DE29709747U1 - Hybrid connection system - Google Patents

Description

Applicant: Kuhnke GmbH

Lütjenburger Strasse 101
23714 Malente

Hybrid connection system

The invention relates to a connection system for the combined connection of an energy conductor of a first energy type and at least one further energy conductor of a second and/or third energy type.

In electrical engineering, energy conductors in the form of wires, busbars, conductor tracks, cables and the like are common for transmitting energy and control signals. In optoelectronics, optical fibers are used for signal transmission, which can consist of several optical fibers made of glass or plastic combined in a cable. Hoses or pipes are used to transmit fluid signals and/or supply energy for fluidic components.

As automation and miniaturization of control systems progress, control and actuator circuits are often separated. For example, control signals are generated and output electronically by programmable logic controllers and amplified by appropriate amplification elements in order to switch contactors with high electrical power. A similar approach is also used in fluid technology, e.g. in electropneumatics. Electronic signal generation and processing is also increasingly used here.

and the generated and processed output signals are fed to the fluid power equipment by so-called E/P converters, e.g. solenoid valves.

In addition, the optical transmission of signals using fiber optic cables has also proven to be effective, since these fiber optic cables can transmit signals with particularly low losses, interference-free and broadband compared to electrical cables. In the receiving section, the signals are processed and then made available electrically.

For example, hybrid cables are also known that have wires made of electrical conductors and wires made of optical fibers. This simplifies the interface handling for electro-optical signal and energy transmission.

In automation technology, it is often not only disadvantageous that a large variety of different energy line systems have to be laid, connected and maintained during later use at high costs, but also that a large number of different components have to be kept in stock, particularly for connecting the various energy conductors. This becomes clear, for example, when using a solenoid valve, which requires a separate electrical signal feed with a plug or similar, which has to be wired separately from a fluid line connection.

The task therefore arises of specifying a connection system for the combined connection of an energy conductor of a first energy type and at least one further energy conductor of a second and/or third energy type, which enables a reduction in price and the number of components used for connection or connection.

A connection system that solves this problem is characterized according to the invention in that the first type of energy is a fluidic energy, the second or third type of energy is an electrical and/or optical energy type, that the connection system is a structural unit for the connection of at least one hybrid conductor cable that contains at least one fluid conductor and at least one electrical conductor and/or optical fiber within a hose-like sheath that encloses these conductors in one piece, and that the connection system has receiving means that seal and fix the hybrid conductor cable, that receive the fluid conductor in a pressure-tight manner and the other conductor(s), supply the fluidic energy to another fluidic energy conductor or a fluid chamber, adapt the other conductors in the connection system according to their type of energy, design and size, and supply the energy conducted in the conductors to another energy conductor that corresponds to this.

Both pressurized gases and pressurized liquids can be used as fluids. For this purpose, a pressure-tight receptacle for the corresponding fluid pressure-carrying conductor is provided in the receptacle means of the connection system. In the hybrid conductor cable, which combines the fluid conductor with at least one other conductor, which carries electrical energy, for example, the receptacle means not only connects the fluid conductor in a pressure-tight manner to a further energy conductor or a pressurized space, but also the further conductor, in particular the electrical and/or optical conductor, to a further electrical and/or optical conductor.

For the electrical conductor, interference-free electrical contact is enabled by the connection system, which is isolated in the connection system. The same applies to the optical conductor, whose optical signal is transmitted by the connection system.

It is crucial that, in addition to the pressure-tight and interference-free contact and transmission of energy and signals of fluid energy and other types of energy, these are also guaranteed during operation.
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The connection system is designed differently according to the different designs of the hybrid conductor cable. In an embodiment that is designed to connect a hybrid conductor cable that contains at least one other conductor, e.g. an electrical conductor, within the fluid pressure-carrying area, a locking mechanism is provided that engages the outer circumference of the hose surrounding the fluid pressure-carrying conductor and is preferably designed in the form of a gripping claw sleeve, thus reliably preventing the hybrid conductor cable from accidentally coming loose from the connection system.

