DE102020128578A1 - Injection Molded Connection Assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an injection molded connection arrangement (20) comprising a first part (30) and a second part (40) which are connected to one another at a connection point (32), and a cover (50) which is produced by injection molding and at least partially envelops the first part (30) and the second part (40). The invention is characterized in that a multi-part protective structure (60) is provided in the area of the connection point (32), which is arranged between the connection point (32) and the cover (50) and is designed in such a way that the cover is protected during the injection molding process (50) remains dimensionally stable and stationary.

Description

The present invention relates to an injection molded connection arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for producing an injection molded connection arrangement according to claim 8.

It is known to overmold components made of metal or other materials in order to connect them to one another. Such an injection-molded connection arrangement is, for example, from DE 22 37 469 A1 famous.

For tiny components and thin connected current-carrying elements, which are also connected to each other with a material or form fit to form miniature connections, the overmoulding process can lead to undesirable deformations or even permanent damage, if, for example, the connection of the material or form-fit connected parts during overmoulding is damaged loosened or even completely dissolved. In an injection mold in particular, both high pressures and high temperatures as well as dynamic loads due to flow fronts of the injected material must be taken into account. This means that such miniature connections are exposed to a wide variety of loads, which are also difficult to predict through simulation and can therefore hardly be controlled.

The object of the present invention is to provide an injection-molded connection arrangement in which two parts to be connected can be securely connected by overmolding without any undesirable deformation or damage to the connected parts being able to occur as a result of the overmolding. Furthermore, the present invention is based on the object of providing a corresponding method for producing such an injection-molded connection arrangement.

This object is achieved with an injection-molded connection arrangement according to claim 1 and a method for producing an injection-molded connection arrangement according to claim 8. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, an injection molded connector assembly comprises: a first part and a second part joined together at a joint, and a shell made by injection molding and at least partially encasing the first part and the second part. The invention is characterized in that a multi-part protective structure is provided in the area of the connection point, which is arranged between the connection point and the cover and is designed such that it remains dimensionally stable and stationary during the injection molding process of the cover.

The immovable and non-deformable protective structure ensures that the parts can be safely connected to each other by the overmoulding without any risk of deformation or even damage to the connected parts. The protective structure is preferably designed as a multi-part protective shell. The protective structure can particularly preferably have reinforcing ribs.

• • Bereitstellen eines ersten Teils und Verbinden des ersten Teils mit einem zweiten Teil an einer Verbindungsstelle;
• • Umschließen des ersten Teils und des zweiten Teils an der Verbindungsstelle mit einer mehrteiligen Schutzstruktur, die so ausgestaltet ist, dass sie während eines Spritzvorgangs formbeständig und ortsfest bleibt;
• • Einlegen der Schutzstruktur mit dem ersten und zweiten Teil in ein Spritzwerkzeug; und
• • Umspritzen des ersten Teils und des zweiten Teils sowie der Schutzstruktur unter Bildung einer Umhüllung.

In addition, a method according to the invention for producing an injection-molded connection arrangement, in particular for producing an injection-molded connection arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, comprises the following steps:

• • providing a first part and joining the first part to a second part at a joint;
• • enclosing the first part and the second part at the joint with a multi-part protective structure designed to remain dimensionally stable and in place during an injection molding process;
• • Insertion of the protective structure with the first and second part in an injection molding tool; and
• • Overmoulding the first part and the second part and the protective structure to form an envelope.

This procedure also ensures that the parts can be securely joined together by overmolding without any risk of deforming or even damaging the joined parts.

According to an advantageous development of the injection-molded connection arrangement according to the invention, the protective structure comprises a first half-shell and a second half-shell. This allows the protective structure to be better adapted to the parts to be protected and to be more easily placed in place. It is advantageous here if the two half-shells are connected to one another in a materially, form-fitting or non-positive manner.

