Plug and socket arrangement for motor vehicle lighting equipment

Abstract

An electrical plug arrangement (2) comprising: a housing (100) with at least two opposing side walls (102, 104) which are connected to each other via a connecting wall (106), wherein the side walls (102, 104) and the connecting wall (106) define an opening (108) which leads into a receiving space (110) for at least one electrical connector (4, 6); and a U-shaped lever (200) rotatably mounted on the side walls (102, 104) about an axis of rotation (D) with at least two side arms (202, 204) which are connected to each other via a connecting section (206), wherein the respective side arm (202, 204) has at least one tooth (210, 212) rotatable about the axis of rotation (D) and extending radially to the axis of rotation (D); wherein a first contour of the lever (200) engages in a first associated counter contour of the housing (100) to hold the lever (200) in a pre-locking rotary position (P1); wherein a second contour of the lever (200) engages in a second associated counter contour of the housing (100) to hold the lever (200) in a locking rotary position (P2); wherein the first contour includes an inwardly projecting projection (280) from at least one of the side arms (202); wherein the second counter-contour comprises a circular arc-shaped recess (180) of at least one of the side walls (102), wherein a projection (182) of the side wall (102) projects into the circular recess (180) along the course of the arc-shaped recess (180); and wherein an auxiliary recess (184) of the side wall (102) is separated from the arc-shaped recess (180) by a web (186), and wherein the projection (182) of the side wall (102) extends from the web (186).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plug arrangement and a socket arrangement for electrical connectors.

[0002] Electrical connectors and auxiliary arrangements for the reliable production of a connection are generally known.

[0003] DE 10 2008 045 129 A1 concerns a connector with a modular design.

[0004] EP 2 889 966 A1 and US 7 267 564 B2 each relate to a lever-operated electrical connector having a cable cover on which a lever is rotatably mounted.

[0005] US 9 768 550 B2 relates to a lever-type connector assembly. The lever is rotatably mounted on a cable guide cover.

[0006] DE 87 14 016 U1 concerns an electrical connector housing.

[0007] JP 2022 - 109 000 A relates to a connector housing attached to a mating connector housing. A cover is attached to the connector housing.

[0008] The problems underlying the invention are solved by a plug arrangement according to claim 1, a plug and socket arrangement according to a subordinate claim 8 and by a motor vehicle headlight according to a further one of the subordinate claims 9 and 10.

[0009] A first aspect of the description relates to the following subject matter: An electrical plug assembly comprising a housing with at least two opposing side walls which are connected to one another via a connecting wall, wherein the side walls and the connecting wall delimit an opening which leads into a receiving space for at least one electrical plug connector; and a U-shaped lever which is mounted on the side walls for rotation about an axis of rotation and has at least two side arms which are connected to one another via a connecting section, wherein the respective side arm has at least one tooth which is rotatable about the axis of rotation and extends radially to the axis of rotation; wherein a first contour of the lever engages a first associated counter-contour of the housing in order to hold the lever in a pre-locking rotational position;and wherein a second contour of the lever engages a second associated mating contour of the housing to hold the lever in a locking rotational position;

[0010] The first contour comprises a projection projecting inward from at least one of the side arms.

[0011] The second counter-contour comprises a circular-arc-shaped recess of at least one of the side walls, wherein in the course of the arc-shaped recess a projection of the side wall projects into the arc-shaped recess; and wherein an auxiliary recess of the side wall is separated from the arcuate recess by a web, and wherein the projection of the side wall projects from the web.

[0012] During assembly, the lever is advantageously moved manually from the pre-locking position to the locking position. This allows connectors located in the receiving space to be electrically and mechanically connected to a mating connector in a socket arrangement.

[0013] An advantageous example is characterized in that the housing comprises at least one guide strip extending parallel to a plugging direction of the plug arrangement and protruding from the housing.

[0014] An advantageous example is characterized in that the at least two teeth are arranged on the lever in such a way that, when the lever is rotated in a first direction of rotation from the pre-locking rotational position into the locking rotational position, at least one of the teeth presses on a tooth contact surface in a receiving space of a socket arrangement in order to at least partially pull the plug arrangement into the receiving space of the socket arrangement.

[0015] An advantageous example is characterized in that a rotation of the lever in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction causes a cam of a side arm of the lever to contact an associated fixed contact surface of the socket assembly in order to lift the plug assembly out of the socket assembly by a continued rotation.

[0016] An advantageous example is characterized in that the first contour comprises a proximal recess of at least one side arm; and in that the first counter-contour comprises a projection projecting from at least one of the side walls, which engages in the proximal recess of the side arm in the pre-locking rotational position.

[0017] An advantageous example is characterized in that the first contour comprises at least one proximal recess of the connecting portion or at least one proximal edge of the connecting portion; and in that the first counter-contour comprises a projection protruding from the connecting wall, which engages in the proximal recess of the connecting portion or the proximal edge in the pre-locking rotational position.