An alternative embodiment of the connection system is designed to accommodate a hybrid conductor cable in which the electrical and/or optical conductor is or are arranged outside the fluid pressure-carrying area of the fluid conductor while maintaining a defined axial distance. This embodiment provides a locking mechanism that engages outside the area of the fluid pressure-carrying conductor of the hybrid conductor cable and that engages the hybrid conductor cable at a defined distance from its longitudinal axis. This distance is defined by the design and size of the hybrid conductor cable, in particular by the number and distance of the electrical conductors and/or optical conductors from one another or from the longitudinal axis of the cable.

For the first form of hybrid conductor cable, in which the electrical conductor and/or optical conductor are located within the hybrid conductor core, the corresponding contacts for the electrical

Energy and/or optical signals in the connection system according to the invention are attached at corresponding points. The electrical contact can be made, for example, in such a way that when the energy conductor is inserted into the connection system, contact tips penetrate into the wire core of the electrical conductor, e.g. in an axial direction. If an optical conductor is included in the connection system, the optical conductor serves as a transmitter. An optical receiver and, if necessary, optical deflection means are therefore integrated at a corresponding point within the connection system.

This first form of the hybrid conductor cable preferably has a circular outer contour. When inserted, the hybrid conductor cable is pushed through the gripping claw sleeve and a subsequent sealing ring up to a mechanical stop within the connection system. The sealing ring ensures the fluid seal and the mechanical stop within the connection system ensures secure contact with the further energy conductors. In this embodiment, the interior of the hybrid conductor cable is expediently constructed in such a way that it consists of a material that also insulates against electrical voltage. Within this hybrid conductor cable, i.e. in the fluid pressure-carrying area, the other conductors are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the axis that is centrally located in the circular hose sheath, which results in a mandatory positional fixation.

In a hybrid conductor cable that can be connected to the alternative embodiment of the connection system, the electrical and/or optical conductors are not routed inside but outside the fluid pressure-carrying area and are located at a defined constant distance from the outer wall of the hose surrounding the fluid pressure-carrying area. Here, preferably

both the electrical and the optical conductor are covered with the same material from which the fluid pressure-carrying conductor is made, i.e. with the plastic hose mentioned. The conductors located outside the fluid pressure-carrying area can be arranged at a distance from the outer diameter of the fluid pressure-carrying area by webs.

This arrangement results in a different sealing principle for the fluid pressure-carrying area. The seal is preferably constructed in such a way that a nozzle is provided within the connection system that accommodates the inner diameter of the fluid pressure-carrying area and that is slightly larger in diameter than the inner diameter of the fluid pressure-carrying conductor area. It makes sense for this nozzle to be tapered in the initial area, which centers the intake of the fluid pressure-carrying area and makes assembly easier. Here, too, the hybrid conductor cable is inserted into the connection system up to a stop.

Another sealing principle is achieved if the hybrid conductor cable is processed using a tool before assembly so that the electrical and/or optical conductor is offset from the stop length of the fluid-carrying part, i.e. shortened. When shortening, care is taken to ensure that the outer jacket of the fluid-pressure-carrying part has a circular outer circumference.

Within the connection system, i.e. in the holding means, there is also a sealing ring through which the fluid pressure-carrying part of the hybrid conductor cable, which is made circular on the outside, is inserted and sealed.

In this example, the electrical contact can be made in such a way that at least one contact pin is inserted into the receiving means at a defined position from the side, i.e. essentially perpendicular to the axis of the hybrid conductor cable, through corresponding passages, which is held spring-loaded within the receiving means and thus cannot be lost and which, when inserted, cuts into or penetrates the electrical conductor, thus making electrical contact and at the same time locking it against axial loosening.

In another connection system, the hybrid conductor cable does not have the other electrical and/or optical conductors within the fluid pressure-carrying area, but rather directly in the wall of the hybrid conductor cable. To fix the position, it can be useful to provide the fluid pressure-carrying conductor with an inward-facing longitudinal guide elevation along the entire length of the cable in the interior area. This means that the conductors embedded in the wall are in a defined position relative to this guide elevation.

The design of the receiving means of the connection system is adapted to this position definition. Here too, as in the first embodiment, in which a hybrid conductor cable with a circular outer circumference is received in the connection system, the other hybrid conductor cable is first guided through a gripping claw sleeve and then through a sealing ring up to the mechanical stop, whereby the fluid seal and the electrical and/or optical contact are made at the same time. A gripping claw sleeve ensures that, due to the cone system attached to the outer circumference, the hybrid conductor cable cannot be accidentally pulled out of the connection system when it is subjected to tensile stress.

