EP3700026B1 - Actuator assignment element - Google Patents

Description

technical field

The present invention relates to an insertion element for connection to an actuator for a vehicle transmission and a system comprising the insertion element and the actuator for the vehicle transmission.

State of the art

Various constructions are currently used for the electrical connection or contacting of a printed circuit board installed in an actuator for a vehicle transmission.

The circuit board can be electrically contacted using so-called spring-loaded contacts, with two spring-loaded contacts usually being provided for each actuator. This type of contact requires a certain contact force between the spring-loaded contacts and the circuit board. An alignment of the actuator can result in a height offset of the two spring-pressure contacts, which requires a small manufacturing tolerance to ensure uninterrupted contact. In addition, a distance to be bridged over several hydraulic plates can lead to a further increase in the manufacturing tolerance. The increasing manufacturing tolerance requires an increased (on) contacting force and a high degree of alignment accuracy of the actuators, which is only possible through a cost-intensive reduction of the twisting angle of the actuators.

As an alternative to the spring-pressure contact, a knife-fork contact can be used as a contact element in conjunction with a module in which the structure and connection technology is implemented using a stamped grid. However, this variant can only be represented with great effort using printed circuit board technology. The connection to the contact blade using a wire crimp unit should therefore be seen as an alternative to circuit board technology.

With all of the aforementioned forms of contact, however, protection against conductive abrasion in the oil of the vehicle transmission, for example floating electrically conductive chips, is a challenge. More precisely, this abrasion or these chips can lead to an electrically conductive connection between the contacts of the placement element and/or the actuator and thus cause a short circuit.

DE 10 2015 206 961 A1 discloses a multi-terminal connector. The connector is designed to provide an insulating gap between the terminals by forming a space and partition between the connectors. This insulating section is designed to protect against a short circuit that can be triggered by metallic foreign objects in the connection area.

However, plug-in connections of this type not only have a relatively complex structure and are therefore expensive, but also make handling more difficult in terms of the pluggability of the plug. In addition, the insulating partition wall is exposed to high mechanical stress if there is a foreign body in the area of the plug connection.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to prevent such a short circuit in all tolerance positions and positions of the contact, more precisely to provide effective chip protection. Furthermore, there is a need for contacting the individual actuators by means of an assembly element, which also ensures high security against the chips contained in the oil.

Presentation of the invention

This object is achieved with an assembly element and a system according to independent claim 1 . Advantageous configurations are specified in the dependent claims.

In the present case, a component element is provided for making electrical contact with an actuator for a vehicle transmission, having a base body and two electrical connections protruding from the base body of the component element on one side. The placement element also has a chip protection provided at least in sections between the electrical connections, which is designed to make a short circuit between the contacts more difficult at least in sections when the placement element is in contact with the actuator. The chip guard is U-shaped in the cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the insertion direction, so that the chip guard (14) at least partially accommodates the electrical connections (12, 13) between two legs of the U-shape. At least in a front area in the direction of insertion, it has an insertion area that is designed like a funnel.

The placement element is an electronic connection element configured to transfer electrical energy and signals from an input side to an output side and vice versa. The placement element can have, for example, a first electrical connection for making contact with a first connection on the actuator side and a second electrical connection for making contact with a second connection on the actuator side.

The chip protector is provided such that at least a portion of the chip protector is intersected by an imaginary line extending from the first to the second electrical terminal. That is, by providing the chip protector between the first and second electrical terminals, a straight connection between the electrical terminals is not possible in sections without cutting the chip protector. The base body is preferably a component made of plastic or of another material with a similarly lower conductivity than plastic. The base body and/or the chip protection is preferably a non-conductor, with the base body and/or the chip protection being able to be designed either in one piece or in two parts with an upper and lower half as an injection molded part.

