EP3127194B1 - Multipole electric plug connector part - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a multi-pole electrical plug connector part, having a connector housing and a protective cap which can be latched to the connector housing and which has an input opening and a fixing device for several connection lines with a clamping body, at least two clamping surfaces being arranged or designed in an elastically resilient or elastically resilient manner on the clamping body, and connecting lines can be fixed in a force-locking manner between the clamping surfaces of the clamping body and inner wall sections of the connector housing.

From the patent specification US 7,641,503 B1 a strain relief and anti-rotation device with such features is known.

Such a connector part is provided to establish an electrical plug connection with a further connector part, not shown here. In the case of a non-stationary connector part, which is therefore connected to a connection cable or a large number of individual connection lines, it is necessary for a reliable function to firmly connect the connection cable or the connection lines to the housing of the connector part. It is customary to provide strain relief devices which prevent tensile forces acting on the supply lines from being transmitted via the connecting lines to the electrical plug-in contacts of the connector part or even interrupting the electrical connections to the plug-in contacts.

In connector parts that are used under difficult environmental conditions, for example in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle, it is also necessary to make the electrical connection of the plug contacts before high To protect vibration loads. This is difficult or can only be implemented with relatively high effort, particularly in the case of multi-pole plug connector parts that have a correspondingly high number of connection lines.

From the German utility model DE 298 02 470 U1 a strain relief device for cables is known in which a cable can be fixed in a receiving shaft by a clamping piece. The clamping piece and the receiving shaft together form a pair of wedges, which is created in that an inclined surface is formed on the clamping piece, which can be pushed under an edge of the receiving shaft. In a further development, a toothing is provided on the inclined surface, which interacts with a catch on the edge of the receiving shaft. The strain relief device also enables several cables, which can even have different cable cross-sections, to be fixed. Each has its own receiving shaft and its own clamping piece, which must be individually joined together.

A connector with a strain relief device is also from the European patent application EP 0 238 316 A2 known. Here, several insulated electrical conductors are arranged in grooves of a conductor carrier, which can be inserted into the passage of a housing. The passage has a shape that is complementary to the conductor carrier, as a result of which the electrical conductors are fastened in a clamping manner after the conductor carrier has been inserted.

The German Offenlegungsschrift DE 10 2008 055 841 A1 shows a connector part with a housing body, which has receiving chambers for electrical plug contact elements, which are each connected to an electrical line, and with a housing part which can be locked to the housing body, wherein in the end locking position Number of supply lines, the construction of such a connector part would be much more complex and also relatively large in structure, since each supply line has to be enclosed individually by housing parts. The cross-sections of the supply lines cannot be chosen at will either, since they have to be adapted to the shape of the housing parts.

The task was to create a connector part that is characterized by high vibration resistance and, with it, a larger one The housing part and the housing body cooperate to enclose the electrical lines in sections in a form-fitting manner.

Such a design is well suited for connector parts with a relatively small number of connection lines; so it shows in the DE 10 2008 055 841 A1 The connector part described as an exemplary embodiment has just two leads. For a larger number of supply lines, however, the construction of such a connector part would be much more complex and also relatively large in structure, since each supply line must be enclosed individually by housing parts. The cross-sections of the supply lines cannot be chosen at will either, since they have to be adapted to the shape of the housing parts.

The task was to create a connector part that is characterized by high vibration resistance and with which a larger number of individual wires, which can also have different cross-sections, can be securely clamped.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in each case by the characterizing features of the independent claims 1 to 3.

If the clamping surfaces are designed to be elastically resilient, which means that they develop only relatively low restoring forces when they are deflected, it is advantageous to provide a means of positioning the connector housing and the protective cap relative to one another at stepped intervals in order to allow the connector housing to come closer to the clamping surfaces to build up clamping forces acting on the connecting cables.

Elastically resilient clamping surfaces, on the other hand, can also be designed so that a multi-level positioning option between connector housing and protective cap is not absolutely necessary.

In a first advantageous embodiment, the clamping body is designed as a substantially V-shaped, rubber-elastic body which can be positively connected to a fixing section of the protective cap. For the connection to the protective cap, the clamping body preferably has several molded locking elements.

