Fixing sleeve with positive locking element

Abstract

To provide a fixing sleeve that secures a contact between an electrical conductor and a shield contact.SOLUTION: A fixing sleeve 1 includes a fixing portion 2 having a bottom portion 6 located between two blades 4 so as to support an electric conductor, and in an open state 8 before fastening to the electric conductor, the blade 4 is separated by an axially extending slot 12 at a free end 10 facing opposite to the bottom 6, the blade 4 is provided in the free end 10 with a complementary positive locking element 14 that secures the fixing sleeve 1 in the closed state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing sleeve for contacting the shield of an electrical conductor in a shield contact. [Background technology]

[0002] Fixing sleeves of the above-mentioned type are already known in the prior art. Such fixing sleeves are used in high-voltage applications, for example in electric vehicles. The fixing sleeve can be pressed onto the shield, for example by a crimping process, and then the shield can be clamped between the fixing sleeve and the shield contact, thus ensuring consistent contact even under high vibration loads. Especially in high-voltage applications, it is important that high shield currents can be conducted by the shielding device without significant boundary resistance. Fixing sleeves are almost always cylindrical in nature and are pressed onto the electrical conductor. This can lead to high assembly efforts, especially for long conductors. Furthermore, many further process steps are required before the fixing sleeve can be finally crimped. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fastening sleeve that can be fastened to an electrical conductor without great effort. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This object is achieved by a fixing sleeve according to the invention, which comprises a fixing part having a base located between two vanes so as to support an electrical conductor, and in the open state before fastening to the shield, the vanes are spaced apart by an axially extending slot at their free ends facing away from the base, and the vanes are provided at their free ends with complementary positive locking elements which secure the fixing sleeve in its circumferentially closed state.

[0005] The solution according to the invention allows the electrical conductor to be inserted radially through the slot between the two vanes after the necessary process steps have been carried out. The fastening sleeve can thus be inserted directly at the point where it closes around the shield, without the need to press it onto the possibly long section of electrical conductor. The fastening sleeve can be secured in the closed state by means of complementary positive locking elements. The primarily plastically deforming fastening eliminates the need to secure the fastening sleeve in the closed state, as is the case, for example, with crimping. This prevents the free end from cutting into the shield, and the fastening sleeve can be easily opened again, for example for replacement.

[0006] Further developments are described below which can be combined in any way independently of one another and which can also be used alone.

[0007] For example, the locking sleeve may not be crimped in the closed state. Preferably, the complementary positive locking elements may not be crimped together in the closed state. The locking sleeve therefore improves the repairability of the contact device compared to contact devices with a crimp sleeve. When using a crimp contact device, malfunction or incorrect positioning of the crimp sleeve would require the complete replacement of the contact device. Since the locking sleeve is not crimped in the closed state, it can be easily opened again. The locking sleeve can therefore be easily replaced in the contact device.

[0008] The complementary positive locking elements can be engaged under tensile stress in the closed state. The positive locking elements can compensate for the elastic restoring force between the two wings in the closed state, and the fixing sleeve can be at least partially released by the elastic restoring force when the lock is released, thereby making it easier to replace the fixing sleeve in the contact device.

[0009] The locking sleeve may be elastically deformable, with the locking sleeve being undeformed in a starting position in the open state and at least partially elastically deformed in the closed state, the elastic deformation being locked by a complementary positive locking element.

[0010] The fixing sleeve can simply be elastically deformed in the closed state, whereby after unlocking of the complementary positive locking elements the fixing sleeve returns to its undeformed state in the starting position by an elastic restoring force.

[0011] Preferably, the fixing sleeve can have a plastically deformable portion in addition to the elastically deformable portion in its closed state. For example, at least the bottom portion can be plastically deformed, and at least a portion of the blade, particularly the free end of the blade, can be elastically deformed. Via the elastically deformable portion, the fixing sleeve can generate a normal contact force, which acts on the shield and the shield contact. Therefore, the fixing sleeve can realize a normal contact force sufficient to bring the shield into contact with the shield contact.

[0012] Because the fixing sleeve does not have to be crimped, the fixing sleeve can have a lower strength, particularly a material thickness, compared to a crimp sleeve. For example, the fixing sleeve can be formed from a thinner material compared to a crimp sleeve. The fixing sleeve can be provided for an electrical conductor of a predetermined diameter and can have a lower strength, particularly a material thickness, compared to a standard crimp sleeve for an electrical conductor of a predetermined diameter. This can save material costs and reduce the weight of the fixing sleeve.