The chip protector preferably comprises a non-conductive material that has low or negligible electrical conductivity compared to the first and second electrical connections. The chip protection is provided in such a way that it prevents or at least makes it more difficult for a short circuit to occur between the electrical connections. The so configured placement element is also as Retrofitting solution suitable for actuators that are already installed or are in series production, since the chip protection is at least partially advantageously solved on the placement element side. In other words, the placement element itself acts in the manner of a labyrinth seal and makes it difficult for conductive filings in the oil of the vehicle's transmission to electrically connect the terminals. The reliable isolation is based on an extension of a path between the terminals or for connecting the terminals. The chip protection therefore forms an integrally formed barrier or an obstacle with the placement element, which or which a chip or another conductive object, for example oil having conductive abrasion, would have to bypass in order to be able to contact both terminals and thus be able to electrically connect them.

The two electrical terminals may protrude from the body in an insertion direction of the placement element, and the chip protector may extend in the insertion direction. The chip protection can extend essentially parallel to the two electrical connections in the direction of insertion. The chip protection can protrude beyond the two electrical connections in the direction of insertion. The insertion direction corresponds to a direction in which the placement element needs to be moved in order to contact the actuator-side terminals with the two placement-element side terminals. The components marked as actuator-side are components of the actuator and not of the placement element or the actuator has the actuator-side components. The components marked as being on the placement element side are components of the placement element and not of the actuator or the placement element has the components on the placement element side. The two connections preferably pass through the base body or penetrate into it.

The base body is preferably designed in such a way that both electrical connections can be contacted from one side of the base body. This side is preferably a side of the base body that is opposite the side on which the electrical connections are arranged, in the direction of insertion. This opposite side preferably has recesses, such as bores, which connect the opposite side to the two electrical connections. So through the recesses can each be brought into contact with a further electrical conductor with the two electrical connections.

The two connections preferably protrude essentially at right angles from one side of the base body and form a so-called blade contact, which can be accommodated in a so-called fork contact of the actuator. The base body is preferably cuboid or at least partially cuboid. The base body preferably has a mechanical stop which protrudes essentially at right angles to the direction of insertion or two mechanical stops which protrude essentially at right angles to the direction of insertion. Each stop is preferably in contact with a housing of the actuator at an inserted position of the placement element.

Furthermore, the base body can have one or two latching elements. The latching elements are preferably fixed on one, preferably on two, side surface(s) of the base body. The latching elements can extend forward essentially parallel in the direction of insertion and at a distance from the side surface. The latching elements preferably have a certain elasticity. At their front end in the insertion directions, the latching elements preferably have a section which protrudes in the direction of the side surface of the base body and which is designed to enclose an actuator-side latching section. The latching elements can be used to fasten or fix the placement element on the actuator, preferably in the direction of insertion.

The electrical connections can be plate-like. The chip protector may include a first insulator and a second insulator. The insulating devices can be plate-like and one of the insulating devices can be assigned to one of the electrical connections. The isolating devices, together with the respective electrical connection to which they are assigned, can form a T-shaped cross-section as seen from the direction of insertion. In other words, the plate-like insulating devices are essentially perpendicular to the respective electrical connection assigned to them. Plate-like means here that both the electrical connections and the Insulating devices are flat, essentially the same thickness everywhere, components are limited on two opposite sides by a flat surface that is very extensive in relation to the thickness. In the case of the T-shaped arrangement, the very extensive flat surfaces of the electrical connection are arranged perpendicularly to the very extensive flat surfaces of the respective insulating device.

Furthermore, at least one insulating device can be in contact with one of the electrical connections. The insulating device can, for example, also be partially applied to the respective electrical connection. The chip guard may have a height that is greater than a height of a first electrical terminal and greater than a height of a second electrical terminal of the two electrical terminals. At least one insulating device can have a recess extending in the direction of insertion for at least partially accommodating an electrical connection. The chip guard is therefore U-shaped in the cross-sectional plane on which the insertion direction is perpendicular, so that the chip guard at least partially accommodates the electrical connections between two legs of the U-shape. If the chip protection is configured in a U-shape, it can serve as a rail or holder for the electrical connections. As a result, the two electrical connections can be attached more easily to the placement element during the manufacturing process or during assembly. In other words, the two electrical connections can then be guided in the chip protection or supported by it.

