Plug adapter for an electrical wiring harness, plug and wiring harness

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug adapter (3) for an electrical wiring harness (1) with an adapter body (3.1) - with at least one plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.11) which is designed as a through-hole in the adapter body (3.1) and for receiving at least one electrical plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) and at least partial passage of the plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17), and with at least one integral plug (3.2 to 3.4) formed integrally in the adapter body (3.1) which is coupled to at least one single electrical conductor (1.1 to 1.5), or - with several plug receptacles (3.5 to 3.11), each of which is designed as a through-hole in the adapter body (3.1) and each for receiving at least one electrical plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) and for at least partial passage of the plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17), wherein - which at least one plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) comprises two plug stages (S1, S2) formed by sections with different diameters, and - the plug stage (S1) is designed such that at least one plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) can be inserted into at least one plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.8) and locked in place. The invention further relates to a plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) for a plug adapter (3) and a wiring harness (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plug adapter for an electrical wiring harness.

[0002] The invention further relates to a plug for a plug adapter.

[0003] The invention further relates to a wiring harness.

[0004] A method for manufacturing and assembling a wiring harness is known from JP 2006-264356 A. The wiring harness is formed by mounting a plurality of connectors at required spacings longitudinally on a belt-like electrical cable, which has a collective insulation coating applied to a plurality of conductors to which electrical equipment is to be loaded. When a vehicle is connected to each of the terminals of this wiring harness, electrical devices are freely connected to each other and can be disconnected from each other in the same order in which the multiple terminals are mounted on the belt-like electrical cable. The wiring harness thus constructed, including the electrical equipment, is manufactured and delivered in a wiring harness manufacturing facility.The wire harness with the electrical equipment is loaded onto a robot, the electrical equipment is separated one by one from one end side of an electrical equipment connecting body, and the separated electrical equipment is mounted one by one at a predetermined position of a vehicle.

[0005] DE 10 2019 126 467 A1 describes a connector for the modular arrangement of contact inserts. The connector has a carrier assembly and a plurality of contact inserts. The carrier assembly has a receiving unit, wherein the receiving unit is configured to receive the plurality of contact inserts. The plurality of contact inserts can each be inserted into the receiving unit by means of a translational movement along a uniform guide direction, wherein the plurality of contact inserts together with the carrier assembly form the connector. Furthermore, a connector assembly is described which has a plurality of connectors and a coupling element. The plurality of connectors can be secured to the coupling element by means of a material connection, frictional connection, positive connection, or force connection.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of specifying a novel plug adapter for an electrical wiring harness, a novel plug for a plug adapter and a novel wiring harness.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by a plug adapter which has the features specified in claim 1, by a plug for a plug adapter which has the features specified in claim 4, and by a cable set which has the features specified in claim 7.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0009] The plug adapter according to the invention for an electrical cable set comprises an adapter body - with at least one plug receptacle, which is designed as a through-opening in the adapter body and for receiving at least one electrical plug and at least partially passing through the plug, and with at least one integral plug formed integrally in the adapter body, which is coupled to at least one individual electrical line, or - with a plurality of plug receptacles, each of which is designed as a through-opening in the adapter body and each for receiving at least one electrical plug and for at least partially passing through the plug.

[0010] Included - the at least one plug comprises two plug-in stages, which are formed by sections with different diameters, - each plug-in stage has fastening arrangements and positioning arrangements, - the plug-in stage is designed in such a way that the at least one plug can be inserted into the at least one plug receptacle and locked into it, and - the at least one plug receptacle has a fastening arrangement for a force-fitting and / or form-fitting fastening of the at least one plug and a positioning arrangement for positioning the at least one plug.

