DE102021212194A1 - Connector, contacting arrangement with a connector and method for connecting a connector to a cable - Google Patents

Abstract

Connector for mounting on a cable (80), having: - a first connector side (11), - a contact element (2) with an insulation displacement contact (3) for contacting a line (81) of the cable ( 80), which is arranged on a first contact element end (21) facing the cable (80),-- a positioning element (4) for frontal contact with the cable (80) to be contacted,-- a receiving element (5) with a Receptacle (53) for the contact element (2),-- a sleeve element (6) with a sleeve element interior (61), wherein the contact element (2) is arranged in the receptacle (53); wherein the contact element (2) is arranged to be contacted by a counter-contact element (7), the receiving element (5) being arranged on the positioning element (4) so that it can pivot between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), the sleeve element (6) being formed, to be pushed over the positioning element (4) and the receiving element (5) to mount the connector (1) on the cable (80) and to receive the positioning element (4) and the receiving element (5), so that when the connector (1 ) on the cable (80), the receiving element (5) is held in its second position (P2) and prevented from moving to the first position (P1) and/or from moving along a direction (R ) is prevented.

Description

field of invention

The invention relates to a connector for mounting on a cable which extends along an axial direction and has at least one line. The invention further relates to a contacting arrangement with such a connector and a cable. It also relates to a method for connecting such a connector to a cable.

State of the art

Wiring harnesses, e.g. for motor vehicles, usually consist of flexible cables that are inserted into the bodywork by hand on the assembly line. Due to their flexibility or flexibility, however, this type of cable harness is not very suitable for automated production using robots.

From the U.S. 2018/0294075 A1 a so-called structural cable is known. This structured cable has at least one first electrical line, possibly also a large number of electrical lines. It also has a rigid structural element, for example made of a rigid carrier material. It also has a body, with the structural element and the at least one line being enclosed by the body or the body being formed around the structural element and the at least one line. This structure cable is optimized for automated laying.

However, the embedding of the at least one lead or the plurality of leads in the body makes it difficult to connect, for example, a standard connector or wire harness connector to the structure cable at its end.

Because the contacting with a conventional connector is usually done on individual contact elements, z. B. with a crimp connection. The contact elements connected in this way to individual cables are arranged in contact chambers of a connector housing. The contacting with e.g. Thus, conventional connectors are designed for cables having, for example, an electrical conductor surrounded by a single piece of insulation. Thus, with conventional plug connectors, particularly automated assembly on a structural cable is not readily possible, and highly automated assembly of a large number of contact elements on associated cables and subsequent assembly in the plug connector is also not readily possible.

Disclosure of Invention

There may therefore be a need to provide a connector which can be electrically connected to a mating connector from one side and which can be electrically and mechanically contacted on its other side to a structural cable, a ribbon cable or the like (not being limited to structural cables or ribbon cable). Furthermore, there may be a need to design such a connector as media-tight as possible, so that a dust and dirt-protected or generally media-tight connection between the connector and the associated cable is made possible. Furthermore, there may be a need to enable the connection of the connector to the cable in an automatable manner with as few or no manual steps as possible. The connection between the connector and the cable to be connected to the connector should follow as reliably as possible over the long term.

Advantages of the Invention

This need can be met by the subject matter of the present invention according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a plug connector is proposed for mounting on a cable that extends along an axial direction and has at least one line.

The connector has a first connector side facing the cable and a contact element with an insulation displacement contact for contacting a line of the cable, the insulation displacement contact being arranged on a first contact element end facing the cable. The connector also has a positioning element for frontal contact with the cable to be contacted and a receiving element with a receptacle for the contact element and a sleeve element with a sleeve element interior. The contact element is arranged in the receptacle. The contact element is set up to be electrically contacted at a second contact element end by a mating contact element. The receiving element is pivotably arranged on the positioning element. It is pivotable between a first position in which the line is not electrically contacted or cannot be contacted and a second position in which the line is electrically contacted or can be contacted. The sleeve element is designed to be pushed over the positioning element and the receiving element to mount the connector on the cable and to accommodate the positioning element and the receiving element in the sleeve element interior, so that when the connector is mounted on the cable, the receiving element can be held in its position by means of the sleeve element held in the second position and restricted from shifting to the first position and/or restricted from shifting along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

This has the advantageous effect that the connector can be mechanically mounted on the cable in a simple and reliable manner and at the same time the at least one line of the cable is electrically contacted securely and reliably. Furthermore, the construction of the plug connector advantageously enables automated assembly of the plug connector on the cable in a simple manner. As a result, the assembly process can be carried out in a particularly cost-effective and reproducible manner. Furthermore, the proposed connector advantageously protects the once established electrical contact against accidental loosening, in that the sleeve element prevents the receiving element from opening, ie. H. a displacement of the receiving element from its second position into the first position or a displacement along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is prevented. A further advantageous effect of this is that, in the event of a defect, the plug connector can also be dismantled from the cable again in a simple manner, for example in order to exchange the plug connector for a new plug connector. As a result, a sustainable use of a cable, once it has been laid, is brought about in a particularly advantageous manner. The maintenance of such a cable and its connector is particularly easy and inexpensive.

Furthermore, the positioning element advantageously enables the plug connector to be positioned securely and reliably on the cable, so that it is ensured that the cable or its line is in the right place or that the correct line of the cable is reliably electrically contacted. The positioning element can be detected for automated production, for example by means of robots, for example optically or haptically or electrically or magnetically and in this way it can be ensured that the connector is arranged in a correct position relative to the cable immediately before assembly.

In the context of this application, the expression “have” is to be understood as a synonym for the expression “comprise” unless otherwise described.

