EP1683238B1 - Connector for electrically contacting consumers - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector includes a contacting piece (1) provided with bus-compatible electronic circuitry. A fixing member (10) is provided in a housing (16) for locating the contacting piece. The circuitry is provided on the front side of the contacting piece. Contact elements (6) are preferably provided on the front side of the contacting piece for connecting it, or the circuitry to a flat cable (14).

Description

The invention relates to a connector for electrically contacting consumers, in particular in a bus system, with a conductor strand, in particular for a heating or air conditioning system for a motor vehicle.

Today's vehicle air conditioning systems are controlled or regulated by a control unit, which is designed as a structural unit with an operating unit which is arranged in the center console or in the dashboard. The operating and control unit has operating elements, such as switches, buttons, rotary knobs, etc., via which user settings, such as desired temperature, desired air distribution, etc., can be entered. The input signals are electronically processed in the control unit and supplied via electrical connections, usually circular conductor, the air conditioner, which includes an air duct housing with filters arranged therein, heat exchangers, air flow control elements, actuators and possibly sensors. About a wire harness, the electrical components of the air conditioner, such as sensors and actuators, such as Schrittverstellmotoren for the air flow control elements and the blower, electrically connected.

The large number of actuators and sensors brings a total of increased cabling effort, ie an increased effort to contact the individual electrical components, and associated costs with it. Usually takes place during assembly, the electrical contact by means of plugs, which plugged during assembly in corresponding sockets become. This is done either before or after the installation of the corresponding component or the electrical line. Furthermore, when disassembling a component, the screws must be loosened with a tool and the plug connection disconnected. Furthermore, at least three contact points are provided when using plugs and corresponding sockets, all of which represent potential sources of error,

The US 5226634 discloses a connecting device with a spring for coupling lines.

From the DE 196 05 999 A1 a contacting of a planar antenna conductor structure is known, which is in a vehicle component, in particular a vehicle window, integrated. Here are for contacting first contacting means, which are arranged on the vehicle mounting part, and second contacting means, which are arranged on the body side on at least one contact foot provided. The contacting of the first contacting means with the corresponding second contacting means is effected by a relative movement between the vehicle component and contact foot during installation, wherein the relative movement on the one hand with already built Kontaktfuß by the vehicle component, for example by placing, on the other hand already built-in vehicle component by the contact foot, for example by plugging, is performed. However, such contacting still leaves something to be desired.

Today's bus systems usually consist of round conductors with standard circular conductor plug contacts and consumers, z. B. stepper motors, with integrated electronics. In case of failure of the electronics, the consumer, z. B. stepper motor, replaced and disposed of with the electronics. A separation of the electronics from the consumer can only be realized with a very high cost.

Conventional contacting requires a large number of contact points between the conductor and the contacts of the consumer. At the same time, the complete system round conductor with plug, electronics and consumer requires a relatively large amount of installation space.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved connector.

This object is achieved by a connector having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The connector according to the invention comprises a provided with a busable electronics contact mediator and provided for the arrangement of the contact mediator in a housing fixing element, wherein the fixing element is like a frame and having an opening whose dimensions substantially correspond to those of the contact mediator, so that the contact mediator in the opening the fixing element can be arranged and wherein the housing consists of an upper shell and a lower shell, wherein the upper shell and lower shell are connected by one or more webs with each other so that they are joined by folding to the housing.

The contact mediator is preferably a flat component with a substantially rectangular basic shape whose width substantially corresponds to the width of the flat conductor used. For the contact agent, a double-sided board is preferred. But it is also possible that the contact mediator is a flexible board (FPC), an MID component made of plastic or an overmoulded stamped grid. On the contact mediator, a bus-capable electronics is arranged on the surface side in a preferred embodiment.

On one of the surface sides, e.g. the front of the contact mediator are contact elements, which are preferably elastic, z. B. spring contacts, for contacting the contact mediator with a flat conductor or located on the contact mediator electronics with a flat conductor. In a preferred embodiment is on the front of the contact mediator beyond the bus-capable electronics, z. As an ASIC and various SMD components.