[0011] The plug adapter enables the combination of at least one individual cable electrically coupled to the integral plug and at least one individual cable electrically coupled to the plug in a common plug arrangement. This enables, for example, simple coupling of several partial cable sets to form a common cable set and also simple decoupling of the partial cable sets from one another. This coupling allows the partial cable sets to be connected together as one cable set using the plug adapter to an electrical connection with corresponding sockets to an electrical arrangement, for example, a control unit, in particular a vehicle control unit. The partial cable sets can be easily joined to form the common cable set in pre-assembly stations.Up to this point, the partial cable sets can be individually assembled, handled, and transported in a particularly advantageous and simple manner. Due to the possible decoupling, particularly complex cable sets can be easily disassembled into their component cable sets. Another particularly advantageous feature is that no signal losses occur at a connection or intermediate point created by the plug adapter, and influences on electrical logic are avoided. Furthermore, both the assembly of a plug in the plug adapter and the assembly of the plug adapter to the electrical arrangement can be automated, which can significantly reduce costs. The plug adapter is particularly advantageous in that it can be used for existing connector designs at no additional cost, except for the cost of the plug adapter itself, and can also be retrofitted.The fastening arrangement enables the plug to be securely fixed in the plug receptacle.

[0012] The positioning arrangement ensures that the plug is mounted in a designated position in the plug receptacle and thus on the electrical arrangement.

[0013] According to one possible embodiment of the plug adapter, the adapter body has at least one adapter fastening arrangement for a force-fitting and / or form-fitting attachment to a plug socket. This enables secure fixation of the plug adapter in the plug socket of the electrical arrangement.

[0014] According to a further possible embodiment of the plug adapter, the adapter body has at least one adapter positioning arrangement for positioning on a plug socket. This ensures that the plug adapter is mounted in a designated position in the plug socket of the electrical arrangement.

[0015] According to a further possible embodiment of the plug adapter, it comprises at least one plug-in aid in order to be able to overcome a higher plug-in force resulting from a higher number of contact parts.

[0016] According to a further possible design of the plug adapter, it comprises a locking mechanism for the individual plugs to securely fix them and / or a so-called Connector Position Assurance, or CPA for short, to reliably detect a complete plugging process.

[0017] The plug according to the invention is designed for use with an aforementioned plug adapter and is characterized by a plug housing that is configured to correspond to at least one section of the plug receptacle of the plug adapter. The plug has two plug-in stages formed by sections with different diameters. Each plug-in stage has respective fastening arrangements and positioning arrangements. One of the plug-in stages is configured such that the plug can be inserted into the plug receptacle, which comprises a corresponding fastening arrangement and positioning arrangement, and can be locked therein. This enables the plug to be securely received in the plug receptacle.

[0018] According to one possible embodiment of the plug, the plug housing has at least one fastening arrangement corresponding to the fastening arrangement of the plug receptacle and / or to a fastening arrangement of a plug socket for force-fitting and / or positive-locking fastening in the plug receptacle and / or the plug socket. This enables secure fixation of the plug in the plug receptacle and / or the plug socket.

[0019] According to a further possible embodiment of the plug, the plug housing has at least one positioning arrangement corresponding to the positioning arrangement of the plug receptacle and / or a positioning arrangement of a plug socket for positioning in the plug receptacle and / or plug socket. This ensures that the plug is mounted in a designated position in the plug receptacle and / or plug socket of the electrical arrangement.

[0020] The cable set according to the invention comprises a plurality of individual electrical cables and at least one aforementioned plug adapter and at least one aforementioned plug, wherein the at least one plug is electrically coupled to at least one individual cable and fastened in the plug receptacle.

[0021] The plug adapter enables the combination of at least one individual cable electrically coupled to the integral plug and at least one individual cable electrically coupled to the plug in a common plug arrangement. This enables, for example, simple coupling of several partial cable sets to form a common cable set and also simple decoupling of the partial cable sets from one another. This coupling allows the partial cable sets to be connected together as one cable set using the plug adapter to an electrical connection with corresponding sockets to an electrical arrangement, for example, a control unit, in particular a vehicle control unit. The partial cable sets can be easily joined to form the common cable set in pre-assembly stations.Up to this point, the partial cable sets can be individually assembled, handled, and transported in a particularly advantageous and simple manner. Due to the possible decoupling, particularly complex cable sets can be easily disassembled into their component cable sets. Another particularly advantageous feature is that no signal losses occur at a connection or intermediate point created by the plug adapter, and influences on electrical logic are avoided. Furthermore, both the assembly of a plug in the plug adapter and the assembly of the plug adapter to the electrical arrangement can be automated, which can significantly reduce costs. The plug adapter is particularly advantageous in that it can be used for existing connector designs at no additional cost, except for the cost of the plug adapter itself, and can also be retrofitted.