It goes without saying that the second position of the receiving element can lead to an electrical contact being made, above all in a state in which the cable rests on the front side of the positioning element. The cable is functionally related to the connector like a lock is to a key or a connector is to a mating connector.

It goes without saying that the connector can have exactly one receiving element with exactly one receptacle. However, a single receiving element with a plurality of receptacles can also be provided. In this case, the receptacles can be arranged next to one another, for example transversely to the axial direction, in the receptacle element. Furthermore, in principle, a plurality of receiving elements, each with exactly one receptacle, can also be provided. A plurality of receiving elements can also be provided, each of which has a plurality of receptacles or only a single receptacle. In the same way, exactly one single contact element can be provided. However, several contact elements can also be provided. The cable can have exactly one line, for example. However, it can also have a plurality of lines. Provision can be made for the plurality of lines to be arranged next to one another along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. Provision can also be made for the lines to be arranged on opposite sides of the cable. It can be considered, for example, that a contact element with an insulation displacement contact is provided for each line of the cable. However, it can also be provided that no contact element is provided in the connector for individual lines of the cable. The section of the cable that is in the vicinity of the connector is particularly relevant for the definition of the axial direction. In particular, therefore, a section which is close to a distal end of the cable.

A radial direction extends perpendicular to the axial direction. A circumferential direction is formed circumferentially around the axial direction.

In a further development it is provided that the plug connector is set up for contacting the cable on the first plug connector side and for mating with a mating plug connector on a second plug connector side. This advantageously causes the connector to be used as a modular element can for a variety of cables and mating connectors. It can be manufactured inexpensively in large numbers and provided for mounting on the cable. In this way, it is particularly advantageous to use the plug connector to make electrical contact with a cable that does not merely have a conventional line and (individual line) insulation and is therefore suitable for a crimp connection, for example. The connector can thus act as a kind of adapter element or a coupling between the mating connector and the cable or its line.

In a further development it is provided that the sleeve element is slid along the axial direction over the positioning element and the receiving element. This has the advantageous effect that the assembly of the connector on the cable can be carried out particularly easily. It can preferably be carried out in a simple sequence of steps, in which, for example, the positioning element is first placed against the cable along the axial direction and then the receiving element is also closed in the axial direction by moving the sleeve element and fixed to the cable or line. In this way, the process of assembling the plug connector on the cable can be automated in a particularly simple manner, for example for assembly using a robot.

In a further development it is provided that the cable is a ribbon cable. This has the advantageous effect that the connector is particularly flat. As a result, the connector can be advantageously used in an environment that has little space.

Alternatively it can be provided that the cable is a structural cable. The structural cable can have a structural element and a body, for example. The body is formed around the conductor and around the structural element. The structural element can be a rigid element, for example, which restricts the flexibility of the cable and in this way enables automated assembly, for example in a vehicle, for example assembly using robots. In this way, the connector has the advantageous effect that a conventional electrical coupling of components to the cable is made possible. He is thereby advantageously an easy-to-install connection to the cable, which due to the body, which is formed around the conductor, not easily with conventional methods such. B. a crimping process can be electrically contacted. This enables electrical signals and/or voltages to be coupled or decoupled into the cable or out of the cable to a mating connector in a simple manner. This assembling is possible even in a state where the structure cable is cut off smoothly at its distal end, that is, has no protruding line. In this way, e.g. the structure cable can be provided in a length that is initially a bit too long, then e.g. laid in a vehicle, e.g. by means of a robot or by hand, then the cable can e.g. be cut to the right length and then the connector can be attached connected to the cable at its distal end. Provision can also be made for the cable to be cut off to the correct length from a long piece, for example, before it is laid, then the connector is fitted to the distal end and the cable is then laid. The connector thus greatly simplifies flexibility when using the cable and adjusting the length of the cable.

In a further development it is provided that the contact element is a female contact element. For example, the contact element can be designed as a socket contact element. This has the advantageous effect, in a particularly simple manner, that the plug connector or the contact element can be contacted by a mating contact element, for example a contact pin or contact blade.

Alternatively it can be provided that the contact element is designed as a male contact element. In this case, the contact element can be designed, for example, as a contact blade or as a contact pin. In this way, contacting a z. B. designed as a socket contact element mating contact element, for example in the mating connector, allows.

It goes without saying that if more than one contact element is provided in the receiving element or in the plug connector, not all contact elements have to be of the same design. For example, a contact element can be designed as a female contact element, while another contact element is designed as a male contact element. In other configurations, all contact elements are designed as female contact elements or all contact elements are designed as male contact elements.

It is also conceivable that the contact element also has a different configuration. For example, it can be designed as a bond pad or as a contact surface for direct electrical contact (corresponding to a contact surface on a printed circuit board).

In a further development it is provided that the contact element has an undercut between the first contact element end and the second contact element end, the positioning element having at least one projection which faces the receiving element, the projection having the Undercut of the contact element engages behind. For example, the protrusion may extend along the radial direction. The projection can engage behind the undercut of the contact element, for example in such a way that displacement of the contact element along the axial direction is restricted.

