Connection element for a potentiostat

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection element (1) for a potentiostat (2) for establishing an electrically conductive connection between an electrode (3) with a threaded hollow screw (5) and the potentiostat (2), wherein the connection element (1) comprises a housing (6) and a circuit board (7) arranged within the housing (6), the circuit board (7) being connectable to the potentiostat (2) via electrical conductors (8), a connector (9) for establishing a first electrical contact between the electrode (3) and the circuit board (7) by inserting the connector (9) into the hollow screw (5) is arranged in the center (Z) of the circuit board (7), at least one spring contact pin (10) for establishing at least one further electrical contact between the electrode (3) and the circuit board (7) by inserting the connector (9) into the hollow screw (5) is arranged on the circuit board (7), and the housing (6) is a spring element (11) features, which is designed toWhen the connector (9) is inserted into the hollow screw (5), it engages in the thread (4) and creates a positive connection. In this way, a connection element is provided for connecting a conventional electrode to a potentiostat, enabling quick and secure electrode mounting.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connection element for a potentiostat for establishing an electrically conductive connection between an electrode with a threaded hollow screw and the potentiostat.

[0002] A potentiostat is an electrical measuring device used in electrochemistry. It is essentially a special type of control amplifier that uses three electrodes for measurement: a working electrode, a high-resistance reference electrode, and a counter electrode, all of which are connected to a galvanic element under investigation. The potentiostat maintains a constant electrical voltage between the working electrode and the reference electrode via an electrical current between the counter electrode and the working electrode. The potentiostat measures the electrical voltage and current and outputs them as measured values.

[0003] The electrode is typically rod-shaped. At one end of the rod, the electrode has a fastening element. In addition to several threads and / or nuts, the fastening element primarily consists of a hollow screw, which is used to connect the electrode to a flat plug connected to the potentiostat via a screw connection. In addition to the screw connection, the polarity of the individual contacts must also be determined during installation. Incorrect polarity poses a significant risk of damage, particularly to the container being protected. The container will corrode and leak after a short time. This results in not only time-consuming but also error-prone installation.

[0004] Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a connection element for connecting a conventional electrode to a potentiostat, which enables a quick and safe assembly of the electrode.

[0005] This problem is solved by the subject matter of patent claim 1. Preferred developments can be found in the subclaims.

[0006] According to the invention, a connection element for a potentiostat is provided for establishing an electrically conductive connection between an electrode having a threaded hollow screw and the potentiostat, wherein the connection element has a housing and a circuit board arranged within the housing, the circuit board can be coupled to the potentiostat via electrical conductors, a plug connector is arranged in the center of the circuit board for establishing a first electrical contact between the electrode and the circuit board by inserting the plug connector into the hollow screw, at least one spring contact pin is arranged on the circuit board for establishing at least one further electrical contact between the electrode and the circuit board by inserting the plug connector into the hollow screw, and the housing has a spring element which is designed toWhen inserting the connector into the hollow screw, it hooks into the thread and creates a positive connection.

[0007] In the present case, an "electrically conductive connection" is understood to mean, in particular, a connection between two elements which are connected to one another by suitable means in such a way that a current flow can occur between the two elements.

[0008] In the present case, "hollow screw" is understood to mean, in particular, a screw which has a conventional thread on the outside and is at least partially hollow on the inside, wherein the cavity is accessible from the outside so that a narrow and elongated component can be inserted into the cavity of the screw.

[0009] When we talk about "spring contact pins," we mean spring contacts, also known as pogo pins or SLC (spring loaded contacts), which are suitable for reliably contacting uneven surfaces. Contact is made by contacting a spring-loaded pin. This technology offers high functional reliability with a very high number of cycles and is therefore particularly suitable for use in power and data transmission.

[0010] The electrode is preferably a titanium anode. In this case, the hollow screw is also made of titanium. Titanium is particularly characterized by its durability, corrosion resistance, and strength.

