Electrical circuit

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical circuit (10) comprising at least one electrically conductive conductor (12) and at least one electrically conductive connecting element (14) for electrically conductively connecting the electrically conductive conductor (12) to an electrical component (22), wherein the electrically conductive connecting element (14) comprises a contacting region (16) for electrically conductively connecting the connecting element (14) to the conductor (12) and a connecting region (18) for electrically conductively connecting the connecting element (14) to the electrical component (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical circuit according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Generic electrical circuits in which electrically conductive conductors are electrically connected to other electrical components by means of electrically conductive connecting elements are used in many electrical engineering applications in a wide variety of areas, for example in the automotive industry. Regardless of the specific area of ​​application, a perfect electrical connection and a high durability of the electrically conductive connection between electrically conductive conductors, electrically conductive connecting elements and a wide variety of electrical components must always be ensured.

[0003] To ensure reliable electrical contact over the long term, corrosion protection of the electrical components to be connected is particularly important. For example, if aluminum conductors are electrically connected to each other and / or to other electrical components, a naturally occurring oxide layer on the aluminum surface can impair the electrical contact, meaning that the long-term service life of an electrically conductive connection, for example, between an aluminum conductor and a connected connector, cannot be guaranteed.

[0004] Therefore, current technology involves implementing corrosion protection measures to prevent the formation of an oxide layer on the aluminum surface by electroplating nickel, chromium, and gold. However, these corrosion protection measures require a complex, time-consuming, and expensive electroplating process. The complexity and thus the costs of these corrosion protection measures increase with the size of the electrical components to be electroplated, and such electroplating processes are often no longer feasible in practice beyond a certain size of the electrical components. Furthermore, this electroplating process consumes valuable and expensive resources in the form of rare and precious metals.

[0005] The object underlying the invention is therefore to improve the protection of an electrical circuit in such a way that a reliable electrical contact and a long service life of the electrical circuit are ensured while at the same time reducing the costs and effort involved in protecting the electrical circuit.

[0006] The object is achieved with an electrical circuit of the type mentioned at the outset, wherein the electrical circuit comprises a protective layer which is arranged at least partially between the connecting element, in particular the contacting region of the connecting element, and the conductor and is designed to protect the connecting element and / or the conductor.

[0007] The protective layer arranged between the connecting element and the conductor ensures permanent and reliable protection of the electrical circuit, particularly the area of ​​the electrical circuit in which an electrically conductive conductor is connected to an electrically conductive connecting element. The protective layer of the electrical circuit according to the invention eliminates the need for a complex and expensive electroplating process, which requires the use of expensive raw materials such as nickel or gold, to protect the electrical circuit.In this way, it is ensured that the effort required to protect the electrical circuit and thus also the costs are reduced, that even electrical components of large size can be protected randomly, in particular against corrosion, in the case of aluminum in particular against the formation of an oxide layer, and that in this way, in particular by saving valuable resources, considerable costs can be saved.

[0008] Preferably, the electrically conductive conductor, the electrically conductive connecting element, and / or the electrical component connected to the conductor by the connecting element are configured to be connected to an electrical potential, in particular to a voltage source, a current source, and / or a measurement data source, for example, to one or more sensors. The electrical component to be connected to the electrically conductive conductor by means of the electrically conductive connecting element can be, for example, another conductor, in particular a cable, or a connector, in particular a ZIF connector or a Nano-MQS connector.

[0009] The contacting area is preferably a crimping area in which the connecting element can be electrically conductively connected to an electrically conductive conductor by means of a crimping element by crimping and / or piercing. The connecting area of ​​the connecting element can be designed as a plug-in area, for example as a pin for insertion into a connector, in particular a ZIF connector or a Nano-MQS connector. The connecting area of ​​the connecting element can also comprise a receiving area, in particular for receiving a cable end. A ZIF connector (Zero Insertion Force connector) is a connector in which no or only minimal force needs to be applied to insert, for example, a pin of a connecting element, whereby the connecting element and / or the electrical conductor and / or the entire electrical circuit are protected when inserted into the ZIF connector.

[0010] The electrical circuit is preferably designed to connect heating elements, in particular in the interior of vehicles and in the medical field, for example in patient heaters, to a voltage and / or current source and / or to control units for operating a heating device. Furthermore, the electrical circuit is preferably designed to be used in battery and rechargeable battery technology. In particular, the electrical circuit can be designed to be used for cell contacting on batteries and / or rechargeable batteries, for the electrically conductive connection of batteries and / or rechargeable batteries to control units and / or power consumers and chargers, in particular in a vehicle. The electrical circuit is preferably designed to be connected to conductively coated and / or electronically populated films and / or printed circuit boards (PCBs).