In an advantageous alternative embodiment, the protective cap and the clamping body are manufactured as a one-piece component using the two-component injection molding process. The clamping body forms an elastomeric component on a protective cap made of a thermoplastic material.

In further advantageous embodiments, the clamping body is formed by several strip-like clamping arms which are integrally formed on a fixing section of the protective cap. The outer surfaces of the clamping arms form clamping surfaces for fixing connection lines.

It is advantageous in all cases that the connection lines are fixed in the interior of the connector part and not in the entrance area of the protective cap. In this way, in particular, circumferential ribs can be formed on the inlet opening of the protective cap. The ribs can fix a corrugated pipe or a corrugated hose made of plastic to the connector part, through which several connection lines can be bundled and laid in a splash-proof manner.

Figur 1

ein Steckverbinderteil gemäß der Erfindung,

Figur 2

eine geöffnete Schutzkappe mit einem Klemmkörper,

Figur 3

eine geschlossene Schutzkappe,

Figur 4

einen Klemmkörper als Einzelteil,

Figur 5

ein Steckverbinderteil in einer Teilschnittansicht,

Figuren 6 bis 8

Querschnittsansichten einer Fixierungsvorrichtung mit unterschiedlichen Leitungskonfigurationen,

Figur 9

eine erste Schnittansicht der Fixierungsvorrichtung,

Figur 10

eine zweite Schnittansicht der Fixierungsvorrichtung

Figur 11

eine Schutzkappe mit einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines Klemmkörpers,

Figur 12

einen Schnitt durch den Klemmkörper gemäß der Figur 11,

Figur 13

ein Steckverbinderteil gemäß einer dritten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Figur 14

ein Steckverbinderteil gemäß der Figur 13 mit einer offenen Schutzkappe,

Figur 15

die Ansicht eines ersten Schnitts durch die Figur 14,

Figur 16

die Ansicht eines zweiten Schnitts durch die Figur 14,

Figur 17

die Ansicht eines dritten Schnitts durch die Figur 14,

Figur 18

die offene Schutzkappe gemäß Figur 14 als Einzelteil.

Further advantageous refinements and developments of the connector according to the invention are described in the subclaims. Three embodiments of the invention Connectors are shown in the drawing and will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it

Figure 1

a connector part according to the invention,

Figure 2

an opened protective cap with a clamp body,

Figure 3

a closed protective cap,

Figure 4

a clamp body as a single part,

Figure 5

a connector part in a partial sectional view,

Figures 6 to 8

Cross-sectional views of a fixation device with different line configurations,

Figure 9

a first sectional view of the fixation device,

Figure 10

a second sectional view of the fixation device

Figure 11

a protective cap with a second embodiment of a clamping body,

Figure 12

a section through the clamping body according to FIG Figure 11 ,

Figure 13

a connector part according to a third embodiment of the invention,

Figure 14

a connector part according to FIG Figure 13 with an open protective cap,

Figure 15

the view of a first section through the Figure 14 ,

Figure 16

the view of a second section through the Figure 14 ,

Figure 17

the view of a third section through the Figure 14 ,

Figure 18

the open protective cap according to Figure 14 as a single part.

In the Figure 1 a connector part designed according to the invention is shown. The connector part consists of a connector housing 2, which has a plurality of plug contact elements, not described in detail here, inside, such as plug contact sleeves and / or plug pins, and a protective cap 1 which is latched to the connector housing 2.

The protective cap 1, which is in the Figures 2 and 3rd is shown in each case without the connector housing, consists of two integrally formed housing parts 1 a, 1 b, which are held together by a flexible film hinge 12. The housing parts 1a, 1b can be connected to one another by pluggable connecting elements 7, 8, with latching hooks 21 or latching openings 22 formed on the connecting elements 7, 8 securing the upper sections of the housing parts 1a, 1b to one another in a form-fitting manner. The housing part 1b also has an integrally formed latching arm 9 with a latching projection 10, which is pressed into a latching recess 11 in the housing part 1a by the spring force of the latching arm 9 when the housing parts 1a, 1b are joined together. By joining the housing parts 1a, 1b, the in the Figure 3 shown protective cap 1 with a closed lateral surface. In the Figures 1 and 2 the protective cap 1 is shown in the not yet assembled state with the housing parts 1a, 1b still unconnected, whereby further details of the connector part according to the invention are visible.