The chip guard has, at least in a front area in the direction of insertion, an insertion area that is designed like a funnel. In other words, the isolating devices can taper at least in sections along the insertion direction as the distance from the base body increases. Tapering here describes a reduction in the cross-section. This means that the first and second isolating devices can have surfaces on their free end sections which are formed obliquely to the direction of insertion, so that the first and second isolating devices are tapered. Two inclined surfaces located at the same position in the direction of insertion can be arranged in such a way that the distance between them increases in the direction of insertion. In this way, these inclined surfaces create a kind of

Formed insertion funnel. As a result, a chip protection on the actuator side can be threaded more easily between two adjacent insulating devices, or the mounting element can be mounted more easily.

The base body and the chip guard can be designed in one piece. In this case, one-piece means designed to be continuous or integral. Preferably, the base body and the chip guard are made of the same material in one piece, in particular injection molded. Alternatively, the chip guard can be connected to the base body in a materially bonded manner.

The base body can have a recess, wherein the recess allows a portion of an actuator-side placement element receptacle to be partially received from the insertion direction and has a width that essentially corresponds to a distance between the first insulating device and the second insulating device.

Furthermore, a system with the assembly element described above and an actuator for a vehicle transmission is provided. The two electrical connections of the placement element can each be brought into electrically conductive contact with an electrical connection of the actuator. The chip protection of the placement element is designed in such a way that, in a state in which the placement element is inserted into the actuator, it is arranged both between the two electrical connections of the placement element and the two electrical connections of the actuator. The advantageous lengthening of the path described above is further reinforced by an advantageous interlocking of shaped elements of the placement element and of the actuator, in particular the recess of the placement element and the placement element receptacle of the actuator.

Brief description of the drawings

figure 1

shows a placement element according to an embodiment, schematically and in perspective.

figure 2

12 shows a placement element in perspective according to an embodiment.

figure 3

shows a perspective of a system with the assembly element figure 2 and an actuator according to an embodiment.

figure 4

shows the system in perspective figure 3 cut along line AA in figure 3 .

figure 5

shows a perspective view of a system with an assembly element and an actuator according to a further embodiment.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

A placement element 1 according to a first embodiment is described with reference to FIG figure 1 described. figure 1 shows the placement element 1 schematically, ie simplified, and in perspective.

The placement element 1 has a cuboid base body 11 , a first and a second electrical connection 12 , 13 and a chip protection 14 . Both the first and the second electrical connection 12 , 13 protrude perpendicularly from a side face of the base body 11 . The first and the second electrical connection 12, 13 are also cuboid in sections, more precisely plate-shaped, and extend in an insertion direction X. The insertion direction X is perpendicular to the side surface of the base body 11, from which the two electrical connections 12, 13 extend from. The insertion direction X is the direction in which the placement element 1 is to be inserted into an actuator 2 corresponding to the placement element 1 . Directions Z and Y are each perpendicular to the direction of insertion X, with the directions Z and Y themselves also including a right angle. In other words, the insertion direction X forms a Cartesian coordinate system together with the directions Z and Y. The Y direction indicates a width direction of the placement element 1 and the Z direction a height direction of the placement element 1. In the height direction Z, the first electrical connection 12 has a height Z2. In the height direction Z, the second electrical connection 13 has a height Z3. The height Z2 of the first electrical connection 12 is the same as the height Z3 of the second electrical connection 13.

The chip protection 14 is designed in two parts, ie it has a first insulating device 141 and a second insulating device 142 . In the present case, both the first isolating device 141 and the second isolating device 142 have the same height Z1 in the height direction Z. The height Z1 of the first and second insulating device 141, 142 is greater than both the height Z2 of the first electrical connection 12 and the height Z3 of the second electrical connection 13. In the width direction Y, the first electrical connection 12 has a width Y2. In the width direction Y, the second electrical connection 13 has a width Y3. The width Y2 of the first electrical connection 12 is the same as the width Y3 of the second electrical connection 13. In other words, a cross-sectional area of the first and second electrical connection 12, 13 is the same size in a cross-sectional plane YZ, on which the insertion direction X is perpendicular.

