WO2003089795A1

WO2003089795A1 - Connecting piece for flexible plastic lines with a sensor arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2003089795A1
Application number: PCT/EP2003/003223
Authority: WO
Inventors: Herbert Frisch; Eberhard Veit
Original assignee: Festo Ag & Co
Priority date: 2002-04-19
Filing date: 2003-03-28
Publication date: 2003-10-30
Also published as: EP1497561A1; DE10217504C1

Abstract

Disclosed is a connecting piece for flexible fluidic plastic lines (11) whose wall comprises at least one electric line phase (13). A plug-in receiving element (15) for the plastic line (11) is connected to an internal fluidic line (28) in the connecting piece. Said plug-in receiving element (15) is provided with coupling means (22) for electric connection to at the at least one electric line phase (13) in the plastic line (11). At least one connecting cable (29) attached to the side of the connecting piece (10) electrically connects a sensor arrangement (30), which is attached to the end of the cable (29) which is remote from the connecting piece (10), to the coupling means (22). The plug-in receiving element (15) is connected, by means of an internal channel arrangement, to a pipe piece having a smooth outer surface for insertion into a fluidic device. The connecting piece is used as an intermediate piece. Instead of directly inserting the plastic line into the fluidic device, it is mounted therebetween.

Description

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The invention relates to a connector for flexible fluid plastic lines, the wall of which has at least one electrical line and / or light guide, a plug receptacle for the plastic line and a sensor arrangement being provided.

From EP 0803653 AI an arrangement is known in which the transmission of the working pressure and the sensor signals from position sensors of working cylinders takes place via electropneumatic plastic lines. The electropneumatic plastic lines are connected to valve assemblies that are attached to the working cylinders. The position sensors are connected to the valve arrangements via lines. The connecting pieces are inserted into the valves and fixed using retaining screws. Because of the electrical plug connections of the connection pieces to the valve arrangements, it is not possible to screw the connection pieces into conventional pneumatic screw openings. In addition, the position sensors need additional and indirectly connected to the connectors, which means a relatively large assembly effort.

An object of the present invention is to provide such a connection piece, by means of which the pneumatic connection to the working cylinders and the electrical connection to corresponding position sensors can be simplified with little assembly effort.

This object is achieved by a connector with the features of claim 1.

The connecting piece can advantageously be inserted into a pneumatic plug-in receptacle for fluidic lines of a working cylinder, in which case the position sensor (s) or other sensors then only have to be mechanically fixed. Electrical connections no longer have to be made separately. Other sensors, such as pressure sensors, then only need to be mechanically used in the corresponding receptacles. The risk of incorrect electrical connections and connection mix-ups on the sensors is eliminated. If sensors are to be replaced, for example because of a defect, then only the connection piece has to be replaced. Here too, despite the simplest assembly, there is no risk of faulty electrical connections. The connector serves as an adapter or adapter Connecting or interposing sensors only through plug-in processes.

Advantageous further developments and improvements of the connector specified in claim 1 are possible through the measures listed in the subclaims.

Advantageously, at least one electrical contact tip is arranged as a coupling means on the bottom of the non-rotationally symmetrical plug-in receptacle, which is adapted to the cross-section of the plastic line, such that when the plastic line is inserted into the plug-in receptacle it is aligned with the at least one electrical wiring harness and penetrates into it. As a result, by simply plugging the fluid plastic line into the plug receptacle, the electrical connections can be made automatically even if there are several line strands in the wall of the plastic line. An additional or subsequent establishment of the electrical connections is completely eliminated. Since the contact tips penetrate directly into the cable strands when the plastic cable is inserted into the plug receptacle, a secure electrical connection is ensured, especially since contact tips penetrate the cable strands in the longitudinal direction and thus form a contact path that is longer than transverse insertion.

Alternatively or additionally, the wall of the plastic line can also have at least one light guide, wherein then place light transmitters or light converters on the bottom of the plug-in receptacle instead of the contact tips. The advantages described also occur in this embodiment.

The plug-in receptacle expediently has, or essentially consists of a pipe section arranged parallel to the contact tip and penetrating into the fluid duct when the plastic line is inserted. When the plastic line is plugged onto the pipe section, a sealing fluidic connection is thus formed on the one hand, and on the other hand this pipe section serves for centering and aligning the plastic line and thereby enables secure positioning relative to the contact tip (s).