Furthermore, a further shell can be formed, which also remains dimensionally stable and stationary during the injection molding process of the covering. This can be arranged, for example, between the first part or a part connected thereto, in particular a contact (for example a stamped contact), and the casing.

It can be advantageous if each of the half-shells is formed from a plurality of shell elements. This enables an even better adaptation to the spatial configuration of the parts to be connected to one another.

A particularly advantageous application of the invention results when the first part and the second part are components of an electrical cable connection. In the case of the cable connection thus formed by overmoulding, a secure electrical connection can thus be ensured very efficiently and deformation/damage can be avoided.

A particularly stable and at the same time temperature and fire resistant embodiment of the injection molding connection arrangement according to the invention can be obtained if the protective structure is formed from a polyamide 6.6 (also referred to as PA66 GF30) filled with at least essentially 30% glass fibers. A range of 25-35% is understood as at least essentially 30%. However, preferably 30% glass fibers are present.

The present invention can be used to advantage in a situation in which the first part is materially or positively connected to the second part at the connection point, since this has already taken place in advance of the two parts being fixed and thus the accuracy of the spatial geometry the injection molding connection arrangement can be improved.

An advantageous further development of the method according to the invention can consist in producing the protective structure and the casing one after the other in injection molds connected in series, preferably from two different plastic components. As a result, the casing and the protective structure can be mass-produced in a cost-effective manner.

The method according to the invention proves to be particularly advantageous when it is used to produce an electrical cable connection enclosed with an injection-molded connection arrangement.

• 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Heizpatrone, die eine erfindungsgemäße Spritzguss-Verbindungsanordnung enthält;
• 2 eine Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Spritzguss-Verbindungsanordnung im Querschnitt längs der Linie A-A von 3;
• 3 eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Spritzguss-Verbindungsanordnung im Querschnitt, die ohne Umhüllung dargestellt ist; und
• 4 eine perspektivische Teilansicht der Heizpatrone von 1, die ohne Umhüllung dargestellt ist.

Further features, advantages and embodiments of the invention result from the following description of embodiments of the injection molding connection arrangement according to the invention with reference to the figures. It shows:

• 1 is a perspective view of a cartridge heater incorporating an injection molded connector assembly of the present invention;
• 2 an embodiment of the injection molding connection arrangement according to the invention in cross section along the line AA of 3 ;
• 3 a further embodiment of the injection-molded connection arrangement according to the invention in cross-section, which is shown without the encapsulation; and
• 4 a perspective partial view of the heating cartridge of 1 , which is shown without an envelope.

The present invention is presented below using the example of a heating cartridge, in which a connection line corresponds to a first part 30 to be connected and a heating bulb corresponds to a second part 40 to be connected. The designations "left", "right", "top" and "bottom" used below only serve to simplify the description of the spatial arrangement of the relevant components in the drawings and are not to be regarded as limiting with regard to the embodiment of the present invention. "Right" is a direction towards the heating piston 40, "left" is a direction away from the heating piston 40, "up" is a direction towards the second half-shell 62 and "down" is a direction towards the first half-shell 61.

In 1 a heating cartridge 10 is shown, in which a heating piston 40 shown schematically on the right is connected to a connection line 30 shown schematically on the left in an injection molding connection arrangement 20 . Both the heating bulb 40 and the connecting line 30 are at least partially surrounded by a casing 50 produced by injection molding, which is why the components lying further inside cannot be seen in detail. Thus, this embodiment is an electrical cable connection that is encapsulated or housed by means of an injection molded connection arrangement 20 . However, the present invention can also be used with non-electrical connection arrangements.

In 2 and 3 the injection molding connection arrangement 20 according to the invention is shown in cross section. In this example, a stamped contact 31 is angled in an L-shape and is conductively connected, in particular welded, to a connecting line 30 . The connection line 30 has a connection point 32 at which it is connected to the heating bulb 40 . A first half-shell 61 of a multi-part protective structure 60 is provided below the connection line 30 .