This has the advantageous effect that the contact element in the receiving element, in particular in the receptacle, is blocked at least against movement along one direction, for example the axial direction. As a result, the insulation displacement contact of the contact element can advantageously be protected against movement and thus against damage. The projection can advantageously act in the manner of a so-called secondary locking element. It goes without saying that the contact element can be designed as a lance contact, for example. In this case, the contact element has a primary lance or primary locking lance or latching lance which protrudes obliquely radially outward and which can latch, for example, on an undercut of the receptacle. This latching is the so-called primary latching. The latching lance can be relieved by the projection on the positioning element, which acts in the manner of a secondary locking. It is also understood that, in addition or as an alternative to the primary latching, the contact element can have an undercut and can be held primarily latched or primarily locked in the socket by a latching lance formed in the socket. The provision of the projection enables secondary locking in a particularly simple manner, which makes it unnecessary to insert a (separate) secondary locking slide, for example along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. In this way, a particularly safe and cost-effective plug connector that can be assembled in an automated manner in a particularly simple manner is advantageously created.

In a further development it is provided that the plug connector has a counter-sleeve element, with the counter-sleeve element being arranged or fastened on the first plug connector side of the plug connector. For example, the counter-sleeve element is fastened or arranged on the first connector side so that it can be detached in a non-destructive manner. In the assembled state, the counter-sleeve element reduces a front opening of the sleeve element facing the cable. It can, for example, close the front opening of the sleeve element in cooperation with the cable. This has the advantageous effect that the sleeve element is protected against unintentional displacement or disassembly. Furthermore, this advantageously prevents or at least minimizes the ingress of dirt, dirt and/or moisture or fluid media through the front opening into the interior of the plug connector. In this way, a particularly reliable and secure electrical contact over the service life is brought about between the plug connector and the cable or the line of the cable.

It can be provided, for example, that the counter-sleeve element is or is connected to the sleeve element. Such a connection can, for example, be detachable without being destroyed, e.g. by means of a form-fitting and/or force-fitting and/or friction-fitting connection. For example, a non-destructively releasable latching mechanism can be provided between the sleeve element and the counter-sleeve element.

In a further development it is provided that the sleeve element is designed with a closed wall which encloses the inner space of the sleeve element, the sleeve element having a front opening for receiving the positioning element and the receiving element, the wall for contacting the contact element with the counter-contact element through the Wall having a contact opening through. As a result, the plug connector is advantageously protected in a particularly safe and reliable manner against mechanical effects on the insulation displacement contact and against the ingress of dirt, dirt and/or moisture or fluid media. As a result, the connector advantageously only has the front opening and the contacting opening for contacting the contact element. This greatly reduces the number of entry routes for dirt, dirt or moisture. The circumferentially closed wall also protects against mechanical influences, for example assembly tools, touching or the like, and it also acts as a kind of damper to protect the insulation displacement connection against vibrations. It goes without saying that a plurality of contacting openings can be provided if the connector has more than a single contact element.

In a development, a sealing element is provided on the first connector side. This sealing element seals a connector interior and/or seals the insulation displacement contact between the insulation displacement contact and the line of the cable against the ingress of fluid media. In other words: the poetry ment is set up to prevent the ingress of fluid media in a state in which the connector is mounted on the cable or is coupled to the cable. The ingress of fluid media can be prevented, for example, by means of the sealing element from the first connector side. In this way, the electrical contact between the plug connector and the cable (in a state in which the plug connector is coupled to the cable) is particularly securely protected against short circuits and/or degradation, for example due to corrosion over the course of the service life. In this way, the connector advantageously also enables use in unfavorable environmental conditions, which can occur, for example, in an engine compartment or the like of a motor vehicle.

In a further development it is provided that the connector has two receiving elements, a first receiving element and a second receiving element, the positioning element being arranged between the first receiving element and the second receiving element viewed along the radial direction. The two receiving elements can, for example, be arranged relative to one another in such a way that they are moved radially away from one another at their front ends during the transition from the second position to the first position.

The provision of two receiving elements has the advantageous effect that even a cable which has lines on two sides or in two levels can be contacted securely and reliably.

It goes without saying that, in principle, more than two receiving elements can also be provided. For example, in the case of a cable which has a rectangular cross section and in which at least one line is provided in each side of the rectangular cross section, a separate receiving element can be provided for each side of the cable. In such an example, four receiving elements.

In the non-assembled state, the connector can be designed, for example, like an open mouth, with the positioning element being arranged like a tongue between the two receiving elements, which represent the lower jaw and upper jaw in this image. When the sleeve element is slid on, the mouth is then closed in this picture, with the insulation displacement contacts of the contact elements then engaging in the cable like the teeth of the mouth and contacting the lines in an insulation displacement manner.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a contacting arrangement is proposed.

The contacting arrangement has: A cable with at least one line and a distal end and a plug connector, as described above. The connector is mounted on the cable at the distal end of the cable in such a way that the contact element electrically contacts the at least one line of the cable by means of an insulation displacement connection.

As a result, a particularly simple, reliable and automatically mountable contacting arrangement is advantageously provided.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a method for connecting a connector to a cable is proposed.

• -- Bereitstellen des Steckverbinders mit dem Aufnahmeelement in der ersten Position,
• -- Bereitstellen des Kabels,
• -- Positionieren des Positionierelements an einem distalen Ende des Kabels
• -- Verschwenken des Aufnahmeelements in die zweite Position, so dass der Schneid-Klemm-Kontakt eine Schneid-Klemm-Verbindung zwischen der Leitung und dem Kontaktelement herstellt,
• -- Schieben des Hülselements über das Positionierelement und das Aufnahmeelement, so dass das Positionierelement und das Aufnahmeelement in dem Hülsenelemente-Innenraum aufgenommen werden, so dass das Aufnahmeelement mittels des Hülsenelements in seiner zweiten Position gehalten und an einer Verlagerung in die Erstposition gehindert ist und/oder an einer Verlagerung entlang einer zur axialen Richtung senkrechten Richtung gehindert ist.

