Electrical connection element for connecting supply lines, in particular in an aircraft

An electrical connection element for connecting supply lines, in particular in an aircraft. The connection element comprises a connector socket and a connector that can be inserted into the connector socket, wherein the connector is axially rotatable in the connector socket, as a result of which a non-positive connection between the connector and the connector socket is established. An independent solution provides for the connection element to be made in a single piece and to comprise two clamping receptacles for the ends of the supply lines to be connected.

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of German Patent Application No. 10 2004 056 648.8 filed Nov. 24, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an electrical connection element for connecting supply lines, in particular in an aircraft.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

To connect and branch off electrical supply lines in an aircraft the use of distributors comprising a base plate and threaded pins arranged thereon is known (DE 41 02 318 C2). Each end of the lines to be connected is connected to a conductive eyelet. The eyelets are placed over the threaded pin and are attached using a nut, as a result of which electrical contact is established. To avoid short circuits, a cover is provided. The described arrangement is expensive; with connecting and disconnecting the connector and the connector socket being complicated and time-consuming.

Such a threaded connection element is known from DE 94 12 215 U.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There may be a need to provide a simple electrical connection element which makes possible quick and secure connecting and disconnecting of the connection element.

This need may be met by a electrical connection element comprising the features of the independent claims.

According to an exemplary embodiment a connection element for connecting supply lines comprises a connector socket and a connector that is insertable into the connector socket, wherein the connector is axially rotatable in the connector socket, as a result of which a non-positive connection between the connector and the connector socket is established.

By using the rotary movement, a secure non-positive connection may be established in a simple manner. To establish the connection, the connector may be simply inserted into the connector socket and axially rotated, which may reduce the installation effort. The same may apply analogously for the disconnecting of the connection. Doing without a threaded pin may make it possible to reduce the expenditure and if need be to save weight. If need be it may be possible to do without a carrier for several connection elements.

Supply lines are lines to supply, in particular, aircraft components with electrical energy. The connection element according to the invention is therefore delimited in relation to electrical connectors for signal lines or control lines.

Connecting supply lines also includes the branching off of supply lines. Generally the invention includes the connection of any desired number of supply lines with any number of additional supply lines.

It may be particularly simple and therefore may be preferred if the electrical contact is generated by using non-positive connection between the connector and the connector socket. Therefore, the contact surfaces between the connector and the connector socket may be preferably electrically conductive, in particular metallic.

In another exemplary embodiment the connector and the connector socket comprise corresponding radially tapered contact surfaces. This may make it possible to provide the largest possible contact surfaces, and thus may secure contact, merely by axial rotation of the connector in the connector socket. Preferably, the number of the radially tapered contact surfaces of the connector and the connector socket respectively may be at least three so as to ensure an even mechanical load on the connector and the connector socket respectively. On the other hand, a large contact surface may be achieved by a small number of contact surfaces. The number of radially tapered contact surfaces of the connector and the connector socket respectively may be thus preferably at most five.

In an independent way of meeting the above need a connection element for connecting supply lines in aircraft may comprise, in particular, the connection element is essentially formed in one part and comprises two clamping receptacles for the ends of the supply lines to be connected.

The term “essentially” means “apart from parts that are insignificant in the context of the invention” and thus relates to the clamping receptacles and if necessary to a conductive adapter. For establishing the electrical and mechanical connection the supply lines may be simply inserted into the clamping receptacles and may be clamped into place. Doing without a threaded pin may make it possible to reduce the effort and to save weight. If need be, it may be possible to do without a carrier for several connection elements.

Further advantageous characteristics of the invention are provided in the dependent claims and in the following description of advantageous embodiments of the invention, with reference to the enclosed drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the figures identical or similar elements are labelled with identical or similar reference signs.

An electrical connection element50comprises a connector socket10and a connector20. The connector socket10is connected to an electrical supply line11and comprises a cylindrical metallic receptacle14that is connected to the supply line11by way of a metallic bottom part45and a metallic adapter46. The connector socket10comprises a housing12with a housing part13for the receptacle14, and with a housing part15for the adaptor46. An operating element16is attached to the housing part15.

The connector20comprises a metallic contact pin24, which by way of a metallic adaptor34is conductively connected to the supply line21, as well as a housing part25with an operating element26. In a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the connector20, the contact pin24comprises outer metallic contact surfaces27-29. The contact surfaces27-29of the contact pin24taper radially clockwise, as shown inFIGS. 4,5: starting from the largest radial extension r1the radius of the contact surface29(seeFIG. 5) continuously diminishes clockwise until the minimum radial extension r2is reached. The same applies to the contact surfaces27,28of the contact pin24. In each case the transition from the minimum to the maximum radial extension of the contact surfaces27,28,29is formed by an essentially radially aligned limit stop30,31,32.

