DE102017118212A1 - adapter housing - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter housing comprising on a first side a first housing connection for connection to a connector of a first size with a connector housing having a housing connection corresponding to the first housing connection and on a second side a second housing connection for connection to a connector deviating from the first size Size with a connector housing having a housing connection corresponding to the first housing connection, wherein the first housing connection has a different cross-sectional area than the second housing connection.

Description

The present invention relates to an adapter housing for a connector assembly for connecting a first connector to a second connector.

Various connector housings are known in the art. In general, a first connector, comprising a first connector housing with a second connector, having a second connector housing connected, in which the connectors are plugged together and the two housings of the respective connector parts enclose the entire connector, thus protecting the connector.

In addition, in the prior art locking devices are known to lock such connector housing together.

So z. B. the DE 10 2010 038 266 A1 a locking device for a multi-part connector housing having a housing upper part and a matching housing lower part.

The inner life of a terminal and lockable connector housing may consist of contact elements and / or so-called contact modules, as these in the WO 2011/069521 A1 are shown.

The EP 2 194 217 A1 also shows a connector housing and formed with a releasable lock. In this case, a first housing part is formed on both sides with actuating buttons which each act on internally assigned elastic spring elements, which are arranged in the housing interior.

The DE 10 2011 106 293 A relates to a connector housing consisting of at least one upper housing part and at least one lower housing part, which together form a connector housing, wherein the upper housing part and the lower housing part each have a contact surface which are at least partially in touching contact with each other when the upper housing part and the lower housing part are connected to each other the upper housing part and the lower housing part are made of an electrically conductive material, wherein the upper housing part and the lower housing part comprise a corrosion protection layer.

In the prior art, this results in the disadvantage that a connector housing generally consists in each case of a first housing part, comprising a first connector and in each case a second housing part, comprising a second connector. However, it is not possible by such arrangements to realize a Y-connection between the connectors.

If you want to realize T-distributor or Y-distributor with such connectors, so are always between the individual connectors cable output or cable input side intermediate cables needed, which are each performed outside the connector housing.

However, it is desirable that a Y-type distributor is possible within a connector housing so that distribution solutions can be realized within the housing.

Furthermore, it is desirable that such solutions be implemented as connector solutions, so that the user, for example, from a first cable input side passes through such a housing to two cable exit sides.

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages mentioned in the prior art and to provide a connector housing with which T or Y distribution solutions can be realized.

According to the invention is provided to provide an adapter housing with the features of claim 1.

The basic idea of the present invention is to provide an adapter housing which provides a first housing connection for a first connector on a first side and a second housing connection on a second housing side for connection to a second connector or connector housing, preferably on the diametrically opposite side.

Thus, a first connector known from the prior art is not connected to a mating corresponding second connector, but rather a first connector of a first size is connected to a second connector of a second size via the adapter housing. In this respect, the adapter housing has intended a first housing connection with a first cross-sectional area (matching the first connector) and a second housing connection suitable for the second connector, which has a different size than the first connector and thus a larger cross-sectional area.

Thus, connectors of different sizes can be electrically connected to each other via the adapter housing while inside the adapter housing sub-distributions, such. B. a T or Y distribution can be realized.

For this purpose, it may be provided that in the adapter housing, oriented to the first connector of the first size, a corresponding contact carrier module is arranged, which corresponds to a corresponding contact carrier module of the first connector, while on the opposite side, thus the side of the second housing connection z. B. two or more such contact carrier modules are arranged, which correspond to the contact carrier modules of the second connector (the larger design).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is further provided that the first side is arranged with the first housing connection on one of the second side with the second housing connection diametrically opposite side.

It is also advantageous if the adapter housing has locking means for locking the adapter housing with the connector housing of the first connector, so that a fixed connector between the first connector and the adapter housing is produced, while the adapter housing preferably also with locking means for locking the adapter housing having the second connector housing of the second connector, so that a firm connection with the second connector and the adapter housing can be realized.

It is further provided in an advantageous embodiment of the invention that the respective dimensions of the openings of the two housing terminals of the adapter housing in the width or the direction of length is equal.

In other words, this means that z. B. the width of the openings of the respective housing connections is the same size, while the lengths differ and it comes to different cross-sectional areas or vice versa.

Such embodiments relate to rectangular connectors.

It is further preferred if the locking means are formed on at least one side of the adapter housing as a locking bracket, while the locking means are formed on the other terminal side either as a locking bracket or from the housing wall of the adapter housing protruding cams, in which locking bracket of the first and second connector can intervene.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an arrangement of a first and second connector and an adapter housing, wherein the first connector on one side and the second connector on the opposite side of the adapter housing are respectively connected to the housing connections with the adapter housing.

It is further provided with advantage, if an arrangement of a plurality of such respectively first and second connector and an adapter housing is provided, each a first wiring leads to the terminal side of the first connector, while each two separate cable strands to the connection side of each lead second connector and are guided within the adapter housing, the lines of the first cable harness via contact connections to the lines of the two separately guided cable strands.

This can be realized in that the first cable harness is guided to a first contact-carrying contact carrier module on one side of the adapter housing, while from there wirings within the adapter housing for each two further contact carrier modules on the opposite side (thus the second connection side) of the adapter housing be guided to the second connector.

In this way, a serial Y distribution of corresponding arrangements can be produced.

A typical application for such a solution is in the realization of T-adapters in traffic lights, which can be made pluggable in this way.