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the electrical circuit according to the invention, the electrically conductive conductor is designed as a conductor layer and / or conductor track, wherein the electrically conductive conductor is preferably part of a flexible conductive film. In particular, the electrically conductive conductor can be part of a conductively coated and / or electronically populated film and / or a conductively coated and / or electronically populated PCB. Preferably, the conductor has a contacting area for connecting to the connecting element, in particular a contacting area corresponding to the contacting area of ​​the connecting element. Preferably, the conductor is designed as a flexible conductor track and / or as a flexible conductor layer. A conductive film can also be referred to as a film conductor.

[0012] A conductive foil preferably comprises a carrier layer, in particular a carrier film, and / or a cover layer, in particular a cover film, wherein the conductor is supported at least in sections and / or regions by the carrier layer and / or covered by the cover layer, in particular for insulating the conductor and / or for protecting the conductor from environmental influences. The carrier layer and / or the cover layer are preferably formed from a polymer. The cover film can be at least partially removed, in particular in the contacting region of the conductor, so that the surface of the conductor is exposed in the contacting region and / or so that the conductor is contacted by the protective layer in the contacting region. The conductor can be vapor-deposited, laminated and / or adhesively bonded to the carrier layer, for example.A conductive foil can comprise one or more conductors, in particular one or more flexible conductor tracks and / or flexible conductor layers, in particular next to one another and / or parallel to one another, in particular several conductors can be arranged on a common carrier foil.

[0013] Preferably, the conductor, in particular the conductor track and / or the conductor layer and / or the conductive foil, is manufactured using an MSP (mechanical structuring process). Within the scope of an MSP process, a conductive foil (flexible conductor tracks on a flexible carrier foil) is manufactured using a mechanical structuring process without chemical etching or ink printing. Preferably, the conductor is formed, at least in sections, from aluminum or an aluminum alloy and / or from copper or a copper alloy. The conductor preferably has a layer thickness of less than 0.5 mm, in particular less than 30 µm.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the electrical circuit according to the invention, the connecting element is designed as a crimp element, in particular as a crimp plug. The connecting element can in particular be designed as a piercing crimp. A piercing crimp serves to make electrically conductive contact with a conductor track insulated on both sides, for example a conductor which is supported by a carrier layer and covered by a covering layer, by prongs of the piercing crimp piercing the covering film and being bent over at the underside of the conductor, in particular at the underside of the carrier layer. The bent over prongs can additionally scratch the underside of the carrier layer, so that the prongs of the piercing crimp have electrically conductive contact with the conductor in the area of ​​the piercing conductor and at the underside of the conductor through the scratched carrier layer.Due to the bent prongs of the piercing crimp, a piercing crimp acts like a spring and exerts pressure on the conductor, whereby the bent structure of the piercing crimp creates a permanent, reliable mechanical and electrical connection.

[0015] The connecting element of the electrical circuit can also be designed as any other crimp connector and / or any other crimp element, since a piercing crimp is not necessarily required to connect the connecting element and the conductor. Preferably, the crimp element contacts the protective layer, with the crimp element preferably contacting the protective layer over a large area and / or resting flatly on the protective layer.The connecting element can also be designed as a crimp element, which is designed as a classic wire crimp, wherein a wire crimp has a first receiving area for receiving strands of a cable, and a second receiving area for receiving a cable section insulated by insulation, wherein an electrically conductive contact to the cable is established in the first receiving area for receiving the strands of the cable, and a strain relief for the cable is realized in the second receiving area for receiving the insulated part of the cable. The wire crimp also has a contacting area for electrically conductive connection to the conductor, in particular to the foil conductor. In this way, a cable, in particular with strain relief, can be electrically conductively connected, in particular crimped, to a conductor, in particular to a conductor track and / or a conductor layer of a foil conductor.The strain relief provides mechanical relief for the cable, so that the service life of a cable connected to the electrically conductive conductor via the connecting element designed as a wire crimp can be significantly increased. Preferably, the contact area of ​​the connecting element is crimped to the contact area of ​​the electrically conductive conductor using the connecting element designed as a crimp element.

[0016] In a further development of the electrical circuit according to the invention, the protective layer comprises a carrier mass, in particular a polymeric one. The carrier mass can comprise, for example, binders such as resins, dispersions or emulsions, fillers, pigments, solvents, and / or additives such as biocides.

