EP1689048A1 - Protection device for an electrical connector for sets of electrical conductors - Google Patents

Abstract

The plug (1) has a housing (10), an anti-interference device for the wiring harness (40). The guiding elements (20.1,20.2) are arranged in the housing for contacting the wiring harness whereby each guiding elements are in contact with the corresponding wires (40.1,40.2) of the wiring harness. The plug has a protection element (30) for connection of the guiding element and protecting the wiring harness against the interference.

Description

The present invention relates to a plug for a plug-in system for connection to a leading to the control unit of a motor vehicle restraint system harness.

Due to the increasing penetration of electronics in motor vehicles, the problems of their mutual influence are also growing. The particular problems here are that in a confined space a variety of electronic units are housed and must work properly.

There are both sensitive analog devices (eg radio receivers, telephones, radio equipment) as well as digital units (eg injection and ignition timing controls, ABS controls, combustion mixture controls [λ-probe], on-board computer) as well as motor drives and control valves (eg alternator , Starter, windows, windscreen wipers, fuel pump, brake valves [ABS]) and the faulty ignition system, which should work side by side in a confined space here. In addition, both the operating speed of the functional elements (bandwidth) and the density of the function blocks are getting higher. Sensitive sensor cables and cables for high-power actuator drives are tightly connected over longer distances. In this variety of functions can be a faulty control by mutual influence (eg of the brake system or the airbag) have devastating consequences. Here a special care with the control of the mutual influences is commanded.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to design a plug in such a way that disruptive influencing factors in electrical components of the plug are reduced.

The basic idea of the present invention is to provide an interference protection device for securing lines of a line set in a plug, which switches a protective element parallel to the lines which largely intercepts disturbing influences.

As a protective element, for example, EMC protection elements such as an ESD element or varistors can be used. Varistors are voltage-dependent resistors with symmetrical U / I characteristic. The resistance of the varistor decreases with increasing voltage. Connected in parallel with the component or circuit to be protected, the varistor forms a low-impedance shunt with increasing voltage and thus prevents a further increase in the overvoltage.

The interference protection device may, for example, have two guide elements, each guide element being assigned to a line of the line set, and a protective element, for example a varistor, establishing contact between the guide elements. Guide element in the context of this invention may be any component that makes electrical contact, for example, a Contact element for conductive contacting between two electrically conductive components.

The varistor, which is made of sintered zinc oxide under certain conditions along with other metal ceramics, has a polycrystalline ceramic with predictable voltage dependence.

Due to the arrangement of the protective device within the plug no structural changes to the lighter / insulating ring more necessary, while still the EMC safety and in particular the ESD safety (electrostatic discharge) is increased. Furthermore, nothing changes in the assembly of the plug-in system, since it is possible to fall back on known components. Even previous mounting devices can thus continue to be used.

Particularly advantageous is the arrangement of the protective device in the remote from the plug side region of the plug.

In an advantageous embodiment, the two guide elements can be designed to be axially symmetrical or structurally identical, whereby the production costs are further reduced.

The connection of the protective element with the guide elements can be done by plugging or by simple system. Other conductive connections such as jamming or screwing are conceivable, with an easy installation and space-saving accommodation represent the highest premise.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the guide elements are designed as insulation displacement contacts or piercing connection or piercing connection.

Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description of the figures and the claims, wherein every possible combination of the claims is the subject of the invention.

Fig. 1:

Perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Steckers mit Störschutzeinrichtung;

Fig. 2:

Perspektivische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Steckerunterteils mit Störschutzeinrichtung;

Fig. 3:

Perspektivische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Steckerunterteils mit Störschutzeinrichtung und Leitungssatz;

Fig. 4:

Perspektivische Ansicht der erfindungsgemäßen Störschutzeinrichtung;

Fig. 5:

Perspektivische Teilansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Steckers mit in Kontaktfedern integriertem Leitelement;

Fig. 6:

Leitelement integriert in Kontaktfeder.

