Assembly with a housing and a cable lug

Abstract

Assembly comprising a housing (12) and a cable lug (16) with a retaining opening (36), wherein the housing (12) has a mounting opening (28) with which the housing (12) can be attached to a mounting bolt (18), and a receptacle (14) for the cable lug (16), wherein the receptacle (14) has a positioning device for the cable lug (16) and wherein the cable lug (16) is arranged in the receptacle (14) such that the retaining opening (36) overlaps with the mounting opening (28), wherein the housing (12) consists of two composite shell parts (22, 24) made of plastic, which enclose a cavity forming a through-opening (25) extending axially through the entire housing (12), and the receptacle (14) is arranged on a projection (26) on an outer surface of one of the shell parts (24).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly comprising a housing and a cable lug.

[0002] When installing a wiring harness in a vehicle, a cable duct, through which sections of the wiring harness run, is currently fixed, for example, to the engine block, while the grounding of the wiring harness is done via a separate connection of a grounding cable to an electrically conductive component, for example, also the engine housing.

[0003] The object of the invention is to simplify the fastening of a housing and, for example, an associated grounding cable.

[0004] According to the invention, an assembly comprising a housing and a cable lug with a retaining opening is used, wherein the housing has a mounting opening with which the housing can be attached to a mounting bolt. Furthermore, a receptacle for the cable lug is provided in the housing, wherein the receptacle has a positioning device for the cable lug and wherein the cable lug is arranged in the receptacle such that the retaining opening overlaps with the mounting opening.

[0005] As a result, to fix the housing, the fastening bolt can be pushed simultaneously through the mounting opening of the housing and through the retaining opening of the cable lug, and the fastening of the housing and grounding cable can be carried out in a single operation.

[0006] Furthermore, pre-assembly of the cable lug in the housing is possible. The provision of a positioning device allows the cable lug to be inserted into the receptacle during pre-assembly in such a way that its position relative to the housing's mounting opening is maintained during final assembly on the mounting bolt. The cable lug is always positioned in the receptacle in such a way that an overlap between the retaining opening and the mounting opening is ensured, so that the mounting bolt simultaneously penetrates both the housing's mounting opening and the cable lug's retaining opening.

[0007] In one possible embodiment, the housing is a cable duct housing that can be fixed in a vehicle and is designed to accommodate part of a wiring harness. However, it would also be conceivable to use the invention for housings for other applications and, for example, for associated grounding cables.

[0008] The cable duct housing is preferably attached to an engine housing, which also forms the ground for the earthing of the entire wiring harness.

[0009] The mounting opening in the housing is, for example, designed in an electrically conductive socket, which simplifies the creation of an electrically conductive connection between the cable lug and the mounting bolt.

[0010] The mounting bolt can be a screw bolt on the vehicle or a separate screw, for example an M6 or M8 screw. This can, for example, engage in a mounting boss formed on the engine block.

[0011] The remaining housing, apart from the mounting bushing, is preferably made of a suitable plastic. Care should be taken to ensure that the housing, including the mounting, is designed so that the individual parts of the housing can be manufactured in injection molds with minimal effort and preferably without the use of slides.

[0012] The housing can, for example, be made in two parts, which also makes it easier to insert, for example, a section of cable harness.

[0013] The mounting opening in the housing can, for example, be provided on a housing projection, and can be aligned parallel or at an angle to a through-opening in the housing. The through-opening can, for example, run along the direction of extension of the cable harness section accommodated in the housing.

[0014] If the receptacle for the cable lug extends essentially perpendicular to the through-hole of the housing, the retaining opening of the cable lug can simply be aligned overlapping with the mounting opening in the housing.

[0015] Especially when it is a cable duct housing, this method allows the housing to be screwed to the vehicle even if the cable harness section is already included in the housing.

[0016] With the assembly according to the invention, it is therefore possible to prefabricate a cable harness in such a way that the cable duct housing is already provided on one section, wherein a grounding cable of the cable harness is provided with a cable lug which is held in a receptacle of the housing by the positioning device in a final assembly position. Such a prefabricated cable harness only needs to be fixed in the vehicle during final assembly by the fastening bolt passing through the overlapping fastening opening and retaining opening of the housing and cable lug.

[0017] In one possible embodiment, the positioning device can comprise a first locking element in the housing that engages with a second locking element on the cable lug when the latter is fully inserted into the receptacle. The locking connection thus created holds the cable lug in its final assembly position and, for example, provides a means of verification during pre-assembly when inserting the cable lug into the receptacle, for example, by means of an audible click.

[0018] The first locking element is, for example, a locking spring, and the second locking element is a locking opening in a mounting plate of the cable lug into which the locking spring of the cable lug engages. In this case, the retaining opening is preferably also formed in the mounting plate of the cable lug. The retaining opening and the locking opening can be arranged one behind the other with respect to the insertion direction of the cable lug into the receptacle to allow for a slim design of the cable lug. The locking opening and the retaining opening can be slightly offset from each other to allow pre-assembly of the cable lug only in the correct orientation.

