WO2004036693A1 - Modular type terminal for ground harness of a vehicle - Google Patents

Modular type terminal for ground harness of a vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2004036693A1
WO2004036693A1 PCT/IB2003/004531 IB0304531W WO2004036693A1 WO 2004036693 A1 WO2004036693 A1 WO 2004036693A1 IB 0304531 W IB0304531 W IB 0304531W WO 2004036693 A1 WO2004036693 A1 WO 2004036693A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
elements
vehicle
terminal according
harness
terminal
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2003/004531
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Alberto Folcarelli
Original Assignee
A.E.C. S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by A.E.C. S.R.L. filed Critical A.E.C. S.R.L.
Priority to AU2003267760A priority Critical patent/AU2003267760A1/en
Priority to EP03748455A priority patent/EP1554781B1/en
Priority to DE03748455T priority patent/DE03748455T1/en
Priority to DE60317229T priority patent/DE60317229T2/en
Priority to BR0314890-4A priority patent/BR0314890A/en
Publication of WO2004036693A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004036693A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/58Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
    • H01R4/64Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail
    • H01R4/646Connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric function, e.g. frame, casing, rail for cables or flexible cylindrical bodies
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2201/00Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
    • H01R2201/26Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for vehicles
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01RELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/28Clamped connections, spring connections
    • H01R4/30Clamped connections, spring connections utilising a screw or nut clamping member

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a terminal for a ground harness of a vehicle.
  • Earthing terminals which include a laminar body with a loop formation for securing to an earthing point in the structure of the vehicle by means of bolts, and having one end intended to be connected to the cable conductors .
  • both the operation of connecting the conductors to the terminal and the subsequent procedures for checking the electrical connections are simplified since, instead of all being connected to the same terminal, the conductors are split into two smaller groups, each connected to a corresponding element of the terminal .
  • the terminal of the invention can be used where, as with motor cars, there is a "basic model" and one or more “accessorized” versions of the same vehicle.
  • the “basic” model in which there are fewer devices and the ground harness therefore has fewer conductors, only one of the two modular elements need be used, while in the "accessorized” model, in which there are many more devices and the ground harness includes a greater number of conductors, both modular elements can be used, avoiding the need to use a terminal of a different size or shape.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of a first element of the earthing terminal of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of a second element of the earthing terminal of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of a terminal of the invention with the elements of Figures 1 and 2 folded and coupled.
  • a first element 10 of an earthing terminal includes an elongate laminar body 11 of a conductive material, a copper alloy for example.
  • the body 11 of the element 10 has a fixing portion 12 at one end for securing it to an earthing point of the structure of a vehicle (not shown) , a portion 13 at the other end for connection to a wiring system in the vehicle (not shown) and an intermediate portion 1 .
  • the fixing portion 12 of the body 11 of the element 10 has a through-hole 15 for engaging a bolt (not shown) for securing to the vehicle body.