The receptacle14of the connector socket10comprises inner metallic contact surfaces17-19that correspond to the outer contact surfaces27-29of the connector20and therefore also taper off radially in clockwise direction. In each case the transition from the minimum to the maximum radial extension of the contact surfaces17,18,19is formed by an essentially radially extending limit stop40,41,42.

For establishing the mechanical and electrical connection the contact pin24of the connector20is inserted into the receptacle14of the connector socket10. In this arrangement the contact pin24is expediently oriented such that the limit stops40-42of the connector socket10form guides for the limit stops30-32of the contact pin24. When the limit stops40-42of the connector socket10are in contact with the limit stops30-32of the connector20, the external radius of the contact pin24is somewhat smaller than the internal radius of the receptacle14of the connector socket10so that in total a clearance of a few mm, for example ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm, results. This makes possible non-problematic insertion of the contact pin24into the receptacle14of the connector socket10.

In the fully inserted position, for example, the face33of the contact pin24can rest against the bottom43of the receptacle14of the connector socket. In this position the connector socket10and the connector20are axially rotated clockwise against each other, i.e. on the longitudinal axis L of the connector20and the connector socket10respectively. This can for example take place by using tools applied to the operating elements16,26. Manual rotation is also possible. Rotation takes place until, due to their radial taper, the contact surfaces27-29of the contact pin24establish a non-positive and/or frictionally engaged connection with the contact surfaces17-19of the receptacle14of the connector socket10. The closing angle, i.e. the angle between the limit stop and firm seating, as shown inFIG. 5, is for example 20° to 30°. By tightening the contact pin24in the receptacle14of the connector socket10at a suitable torque a mechanically and electrically secure connection between the contact pin24and the connector socket10can be achieved. Due to the identical shape of the contact surfaces27-29of the contact pin24and the contact surfaces17-19of the receptacle14of the connector socket10, a large-area overlap between the contact surfaces (seeFIG. 5) and thus safe contact even for high currents can be achieved. On the other hand, for given currents the design size of the connection element50can be kept small.

In order to improve operator comfort, a catch device can be provided so that the connector20in the closed position (seeFIG. 5) clicks into the connector socket10. To improve safety, in addition to the non-positive connection of the connector20and the connector socket10, a locking device can be provided so as to lock the connector20in the closed position in the connector socket10.

Preferably, the number of contact surfaces17-19and contact surfaces27-29respectively is at least three so as to ensure even loading of the connector20and of the connector socket10respectively. However, as shown inFIG. 5, four or more contact surfaces for each connector20and each connector socket10respectively at the same closing angle would reduce the contact surface overall. The number of radially tapering-off contact surfaces of the connector and of the connector socket respectively is thus preferably at most five, preferably precisely three. For reasons of stability, the contact surfaces17-19and27-29respectively are preferably arranged at even angular spacing, for example at 120° in the case of three contact surfaces (seeFIGS. 4,5).

The connector20and the connector socket10form a disconnectable connection element50. To disconnect the connection element50the connector20is disconnected and rotated in the connector socket10in anticlockwise rotation, for example by using tools applied to the operating elements16,26, until the limit stops30-32come to rest against the limit stops40-42of the connector socket10. In this position the contact pin24can be pulled with some play from the receptacle14of the connector socket10, wherein the limit stops40-42of the connector socket form guides for the limit stops30-32of the contact pin24.

Between the connector20and the connector socket10a seal or sealing means51for corrosion protection can be provided. Preferably, the housing13,15of the connector socket10and the housing25of the connector20are insulating. Due to any complete insulation of the connection element50in the closed state no further measures to avoid short circuits and measures for corrosion protection are required. In addition, to provide corrosion protection or to provide an additional rotation safeguard, insulation52for the entire connection element50can be provided, for example in the form of a shrinkdown sleeve.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 6a socket unit60is provided having a plurality of connector receptacles14each adapted to receive one connector20. All connector receptacles14are connected to a supply line61by way of a common electrically conductive carrier structure62. Insulated positions63-65are provided for the carrier structure. In this way a distributor can be implemented i.e. connecting of a plurality of supply lines to a supply line wherein each of the plurality of supply lines is connected to a connector.

In the alternative embodiment shown inFIG. 7a single-piece connection element is provided, which comprises two clamping receptacles71,72for the ends of two supply lines73,74to be connected, which supply lines73,74comprise insulation75. The clamping receptacles71,72are conductively connected in a single piece by means of a metallic adaptor76. In order to establish a firm electrical and mechanical connection the free ends of the supply lines73,74are inserted into the clamping receptacles71,72and are clamped into place with a suitable tool. The connection element70is therefore preferably used for one-time connection of supply lines that need not be undone during the service life of the aircraft. Comprehensive insulation77for the connection element70, for example in the form of a shrinkdown sleeve, can be provided.

It should be noted that the term “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Also elements described in association with different embodiments may be combined. It should also be noted that reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.