[0018] An advantageous example is characterized in that the first contour comprises a surface of at least one side arm facing away from the pre-locking rotational position, in particular extending perpendicular to one of the side walls; and in that the first counter-contour comprises a projection protruding from the side wall.

[0019] This makes it easier to overcome mechanical resistance and to make the side wall more stable in other places.

[0020] An advantageous example is characterized in that the second contour comprises a proximal locking contour of the connecting portion oriented toward the opening of the receiving space; and in that the second counter-contour is part of a locking portion raised relative to an outer surface of the connecting wall, which locking portion is arranged at a distal end of a resilient tab projecting away from the opening of the receiving space, wherein the second counter-contour comprises at least one counter-surface facing away from the pre-locking rotational position.

[0021] An advantageous example is characterized in that the second contour comprises a locking surface which, in particular, runs in sections perpendicular to one of the side walls; and in that the second counter-contour is part of a resilient tab introduced into the side wall, the distal end of which tab comprises a run-in contour for pressing in the tab by the associated side arm of the lever, wherein the distal end of the tab introduced into the side wall comprises a counter-surface for the locking surface in order to prevent the movement of the lever in the direction of the pre-locking rotational position after the distal end of the tab has been passed over and the tab has springed back into its non-tensioned position.

[0022] A second aspect of the description relates to an electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 8.

[0023] An advantageous example is characterized in that at least one groove extending parallel to a plugging direction of the plug arrangement and formed in at least one of the walls of the receiving space, in a plugged-in state at least one guide strip of the housing of the plug arrangement engages in the groove.

[0024] A third aspect of the description relates to a motor vehicle lighting device according to claim 9. A fourth aspect of the description relates to a motor vehicle lighting device according to claim 10.

[0025] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 to 4 are respective schematic perspective views of a first example of a connector assembly; Fig. 5 a second example of the connector arrangement; Fig. 6 a third example of the connector arrangement; Fig. 7 a fourth example of the connector arrangement; and Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b each represents a lighting device for a motor vehicle.

[0026] Fig. 1-4 show an electrical connector assembly 2 for a lighting device of a motor vehicle. A housing 100 comprises two opposing side walls 102, 104, which are connected to one another via a connecting wall 106. The side walls 102, 104 and the connecting wall 106 define an opening 108 leading into a receiving space 110 for at least one electrical connector 4, 6. The electrical connectors 4, 6 are held, for example, by means of a respective rail of the housing 100, which engages in a groove of the respective connector 4, 6 associated with the respective rail.

[0027] A U-shaped lever 200 is mounted on the side walls 102, 104, rotatably mounted about a rotation axis D. Two side arms 202, 204 are connected to each other via a connecting section 206. The respective side arm 202, 204 comprises, in the region of a pivot joint, an associated tooth 210, 212 that is rotatable about the rotation axis D and extends radially to the rotation axis D.

[0028] In a pre-assembly state, a first contour of the lever 200 engages a first mating contour of the housing 100 associated with the first contour to hold the lever 200 in a pre-locking rotational position P1. From position P1, the lever 200 can be rotated by overcoming a mechanical resistance toward a final locking rotational position P2, which corresponds to an assembled state of the connector assembly 2. In the assembled state, a second contour of the lever 200 engages a second mating contour of the housing 100 associated with the second contour to hold the lever 200 in the locking rotational position P2.

[0029] Furthermore, the housing 100 comprises at least one guide strip 120a-d extending parallel to a plugging direction S of the plug assembly 2 and protruding from the housing 100. As soon as the lever 200 is rotated in a first rotational direction from the pre-locking rotational position P1 to the locking rotational position P2, at least one of the teeth 210 presses against a tooth contact surface in a receiving space of a socket assembly such that the plug assembly 2 is at least partially drawn into the receiving space of the socket assembly.

[0030] A rotation of the lever 200 in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction causes a cam 220 of a side arm 202, 204 of the lever 200 to press on an associated fixed contact surface of the socket assembly in order to lift the plug assembly 2 by a continued rotation out of the socket assembly.

[0031] In the example of Fig. 1 to 4, the first contour comprises a proximal recess 230 of at least one side arm 202. The first counter contour comprises a projection 130 projecting from at least one of the side walls 102, which engages in the proximal recess 230 of the side arm 230 in the pre-locking rotational position P1.

[0032] The second contour comprises a proximal locking contour 240 of the connecting portion 206, oriented toward the opening 108 of the receiving space 110. The second counter-contour is part of a locking portion 140 raised relative to an outer surface 138 of the connecting wall 106, which is arranged at a distal end of a resilient tab 142 projecting away from the opening 108 of the receiving space 110. The second counter-contour comprises at least one counter-surface 144 facing away from the pre-locking rotational position P1.

