Connection device for use in explosion-prone areas and sensor having such a connection device

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection device (1), for use in explosion-prone areas, with the aid of which a first electric conductor (L1) having an electric insulation (2) can be electrically connected to a second electric conductor (L2), in particular designed as a conductor track (11) of a circuit board (9), wherein the connection device (1) comprises a plurality of, in particular three, contact elements (3, 3´, 3´´), wherein the contact elements (3, 3´, 3´´) each comprise a first contact point (K1) and a second contact point (K2), wherein the first contact point (K1) has a insulation piercing connector (5, 5´, 5´´) by means of which the first contact point (K1) can be or is electrically connected to the first electric conductor (L1) and wherein the second contact point (K2) is or can be electrically connected to the second electric conductor (L2) such that, with the aid of the connection device (1), a plurality of, in particular three, parallel electrical connections (V1, V2, V3) of the first electric conductor (L1) to the second electric conductor (L2) can be produced.

Description

[0001] Connecting device for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and sensor with such a connecting device

[0002] The present invention relates to a connecting device for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, by means of which an electrical connection can be established between a first electrical conductor having electrical insulation and a second electrical conductor, in particular designed as a conductor track of a printed circuit board. The invention also relates to a sensor comprising such a connecting device.

[0003] Connecting devices for electrically connecting electrical conductors and sensors with such connecting devices are already known from the state of the art. Connecting devices and sensors with such connecting devices intended for use in potentially explosive environments are subject to increased requirements, which can often only be met with considerable additional effort.

[0004] The invention therefore has for its object to provide an improved connecting device for use in potentially explosive environments and an improved sensor with such a connecting device.

[0005] This object is achieved by the connecting device recited in claim 1 and the sensor recited in claim 10.

[0006] A connecting device according to the invention is intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The connecting device can be used to electrically connect a first electrical conductor having electrical insulation to a second electrical conductor, particularly one designed as a conductor track on a printed circuit board.

[0007] The connecting device comprises a plurality of contact elements, in particular three, four, or five. The contact elements each comprise a first contact point and a second contact point. The first contact point has an insulation displacement connector, by means of which the first contact point is or can be electrically connected to the first electrical conductor.

[0008] The second contact point is electrically connectable or connected to the second electrical conductor. As a result, several, in particular three, four, or five, parallel electrical connections between the first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor can be established with the aid of the connecting device.

[0009] In this way, a cost-effective, redundant, or multiply redundant, electrical connection of a first electrical conductor to a second electrical conductor is possible using the contact elements of the connecting device. This connection can also be referred to in particular as multiple contacting, e.g. as triple contacting, quadruple contacting, or quintuple contacting. Since it cannot be assumed that several, in particular three, four or five, contacts of the contact elements will be interrupted simultaneously, for example due to vibrations, which could lead to sparks, this creates a particularly simple prerequisite for meeting the requirements for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. For example, conductor loops for establishing the redundant connection and stripping the first electrical conductor can be dispensed with, which can reduce manufacturing costs.Creating multiple contacts using insulation displacement terminals is also very easy, which makes errors less likely.

[0010] The insulation displacement connectors are, as is already known, designed in particular as insulation displacement connections. The insulation displacement connectors are therefore used in particular to displace or cut the electrical insulation of the first electrical conductor, and preferably to clamp and thus electrically contact the first electrical conductor.

[0011] Preferably, the contact elements are non-detachably electrically connectable or connected to the first electrical conductor by means of the insulation displacement terminal.

[0012] Preferably, the first electrical conductor runs at least substantially straight in the region of its contact through the contact elements, i.e., in particular, not in loops. This saves space and eliminates the effort associated with creating loops, such as splicing and / or pressing and / or crimping to attach multiple contact elements.

[0013] If the second contact point of the contact elements comprises a plug-in contact which can be plugged into a mating plug-in contact electrically connected to the second electrical conductor, then a pluggable or detachable electrical connection between the two electrical conductors can be achieved. The second contact point is then preferably indirectly electrically connectable or connected to the second electrical conductor, in particular to the conductor track, by means of the mating plug-in contact. The connecting device is then preferably designed as a plug. The electrical connection between the second contact point and the second electrical conductor can then be established by plugging in the plug and can be severed by pulling out the plug, preferably without influencing the electrical connection of the contact elements to the first electrical conductor brought about by the insulation displacement contacts. The plug-in contacts can, for example, comprise a contact pin and a spring strip.

[0014] If the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor each comprise a cable or are formed thereby, then the connecting device can - unlike, for example, a so-called spliced ​​or pressed connection, which usually does not have to be designed as a redundant electrical connection for use in potentially explosive areas - create a pluggable or detachable or removable electrical connection of the cables, which can meet the requirements for use in potentially explosive areas.

