Split electrical feedthrough

Abstract

The present invention relates to a split electrical feed-through (1, 10) for electrically contacting a heating conductor (2) through a housing, comprising a heating conductor (2) and an insulating section (3), the insulating section (3) having an electrical conductor (6, 11), insulating means (7), and an outer sleeve (8), the electrical conductor (6, 11) and the insulating means (7) being arranged inside the outer sleeve (8), the electrical conductor (6, 11) being electrically insulated from the outer sleeve (8) by the insulating means (7), the heating conductor (2) being attached to the electrical conductor (6, 11) at a preset angle, the heating conductor (2) and the insulating section (3) being formed from two different elements that are permanently connected to each other by a joining process, preferably brazing, and the heating conductor (6, 11) having a notch through which the electrical conductor of the insulating section can be introduced, and relates to a split electrical feed-through (1, 10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a split electrical feed-through for electrically contacting a heating conductor through a housing, comprising a heating conductor and an insulating section, the insulating section having an electrical conductor, insulating means, and an outer sleeve, the electrical conductor and the insulating means being arranged inside the outer sleeve, the electrical conductor being electrically insulated from the outer sleeve by the insulating means, and the heating conductor being attached to the electrical conductor at a preset angle.

[0002] Background Art Today, electrical heating elements are usually used to heat the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas section rear-mounted to an internal combustion engine or the exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust gas section. In this case, the goal is to reach the temperature threshold at which effective conversion of harmful substances entrained in the exhaust gas can be carried out more quickly. This is necessary because the surface of the catalyst activity used for exhaust gas aftertreatment of the catalyst assembled in the exhaust gas section can only enable sufficient conversion of various harmful substances for the first time after reaching the minimum temperature, the so-called light-off temperature.

[0003] Known solutions in the prior art include so-called heating catalysts having a metal structure or a ceramic structure coated with metal that is connected to a voltage source and can be heated using ohmic resistance.

[0004] In order to electrically contact a heatable structure, an electrical conductor must be introduced through at least one location through the housing of the exhaust gas section or the housing of the catalyst arranged in the exhaust gas section. In this case, it must be ensured that the feed-through is gas-tight and that electrical insulation is provided between the housing and the electrical conductor and that sufficient durability is guaranteed. The electrical conductor is usually formed from a solid, solid material, such as a metal pin.

[0005] German Patent No. 102012110098 discloses a method for fabricating an electrical feedthrough for supplying power to an electric exhaust gas heating device in an automobile. The feedthrough has an outer tube having an inner chamber through which an electrical conductor is passed. The electrical conductor protrudes beyond the outer tube at at least one end face of the outer tube. The electrical conductor is surrounded by an insulating material within the inner chamber of the outer tube. In this case, the feedthrough is formed by cutting a densified rod to a fixed length, in which case the cutting process removes the region of the section that functions as the outer tube and the region of the section that functions as the insulating material, thus forming an electrical feedthrough of a desired length having a desired amount of protrusion of the electrical conductor beyond the outer tube.

[0006] Methods for fabricating electrical feedthroughs, known in the prior art, have the drawback that the densified rods used are extremely expensive, particularly due to their multi-layered structure. Furthermore, the cutting process required to expose the electrical conductors and cut the electrical feedthroughs to a fixed length results in approximately two-thirds of the rod being wasted during the cutting process. This makes the fabrication process particularly labor-intensive and expensive.

[0007] Summary of the invention, problem, solution, and advantages. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a segmented electrical feedthrough and a suitable method for manufacturing it, which enables the simple and inexpensive production of electrical feedthroughs with at least equally good technical characteristics.

[0008] The problems relating to segmented electrical feedthroughs are solved by a segmented electrical feedthrough having the features described in claim 1.

[0009] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a split electrical feedthrough for electrically contacting a heating conductor through a housing, comprising a heating conductor and an insulating section, the insulating section having an electrical conductor, insulating means and an outer sleeve, the electrical conductor and insulating means being positioned inside the outer sleeve, the electrical conductor being electrically insulated from the outer sleeve by the insulating means, the heating conductor being mounted to the electrical conductor at a preset angle, the heating conductor and insulating section being formed from two distinct elements permanently connected to each other by a joining process, the heating conductor having a notch into which the electrical conductor of the insulating section can be introduced, and the present invention relates to a split electrical feedthrough.

[0010] Electrical feedthroughs are used to guide electrical conductors through exhaust gas pipelines or catalyst housings. In this case, the feedthrough must be able to withstand the generated temperatures and be gas-tight to prevent exhaust gases from escaping. In this case, the electrical conductors are required to be guided while electrically insulated from the housing to prevent short circuits.