The connector has: a first connector side facing the cable, a contact element with an insulation displacement contact, a positioning element, a receiving element with a receptacle for the contact element, and a sleeve element with a sleeve element interior. The contact element is arranged in the receptacle. The receiving element is pivotably arranged on the positioning element between a first position and a second position. The procedure has the following steps:

• -- providing the connector with the receiving element in the first position,
• -- providing the cable,
• -- positioning the positioning element at a distal end of the cable
• -- Pivoting the receiving element into the second position, so that the insulation displacement contact produces an insulation displacement connection between the line and the contact element,
• -- Sliding the sleeve element over the positioning element and the receiving element, so that the positioning element and the receiving element are received in the sleeve element interior space, so that the receiving element is held in its second position by means of the sleeve element and prevented from being displaced into the first position and/or or is restricted from displacement along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction.

The proposed method enables the plug connector to be fitted to the cable in a particularly simple and reliable manner that can be automated (for example by means of robots). Advantageously, by moving the sleeve element over the receiving element and the positioning element accidental loosening of the insulation displacement connection is prevented. At the same time, the sleeve element serves as a kind of visual check that the connector has been installed correctly. Only when the sleeve element has been moved into the correct position can it be assumed that the connector is correctly mounted on the cable. In this way, quality control of the contacting arrangement, ie of the plug connector mounted on the cable, can be carried out simply, reliably and quickly

In a further development it is provided that the pivoting of the receiving element into the second position is brought about by the sliding of the sleeve element over the positioning element and the receiving element. In this way, automated assembly, for example by means of robots, can advantageously be carried out in a particularly simple manner. At the same time, quality control can be carried out in a particularly simple manner. If the sleeve element is pushed over the positioning element and the receiving element, it can be concluded that the insulation displacement connection or insulation displacement contact has been successfully established.

• -- Montieren eines Gegenhülsenelements sowie einer Dichtung an dem Kabel, wobei die Montage beispielsweise durch ein Aufschieben der Dichtung auf das Kabel erfolgen kann,
• -- Verbinden des Gegenhülselements mit dem Hülsenelement, so dass ein Steckverbinder-Innenraum mittels des Hülselements, des Gegenhülselements, der Dichtung und des Kabels fluiddicht gegen eine Außenumgebung des Steckverbinders abgedichtet ist. Das Verbinden des Gegenhülselements mit dem Hülsenelement kann beispielsweise durch Verschieben des Gegenhülselements entlang des Kabels erfolgen.

In a further development it is provided that the method has the following additional steps:

• -- Assembling a counter-sleeve element and a seal on the cable, wherein the assembly can be done, for example, by pushing the seal onto the cable,
• -- Connecting the mating sleeve element to the sleeve element, so that a connector interior is sealed in a fluid-tight manner from the outside of the connector by means of the sleeve element, the mating sleeve element, the seal and the cable. The mating sleeve element can be connected to the sleeve element, for example, by displacing the mating sleeve element along the cable.

This provides a particularly tight connection between the connector and the cable, which protects the insulation displacement connection between the connector and the cable from the ingress of fluid media in a particularly safe and reliable manner.

character list

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which, however, are not to be construed as limiting the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

• 1: Einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch einen Steckverbinder, welcher noch nicht am Kabel montiert ist,
• 2: Einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch den Steckverbinder aus 1, in einem am Kabel montierten Zustand,
• 3: Eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbinders vor der Montage an einem Kabel,
• 4: Eine Abfolge von Schritten eines Verfahrens zur Verbindung eines Steckverbinders mit einem Kabel.

Show it:

• 1 : A schematic longitudinal section through a connector, which is not yet mounted on the cable,
• 2 : A schematic longitudinal section through the connector 1 , in a cable-mounted state,
• 3 : A perspective view of a connector before assembly on a cable,
• 4 : A sequence of steps in a method of mating a connector to a cable.

1 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a plug connector 1 for mounting on a cable 80 extending along an axial direction A. The plug connector 1 is shown here on the right-hand side, the cable 80 on the left-hand side. The connector 1 is shown here in a state in which it is not yet electrically connected to the cable 80 .

The cable 80 is designed here as a structural cable 85 merely by way of example. The structural cable 85 has a structural element 86 and a body 87 . The cable 80, 85 has a plurality of lines 81 in two opposite planes. In the longitudinal section shown, only the in 1 upper side of the cable 80, 85 a line 81 and on the in 1 lower side of the cable 80, 85 another line 81 shown from the plurality of lines. The structure member 86 is arranged in a radial direction R perpendicular to the axial direction A between the line 81 on the upper side and the line 81 on the lower side. Body 87 is formed around leads 81 as well as structural element 86 . The lines 81 are embedded in the body 87 in the illustrated embodiment. The structural element 86 is surrounded by the body 87 . The structural element 86 gives the cable 80 or the structural cable 85 in this exemplary embodiment a certain rigidity, which prevents a longer section of the cable 80, 85 from bending flexibly when it is lifted by an operator or robot, for example. Nevertheless, eg elastic or also plastic deformation of the cable 80, 85 is possible, for example to adapt it to the shape of a workpiece in which or on which the cable 80, 85 is to be laid, eg an interior of a vehicle.