[0017] A circuit according to the invention is also preferred in which the protective layer is electrically conductive and / or establishes an electrically conductive connection between the electrically conductive conductor and the electrically conductive connecting element, in particular the contacting region of the connecting element. Preferably, the protective layer contacts the contacting region of the electrically conductive conductor on one side and the contacting region of the connecting element on the opposite side of the protective layer, wherein an electrically conductive connection is established between the contacting region of the conductor and the contacting region of the connecting element by means of the protective layer, through which electrical current can flow.

[0018] Furthermore, an electrical circuit according to the invention is particularly preferred in which the protective layer comprises particles and / or fibers, in particular electrically conductive particles and / or electrically conductive fibers, wherein the particles and / or fibers are preferably distributed homogeneously and / or heterogeneously in the carrier mass of the protective layer, at least in some regions. The particles preferably have an average size between 80 nm and 1 mm, preferably between 1 µm and 0.5 mm. The particles and / or fibers can be formed, for example, from one or more different metals.

[0019] The particles and / or fibers can be distributed evenly or unevenly (inhomogeneously) in the carrier mass. A uniform distribution of the particles and / or fibers can result in a homogeneous distribution of properties of the protective layer, in particular homogeneous properties along the width, length, and / or thickness of the protective layer. A non-uniform (heterogeneous) distribution of the particles and / or fibers can result in an inhomogeneous distribution of properties of the protective layer, in particular along the width, length, and / or thickness of the protective layer.If the particles and / or fibers are electrically conductive, the distribution of the particles and / or fibers in the carrier mass can have an influence on the electrical conductivity of the protective layer, whereby a targeted uneven distribution of the particles and / or fibers can determine that there is a different degree of electrical conductivity of the protective layer in different areas of the protective layer.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment of the electrical circuit according to the invention, the particles and / or fibers comprise carbon and / or are formed from carbon. In particular, the particles are formed as carbon particles and / or the fibers are formed as carbon fibers. The average carbon content of the particles and / or fibers is preferably above 80% by mass. Carbon particles are in particular formed as soot particles and / or comprise soot. Soot is a black powdery solid which, depending on the quality and intended use, consists of approximately 80% to 99.5% carbon.Preferably, the carbon particles are formed as soot with small primary particles which have widely branched aggregates, since soot with small primary particles and widely branched aggregates has a high electrical conductivity, so that the protective layer comprising soot creates a reliable electrically conductive connection between the conductor and the connecting element.

[0021] Preferably, at least some of the carbon particles are formed by conductive carbon black. Conductive carbon black can be used, for example, as a material for electrodes, for ceramics, for the production of electrically conductive printing inks, and in other applications in the electrical industry. Conductive carbon black can also be used for printing conductor tracks. Conductive carbon black is therefore particularly suitable for use as carbon particles in the protective layer, so that a protective layer between the conductor and the connecting element not only provides corrosion protection but also ensures a reliable electrically conductive connection. Furthermore, the use of conductive carbon black prevents galvanic corrosion.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment of the electrical circuit according to the invention, the protective layer is designed as a coating, in particular as a coating of the electrically conductive conductor. Preferably, the protective layer, in particular the protective layer designed as a coating, is substantially free of nickel, chromium and / or gold, wherein the protective layer particularly preferably contains less than 30 ppm nickel, chromium and / or gold. Preferably, the conductor is coated in its contacting region by means of the protective layer. Preferably, the conductor is coated over its entire surface in its contacting region or partially in its contacting region. The coating is preferably designed as an electrically conductive coating. Alternatively or additionally, the connecting element can be coated, in particular in the contacting region of the connecting element.A coating can be a thin layer or a thick layer, or multiple layers arranged one above the other or next to each other. For example, it can be a chemically, mechanically, thermally, and / or thermomechanically applied coating. The coating, in particular the coating of the electrical conductor, preferably influences the physical, electrical, and / or chemical properties of the conductor in the coated area in such a way that the electrical conductivity is maintained and / or improved while reducing susceptibility to corrosion.

[0023] In a further development of the electrical circuit according to the invention, the protective layer is at least partially formed by a protective varnish and / or the protective layer comprises a protective varnish, wherein the protective varnish is preferably an electrically conductive protective varnish. The protective layer is preferably designed as a flat, solid film. The protective layer, in particular the protective varnish, is preferably applied in liquid form and hardens to form the protective layer. The protective varnish is designed in particular as a conductive varnish, in particular as a carbon-conductive varnish. The protective varnish can also be a powdered coating material which is built up into a flat, solid film, for example by chemical and / or physical processes, for example through the use of solvents. The protective layer, in particular the protective varnish, preferably has both a protective effect, an optical effect, and a functional effect.The protective effect of the protective layer protects the conductor, particularly in its contact area, from corrosion. The functional effect of the protective layer ensures high electrical conductivity.