[0011] The insulation section of the split feedthrough is configured to allow electrical conductors to be guided through the catalyst housing or exhaust gas pipeline, electrically insulated from the outside. For this purpose, the outer sleeve may be permanently connected to the housing, for example, by welding. Insulation means arranged coaxially around the electrical conductors insulate the electrical conductors from the outer sleeve.

[0012] An electrical conductor is electrically connected to a heating conductor of a segmented electrical feedthrough. According to the present invention, preferably, the electrical conductor and the heating conductor, formed by metal pins, are connected to each other at a predetermined angle. In other words, rather than the electrical conductor and the heating conductor being connected at their end faces, the electrical conductor is preferably attached to the outer surface of the heating conductor on the side. This bent configuration makes it possible to form a particularly space-saving configuration, which is especially advantageous when the configuration space is often extremely limited.

[0013] The heating conductor preferably has a notch, such as a hole, into which an electrical conductor may be inserted and continuously connected to the heating conductor. The notch provided in the heating conductor may, for example, form a press-fit portion together with the electrical conductor. The notch may also be tapered, for example, in a conical shape, thereby increasing the radial force acting on the electrical conductor generated by the insertion as the insertion depth increases.

[0014] The electrical conductor and the heating conductor may preferably be welded or brazed to each other.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if the heating conductor has a solder reservoir inside the notch. This is particularly advantageous because it prepares the solder material necessary for the brazed joint, thereby making it especially easy to form the brazed joint. In this case, the solder reservoir is preferably sized to prepare a sufficient amount of solder to form a full-surface connection between the electrical conductor and the heating conductor.

[0016] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the notch is formed by a hole, and the solder reservoir is formed on the end face of the hole, which is formed within the heated conductor. For this purpose, the hole may have, for example, an even smaller notch that forms the original solder reservoir.

[0017] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the notch tapers conically from the opening of the hole toward the end face. This is advantageous for achieving a certain degree of tightening between the electrical conductor and the heating conductor by insertion, thereby forming a stronger connection.

[0018] Furthermore, the central axis of the heating conductor may be positioned at an angle of 60° to 120°, particularly preferably about 90°, with respect to the central axis of the electrical conductor. In particular, connecting them at a 90° angle is advantageous for forming the most compact structural form possible. In the case of connections formed at an angle other than 90°, the central axis of the notched hole may be tilted by a corresponding angle to ensure that the connections are fitted precisely at the desired angle.

[0019] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the insulating section is formed from multiple members, and in particular if the electrical conductor is divided and formed from at least two members. Preferably, the insulating section may be formed from multiple members. This facilitates the assembly of the electrical feedthrough. In this case, the members that function as contacts of the insulating section, and in particular of the electrical conductors in the insulating section, to the heating conductor are formed separately from the members of the electrical conductor that are positioned between the insulating means.

[0020] Both of these components may be aligned with each other during manufacturing, possibly using auxiliary tools, and may be fixed to each other at points, for example, by welds. Then, in a subsequent brazing process, both components may be joined together over their entire surfaces. For this purpose, preferably, one of the components has a solder reservoir that is sufficiently sized to accommodate the required amount of solder. This solder reservoir may be formed, for example, by a hole in an electrical conductor.

[0021] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the members of the electrical conductor are mutually engageable and can be permanently connected to each other by a joining process. By engaging with each other, it is possible to easily achieve positioning of both members relative to each other. Also, a solder reservoir may be provided in one member in order to provide a permanent connection by a soldering process.

[0022] Also, it is expedient if at least one of the members of the electrical conductor has a solder reservoir, and this solder reservoir is arranged in the region where both members of the electrical conductor are applied against each other.

[0023] Moreover, it is advantageous if the solder reservoir is dimensioned such that it can solder both members of the electrical conductor to each other over the entire surface.

[0024] The problem regarding a method for manufacturing a split electrical feed-through is solved by a method having the features of claim 10.

[0025] One embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a split electrical feed-through, the method comprising fixing both members of the electrical conductor to each other by a welding process and connecting both members of the electrical conductor and the electrical conductor itself to each other to a heating conductor by a subsequent soldering process. In this way, an electrical feed-through can be easily manufactured and can be advantageously used especially in narrow space situations.

[0026] Advantageous refinements of the present invention are described in the dependent claims and in the following description of the drawings.

[0027] The present invention will be described in detail below based on a plurality of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] [Figure 1]A diagram showing a split electrical feed-through in which an electrical conductor is integrally formed and can be connected to a heating conductor, for example, at a 90° angle. [Figure 2] A diagram showing a split electrical feed-through in which an electrical conductor is formed from a plurality of members and can be connected to a heating conductor at a preset angle.

