EP1035617B1 - Connecting element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connecting element for connecting electrical lines provided in particular for motor vehicles, each of which comprises a plurality of parallel individual conductors connected to a common strip-shaped carrier, with the further features of the preamble of claim 1.

For connecting such lines, which are for example in the form of flexible printed circuits (FPC), in which the individual conductors between two u.a. As material layers serving as insulation, it is known to solder the individual conductors of the lines to be connected to one another or to rivet the lines to one another. Such compounds are difficult to solve or damage the cables again. In addition, the production of such compounds is cumbersome and in confined spaces, such as those that are present when installing and replacing electrical components in motor vehicles, not possible or only with considerable effort. Furthermore, with the known compounds due to the poor solubility of the replacement of, for example, defective components problematic.

A connector having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is made GB-A-0 880 585 known. In addition, reference is made to US-A-5 730 619 , resulting in a detachable connection between a shell and a Lower part of a connector is known WO 97/29526 in which plug-in sections as well as integral upper and lower parts of a connector are known, as well as on a line overlap area DE-U-298 15 351 , which describes insulated ribbon cable with contact windows for contacting eg new electronic components.

It is the problem underlying the invention (object) to provide a way to connect lines of the type mentioned, with a simple and economical way to achieve a good and lasting electrical contact between the individual conductors and in particular in the connection with the least possible effort can be solved again.

The solution of this object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the electrical contacts between the individual conductors are made by clamping the superposed in an overlap region lines between the upper part and the lower part of the connecting element. The invention makes it possible to connect the bare ends of the lines to each other, wherein in the case of the above-mentioned FPCs to provide the exposed end portions of the individual conductors comprehensive contact areas at the line ends in each case partially the insulation or a material layer is removed. The line ends need not be provided with special connection elements, so that the possibility of a connection element-free electrical connection is provided by the invention. In addition, no soldering or other complex measures are required, since according to the invention the electrical connection is achieved solely by mechanical means by exerting a clamping force. In this way, a simple and cost-effective way for connecting provided with parallel individual conductors strip-shaped electrical lines, in particular of FPCs created.

An advantage of the connecting element according to the invention is that it can be formed according to a preferred embodiment such that the upper part and the lower part are releasably connected to each other, in particular latched.

The electrical connection between the lines can in this case be made simply by Zusammenklippsen of upper and lower parts, wherein the upper part and the lower part depending on the thickness of the interconnected lines are formed such that in the locked state, a sufficiently large clamping force on the lines in Overlap area is exercised. By releasing the latching connection, the original condition can be restored, i. Both the production and the cancellation of the electrical connection between the two lines takes place without damaging the lines. Therefore, the lines are available for further electrical connections by means of a connecting element according to the invention. Since damage to the lines are avoided according to the invention, it is not necessary to cut away damaged sections of the lines which are unusable for the production of electrical connections.

According to the invention, the upper part and the lower part are at least substantially identical in construction and preferably identical.

This results in a considerable simplification and cost savings in mass production and storage of the connecting elements according to the invention achieved. In addition, the production of the electrical connections is facilitated since a user need not pay attention to use for a compound each two different and matching components.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping surface of the upper part and / or lower part comprises a plurality of individual clamping surfaces which are formed on preferably elastically deformable webs, which extend in the connected state in the longitudinal direction of the individual conductors and preferably uniformly spaced in the transverse direction, in particular in dependence the arrangement of the individual conductors of the lines to be connected.

As a result, the clamping force can be applied specifically to the provided with the individual conductors areas of the carrier of the lines. The provision of elastically deformable webs ensures optimal transmission of the clamping force to the lines. Preferably, each individual clamping surface is assigned a small number of individual conductors and preferably exactly one individual conductor. Any irregularities in the lines can be compensated in this way, which ensures that there is a good and permanent electrical connection between the two lines in the region of each individual conductor.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the webs preferably have approximately in the middle of their longitudinal extension in each case a preferably approximately U-shaped bent protuberance, at the apex region of which at least one individual clamping surface is formed.

The transmitted by means of the webs clamping force is thus each concentrated to an approximately punctiform point, whereby a particularly secure connection between the lines can be made.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the lines on the upper part and / or lower part are fixable in a predetermined relative position.

In this way, the lines can be prefixed prior to assembly of the connecting element on the upper part and lower part, which ensures that when assembling the connecting element, the lines are aligned correctly relative to each other and the individual conductors to be contacted with each other exactly in the respectively desired manner opposite each other.

According to a further preferred embodiment, connecting portions of the upper part and the lower part are each formed as a combined latching / plugging sections and in particular for producing at least one plug connection through the lines and at least one latching connection outside the lines.