On the back of the contact mediator there are contact surfaces for contacting the contact mediator with a consumer or the electronics located on the contact mediator with a consumer. Instead of the contact surfaces for contacting the consumer and there elastic contact elements, for. B. spring contacts exist. The front side of the contact mediator (= contact between the contact mediator and the flat conductor) and the back side of the contact mediator (= contact between the contact mediator and the consumer) are electrically connected to each other.

The fixing element is preferably a flat component having a substantially rectangular basic shape whose dimensions are greater in length and width than the corresponding dimensions of the contact mediator used. The fixing element has an opening whose dimensions essentially correspond to those of the contact mediator so that the contact mediator can be arranged in the opening of the fixing element.

The fixing element can be made for example by injection molding of plastic. In a preferred embodiment, it has positioning aids for the arrangement of the flat conductor on the fixing element and for the arrangement of the fixing element in the housing. The positioning aid for the arrangement of the flat conductor on the fixing element is preferably in the form of one or more integral with an outer edge of the Fixieru ngselements formed thorns executed. The positioning aid for the arrangement of the fixing element in the housing may be designed in the form of recesses or projections of the outer contour of the fixing element or in the form of holes or thorns. Preferably, this positioning aid is designed in the form of projections of the outer contour of the Fixieru ngselements.

The housing consists of an upper shell and a lower shell, which are made for example by injection molding of plastic. Preferably, the upper shell and lower shell are connected together by one or more elastic webs so that they can be joined by folding to the housing, wherein the one or more elastic webs act as hinges. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the upper shell and lower shell of the housing have latching means which allow a joining of the housing without additional fastening means such as screws or the like.

The size and shape of the housing make it possible to accommodate the contact mediator and the fixing element in the interior of the housing. In a preferred embodiment, the housing has a positioning aid, which corresponds to the positioning aid of the fixing element for the arrangement of the fixing element in the housing. The positioning aid of the housing for the arrangement of the fixing element in the housing may be in the form of recesses or projections of the side walls or in the form of holes or spikes. Preferably, this positioning aid is designed in the form of recesses in the side walls of the upper shell and / or the lower shell of the housing, so that the projections of the outer contour of the fixing element engage in the recesses in the side walls of the housing when the housing is joined.

The housing has at least two openings, wherein the first opening serves for the passage of the flat conductor and the second opening serves for contacting the contact mediator with a consumer or the electronics located on the contact mediator with a consumer. The first opening may be formed by recesses of a side wall of the upper shell or a side wall of the lower shell or by recesses of a respective side wall of the upper shell and the lower shell. The second opening is formed by an opening in the upper shell or by an opening in the lower shell of the housing.

For mounting the connector, the flat conductor is first positioned on the fixing element. For this purpose, the flat conductor is positioned on the positioning aid of the fixing element. If the positioning aid consists of spikes, which are integrally formed on an edge of the positioning element, the spikes are inserted into openings provided for this purpose of the flat conductor.

Subsequently, the flat conductor is guided over the fixing element to the opposite edge. In this case, the flat conductor covers the opening of the fixing element whose dimensions substantially correspond to those of the contact mediator. Then, the contact mediator is inserted into the opening of the fixing element so that its front side touches the flat conductor and pushes into the opening of the fixing element.

The fixing element with the inserted contact mediator and the flat conductor extending between them is then inserted into the upper shell or the lower shell of the housing and then the housing joined, so that the flat conductor extends through the first opening of the housing and the contacts of the contact mediator for contacting a consumer of outside accessible through the second opening of the housing.

The enclosing housing with the fixing element and the contact mediator now represents a so-called smart connector, which is connected to a flat conductor.

This smart connector is then attached to the externally accessible contacts of the contact mediator for contacting a consumer to a consumer so that he with his contacts and the corresponding contacts of the consumer, for. B. spring contacts, an electrical connection is received.

The present invention provides an improved system for contacting between a wire harness, a bus-capable electronics and a consumer, which makes it possible to make cable harnesses cost-effective and variable while at the same time standardizing the interfaces of cable harnesses to peripheral devices.

By the connector according to the invention, it is possible to standardize a harness, since the only difference between different variants is that the line length, the number of consumers, the number of electronics, and their location changes. The position of the consumers, including the electronics, can thus be changed by the software of the production plant in the case of fully automatic production of the cable strands. Wiring production is simplified and costs are saved.

