Connector device for a cable harness

Abstract

A connector device (122) for a cable harness (120) is described. The connector device (122) comprises a base body (201) with N recesses (203) for arranging corresponding N lines (204, 404, 405) of a cable (121) of the cable harness (120), wherein the N recesses (203) extend along a longitudinal axis of the connector device (122). The connector device (122) comprises a first conductor segment (211) extending from a contact edge (213) in a first area of ​​a first recess (203) to a contact tongue (214) for contacting an assembly (130, 102), and a second conductor segment (211) extending from a contact edge (213) in a second area of ​​the first recess (203) to a contact tongue (214) for contacting the assembly (130, 102).The connector device (122) further comprises an interruption unit (208, 221, 222) configured to interrupt the first line (204) in a central area between the first area and the second area of ​​the first recess (203).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a (plug-in) connector device for a cable harness, e.g. for providing a data bus in an electrical device.

[0002] An electrical device, particularly a household appliance, typically has a wiring harness that provides a data bus, enabling data communication between different electronic components, such as sensors and / or control units. Each electronic component can be connected to the wiring harness cable, and thus to the data bus, via a connector.

[0003] The electrical device can have different variants, which may differ in the number of electronic components that need to be connected via the wiring harness. Furthermore, for efficiency reasons, it can be advantageous to use wiring harnesses of the same design in different device types.

[0004] This document addresses the technical task of providing a connector device for a cable harness that makes it possible to adapt the cable harness in a flexible and efficient manner to different variants of an electrical device and / or to different types of devices.

[0005] The problem is solved in each case by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in particular in the dependent patent claims, described in the following description, or illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, a connector device (in particular a plug) for a cable harness is described. The connector device can be configured to be attached to an N-core cable of the cable harness. Furthermore, the connector device can be configured to be attached to an assembly, e.g., to a printed circuit board of an assembly. In particular, the connector device can be configured to be plugged onto the printed circuit board of the assembly, e.g., onto an edge of the printed circuit board. The cable can be configured as a cable for a data bus, in particular for a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus.

[0007] The connector device comprises a base body with N recesses for arranging corresponding N conductors (or wires) of the cable harness, wherein the N recesses extend along a longitudinal axis of the connector device; with N≥1 (typically N≥2, N≥3, N≥4, or N≥5). Each recess can have a profile corresponding to the cross-sectional profile of the conductor that is arranged in the recess. The individual recesses typically have a length along the longitudinal axis that is significantly (e.g., by a factor of 5 or more, or 10 or more) greater than the diameter of the cross-section of the respective recess.

[0008] Furthermore, the connector device comprises a first conductor segment (e.g., in the form of a metallic rail) extending from a contact edge in the first area of ​​the first recess of the N recesses to a contact tongue for contacting an assembly. The connector device also comprises a second conductor segment (e.g., in the form of a metallic rail) extending from a contact edge in the second area of ​​the first recess to a contact tongue for contacting the assembly. The contact edges of the first and second conductor segments can each be based on IDC (insulation-displacement contact) technology.

[0009] The first recess can accommodate the corresponding first conductor of the cable. This first conductor can be a configuration line of the data bus, particularly the CAN bus. The first recess of the connector can thus be designed to couple a configuration line to a module, enabling flexible configuration of a cable harness.

[0010] The first section of the recess is positioned along the longitudinal axis in front of (or behind) the second section of the recess. A central section of the recess may be located between the first and second sections. The central section may have a length along the longitudinal axis of, for example, 2 mm or more, or 4 mm or more.

[0011] The connector device may include a cover designed to press the N conductors of the cable into the corresponding N recesses, so that the contact edges of the first and second conductor segments each form an electrically conductive connection with the first conductor in the first recess. The cover may further be designed to be attached (snapped) to the base body.

[0012] The connector device can have corresponding components for one or more additional (in particular, for all) of the N recesses. The components can be designed to enable electrically conductive contact between the individual conductors and an assembly onto which the connector device is plugged.

[0013] The connector device can comprise a first leg and a second leg with a gap formed between the legs to accommodate a printed circuit board of the assembly. The contact tongues of the first and second conductor segments can be located within the gap. The conductor segments can each extend from the first recess along a vertical axis of the connector device to the gap. The gap can extend parallel to a plane defined by the vertical axis and a transverse axis of the connector device.