Here, the connecting portions serve both for connecting the upper part and lower part and for fixing the lines. This multiple function of the connecting sections allows the production of good and permanent electrical connections between the lines with a simple connection element.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping surface of the upper part and / or lower part is preferably formed on a provided as a separate component insert made of metal, which is fixable in a receiving part preferably made of plastic.

This bipartite of the connecting element according to the invention makes it possible to combine identical receiving parts with different inserts, so that for different lines, which differ in particular with regard to the number, the distance and / or the width of their individual conductors from each other, only a suitable insert is needed and not the entire connecting element needs to be replaced.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, in the connected state between the upper part and the lower part, at least one annular seal surrounding the contact regions of the lines is arranged. The seal can be arranged in a groove-shaped depression of the upper part or of the lower part and - in the case of a two-part design of the parts - be supported on a receiving part or an insert.

By the seal, the contact areas of the lines are protected from external influences, especially moisture, so that the connecting element according to the invention can also be used in such areas, for example on the doors of a motor vehicle, where moisture must be expected.

The object of the invention is further achieved by the features of the method claim, which relates to a method for exchanging, in particular for motor vehicles provided electrical components which are connected to electrical lines, which each comprise a plurality of common carrier connected to parallel individual conductors, in which an existing line, to which the component to be replaced is connected, is severed at one point and a line connected to the component to be connected is connected to the existing line at the separation point by means of a connecting element according to the invention.

In this way, an advantageous repair method is provided in particular for provided in motor vehicles electrical systems with multiple electrical components, all of which are connected via a common strip-shaped line with a distributor - provided on a vehicle door components such as a door coupling - via which the individual components to a Power supply and can be connected to a central control unit. According to the invention, a defective component can be simply exchanged by leading the component leading to the relevant component, the corresponding number of individual conductors, to any desired, easily accessible location, for example to predetermined so-called repair windows. Subsequently, the new component, which is already connected to a corresponding line section with the required length, connected by means of a connecting element formed according to the invention with the resulting at the separation point free end of the existing line. As a result, in principle any number of times in a simple manner and in a very short time an exchange of electrical components done.

Further embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims, the description and the drawing.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Verbindungselementes gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

ein einen Einsatz und ein Aufnahmeteil umfassendes Teil eines Verbindungselementes gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 3

das Teil von Fig. 2 im zusammengesetzten Zustand,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Schnittansicht eines Verbindungselementes gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 5

ein erfindungsgemäßes Verbindungselement mit vorfixierten Leitungen, und

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung zur Erläuterung eines erfindungsgemäßen Austausch- oder Reparaturverfahrens.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a connecting element according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2

a part comprising a insert and a receiving part of a connecting element according to a further embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3

the part of Fig. 2 in the assembled state,

Fig. 4

a schematic sectional view of a connecting element according to another embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 5

an inventive connecting element with pre-fixed lines, and

Fig. 6

a schematic representation for explaining an inventive exchange or repair process.

The connecting element according to FIG. 1 comprises an upper part 16 and a lower part 18, which are each made in one piece from plastic. The upper part 16 and the lower part 18 are identical and each comprise a clamping portion 29 with a rectangular cross-section, which is arranged between two connecting portions 26. Each connecting portion 26 comprises a detent 25, a bow-shaped locking portion 27 which defines a rectangular recess 27 a, a pin-like plug portion 28 and a cylindrical recess 35 whose inner diameter corresponds to the outer diameter of the plug portion 28. The pins 28 of the one part 16, 18 thus fit exactly in the recesses 35 of the other part 18, 16. The locking lugs 25 and recesses 35 on the one hand and the locking portions 37 and pins 28 on the other hand are on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the respective part 16, 18th arranged. With regard to the connecting portions 26, the parts 16, 18 are thus constructed asymmetrically with respect to their longitudinal axis.

The locking lugs 25 and locking portions 27 are supported by lateral base plates 33, which have a smaller thickness than the clamping portion 29. The pins 28 and recesses 35 are formed on a relative to the base plates 33 raised stop surface 17. A strip 23 formed on each base plate 33, which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the respective part 16, 18, increases the rigidity of the respective part 16, 18 in the connecting sections 26.

In the region of the latching noses 25, the base plates 33 are each provided with a rectangular cutout 31, wherein the latching noses 25 in each case protrude beyond a recessed region 31 a addition. The width the cutouts 31 corresponds to the width of the bow-shaped locking sections 27, while the width of the latching noses 25 corresponds in each case to the width of the cutouts 27 a of the locking sections 27.

