DE102020105103A1 - Connector in a fiber composite component - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (4) for arrangement at a connection end (5) of a transmission line (2) in a fiber composite component (30), having a connection element (12) with a connection cavity (14) which is set up for this purpose on a Line interface (16) to be connected to the transmission line (2) for transmission, and a connecting sleeve (20) which extends radially around the connecting element and delimits the connecting element, in particular the connecting cavity, radially outward in a fluid-tight manner from an environment (22).

Description

The invention relates to a connector for arrangement at a connection end of a transmission line in a fiber composite component, a line arrangement with such a connector and a fiber composite component with such a line arrangement. The invention also relates to a method for producing a fiber composite component.

If transmission lines, for example for the transmission of electrical energy, data and / or light, are to be poured into a fiber composite component, which are later to be contacted with the fiber composite component during operation, the connection must be mechanically, for example machined, uncovered, cleaned after the production of the component and then contacted, for example by means of a soldered connection.

Because common connectors are not designed for internal mold pressures of, for example, over 30bar, as occur when molding fiber composite components, just as they are not sealed for liquids with a viscosity of less than 100 mPas, for example (such as epoxy resin at the casting temperatures).

It is also often not possible to lead the lines out beyond the process surfaces of the molding tools when molding fiber composite components, since tool seals, slides, etc. prevent this. With the usual production of such fiber composite components, the exact position of the connection points after the production process cannot therefore be clearly found either.

Against this background, it is an object of the invention to improve a fiber composite component with at least one line arrangement.

This object is achieved by a connector with the features of claim 1, a line arrangement with the features of claim 7, component with the features of claim 8 and a method with the features of claim 12. The dependent claims relate to advantageous developments of the invention.

According to one aspect, a plug connector for arrangement at a connection end of a transmission line in a fiber composite component is specified, comprising: (a) a connection element with a connection cavity which is configured to be connected to the transmission line in a transmitting manner at a line interface; and / or (b) a connecting sleeve which extends radially around the connecting element and delimits the connecting element, in particular the connecting cavity, radially outward in a fluid-tight manner from an environment.

The connector delimits the connection cavity axially at the connection end in a fluid-tight manner.

As a result, the connecting cavity can also be retained during an injection of the matrix material during the production of the fiber composite component.

By axially closing the connection cavity, which is later provided for plugging in a connection line - in particular with its (especially male) connecting element - in a fluid-tight manner, the matrix material is kept from penetrating and hardening into the connection cavity.

Subsequent to the hardening of the fiber composite component, the axial closure can, in particular by cutting, be removed, in particular removed or ablated, for example milled off.

The plug connector, in particular the connecting sleeve and / or the connecting element, is set up in particular to delimit, in particular to seal, the connecting cavity against an, in particular electrical, insulation of the transmission line.

The connecting sleeve in particular delimits the connecting cavity at the line interface, in particular interacting with an insulation of the transmission line.

According to different embodiments, the transmission line is set up for the transmission of electrical energy and / or data and / or light, and is thus designed in particular as an electrical conductor or as a light guide.

In particular, the connecting element is firmly connected to the transmission line, for example pressed on or crimped, before the fiber composite component is manufactured.

In particular, a transmission line and a plug connector connected to it form a line arrangement which - after the fluid-tight axial delimitation of the plug connector has been removed at the connection end - can be conductively connected to a connection line.

In the present case, a transmission line can in particular be understood to mean a line which is used for the transmission of electrical energy and / or data and / or light in one Fiber composite component together with the connector - and connected to this - is cast.

In the presently relevant applications in motor vehicle construction (e.g. antenna in the roof, lighting inside and outside of the vehicle, etc.), the transmission line often has a cross-section of a few millimeters or, in particular, less than a millimeter. This makes it clear why subsequent clearing of a connection cavity for connecting a connection line to the transmission line is so complex that a reliably closed plug connector can be helpful.