For mechanical fixation, but also for additional sealing, a clamp fixation, which is designed in particular as a clamp screw connection, is advantageously used. The clamping reversal advantageously consists of a screw thread encompassing the plug-in receptacle and of a corresponding union nut, a wedge piece which can be moved axially along an inclined surface by the union nut being provided for the clamping fixation of the plastic line, in particular for the clamping fixation between the pipe piece and the wedge piece. When the union nut is screwed in, this not only results in the desired clamping fixation, but also the plastic cable is pressed into the plug receptacle, which causes the electrical contact between the contact tips and the cable strands Compression of the hose cable material improved (contact pressure via the hose cable material).

In an advantageous embodiment, the flexible wedge piece is designed as a clamping ring and has an inner contour corresponding to the outer contour of the plastic line, the outer diameter tapering like a wedge toward the bottom of the plug receptacle. In this way, a water-protected connection is simultaneously formed by the compression fitting in conjunction with suitable sealants.

The sensor arrangement is preferably designed as a position sensor for piston position detection. A particularly simple and fail-safe assembly and arrangement is achieved in that the sensor arrangement and the electrical and / or optical connection cable are irreversibly connected to one another, in particular are molded onto one another. Likewise, the at least one connection cable is preferably irreversibly molded onto the base body of the connection piece, since this results in an arrangement that is protected against water and the environment. Of course, the connection cable can also be connected to the connector via a plug or screw connection.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. Show it: 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a connecting piece with an integrally formed connecting cable and sensor, in which a fluidic plastic line with three electrical line strands is plugged into the wall, in a longitudinal section,

2 shows a cross-sectional representation of the fluidic plastic line,

3 shows the connecting piece according to the first exemplary embodiment with the plastic line completely inserted and fixed by a clamping reversal and

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a connector for optical signal transmission in longitudinal section.

1 and 3 as the first exemplary embodiment, is used essentially for connection to a flexible fluidic plastic line 11, in the wall of which run three electrical lines 12 - 14, which are designed, for example, as strands. The number of line strands 12-14 is of course arbitrary and lies between one and a large number of line strands. The plastic line 11 has a non-rotationally symmetrical cross section, so that it is only possible to insert it into a plug-in receptacle 15 with a corresponding cross section of the base body 16 of the connecting piece 10 in a specific orientation. The plug-in receptacle 15 is surrounded by a tubular wall area 18 of the base body 16, which has a screw thread 17 on the outside and which can be made of metal or also of plastic material. A part of the wall region 18 adjoining the region of the plug-in receptacle 15 is tapered towards the free axial end, so that a circular cone-like inclined surface 19 is formed on its inside. The plug-in receptacle 15 is delimited radially inward by a piece of pipe 20 which is anchored or integrally formed on or in the base body 16 and which extends in the axial direction beyond the free end of the wall region 18. The outer diameter of the pipe section 20 is slightly larger than the inner diameter of a fluidic channel 21 in the interior of the plastic line 11.

in a modification of FIG. 2, the plastic line 11 can also have a cylindrical outer contour, while asymmetrical designs then extend radially inwards. Correspondingly, the plug-in receptacle 15 then has a circular cylindrical inner contour and the pipe section 20 has an asymmetrical outer contour adapted to the asymmetrical inner contour of the plastic line 11. From the bottom of the plug-in receptacle 15, electrical contact tips 22 extend parallel to the pipe section 20 into the plug-in receptacle 15, the number and arrangement of the contact tips 22 corresponding to the number and arrangement of the line strands 12-14 in the plastic line 11, so that when the plug is inserted Plastic line 11 penetrate the contact tips 22 into the plug-in receptacle 15 into the line strands 12-14 and establish an electrically conductive connection, as is shown in FIG. 3. As a result of the sectional illustration, only the contact tip 22 which is in contact with the central line strand 13 can be seen. A sealing washer 23 is also arranged between the bottom of the plug-in receptacle 15 and the end face of the plastic line 11.