[0011] It is therefore a key point of the invention that the connection between the electrode or the hollow screw and the circuit board is not made via a screw connection, but via a plug connection. Although the hollow screw has a thread, the connection is not ensured by means of a positive fit through a screwing movement. Rather, a spring element engages in the recesses of the thread, so that a positive fit is created at least in the longitudinal direction of the electrode, i.e. in the direction of movement during assembly. The plug connector is plugged onto the hollow screw connected to the electrode. When the plug connector is plugged into the hollow screw, the spring element is pushed back. As soon as the plug connector is plugged onto the hollow screw, the spring element is pressed onto the thread and engages in at least one recess in the thread, so that the spring element hooks into the thread of the hollow screw.This allows for a universal connector that snaps into place when plugged onto the electrode. This saves the installer considerable time during installation, as the connection is established by simply plugging the connector onto the electrode. Furthermore, the risk of polarity reversal during installation is eliminated, as the electrical connections are established automatically via the spring contact pins upon plugging in.

[0012] According to a preferred development of the invention, the spring element has two movable legs that are connected to one another via a rigid leg. More preferably, the connector is arranged between the movable legs. The movable legs preferably exert a spring force in the direction of the connector. The spring element is U-shaped. The two movable legs are connected to one another via a rigid leg. The connector is arranged between the movable legs or within the U-shape. When the connector is inserted into the hollow screw, the movable legs are first pushed apart against the spring force and then engage in the notches of the thread. The length of the rigid leg determines the distance between the movable legs.

[0013] According to a preferred development of the invention, the housing has a spring guide in which the spring element is arranged. The spring guide limits the movement of the legs in the direction of the connector. The spring guide can be understood in particular as a recess in the housing in which the spring element or legs move. The recess is designed such that the movable legs are limited both against the spring force and in the direction of the spring force. Thus, during assembly, the legs can only be pushed apart against the spring force up to a predetermined point, and when engaging, they can only press on the thread of the hollow screw in the direction of the spring force up to a predetermined point.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, one of the additional electrical contacts comprises the ground connection. Reverse polarity can thus be reliably prevented, since no polarity adjustment is required during assembly. The electrical contacts are created automatically by inserting the connector into the hollow screw.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector comprises a banana plug. A banana plug is a round pin with a contact spring for laboratory use, measuring devices, and experiments. It is a component of a low-voltage connector system. The plug is securely seated thanks to its spring, yet can be easily removed without tools. More preferably, the banana plug is a bunch plug. The bunch plug is a connector manufactured according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2000. It is characterized in particular by low contact resistance, high transmission performance, secure contact, and a robust construction.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, several spring contact pins, preferably three spring contact pins, particularly preferably five spring contact pins, are arranged on the circuit board in a circle around the connector. The connection element can be designed as a multi-pole connector as required. The multiple poles result from the number of spring contact pins. These are arranged along a circle with the connector at the center.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of a fluid surrounding the electrode is arranged on the circuit board. The heat of the fluid is conducted through the hollow screw located in the water into the connection element. The middle connector is inserted circumferentially into the bore or cavity of the hollow screw. The middle connector, in turn, is soldered to the circuit board, to which the temperature sensor is soldered. With a specific correction factor, the fluid temperature can thus be measured with minimal effort.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing comprises a first opening, a second opening, and an intermediate plate arranged between the openings. The intermediate plate preferably has a plurality of recesses for the passage of the connector and the spring contact pins. The circuit board preferably lies flat against the side of the intermediate plate facing away from the first opening. The connector and the spring contact pins can be contacted on the side of the intermediate plate facing the first opening.

[0019] When we talk about "flat contact" in this case, we don't necessarily mean full-surface contact. Rather, it specifically means that the circuit board and the intermediate plate are arranged parallel to each other with a small or even no distance between them. Either the circuit board is in full contact with the intermediate plate, or the circuit board is only in contact with individual protruding elements of the intermediate plate. However, the distance between the circuit board and the intermediate plate is chosen to be so small that the arrangement can be understood as "contact." This results in a flush and space-saving design.

