Electrical cable for connection to an electrical component

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical cable (2) for connection to an electrical component (20), wherein the cable (2) has at least one electrical conductor (4), wherein at least one coding (50) is spatially formed on the cable (2) in order to specify a specific arrangement and assignment of electrical contact means (28) of the component (20) with the electrical conductors (4) of the cable (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical cable according to the type defined in the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a component, a connection system and a method. State of the art

[0002] It is known from the state of the art that electrical cables are used pre-assembled during the installation of an electrical system or that they are only cut to the desired length in the field. However, the use of pre-assembled cables is inflexible and may be limited by the availability of the appropriate cables. Field assembly, on the other hand, is more flexible but often a complex process.

[0003] To assemble the cable, the cable can first be stripped and crimped, then connected to a connector. A crimping tool, for example, is used to securely connect the connector to the cable conductors through pressure and deformation. A stripping tool may also be used to cut off the outer insulation of the cables without damaging the underlying conductors.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known from the state of the art that current Ethernet technology is often too complex and over-dimensioned for applications in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). In particular, conventional connectors and cables are often less than optimal for use at the field level. This complicates the integration of sensors and other components, particularly due to the cabling requirements and limited cable lengths. A simplified Ethernet standard, Single Pair Ethernet (SPE), already offers a solution here through the combination of long cable lengths, compact design, and robust cabling.

[0005] However, conventional solutions are still very complex when it comes to always providing the correct cable length in the field.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to further simplify installation technology and to provide the correct cable layout for an application in an improved manner. In particular, the aim is to provide an improved, more flexible, and / or simpler connection technology that can be used in the field. Disclosure of the invention

[0007] The invention relates to a cable having the features of claim 1, a component having the features of claim 13, and a connection system having the features of claim 24. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the respective subclaims, the description, and the drawings. Features and details described in connection with the cable according to the invention naturally also apply in connection with the component according to the invention, the connection system according to the invention, and the method according to the invention, and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, reference is always made to each other.

[0008] The invention particularly relates to a cable, preferably an electrical cable, for connecting to a component, preferably an electrical component. The component is, for example, a connector or a device such as a sensor or actuator or a fieldbus module.

[0009] The connector used can be, for example, an M8, M12, or RJ45 type connector. Furthermore, the connector can be designed as a substantially cylindrical (such as M8, M12) or rectangular (e.g. RJ45) connector. Furthermore, the connector can have a diameter, in particular a maximum diameter, in the range from 1 mm to 30 mm, preferably 2 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 5 mm to 14 mm. Specifically, the diameter can be substantially 8 mm for M8 and substantially 12 mm for M12. The diameter can refer in particular to the outer diameter of a thread on the connector, which is used for attachment to a device. The cable, in turn, can have an outer diameter in the range from 1 mm to 30 mm, preferably 2 mm to 20 mm, more preferably 3 mm to 10 mm. For M12 cables, for example, the diameters can vary in the range from 4 mm to 6 mm.

[0010] Furthermore, it is possible for the cable to be designed as a power, data, or hybrid cable. As a hybrid cable, the individual cable can, for example, serve both power and data transmission. For this purpose, one or more data lines and one or more power lines are provided, for example. The respective line, in particular data and / or power line, can have an electrical conductor which is surrounded by a sheath, in particular an insulating sheath or shield. The shield can be made of an electrically conductive material, for example to shield against electromagnetic interference. Materials such as copper or aluminum can be used here.

[0011] However, the insulating sheath can be made of an electrically insulating material. Materials such as ceramic, glass, or plastic can be used. The respective data cable can be designed as an electrical or optical data cable and preferably as a fieldbus and / or Ethernet cable.

[0012] The component, and in particular the connector, can serve to establish a reliable and secure connection with the cable, particularly for an application in the field of automation technology. This can enable electrical current for energy transmission and / or signals for data transmission and / or at least one other medium to be received from the cable and / or transmitted to a device.

[0013] The component can have at least one or more contact means, each of which can be electrically and / or mechanically contacted with an assigned (associated) conductor of the cable, preferably to establish the connection between the cable and the component. For a reliable and complete connection, if the cable has multiple conductors, the component can or should also have multiple contact means, and the contact means can be electrically and / or mechanically connected to the conductors. In other words, an associated contact means can be provided for each conductor of the cable to be contacted, which contact means is connected accordingly to the associated conductor. The assignment between contact means and conductor can, for example, be based on a predetermined assignment.It can be provided that only exactly one contact means is connected (contacted) with exactly one associated conductor until all contact means of a component have each been contacted with an associated conductor in order to completely establish the connection.

[0014] The respective contact element can be designed as an electrical contact element, i.e., electrically conductive, and the respective conductor can be designed as an electrical conductor. When connecting the cable to the component, it can be provided that the assignment of the contact elements is observed, i.e., the contact elements are connected to the designated conductors of the cable. The assignment thus defines which conductors are assigned / belong to which contact element. In other words, it depends on the specific arrangement and / or assignment of the component's contact elements to the conductors of the cable.

[0015] The cable may have at least one electrical conductor. It is preferred if at least two or three or four or more or a maximum of 10 or a maximum of 15 or a maximum of 20 electrical conductors are provided in the cable. Each of the electrical conductors can particularly preferably be designed as a stranded wire. A stranded wire is understood in particular to be an electrical conductor comprising thin individual wires and therefore easy to bend, which is made predominantly of copper, for example. The individual wires can be enclosed by a common insulating sheath (insulation); in this case, this line with the conductor can also be referred to as a stranded wire.

[0016] Furthermore, at least one coding can be provided on the cable. The coding can be formed spatially, i.e. in particular three-dimensionally, on the cable. Furthermore, the coding can be provided on a contacting and in particular cutting surface of the cable. It is also possible for the coding to be provided on several or all cross-sections of the cable in order to provide a possible contacting and / or cutting surface here. This is the case, for example, if the coding extends repeatedly or continuously in the longitudinal direction of the cable in order to be provided on a cutting surface even if the cable is cut open at any point along this extension.

[0017] The coding can serve to specify a specific arrangement and / or (in particular the above-described) assignment of, in particular electrical, contact means of the component with, in particular electrical, conductors of the cable, preferably to specify and / or guide this for the connection. Coding can preferably be understood as a systematic shaping and / or a systematic arrangement of contacts and / or mechanical elements in order to ensure a specific connection configuration. The coding can thus serve to avoid incorrect connections and to ensure the correct alignment of the component (e.g. in the form of a connector) with respect to the cable during the connection process. The coding thus advantageously defines a correct alignment of the component, i.e.The correct orientation of the cable, preferably in relation to the cable, enables optimized signal transmission and power supply by ensuring compatibility. The arrangement of the contact elements with the conductors can, for example, refer to the spatial arrangement, e.g., according to the assignment, i.e., a predetermined configuration, so that the "correct" contact elements (especially a contacting movement) contact the "correct" conductors.

[0018] The connection between the component and the cable can be made directly at a contacting surface and, in particular, a cutting surface of the cable. The contacting surface can designate a surface and, in particular, a cross-section through the cable, at which the respective conductor of the cable is or can be accessible from the outside for contacting the contact means of the component. The surface can be arranged orthogonally to the axial direction of the cable. The respective conductor of the cable can, at the contacting surface, directly border an outer region of the cable and can thus be connected to the contact means of the component without severing the sheath and / or insulation of the cable. The respective conductor can also be severed at the contacting surface flush with the contacting surface. The cable can be designed to provide such a contacting surface after the cable has been cut to size.

[0019] The cable can be designed in such a way, preferably after the cable has been cut to size, that the respective conductor of the cable is or becomes accessible for contacting with an associated contact means. This is to be understood in particular that the respective conductor is or becomes accessible from the outside (i.e. outside the cable), in particular that it can be electrically contacted from the outside without further measures such as stripping. This is made possible in particular by the fact that the respective conductor (for contacting) has an exposed conductor cross-section, in particular once the cable has been cut to size. Alternatively or additionally, the cable can also have the contacting surface and / or the accessible conductor in its original state (e.g. in the delivered state without cutting).

[0020] The coding can be provided directly on the cable (and thus not or not only on the connector). In particular, the coding can be formed between and / or in the area of ​​and / or through the conductors and / or the insulation and / or in or on the cable sheath (e.g. inner and / or outer sheath) on the cable. Coding is already known in connectors, in particular through electrical coding, in which the contacts are arranged such that only the correct electrical connection is possible. According to the invention, this coding can be transferred to the cable, i.e. alternatively or additionally provided on the cable, e.g. in the form of mechanical and / or electrical coding. The coding can optionally also be referred to as a coding or connection structure.

[0021] While mechanical coding preferably systematically predetermines a specific shape for at least part of the cable or on the cable, electrical coding allows the cable conductors to be arranged in such a way that only the correct electrical connection to the component is possible. Applying the coding to the cable can have the advantage of significantly simplifying and accelerating the connection process between the cable and component. This is due to the fact that the component can be connected directly and immediately to the cable.

[0022] It is possible for the cable according to the invention to have a coding and / or a connecting structure which runs in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the cable and / or the conductors of the cable. The connecting structure can have the coding and / or a plug-in structure and / or a (geometric) profile. Furthermore, the connecting structure, in particular the coding and / or the plug-in structure and / or the profile, can extend over substantially the entire or predominant length of the cable and / or can be provided continuously and / or repeatedly. In other words, the connecting structure can have a structural section which is repeated in the axial direction of the cable.

[0023] The coding or the connecting structure, specifically the structural section and / or the plug-in structure, can comprise at least one or more or exactly one cavities, preferably each in the form of a channel. A part of the component, such as a respective guide pin, can optionally be plugged into the cavity or one or each of the cavities. The coding can optionally be provided by a specific geometric shape (in particular a polygon) of the (respective) cavity. Furthermore, the coding can also be defined by a number of corners and / or edges of this shape. It is also conceivable for the coding to be provided by several of the cavities, e.g. based on the arrangement and / or size and / or possibly different shapes of the cavities.

[0024] In particular, the coding or connection structure allows for a significant reduction in the assembly steps required for connecting a cable to a component. Furthermore, even after the cable has been cut to size, the cut cable itself can already exhibit the necessary structure to enable direct connection to the component.

[0025] It is possible for the cut cable to have a plug-in structure, in particular provided by the coding and / or connection structure. In other words, the cable can be designed to have a plug-in structure on the cut surface even after cutting. This has the advantage that the cable can be connected directly to the component after it has been cut to a desired length. This is made possible in particular by the plug-in structure being provided continuously or repeatedly in the axial direction along the cable. The cut cable can therefore, as such and thus also immediately after cutting, already have the necessary structure on its cut surface to enable direct connection to the component.

