EP1204172B1 - Electrical connector for flat cable - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector for coupling at least one electrical Ladder, in particular a flat conductor, having the features of the preamble of the claim 1.

In a connector of this type described in EP 948101A2 several Contact connection elements in several juxtaposed chambers of a first housing introduced in the longitudinal direction of Kammem. In one end position, one locks Spring of the contact terminal element transversely to the longitudinal direction in a recess of the first Housing and forms a first contact fuse. In this position is a back accessible from the chamber protruding crimping zone and can with a conductive vein a flat conductor to be connected. Subsequently, the first housing with the inserted Contact terminal inserted in a second housing, which has a lateral Cover has. The lid can be pivoted laterally, with a locking section is pivoted laterally into a portion of the first housing and into a recess the contact connection elements engages. This forms a second contact protection against a displacement of the contact connection element in the longitudinal direction.

This construction is relatively expensive, since the two housings and the interventions for the second contact backup must be relatively precisely coordinated. Will you Furthermore, the contact terminal elements before insertion into the first housing with the Connecting flat conductors, such flat conductors, in particular foil conductors, are often too unstable and can not transfer the plug forces effectively.

A connector described in US 4,082,402 has a plurality of juxtaposed Chambers, in each of which a contact connection element in the longitudinal direction by a Mounting opening is inserted therethrough. Outside the chambers is a flap on the back intended. When the flap is open, a flat conductor with several wires can be connected with the help of a additional tool against crimps of the connection element are pressed, so that they pass through the flat conductor or the wires, an electrical connection create and enclose the flat conductor with the Crimean patches. In practice it can To give problems to correctly position the lead with respect to the Crimean tabs and with a common tool to make all the electrical connections. connects one, however, the flat conductor first with the contact terminal elements and leads the Contact connection elements only then into the chambers, so the flat conductor is often closed labile to accommodate the insertion forces can.

US 4,225,205 (D1) discloses an electrical connector 14 for connection to a flat conductor cable 12. The connector 14 has an elongate beam member pivotally mounted flat cable support members 36, 38. Longitudinal of holes 34 of the beam member 32 pins 24 are inserted and held there by press fitting. At base sections 28 are provided with additional Auxiliary positioned electrical conductor 16 of the flat conductor cable 12 soldered. there the cable support members 36, 38 are pivoted away. After soldering will be the cable support elements 36, 38 are pivoted to the flat conductor cable 12, to support this and opposite to moving in its longitudinal direction to inhibit the beam element 32.

During the pivoting of the cable support members 36, 38 on the Soldering forces are maintained in the closed connector, which puts a permanent strain on the solder joint. One through inaccurate positioning skew realized solder joints experiences by the effect of profiles of the cable support elements 36, 38 in their pivoting to the flat conductor cable 12 a additional, high load. This is disadvantageous and particularly problematic in Folienleitem.

The invention is based on the object, a connector of the aforementioned Genus to improve that it has a secure electrical connection and mechanical Locking ensures and the electrical conductors with the contact connection elements easy to assemble.

This object is achieved with a connector with the features of Claim 1 solved.

This connector allows easy installation by opening the lid and the mounting opening is released laterally in the chamber. The contact connection element may laterally, transverse to the longitudinal extent of the chamber through the mounting hole be introduced into the chamber. This is essentially independent of the Locking of the contact connection element in the longitudinal direction. The insertion forces are essential reduced, so that the electrical conductor is substantially relieved of it and also very unstable electrical conductors, such. B. foil conductor or flat conductor, can be used.

Furthermore, the contact receiving chamber is easily accessible from the side. The contact connection element can be positioned very well in it. Errors can be easily eliminated become.

The electrical connection is made by this transverse mounting of the contact connection element spared. Particularly advantageously, the cover in the closed position, a wall of a supply chamber of the electrical conductor in the housing to the contact terminal element form and in the open position a Leitereinführöffnung in the housing transverse to the feed chamber release. This also allows the electrical conductor with the lid open, are inserted transversely into the feed chamber, whereby he of insertion forces in the longitudinal direction is substantially relieved. When the lid is closed, the electrical conductor is protected in the feed chamber stored. When faults occur is the electrical conductor and its connection to the contact terminal element through the Leitereinführöffnung easily accessible.

Preferably, the Leitereinführöffnung and the mounting hole with the lid open form a common opening. Via the common opening, the contact connection element and the electrical conductor already in the connected state transverse to the longitudinal direction be inserted into the chamber and the feed channel. Optionally you can too are inserted separately and manipulated through the common opening and with each other get connected.