[0020] According to a preferred development of the invention, the spring element is arranged on the side of the intermediate plate facing away from the first opening. The connection element therefore has two sides. From one side, i.e. through the first opening, only the spring contact pins and the connector are accessible. The circuit board and the spring element are located on the other side of the intermediate plate and are only accessible through the second opening. However, the second opening is preferably closed with a cover so that the sensitive components are not accessible and are protected during assembly. Due to this design, the connection element is particularly robust and less susceptible to damage.

[0021] The invention further provides for the use of a connection element described above for establishing an electrically conductive plug connection between an electrode and a potentiostat. Consequently, a screw connection is no longer required when connecting the potentiostat to the electrode. The connection element according to the invention can be connected to any conventional electrode by simply plugging it in and snapping it into place.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings.

[0023] The drawings show Fig. 1 schematically shows an electrode and a connection element according to a preferred embodiment of the invention in a perspective view, Fig. 2 schematically shows the housing of the connection element from Fig. 1 in a perspective view, Fig. 2b schematically the circuit board of the connection element from Fig. 1 in a perspective view, Fig. 3 schematically shows the housing and the circuit board of the connection element from the Fig. 2a and 2b in an assembled state in a perspective view, Fig. 4a, 4b schematically the connecting element from Fig. 3 in the closed state in a perspective view.

[0024] Out of Fig. 1 A potentiostat 2 with a connection element 1 and a conventional electrode 3 is shown schematically. The electrode 3 is rod-shaped and has a hollow screw 5 at one end as a fastening means. The hollow screw 5 is provided on the outside with a thread 4, which is used to create a conventional screw connection.

[0025] The connection element 1 has a housing 6 in which the circuit board 7 is installed. The connection element 1 is shown in a slightly oblique top view. This means that the components installed behind the intermediate plate 15 are not visible. The spring contact pins 10 and the centrally positioned connector 9 are passed through the recesses 16. The spring element 11 is arranged behind the intermediate plate 15. The connection element 1 is connected to the potentiostat 2 via electrical conductors 8, enabling current flow and data transmission.

[0026] In order to show the structure of the connecting element 1 in more detail, the connecting element 1 is made of Fig. 1 in the Fig. 2a and 2b in an open state from below. It shows the area that is Fig. 1 behind or below the intermediate plate 15.

[0027] The intermediate plate 15 has several recesses 16 for the spring contact pins 10 and the connector 9. The spring element 11 is arranged around the central recess through which the connector 9 passes. The spring element 11 is constructed from three legs 11a, 11b, 11c. Two legs 11a, 11b are movable and connected to each other via a rigid leg 11c. The legs 11a, 11b, 11c are arranged in a U-shape and enclose the recess through which the connector 9 passes. The spring element 11 is arranged in a spring guide 12. The spring guide 12 consists of a recess in the intermediate plate 15 in which the movable legs 11a, 11b can move. The spring force acts radially in the direction of the central recess 16 or in the direction of the connector 9.When the connector 9 is inserted into the hollow screw 5, the movable legs 11a, 11b are moved against the spring force until they reach the stop of the spring guide 12. As soon as the connecting element 1 is placed onto the thread 4 of the hollow screw 5, the movable legs 11a, 11b engage the notch of the thread 4 and lock the hollow screw 5 or the entire electrode 3.

[0028] Fig. 2b shows the circuit board 7 with the connector 9 in the center Z and the total of four spring contact pins 10, which are arranged in a circle around the connector 9. The spring contact pins 10 and the connector 9 are guided through the recesses 16 in the intermediate plate 15, so that the circuit board 7 lies almost flat against the intermediate plate 15. This state is shown in Fig. 3 shown.

[0029] The connection element 1 is shown in an oblique top view of the second opening 14, which is to be understood as the base and is closed with a cover (not shown here). The spring contact pins 10 and the connector 9 are guided through the recesses 16 of the intermediate plate 15 and are only accessible through the first opening 13, as shown in Fig. 1 shown. The spring element 11 is arranged between the intermediate plate 15 and the circuit board 7, so that it is no longer freely accessible. As soon as the connector 9 is plugged onto the hollow screw 5, the movable legs 11a, 11b engage the thread 4 of the hollow screw. In this state, electrical contacts are created between the spring contact pins 10 and the electrode 3, as well as between the connector 9 and the electrode 3, so that the potentiostat 2 is ready for use.