[0013] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the fixing sleeve can at least partially comprise a profiled surface, for example the radially inner surface of the fixing sleeve can at least partially comprise a sawtooth, a honeycomb structure, a microstructure, etc. The profiled surface can provide an increased surface roughness, which can prevent the fixing sleeve from slipping along the electrical conductor.

[0014] For example, in the open state, the circumferential width of the slot between the free ends of the vanes, at least in the region of the shield, can be greater than the predetermined diameter of the electrical conductor, thereby allowing the electrical conductor to be easily inserted into the retaining sleeve without being caught by the free ends of the vanes, thereby, among other things, reducing the susceptibility of automated assembly to faults.

[0015] At least one of the wings may in particular comprise a radially protruding cantilevered latch tab, the latch tab comprising a positive locking element, the cantilevered latch tab allowing the at least one positive mating element to be deflected and easily pushed over or under the complementary positive locking element, for example during closure.

[0016] The radially protruding latch tab can, for example, form part of the free end or the entire free end. In other words, the free end of at least one vane can be formed as a radially protruding cantilevered latch tab. If both vanes are provided with radially protruding latch tabs, the latch tab of one vane can be deflected further radially outward than the latch tab of the other vane, so that the vanes can radially overlap, at least in the closed state.

[0017] Preferably, at least one of the latching tabs is straight at least in the open state and has a portion that overlaps with the free end of the other blade in the closed state. For example, the free end can rest on the straight portion of the at least one radially protruding latching tab in the closed state, or vice versa. This prevents the fixing sleeve from protruding too far in the radial direction in the closed state. Furthermore, this overlap prevents the element located radially inward in the closed state from pivoting radially outward due to, for example, vibration loads.

[0018] The positive locking element can preferably be disposed at the free end of at least one radially protruding latch tab. For example, the at least one latch tab can include a latch hook protruding radially inward. The free end of the latch hook can face radially inward. Preferably, the latch hook is not bent back in the circumferential direction, thereby eliminating the need to first move the complementary positive locking element circumferentially over the free end of the latch hook to engage the cavity. In this case, the locking sleeve would have to be compressed further during the closing operation than in the closed state. Therefore, the load on the electrical conductor or the shield contact during the closing operation by the fixing sleeve may become too high, which may possibly damage the components. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the contact force acting from the fixing sleeve on the shield and / or the shield contact in the closed state from becoming too low.

[0019] At least one latch tab may be disposed between two fingers extending parallel to each other in the circumferential direction. The fingers and the latch tab may form a free end of one blade. Preferably, the fingers and the latch tab may be of equal length in the circumferential direction, thereby essentially limiting the slot in the radial plane in the open state.

[0020] The at least one latching tab may, for example, be a strip punched out of the free end of the blade between two fingers, which strip is connected on the one hand by its base to the rest of the blade and extends radially outward from the base at an oblique angle. The base may be a hinge, in particular a living hinge, around which the latching tab is rotatably connected to the rest of the blade.

[0021] By bending the free ends of the latch tabs radially outward relative to the fingers, a gap that opens toward the slot in the open state can be formed between the latch tabs and the fingers. In the closed state, the opposite blade can be inserted into the gap between the finger and the at least one latch tab, so that the opposite blade, particularly the opposite free end, can be positioned radially between the blade and the at least one latch tab.

[0022] The fingers may preferably include one latching projection, each of which is oriented toward a latching hook of at least one latching tab, whereby the complementary positive locking element can simultaneously form a positive lock on the latching hook and the latching projection in the closed state, thus providing additional retention even when the connection at the latching hook or the latching projection is broken.

[0023] The latching projections of each finger may be arranged at one level in the circumferential direction. Preferably, the latching projections may be arranged circumferentially offset relative to the latching hooks so as to positively lock into complementary positive locking elements at various points. The complementary positive locking elements may, for example, be wide latching tabs extending axially across the entire width of the blade. This latching tab can therefore simultaneously contact the fingers and the latching tab of the other blade.

