Connection device for electrical and / or electronic devices with a device housing

Abstract

A connection device for an electrical and / or electronic device having a device housing, comprising a main body having a device-side end, a connection-side end facing away from the device-side end, and a duct extending from the device-side end to the connection-side end, a fastening element for fastening the main body to a wall section of the device housing, and at least one conductor leading from the connection-side end through the main body to the device-side end, wherein the main body has a first abutment surface facing the device-side end, and the fastening element has a second abutment surface facing the first abutment surface, the first and second abutment surfaces enclosing a receiving region between them for clamping reception of a wall section of the device housing. As a result of the clamping reception, the connection device is fixed non-displaceably to the device housing while maintaining the relative rotatability between the connection device and the device housing. The invention also relates to a device housing assembly, and to a sensor assembly having such a device housing assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a connection device for connecting a cable or connector intended for signal transmission and / or power supply to an electrical and / or electronic device having a device housing, such as a sensor, for example an automotive sensor, particularly a rearview mirror camera. Furthermore, this invention relates to a device housing assembly including such a connection device and a sensor assembly including such a device housing assembly. Background Technology

[0002] In many industrial sectors, equipment manufacturers and system suppliers handle, assemble, and install components supplied by their suppliers in their electrical and / or electronic equipment. The principle here is to minimize the workload of assembling the supplied components and installing the finished electrical and / or electronic equipment.

[0003] To prevent external interference, equipment enclosures are frequently used in electrical and / or electronic equipment. This often requires external or internal connections for signal transmission and / or power supply to the equipment enclosure. The installation of such connections on the equipment enclosure should be as simple as possible.

[0004] Therefore, the fundamental problem of the present invention is to provide a connection device that is easy to assemble. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, this problem is solved for the connecting device mentioned in the introduction, wherein the connecting device includes a body having a device-side end, a connecting-side end opposite to the device-side end, and a conduit extending from the device-side end to the connecting-side end, a fastening element for fastening the body to a wall segment of a device housing, and at least one conductor passing through the body from the connecting-side end to the device-side end, wherein the body has a first abutting surface facing the device-side end, and the fastening element has a second abutting surface facing the first abutting surface, wherein the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface define a receiving area therebetween for clamping and receiving the wall segment of the device housing.

[0006] The present invention is advantageous, firstly, because the receiving area is clearly defined by the first and second adjacent surfaces. Therefore, the clamping and receiving of the wall segment in the receiving area is relatively simple during the attachment of the connecting device to the device housing. This facilitates the corresponding operational processes during device manufacturing, particularly during the assembly and securing of the connecting device to the device housing. Subsequently, signal transmission and / or power supply can occur via said at least one conductor.

[0007] Secondly, the possibility of clamping the wall segment in the receiving area preferably allows the wall segment to be clamped, surrounded, wedged, or otherwise form-fitted and / or force-locked between the first and second abutment surfaces, such that the connecting device and the equipment housing do not displace relative to each other in at least one direction, while maintaining relative rotatability between the connecting device and the equipment housing. This increased flexibility in aligning the connecting device with the equipment housing facilitates the installation and use of the equipment.

[0008] The above solution can be further improved with the following configurations, each of which is advantageous and can be combined with each other arbitrarily.

[0009] In the following text, the term "device" refers to electrical and / or electronic equipment, such as sensors, like automotive sensors, particularly rearview mirror cameras. However, the applicability of the invention is not limited to rearview mirror cameras, but can be extended to any electrical and / or electronic equipment with a device housing. For example, the invention can also be applied to any other type of camera in a motor vehicle, as well as accelerometers and any other automotive sensors, as long as they can be mounted or housed in a housing (e.g., a sensor housing).

[0010] Depending on the type of device, the device-side end of the main body can be a sensor-side end and / or a camera-side end.

[0011] According to a feasible embodiment of the invention, the body and / or fastening element may have at least a partially rotationally symmetrical outer contour to improve the relative rotatability between the connecting device and the equipment housing, wherein the relative rotatability is about a rotational axis of the rotationally symmetrical outer contour. Specifically, the body may have at least one segment having a cylindrical outer surface between an equipment-side end and a connecting-side end. Alternatively, the corresponding segment of the body may also have a rotationally symmetrical outer surface of a different shape.

[0012] This embodiment improves the relative rotatability between the connecting device and the device housing, for example, when the body is inserted through a preferred circular through-hole in a wall section of the device housing at a segment having a cylindrical outer surface, and is secured to the other side via a fastening element to prevent being pulled out in the axial direction, where the axial direction here is with respect to the cylindrical outer surface of the body segment. The axial fastening will be explained in further detail below.

[0013] To simplify the geometry of the connecting device, according to another feasible embodiment of the invention, the first and / or second adjacent surfaces can be constructed as planar or flat. Furthermore, the first and / or second adjacent surfaces can be constructed continuously or at least partially annularly. Additionally, the first and second adjacent surfaces can extend parallel to each other. Furthermore, the first and second adjacent surfaces can be opposite each other in the axial direction or offset from each other in the radial direction. The radial direction here refers to the cylindrical outer surface of the body segment.

[0014] According to another feasible embodiment of the invention, the receiving area may circumferentially surround the cylindrical outer surface, such that when the wall segment of the device housing is received in the receiving area, a radial fastening is achieved. Specifically, the receiving area may be straight, and preferably annular in construction. For this purpose, the cylindrical outer surface of the body segment may be adjacent to the first and second adjacent surfaces. Thus, the first adjacent surface, the second adjacent surface, and the cylindrical outer surface may together form a circumferential receiving groove that coincides with the receiving area.

[0015] The at least one conductor can be an electrical conductor and an optical conductor. In the following discussion, embodiments with an electrical conductor will be primarily discussed. However, embodiments with an optical conductor are not excluded and are also covered by this invention.

[0016] According to another feasible embodiment, the receiving area may circumferentially surround the at least one conductor. For this purpose, a first adjacent surface, a second adjacent surface, and / or a cylindrical outer surface may at least partially radially surround the at least one conductor. Specifically, the at least one conductor may extend coaxially with the cylindrical outer surface at least at the device-side end of the body. Furthermore, the at least one conductor may pass through a fastening element. Therefore, the path of the at least one conductor is not obstructed.

[0017] According to another feasible embodiment of the invention, at the device-side end of the main body, the at least one conductor may be accessible, for example, for a connecting member. Via this connecting member, the at least one conductor can be connected to components of a device requiring signal transmission and / or power supply, such as a sensor board. The connecting member may be, for example, a conductive contact spring, a printed circuit board connector with tolerance compensation, an optocoupler, or a photoelectric or electro-optic transducer.

[0018] If the aforementioned conductive contact spring is used as the connecting member, it can be configured in a C-shape or any other geometry.

[0019] Furthermore, at the connection-side end of the body, the at least one conductor may be accessible, for example, for a cable or plug connector. Specifically, at the connection-side end of the body, the at least one conductor may be electrically connected to a cable. Therefore, the connection device according to the invention may include a cable connected at the connection-side end of the body to the at least one conductor via a permanent connection, such as crimping, brazing, or soldering, or via a detachable connection, such as a plug-in connection. To facilitate a plug-in connection at the connection-side end of the body, the body may optionally form a plug-in surface at the connection-side end.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one conductor passes through the conduit. For the accessibility of the at least one conductor, the conduit may be open at the device-side end and / or the connection-side end. For this purpose, the conduit may be constructed as a channel that passes through the body and connects the device-side end to the connection-side end. Furthermore, the conduit may extend coaxially with the cylindrical outer surface of the body, at least at the device-side end.

[0021] Optionally, the connection device may include two conductors, for example, which extend coaxially with each other as an inner conductor and an outer conductor, and are electrically insulated from each other. The outer conductor may optionally have a sleeve-shaped section at the connection-side end of the body for attaching the shield to the cable.

[0022] According to another possible embodiment, the body may have a central protrusion that forms a conduit at least at the device-side end. A segment with a cylindrical outer surface may also be formed on the central protrusion. Furthermore, a first abutting surface may be formed on a circumferential shoulder of the body that projects radially from the central protrusion.

[0023] As briefly mentioned above, fastening elements can be used to secure the connecting device to the equipment housing by axially fastening the body to a wall section of the equipment housing. For this purpose, the fastening element can be integrally constructed with the body, for example by being formed by a locking latch or preferably by a plurality of locking latches, wherein one or more locking latches include a second abutting surface.

[0024] In the case of multiple locking latches, they may extend parallel to each other and / or be distributed along the cylindrical outer surface of the body at regular or irregular angular intervals, particularly around the central protrusion of the body.

[0025] Specifically, one or more locking latches may each be formed as a rod-shaped or beam-shaped protrusion facing the device side end of the body, with a hook-shaped or stepped end segment, wherein the end segment includes a second abutment surface or a portion of a second abutment surface. In this case, the corresponding rod-shaped or beam-shaped protrusion may also be integrally formed on the body in a cantilever manner and be flexible in the radial direction.

[0026] The integral construction of the fastening element with the main body reduces the number of parts required for the connection device.

[0027] Alternatively, the fastening element can also be a separate component that can be attached to the body. For this purpose, the fastening element can preferably be attached to the device-side end of the body. Therefore, when attached to the body, the fastening element may include a second abutting surface. Furthermore, the fastening element can be removed from the body in a non-destructive manner. Optionally, the fastening element can be repeatedly attached and detached. For this purpose, the body and the fastening element can, for example, form a direct unfolding connection.

[0028] According to another feasible embodiment, the fastening element may preferably be a flat fastening ring. One end face of the fastening ring may form a second abutting surface. The fastening ring may deform, be engaged, and then released during its attachment to the body. Preferably, the fastening ring releases automatically when no force is applied.

[0029] The fastening ring can be placed in a circumferential annular groove formed on the cylindrical outer surface of the body. For this purpose, the fastening ring unfolds into the circumferential annular groove as part of its attachment to the body. The fastening ring can therefore possess the necessary material properties and geometry, as described in more detail below.

[0030] Preferably, the fastening ring has an annular gap when not under stress. Furthermore, the fastening ring can be configured to be deployable by widening the annular gap. In this context, the term "deployable" describes the fact that the material and geometry of the fastening ring allow it to withstand expansion to at least the inner diameter of the segment corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical outer surface of the body without undergoing permanent plastic deformation.

[0031] To facilitate the unfolding of the fastening ring, the main body may optionally have a circumferential chamfer at the end of the device side adjacent to the section with the cylindrical outer surface.

[0032] According to another feasible embodiment, the fastening ring can be configured to be compressed through the compression ring gap. The term "compressible" here describes that the material and geometry of the fastening ring enable it to withstand compression to at least the outer diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the segment with the cylindrical outer surface of the body without undergoing permanent plastic deformation. The advantages of this embodiment will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the device housing assembly according to the invention.

[0033] To prevent the ingress of moisture, dust, and / or other contaminants, the connection device according to another feasible embodiment may include at least one sealing element that abuts against the body and seals the gap between the body and the wall segment of the device housing. This at least one sealing element may be annular and configured with radially inward and / or outwardly pointing circumferential sealing lips. This at least one sealing element, together with the body, may form a two-part injection-molded component. Alternatively, the at least one sealing element may be a separate sealing ring, such as a double-layer sealing ring made of silicone or a silicone-containing material. The precise sealing function is explained in more detail below in conjunction with the device housing assembly according to the invention.

[0034] To pre-position at least one sealing element, the body may have a can-shaped sealing receiver, which preferably protrudes around the center of the body and opens toward the device-side end. Thus, at least one sealing element can be arranged in the sealing receiver and rest on the inner surface of the can-shaped sealing receiver. Alternatively or additionally, at least one sealing element may also rest on a first adjacent surface, a second adjacent surface, and / or a cylindrical outer surface.

[0035] Preferably, the can-shaped sealing receiver is open only towards the device side end and protects at least one sealing element from directional water jets, for example, from all other spatial directions. For this purpose, the can-shaped sealing receiver can be formed by an annular collar formed on a central protrusion of the body, which surrounds at least one sealing element on the side facing away from the device side end in the axial direction and in the radial direction.

[0036] According to another feasible embodiment, at least one sealing element disposed in the sealing receiving portion may protrude into or at least be adjacent to the receiving area. In particular, at least one of the sealing lips may protrude into the receiving area such that once the wall segment of the device housing is received in the receiving area, at least one sealing element forms a sealing connection with the wall segment of the device housing.

[0037] The connection device may also include at least one additional sealing element, which is housed in a sealing cap disposed at the connection-side end of the body. The sealing cap also provides protection against directional water jets, ensuring that the at least one additional sealing element reliably seals the gap between the body and the cable or connector. The at least one additional sealing element may form a two-part injection-molded component together with the sealing cap. Alternatively, the at least one additional sealing element may be a separate sealing ring, such as a double-layer sealing ring made of silicone or a silicone-containing material. As an alternative to or addition to the sealing element, a sealant may also be used for sealing.

[0038] According to another feasible embodiment of the invention, there may be a 90° angular offset between the device-side end and the connection-side end of the body. Specifically, the body and at least one conductor between the device-side end and the connection-side end of the body may each include one or more bends totaling 90°. Angled connection devices in this manner occupy a relatively small installation depth in the immediate vicinity of the device, thus saving space.

[0039] The section of the main body with a cylindrical outer surface is preferably located between the end of the equipment and the curved portion closest to the end of the equipment.

[0040] Depending on the application, the angular offset between the device-side end and the connection-side end can also have any value between 90° and 180°, particularly 135°. Optionally, the body and at least one conductor can be configured without bends, i.e., with an angular offset of 180° between the device-side end and the connection-side end.

[0041] The problem raised in the introduction can be further solved by a device housing assembly comprising a connecting device according to one of the above embodiments and at least one housing portion of a device housing in which a device can be mounted, wherein the housing portion has a preferably circular through-hole into which the connecting device can be at least partially inserted along an insertion direction, and wherein a circumferential section of the housing portion surrounding the through-hole is received in a receiving region of the connecting device inserted into the through-hole. Preferably, the circumferential section of the housing portion is received in the receiving region in a form-fitting and / or force-locking manner. Furthermore, the device-side end of the body can be configured to be inserted into the through-hole. In particular, the section of the body having a cylindrical outer surface can be constructed to precisely fit into the through-hole. In other words, the outer diameter of the section of the body having a cylindrical outer surface corresponds to the inner diameter of the through-hole of the housing portion. Optionally, in addition to the housing portion, the device housing assembly also includes the remaining device housing, thereby encompassing the entire device housing.

[0042] Due to the advantages of the connecting device already mentioned, attaching and securing the connecting device to the housing portion, and thus to the device housing, is particularly easy. The device housing assembly according to the invention is also advantageous because, after the device is installed in the housing, the housing can be closed via the housing portion of the housing assembly, thereby enabling signal transmission and / or power supply via at least one conductor of the connecting device.

[0043] Furthermore, the device housing assembly according to the invention is advantageous because, according to embodiments of the connecting device, it allows the connecting device to be secured to the housing portion in both bilaterally and unilaterally accessible cases.

[0044] The term "secured with access on both sides" describes the requirement that the connecting device must be accessible on both the inside and outside of the housing portion for secure fastening. The inside and outside of the housing portion are accessible, allowing for secure fastening with access on both sides, provided that the housing portion is not attached to the rest of the equipment housing.

[0045] The term "secured with access from one side" is intended to indicate that the connecting device only needs to be accessible from the outside of the housing portion for securing purposes. Once the housing portion is attached to the rest of the equipment housing, accessibility is limited to the outside of the housing portion, making secure fixing with access from only one side possible.

[0046] As will be explained in more detail below, the device housing assembly according to the invention thus provides additional degrees of freedom regarding the order in which the connecting device is attached to the housing portion and the housing portion is attached to the rest of the device housing.

[0047] For example, before attaching the housing portion to the rest of the device housing, the connecting device can be attached to the housing portion and secured by fastening elements if it is receptive on both sides. For this purpose, the device-side end of the body can be pushed from the outside of the housing portion through a through-hole until the device-side end of the body protrudes from the inside of the housing portion and a first abutting surface abuts against the outside of the housing portion. On the other side, the fastening element can then be attached to the device-side end of the body such that a second abutting surface abuts against the inside of the housing portion.

[0048] To save costs, fastening elements can be simple snap rings, U-shaped snap rings, double snap rings, triangular snap rings, retaining rings, fasteners, locking washers, or some other unfolded parts. These are usually standardized machine components that can be manufactured or obtained inexpensively.

[0049] The housing portion and the connecting device can then be attached together to the remaining equipment housing. Specifically, the housing portion can be welded to the remaining equipment housing, for example, by laser or ultrasonic welding. Alternatively or additionally, the housing portion can be attached to the remaining equipment housing via clips, screws, and / or adhesives. The housing portion can be, for example, a housing cover or a housing wall segment. In particular, the circumferential section of the housing portion can correspond to the wall segment of the aforementioned equipment housing.

[0050] Conversely, the connecting device can also be attached and secured to the housing portion only after the housing portion has been attached to the remaining housing portions, i.e., when the equipment housing is closed and accessible from one side. This has the advantage that the connecting device can be attached to the equipment housing after welding, bonding, or other process steps to be performed. Therefore, the connecting device will not obstruct or be damaged by these process steps.

[0051] For example, the device housing assembly with the aforementioned compressible fastening ring allows the connecting device to be secured to the housing portion while being accessible from one side. In this case, the fastening ring can be pushed through the through-hole from the outside of the housing portion in a compressed state. Specifically, the fastening ring can be placed in an annular groove in the body and pushed through the through-hole together with the device-side end of the body. Once the device-side end of the body leaves the through-hole along with the fastening ring, the fastening ring automatically releases, causing the end face of the fastening ring forming the second contact surface to contact the inside of the housing portion. Now, the connecting device is secured to prevent it from being pulled out of the through-hole. It is not necessary to access the inside of the housing portion for this purpose.

[0052] The compression of the retaining ring can be achieved manually by hand and / or using a tool to compress the ring gap. Alternatively, the retaining ring can be held in a compressed state by a transport lock. After the compressed retaining ring is inserted into the through hole, the transport lock is preferably removed, leaving the retaining ring compressed within the through hole.

[0053] Optionally, the fastening element and housing portion of the connecting device can form a direct snap-fit ​​connection. This means that when the two parts are connected, the fastening element is forced to elastically deform, and this elastic deformation is reversed when the fastening element is snapped into place to reach the end position.

[0054] In other words, the compression state of the fastening ring can also be achieved automatically during the insertion of the connecting device. For this purpose, according to another possible embodiment of the device housing assembly, the through-hole can have an insertion ramp that tapers in the insertion direction, preferably in the circumferential direction. The insertion ramp is preferably located on the outer side of the housing portion such that when the connecting device is inserted into the through-hole, the fastening ring contacts the insertion ramp. During further insertion, the fastening ring is compressed due to the taper of the insertion ramp. Further steps in the insertion process have already been described above.

[0055] The device housing assembly, including fastening elements integrated with the main body, also allows for fixation even with unilateral accessibility. Specifically, during insertion of the connecting device, the rod-shaped or beam-shaped protrusions described above can be pressed inwards in the radial direction in each case, passing through the through-hole. Once their hook-shaped or stepped end sections leave the through-hole, the rod-shaped or beam-shaped protrusions automatically release, thereby allowing the second abutting surface to abut against the inside of the housing portion. At this point, the connecting device is also secured to prevent it from being pulled out of the through-hole, without requiring accessibility to the inside of the housing portion for this purpose.

[0056] Therefore, the present invention also relates to a method for attaching and securing a connecting device to a housing portion according to the above description.

[0057] The insertion bevel can be formed by the chamfered inner edge of the circumferential section of the housing portion, with the inner edge pointing in the opposite direction to the insertion direction. For example, the circumferential section can be formed from an integrally formed sleeve. Therefore, the insertion bevel can be located at the distal end of the sleeve. The fastening ring is preferably configured to be more flexible than the housing portion, and particularly more flexible than the sleeve.

[0058] As an addition to or alternative to the insertion bevel of the through hole, the fastening ring may have a circumferentially chamfered outer edge facing away from the second adjacent surface. The chamfered outer edge of the fastening ring preferably faces the device-side end of the body and faces away from the first adjacent surface. Instead of a chamfer, the insertion bevel of the through hole and / or the outer edge of the fastening ring may also have a circumferential rounding.

[0059] The sleeve preferably extends in the direction opposite to the insertion direction and protrudes into the can-shaped sealing receiver. To achieve the sealing function, the sleeve can form the aforementioned sealing connection with at least one sealing element arranged in the sealing receiver.

[0060] Alternatively, the sleeve may also have a circumferential chamfer or rounded outer edge at its distal end. This shape of the outer edge of the sleeve allows at least one sealing element to slide more easily on the sleeve.

[0061] According to another possible embodiment of the device housing assembly, the connecting device can be configured to rotate relative to the housing portion. Preferably, there is a relative rotatability of up to 360° or an integer multiple of 360°.

[0062] The above-mentioned problem can also be solved by a sensor arrangement comprising a device housing assembly according to one of the above embodiments and a sensor having at least one circuit board, wherein at least one conductor of a connecting device is connected to the circuit board of the sensor.

[0063] Due to the advantages of the already described connecting device, it is easy to attach the connecting device to the device housing assembly of the sensor arrangement according to the invention. In particular, the sensor of the sensor arrangement according to the invention can be easily connected via the connecting device for signal transmission and / or power supply, and therefore can be easily installed.

[0064] According to a feasible embodiment of the sensor arrangement, at least one conductor at the device-side end of the main body can be connected to the sensor's circuit board via a rotatable connecting member. The rotatable connecting member can be, for example, a printed circuit board connector having mating pairs of pin-shaped and sleeve-shaped contacts, each contact being rotationally symmetric, wherein one contact of the pair is disposed on the sensor's printed circuit board, and another contact of the pair is disposed on a connecting device. The contacts are preferably arranged aligned with each other in the insertion direction such that no normal force is applied to the sensor's circuit board during and after the contacts are mated together. Furthermore, the board-side contacts are preferably aligned in the insertion direction with through-holes in the housing portion. The resulting relative rotatability simplifies the installation of the sensor arrangement according to the invention.

[0065] In another feasible embodiment, the sensor arrangement includes automotive sensors. Specifically, the automotive sensors may be rearview mirror cameras for motor vehicles. Advantageously, by means of a rotating connecting device, the rearview mirror camera in this embodiment can be equivalently used as a left or right rearview mirror camera.

[0066] Therefore, the present invention also relates to a pair of rearview mirror cameras for a motor vehicle, comprising a set of two connecting devices and a first rearview mirror camera and a second rearview mirror camera, wherein the two connecting devices are configured to be interchangeable between the first and second rearview mirror cameras. That is, the two connecting devices can be used equivalently for the first and second rearview mirror cameras.

[0067] In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and several embodiments, the various features of which, as observed above, can be arbitrarily combined with each other. Attached Figure Description

[0068] In the attached diagram:

[0069] Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a connection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0070] Figure 2 A schematic perspective exploded view of a device housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0071] Figure 3 A schematic perspective cross-sectional view of a sensor arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0072] Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of a fastening element of a connecting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0073] Figure 5A schematic cross-sectional view of a snapshot of the insertion process of a connection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0074] Figure 6 It shows according to Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of another snapshot of the insertion process of the connecting device of the present invention;

[0075] Figure 7 It shows according to Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of another snapshot of the insertion process of the connecting device of the present invention; and

[0076] Figure 8 A schematic perspective exploded view of a device housing assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0077] First refer to Figures 1 to 4 The schematic structure of the connecting device 1 according to the present invention will be explained. Then refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 8 The schematic structure of the device housing assembly 2 according to the present invention is explained, and reference is made to... Figure 3 A schematic structure of the sensor assembly 4 according to the present invention is explained. Furthermore, by means of... Figures 5 to 7 Briefly describe the insertion process of the connecting device 1 according to the present invention.

[0078] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of the connecting device 1 according to the present invention is shown. The connecting device 1 is used to connect a cable 6 or a plug connector (not shown) to a device 8 having a device housing 10 (see [reference needed]). Figure 3 The connecting device 1 can be... Figure 2 Or, as shown in Figure 8, a portion of the device housing assembly 2 according to the invention, in addition to the connecting device 1, the device housing assembly 2 further includes at least one housing portion 12 of the aforementioned device housing 10, optionally including the entire device housing 10 in which the device 8 can be mounted. The device housing assembly 2 may also be... Figure 3 As shown as a part of the sensor assembly 4 according to the invention, in addition to the device housing assembly 2, the sensor assembly 4 also includes a sensor 14 having at least one circuit board 16.

[0079] like Figure 1 As shown, the connecting device 1 includes a body 18 having a device-side end 20, a connecting-side end 22 facing away from the device-side end 20, and a conduit 24 extending from the device-side end 20 to the connecting-side end 22. Furthermore, the connecting device 1 according to the invention includes a fastening element 26 and at least one conductor 28 that passes through the body 18 from the connecting-side end 22 to the device-side end 20.

[0080] The body 18 may be an injection-molded part, for example, made of polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or other plastics. The body 18 has a first abutting surface 30a facing its device-side end 20. Furthermore, the body 18 may have an outer contour 32 that is at least partially rotationally symmetrical. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the body 18 has at least one segment 34 having a cylindrical outer surface 36 between the device-side end 20 and the connection-side end 22. Alternatively, the corresponding segment 34 of the body 18 may also have a rotationally symmetric outer surface (not shown) of a different shape.

[0081] The main body 18 may have a central protrusion 38 forming a conduit 24 at least at the equipment-side end 20. A segment 34 having a cylindrical outer surface 36 may be formed on the central protrusion 38. Furthermore, a first abutting surface 30a may be formed on a circumferential shoulder 40 of the main body 18 that projects radially from the central protrusion 38.

[0082] There may be a 90° angular offset between the device-side end 20 and the connection-side end 22 of the body 18. Specifically, at least one conductor 28 between the body 18 and the device-side end 20 and the connection-side end 22 may each have a bend 42 or a plurality of bends totaling 90° (not shown). The segment 34 of the body 18 having a cylindrical outer surface 36 is preferably located between the bend 42 and the device-side end 20.

[0083] Alternatively, the body 18 and at least one conductor 28 can be designed without bends, i.e., with a 180° angular offset between the device-side end 20 and the connection-side end 22 (see [link]). Figure 3 or Figure 8 Depending on the application, the angular offset between the device-side end 20 and the connection-side end 22 can also be any value between 90° and 180°.

[0084] exist Figures 1 to 7 In this configuration, fastening element 26 is attached to body 18. Fastening element 26 mounted on body 18 has a second abutment surface 30b facing a first abutment surface 30a, wherein the first abutment surface 30a and the second abutment surface 30b surround a receiving area 50 between them.

[0085] like Figure 1As shown, the first adjacent surface 30a and the second adjacent surface 30b can be constructed as planar or flat. Furthermore, the first adjacent surface 30a and the second adjacent surface 30b can be continuously or at least partially constructed as annular shapes. Furthermore, the first adjacent surface 30a and the second adjacent surface 30b can extend parallel to each other. Furthermore, the first adjacent surface 30a and the second adjacent surface 30b can be opposite to each other in the axial direction 52. Optionally, the first adjacent surface 30a and the second adjacent surface 30b can be offset from each other in the radial direction 54. In this case, the axial direction 52 and the radial direction 54 are each the cylindrical outer surface 36 of the segment 34 of the body 18.

[0086] The receiving area 50 may circumferentially surround the cylindrical outer surface 36 of the segment 34 of the body 18. Specifically, the receiving area 50 may be straight and is preferably constructed in an annular shape. For this purpose, the cylindrical outer surface 36 of the segment 34 of the body 18 may respectively abut a first abutment surface 30a and a second abutment surface 30b. Therefore, the first abutment surface 30a, the second abutment surface 30b, and the cylindrical outer surface 36 may together form a circumferential receiving groove 56 that coincides with the receiving area 50. This is in… Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0087] Receiving area 50 is used to receive the wall section 58 of the device housing 10 in a clamping manner (see...) Figure 3 In other words, the wall segment 58 can be clamped, surrounded, wedged, or otherwise shaped and / or force-locked between the first adjacent surface 30a and the second adjacent surface 30b.

[0088] Therefore, the fastening element 26 is used to axially fasten the main body 18 to the wall section 58 of the equipment housing 10 and to fix the connecting device 1 to the equipment housing 10. For this purpose, the fastening element 26 can be, for example, as follows: Figure 4 The fastening ring 60 shown is a flat ring, and is made of, for example, polyamide or spring steel. Here, the end face 62 of the fastening ring 60 may form a second abutment surface 30b. Furthermore, the fastening ring 60 may have an annular gap 64.

[0089] like Figure 1 As shown, the fastening ring 60 can be attached to the device-side end 20 of the body 18. Specifically, the fastening ring 60 can be placed in a circumferential annular groove 66 formed on the cylindrical outer surface 36 of the body 18. Preferably, the fastening ring 60 is unfolded into the circumferential annular groove 66 for this purpose and has the necessary geometry and material properties to withstand expansion to the inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter 68 of the segment 34 having the cylindrical outer surface 36 of the body 18 without plastic deformation. To facilitate the unfolding of the fastening ring 60, the body 18 may have a circumferential bevel 70 at its device-side end 20.

[0090] The connecting device 1 may optionally include at least one annular sealing element 72 having a circumferential sealing lip 74 oriented radially inward and / or outward. The at least one sealing element 72 may, for example, be a separate double-layer sealing ring 76 made of silicone. Alternatively, the at least one sealing element 72 may be formed together with the body 18 into a two-part injection-molded component (not shown).

[0091] At least one sealing element 72 may contact the body 18. Specifically, as... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, at least one sealing element 72 may be arranged in the can-shaped sealing receiver 78 of the body 18 and rest on the inner surface 80 of the can-shaped sealing receiver 78. In this case, the can-shaped sealing receiver 78 may be formed by an annular collar 82 formed on the central protrusion 38 of the body 18, which surrounds at least one sealing element 72 on the side 84 away from the device side end 20 in the axial direction 52 and in the radial direction 54.

[0092] At least one sealing element 72 disposed in the sealing receiving portion 78 may protrude into or be at least adjacent to the receiving area 50. In particular, at least one of the sealing lips 74 may protrude into the receiving area 50 and form a sealing connection with the wall section 58 of the device housing 10.

[0093] like Figure 1 As shown, the connecting device 1 may include at least one additional sealing element 86, which is received in a sealing cap 88 disposed at the connecting side end 22 of the body 18.

[0094] The device housing assembly 2 according to the present invention described above is described below.

[0095] The housing portion 12 of the equipment housing assembly 2 may be, for example, a housing cover 90 or a housing wall segment 92 made of plastic or aluminum, tin or other metal materials, which is welded, glued, threaded and / or latched to the rest of the equipment housing during the equipment manufacturing process.

[0096] like Figure 2 As shown, the outer casing portion 12 has a preferably circular through-hole 94 into which the connecting device 1 can be at least partially inserted along the insertion direction 96. The insertion direction 96 is preferably parallel to the axial direction 52. Preferably, the device-side end 20 of the body 18 is configured to be inserted into the through-hole 94. In particular, the segment 34 of the body 18 having a cylindrical outer surface 36 can be configured to fit tightly into the through-hole 94. In other words, the outer diameter 68 of the cylindrical outer surface 36 of the segment 34 corresponds to the inner diameter 98 of the through-hole 94.

[0097] The circumferential section 100 of the housing portion 12 surrounding the through hole 94 is received in the receiving area 50 of the connecting device 1 that inserts into the through hole 94, preferably in a form-fitting and / or force-locking manner. This circumferential section 100 of the housing portion 12 may correspond to the wall section 58 of the aforementioned device housing 10.

[0098] like Figure 2 As shown, the circumferential section 100 can be formed from an integrally formed sleeve 102. The circumferential insertion ramp 106 of the through hole 94, which tapers in the insertion direction 96, can be located at the distal end 104 of the sleeve 102. The distal end 104 of the sleeve 102 is preferably located on the outer side 108 of the outer shell portion 12.

[0099] The sleeve 102 may extend opposite to the insertion direction 96, protruding into the can-shaped sealing receiver 78, and there forming a sealing connection with at least one sealing element 72. Optionally, the sleeve 102 may include a circumferentially chamfered outer boundary 110 at its distal end 104, which facilitates sliding at least one sealing element 72 over the sleeve 102.

[0100] The fastening ring 60 is preferably constructed to be more flexible than the outer casing portion 12, and particularly more flexible than the sleeve 102. Furthermore, the fastening ring 60 preferably has the necessary geometry and material properties to withstand compression reaching the outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter 98 of the through-hole 94 without permanent plastic deformation. In other words, after such compression, the fastening ring 60 can automatically release its tension and return to its original geometry.

[0101] Therefore, by means of the fastening ring 60, the connecting device 1 according to the invention can be fixed from the outer side 108 of the housing portion 12 to the housing portion 12 without having to access the inner side 112 of the housing portion 12 opposite to the outer side. This will be referred to below. Figures 5 to 7 To explain.

[0102] During the process of inserting the connecting device 1 into the through hole 94, such as Figure 5 As shown, the retaining ring 60, placed in the annular groove 66 of the main body 18, contacts the insertion ramp 106. During further insertion, as the connecting device 1 moves in the insertion direction 96, the retaining ring 60 is compressed due to the gradual contraction of the insertion ramp 106 (see...). Figure 6Now, the connecting device 1 can be pushed through the entire through-hole 94 until the device-side end 20 of the body 18 protrudes from the inner side 112 of the housing portion 12 together with the fastening ring 60, and the first abutting surface 30a abuts against the outer side 108 of the housing portion 12. Once the device-side end 20 of the body 18 with the annular groove 66 and the fastening ring 60 leaves the through-hole 94, the fastening ring 60 is automatically released, such that the end face 62 forming the second abutting surface 30b abuts against the inner side 112 of the housing portion 12, and the connecting device 1 is secured to prevent it from being pulled out of the through-hole 94.

[0103] Preferably, the fastening ring 60 satisfies the following geometric conditions (see...) Figure 4 ):

[0104] In order to make the fastening ring 60 suitable for axially fastening the body 18 into place, the outer diameter 114 of the uncompressed fastening ring 60 can be selected to be larger than the inner diameter 98 of the through hole 94.

[0105] In order for the fastening ring 60 to fit through the through hole 94 in a compressed state, the outer diameter 116 of the compressed fastening ring 60 can be constructed to be smaller than the inner diameter 98 of the through hole 94. For this purpose, it is recommended that the ring gap 64 of the fastening ring 60 be at least greater than the product of the number of circles π and the difference between the outer diameter 114 of the uncompressed fastening ring 60 and the inner diameter 98 of the through hole 94.

[0106] To ensure that the fastening ring 60 can be fully compressed in the annular groove 66, the inner diameter 118 of the compressed fastening ring 60 can be selected to be greater than or equal to the groove diameter 120.

[0107] To ensure that the retaining ring 60 is held non-removably in the annular groove 66, the inner diameter 122 of the uncompressed retaining ring 60 may be selected to be less than the sum of the groove diameter 120 and twice the groove depth 124.

[0108] In addition to the insertion bevel 106 of the through hole 94, the fastening ring 60 may have an outer edge 126 with a circumferential chamfer facing away from the second adjacent surface 30b (see Figure 4 ).

[0109] Optionally, an elastic annular element (not shown), such as an elastic annular element made of rubber or foam, may be arranged in an annular groove 66 between the fastening ring 60 and the body 18, which holds the fastening ring 60 against gravity and centers it relative to the annular groove 66. The term "elastic" herein describes the material properties of the annular element, which is at least more deformable than the fastening ring itself. However, the annular element will not deform under the weight of the fastening ring itself.

[0110] As an alternative or supplement to the flexible annular element, an annular base 128 may be formed on the inner side 112 of the housing portion 12, surrounding the fastening ring 60, and the fastening ring 60 is supported thereon for centering purposes (see...). Figure 7 ).

[0111] according to Figure 8 In the alternative embodiments shown, the fastening element 26 may also be formed as a single piece with the body 18. For this purpose, the fastening element 26 may be formed from locking latches 160, or preferably from multiple locking latches 160. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening element 26 is exemplary formed from three locking latches 160. However, it is also possible to provide only one locking latch 160, two locking latches 160, or four or more locking latches 160.

[0112] Locking latches 160 extend parallel to each other and are distributed at uniform angular intervals along the cylindrical outer surface 36 around the central projection 38 of the body 18. Each locking latch 160 is formed as a beam-shaped projection 162 facing the device-side end 20 of the body 18, having a hook-shaped end segment 164, wherein the end segment 164 includes a corresponding portion 166 of the second abutment surface 30b. Furthermore, the corresponding end segment 164 may include a portion of a chamfered outer edge 126. Each beam-shaped projection 162 is cantilevered on the body 18 and is flexible in the radial direction 54.

[0113] Similar to what has already been referenced Figures 5 to 7 During the insertion of the connecting device 1, the beam-shaped protrusions 162 are each recessed inward in the radial direction 54 and pass through the through hole 94. Once the hook-shaped end segments 164 leave the through hole 94, the beam-shaped protrusions 162 independently return to their initial shape, such that portions 166 of the second adjacent surface 30b abut against the inner side 112 of the outer casing portion, and secure the connecting device 1 to prevent it from being pulled out of the through hole 94.

[0114] The connecting device 1 can be configured to rotate relative to the housing portion 12. Preferably, there is a relative rotatability of up to 360° or an integer multiple of 360°. This is in Figure 3 The dashed arrow 130 indicates this, and most importantly, facilitates the installation of the sensor arrangement 4 according to the invention, which will be described in more detail below.

[0115] In the sensor arrangement 4 according to the invention, at least one conductor 28 of the connecting device 1 is connected to the circuit board 16 of the sensor 14. Figure 3 The sensor arrangement shown here includes automotive sensor 132, and in particular rearview mirror camera 134 for motor vehicles (not shown). The device-side end 20 of the body 18 can therefore represent sensor-side end 44 and / or camera-side end 46.

[0116] At least one conductor 28 may be both an electrical conductor 136 and an optical conductor (not shown). For example, at least one conductor 28 may be made of copper, bronze, brass, or other conductive materials. In this respect, at least one conductor 28 may be a machined part, a cast part, and / or a stamped and bent part.

[0117] like Figure 1 As shown, the receiving area 50 may circumferentially surround at least one conductor 28. For this purpose, the first adjacent surface 30a, the second adjacent surface 30b, and / or the cylindrical outer surface 36 may at least partially radially surround at least one conductor 28. In particular, at least one conductor 28 may pass through the fastening element 26 (see...). Figure 1 and Figure 3 ), and extends coaxially with the cylindrical outer surface 36 at least at the device-side end 20 of the body 18.

[0118] The conduit 24 may also extend coaxially with the cylindrical outer surface 36, at least at the device-side end 20 of the body 18. Therefore, at least one conductor 28 may pass through the conduit 24, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown. For this purpose, the pipe 24 can be configured as a channel 138 that passes through the body 18 and connects the equipment-side end 20 to the connection-side end 22.

[0119] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connecting device 1 includes two electrical conductors 136 that extend coaxially relative to each other as an inner conductor 140 and an outer conductor 142 and are electrically insulated by a dielectric 144 (e.g., made of LCP).

[0120] At the device-side end 20 of the body 18, at least one conductor 28 is accessible to a rotatable connecting member 146 and connected via the latter to the circuit board 16 of the sensor 14. Figure 3 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the rotatable connecting member 146 includes a printed circuit board connector 148 having two rotationally symmetrical contacts 150. Specifically, the inner conductor 140 is connected to the circuit board 16 of the sensor 14 via a first set of cylindrical contacts 150a of the circuit board connector 148. The outer conductor 142 is connected to the circuit board 16 of the sensor 14 via a second set of cylindrical contacts 150b of the circuit board connector 148.

[0121] At the connection-side end 22 of the body 18, at least one conductor 28 is accessible to a plug connector (not shown). Therefore, in Figure 3In the exemplary embodiment shown, a plug-in surface 152 is formed at the connection side end 22 of the main body 18, the conduit 24 leads to the plug-in surface, and the inner conductor 140 and the outer conductor 142 protrude into the plug-in surface.

[0122] Optionally, at least one conductor 28 may be connected to the cable 6 at the connection-side end 22 of the body 18 via a crimp connection 154. Therefore, the connection device 1 according to the invention may include crimp cable lugs 155 for the inner conductor 140 and the outer conductor 142, respectively. The inner conductor 140 may be connected to the core 156 of the cable 6 via its crimp cable lug 155, while the outer conductor 142 may be connected to the shield 158 of the cable 6 via its crimp cable lug 155. This is in Figure 1 As shown in the image.

[0123] Figure Labels

[0124] 1. Connecting device

[0125] 2 Equipment housing components

[0126] 4 sensor components

[0127] 6 cables

[0128] 8 devices

[0129] 10 Equipment Casing

[0130] 12. Outer shell section

[0131] 14 sensors

[0132] 16 circuit boards

[0133] 18 main bodies

[0134] 20 Equipment side end

[0135] 22 Connecting side end

[0136] 24 pipes

[0137] 26 Fastening Components

[0138] 28 conductors

[0139] 30a, 30b adjacent surfaces

[0140] 32 outer contour

[0141] 34 sections

[0142] 36 outer surface

[0143] 38 protrusions

[0144] 40 shoulders

[0145] 42 Bending section

[0146] 44 Sensor side end

[0147] 46 camera side end

[0148] 50 receiving area

[0149] 52 axis direction

[0150] 54 radial direction

[0151] 56 receiving slots

[0152] 58 wall segments

[0153] 60 fastening ring

[0154] 62 end face

[0155] 64 ring gap

[0156] 66 Annular Grooves

[0157] 68 outer diameter

[0158] 70 bevel

[0159] 72 Sealing Element

[0160] 74 Sealing Lip

[0161] 76 Double-layer sealing ring

[0162] 78 Sealing Lip

[0163] 80 inner surface

[0164] 82 rings

[0165] 84 side

[0166] 86 sealing element

[0167] 88 Sealing Protective Cap

[0168] 90 outer casing cover

[0169] 92 outer shell wall segments

[0170] 94 through hole

[0171] 96 Insertion Direction

[0172] 98 inner diameter

[0173] 100 circumference section

[0174] 102 casing

[0175] 104 end

[0176] 106 Insertion sloping surface

[0177] 108 outer side

[0178] 110 outer boundary

[0179] 112 inner side

[0180] 114 outer diameter

[0181] 116 outer diameter

[0182] 118 inner diameter

[0183] 120 groove diameter

[0184] 122 inner diameter

[0185] 124 slot depth

[0186] 126 outer edge

[0187] 128 bases

[0188] 130 arrow

[0189] 132 sensor

[0190] 134 rearview mirror camera

[0191] 136 conductor

[0192] 138 channels

[0193] 140 inner conductor

[0194] 142 outer conductor

[0195] 144 dielectric

[0196] 146 connecting components

[0197] 148 circuit board connector

[0198] 150, 150A, 150b contacts

[0199] 152 connector

[0200] 154 crimped connection

[0201] 155 crimped cable lug

[0202] 156 core

[0203] 158 shielding

[0204] 160 locking latch

[0205] 162 protrusions

[0206] 164 end section

[0207] Part 166

Claims

1. A connection device (1) for an electrical and / or electronic device (8) having a device housing (10), wherein the connection device (1) comprises: The main body (18) has a device-side end (20), a connection-side end (22) opposite to the device-side end (20), and a pipe (24) extending from the device-side end (20) to the connection-side end (22). Fastening element (26) for fastening the body (18) to a wall section (58) of the device housing (10), the fastening element being independent of and attachable to the body, and At least one conductor (28) extends from the connection-side end (22) through the body (18) to the device-side end (20). The main body (18) has a first adjacent surface (30a) facing the device side end (20), and the fastening element (26) has a second adjacent surface (30b) facing the first adjacent surface (30a), wherein the first adjacent surface (30a) and the second adjacent surface (30b) surround a receiving area (50) between the first adjacent surface (30a) and the second adjacent surface (30b) for clamping and receiving the wall segment (58) of the device housing (10).

2. The connecting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The main body (18) has at least one segment (34) having a cylindrical outer surface (36) between the device-side end (20) and the connection-side end (22).

3. The connecting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The receiving area (50) surrounds the at least one conductor (28).

4. The connecting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The at least one conductor (28) is accessible at the device-side end (20) of the body (18) and / or at the connection-side end (22) of the body (18).

5. The connecting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The fastening element (26) is the fastening ring (60).

6. The connecting device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The fastening ring (60) has an annular gap (64) and is configured to be compressible.

7. The connecting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connecting device (1) includes at least one sealing element (72) abutting against the body (18).

8. The connecting device (1) according to claim 7, wherein, The body (18) includes a central protrusion (38) forming the pipe (24) and a can-shaped sealing receiver (78) surrounding the central protrusion (38), the sealing receiver being open toward the device side end (20), and wherein at least one sealing element (72) is arranged in the sealing receiver (78).

9. The connecting device (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The at least one sealing element (72) arranged in the sealing receiving part (78) protrudes into the receiving area (50).

10. The connecting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, There is a 90° angular offset between the device-side end (20) and the connection-side end (22) of the main body (18).

11. A device housing assembly (2) comprising at least one housing portion (12) of a connecting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and a device housing (10), wherein electrical and / or electronic equipment (8) is capable of being mounted in said at least one housing portion, wherein, The outer casing portion (12) has a through hole (94), the connecting device (1) is capable of being inserted into the through hole along the insertion direction (96), and wherein the circumferential segment (100) of the outer casing portion surrounding the through hole (94) is received in the receiving area (50) of the connecting device (1) inserted into the through hole (94).

12. The device housing assembly (2) according to claim 11, wherein, The through hole (94) has an insertion bevel (106) that tapers in the insertion direction (96).

13. The device housing assembly (2) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, The connecting device (1) is rotatable relative to the outer shell portion (12).

14. A sensor assembly (4) comprising a device housing assembly (2) according to any one of claims 11 to 13 and a sensor (14) having at least one circuit board (16), wherein, The at least one conductor (28) of the connecting device is connected to the at least one circuit board (16) of the sensor (14).

15. The sensor assembly (4) according to claim 14, wherein, The sensor (14) is a rearview mirror camera (134) for motor vehicles.

Images