EP0240454B1 - Bloc multiconnecteur sélectif - Google Patents

Bloc multiconnecteur sélectif Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0240454B1
EP0240454B1 EP87630047A EP87630047A EP0240454B1 EP 0240454 B1 EP0240454 B1 EP 0240454B1 EP 87630047 A EP87630047 A EP 87630047A EP 87630047 A EP87630047 A EP 87630047A EP 0240454 B1 EP0240454 B1 EP 0240454B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
terminals
block
arrays
multiconnector
wire
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP87630047A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0240454A1 (fr
Inventor
Winston H. Maue
Brian Earl Henderson
Robert Gerald Szudarek
Thomas Casimer Wolanzyk
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
Original Assignee
Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors filed Critical Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
Publication of EP0240454A1 publication Critical patent/EP0240454A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0240454B1 publication Critical patent/EP0240454B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/514—Bases; Cases composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R29/00—Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to automobile wiring and specifically to a multiconnector block.
  • Wire harnesses which distribute electrical signals within an automobile, are generally nonstandard due to the varying range of options required for each automobile. For example, in Europe, there are several 17 different lighting configurations required (each country may require a unique configuration), each configuration being operated by the same controls. Separate harnessing is required for each different configuration to ensure that the controls operate the required light configuration.
  • each option may require distribution of electrical signals and possibly, the feedback thereof, through different circuitry and different harnesses, thereby giving rise to nonstandard harnessing.
  • harnesses, carrying signals requiring additional electrical elements to properly operate each option are particularly difficult to standardize because the additional elements are hard wired into the harness making that harness relatively useless for other options.
  • wire harnesses were standardized, an automotive wiring system would require the flexibility to distribute control signals from and to those harnesses to accommodate required options.
  • US-A-3,697,927 discloses a connector assembly for automobile wiring according to the precharacterizing portion of independent claim 1 having wire harness connectors and a connector block with limited flexibility provided by a bus bar (38) appearing to connect two circuits.
  • the bus bar does not provide for sufficient flexibility in the block to allow for the connection of discrete circuits corresponding to particular options.
  • US-A-3,917,371 discloses a simplified connection between circuits provided by a simplistic bus bar. Again, the device does not have the flexibility to allow for standardization with wire harnesses, merely, connecting single wires.
  • an electrical connector having a pair of sockets utilizing a plurality of plug connectors having bodies of electrically conducting material to combine circuits of an electrical system in groups such that the combination of circuits can easily and quickly be changed (DE-C-1 152 579); and a device for making electrical connections comprising a plurality of modular units which can be electrically connected with one another by selectively inserting them in a selected orientation into a support member so that contact pieces of the units contact selected bus bars of the device (DE-A-1 765 791).
  • the object of the invention is to provide a connector assembly that permits to standardize the wiring in an automobile.
  • a connector assembly for automobile wiring comprising a junction block having first terminals disposed therein, each terminal having a wire fixedly attached thereto, said terminals being grouped into first arrays, and a plurality of wire harnesses each having a plurality of wires terminating in second terminals being disposed within a wire harness connector, each wire harness connector being adapted to align and mate with a particular array of said first arrays so that respective of said first and second terminals may be electrically connected, characterized in that a single multiconnector block is interposed between said junction block and said wire harnesses such that each connector is aligned with said particular first array, said multiconnector block interconnecting said junction block and said plurality of wire harnesses, said multiconnector block having an electrically insulating body, a plurality of third terminals attached to said body, said plurality of third terminals being grouped into second arrays, said second arrays aligning and electrically mating with selected of said particular first arrays depending on said options
  • the connector assembly according to the invention permits to standardize the wiring of an automobile with sufficient flexibility to accommodate options that may be required for each automobile. Flexibility is provided by making electrical connections among selected of the terminals of the multiconnector block to create the electrical pathways required to accommodate the particular options in each vehicle.
  • a plurality of wires 2 terminat in an automotive junction block 4.
  • Each wire 2 terminates in a female receptacle 6, the receptacles forming related arrays 8 that are recessed into a bottom 9 of the junction block (see Fig. 2).
  • Each array has a polarizing notch 11 extending therefrom into the block 4, as will be discussed infra.
  • Wire harnesses 10 have wires 12, corresponding in number to a full range of options that a harness may accommodate, terminating in connectors 13.
  • Connectors 13 have a roughly rectangular body portion 16 sized to fit within the recessed array 8.
  • Wire harness connectors have orifices 15 housing male plugs 14 that are inserted into female receptacles 6 in the junction block 4. Shoulder portions 18 protrude from either side of the body portion 16 to abut with bottom 9 of the junction block when the body portion is inserted into the recessed arrays, thereby preventing the connectors from being over inserted into those recessed arrays.
  • a polarizing rib 17 extends along a side of the body portion 16 in a direction of insertion of the body portion into array 8.
  • the rib 17 mates with notch 11 to ensure that the proper connection 13 is inserted in the proper array 8. Electrical signals are transferred generally among the wires 2 terminating in the junction block and the wires 12 terminating in each related wire harness connector 13, as will be discussed infra. If the full range of vehicle options are not employed, several wires in each wire harness may not be used. The cost of extra wiring in each harness is offset by savings shown by the standardization of the harness.
  • the multiconnector block 19 is regularly shaped, having parallel major faces 20, 22.
  • Top face 20 has a plurality of electrodes 24 (a-j) depending therefrom, and bottom face 22 has a plurality of female receptacles 26 (a-g) forming arrays 27.
  • Electrodes 24 fit within the female receptacles 6 housed within the junction block, and the arrays 27 of female receptacles 26 receive the male plugs 14 housed in the wire harness connectors 13.
  • Each array has a polarizing notch (not shown) similar to those in block 4 to ensure that the proper connector 13 is inserted into the proper array 27 in the multiconnector block.
  • a polarizing flange 29 extends from a face of the block to properly locate the multiconnector block in relation to the junction block to ensure that the multiconnector block is properly aligned between the wire harness connectors and the junction block to create discrete circuits necessary for each option in each vehicle.
  • the multiconnector block is constructed of an electrically insulative material, such as a plastic, to ensure that the circuits created among the multiconnector block, the junction block and the harness connectors are discrete. Electrical connection among wires 2 and 12, to create the discrete circuits necessary for each option is made among selected of the electrodes and/or selected of the female receptacles of the multiconnector block.
  • interconnections may be made in a variety of manners to create the circuitry required for each option.
  • Interconnections may be made between electrodes and receptacles, or electrode and electrodes, or receptacles and receptacles.
  • Electrical elements such as diodes, zener diodes, resistors, filters and the like may form connectors to give the selected circuitry the proper electrical characteristics. A variety of possible connections are disclosed (see Fig.
  • electrode 24a connects to electrode 24b and receptacle 26a by a resistor 28; electrode 24c connects to electrode 24e by a printed circuit conductor 30 and both connect to receptacle 26d; receptacle 26b connects to 26c; electrode 24d connects to electrode 24f; electrode 24g connects to 24i by a printed circuit conductor 32; electrode 24j connects to receptacles 26f and 26g; and electrode 24h connects to receptacle 26e by a diode 34.
  • the electrical elements may be housed within the multiconnector block or may be disposed on the surface of the multiconnector block depending on the option required or method of construction used.
  • a multiconnector block corresponding to a vehicle's required options is interconnected to the junction block and the appropriate standardized harnesses are interconnected to the junction block and the multiconnector block, respectively. Assembly is then complete.
  • Standardized harnesses may be used as the multiconnector block distributes the signals required for separate options previously carried by other separate harnesses.
  • the inclusion of electrical elements in the multiconnector block further enhances standardization by allowing the harnesses to service a multiplicity of options because inclusion of the elements in the multiconnector block allows the harnesses to accommodate other options in other automobiles.
  • an automobile multiconnector block that provides the selected circuitry to accommodate particular vehicle options for each vehicle while allowing for the standardization of the wire harnesses within an automobile.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Claims (4)