[0015] Preferably, however, the second electrical conductor is formed as a conductor track of a printed circuit board. Preferably, the second conductor is cable-free, i.e., it does not include a cable.

[0016] As an alternative to the plug-in contact, the second contact point can comprise a printed circuit board connection device, through which the second contact point is directly electrically connectable or connected to the conductor track. In this alternative, the electrical connection between the two conductors is, in particular, non-separable. The printed circuit board connection device can comprise a contact surface of the respective contact element, which is configured to be electrically and / or mechanically connected to the printed circuit board or the conductor track, e.g., by soldering and / or bonding with conductive adhesive and / or by means of press-fit technology.

[0017] The second contact point can therefore be electrically connected or connected to the conductor track indirectly, e.g. by means of the mating connector, or directly, e.g. by means of the printed circuit board connection device.

[0018] The insulation displacement connector can be stamped onto the plug contact or the printed circuit board connection device. The insulation displacement connector and the plug contact or the printed circuit board connection device can be formed from a single sheet by means of punching. The insulation displacement connector and the plug contact or the printed circuit board connection device can be formed as a single piece.

[0019] Preferably, the connecting device is configured to electrically connect all contact elements to the first electrical conductor simultaneously using the insulation displacement terminals. This reduces the risk that not all contact elements are electrically connected to the first electrical conductor during production, which initially goes unnoticed during functional testing.

[0020] If the connecting device comprises a fixing device by means of which the contact elements are fixed immovably relative to one another, this can enable or support the simultaneous electrical connection of all contact elements to the first electrical conductor by means of the insulation displacement terminals.

[0021] The fixing device preferably fixes the contact elements relative to one another, in particular at a distance corresponding to a common pitch for plug-in systems. A common pitch has a pitch of 1.27 mm. Another possible pitch has a pitch of 2.54 mm.

[0022] The fixing device preferably comprises a first housing part. The first housing part can be a standard part. In the embodiment in which the second contact point comprises a printed circuit board connection device by which the second contact point is or can be directly electrically connected to the conductor track, the fixing device can be configured to be firmly mounted on the printed circuit board in the assembled state, e.g., by gluing and / or screwing.

[0023] The connecting device preferably comprises a second housing part. The second housing part can be cap-shaped. The first housing part can be provided without the second housing part, and vice versa. However, both housing parts are preferably provided.

[0024] The simultaneous electrical connection of all contact elements to the first electrical conductor can be contributed to, for example, in addition to the fixing device, if the second housing part serves as an assembly aid and is particularly designed such that it can accommodate the first electrical conductor and fix it during the joining process. The joining process preferably takes place by pressing the second housing part against the first housing part. The second housing part can be designed to complement the first housing part and can be mechanically connected to it in the assembled state, for example by means of a form-fitting connection. For this purpose, the second housing part can at least partially encompass the first housing part.

[0025] The connecting device preferably includes a strain relief. Since the insulation displacement connection created by means of the insulation displacement terminals can preferably absorb tensile forces, the strain relief can serve, in particular, to secure the electrical connection between the second contact point and the conductor track.

[0026] If the strain relief comprises a snap connection or a clip connection, especially with at least one snap hook, then its handling can be very simple. Preferably, at least two snap hooks are provided. These can run parallel to each other. A sequential arrangement is also conceivable.

[0027] A sensor according to the invention for detecting fill levels, limit levels, or for monitoring process parameters comprises a connecting device according to this disclosure. The sensor comprises the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor, in particular the conductor track. The contact elements of the connecting device are each electrically connected to the first electrical conductor by means of their insulation displacement terminal. The second contact point is electrically connected to the second electrical conductor, so that, with the aid of the connecting device, several, in particular three, four, or five, parallel electrical connections between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor are established.

[0028] The sensor can be, for example, a vibration sensor, a radar sensor, or a pressure sensor. The first electrical conductor can comprise or be formed by a cable. The second electrical conductor can also have electrical insulation. The second electrical conductor can also comprise or be formed by a cable.

[0029] Preferably, the second electrical conductor is designed as a conductor track of a printed circuit board.

[0030] In the embodiment in which the second contact point of the connecting device comprises a plug contact that can be plugged into a mating plug contact electrically connected to the second electrical conductor, in particular the conductor track, the connecting device can be designed as a plug, and the sensor can comprise a mating plug comprising the mating plug contacts. The mating plug is then preferably fixed, e.g., glued, to the circuit board having the conductor track.

[0031] If the strain relief of the connecting device or sensor acts between the second housing part and the circuit board, then it can be easy to manufacture and effective.

[0032] The strain relief can comprise a snap-in element, such as a snap-in hook, formed integrally with the second housing part. The strain relief can comprise a hole in the circuit board. It is conceivable for the connecting device or sensor to have multiple strain reliefs.

