Electrified strip arrangement

A molding assembly for establishing an electrical connection between an electrified planar element, which is formed with a peripheral electrical contact, and an electrical device includes a plastic frame element having an electrical conductor. The plastic frame element is adapted to be disposed along a peripheral portion of the electrified planar element that includes the peripheral contact. The plastic frame element extends between two ends. The electrical conductor extends between the two ends of the plastic frame element on a side facing the electrified planar element so that, during attachment of the plastic frame element to the peripheral portion, an electrical connection is automatically establishable between the electrical conductor and the peripheral contact.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/DE2020/100859, filed on Oct. 5, 2020, and claims benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2019 007 253.7, filed on Oct. 18, 2019. The International Application was published in German on Apr. 22, 2021 as WO 2021/073685 A1 under PCT Article 21(2).

FIELD

The present invention relates to a molding assembly for establishing an electrical connection between an electrified planar element, which is formed with a peripheral electrical contact, and an electrical device.

BACKGROUND

Today, there is no standardized common solution for electrically contacting smart glass or functional planar elements or electrified planar elements. Smart glass, for example, can be understood to include glass panes whose appearance can change as a result of physical influences such as UV radiation, heat, or electric current, such as, for example, dimmable glass. For this purpose, a special film is laminated between two glass panes and electrically contacted via electrical contacts leading out of the glass. Contact to the power source is made by soldering or by a connector with cables. The cables must be routed away from the planar element and run such that they are protected. Moreover, they must be connected to a power supply/signal source, which is usually done in a freely wired manner. In general, the invention also relates to less complex applications, as illustrated in document DE 103 60 255 A1, where the same problem arises for a heated window pane in the automotive domain.

Generally, an expert is required to realize power supply to the planar element and electrical contacting thereof. A cable path must be provided in the adjacent components, or at least sufficient installation space, which influences the design of these components. Loose cables complicate the assembly of individual planar elements in the case of a (e.g., segmented) large surface area including a plurality of smaller planar elements. Depending on the particular installation, the cables and contacts are visible, which is of course visually less appealing and gives the impression of an unfinished solution. It is therefore desirable to eliminate these drawbacks and provide a more suitable solution.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a molding assembly for establishing an electrical connection between an electrified planar element, which is formed with a peripheral electrical contact, and an electrical device. The molding assembly includes a plastic frame element having an electrical conductor. The plastic frame element is adapted to be disposed along a peripheral portion of the electrified planar element that includes the peripheral contact. The plastic frame element extends between two ends. The electrical conductor extends between the two ends of the plastic frame element on a side facing the electrified planar element so that, during attachment of the plastic frame element to the peripheral portion, an electrical connection is automatically establishable between the electrical conductor and the peripheral contact.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, there is provided a molding assembly and a planar element having such a molding assembly, as well as a wall according to an embodiment of the invention.

The planar element used may be, for example, an electrified window pane made, for example, of smart glass or electrochromic glass. An embodiment of the invention includes both single glazing and multiple glazing.

The invention, according to an embodiment, is based on the idea of reducing the assembly effort for electrified planar elements by using as high a proportion of identical parts as possible, which cost-effectively reduce and simplify the effort required for wiring and electrical contacting electrified planar elements.

The approach according to an embodiment of the invention eliminates the disadvantages mentioned and provides a high degree of flexibility, because due to the implementation according to an embodiment of the invention, the molding assembly can be used—independently of the location of the peripheral contact—on planar elements having peripheral contacts at a variety of different positions. A variety of planar elements from different manufacturers can be equipped with the same molding assembly. The inventive molding assembly can be readily produced as a strand by extrusion. It is also conceivable to produce a standard length that can be cut to size and processed by the customers themselves (e.g., miter-cut for the framing of planar elements). Alternatively, specially shaped connecting elements having electrical conductors may be used for connecting moldings.