• 1 eine erste Ausführungsform eines Adaptergehäuses in drei unterschiedlichen Ansichten;
• 2 eine alternative Ausführungsform eines Adaptergehäuses in drei unterschiedlichen Ausführungsformen;
• 3 eine Anordnung aus einer Mehrzahl von Steckverbindern in erfindungsgemäßen Adaptergehäusen.

The invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but will be explained in more detail below with reference to embodiments with reference to the following figures. Show it:

• 1 a first embodiment of an adapter housing in three different views;
• 2 an alternative embodiment of an adapter housing in three different embodiments;
• 3 an arrangement of a plurality of connectors in adapter housings according to the invention.

In the following, each invention is explained by means of exemplary embodiments, wherein the same reference numbers refer to the same functional and / or structural features.

In the 1 and 2 are two exemplary embodiments of an adapter housing 1 shown. The adapter housing 1 includes a housing wall 2 and is open at its upper and lower ends. The one opening is thus on the first page S1 while the second opening on the second, the first side diametrically opposite side S2 located.

The respective openings on the side S1 and S2 each form a first housing connection 10 or a second housing connection 20 for connection to a respective first connector 11 or a second connector 21 , which exemplifies in the 3 are shown.

The embodiments of the two adapter housing in the 1 and 2 differ essentially by the manner of attachment of locking means 15 . 25 ,

In the upper embodiment are for locking the second connector 21 locking means 25 mounted in the form of locking clips. At the upper opening and that at the first housing connection 10 are laterally out of the housing wall 2 protruding cams 15 educated.

In the second embodiment in the 2 are in place of the cams 15 also locking bracket and locking latch 15 educated.

As can be clearly seen in the perspective views, the cross-sectional area of the first housing terminal 10 smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second housing connection 20 ,

It can also be seen that despite different cross-sectional areas of the housing connections 10 . 20 the Breitanmaß, ie the opening of the width of the two housing connections 10 . 20 the adapter housing 1 each is the same size.

Based on 3 allows the use of the adapter housing according to the invention 1 explain in an application. As you can see, each lead into one of the connectors 11 , as in the upper part of the 3 are shown, the cable strands K1 to the connection sides of the connectors 11 , In the lower row is a distributor row of connectors 21 shown in each case in the connector housing 22 two contact carrier modules M2 and M3 are arranged. In the first connector 11 is located in its connector housing 12 one contact carrier module each M1 to which the aforementioned harness K1 leads. To the just mentioned modules M2 . M3 lead the cable strands K2 . K3 , Three of the connectors 11 . 21 are each with an adapter housing according to the invention 1 connected, wherein in the adapter housing 1 one module each M1 for connection to the connector 11 and two modules M2 . M3 for connection to the connector 21 are attached. The modules M1 . M2 . M3 are wired together via a Y-splitter. In the modules are contacts that are connected to the connecting cables of the cable harnesses.

The connectors 11 . 21 each comprise a first connector half in the housing 12 respectively. 22 and a second connector half in the adapter housing 1 ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

adapter housing

2

housing wall

10

first housing connection

10 '

housing connection

11

first connector

12

connector housing

15

locking means

20

second housing connection

20 '

housing connection

21

second connector

22

connector housing

25

locking means

K1

wire harness

K2

wire harness

K3

wire harness

M1

Contact carrier module

M2

Contact carrier module

M3

Contact carrier module

S1

first page

S2

second page

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102010038266 A1 [0004]
• WO 2011/069521 A1 [0005]
• EP 2194217 A1 [0006]
• DE 102011106293 A [0007]

Claims (9)

Adapter housing (1) comprising on a first side (S1) a first housing connection (10) for connection to a connector (11) of a first size with a connector housing (12) with a housing connection (10 ') corresponding to the first housing connection (10) and on a second side (S2) a second housing connection (20) for connection to a connector (21) of a size differing from the first size with a connector housing (22) having a housing connection (20 ') corresponding to the second housing connection (20), wherein the first housing connection (10) has a different cross-sectional area than the second housing connection (20). Adapter housing (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the first side (S1) is arranged with the first housing connection (10) on one of the second side (S2) with the second housing connection (20) diametrically opposite side. Adapter housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter housing (1) has locking means (15) for locking the adapter housing (1) to the connector housing (12) of the first connector (11). Adapter housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter housing (1) has locking means (25) for locking the adapter housing (1) with the connector housing (22) of the second connector (21). Adapter housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective dimension of the openings of the two housing connections (10, 20) of the adapter housing (1) is the same size either in the width or the length direction. Adapter housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means (15) are designed as locking straps. Adapter housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking means (25) are formed as protruding from the housing wall of the adapter housing (1) cams. Arrangement comprising a first / second connector and an adapter housing (1), characterized in that the connector (11) on the one side (S1) and the connector (21) on the opposite side (S2) in each case on the housing connections (10, 20) is connected to the adapter housing (1). Arrangement of a plurality of respectively first / second connectors (11, 21) and an adapter housing (1), characterized in that in each case a first cable harness (K1) leads to the terminal side of the first connector (11), while two separate cable strands (K2, K3) lead to the connection side of the second connector (21) and within the adapter housing (1) the lines of the first wiring harness (K1) via contact connections to the two separate cable strands (K2, K3) are guided by means of each in each case separate contact carrier modules (M1, M2, M3) in the adapter housing (1) mounted contacts are connected together.

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