[0026] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable for the cable to be provided with (at least) one contacting surface at which the respective conductor is accessible for contacting with the associated contact means, and at which the coding is preferably provided. The contacting surface can lie in the cutting plane of the cable. In other words, the contacting surface can lie at the plane at which the cable was cut. Accordingly, the cable can also be designed so that, after cutting, it has a contacting surface, preferably with the coding, at the cutting surface. At the contacting surface or cutting plane, the conductor(s) can be adjacent to the outside of the cable or protrude and be visible from outside the cable. Furthermore, the respective conductor is preferably protruding relative to the contacting surface or is located in a recessed position in the cable.It is also conceivable that any exposed conductor cross-section also lies in the cutting plane. This provides an easily connectable structure, allowing the cable to be inherently configured as a plug or socket.

[0027] It is also advantageous if the respective contact means is designed to be inserted, preferably pierced, on and / or through the exposed conductor cross-section of the associated conductor. In other words, if there are multiple conductors, each of the contact means can be inserted into a conductor cross-section provided for it. Furthermore, the respective conductor with its (respective) exposed conductor cross-section and the contact means (respective) inserted, preferably pierced, therein can be at least partially surrounded by an insulating sheath. Thus, no stripping - i.e. removal of the insulating sheath - of the conductor is necessary to make the connection. This simplifies and speeds up the installation of the cables.

[0028] The special design of the cable according to the invention has the advantage that when connecting the cable to the component, there is no need to first strip the cable in a complex process and, for example, use crimp connectors to connect a plug-in connector to the cable. Instead, it may be possible for the component to be connected directly to the cut cable, since the cable already has a structure, preferably a plug-in structure and / or coding, for mechanical and / or electrical contacting at the cut surface. The conductors of the cable can also be designed in such a way that they already provide a favorable contacting surface at the cut surface. This is made possible in particular by stranded wires with a diameter that allows a contact means to be inserted and / or pierced into each of the strands.

[0029] It is also advantageous if the at least one coding comprises a mechanical and / or geometric coding of the cable, in which a geometric profile, in particular a spatial shape and / or contour, extends in the axial direction of the cable, e.g. is arranged continuously or repeatedly. The profile can define at least one cavity and in particular a guide cavity, preferably the spatial shape and / or contour of the cavity. In this case, the at least one cavity can be provided for a pin or the at least one guide cavity (for guidance) for a guide means such as a guide pin of the component, so that a specific orientation of the component (relative to the cable) is predetermined for the connection and / or in the event of a deviation from the specific orientation, the connection of the component to the cable is blocked.The specific orientation can also be predetermined by the concrete shape of the at least one cavity, e.g. by the shape of the wall and / or the opening formed by the wall. The opening can, for example, have a rectangular or trapezoidal shape that corresponds to the shape of the pin, in particular the guide pin. This ensures that the component or pin is inserted exactly in the correct position and is not crooked or twisted. In other words, the opening of the cavity can be shaped such that the at least one contact means and / or the at least one pin of the component can only be inserted therein if the component is correctly aligned. Furthermore, the at least one cavity can have a length that is designed according to the length of the pin that is inserted into the respective cavity.It is also conceivable that a plurality of cavities form a grid on the contacting and / or cutting surface of the cable, which are arranged in such a way that the at least one contact means and / or the at least one pin of the component can only be introduced there in the correct orientation of the component.

[0030] It is further possible for the or at least one further cavity, and in particular a guide cavity, to be designed for transmitting a fluid, preferably for transmitting a medium such as air or a liquid. Accordingly, the cable can serve not only for transmitting electrical energy, but optionally also for transmitting the fluid, e.g. a medium such as air or a liquid. In other words, the coding can also be used to transmit a medium other than electrical energy. This enables a diverse range of uses for the cable. The cable can therefore be designed not only as an electrical cable, but alternatively or additionally also as an air and / or liquid conduction cable.

[0031] According to a further possibility, the at least one coding can comprise a geometric and / or extruded profile of the cable and / or a hose and / or a grommet. In particular, the mechanical and / or geometric coding can be provided by the cable having a specific geometric profile. The specific geometric profile can be provided, for example, by the shape of at least one cavity and / or an opening of a cavity in the cable.

[0032] Furthermore, boundaries such as cable walls can be provided, which, for example, form the opening and the cavity. The boundaries can be arranged and shaped to create the specific geometric profile. The boundaries are made of plastic, for example. The boundaries and / or the profile can advantageously be extruded directly onto the cable, e.g., by forming the boundaries and, in particular, walls within the cable.

[0033] It is also possible for the mechanical and / or geometric coding and / or the profile to be subsequently applied to the cable, e.g. by means of a guiding device and / or a grommet, preferably a guide grommet, and / or a hose. The grommet can be attached to the cable from the outside. The hose can also be guided within the cable, for example. This enables simple production of the coded cable. Furthermore, the coding can be arranged in the cable, in particular within a cable sheath of the cable (i.e. in particular in the channel formed by the cable sheath), and / or outside the cable sheath and / or on the cable sheath.

[0034] Furthermore, a form of coding may deviate from the (particularly original, geometric) basic shape of the cable, preferably the cylindrical basic shape of the cable, such as a cylindrical structure predetermined by the cable sheath. In other words, the coding may be a structure specifically provided on the cable, which is provided on the cable specifically for the purpose of enabling the specific arrangement and / or assignment as described above.

[0035] The cable may optionally further include a grommet. The grommet may have a specific profile, e.g., a particular square or rounded shape, which provides the coding. The grommet may also serve to insulate and mechanically protect the electrical conductors within the cable. The grommet may be made of a high-temperature-resistant material such as polyethylene or silicone and be designed to provide optimal strain relief for the conductors contained within the cable. Furthermore, the grommet may be provided with a special coating that minimizes electrical conductivity and thus reduces the risk of short circuits. The grommet may further include one or more chambers that serve to separate the individual conductors from one another, thus improving electrical insulation and / or (through the shape and / or arrangement of the chambers) providing the coding.

[0036] The at least one coding can be formed by means of a rotationally symmetrical cross-section of the cable, in particular by means of a rotationally symmetrical inner and / or outer contour of the cable. This can ensure that the cable can only be electrically connected to the component in a position that corresponds to a clear assignment of the contact means to the electrical conductors of the cable. The rotationally symmetrical outer contour can be formed by means of a cable sheath or outer circumference of the cable, preferably in that the cable has a cross-section with a circular basic shape and at least one recess, in particular a groove, and / or at least one elevation, in particular a bead. The recess or elevation, in particular a bead, is preferably the coding. Alternatively, the outer contour can be free-form or polygonal.The inner contour can be formed by a circular fluid line, which forms the coding due to its position and / or shape within the cross-section of the cable. Alternatively, the fluid line can be free-form or polygonal. Due to the coding, the component with the coding can be considered a key, and the component with the corresponding counter-coding can be considered a lock. This ensures the intended specific contact between the conductors and the contact elements.

[0037] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that the at least one coding comprises, as an alternative or in addition to the mechanical and / or geometric coding, an electrical coding of the cable, in which a systematic arrangement of the electrical conductors of the cable is provided such that a specific assignment of the electrical contact means of the component is predetermined for the connection. This can be understood to mean that the conductors of the cable have a predetermined arrangement in which the conductors have different (in particular lateral) distances from one another according to a coding specification. These differences must also be provided accordingly for the contact means of the component, i.e. the component must have a corresponding counter coding so that the connection is possible. This ensures that the contacts are correctly electrically connected.

[0038] It is also advantageous if the electrical conductors of the cable are each designed as a stranded wire in order to form a receptacle (in particular in the axial direction of the conductor) for introducing at least one electrical contact means of the component, preferably for inserting and / or piercing the respective contact means in the form of a contacting tip, in particular in the axial direction of the cable and / or at a contacting surface. The design as a stranded wire has the advantage that the stranded wire can have several individual wires which, due to their flexibility, can provide better accommodation for the contact means. In particular, the mechanical deformability of the individual wires can therefore be exploited during the connection in order to introduce the contact means into the stranded wire and to obtain reliable contact when inserting / piercing the contact means.

[0039] For the connection and preferably for introducing the respective contact means, i.e. in particular for plugging and / or piercing, a mechanical force can be exerted on the cable or the conductor in the axial direction of the cable (i.e. longitudinal direction of the cable) or the conductor. In particular, this can trigger a contacting movement of the component and / or the cable. However, a leading contact means and / or a (possibly also leading) guide pin of the component can first be applied to the cut surface of the cable in order to then introduce this contact means into an associated (assigned) conductor or to insert this guide pin into at least one cavity in the cable. In this process, the further contact means of the component finally touch the conductors of the cable at the cut surface.The force can then be applied longitudinally along the cable to insert / pierce the contact elements into the conductors, thus causing the contacting movement. This process can also be referred to as "piercing," but unlike conventional solutions, it is not applied laterally along the cable, but rather axially at the cut surface of the cable.

[0040] Furthermore, it can be provided that a recurring marking is provided which indicates a penetration depth of the electrical contact means, preferably in the form of piercing means. The marking can, for example, be provided on the outside of a cable sheath, e.g., printed on it. The marking can be repeated at fixed intervals in the longitudinal direction of the cable in order to obtain an indication, starting from the cut surface, of the depth to which the contact means have been correctly inserted after the cable has been severed. This can further simplify and reliably establish the connection. The marking can also assist in orienting the cable for the connection.

[0041] The electrical conductors can preferably extend only and / or directly to one or the, in particular frontal, contacting surface of the cable and / or adjoin it, preferably in order to enable the contact means, in particular in the form of contacting tips and / or piercing means, to be inserted into the electrical conductors at the contacting surface, wherein the contacting surface can preferably run transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the direction of extension of the cable, and wherein in particular the contacting surface can form a cut surface of the cable, at which the cable has preferably been shortened to a desired length, and / or a cable end of the cable.

[0042] Preferably, the contact surface can be formed by a cut at any point along the cable's length, particularly if the coding extends over the entire length of the cable. Preferably, the contact means are designed such that the contact means only allow piercing, particularly without cutting, into the electrical conductors of the cable.

[0043] The cable can have a plurality of contours along its outer circumference, preferably at regular intervals, in particular strain relief contours, particularly preferably in the form of circumferential recesses, in particular grooves or notches, or elevations, in particular beads or shoulders, preferably for a heat-shrink tube or strain relief. The strain relief contour can prevent accidental pulling on the cable from leading to an unwanted release of the electrical connection between the cable and the component. Alternatively, the coding on the outer circumference of the cable or cable sheath can form the strain relief contour. In other words, the strain relief contour could extend along the entire length of the cable if the coding extends over the entire length of the cable.This allows the cable to be shortened at any point without affecting the function of the strain relief. Furthermore, this eliminates the need for a separate strain relief contour for the coding, as the coding already forms the strain relief contour, which significantly simplifies cable manufacturing.