[0019] Of course, other types of locking connections can also be used between the housing and the cable lug.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the positioning device can include a stop on the housing that defines a fully inserted position of the cable lug. This stop can, for example, be implemented by a projection formed integrally with the housing.

[0021] The cable lug can be designed with a straight end, so that the cable extends in line with the mounting plate of the cable lug, or it can have an angled end. In the latter case, two openings are preferably provided in the housing, through which the cable lug can be easily fixed to the housing at its angled end. For this purpose, for example, a ratchet strap or cable tie is pulled through the two openings and secured around the angled end of the cable lug. The openings can, for example, be formed during the injection molding process of the housing parts.

[0022] The receptacle preferably incorporates guiding elements for the cable lug mounting plate, for example, grooves and / or ribs molded into the housing parts as guides and contact surfaces. These guiding elements prevent the cable lug from unintentionally twisting or tilting when inserted into the receptacle. Bevels may be provided at the insertion end of the receptacle, which can also simultaneously serve as demolding aids for removing the housing parts from an injection mold.

[0023] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying figures. The figures show:

[0024] Fig. 1 a component assembly according to the invention fully assembled on a vehicle;

[0025] Fig. 2 the housing of the assembly made of Fig. 1;

[0026] Fig. 3 a detailed representation of the mounting opening of the housing Fig. 2;

[0027] Fig. 4 a schematic perspective view of the cable lug of the assembly according to the invention;

[0028] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 the assembly according to the invention with cable lug inserted into the housing recess for a straight and an angled cable lug;

[0029] Fig. 7 a section of the assembly according to the invention with a pre-assembled cable lug; and

[0030] Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 Details of the assembly according to the invention with the cable lug inserted into the receptacle.

[0031] Fig. Figure 1 shows a component assembly 10 with a case 12 , that a recording 14 for a cable lug 16 exhibits the cable lug 16 is in the recording 14 Pre-assembled. Via a fastening bolt. 18 , here in the form of an internal hexagon screw, are the housing 12 and the cable lug16 together on a vehicle part 20 attached, which in this example is formed by an engine block.

[0032] The case 12 is closer in Fig. 2 shown. It consists of two joined shell parts. 22 , 24 , which enclose a cavity that has a through-opening 25 forms a mechanism that extends axially through the entire housing 12 extends. The two shell parts 22 , 24 of the case 12 are connected to each other here via several rest areas. The recording 14 Here it extends essentially perpendicular to the passage opening 25 .

[0033] The case 12In the example shown here, it is designed as a cable duct housing and serves to accommodate a section of a vehicle's wiring harness and attach it to the vehicle (not shown in detail). For this purpose, a shell part, here the shell part, is attached. 24 , an advantage 26 trained, in which the intake 14 for the cable lug 16 is trained. In the area of ​​admission 14 a fastening opening runs 28 through the advantage 26 through which the in Fig. 1 shown fastening bolt 18 extends through when the casing 12 is mounted on the vehicle.

[0034] The shape of the case 12 This can of course depend on the specific intended use of the housing. 12 It can be voted on and is not limited to the form shown here.

[0035] The two shell parts 22 , 24 of the case 12They consist largely of plastic and are each manufactured separately as an injection-molded part. The mounting opening 28 However, it is in a metallic, electrically conductive, protrusion 26 inserted socket 30 trained.

[0036] The cable lug 16 (see Fig. 4) has a cable holding section 32 , which is integrated into a mounting plate in one piece 34 continues. The entire cable lug 16 It is formed from a sheet of metal.

[0037] The cable holding section, designed in the known manner 32 It serves to hold a cable end and connect it electrically to the mounting plate. 34 to connect. The cable (not shown) is a grounding cable and is part of the wiring harness inside the housing. 12 is recorded (not shown).

[0038] The mounting plate 34The mounting plate is essentially flat. 34 is a holding opening 36 trained. Furthermore, the mounting plate features 34 at its free end a small protrusion 40 on.

[0039] If the case 12 The grounding cable is mounted around the cable harness using the cable lug. 16 connected, and the cable lug 16 is inserted into the holder for pre-assembly 14 on the case 12 inserted. This situation (without cable and wiring harness) is in Fig. 5 shown.

[0040] Guide elements are provided to ensure precise alignment of the mounting plate. 34 in the recording 14 make it easier. For example, on the casing 12 multiple contact surfaces 42 for the mounting plate 34 as well as two lateral guide grooves 44 trained. To facilitate the insertion of the cable lug. 16are the insertion surfaces at the insertion end of the holder 14 beveled. These details are also found in the Fig. 7 to Fig. 9 shown.