In the present case, an axial delimitation is to be understood in particular to mean that between the cavity to be delimited and the surrounding area - with respect to a longitudinal axis of the connecting cavity - in particular in a plane which is perpendicular or steeply inclined to the longitudinal axis, a fluid-tight layer, for example a wall or a film, is arranged.

A radial delimitation is accordingly to be understood in particular as a comparable fluid-tight layer in a circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis.

According to a further aspect, a line arrangement for arrangement on, in particular at least partially in, a fiber composite component is specified, having a transmission line, and a plug connector according to an embodiment of the invention, which is conductively connected to the transmission line.

Such a line arrangement can be inserted as a pre-assembled component into a molding tool and there cast into a fiber composite component.

According to a further aspect, a fiber composite component, in particular for assembly in a motor vehicle, is provided, having at least one fiber layer (this also includes a different arrangement of at least one fiber) and a cured matrix body for receiving the at least one fiber layer. The fiber composite component has a line arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention, which is partially or completely cast into the matrix body.

As a result, a pre-assembled fiber composite component that has predefined contacting points with standardized and / or predetermined connection geometries can be produced. After the primary shaping of the fiber composite component, the contacting points only need to be exposed and the axial, fluid-tight delimitation of the connecting cavity removed.

In particular, the fiber composite component has several, in particular a multiplicity, of fiber layers which, after curing at the end of the primary shaping of the fiber composite component, are cast in a component body made of a matrix material, in particular a resin and / or a plastic, for example an epoxy resin. Of course, instead of fiber layers, individual fibers or other semi-finished fiber products can also be cast into the matrix body.

According to a further aspect, a method for producing a fiber composite component with at least one fiber layer, a matrix body and at least one line arrangement is provided, in particular having at least the following method steps: The desired fiber structure can of course also be inserted after inserting the line arrangement; and / or (ii) forming and curing the matrix body at least around and / or at a connection end of the connector; and / or (iii) removing a fluid-tight delimitation of the connector.

As a result, the previously closed connection cavity of the plug connector can be opened in such a way that a connection line - in particular with its, in particular, male connection element - can be introduced and / or contacted.

The invention is based, inter alia, on the idea of providing a sealed, in particular, still closed “wire end sleeve” as a plug connector in the fiber composite component towards the transmission line. The inside of the connector can function as the inside of the connector. The outside can be electrically insulated, for example by means of a shrink tube or by means of a rigid plastic sleeve.

A line arrangement of such a connector with a transmission line connected to it can be placed in a fiber composite component as required.

After the fiber composite component has been manufactured and the matrix material has hardened, the connector is cut open at the position of the connector by means of mechanical processing (e.g. milling).

The cut connector can then be replaced with a corresponding, in particular male connectors are contacted on a connecting line to be connected.

According to one embodiment, the connecting sleeve delimits the connecting cavity axially at the connecting end in a fluid-tight manner.

As a result, the axial delimitation can be implemented cost-effectively, in particular by means of a shrunk-on plastic component with an axial cover at the connection end as a connection sleeve.

According to one embodiment, the connecting sleeve is made of a non-electrically conductive, in particular an electrically insulating, material.

If the connecting sleeve is made of an electrically non-conductive material such as a plastic, electrical insulation of the plug connector from a conductive fiber composite component can thus also be ensured, for example if this is made with carbon fibers.

According to one embodiment, the connecting element delimits the connecting cavity axially at the connecting end in a fluid-tight manner.

As a result, the axial delimitation can be implemented very robustly, in particular by means of a metallic connecting element with an axial cover at the connecting end.

The connecting element with a connecting cavity can also be referred to as a female connecting element.

The connecting element is set up in particular to be connected in a transmitting manner to a male connecting element at a connecting interface.

In particular, the connecting element is formed from an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal material such as a copper and / or aluminum alloy.

