IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,476,403
Granted Patent B2
US 12,476,403 · App. 17/836,275 · Granted Nov 18, 2025

Connecting apparatus

Inventors: Peter Quade (Walsrode, DE); Maximilian Gunther (Hannover, DE)
Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
H01R13/005H01R13/502
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,476,403
App. No.
17/836,275
Granted
Nov 18, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A connecting apparatus (interface) for connecting a component to a further component includes at least one electrical connecting device for producing an electrical connection and at least one hydraulic connecting device for producing a hydraulic connection. The connecting apparatus is configured in such a way that an electrical connection and a hydraulic connection of the connecting apparatus to a component can be produced simultaneously.

Claims (18)

1 . A system for connecting components, comprising

a first component,

a second component,

a connecting apparatus comprising:

at least one electrical connecting device for producing an electrical connection, and

at least one hydraulic connection means for producing a hydraulic connection, wherein

the connecting apparatus is configured such that an electrical connection and a hydraulic connection can be produced substantially simultaneously;

wherein the first component and the second component are connectable to one another via the connecting apparatus such that, during a connection operation, the electrical connection and the hydraulic connection of the first component to the second component can be produced substantially simultaneously, and wherein the connecting apparatus is configured as a separate component or as an integral part of the first component and/or the second component.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one mechanical connecting device is provided in order to secure the first component to the second component, wherein the mechanical connecting device is configured as a positive-locking and/or a non-positive-locking connection.

3 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical connecting device is configured as a plug-in connection or as a contact connection.

4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic connection is configured as a plug-in connection.

5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one positioning means is provided in order to align the connecting devices of the connecting apparatus with respect to a corresponding counter-connecting device of at least one of the first component and/or the second component.

6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting apparatus is an integral part of the first component and/or the second component.

7 . A method for connecting the first component to the second component with the system according to claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection and the hydraulic connection of the first component to the second component is produced substantially simultaneously by the connecting apparatus in a single pass.

8 . The method according to claim 7 ,

wherein the first component and the second component are connected to one another by a linear movement and/or a rotational movement by means of a mechanical connecting device of the connecting apparatus.

9 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the first component is a cooling liquid pump and the second component is a cooling liquid container.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one hydraulic connection means is located centrally on the first component and/or the second component, and the at least one electrical connecting device is located along a peripheral portion of the first component and/or the second component.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2022
From: QUADE, PETER; GÜNTHER, MAXIMILIAN
To: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Reel/Frame 060153/0200 →
Priority Claims (2)
DE 10 2021 115 124.4 · Jun 11, 2021 · national
DE 10 2022 113 613.2 · May 30, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220399665A1 · Dec 15, 2022
References Cited (8)
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