Here, both the first insulator 141 and the second insulator 142 have the same width Y1 in the width direction Y. In other words, a cross-sectional area of the first and second isolating device 141, 142 is of the same size in the cross-sectional plane YZ, on which the insertion direction X is perpendicular. The width Y1 of the first and second insulating device 141, 142 is greater than both the width Y2 of the first electrical connection 12 and the width Y3 of the second electrical connection 13.

In the insertion direction X, the first electrical connection 12 has a length X2. In the insertion direction X, the second electrical connection 13 has a length X3. The length X2 of the first electrical connection 12 is the same as the length X3 of the second electrical connection 13. In other words, the first and second electrical connections 12, 13 are of the same length in the insertion direction X, starting from the base body 11.

In the present case, both the first isolating device 141 and the second isolating device 142 have the same length X1 in the insertion direction X. The length X1 of the first and second insulating device 141, 142 is greater than both the length X2 of the first electrical connection 12 and the length X3 of the second electrical connection 13. The first electrical connection 12, the second electrical connection 13, the first insulating device 141 and the second isolating device 142 extend parallel to one another in the insertion direction X.

Furthermore, the base body 11 has a recess 111 . Side surfaces of the recess 111 extend as an extension of the first and second insulating device 141, 142 into the interior of the cuboid base body 11 counter to the direction of insertion X. In other words, a width Y4 of the recess 111 in the width direction Y corresponds to a distance Y5 in the width direction Y of the first to second insulating device 141, 142. In a plane XY, on which the height direction Z is perpendicular, forms the recess 111 in the base body 11 together with the first and second insulators 141, 142 have a U-shape. Here, the recess 111 is arranged centrally in the width direction Y in the base body 11 .

Furthermore, the cuboid base body 11 in figure 1 not shown recesses or holes or openings. The holes each extend in the insertion direction X from one side of the base body to the first and second electrical connection 12, 13. The side of the base body 11 from which the holes extend in the insertion direction X to the first and second electrical connection 12, 13 , is opposite to the side of the base body 11 from which the first and second electrical terminals 12, 13 protrude. In other words, the base body 11 comprises two holes in order to be able to contact the electrical connections 12, 13 from a side of the base body 11 opposite them in the insertion direction X.

The placement element 1 is symmetrical with respect to a plane which extends centrally between the first and second insulating devices 141, 142 in the direction of insertion X and which is perpendicular to the plane XY.

The placement element 1 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG figure 2 described. figure 2 shows perspectively the placement element 1 according to the first embodiment.

In figure 2 two cables 15 are shown, which are electrically connected, preferably crimped, in the holes in the base body 11 described above. The two cables 15 are thereby connected to conductors (not shown) which extend in the base body 11 to the first and second electrical connections 12 and 13 . Both the first and the second electrical connection 12, 13 are accommodated in a recess 144 in the first and the second insulating device 141, 142. The recess 144 is thus provided in each of the two insulating devices 141, 142. More specifically, both the first and second insulators 141, 142 have a U-shaped cross-section in the cross-sectional plane YZ. In this U-shaped cross section, more precisely between the legs of the U-shaped cross section, the first and the second electrical connection 12, 13 partially included. The first and second insulating devices 141, 142 thus each serve as a rail or guide for the first and the second electrical connection 12, 13 in the direction of insertion X.