According to one embodiment, an axial cover surface for fluid-tight delimitation of the connecting cavity is formed on the connecting element and / or on the connecting sleeve, optionally in each case.

This enables a reliable, fluid-tight delimitation of the connecting cavity, in particular also against the ingress of low-viscosity matrix material.

In particular, the connecting element and / or the connecting sleeve, optionally in each case, is formed integrally and / or cohesively connected in such a way that at least one jacket surface and the top surface, in particular a jacket wall and a top wall, are formed with a single component. For example, the jacket surface and the cover surface can consist of one component or the component of the jacket surface and the component of the cover surface can be welded by means of a completely circumferential line seam (plastic). In this way, at the transition from the jacket surface to the cover surface, there is no joint through which low-viscosity matrix material could penetrate.

The top surface can in particular be formed on a top wall, which in particular runs in a longitudinal axial plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the connecting element. In particular, the top wall merges into a jacket wall which radially delimits the connecting cavity.

According to one embodiment, the connection cavity has a cylindrical shape, and in particular also the connection element and / or the connection sleeve, which then in particular have a jacket wall and a cover wall at the connection end.

According to one embodiment, the connecting element and the connecting sleeve are formed together. In particular, a non-metallic connecting element - for example for connecting light guides - can thereby be implemented.

According to one embodiment, the plug connector of the line arrangement is partially or completely cast into the matrix body. Since the connector in particular is arranged sunk in the fiber composite component, installation space in particular can be saved.

According to one embodiment, the axial delimitation of the connector is arranged on a surface of the matrix body. As a result, the axial fluid-tight delimitation of the connecting cavity can be easily removed.

According to one embodiment, the axial delimitation of the connector is arranged at a distance from a surface in the matrix body. As a result, the position of the connection end of the line arrangement can be adapted to a provided functional surface (in particular to its position).

According to one embodiment, when the fluid-tight demarcation is removed, an area is arranged in front of it Matrix material removed. As a result, the position of the connection end of the line arrangement can be adapted to a provided functional surface (in particular to its position).

According to one embodiment, the removal of the fluid-tight delimitation and the removal of matrix material, in particular to form a functional surface of the fiber composite component, take place in one work step.

As a result, a post-processing step, which is provided anyway, for producing the functional surface can be used at the same time to remove the fluid-tight delimitation.

A functional surface of the fiber composite component is to be understood as a surface with a defined contour, the contour in particular being selected at least partially as a function of a function to be fulfilled by the fiber composite component.

According to one embodiment, the removal takes place by means of a machining production method, in particular by means of a milling cutter. As a result, the axial fluid-tight delimitation can be reliably removed.

• 1 zeigt eine Leitungsanordnung mit einer Übertragungsleitung und einem Steckverbinder gemäß einer ersten beispielhaften Ausführung der Erfindung in einer schematischen Schnittansicht.
• 2 zeigt eine Leitungsanordnung mit einer Übertragungsleitung und einem Steckverbinder gemäß einer ersten beispielhaften Ausführung der Erfindung in einer schematischen Schnittansicht.
• 3 - 6 verdeutlichen in einer schematischen Schnittansicht anhand der Leitungsanordnung aus 1 ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Faserverbundbauteils nach einer beispielhaften Ausführung der Erfindung.

Further advantages and possible applications of the invention emerge from the following description in connection with the figures.

• 1 shows a line arrangement with a transmission line and a plug connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention in a schematic sectional view.
• 2 shows a line arrangement with a transmission line and a plug connector according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention in a schematic sectional view.
• 3 - 6th illustrate in a schematic sectional view based on the line arrangement from 1 a method for producing a fiber composite component according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

1 shows a line arrangement 1 with a transmission line 2 and a connector 4th according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is conductive with the transmission line 2 connected is. The line arrangement 1 is at one end of the connection 5 Conductive connections provided with a connection line to be contacted.

