EP2348586A1 - Appareil pour connexion électrique - Google Patents

Appareil pour connexion électrique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP2348586A1
EP2348586A1 EP10151182A EP10151182A EP2348586A1 EP 2348586 A1 EP2348586 A1 EP 2348586A1 EP 10151182 A EP10151182 A EP 10151182A EP 10151182 A EP10151182 A EP 10151182A EP 2348586 A1 EP2348586 A1 EP 2348586A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connection point
annular
conductor
insulating element
cap nut
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10151182A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Jerome Calonne
Martin Hardy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Delphi Technologies Operations Luxembourg SARL
Original Assignee
Delphi Technologies Holding SARL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Delphi Technologies Holding SARL filed Critical Delphi Technologies Holding SARL
Priority to EP10151182A priority Critical patent/EP2348586A1/fr
Priority to PCT/EP2010/070346 priority patent/WO2011088940A1/fr
Publication of EP2348586A1 publication Critical patent/EP2348586A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R39/00—Rotary current collectors, distributors or interrupters
    • H01R39/64—Devices for uninterrupted current collection
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
    • H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/533—Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to apparatus for providing an electrical connection between two components.
  • the invention relates to an apparatus for providing an electrical connection between two cylindrical components of a fuel injector for an internal combustion engine.
  • One type of fuel injector for use in internal combustion engines comprises an elongate, generally tubular or cylindrical nozzle holder body, and a nozzle.
  • the nozzle houses a valve needle of the injector.
  • the valve needle is moveable to control the flow of fuel through outlets in the nozzle. Movement of the valve needle is controlled by an actuator arrangement housed in the nozzle holder body.
  • the nozzle In use of the injector, the nozzle is positioned in communication with a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, and the injection of fuel from the injector into the combustion chamber through the outlets is controlled by operation of the actuator arrangement.
  • the nozzle 10 comprises an elongate portion 12 of relatively small outside diameter and having an axial bore 14 for receiving the valve needle (not shown), and a collar portion 16 of relatively large outside diameter.
  • the outside diameter of the collar portion 16 approximately matches the outside diameter of an end region 20 of the nozzle holder body 18.
  • the collar portion 16 of the nozzle 10 abuts the end region 20 of the nozzle holder body 18, and is held in position by a fastening member or cap nut 22.
  • the cap nut 22 comprises a generally tubular element having a first portion 24 with an inside diameter similar to the outside diameters of both the end region 20 of the nozzle holder body 18 and the collar portion 16 of the nozzle 10, and a second portion 26 with an inside diameter similar to the outside diameter of the elongate portion 12 of the nozzle 10.
  • the first portion 24 of the cap nut carries internal screw threads that mate with complementary external screw threads provided on the end region 20 of the nozzle holder body 18.
  • the difference in the inside diameter of the first and second portions 24, 26 of the cap nut 22 provides a shoulder 28 of the cap nut 22, which abuts the collar portion 16 of the nozzle 10. In this way, when the cap nut 22 is screwed on to the end region 20 of the nozzle holder body 18, the collar portion 16 of the nozzle 10 is clamped against the nozzle holder body 18 by the cap nut 22.
  • EP-B-1854993 describes an arrangement in which a pressure sensor is integrated into the cap nut of a fuel injector.
  • the pressure sensor is arranged to measure the gas pressure within the combustion chamber associated with the injector, and is located on one side of the cap nut.
  • electrical connections between the injector and a control system of the engine are made at a connection point at an end of the nozzle holder body opposite the nozzle. Consequently, at least one electrical connection, typically a signal cable, must bridge from the connection point on the nozzle holder body to the pressure sensor in the cap nut. Due to space restrictions within the nozzle and the nozzle holder body, it is preferable for the signal cable to be provided on the outside of the body of the fuel injector.
  • the signal cable extends in a direction parallel to the common longitudinal axis of the nozzle holder body, the nozzle, and the cap nut.
  • the angular position of the cap nut pressure sensor may not correspond to the angular position of the connection point on the nozzle holder body. In this event, the signal cable would not extend in the preferred axial direction. Furthermore, due to manufacturing tolerances and other factors, the angular spacing between the pressure sensor and the connection point may vary between injectors, leading to further difficulties in manufacturing the injector using an automated process.