A further advantage of the invention is the simple replacement of the electronics or the consumer in the event of repair, which reduces repair costs and expenditure.

The reduction in the contact points between the conductor to the contacts of the consumer is also to be evaluated positively, since the quality of the cable harness increases by just this reduction in contact points.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine Oberflächenseite, z.B. die Vorderseite eines Kontaktvermittlers für einen Steckverbinder in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 2

die Rückseite des Kontaktvermittlers gemäß Fig. 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 3

ein Fixierungselement für einen Steckverbinder in perspektivischer Darstellung,

Fig. 4

das Fixierungselement mit eingelegtem Flachleiter,

Fig. 5

die Bestandteile des erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders bei einem ersten Fügeschritt,

Fig. 6

die Bestandteile des erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders bei einem zweiten Fügeschritt,

Fig. 7

die Bestandteile des erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders bei einem dritten Fügeschritt,

Fig. 8

die Kontaktierungsstelle eines Verbrauchers, und

Fig. 9

die Kontaktierungsstelle eines Verbrauchers mit angekoppeltem erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinder.

With reference to drawings, an embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail. Show:

Fig. 1

1 schematically shows a surface side, for example the front side of a contact mediator for a connector in perspective view,

Fig. 2

the back of the contact mediator according to Fig. 1 in perspective,

Fig. 3

a fixing element for a connector in perspective view,

Fig. 4

the fixing element with inserted flat conductor,

Fig. 5

the components of the connector according to the invention in a first joining step,

Fig. 6

the components of the connector according to the invention in a second joining step,

Fig. 7

the components of the connector according to the invention in a third joining step,

Fig. 8

the contact point of a consumer, and

Fig. 9

the contact point of a consumer with coupled connector according to the invention.

Corresponding parts are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 is a surface side, for example, the front side S1 of a contact mediator 1 (also called developer unit) shown.

On the front side S1 of the contact mediator 1, a bus-capable electronics 4 is arranged. In addition, elastic spring contacts are arranged as contact elements 6 for the electrical / electronic contacting of the electronics 4 located on the contact mediator 1 on the front side S1 of the contact mediator 1.

In Fig. 2 the back S2 of the contact mediator 1 is shown.

On the back side S2 of the contact mediator 1 there are contact surfaces 8 for the electrical / electronic contacting of the electronics 4 located on the contact mediator 1 with a consumer.

In Fig. 3 a fixing element 10 is shown, which is provided for easy installation and secure arrangement of the contact mediator 1.

The fixing element 10 is a flat, substantially rectangular component whose outer dimensions are greater in length and width than the corresponding dimensions of the contact mediator 1. The fixing element 10 has a rectangular opening 12 whose dimensions substantially correspond to those of the contact mediator 1, so that the Contact mediator 1 can be arranged in the opening 12 of the fixing element 10.

The fixing element 10 is manufactured in one piece from plastic and has positioning aids P1 and P2 for the arrangement of a flat conductor 14 on the fixing element 10, as in FIG FIG. 4 represented, or for the arrangement of the fixing element 10 in the housing 16, as in FIG. 5 shown.

The positioning aid P1 for the arrangement of the flat conductor 14 on the fixing element 10 consists of two integrally formed on an end outer edge of the fixing element 10 thorns 18. The positioning aid P2 for the arrangement of the fixing element 10 in the housing 16 consists of two pairs of projections 20, 22 of the outer contour Here, a first pair of projections 20 is disposed at the ends of the frontal outer edge of the fixing element 10, to which the two spines 18 are located, while a second pair of projections 22 on each one of the two opposite lateral outer edges of the fixing element 10 is arranged.

In Fig. 4 the fixing element 10 is shown with inserted flat conductor 14.

In order to position the flat conductor 14 on the fixing element 10, the spikes 18 of the positioning aid P1 for the arrangement of the flat conductor 14 are introduced on the fixing element 10 into openings of the flat conductor 14 provided for this purpose. Subsequently, the flat conductor 14 is guided over the fixing element 10 to the opposite edge. In this case, the flat conductor 14 covers the opening 12 of the fixing element 10, the dimensions of which substantially correspond to those of the contact mediator 1. In other words, the contact mediator 1 is a rectangular, double-sided circuit board whose width substantially corresponds to the width of the flat conductor 14 used. The front side S1 and the back side S2 of the contact mediator 1 are electrically connected to each other.