[0041] To ensure the correct pre-assembly position of the mounting plate 34 of the cable lug 16 in the recording 14 of the case 12 before fixing the housing 12 to ensure on the vehicle and to secure the cable lug 16 To hold the part in this position until its final assembly, a positioning device is provided. In this example, the positioning device has several separate elements that can be implemented together or separately.

[0042] A first element of the positioning device is defined by a stop. 46 formed, which is located at a protrusion at the free end of the recording 14 inside the case 12 is trained. Is the cable lug 16 fully included in the recording 14When inserted, there is a projection at the end. 40 subsequent edge section 48 the mounting plate 34 on the inward-facing stop surface 50 the attack 46 an inward-facing extension at the stop 46 prevents axial lifting of the mounting plate 34 from the recording 14 .

[0043] The second element of the positioning device is formed here by a detent device which has two detent elements. 52 , 54 includes elements that interlock when the mounting plate 34 of the cable lug 16 correctly into the recording 14 was inserted.

[0044] The first locking element 52 is through an entry into the recording 14 protruding detent spring on the housing 12 formed. The second locking element 54 is through a locking opening in the mounting plate 34The detent spring can either be integrated as a single piece of plastic with the housing. 12 be trained, or can be a separate one, in the housing 12 be the component used.

[0045] When inserting the mounting plate 34 in insertion direction E into the receptacle 14 The detent spring clicks into the detent opening with an audible sound. 38 a.

[0046] The locking opening is located one piece opposite the holding opening with respect to the insertion direction E. 36 offset to ensure that the locking spring engages in the locking opening only in one specific mounting position of the cable lug 16 to allow.

[0047] If the free end 56When the detent spring engages in the detent opening, this produces an audible and tactile signal indicating that the correct pre-assembly position has been reached, in which final assembly is possible. This correct pre-assembly position corresponds to a fully inserted part in the holder. 14 inserted position of the cable lug 16 The retaining opening is located in this correct pre-assembly position. 36 of the cable lug 16 above the mounting opening 28 the recording 14 of the case 12 , so that the two openings 28 , 36 They overlap and, in this example, are also perfectly aligned. The locking spring holds the cable lug in place. 16 also in the pre-assembly position.

[0048] The Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 9 shows a variant in which the cable holding section 32 of the cable lug 16 straight line in extension of the mounting plate 34It runs straight and is not angled. Both versions are interchangeable.

[0049] Is a cable lug 16 with an angled cable retention section 32 used, two breakthroughs enable 58 inside the case 12 a simple fixing of the cable holding section 32 using a cable tie (not shown).

[0050] The prefabricated assembly 10 with the case 12 and the cable lug pre-mounted on it 16 It is positioned at the desired location on the vehicle and secured with the fastening bolt. 18 , which simultaneously passes through the mounting opening 28 of the case 12 and those with this overlapping holding opening 36 of the cable lug 16 extends through, firmly and permanently fixed to the vehicle.

Claims

[1] assembly with a housing ( 12 ) and a cable lug ( 16 ) with a holding hole ( 36 ), where the housing ( 12 ) a mounting hole ( 28 ) with which the housing ( 12 ) on a mounting bolt ( 18 ) can be attached, and a recording ( 14 ) for the cable lug ( 16 ), where the recording ( 14 ) a positioning device for the cable lug ( 16 ) and wherein the cable lug ( 16 ) in the recording ( 14 ) is arranged so that the holding hole ( 36 ) with the mounting hole ( 28 ) overlapped. [2] assembly according to claim 1, characterized, that the housing ( 12 ) is a cable duct housing which can be fixed in a vehicle and which is intended to house part of a cable harness. [3] Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the housing ( 12 ) is attached to a motor housing. [4] Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the mounting hole ( 28 ) in the housing ( 12 ) in an electrically conductive socket ( 30 ) is trained. [5] Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the fastening bolt ( 18 ) is a bolt on the vehicle or a screw. [6] Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the recording ( 14 ) for the cable lug ( 16 ) substantially perpendicular to a through opening ( 25 ) of the housing ( 12 ) extends. [7] Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the positioning device has a first locking element ( 52 ) in the housing ( 12 ) comprises that in engagement with a second latching element ( 54 ) on the cable lug ( 16 ) comes up when it fully enters the recording ( 14 ) is inserted. [8] assembly according to claim 7, characterized, that the first locking element ( 52 ) a detent spring and the second detent element ( 54 ) a snap-in opening in a mounting plate ( 34 ) of the cable lug ( 16 ) into which the detent spring engages. [9] Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the positioning device has a stop ( 46 ) on the housing ( 12 ) that includes a fully inserted position of the cable lug ( 16 ) Are defined. [10] Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized, that the cable lug ( 16 ) an angled cable holding section ( 32 ) and that in the housing ( 12 ) two breakthroughs ( 58 ) are provided, via which the cable lug ( 16 ) at its angled cable retention section ( 32 ) on the housing ( 12 ) can be fixed.

Images