  • an apparatus comprising a generally cylindrical first body having a first electrical connection point, a generally tubular second body attachable to an end region of the first body and having a second electrical connection point, a first annular conductor associated with the first body and connected to the first connection point, and a second annular conductor associated with the second body and connected to the second connection point.
  • the first and second connection points are located laterally from a common axis of the first and second bodies.
  • the present invention provides a solution to the problem of making an electrical connection between two bodies that are rotated or turned with respect to one another during assembly and/or use of a device.
  • the first and second annular conductors may be biased towards one another when the second body is attached to the first body.
  • at least one of the annular conductors may be resilient to deformation in a direction parallel to the common axis to bias the annular conductors towards one another. In this way, a robust and reliable electrical connection can be facilitated that is unaffected by vibration and the like.
  • At least one of the annular conductors has a 'C'-shaped cross-section. In this way, one or both of the annular conductors act like a spring that pushes against the other annular conductor when the second body is attached to the first body.
  • the annular conductors may be fixed to the respective body so that, when a body is turned or rotated, the corresponding annular conductor turns or rotates along with the body.
  • the first body may comprise a shoulder defining the end region, and the first annular conductor may be located adjacent the shoulder.
  • the apparatus may comprise a first signal conductor to connect the first connection point to the first annular conductor, and/or a second signal conductor to connect the second connection point to the second annular conductor.
  • the first signal conductor and/or the second signal conductor may extend in a direction parallel to the common axis, and may optionally be routed along the outside of the respective first or second body.
  • the first signal conductor and/or the second signal conductor may be disposed within respective insulating sleeves. In this way, the signal conductors can be electrically isolated from the first and second bodies and from an external body in which the apparatus is housed.
  • the apparatus comprises a first insulating element for receiving the first annular conductor, and/or a second insulating element for receiving the second annular conductor.
  • the first insulating element and/or the second insulating element may, for example, have a 'U'-shaped cross-section to define an annular recess for receiving the respective first or second annular conductor.
  • the first insulating element may be attached to the first body, and/or the second insulating element may be attached to the second body.
  • an insulating element may be adhesively attached or moulded to the respective body.
  • the insulating sleeve within which a first signal conductor is disposed may be integral with the first insulating element.
  • the insulating sleeve within which a second signal conductor may be disposed is integral with the second insulating element.
  • the second body may be in the form of a nut or fastening for holding or retaining a third body in contact with the first body.
  • the first body may be of tubular or similar form.
  • the first body comprises a nozzle holder body of a fuel injector
  • the second body comprises a cap nut of the fuel injector.
  • the second connection point may comprise an output connection of a pressure transducer associated with the cap nut.
  • the pressure transducer may, for example, be integrated with or housed in the cap nut. Accordingly, in a second aspect, the invention extends to a fuel injector comprising apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • a fuel injector 100 having a nozzle holder body 118, a nozzle 110, and a cap nut 122, arranged along a common axis A.
  • the cap nut 122 is generally tubular. An upper end portion 123 of the cap nut 122 is engaged with a threaded end region 120 of the nozzle holder body 118. An opposite end of the cap nut 122 comprises an end portion 126 having a relatively small inside diameter to define an internal shoulder 128 of the cap nut 122. The internal shoulder 128 abuts a collar portion 116 of the nozzle 110, so that the cap nut 122 retains the nozzle 110 against the nozzle holder body 118 in an end-to-end configuration.
  • the nozzle 110 houses a valve needle (not shown) for controlling the injection of fuel through one or more outlets (not shown), and the nozzle holder body 118 houses an actuator arrangement (not shown) for controlling movement of the valve needle.
  • the injector 100 is mounted in a cylinder head (not shown) of an internal combustion engine, so that the nozzle 110 and at least part of the cap nut 122 extend into a combustion chamber 130 of the engine.
  • the cap nut 122 comprises a recess 132 within which a pressure transducer 134 is received.
  • the pressure transducer 134 may be of the type described in the present applicant's granted European Patent No. EP-B-1854993 , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the pressure transducer 134 generates an output signal that relates to the gas pressure in the combustion chamber 130.