[0024] The wide hook tab of the other blade can be inserted into the gap between the finger and the hook tab of the first blade, so that the hook hook of the wide hook tab and the hook protrusion of the finger engage. According to an advantageous embodiment, the hook protrusion of the finger and the hook hook of the wide hook tab can grip each other behind in the closed state and abut each other so that their outer surfaces are flush against each other. The hook tab can rest on the radially outer surface of the wide hook tab, and the hook hook of the hook tab grips the back of the straight part of the wide hook tab and abuts against the beveled part of the wide hook tab.

[0025] A portion of one of the vanes can be offset radially outward so that the fixing sleeve can abut as snugly as possible around the shield in the closed state. Preferably, the free end of one of the vanes can be offset radially outward relative to the rest of the vanes. This offset can approximately correspond to the material thickness of the opposite vane, particularly its free end. In the closed state, this portion of the opposite vane can abut the offset portion radially inward. This portion can be offset in stages relative to the rest of the vanes so that the opposite vane can occupy as much of the offset area as possible in the closed state.

[0026] According to a further advantageous embodiment, at least one blade can be provided with at least one radially protruding rigid latching nose, on which a positive locking element is formed. "Rigid" here means that the latching nose is less elastically flexible compared to the at least one latching tab. This can be achieved, for example, because the at least one latching nose is fastened to the rest of the blade on both sides in the circumferential direction. This means that the latching nose can be embodied in a non-cantilevered manner.

[0027] At least one latching nose may have a guide bevel directed toward the opposite blade, such that during the closing operation, the opposite positive locking element, in particular the latch tab, can slide along the guide bevel and be pushed over the latching nose. The guide bevel may be inclined radially outward from the opposite blade in the circumferential direction. A straight surface of the latching nose may follow the radial outer edge of the guide bevel, so that the opposite positive locking element can abut tightly against the straight surface in the closed state.

[0028] The straight surface portion can end in a step directed radially inward in the circumferential direction away from the opposite blade, by means of which step the latching nose is connected to the remaining blade, thereby forming an essentially radially directed stop surface against which the opposite positive locking element abuts in the closed state, thereby preventing the fixing sleeve from being opened at least by the positive locking.

[0029] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the complementary positive locking elements of the blades can be at least partially pressed against each other in the closed state, thereby causing a plastic deformation that prevents the positive locking elements from accidentally releasing under the action of load, in particular vibration load. The combination of plastic and elastic deformation during the closing operation ensures a stable fastening of the electrical conductor and allows the fastening sleeve to be released again if required.

[0030] Additionally, when the locking sleeve is fastened to a further portion of the electrical conductor, such as its insulator, the locking sleeve can comprise a further locking part having two further vanes axially spaced from the locking part, the two further vanes extending circumferentially away from the base, the free ends of the further vanes being spaced apart by an axially extending slot in the open state, and the further vanes can also comprise complementary positive locking elements that lock the locking sleeve in the closed state.

[0031] The fixing part and the further fixing part can be provided for different regions of the electrical conductor having different predetermined diameters. It is therefore advantageous for the fixing part and the further fixing part to surround the different predetermined diameters in the closed state. This can be achieved, for example, because the wings of the first fixing part and the wings of the further fixing part have different lengths and / or curvatures in the circumferential direction, at least in the open state.

[0032] The bottom can be tapered radially in the web section between the two fixed parts, thereby compensating for or creating an offset in the diameter of the electrical conductors of the fixed part and the further fixed part. For example, if the diameter of the electrical conductor where the shield is exposed is larger than the area with the insulation, due to the insertion of the inner support sleeve of the shield contact under the shield, the bottom of the web section can be tapered radially from the fixed part towards the further fixed part.

[0033] The wings of the first contact part and the further wings of the further contact part may have different or the same positive locking elements. Preferably, the wings of each fixing part can be designed so that the fixing sleeve can be closed in one common step.

[0034] To ensure the simplest possible production, especially in large-scale production, the fastening sleeve can be manufactured as a single component, and preferably as a stamped bend, which allows multiple fastening sleeves to be formed on one individual support strip.

[0035] The retaining sleeve can be formed from a conductive material, so that in addition to securing the shield contact, it can also conduct high shield currents through the retaining sleeve for electromagnetic compatibility.

[0036] Alternatively, the locking sleeve may also be made from a non-conductive material. The locking sleeve may be made from plastic, for example as a moulded part.

[0037] The contact device may comprise an electrical conductor with a shield, a shield contact and an inventive fixing sleeve according to one of the previous embodiments.

[0038] The contact device may be designed, for example, to carry up to about 50% of the rated current of the electrical conductor.