[0022] According to a possible design of the cable harness, it comprises several sub-cable sets, each with several individual electrical cables, - whereby the partial cable sets are combined in the plug adapter, - at least one individual line of at least one of the partial line sets is electrically coupled to a plug mentioned above and - the plug is secured in a plug receptacle of the plug adapter.

[0023] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

[0024] Showing: Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a wiring harness and a control unit according to the prior art with an electrical coupling of the wiring harness to the control unit, Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a wiring harness according to the invention and a control unit during an electrical coupling of the wiring harness to the control unit at a first time, Fig. 3 schematically shows a perspective view of the wiring harness and the control unit according to Fig. 2 at a second time, Fig. 4 schematically shows a perspective view of a plug adapter and a single cable with a plug during assembly of the plug on the plug adapter, Fig. 5 schematically shows a perspective view of the plug adapter and the single cable with a plug according to Fig. 4 after mounting the plug on the plug adapter, Fig. 6 schematically shows a perspective view of the plug adapter according to Fig. 5 and further individual cables with plugs after mounting the plugs on the plug adapter and Fig. 7 schematically shows a top view of a plug adapter.

[0025] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0026] In Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wiring harness 1' and an electrical arrangement 2 designed as a control unit according to the prior art with an electrical coupling of the wiring harness 1' to the arrangement 2.

[0027] The wiring harness 1' and the electrical arrangement 2 are particularly intended for use in a vehicle.

[0028] The cable set 1' comprises several individual cables 1.1' to 1.5', each of which is coupled to an actuator and / or sensor arrangement 1.6' to 1.10' at its end. At the other ends, the individual cables 1.1' to 1.4' are electrically coupled to a quadruple connector 1.11', and the individual cable 1.5' is electrically coupled to a single connector 1.12'. The individual cables 1.1' to 1.5' are bundled depending on their length, installation area, or direction. This bundling is achieved by mechanically connecting groups of individual cables 1.1' to 1.5' using mechanical cable protection 1.13', 1.14'.

[0029] The arrangement 2 comprises a socket 2.1 designed as a quadruple socket and a socket 2.2 designed as a single socket. The socket 2.1 is designed for electrical coupling with the plug 1.11', and the socket 2.2 is designed for electrical coupling with the plug 1.12'.

[0030] The plugs 1.11', 1.12' and the plug sockets 2.1, 2.2 each comprise corresponding positioning assemblies P1', P2', P3, P4 for correct positioning relative to one another. The positioning assemblies P1', P2', P3, P4 simultaneously form fastening assemblies B1', B2', B3, B4 for the force-fitting and / or positive-locking fastening of the plugs 1.11', 1.12' in the corresponding plug socket 2.1, 2.2.

[0031] To connect the connectors 1.11', 1.12' with the connector sockets 2.1, 2.2, the connectors 1.11', 1.12' are inserted into the corresponding connector sockets 2.1, 2.2 on the assembly 2. In this case, similar functionalities, such as camera functionalities, or similar processing scopes, such as actuators, are bundled on a connector socket 2.1, 2.2 on the assembly 2, which is designed as a control unit, so that conductor tracks can be laid as efficiently as possible on a circuit board of the assembly or can be processed directly after the respective connector 1.11', 1.12'. The problem with this is that different routing areas must be brought together in the connectors 1.11', 1.12' on the wiring harness side, resulting in a meshing of the wiring harness 1'.

[0032] To solve this problem, it is planned to replace the wiring harness 1' - as shown in Fig. 2 - into several partial cable sets T1, T2, so that a cable set 1 is created.

[0033] This cable set 1 comprises several individual cables 1.1 to 1.5, each of which is coupled to an actuator and / or sensor arrangement 1.6 to 1.10 at its end. At the other ends, the individual cables 1.1 to 1.3 are electrically connected to a connector 1.11, and the individual cable 1.5 is connected to a single-pin connector 1.12. The individual cables 1.1 to 1.5 are bundled depending on their length, installation area, or direction. This bundling is achieved by mechanically connecting groups of individual cables 1.1 to 1.5 using mechanical cable protection 1.13, 1.14.