A union nut 24, which can be screwed to the screw thread 17, is used to fix the inserted plastic line 11 in the plug-in receptacle 15, through which a flexible, elastic clamping ring 25 can be axially displaced in the manner of a collet. The inner contour of this clamping ring 25 corresponds to the outer contour of the plastic line 11, while the outer contour of this clamping ring 25 is complementary circular cone-shaped, at least in the area of the circular-conical inclined surface 19 of the wall area 18, so that when the union nut 24 is screwed in, the clamping ring 25 is wedged against the Plastic line 11 is pressed and this clamps between itself and the pipe section 20. When screwing the union nut 24 by means of the clamping ring 25, a force acts on the plastic line 11 in the Plug direction S, through which the plastic line 11 is pressed against the bottom of the plug receptacle 15 and thus against the sealing disk 23. At the same time, the contact tips 22 penetrate even deeper into the plastic line 11 or the line strands 12-14, provided that they have not already completely penetrated during insertion. In addition, the contact pressure is increased by pressing the elastic material of the hose cable.

In a modification of the illustrated embodiment, other known clamp or snap connections or internal screw connections can also be used instead of the clamp screw connection described. In the simplest case, for example, only that. Pipe piece 20 on its outside and / or the wall area 18 on its inside with ring-like projections for fixing the inserted plastic line 11. Such holding projections can also be used in the described embodiment. The contact tips 22 can also be arranged differently or replaced by other contact means.

The end region of the base body 16 axially opposite the wall region 18 is designed as a tube piece 27 for sealing insertion into a fluidic device, such as a valve, a working cylinder or the like. This points to this

Pipe piece 27 has a smooth outer surface 26, and has an outer contour which is essentially that of a plastic cable which is otherwise to be inserted directly into the fluidic device. tung owns. If the plastic line to be inserted into the fluidic device is a plastic line 11 provided with electrical cable strands, then this is expediently provided with a circular cylindrical outer contour and an asymmetrical inner contour in a modification of the exemplary embodiment shown. An inner channel 28 extending from the end face to the pipe section 20 establishes the fluidic connection.

Push-in fittings or push-in connections, such as those found in the prospectus of the applicant "Quick Star The New Push-In Fitting Series", brochure no. 052 582 D are described. In the case of a fluidic device equipped in this way, the connection piece 10 can serve as an intermediate piece or adapter. Instead of directly inserting the plastic line into the fluidic device, the connector 10 is inserted into it, and the plastic line 10 in turn is inserted into the connector 10. As a result, a sensor arrangement 30 can practically be interposed, or can only be connected by means of plug-in operations, as will be explained in more detail below.

1, an electrical cable 29 is attached or formed on the circumference of the base body 16, which establishes the electrical connection between the sensor arrangement 30 and the contact tips 22. If the sensor arrangement 30 only requires two lines for signal transmission, the cable can 29 instead of three-wire can also be formed with two wires, so that one of the contact tips 22 is not connected or is omitted. The electrical cable 29 can be molded in a sealing manner both on the sensor arrangement 30 and on the base body 16. Such a sensor arrangement is used, for example, for position detection, pressure detection or temperature detection. The sensor arrangement 30 contains sensors known for the respective measured value acquisition, for example for the position acquisition Hall elements or other sensors responsive to magnetic and / or electrical fields.

A suitable application is, for example, that two such connection pieces 10 are inserted into two pressure connections of a working cylinder in order to carry out the two opposite working movements. In this case, the integrally formed sensor arrangements 30 designed as position sensors serve to record the position of the piston of the working cylinder and are attached or adjusted accordingly on the housing of the working cylinder. The connecting pieces can also have a plurality of sensors, for example a plurality of position sensors and / or pressure sensors.

Instead of an integrally formed electrical cable 29, the connection point can also be designed as an electrical plug-in or screw connection. Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, a plurality of electrical cables 29 can also be attached to the base body 16, molded on or connected via a plurality of plug-in or screw connections, for example to to connect a plurality of sensor arrangements or other devices to the cable runs 12 - 14 in the plastic line 11.