[0039] The fixing sleeve can close around the region of the electrical conductor where the shield is exposed by its fixing portion. If the fixing sleeve has a further fixing portion, the further fixing portion can close around the region of the electrical conductor where the insulation is present. The fixing sleeve can thus be firmly fixed to the electrical conductor. The shield contact can be at least partially pressed under the shield, so that a pressing force acting from the fixing sleeve on the shield can contact the shield contact. In this case, the shield can be arranged between the shield contact and the fixing sleeve and can be particularly tightened.

[0040] Alternatively, the contact device may also include multiple locking sleeves closed around different regions of the electrical conductor, for example, one locking sleeve may be closed around the insulation of the electrical conductor and a further locking sleeve may be closed around the shield of the electrical conductor.

[0041] The fixing sleeve can preferably abut against the side section of the electrical conductor over its entire axial length.

[0042] The electrical conductor may be, for example, a cable having a shield braid and an insulator. The shield braid may be exposed and flared at one location, with the shield contact at least partially tucked under the shield braid. The electrical conductor may be, for example, monopolar or multipolar. For example, the electrical conductor may comprise a single conductor wire surrounded by a shield. Alternatively, the electrical conductor may comprise multiple conductor wires surrounded by a common shield. The shield may be composed of, for example, aluminum, copper, or tin-coated copper.

[0043] The shield contact may be, for example, an aluminum contact. Of course, the shield contact may be made of another conductive material, for example, copper or tin-coated copper.

[0044] According to a further advantageous embodiment, a support sleeve can be tucked under the shield, in particular the shield braid. The support sleeve contributes to increased mechanical strength and provides support, so that during the closing operation the fixing sleeve can be pressed together with the shield braid and the shield contact. In this case, the shield contact can also be arranged between the shield braid and the fixing sleeve.

[0045] Closing the fixing sleeve can cause plastic deformation of the shield, which is pressed against the shield contact. This process can also plastically deform the shield contact. Alternatively, the shield contact can not be plastically deformed during the closing operation.

[0046] Preferably, during the closing operation of the fixing sleeve, plastic deformation can first occur at the bottom, causing the free ends to pivot toward each other. Then, the wings can be elastically deflected toward each other, so that the complementary positive locking elements engage and prevent the wings from returning due to the elastic restoring force. Now, due to the elastic resilience of the wings, a normal contact force can act from the fixing sleeve on the shield, thereby pressing the shield into the shield contact.

[0047] The use of a locking sleeve according to one of the aforementioned embodiments facilitates installation, since it is no longer necessary to press the locking sleeve axially onto the electrical conductor. The locking sleeve can be inserted directly at the point where it is to be connected to the electrical conductor. Therefore, process steps can be carried out before the locking sleeve is inserted that do not allow the locking sleeve to be pressed axially onto the electrical conductor. Furthermore, in contrast to cylindrical crimp sleeves, it is possible to open the locking sleeve again in the closed state, which allows the locking sleeve to be easily replaced.

[0048] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which elements that correspond to one another in terms of structure and / or function are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0049] The combinations of features shown and described in the individual embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only. Per the above, features of an embodiment may be omitted if their technical effect is not important for a particular application. Conversely, per the above, additional features may be added to an embodiment if their technical effect is advantageous or necessary for a particular application. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0050] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fixation sleeve according to the present invention in an open state; [Figure 2]2 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a contact device according to the invention having a fixing sleeve as shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the contact device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the contact device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in a closed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] First, with reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a fixation sleeve 1 according to the invention will be described.

[0052] The fixing sleeve 1 according to the invention comprises a fixing part 2 having a base 6 located between two vanes 4 so as to support an electrical conductor, and as shown in FIG. 1, in the open state 8 before fastening to the electrical conductor, the vanes 4 are spaced apart at their free ends 10 facing away from the base 6 by slots 12 extending in the axial direction X, and the vanes 4 comprise complementary positive locking elements 14 at their free ends 10 which secure the fixing sleeve 1 in the closed state (see FIG. 4).

[0053] According to this exemplary embodiment, the fixing sleeve 1 is fastened to various portions of the electrical conductor, and therefore the fixing sleeve 1 can comprise a further fixing part 16 spaced apart from the fixing part 2 in the axial direction X. The further fixing part 16 can also comprise a further pair of vanes 18, which extend in the circumferential direction U away from the bottom part 6. Similar to the first fixing part 2, the further vanes 18 can be spaced apart by slots 12 at their free ends 10, which face away from the bottom part 6 in the open state 8, and the further vanes 18 can also comprise complementary positive locking elements 14 at their free ends 10.