The connector 1 has a first connector side 11 facing the cable 80 . It also has in this embodiment, a plurality of contact elements 2, the each have an insulation displacement contact 3 for contacting a respective line 81 of the cable 80, 85, the insulation displacement contact 3 being arranged in each case on a first contact element end 21 facing the cable 80. Two contact elements 2 can be seen in the cross section shown. The connector 1 also has a positioning element 4 for frontal contact with the cable 80 to be contacted. In this embodiment, the connector 1 also has two receiving elements 5, each with a plurality of receptacles 53 for the contact elements 2 (of which only one can be seen here for each receiving element 5), with the two receiving elements 5 viewed along the radial direction R opposite sides of the positioning element 4 are arranged. The connector 1 also has a sleeve element 6 with a sleeve element interior 61 . The plurality of contact elements 2 are each arranged in an associated receptacle 53 of the receiving elements 5 . The contact elements 2 are each set up to be electrically contacted at a second contact element end 22 by a mating contact element 7 . In the illustrated embodiment, the two visible contact elements 2 are each in the form of a socket contact element. The mating contact elements 7 are only designed here, for example, as contact pins or contact blades and are only attached here, for example, to a connecting line 75, for example crimped or soldered or welded, etc. It goes without saying that the contact elements 2 or at least a number of the contact elements 2 also can be designed as a male contact element, for example as a contact blade or contact pin. In this case, the mating contact element 7 can be designed as a socket contact element, for example. Furthermore, it goes without saying that other types of contact elements are also conceivable. Furthermore, it is possible that the mating contact element 7 is designed, for example, as a pin of a component, for example in a mounted male connector or a molded connector interface.

The receiving elements 5 are pivotably arranged on the positioning element 4, it being possible for the pivoting to take place between a first position P1 and a second position P2. In the first position P1, which is shown here for the two receiving elements 5, the line 81 or the lines 81 of the cable 80 are not electrically contacted. In the second position P2, the in 2 is shown, the line 81 (or the lines 81) of the cable 80 is electrically contacted by the contact element 2 (or by the contact elements 2). The pivoting can take place, for example, about pivot axes 17 , with the pivot axes 17 being arranged here at the end of the positioning element 4 facing away from the cable 80 . The pivoting can take place, for example, by means of a joint and/or bearing which is/are formed between the receiving element 5 and the positioning element 4 .

The sleeve element 6 is designed to be pushed over the positioning element 4 and the receiving elements 5 in order to mount the plug connector 1 on the cable 80 and to receive the positioning element 4 and the receiving elements 5 in the sleeve element interior 61 . This has the effect that when the plug connector 1 is installed on the cable 80 (see 2 ) the receiving element 5 is held in its second position P2 by means of the sleeve element 6 and is prevented from being displaced into the first position P1. Alternatively or additionally, it is prevented from being displaced along the direction R perpendicular to the axial direction A.

A direction of rotation U runs around the axial direction A. The axial direction A results in particular from that section of the cable 80 which is arranged adjacent to the connector 1, i. H. in the area of the distal end 82 of the cable 80.

It goes without saying that the cable 80 does not necessarily have to be a structural cable 85 . It can also be designed as a ribbon cable, for example. It is also conceivable to mount the plug connector 1 on a normal cable which, for example, only has one strand covered by insulation (individual line insulation).

The connector 1 in the exemplary embodiment shown here is thus set up for contacting the cable 80 on the first connector side 11 and for mating with a mating connector 70 (see FIG 2 ) on a second connector side 12.

In this exemplary embodiment, the sleeve element 6 is designed to be slid along the axial direction A over the positioning element 4 and the two receiving elements 5 . Basically, it is of course conceivable that the sleeve element 6 is also pushed or mounted along the radial direction R over the two receiving elements 5 and the positioning element 4 .

As shown here, the contact elements 2 can be in the form of lance contacts. To this end, they have latching lances 25 or primary latching elements or primary latches protruding obliquely outwards latching lances, which can engage behind a receiving element undercut 55, so that the contact elements 2 are initially captively positioned in the receptacle 53, for example primary latched.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the contact elements 2 each have an undercut 23 only, for example, between the first contact element end 21 and the second contact element end 22 . The positioning element 4 has two projections 140 which extend along the radial direction R in this exemplary embodiment. Starting from a central body of the positioning element 4 extending along the axial direction A, the two projections 41 each face the adjacent receiving element 5 .

The projections 41 engage behind, as in 2 it can be seen, with receiving elements 5 displaced into the second position P2, the undercuts 23 of the contact elements 2. In this way, for example, a displacement of the contact elements 2 along the axial direction A is restricted. The projections 41 thus act in the manner of a so-called secondary locking element. They help to relieve the locking lances 25 of the contact elements 2 when there is a force acting on the contact elements 2 along the axial direction A due to mechanical effects. What is particularly advantageous about this embodiment of the positioning element 4 with the projections 41 is that the secondary locking takes place automatically when the plug connector 1 is fitted to the cable 80 by moving the receiving elements 5 to the second position P2 (see FIG 2 ) can be pivoted. In contrast to conventional plug connections, it is therefore not necessary to assemble a separate secondary locking slide in a separate process step. The two receiving elements 5, a first receiving element 5a and a second receiving element 5b, are arranged on different sides of the positioning element 4 viewed along the radial direction R. In other words, the positioning member 4 is sandwiched between the first receiving member 5a and the second receiving member 5b. During a transition from the second position P2 to the first position P1, the two receiving elements 5a, 5b move radially away from each other at their front ends 51.