However, if a force in the axial direction of the hybrid conductor cable is exerted on an area of the gripping claw sleeve located outside the connection system and the hybrid conductor cable is simultaneously pulled in the opposite direction, the cable will become detached from the connection system.

Further features and advantages of the invention are described below using two exemplary embodiments of the connection system according to the invention shown in the drawing. The drawing figures show in detail:

Fig. 1: a partial section of a first embodiment of a connection system for a hybrid conductor cable according to Fig. 2,

Fig. 2: a hybrid conductor cable which has two additional conductors at a defined distance within the fluid pressure-carrying area and which can be connected to the connection system shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3: schematically a second embodiment of an inventive

connection system for accommodating a hybrid conductor cable according to Fig. 4,

Fig. 4: a section through the hybrid conductor cable in Fig. 3 along the section line IV-IV,

Fig. 5: a section through the connection system in Fig. 3 along the section line V-V,

Fig. 6: a contact pin for locking and electrical contact and

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Fig. 7: an optical adaptation.

First, a possible design of a hybrid conductor cable 10 suitable for the connection system shown in Fig. 1 is described with reference to Fig. 2. This hybrid conductor cable 10 has a fluid pressure-tight hose 2 with a circular outer cross-section. This hose 2 is comparable to an elastically movable compressed air hose. Within the fluid pressure-carrying area, an electrical conductor 20 and an optical conductor 22 are guided in the longitudinal direction of the hybrid conductor cable at a distance from it. The electrical conductor 20 and the optical conductor 22 are each held at defined distances 16 and 16.1 from the inner wall of the hose 2 by longitudinal webs adjoining the inner wall of the hose 2. These distances are preferably different sizes. The outer diameters 20.1 and 22.1 of the electrical and optical conductors are also different.

These distinguishing features of the individual conductors correspond with appropriately arranged receiving means within the connection system shown in Fig. 1, so that an unmistakable positional orientation is provided.

The embodiment of the connection system according to the invention shown in Fig. 1 has receiving means 3 for the hybrid conductor cable shown in Fig. 2. According to the above-mentioned clear position definition of the conductors of the hybrid conductor cable 10, this is introduced into the connection system through the inner opening of a gripping claw sleeve 14 through a sealing ring 4 up to a stop surface 26 as shown in Fig. 1. The sealing ring 4 surrounds the outer diameter of the hybrid conductor cable 10 under pre-tension so that fluid tightness is ensured. At the same time, when the hybrid conductor cable 10 is introduced, both the electrical and

the optical conductors 20, 22 are contacted by the corresponding receiving means 8. For the electrical conductor 20, this receiving means 8 preferably consists of a pin that penetrates axially into the electrical conductor. At the same time, however, the optical conductor 22 is also adapted with an optical connection conductor 19 shown in Fig. 7. This allows the fluidic and also the electrical and optical energy to be transmitted. For mechanical security, the gripping claw sleeve 14 is provided with gripping claws on the outer circumference of the hybrid conductor cable, which engage under pre-tension in the soft material of the hose 2 of the hybrid conductor cable 10 and secure it against unintentional loosening.

To release, an external axial force F must be applied to the section of the gripping claw sleeve 14 protruding from the connection system, so that the gripping claws of the sleeve 14 are disengaged from their engagement on the outer circumference of the hybrid conductor cable 10 in a manner known per se. The hybrid conductor cable 10 can thus be pulled out of the connection system.

Fig. 3 shows schematically and simplified a second alternative embodiment of a connection system according to the invention for another hybrid conductor cable 11 shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 shows the hybrid conductor cable 11 with a fluid pressure-tight area or a fluid conductor 23 inside a hose 2.1 as well as other conductors 20 and 22 outside the hose, each at a different distance from the outer circumference of the hose and connected to this hose 2.1 in one piece by webs 31 and 31.1. The conductor 20 represents an electrical conductor and the conductor 22 represents an optical conductor. The cross-sectional view through the hybrid conductor cable 11 according to Fig. 4 makes it clear that not only the distances defined by the webs 31 and 31.1

distances of the other conductors 20, 22 from the outer circumference of the hoses 2.1, but also the diameters 20.1 and 22.1 of the outer contours of the electrical conductor 20 and the optical conductor

22 are different. These measures enable a clear position fixation or position definition of the hybrid conductor cable 11 in the second type of connection system, as shown in Fig. 3.