[0054] The fixing sleeve 1 can preferably be designed as a single component 20, for example a stamped and bent section 22, which ensures fast and inexpensive production, especially in large-scale manufacturing. In order to secure the shield contact and also to contribute to the electromagnetic compatibility of the contact device, the fixing sleeve 1 can be made from a conductive material, for example aluminum, copper, or tin-coated copper, which allows high shield currents to be conducted through the fixing sleeve.

[0055] The fastening part 2 and the further fastening part 16 can be connected to one another via the base 6. To this end, the base 6 can be provided with a web 24 extending in the axial direction X between the two fastening parts 2, 16.

[0056] The fixed parts 2, 16 can be arranged at various points on the electrical conductor so that they can surround, at least in the closed state, different predetermined diameters, and thus the wings 4 of the fixed part 2 can have different curvatures and / or lengths compared to the further wings 18 of the further fixed part 16, and vice versa.

[0057] The fastening parts 2, 16 can be offset relative to one another in the radial direction, which can be achieved for example because the web part 24 tapers radially in the axial direction from the fastening part 2 to the further fastening part 16.

[0058] Alternatively, the contact device may also comprise a number of fixing sleeves 1 closed around different regions of the electrical conductor, for example, a fixing sleeve 1 may be closed around the insulation of the electrical conductor and a further fixing sleeve 1 may be closed around the shield of the electrical conductor (not shown).

[0059] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the fixing sleeve 1 can at least partially comprise a profiled surface (not shown). For example, the radially inner surface 25 of the fixing sleeve can at least partially comprise a sawtooth, a honeycomb structure, a microstructure, etc. The profiled surface makes it possible to achieve an increased surface roughness, which prevents the fixing sleeve from slipping along the electrical conductor.

[0060] In the following, the complementary positive locking elements 14 of the fixed part 2 will be described. Naturally, the further wings 18 of the further fixed part 16 can be provided with the same positive locking elements 14 as the wings 4 of the fixed part 2.

[0061] At least one blade 4 may be provided with at least one radially protruding latch tab 26. The at least one latch tab 26 may be, in particular, cantilevered, thereby facilitating elastic deflection of the at least one latch tab 26. The at least one radially protruding latch tab 26 may be provided with a positive locking element 14. The positive locking element 14 may be, for example, a latch hook 28 protruding radially inward. Preferably, the latch hook 28 may be arranged at a free end of the latch tab 26.

[0062] As can be seen in Fig. 1, the radially projecting latch tab 26 may form part of the free end or may extend over the entire width in the axial direction X of the free end 10 and form the free end 10 itself. According to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, one vane 4 may be provided with a wide latch tab 30 forming the free end 10 of the vane 4, while the other vane 4 may be provided with a narrow latch tab 32 forming part of the free end 10 of the vane 4 in the axial direction X.

[0063] The wide and narrow latch tabs 30, 32 may be radially deflected to different degrees in the open state, such that during the closing operation, one latch tab 26 may slide over and past the other latch tab 26. In this exemplary embodiment, the narrow latch tab 32 deflects further radially outward than the wide latch tab 30.

[0064] The latch tab 26 may include a tapered portion 34 extending radially outward, by which the latch tab 26 is connected to the remaining blade 4, and a support portion 36 adjacent to the tapered portion 34 so as to rest against the other blade 4 in the closed state. The support portion may preferably be straight, so that the latch tab 26 can rest snugly against the other blade 4 in the closed state. Preferably, the wide and narrow latch tabs 30 and 32 may each include a complementary support portion 36, so that the narrow latch tab 32 rests against the support portion 36 of the wide latch tab 30 in the closed state. The latch hook 28 of the narrow latch tab 32 protruding radially inward may abut against the tapered portion 34 of the wide latch tab 30, so that the narrow latch tab 32 grips the back of the wide latch tab 30 in the circumferential direction U, thereby preventing the blade 4 from opening in the circumferential direction U by a positive lock. Furthermore, by supporting the narrow latch tabs 32 with the wide latch tabs 30, the wide latch tabs 30 can be prevented from being moved radially outward in the closed state due to, for example, vibration loads.