In a favorable manner, the housing may be provided with retaining teeth, the electrical Ladder with the lid closed at least partially arresting on the housing penetrate. The retaining teeth provide strain relief of the electrical conductor and the connection of the electrical conductor to the contact terminal. Is from Pulled outside on the electrical conductor, so the holding teeth hold a substantial part the tensile force away from the connection to the contact terminal. With the lid open This mechanical strain relief is solvable and the conductor can be removed. Usually, the holding teeth extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the electrical Conductor.

As a variant of the invention, the retaining teeth as the electrical conductor self-tapping be educated. This creates the penetration through when closing the lid the own cutting or clamping action of the holding teeth, which at least partially in Press the conductor or its insulation and thus an effective attachment of the conductor form. As a result, the conductor can be positioned relatively freely during assembly. While in the Prior art, the electrical conductor or a conductor foil has been frequently perforated and holding nubs of the housing had to be inserted through the holes, the self-tapping Retaining teeth automatically when closing the lid for a secure mechanical Holder of the conductor to the housing.

Conceivably, the retaining teeth may be formed on the lid. That's how they come Holding teeth only when closing the lid in physical contact with the film. The foil can previously relatively easily inserted in the housing body or a supply channel without holding teeth become.

According to a particular embodiment, the retaining teeth on a housing body or the cover may be formed and on the respective other housing part Recesses may be formed, in which engage the retaining teeth with the lid closed. The procedure ensures that the film can not come off the retaining teeth.

Preferably, the retaining teeth locking the electrical conductor can under tensile stress of the conductor form a self-locking conductor fuse. This ensures a secure mounting of the conductor through the retaining teeth. The retaining teeth can z. B. across the extension direction of the electrical conductor to be mounted on a lever arm, which is at tensile stress of the conductor spreads against the head or the teeth even deeper in press the ladder.

It is proposed that the lid be provided with at least one contact fuse is that locks the contact terminal in the closed position in the chamber in the longitudinal direction and opens in the open position This makes the contact security only when closing made of the lid. First, the contact terminal element is relatively free in the Chamber are introduced. During or after closing the lid becomes the contact security This can be used with cross-fed lids, z. B. at pivotable lids or levers, particularly easy to accomplish by a paragraph or a recess when pivoting with a corresponding paragraph or a recess of the contact terminal element engages and a lock in Longitudinal manufactures. This mechanism relieves the electrical connection of the contact terminal element with the electrical conductor of locking forces.

As a variant of the invention, the housing may have two covers, wherein on a cover Holding teeth for the electrical conductor and at the other cover at least one Contact protection is provided for the contact terminal element This allows a separate production of the contact protection of the contact connection element and the holder of the electrical conductor through the retaining teeth.

In a special way, at least one contact fuse for the contact connection and holding teeth for locking the electrical conductor provided on the same lid his. This allows when closing the lid an approximately parallel production of the contact fuse and the locking of the electrical conductor.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbinders gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbinders gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Teilansicht eines Steckverbinders gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 4

einen Längsschnitt durch einen erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinder längs der Schnittlinie IV-IV in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

einen Längsschnitt durch den Steckverbinder gemäß Fig. 3 mit selbsthemmender Leitersicherung,

Fig. 6

eine Prinzipskizze einer vierten Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit zwei Deckeln und

Fig. 7

eine Prinzipskizze einer fünften Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit zwei Deckeln.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained below. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2

a perspective view of a connector according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3

a partial perspective view of a connector according to a third embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4

a longitudinal section through a connector according to the invention along the section line IV-IV in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

a longitudinal section through the connector of FIG. 3 with self-locking conductor fuse,

Fig. 6

a schematic diagram of a fourth embodiment of the invention with two lids and

Fig. 7

a schematic diagram of a fifth embodiment of the invention with two lids.

In Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a connector according to the invention 1 shown. He has a housing 2, which is formed in two parts and a Housing body 3 and a housing cover 4 has.

The housing body 3 has in its interior a plurality of mutually parallel Contact receiving chambers 5, which are elongated. The direction of the longitudinal extension the chambers is indicated by longitudinal axes 6.

In each of the chambers 5, an elongated contact connection element can be introduced. In 1, a contact connection element 7 is shown by way of example in the right-hand chamber. It has on a front side a pin 8 extending through a frontal hole 9 at the end of Chamber 5 extends therethrough. Instead of a pin 8, for example, a receiving socket be provided at the end of the contact connection element 7. This depends whether a male or female plug should be formed.

The contact connection element 7 has a crimping region 10 in its rear region. About the Krimpbereich is the contact terminal element 7 with a conductive wire of a electrical conductor 11 connected. In Fig. 1, a flat film conductor 11 is shown, of which For reasons of clarity, only one electrical wire is connected to a crimping area 10 are. With regard to the remaining chambers 5, corresponding contact connection elements could be used 7 are inserted and connected to one electrical wire of the conductor 11. The crimping region 10 extends back from the chamber 5 formed from three sides an extended area of a supply space in which the electrical connection with the conductor 11 is provided.