[0033] Several strain relief devices can be provided, acting one after the other. For example, one strain relief device can act between the second housing part and the first housing part, and another strain relief device can act between the first housing part and the circuit board or mating connector. Furthermore, if the latter is not already fixed to the circuit board, a strain relief device can act between the mating connector and the circuit board.

[0034] The strain relief can interact with the first housing part or be arranged on the first housing part. The first housing part or the second housing part can be formed integrally with a strain relief element, e.g., a snap hook. This allows this function to be integrated, saving additional component and assembly costs.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, the strain relief may comprise a separate component, such as a clip.

[0036] The first housing part or the second housing part can have a hole for a snap hook.

[0037] The features and advantages disclosed in connection with the claimed connecting device may also be embodiments and advantages of the claimed sensor and vice versa.

[0038] Further practical advantages and embodiments are described below in conjunction with the figures. They show schematically:

[0039] Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section of an embodiment of a connecting device,

[0040] Figure 2 is an enlarged section of a sectional view along the section line II-II in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a view as in Figure 1, wherein the contact elements are not yet connected to the first electrical conductor,

[0041] Figure 4 a view as in Figure 1 with mating connector,

[0042] Figure 5 shows a longitudinal section through an embodiment of a sensor, with a further embodiment of a connecting device,

[0043] Figure 6 shows a longitudinal section through another embodiment of a sensor.

[0044] Unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols in the figures denote the same elements with the same function.

[0045] The connecting device 1 shown in Figure 1 is for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. With the help of the connecting device 1, an electrical connection can be made between a first electrical conductor LI, which has electrical insulation 2, and a second electrical conductor L2, which is designed as a conductor track 11 of a printed circuit board 9. The connecting device 1 comprises several, namely three, contact elements 3, 3', 3'', each having a first contact point K1 and a second contact point K2. The first contact point K1 has an insulation displacement connector 5, 5', 5'', by means of which it is electrically connected to the first conductor LI. The second contact point K2 can be electrically connected to the second conductor L2. As a result, with the help of the connecting device 1, several, in particular three, parallel electrical connections V1, V2, V3 of the first electrical conductor LI to a second electrical conductor L2 can be made (see, for example, Figure 5).

[0046] The first electrical conductor LI runs straight in the area of ​​its contact through the contact elements 3, 3 ', 3 and not in loops.

[0047] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a conceivable structure of the insulation displacement terminals 5, 5 ', 5".

[0048] As Figure 1 also shows, among other things, the connecting device comprises a fixing device 4, by means of which the contact elements 3, 3', 3'' are immovably fixed relative to one another, in the form of a common first housing part 14. The connecting device 1 also comprises a second housing part 15. The second housing part 15 is designed as an assembly aid such that it receives the first electrical conductor LI and fixes it during the joining process or insulation displacement process. The electrical connection of all contact elements 3, 3', 3'' to the first conductor LI takes place simultaneously by means of the insulation displacement terminals 5, 5', 5''.

[0049] Figure 3 shows the simple joining process symbolized by the arrow P in the form of pressing the second housing part 15 against the first housing part 14.

[0050] The second housing part can, unlike what is shown in the figures, be designed to be complementary to the first housing part and can be mechanically connected to it in the assembled state, for example by a form-fitting connection.

[0051] Figure 4 shows the connecting device 1 designed as a plug 12 and the mating plug 13 in the not yet plugged state.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the second contact point K2 comprises a plug-in contact 6, 6', 6'' which can be plugged into a mating plug-in contact 7, 7', 7'' connected to the second electrical conductor L2, as shown in particular in Figure 4. The electrical connection of the second contact point K2 to the second electrical conductor L2, i.e. the conductor track 11, can be established by inserting the plug 12 and can be separated by pulling it out, without influencing the connection of the contact elements 3, 3 ', 3" to the first electrical conductor LI, which connection is effected by the insulation displacement terminals 5, 5 ', 5 ''. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the plug contacts 6, 6 ', 6 '' are designed as sockets, into which mating plug contacts 7, 7 ', 7 '' comprising the spring contacts can be inserted.Of course, the plug contacts 6, 6', 6'' can also comprise spring contacts and be insertable into the mating plug contacts 7, 7', 7'', which can then comprise sockets. Other, already known, complementary designs of the plug contacts 6, 6', 6'' and mating plug contacts 7, 7', 7'' are also possible.

[0053] Figure 5 shows the sensor, indicated only by a dashed rectangle, with a second embodiment of the connecting device 1. Unlike the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the second contact point K2 here does not have a plug-in contact, but rather a printed circuit board connecting device 8, 8', 8'', through which the second contact point K2 is directly electrically connected to the second conductor L2. For this purpose, the contact elements 3, 3', 3'' each have a contact surface 18, which in the embodiment shown is soldered to the conductor track 11 of the printed circuit board 9.

[0054] In Figures 5 and 6, the second contact point K2 is electrically connected to the conductor track 11.