  • the fixing portion 12 also has a tongue formation 16 peripherally provided at the edge 12a of the fixing portion 12, lying in the plane of the laminar body 11 and projecting in the direction of its length.
  • a pair of anti-rotation tabs 17 of a known type are provided on opposite sides of the fixing portion 12 of the body 11 of the element 10, operable to engage corresponding formations (not shown) in the body of the vehicle in order to prevent relative rotation of ' the terminal .
  • the portion 13 for connection to the ground harness of the vehicle is preferably wider than the intermediate portion 14, in the sense of the width of the terminal 10, and has two retaining tabs 18 of a known type, one on each opposite side.
  • a second element 10' of an earthing terminal includes an elongate laminar body 11' of a conductive material, a copper alloy for example .
  • the body 11' of the second element 10' has a fixing portion 12' at one end for connection to an earthing point of the vehicle structure, a portion 13' at the other for connection to the vehicle ground harness and an intermediate portion 14' .
  • the fixing portion 12' has a loop formation 26 peripherally provided on the edge 12a' thereof, so it lies in the plane of the laminar body 11' extending parallel thereto.
  • This loop formation 26 has a slot 27 orientated parallel to the edge 12a' suitable for the introduction of tongue formation 16 of the fixing portion 12 of the first element 10.
  • the intermediate portion 14 'of the second element 10' is shorter than the intermediate portion 14 of the second element 10.
  • the manufacture of the earthing terminal according ⁇ to the invention calls for the anti-rotation tabs 17, 17' of the first and second elements 10, 10' of the terminal along lines indicated by broken lines A in Figures 1 and 2, and for the edges of the connector portions 13, 13', which project laterally from the intermediate portions 14, 14', to be folded by 90° along substantially longitudinal lines (indicated by broken lines B) .
  • lateral surfaces 31, 31' of the connector portions 13, 13' of the first and second elements 10, 10' are obtained (see Figure 3) which act both as strengthening ribs for the terminal elements 10, 10' and as containing elements for the conductors of the ground harness .
  • the first element 10 of the earthing cable is also folded at the ends of the intermediate portion .14 along transverse lines (indicated by broken lines C in figure 1) , so as to obtain a substantially step-like section.
  • the conductors of the wiring system are fixed, preferably by ultrasound or resistive welding, to the connector portions 13, 13', while the retaining tabs 18, 18' are bent (along the broken lines D of Figures 1 and 2) over the end portions of these conductors so as to provide additional means of mechanically retaining the elements 10, 10' on the conductors.
  • the elements 10 and 10' of the terminal are coupled by inserting the tongue formation 16 of the first element 10 into the slot 27 in the second element 10', bending it along a transverse line (indicated by the broken line E of Figure 1) clenching it into the loop formation 26, in such a ,way that the first and second elements 10, 10' of the terminal are one above the other, with their respective fixing holes 15, 15' aligned.
  • FIG 3 This configuration is illustrated in Figure 3, in which an earthing terminal 30 is formed by coupled first and second elements 10, 10' (the conductors of the ground harness are not shown for the sake of simplicity) .
  • the respective fixing portions 12, 12' are in contact with each other, while the connector portions 13, 13' are spaced owing to the earlier folding of the intermediate portion 14 of the first element 10.
  • the earthing terminal 30 can be fixed as a single body to an earthing point on the body of the vehicle, by a bolt through the aligned fixing holes 15, 15'.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
  • Connections Effected By Soldering, Adhesion, Or Permanent Deformation (AREA)
  • Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Cable Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