  • the output signal of the pressure transducer 134 must be relayed to an engine control unit (ECU, not shown) or similar device of the engine.
  • the pressure sensor 134 is connected to the vehicle earth via the conducting metal of the cap nut 122, nozzle holder body 118 and cylinder head, therefore only a single electrical connection between the transducer 134 and the ECU is required in this embodiment.
  • the pressure transducer 134 comprises an output connection 136 for the electrical signal.
  • the output connection 136 is associated with an outwardly-directed face 138 of the pressure transducer 134.
  • the injector 100 comprises a connection point on or adjacent to an outside surface of the nozzle holder body 118 from which a connection between the injector 100 and the ECU is made.
  • the connection point is not shown in the accompanying drawings, but the location of the connection point is indicated by the reference sign "B" in Figures 2 , 3(a) and 3(b) . It is necessary to provide an electrical connection between the output connection 136 of the pressure transducer 134 and the connection point B on the nozzle holder body 118.
  • the electrical connection is achieved by the provision of annular electrical conductors arranged between the cap nut 122 and the nozzle holder body 118, as will now be described.
  • a body signal conductor 138 in the form of a metallic strip extends from the connection point B on the nozzle holder body 118 towards the end region 120 of the nozzle holder body 118.
  • the body signal conductor 138 runs along the outside surface of the nozzle holder body 118, so that the body signal conductor 138 is laterally or radially spaced from, but parallel to, the axis A.
  • the body signal conductor 138 is housed within a sleeve 142.
  • the sleeve 142 is of an electrically insulating plastics material, and serves to prevent electrical contact between the conductor 138 and the nozzle holder body 118, and between the conductor 138 and the cylinder head and other engine components in use of the injector 100.
  • the nozzle holder body 118 comprises a flat 140 on the front face thereof, as shown in Figure 3(a) , to accommodate the body signal conductor 138 and the sleeve 142.
  • the end region 120 of the nozzle holder body 118 has a smaller outside diameter than the remainder of the nozzle holder body 118, so that the end region 120 is defined by a shoulder 144 of the nozzle holder body 118.
  • a first annular insulating element 148 made from an electrically insulating plastics material, abuts the shoulder 144.
  • the first insulating element 148 has a generally 'U'-shaped cross-section, arranged such that the base of the 'U'-shape abuts the shoulder 144 and such that an annular recess 150 is formed in the face of the element 148 opposite the shoulder 144, between the arms of the 'U'-shape.
  • a first annular conductor comprising a first conducting ring 152, is received in the recess 150 of the first insulating element 148.
  • the first conducting ring 152 comprises a metallic strip formed into a 'C'-shaped cross-section.
  • the open part of the 'C'-shape faces the outer arm of the 'U'-shape of the first insulating element 148.
  • the first conducting ring 152 functions as a spring that is resilient to deformation in a direction parallel to the axis A.
  • the sleeve 142 extends downwardly to overlap or connect at its lowermost end with the first insulating element 148.
  • the body signal conductor 138 extends through the first insulating element 148 to connect with the first conducting ring 152. In this way, the first conducting ring 152 is in electrical communication with the connection point B on the nozzle holder body 118.
  • a cap nut signal conductor 154 extends from the output connection 136 of the pressure transducer 134 of the cap nut 122 towards the nozzle holder body 118.
  • the cap nut signal conductor 154 comprises a metallic strip that runs along the outside surface of the cap nut 122, so that, like the body signal conductor 138, the cap nut signal conductor 154 is laterally or radially spaced from, but parallel to, the axis A.
  • the cap nut signal conductor 154 is housed within a sleeve 156 of an electrically insulating plastics material.
  • a second annular insulating element 160 made from an electrically insulating plastics material, extends around and abuts an end face 162 of the cap nut 122.
  • the second insulating element 160 also has a generally 'U'-shaped cross-section, arranged such that the base of the 'U'-shape abuts the shoulder end face 162 of the cap nut 122 and such that an annular recess 162 is formed in the face of the element 160 opposite the shoulder end face 162, between the arms of the 'U'-shape.
  • a second annular conductor comprising a second conducting ring 164, is received in the recess 162 of the second insulating element 160.
  • the second conducting ring 164 comprises a metallic strip formed into a 'C'-shaped cross-section of the same form as the first conducting ring 152 so that the second conducting ring 164 acts as spring that is resilient to deformation in a direction parallel to the axis A.
  • the upper portion 123 of the cap nut 122 comprises a flange region 166 that protrudes slightly in a radial direction from the remainder of the upper portion 123.