[0014] The conductor segments can be configured such that the contact tongues touch when no circuit board is positioned in the gap. Furthermore, the conductor segments can be configured such that the contact tongue of the first conductor segment acts on a first side of the circuit board, and the contact tongue of the second conductor segment acts on an opposite second side of the circuit board positioned in the gap.

[0015] The connector device can thus be designed in such a way that it can be plugged onto a printed circuit board. The electrically conductive contact between the contact tongues of the two conductor segments can then be established or interrupted via conductor tracks and / or one or more electronic components on the circuit board. Furthermore, the one or more electronic components can, if required, introduce (configuration) signals on the first conductor.

[0016] As explained above, a corresponding contact can be provided for one or more further (especially for all) conductors of the cable with the circuit board arranged in the gap.

[0017] The connector device includes a breaker unit designed to break, and in particular to sever (if necessary irreversibly), the first conductor in the central area between the first and second sections of the first recess. Providing such a breaker unit enables a particularly flexible configuration of a cable harness (which is uniform and / or identical in design for different variants and / or device types).

[0018] The interruption unit can comprise at least one cutting element configured to cut the first conductor. Furthermore, the interruption unit can comprise a pin configured, in response to actuation (of the pin), to press the cutting element against the first conductor and / or the first conductor against the cutting element in order to cut the first conductor.

[0019] The connector device can, for example, have a guide channel for the pin, the guide channel extending along the vertical axis of the connector device from the cover to the central area of ​​the first recess. The pin can be movably arranged within the guide channel so that it can be pushed from the cover towards the central area of ​​the first recess to cut the first conductor. The guide channel can further be designed such that the pin engages in the guide channel when the first conductor has been cut.

[0020] By providing a movable pin and at least one cutting element, a particularly reliable and efficient interruption of the first line can be achieved.

[0021] The interruption unit can include a first cutting element located at a boundary between the central region and the first region of the first notch. Furthermore, the interruption unit can include a second cutting element located at a boundary between the central region and the second region of the first notch. The first and second cutting elements can be configured to cut a section from the first conductor in order to sever it. This section of the first conductor can have a length along its longitudinal axis of, for example, 2 mm or more, or 4 mm or more. Cutting out a section of the first conductor can achieve a particularly reliable interruption of the first conductor.

[0022] The connector device can include a cavity to receive the cut-out section of the first conductor. The pin can be designed to push the cut-out section of the first conductor into the cavity when the pin is pressed from the cover towards the central area of ​​the first recess. This ensures a particularly reliable interruption of the first conductor.

[0023] The N recesses can include (at least or exactly) two data recesses for (two corresponding) data lines of the cable. Furthermore, the N recesses can include a ground recess (for a ground line) and / or a power supply recess (for a power supply line with a supply voltage, e.g., V+ or V-). The connector device can include a guide channel for a termination element extending from the cover to the two data recesses (and, if applicable, to the ground recess and / or the power supply recess) (where the two data recesses (and, if applicable, the ground recess and / or the power supply recess) are arranged one behind the other along the transverse axis of the connector device).

[0024] The connector device can be designed such that a termination element with (at least or exactly) two contact elements (designed, for example, according to IDC technology) can be inserted into the guide channel, so that the (at least or exactly) two contact elements are electrically connected to the two data lines in the two data recesses. Optionally, the termination element can have a contact element for the ground line and / or a contact element for the power supply line. The termination element can thus optionally create an (electrically conductive) coupling of the two data lines to the ground line and / or the power supply line.

[0025] The connector device can also be designed in such a way that the two data lines (and, if applicable, the ground line and / or the supply line) are (electrically) separated from each other when the termination element is removed from the guide channel.

[0026] The termination element can comprise one or more electrical components, in particular an electrical resistor and / or a capacitor, through which the two data lines (and, if applicable, the ground line and / or the supply line) are connected when the termination element is inserted into the guide channel.