[0024] Furthermore, an electrical circuit according to the invention is particularly advantageous in which the protective layer has a thickness between 10 µm and 500 µm, in particular between 30 µm and 250 µm. The thickness of the protective layer can be uniform over the entire surface of the protective layer or can vary at least in certain regions along the width and / or length.

[0025] Furthermore, an electrical circuit according to the invention is preferred in which the protective layer is abrasion-resistant. The protective layer preferably has high abrasion resistance and / or high abrasion resistance and / or high hardness. The protective layer preferably has a Shore D hardness of at least 40. Due to the high abrasion resistance and high hardness of the protective layer, the protective layer has high resistance to mechanical stress, in particular to friction. Preferably, the protective layer is also designed to absorb and / or distribute forces acting on the electrical circuit. Forces acting on the electrical circuit can be, for example, forces when crimping the connecting element to the electrical conductor or forces which act on the protective layer when the connecting element is inserted into a plug.The abrasion resistance and / or the high hardness of the protective layer ensures that the protective layer is not damaged even under high mechanical stress, so that a reliable electrically conductive connection between the connecting element and the conductor as well as a high level of corrosion protection resistance are maintained in the long term.

[0026] In a further development of the electrical circuit according to the invention, the protective layer is waterproof and / or water vapor resistant. The fact that the protective layer is waterproof and / or water vapor resistant prevents corrosion from occurring on the surface protected by the protective layer, in particular on the surface of the conductor and / or on the surface of the connecting element that is in contact with the protective layer. In particular, it prevents an oxide layer from forming on the surface of the conductor and / or on the surface of the connecting element, which would impair electrical conductivity. Due to the waterproofness and / or water vapor resistance of the protective layer, the protective layer provides corrosion protection by protecting the conductor and / or the connecting element in the region of the protective layer from oxygen and / or water and / or moisture, thus ensuring high corrosion protection.In this way, an insulating oxide layer cannot form, especially on aluminum, ensuring a permanently reliable electrically conductive connection between the conductor and the connecting element, regardless of temperature, humidity, and aging. The vapor permeability of the protective layer preferably has an SD value of more than 1 m. The SD value serves as a measure of the diffusion resistance of a component layer and can be used as a measure of the water vapor resistance of the protective layer.

[0027] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained and described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 an electrical circuit according to the invention in a plan view; Fig. 2 the electrical circuit Fig. 1 in a view from the bottom; Fig. 3 a schematic side view of an electrical circuit according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view of an electrical circuit according to the invention; Fig. 5 a connecting element in a non-connected state in a perspective view; Fig. 6 the connecting element from Fig. 5 in a state connected to a conductor in a perspective view; Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of the electrical circuit with connected electrical components in a plan view; Fig. 8 the electrical circuit Fig. 7 in a view from the bottom; Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of the electrical circuit with a connected electrical component in a schematic side view; Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment of the electrical circuit in a plan view; Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of the electrical circuit in a perspective view; Fig. 12 another connecting element in a non-connected state in a perspective view; Fig. 13 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the electrical circuit; and Fig. 14 an electrical component connectable to an electrical circuit according to the invention.

[0028] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show an electrical circuit 10 according to the invention, wherein the Fig. 1 the electrical circuit 10 in a plan view and the Fig. 2 in a bottom view. The electrical circuit 10 comprises four electrically conductive conductors 12, which run parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another. Furthermore, the electrical circuit 10 comprises four electrically conductive connecting elements 14, each connecting element 14 being electrically conductively connected to one of the four conductors 12. The conductors 12 are made of an electrically conductive material, for example, aluminum or copper, and are part of a conductive foil 26.

[0029] The conductive foil 26, of which the conductors 12 are a component, also comprises a carrier layer 28 and a cover layer 30. The carrier layer 28 is designed, in particular, as a carrier foil and consists of a polymeric material, in particular PET. The carrier layer 28 is configured to support the conductors 12, wherein the conductors 12 are attached to the carrier layer 28, for example, the conductors 12 are vapor-deposited, glued, and / or laminated onto the carrier layer 28. The cover layer 30 is arranged on the conductor surface of the conductors 12 opposite the conductor surface covered by the carrier layer 28 and is configured to cover the conductors 12 from the top side, such that the conductors 12 are electrically insulated on both sides by the carrier layer 28 and the cover layer 30 and protected against external influences, such as moisture. The cover layer 30 is preferably also formed from a polymeric material, such as PET.