Preferably, the conductor is implemented using a metal (e.g., stranded wire, solid wire, etc.). This variant has the advantage that the electrical losses in the conductor are minimal and that the conductor can be readily incorporated into the plastic frame element, for example during extrusion of the plastic frame element. This assembly is inexpensive and can be produced in large quantities with minimum cycle times.

Alternatively, the conductor may be implemented using solely an electrically conductive second plastic material which, due to the presence of electrically conductive plastic additives (e.g., carbon black, metal particles, and the like), has an electrical resistance many times lower than the electrical resistance of a first plastic material with which the plastic frame element may be implemented. This variant has the advantage that both the conductor and the frame element can be inexpensively produced in large quantities with just as low cycle times by co-extrusion of the first and second plastic materials.

Further alternatively, the conductor may also be implemented using a combination of the two aforementioned variants, namely from an electrically conductive second plastic material and a metal. In this case, a metallic conductor constitutes the conductor core, which may be overmolded or covered by the second plastic material at least along a portion or portions thereof and at least on the side facing the planar element. The production can be accomplished by co-extruding the first and second plastic materials and simultaneously incorporating the metallic conductor. This approach is just as advantageous as the two aforementioned approaches.

To establish the connection, preferably a plurality of first contact elements, in particular spring contact elements, are provided along the conductor, the conductor and/or the contact elements preferably being formed in one piece. The conductor and the contact elements can thus be readily and inexpensively produced, for example using a strip of sheet metal, which is processed according to an embodiment of the invention in such a manner as to form a continuous conductor with contact springs disposed along the conductor.

As an alternative to the above-mentioned variant, a freely positionable coupling element may be provided along the conductor so as to make the molding configurable. In order to also cover more complex fields of application, a plurality of coupling elements may be provided in conjunction with a plurality of mutually insulated conductors to implement a plurality of connections which are electrically insulated from one another. Examples which may be mentioned in this context include electrified planar segments within a single planar element, which planar segments can be controlled segment by segment, or a wall including a plurality of planar elements which are interconnected by segmented and/or continuous molding assemblies.

Preferably, it is provided that the coupling element include second contact elements for electrically contacting the conductor and/or the peripheral contact, thereby allowing the coupling element to be electrically contacted to the conductor and/or to the peripheral contact as the connection is being established. This has the advantage that all electrical components initially remain electrically insulated from one another until the molding assembly is attached to the planar element. These contact elements are preferably implemented as piercing contacts and/or as cutting contacts. Both variants are suitable for piercing the conductive and/or non-conductive plastic sheath of the conductor at selected points or locally cutting therethrough transversely to the extent of the conductor and such that such piercing or cutting does not occur until during attachment of the plastic frame element to the planar element, so that the conductor is electrically contacted only at the desired positions for establishing a connection.

It is understood that the aforementioned features may also be present in multiples thereof. For example, two or more mutually insulated conductors may be provided and extend along the plastic frame element.

Furthermore, especially in the case of two or more conductors, the peripheral contact may be insulated from one or more of the conductors in defined regions. In this way, only selected conductors may be selectively electrically contacted in a defined region.

An embodiment of the invention also includes connecting elements for connecting individual inventive plastic frame elements with electrical conductors. At the level of the electrical conductors, the connecting elements also have one or more electrical conductors. Depending on the particular shape of the connecting element, these serve to connect two inventive moldings in a longitudinal direction or to connect two moldings at an angle of 90° with respect to each other. However, other angles are also possible and within the scope of the invention. Optionally, a connecting element may also have located therein the electrical supply lead for supplying power to the molding assembly.

It is also understood that the features mentioned hereinbefore and the features in the drawings to be commented on hereinafter may be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations not explicitly specified here or alone or in isolation without departing from the scope of the present invention. This applies particularly to all features which are shown and/or described in the various embodiments merely for the sake of completeness, but are not essential to the invention; i.e., those which are not absolutely necessary to achieve the effects of the invention.