In particular, on the upper part 16 it can be seen that the clamping portion 29 is formed trough-shaped and provided in the bottom region with slots 38 which extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective part 16, 18. Through the transverse slots 38, a plurality of elastically deformable webs 22 are defined, which are each provided in the middle of its longitudinal extension with a protuberance 24, as can be seen on the lower part 18. At the apex region of the protuberances 24, on which the webs 22 are each flattened, but which may also be convexly curved, a single clamping surface 20 is formed, wherein the entirety of the individual clamping surfaces 20 a strip-shaped, interrupted by the slots 38 clamping surface of the respective part sixteenth , 18 forms. The formed on the webs 22 individual clamping surfaces 20 are each higher than the stop surfaces 17th

The webs 22 are straight, but may also be convexly curved or angled so that the individual clamping surfaces 20 and protuberances 24 are rooftop-like on a broken line through the slots 38. At their ends, the webs 22 go over in rounded edges 39 of the side walls of the clamping portion 29.

As is apparent from Fig. 1, the upper part 16 and the lower part 18 can be clipped together with facing clamping surfaces 20 such that the locking lugs 25, the locking portions 27 and extending in the longitudinal direction transverse webs of the locking portions 27th engage behind locking, wherein the locking portions 27 are arranged in the cutouts 31 and the pins 28 are inserted into the recesses 35.

The upper part 16 and the lower part 18 are in particular with regard to the difference in height between the abutment surfaces 17 and the individual clamping surfaces 20 and the elastic deformability of the webs 22 designed such that disposed on between the clamping surfaces 20, not shown in Fig. 1 electrical lines a clamping force of each desired strength is exercised.

In the assembled state, the upper part 16 and the lower part 18 can be latched with a holding element 40, which is designed as a U-shaped locking receptacle with the U-leg forming elastically deformable locking arms 48, at the free ends inwardly facing locking lugs 49 are provided. The length of the latching arms 48 is dimensioned such that the composite connecting element 16, 18 and the holding member 40 can be clipped together, wherein the detents 49 engage behind the backs of the base plates 33 of the respective part 16, 17 - in Fig. 1 of the upper part 16 - locking ,

Of a locking arms 48 interconnecting web portion 46 is a pin-shaped, tapered at its free end and provided with a grooved surface mounting portion 42, with which the holding member 40 together with the engaged fastener 16, 18 are anchored in a merely schematically indicated cable laying opening 44 can, for example, in a body or cladding element 45 of a motor vehicle, not shown, is formed.

Fig. 2 shows a hereinafter referred to as the lower part 18 part of the connecting element according to the invention, which comprises a receiving part 36 and an insert 34. The receiving part 36 is made of plastic, while the insert 34 is made of metal.

The receiving part 36 corresponds with respect to the connecting portions 26 to those described with reference to FIG. 1 parts 16, 18. For receiving the insert 34, the receiving part 36 is provided with a recess 37 of rectangular cross-section. The insert 34 may be resiliently inserted into the recess 37, e.g. be trapped. It can be formed in Fig. 2, not shown positioning and / or holding elements on the receiving part 36, which ensure the correct position or for the support of the insert 34 in the receiving part 36 and prevent the insert 34 on the other side of the lower part 18 is pushed out of the recess 37 again.

The insert 34 is formed as a U-profile with transverse slotted bottom, wherein the webs 22 defined by the transverse slots 38 each have a protuberance 24 with a flattened apex forming a single clamping surface 20. The surface formed by the entirety of the individual clamping surfaces 20 is thus a narrow strip interrupted by the slots 38 and extending in a plane which is spaced from a plane defined by the underside of the U-shaped insert 34.

Fig. 3 shows the insert 34 and the receiving part 36 comprehensive lower part 18 of the connecting element according to the invention in the assembled state. It can be seen in particular that the individual clamping surfaces 20 are higher than the stop surfaces 17 and the edges 39 of the recess 37 limiting side walls are rounded.

In Fig. 4 each made of plastic receiving parts 36 of an upper part 16 and lower part 18 and made of metal inserts 34 are shown schematically. At the webs 22 of the inserts 34 each have a U-shaped bent protuberance 24 is provided, the apex region forms a single clamping surface 20 of the respective part 16, 18. The inserts 34 are each supported on the bottom of the receiving part 36 and are laterally arranged in register between a circumferential projection 64 of the receiving part 36.