In the exemplary embodiment, the transmission line is 2 an electrical conductor 6th , for example with a copper wire or a copper braid. The electrical conductor 6th has a stripped area at its longitudinal end 8th and beyond the stripped area 8th a plastic insulation running in the circumferential direction 9 on.

With respect to a longitudinal axis 10 the line arrangement 1 is the connector 4th on and around the stripped area 8th the transmission line 2 arranged.

The connector has a connecting element 12th with a connecting cavity 14th , on. The connecting element 12th is set up for this on a line interface 16 electrically conductive (i.e. for the transmission of electrical signals and / or electrical energy) with the transmission line 2 to be connected.

This is between the connecting element 12th and the transmission line 2 in the stripped area 8th a crimp connection 18th formed, in which in particular the cage of the connecting element formed from a conductive material 12th by applying a high force permanently and firmly connected to the electrical conductor 6th the transmission line 2 is pressed.

Beyond the connection 18th forms the connecting element 12th a female connection element, which is used to receive a male connection element of a connection line to be connected at a connection interface 19th the connection cavity 14th trains.

With regard to the longitudinal axis 10 radially around the connecting element 12th a connecting sleeve is arranged 20th who have made the fastener 12th and thus also the connecting cavity 14th radially outwardly fluid-tight with respect to an environment 22nd delimits.

The connecting sleeve 20th forms with the insulation 8th the transmission line 2 in the circumferential direction to the longitudinal axis 10 an electrically insulating and in particular also fluid-tight connection. In the exemplary embodiment is the connecting sleeve 20th designed as plastic shrink tubing.

The connector 4th delimits the connecting cavity 14th also axially at a connection end 24 in a fluid-tight manner.

In the embodiment of 1 takes over the fluid-tight axial delimitation of the connecting cavity 14th the connecting element 12th . For this purpose, there is an axial cover surface designed as a cover wall on the connecting element 13th for the fluid-tight delimitation of the connecting cavity 14th educated.

The connector 4th (i.e. in the exemplary embodiment in particular the connecting element 12th ) is now at the connection interface 19th closed, so that no connection line to connect to the line arrangement 1 can be introduced.

The opening of the connector 4th and thus the production of its primary function, to enable an electrical connection between two lines, only takes place through a method such as the one for example 3 until 6th described procedure.

In return, the connecting cavity remains 14th during the embedding of the line arrangement 1 in the fiber composite component as part of the method according to 3 until 6th free from contamination by a matrix material and is especially after removal of the top wall 13th at least essentially without further rework for connecting a connection line to the transmission line 2 available.

In 2 is a line arrangement 101 described differing from conduit arrangement 1 according to 1 essentially differs in that an axial top wall 113 of the connector 104 through a connecting sleeve 120 instead of a fastener 112 is trained.

For this purpose, the plastic of the connecting sleeve 120 especially in the area of the top wall 113 a sufficient wall thickness in order to be able to produce the fiber composite component in the method according to the 3 until 6th the connection cavity 14th to be able to reliably delimit axially fluid-tight.

The connecting element 112 can then already be designed to be open per se, so that with a suitable arrangement for removing the top wall 113 - unlike in the embodiment according to 1 - no metallic material, only a plastic material has to be removed.

In the 3 bis is a method for producing a fiber composite component 30th described according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

At the time shown, the line arrangement was 1 already in a molding tool 32 inserted and positioned, as well as a plurality of fiber mats. A matrix material has also already been poured in, so that the fiber composite component 30th hardens at the time shown.

The fiber composite component 30th is designed for assembly in a motor vehicle and has a plurality of fiber layers in a hardened matrix body, as well as the line arrangement 1 the end 1 , which is completely cast into the matrix body, at least in the section shown.

The axial delimitation (top wall 13th ) of the connector is arranged at a distance from a surface in the matrix body.

In 3 is the fiber composite component 30th in the molding tool 32 shown, during the curing of the matrix body. It can be seen that through the top wall 13th of the connecting element 12th no matrix material when pouring into the connecting cavity 14th could get.