In addition to the task of protecting the connector housing 2 from the ingress of dust and moisture, the protective cap 1 also fulfills the further function of guiding electrical connection lines and fixing them mechanically. In its upper area, the protective cap 1 has a relatively wide inlet opening 4 with molded circumferential ribs 23. With this inlet opening 4, a corrugated pipe (not shown) or a corrugated hose can be connected via which the in the Figures 5 to 8 connection lines 6, 6a, 6b, 6c shown can be guided protected against external environmental influences.

To mechanically fix these connecting lines 6, 6a, 6b, 6c, the protective cap 1 has a fixing section 14, on which a rubber-elastic clamping body 3 is attached, resting on at least two side sections.

The clamping body 3 shown in the drawing as an individual part can - not shown here - alternatively be designed as an elastomer body molded directly onto the protective cap 1. Clamping body and protective cap can thus be produced in one piece using the two-component injection molding process.

The Figure 4 outlines a particularly advantageous embodiment of the clamping body 3. The one-piece shaped clamping body 3 consists of a flexible, but nevertheless stable, elastomeric material. An outer wall 15 that is not completely circumferential consists of several flat surface sections which are arranged at an angle to one another. The two surface sections of the outer wall 15 adjacent to the open side are briefly referred to below as clamping surfaces 16a, 16b, since they are provided for the clamping fixation of connecting lines. The clamping surfaces 16a, 16b are not aligned parallel to one another, as a result of which the clamping body 3 has an approximately V-shaped outer contour in the plan view.

The outer wall 15 encloses a connecting wall 18, the main surfaces 13 of which are oriented at right angles to the surfaces of the outer wall 15. The connecting wall 18 has, preferably on both main surfaces 13, a plurality of detent knobs 19 molded on in one piece. The two free end sections of the outer wall 15 are rounded and thereby form two clip hooks 17.

Both the clip hooks 17 and the locking knobs 19 are used to attach the clamping body 3 to the fixing portion 14 of the protective cap 1, which is achieved by the Figures 9 and 10 is made clear. The Figure 9 shows a section through the clamp body 3 fastened to the fixing section 14, specifically through the middle of the connecting wall 18 parallel to its main surfaces 13. It is shown how the clip hooks 17 of the rubber-elastic clamp body 3 move around the Lay the fixing section 14 around and thus hold the clamping body 3 on the fixing section 14.

The Figure 10 shows a further section through the arrangement of clamping body 3 and fixing section 14, which is perpendicular to the cutting direction of FIG Figure 9 is executed. The connecting wall 18 is inserted into a receiving shaft 28 of the fixing section 14, with a plurality of latching knobs 19 formed on the connecting wall 18 engaging in latching recesses 27 of the receiving shaft 28. The clip hooks 17 and the locking knobs 19 effect a secure attachment of the clamping body 3 to the fixing section 14 of the protective cap 1. A view of the clamping body 3 attached to the protective cap 1 shows Figure 2 .

In the Figure 10 a piece of the connector housing 2 can also be seen. The connector housing 2 has molded-on latching elements 24 which interact with complementarily shaped latching elements 25 on the protective cap 1. The latching elements 24, 25 result in a plurality of latching steps, by means of which the protective cap 1 and the connector housing 2 can be joined to one another in different positions in the axial direction. The asymmetrical shape of the locking elements 24, 25 enables the protective cap 1 and connector housing 2 to be brought closer together with relatively little effort, while the increase in the distance between the protective cap 1 and the connector housing 2 requires a considerably greater amount of force or even the use of special tools .

As from the Figures 2 and 9 As can be seen, the two clamping surfaces 16a, 16b of the clamping body 3 are neither aligned parallel to one another nor parallel to the longitudinal axis of the protective cap 1. When the protective cap 1 is attached to the connector housing 2, the clamping surfaces 16a, 16b come closer to the inner wall of the connector housing 2 with each detent, as a result of which due to the decreasing gap, the lines between the housing sections 26 and the clamping surfaces 16a, 16b are jammed when they come closer enough.

