METHOD OF PROVIDING AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION ARRANGEMENT AND AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION ARRANGEMENT

• US 20130303013A1
• Filed: 02/03/2011
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Original Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB (Volvo AB)
• Inventors: Bengtsson, Kjell-Ewe, Johanson, Otto
• Granted Patent: US 9,106,011 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/345
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/62 Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/621 Bolt, set screw or screw clamp
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/30 utilising a screw or nut clamping member H01R4/50 takes precedence; utilising a clamping member acted on by screw or nut H01R4/38; for coaxial cables H01R9/0521
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/64 Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/70 Insulation of connections end caps H01R4/22
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/205 with a panel or printed circuit board
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

A method for providing an electrical connection arrangement between a first member and a second member is provided, as is a corresponding arrangement. The first member is made of electrically conductive material provided with a coating layer, and the electrical connecting arrangement includes a fastening element, the method including providing the first member with a first hole, arranging a sleeve in the first hole of the first member, such that the first member becomes electrically connected with the sleeve, coating an area of the first member including the sleeve, inserting the fastening element into the sleeve and through the first member, and engaging the fastening element with the second member, such that the fastening element becomes abutted against an uncoated surface portion provided on the sleeve to electrically connect the sleeve with the fastening element, and such that the fastening element becomes electrically connected to the second member.

Claims

1. A method for providing an electrical connection arrangement between a pre-coated first member and a second member, the first member being made of electrically conductive material provided with a coating layer, the electrical connecting arrangement comprising a fastening element, the method comprises:

providing the first member with a first hole;

arranging a sleeve in the first hole of the first member, such that the first member becomes electrically connected with the sleeve;

coating an area of the first member comprising the sleeve; and

thereafter

inserting the fastening element into the sleeve and through the first member, and engaging the fastening element with the second member, such that a head of the fastening element becomes abutted against an uncoated surface portion provided on the sleeve to electrically connect the sleeve with the fastening element, and such that the fastening element becomes electrically connected to the second member.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising realising the electrical connection between the fastening element and the second member by means of threads of the fastening element, or by means of welding, soldering or riveting the fastening element to the second member.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing the second member with a second hole, and coating an area of the second member comprising the second hole.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising providing the fastening element with a head and a threaded shank, and realising the electrical connection between the fastening element and the second member by providing the threaded shank with threads that are configured to penetrate the coating layer within the second hole, and to form threads within the second hole of the second member.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising providing the fastening element with a head and a threaded shank, and realising the electrical connection between the fastening element and the second member by forming threads within the second hole of the second member, covering the threads of the second hole prior to coating of the second member with a first cover, and subsequently removing the first cover to provide a coated second member having a second hole provided with uncoated threads.

6. The method according to claim 1,

wherein arranging the sleeve in the first hole of the first member comprises arranging a flange of the sleeve on a rear side of the first member facing the second member, or

wherein arranging the sleeve in the first hole of the first member comprises arranging a flange of the sleeve on a front side (20) of the first member facing away from the second member.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising providing adhesive material (13) between the first and second members (1, 2) for improved joining and sealing of the first and second members (1, 2) and/or the electrical connection arrangement.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is arranged to protrude a certain distance (01) beyond a rear surface of the first member facing the second member, and to form a spacing element between the first and second members.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing an uncoated surface portion on the sleeve involves covering a surface portion of the sleeve with a second cover prior to coating the first member, and subsequently removing the second cover after coating to provide a coated first member having the uncoated surface portion.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing an uncoated surface portion on the sleeve involves mechanically, thermally or chemically removing the coating layer on the sleeve after coating to provide a coated first member having the uncoated surface portion.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising securing the sleeve to the first member by welding, riveting or press-fitting the sleeve to the first member.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve and/or the fastening element is made of a corrosion resistant material, in particular stainless steel, or is provided with a corrosion resistant coating.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein electronic equipment, such as control units, micro computers, fuses and relays, is attached, and provided with a ground connection to the first member, and in that the second member forms part of a electrically conducting frame structure of a device, in particular a vehicle, wherein the electrical connection arrangement provides the electronic equipment with at least one earth connection to the frame structure, preferably two separate earth connections to the frame structure, and more preferably at least three separate earth connections to the frame structure.

14. Electrical connection arrangement comprising a first member, a second member, and a fastening element, the first member being made of electrically conductive material provided with a coating layer and a first hole, wherein a sleeve is arranged in the first hole prior to application of the coating layer, such that the first member is electrically connected to the sleeve, a head of the fastening element is arranged to abut an uncoated surface portion of the sleeve to provide electrical contact between the sleeve and the fastening element, and the fastening element is engaged with he second member, such that the fastening element is electrically connected to the second member, thereby providing an electrical connection between a pre-coated first member and the second member.

15. A vehicle, in particular a working vehicle comprising a second member in form of a frame structure forming part of a chassis common ground, and a first member in form of a support member having electronic equipment attached and electrically grounded thereto, wherein the first member is connected to the second member by means of at least one electrical connection arrangement according to claim 14, preferably at least two separate electrical connection arrangements according to claim 14, and more preferably at least three separate electrical connection arrangements according to claim 14.