The figures of the drawings show, while maintaining the same reference numbers for the same components in detail:

Fig. 1:

Perspective exploded view of the plug according to the invention with Störschutzeinrichtung;

Fig. 2:

Perspective view of the connector base according to the invention with interference protection device;

3:

Perspective view of the plug base according to the invention with fault protection device and wiring harness;

4:

Perspective view of the interference protection device according to the invention;

Fig. 5:

Perspective partial view of the connector according to the invention with integrated in contact springs guide element;

Fig. 6:

Guide element integrated in contact spring.

In the figures, squib, connectors and locking elements are not or only partially shown and these are assumed to be known. Partially illustrated latching elements are also not explained in detail.

Fig. 1 shows the individual components of a plug 1 with an interference protection device in exploded view one above the other, resulting in the mounting sequence.

The plug consists essentially of a housing 10 with an upper housing part 10o and a lower housing part 10u together, the plug occupies a substantially L-shape, in the front, in the drawing left part of the actual plug with a mating face and Verrastungselementen and a Secondary locking for locking with a squib (not shown) are provided.

In the rear, shown in the figure on the right part of the plug 1 is the Störschutzeinrichtung and a ferrite core 41, wherein both a line set 40 is performed with one line 40.1 and 40.2.

The housing upper side 10o is latched by means of locking springs 14 arranged on its circumference with corresponding latching lugs 13 of the housing lower part 10u.

The lower housing part 10u accordingly has two cavities or chambers 11.1 / 11.2 as receiving means into which the respective corresponding guide elements 20.1 / 20.2 are inserted. The plugged state can be seen in Fig. 2. The guide elements 20.1 / 20.2 are held by lateral barbs in the cavities 11.1 / 11.2.

Before the guide elements 20.1 / 20.2 are inserted into the lower housing part 10u, the protective element 30, here a varistor, must first be inserted into the corresponding recess 12 of the housing lower part 10u and this is held in the recess 12 by the two guide elements 20.1 / 20.2 by these partially rest on the protective element 30. A direct contact between the guide element 20.1 and the guide element 20.2 does not take place, since otherwise a short circuit of the lines 40.1 and 40.2 would be the result.

In Fig. 3 also clearances can be seen, which serve to carry out the lines 40.1 / 40.2 of the wiring harness 40. These are formed from two oppositely arranged cutouts 16 in the side wall of each cavity 11.1 / 11.2 of the lower housing part 10u. In the escape of the opposite cutouts 16 are Y-shaped cutouts in the respective vanes 20.1 / 20.2 intended to form the insulation displacement contacts 21.1 / 21.2. By the Y-shape of the insulation displacement contacts 21.1 / 21.2 the insertion of the respective lines 40.1 / 40.2 is facilitated, are cut through the sharp edges insulating sleeves of the lines 40.1 / 40.2 and the lines 40.1 / 40.2 with the insulation displacement Contacts 21.1 / 21.2 in electrically conductive contact.

Thus, a connection between the lines 40.1 / 40.2 is made via the contact of the lines 40.1 / 40.2 to the guide elements 20.1 / 20.2 and the protective element 30 located between the guide elements 20.1 / 20.2. The above-described characteristics of the varistor 30 provide for the substantial elimination of disturbances in the wiring harness.

The recess 12 is arranged between the receiving means 11.1 / 11.2 and a recess upper edge 12o of the recess 12 is located substantially at the same height as receiving means upper edges 11.1o / 11.2o of the receiving means 11.1 / 11.2.

To ensure that the lines remain 40.1 / 40.2 in the insulation displacement contacts 21.1 / 21.2, 20o are formed on the upper housing part 10o each over the Y-shaped recesses of the vanes 20.1 / 20.2 downwardly projecting projections, the corresponding pressure on the lines 40.1 / 40.2.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the guide elements 20.1 / 20.2 in the front plug part. The guide elements 20.1 / 20.2 are integrated into the contact springs 2.1 / 2.2 of the plug 1 shown in FIG. 1, as can also be seen enlarged in the case of the contact spring 2.2 in FIG. Since the contact springs 2.1 / 2.2 in each case contact the lines 40.1 / 40.2 of the wiring harness 40 at its end, a separate component, as provided in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4, can be saved by this measure.

The protective element 30 is used in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, in the recess 12 provided there and contacted by respectively integrally formed on the vanes 20.1 / 20.2 spring tabs 22.1 / 22.2 and fixed in the recess 12.