[0027] As explained above, the guide channel and the termination element can be designed such that one or more additional conductors (e.g., the ground conductor and / or the power supply conductor) of the cable's N conductors, which are arranged in one or more corresponding recesses of the N recesses, are coupled to the data conductors via the termination element (if the termination element is located in the guide channel). Conversely, removing the termination element can decouple the conductors.

[0028] Providing a guide channel for a termination element enables flexible termination of a data bus.

[0029] The guide channel for the termination element and / or the termination element itself can feature mechanical coding that reliably prevents incorrect insertion of the termination element and / or the insertion of a faulty termination element (e.g., with a different number of contacts) into the guide channel. In particular, the mechanical coding can be designed such that the termination element can only be inserted into the guide channel in a defined orientation and / or direction. The guide channel can thus be designed to prevent incorrect insertion of a termination element with the wrong number of poles and / or in the wrong direction. For example, this prevents a three-pole termination element with a ground reference from being inserted incorrectly (e.g., ground to V+) or offset (e.g., instead of ground, D-, D+ -> D-, D+, V+).

[0030] The guide channel and the termination element can thus have a mechanical coding designed such that the termination element can only be inserted into the guide channel in one, and in particular only one, predefined orientation. This ensures particularly reliable termination.

[0031] Another aspect is described in this document, which details a further connector device for a cable harness. The features described in this document can be applied individually or in combination to this connector device.

[0032] The connector device comprises a base body with N recesses for arranging corresponding N conductors of a cable from the wiring harness, wherein the N recesses extend (each) along a longitudinal axis of the connector device, and wherein the N recesses include two data recesses, each for one data conductor of the cable. The N recesses are arranged sequentially along the transverse axis of the connector device.

[0033] Furthermore, the connector device can include a cover designed to press and / or fix the N conductors into the N recesses, and designed to be attached to the base body.

[0034] The connector assembly further comprises (at least) a guide channel for a termination element, extending from the cover to the two data recesses (and optionally to a ground recess and / or a power supply recess). The connector assembly is designed such that a termination element with two (or more) contact elements can be inserted into the guide channel, so that the two (or more) contact elements are electrically connected to the two data lines in the two data recesses (and optionally to a ground line in the ground recess and / or to a power supply line in the power supply recess). Providing a guide channel for a termination element enables flexible termination of a data bus.

[0035] According to another aspect, a cable harness is described that comprises a cable with N conductors, where N ≥ 1. The cable harness further includes at least one connector device arranged on the cable and configured as described in this document. The cable harness typically includes two or more, or three or more, or four or more connector devices.

[0036] According to another aspect, an electrical device, in particular a household appliance (e.g. a washing machine, a dryer, a refrigerator, a dishwasher, an oven, etc.), is described that includes the wiring harness described in this document.

[0037] It should be noted that any aspect of the connector device described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the patent claims can be combined in a variety of ways.

[0038] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Fig. 1a a household appliance as an example of an electrical device; Fig. 1b an exemplary wiring harness with connector devices; Fig. 2a to 2c different views of a connector device in a basic state; Fig. 3a to 3c different views of a connector device in an interrupted state; and Fig. Figures 4a to 4c show different views of a connector device in a termination state.

[0039] As stated at the outset, this document deals with the provision of a wiring harness that can be flexibly and efficiently adapted to different variants of an electrical device, in particular a household appliance. In this context, it shows Fig. 1a an exemplary (household) appliance 100 with a multitude of electronic assemblies 101, 102 (e.g. a control unit 101 and one or more sensors 102) which are coupled to each other via a data bus 110, in particular via a CAN (Controller Area Network) bus, in order to exchange data with each other.

[0040] The 110 data bus can be provided using a (possibly pre-assembled) cable harness. Fig. Figure 1b shows an example of a wiring harness 120, with a cable 121 that has one or more (generally N) wires. The cable 121 can, for example, have a positive wire and a negative (or GND) wire for the power supply (e.g., for a 5V power supply). Furthermore, the cable 121 can have one or more data lines (e.g., a CAN High and a CAN Low line). Additionally, the cable 121 can have a configuration line, via which, for example, the configuration of the wiring harness 120 (for a specific variant of the electrical device 100) can be detected.