  1. Unité de connexion pour le câblage automobile comprenant un bloc de jonction (4) ayant des premières bornes (6) disposées à l'intérieur de celui-ci, chaque borne (6) ayant un câble (2) fixé à elle de manière permanente, lesdites bornes (6) étant groupées en premières rangées, et une pluralité de harnais de câblage (10) ayant chacun une pluralité de câbles (12) aboutissant à des secondes bornes (14) disposées dans un connecteur (13) de harnais de câblage, chaque connecteur (13) de harnais de câblage étant adapté pour coïncider et se raccorder avec une rangée spécifique desdites premières rangées afin que lesdites premières et secondes bornes (6,14) correspondantes puissent être connectées électriquement,
        caractérisée en ce qu' un unique bloc multiconnecteur (19) est interposé entre ledit bloc de jonction (4) et lesdits harnais de câblage (10) de telle façon que chaque connecteur (13) soit aligné avec ladite première rangée spécifique, ledit bloc multiconnecteur (19) interconnectant ledit bloc de jonction (4) et ladite pluralité de harnais de câblage (10), ledit bloc multiconnecteur (19) ayant:
       un corps isolé électriquement,
       une pluralité de troisièmes bornes (24) fixées audit corps, ladite pluralité de troisièmes bornes (24) étant groupées en secondes rangées, lesdites secondes rangées coïncidant et raccordées électriquement avec certaines sélectionnées desdites premières rangées spécifiques, en fonction desdites options choisies,
       une pluralité de quatrièmes bornes (26) fixées audit corps, ladite pluralité de quatrièmes bornes (26) étant groupées en troisièmes rangées, chacune desdites troisièmes rangées coïncidant avec chaque dit connecteur (13) de harnais de câblage en alignement avec lesdites premières rangées spécifiques, lesdites premières rangées spécifiques étant raccordées avec une seconde rangée, et
       des moyens connectant électriquement de manière sélective lesdites troisièmes et quatrièmes bornes (24, 26) fixées audit corps pour établir des circuits distincts entre lesdites bornes pour s'adapter à une gamme choisie d'options de véhicules par connexion desdits connecteurs (13) de harnais de câblage selon des positions de fiches identiques à celles qui sans cela connecteraient directement lesdites premières et secondes bornes (6, 14) en l'absence du bloc interconnecteur (19) interposé.
  2. Unité selon la Revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens connectant électriquement sont caractérisés par un circuit imprimé (30, 32).
  3. Unité selon la Revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens connectant électriquement sont caractérisés par des éléments électriques.
  4. Unité selon la Revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que lesdits éléments électriques sont caractérisés par l'un quelconque des éléments du groupe constitué par une diode (34), une diode Zener, une résistance (28), un condensateur ou un filtre.
EP87630047A 1986-04-04 1987-03-30 Bloc multiconnecteur sélectif Expired - Lifetime EP0240454B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US84867286A 1986-04-04 1986-04-04
US848672 1986-04-04