[0065] The free ends of the latching hooks 28 preferably face radially inward, so that no cavity is formed between the latching tabs and the free ends of the latching hooks 28. This can prevent a positive lock from being formed in the cavity, which may result in excessive squeezing during the closing operation or too weak a contact force in the closed state.

[0066] The narrow latch tab 32 can be arranged in the axial direction X between two fingers 38 extending parallel to one another in the circumferential direction U. The fingers 38 can thus form the remaining part of the free end 10 of this blade 4. The fingers 38 can each be provided with a further positive locking element 14, for example in the form of a latch protrusion 40. The respective latch protrusion 40 can be oriented towards the latch hook 28 of the narrow latch tab 32, in particular towards the latch hook 28 of the wide latch tab 30, so that in the closed state the latch hook 28 of the wide latch tab 30 and the respective latch protrusion 40 engage with an outer surface facing away from the opposite blade in the circumferential direction U, thus forming a positive lock in the circumferential direction U that prevents the fixing sleeve 1 from opening.

[0067] The outer surface of each latching projection 40 and the outer surface of the latching hook 28 of the narrow latching tab 32 can be offset relative to each other in the circumferential direction U, and thus engage with the wide latching tab 30 in a positive lock at different points on the wide latching tab 30 in the circumferential direction U. Each latching projection 40 can be formed, for example, by bending back the free end of each finger 38. Here, the bent-back end 42 of the finger 38 can abut against the remaining finger 38, so that no cavity is formed here either.

[0068] The thin latching tabs 32 can be offset radially outward relative to the fingers 38, so that a gap 44, which is open towards the slot 12 in the open state 8, is formed at least between the free end of the latching tab 32 and the fingers 38. The gap 44, in particular radially between the latching protrusion and the latching hook 28 of the at least one thin latching tab 32, can accommodate the radial material thickness of the wide latching tab 30 of at least the other blade 4, so that the wide latching tab 30 can be inserted into the gap 44 during the closing operation. The blades 4 can therefore at least partially overlap in the closed state.

[0069] In order to enable the fixing part 2 of the fixing sleeve 1 to be positioned as snugly as possible around the shield in the closed state, the wide latching tab 30 can be offset radially outward relative to the fingers 38. At least the support part 36 of the wide latching tab 30 can include an offset relative to the latching projection 40 of the finger 38, which offset essentially corresponds to the radial thickness of the finger 38 at the point where the latching projection is provided, so that the latching projection 40 can abut against the radial inner surface of the wide latching tab 30 in the closed state. This allows for the formation of an annular inner contour that is as uniform as possible in the closed state, thereby enabling the shield to be contacted as uniformly as possible.

[0070] A further embodiment of the positive locking arrangement will now be described with reference to a further fixing part 16.

[0071] One of the wings 18 can be provided with a cantilevered narrow latch tab 26 projecting radially outwards, as described above, arranged between two fingers 38 in the axial direction X. In contrast to the fingers 38 of the fixed part 2, the fingers 38 do not have any latch projections on the further fixed part 16. Therefore, in this embodiment, a positive lock is formed only on the narrow latch tab 26.

[0072] Opposite the thin latch tab 26, the other vane 18 may have a complementary latch nose 46. The latch nose 46 may protrude radially outward and may have greater stiffness compared to the thin latch tab 26. Greater stiffness means that the latch nose 46 may be resiliently deflected to a lesser extent than the latch tab 26 of the opposite vane.

[0073] To increase the rigidity of the latching nose 46, both ends located in the circumferential direction can be fixed to the remaining blade 18. The latching nose 46 can be, for example, a stamped portion of the blade 18, and is disposed in a window 48 that passes radially through the blade 18, with its ends fixed to the frame of the window 48. The latching nose 46 has approximately the same axial width as the latching tab 26 of the other blade 18.

[0074] The latching nose 46 may have a guide bevel 50 on the side facing the other blade 18, and the guide bevel 50 is inclined radially outward in the circumferential direction U away from the other blade 18. Therefore, during the closing operation, the latching tab 26 of the other blade 18 can slide along the guide bevel and finally be pushed onto the latching tab 26.

[0075] The guide bevel 50 is followed in the circumferential direction U by a straight support portion 36 in the opposite direction to the other blade 18, and the latch tab 26 can rest on the support portion by the support portion 36 in the closed state. The support portion 36 can stepwise descend radially inward at its end facing away from the opposite blade 18, thereby forming a radial stop surface 52 facing away from the opposite blade 18, and the latch hook 28 of the latch tab 26 can abut against the stop surface 52 in the closed state, thereby preventing further relative movement of the blades 18 in a direction other than the movement relative to each other by positive locking.