[0041] The cable harness 120 has one or more connector devices 122 that allow one or more corresponding electronic assemblies 102 to be electrically connected to the cable harness 120. A connector device 122 can be designed to be placed on or attached to a printed circuit board 130 of an electronic assembly 102 (e.g., to be plugged onto an edge of the printed circuit board 130).

[0042] The wiring harness 120 can be designed such that it can be used in a multitude of different variants of an electrical device 100 (and possibly devices 100 of different types), the different variants differing in the number of modules 102 connected to the wiring harness 120. The wiring harness 120 can, for example, be designed for a specific maximum number of modules 102 and can have a corresponding number of connector devices 122 for this purpose. This means that one or more of the connector devices 122 of the wiring harness 120 may not be used in a device 100 if that device 100 has a lower number of modules 102 than the maximum number.

[0043] To allow flexible adaptation of the cable harness 120 to different configurations and / or variants, the individual connector devices 122 of the cable harness 120 can be designed as follows: • to terminate the data lines (via a termination resistor) if necessary; and / or • to interrupt the configuration line if necessary (to loop the configuration line through a module 102).

[0044] In the Fig. Figures 2a to 2c, 3a to 3c and 4a to 4c show an exemplary connector device 122. The connector device 122 can be based on an IDC (insulation-displacement contact) connection to electrically connect the connector device 122 to the individual conductors of the cable 121 of the cable harness 122.

[0045] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2a, the connector device 122 can have a base body 201 with recesses 203, e.g., troughs, for the individual conductors 204 of the cable 121. The base body 201 also has conductor segments 211, 212 (e.g., electrically conductive rails) extending from the individual recesses 203 to corresponding contact areas for contacting a printed circuit board 130. Each conductor segment 211, 212 can have a contact edge 213 at the end facing the respective recess 203 for a conductor 204. This contact edge is designed to penetrate the electrical insulation layer of the respective conductor 204 in order to form an electrically conductive connection between the respective conductor 204 and the respective conductor segment 211, 212.

[0046] The connector device 122 further comprises a cover 202, which can be fixed to the base body 201 and which causes the individual conductors 204 to be pressed against the cutting edges 213 of the individual conductor segments 211, 212 in order to penetrate the insulation layer of the individual conductors 204. The cover 202 can also be used to fix the conductors 204 within the recesses 203.

[0047] The individual conductors 204 of the cable 121 can be arranged one behind the other along the y-axis (or along the transverse axis) in the Cartesian coordinate system shown in the figures. The individual conductors 204 or recesses 203 can each extend along the x-axis (or along the longitudinal axis) of the coordinate system.

[0048] The connector device 122 can have two legs 205, each extending along the z-axis (or vertical axis) of the coordinate system. A gap 206 can be formed between the two legs 205 to accommodate a printed circuit board 130. The gap 206 can run parallel to a plane defined by the y-axis and the z-axis. The connector device 122 can thus be configured to be plugged onto a printed circuit board 130, such that the printed circuit board 130 is positioned in the gap 206 between a first leg 205 and a second leg 205 of the connector device 122. The first leg 205 of the connector device 122 can be arranged on a first side of the circuit board 130 and the second leg 205 of the connector device 122 can be arranged on a second side of the circuit board 130.

[0049] The conductor segments 211, 212 of the connector device 122 can extend along the z-axis from the respective recess 203 to the gap 206, so that an electrically conductive connection is made between a conductor 204 and the circuit board 130 via the conductor segments 211, 212 (when the circuit board 130 is arranged in the gap 206).

[0050] As already explained and as in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2c, the individual recesses 203 and conduits 204 extend along the x-axis. Each of the individual recesses 203 and conduits 204 has, • a first area located on the first side of the gap 206 and / or at the level of the first leg 205; • a second area located on the second side of the gap 206 and / or at the level of the second leg 205; and • a central area located between the first area and the second area and / or at the level of the gap 206.

