EP1580850B1 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector part (10) for a two-part electric pluggable connector is designed so that it latches into an opening of a wall (not shown here) and thus can be fixed in a defined end-position relative to the wall. An independent claim is included for an electrical pluggable connector with two mutually lockable connector parts.

Description

The invention relates to a connector part of a two-part electrical connector, which is designed so that connector part of a two-part electrical connector, which is designed so that it can be locked in an opening of a wall and thereby fixed in a defined end position relative to the wall, wherein its housing is provided on a first side with at least one stop which engages in the passage of the connector part through the wall opening with the wall and thereby limits the insertion movement of the connector part relative to the wall. It further relates to an electrical connector with two mating, latchable together connector parts.

Motor vehicles include a body harness and a door harness. The body and door harnesses are electrically coupled together via a two-piece electrical connector where the door is pivotally mounted to a pillar of the body. In the usual assembly, the two connector parts of the connector are electrically connected together and then one of the two connector parts is mounted in an opening of a door pillar. However, such a procedure brings with it a number of disadvantages. In particular, this can lead to difficulties in assembly, which are mainly due to the limited space. In addition, there is a risk of miscommunication or incorrect installation.

A connector part of the type mentioned is known from EP-A-O 487 893. In this known connector part, a latching arm is provided on a side of the housing adjacent to the first side.

Also, in a connector part known from US-B-6 210 217 a stop is again provided on a first side of the housing, which engages in the insertion of the connector part through the wall opening with the wall. A latching arm is provided on a side opposite the first side of the housing.

Connector parts which can be latched in an opening of a wall and thereby fixed in a defined end position with respect to the wall, for example, from the publications EP-A-0 740 371 and US-A-5,487,680 known.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved connector part and an improved connector of the type mentioned, in which the aforementioned problems are eliminated.

This object is achieved with respect to the connector part in that at least one locking arm is provided on the first side of the housing, that the housing is provided on one of the first side opposite second side with at least one further stop, which is axially spaced from the collar that when latched to the wall, its end position engaging connector part an opening bounding wall portion in the area between the collar and the further stop is included and that after successful passing through the relevant end of the connector part through the wall opening the connector part by subsequent pivoting and subsequent wall-parallel displacement can be locked with the wall, being pushed back against the spring force during pivoting of the latching arm and the connector part is then supported by the spring force of the latching arm parallel to the wall displaceable to the respective Wandabschni tt in the area between the collar and the further stop.

In the relevant connector part may be, for example, a plug part or a receiving part. The invention can be used for example in motor vehicles. In principle, however, other applications are conceivable.

The connector part is preferably latched in the wall opening in the region of one of its two ends. The respective end may be open for receiving the other connector part.

Preferably, at least one side of the housing adjacent to the first side is provided with at least one end stop, which rests against the wall at its end position engaging connector part. In this case, at least one end stop is preferably provided on two opposite sides of the housing.

At least one side of the housing may in particular be provided with at least one latching arm.

In a preferred practical embodiment of the connector part according to the invention, the housing is provided with a collar which rests against the wall at its end position engaging connector part on the side remote from the stop or end stop. In this case, the collar can be provided in particular at the respective end of the connector part. Preferably, the collar encloses the open end of the housing.

The latching arm advantageously extends from an axially inner region to the region of the open end of the housing or into the region of the collar.

The stopper preferably has a larger radial extent than the collar.

Conveniently, the stop is axially spaced from the collar.

The further stop preferably has a smaller radial extent than the collar.

In a preferred practical embodiment of the connector part according to the invention, the connector part occupying its end position is inclined relative to the normal of the wall having the opening. In this case, the inclination angle may be, for example, in a range of about 25 °.

Preferably, the collar lies in a plane whose normal to the axial or longitudinal direction of the connector part is inclined. In this case, the inclination angle corresponding to, for example, again in a range of about 25 °.

The further stop can be provided in particular with a ramp, over which the connector part is supported during the pivoting at the opening edge.

The connector part is expediently provided with internal locking means which cooperate with counter-locking means of the other connector part.

As already mentioned, the relevant connector part may be, for example, a plug part or else a receiving part.

The electrical connector according to the invention comprises two plug-together, latchable together connector parts, of which at least one is formed by an inventive connector part.

