Interface element, and multilayer composite body having an interface element

Abstract

The invention relates to an interface element (1) for electrically contacting an electrically conductive structure (2), wherein the electrically conductive structure (2) is arranged substantially in a main body (3) made of a polymer material of a multi-layer composite body (4), wherein the interface element (1) has a contacting element (5), wherein the electrically conductive structure (2) can be electrically conductively connected to the end of the contacting element (5) in a contacting region. The interface element (1) has at least one sealing element (6) for protecting the contacting region from the effect of external chemical and / or physical influences.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Interface element and multilayer composite body with an interface element

[0003] The invention relates to an interface element according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a multilayer composite body with an interface element according to the invention.

[0004] In some applications, it has proven advantageous to equip multilayer composite articles such as hoses, air springs, (drive) belts, or conveyor belts with sensors capable of recording at least one physical property of the article, such as its elongation and / or temperature. The evaluation of this measurement data allows, for example, conclusions to be drawn about the article's wear condition, enabling the timely detection of maintenance needs. The sensors can also be used to record at least one physical property of a substance acting on the article. For example, in the case of a hose, the fluid flowing through the hose could be considered the substance acting on the article. Similarly, in the case of a conveyor belt, the conveyed unit load or bulk material is considered the substance acting on the belt.In this way, various operating parameters, such as the temperature of the material, can be monitored using the sensors, thus ensuring proper operation.

[0005] To facilitate precise measurement and prevent damage to the sensors or measuring electronics, the sensor devices can be embedded in the article. For example, in multi-layered articles, a sensor device can be integrated into the article's main body within a layer or positioned between two layers to protect it from external mechanical or weather-related influences. A technical challenge with such integrated sensor devices is the transmission of the measurement data from inside the article to, for example, an external evaluation unit.

[0006] US patent 2023184354 A1 discloses a sensor system integrated into the wall of a hose. Data acquired by the sensor is read via a wireless radio link (RFID). A disadvantage of this type of data transmission is that in more complex systems with numerous sensor devices, such as a cooling circuit with many coolant hoses, a large number of signals are received, which are difficult to assign to the respective sensor. Furthermore, it is possible for unauthorized persons to read the data from the RFID chips, which is undesirable.

[0007] An alternative method of data transmission can be achieved through direct mechanical electrical contact between evaluation electronics and the sensor device embedded in the article, via the article's body surrounding the sensor device. However, the exposed areas of the sensor device represent a vulnerability, as adequate protection against external chemical and / or physical influences is not possible.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing a contacting element for the mechanical electrical contacting of an electrically conductive structure integrated into a base body, wherein the areas of the electrically conductive structure accessible for contacting are protected by the contacting element from the influence of external chemical and / or physical influences.

[0009] The solution to this problem is achieved through an interface element with the features of independent claim 1.

[0010] Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims. Claim 7 discloses a multilayer composite body with an interface element according to the invention. Further advantages and features can be found in the general description and the exemplary embodiments.

[0011] The present invention relates to an interface element for electrically contacting an electrically conductive structure, wherein the electrically conductive structure is substantially arranged in a base body made of a polymer material of a multilayer composite body, wherein the interface element comprises a contacting element, and wherein the electrically conductive structure can be electrically connected to the contacting element at its end in a contacting area. The interface element comprises at least one sealing element for protecting the contacting area from the influence of external chemical and / or physical influences.

[0012] To connect the electrically conductive structure to the contacting element, portions of the electrically conductive structure are exposed by the polymer material. This exposed portion of the electrically conductive structure, unprotected from external environmental influences, forms the contact area. Advantageously, the sealing element is designed to protect this contact area. The sealing element can be compressible and elastically deformable and be in direct contact with the surface of the composite body. This allows the sealing element to conform to the geometry of the composite body's surface, preventing the penetration of external chemical and / or physical influences into the contact area of ​​the electrically conductive structure.Alternatively, the sealing element can be designed as a geometric shape of the interface element, wherein the geometric shape, under the influence of a force on the elastic base body, deforms the elastic base body or presses into it. In this embodiment, the sealing function is achieved through the interaction of the sealing element, as a geometric shape of the interface element, with the base body.

[0013] The contacting element can have an interface, e.g., in the form of forked prongs or rod-shaped pins. The contacting element can be reinforced with a polymeric material to stabilize the forked prongs or pins. Advantageously, the forked prongs or pins can be designed to compensate for tolerances between the arrangement of the electrically conductive structure in the composite body and the arrangement of the contacting element on the interface element.