The principle of line fixation is in the Figure 5 outlined. A single connection line 6 is clamped here between a housing section 26 and a clamping surface 16a. As a result of the locking connection between the protective cap 1 and the connector housing 2, which has several locking steps, the housing section 26 is brought so close to the clamping surface 16a that the connection line 6 is pressed deeply into the rubber-elastic material of the clamping body 3.

Due to its rubber-elastic properties, the clamping body 3 can also fit closely to several connecting lines lying next to one another. It is largely irrelevant whether the connection lines have the same or different cross-sections as the Figures 6 to 8 show with three examples.

Shown are cross-sectional views of the fixing device 5, which fix connecting lines 6a, 6b, 6c with partially the same and partially different line cross-sections. In the Figure 6 Two connection lines 6a, 6b with different line diameters are fastened by the clamp body 3, the clamp body 3 pressing a connection line 6a with a thicker cross-section on the left and a connection line 6b with a weaker cross-section on the inner wall sections 20a, 20b of the connector housing 2 on the right.

The Figures 7 and 8 make it clear that more than one connection line 6a, 6b can be held by the clamping surfaces 16a, 16b. The Figure 7 shows an example of two connecting lines 6b of the same cross-section fixed by the clamping surface 16b on the inner wall section 20b, while the clamping body 3 simultaneously presses a connecting line 6a with a thicker cross-section against an opposite inner wall section 20a of the connector housing 2.

In the embodiment of Figure 8 three connection lines 6a, 6b, 6c are even fixed, all of which have different line cross-sections, two connection lines 6b, 6c with different line cross-sections being fixed by the same clamping surface 16a of the clamping body 3 on the associated inner wall section 20a. The clamping body 3, consisting of rubber or some other rubber-elastic material, is sufficiently flexible to successfully clamp both line thicknesses in place.

Of course, these explanations are to be understood purely as examples. In particular, more than two connection lines can be fixed per clamping surface, with the number of connection cables that can be fastened by a clamping surface being determined by the cross-sections of the cables, the width and thickness of the clamping surfaces and the material properties of the clamping body or being influenced accordingly by a suitable choice of these parameters can. In addition, designs can also be provided in which the described clamping mechanism is kinematically reversed, in which, for example, a fixing section with a rubber-elastic clamping element is part of the connector housing and interacts with the housing parts when the protective cap is attached.

The Figure 11 shows another embodiment of a protective cap 1 'with a further advantageous embodiment of a clamping body 3', which is formed here in one piece with the protective cap 1 '. The one-piece molded protective cap 1 'consists of two housing parts 1a' that can be latched together, 1b ', which are connected to one another via two connecting webs 31'.

The connecting webs 31 'also form the fixing section 14' of the protective cap 1 ', on which a total of four clamping arms 29a', 29b ', 29c', 29d 'are integrally formed, which face each other in pairs in a non-parallel arrangement. You are like that Figure 12 illustrated, connected via a multiply wound section 30 ', which is pressed together when the clamping arms 29a', 29b 'are subjected to a pressure load, thereby generating a resilient counterforce. The outer surfaces of the clamping arms 29a ', 29b' form clamping surfaces 16a ', 16b' which can fix connecting lines to the inner wall sections of a connector housing.

The Indian Figure 11 illustrated clamping body 3 'exemplarily has two of the w-shaped arrangements according to FIG Figure 12 each consisting of two clamping arms 29a ', 29b' and 29c ', 29d' and a flexible section 30 ', these two arrangements being integrally formed parallel to one another on the connecting webs 31'. The clamping body 3 'here thus has a total of four clamping arms 29a', 29b ', 29c', 29d ', which accordingly form an equal number of clamping surfaces. Of course, depending on the application, the clamping body 3 'can also be designed with a larger or smaller even number of clamping arms and clamping surfaces.

The fixing of connection lines is basically the same as in the Figures 5 to 8 represented by a step-wise approach of the protective cap 1 'to a connector housing, portions of the inner housing wall of the connector housing approaching the clamping surfaces 16a', 16b '.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment described above, the clamping surfaces 16a ', 16b' are not designed to be rubber-elastic here. It will therefore Each connection line is fixed to its own clamping surface 16a ', 16b', with the clamping arm 29a ', 29b', 29c ', 29d' supporting the respective clamping surface 16a ', 16b' being deflected accordingly, depending on the cross-section of the adjacent connection line, so that each Line is individually fixed precisely.