A terminal (30) for the ground harness of a vehicle includes first (10) and second (10') electrically conductive elements, having a laminar body (11, 11’) with a fixing portion (12, 12’) for connection to an earthing point of the structure of the vehicle. The first and second elements (10, 10’) have respective formations (16, 27) for coupling the first and second element (10, 10’) together in a superimposed configuration in which the respective fixing portions (12, 12’) are aligned so they can be fixed to the same earthing point.

Description

Modular type terminal for ground harness of a vehicle
The present invention relates to a terminal for a ground harness of a vehicle.
Earthing terminals are known which include a laminar body with a loop formation for securing to an earthing point in the structure of the vehicle by means of bolts, and having one end intended to be connected to the cable conductors .
The complexity of electric and electronic devices in use in vehicles involves a large number of circuits which need to be earthed. The number of conductors connected to the same terminal is therefore also large, making it relatively complicated to carry out the wiring and to check the electrical connections .
The aforesaid problems are resolved according to the invention by providing a terminal for ground harness of a vehicle having the characteristics claimed in the Claims .
Thanks to the modular two-element structure of the earthing terminal of the invention, both the operation of connecting the conductors to the terminal and the subsequent procedures for checking the electrical connections are simplified since, instead of all being connected to the same terminal, the conductors are split into two smaller groups, each connected to a corresponding element of the terminal .
Advantageously, the terminal of the invention can be used where, as with motor cars, there is a "basic model" and one or more "accessorized" versions of the same vehicle. In the "basic" model, in which there are fewer devices and the ground harness therefore has fewer conductors, only one of the two modular elements need be used, while in the "accessorized" model, in which there are many more devices and the ground harness includes a greater number of conductors, both modular elements can be used, avoiding the need to use a terminal of a different size or shape.
A preferred but non-limitative embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a first element of the earthing terminal of the invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of a second element of the earthing terminal of the invention; and
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a terminal of the invention with the elements of Figures 1 and 2 folded and coupled.
With reference to Figure 1, a first element 10 of an earthing terminal according to the invention includes an elongate laminar body 11 of a conductive material, a copper alloy for example. The body 11 of the element 10 has a fixing portion 12 at one end for securing it to an earthing point of the structure of a vehicle (not shown) , a portion 13 at the other end for connection to a wiring system in the vehicle (not shown) and an intermediate portion 1 .
The fixing portion 12 of the body 11 of the element 10 has a through-hole 15 for engaging a bolt (not shown) for securing to the vehicle body. According to the invention, the fixing portion 12 also has a tongue formation 16 peripherally provided at the edge 12a of the fixing portion 12, lying in the plane of the laminar body 11 and projecting in the direction of its length.
Preferably, but not exclusively, a pair of anti-rotation tabs 17 of a known type are provided on opposite sides of the fixing portion 12 of the body 11 of the element 10, operable to engage corresponding formations (not shown) in the body of the vehicle in order to prevent relative rotation of ' the terminal .
The portion 13 for connection to the ground harness of the vehicle is preferably wider than the intermediate portion 14, in the sense of the width of the terminal 10, and has two retaining tabs 18 of a known type, one on each opposite side.
With reference to Figure 2, a second element 10' of an earthing terminal according to the invention includes an elongate laminar body 11' of a conductive material, a copper alloy for example .
The body 11' of the second element 10' has a fixing portion 12' at one end for connection to an earthing point of the vehicle structure, a portion 13' at the other for connection to the vehicle ground harness and an intermediate portion 14' .
Parts of the second element 10' which are similar or identical to those of the -first element 10 have been given the same reference numbers, followed by an apostrophe, and will not be described again. According to the invention, the fixing portion 12' has a loop formation 26 peripherally provided on the edge 12a' thereof, so it lies in the plane of the laminar body 11' extending parallel thereto. This loop formation 26 has a slot 27 orientated parallel to the edge 12a' suitable for the introduction of tongue formation 16 of the fixing portion 12 of the first element 10. Preferably, the intermediate portion 14 'of the second element 10' is shorter than the intermediate portion 14 of the second element 10.
The manufacture of the earthing terminal according^ to the invention calls for the anti-rotation tabs 17, 17' of the first and second elements 10, 10' of the terminal along lines indicated by broken lines A in Figures 1 and 2, and for the edges of the connector portions 13, 13', which project laterally from the intermediate portions 14, 14', to be folded by 90° along substantially longitudinal lines (indicated by broken lines B) . In this way, lateral surfaces 31, 31' of the connector portions 13, 13' of the first and second elements 10, 10' are obtained (see Figure 3) which act both as strengthening ribs for the terminal elements 10, 10' and as containing elements for the conductors of the ground harness .
The first element 10 of the earthing cable is also folded at the ends of the intermediate portion .14 along transverse lines (indicated by broken lines C in figure 1) , so as to obtain a substantially step-like section.
At this point, the conductors of the wiring system are fixed, preferably by ultrasound or resistive welding, to the connector portions 13, 13', while the retaining tabs 18, 18' are bent (along the broken lines D of Figures 1 and 2) over the end portions of these conductors so as to provide additional means of mechanically retaining the elements 10, 10' on the conductors. Finally, the elements 10 and 10' of the terminal are coupled by inserting the tongue formation 16 of the first element 10 into the slot 27 in the second element 10', bending it along a transverse line (indicated by the broken line E of Figure 1) clenching it into the loop formation 26, in such a ,way that the first and second elements 10, 10' of the terminal are one above the other, with their respective fixing holes 15, 15' aligned. This configuration is illustrated in Figure 3, in which an earthing terminal 30 is formed by coupled first and second elements 10, 10' (the conductors of the ground harness are not shown for the sake of simplicity) . The respective fixing portions 12, 12' are in contact with each other, while the connector portions 13, 13' are spaced owing to the earlier folding of the intermediate portion 14 of the first element 10.
At this point, the earthing terminal 30 can be fixed as a single body to an earthing point on the body of the vehicle, by a bolt through the aligned fixing holes 15, 15'.
It is clear that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated here, but that modifications can be made to the shape and arrangement of parts and to construction and operating details, according to numerous possible variants which will appear useful to experts in the art, without departing thereby from the scope of the invention, as claimed in the following Claims.