As described above, the first and second insulating devices 141, 142 are longer in the direction of insertion X, starting from the base body 11, than the first and the second electrical connection 12, 13. The first and the second insulating device 141, 142 thus protrude beyond the electrical Connection 12, 13, which they have partially incorporated into their U-shaped cross-section. Furthermore, the overhang, which protrudes beyond the respective electrical connection 12, 13, of the respective insulating device 141, 142 has an inner section which runs inclined to the direction X of insertion. The overhang of the respective insulating device 141, 142 thus tapers in the direction of insertion X. The projection from the first and the second isolating device 141, 142 together form a funnel-shaped insertion area 143 for an actuator-side chip protection or a placement element receptacle 22. In other words, the isolating devices 141, 142 taper along the insertion direction X with increasing distance from the base body 11 The overhang or the front section in the insertion direction X of the first and second insulating device 141, 142 thus serves as an insertion aid for the placement element receptacle 22, which will be explained later in detail with reference to FIG figure 4 is described. As described above, the first and the second insulating device 141, 142 serve as a rail or assembly aid for the first and the second electrical connection 12, 13. They also prevent a short circuit between the first and the second electrical connection 12, 13, for example caused by an electrically conductive metal chip or conductive abrasion present in the oil.

In figure 3 is a perspective of a system having the placement element 1 from figure 2 and an actuator 2 according to the embodiment. figure 4 shows the system in perspective figure 3 cut along line AA in figure 3 .

The actuator 2 has the chip protection 22 , two mechanical stops 23 , 24 , a placement element cap 25 , a first electrical connection 26 on the actuator side and a second electrical connection 27 on the actuator side. Inside the The chip protection 22 on the actuator side is arranged in the placement element cap 25 . The chip protection 22 on the actuator side extends in the opposite direction and parallel to the insertion direction X of the placement element 1 . By further inserting the insertion element 1 in the insertion direction X, the chip protection 22 on the actuator side is partially accommodated in the recess 111 of the base body 11 . The placement element 1 is in Figure 3 and 4 shown in the almost fully inserted position in the actuator 2. By further inserting the placement element 1 into the actuator 2 in the insertion direction X, mechanical stops 16 , 17 of the placement element 1 come into contact with the mechanical stops 23 and 24 of the actuator 2 . A movement in the insertion direction X of the placement element 1 relative to the actuator 2 in the inserted state can thus be prevented. The mechanical stops 16, 17 of the placement element 1 each protrude laterally in the width direction Y from the base body 11. In other words, the mechanical stops 16, 17 of the placement element 1 extend in the width direction Y away from the base body 11. The mechanical stops 23, 24 of the actuator 2 each protrude laterally in the width direction Y from the placement element cap 25. In other words, the mechanical stops 23, 24 of the actuator 2 extend in the width direction Y away from the placement element cap 25.

As in figure 4 As can be seen, the first and second electrical connections 12 , 13 , designed as blade contacts, of the placement element 1 penetrate into a first electrical connection 26 and 27 , also designed as a fork contact, of the actuator 2 . The fork contacts 21 and 22 take the blade contacts 12, 13 in the insertion direction X on. In other words, an electrically conductive connection between the actuator 2 and the placement element 1 is established via the fork contacts 21, 22 of the actuator 2 and the blade contacts 12, 13 of the placement element 1.

In figure 5 a further embodiment of a system with an assembly element 1 and an actuator 2 is shown. dem in figure 5 the system shown is that same principle of action and the same structural design of the placement element 1 and the actuator 2, as with reference to the Figures 1 to 4 described, based. Therefore, only the differences from the first embodiment are described below.

the inside figure 5 The placement element 1 shown according to a second embodiment is designed as a single plug and has latching elements 18 , 19 . The latching elements 18, 19 each correspond to projections 28, 29 of the actuator 2 on the actuator side. The latching elements 18, 19 are designed to engage with the projections 28, 29 on the actuator side. A movement counter to the insertion direction X of the placement element 1 relative to the actuator 2 in the inserted state can thus be prevented. The latching elements 18 , 19 of the placement element 1 each protrude laterally in the width direction Y from the base body 11 .

A combination of both embodiments is possible. More precisely, this corresponds to an assembly element 1 with both the mechanical stops 16, 17 and the locking elements 18, 19. Movement in and against the insertion direction X of the assembly element 1 relative to the actuator 2 can be prevented in the inserted state.