[0044] The cable can have, in particular on the outer circumference of the cable and / or on the contacting surface, a microencapsulation for forming a seal, wherein the contents of the microencapsulation can be released in particular by the application of heat, radiation, in particular light, preferably in the form of ultraviolet light, contact with an activating substance or light in combination with moisture, or wherein the cable can have, in particular on the outer circumference and / or on the contacting surface, an activating substance for a microencapsulation in order to release the contents of the microencapsulation upon contact with the microencapsulation in order to form a seal. If the cable has the activating substance, it is preferred if the component has the microencapsulation, and vice versa. Due to such microencapsulation, a manufacturing step involving the external handling of a sealing compound is eliminated.The microencapsulation can comprise a sealing compound or an adhesive, in particular for electrical insulation. Alternatively, the microencapsulation can comprise a chemical substance which, when released, forms a material-to-material bond for sealing. Alternatively or additionally, the seal can be formed at the front end of the cable, preferably at the contacting surface. For this purpose, the microencapsulation and / or the activating substance can be arranged accordingly, preferably at the contacting surface and / or at a point on the component that comes into contact with the contacting surface. In order to allow light or radiation to reach the microencapsulation, it can be provided that the component comprises a material that is permeable, in particular transparent, to the light or radiation. For this purpose, the component can preferably be manufactured using a two-component injection molding process.The first material component of the injection molding process can be a plastic that is permeable to light or radiation, particularly transparent. The second material component of the injection molding process can be a different plastic, for example, an electrically insulating material or a material that imparts strength to the component.

[0045] The electrical conductors of the cable can preferably be twisted together, in particular in the form of one or more pairs, three-strands or four-strands.

[0046] Preferably, the at least one coding can have a continuous course along the extension of the cable and / or a course coordinated with the twisting such that at every point on the cable along the extension of the cable, the at least one coding and the electrical conductors can have the same relative position to one another, in particular in a plane transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the direction of extension of the cable. In other words, the coding on the cable sheath can have a continuous screw-thread-shaped or continuous helical course in the direction of extension of the cable, preferably with a constant pitch, which is coordinated in particular with the twisting. The coding can be designed as a recess, in particular a notch or groove, or as a raised portion, in particular a shoulder or bead. The twisting can reduce electromagnetic interference.By twisting the conductors, induced electromagnetic fields largely balance each other out, thereby reducing susceptibility to interference. However, this changes the position of the conductors along the length of the cable, making contact between the contact elements of the component and the conductors of the cable more difficult. By means of coding and the defined, constant relative position of the coding to the conductors along the cable, this problem can be solved and the intended contact between the contact elements of the component and the corresponding conductors of the cable can be made possible at any point along the cable, as the coding can have a continuous pattern coordinated with the twist. The various strands can be spaced apart and / or evenly distributed within the cross-section of the cable.If the cable has a fluid line, it is preferred if the strands are arranged evenly around the fluid line, preferably in order to achieve uniform cooling of the conductors or the strands.

[0047] It is possible for the electrical conductors of the cable to be twisted, in particular in the form of one or more pairs, three-stranded strands, or four-stranded strands. At least two or four or six or eight or 10 electrical conductors, preferably in the form of stranded wires, can be provided in the cable. A maximum of two or four or six or eight or 10 electrical conductors, preferably in the form of stranded wires, can also be provided in the cable.

[0048] As already described, the at least one (or exactly one) coding of the cable can have a continuous course along the cable's extension and / or a course coordinated with the twisting such that at any point along the cable's extension, the at least one coding and the electrical conductors can have the same relative position to one another, in particular in a plane transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the cable's extension direction. However, without further adjustments, this may not provide any information about the cable's orientation.

[0049] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one (or exactly one) coding of the cable can therefore also be designed to indicate an orientation of the cable. Depending on which side of the cable is used for contact, a different orientation of the electrical conductors may have to be taken into account. In this case, a simple coding such as a simple notch or marking would often only allow an ambiguity in the assignment. By adapting the coding in such a way that it also indicates the orientation, protection against reverse polarity can be provided, for example. The cable can be designed as a round cable, for example. The coding can be a geometric adaptation that preferably distinguishes the cable from conventional round cables.

[0050] The coding may include at least one of the following adaptations and / or configurations and / or additions to preferably provide cable alignment and / or reverse polarity protection and / or protection against reverse connection: an asymmetrical design, an asymmetrical geometry, at least one asymmetrical profile, a, in particular asymmetrical, geometrically fixed coding, a, in particular asymmetrical, design of the cross-section (of the coding or of the cable), a further, second coding, in particular a notch, with a different design / geometry than the first coding, a marking, preferably a colored marking, a rotationally symmetrical cross-sectional design, preferably deviating from the design of the cable cross-section.

[0051] To indicate the orientation, a second coding can also be provided alongside a first coding, thus providing a direction indicator. The coding or one of the codings can be designed as a recess, in particular a notch or groove, or an elevation, in particular a shoulder or bead. The coding prevents, in particular, the cable or a device to be connected to it from being connected the wrong way round.

[0052] The cable can have a fluid line, in particular a liquid line or gas line, preferably an air line or compressed air line, wherein the at least one coding can be formed partially or solely by means of the fluid line, wherein the electrical conductors, in particular the stranding or strandings, surround the fluid line along the extent of the cable, in particular uniformly, in order to preferably ensure uniform cooling of the conductors by means of the fluid that can be conducted through the fluid line, for example air, compressed air, coolant, oil or lubricant. The fluid line preferably contributes to the coding through the shape of its cross-section, in particular transversely or perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the cable, and / or through its position within the cable cross-section, in particular transversely or perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the cable.Contributing to the coding can mean that, for example, a geometry of the cable sheath or the outer contour of the cable additionally contributes to the coding. In other words, a geometry of the cable sheath or the outer contour of the cable together with the fluid line, in particular the shape and / or position of the fluid line, can form the coding. Alternatively, preferably only the fluid line forms the coding through the shape of its cross section, in particular transversely or perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the cable, and / or through its position within the cable cross-section, in particular transversely or perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the cable. The invention also relates to a component, in particular an electrical component, for connection to a cable, in particular an electrical cable, preferably a cable according to the invention.The component can have at least one contact means, in particular electrical contact means, in order to make contact, in particular electrical, with at least one, in particular electrical, conductor of the cable in the axial direction of the cable or conductor. Furthermore, the at least one contact means can be designed to make contact in, i.e. in particular within, the cable(s) and / or the conductor of the cable. The component according to the invention therefore offers the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to a cable according to the invention. In contrast to conventional solutions, the connection is simplified in that the contact is not made outside the cable, e.g. by stripping the cable, but can be made inside the cable and / or the conductor. An additional step such as stripping is therefore not necessary.Accordingly, contacting within the cable can be understood as the contact being made within a cable sheath and / or cable insulation and / or in a conductor sheath and / or in a conductor of the cable. Contacting within the conductor can be understood as the contact being made by inserting the contact element into the conductor.

[0053] It is conceivable that the component further comprises: a counter-coding in order to predetermine a specific arrangement and / or assignment of the at least one electrical contact means to the at least one electrical conductor of the cable during the connection, wherein the counter-coding can be designed to be complementary to a coding of the cable and / or wherein the counter-coding can interact with the coding of the cable and / or can be matched to the coding of the cable, and / or the at least one contact means in each case in the form of a piercing means which is designed to penetrate into an associated electrical conductor of the cable in the form of an electrical strand in the axial direction of the cable orof the conductor, preferably to be inserted into an exposed conductor cross-section of the associated electrical conductor, and / or a safety contact means which is designed to lead the at least one (further) contact means, and / or in particular at least one guide pin which is designed to provide axial guidance during the connection, preferably of the component in the cable and / or of the cable, and is preferably designed as the counter coding, wherein the guide pin is preferably designed to lead the at least one contact means.

[0054] The guide pin can be designed to protrude further from the component than the other contact elements. This ensures that the guide pin comes into contact with the cable before the other contact elements, especially as the component approaches a cutting surface of the cable.

[0055] Furthermore, several, preferably at least three or at least four or at least five, contact means can be provided in order to each electrically contact an associated conductor of the cable. The cable can thus have the corresponding number of corresponding conductors. The conductors and / or the contact means can be arranged at different (in particular lateral) distances from one another in order to form a coding of the cable or a complementary counter-coding of the component. The counter-coding can furthermore be formed by the profile of a pin, i.e. a profile element such as a guide pin and / or a nose, of the component, which can match exactly the cavity coding in the cable.

[0056] In a further possibility, it can be provided that at least one of the contact means is designed as a safety contact means which is designed in advance of at least one or all of the other contact means in order to preferably contact one of the electrical conductors of the cable before the at least one or the other contact means when the connection is established. In other words, the safety contact means can be designed in advance in that it protrudes further from the component than the other contact means. The safety contact means thus comes into contact with the cable before the other contact means, in particular as soon as the component comes closer to a cutting surface of the cable. The safety contact means can preferably be designed as a protective conductor and / or earthing conductor.

[0057] It is also advantageous if a sealing means is provided to achieve a seal between a cable sheath of the cable and the component during assembly to establish the connection. The sealing means can, for example, be a possibly elastic plastic element of the component, which at least partially surrounds the contacting and preferably cutting surface of the cable after the connection.

[0058] The plurality of contact means, in particular the design and / or arrangement and / or dimensioning of the plurality of contact means, can preferably be designed for the electrical conductors, in particular the dimensioning and / or course of the electrical conductors and / or the arrangement of the electrical conductors on the contacting surface, in such a way that electrical contacting of a plurality of electrical conductors by means of only one of the contact means is excluded, in particular by one of the contact means electrically contacting a first electrical conductor in the contacting surface and a further electrical conductor in the extension direction of the cable behind or next to the first electrical conductor, preferably due to the twisting of the electrical conductors. In this way, incorrect contact, i.e. unwanted contacting of a plurality of conductors by means of a single contact means, is avoided.

[0059] The component can have a strain relief for the cable, which is designed to interact with one of the contours, in particular with one of the strain relief contours, of the cable, preferably in the form of a circumferential recess, in particular a groove or notch, or elevations, or elevations, in particular a bead or shoulder, in such a way that the cable is strain-relieved and / or that the component can have a shrink tube and a fastening, preferably in the form of a fastening contour, for the shrink tube in order to form the strain relief for the cable, in particular by means of the shrink tube. The strain relief is preferably designed such that the strain relief prestresses the cable against the component, preferably in the extension direction of the cable and / or in the contacting direction.Furthermore, it may be preferred that the strain relief is designed to engage in the recess or to engage behind the elevation, in particular as seen from the component. In other words, the strain relief can engage behind the elevation. Furthermore, the strain relief can comprise gripping arms for engaging or engaging behind. The strain relief can be made of plastic and / or formed integrally with the component. The strain relief can also be adjustable so that a preload of the cable against the component can be adjusted. The preload can be adjustable in steps or continuously. Preferably, the strain relief can be designed such that it creates a strain-relieving connection with the strain relief contour during the contacting movement to establish the electrical connection between the cable and the component.