[0030] The conductors 12 are preferably designed as flexible conductor tracks and / or flexible conductor layers, wherein the flexible conductors 12, together with the carrier layer 28 and the cover layer 30, which are preferably designed as a flexible carrier film and flexible cover film, form a flexible film conductor, in particular an FFC film, which can also be referred to as a ribbon cable (Flexible Flat Cable). The electrically conductive connecting elements 14 comprise a contacting region 16, in which the respective connecting element 14 can be electrically conductively connected to one of the electrically conductive conductors 12. In addition, the connecting elements 14 each comprise a connecting region 18, by means of which the respective connecting element 14 can be connected to an electrical component 22, which is in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is not shown, can be electrically connected. In this way, the electrical conductors 12 can each be electrically connected to electrical components 22 by means of the connecting elements 14.

[0031] The connecting areas 18 of the connecting elements 14 are in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the electrical circuit 10 is designed as pin-shaped extensions of the connecting elements 14, which can be plugged into plug connectors of one or more electrical components 22 corresponding to the pin-shaped extensions, for example to establish an electrically conductive contact. Fig. 1 and Fig. The connecting elements 14 shown in Figure 2 are designed as crimping elements which are designed in their contacting area 16 to be connected in an electrically conductive and long-term manner to an electrical conductor 12 by crimping, for example by means of a crimping tool.

[0032] In order to maximize the service life of a crimp connection between a connecting element 14 and an electrical conductor 12 and to improve and maintain the electrical conductivity of the connection between the connecting element 14 and the conductor 12 over the long term, a protective layer 20 is arranged between the contacting area 16 of the connecting elements 14 and the electrically conductive conductors 12, in particular the contacting areas 17 of the electrically conductive conductors 12, which are arranged in alignment with the contacting areas 16 of the connecting elements 14. The protective layer 20 between the connecting element 14 and the electrically conductive conductor 12 is preferably formed as a thin coating of the conductor 12 in the contacting area 17 of the conductor 12, which can be brought about, for example, by applying a protective varnish.The protective layer 20, which is designed as a protective lacquer coating, comprises carbon particles, so that the protective layer 20 is an electrically conductive protective layer 20, thus ensuring reliable electrical contact between the respective conductor 12 and the respective connecting element 14. The cover layer 30 of the conductive foil 26 is removed in the contact area 17 of the conductor 12, so that the conductor surfaces there are not insulated and have perfect contact with the protective layer 20. The protective layer 20 comprising carbon particles, which can also be referred to as carbon conductive lacquer, ensures reliable corrosion protection, in particular the formation of an aluminum oxide layer between the conductor 12 and the connecting element 14.The prevention of an oxide layer, as well as corrosion protection in general, ensures that an electrical connection between the conductor 12 and the connecting element 14 in the contact areas 16, 17 is permanently maintained and a long service life of the connection can be guaranteed.

[0033] The protective layer 20 also eliminates the need for complex and expensive coating of the conductors 12 with metals such as nickel, chromium, and / or gold, which would be necessary without the presence of a protective layer 20 to prevent corrosion and ensure a long-term electrically conductive connection. The protective layer 20 between the conductor 12 and the connecting element 14 thus saves considerable effort and costs.

[0034] The Fig. 3 shows an electrical circuit 10 according to the invention in a schematic side view. An electrically conductive conductor 12, which consists, for example, of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, is supported by a carrier layer 28, in particular a polymeric carrier film. An electrically conductive connecting element 14, which is designed, for example, as a crimp element, is arranged over the electrical conductor 12 in such a way that the electrically conductive conductor 12 and the connecting element 14 overlap in a contacting region 16 of the connecting element 14. An electrically conductive protective layer 20 is arranged between the electrically conductive connecting element 14 and the electrically conductive conductor 12 in the overlapping region, which electrically conductive protective layer 20 makes surface contact with the electrically conductive conductor 12 in a contacting region 17 and with the connecting element 14 in the contacting region 16.The protective layer 20, on the one hand, establishes an electrically conductive connection between the connecting element 14 and the conductor 12. On the other hand, the protective layer 20 provides corrosion protection for the conductor 12 and the connecting element 14 in the contact areas 16, 17. The protective layer 20, which is produced in particular as a coating of the conductor 12 with a carbon-containing protective conductive varnish, has high water vapor resistance and a high water resistance, thus reliably preventing the formation of an oxide layer, particularly in electrical conductors 12 made of aluminum or aluminum alloys.An oxide layer would impede electrical conductivity and thus a reliable electrically conductive connection between an electrical conductor 12 and a connecting element 14, so that a reliable electrically conductive connection between the conductor 12 and the connecting element 14 is permanently ensured by means of the protective layer 20. The protective layer 20 comprises a carrier mass 34, which is formed in particular from a polymeric material, for example from a resin. Particles 36, which are in particular formed as carbon particles, are distributed in the carrier mass 34 of the protective layer such that an electrically conductive connection between the connecting element 14 and the conductors 12 is established by means of the protective layer 20. The protective layer 20 can, for example, be produced and / or built up step by step and / or layer by layer, in particular by producing a primer and subsequently applying a topcoat to the primer.