The section of this connection system shown schematically in Fig. 3 has receiving means 3 for receiving the hybrid conductor cable

11. The receiving means 3 of the connection system, framed by a dot-dash line, are designed in such a way that the electrical and optical conductors 20 and 22 of the hybrid conductor cable 11 are shortened by a distance 35 compared to the fluid conductor 23, so that the fluid conductor 23 comes to rest on a stop surface 26 and the electrical and optical conductors 20 and 22 come to rest on stop surfaces 27.1 and 27.2 sealed against this stop 26. Using a suitable tool (not shown), the electrical and optical conductors can be shortened before the hybrid conductor cable is installed in the connection system. This tool should also ensure that the outer periphery of the fluid pressure-carrying conductor

23 is made circular in area A. During assembly and when inserting the hybrid conductor cable 11 into the connection system according to Fig. 3, the circular outer periphery of the fluid conductor 23 is thus held in a fluid pressure-tight manner by a sealing ring 24 which is firmly mounted in a receiving groove 25 of the connection system.

The connection system according to Fig. 3 is equipped with contact pins 15 shown in Fig. 6 for simultaneous locking and electrical contact. When not fitted, these contact pins 15 are pulled out of passages 33 and 38 in the connection system so far that the hybrid conductor cable 11 can be inserted unhindered. If the hybrid conductor cable 11 is pushed up to its stops

26 and 27.1 or 27.2 are introduced into the connection system, at least one contact pin 15 is inserted into the corresponding passages 33, 38 formed in the receiving means 3. The contact pin 15 inserted into the passage 33 penetrates both the insulation and the wire core of the electrical conductor 20. The sectional view in Fig. 5 shows that the contact pin 15 inserted into the passage 33 is contacted at its pin end by a contact spring 32, which forms an electrical connection to the subsequent component. The contact spring 32 engages under spring preload in a groove 34 on the pin-like front part 28 of the contact pin 15 (see Fig. 6). This ensures a secure electrical contact on the one hand and a mechanical locking against unintentional release of the contact pin 15 on the other.

To lock the optical energy conductor 22, the contact pin 15 is inserted into the passage 38 that goes through the receiving means 3. This passage is in the area of the spacer web 31.1 of the optical conductor 22. Here too, the contact spring 32, which engages in the groove 34 at the front end of the contact pin 15, proves its worth, but only as a safeguard against inadvertent loosening of the contact pin 15. Of course, no electrical contact is made here. The contact pin 15 preferably consists of the electrically conductive pin-like front part 28, which can be elongated, oval or circular in its cross section and is equipped with the groove 34 described above for locking in the contact spring 32. It also has an enlarged head 29 with, for example, B. circular cross-section, which is covered with an insulating cap 36 to prevent electrical interference through contact (see Fig. 6).

Based on Fig. 5, which shows a section along the line V-V, the electrical contact through the front part 28 of the

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Contact pin 15 with the electrical conductor 20 penetrated by the contact pin 15 and with the contact spring 32 can be seen. At the same time, it can be seen that the contact pin 15 inserted into the passage 38 engages in the contact spring 32 in the area of the spacer 31.1 and secures the optical conductor 22 there against unintentional release.

Fig. 7 shows a simplified detail of the connection system shown in Fig. 3 in the area of the adaptation of the optical conductor 22. The optical conductor 22 belonging to the hybrid conductor cable 11 touches with its optical end face 13 an optical end face 12 of an optical conductor 19.1 continuing in the same axial direction. An optical deflection surface 18 is provided to redirect the optical signal, which allows the light beam coming from the optical conductor 22 of the hybrid conductor cable 11 and falling onto the deflection surface 18 at an angle of incidence of 45° to emerge from this surface 18 at the same angle of reflection in the direction of the optical axis of a continuing optical conductor 192, which is deflected by 90° in Fig. 7. Of course, such a deflection can also be carried out by optical fibers that are laid with a correspondingly large curve radius.