In this exemplary embodiment, the connector 1 has a counter-sleeve element 8 , the counter-sleeve element 8 being arranged or fastened on the first connector side 11 of the connector 1 . It is advantageously arranged or fastened on the first connector side 11 so that it can be detached in a non-destructive manner, for example by means of a clip connection (see 2 ). In the assembled state, the counter-sleeve element 8 reduces a front opening 62 of the sleeve element 6 facing the cable 80 . The front opening 62 is particularly advantageously closed by the counter-sleeve element 8 in cooperation with the cable 80 . In this way, penetration of dirt, dirt, dust and fluid media from an external environment 14 of the connector 1 into a connector interior 13 and thus an impairment of the insulation displacement connection between the contact element 2 and line 81 is prevented. in the in 1 illustrated situation, the counter-sleeve element 8 is not yet connected to the sleeve 6 or not attached to it. The assembled state, in which the counter-sleeve element 8 is attached to the sleeve element 6, is in 2 shown. In order to produce the detachable connection between counter-sleeve element 8 and sleeve element 6, a plurality of latching projections 65 are shown on sleeve element 6 in this exemplary embodiment, which can positively interact with corresponding latching openings 15 in counter-sleeve element 8, see FIG 2 .

The sleeve element 6 is designed with a closed wall 63 which encloses the inner space 61 of the sleeve element. The sleeve element 6 has a front opening 62 for receiving the positioning element 4 and the receiving elements 5 . Apart from the front opening 62, the closed wall 63 only has contact openings 64. These contacting openings 64 are designed in such a way that contacting the respective contact elements 2 with the respective mating contact elements 7 through the wall 63 is possible. A cross section of the contacting openings 64 is preferably just large enough for a mating contact element 7 or contact element 2 designed as a male contact element to be able to be inserted through the contacting opening 64 . In this way, the sleeve element interior 61 is advantageously protected against the ingress of dust, dirt and fluid media. Because only a few openings are provided in the wall of the sleeve element 6, the electrical connection between the contact elements 2 and the lines 81 of the cable 80 is particularly well protected against mechanical influences and against the ingress of dust, dirt, grime and fluid media.

A sealing element 9 is additionally provided on the first connector side 11 for additional sealing and for reducing or minimizing or preventing the ingress of fluid media from the exterior 14 into the connector interior 13 . This seals the connector interior 13 and/or the insulation displacement contact tion between the insulation displacement contact 3 and the line 81 of the cable 80, among other things, against the ingress of fluid media, especially against the ingress of fluid media from the first connector side 11 ago.

2 shows the connector 1 and the cable 80 1 in the assembled state to form a contacting arrangement 900. In this case, the plug connector 1 is mounted on the cable 80 at the distal end 82 of the cable 80 in such a way that the contact elements 2 make electrical contact with the respectively assigned lines 81 of the cable 80 by means of an insulation displacement connection.

It can be seen here that the two receiving elements 4 have been shifted or pivoted about their respective pivot axes 17 into the second position P2 and in this second position P2 an insulation displacement connection between the respectively assigned line 81 and the contact element 2 is produced.

As already described above, the receiving elements 5 are pivotably mounted on bearings 18 or joints 19 on the positioning element 4 at their rear ends, which face away from the cable 80 . This can be a bearing 18 or joints 19 in which, for example, the receiving elements 5 are fastened to the positioning element 4 or arranged on the positioning element 4 so that they can be removed without destroying them. However, it can also be a case of bearings 18 or joints 19 that cannot be detached non-destructively, for example film joints, with which the receiving elements 5 are fastened or mounted pivotably on the positioning elements 4 .

2 also shows that the sleeve element 6 has been pushed over the positioning element 4 and the receiving elements 5 and receives the positioning element 4 and the receiving elements 5 in its sleeve element interior 61 . In this way, displacement or pivoting of the receiving elements 5 radially outwards from the second position P2 into the first position P1 is prevented. Unintentional loosening of the insulation displacement connection is therefore not possible. To seal the connector interior 13, the counter-sleeve element 8 is positively connected to the sleeve element 6 and the front opening 62 of the sleeve element 6 by means of the cable 80, the counter-sleeve element 8 and the seal 9, which is arranged inside the sleeve element 6 and the counter-sleeve element 8, sealed. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a front end 51 of the receiving elements 5 is in mechanical contact with the seal 9 and thus causes reliable sealing of the interior space 13 of the connector. The seal 9 can be designed in such a way that, viewed along the circumferential direction U, it is flush on an outside of the cable 80 is present. In this way, counter-sleeve element 8, gasket 9, cable 80 and the two receiving elements 5 seal from the front end (in the 2 left) viewed from the connector interior 13 against penetration of fluid media.

In 2 a mating connector 70 with a mating connector housing 71 and a mating connector interior 72 is also shown. The mating connector 70 can, for example, have the mating contact elements 7, which are attached from a rear side (in the 2 right) of the plug connector 1 through the contact openings 64 of the sleeve element 6 penetrate the wall 63 of the sleeve element 6 and contact the contact elements 2. A further seal or a further sealing element 91 can be arranged between the sleeve element 6 and the mating connector housing 71 so that penetration of fluid media into the connector interior 13 through the contacting openings 64 is also prevented.

Furthermore, it is fundamentally possible (but not shown here) for the two receiving elements 5 and/or the positioning element 4 to have further sealing elements, e.g. on the sides facing one another, e.g. along the sides facing one another, so that in the fully assembled position (second position P2 of the receiving elements 5) the elements are sealed against each other. If only one receiving element 5 is present, this can be sealed against the positioning element 4 by a further sealing element.

In this way, a plug connector 1 that is easy to assemble and can be used flexibly is provided with simple means for secure and tight assembly on a cable 80 . The plug connector 1 can be particularly advantageously automated, for example assembled by robots. By moving the sleeve member 6 - in the 1 and 2 From right to left - along the axial direction A or parallel to the axial direction A, the insulation displacement connection can be effected by the sleeve element 6 causing a successive displacement of the receiving elements 2 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 when pushed on .