  • the sleeve 156 that houses the cap nut signal conductor 154 follows the contour of the flange region 166 so as to overlap or connect at its uppermost end with the second insulating element 160.
  • the cap nut signal conductor 154 extends through an axial slot or drilling 168 in the flange region 166 to connect with the second conducting ring 164. In this way, the second conducting ring 164 is in electrical communication with the output connection 136 of the pressure transducer 134.
  • the first insulating element 148 and the associated first conducting ring 152 are fixed with respect to the nozzle holder body 118.
  • the first insulating element 148 may be adhesively attached to the shoulder 144 of the nozzle holder body 118 so as to prevent rotation of the first insulating element 148 relative to the nozzle holder body 118.
  • the second insulating element 160 and the associated second conducting ring 164 are fixed with respect to the cap nut 122.
  • the second insulating element 160 may be adhesively attached to the end face 162 of the cap nut 122.
  • the cap nut 122 is screwed on to the threaded end region 120 of the nozzle holder body 118.
  • the first and second insulating elements 148, 160 become pressed against one another, so that the respective recesses 150, 162 are in communication.
  • the first and second conducting rings 152, 164 are therefore pressed or held together, so as to form an electrical connection.
  • connection point B on the nozzle holder body 118 and the output connection 136 of the pressure transducer 134 of the cap nut 122 irrespective of whether the connection point B and the output connection 136 are aligned in a direction parallel to the axis A.
  • an electrical connection is achieved even when the connection point B and the output connection 136 are in angular misalignment.
  • the conducting rings 152, 164 and signal conductors 138, 154 are preferably of a metallic material with good electrical conductivity and suitable mechanical properties, such as copper. However, any other suitable material could be used.
  • the spring-like form of the first and second conducting rings 152, 164 ensures that a reliable, low resistance electrical contact is made between the rings 152, 164.
  • the components are arranged so that each ring 152, 164 protrudes slightly out of its respective recess 150, 162. In this way, when the first and second insulating elements 148, 160 are pressed against one another during assembly of the injector 100, the first and second conducting rings 152, 164 are deformed against their resilience so as to ensure a sound electrical contact when the injector 100 is subject to vibration and other adverse operating conditions.
  • the cap nut 122 clamps the second insulating element 160 against the first insulating element 148. In this way, a fluid-tight seal is formed between the first and second insulating elements 148, 160 so as to prevent fluid such as fuel from coming into contact with the conducting rings 152, 164.
  • first and second conducting rings 152, 164 may optionally be moulded into the plastics material of the first and second insulating elements 148, 160, respectively.
  • the conducting rings 152, 164 may instead be an interference fit in the respective recesses 150, 162 of the insulating elements 148, 160, or could be adhesively fixed.
  • the end faces of one or both of the insulating elements 148, 160, adjacent the respective recesses 150, 162, may comprise sealing means to enhance the seal between the insulating elements 148, 160.
  • the sealing means may comprise, for example, one or more annular sealing ridges.
  • the sealing means could comprise an 'o' ring provided in a face of an insulating element 148, 160.
  • the insulating elements 148, 160 may be formed integrally with the respective sleeves 142, 156.
  • the insulating elements 148, 160 may be formed in a single injection moulding process with the respective sleeves 142, 156.
  • the sleeves 142, 156 are over-moulded onto the insulating elements 148, 160.
  • the sleeves 142, 156 may be glued or otherwise attached to the outside of the nozzle holder body 118 and the cap nut 122, respectively.
  • the first and second annular conductors comprise rings 152, 164. It will be appreciated, however, that complete circular rings need not be provided. Instead, conductors having part-circular or semi-circular form could be used, provided sufficient overlap of the conductors is achieved when the cap nut 122 is screwed on to the nozzle holder body 118.
  • the conducting rings 152, 164 derive their resilience from the spring-like shape of the rings 152, 164. It is conceivable, however, that the rings 152, 164 may not be spring-like, in which case a separate biasing arrangement could be used to bias the rings 152, 164 into contact. For example, one or both rings could be mounted on an 'o' ring or on a separate spring ring.
  • connection point B on the nozzle holder body may comprise an electrical connector, such as a plug or socket, arranged to mate with a complementary connector for connection to an ECU or other device of the engine.
  • connection point B comprises an on-board microprocessor or other electronic device, such as an electronic charge amplifier.