It can also be provided that individual clamping surfaces 16a ', 16b' each fix more than one connection line, these connection lines then should have the same cross-sections. It is therefore preferable to provide at least as many clamping arms 29a ', 29b', 29c ', 29d' as different line cross-sections are to be used.

The Figures 13 to 18 disclose a further advantageous embodiment of a connector according to the invention. As with the one in the Figures 11 and 12 Here, too, a separate clamping arm 29a ", 29b" is provided on the clamping body 3 "for each connection line 6", 6a ", 6b" to be fixed.

It is particularly clear in the Figure 18 It can be seen that the clamping arms 29a ", 29b" are connected in one piece to a solidly designed connecting web 31 ", on which the housing parts 1a" and 1b "of the protective cap 1" are also integrally formed. The massive connecting web 31 ″ causes a mechanical decoupling of the clamping arms 29a ″, 29b ″, so that when one clamping arm is deflected, no significant displacement or deflection of another clamping arm can take place Figure 11 The embodiment shown has the advantage that even an odd number - for example as a result of a connector that is not fully equipped - can be securely fixed to lines.

The total of six clamping arms 29a ″, 29b ″ shown in this example are connected to the clamping body 3 ″ in such a way that they are affected by the pressure of the connection lines 6 ", 6a", 6b "to be fixed can be elastically deformed. Accordingly, the width of the gap between an inner wall section 20a", 20b "of the connector housing 2" and the respective clamping arm 29a ", 29b" changes depending on the line diameter. This functional principle allows connecting lines 6 ", 6a", 6b "of different cross-sections to be fixed by means of a force fit.

Connection lines with a large diameter have more mass and accordingly have to be fixed more strongly than connection lines with a small diameter. This is achieved by the elastic connection of the clamping arms 29a ", 29b" to the connecting web 31 ", since the deflection of the clamping arms 29a", 29b "increases as the line cross-section increases, which in turn results in an increasing clamping force.

In contrast to the two previously described embodiments, because of the relatively high spring forces that can be applied by the clamping arms 29a ", 29b", no multi-stage latching between the protective cap 1 "and the connector housing 2" is required. Instead, the protective cap 1 ″ is clipped to the connector housing 2 ″ via latching hooks 32 ″, which simplifies assembly compared to the production of a multi-stage latching connection and contributes significantly to minimizing errors the latching of the connector housing 2 ″ is also protected against access from the environment, so that accidental loosening is ruled out.

This embodiment is also advantageous over the subject matter of the utility model specification mentioned at the beginning DE 298 02 470 U1 . Threading connection lines through openings is not necessary here. The connection lines 6 ″, 6a ″, 6b ″ can be folded away on both sides of the connector housing 2; then the protective cap 1 latched and their housing parts 1a ", 1b" are connected to one another. In addition, manual setting of a large number of clamping pieces is not necessary here.

List of reference symbols

1, 1 ', 1 "

protective cap

1a, 1b, 1a ', 1b', 1a ", 1b"

Housing parts

2, 2 "

Connector housing

3, 3 ', 3 "

Sprags

4th

Entrance opening

5

Fixation device

6, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6 ", 6a", 6b "

Connecting cables

7, 8

Fasteners

9

Locking arm

10

Locking projection

11

Locking recess

12th

Film hinge

13th

Main surfaces

14, 14 '

Fixing section

15th

Outer wall

16a, 16b, 16a ', 16b', 16a ", 16b"

Clamping surfaces

17th

Clip hook

18th

Connecting wall

19th

Locking knobs

20a, 20b, 20a ", 20b"

Interior wall sections

21

Locking hook

22nd

Locking openings

23

Ribs

24, 25

Locking elements

26th

Housing sections

27

Locking recesses

28

Receiving slot

29a ', 29b', 29c ', 29d', 29a ", 29b"

Clamp arms

30 '

flexible sections

31 ', 31 "

Connecting web (s)

32 "

Locking hook

Claims (8)