[0051] The connector device 122 can have two conductor segments 211, 212 for the (first) recess 203 of the configuration line 204. The first conductor segment 211 can extend from the first region of the (first) recess 203 and / or the (first) line 204 along the first leg 205 to the first side of the gap 206. The second conductor segment 211 can extend from the second region of the (first) recess 203 and / or the (first) line 204 along the second leg 205 to the second side of the gap 206. The first conductor segment 211 and the second conductor segment 212 can each have ends (contact tongues) 214 that touch within the gap 206.The ends 214 can be designed such that the circuit board 130 can be inserted between the ends 214, so that the end 214 of the first conductor segment 211 contacts the first side of the circuit board 130 and so that the end 214 of the second conductor segment 212 contacts the second side of the circuit board 130.

[0052] The connector device 122 can thus be designed such that the first area and the second area of ​​at least one line 204 (in particular the configuration line) are electrically connected to each other in a basic state of the connector device 122 directly via the line 204 itself (in particular via the central area of ​​the line 204) and indirectly via two line segments 211, 212 of the connector device 122. Fig. Figures 2a to 2c show the connector device 112 in its basic state.

[0053] The connector device 122 can further be designed such that the connector device 122 can be brought into an interruption state in which the first area and the second area of ​​at least one line 204 (in particular the configuration line) are no longer directly connected to each other via the line 204 itself (in particular no longer via the central area of ​​the line 204) but (only) indirectly via the two line segments 211, 212 of the connector device 122. Fig. Figures 3a to 3c show the connector device 112 in the interrupted state.

[0054] The connector device 122 can thus be designed such that the transition from the basic state to the interrupted state interrupts the line 204, in particular the central section of the line 204. On the other hand, the indirect connection via the two line segments 211, 212 should be maintained.

[0055] For this purpose, the connector device 122 (as part of a break unit) can have a first cutting element 221 arranged at the boundary between the first region and the central region of the recess 203 and / or the conductor 204. Furthermore, the connector device 122 can have a second cutting element 222 arranged at the boundary between the second region and the central region of the recess 203 and / or the conductor 204. The two cutting elements 221, 222 can be configured to cut out the central region of the conductor 204 in order to break the conductor 204.

[0056] The connector device 122 can have a guide channel 207 arranged along the z-axis above (or below) the central area of ​​the conductor 204 and / or the recess 203. A punch or pin 208 can be arranged in the guide channel 207 such that the pin 208 can be moved along the z-axis. For example, in its basic state, the pin 207 can protrude from the cover 202 of the connector device 122 (along the z-axis).

[0057] The pin 208 can be configured to be pressed by a user along the z-axis into the guide channel 207 (towards the cover 202), so that the pin 208 acts on the central area of ​​the conductor 204 and presses the conductor 204 against the cutting elements 221, 222, so that the central area 304 of the conductor 204 is separated from the conductor 204 by the cutting elements 221, 222, as exemplified in Fig. Figure 3c shows the section 304 cut from the conductor 204 (i.e., the central area of ​​the conductor 204) can be pressed by the pin 208 into a cavity 223 provided for this purpose within the connector device 122.

[0058] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3c, the pin 208, in the interrupted state of the connector device 122, is arranged as a separating element between the first and second sections of the cut conductor 204. This ensures particularly reliable electrical insulation of the two sections of the cut conductor 204.

[0059] The open state of the connector device 122 can be used when a printed circuit board 130 is arranged in the slot 206 of the connector device 122. The signals transmitted on the severed line 204 can then be reliably received and / or sent by the electronic assembly 102 on the printed circuit board 130. Conversely, the normal state of the connector device 122 can be used when no printed circuit board 130 is arranged in the slot 206 of the connector device 122.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, the connector device 122 can be designed (as exemplified in the Fig.(Figures 4a to 4c) to terminate the data lines 404, 405 of cable 121. For this purpose, the connector device 122 can have a guide channel 407 along the z-axis above the two data lines 404, 405 for a termination element 408, which can be inserted into the guide channel 407 as needed. The termination element 408 typically includes a termination resistor 410. Furthermore, the termination element 408 includes a first contact element 411, which is arranged above the first data line 404, and a second contact element 412, which is arranged above the second data line 405 (when the termination element 408 is arranged in the guide channel 407).