[0034] In contrast to the Fig. In the cable harness 1' shown in Figure 1, the individual cable 1.4 in the cable harness 1 shown is also electrically connected to a connector 1.15 designed as a single plug. The connector 1.15 is designed in particular analogously to the connector 1.12 and has a positioning arrangement P5 and a fastening arrangement B5. The positioning arrangement P5 and / or fastening arrangement B5 can, for example, comprise a Connector Position Assurance (CPA).

[0035] The connector 1.11 is different from the one in Fig. 1 is designed as a plug adapter 3. This plug adapter 3 comprises an adapter body 3.1, in which three integrally formed integral plugs 3.2 to 3.4 are provided, each of which is electrically coupled to an individual electrical line 1.1 to 1.3.

[0036] In addition, the plug adapter 3 comprises a plug receptacle 3.5, which is designed as a through-opening in the adapter body 3.1 and for receiving at least one electrical plug 1.15 and for at least partially passing through the plug 1.15.

[0037] The connector receptacle 3.5 comprises a fastening arrangement B6 corresponding to the fastening arrangement B5 of the connector 1.15 for a force-fitting and / or form-fitting fastening, for example for a locking, of the connector 1.15. Furthermore, the connector receptacle 3.5 comprises a positioning arrangement P6 corresponding to the positioning arrangement P5 of the connector 1.15 for a correct positioning of the connector 1.15 in the connector receptacle 3.5.

[0038] To mount the plug 1.15 on the plug adapter 3, the plug 1.15 is inserted into the plug receptacle 3.5 and secured, particularly by locking it. The plug 1.11 thus forms the plug receptacle 3.5 itself, but without the electrical plug sockets 2.1 themselves. These remain attached to the assembly 2.

[0039] After inserting the plug 1.15 into the plug receptacle 3.5, the entire plug 1.11 - as shown in Fig. 3 shown in more detail - plugged as usual into the socket 2.1 of arrangement 2.

[0040] In the Fig. 4 to 6 are perspective views of a possible embodiment of a plug adapter 3 and several individual lines 1.1 to 1.4 with plugs 1.12, 1.15 to 1.17 during assembly of the plugs 1.12, 1.15 to 1.17 on the plug adapter 3 at different times.

[0041] The plug adapter 3 has four plug receptacles 3.5 to 3.8, which are particularly analogous to the one shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 and are introduced into the adapter body 3.1 as a through-opening with a fastening arrangement B6 to B9 and a positioning arrangement P6 to P9.

[0042] The connectors 1.12, 1.15 to 1.17 each comprise two plug-in stages S1, S2, which are formed by sections with different diameters. Each plug-in stage S1, S2 has fastening arrangements B2, B10 to B16 and Positioning arrangements P2, P10 to P16, wherein the plug-in stage S1 is designed in such a way that the plugs 1.12, 1.15 to 1.17 are inserted into the plug receptacles 3.5 to 3.8 and locked into place. For this purpose, the Connector receptacles 3.5 to 3.8 corresponding fastening arrangements B6 to B9 and positioning arrangements P6 to P9.

[0043] The connector stage S2 is designed to electrically couple all connectors 1.12, 1.15 to 1.17 together to the assembly 2 by means of the connector adapter 3 in the connector socket 2.1. This means that the connector adapter 3 serves as a collector for several connectors 1.12, 1.15 to 1.17.

[0044] Fig. Figure 7 shows a plan view of a possible embodiment of a plug adapter 3, which comprises a plurality of plug receptacles 3.5 to 3.11. The plug receptacles 3.5 to 3.11 are designed as a through-opening in the adapter body 3.1, wherein the plug receptacles 3.6 to 3.11 are designed analogously to the plug receptacles 3.6 to 3.11 described in the previous Fig. 2 to 6, the plug receptacles 3.5 to 3.8 are designed with fastening arrangements B7 to B9, B18 to B20 and positioning arrangements P7 to P9, P18 to P20.