The guide elements 20.1 / 20.2 may be designed in one piece with the contact springs 2.1 / 2.2 or be interposed as separate components.

The illustrated in Fig. 6 L-shaped guide element 20.2 is designed here as a one-piece connection element with integrated contact spring 2.2 and arranged on the end side spring tab 22.2.

As a result of the interference protection devices shown, a means for the plug 1 is specified in order to shield the cable set from interference.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

plug

2.1

contact springs

2.2

contact springs

10

casing

10o

Housing top

10u

Housing bottom

11.1

receiving means

11.1o

Receiving means top

11.2

receiving means

11.2o

Aufnahmemitteilunterkante

12

recess

12o

Ausnehmungsoberkante

13

locking lug

14

detent spring

16

excision

20.1

vane

20.2

vane

21.1

Insulation displacement contact

21.2

Insulation displacement contact

22.1

spring shackles

22.2

spring shackles

30

protection element

40

lead set

40.1

management

40.2

management

41

ferrite

Claims (18)

Plug (1) for a plug-in system for connection to a cable set (40) leading to the control unit of a motor vehicle restraint system, having the following features: a housing (10) of the plug (1), an interference protection device for the wiring harness (40), - in the housing (10) arranged guide elements (20.1, 20.2) for contacting the wiring harness (40), each guide element (20.1, 20.2) contacted an associated line (40.1, 40.2) of the wiring harness (40), - A protective element (30) for connecting the guide elements (20.1, 20.2) and securing the wiring harness (40) against interference. Plug according to claim 1, wherein the housing (10) consists of an upper housing part (10o) and a lower housing part (10u). Plug according to claim 2, wherein the upper housing part (10o) and the lower housing part (10u) are connected at one side by a hinge. Plug according to claim 1, wherein the guide elements (20.1, 20.2) are substantially axially symmetrical to each other. Plug according to claim 1, wherein the guide elements (20.1, 20.2) are substantially identical. Plug according to claim 1, wherein the protective element (30) is a varistor. Plug according to claim 1, wherein the guide elements (20.1, 20.2) are each U-shaped in cross-section. Plug according to Claim 1, in which the lines (40.1, 40.2) run through the housing (10) and the guide elements (20.1, 20.2) assigned to the respective line (40.1, 40.2). Plug according to Claim 1, in which the housing (10) has receiving means (11.1, 11.2) for receiving one respective associated guide element (20.1, 20.2). Plug according to claim 9, in which the receiving means (11.1, 11.2) in the lower housing part (10u) are provided as upwardly open cavities whose internal dimensions are substantially identical to the outer dimensions of the guide elements (20.1, 20.2). Plug according to Claim 10, in which the receiving means (11.1, 11.2) each have cutouts (16) on two opposite sides for insertion of the respective line (40.1, 40.2). Plug according to claim 1, wherein the housing (10) has a recess (12) for receiving the protective element (30). Plug according to one of claims 9 to 11 and claim 12, wherein the recess (12) between the receiving means (11.1, 11.2) is arranged and a Ausnehmungsoberkante (12o) of the recess (12) substantially at the same height as Aufnahmemitteloberkanten (11.1o , 11.2o) of the receiving means (11.1, 11.2) is located. Plug according to Claim 1, in which the protective element (30) is permanently in contact with the guide elements (11.1 / 11.2). Plug according to Claim 1, in which the guide elements (20.1, 20.2) each have an insulation displacement contact (21.1, 21.2) for electrical contacting of the respective line (40.1, 40.2). Plug according to Claim 15, in which the insulation displacement contacts (21.1, 21.2) are provided as Y-shaped recesses in the guide elements (20.1, 20.2), the height of the insulation displacement contacts (21.1, 21.2) being less than the height of the guide elements (20.1, 20.2) and the Y-shaped recess is orthogonal to the U-shape of the guide elements (20.1, 20.2), and wherein the top of the Y-shaped recess with the base of the U-shaped guide elements (20.1 , 20.2) coincides. Plug according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means (11.1, 11.2) are arranged on the line set side end of the plug. Plug according to claim 1, wherein the contact springs (2.1, 2.2) for contacting contact pins of a lighter, the guide elements (20.1, 20.2).

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