Advantageously, the two connector parts of the connector are only completely plugged together and locked together, when the first connector part is locked in the opening of the wall and thus fixed in its end position. In this case, a complete mating and locking of the two connector parts can be prevented in particular by the latching inwardly latched in not latched to the wall first connector part.

It is particularly advantageous if the locking arm is secured in fully engaged and latched together connector parts by the second connector part in its locked position.

To seal the connection to the wall to the outside, in particular a clamp with associated spout can be provided. Preferably, this clip with associated spout is only mountable when the two connector parts are completely plugged together and locked together.

The electrical connector according to the invention thus comprises a first connector part according to the invention, which may, for example, be a plug part, and a second connector part, that is, for example, a receiving part. In principle, however, the connector part designed according to the invention can also be a receiving part. In addition, a clip can be used to close the connection and cover with a spout.

During assembly, for example, it is possible to proceed in such a way that the plug part connected to the body harness is installed first. This can initially be done in a conventional manner, that the plug part is moved from the vehicle interior side directly into the column and through the outer opening for the connector to a position in which the connector part is stopped by stops on the housing of the connector part. In this locked position, the plug part can be slightly pushed sideways until it locks in the end position in which it is fixed with respect to the wall. The plug part is arranged inside the column, e.g. at an angle of about 25 ° to the normal to the wall, taking up little space. This brings in comparison with the usual connectors advantages. The entire connection between the plug part and the receiving part is spent in the interior of the column, so that no space between the door and the column is required. This results in an improved connection, since the receiving part is easy to install at an angle, even if there is little space between the column and the door. The assembled connector part is fixed in its final position and requires no further handling during the assembly process.

The next step is before or after coupling the door to the chassis of the vehicle. The fitter grips the cable harness coming from the door with the receiving part and the grommet arranged at the cable end and guides the receiving part into the plug part fixed within the column.

The receiving part can only be inserted when the plug part assumes its correct fixed position within the column. moreover blocks the locked receiving part of the connector assembly in the column so that it can not be removed. This happens for example by two locking arms on the plug part.

Finally, as a final step, the assembly of the clip, which is mounted with a grommet, to cover the connection to the column and seal it to the outside. Also, the determination of the clip and the spout requires a complete completion of the previous assembly operation with respect to the locked receiving part. For this purpose, for example, a finger may be provided on the clip, which comes into contact with the receiving part.

Another advantage compared to existing solutions is the improved handling. Thus, the receiving part and the spout can also be mounted with one hand after the plug part occupies a fixed position from the beginning of the door mounting operation.

It is understood that, for example, the plug part mounted in the door and the receiving part can be attached to the end of the body harness.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen ersten Verbinderteils, von einer ersten Seite her betrachtet, eines erfindungsgemäßen zweiteiligen Steckverbinders,

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht des ersten Verbinderteils,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des ersten Verbinderteils, von einer anderen Seite her betrachtet,

Fig. 4 bis 9

verschiedene Schritte bei der Montage des ersten Verbinderteils in einer Öffnung einer Wand und

Fig. 10

eine Querschnittsdarstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders mit dem ersten Verbinderteil gemäß den Fig. 1 bis 9 und einem mit diesem zusammengesteckten und verrasteten weiteren Verbinderteil.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the drawing; in this show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first connector part according to the invention, viewed from a first side, a two-part connector according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a side view of the first connector part,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the first connector part, viewed from another side,

Fig. 4 to 9

various steps in the assembly of the first connector part in an opening of a wall and

Fig. 10

a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the invention with the first connector part according to FIGS. 1 to 9 and a mated with this and latched further connector part.

1 to 3 show a first connector part 10 of a two-part electrical connector 12 (see Fig. 10) with a housing 1 which is provided at one end 14 with an opening for receiving the second connector part 8 of the electrical connector 12.

The housing 1 of this first connector part 10 has on a first side 16 one or more stops 2, on at least one side 16 adjacent to this side 18 one or more end stops 3, wherein on two opposite sides 18 of the housing 1 each at least one such End stop 3 may be provided on one side, here for example again on the first side 16, one or more locking arms 4, a collar 5, which preferably surrounds the open end 14 of the housing 1, and on one of the first side 16 opposite second side 20 one or more further stops. 6

In the present case, for example, two locking arms 4 are provided. The latching arms 4 extend from an axially inner region into the region of the open end 14 of the housing 1 or into the region of the collar 5 (cf., in particular, FIG.