An embodiment of the invention is hereinafter illustrated in rough schematic form in the drawings with reference to the following exemplary embodiments and briefly described with reference to the drawings. Like or functionally equivalent features are given the same reference numerals unless otherwise specified.

The followingFIGS.1athrough4show exemplary and preferred variants of the inventive molding assembly100in sectional view. The assemblies shown here each include a planar element105in the form of an electrified window pane (e.g., electrochromic glass), which is formed with an external flexible flat ribbon conductor or an electrically conductive foil as a peripheral contact106. For purposes of controlling the electrochromic layer (e.g., data, signals) and/or powering the same (e.g., electric current and/or electric voltage), a respective electrical device is required. The connection between peripheral contact106of planar element105and the device can be advantageously implemented using the inventive molding assembly100.FIGS.1athrough4each show in rough schematic form a plastic frame element101which is preferably U-shaped in cross section and has two electrical conductors102and a planar element105having a peripheral contact106. Plastic frame element101extends along the edge of planar element105on both sides thereof. Besides the U-shaped cross section, other cross-sections are also conceivable, such as an L-shaped cross section. In any case, at least one contact surface must be provided for attachment of plastic frame element101to the edge of the planar element.

FIG.1ashows, by way of example, a first molding assembly100where conductors102are provided opposite each other along plastic frame element101on the side facing the planar element, so that during attachment of plastic frame element101to the peripheral portion107, conductors102come automatically and directly into contact with peripheral contacts106, and an electrical connection is established between electrical conductors102and peripheral contacts106. InFIG.1a, only a left contact to first conductor102is indicated, while the right conductor102is intended for a second peripheral contact106provided at a different location. Both conductors102are surrounded by a conductive plastic material109which is directly adjacent to the plastic material of plastic frame element101or, for example, connected thereto, preferably by a material-to-material bond through co-extrusion. Plastic frame element101may be flexible so that planar element105together with its peripheral contacts106is clamped between the conductors102of the two legs of the frame element (e.g., in the case of a suitable U-shape). Alternatively, a reliable contact may also be achieved by adhesive attachment of plastic frame element101(e.g., in the case of an L-shape) so that peripheral contacts106are clamped between conductors102and planar element105.

FIG.1bshows a molding assembly100having a planar element105in the form of a simple glass pane and a peripheral contact106in the form of a conductive foil. Peripheral contact106includes an electrically insulating layer113between the points of contact with electrical conductors102. Plastic frame element101is provided on both sides with electrical conductors102, which are surrounded by an electrically conductive plastic material109. In other respects, what has been said before with respect toFIG.1aapplies here as well.

FIG.2ashows, by way of example, a second molding assembly100where a plurality of contact elements108are provided preferably continuously along two opposite conductors102, the conductors102and the contact elements108respectively being preferably formed in one piece. The material used is preferably an elastic material for implementing spring contact elements which, during attachment of plastic frame element101to the peripheral portion107, automatically make resilient contact with peripheral contacts106, thus establishing an electrical connection between electrical conductors102and peripheral contacts106. InFIG.2a, only a left contact to first conductor102is indicated, while the right conductor102is intended for a second peripheral contact106provided at a different location. Both conductors102are preferably surrounded by the material of plastic frame element101at least along a portion or portions thereof, whereas contact elements108extend out from the legs of plastic frame element101and, as illustrated, are formed such that they resiliently bear against peripheral contact106.

FIG.2bshows a plurality of conductors102disposed one above another, with conductors102at the same level being arranged opposite one another in pairs. For purposes of selective electrical contacting, the portion of peripheral contact106that must not come into contact with conductor102is provided with an electrically insulating layer113. InFIG.2b, only a left contact to first conductor102is indicated, while the right conductor102is intended for a second peripheral contact106provided at a different location. Conductors102are preferably surrounded by the material of plastic frame element101at least along a portion or portions thereof, whereas contact elements108extend out from the legs of plastic frame element101and are formed such that they resiliently bear against peripheral contact106.