The housing body with the chambers 5 is open on one side upwards. This upwardly open Areas each form mounting openings 12 of the chambers 5.

The flat conductor 11 is inserted through a front opening 23 in the housing. When closed Lid limit the lid and the housing body, the opening 23rd

At the hole 9 adjacent to the end of the housing body 3, the lid is 4th pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation 13 which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axes 6. In Fig. 1, the lid 4 is shown in about 90 ° rotated open position and can be pivoted in the direction of the arrow 14, so that it the mounting opening 12th closes and arranged approximately parallel to the extension direction of the housing body 3 is. In the closed position, the lid 4 forms a wall of the chambers 5.

When the lid is open, the contact connection element 7 through the mounting opening 12th laterally, are introduced transversely to the longitudinal axis 6 in a chamber 5.

The supply chamber 15 is formed on three sides of walls of the housing body 3. In Closed position, the lid 4 forms a wall of the supply chamber 15, so that the supply chamber 15 is closed on four sides. In the open position, the supply chamber 15 accessible through an upwardly open conductor insertion opening 16. Electrical conductor can be at opened lid are introduced transversely to the longitudinal axes 6 in the supply chamber 15.

With the lid open, the mounting opening 12 and the conductor insertion opening 16 form a common opening, so that the contact terminal elements 7 together with the electrical Ladder inserted into the housing body 3 and then the opening by pivoting the lid can be closed.

In the bottom region of the supply chamber 15 a plurality of retaining teeth 17 are provided which are directed upward into the supply chamber 15 extend. The flat conductor 11 is with provided a plurality of holes 18 through which the holding teeth penetrate.

On the cover 4, a plurality of recesses 19 are formed, which at the the holding teeth 17 corresponding positions are arranged. When the lid is closed, the retaining teeth engage 17 partially into the recesses 19 a. As a result, the flat conductor 11 with pressed the holes 18 on the retaining teeth 17 and held there. This forms a strain relief for the crimp connection with the crimping region 10 of the contact connection element 7, when external forces are exerted on the flat conductor. These forces are being used by the retaining teeth 17 is substantially received.

On the lid 4 are in the region of the chambers 5, a first contact fuse 20 and a second contact fuse 21 is formed, with the lid closed with the contact terminal elements 7 are effective.

The first contact fuse 20 has per chamber a paragraph recess 22 in the at closed lid a non-illustrated spring tab of the contact terminal element. 7 engages, so that the contact connection element 7 is locked in the longitudinal direction 6.

The second contact safety 21 has an engagement bar 24 which is connected to the cover 4 is formed and extends transversely to the direction of extension of the chambers. The bar 24 is approximately directed to the chambers of the lid 4 and engages when closed Cover in corresponding recesses 25 of the contact terminal elements 7, so that they are locked in the longitudinal direction 6 immovable.

To secure the closed position of the lid 4 are on the lid a plurality of locking tabs 26 formed with locking holes 27, which in the closed position with corresponding locking knobs 28 of the housing body 3 lock. Similarly, locking shoulders 29 are laterally on the lid provided in the closed position with corresponding locking receptacles 30 of the housing body 3 engage.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2 corresponds to the basic structure forth of the first embodiment. Corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals as provided in Fig. 1, so that reference is made in this regard to the description of FIG. 1.

In Fig. 2, the cover 4 is rotated relative to the housing body 3 by 180 ° in the open position shown. The rotatable mounting about the axis of rotation 13 is not as in Fig. 1 by Stummelachsen the lid 4, which engage in the bearing of the body 3, realized, but by a film hinge 31 between the lid 4 and the housing body. 3

The retaining teeth 17 are integrally formed on the lid 4 and have approximately the shape of a tetrahedron. They have cutting edges 32, the self-tapping in the closed position of the lid penetrate into the flat conductor 11 and engage in recesses 19 of the housing body. As a result, the electrical conductor can also be formed without preformed holes become. This facilitates assembly and reduces manufacturing costs.

FIGS. 3 to 5 show a further aspect according to a third embodiment of the invention shown schematically.

A flat film conductor 11 is guided through an opening 23 in a housing 2. To the Housing 2, a lid-like lever 33 is pivotally mounted on a film hinge 34. At the front end of the lever 33 spaced a plurality of holding teeth 35 are provided. On the narrow sides of the lever 33 laterally projecting holding heels 36 are formed. At the lateral narrow sides of the housing 2 holding openings 37 are arranged.