[0033] The resilient tab 142 follows the contour of the connecting wall 106. The tab 142 is separated from the connecting wall 106 by a U-shaped recess and is connected to the connecting wall 106 in an area facing the opening 108.

[0034] A contour 146 of the locking portion 140, which extends continuously in a vertical plane of the rotation axis D, allows a rotational movement of the lever 200 in the direction of the locking rotational position P2 by the resilient tab 142 being pressed inward by the connecting portion 206 pressing on the continuously extending contour 146. After a movement of the lever 200 beyond the locking portion 140 into the locking rotational position P2, the locking portion 140 blocks a movement of the lever 200 in the direction of the pre-locking rotational position P1 by the proximal locking contour 240 of the connecting portion 206 striking the counter surface 144 of the locking portion 140 of the tab 142.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows another example of the connector arrangement 2. In contrast to the Fig. 1 to 4, the first contour comprises at least one proximal recess of the connecting portion 206 or at least one proximal edge 250 of the connecting portion 206. The first counter-contour comprises a projection 150 protruding from the connecting wall 106, which engages in the proximal recess of the connecting portion 206 or the proximal edge 250 in the pre-locking rotational position P1.

[0036] Fig. In contrast to the previous figures, Figure 6 shows that the first contour comprises a surface 260 of at least one side arm 202 facing away from the pre-locking rotational position P1 and extending perpendicular to one of the side walls 102. The first counter contour comprises a projection 160 projecting from the side wall 102.

[0037] The projection 160 provides resistance when the lever 200 is pressed, since the surface 260 presses against the projection 160. If the force on the lever 200 is increased, the projection is pressed in or the side arm 202 is pushed outward, and the lever 200 can be rotated toward the locking rotation position P2.

[0038] The second contour comprises a locking surface 270 which runs partially perpendicular to one of the side walls 102. The second counter contour is part of a resilient tab 170 introduced into the side wall 102, the distal end of which tab 170 comprises an inlet contour 172 for pressing in the tab 168 by the associated side arm 202 of the lever 200, and wherein the distal end of the tab 170 introduced into the side wall 102 comprises a counter surface 174 for the locking surface 270 in order to prevent the movement of the lever 200 in the direction of the pre-locking rotational position P1 after the distal end of the tab 170 has been passed over and the tab 170 has springed back into its unclamped position.

[0039] Fig. 7 shows, in contrast to the previous figures, that the first contour comprises a projection 280 projecting inward from at least one of the side arms 202. The second counter-contour comprises a circular-arc-shaped recess 180 in at least one of the side walls 102, wherein, in the course of the arc-shaped recess 180, a projection 182 of the side wall 102, extending, for example, radially to the axis of rotation D, projects into the arc-shaped recess 180. The circular arc shape followed by the recess 180 has its center on the axis of rotation D. A mechanical resistance between the projection 280 of the side arm 202 and the associated projection 182 of the side wall 102 can be overcome by applying a force to the lever 200 in order to move the lever 200 out of the pre-locking rotational position P1.

[0040] An auxiliary recess 184 of the side wall 102, which is also arcuate, is separated from the arcuate recess 180 by a web 186, wherein the projection 182 of the side wall 102 protrudes from the web 186.

[0041] Fig. 8a and Fig. 8b shows the lighting device 800 for the motor vehicle, which is embodied as a headlight in the present case. Of course, the lighting device 800 can also be embodied as tail lights, indicators, or the like. The lighting device 800 comprises the light module 810, which is arranged in a housing 820. The light module 810 is operated by a control unit 830 to emit light. The light emitted by the light module 810 strikes a transparent cover plate 840, which closes a light passage opening of the housing 820. A light distribution 850 is emitted from the cover plate 840.

[0042] According to Fig. 8a, the plug assembly 2 for electrically contacting the individual wires of a cable 860 is received in a socket assembly 900 of the control unit 830. According to Fig. 8b, a multi-core cable 870 leads from the connector assembly 2 to a further control unit 880.

[0043] The electrical socket assembly 900 comprises a receiving space for receiving at least a portion of the housing of the plug assembly 2, wherein at least one toothed contact surface protruding from a wall of the receiving space is provided for engagement with the tooth of the lever of the plug assembly 2. The socket assembly 900 comprises at least one groove extending parallel to the plugging direction S of the plug assembly 2 and formed in at least one of the walls of the receiving space. In a plugged-in state, at least one guide strip 120a-b of the housing 100 of the plug assembly 2 engages in the groove.