[0045] The plug receptacle 3.5 is designed to accommodate a multiple plug, for example the plug 1.11' according to Fig. 1 or plug 1.11 according to Fig. 3 trained. List of reference symbols 1 cable set 1.1 to 1.5 single line 1.6 to 1.10 Actuator and / or sensor arrangement 1.11, 1.12 connector 1.13, 1.14 Line protection 1.15 to 1.17 connector 1' cable set 1.1' to 1.5' single line 1.6' to 1.10' actuator and / or sensor arrangement 1.11', 1.12' connector 1.13', 1.14' line protection 2 Arrangement 2.1, 2.2 socket 3 plug adapters 3.1 Adapter body 3.2 to 3.4 Integral connector 3.5 to 3.11 connector socket B1 to B16 mounting arrangement B18 to B20 mounting arrangement B1', B2' mounting arrangement P1 to P16 positioning arrangement P18 to P20 positioning arrangement P1', P2' positioning arrangement S1, S2 plug-in stage T1, T2 sub-line set

Claims

[1] Plug adapter (3) for an electrical cable set (1) with an adapter body (3.1) - with at least one plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.11), which is designed as a through-opening in the adapter body (3.1) and for receiving at least one electrical plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) and at least partially passing through the plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17), and with at least one integral plug (3.2 to 3.4) formed integrally in the adapter body (3.1), which is coupled to at least one individual electrical line (1.1 to 1.5), or - with a plurality of plug receptacles (3.5 to 3.11), each designed as a through-opening in the adapter body (3.1) and each designed to receive at least one electrical plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) and to at least partially pass through the plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17), where - the at least one plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) comprises two plug-in stages (S1, S2) which are formed by sections with different diameters, - each plug-in stage (S1, S2) has fastening arrangements (B2, B10 to B16) and positioning arrangements (P2, P10 to P16), - the plug-in stage (S1) is designed such that the at least one plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) can be inserted into the at least one plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.8) and locked therein, and - the at least one plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.11) has a fastening arrangement (B6 to B9, B18 to B20) for a force-fitting and / or form-fitting fastening of the at least one plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) and a positioning arrangement (P6 to P9, P18 to P20) for a positioning of the at least one plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17). [2] Plug adapter (3) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the adapter body (3.1) has at least one adapter fastening arrangement (B1) for a force-fitting and / or form-fitting fastening to a plug socket (2.1). [3] Plug adapter (3) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the adapter body (3.1) has at least one adapter positioning arrangement (P1) for positioning on a plug socket (2.1). [4] Plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) for a plug adapter (3) according to one of the preceding claims, - comprising a plug housing which is designed to correspond to at least one section of the plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.11) of the plug adapter (3), - having two plug-in stages (S1, S2) which are formed by sections with different diameters, - wherein each plug-in stage (S1, S2) has fastening arrangements (B2, B10 to B16) and positioning arrangements (P2, P10 to P16) and - wherein the plug-in stage (S1) is designed such that the plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) can be inserted into the plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.11) and locked therein. [5] Plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) according to claim 4, characterized by that the plug housing has at least one fastening arrangement (B2, B5, B10 to B16) corresponding to the fastening arrangement (B6 to B9, B18 to B20) of the plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.11) and / or to a fastening arrangement (B3) of a plug socket (2.1) for non-positive and / or positive fastening in the plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.11) and / or plug socket (2.1). [6] Plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized bythat the plug housing has at least one positioning arrangement (P2, P5, P10 to P16) corresponding to the positioning arrangement (P6 to P9, P18 to P20) of the plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.11) and / or a positioning arrangement (P3) of a plug socket (2.1) for positioning in the plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.11) and / or plug socket (2.1). [7] Cable set (1) with a plurality of individual electrical lines (1.1 to 1.5), comprising - at least one plug adapter (3) according to one of claims 1 to 3 and - at least one plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein - the at least one plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) is electrically coupled to at least one individual line (1.1 to 1.5) and is fastened in the plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.11). [8] Cable set (1) according to claim 7, - comprising several sub-cable sets (T1, T2) each with several individual electrical cables (1.1 to 1.5), - wherein the partial cable sets (T1, T2) are brought together in the plug adapter (3), - at least one individual line (1.1 to 1.5) of at least one of the partial line sets (T1, T2) is electrically coupled to a plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) according to one of claims 4 to 6 and - the plug (1.12, 1.15 to 1.17) is fastened in a plug receptacle (3.5 to 3.11) of the plug adapter (3).

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