[0030] Fig. 3shows the connection element 1 in the assembled state. The circuit board 7 is inserted into the housing 6. The connector 9 and the spring contact pins 10 are guided through the recesses 16 and point away from the second opening 14 and are located inside the housing 6. The spring element 11 is arranged between the intermediate plate 15 and the circuit board 7 in such a way that it at least partially encloses the connector. This housing is closed with a cover 17. This state is shown in the Figures 4a and 4b shown.

[0031] The Figures 4a and 4bdiffer in the position of the cable outlets. The cable protector 18 is attached to the box 17 via a movable connecting element 19. The movement is ensured by a joint with a locking mechanism, allowing the cable protector to be locked into place at different angles to the box. This allows for flexible installation, as the outgoing cable protector 18 can be positioned and fixed in any position between a vertical and a horizontal orientation. List of reference symbols

[0032] 1Connection element 2Potentiostat 3Electrode 4Thread 5Hollow screw 6Housing 7PCB 8Electrical conductor 9Connector 10Spring contact pin 11Spring element 11aMovable leg 11bMovable leg 11cRigid leg 12Spring guide 13First opening 14Second opening 15Intermediate plate 16Recess 17Cover 18Cable protection 19Connecting element ZCenter

Claims

1. Connection element (1) for a potentiostat (2) for establishing an electrically conductive connection between an electrode (3) with a hollow screw (5) having a thread (4) and the potentiostat (2), wherein the connection element (1) has a housing (6) and a circuit board (7) arranged within the housing (6), the circuit board (7) can be coupled to the potentiostat (2) via electrical conductors (8), a plug connector (9) for establishing a first electrical contact between the electrode (3) and the circuit board (7) by inserting the plug connector (9) into the hollow screw (5) is arranged in the center (Z) of the circuit board (7), at least one spring contact pin (10) for establishing at least one further electrical contact between the electrode (3) and the circuit board (7) by inserting the plug connector (9) into the hollow screw (5) is arranged on the circuit board (7), and the housing (6) has a spring element (11) which is designed toWhen inserting the connector (9) into the hollow screw (5), it hooks into the thread (4) and creates a positive connection.

2. Connection element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the spring element (11) has two movable legs (11a, 11b) which are connected to one another via a rigid leg (11c), the plug connector (9) is arranged between the movable legs (11a, 11b), and the movable legs (11a, 11b) exert a spring force in the direction of the plug connector (9).

3. Connection element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (6) has a spring guide (12) in which the spring element (11) is arranged, and the spring guide (12) limits the movable legs (11a, 11b) in the movement in the direction of the plug connector (9).

4. Connection element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the further electrical contacts comprises the ground connection.

5. Connection element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (9) comprises a banana plug.

6. Connection element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the circuit board (7) a plurality of spring contact pins (10), preferably three spring contact pins (10), particularly preferably five spring contact pins (10), are arranged in a circle around the plug connector (9).

7. Connection element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of a fluid surrounding the electrode (3) is arranged on the circuit board (7).

8. Connection element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (6) comprises a first opening (13), a second opening (14) and an intermediate plate (15) arranged between the openings (13, 14), the intermediate plate (15) has a plurality of recesses (16) for the passage of the plug connector (9) and the spring contact pins (10), the circuit board (7) lies flat against the side of the intermediate plate (15) facing away from the first opening (13), and the plug connector (9) and the spring contact pins (10) can be contacted on the side of the intermediate plate (15) facing the first opening (13).

9. Connection element (1) according to claim 8, wherein the spring element (11) is arranged on the side of the intermediate plate (15) facing away from the first opening (13).

10. Use of a connection element (1) according to one of the preceding claims for producing an electrically conductive plug connection between an electrode (3) and a potentiostat (2).

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