Fig. 4 further shows the free ends of two leads 10, each comprising a strip-shaped flexible support 12, which is provided with a plurality of parallel individual conductors 14, the end portions are exposed and each form a contact portion 11 of the line 10. The free ends of the lines 10 are arranged with overlapping contact areas 11 overlapping between the upper part 16 and the lower part 18, so that by - in Fig. 4 indicated by the arrows - Assembling the connecting element, the lines 10 in the overlapping area between the clamping surfaces 20 of the inserts 34 are clamped and pressed against each other with their individual conductors 14, so as to provide a good electrical contact between the individual conductors 14 of the lines 10.

In one of the insert 34 and the receiving part 36 limited groove-shaped recess whose bottom is formed by the projection 64, a circumferential, approximately rectangular and made of rubber ring seal 56 is arranged. In the assembled state of the contact areas 11 of the lines 10 contained space is sealed by the two mutually pressed seals 56 to the outside, so that the contact areas 11 are protected from external influences, especially moisture. In particular, depending on the clamping force to be applied, the projections 64 serving to support the seals 56 can also be formed in one piece with the insert 34 consisting of metal.

Fig. 5 shows a preassembly state with lines 10 pre-fixed to the top 16 and bottom 18. two-layer flexible carrier 12 is provided with mutually parallel individual conductors 14 between the layers, which are printed, for example in the form of conductor tracks on a layer. The leads 10 thus constitute strip-shaped flexible printed circuits (FPC).

In Fig. 5, some of the conductor tracks or individual conductors 14 are indicated by parallel dashed lines. In principle, any number of individual conductors 14 can be provided. On the lower part 18 associated line 10 it can be seen that the end portions of the individual conductors 14 are exposed, whereby the contact region 11 of the respective line 10 is formed. This is indicated in Fig. 5 by solid lines. The lines 10 are oriented with their contact areas 11 facing each other.

The lines 10 are provided with individual conductor-free edge regions 30, which serve for fixing the lines 10 on the upper part 16 and lower part 18. For this purpose, 30 positioning holes 13 are formed in the edge regions through which the peg-shaped plug portions 28 of the parts 16, 18 can be inserted during assembly of the connecting element. In this way, the line 10 is aligned with the respective part 16, 18. At the same time thereby a train protection for the line 10 is created.

In order to use the full width of the carrier 12 for printed conductors or individual conductors 14, tabs may alternatively be provided on the side edges of the carrier 12, in which positioning holes for the pins 28 are formed. The lines may be formed with formed at regular intervals pairs of positioning holes 13 in the edge regions 30 and the tabs mentioned above, to allow even after severing a line 10 later fixing position on parts 16, 18 of a connecting element according to the invention. The distance between the positioning holes 13 of each pair corresponds to the distance between the pin 28 and the recess 35 of a connecting portion 26.

Fig. 5 also shows that the lines 10 rest with their edge regions 30 on the stop surfaces 17, of which the pins 28 protrude and in which the recesses 35 are formed. The edge regions 30 of the lines 10 are thus clamped in the assembled state between the stop surfaces 17, while the provided with the individual conductors 14 areas of the carrier 12 between the clamping surfaces 10 of the two parts 16, 18 are clamped.

The locking of the parts 16, 18 via the side of the lines 10 lying base plates 33, where the locking lugs 25, locking portions 27 and strips 23 are formed.

Fig. 6 shows a vehicle door 60, in which numerous electrical components 50 are housed. These include, for example, a door lock, a central locking, lighting units, windows, airbags, mirrors, speakers and control units for the individual components or their electric motors. The individual components 50 are connected to a distributor 62 in the form of a door coupling via a single electric line 10 designed as a FPC. Via the distributor 62, the components 50 can be connected to a power supply or to a central control unit when the door 60 is mounted on a motor vehicle, not shown. The components 50 are respectively connected to branching line sections or strands 52 of the line 10, via which in each case at least one of the individual conductors, not shown in FIG. 6, of the line 10 is fed to the respective component 50.

About so-called repair window in the door or a door inner lining are indicated in Fig. 6 indicated by circles repair points 58.

With the above-described connecting element according to the invention, an exchange of a defective component 50 can take place in a particularly simple manner. For this purpose, the respective strand 52 of the line 10 is cut through at a repair point 58. The defective component 50 can then be removed. Subsequently, an exchange component 50 is mounted, to which a corresponding number of individual conductors having line is connected. The free ends of the remaining strand 52 and the line of the replacement component 50 are then - optionally after removal of each of the insulation or a material layer to create the contact areas - then brought into engagement with an upper part 16 and lower part 18, as shown for example in FIG 5 is shown. By clipping the parts 16, 18 together, the electrical connection between the strand 58 fixed to one part and the line of the new component fixed to the other part is produced.