4th shows the fiber composite component 30th in the hardened state after removal from the mold 32 .

In 5 is the removal of the top wall 13th of the connecting element 12th shown, by means of an indicated milling head 34 moving down in the plane of the drawing and in front of the top wall 13th arranged matrix material, but also the top wall 13th removes itself.

The connecting cavity 14th is thereby in the axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis 10 exposed. If necessary, a functional surface can be used in the same work step during milling 31 of the fiber composite component 30th be produced, for example, a support surface for another component.

As in 6th shown, is thereby the obstacle to plugging in a male connector 36 a connection line 38 eliminated.

List of reference symbols

1

Line arrangement

2

Transmission line

4th

Connectors

5

End of connection

6th

electrical conductor

8th

stripped area

9

Plastic insulation

10

Longitudinal axis

12th

Connecting element

13th

Top wall

14th

Connection cavity

16

Line interface

18th

Crimp connection

19th

Connection interface

20th

Connecting sleeve

22nd

Surroundings

30th

Fiber composite component

31

Functional surface

32

Forming tool

34

Milling head

36

male connector

38

Connecting cable

101

Line arrangement

104

Connectors

112

Connecting element

113

Top wall

120

Connecting sleeve

Claims (15)

Plug connector (4, 104) for arrangement at a connection end (5) of a transmission line (2) in a fiber composite component (30), comprising: - a connection element (12, 112) with a connection cavity (14) which is designed to Line interface (16) to be connected to the transmission line (2) for transmission, a connecting sleeve (20, 120) which extends radially around the connecting element and delimits the connecting element, in particular the connecting cavity, radially outwardly in a fluid-tight manner from an environment (22) , characterized in that the connector delimits the connection cavity axially at the connection end in a fluid-tight manner. Connector according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the connecting sleeve delimits the connecting cavity axially at the connecting end in a fluid-tight manner. Connector according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the connecting sleeve is made of a non-electrically conductive, in particular an electrically insulating, material. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element delimits the connecting cavity axially at the connecting end in a fluid-tight manner. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an axial cover surface (13, 113) for fluid-tight delimitation of the connecting cavity is formed on the connecting element and / or on the connecting sleeve, optionally in each case. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element and the connecting sleeve are formed together. Line arrangement (1, 101) for arrangement on, in particular at least partially in, a fiber composite component (30), having a transmission line (2), characterized by a connector (4, 104) according to one of the preceding claims, which is conductively connected to the transmission line . Fiber composite component (30), in particular for assembly in a motor vehicle, characterized by a line arrangement (1, 101) according to FIG Claim 7 which is partially or completely cast into the fiber composite component. Fiber composite component according to Claim 8 , characterized in that the plug connector (4, 104) of the line arrangement is partially or completely cast into the fiber composite component. Fiber composite component according to Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the axial delimitation (13, 113) of the connector is arranged on a surface of the fiber composite component. Fiber composite component according to Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the axial delimitation (13, 113) of the connector is arranged at a distance from a surface in the fiber composite component. A method for producing a fiber composite component (30) with at least one line arrangement (1, 101) which has a plug connector (4, 104), comprising at least the following process steps: - inserting the line arrangement into a molding tool (32), - molding and curing one Matrix body of the fiber composite component at least around one connecting end (5) of the connector, characterized by the method step: - Removal of a fluid-tight delimitation (13, 113) of the connector. Procedure according to Claim 12 , characterized in that when the fluid-tight boundary is removed, matrix material arranged in front of it is removed. Procedure according to Claim 12 or 13th , characterized in that the removal of the fluid-tight boundary and the removal of matrix material, in particular to form a functional surface (31) of the fiber composite component, take place in one work step. Method according to one of the Claims 12 until 14th , characterized in that the removal takes place by means of a machining production process, in particular by means of a milling cutter (34).

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