3 shows a perspective view of a connector 1 in the first position P1. The sleeve element 6 is shown at a distance from the positioning element 4 and the two receiving elements 5 . The positioning element 4 is shown at some distance from the cable 80 designed as a structural cable 85 . The structure Cable 85 has a plurality of lines 81 , which are embedded in body 87 , in two planes spaced apart from one another along radial direction R, as can be seen clearly. At the same time, the body 87 encloses a structural member 86 which provides the cable 80 with a degree of rigidity so that it can be gripped and moved by an operator or robot without bending. Viewed along the radial direction R, the structural element 86 is arranged between the two planes in which the lines are arranged. The two receiving elements 5 are arranged with axle journals of a pivoting axis 17 in bearing receptacles of a bearing 18 of the positioning element 4 . As described above, other configurations can also be possible in order to enable pivoting of the receiving elements 5 relative to the positioning element 4 .

• -- Bereitstellen 100 des Steckverbinders 1 mit dem Aufnahmeelement 5 in der ersten Position P1,
• -- Bereitstellen 200 des Kabels 80,
• -- Positionieren 300 des Positionierelements 4 an einem distalen Ende 82 des Kabels 80,
• -- Verschwenken 400 des Aufnahmeelements 5 in die zweite Position P2, so dass der Schneid-Klemm-Kontakt 3 eine Schneid-Klemm-Verbindung zwischen der Leitung 81 und dem Kontaktelement 2 herstellt,
• -- Schieben 500 des Hülsenelements 6 über das Positionierelement 4 und das Aufnahmeelement 5, so dass das Positionierelement 4 und das Aufnahmeelement 5 in dem Hülsenelement-Innenraum 61 aufgenommen werden, so dass das Aufnahmeelement 5 mittels des Hülsenelements 6 in seiner zweiten Position P2 gehalten und an einer Verlagerung in die erste Position P1 gehindert ist und/oder an einer Verlagerung entlang einer zur axialen Richtung A senkrechten Richtung R gehindert ist.

4 shows steps of a method for connecting a connector 1 to a cable 80. The connector 1 has: A first connector side 11 facing the cable 80, a contact element 2 with an insulation displacement contact 3, a positioning element 4, at least one receiving element 5 with at least one receptacle 53 for the at least one contact element 2, and a sleeve element 6 with a sleeve element interior 61. The at least one contact element 2 is arranged in the at least one receptacle 53. The at least one receiving element 5 is arranged on the positioning element 4 so that it can pivot between a first position P1 and a second position P2. The procedure has the following steps:

• -- Providing 100 of the connector 1 with the receiving element 5 in the first position P1,
• -- provide 200 cable 80,
• -- positioning 300 of the positioning element 4 at a distal end 82 of the cable 80,
• -- Pivoting 400 of the receiving element 5 into the second position P2, so that the insulation displacement contact 3 produces an insulation displacement connection between the line 81 and the contact element 2,
• -- Sliding 500 of the sleeve element 6 over the positioning element 4 and the receiving element 5, so that the positioning element 4 and the receiving element 5 are received in the sleeve element interior 61, so that the receiving element 5 is held in its second position P2 by means of the sleeve element 6 and is prevented from shifting to the first position P1 and/or is prevented from shifting along a direction R perpendicular to the axial direction A.

In particular, it can be provided that the pivoting 400 of the receiving element 4 into the second position P2 is brought about by the sliding 500 of the sleeve element 6 via the positioning element 4 and the receiving element 5. The step of sliding 500 can take place in particular along the axial direction A.

• -- Montieren 250 eines Gegenhülsenelements 8 sowie einer Dichtung 9 an dem Kabel 80. Das Montieren dieser beiden Elemente kann beispielsweise durch ein Aufschieben zunächst des Gegenhülsenelements 8 und sodann der Dichtung 9 auf das Kabel 80 erfolgen,
• -- Verbinden 600 des Gegenhülsenelements 8 mit dem Hülsenelement 6, so dass ein Steckverbinder-Innenraum 13 mittels des Hülsenelements 6, des Gegenhülsenelements 8, der Dichtung 9 und des Kabels 80 fluiddicht gegen eine Außenumgebung 14 des Steckverbinders 1 abgedichtet ist, insbesondere von der Seite des Gegenhülsenelements 8 des Steckverbinders 1 her. Das Verbinden 600 des Gegenhülsenelements 8 mit dem Hülsenelement 6 kann beispielsweise durch Verschieben des Gegenhülsenelements 8 entlang des Kabels 80 bewirkt werden und/oder durch das Verschieben des Hülsenelements 6 in Richtung des Kabels 8.

The method can, for example, provide for the following further steps:

• -- Assembling 250 a counter-sleeve element 8 and a seal 9 on the cable 80. These two elements can be assembled, for example, by first pushing the counter-sleeve element 8 and then the seal 9 onto the cable 80,
• -- Connecting 600 the mating sleeve element 8 to the sleeve element 6, so that a connector interior 13 is sealed fluid-tight by means of the sleeve element 6, the mating sleeve element 8, the seal 9 and the cable 80 against an external environment 14 of the connector 1, in particular from the side of the counter-sleeve element 8 of the connector 1 ago. The connection 600 of the counter-sleeve element 8 to the sleeve element 6 can be brought about, for example, by displacing the counter-sleeve element 8 along the cable 80 and/or by displacing the sleeve element 6 in the direction of the cable 8.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was 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.