Claims

1. A terminal (30) for a ground harness of a vehicle, characterised in that it includes first (10) and second (10') electrically conductive elements, each having a laminar body (11, 11') with a fixing portion (12, 12') for connection to an earthing point of a structure of the said vehicle, the said first and second elements (10, 10') having respective formations (16, 27) for coupling the said first and second elements (10, 10') in a superimposed configuration in which the respective fixing portions (12, 12') are aligned in such a way that they can be fixed to the same earthing point .
2. A terminal according to Claim 1, in which the said coupling formations (16, 27) include a tongue (16) formed on the periphery of the body (11) of the said first element (10) and a slot (27) formed in the body (11') of the said second element (10') for engaging the said tongue (16) in a folded condition.
3. A terminal according to Claim 2 , in which the said slot (27) is formed in a loop formation (26) formed at the periphery of the body of the said second element (10') .
4. A terminal according to Claims 2 or 3 , in which the said first and second elements (10, 10') are elongate and the said tongue (16) and the said slot (27) are arranged at one end (12, 12a) of the body (11, 11') of the said first and second elements (10, 10') respectively.
5. A terminal according to Claim , in which the said tongue (16) and the said slot (27) are arranged parallel to the edge (12a, 12a') of the body (11, 11') of the said first and second elements (10, 10') respectively.
6. A terminal according to Claims 4 or 5 , in which the said fixing portion (12, 12') is arranged at one end of the said first and second elements (10, 10') while a portion (13, 13') is arranged at the other end for connection to the said vehicle harness and connected to the said fixing portion (12, 12') by an intermediate portion (14, 14'), the intermediate portion (14) of at least one of the said first or second elements (10, 10') being shaped so as to space the connection portions (13, 13') of the said first and second elements (10, 10') .
7. A terminal according to Claim 6, in which the said harness is fixed to the said connection portion (13, 13') of the said first and second elements (10, 10') by ultrasound welding.
8. A terminal according to Claim 6, in which the said harness is fixed to the said connection portion (13, 13') of the said first and second elements (10, 10') by resistive welding.
9. A terminal according to any Claim from 6 to 8 , in which the said connection portion (13, 13') of the said first and second elements (10, 10') has retaining tabs (18, 18') shaped so as to hold the said harness in the said connection portion (13, 13') .
10. A terminal according to any preceding Claim, in which the said fixing portion (12, 12') has formations (17, 17') for engagement in corresponding formations in the structure of the vehicle whereby the said first and second elements (10, 10') are prevented from rotating relative to the said structure .
PCT/IB2003/004531 2002-10-16 2003-10-15 Modular type terminal for ground harness of a vehicle WO2004036693A1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2003267760A AU2003267760A1 (en) 2002-10-16 2003-10-15 Modular type terminal for ground harness of a vehicle
EP03748455A EP1554781B1 (en) 2002-10-16 2003-10-15 Modular type terminal for ground harness of a vehicle
DE03748455T DE03748455T1 (en) 2002-10-16 2003-10-15 MODULAR CONNECTION FOR GROUNDING CABLE TREE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
DE60317229T DE60317229T2 (en) 2002-10-16 2003-10-15 MODULAR CONNECTION FOR GROUNDING CABLE TREE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
BR0314890-4A BR0314890A (en) 2002-10-16 2003-10-15 Terminal for a ground whip of a modular type vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000185U ITTO20020185U1 (en) 2002-10-16 2002-10-16 TERMINAL FOR A GROUND WIRING OF A MODULAR TYPE VEHICLE.
ITTO2002U000185 2002-10-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004036693A1 true WO2004036693A1 (en) 2004-04-29

Family

ID=32104797

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2003/004531 WO2004036693A1 (en) 2002-10-16 2003-10-15 Modular type terminal for ground harness of a vehicle

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1554781B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE377268T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2003267760A1 (en)
BR (1) BR0314890A (en)
DE (2) DE03748455T1 (en)
IT (1) ITTO20020185U1 (en)
PT (1) PT1554781E (en)
WO (1) WO2004036693A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3706272A1 (en) * 2019-03-06 2020-09-09 Panduit Corp. Bracket for cable management

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4502743A (en) * 1983-05-16 1985-03-05 Ziegler Hans J Ground bracket assembly including omega shaped compression member
US6241200B1 (en) * 1999-04-30 2001-06-05 Lucent Technologies Inc. Electromagnetic interference grouping clamp
DE10035795A1 (en) * 2000-07-22 2002-01-31 Proepster J Gmbh Clamp for fixing or connecting wires in lightning protection system, has opening at bend between two flange parts of smaller diameter than wire

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2592690Y2 (en) * 1993-12-10 1999-03-24 住友電装株式会社 Terminal fitting

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4502743A (en) * 1983-05-16 1985-03-05 Ziegler Hans J Ground bracket assembly including omega shaped compression member
US6241200B1 (en) * 1999-04-30 2001-06-05 Lucent Technologies Inc. Electromagnetic interference grouping clamp
DE10035795A1 (en) * 2000-07-22 2002-01-31 Proepster J Gmbh Clamp for fixing or connecting wires in lightning protection system, has opening at bend between two flange parts of smaller diameter than wire

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3706272A1 (en) * 2019-03-06 2020-09-09 Panduit Corp. Bracket for cable management
US10811857B2 (en) 2019-03-06 2020-10-20 Panduit Corp. Bracket for cable management

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR0314890A (en) 2005-08-02
ITTO20020185U1 (en) 2004-04-17
EP1554781A1 (en) 2005-07-20
AU2003267760A1 (en) 2004-05-04
EP1554781B1 (en) 2007-10-31
ATE377268T1 (en) 2007-11-15
DE60317229D1 (en) 2007-12-13
DE03748455T1 (en) 2006-06-22
DE60317229T2 (en) 2008-08-07
PT1554781E (en) 2008-02-12

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