[0060] The component can, in particular in areas for contact with the outer circumference and / or the contacting surface of the cable, have a microencapsulation for forming a seal, wherein the contents of the microencapsulation can be released in particular by supplying heat, radiation, in particular light, preferably in the form of ultraviolet light or ultraviolet radiation, contact with an activating substance or light in combination with moisture, or wherein the component can, in particular in areas for contact with the outer circumference and / or the contacting surface of the cable, have an activating substance for a microencapsulation in order to release the contents of a microencapsulation upon contact with the microencapsulation.Alternatively or conversely, the component, particularly in areas of contact with the outer periphery and / or the contact surface of the cable, may comprise an activating substance for a microencapsulation or the microencapsulation, in order to release the contents of the microencapsulation upon contact with the microencapsulation. The details provided for the cable, particularly regarding the microencapsulation and the activating substance, may also apply to the component.

[0061] The contact means can lead electrically to electrical contact conductors of a plug arrangement or socket arrangement of the component, wherein the position and / or arrangement and / or assignment and / or dimensioning of the electrical contact conductors differs from that of the contact means, in particular at the contact surface. Preferably, a plug with such a plug arrangement or a socket with such a socket arrangement can be formed on the component. The course of the guide from the contact means to the contact conductors of the plug or the socket can preferably not be straight, but at least at one point along the course can be angled, preferably perpendicular, or curved, whereby the plug or the socket is formed on a side of the component which runs transversely or perpendicularly to the insertion direction of the cable or to the contacting direction.The plug can be designed to establish an electrical and / or positive connection with a socket. The socket can be designed to establish an electrical and / or positive connection with a plug. Alternatively, the plug or socket can be formed on a side of the component that is opposite to the side of the component on which the cable can be electrically contacted with the contact means. Furthermore, the course of the guide from the contact means to the contact conductors of the plug or socket is designed such that the arrangement and / or assignment of the electrical conductors of the plug or socket differs from that of the contact means. For example, an electrical connection can be established from a small cable cross-section to a large plug arrangement or socket arrangement.Preferably, at least two contact conductors of the socket arrangement or the plug arrangement have a greater or smaller distance from each other than the electrical conductors of the cable in the cable cross-section.

[0062] The component can have a fluid channel for fluid-transmitting connection to the fluid line of the cable, in particular to form a preferably fluid-tight transition from the fluid line of the cable to the fluid channel of the component. The fluid channel of the component can be designed as a counter-coding to the coding of the cable, which is preferably designed as a fluid line. For example, further coding can be omitted.

[0063] Within the scope of the invention, it can be provided that the component is designed as a connector or a sensor or an actuator or a module, e.g., a fieldbus module, preferably for use in industrial automation, preferably in an electrical system for industrial automation. The fieldbus module serves, for example, to transmit data and / or receive control commands via a fieldbus and to be connected to at least one device such as a sensor and / or actuator in order to read the sensor and / or control the actuator.

[0064] The cable according to the invention can further be designed as an Ethernet cable, preferably a Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) cable. The cable can also be provided as a power and / or signal and / or data cable and / or fieldbus cable and / or hybrid cable, i.e. preferably also a combination of the aforementioned cables. In particular, it is possible for the cable to be a combination of data and power cable, in which, in addition to data, electrical power can also be transmitted. For example, the hybrid cable can combine at least fieldbus lines and power lines (e.g., 24 V). It is conceivable that, in addition to electrical signals such as power and data, other media such as air or liquid can also be transmitted through the cable. Furthermore, the maximum cable length can exceed 100 m. The cable can provide a simple connection technology that can be used in the field, in which the cable can be cut to the required length, e.g.,can be unwound from a cable drum and cut. Due to the described structure and, in particular, the coding, the cable can be plugged in directly after cutting without further measures such as crimping. A sealant can also provide automatic sealing and strain relief. Strain relief can optionally also be provided by a mechanical locking mechanism, which, for example, cuts into the cable sheath during closing and / or has a force-fitting clamp.

[0065] A further subject matter of the invention may be a connection system comprising a cable according to the invention and a component according to the invention. The cable and the component can be electrically connected to one another, in particular by the contact means being inserted into the electrical conductors at the contacting surface.

[0066] An electrical connection can be established between the cable and the component, in particular by the contact means being inserted into associated conductors, wherein the connection system comprises a seal, in particular a material-to-material and / or force-fitting and / or form-fitting seal, which seals the connection and in particular a cable section adjacent to the connection from an environment of the connection system, in particular according to IP20 or IP67, wherein the seal can preferably be formed by means of a heat-shrink tube or the heat-shrink tube that forms the strain relief, in particular in the case of a form-fitting seal. Such a form-fitting seal can be achieved, for example, by means of a heat-shrink tube. IP20 can be a protection and / or a certification stating that the ingress of foreign bodies is prevented.IP67 can refer to a protection and / or certification that states protection against dust and immersion in water up to a maximum depth of 1 meter for a maximum of 30 minutes. Preferably, IP20 and IP67 refer to the protection classes and / or certifications as they were valid on September 27, 2024, particularly in the Federal Republic of Germany.

[0067] The seal can fluid-tightly seal and / or electrically insulate a transition from the fluid line to the fluid channel from the contact points formed by contacting the conductors with the contact means on the contacting surface, and / or wherein the seal electrically insulates and / or seals the contact points formed by contacting the conductors with the contact means on the contacting surface from one another. This prevents fluid leakage or malfunction.

[0068] The, in particular form-fitting, seal can preferably be formed by means of a shrink tube, wherein the shrink tube is preferably designed as a strain relief of the cable, in that the shrink tube forms a form-fit connection, in particular with a strain relief contour of the cable, preferably in that the shrink tube engages behind the strain relief contour or engages in the strain relief contour, and is fastened to the component by means of a fastening of the component, in particular the fastening contour of the component, and thus preferably forms a pre-tension of the cable against the component. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the shrink tube to serve merely as a seal.

[0069] The seal can be formed by means of a sealing compound, in particular an adhesive or potting compound, wherein, in particular in the direction of extension of the cable and / or perpendicular to the direction of extension of the cable, a sealing space for receiving the sealing compound can be formed between the cable, in particular the contact surface of the cable, and the component, in which sealing space the sealing compound is located and preferably completely fills the sealing space, wherein the sealing space can preferably have a filling opening for the sealing compound, which can in particular be closed by the sealing compound, wherein the sealing space can preferably have an outlet opening for the sealing compound, which can in particular be closed by the sealing compound, wherein in particular a section of the component delimiting the sealing space can be formed from a transparent material so that the degree of filling of the sealing space with the sealing compound can be optically determined.The filling opening allows the sealing compound to be poured into the sealing chamber in its liquid state. Excess sealing compound can be discharged from the sealing chamber through the outlet opening, allowing the determination of whether the sealing compound is evenly distributed within the sealing chamber. The sealing compound is preferably curable and / or electrically insulating. Sealing the openings with the sealing compound prevents foreign matter or moisture from penetrating the sealing chamber.

[0070] The seal can be formed by releasing the contents of the microencapsulation, in particular the cable or component. The contents of the microencapsulation can preferably be released by applying heat, radiation, in particular light, preferably in the form of ultraviolet light, contact with an activating substance, or light in combination with moisture.

[0071] The cable can be attached to the component using a force-fitting and / or form-fitting and / or material-fitting connection. For example, a screw connection, a clamp connection, or a snap-in connection can be provided for this purpose. The strain relief can also be provided and / or dimensioned and / or designed for this purpose.

[0072] The component can have a strain relief, in particular a shrink tube designed as a strain relief, which can preferably be attached to the component, for the cable, wherein the strain relief can interact with one of the contours, in particular one of the strain relief contours of the cable, in such a way that the cable is strain-relieved by the strain relief forming a positive connection, in particular with the contour, in particular strain relief contour, of the cable, preferably by the strain relief engaging behind the contour, in particular strain relief contour, or engaging in the strain relief contour.

[0073] The connection system can comprise an insertion mechanism, in particular a screw mechanism, a lever mechanism or a plug-in mechanism, in order to carry out the contacting movement, wherein the insertion mechanism is preferably designed to move the cable in the direction of the component during the contacting movement, wherein the connection system or the insertion mechanism preferably comprises an adjustment mechanism in order to set a predetermined penetration depth of the contact means into the conductors during the insertion mechanism, preferably depending on a cable type of the cable and / or continuously and / or in several predefined stages, wherein the connection system or the insertion mechanism preferably has an indexing or indexing device which is designed to indicate the current penetration depth for a user during the contacting movement.

[0074] The screw mechanism is preferably designed as a union nut or comprises a union nut that establishes the electrical connection when screwed onto the component. A lever of the lever mechanism can preferably be mounted on the component. Actuation of the lever can cause the contacting movement. The component preferably comprises a thread, for example an M8 or M12 thread, preferably as an external thread, and the union nut has a matching mating thread, preferably an internal thread.

[0075] The insertion mechanism can, for example, comprise a gripper. The insertion mechanism or the gripper can be part of the component, formed on the component, or separate from the component. The gripper can grip the cable or a cable end section, preferably by clamping or holding the cable or the cable end section by the gripper. For this purpose, the gripper preferably interacts with the strain relief contour and / or the coding of the cable, preferably by the gripper engaging behind the elevation or engaging in the recess. The gripper preferably has the counter coding. In other words, the cable can only be gripped in the intended orientation by means of the gripper in order to establish an intended electrical connection between the cable and the component, in particular between the electrical conductors of the cable and the contact means of the component.

[0076] Preferably, the insertion mechanism not only establishes the electrical connection, but also the necessary surface pressure for a sealing element, in particular an elastomer seal, on the component. The seal can be arranged such that it is in physical contact with the contacting surface when the electrical connection is established. The seal can be produced using a multi-component injection molding process during the manufacture of the component. The seal can seal the transfer line and / or the fluid line and / or the fluid channel from the contact points between the electrical conductors and the contact means and / or seal the contacting surface from the environment of the connection system.By means of the insertion mechanism, the cable, which is held and / or retained by the gripper, can be moved toward the component, preferably to establish the electrical connection between the cable and the component, in particular between the electrical conductors of the cable and the contact means. The insertion mechanism is designed such that the contact means can be contacted at the contacting surface merely by piercing the electrical conductors of the cable.

[0077] The indexing can be implemented as a scale or as acoustic and / or haptic feedback for the user. For example, the clicking noises of a locking mechanism due to the contacting movement can trigger such acoustic feedback. It is also conceivable that clicks of one or the locking mechanism during the contacting movement generate the haptic feedback. The scale can be implemented on the component for this purpose, while the insertion mechanism, in particular a screw mechanism, lever mechanism, or plug-in mechanism, can preferably function as the pointer of the scale.

[0078] The adjustment mechanism can be designed as an adjustable movement limiter for the insertion mechanism, in particular a screw mechanism, lever mechanism, or plug-in mechanism, which preferably limits the maximum penetration depth or the maximum insertion depth of the contact means into the conductor. The adjustment mechanism can be adjustable, for example, by means of a screw or a union nut and / or a rotary movement.