[0035] The Fig. 4 shows the electrical circuit 10 according to the invention in a schematic sectional view from the front. This sectional view shows how the connecting element 14 is electrically conductively connected to the conductor 12 by crimping. The connecting element 14, designed as a crimp element, comprises prongs 24 which, in the crimped state of the connecting element 14, are arranged and bent on the underside of the carrier layer 28 of the conductive foil 26, which supports the conductor 12, in such a way that the connecting element 14 is securely and permanently connected to the conductive foil 26 and an electrically conductive connection is established with the conductor 12. In the illustrated embodiment of the conductive foil 26, the electrically conductive conductor 12 is bonded to its carrier layer 28 by means of an adhesive layer 38.The prongs 24 extend through the conductor 12 through the adhesive layer 38 and through the carrier layer 28 to the underside of the carrier layer 28, wherein the electrically conductive conductor 12, the adhesive layer 38 and the carrier layer 28 are pierced by the prongs during crimping.

[0036] In the sectional view shown, the arrangement of the protective layer 20 between the connecting element 14, in particular the contacting area 16 of the connecting element 14, and the electrically conductive conductor 12, in particular the contacting area 17 of the conductor 12, can also be seen, wherein the arrangement of the protective layer 20 between the contacting area 16 of the connecting element 14 and the contacting area 17 of the conductor 12 forms a sandwich structure.The protective layer 20 makes surface contact with the conductor 12 in the contacting region 17 and with the connecting element 14 in the contacting region 16 and, in particular, through the particles 36, which are enclosed by a carrier mass 34 of the protective layer 20 and are designed as carbon particles, provides an electrically conductive connection between the connecting element 14 and the conductor 12, so that an electrical current can flow between the conductor 12 and the connecting element 14 via the protective layer 20 and / or an electrical potential can be present between the connecting element 14 and the conductor 12. The sectional view shown also clearly shows an advantage of the protective layer 20, since no oxide layer 40 is formed on the conductor 12 in the region in which the protective layer 20 is arranged between the connecting element 14 and the conductor 12.

[0037] In the Fig. 5 shows an exemplary connecting element 14 in a non-connected state in a perspective view, wherein the illustrated connecting element 14 is designed as a piercing crimp with four prongs 24.

[0038] In the Fig. 6 is the one in the Fig. 5, which is designed as a piercing crimp, can be seen in a state in which it is electrically conductively connected to an electrically conductive conductor 12, in particular in a crimped state. In the Fig. In the crimped state shown in Figure 6, the prongs 24 of the connecting element 14, designed as a crimp element, are bent on the side of the conductor 12 facing away from the connecting element 14 in such a way that the prongs 24, which in the bent state can exert a force on the conductor surface of the conductor 12 due to a spring effect, so that the connecting element 14 and the conductor 12 are pressed against one another and thus held together. In the connected state shown, the prongs 24 pierce the conductor 12.

[0039] In the Fig. 7 and Fig. Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of the electrical circuit 10. In this embodiment, the electrically conductive connecting element 14 has a two-part connection region 18, via which the electrical circuit 10 is electrically conductively connected to electrical components 22, which in this case are designed as cables. The connecting element 14 is designed as a crimp element, which in its connection region 18 comprises a receiving region 32a and a receiving region 32b, wherein the receiving region 32b is configured to receive stranded wires of the electrical component 22, so that an electrically conductive connection can be established between the component 22 designed as a cable and the connecting element 14, and thus also with the conductor 12.

