Channel-shaped connection device for electrical lines of internal combustion engines

The invention relates to a channel-shaped connection device for electrical lines, in particular signal and power lines, of internal combustion engines.

To supply the control elements of an internal combustion engine, it is known to arrange the electrical lines in the form of cable harnesses in the body. The arrangement of the lines in cable ducts is also state-of-the-art. Such a distribution channel is described, for example, in EP 0 607 335 B1. For a simple and quick connection of the components to be supplied with the electrical lines it has been found to be disadvantageous that in the known devices the individual plug sockets and the like each have to be connected to a line guided in the cable duct.

The object of the invention is to provide a novel connecting device of the type mentioned at the beginning, which avoids the known disadvantages.

This is achieved according to the invention in that at least one carrier element for - preferably pre-assembled - electrical lines and components is provided, which can be introduced, preferably inserted, into receptacles in the channel-shaped connection device, the electrical lines and the components according to a preferred embodiment on two opposite sides of the Are arranged carrier element. By arranging the electrical lines, which are advantageously preassembled, and the components on a preferably insertable carrier element, it is possible to position the plug sockets and other connections quickly and easily in the connection device.

In general, the carrier element will be designed in the shape of a plate. Preferably, it can be provided that the carrier element is a circuit board on which the electrical lines, which according to a further aspect of the invention can be designed as conductor tracks and / or cables, are arranged, wherein it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the connection device has a bead to accommodate additional cables. It has proven to be particularly favorable for simple production if the carrier element has at least partially a modular structure, and for quick and easy assembly it can also be provided that the individual modules of the carrier element are electrically and / or mechanically - preferably detachable - together are connected. Thus, in adaptation to the most diverse design variants and depending on whether a cylinder of the internal combustion engine is assigned to each module of the carrier element or several, preferably two, cylinders of the internal combustion engine are assigned to each module of the carrier element, a modular circuit board can be put together that corresponds to the respective requirements subsequently only introduced into the connection device, preferably pushed in or must be drawn in. Of course, this functional principle is not restricted to modular support elements designed as circuit boards, but can be used with all types of support elements, for example also with a support element designed as an aluminum strand.

In order to further reduce the work involved in connecting the control elements of the internal combustion engine to be supplied, it can advantageously be provided that at least some of the components, which according to one embodiment of the invention are an ignition coil and / or sensor and / or actuator modules - according to a further aspect of the invention the ignition circuit for controlling the ignition coil - include, before the carrier element is inserted into the connecting device, it is permanently fixed to the latter.

The same effect is achieved if at least some of the components are detachably arranged on the carrier element and plug-in devices are provided for releasably holding the components. For this embodiment of the invention, it is advantageous if the connection device has receiving openings for the detachably arranged components, and the detachably arranged components can be inserted through these receiving openings from the outside into the connection device and can be connected to the carrier element Connection device has its own opening for each component.

Aluminum can preferably be provided as the material for the manufacture of the connecting device. However, many other materials are also suitable, such as hard plastics or iron, for example, a further embodiment providing that the connection device is at least partially filled with foam, for example with PU foam.

Further advantages and details are described with reference to the following drawing. In it shows

AT 408 640 B

1 shows a cross section through the connecting device according to the invention,

2 shows a plan view of a modular carrier element,

3 shows a section through FIG. 2 along the line A,

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a modular support element and

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment.

The channel-shaped connecting device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has receptacles 4 into which the carrier element 2 is inserted, a plurality of receptacles 4 spaced apart from one another advantageously being provided in order to adapt to the size of the components. The electrical lines 3, preferably in the form of conductor tracks 3 ', are arranged on one side of the carrier element 2. The connection device 1 has a bead 18 to accommodate additional cables. On the other side of the carrier element 2, in addition to the plug-in device 12, on which the ignition coil 5 is detachably arranged in this embodiment of the connection device 1 according to the invention, there are measuring modules 6, which have already been permanently fixed to the connection device 1 before the carrier element 2 was introduced, arranged. Of course, to avoid damage, for example as a result of vibrations or large temperature fluctuations, protective measures such as partial foaming of the connection device 1 with, for example, PU foam, introduction of silicone packs, thermal insulation or the like can be taken in the engine compartment.

2 shows a plan view of a modular carrier element, the individual modules 2 ', 2, 2' being mechanically and electrically connected. The modules 2 ′ and 2 form a straight joint 9, the electrical and mechanical connection between these two modules 2 ′, 2 of the carrier element 2 being established by means of wire connectors 10. In contrast, the modules 2 and 2 'are mechanically connected via a form-fitting joint 8 and have plug connectors 11 for electrical connection. Of course, other suitable connection variants and options are also conceivable. A permanently fixed component 7 and a plug-in device 12, into which - after the carrier element 2 has been inserted into the connecting device 1 - a further component 7 can be detachably introduced through a receiving opening 16 of the connecting device 1 are shown schematically on the module 2.

In Fig. 3 it can be seen that there are on the underside of the modules 2 ', 2, 2', preferably circuit boards, conductor tracks 3 '.

4 shows the schematic structure of a modular carrier element 2. The end piece 13 of the carrier element 2 only has lines. The module 2 '(5) is assigned to the ignition coil 5, the module 2 (6) is assigned to a sensor / actuator module, whereby the type of attachment - preassembled or to be inserted components 5, 6 (not shown) - can be selected as desired. These modules 2 ′, 2 have lines 3 (not shown) and components 5, 6 or lancing devices 12 for the detachable attachment of components 5, 6. The module 2 '(14) only represents a connection module and likewise only has lines 3. Of course, this exemplary embodiment can only be seen as one of many possible combinations of modules. If it is also preferably provided that the ignition circuit for controlling the ignition coil is arranged on the carrier element 2, the ignition coil can also be controlled externally. Once the modular carrier element 2, preferably a modular circuit board train, has been completed, it is pushed into the channel-shaped connecting device 1 in a simple manner.

5 shows an engine 15 with cylinders 17 which are each connected to the carrier element 2 (not shown) via an ignition coil 5. A measuring module 6 is arranged between each two ignition coils 5, the ignition coil 5 and the measuring module 6 being introduced into the connecting device through receiving openings.