The connecting piece 51 shown in FIG. 4 as the second exemplary embodiment largely corresponds to the connecting piece 10 described as the first exemplary embodiment, the same or equivalent components and areas being provided with the same reference symbols and not being described again. In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment, a plastic line 52 with a corresponding cross-section occurs here, in the wall of which light conductors 53 are now arranged instead of electrical line strands 12-14. At the bottom of the plug-in receptacle 15, the contact tips 22 are replaced by light transmitters 54, which come into optical contact with the end faces of the light guides 53 when the plastic line 52 is inserted. The electrical lines connected to the contact tips 22 and running internally in the base body 16 are replaced here by correspondingly running internal light guides 55. The mode of operation of the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4 basically corresponds to the first exemplary embodiment, only the electrical signal transmission being replaced by an optical signal transmission.

in a modification of the second exemplary embodiment, the light transmitters 54 can also be omitted in a simpler embodiment, so that the light guides 53 in the plastic line 52 are in direct optical contact with the internal light guides 55 arrive. As an alternative to this, the light transmitters 54 can also be replaced by light converters, so that optical signals can be converted there into electrical signals and the internal light guides 55 can in turn be replaced by electrical lines.

In principle, mixed versions between the first and the second exemplary embodiment are also conceivable, that is to say that a plastic line can partly contain electrical cable strands and partly light guides, in which case corresponding contact tips and light transmitters or light converters are arranged in the plug-in receptacle 15. For example, a light guide for signal transmission and two electrical wiring harnesses for electrical amplifiers or for power supply can be provided.

Claims

1. Connection piece for flexible fluidic plastic lines (11, 52), the wall of which has at least one electrical wiring harness (12 - 14) and / or light guide (53), with a plug-in receptacle (15) for the plastic line (11, 52), with a fluidic line (28) is connected in the connection piece (10; 51) and the coupling means (22; 54) for the electrical and / or optical connection to the at least one electrical line (12 - 14) and / or the

Has light guide (53), and with at least one connecting cable (29) attached to the side of the connector (10; 51), through which a sensor arrangement (30) attached to the end of the cable (29) remote from the connector is electrically and / or optically connected to the coupling means (22; 54) is connected, the plug receptacle (15) being connected via an internal channel arrangement (28) to a tube piece (27) having a smooth outer surface for insertion into a fluidic device.

2. Connection piece according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one electrical contact tip is arranged as a coupling means (22) on the bottom of the non-rotationally symmetrical plug-in receptacle (15) which is adapted to the cross-section of the plastic line (11) such that when the plug is plugged in

Plastic line (11) is aligned with the plug-in receptacle (15) with the at least one electrical wiring harness (12-14) and penetrates into it.

3. Connection piece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one light transmitter (54) or light converter is arranged on the bottom of the non-rotationally symmetrical plug-in receptacle (15) adapted to the cross-section of the plastic line (52) as a coupling means in such a way that it is inserted the plastic line (52) is aligned with the light guide (53) in the plug-in receptacle (15) and creates a light connection.

4. Connection piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in receptacle (15) has a pipe piece (20) which is oriented in the plug-in direction (S) and, when the plastic line (11; 52) is plugged into its fluidic channel (21) or consists essentially of one.

5. Connection piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a clamping fixture holding the plastic line (11; 52) inserted into the plug-in receptacle (15) is provided, which is designed in particular as a clamp screw connection.

6. Connector according to claim 5, characterized in that a wall area (18) encompassing the plug-in receptacle (15) with a thread (17) and a corresponding screwing element (24), in particular a union nut, are provided, one through the screwing element (24) axially movable along an oblique or circular conical surface wedge piece (25) is provided for clamping fixation of the plastic line (11; 52), in particular for clamping fixation between the pipe section (20) and the wedge piece (25).

7. Connection piece according to claim 6, characterized in that the flexible wedge piece (25) is designed as a clamping ring and has an inner contour corresponding to the outer contour of the plastic line (11; 52), the outer diameter wedge-like or circular cone-like to the bottom of the plug-in receptacle (15) tapered.

8. Connection piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube piece (27) is integrally connected to a base body (16) of the connection piece (10).

9. Connection piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor arrangement (30) is designed as a position sensor for detecting the piston position.

10. Connection piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor arrangement (30) and the electrical and / or optical connection cable (29) are irreversibly connected to one another, in particular are molded onto one another.

11. Connection piece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one connecting cable (29) is irreversibly molded onto the base body (10; 51) or is connected to it by means of a plug or screw connection.

12. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor arrangement (30) has means for variable fixing to a working cylinder, which furthermore has at least one connecting screw opening for screwing in the connecting piece (10; 51).