In Fig. 5 are all components - contact mediator 1, fixing element 10, housing 16 and flat conductor 14 - a connector 24 according to the invention shown at a first joining step.

The housing 16 is a plastic molded part which consists of an upper shell 16a, a lower shell 16b and the upper shell 16a and the lower shell 16b connecting transverse and longitudinal webs 16c. The transverse web 16c does not extend over the entire width of the housing 16, but leaves at the two ends of the relevant side of the housing ever a portion free, the width of which corresponds substantially to the width of the arranged at the ends of the frontal outer edge of the fixing element 10 projections 20.

As a result, upper shell 16a and lower shell 16b can be joined by folding to the housing 16, wherein the transverse web 16c acts as a hinge and in the assembled state forms a side wall of the housing 16. Depending on the type and design of the housing 16, the transverse web 16 c and / or the longitudinal webs 16 c may be formed elastically or dimensionally stable. On both sides of the transverse web 16c recesses 26 are provided in the side wall of the housing 16, which are suitable for receiving the positioning aid P2 for the arrangement of the fixing element 10 in the housing 16. Upper shell 16a and lower shell 16b of the housing 16 have on the side opposite the transverse web 16c side about locking elements 28 which allow a joining of the housing 16 without additional fastening means.

Size and shape of the housing 16 make it possible to arrange the contact mediator 1 and the fixing element 10 in the interior of the housing 16. The housing 16 has a positioning aid P3 in the form of recesses 26 in the side walls or longitudinal webs 16c of the upper shell 16a and the lower shell 16b of the housing 16, with the positioning aid P2 of the fixing element 10 for the arrangement of the fixing element 10 in the housing 16 correspond, so that the projections 22 of the outer contour of the fixing element 10 engage in the recesses 26 in the side walls of the housing 16 when the housing 16 is joined.

The housing 16 also has two openings 30a, 30b, wherein the first opening 30a is used to pass through the flat conductor 14 and the second opening 30b is used to make contact between the contact mediator 1 and a consumer or the electronics 4 located on the contact mediator 1 with a consumer ,

The first opening 30a is formed by the fact that neither the upper shell 16a nor the lower shell 16b of the housing 16 have a side wall on the side opposite the transverse web 16c. As a result, this side of the housing 16 remains open in the joined state. The second opening 30b is formed by a rectangular opening in the upper shell 16a.

First, the flat conductor 14 is positioned on the fixing element 10 in the manner described. Then, the fixing element 10 is inserted into the opened housing 16 so that the two projections 20 of the outer contour of the fixing element 10, which form the positioning aid P2 of the fixing element 10 for the arrangement of the fixing element 10 in the housing 16, engage in the two recesses 26 which remain on both sides of the longitudinal webs 16c.

The contact mediator 1 is inserted into the opening 12 of the fixing element 10 such that its front side S1 contacts the flat conductor 14 and pushes it into the opening 12 of the fixing element 10. This creates an electrical contact between the elastic contact elements 6 on the front side S1 of the contact mediator 1 and the conductor tracks of the flat conductor 14. At the same time the bus-capable electronics 4 is encapsulated, so that it is protected from external influences.

In Fig. 6 the components of the connector 24 according to the invention are shown at a second joining step.

The contact mediator 1 is inserted into the opening 12 of the fixing element 10. The housing 16 is still open, with the second opening 30b, which is located in the upper shell 16a, located above the outwardly facing rear side S2 of the contact mediator 1. Then the housing 16 is joined by folding and locking the locking elements 28 of the upper shell 16a and the lower shell 16b.

In Fig. 7 the components of the connector 24 according to the invention are shown at a third joining step.

The housing 16 is joined by folding and locking the locking elements 28 of the upper shell 16a and the lower shell 16b. The flat conductor 14 extends through the first opening 30a of the housing 16 into it. The second opening 30b of the housing 16 is positioned above the contact surfaces 8 arranged on the rear side S2 of the contact mediator 1 so that the electronics 4 located on the contact mediator 1 can come into contact with a consumer.

In Fig. 8 is the contact point 32 of a consumer 34 shown.