[0061] The contact elements 411, 412 can each have a contact needle 415 facing the respective line 404, 405. The termination element 408 can be pressed along the z-axis into the guide channel 407, so that the contact elements 411, 412 (in particular the contact needles 415 of the contact elements 411, 412) are pressed through the insulation into the respective data line 404, 405 to terminate the data lines 404, 405 via the termination resistor 410.

[0062] The termination may optionally include an electrically conductive connection of the data lines 404, 405 to a ground line and / or to a supply line (with a supply voltage) of the cable 121. For this purpose, the guide channel 407 may be configured such that it extends from the cover 202 (additionally) to a ground recess 203 for the ground line and / or to a supply recess 203 for the supply line. Furthermore, the termination element 408 may (additionally) have a contact element for the ground line and / or a contact element for the supply line. The guide channel 407 may thus be configured for a termination element 408 that provides an electrically conductive connection with three or more or with four or more lines of the cable 121.

[0063] As explained at the outset, bus systems 110 can use a standardized connector type with a fixed signal assignment to establish the connection between individual participants (i.e., assemblies) 102. This document describes a connector device 122 (e.g., in the form of a plug) that makes it possible to create cable harnesses 121 for a complex bus system 110 and that makes it possible to disconnect, terminate, and / or restore the previous configuration of individual segments of the bus system 110 during manufacturing and / or operation, e.g., by unplugging the connector 122 from the assembly 102 (in particular, from the printed circuit board 130 of the assembly 102). This can be achieved by a special design of the connector 122 using Insulation Displacement Connection (IDC) technology, by the connector body 201, and / or by the contacts used.

[0064] The described connector device 122 makes it possible to disconnect the bus 110 at any point after and / or during the production of a cable harness 120 (e.g., using a tool). Furthermore, it allows the bus 110 to be terminated if necessary (e.g., with a 120-ohm termination 410 of a CAN pair). The connector device 122 is particularly suitable for the automated production of cable harnesses 120, e.g., for household appliances 100.

[0065] The connector device 122 has a base body 201 which features a series of contact edges 213 for making electrical connections. Examples of contacts or lines include contacts for supplying power to system components and / or contacts for a data signal such as DBus, RS485 or CAN.

[0066] Furthermore, the connector device 122 has a contact pair 211, 212, which is designed such that the tongues 214 of the contact pair 211, 212 are electrically conductive when the connector device 122 is not plugged in. At least one cutting edge 221, 222 is provided in the cable contact area, which can separate the cable 121 if necessary. To effect this separation, a pin 208 with a predetermined breaking point can be molded into the cover 202 of the connector 122 (i.e., the connector device 122), which can be pressed into the connector 122 if required. When the pin 208 is pressed down, the continuous conductor 204 is sheared off in the middle between the two contact springs 211, 212 at the cut edges 221, 222 and is brought downwards by the pin 208 into a cavity 223 inside the plug 122, so that the electrical connection exists only via the contact tongues 214 of the plug 122.This interrupts this conductor 204. When the connector 122 is plugged into a module 130, a "daisy chain" configuration can be created via this conductor 204 using the bus system 110. The connector 122 can be configured for one or more conductors 204 of the connector 122, depending on the requirements of the bus system 110.

[0067] The cover 202 of the connector 122 can be used to establish the electrical connection between the individual conductors 204 of the cable 121 and the contacts 213 of the connector body 201 when assembling the wiring harness 120. For this purpose, all conductors 204 are placed simultaneously onto the body 201. The cover 202 can then be pressed down from above until it clicks into place in the body 201. During this process, all conductors 204 are pressed into the corresponding contacts 213, which pierce the insulation of the conductors 204 and establish a connection to the respective inner conductors 211 and 212.

[0068] Furthermore, the cover 202 can have one or more cavities 407 for receiving a termination plug 408. This termination plug 408 has two or more contacts 411, 412, which can be implemented using IDC technology. In addition, the termination plug 408 has one or more termination components 410 required for the bus system 110 used, such as one or more resistors and / or one or more capacitors.

[0069] If a termination is to be created at a specific point on a cable harness 120, the termination plug 408 is inserted into the cavity 407 of the plug 122 located at that point and pressed down until the termination plug 408 clicks into place in the cover 202. This creates an electrical connection between the termination and the necessary signal wires 404 and 405 of the bus 110 via the IDC contacts 411 and 412. If necessary, this termination can be removed by pulling off the termination plug 408 (if required, with a suitable tool).