Patent Literature Cited

• US 2018/0294075 A1 [0003]

Claims (14)

Connector for mounting on a cable (80) which extends along an axial direction (A) and has at least one line (81), the connector (1) having: -- a first connector side (11) facing the cable, -- a contact element (2) with an insulation displacement contact (3) for contacting a line (81) of the cable (80), which is arranged on a cable (80) facing the first contact element end (21), -- a positioning element (4) for frontal contact with the cable (80) to be contacted, -- a receiving element (5) with a receptacle (53) for the contact element (2), -- a sleeve element (6) with a sleeve element interior (61), wherein the contact element (2) is arranged in the receptacle (53); wherein the contact element (2) is set up to be electrically contacted at a second contact element end (22) by a counter-contact element (7), wherein the receiving element (5) is pivotably arranged on the positioning element (4) between a first position (P1) in which the line (81) is not electrically contacted and a second position (P2) in which the line (81) is electrically is contacted, wherein the sleeve element (6) is designed to be pushed over the positioning element (4) and the receiving element (5) for assembly of the plug connector (1) on the cable (80) and the positioning element (4) and the receiving element (5) in the Record sleeve element interior (61), so that when the connector (1) is mounted on the cable (80), the receiving element (5) is held in its second position (P2) by means of the sleeve element (6) and can be displaced into the first position (P1) is restricted and/or is restricted from displacement along a direction (R) perpendicular to the axial direction (A). Connector according to the preceding claim, wherein the connector (1) is set up for contacting the cable (80) on the first connector side (11) and for mating with a mating connector (70) on a second connector side (12). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve element (6) is pushed along the axial direction (A) over the positioning element (4) and the receiving element (5). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable (80) is a ribbon cable or wherein the cable (80) is a structural cable (85), wherein the structural cable (85) has in particular a structural element (86) and a body (87), the body (87) around the line (81) and the structural element (86 ) is formed around. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (2) is a female contact element, in particular a socket contact element, or wherein the contact element (2) is a male contact element, in particular a contact blade or a contact pin. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (2) has an undercut (23) between the first contact element end (21) and the second contact element end (22), wherein the positioning element (4) has at least one projection (41), which extends in particular along the radial direction (R) and faces the receiving element (5), wherein the projection (41) engages behind the undercut (23) of the contact element (2) when the receiving element (5) is displaced into the second position (P2), in particular such that displacement of the contact element (2) along the axial direction (A) is restricted. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (1) has a counter-sleeve element (8), wherein the counter-sleeve element (8) is arranged on the first connector side (11) of the connector (1) or is fastened, in particular in a non-destructively detachable manner, wherein the counter-sleeve element (8) in the assembled state reduces a front opening (62) of the sleeve element (6) facing the cable (80) and in particular closes it in cooperation with the cable (80). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve element (6) is formed with a closed wall (63) which encloses the sleeve element interior (61), the sleeve element (6) having a front opening (62) for receiving the positioning element ( 4) and the receiving element (5), the wall (63) having a contacting opening (64) through the wall (63) for contacting the contact element (2) with the counter-contact element (7). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a sealing element (9) is provided on the first connector side (11) which has a connector interior (13) and/or the insulation displacement contact between the insulation displacement contact ( 3) and the line (81) of the cable (80) against the ingress of fluid media, in particular from the first connector side (11), seals. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (1) has two receiving elements (5), a first receiving element (5a) and a second receiving element (5b), wherein viewed along the radial direction (R) the positioning element (4) is arranged between the first receiving element (5a) and the second receiving element (5b), the front ends (51) of the two receiving elements (5a, 5b) being moved radially away from one another, in particular during the transition from the second position (P2) to the first position (P1). Contacting arrangement, the contacting arrangement (900) comprising: - a cable (80) with at least one line (81) and a distal end (82), - A connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector (1) at the distal end (82) of the cable (80) is mounted on the cable (80) such that the contact element (2) the at least one line (81) of the cable (80) electrically contacted by means of an insulation displacement connection. A method of connecting a connector to a cable, the connector (1) comprising: -- a first connector side (11) facing the cable, -- a contact element (2) with an insulation displacement contact (3), -- a positioning element (4), -- a receiving element (5) with a receptacle (53) for the contact element (2), -- a sleeve element (6) with a sleeve element interior (61), wherein the contact element (2) is arranged in the receptacle (53); the receiving element (5) being pivotably arranged on the positioning element (4) between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), the method comprising the following steps: -- Providing (100) the connector (1) with the receiving element (5) in the first position (P1), -- providing (200) the cable (80), -- Positioning (300) of the positioning element (4) at a distal end (82) of the cable (80), -- Pivoting (400) of the receiving element (5) into the second position (P2), so that the insulation displacement contact (3) produces an insulation displacement connection between the line (81) and the contact element (2), -- Sliding (500) the sleeve element (6) over the positioning element (4) and the receiving element (5), so that the positioning element (4) and the receiving element (5) are received in the sleeve element interior (61), so that the receiving element (5) is held in its second position (P2) by means of the sleeve element (6) and prevented from being displaced to the first position (P1) and/or from being displaced along a direction (R ) is prevented. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the pivoting (400) of the receiving element (4) into the second position (P2) is effected by sliding (500) the sleeve element (6) over the positioning element (4) and the receiving element (5). Method according to one of the two preceding claims, with the further steps: -- Mounting (250) of a counter-sleeve element (8) and a seal (9) on the cable (80), in particular by pushing it onto the cable (80), -- Connecting (600) the counter-sleeve element (8) to the sleeve element (6), in particular by moving the counter-sleeve element (8) along the cable (80), so that a connector interior (13) by means of the sleeve element (6), the Counter-sleeve element (8), the seal (9) and the cable (80) is sealed fluid-tight against an external environment (14) of the connector.

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