[0014] According to another aspect, the contacting element can be connected to an evaluation unit. Data from the multilayer composite body can be advantageously transferred via the contacting element to an evaluation unit or a computing unit and evaluated there.

[0015] According to another aspect, the interface element is designed in multiple parts. The interface element is designed for the positive-locking reception of the composite body.

[0016] According to another aspect, the interface element comprises at least a first shell and a second shell, wherein the first and second shells are connected to each other by a hinged or elastic connection. The inner contour of the shells corresponds to the outer contour of the composite body, and the shells are connected to each other in a way that provides a complete, form-fitting fit for the composite body. The hinged or elastic arrangement of the first and second shells facilitates the assembly of the interface element onto the composite body. The interface element can completely surround the composite body.

[0017] According to another aspect, the first and second shells can be positively locked together in a closed position. This locking mechanism ensures that even under dynamic loads, such as those caused by vibrations, a permanently electrically conductive connection exists between the electrically conductive structure and the contacting element. The first and second shells can be screwed, clamped, or interlocked, for example.

[0018] According to another aspect, a polymer-filled area is formed between the interface element and the composite body. In other words, when the interface element is mounted to the composite body, a cavity can be formed, bounded by the composite body, the interface element, and one or more sealing elements. This cavity can be filled with a polymeric material, such as a two-component resin, after the interface element is mounted. Advantageously, the polymeric material can further improve the sealing function of the sealing element, particularly under dynamic loads, mechanical deformation, or thermal influences.

[0019] The present invention further relates to a multilayer composite body, preferably a hose, an air spring, a drive belt or a conveyor belt, with an interface element according to the invention. The aforementioned properties and advantages of the interface element according to the invention can be advantageously transferred to the aforementioned embodiments of multilayer composite bodies.

[0020] It is expressly pointed out that the embodiments of the invention described above can each be combined with the subject matter of claim 1, either individually or in any technically meaningful combination with each other.

[0021] Based on the drawings, an embodiment of the invention is schematically illustrated and explained in more detail below.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a multilayer composite body in the form of a tube with an electrically conductive structure arranged therein.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the hose from Figure 1 with an interface element according to the invention. A multilayer composite body 4 or hose 10 shown in Figure 1 has a base body 3 made of a polymer material, wherein an electrically conductive structure 2 is arranged substantially within the base body 3. For contacting the electrically conductive structure 2, a portion of the electrically conductive structure is exposed by the polymer material of the base body 3.

[0024] The electrically conductive structure 2 is electrically connected to an interface element 1 in Fig. 2. The interface element 1 has a contacting element 5 in the form of four rod-shaped pins. The interface element 1 has a sealing element 6 to protect the electrically conductive structure 2 in the area of ​​the electrically conductive connection with the contacting element 5 from the influence of external chemical and / or physical influences. The sealing element 6 is compressible and elastically deformable and is in direct contact with the surface of the hose 10. The interface element 1 comprises a first shell 7 and a second shell 8, wherein the hose 10 is positively enclosed by the interface element 1. The first shell 7 and the second shell 8 are articulated and elastically connected to each other. Reference numeral list (part of the description)

[0025] 1 interface element

[0026] 2 Electrically conductive structure

[0027] 3 basic shapes

[0028] 4 Multilayer composite body

[0029] 5 Contact element

[0030] 6 Sealing element

[0031] 7 First bowl

[0032] 8 Second bowl

[0033] 10 hoses

Claims

Patent claims 1. Interface element (1) for electrically contacting an electrically conductive structure (2), wherein the electrically conductive structure (2) is substantially arranged in a base body (3) made of a polymer material of a multilayer composite body (4), wherein the interface element (1) has a contacting element (5), wherein the electrically conductive structure (2) can be electrically connected to the contacting element (5) at its end in a contacting area, characterized in that the interface element (1) has at least one sealing element (6) to protect the contact area from the influence of external chemical and / or physical influences.

2. Interface element (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the contacting element (5) can be connected to an evaluation device.

3. Interface element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized by the fact that the interface element (1) is designed in multiple parts.

4. Interface element (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the interface element (1) has at least a first shell (7) and a second shell (8), wherein the first shell (7) and the second shell (8) are connected to each other in a hinged or elastic manner.

5. Interface element (1) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the first shell (7) and the second shell (8) can be locked together in a form-fitting manner in a closed state.

6. Interface element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that A region filled with polymeric material is formed between the interface element (1) and the composite body (4).

7. Multilayer composite body (4), preferably a hose (10), an air spring, a drive belt or a conveyor belt with an interface element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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