[0040] The receiving area 32a is designed to be connected, in particular pressed, to an insulated area of ​​the component 22 designed as a cable. The receiving area 32a functions as a strain relief for the component 22 designed as a cable. When tensile forces act on the cable, the receiving area 32a prevents the strands of the cable from being torn out of the receiving area 32b, thus impairing an electrically conductive connection. The electrically conductive connection between the electrically conductive connecting element 14 and the electrically conductive conductor 12 is constructed essentially identically, as can be seen in the previous figures.A contacting area 16 of the connecting element 14 corresponds to a contacting area 17 of the electrically conductive conductor 12, wherein an electrically conductive protective layer 20 is arranged between the contacting area 17 and the contacting area 16 and wherein the connecting element 14 is crimped to the conductor 12 in the contacting area 16 and the contacting area 17 of the conductor 12 by prongs 24 of the connecting element piercing the conductor 12 and being firmly connected to the back of the conductor 12 by bending the prongs 24.

[0041] The conductor 12 is part of a flexible conductive foil 26, which comprises a carrier layer 28 on the underside of the conductor and a cover layer 30 on the top side of the conductor 12, wherein the carrier layer 30 is a flexible carrier foil which carries the conductor 12, and the cover layer 30 is a flexible cover foil which covers the conductor on its top side, so that the carrier layer 28 and the cover layer 30 enclose the conductor 12 at least in regions from all sides in such a way that it is electrically insulated and protected from environmental influences.

[0042] In order to be able to establish an electrically conductive connection between the connecting element 14 and the conductor 12, the covering layer 30 is partially removed, in particular in the contacting area 17 of the conductor, so that the protective layer 20 has direct contact with the conductor 12. In the Fig. 7 is the electrical circuit 10 from above and in the Fig. 8 shown from below.

[0043] In the Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the connecting element 14, as shown for example in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, by means of which the electrical circuit 10 can be electrically conductively connected to a component 22 designed as a cable. In the Fig. 9 shows that the connecting element 14 designed as a cable crimp is electrically conductively connected in its contacting area 16 to an electrically conductive conductor 12 of a conductive foil 26 in the contacting area 17 of the conductor 12 via a protective layer 20 arranged between the conductor 12 and the connecting element 14.

[0044] In the connection region 18 of the connecting element 14, the connecting element 14 is connected to an electrical component 22 designed as a cable, wherein the connection region 18 comprises a receiving region 32a for receiving and fastening an insulated part of the component 22 designed as a cable and a receiving region 32b for receiving and electrically conductively connecting and fastening a stripped region of the component 22 designed as a cable, so that the strands of the cable have an electrically conductive connection to the connecting element 14 via the receiving region 32b and the receiving region 32a, by being fastened to the insulated region of the cable, provides strain relief which can absorb tensile forces and protect the electrically conductive connection in the receiving region 32b from damage caused by tensile forces.In this way, the electrically conductive conductor 12 of the conductive foil 26 is electrically conductively connected to the electrical component 22 by means of the connecting element 14, in that an electrically conductive connection is established between the conductor 12 and the connecting element 14 by means of the electrically conductive protective layer 20 and an electrically conductive connection is established between the connecting element 14 and the electrical component 22 via the connecting region 18, in particular the receiving region 32b.

[0045] The Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show further embodiments of the electrical circuit 10, wherein the connecting region 18 of the connecting element 14 in these embodiments is designed as a plug-in region, which is configured, for example, to be connected to electrical components 22 designed as plugs and / or into which electrical components with a plug-in region can be inserted. Fig. 10 shows an electrical circuit comprising three adjacently arranged electrical conductors 12 of a conductive foil 26, in a top view. Fig. 11 shows an electrical line 10 with a total of six conductors 12 of a conductive foil 26 arranged next to one another in a perspective view.

[0046] The Fig. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of a connecting element 14 in a perspective view, wherein the connecting element 14 is designed as a piercing crimp element having a plug-in region in its connecting region 18. The connecting element 14 can be connected to an electrical component 22 via the plug-in region 18, in particular via an electrically conductive plug connection. In a contacting region 16 of the connecting element 14, the connecting element 14 comprises prongs 24, by means of which the connecting element 14 can be electrically conductively connected to an electrical conductor 12 of a conductive foil 26, wherein the prongs 24 pierce the conductive foil, in particular the conductor 12 of the conductive foil 26, and are bent over on the back of the conductor 12 such that the connecting element 14 is firmly connected to the conductive foil 26 and electrically conductively connected to the conductor 12.

[0047] In the electrically conductively connected state, in which the prongs have pierced the conductor 12 and are bent over on the back of the conductor 12, a protective layer 20 is arranged between the contacting area 16 and a conductor 12 connected thereto, which protective layer 20 protects the contacting area 16 and the conductor 12 from corrosion and establishes the electrically conductive connection between the connecting element 14 and the conductor 12.