The stops 2 have a greater radial extent than the collar 5. In this case, these stops 2 are axially spaced from the collar 5.

In contrast, the other stops 6 have a smaller radial extent than the collar 5. These further stops 6 are again spaced axially from the collar 5.

As is apparent from Figs. 2 to 9, the housing 1 of the first connector part 10 in an opening 22, for example, made of metal wall or panel 7 can be mounted in the manner shown. It is in particular in the opening 22 of the wall 7 latched and thereby fixed in a defined end position with respect to the wall 7. As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the latching takes place in the present case in the region of the open end 14 of the housing first

The housing 1 is moved in the axial direction A (cf., for example, FIG. 4) and at a small angle to the axial direction A (cf., for example, FIG. 5) until the entire collar 5 and the further stops 6 pass through the opening 22 (FIG. see Figures 4 and 6).

In this case, the stops 2 provided on the first side 16 of the housing 1 engage the wall 7 (see Fig. 6) in order to prevent further passage of the housing 1 through the opening 22.

The housing 1 is then pressed in the direction of the end 24 facing away from the open end 14 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction A, to cause a pivoting movement of the housing 1 by a certain angle with respect to the axial direction A (see FIG. 7). In this case, the housing 1 is pivoted so far until the collar 5 with the wall 7 is engaged (see FIG .. 8).

The latching arms 4 come into engagement with the edge of the opening 22, wherein they are pushed back against their spring force. Thus, a kind of biasing force is generated in order to displace the housing 1 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction A (see FIG. 8). Finally, the housing 1 engages in the opening 22 of the wall 7, wherein a wall portion between the provided on the second side 20 of the housing 1 stops 6 and the collar 5 is included (see Fig. 9).

As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, the further stops 6 are each provided with a run-on slope 26, via which the first connector part 10 is supported on the opening edge during pivoting.

The housing 1 is thus fixed and secured in the opening 22 of the wall 7, before the second connector part 8 (cf., Fig. 10) of the electrical connector 12 is mated with the first connector part 10. Thus, the assembly of the first connector part 10 in the wall 7 is facilitated. In addition, the mating of the two connector parts 10, 8 is simplified, in particular, the problems previously encountered in connection with the small available space are eliminated.

The housing 1 is also provided with internal locking means 9, which cooperate with counter-locking means of the other connector part 8. In the present case, the inner locking means 9 are formed by inner locking projections. When inserting the second connector part 8 (see Fig. 10) of the electrical connector 12 engage this inner locking means 9 so with the second connector part 8 in order to provide for the corresponding locking of the two connector parts 10, 8 and secure the fitting assembly of the two parts and confirm.

In addition, the second connector part 8 engages with the latching arms 4 to prevent movement of these latching arms 4 and thus removal of the housing 1 from the wall 7. If the housing 1 is not correctly positioned in the opening 22 of the wall 7, then the locking arms 4 are biased inwardly, whereby insertion of the second connector part 8 and a correspondingly correct mating of the two connector parts 10, 8 is prevented.

If the two connector parts 10, 8 are not properly mated fit, then the subsequent attachment of the associated spout and clip is not possible.

As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10, the connector part 10 occupying its end position can be inclined with respect to the normal of the wall 7 having the opening 22. In this case, the inclination angle may be, for example, in a range of about 25 °. Accordingly, the collar 5 lies in a plane whose normal to the axial or longitudinal direction of the connector part 10 is inclined. The angle of inclination can be correspondingly, for example, in a range of about 25 °.