At its right-hand end, the first half-shell 61 has an engagement section 68 which is designed to engage around a first end 42 of the heating piston 40 . The first end 42 of the heating bulb 40 is designed to be gripped for this purpose. Here, the first end 42 extends radially outward. The engagement section 68 is preferably designed as a semi-annular collar which encloses the first end 42 of the heating piston 40 . The engagement section 68 is thus formed axially on both sides of the first end 42 . As a result, the connection can withstand axial loads particularly well. As in 2 It can also be seen that the casing 50 is also formed axially on both sides of the engagement section 68 . As a result, the connection can absorb axial forces even better, or protect the connection point 32, which is more susceptible, from excessive axial loads. In this case, the axial direction is a direction in the main extension direction of the heating piston 40.

A second half-shell 62 of the multi-part protective structure 60 is provided above the horizontally oriented section of the stamped contact 31 , the second half-shell 62 enclosing the first end 42 of the heating piston 40 at its right-hand end with an engagement section 69 . The engagement section 69 is preferably also designed as a semi-annular collar. Thus, the engagement section 68 and the engagement section 69 together form a collar 80 that is preferably formed over the full circumference. As in FIG 2 It can also be seen that here too the casing 50 is formed axially on both sides of the engagement section 69 .

The two half-shells 61, 62 are designed and arranged in such a way that they rest against the connection line 30 or the stamped contact 31 and thus mechanically support or fix these components.

As in 2 and 3 As can be seen, the first half-shell 61 has a first connecting section 73 projecting upwards and the second half-shell 62 has a second connecting section 75 . The first connecting section 73 extends at least into the second connecting section 75, preferably beyond it. A form-fitting connection between the two half-shells 61 and 62 can thus be formed. Of course, it would also be conceivable for the connecting sections 73 and 75 to be reversed, ie the second connecting section 75 extends into the first connecting section 73 .

In this embodiment, the first connecting section 73 is designed as a cylindrical bolt and the second connecting section 75 is designed as a web which has a cylindrical recess which is complementary in shape to the first connecting section 73 and into which the cylindrical bolt can be inserted. After arranging the two half-shells 61, 62 on the connection line 30 or the stamped contact 31, a form-fitting connection between the two half-shells 61, 62 or their connecting sections 73, 75 can be produced in a simple manner. In this way, the half-shells 61 and 62 remain stable in their position relative to one another during the overmolding and can protect the connection point 32 . Alternatively, it is of course also possible for the two half-shells 61, 62 to be connected to one another in a material-to-material and/or non-positive manner.

According to the illustration in 2 For example, the first half-shell 61 can be formed from two shell elements 64 and 65 and the second half-shell 62 can be formed from two shell elements 66 and 67. In this case, the respective shell elements 64-67 can be plugged together by corresponding snap-in connections, shown schematically. Due to the division into the individual shell elements 64-67, the two half-shells 61, 62 can be arranged more easily at the respective place of use. It goes without saying that a one-piece design of the two half-shells 61, 62 is also possible, as shown in 3 is shown.

As in 2 to recognize a further shell 63 is formed, which is arranged adjacent to the stamped contact 31 and supports it mechanically. The shell 63 extends at least essentially at a right angle from the half-shell 61 or 62. The angling of the stamped contact 31 can thereby be supported mechanically. The shell 63 is arranged in particular on the half shell 61 . Similar to the form-fitting connection of the two half-shells 61 and 62, a form-fitting connection between the shell 63 and the corresponding half-shell 61 and/or 62 can also be formed here. Of course, as an alternative, the connection can in turn be formed in a material-to-material and/or non-positive manner.

After the connecting line 30 has been connected to the heating bulb 40 and the two half-shells 61 and 62 have been arranged in such a way that they enclose the connecting line 30 and the heating bulb 40, the assembly formed in this way is inserted into an injection mold and this assembly is overmoulded, so that an enclosure 50 is produced in the desired configuration, such as that shown in FIG 1 is shown. The further shell 63 is preferably also arranged and encased by means of the cover 50 .