[0048] The Fig. 13 shows a further schematic side view of an electrical circuit 10, in which a connecting element 14 designed as a piercing crimp element is electrically conductively connected, in particular crimped, to an electrically conductive conductor 12 of a conductive foil 26 via the prongs 24, wherein the prongs 24 pierce both the electrically conductive protective layer 20 arranged between the conductor 12 and the connecting element 14 and a part of the conductor 12, thus ensuring a secure and firm connection of the connecting element 14 to the conductor 12. This schematic side view also shows that the cover layer 30 of the conductive foil 26 arranged on the top side of the conductor 12 has been partially removed, so that the conductor is exposed, in particular in the region in which it is contacted by the protective layer 20, so that an electrically conductive connection to the connecting element 14 can be established.

[0049] Through the connecting element 14 and the electrically conductive protective layer 20, an electrical component 22 connected to the connecting element 14 can be connected to the electrically conductive conductor 12 of the conductive foil 26. The electrical component 22 can be, for example, a cable, a plug, another conductive foil 26, a printed circuit board, in particular a PCB, or any other electrical component that is to be electrically conductively connected to the conductive foil 26 via the connecting element 14. In particular, the electrical circuit 10 can be connected via the connecting element 14 to a heating element, for example, to a heating mat for a vehicle seat heater, or to a battery system, in particular a battery or accumulator of an electric vehicle.

[0050] The Fig. 14 shows an exemplary electrical component 22, which can be connected via the connecting element 14 to an electrical circuit 10 according to the invention, in particular to the electrical conductor 12. The Fig. The electrical component 22 shown in Figure 14 is designed as a nano-MQS connector. A nano-MQS connector can be electrically connected, for example, to a connecting element 14, in which pluggable extensions that can be inserted into the connector are arranged in the connecting region 18. In such a case, the connecting element 14 is designed as a nano-MQS terminal. The electrical component 22 can also be designed as a ZIF connector (Zero Insertion Force connector), wherein a ZIF connector is characterized in that little or no force is required to insert a cable end into the ZIF connector. Reference symbol 10 electrical circuit 12 ladders 14 Connecting element 16 Contact area 17 Contact area 18 Connection area 20 protective layer 22 component 24 points 26 Conductive foil 28 Carrier layer 30 covering layer 32a, 32b Recording areas 34 Carrier mass 36 particles 38 adhesive layer 40 oxide layer

Claims

[1] Electrical circuit (10), with - at least one electrically conductive conductor (12), and - at least one electrically conductive connecting element (14) for electrically conductively connecting the electrically conductive conductor (12) to an electrical component (22), wherein the electrically conductive connecting element (14) comprises a contacting region (16) for electrically conductively connecting the connecting element (14) to the conductor (12) and a connecting region (18) for electrically conductively connecting the connecting element (14) to the electrical component (22), characterized by a protective layer (20) which is arranged at least partially between the connecting element (14), in particular the contacting region (16) of the connecting element (14), and the conductor (12) and is designed to protect the connecting element (14) and / or the conductor (12). [2] Electrical circuit (10) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the electrically conductive conductor (12) is designed as a conductor layer and / or conductor track, wherein the electrically conductive conductor (12) is preferably a component of a flexible conductive foil (26). [3] Electrical circuit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the connecting element (14) is designed as a crimp element, in particular as a crimp plug. [4] Electrical circuit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the protective layer (20) comprises a, in particular polymeric, carrier mass (34). [5] Electrical circuit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the protective layer (20) is electrically conductive and / or establishes an electrically conductive connection between the electrically conductive conductor (12) and the electrically conductive connecting element (14), in particular the contacting region (16) of the connecting element (14). [6] Electrical circuit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the protective layer (20) comprises particles (36) and / or fibers, in particular electrically conductive particles (36) and / or electrically conductive fibers, wherein the particles (36) and / or fibers are preferably distributed at least partially homogeneously and / or at least partially heterogeneously in the carrier mass (34) of the protective layer (20). [7] Electrical circuit (10) according to claim 5, characterized by that the particles (36) and / or fibers comprise carbon and / or are formed from carbon. [8] Electrical circuit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the protective layer (20) is designed as a coating, in particular as a coating of the electrically conductive conductor (12). [9] Electrical circuit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the protective layer (20) is at least partially formed by a protective lacquer and / or comprises a protective lacquer, wherein the protective lacquer is preferably an electrically conductive protective lacquer. [10] Electrical circuit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the protective layer (20) has a thickness between 10 µm and 500 µm, in particular between 30 µm and 250 µm. [11] Electrical circuit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the protective layer (20) is abrasion-resistant. [12] Electrical circuit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the protective layer (20) is waterproof and / or water vapor resistant.

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