and a housing-side sealing element (130) is formed on the seal carrier (110), which is designed to seal the channel (116, 117) laterally, ie towards the longitudinal extension direction of the first and second rail-shaped conductors (200, 300). [6] Seal according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a first circumferential channel (116) is formed along an outer circumferential surface and a second circumferential channel (117) is formed along an inner circumferential surface in the seal carrier (110). [7] Seal according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a strain relief (118) is formed on an inner side of the respective seal carrier part (110A, 110B) facing the first and second receiving space, which strain relief is designed to apply a pressing force to a surface of the first and / or second rail-shaped conductor (200, 300). [8] Seal according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the seal carrier (110) is formed from a harder and / or stiffer plastic material than the conductor-side sealing element (120), and is harder and / or stiffer than a housing-side sealing element (130). [9] Seal according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a housing (140) adapted to house the seal carrier (110) and the conductor-side sealing element (120), and a housing-side sealing element (130). [10] Double rail conductor arrangement (10), comprising: a first rail-shaped conductor (200), a second rail-shaped conductor (300), and a seal (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein two seal carrier parts (110A, 110B) and two seal element parts (120A, 120B) of the seal (100) are applied around the first and second rail-shaped conductors (200, 300) from a lateral direction with respect to a longitudinal extension direction (L) of the first and the second rail-shaped conductors (200, 300) guided parallel thereto.

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