Reference sign

1

assembly element

11

body

111

recess

12

first electrical connection (blade contact)

13

second electrical connection (blade contact)

14

chip protection

141

first isolation device

142

second isolation device

143

insertion area

144

Recess of the chip guard

15

Cable

16

mechanical stop

17

mechanical stop

18

locking element

19

locking element

2

actuator

22

chip protection on the actuator side (equipment holder)

23

mechanical stop

24

mechanical stop

25

placement element cap

26

first electrical connection on the actuator side (fork contact)

27

second actuator-side electrical connection (fork contact)

28

head Start

29

head Start

X

insertion direction

X1

Length of first and second isolators

X2

Length of first electrical connection

X3

Length of second electrical connection

Y

latitude direction

Y1

Width of first and second isolators

Y2

Wide first electrical connection

Y3

Wide second electrical connection

Y4

Wide recess of the base body

Y5

Distance from the first to the second isolation device

Z

height direction

Z1

Height of first and second isolation device

Z2

Height of first electrical connection

Z3

Height of second electrical connection

Claims (11)

1. Equipment element (1) for electrically contact-connecting an actuator (2) for a vehicle gearbox, having a basic body (11) and two electrical connections (12, 13) protruding on one side from the basic body (11) of the equipment element (1), wherein the equipment element has a chip guard (14) which is provided at least partially between the electrical connections (12, 13) and is configured, when the equipment element (1) has been brought into contact with the actuator (2), to at least partially make a short circuit between the contacts more difficult, characterized in that
   the chip guard (14) is U-shaped in the cross-sectional plane (YZ) that is perpendicular to the introduction direction, such that the chip guard (14) at least partially receives the electrical connections (12, 13) between two legs of the U shape, and has, at least in a front region in the introduction direction (X), an introduction region (143) which is funnel-shaped.
2. Equipment element (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the two electrical connections (12, 13) protrude from the basic body (11) in an introduction direction (X) of the equipment element (1) and wherein the chip guard (14) extends in the introduction direction (X).
3. Equipment element (1) according to Claim 2, wherein the chip guard (14) extends in the introduction direction (X) substantially parallel to the two electrical connections (12, 13).
4. Equipment element (1) according to either of Claims 2 and 3, wherein the chip guard (14) projects beyond the two electrical connections (12, 13) in the introduction direction (X).
5. Equipment element (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the two electrical connections (12, 13) are in the form of plates and the chip guard (14) has a first insulating device (141) and a second insulating device (142), wherein the insulating devices (141, 142) are in the form of plates and in each case one of the insulating devices (141, 142) is assigned to one of the electrical connections (12, 13), wherein the insulating devices (141, 142) form, together with the respective electrical connection (12, 13) to which they are assigned, a T-shaped cross section as seen from the introduction direction (X).
6. Equipment element (1) according to Claim 5, wherein at least one insulating device (141, 142) is in contact with one of the electrical connections (12, 13).
7. Equipment element (1) according to Claim 6, wherein at least one insulating device (141, 142) has a recess (144), extending in the introduction direction (X), for at least partially receiving an electrical connection.
8. Equipment element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the chip guard (14) has a greater height (Z1) than the electrical connections.
9. Equipment element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic body (11) and the chip guard (14) are formed in one piece.
10. Equipment element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the basic body (11) has a recess (111), wherein the recess allows partial reception of a portion of an actuator-side equipment-element receptacle (22) from the introduction direction (X) and has a width which corresponds substantially to a distance of the first insulating device (141) from the second insulating device (142).
11. System having an equipment element (1) according to one of the preceding claims and an actuator (2) for a vehicle gearbox, wherein the two electrical connections (12, 13) of the equipment element (1) are each able to be brought into electrically conducting contact with an electrical connection (21, 22) of the actuator, and the chip guard (14) of the equipment element (1) is configured such that, in a state in which the equipment element (1) has been plugged into the actuator (2), said chip guard (14) is arranged both between the two electrical connections (12, 13) of the equipment element (1) and the two electrical connections (26, 27) of the actuator.

Images