The connection can be released by hand or by means of a tool by the locking lugs 25 and locking portions 27 are disengaged. In this way, the connection between the respective component 50 and the respective strand 52 of the laid in the door 60 line 10, for example, for other exchange operations as often dissolved and restored.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

management

11

contact area

12

carrier

14

Single conductor

16

top

17

stop surface

18

lower part

20

Clamping surface, single clamping surface

22

web

23

strip

24

protuberance

25

locking lug

26

connecting portion

27

locking section

27a

recess

28

Plug-in section, pin

29

clamping section

30

border area

31

neckline

31a

receding area

33

baseplate

34

commitment

35

deepening

36

receiving part

37

recess

38

slot

39

edge

40

retaining element

42

attachment section

44

Line laying opening

45

Body or paneling element

46

web section

48

detent arm

49

locking lug

50

component

52

Line section, strand

56

poetry

58

repair

60

door

62

distributor

64

head Start

Claims (23)

1. Connecting element for connecting electrical cables (10) provided in particular for motor vehicles, which in each case include several parallel individual conductors (14) connected to a common strip-like support (12), with an upper portion (16) and a lower portion (18) which each comprise at least one clamping surface (20) and can be assembled with clamping surfaces (20) facing towards each other in such a way that in the connected state two cables (10) overlapping with contact regions (11) facing towards each other are pinched between the clamping surfaces (20), characterised in that the upper portion (16) and the lower portion (18) are designed at least substantially with the same construction.
2. Connecting element according to claim 1, characterised in that the upper portion (16) and the lower portion (18) can be releasably connected to each other.
3. Connecting element according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the upper portion (16) and the lower portion (18) are designed identically.
4. Connecting element according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the clamping surface of the upper portion (16) and lower portion (18) includes several individual clamping surfaces (20) which are formed on webs (22) which in the connected state extend in the longitudinal direction of the individual conductors (14) and are spaced apart in the transverse direction.
5. Connecting element according to claim 4, characterised in that each individual clamping surface (20) is assigned to a small number of individual conductors (14).
6. Connecting element according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the webs (22) in each case comprise a protuberance (24) in the apical region of which is formed at least one individual clamping surface (20).
7. Connecting element according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the clamping surface is convexly curved or angled.
8. Connecting element according to claim 7, characterised in that the clamping surface is formed by webs (22) in each case comprising at least one individual clamping surface (20).
9. Connecting element according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cables (10) can be fixed to the upper portion (16) and lower portion (18) in a predetermined relative position.
10. Connecting element according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that connecting sections (26) of the upper portion (16) and lower portion (18) are in each case designed both to connect the upper portion (16) and lower portion (18) and to fix the cables (10).
11. Connecting element according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that connecting sections (26) of the upper portion (16) and lower portion (18) are in each case designed as combined latch/plug-in sections.
12. Connecting element according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that plug-in sections (28) of the upper portion (16) and lower portion (18) can be plugged in through the overlap region of the cables (10).
13. Connecting element according to claim 12, characterised in that the plug-in sections (28) are pin-shaped.
14. Connecting element according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the plug-in sections (28) can be plugged in through edge regions (30) of the support (12) free from individual conductors.
15. Connecting element according to any of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the plug-in sections (28) can be plugged in through prefabricated openings (32) in the cables (10).
16. Connecting element according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper portion (16) and the lower portion (18) are constructed in one piece.
17. Connecting element according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the clamping surface (20) of the upper portion (16) and lower portion (18) is formed on an insert (34) which is provided as a separate component and can be fixed in a receiving portion (36).
18. Connecting element according to claim 17, characterised in that the insert (34) is designed as an approximately U-shaped profile and provided in the bottom region with slots (38) by which webs (22) each comprising at least one individual clamping surface (20) are separated from each other.
19. Connecting element according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that connecting sections (26) of the upper portion (16) and lower portion (18) are in each case formed on the receiving portion (36).
20. Connecting element according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper portion (16) and the lower portion (18) in the assembled state can be latched with a holding element (40) which includes a fastening section (42) which is formed in cable-laying openings (44).
21. Connecting element according to claim 20, characterised in that the fastening section (42) is pin-shaped.
22. Connecting element according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the connected state between the upper portion (16) and the lower portion (18) is arranged at least one annular seal (56) surrounding the contact regions (11) of the cables (10).
23. Method for exchanging electrical components (50) which are provided in particular for motor vehicles and connected to electrical cables (10) which include in each case several parallel individual conductors (14) connected to a common support (12), in which

    - an existing cable (10) to which is connected the component (50) to be exchanged is cut through at one location and

    - a cable connected to the component to be connected is connected to the existing cable (10) at the cutting point by means of a connecting element (16, 18) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

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