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0240454A1 EP0240454A1 (fr) 1987-10-07
EP0240454B1 true EP0240454B1 (fr) 1992-08-26

Family

ID=25303968

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP87630047A Expired - Lifetime EP0240454B1 (fr) 1986-04-04 1987-03-30 Bloc multiconnecteur sélectif

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0240454B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPS62237682A (fr)
KR (1) KR950012477B1 (fr)
CA (1) CA1291238C (fr)
DE (1) DE3781302T2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2235341B (en) * 1989-06-15 1994-01-26 Amp Inc Electrical connector system
IT1239181B (it) * 1990-01-22 1993-09-28 Zanussi Elettromecc Procedimento per la realizzazione di dispositivi perfezionati di connessione di circuiti elettrici multipli
IT1244115B (it) * 1990-11-29 1994-07-05 Elcon Instr Srl Sistema di connessione per cavi di quadri industriali di strumentazione a sicurezza intrinseca
US5472348A (en) * 1992-02-28 1995-12-05 Methode Electronics, Inc. Pluggable male terminator
GB9409635D0 (en) * 1994-05-13 1994-07-06 Framatome Connectors Uk Ltd Improvements relating to electrical device addressing arrangements
US5660567A (en) * 1995-11-14 1997-08-26 Nellcor Puritan Bennett Incorporated Medical sensor connector with removable encoding device
EP0995263A1 (fr) 1997-07-09 2000-04-26 Nokia Corporation Adaptation d'impedance de lignes de transmission

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1032895A (en) * 1963-05-20 1966-06-15 Amp Inc Improvements in or relating to electrical connections through partitions
US3471822A (en) * 1967-07-26 1969-10-07 Amp Inc Terminal junction system for electrical conductors
JPS5332498B2 (fr) * 1972-04-06 1978-09-08
US4464003A (en) * 1982-11-01 1984-08-07 Amp Incorporated Insulation displacing connector with programmable ground bussing feature

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3781302T2 (de) 1993-01-28
DE3781302D1 (de) 1992-10-01
CA1291238C (fr) 1991-10-22
KR950012477B1 (ko) 1995-10-18
KR870010656A (ko) 1987-11-30
JPS62237682A (ja) 1987-10-17
EP0240454A1 (fr) 1987-10-07

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