[0076] The contact device 54 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 to 4. In Figures 2 and 3, the contact device 54 with the fixing sleeve 1 in the open state 8 is shown in a schematic perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view, respectively. In Figure 4, the contact device 54 is shown in a schematic perspective view with the fixing sleeve 1 in the closed state 55.

[0077] An exemplary embodiment of a contact device 54 according to the invention comprises an electrical conductor 56 having a shield 58 and a fixing sleeve 1 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The electrical conductor 56 may in particular be an electrical cable 60 having a shield braid 62 and an insulation 64 surrounding the shield braid 62, the shield braid 62 being exposed from the insulation 64 in a contact region 66. The shield braid 62 may be expanded in the contact region 66 so that a shield contact 68 in contact with the shield braid 62 can be tucked under the shield braid (see Fig. 3).

[0078] The fixing sleeve 1 is arranged so that its fixing portion 2 is located in the contact area 66, so that in the closed state 55 the fixing sleeve 1 presses the shield braid 62 against the shield contact 68, thus fixing the contact between both components.

[0079] The further fastening portion 16 is arranged in the region of the insulator 64 so that the fastening sleeve 1 can be further fastened to the insulator 64 via the further fastening portion 16 .

[0080] As can be seen in Figure 4, the vane 4 and / or the further vane 18 overlap in the closed state 55. Preferably, the overlapping ends are pressed together so that in addition to the fixing of the fixing sleeve by the positive locking element 14, the vane 4 or the further vane 18, respectively, is held together by plastic deformation. This makes it possible to avoid, for example, the latching tabs 26 from bending radially outwards.

[0081] As can be seen in the further fastening portion 16, a radially outward offset can be created in one of the vanes by pressing. The part of the vane 18 received in the gap 44 rests on the fingers 38 of the other vane 18, and during the pressing operation the part of the vane 18 not received is pressed against the electrical conductor 56. An offset having the material thickness of the fingers is therefore automatically created between the vanes 18. The further fastening portion 16 therefore enables the fixing sleeve 1 to rest and contact the surface area of the electrical conductor as uniformly as possible.

[0082] The fixing sleeve 1 in particular may not be crimped in the closed state 55. Preferably, the complementary positive locking elements 14 may not be crimped together in the closed state 55. The fixing sleeve 1 therefore improves the repairability of the contact device 54 compared to contact devices with crimped sleeves. Since the fixing sleeve 1 is not crimped in the closed state, it can be easily opened again. The fixing sleeve 1 can therefore be easily replaced in the contact device 54.

[0083] The complementary positive locking elements 14 can engage under tensile stress in the closed state 55. The positive locking elements can compensate for the elastic restoring force between the two blades 4 in the closed state 55, and the fixing sleeve 1 is at least partially released by the elastic restoring force by releasing the lock, thereby making it even easier to replace the fixing sleeve 1 in the contact device 54.

[0084] The fixing sleeve 1 can be elastically deformable, with the fixing sleeve 1 being undeformed in a starting position in the open state 8 (see Figures 1 to 3) and being at least partially elastically deformed in the closed state, the elastic deformation being able to be fixed by a complementary positive locking element.

[0085] The fixing sleeve 1 can simply be elastically deformed in the closed state 55, whereby after the release of the locking of the complementary positive locking element 14, the fixing sleeve 1 returns to its undeformed state in the starting position by an elastic restoring force.

[0086] Preferably, the fixing sleeve 1 can have a plastically deformable portion in addition to the elastically deformable portion in its closed state. For example, at least the bottom portion 6 can be plastically deformed, and at least a portion of the blade 4, particularly the free end 10 of the blade 4, can be elastically deformed. Via the elastically deformable portion, a normal contact force can be generated by the fixing sleeve 1, and the normal contact force acts on the shield 58 and the shield contact 68. Therefore, the fixing sleeve 1 can realize a normal contact force sufficient to bring the shield 58 into contact with the shield contact 68.

