Electrical Connector for a Heating System, Heating System, and Method for Installing a Heat Shrink Cover
An electrical connector includes a first connector element having a housing and a first power terminal providing electrical power to a heating element of a heating system, and a second connector element mateable with the first connector element. The second connector element has a second power terminal mateable with the first power terminal. The electrical connector includes an information storage unit storing a data usable for operating the heating system and a communication interface reading out the data stored in the information storage unit.
1 . An electrical connector, comprising:
a first connector element including a housing and a first power terminal providing electrical power to a heating element of a heating system;
a second connector element mateable with the first connector element, the second connector element including a second power terminal mateable with the first power terminal;
an information storage unit storing a data usable for operating the heating system; and
a communication interface reading out the data stored in the information storage unit.
2 . The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the information storage unit is an electronic storage unit.
3 . The electrical connector of claim 2 , wherein the electronic storage unit is at least one of a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.
4 . The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface includes a communication terminal having a plurality of first contact elements connectable to a plurality of second contact element of a mating electrically conductive connector.
5 . The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface is a wireless communication interface.
6 . The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the communication interface provides a bidirectional communication between the information storage unit and a control unit.
7 . The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the information storage unit includes an RFID tag arranged at the housing of the first connector element.
8 . The electrical connector of claim 7 , wherein the communication interface includes an RFID reader at the second connector element.
9 . The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the information storage unit includes a printed circuit board mounted in the housing with a memory module assembled on the printed circuit board.
10 . The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the first connector element receives a temperature measurement signal from an external temperature sensor.
11 . A heating system for a heat shrink component, comprising:
a heating unit having a heating element; and
an electrical connector including:
a first connector element having a housing and a first power terminal providing electrical power to the heating element;
a second connector element mateable with the first connector element, the second connector element including a second power terminal mateable with the first power terminal;
an information storage unit storing a data usable for operating the heating system; and
a communication interface reading out the data stored in the information storage unit.
12 . The heating system of claim 11 , further comprising a control unit controlling a power supply to the heating element.
13 . The heating system of claim 12 , wherein the control unit communicates with the information storage unit via the communication interface.
14 . The heating system of claim 12 , further comprising a power source that provides the power supply, the power source is a power generator and/or a battery pack.
15 . The heating system of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the power generator and the battery pack has an electrical connector bidirectionally communicating with the control unit.
16 . A method, comprising:
providing a heat shrink cover having a heating element, the heating element is electrically connected to a first connector element of an electrical connector;
connecting a power source to the heating element by connecting a second connector element to the first connector element;
reading out a data stored in an information storage unit via a communication interface; and
supplying an electrical power to the heating element to perform a heating process according to the data stored in the information storage unit.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the information storage unit includes an electronic storage unit.
18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising storing an information input by a control unit in the electronic storage unit after the heating process has been completed.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the control unit communicates with a plurality of further electrical connectors that are connected to a plurality of further electric components.