From the presentation in 3 and 4 it can be seen that next to the in the 2 Connection line 30 shown, for example, a further connection line 36 can be provided, the two connection lines 30 and 36 being brought together in the vicinity of the heating bulb 40 . Thus, in addition to the 2 illustrated Punched contact 31, another punched contact 33 may also be present.

If two or more connection lines 30 and 36 are arranged, at least one of the two half-shells 61 or 62 can extend between the connection lines 30 and 36 in the direction of the other half-shell 62 or 61 . These areas, which extend in the direction of the other half-shell 62 or 61, preferably lie against the other half-shell 62 or 61 or extend into the other half-shell 62 or 61.

Furthermore, in 3 and 4 the collar 80 formed from the engagement section 68 and 69, which surrounds the first end 42 of the heating piston 40, can be seen particularly clearly.

It goes without saying that in the case of the present invention there is a relationship between, on the one hand, features that have been described in connection with method steps and, on the other hand, features that have been described in connection with corresponding devices. Thus, method features described are also to be regarded as device features belonging to the invention—and vice versa—even if this was not explicitly mentioned.

It should be noted that the features of the invention described with reference to individual embodiments or variants, such as the type and design of the individual components of the protective structure and their exact dimensions and spatial arrangement, can also be present in other embodiments, unless otherwise stated or prohibits itself for technical reasons. In addition, of such features of individual embodiments described in combination, not all features necessarily always have to be implemented in a relevant embodiment.

Reference List

10

cartridge heater

20

Injection Molded Connection Assembly

30, 36

first part (connecting line)

31, 33

stamping contact

32

connection point

40

Second part (heating iron)

42

First ending

50

wrapping

60

(multi-part) protective structure

61

(first) half shell

62

(second) half shell

63

another bowl

64-67

shell elements

68, 69

engagement section

73, 75

connection section

80

Federation

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 2237469 A1 [0002]

Claims (10)

An injection molded connector assembly (20) comprising: a first part (30) and a second part (40) joined together at a joint (32); and a shell (50) made by injection molding and at least partially encasing the first part (30) and the second part (40); characterized in that at least in the area of the connection point (32) a multi-part protective structure (60) is formed, which is arranged between the connection point (32) and the cover (50) and designed in such a way that during the injection molding process of the cover (50) remains dimensionally stable and stationary. Injection molded connector assembly (20). claim 1 , characterized in that the protective structure (60) comprises a first half-shell (61) and a second half-shell (62). Injection molded connector assembly (20). claim 2 , characterized in that the two half-shells (61, 62) are materially, positively or non-positively connected to one another. Injection molded connector assembly (20). claim 2 or 3 , characterized in that each of the half-shells (61, 62) is formed from a plurality of shell elements (64-67). Injection molded connection arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (30) and the second part (40) are components of an electrical cable connection. Injection-moulded connection arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protective structure (60) is formed from a polyamide 6.6 filled at least essentially with 30% glass fibres. Injection-moulded connection arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first part (30) is connected to the second part (40) in a materially or form-fitting manner at the connection point (32). Method for producing an injection molded connection arrangement (20), in particular for producing an injection molded connection arrangement (20) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: • providing a first part (30) and connecting the first part (30) to a second part (40) at a connection point (32); • enclosing the first part (30) and the second part (40) at the joint (32) with a multi-part protective structure (60) designed to remain dimensionally stable and in place during an injection molding process; • Insertion of the protective structure (60) with the first and second part (30, 40) in an injection molding tool; and • Overmoulding of the first part (30) and the second part (40) and the protective structure (60) to form a covering (50). procedure after claim 8 , characterized in that the protective structure (60) and the casing (50) are each produced in an injection molding tool. Using the procedure after claim 8 or 9 for producing an electrical cable connection enclosed with an injection-molded connection arrangement (20).

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