[0087] Since the fixing sleeve 1 does not have to be crimped, the fixing sleeve 1 can have a lower strength, particularly a material thickness, compared to a crimped sleeve. The fixing sleeve can be provided for an electrical conductor of a given diameter and can have a lower strength, particularly a material thickness, compared to a standard crimped sleeve for an electrical conductor of a given diameter. This can save on material costs and reduce the weight of the fixing sleeve 1.

[0088] The use of a locking sleeve 1 according to one of the aforementioned embodiments allows for easier installation, since it is no longer necessary to press the locking sleeve 1 onto the electrical conductor 56 in the axial direction X. The locking sleeve 1 can be inserted directly at the point where it is to be connected to the electrical conductor 56. Thus, before the locking sleeve 1 is inserted, process steps can be carried out that do not allow the locking sleeve 1 to be pressed onto the electrical conductor 56 in the axial direction X. Furthermore, in contrast to cylindrical crimp sleeves, it is possible to open the locking sleeve 1 again in the closed state, which allows the locking sleeve 1 to be easily replaced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1 fixed sleeve 2 Fixed part 4 Feathers 6 Bottom 8 Open state 10 free end 12 slots 14 Positive Locking Elements 16 Further fixings 18 More Feathers 20 Single component 22 Punching and bending section 24 Web Department 25 Radial inner surface 26 Latching tab 28 Hanging hook 30 wide locking tabs 32 Thin latch tab 34 Gradient section 36 Support part 38 Finger 40 Latching protrusion 42 Bent end 44 Gap 46 Latching nose 48 Windows 50 Guide Bevel 52 Stop surface 54 Contact device 55 Closed 56 Electrical Conductors 58 Shield 60 Cable 62 Shield braid 64 Insulators 66 Contact area 68 Shield Contact U Circumferential direction X-axis direction

Claims

1. a fixing sleeve (1) for fixing a shield (58) of an electrical conductor (56) to a shield contact (68), the fixing sleeve (1) comprising a fixing part (2) having a base (6) located between two wings (4) for supporting the electrical conductor (56), the wings (4) being spaced apart at their free ends (10) facing away from the base (6) in an open state (8) before fixing the shield (58) to the shield contact (68) by slots (12) extending in an axial direction (X), the wings (4) comprising complementary positive locking elements (14) at their free ends (10) for fixing the fixing sleeve (1) at least in a circumferential direction (U) in a closed state (55); The complementary positive locking elements (14) are a plurality of latch members; The plurality of hook members are configured to partially overlap each other in the circumferential direction (U) and in the thickness direction of the blade (4) in the closed state (55), At least one radially projecting cantilevered latch tab (26) is provided with said complementary positive locking element (14); said at least one latching tab (26) being arranged between two fingers (38) of said vane (4) extending parallel to each other in said circumferential direction (U); In the closed state (55), the opposite wing (4) is inserted through a gap (44) between the finger (38) and at least one latch tab (26). Fixing sleeve (1).

2. 2. The fastening sleeve (1) according to claim 1, wherein in the closed state (55), the fastening sleeve (1) is not crimped.

3. 3. A fixing sleeve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the complementary positive locking elements (14) are interlocked under tensile stress in the closed state (55).

4. The at least one latch tab (26) has a straight support portion (36); 2. The fixing sleeve (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one latching tab (26) abuts against the other blade (4) in said closed state (55) by means of said support (36).

5. 2. The fixing sleeve (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one latching tab (26) comprises a radially inwardly projecting latching hook (28).

6. 6. A fixing sleeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one latching tab (26) extends in said axial direction (X) over the entire length of said vane (4).

7. 2. A fixing sleeve (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of said fingers (38) comprises one latching projection (40).

8. A fixing sleeve (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one vane (4) comprises at least one rigid latching nose (46) projecting radially outwards.

9. 9. The fixing sleeve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fixing sleeve (1) comprises a further fixing portion (16) having two further wings (18) spaced apart from the fixing portion (2) in the axial direction (X), the further wings (18) extending opposite the bottom portion (6) and comprising complementary positive locking elements (14).

10. A contact device (54) comprising an electrical conductor (56) having a shield (58), a shield contact (68) contacting the shield (58), and a fixing sleeve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the shield (58) is clamped to the shield contact (68) in the closed state (55) of the fixing sleeve (1).

11. 11. The contact device (54) of claim 10, wherein the shield (58) is at least partially disposed between the fixing sleeve (1) and the shield contact (68).

12. Use of a fixing sleeve (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for fixing a contact between an electrical conductor (56) and a shield contact (68).

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