[0029] Preferred Embodiment of the Invention In FIG. 1, a split electrical feed-through 1 is shown. In this case, the feed-through 1 has a heating conductor 2 and an insulating section 3. The heating conductor 2 is formed as a metal pin and has a radially extending notch 4. This notch 4 may be formed, for example, by a hole. At the bottom of the notch 4, a solder reservoir 5 is provided for accommodating a defined amount of solder used to solder the heating conductor 2 to the electrical conductor 6 of the insulating section 3.

[0030] In the upper part of FIG. 1, the heating conductor 2 is shown separated from the insulating section 3. This insulating section 3 has a central electrical conductor 6, which is coaxially surrounded by insulating means 7, for example, oxide ceramics. This insulating means 7 is followed by an outer sleeve 8, which is preferably made of metal and may be used to attach the feed-through 1 to an outer housing.

[0031] In the lower part of FIG. 1, the electrical conductor 6 is inserted into the notch 4, and thus a connection is formed between the insulating section 3 and the heating conductor 2.

[0032] By forming the notch 4 to extend radially in the heating conductor 2, it is achieved that the insulating section 3 is arranged at a 90° angle with respect to the central axis of the heating conductor 2.

[0033] Figure 2 shows a similar electrical feedthrough 10, in which case, unlike in Figure 1, the electrical conductor 11 is formed from two members. In the upper part of Figure 2, the electrical conductor 11 has a plug-in connector 12, in which case a solder reservoir is provided in the notch of this plug-in connector 12. A permanent connection can be formed by inserting the two parts of the electrical conductor 11 into each other and then brazing them.

[0034] Connecting the lower portion of the electrical conductor 11 to the heating conductor 2 is done in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0035] The various different features of each embodiment may be combined with one another.

[0036] The embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 do not have any particularly limiting features, but are useful for illustrating the concept of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1. Split electrical feedthrough 2 Heating conductor 3. Insulation Classification 4 Notches 5. Solder accumulation 6 Electrical conductors 7. Insulation means 8 Outer sleeve 10-segment electrical feedthrough 11 Electrical conductors 12 Plug-in connector

Claims

1. A split electrical feedthrough (1, 10) for electrically contacting a heating conductor (2) through a housing, comprising a heating conductor (2) and an insulating section (3), wherein the insulating section (3) has electrical conductors (6, 11), insulating means (7), and an outer sleeve (8), the electrical conductors (6, 11) and the insulating means (7) are positioned inside the outer sleeve (8), the electrical conductors (6, 11) are electrically insulated from the outer sleeve (8) by the insulating means (7), and the heating conductor (2) is attached to the electrical conductors (6, 11) at a preset angle, in a split electrical feedthrough (1, 10), The heating conductor (2) and the insulating section (3) are formed from two different elements that are permanently connected to each other by a bonding process, and the heating conductor (2) has a notch (4) through which the electrical conductor of the insulating section can be introduced. The aforementioned notch (4) tapers conically from the opening of the hole to the end face. A segmented electrical feedthrough (1, 10) characterized by the above.

2. The split electrical feedthrough (1, 10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating conductor (2) has a solder reservoir (5) inside the notch (4).

3. The split electrical feedthrough (1, 10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the notch (4) is formed by a hole, and the solder reservoir (5) is formed on the end face of the hole formed within the heating conductor (2).

4. The split electrical feedthrough (1, 10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the central axis of the heating conductor (2) is positioned at an angle of 60° to 120°, particularly preferably about 90°, with respect to the central axis of the electrical conductors (6, 11).

5. The insulating section is formed from a plurality of members, and in particular the electrical conductor (11) is divided and formed from at least two members, as described in claim 1, for the divided electrical feedthrough (10).

6. The segmented electrical feedthrough (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the members of the electrical conductor (11) are interlocking and can be permanently connected to each other by a joining process.

7. The split electrical feedthrough (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the members of the electrical conductor (11) has a solder reservoir, the solder reservoir being located in a region where both members of the electrical conductor (11) are in contact with each other.

8. The segmented electrical feedthrough (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the solder reservoir is sized such that both members of the electrical conductor (11) can be soldered to each other over the entire surface of the area.

9. A method for assembling a split electrical feedthrough (10) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, Both of the members of the electrical conductor (11) are fixed to each other by a welding process, and both of the members of the electrical conductor (11) and the electrical conductor (11) itself are connected to the heating conductor (2) by a subsequent brazing process. A method characterized by the following features.

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