Landscapes

  • Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)
EP10151182A 2010-01-20 2010-01-20 Appareil pour connexion électrique Withdrawn EP2348586A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10151182A EP2348586A1 (fr) 2010-01-20 2010-01-20 Appareil pour connexion électrique
PCT/EP2010/070346 WO2011088940A1 (fr) 2010-01-20 2010-12-21 Appareil pour connexion électrique

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP10151182A EP2348586A1 (fr) 2010-01-20 2010-01-20 Appareil pour connexion électrique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2348586A1 true EP2348586A1 (fr) 2011-07-27

Family

ID=42167914

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10151182A Withdrawn EP2348586A1 (fr) 2010-01-20 2010-01-20 Appareil pour connexion électrique

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2348586A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2011088940A1 (fr)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5704792A (en) * 1995-05-22 1998-01-06 Hughes Aircraft Company Spring loaded rotary connector
US6062200A (en) * 1996-09-26 2000-05-16 Robert Bosch Gmbh Motor fuel dispenser
EP1854993A1 (fr) * 2006-05-12 2007-11-14 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Soupape d'injection du carburant

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5704792A (en) * 1995-05-22 1998-01-06 Hughes Aircraft Company Spring loaded rotary connector
US6062200A (en) * 1996-09-26 2000-05-16 Robert Bosch Gmbh Motor fuel dispenser
EP1854993A1 (fr) * 2006-05-12 2007-11-14 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Soupape d'injection du carburant
EP1854993B1 (fr) 2006-05-12 2008-07-02 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Soupape d'injection du carburant

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2011088940A1 (fr) 2011-07-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7503784B2 (en) Quick connector
US7193183B2 (en) Glow plug connector and system with a coupling, glow plug connector and glow plug
EP1854993B1 (fr) Soupape d'injection du carburant
US7849833B2 (en) Engine head structure
JP5682787B2 (ja) 燃料噴射装置
US10221782B2 (en) In-cylinder pressure detecting apparatus
US8875682B2 (en) Coupling device and fuel injection arrangement
US9500125B2 (en) Combustion pressure measuring plug for a combustion engine
US9874195B2 (en) Pressure-measuring glow plug device
US10707003B2 (en) Electrical connection device
CN104094062A (zh) 压力测量预热塞
US20090183558A1 (en) Cam/crank sensor that allows for multiple orientations of a plastic over-molded bracket relative to a molded sensor terminal assembly
EP2348586A1 (fr) Appareil pour connexion électrique
EP3002445A1 (fr) Ensemble d'injecteur
EP2713040B1 (fr) Connecteur électrique
JP6270598B2 (ja) 燃料噴射装置
JP5652318B2 (ja) センサモジュール
EP2700805B1 (fr) Pièce d'extension, soupape d'injection et ensemble de distribution de carburant
EP2077390A1 (fr) Agencement de couplage et ensemble de connexion
US9553440B2 (en) Wire seal assembly
CN105612342B (zh) 燃料喷射器和燃料喷射系统
EP1636477B1 (fr) Systeme de raccordement a continuite controlee pour raccorder deux tuyaux de maniere fluidiquement etanche
EP1884657B1 (fr) Dispositif de fixation d'un injecteur de carburant sur une culasse de moteur à combustion interne
JP5930007B2 (ja) 燃料レール、および、これを用いた燃料噴射装置
EP2199592B1 (fr) Dispositif de fixation pour fixer un injecteur de combustible dans une culasse d'un moteur à combustion

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL BA RS

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20120127

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20120922