[0055] Figure 6 shows an embodiment of the sensor 10 and the connecting device 1 with strain relief 16, which can also be present in the embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 5. The strain relief 16 comprises a snap connection with two snap hooks 17, 17' formed integrally with the second housing part 15. The strain relief 16 also comprises a hole 19 in the circuit board 9, thus acting between the second housing part 15 and the circuit board 9.

[0056] List of reference symbols

[0057] 1 connecting device

[0058] 2 electrical insulation

[0059] 3, 3 ', 3" contact elements

[0060] 4 Fixing device

[0061] 5.5', 5" insulation displacement terminal

[0062] 6, 6 ', 6" plug contact

[0063] 7, 7 ', 7" mating contact

[0064] 8, 8 ', 8" PCB connection device

[0065] 9 Circuit board

[0066] 10 Sensor

[0067] 11 Conductor track

[0068] 12 plugs

[0069] 13 mating connectors

[0070] 14 first housing part

[0071] 15 second housing part

[0072] 16 Strain relief

[0073] 17, 17 ' snap hook

[0074] 18 Contact surface

[0075] 19 holes

[0076] First contact point

[0077] K2 second contact point

[0078] LI first electrical conductor

[0079] L2 second electrical conductor

[0080] VI, V2, V3 parallel electrical connections

[0081] P Arrow

Claims

Patent claims 1. A connecting device (1) for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, by means of which an electrical connection can be effected between a first electrical conductor (LI) having electrical insulation (2) and a second electrical conductor (L2), in particular designed as a conductor track (11) of a printed circuit board (9), wherein the connecting device (1) comprises a plurality of, in particular three, contact elements (3, 3', 3' '), wherein the contact elements (3, 3', 3' ') each comprise a first contact point (Kl) and a second contact point (K2), wherein the first contact point (Kl) has an insulation displacement terminal (5, 5', 5' ') by means of which the first contact point (Kl) can be or is electrically connected to the first electrical conductor (LI) and wherein the second contact point (K2) can be or is electrically connected to the second electrical conductor (L2), so that with the aid of the connecting device (1), a plurality of, in particular three,parallel electrical connections (VI, V2, V3) of the first electrical conductor (LI) with a second electrical conductor (L2) can be effected., 2. Connecting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second contact point (K2) comprises a plug contact (6, 6 ', 6 '') which can be plugged into a mating plug contact (7, 7 ', 7 '') electrically connected to the second electrical conductor (L2).

3. Connecting device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting device (1) is designed as a plug (12) and the electrical connection of the second contact point (K2) to the second electrical conductor (L2) can be established by plugging in the plug (12) and can be separated by pulling out the plug (12).

4. Connecting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second contact point (K2) comprises a printed circuit board connection device (8, 8 ', 8 '') by means of which the second contact point (K2) can be or is directly electrically connected to the second electrical conductor (L2).

5. Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a fixing device (4) by means of which the contact elements (3, 3 ', 3 '') are fixed immovably relative to one another.

6. Connecting device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the fixing device (4) comprises a first housing part (14).

7. Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connecting device (1) comprises a second housing part (15) which is designed as an assembly aid.

8. Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connecting device (1) comprises a strain relief (16).

9. Connecting device (1) according to one of claims 8, characterized in that the strain relief (16) comprises a snap connection with at least one snap hook (17, 17 ').

10. Sensor (10) for detecting fill levels, limit levels or for monitoring process parameters, comprising: a connecting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sensor (10) comprises the first electrical conductor (LI) and the second electrical conductor (L2), and the contact elements (3, 3', 3'') are each electrically connected to the first electrical conductor (LI) by means of their insulation displacement terminals (5, 5', 5''). and the second contact point (K2) is electrically connected to the second electrical conductor (L2), so that with the aid of the connecting device (1), several, in particular three, parallel electrical connections (VI, V2, V3) of the first electrical conductor (LI) to the second electrical conductor (L2) are effected.

11. Sensor (10) according to claim 10, wherein the second contact point (K2) of the connecting device (1) comprises a plug contact (6, 6', 6'') which can be plugged into a mating plug contact (7, 7', 7'') electrically connected to the second electrical conductor (L2), wherein the second electrical conductor (L2) is designed as a conductor track (11) of a printed circuit board (9), characterized in that the connecting device (1) is designed as a plug (12) and the sensor (10) comprises a mating plug (13) comprising the mating plug contacts (7, 7', 7''), wherein the mating plug (13) is fixed to the printed circuit board (9) having the conductor track (11).

12. Sensor (10) according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the second electrical conductor (L2) is designed as a conductor track (11) of a printed circuit board (9), characterized in that the connecting device (1) comprises a strain relief (16) and a second housing part (15), and the strain relief (16) acts between the second housing part (15) and the printed circuit board (9).

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