The invention can be used for example in motor vehicles. Basically, however, an application in other areas is conceivable. For example, an application is generally possible where it comes to mounting a connector part of an electrical connector in an opening of a wall.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

casing

2

attack

3

end stop

4

detent arm

5

collar

6

another stop

7

wall

8th

second connector part

9

internal connection means

10

first connector part

12

electrical connector

14

open end

16

first page

18

page

20

second page

22

opening

24

The End

26

approach ramp

A

axially

Claims (25)

1. A connector part (10) of a two-part electrical plug connector (12), which is made such that it can be latched in an opening (22) of a wall (7) and, in this process, can be fixed in a defined end position with respect to the wall (7), with its housing (1) being provided on a first side (16) with at least one stop (2) which comes into engagement with the wall (7) when the connector part (10) is pushed through the wall opening (22), and thereby limits the pushing-through movement of the connector part (10) relative to the wall (7), characterized in that at least one latching arm (4) is provided at the first side (16) of the housing (1); in that the housing (1) is provided with at least one further stop (6) at a second side (20) disposed opposite the first side, said stop being axially spaced apart from a collar (5) of the housing, wherein, when the connector part (10) has adopted its end position latched to the wall (7), a wall section bounding the opening (22) is enclosed in the region between the collar (5) and the further stop (6); and in that after the connector part (10) has been pushed through the wall opening (22), the connector part (10) can be latched to the wall (7) by a subsequent pivoting and a subsequent displacement parallel to the wall, with the latching arm (4) being urged back against its spring force during the pivoting and the connector part (10) subsequently being displaceable - supported by the spring force of the latching arm (4) - parallel to the wall (7) to enclose the respective wall section in the region between the collar (5) and the further stop (6).
2. A connector part in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it can be latched in the wall opening (22) in the region of one (14) of its two ends.
3. A connector part in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the respective end (14) is open to receive the other connector part (8).
4. A connector part in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one side (18) of the housing (1) adjacent to the first side (16) is provided with at least one end stop (3) which contacts the wall (7), when the connector part adopts its end position.
5. A connector part in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that a respective at least one end stop (3) is provided at two sides (18) of the housing (1) disposed opposite one another.
6. A connector part in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one side (16) of the housing (1) is provided with at least one latching arm (4).
7. A connector part in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing collar (5) contacts the wall (7), when the connector part (10) adopts its end position, on the side remote from the stop (2) or end stop (3) with respect to the wall.
8. A connector part in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the collar (5) is provided at the respective end (14) of the connector part (10).
9. A connector part in accordance with claim 7 or claim 9, characterized in that the collar (5) surrounds the open end (14) of the housing (1).
10. A connector part in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching arm (4) extends, starting from an axially inwardly disposed region, up to and into the region of an open end (14) of the housing (1) or up to and into the region of the collar (5).
11. A connector part in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop (2) has a larger radial extent than the collar (5).
12. A connector part in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop (2) is axially spaced apart from the collar (5).
13. A connector part in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further stop (6) has a smaller radial extent than the collar (5).
14. A connector part in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector part (10) adopting its end position is inclined with respect to the normal of the wall (7) having the opening (22).
15. A connector part in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that the angle of inclination lies in a range from approximately 25°.
16. A connector part in accordance with claim 14 or claim 15, characterized in that the collar (5) lies in a plane whose normal is inclined with respect to the axial direction or longitudinal direction of the connector part (10).
17. A connector part in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that the angle of inclination lies in a range from approximately 25°.
18. A connector part in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the further stop (6) is provided with a run-up slope (26) via which the connector part (10) is supported at the opening rim during the pivoting.
19. A connector part in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with inner latching means (9) which cooperate with counter-latching means of the other connector part (8).
20. An electrical plug connector (12) having two connector parts (10, 8) which can be plugged together and latched to one another, wherein a first connector part (10) is made in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.
21. An electrical plug connector in accordance with claim 20, characterized in that the two connector parts (10, 8) can only be completely plugged together and latched to one another when the first connector part (10) is latched in the opening (22) of the wall (7) and is thus fixed in its end position.
22. An electrical plug connector in accordance with claim 21, characterized in that, when the first connector part (10) is not latched to the wall (7), a complete plugging together and latching of the two connector parts (10, 8) is prevented by the inwardly urged latching arm (4).
23. An electrical plug connector in accordance with any one of the claims 20 - 22, characterized in that the latching arm (4) is secured in its latched position by the second connector part (8), when the connector parts (10, 8) are fully plugged together and latched to one another.
24. An electrical plug connector in accordance with any one of the claims 20-22, characterized in that a clamp with an associated grommet is provided for the sealing of the connection at the wall (7) to the outside.
25. An electrical plug connector in accordance with claim 24, characterized in that the clamp with the associated grommet can only be mounted when the two connector parts (10, 8) are fully plugged together and latched to one another.

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