FIG.3shows, by way of example, a third molding assembly100where a freely positionable and electrically conductive coupling element104for indirectly electrically contacting peripheral contacts106is provided along two opposite conductors102. During attachment of plastic frame element101to peripheral portion107, coupling element104may automatically come to rest against peripheral contacts106and conductors102, thus establishing an electrical connection between conductors102and peripheral contacts106. InFIG.3, only a left contact to first conductor102is indicated, while the right conductor102is intended for a second peripheral contact106provided at a different location. For purposes of electrically contacting conductors102and/or peripheral contacts106, a cutting contact103may be provided to electrically contact plastic sheath112of conductors102and/or conductors102or penetrate into electrical conductors102at least in a section or sections thereof in order to establish the electrical contact. By using different sizes and a plurality of cutting contacts103, a plurality of mutually insulated conductors102could be electrically contacted independently of each other, for example using different cutting depths.

Plastic frame element101may be overall more rigid along the periphery than in the groove leg region111facing the planar element. This may be implemented by co-extrusion of materials of the same type having different Shore hardnesses or by co-extrusion of different materials having the same Shore hardness or by a combination of different types of materials having different shore hardnesses. For example, a thermoplastic material could be provided at the outer side, and an elastomer110, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), could be provided in groove leg region111. The elastomer110could at the same time function as a conductor sheath in the vicinity of conductor102and be provided with electrically conductive additives at least in a section or sections thereof.

FIG.4shows, by way of example, a fourth molding assembly100where an electrically conductive coupling element104, which is freely positionable along conductors102and intended for indirectly electrically contacting peripheral contacts106, is provided along two conductors102extending side by side and parallel to one another. During attachment of plastic frame element101to peripheral portion107, coupling element104may automatically come to rest on peripheral contacts106and conductors102or penetrate thereinto, thus establishing an electrical connection between conductors102and peripheral contacts106. InFIG.4, only a left contact to first conductor102is indicated, while the right conductor102is intended for a second peripheral contact106provided at a different location. For purposes of electrically contacting conductors102, a piercing contact103may be provided to pierce plastic sheath112of conductors102or at least partially penetrate into electrical conductors102and thus establish the electrical contact. By using different sizes and a plurality of piercing contacts103, a plurality of mutually insulated conductors102could be electrically contacted independently of each other, for example using different piercing depths. U-shaped plastic frame element101may include a further groove in the groove bottom, within which the two conductors102extend in mutually insulated relationship. The groove may be filled with a further plastic material110. This plastic material110may be implemented by co-extrusion of materials of the same type having different Shore hardnesses or by co-extrusion of different materials having the same Shore hardness or by a combination of different types of materials having different shore hardnesses. This plastic material110could at the same time function as a conductor sheath112in the vicinity of conductor102and be provided with electrically conductive additives at least in a section or sections thereof.

In the variants ofFIGS.3and4, for example, a TPE material as a conductor sheath112could be partially or entirely rendered sufficiently conductive so that the electrical contact can be established without the contact elements103penetrating fully to conductors102. In all of the variants shown, plastic frame element101may include a sealing plastic material for sealing purposes, which may be provided on both sides along the upper groove edge of plastic frame element101, for example by co-extrusion. This protects the electrical contact or the assembly from adverse ambient conditions after attachment of plastic frame element101to planar element105.

FIG.5ashows a connection where two plastic frame elements101together with electrical conductors102located therein are connected to each other by a connecting element114at an angle of 90° with respect to each other. Connecting element114has electrical conductors102located therein, thereby ensuring the electrical connection between plastic frame elements101.

FIG.5bshows a longitudinal connection of two plastic frame elements101and electrical conductors102located therein. This connection is established by two connecting elements114and electrical conductors102located therein. The two connecting elements114, in turn, are then electrically connected to each other. Alternatively, the two illustrated connecting elements114for longitudinal connection of two plastic frame elements101may also be combined into an assembly115or formed in one piece.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS