Modular housing device and electrical connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular housing assembly for an electrical connector connectable to a plug fuse of a predetermined size, the plug fuse having fuse contacts protruding from abutment surfaces of a fuse body, the housing assembly comprising a peripheral housing and an inner housing, the inner housing is configured to receive contact elements of a pluggable plug fuse, the inner housing comprises an insertion opening into which one of the fuse contacts of the plug fuse can be inserted, and wherein the surrounding housing comprises a module chamber in which the inner housing can be arranged and an access opening to the module chamber, an access opening passes through a housing wall of the surrounding housing and is dimensioned such that a fuse body of a plug fuse can be fully inserted into the access opening along a material thickness of the housing wall. Due to the configuration of the access opening, the fuse contacts from the outside can better reach the internally arranged contact elements. The invention further relates to an electric connector with the shell assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing device for an electrical connector connectable to a plug fuse and also to an electrical connector having such a housing assembly. Background Art

[0002] In many technical fields, electrical circuits have to be protected against fault currents and / or overcurrents by means of electrical fuses. Electrical connectors can be employed to detachably connect the respective electrical circuit to the associated fuse. Therefore, it is advisable to use so-called plug fuses, which comprise pluggable fuse contacts that can come into contact with contact elements of the electrical circuit.

[0003] The electrical connector can then be plugged into a fuse box, for example, in which one or more plug fuses are provided. The above-mentioned contacts integrate the plug fuses into the circuit in an electrically conductive manner. Therefore, reliable contacts are crucial.

[0004] Depending on the application, plug fuses can be present in different numbers and at different locations in the fuse box. In addition, although plug fuses are generally standardized components, there are size differences due to application-specific configurations. This means that various combinations of plug fuses can appear in the fuse box. Connectors are usually prefabricated to match.

[0005] Especially at a high level of system complexity, attempts to cover all "plug fuse models" with suitable connectors lead to almost unlimited product combinations and are associated with huge construction, delivery and storage costs. In addition, each time a system is converted, a new connector may have to be obtained.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a connector that can be adapted to fuse blocks having different plug fuse configurations. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of improving a connector with regard to its reliability and flexibility for connecting an electrical circuit to a plug fuse.

[0008] The object is met by a modular housing assembly for an electrical connector, the modular housing assembly being connectable to a plug fuse of predetermined size, the plug fuse having fuse contacts protruding from an abutment surface of a fuse body. The housing assembly comprises a surrounding housing and an inner housing, wherein the inner housing is configured to receive a contact element, the contact element being connectable to the plug fuse, wherein the inner housing comprises an insertion opening, through which one of the fuse contacts of the plug fuse can be inserted, wherein the surrounding housing comprises a module cavity and an access opening into the module cavity, the inner housing being arrangeable in the module cavity, wherein the access opening passes through a housing wall of the surrounding housing and is dimensioned such that the fuse body of the plug fuse can be fully inserted into the access opening along the material thickness of the housing wall.

[0009] The dimensions of the plug fuse may be defined by its dimensions or its outer dimensions, respectively. The housing wall may be an outer wall, in particular a base wall or a side wall of the surrounding housing. Full insertion is given when the fuse body has entered the entry opening over the entire extension of the material thickness of the housing wall.

[0010] On the one hand, the invention is advantageous because the housing assembly can be flexibly adapted to the respective application due to its modular structure comprising a surrounding housing and a separate inner housing. Thus, the inner housing can be selected to suit the application or easily replaced during assembly or repair of the connector. This is not possible in the case of a single housing.

[0011] On the other hand, the invention is advantageous because the access opening is configured to at least partially receive the fuse body of the plug fuse. Without such an access opening, the inserted fuse contact would have to completely penetrate the double wall consisting of the surrounding housing and the inner housing before it reached the contact element. This would mean that the fuse contact from the outside would not reach the inner contact element far enough, especially since plug fuses are usually standardized, as already mentioned, and the fuse contact therefore cannot be simply extended.

[0012] By receiving the fuse body in the access opening along the entire material thickness of the housing wall of the surrounding housing, the plug fuse can be pushed deeper into the housing assembly. Thus, only one single wall of the inner housing needs to be penetrated. This enables the inserted fuse contact to reach the contact element better. In particular, the contact overlap between the fuse contact and the contact element can be increased, which ensures a reliable contact.

[0013] An electrical connector having a housing assembly according to the invention and having a contact element also meets the objects defined at the outset. The contact element comprises a contact surface for electrically contacting a plug fuse, wherein the contact surface is arranged in an inner housing and one of the fuse contacts of the plug fuse is accessible through an insertion opening of the inner housing.

[0014] Such a connector can be part of an electrical circuit to be protected and benefit from the advantages of a housing assembly. By arranging the contact surfaces within the internal housing, these advantages come into play when the electrical connector is used in a fuse device, which, in addition to the connector according to the invention, also includes a plug fuse and a fuse box. The fuse box can be a fuse block, a panel and / or a holder. The plug fuse is positioned in the fuse box in such a way that its fuse contacts point toward the connector. If the connector is being or has been inserted into the fuse box along the insertion direction, contact of the fuse contacts is achieved at the contact surfaces. As already explained, the structure of the housing assembly according to the invention ensures sufficient contact overlap.

[0015] The invention can be further developed by the following examples, which are advantageous per se and can be combined with one another as desired.

[0016] According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the volume of the access opening can represent an enveloping body for at least a portion of the abutment surface of the fuse body. The fuse body can then be received in the access opening with an exact fit. The enveloping body is preferably configured as a cuboid in order to obtain a simple geometry. For example, the access opening is surrounded by a rectangular outer edge and is dimensioned so that the abutment surface of the fuse body can be at least partially inserted behind the outer edge of the access opening.

[0017] The depth of the access opening preferably corresponds to the material thickness of the surrounding housing wall. The access opening thus opens directly into the module chamber. The depth of the access opening is measured from the outer edge of the access opening in the insertion direction. The length and width of the access opening extend perpendicularly to the depth, wherein the length and width are also perpendicular to each other.

[0018] Plug fuses typically include two fuse contacts that protrude from an abutment surface of the fuse body and are arranged parallel to the length of the access opening. The two fuse contacts can be connected, for example, by a fusible conductor extending through the fuse body. One of the two fuse contacts is used to be inserted into a contact element of a connector through the access opening and the insertion opening. The other fuse contact is in permanent contact with the electrical conductor of the fuse box and is not accessible to the connector. According to another possible embodiment, it is then sufficient to set the size of the access opening so that at least half of the abutment surface of the fuse body can be inserted into the access opening. The abutment surface of the fuse body is planar as a whole.

[0019] The plug fuse can be a blade fuse used in the automotive sector, for example according to ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077. This includes, for example, so-called ATO fuses, ATOF fuses, Maxi fuses, Maxi+ fuses and Mini fuses.

[0020] The size of the access opening can be designed so that the abutment surface of the fuse body of the largest plug fuse according to ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077 standards can be inserted. In particular, the width of the access opening can be greater than the maximum width of the abutment surface of the fuse body of the largest plug fuse according to ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077 standards. Therefore, in this embodiment, all smaller fuse bodies according to the relevant standards can also be inserted into the access opening.

[0021] Of course, the access opening can also be smaller than the abutment surface of the fuse body of the largest plug fuse according to ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077. In this embodiment, the access opening is dimensioned so that the abutment surface of the fuse body of a plug fuse according to ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077 can be inserted, whose fuse contacts are shorter than the fuse contacts of the largest plug fuse according to ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077 by an extension length exceeding the material thickness of the housing wall.

[0022] According to another possible embodiment, the inner housing can be used as a contact holder. In other words, the inner housing receives the contact element in its interior, wherein the insertion opening leads to the interior. The insertion opening can be a slot that is constructed to be complementary to the fuse contact and passes through the module wall of the inner housing. Optionally, the outer contour of the fuse contact corresponds at least partially to the inner contour of the insertion opening. In addition, the outer contour of the fuse body corresponds at least partially to the inner contour of the entry opening. If the width, radius, volume and / or cross-section of the contour are the same, the contours correspond to each other, including a deviation of + / -10%.

[0023] The inner housing and the contact element together form the contact module. The inner housing therefore simultaneously represents the module housing. The surrounding housing in the form of an outer housing or a plug housing in turn serves as a module holder for the contact module. For this purpose, the inner housing is arranged in the module chamber of the surrounding housing. The housing assembly can therefore be at least partially double-walled.

[0024] Such double walls occur in particular at locations where the inner housing abuts against the housing wall. For example, the inner housing can rest on a base wall of the surrounding housing. The surrounding housing then supports the inner housing. Elsewhere, the inner housing can abut laterally against one or more side walls of the surrounding housing. The housing wall with the access opening extends at least partially parallel to the module wall with the insertion opening. However, in the region of the access opening, the housing assembly is only single-walled due to the module wall.

[0025] According to an embodiment that is easy to manufacture, the access opening can be formed by a recess, a cutout or a notch in the housing wall. In particular, the access opening can be formed by three mutually perpendicular adjacent edges of the housing wall and can be free, open or recessed at the fourth edge. In other words, the fourth edge is offset in the insertion direction relative to the other three edges, in particular countersunk. The abutment surface of the fuse body can abut against this fourth edge while it faces away from the other three edges. In addition, the abutment surface of the fuse body can abut against the inner housing, in particular against the module wall, in a flat manner, thereby ensuring sufficient stability.

[0026] The surrounding housing preferably comprises an assembly opening through which the inner housing can be inserted into the module chamber. Optionally, the assembly opening can be covered by a housing cover. Optionally, the inner housing can be inserted only through the assembly opening and not assembled through the access opening. From the perspective of the inner housing, the access opening is just a window.

[0027] Like the entry opening, the assembly opening can lead directly into the module chamber. In addition, the assembly opening is preferably located on the other side of the entry opening at the surrounding shell. In other words, the assembly opening and the entry opening are arranged opposite to each other relative to the module chamber. Therefore, the internal shell can be inserted into the module chamber through the assembly opening in a manner that the insertion opening is forward, so that the insertion opening is aligned with the entry opening. In particular, the insertion opening and the entry opening are then aligned in the insertion direction. Optionally, the insertion opening can be coaxial with the entry opening, wherein the axis extending through the center of the insertion opening and the center of the entry opening is preferably parallel to the insertion direction.

[0028] The alignment and coaxiality of the entry opening and the insertion opening make it easier to insert the fuse contact. This is made easier if the already mentioned contact surface of the contact element at least partially surrounds a contact receiving area, wherein the contact receiving area is aligned with the insertion opening, in particular in the insertion direction. The contact element can be configured, for example, as a contact sleeve, a clamp or a fork.

[0029] Depending on the application, the housing assembly may include a plurality of inner housings. In other words, the housing assembly may include an inner housing and at least one further inner housing. Thus, the housing assembly has at least one inner housing.

[0030] Corresponding contact elements can be accommodated in each inner housing. The electrical connector then comprises a plurality of contact modules, and the fuse device of course also has a plurality of plug fuses. Advantageously, a plurality of circuits can be connected to their plug fuses simultaneously.

[0031] The surrounding housing may include a module chamber for each inner housing. Alternatively, some or all inner housings may share a common module chamber to save installation space. In any case, the surrounding housing includes at least one module chamber. Each module chamber may provide one or more module spaces.

[0032] The housing assembly can be part of a group that includes more internal housings than the module space in the surrounding housing. The internal housings of the group can differ from each other in the shape, size, position and / or number of the insertion opening and the receivable contact elements. When the connector is assembled with the contact module, they provide a choice. In other words, the module space in the surrounding housing is selectively only equipped with an internal housing suitable for the corresponding application, and the unsuitable internal housing of the group is not used and left. Optionally, the remaining internal housing of the group can be used in another group so that no waste is generated.

[0033] Conversely, the surrounding housing can also include more module spaces than the number of existing internal housings. The unoccupied module spaces can subsequently be filled further along the value chain.

[0034] According to another possible embodiment, the surrounding housing can include at least one access opening for each module chamber. Alternatively, one or more common "through-chamber" access openings can also be provided. The access openings are preferably all arranged on one side of the surrounding housing and are particularly directed in the insertion direction. This enables multiple circuits to be connected to their plug fuses simultaneously by a single insertion action.

[0035] Depending on the number of plug fuses, the surrounding housing can comprise an even or odd number of access openings. The access openings are preferably arranged in rows extending, for example, perpendicularly to the insertion direction. The above-mentioned recess of each access opening can be arranged on the same side as the recesses of the other access openings of the row. If there is an even number of access openings, the access openings can also be arranged in two rows parallel to each other. The two rows of access openings then have their respective recesses on different sides of the surrounding housing, in particular on oppositely arranged sides.

[0036] If desired, the access openings can be configured to receive fuse bodies of different predetermined sizes. For example, each access opening can be configured to receive a different fuse body according to ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077 standards. This means that several standards can be met with one housing assembly.

[0037] Any references in this application to specifications and standards (eg ISO specifications) refer to the version of the respective specification or standard applicable at the time of filing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on several embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. According to the above, the different features of the several embodiments can be combined with each other as needed.

[0039] In the attached picture:

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a connector in a fuse box according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0041] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another schematic perspective view of a connector and a fuse box;

[0042] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a housing assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0043] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 a schematic perspective detailed view of a connector with a plug fuse inserted therein; and

[0044] Figure 5 is through Figure 4Schematic cross-sectional view of the cross-sectional plane V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] refer to Figures 1 to 5 , the schematic structures of the housing assembly 1, the electrical connector 2 and the fuse device 4 will be explained below.

[0046] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a connector 2 according to the invention is shown, which is configured to be pluggable into a fuse box 6 along an insertion direction 8. One or more plug fuses 10 are arranged in the fuse box 6 (see Figure 2 ). The connector 2 forms a fuse arrangement 4 together with a fuse box 6 and a plug fuse 10. The connector 2 may be connected to the plug fuse 10, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0047] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the plug fuse 10 is shown as a blade fuse 12 for the automotive field. In particular, they can be blade fuses 12 according to ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077 standards. For example, they can be commercially available ATO fuses, ATOF fuses, Maxi fuses, Maxi+ fuses or Mini fuses. Of course, the concept of the present invention can also be applied to other plug fuses that follow other standards or types.

[0048] The plug fuse 10 is used to protect an electric circuit (not shown) from fault current and / or overcurrent. To this end, the plug fuse 10 must be integrated into the corresponding circuit in an electrically conductive manner. For this purpose, each plug fuse 10 includes at least one fuse contact 14, for example, two fuse contacts 14a, 14b (see Figure 2 ). In addition, each plug fuse 10 includes a fuse body 16 having an abutment surface 18 .

[0049] The fuse contacts 14, 14a, 14b protrude from the abutment surface 18 and are preferably aligned parallel to each other. Optionally, the fuse contacts 14, 14a, 14b are arranged adjacent to each other in a row along the arrangement direction 20. In addition, the fuse contacts 14, 14a, 14b are connected, for example, by a fusible conductor (not shown) extending through the fuse body 16.

[0050] The corresponding plug fuse 10 itself as well as the fuse contacts 14, 14a, 14b, the fuse body 16 and the abutment surface 18 have predetermined dimensions. The dimensions of the plug fuse 10, the fuse contacts 14, 14a, 14b, the fuse body 16 and the abutment surface 18 can be defined by their dimensions or their outer dimensions, respectively. The dimensions of the abutment surface 18 are determined by its length 22 (see Figure 4) and width 24 (see Figure 5 ) is generated. The length 22 is measured parallel to the abutment surface 18 and along the alignment direction 20 of the fuse contacts 14, 14a, 14b. The width 24 is also measured parallel to the abutment surface 18 and perpendicular to the length 22.

[0051] One of the two fuse contacts 14a is in permanent contact with an electrical conductor (not shown) of the fuse box 6 and is not accessible to the connector 2. The other fuse contact 14b is intended to be connected to the connector 2.

[0052] The connector 2 is part of the circuit to be protected and comprises a contact element 26 for each plug fuse 10 (see Figure 5 ). The contact element 26 can be configured, for example, as a contact sleeve, a clip or a fork 28. The contact element 26 comprises a contact surface 30 for electrically contacting the fuse contact 14b of the plug fuse 10. The contact surface 30 at least partially surrounds a contact receiving area 32 in which the contact is established. To this end, the fuse contact 14b must be inserted into the contact receiving area 32. Once this occurs, the plug fuse 10 is integrated into the corresponding circuit in an electrically conductive manner.

[0053] Each contact element 26 is received in a contact holder 34. The contact elements 26 and the contact holder 34 together form a contact module 36. The contact holder 34 then serves as a module housing 38.

[0054] The fuse box 6 can be a fuse box, a panel and / or a holder. The plug fuse 10 is positioned in the fuse box 6 in such a way that its fuse contacts 14a, 14b point toward the connector 2. If the connector 2 is being or has been inserted into the fuse box 6 along the insertion direction 8, contact with the corresponding fuse contact 14b is achieved at the associated contact surface 30.

[0055] Depending on the application, the plug fuses 10 may be present in different numbers and at different locations in the fuse box 6. In addition, due to the application-specific configuration, there may be size differences between the plug fuses 10. This means that various combinations of plug fuses 10 may appear in the fuse box 6.

[0056] In order to be able to represent this diversity, the connector 2 has a modular construction and can therefore be flexibly constructed. For this purpose, the connector 2 can include a plurality of replaceable contact modules 36, each of which is configured for different or identical plug fuses 10 in terms of contact elements 26 and module housings 38.

[0057] Depending on which plug fuses 10 are present in the fuse box 6, the connector 2 can be equipped with appropriate contact modules 36. For this purpose, the connector 2 also includes a plug housing 40 in which the contact modules 36 are held. The plug housing 40 thus serves as a module holder 42.

[0058] Due to the relative spatial arrangement, the plug housing 40 is hereinafter referred to as a surrounding housing 44 and the module housing 38 is hereinafter referred to as an inner housing 46. The surrounding housing 44 and the inner housing 46 form a modular housing assembly 1.

[0059] As already mentioned, the corresponding contact element 26 is received in an inner housing 46, which serves as a contact holder 34, in particular in an interior 48 of the inner housing 46. The inner housing 46 also comprises an insertion opening 50, through which the fuse contact 14b can be inserted. The insertion opening 50 leads to the interior 48 of the inner housing 46. The contact receiving area 32 of the contact element 26 already mentioned is aligned with the insertion opening 50, in particular in the insertion direction 8. The insertion opening 50 can be a slot 52, which is configured to be complementary to the fuse contact 14b and passes through a module wall 54 of the inner housing 46 (see Figure 3 ). Optionally, the outer contour 56 of the fuse contact 14 b corresponds at least partially to the inner contour 58 of the insertion opening 50 .

[0060] For each inner housing 46, the surrounding housing 44 includes a module cavity 60 in which the inner housing 46 can be disposed. Figure 3 In the embodiment, six separate internal shells 46 are arranged in the module chamber 60 of the surrounding shell 44. Alternatively, some or all of the internal shells 46 may share a common module chamber (see Figure 5 In other words, each module cavity 60 provides one or more module spaces 62 for an inner housing 46, and each inner housing 46 may have a contact element 26 as a contact module 36. Optionally, a plurality of inner housings 46 may be connected by material bridges 64.

[0061] Furthermore, the surrounding housing 44 preferably comprises an assembly opening 66, through which the corresponding inner housing 46 can be inserted into its associated module chamber 60. The assembly openings 66 respectively lead directly to one or more module chambers 60. Optionally, the assembly openings 66 can be covered by a housing cover (not shown).

[0062] The surrounding housing 44 may comprise, for each module chamber 60, at least one access opening 68 through a housing wall 70 of the surrounding housing 44. The housing wall 70 may be an outer wall 72, in particular a base wall 74 of the surrounding housing 44.

[0063] The access openings 68 are optionally arranged entirely on one side of the surrounding housing 44 and point in particular in the insertion direction 8 (see Figure 3 ). Preferably, the respective inner housing 46 can only be inserted through the assembly opening 66 and cannot be assembled through its associated access opening 68. According to an alternative embodiment not shown, one or more common "cross-chamber" access openings may also be provided.

[0064] The corresponding access opening 68 primarily enables the insertion of the fuse contact 14b into the insertion opening 50 of the inner housing 46. For this purpose, the insertion opening 50 and the access opening 68 are aligned in the insertion direction 8 (see Figure 3 ). The housing wall 70 with the access opening 68 can extend at least partially parallel to the module wall 54 with the insertion opening 50. In particular, the insertion opening 50 and the access opening 68 are coaxial, wherein an axis extending through the center of the insertion opening 50 and the center of the access opening 68 is parallel to the insertion direction 8. As a result, the contact surface 30 arranged in the inner housing is easily accessible to the fuse contact 14b.

[0065] Furthermore, the dimensions of the respective entry opening 68 are designed such that the fuse body 16 can be completely inserted into the entry opening 68 along the material thickness 76 of the housing wall 70 in the insertion direction 8. Full insertion is indicated when the fuse body 16 has entered the entry opening 68 over the entire extension of the material thickness 76 of the housing wall 70 (see Figure 5 ).

[0066] from Figure 5 4, the respective inner housing 46 can abut against the housing wall 70 of the surrounding housing 44. For example, the inner housing 46 can rest on the base wall 74 of the surrounding housing 44. In addition, the inner housing 46 can abut laterally against one or more side walls 78 of the surrounding housing 44. Thus, the housing assembly 1 is at least partially double-walled. However, in the region of the access opening 68, the housing assembly 1 is only single-walled due to the remaining module wall 54.

[0067] Without the access opening 68, the inserted plug fuse contact 14b would have to completely penetrate the double wall of the surrounding housing 44 and the inner housing 46 before it reaches the contact element 26. This would result in the fuse contact 14b from the outside not being able to reach the inner contact element 26 sufficiently.

[0068] This is an advantage of the access opening 68, which is configured to at least partially receive the fuse body 16 of the associated plug fuse 10. By receiving the fuse body 16 in the access opening 68 along the entire material thickness 76 of the housing wall 70, the plug fuse 10 can be pushed deeper into the housing assembly 1, because only the module wall 54 of the inner housing 46 must be penetrated. This enables the inserted fuse contact 14b to reach the contact element better. In particular, the contact overlap between the fuse contact 14b and the contact element 26 can be increased, which ensures reliable contact.

[0069] The outer contour 80 of the fuse body 16 may correspond at least partially to the inner contour 82 of the access opening 68. In particular, the volume 84 of the access opening 68 may represent a covering body 86 for at least a portion of the abutment surface 18 of the fuse body 16. The covering body 86 is preferably configured in the shape of a cuboid. For example, the access opening 68 is surrounded by a rectangular outer edge 88 and is dimensioned so that the abutment surface 18 of the fuse body 16 can be at least partially inserted behind this outer edge 88 of the access opening 68. It is then sufficient to determine the size of the access opening 68 so that at least half of the abutment surface 18 of the fuse body 16 can be inserted into the access opening 68. The abutment surface 18 of the fuse body 16 is generally planar.

[0070] The depth 90 of the access opening 68 preferably corresponds to the material thickness 76 of the housing wall 70. The access opening 68 then opens directly into one or more module chambers 60, respectively. The depth 90 of the access opening 68 is measured from the outer edge 88 of the access opening 68 in the insertion direction 8. The length 92 and the width 94 of the access opening 68 extend perpendicularly to the depth 90, wherein the length 92 and the width 94 are also perpendicular to each other. Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG. 6 , the fuse contacts 14 , 14 a, 14 b are aligned parallel to the length 92 of the access opening 68 .

[0071] Optionally, the size of the access opening 68 can be designed so that the abutment surface 18 of the fuse body 16 of the largest plug fuse 10 according to the ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077 standard can be inserted. In particular, the width 94 of the access opening 68 can be greater than the maximum width 24 of the abutment surface 18 of the fuse body 16 of the largest plug fuse 10 according to the ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077 standard. Therefore, in this embodiment, all smaller fuse bodies 16 according to the relevant standards can also be inserted into the access opening 68.

[0072] from Figure 3As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the respective access opening 68 can be formed by a recess 96, a cutout 98 or a notch 100 in the housing wall 70. In particular, the access opening 68 can be formed by three mutually perpendicular adjacent edges 9a, 9b, 9c of the housing wall 70 and can be free, open or recessed at the fourth edge 9d, respectively. In other words, the fourth edge 9d is offset in the insertion direction 8 relative to the other three edges 9a, 9b, 9c, in particular countersunk. The abutment surface 18 of the fuse body 16 can abut against this fourth edge 9d, while the abutment surface 18 faces away from the three other edges 9a, 9b, 9c (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 4 ). Furthermore, the abutment surface 18 of the fuse body 16 can abut in a planar manner against the inner housing 46, in particular against the module wall 54 (see Figure 5 ).

[0073] The assembly opening 66 may be provided on the side of the surrounding housing 44 (see Figure 2 ). Alternatively, the assembly opening 66 may be arranged on the surrounding housing 44 on the other side of the access opening 68. In other words, the assembly opening 66 and the access opening 68 may be arranged opposite to each other relative to the module chamber 60 (see Figure 3 ). Thus, the corresponding inner housing 46 can be inserted into the associated module chamber 60 through the assembly opening 66 with the insertion opening 50 facing forward, so that the insertion opening 50 is aligned with the entry opening 68. The contact receiving area 32 of the contact element 26 mentioned above is then also aligned with the entry opening 68, in particular in the insertion direction 8 (see Figure 5 ).

[0074] As already described, the housing assembly 1 comprises one or more inner housings 46. The housing assembly 1 can in particular be part of a group comprising more inner housings 46 than the module spaces 62 present in the surrounding housing 44. The inner housings 46 of the group can differ from one another in the shape, size, position and / or number of the insertion openings 50 and the contact elements 14 that can be received. The module spaces 62 in the surrounding housing 44 can be selectively equipped with inner housings 46 suitable for the respective application, while the unsuitable inner housings 46 in the group are not used and remain.

[0075] Conversely, the surrounding housing 44 can also have a greater number of module spaces 62 than the existing inner housing 46. The unoccupied module spaces 62 can subsequently be further equipped along the value chain.

[0076] Figure 3The surrounding housing 44 shown in FIG has six inlet openings 68, which are arranged in two parallel rows. The two rows extend, for example, perpendicular to the insertion direction 8. The above-mentioned recess 96 of each inlet opening 68 can be arranged on the same side as the recess 96 of the other inlet openings 68 of the same row.

[0077] When the connector 2 is inserted or has been inserted into the fuse box 6, the fuse contact 14b of the corresponding plug fuse 10 protrudes into the housing assembly 1. In particular, the fuse contact 14b protrudes through the entry opening 68 of the surrounding housing 44 and is inserted into the insertion opening 50 of the inner housing 46. In other words, the fuse contact 14b passes through the entry opening 68 and the insertion opening 50 so as to be inserted into the associated contact element 26 of the connector 2.

[0078] The fuse body 16 is at least partially received in the access opening 68. At the same time, the other fuse contacts 14a remain outside the housing assembly 1. In particular, the plug fuses 10 each protrude on opposite sides of the surrounding housing 44 (see Figure 4 ).

[0079] According to an alternative embodiment that is not shown, an odd number of access openings 68 can also be provided at the surrounding housing 44. The access openings 68 can then be arranged in rows extending perpendicularly to the insertion direction 8, for example.

[0080] If desired, the access openings 68 can be configured to receive fuse bodies 16 having different predetermined dimensions. For example, each access opening 68 can be configured to receive a different fuse body 16 according to ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284, or SAE J2077 standards.

[0081] Any references in this application to specifications and standards (eg ISO standards) refer to the version of the relevant specification or standard applicable at the time of filing.

[0082] Reference numerals

[0083] 1 Shell assembly

[0084] 2 Connectors

[0085] 4 Fuse device

[0086] 5 Fuse box

[0087] 8 Insertion direction

[0088] 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d edge

[0089] 10 plug fuse

[0090] 12-piece fuse

[0091] 14, 14A, 14b fuse contacts

[0092] 16 Fuse body

[0093] 18 abutment surface

[0094] 20 Alignment direction

[0095] 22 Length

[0096] 24 Width

[0097] 26 contact elements

[0098] 28 contact fork

[0099] 30 contact surfaces

[0100] 32 contact receiving area

[0101] 34 Contact retainer

[0102] 36 contact module

[0103] 38 module housing

[0104] 40 connector housing

[0105] 42 module holder

[0106] 44 surrounding shell

[0107] 46 Internal shell

[0108] 48 Internal

[0109] 50 Insertion opening

[0110] 52 slots

[0111] 54 Module Wall

[0112] 56 Outer contour

[0113] 58 inner contour

[0114] 60 module chamber

[0115] 62 module space

[0116] 64 Material Bridge

[0117] 66 Assembly opening

[0118] 68 Enter the opening

[0119] 70 Shell wall

[0120] 72 outer wall

[0121] 74 base wall

[0122] 76Material thickness

[0123] 78 side wall

[0124] 80 Outer contour

[0125] 82 inner contour

[0126] 84 Capacity

[0127] 86 Covering the main body

[0128] 88 Edge

[0129] 90 Depth

[0130] 92 Length

[0131] 94 Width

[0132] 96 cuts

[0133] 98 concavity

[0134] 100 notches

Claims

1. A modular housing assembly (1) for an electrical connector (2) connectable to a plug fuse (10) of predetermined size, the plug fuse (10) having fuse contacts (14, 14a, 14b) protruding from an abutment surface (18) of a fuse body (16), in, The housing assembly (1) comprises a surrounding housing (44) and an inner housing (46). wherein the inner housing (46) is configured to receive a contact element (26) which can be connected to the plug fuse (10), wherein the inner housing (46) comprises an insertion opening (50) through which one of the fuse contacts (14b) of the plug fuse (10) can be inserted, The surrounding housing (44) comprises a module chamber (60) and an access opening (68) into the module chamber (60), wherein the inner housing (46) can be arranged in the module chamber (60), The access opening (68) passes through a housing wall (70) of the surrounding housing (44) and is dimensioned such that the fuse body (16) of the plug fuse (10) can be fully inserted into the access opening (68) along a material thickness (76) of the housing wall (70).

2. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The volume (84) of the access opening (68) represents a surrounding body (86) for at least a portion of the abutment surface (18) of the fuse body (16).

3. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The access opening (68) is sized to enable insertion of the abutment surface (18) of the fuse body (16) of the largest plug fuse (10) according to ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077 standards.

4. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein: The width (94) of the access opening (68) is greater than the maximum width (24) of the abutment surface (18) of the fuse body (16) of the largest plug fuse (10) according to ISO 8820-3, ISO 8820-10, SAE J1284 or SAE J2077 standards.

5. The housing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The inner housing (46) is arranged in the module chamber (60) of the surrounding housing (44) so ​​that the housing assembly (1) is at least partially double-walled.

6. The housing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The inner housing (46) abuts against the housing wall (70).

7. The housing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The inlet opening (68) is formed by a recess (96) in the housing wall (70).

8. The housing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The insertion opening (50) is aligned with the entry opening (68).

9. The housing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The insertion opening (50) is coaxial with the entry opening (68).

10. The housing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The housing assembly (1) includes a plurality of inner housings (46), and the surrounding housing (44) includes a module chamber (60) for each inner housing (46).

11. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 10, wherein: The surrounding housing (44) comprises at least one access opening (68) for each module chamber (60), and the access openings (68) are all arranged on one side of the surrounding housing (44).

12. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 11, wherein: The surrounding housing (44) includes an even or odd number of access openings (68) arranged in a row.

13. The housing assembly (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The access opening (68) is configured to receive fuse bodies (16) having different predetermined sizes.

14. An electrical connector (2) having a housing assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and having a contact element (26), wherein: The contact element (26) comprises a contact surface (30) for electrically contacting the plug fuse (10), wherein the contact surface (30) is arranged in the inner housing (46) and can be accessed by one of the fuse contacts (14b) of the plug fuse (10) through the insertion opening (50).

15. The connector (2) according to claim 14, wherein: The contact surface (30) at least partially surrounds a contact receiving area (32), and the contact receiving area (32) is aligned with the insertion opening (50).

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