[0079] Preferably, the insertion mechanism comprises a movement converter which can be designed such that an actuating movement, in particular a pressure movement or a rotational movement or a pivoting movement, is or can be converted into a contacting movement.

[0080] Basically, two codings that interact with each other can be referred to as coding and counter-coding.

[0081] The cable and / or the component and / or the connection system can be designed for Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) and / or have only one wire pair / conductor pair. In contrast to conventional Ethernet, which usually has four wire pairs or conductor pairs per cable, SPE reduces the need for cables, resulting in compact and cost-effective connections. Such a cable preferably has only one wire pair or only one conductor pair. The cable can preferably comprise a twisted pair of the wire pair or conductor pair. The only one wire pair or conductor pair can be designed to transmit data as well as electrical current or voltage, preferably over distances of up to 1000 meters and / or at a maximum data transmission speed of 10 Mbit / s, 100 Mbit / s or 1 Gbit / s.Furthermore, the cable can be designed to supply a terminal device with electrical current or voltage according to Power over Data Line (PoOL) and simultaneously transmit data. Preferably, the cable and / or the component and / or the connection system can be used in applications of Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things (IoT), the automotive industry or building automation or be suitable for this purpose. The conductor pair or the wire pair preferably comprises or consists of copper or a copper alloy. Preferably, the cable corresponds to a Single Pair Ethernet cable according to IEEE 802.3bw, preferably in the validity of this standard on September 27, 2024, in particular in the Federal Republic of Germany. Preferably, the cable can be designed for full-duplex communication.

[0082] The component can preferably be a Single Pair Ethernet connector (SPE connector), in particular according to the IEC 63171 standard, preferably as of September 27, 2024, in particular with effect for the Federal Republic of Germany. Particularly preferably, the component can be designed as a plug-in connector or circular connector with an M8 or M12 thread. The plug arrangement or the socket arrangement of such a connector can have a thread for attachment, in particular to an electrical device or sensor. Furthermore, the cable and / or the component and / or the connection system can be designed to transmit a maximum power of 50 or 60 watts.

[0083] In principle, unless otherwise stated, conductors are preferably the conductors of the cable. In other words, they can preferably only be conductors of the plug assembly or socket assembly if it is explicitly stated that they are the conductors of the plug assembly or socket assembly.

[0084] The connection system according to the invention can have strain relief, which ensures that the connection between the cable and the component is not accidentally released, in particular that the component is not accidentally pulled out of the cable. The strain relief can be provided by a mechanical locking mechanism that, when establishing the connection, cuts into the cable sheath and / or creates a frictional clamp with the cable sheath and / or the conductors of the cable. This holds the cable firmly to the component and prevents accidental separation of the connection. Accordingly, the strain relief can be provided as a function or device of the connection system, which serves to fix and protect the cable to the component and to prevent the cable connection from being damaged by tensile loads.

[0085] If the connection needs to be released again, this can be done using a - preferably tool-free - unlocking mechanism. The connection technology required for this on the component side can, for example, be integrated directly on a circuit board of the component or into a connector of the component. It is also possible for the tool-free unlocking mechanism to be operated with a simple hand movement, which further simplifies operation of the component. For this purpose, the tool-free unlocking mechanism can, for example, have a release tab or a release button formed on the housing of the component to enable easy unlocking without tools. The locking mechanism can be implemented by a latching device that is activated by turning or pressing on a specific area of ​​the component.The locking device can have one or more locking lugs that engage in corresponding recesses or cutouts. The release mechanism can then be implemented by a release button or a release lever, which, with a simple actuation, releases the locking device and releases the connection. Alternatively, the release mechanism can be implemented by a strain relief, which is released by a simple twist or pressure on a specific point on the cable or component. This releases the connection and allows the cable to be removed.

[0086] Furthermore, the connection system and in particular the component can have a plurality of contact means that establish an electrical connection between the conductors of the cable and electrical contacts of the component. The electrical contacts serve, for example, for energy and / or data transmission to a device such as a sensor or actuator, to which the component can be connected for this purpose. The contact means can be designed as plug contacts and / or needles or other suitable connecting elements. The connection system can also have a protective device that protects the contact means from damage caused by external influences such as dust, dirt or moisture. For this purpose, a protective cap, a seal or another suitable protective device can be provided that shields the contact means from harmful environmental influences.

[0087] Furthermore, the at least one or more contact means of the component can be designed to be introduced, preferably pierced, on and / or through an exposed conductor cross-section of an associated conductor of the cable. In this case, the respective conductor with its exposed conductor cross-section and the contact means introduced, preferably pierced, therein can be at least partially surrounded by an insulating sheath and in this way form a line, preferably a stranded line. It can be provided that for contacting, the cable is designed to provide, after cutting to size, a contacting surface in which the conductor cross-section is, preferably completely, exposed.

[0088] Furthermore, all or at least one or at least two of the conductors or lines of the cable can be surrounded by at least one shield, in particular individually or in pairs. Pairwise shielding of wire pairs within the cable is particularly useful for hybrid cables and / or for data lines. Contacting the shield can then be achieved, for example, by means of a contact surface of the component that is axially immersed in the cable. This can have the advantage of achieving greater transmission reliability and less electromagnetic interference with the individual conductors. It is possible for the shielding of the conductors or lines of the cable to be made of a conductive material such as copper or aluminum. This can ensure high conductivity and achieve effective shielding against external interference.

[0089] One preferred way to contact the shield is to use a contact surface that penetrates axially into the cable, thus ensuring an effective connection with the shield. For this purpose, the contact surface can be designed, for example, as a conductive coating on the component to create a direct connection with the shield. Alternatively, the contact surface can be designed as a separate unit that is inserted into the component and then connected to the shield. It is also possible to design the contact surface as a spring contact that presses through the shield, thus creating a reliable connection. The spring contact is, for example, attached to the housing and can therefore be pushed through an opening in the shield to create a reliable connection.The shielding can extend over the entire length of the cable or only over certain sections, depending on the application requirements. It is also possible for the shielding to consist of multiple layers to achieve even greater shielding.

[0090] The cable can be used, for example, for industrial automation, for example, to control tensioning devices or as a drag chain cable in drag chains. Therefore, cables that are particularly suitable for withstanding high mechanical loads and exhibit high flexibility can be used to meet the requirements of industrial automation. They must also be highly resistant to environmental influences such as moisture, oil, and chemicals to ensure reliable control of pneumatic tensioning devices or as a drag chain cable in drag chains. Examples of these are cables made of polyurethane (PUR), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), or polyolefin (PO).

[0091] The invention also relates to a connection system comprising a cable—in particular according to the invention and / or an electrical cable—and a component—in particular according to the invention and / or an electrical component. Thus, the connection system according to the invention offers the same advantages as those described in detail with reference to an electrical cable according to the invention and a component according to the invention.

[0092] The invention also relates to a method for electrically contacting a cable, in particular a cable according to the invention and / or an electrical cable, with a component, in particular a cable according to the invention and / or an electrical cable. The method can comprise unwinding and / or fabricating and / or cutting the cable to a desired length. This can create a contacting surface and, in particular, a cutting surface of the cable, at which at least one conductor of the cable becomes accessible for contacting.Furthermore, the method can comprise establishing a direct connection between the component and the cable, wherein the connection can be established directly between at least one contact means of the component and a respective associated conductor of the cable, and / or wherein for this purpose the component (at least parts of the component such as the contact means) is directly inserted and / or pierced into the cable or vice versa in order to establish electrical and / or mechanical contact. In this case, for example, the contact means can be pierced into an associated conductor and preferably into an exposed conductor cross-section of the conductor of the cable. The method according to the invention thus brings with it the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to a cable according to the invention and a component according to the invention. The simple assembly of the cable can reduce the effort required for its use.It also prevents loops from forming and saves material.

[0093] According to an advantageous development of the invention, it can be provided that a mechanical seal between the cable and the component is also created at least partially or exclusively by establishing the connection. For this purpose, the component can have a sealing means which is transferred directly into the correct position for sealing by the mechanical connection without further measures. The sealing means can, for example, comprise a wall and / or a sealing lip. The sealing means can comprise a wall and / or a sealing lip and is transferred directly into the correct position for sealing by the mechanical connection without further measures in order to reliably seal a contact surface of the cable. For this purpose, the sealing means encloses the contact surface of the cable in this position, for example along the circumference.

[0094] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. They show: Fig. 1 Variants of cables and components according to embodiments of the invention, each in a sectional view. Fig. 2 Parts of components according to embodiments of the invention, each in a sectional view. Fig. 3 Different conductors of cables according to embodiments of the invention, each in a perspective view. Fig. 4 A perspective view of a contacting or cutting surface of cables according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 5 A perspective view of a contacting side of components according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 6 A component according to embodiments of the invention in a perspective view. Fig. 7 A component according to embodiments of the invention in a perspective view. Fig. 8 A cable and a component connected thereto according to embodiments of the invention in a sectional view. Fig. 9 A perspective view of a contacting orSectional view of a cable according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 10 a top view of a cable according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 11 a method according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 12 a perspective view of a guiding device according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 13 a perspective view of a cable according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 14 another perspective view of a cable according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 15 a schematic representation of an insertion mechanism according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 16 another schematic representation of parts of an insertion mechanism according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 17 another schematic representation of an embodiment of a connection system. Fig. 18a another schematic representation of an embodiment of a component. Fig.18bA further schematic representation of an embodiment of a component. Fig. 19aA further schematic representation of an embodiment of a connection system with a seal. Fig. 19bA further schematic representation of an embodiment of a connection system with a seal. Fig. 19cA further schematic representation of an embodiment of a connection system with a seal. .

[0095] In the following figures, identical reference numerals are used for the same technical features, even in different embodiments.

[0096] In Fig. 1 to 10Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically. Specifically, variants of an electrical cable 2 are shown, which serves for connection to an electrical component 20. For this purpose, the cable 2 can have at least one electrical conductor 4. Furthermore, a connection system 1 according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated, which can have the cable 2 and the component 20. The sectional planes AA and GG are marked in the various views.

[0097] In Fig. 1the cable 2 is shown in a state in which it is fully electrically and mechanically connected to the component 20. It can be seen that the contact means 28 are introduced into the cable 20 and in particular into the electrical conductors 4 of the cable 20 in this state in order to establish a secure mechanical and electrical contact. Clearly visible, the contact means 28 have a tip 30 for being inserted into the conductors 4. The component 20 is designed here, for example, as a plug connector, possibly with a threaded screw connection arranged in the area 24, in order to be attached to a connection of a device such as a fieldbus module, actuator or sensor. The cable 2 can therefore be connected to the device for transmitting electrical energy and / or data via the plug connector.