1. Multipole electrical connector part, comprising a connector housing (2) and a protective cap (1) which can be latched to the connector housing (2),
   having an input port (4),
   and a fixing device (5) for a plurality of connecting leads (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) having a clamping body (3),
   wherein on the clamping body (3) at least two clamping surfaces (16a, 16b) are arranged or formed in an elastically resilient or elastically yielding manner, and
   wherein between the clamping surfaces (16a, 16b) of the clamping body (3) and inner wall portions (20a, 20b) of the connector housing (2) connecting lines (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) can be fixed in a force-fitting manner,
   characterized in that
   in that the at least two clamping surfaces (16a, 16b) are not aligned parallel to one another,
   in that the clamping body (3) consists of a rubber-elastic material,
   in that the clamping body (3) is of V-shaped design, and
   in that the connector housing (2) and the protective cap (1) can be positioned axially with respect to one another in a plurality of latching steps by means of integrally formed latching elements (24, 25), and
   in that, depending on the positioning, different distances are produced between at least one of the clamping surfaces (16a, 16b) of the clamping body (3) and at least one inner wall section (20a, 20b) of the connector housing (2).
2. Multipole electrical connector part, comprising a connector housing (2) and a protective cap (1') lockable to the connector housing (2),
   having an input port (4),
   and a fixing device (5) for a plurality of connecting leads (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) with a clamping body (3'),
   wherein at least two clamping surfaces (16a', 16b') are arranged or formed on the clamping body (3') in an elastically resilient or elastically yielding manner, and
   wherein connecting lines (6, 6a, 6b, 6c) can be non-positively fixed between the clamping surfaces (16a', 16b') of the clamping body (3') and inner wall portions (20a, 20b) of the connector housing (2),
   characterized in that,
   in that the at least two clamping surfaces (16a', 16b') are not aligned parallel to one another,
   in that the clamping body (3') is formed integrally with the protective cap (1'),
   in that the clamping body (3') is formed by at least two clamping arms (29a', 29b', 29c', 29d') which form an equal number of clamping surfaces (16a', 16b') and which are resiliently attached to the protective cap (1'), and
   in that the connector housing (2) and the protective cap (1) can be positioned axially with respect to one another in a plurality of latching steps by means of integrally formed latching elements (24, 25), and
   in that, depending on the positioning, different distances are produced between at least one clamping surface (16a', 16b') of the clamping body (3') and at least one inner wall section (20a, 20b) of the connector housing (2).
3. Multipole electrical connector part, comprising a connector housing (2") and a protective cap (1") which can be latched to the connector housing (2") and which has an input opening (4),
   and a fixing device (5) for a plurality of connecting leads (6", 6a", 6b") with a clamping body (3"),
   wherein at least two clamping surfaces (16a", 16b") are arranged or formed on the clamping body (3") in an elastically resilient or elastically yielding manner, and wherein between the clamping surfaces (16a", 16b") of the clamping body (3") and inner wall sections (20a", 20b") of the connector housing (2"), connecting lines (6", 6a", 6b") can be fixed in a force-fitting manner,
   characterized in that,
   the clamping body (3") has at least two clamping surfaces (16a", 16b") which are not aligned parallel to one another,
   in that the clamping body (3") is formed integrally with the protective cap (1"), in that the clamping body (3") is formed by at least two clamping arms (29a", 29b") which form an equal number of clamping surfaces (16a", 16b") and which are arranged resiliently on the protective cap (1"), and
   in that the clamping body (3") is v-shaped.
4. Multipole electrical connector part according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping body (3) is positively connected to the protective cap (1).
5. Multipole electrical connector part according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective cap (1) and the clamping body (3) are manufactured as a one-piece component in a two-component injection molding process.
6. Multipole electrical connector part according to claim 2, characterized in that clamping arms (29a', 29b') with clamping surfaces (16a', 16b') that are not aligned parallel to one another are connected to one another via a resiliently flexible section (30').
7. Multipole electrical connector part according to claim 2, characterized in that the clamping body (3') comprises clamping arms (29a', 29c'; 29b', 29d') arranged parallel to each other.
8. Multipole electrical connector part according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the protective cap (1, 1', 1") can be assembled from two housing parts (1a, 1b, 1a', 1b', 1a", 1b") formed integrally with one another.

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