By adapting the light guide 22 according to Fig. 7, both low-power optical signals and high-energy laser beams can be coupled in.

The advantages of the connection system for hybrid conductor cables according to the invention lie in the versatility of its application, especially in view of the fact that more and more technologies require such connections of conductors for different types of energy. Due to demand-oriented hybrid conductor cables and the connection system adapted to them according to the invention, problem-free maintenance and device-

technical installation is ensured, which excludes connection mix-ups and can be produced very cost-effectively.

Claims (12)

Expectations 1. Connection system for the combined connection of an energy conductor of a first energy type and at least one further energy conductor of a second and/or third energy type, characterized in that that the first type of energy is a fluidic type, the second or third type of energy is an electrical and/or optical type of energy,
that the connection system is a structural unit for the connection of at least one hybrid conductor cable (10, 11) which contains at least one fluid conductor and at least one electrical conductor and/or optical conductor within a hose-like sheath enclosing these conductors in one piece, and
that the connection system has receiving means (3) which seal and fix the hybrid conductor cable and which a. accommodate the fluid conductor (23) in a pressure-tight manner and the other conductor(s) (20, 22), b. supply the fluidic energy to another fluidic energy conductor (6) or a fluid chamber, c. adapt the other conductors (20, 22) according to their energy type, design and size in the connection system and d. supply the energy carried in the conductors to a further energy conductor (17, 19) corresponding thereto. 2. Connection system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a locking mechanism (7, 15, 32) which prevents the conductors (20, 22, 23) of the hybrid conductor cable (10, 11) from becoming accidentally detached from the connection system. 3. Connection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiving means (3) have spacing means for receiving the conductors (20, 22, 23) of the hybrid conductor cable (10) within the fluid pressure-carrying area (23) while maintaining distances (16, 16.1.) defined by the construction of the hybrid conductor cable between the conductors located within the fluid pressure-carrying area (23). 4. Connection system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiving means (3) comprise spacers for receiving the outside of the fluid pressure-carrying area (23) of the hybrid conductor cable (11) lying conductors (20, 22) while maintaining the distances (31, 31.1) between the respective conductors (20, 22) given by the design of this hybrid conductor cable (11). 5. Connection system according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the locking mechanism (7) engages the outer circumference of the hose (2.1) surrounding the fluid pressure-carrying conductors and encloses the latter in the form of a gripping claw sleeve (14). 6. Connection system according to claim 5, characterized in that the gripping claw sleeve (14) can be released from its locking position by a force (F) acting axially from the outside on the gripping claw sleeve (14) in the direction of the end of the hybrid conductor cable received in the connection system. 7. Connection system according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that for locking a hybrid conductor cable (11), the further conductor (20, 22) is outside the fluid pressure-carrying region (23) and at a defined distance from this region, the locking mechanism (15) engages at positions (31, 31.1) defined by these distances outside the fluid pressure-carrying conductor (23). 8. Connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking mechanism (15) acting outside the fluid pressure-carrying conductor (23) acts on the hybrid conductor cable (11) in the region of a hose web (31.1) that keeps an optical conductor spaced apart from the fluid pressure-carrying conductor. 9. Connection system according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking mechanism acting outside the fluid pressure-carrying area (15) in the area of the core of the electrical conductor (20) of the hybrid conductor cable (11). 10. Connection system according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the locking mechanism has a passage in the defined position and at a defined distance from the fluid pressure-carrying area of the hybrid conductor cable (11) transversely to its axis through the receiving means and a contact pin (15) which connects the wire of the electrical conductor in the passage (33) to a further electrical conductor (17) of the connection system while simultaneously fixing the position of the hybrid conductor cable (11) and which fixes the position of the hybrid conductor cable in the receiving means within the passage in the area (38) of the hose web (31.1). 11. Connection system according to claim 10, characterized in that the contact pin (15) has an elongated contact-making pin region (28) and an electrically insulated head (29, 36) formed at one end of the pin (28). 12. Connection system according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by a groove (34) formed at the end of the pin area (28) opposite the head, which groove (34) when the contact pin (15) is inserted causes the contact pin to be locked by a contact spring (32) formed inside the receiving means (3).