[0098] In contrast to conventional solutions, the design of the cable 2 can significantly simplify the connection between component 20 and cable 2. For this purpose, structural additions to the cable 2 can be made, such as at least one coding 50 spatially formed on the cable 2. In Fig. 1 It can be seen that the cable 2 has at least one cavity 6, which is used to form the Fig. 9 further illustrated at least one coding 50 on the cable 2 is used (cf. e.g. Fig. 9). Such a coding 50 can also be provided on the component 20 and can then be referred to in particular as counter-coding 27 if it is designed to be complementary to the coding 50 on the cable 2. The coding of the cavity 6 means that a correspondingly counter-coded pin 26, preferably guide pin 26, can only be introduced into the cavity 6 as a guide means 26 if the alignment of the component 20 with respect to the cable 2 is correct (i.e. according to a key-lock principle). Otherwise, the introduction of the pin 26 into the cavity 6 can be prevented by other parts of the cable 2. This can then also block the establishment of the connection between the cable 2 and component 20. The coding 50 on the cable 2 can thus specify a specific arrangement and assignment of electrical contact means 28 of the component 20 with the electrical conductors 4 of the cable 2.

[0099] The at least one coding 50 may comprise a mechanical and / or geometric coding 50 of the cable 2, in which a geometric profile 7 extends in the axial direction A of the cable 2. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 9 The profile 7 can be provided by a T-shaped opening of the cavity 6 on the cable 2, and a corresponding T-shaped counter-coding 27 can be provided on the component 20. The cavity 6 can also be designed for the transmission of a fluid, preferably for the transmission of a medium such as air or a liquid. In addition to a T-shaped coding, an L- or Y-coding or other shapes are also conceivable.

[0100] In Fig. 2 a variant of the component 20 in the form of a plug connector is shown, in which a protruding wall 40 is provided for plug mounting 40 (see also Figs. 6 and 7). The wall 40 can, for example, be attached to a circuit board 42 of the component 20 to enable locking and / or anti-twist protection and / or sealing 44 on the cable 2. This wall 40 can optionally have a locking mechanism 22 to enable secure attachment to the cable 2.

[0101] In Fig. 3 and 4 It is further clarified that the cable can have the plurality of conductors 4 in the form of strands, also called stranded conductors. Each of these stranded conductors can have several fine, twisted wires 12, which may be connected by a Fig. 4recognizable insulating layer (insulation). This insulation is made, for example, from materials such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. It can serve to insulate the conductors 4 both from each other and from the external environment. In addition, the insulation can often be color-coded to facilitate their identification and wiring. To minimize electromagnetic interference, a shield made of a metal braid or a metal foil can be applied around the insulated conductors 4 as filler material 10. Furthermore, an additional inner sheath can be placed around the shield to increase the mechanical stability of the cable 2. Furthermore, the entire cable 2 can have a robust outer sheath 8, which is preferably made of materials such as PVC, PE or thermoplastic elastomer and can have special properties such as flame retardancy or oil resistance.This multi-layer construction enables high flexibility and robustness of the cable 2, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

[0102] In further optional designs of cable 2, the conductors can be highly flexible and provided with 360° full shielding. This full shielding serves to effectively shield against electromagnetic interference (EMC), thus ensuring the integrity of data transmission. Other optional versions include overmolded versions of cable 2 with highly resistant PUR overmolding, which are specially designed for use in harsh environments. The cables can be designed for self-assembly, i.e., they can be assembled in the field (on-site at the system). This means, in particular, that the cables themselves have the structural adaptations that allow them to be quickly and easily connected and disconnected and adjusted to the desired length. This means that the cables can be quickly adapted or replaced as needed, without the need for special tools or specialist knowledge.

[0103] The electrical conductor 4 can be made of copper or aluminum, for example. Other materials such as gold, silver, carbon fiber, and conductive polymers can also be used as components of the conductor 4, depending on the application. Furthermore, composite materials made from various of these elements can also be used in specialized applications to optimize specific properties such as conductivity, weight, and corrosion resistance.

[0104] Furthermore, the at least one coding 50 can comprise a geometric and / or extruded profile 7 of the cable 2 and / or a hose (not explicitly shown) and / or a grommet. The at least one coding 50 can further comprise an electrical coding 50 of the cable 2, in which a systematic arrangement of the electrical conductors 4 of the cable 2 is provided, so that a specific assignment of the electrical contact means 28 of the component 20 is predetermined for the connection. Fig. 5 a corresponding coding 50 is illustrated, in which the contact means 28 of the component 20 are arranged in a corresponding manner with different lateral distances.

[0105] In Fig. 1 , 2 and 5-8A component 20 for connection to an electrical cable 2 is shown schematically. The component can have at least one electrical contact means 28 in order to make electrical contact with at least one electrical conductor 4 of the cable 2 in the axial direction A of the cable 2 or conductor 4. The axial direction A, or also referred to as the longitudinal direction of the cable 2, is in Fig. 1 illustrated by a vertical arrow. Furthermore, the at least one electrical contact means 28 can be designed to make the electrical contact in the electrical cable 2—that is, in particular within the sheath 8.

[0106] In Figs. 6 and 7It is further clarified that a further structure, such as a locking and / or orientation structure 60, can be provided, for example, to further simplify the correct alignment of the component 20 with respect to the cable 2 during connection. The structure 60 is formed, for example, as a groove or material recess on the component 20 and / or on the cable 2.

[0107] In Fig. 8 It can be seen that the cavity 6 of the cable 2 can also be interrupted by a connecting part 14. This connecting part 14 can repeatedly interrupt the cavity 6 in the axial direction A of the cable 2. It serves in particular to seal off condensate. This has the advantage of preventing moisture from penetrating the cable 2, thus ensuring its functionality. Accordingly, the connecting part 14 can also serve as a sealing element.

[0108] Furthermore, Fig. 8a locking pin 45 is shown, which can be provided on the contact means 28 in order to fix the position on the cable 2 after the connection has been established. More generally, a locking device 45 can be provided on the component 20 or on the cable 2 in order to fix the established connection.

[0109] Further on, Figs. 8 and 9 clarifies that the coding 50 may comprise a first coding 51, which is provided by the shape of the cavity 6. This refers in particular to the shape of the Fig. 9recognizable opening of the cavity 6 with the profile 7. Alternatively or additionally, a second coding 52 can be provided, which is provided by the arrangement and / or design of the conductors 4. In particular, the coding can be provided by the design of the stranded wire 4 to the tip 30 of the contact means 28 or, conversely, the counter-coding can be provided by the design of the tip 30 of the contact means 28 to the stranded wire 4. Due to the tip 30, the contact means 28 can be designed accordingly as a needle, which then penetrates a conductor cross-section 5 of the conductor 4 to make contact during the connection (cf. Fig. 13 ). Different lengths of the contact means 28 can also be provided for anticipating, for example, a safety contact means 29.

[0110] In Fig. 8It is further clear that the component 20 can comprise the at least one contact means 28 in the form of a piercing means, which is designed to be pierced into an electrical conductor 4 of the cable 2 in the form of an electrical strand 4 in the axial direction A of the cable 2 or of the conductor 4. Fig. 8 illustrates the bending apart of the individual wires of the strand 4 at the pin tip 30.

[0111] In Fig. 1It is further illustrated by a dashed line that at least one of the contact means 28 can be designed as a safety contact means 29, which is designed to lead at least one or all of the other contact means 28. Thus, when the connection is established, ie during a contacting movement, the safety contact means 29 can contact one of the electrical conductors 4 of the cable 2 before at least one or the other of the contact means 28.

[0112] In Fig. 10It is shown that a recurring marking 62 can be provided on the cable 2 (e.g., every 5 mm), indicating a penetration depth of the electrical contact means 28, preferably in the form of piercing means. This marking 62 can, for example, be printed. The marking 62 can, for example, be provided in the form of a line or dot. The marking 62 can also be a mechanical marking, which interacts, for example, with an insertion mechanism 80.

[0113] In Fig. 12 According to further embodiments of the invention, a connection system 1 with a component 20 and a cable 2 can be seen. The component 20 can be provided for connection to an electrical cable 2. For this purpose, the component 20 can comprise several contact means 28 for contacting conductors 4 of the cable 2. In the electrical cable 2 shown, the conductors 4 can be accessible from the outside for contacting the contact means 28. In Fig. 12 the conductors 4 are surrounded by an insulating sheath 11 and are thus part of cables 13, specifically stranded cables 13 (see Fig. 13 ). Both the contact means 28 and the conductors 4 are electrically conductive. Furthermore, the conductors 4 can each have an exposed conductor cross-section 5 for contacting (see Figs. 13 and 14 ).

[0114] The connection system 1 can be designed to contact the contact means 28 with the conductors 4 in the axial direction A of the cable 2 or conductor 4 in order to electrically connect the contact means 28 directly to the exposed conductor cross-sections 5. For this purpose, as in Fig. 13 As illustrated, the contact means 28 each have a tip 30 and / or are needle-shaped. In other words, the conductors 4 can be contacted by the contact means 28 being pierced through the exposed conductor cross-sections 5 in the axial direction A.

[0115] Among other things in the Fig. 12 to 14 A contacting surface 9 is provided on the cable 2, at which the conductors 4 are accessible for contacting with the contact means 28. Specifically, the contacting surface 9 can be located in a cutting plane of the cable 2, which has been created, for example, by cutting the cable 2 at this point. It can be seen that the conductors 4 extend there from the interior of the cable 2 to the outside (see Figs. 13 and 14 ) or protrude (see Fig. 12 ) and are therefore visible and accessible from outside the cable 2. In Figs. 13 and 14 the respective exposed conductor cross-section 5 is also in the cutting plane.

[0116] According to Fig. 13 the conductors 4 can each form a line 13 with a surrounding insulating sheath 11, wherein the lines 13 protrude from the contacting surface 9 (see Fig. 12 ) or flush with it ( Figs. 13 and 14). Furthermore, the solution according to embodiments of the invention can avoid stripping, so that the protruding conductors 4 and / or the exposed conductor cross-sections 5 continue to be completely or partially surrounded by the insulating sheath 11. However, the protruding lines 13 can be at least partially or completely freed from a cable sheath 8 of the cable 2 over their entire circumference (see Fig. 12 ).

[0117] The connection system 1 can be Fig. 12illustrated guide device 70, which is formed separately from the cable 2 and the component 20 and / or is movably or detachably connected to the cable 2 and / or the component 20. The guide device 70 can be designed to mechanically guide the contact in the axial direction A of the cable 2, and preferably to guide the conductors 4, in particular the lines 13, and / or the contact means 28 for contact in the axial direction A of the cable 2. In other words, the guide device 70 can provide a linear guide for the cable 2 and / or the component 20. If the component 20 and the cable 2 move relative to one another in a linear manner for contact, this can also be referred to as a contact movement.

[0118] The guide device 70 may comprise a guide housing 72 with a guide structure 71. The guide structure 71 is in Fig. 12specifically in the form of openings of the guide housing 72 in order to provide the mechanical guidance for the respective conductors 4, in particular lines 13, and / or contact means 28. The guide structure 71 can be designed as shown in Fig. 12 shown to receive the conductors 4, in particular lines 13, on a first side 76 of the guide housing 72 and to receive the contact means 28 on another, opposite (and facing away from the first side 76) second side 77 of the guide housing 72.