Claims

[1] An electrical connector assembly (2) comprising: a housing (100) with at least two opposing side walls (102, 104) which are connected to one another via a connecting wall (106), wherein the side walls (102, 104) and the connecting wall (106) define an opening (108) which leads into a receiving space (110) for at least one electrical connector (4, 6); and a U-shaped lever (200) mounted on the side walls (102, 104) so ​​as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (D), having at least two side arms (202, 204) which are connected to one another via a connecting section (206), wherein the respective side arm (202, 204) has at least one tooth (210, 212) which is rotatable about the axis of rotation (D) and extends radially to the axis of rotation (D); wherein a first contour of the lever (200) engages a first associated counter contour of the housing (100) to hold the lever (200) in a pre-locking rotational position (P1); wherein a second contour of the lever (200) engages a second associated counter-contour of the housing (100) to hold the lever (200) in a locking rotational position (P2); wherein the first contour comprises a projection (280) projecting inwardly from at least one of the side arms (202); wherein the second counter-contour comprises a circular-arc-shaped recess (180) of at least one of the side walls (102), wherein in the course of the arc-shaped recess (180) a projection (182) of the side wall (102) projects into the arc-shaped recess (180); and wherein an auxiliary recess (184) of the side wall (102) is separated from the arcuate recess (180) by a web (186), and wherein the projection (182) of the side wall (102) projects from the web (186). [2] The plug assembly (2) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (100) comprises at least one guide strip (120a-d) extending parallel to a plugging direction (S) of the plug assembly (2) and projecting from the housing (100). [3] The plug arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first contour comprises a proximal recess (230) of at least one side arm (202); and wherein the first counter-contour comprises a projection (130) projecting from at least one of the side walls (102) which engages in the proximal recess (230) of the side arm (230) in the pre-locking rotational position (P1). [4] The plug arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first contour comprises at least one proximal recess of the connecting portion (206) or at least one proximal edge (250) of the connecting portion (206); and wherein the first counter-contour comprises a projection (150) projecting from the connecting wall (106) which, in the pre-locking rotational position (P1), engages in the proximal recess of the connecting portion (206) or the proximal edge (250). [5] The plug arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first contour comprises a surface (260) of at least one side arm (202) facing away from the pre-locking rotational position (P1), in particular extending perpendicular to one of the side walls (102); and wherein the first counter contour comprises a projection (160) projecting from the side wall (102). [6] The plug arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second contour comprises a proximal locking contour (240) of the connecting portion (206) oriented toward the opening (108) of the receiving space (110); and wherein the second counter-contour is part of a locking section (140) which is raised relative to an outer surface (138) of the connecting wall (106) and which is arranged at a distal end of a resilient tab (142) projecting away from the opening (108) of the receiving space (110), and wherein the second counter-contour comprises at least one counter-surface (144) pointing away from the pre-locking rotational position (P1). [7] The plug arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second contour comprises a locking surface (270) which runs, in particular in sections, perpendicular to one of the side walls (102); and wherein the second counter-contour is part of a resilient tab (170) introduced into the side wall (102), the distal end of which tab comprises a run-in contour (172) for pressing in the tab (168) by the associated side arm (202) of the lever (200), and wherein the distal end of the tab (170) introduced into the side wall (102) comprises a counter-surface (174) for the locking surface (270) in order to prevent the movement of the lever (200) in the direction of the pre-locking rotational position (P1) after the distal end of the tab (170) has been passed over and the tab (170) has springed back into its unclamped position. [8] An electrical plug and socket assembly, the plug assembly being constructed according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least two teeth (210) are arranged on the lever (200) such that, when the lever (200) is rotated in a first rotational direction from the pre-locking rotational position (P1) into the locking rotational position (P2), at least one of the teeth (210) presses on a tooth contact surface in a receiving space of the socket arrangement (900) in order to at least partially pull the plug arrangement (2) into the receiving space of the socket arrangement (900), and wherein rotation of the lever (200) in a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction causes a cam (220) of a side arm (202, 204) of the lever (200) to contact an associated fixed contact surface of the socket assembly (900) to lift the plug assembly (2) out of the socket assembly (900) by continued rotation. [9] A motor vehicle lighting device (800), in particular a headlight or a rear light, with a multi-core cable (860), at the end of which the plug arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7 is arranged. [10] A motor vehicle lighting device (800), in particular a headlight or a rear light, with an electrical socket arrangement (900) in which the plug arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7 is arranged, wherein the socket arrangement (900) comprises: a receiving space for receiving at least part of a housing (100) of the plug assembly (2); and at least one toothed contact surface protruding from a wall of the receiving space for contacting a tooth (210) of a lever (200) of the plug assembly (2). [11] The automotive lighting device (800) according to the preceding claim, wherein the socket assembly (900) comprises: at least one groove extending parallel to a plugging direction (S) of the plug arrangement (2) and formed in at least one of the walls of the receiving space, wherein in a plugged-in state at least one guide strip (120a-b) of the housing (100) of the plug arrangement (2) engages in the groove.

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