GB2287140A

GB2287140A - Connector for a multipolar flat strip cable

Info

Publication number: GB2287140A
Application number: GB9502314A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Helmut Bonn; Gregor Zeller
Original assignee: Petri AG
Current assignee: Petri AG
Priority date: 1994-02-11
Filing date: 1995-02-07
Publication date: 1995-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2015-02-07
Also published as: ES2110349A1; BR9500496A; JPH07263102A; ES2110349B1; DE4404407A1; GB9502314D0; FR2716300B1; FR2716300A1; GB2287140B

Description

1 - 2287140 C014NECTOR FOR A MULTIPOLAR FLAT STRIP CABLE The invention is

relates to a current connector for a multipolar flat strip cable. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a connector for a multipolar cable which extends in a housing, for example in an electrical rotary connector comprising a stator and a rotor.

Current connectors of this type are used in the motor vehicle construction industry to produce an electrically conductive connection between the terminals of a rotary cable connector disposed between a steering wheel and a steering column of a vehicle. Problems arise here, especially where a plurality of functions are to be controlled from the steering wheel. For example, controls for the travel direction indicators and the windscreen wipers or the like, in addition to the horn, may all be installed in the steering wheel. A shock preventing airbag safety system may also be installed.

Furthermore, for the purpose of increasing travel safety, it is desirable to place the switching functions, required in the vehicle, in the steering wheel rather than in the instrument panel. For this purpose, a large number of connections are necessary high current outputs may be Further, relatively transmitted via said connections - such as for heaters, for example.

Accordingly, an aim of the present invention is to provide a connector which permits a desirable plurality of functions of different outputs to be controlled from the steering wheel.

According to the present invention there is provided a current connector for a multipolar flat strip cable, which extends in a housing, said multipolar f lat strip cable having a plurality of conductor wires, which are connectable to a cable which extends externally to a current source or respectively to a consumer, in the region of the housing wall in such a manner that they are provided at their ends with plug pins, wherein the conductor wires are disposed in the flat strip, or respectively in a plurality of flat strips, in parallel layers and are combined in a common plug pin for the transmission of high current outputs.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a connector comprising a socket having a plurality of plug pins, said plug pins for receiving a plurality of conductor wires of a plurality of multipolar flat strip cables, each of said plug pins for receiving one of said conductor wires for transmission of low current outputs, and each og said plug pins for receiving two or more of said conductor wires for transmission of high current outputs.

In the preferred embodiment, the connector has, on the one hand, has a small structural height, irrespective of the desired increase in the number of switchable conductor wires. The connector may be incorporated in a steering wheel of conventional structural height. On the other hand, the connector permits the increase in the conductive cross-section to be effected in a simple manner because a corresponding number of conductor wires may be connected to form a (common) conductor, such an increase being necessary for the transmission of relatively large electrical outputs. For this purpose, it is sufficient to interconnect the ends of the pertinent conductor wires in a common plug k 1 pin. In consequence, it is also not necessary to increase the conductor cross-section of individual or all of the conductor wires of the conductor strip.

Further details of the invention are explained hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of an electrical rotary connector having current connectors according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a current connector prior to the plug being mounted on the flat strip conductor; and Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a current connector.

The current connector illustrated in the drawings is f or use with a multipolar cable 3. The cable nay extend in a housing, for example in a stator 1 of an electrical rotary connector as may be used between a steering wheel and a steering column of a vehicle. The cable 3 establishes a connection between two terminals, which are disposed in the stator 1, or respectively in a rotor, and are connected to a current source or a consumer by means of an external cable (not shown).

The present connector is shown in more detail in Figs. 2 and 3. The connector comprises a socket 4 and tubular pins 6 being freely retained in said socket. The tubular pins 6 form end-pieces of conductor wires 5. The socket 4 serves to receive a plug in the f orm of a housing 8 having external dimensions which correspond to the internal dimension of the socket 4. Guide pins 10 are retained in housing 8 with a relatively precise - 4 fitting, said pins being insertable in the tubular pins 6 to make an electrical connection to a respective conductor wire 5.

The conductor wires 5 are disposed in a flat strip in a plurality of parallel layers 7, and their ends are connected to the plug pins disposed in a corresponding arrangement in the socket 4. Instead of the physical combination of a plurality of parallel rows of conductor wires in a common f lat strip, two or more individual f lat strips may also be placed in the stator 1. Each strip per se has a greater flexibility than a conductor strip with an equal total number of conductor wires connected to form a single unit, because each strip has a smaller thickness.

It is thus possible to increase, as desired, the number of functions which are controllable from the steering wheel, without increasing the structural height of the stator. The control of functions of relatively large current outputs is also possible without increasing the crosssection of the individual conductor wires, because two (i.e. in pairs) or more conductor wires may be combined in a common one of the plug pins in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the connector having a housing 8, which extends in a rectilinear manner. from the socket 4, and a total of eight conductor wires 5, which can be used in any desired manner, for example for a total of six functions. Alternatively, two functions can be effected with twice the conductor cross-section. Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the connector having an angular plug 10 that is provided with two conductor strips.

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Claims

I. A current connector for a multipolar flat strip cable, which extends in a housing, said multipolar flat strip cable having a plurality of conductor wires, which are connectable to a cable which extends externally to a current source or respectively to a consumer, in the region of the housing wall in such a manner that they are provided at their ends with plug pins, wherein the conductor wires are disposed in the flat strip, or respectively in a plurality of flat strips, in parallel layers and are combined in a common plug pin for the transmission of high current outputs.
2. A connector comprising a socket having a plurality of plug pins, said plug pins for receiving a plurality of conductor wires of a plurality of multipolar flat strip cables, each of said plug pins for receiving one of said conductor wires for transmission of low current outputs, and each of said plug pins for receiving two or more of said conductor wires for transmission of high current outputs.
3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each plug pin receives one of said conductor wires or a pair of said conductor wires.
4. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said plurality of plug pins are arranged in a plurality of rows, each row of plug pins for receiving parallel conductor wires of one of said nultipolar flat strip cables.
5. A connector as claimed in any preceding claim when used with a plurality of multipolar flat strip cables which extend within a housing.

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6. A connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the housing is an electrical rotary connector comprising a stator and a rotor.

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