[0119] The lines 13 in Fig. 12 may have different colors and thus be color-coded. Corresponding colors may also be provided in the area of ​​the openings 71 to facilitate identification.

[0120] Furthermore, at least one coding 50 or counter-coding 27 with the properties as described above can also be provided on the guide device 70, e.g. in the form of a guide sleeve.

[0121] A part 44 of the component 20 and / or the guide device 70 in Fig. 12 In the connected state, it can seal the contact surface 9 and / or mechanically lock it and / or provide anti-twist protection. For example, an O-ring or a sealing lip on the guide device 70 is conceivable as a sealing element. A locking lug or a locking hook (not explicitly shown) can serve as a locking element. A projection or a groove can serve as anti-twist protection.

[0122] In Figs. 15 and 16An insertion mechanism 80 is shown by way of example, which can be arranged on the guide structure 71 for controlling the contacting movement in order to insert the at least one or more electrical contact means 28, each with a predetermined penetration depth 90, into the associated electrical conductor 4 in an axial direction A of the conductor 4 and / or the cable 2.

[0123] The insertion mechanism 80 can be designed to insert, in particular to pierce, the respective contact means 28 in a linear manner by the contacting movement into the associated electrical conductor 4 with the predetermined penetration depth 90, in particular puncture depth 90, wherein the predetermined penetration depth 90 is preferably in the range from 0.5 mm to 10 mm, preferably 1 mm to 6 mm, preferably 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0124] The insertion mechanism 80 can further comprise a pressure element 81 and a transmission arrangement 82. The transmission arrangement 82 can be connected to the pressure element 81 in a force-transmitting manner in order to set the pressure element 81 in motion when manual or mechanical force is applied to the transmission arrangement 82. Thus, the pressure element 81 can insert, preferably pierce, the respective electrical contact means 28 into the associated electrical conductor 4 via the contacting movement. A travel path 93 for the pressure element 81 between a starting position 91 and an end position 92 can be determined by the predetermined penetration depth 90 and / or be structurally predetermined.Furthermore, an adjustment mechanism 84 can be provided in order to adjust the predetermined penetration depth 90 and preferably the travel path 93 in the insertion mechanism 80, preferably depending on a cable type of the cable 2 and / or continuously and / or in several predefined steps.

[0125] In addition, Fig. 15 schematically illustrates that the insertion mechanism 80 can be designed as a lever mechanism 80, in which a transmission arrangement 82 comprises a lever arm 82. This can serve to transfer a manual or mechanical force exerted on the transmission arrangement 82 into the controlled contacting movement, in which the control is carried out in such a way that the contacting movement is guided linearly and / or the penetration depth 90 is predetermined and / or controlled and / or limited and / or the predetermined and / or a current penetration depth 90 is indicated to a user.

[0126] Furthermore, a Fig. 15 illustrated indexing device 83 may be provided to visually, haptically or acoustically indicate a current penetration depth 90 during the contacting movement.

[0127] In Fig. 16It is shown that the insertion mechanism 80 can further comprise a nut 85, preferably a union nut 85, which is designed to establish a mechanical connection between the component 20 and the cable 2 and for this purpose is screwed onto a thread 86. Furthermore, a transmission arrangement 82 can be provided, which is designed to transmit a movement, in particular a rotational movement, of the nut 85 on the thread 86 to a pressure element 81. Furthermore, the pressure element 81 can be arranged and guided in the region of a guide space 87 in order to move through the guide space 87 of the guide structure 71 through the transmitted movement along a longitudinal axis of the thread 86 in order to thereby exert a force for inserting the electrical contact means 28, wherein the guide space 87 is designed to receive a part of the component 20 and / or the at least one electrical contact means 28.

[0128] Furthermore, according to Fig. 16 a holding element 88 may be provided which is firmly connected to the pressure element 81 in order to limit the contacting movement when the holding element 88 meets a counter-holding element 89.

[0129] In Fig. 11 A method 100 for electrically contacting a cable 2 with a component 20 is schematically visualized. According to a first step 101, the cable 2 can be unwound and / or assembled to a desired length. According to a second step 102, a direct connection can be made between the component 20 and the cable 2. For this purpose, the component 20 can be directly inserted and / or pierced into the cable 2, or vice versa, in order to establish electrical and mechanical contact. Furthermore, a mechanical seal between the cable 2 and the component 20 can be established, at least partially or exclusively, by establishing the connection.

[0130] The Figure 17schematically shows an embodiment of the connection system 1 according to the invention, which has an embodiment of the component 20 according to the invention and an embodiment of the cable 2 according to the invention. The cable 2 has a plurality of spaced-apart strain relief contours 172. The strain relief contours 172 are designed as circumferential grooves and are evenly spaced from one another along the cable 2. A strain relief 171 of the component 20 engages in such a strain relief contour 172, wherein the strain relief 171 is formed integrally with the component 20 and prevents accidental pulling on the cable 2 from leading to an unwanted release of the electrical connection between the cable 2 and the component 20. The electrical connection is established by means of pointed contact means, each of which is pierced into only one predetermined electrical conductor of the cable.The electrical conductors of cable 2 extend twisted to one another along the length of cable 2. Cable 2 further comprises a coding 50 which interacts with a counter-coding of component 20 such that, during the establishment of the electrical connection between component 20 and cable 2, the contact means of component 20 only come into electrical contact with the electrical conductors provided for this purpose, as coding 50 and the counter-coding together form a guide and prevent any other contact between the conductors and the contact means. For this purpose, coding 50 of cable 2 is formed on the circumference of the cable as a helical or thread-shaped groove extending in the direction of extension of cable 2. Alternatively, a bead extending in this manner can be provided instead of a groove.The coding 50 has a continuous course along the extension direction of the cable 2 and has the same relative position to the electrical conductors of the cable 2 at every point along the extension of the cable 2, transversely or perpendicularly to the extension direction of the cable 2. In other words, the cable 2 can be shortened to a desired length at any point along the cable 2 in order to establish an electrical connection between the cable 2 and the component 20, since the constant relative position along the cable ensures the desired electrical contact. The contact surface 9, at which the contact means are pierced into the conductors of the cable, is formed at the cable end 217.

[0131] The Figure 18ashows a schematic of an embodiment of the component 20 according to the invention. The contact means 28 for contacting the electrical conductors of the cable can be seen. The contact means 28 lead electrically to contact conductors 180 of a plug 181 of the component 20, where the contact conductors 180 form a plug arrangement 181. The course of the guide from the contact means 28 to the contact conductors 180 of the plug 181 is not straight, but is angled at least once, preferably perpendicularly, whereby the plug 181 is formed on a side of the component 20 that runs transversely or perpendicularly to the insertion direction of the cable 2. Instead of a plug 181 with a plug arrangement 181, a socket with a socket arrangement can be provided.

[0132] The Figure 18b shows a further schematic embodiment of the component 20 according to the invention, which differs from the embodiment of Figure 18adiffers in that the plug 181 is formed on a side of the component 20 that faces away from the side of the component 20 on which the cable can be electrically contacted with the contact means 28. Furthermore, the course of the guide from the contact means 28 to the contact conductors 180 of the plug 181 is designed such that the arrangement and / or assignment of the contact conductors 180 of the plug 181 differs from that of the contact means 28.

[0133] The Figure 19a shows an embodiment of a connection system 1. Here, a strain relief 171 is formed by means of a shrink tube 191. The shrink tube 191 also serves to seal the electrical connection between the cable 2 and the component 20. The shrink tube 191 engages in a circumferential groove that forms the strain relief contour 172. Furthermore, the shrink tube is attached to the component 20.

[0134] The Figure 19b shows a further embodiment of a connection system 1. Here, the cable 2 has a microencapsulation 193, which, upon contact with an activating substance 194, releases a sealing compound that seals the electrical connection between the cable 2 and the component 20 from the environment. Of course, it is also possible for the component 20 to have the microencapsulation, while the cable 2 has the activating substance. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the activation, i.e., the release of the microencapsulation, takes place by means of heat, light, radiation, or another suitable means.

[0135] The Figure 19cshows a further embodiment of a connection system 1. Here, a sealing space 198 in the component, which is delimited by the cable 2 and the component 20, is sealed from the environment by means of a sealing compound 195. Preferably, the component 20 has a filling opening 196 for filling the sealing compound 195. Furthermore, the component 20 can have an outlet opening 197 through which the filled sealing compound 195 can exit when the sealing space 198 is already filled with the sealing compound 195. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible for the component 20 to have a viewing window that delimits the sealing space 198, whereby a filling level of the sealing space 198 by means of the sealing compound 195 can be visually identified by a user.

[0136] For ease of illustration, the contact means are shown in the Figures 17 and 19a to 19c not displayed or not visible due to the selected display.

[0137] The above explanation of the embodiments describes the present invention exclusively within the scope of examples. Of course, individual features of the embodiments can be freely combined with one another, provided they are technically feasible, without departing from the scope of the present invention. List of reference symbols

[0138] 1System, connection system 2Cable 4Wire, stranded wire, conductor 6Cavity 7Profile 8Sheath, cable sheath 9Contact surface, cut surface 10Filling material 12Single wire 14Condensate seal 20Component 22Locking, unlocking 24Threaded screw connection 26Guide, guiding means 27Counter-coding 28Contact means, pin 29Safety contact means 30-pin tip 40Connector assembly 42Printed circuit board 44Locking, anti-twist protection, sealing 45Locking pin 50 coding 51 first coding 52 second coding 60Structure 62Depth markers 70Guide device 71Guide structure 72Guide housing 76First page 77Second page 80Insertion mechanism 81Pressure element 82Transmission arrangement 83Indexing device, indexing 84Adjustment mechanism 85Nut 86Thread 87Guide space 88Retaining element 89Counterholding element 90Penetration depth 91Starting position 92End position 93Travel path 100Procedure 101First process step 102Second process step Aaxial direction 217Cable end 171Strain relief 172Strain relief contour 180Contact conductor 181Plug, plug arrangement 191Shrink tubing 193Microencapsulation 194Activating substance 195Sealing compound 196Filling opening 197Exit opening 198Sealing chamber

Claims

1. Electrical cable (2) for connection to an electrical component (20), wherein the cable (2) has at least one electrical conductor (4), characterized by that at least one coding (50) is spatially formed on the cable (2) in order to specify a specific arrangement and assignment of electrical contact means (28) of the component (20) with the electrical conductors (4) of the cable (2).

2. Cable (2) according to claim 1, characterized by thatthe at least one coding (50) comprises a mechanical and / or geometric coding (50) of the cable (2), in which a geometric profile (7), in particular a spatial shape and / or contour, extends in the axial direction (A) of the cable (2), wherein the profile (7) preferably defines a guide cavity (6) for a guide means (26) and preferably for a guide pin of the component (20), so that a specific orientation of the component (20) is predetermined for the connection in order to block the connection of the component (20) in the event of a deviation from the specific orientation, wherein the guide cavity (6) is particularly preferably designed for the transmission of a fluid, in particular for the transmission of a medium such as air or a liquid, and / or thatthe at least one coding (50) comprises a geometric and / or extruded profile (7) of the cable (2) and / or a hose and / or a grommet, wherein the coding is arranged in the cable (2), in particular within a cable sheath (8) of the cable (2), and / or outside the cable sheath (8) and / or on the cable sheath (8), wherein a shape of the coding (50) preferably deviates from a basic shape of the cable (2).