In Fig. 3, the lever 33 is shown in a disengaged position.

Fig. 4 shows a sectional view along the section line IV-IV of Fig. 3, so that in this regard Reference is made to the description of Fig. 3. Extends in this disengaged position the lever 33 parallel to the housing wall 38. At an opposite bottom 39th a recess 40 is provided.

The view of Fig. 5 corresponds to the view of Fig. 4, wherein the lever 33 in the engaged position is pivoted. In the downwardly pivoted position he grips with the holding teeth 35 through the flat conductor, so that the flat conductor 11 in its extension direction is locked. The retaining heels 36 engage in the retaining openings 37 laterally, so that a backswing lock is formed

The end of the lever 33 with the retaining teeth 17 engages in the recess 40, so that the lever is not pivotable beyond the recess 40 out.

If a tensile force now acts on the electrical conductor from outside, the engagement of the Levers 33 in the recess 40 a self-locking. The recess 40 limited the pivoting movement of the lever, so that this due to its engagement in the electrical conductor is pulled maximally against the edge of the recess 40 and a further extension of the lever prevented by the tensile force of the electrical conductor itself becomes.

This illustrated principle is understandably in all other embodiments the invention can be realized.

In Fig. 6, a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in principle. Same reference numerals denote the same parts as in the previous embodiments, so that reference can be made to the previous descriptions.

In FIG. 6, the housing 2 has a first lid 41 and a second lid 42. Of the first cover 41 covers the mounting opening 12 in the closed position. At the first lid 41, the first contact fuse 20 and the second contact fuse 21 are attached. Of the second cover 42 is provided with retaining teeth 17 which in the closed position the film conductor 11th lock. The second cover 42 covers the conductor insertion opening 16 in the closed position.

In Fig. 6, the first ceiling 41 in a slightly obliquely open position and the second cover 42nd shown in 90 ° open position. For reasons of clarity, the contact connection element 7 not shown

Fig. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention, compared to the fourth embodiment of Fig. 6 is slightly modified. The second contact fuse 21 is on the second cover 42 is provided. For the rest, reference is made to the descriptions of FIG. 6.

Claims (11)

1. A connector (1) for connection of at least one electrical conductor (11), in particular a flat conductor, having a housing (2) with at least one oblong contact receiving chamber (5), in which an oblong contact terminal element (7) connectable with an electrical conductor (11) fed thereto may be introduced through a mounting opening (12) and immobilised in the longitudinal direction (6), the housing (2) being provided with a housing lid (4) movable between an open and a closed position,
      characterised in that the lid (4) covers the mounting opening (12) of the chamber (5) in the closed position and opens it up in the open position, wherein the contact terminal element (7) may be introduced laterally, transversely relative to the longitudinal extension (6) of the chamber (5), through the mounting opening (12) into the chamber (5).
2. A connector according to claim 1, characterised in that, in the closed position, the lid (4) forms a wall of a feed chamber (15) for the electrical conductor (11) in the housing (2) leading to the contact terminal element (7) and, in the open position, opens up a conductor insertion opening (16) into the housing (2) leading to the feed chamber.
3. A connector according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the conductor insertion opening (16) and the mounting opening (12) form a common opening when the lid (4) is open.
4. A connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the housing (2) is connected with retaining teeth (17), which, when the lid (4) is closed, penetrate the electrical conductor (11) at least to some extent to immobilise it in the housing (2).
5. A connector according to claim 4, characterised in that the retaining teeth (17) are so constructed as to cut the electrical conductor (11) themselves.
6. A connector according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterised in that the retaining teeth (17) are constructed on the lid (4).
7. A connector according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the retaining teeth (17) are constructed on a housing body (3) or the lid (4, 42) and recesses (19) are constructed on the respectively other housing part, in which recesses (19) the retaining teeth (17) engage when the lid (4) is closed.
8. A connector according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterised in that the retaining teeth (17) immobilising the electrical conductor (11) form a self-locking conductor securing means when the conductor (11) is subjected to tensile stress.
9. A connector according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the lid (4) is provided with at least one contact securing means (20, 21), which immobilises the contact terminal element (7) in the longitudinal direction in the chamber (5) in the closed position and releases it in the open position.
10. A connector according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the housing (2) comprises two lids (41, 42), wherein retaining teeth (17) for the electrical conductor (11) are provided on one lid (42) and at least one contact securing means (20, 21) for the contact terminal element is provided on the other lid (41).
11. A connector according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that at least one contact securing means (20, 21) for the contact terminal element (7) and retaining teeth (17) for immobilising the electrical conductor (11) are provided on one and the same lid (42).

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