At her are elastic contact elements 36 and holding members 42 for the connector 24 according to the invention.

In Fig. 9 is the contact point 32 of a consumer 34 with coupled inventive connector 24 shown.

The connector 24 according to the invention is inserted into the holding members 38 for the connector 24 according to the invention. The second opening 30b of the housing 16 faces the elastic contact elements 36 of the contact point 32 of the load 34, so that there is an electrical contact between these elastic contact elements 36 and the contact surfaces 8 on the rear side S2 of the contact mediator 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Contact agent

4

Bus-capable electronics

6

contact element

8th

contact area

10

fixing element

12

opening

14

flat Head

16

casing

16a

Upper shell

16b

subshell

16c

web

18

mandrel

20

first pair of protrusions

22

second pair of protrusions

24

Connectors

26

recess

28

locking element

30a

first opening

30b

second opening

32

contact point

34

consumer

36

contact element

38

holding member

P1, P2, P3

positioning aids

S1

front

S2

back

Claims (13)

1. Connector (24) for electrically contacting a load (34), in particular in a bus system with a conductor strand, comprising a contact intermediary member (1) with an electronics unit (4) with bus capability and a fixing element (10) provided to locate the contact intermediary member (1) in a housing (16), wherein the fixing element (10) is designed as a frame and has an opening (12), the dimensions of which substantially correspond to those of the contact intermediary member (1), so that the contact intermediary member (1) can be located in the opening (12) of the fixing element (10), and wherein the housing (16) comprises an upper shell (16a) and a lower shell (16b), the upper shell (16a) and the lower shell (16b) being joined to one another by one or more webs (16c) such that they form the housing (16) when folded together.
2. Connector (24) according to claim 1, wherein the electronics unit (4) with bus capability is located on the surface, in particular on a front side (S1), of the contact intermediary member (1).
3. Connector (24) according to claim 2, wherein the front side (S1) of the contact intermediary member (1) supports contact elements (6) for contacting the contact intermediary member (1) or the electronics unit (4) on the contact intermediary member (1) with a flat conductor (14).
4. Connector (24) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein contact surfaces (8) or contact elements (6) are located on the rear side (S2) of the contact intermediary member (1) for contacting the contact intermediary member (1) or the electronics unit (4) on the contact intermediary member (1) with a load (34).
5. Connector (24) according to claim 4, wherein the front side (S1) and the rear side (S2) of the contact intermediary member (1) are electrically connected to one another.
6. Connector (24) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing element (10) comprises positioning aids (P 1, P2) for locating the flat conductor (14) on the fixing element (10) and for locating the fixing element (10) in the housing (16).
7. Connector (24) according to claim 6, wherein the positioning aid (P1) for locating the flat conductor (14) on the fixing element (10) is represented by one or more pins (18) integrated with an outer edge of the fixing element (10).
8. Connector (24) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the positioning aid (P2) for locating the fixing element (10) in the housing (16) is represented by projections (20, 22) of the external contour of the fixing element (10).
9. Connector (24) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the size and the shape of the housing (16) are selected such that the contact intermediary member (1) and the fixing element (10) can be accommodated within the housing (16).
10. Connector (24) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (16) has at least two openings (30a, 30b), wherein a first opening (30a) for routing the flat conductor (14) is represented by recesses (26) of a side wall of the upper shell (16a) and/or the lower shell (16b) and a second opening (30b) for contacting the contact intermediary member (1) or the electronics unit (4) located on the contact intermediary member (1) with a load is represented by an opening in the upper shell (16a) or in the lower shell (16b) of the housing (16).
11. Connector (24) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the web(s) (16c) act(s) as hinges.
12. Connector (24) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper shell (16a) and the lower shell (16b) of the housing (16) are provided with locking elements (28) allowing the joining together of the housing (16) without the use of additional fastenings.
13. Connector (24) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (16) is provided with a positioning aid (P3) corresponding to the positioning aid (P2) of the fixing element (10) for locating the fixing element (10) in the housing (16), said positioning aid (P3) consisting of recesses (26) in the side walls of the upper shell (16a) and/or the lower shell (16b) of the housing (16), so that the projections (22) of the fixing element (10) engage the recesses (26) of the housing (16) when the housing (16) is joined together.

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