3. Cable (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one coding (50) is formed by means of a rotationally symmetrical cross-section of the cable (2), in particular by a rotationally symmetrical inner and / or outer contour of the cable (2).

4. Cable (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by thatthe at least one coding (50) additionally comprises an electrical coding (50) of the cable (2), in which a systematic arrangement of the electrical conductors (4) of the cable (2) is provided, so that a specific assignment of the electrical contact means (28) of the component (20) is predetermined for the connection, and / or that the electrical conductors (4) of the cable (2) are each designed as a strand (4) in order to form a receptacle for introducing at least one electrical contact means (28) of the component (20), preferably for piercing the contact means (28) in the form of a contacting tip on a contacting surface (9) of the cable (2) in the axial direction (A) of the cable (2), wherein preferably the conductors (4) on the contacting surface (9) directly adjoin an outer region of the cable (2), and / or thata recurring marking (62) is provided which indicates a penetration depth of the electrical contact means (28), preferably in the form of piercing means.

5. Cable (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electrical conductors (4) extend only and / or directly to one or the contact surface (9) of the cable (2) and / or adjoin it, preferably in order to enable the contact means (28), in particular in the form of contact tips and / or piercing means, to be inserted into the electrical conductors (4) at the contact surface (9), that the contacting surface (9) preferably extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the direction of extension of the cable (2), and that in particular the contacting surface (9) forms a cut surface (9) of the cable (2), at which the cable (2) has preferably been shortened to a desired length, and / or a cable end (217) of the cable (2).

6. Cable (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cable (2) has, along its extension on its outer circumference, preferably at regular intervals from one another, a plurality of contours, in particular strain relief contours (172), particularly preferably in the form of circumferential recesses, in particular grooves or notches, or elevations, in particular beads or shoulders, preferably for a shrink tube (191) or a strain relief (171).

7. Cable (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by thatthe cable (2), in particular on the outer circumference of the cable (2) and / or on the contacting surface (9), has a microencapsulation (193) for forming a seal, wherein the contents of the microencapsulation (193) can be released in particular by supplying heat, radiation, in particular light, preferably in the form of ultraviolet light, contact with an activating substance or light in combination with moisture, and / or that the cable (2), in particular on the outer circumference and / or on the contacting surface (9), has an activating substance for a microencapsulation (193) in order to release the contents of the microencapsulation (193) upon contact with the microencapsulation in order to form a seal.

8. Cable (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the electrical conductors (4) of the cable (2) are twisted together, in particular in the form of one or more pairs, three-strands or four-strands, and thatthe at least one coding (50) along the extension of the cable (2) has a continuous course which is matched to the twisting in such a way that at every point on the cable (2) along the extension of the cable (2), the at least one coding (50) and the electrical conductors (4) have the same relative position to one another, in particular in a plane transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the direction of extension of the cable (2).

9. Cable (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cable (2) has a fluid line, in particular a liquid line or gas line, wherein the at least one coding (50) is formed partially or only by means of the fluid line, thatthe electrical conductors (4), in particular the stranding or strandings, surround the fluid line along the extent of the cable (2) in order to preferably ensure uniform cooling of the conductors (4) by means of the fluid that can be conducted through the fluid line.

10. Component (20) for connection to an electrical cable (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: - at least one electrical contact means (28) for making electrical contact with at least one electrical conductor (4) of the cable (2) in the axial direction (A) of the cable (2), characterized by that the at least one electrical contact means (28) is designed to make the electrical contact in the electrical cable (2).

11. Component (20) according to claim 10, characterized by thatthe component (20) further comprises: - a counter-coding (27) in order to specify a specific arrangement and assignment of the at least one electrical contact means (28) to the at least one electrical conductor (4) of the cable (2) during the connection, preferably in that the counter-coding (27) interacts with the coding of the cable (2) and / or is matched to the coding (50) of the cable, - in particular at least one guide pin (26) which is designed to provide axial guidance during the connection, preferably of the component (20) in the cable (2) and / or of the cable (2), and is preferably designed as the counter-coding (27), wherein the guide pin (26) is preferably designed in advance of the at least one contact means (28), and / or thatthe component (20) further comprises: - the at least one contact means (28) in the form of a piercing means, which is designed to be pierced into an associated electrical conductor (4) of the cable (2) in the form of an electrical strand (4) in the axial direction (A) of the conductor (4), preferably into an exposed conductor cross-section (5) of the conductor (4), wherein preferably several, preferably at least three or at least four or at least five, contact means (28) are provided in order to electrically contact one of the conductors (4) of the cable (2) in each case, and / or that at least one of the contact means (28) is designed as a safety contact means (29) which is designed to lead at least one or all of the other contact means (28) in order to contact one of the electrical conductors (4) of the cable (2) before the at least one or the other of the contact means (28) when the connection is established.

12. Component (20) according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized by that a sealing means (44) is provided to achieve a seal (44) between a cable sheath (8) of the cable (2) and the component (20) during assembly to establish the connection.

13. Component (20) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by that the plurality of contact means (28), in particular the design and / or arrangement and / or dimensioning of the plurality of contact means (28), are designed in such a way as to suit the electrical conductors (4), in particular the dimensioning and / or the course of the electrical conductors (4) and / or the arrangement of the electrical conductors (4) on the contacting surface (9), thatan electrical contacting of a plurality of electrical conductors (4) by means of only one of the contact means (28), in particular in that one of the contact means (28) electrically contacts a first electrical conductor (4) in the contacting surface (9) and a further electrical conductor (4) in the extension direction of the cable (2) behind or next to the first electrical conductor (4), preferably due to the twisting of the electrical conductors (4), is excluded, and / or that the component (20) has a strain relief (171) for the cable (2), which is designed to cooperate with one of the contours, in particular with one of the strain relief contours (172), of the cable (2), preferably in the form of a circumferential recess, in particular a groove or notch, or elevations, or elevation, in particular a bead or shoulder, in such a way that the cable (2) is strain-relieved and / or thatthe component (20) has a shrink tube and a fastening, preferably in the form of a fastening contour, for the shrink tube (191), in order to form the strain relief (171) for the cable (2) in particular by means of the shrink tube (191), and / or that the component (20), in particular in areas for contact with the outer circumference and / or the contacting surface (9) of the cable (2), has a microencapsulation (193) for forming a seal, wherein the contents of the microencapsulation (193) can be released in particular by supplying heat, radiation, in particular light, preferably in the form of ultraviolet light or ultraviolet radiation, contact with an activating substance (194) or light in combination with moisture or thatthe component (20), in particular in areas for contact with the outer circumference and / or the contacting surface (9) of the cable (2), has an activating substance for a microencapsulation (193) in order to release the contents of a microencapsulation (193) upon contact with the microencapsulation (193), and / or that the contact means (28) lead electrically to electrical contact conductors (180) of a plug arrangement (181) or socket arrangement of the component, such that the position and / or arrangement and / or assignment and / or dimensioning of the electrical contact conductors (180) differs from that of the contact means (28), in particular at the contact surface (9), and / or that the component (20) has a fluid channel for fluid-transmitting connection to the fluid line of the cable (2), and / or thatthe component (20) is designed as a plug or a sensor or an actuator or a module, preferably for use in industrial automation, preferably in an electrical system for industrial automation.

14. Connection system (1), comprising a cable (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a component (20) according to one of claims 10 to 13.

15. Connection system (1) according to claim 14, characterized by thatan electrical connection is established between the cable and the component (20), in particular by the contact means (28) being inserted into associated conductors (28), wherein the connection system (1) comprises a seal, in particular a material-locking and / or force-locking and / or form-fitting seal, which seals the connection and in particular a cable section adjacent to the connection from an environment of the connection system (1), in particular according to IP20 or IP67, that the seal is preferably formed by means of a shrink tube (191) or the shrink tube (191) which forms the strain relief (171), and / or thatthe seal fluid-tightly seals and / or electrically insulates a transition from the fluid line to the fluid channel from the contact points formed by contacting the conductors (4) with the contact means (28) on the contacting surface (9), and / or wherein the seal electrically insulates and / or seals the contact points formed by contacting the conductors (4) with the contact means (28) on the contacting surface (9) from one another, and / or thatthe seal is formed by means of a sealing compound (195), in particular adhesive or potting compound, wherein, in particular in the direction of extension of the cable (2) and / or perpendicular to the direction of extension of the cable (2), a sealing space (198) for receiving the sealing compound (195) is formed between the cable (2), in particular the contacting surface (9) of the cable (2), and the component, in which sealing space the sealing compound (195) is located and preferably completely fills the sealing space (198), wherein the sealing space (198) preferably has a filling opening (196) for the sealing compound (195), which is in particular closed by the sealing compound (195), wherein the sealing space (198) preferably has an outlet opening (197) for the sealing compound (195), which is in particular closed by the sealing compound (195), wherein in particular a section of the component (20) delimiting the sealing space (198) is made of a transparent material,so that the degree of filling of the sealing space (198) with the sealing compound (195) can be determined optically, and / or that the seal is formed by means of a released content of the microencapsulation (193), in particular of the cable (2) or the component (20), and / or , that a fastening of the cable (2) to the component (20) is formed by means of a force-fitting and / or form-fitting and / or material-fitting connection, and / or thatthe component (20) has a strain relief (171), in particular a shrink tube (191) designed as a strain relief (171), which is preferably fastened to the component (20), for the cable (2), such that the strain relief (171) interacts with one of the contours, in particular one of the strain relief contours (172), of the cable (2) in such a way that the cable (2) is strain-relieved by the strain relief (171) forming a positive connection, in particular with the contour, in particular strain relief contour (172), of the cable (2), preferably by the strain relief (171) engaging behind the contour, in particular strain relief contour (172), or engaging in the strain relief contour (172), and / or thatthe connection system (1) comprises an insertion mechanism (80), in particular a screw mechanism, a lever mechanism or a plug-in mechanism, in order to carry out the contacting movement, wherein the insertion mechanism (80) is preferably designed to move the cable (2) in the direction of the component (20) during the contacting movement, wherein the connection system (1) or the insertion mechanism (80) preferably comprises an adjustment mechanism (84) in order to set a predetermined penetration depth (90) of the contact means (28) into the conductors (4) in the insertion mechanism (80), preferably depending on a cable type of the cable (2) and / or continuously and / or in several predefined stages, wherein the connection system (1) or the insertion mechanism (80) preferably has an indexing (83) which is designed to indicate the current penetration depth (90) to a user during the contacting movement.

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