[0070] The described connector device 122 enables the efficient production of a standard cable harness 120, for example, for different variants of household appliances 100. In particular, it allows for the automated production of standard cable harnesses 120. The standard cable harness 120 can contain one or more connector devices 122, each with a disconnect pin 208. Furthermore, the connector device 122 can already have a termination plug 408 at one end of the cable harness 120. The cable harness 120 can be adapted to the specific variant as needed (by a technician). This significantly reduces the number of cable harness variants required.

[0071] The option of threading the cable 121 through the connector 122 before crimping makes it relatively easy to create cable strands with twisted pairs. It is also conceivable to use a special flat cable 121 that has points at specific intervals where a connector 122 can be crimped. This allows the cable 121 to have twisted pairs and / or double insulation, and can be supplied on a reel if necessary, and completed relatively easily by crimping on the connectors 122.

[0072] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, it should be noted that the description and the figures are only intended to illustrate the principle of the proposed connector device.

Claims

[1] Connector device (122) for a wiring harness (120), the connector device (122) comprising - a base body (201) with N recesses (203) for arranging corresponding N lines (204, 404, 405) of a cable (121) of the cable harness (120); wherein the N recesses (203) extend along a longitudinal axis of the connector device (122); with N≥1; - a first line segment (211) extending from a contact edge (213) in a first region of a first recess (203) to a contact tongue (214) for contacting an assembly (130, 102); - a second line segment (211) extending from a contact edge (213) in a second region of the first recess (203) to a contact tongue (214) for contacting the assembly (130, 102); wherein the first region of the recess (203) is arranged along the longitudinal axis in front of the second region of the recess (203); - a cover (202) which is designed - to press the N lines (204) into the N recesses (203) so that the contact edges (213) of the first and second line segments (211, 212) each form an electrically conductive connection with a first line (204) in the first recess (203); and - to be attached to the base body (201); and - an interruption unit (208, 221, 222) configured to interrupt the first line (204) in a central region between the first region and the second region of the first recess (203). [2] Connector device (122) according to claim 1, wherein the interruption unit (208, 221, 222) is designed to sever the first line (204) in the central region of the first recess (203), in particular irreversibly. [3] Connector device (122) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the interruption unit (208, 221, 222) comprises - at least one cutting element (221, 222) designed to sever the first line (204); and - a pin (208) configured to press, in response to an actuation, the sheathing element (221, 222) against the first line (204) and / or the first line (204) against the cutting element (221, 222) in order to sever the first line (204). [4] Connector device (122) according to claim 3, wherein - the connector device (122) has a guide channel (207) for the pin (208); - the guide channel (207) extends along a vertical axis of the connector device (122) from the cover (202) to the central region of the first recess (203); and - the pin (208) is movably arranged within the guide channel (207) so that the pin (208) can be pressed from the cover (202) towards the central region of the first recess (203) in order to sever the first line (204). [5] Connector device (122) according to one of claims 3 to 4, wherein the interruption unit (208, 221, 222) comprises - a first cutting element (221) arranged at a boundary between the central region and the first region of the first recess (203); and - a second cutting element (222) arranged at a boundary between the central region and the second region of the first recess (203); wherein the first and second cutting elements (221, 222) are configured to cut a portion of the first line (204) to sever the first line (204). [6] Connector device (122) according to claim 5, wherein - the connector device (122) comprises a cavity (223) for receiving the cut-out portion of the first line (204); and - the pin (208) is designed to push the cut-out portion of the first line (204) into the cavity (223) when the pin (208) is pressed from the cover (202) towards the central region of the first recess (203). [7] Connector device (122) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the connector device (122) comprises a first leg (205) and a second leg (205) with a gap (206) formed between the legs (205) for receiving a printed circuit board (130) of the assembly (130, 102); and - the contact tongues (214) of the first and second line segments (211, 212) are arranged within the gap (206). [8] Connector device (122) according to claim 7, wherein - the contact tongues (214) touch each other when no printed circuit board (130) is arranged in the gap (206); and / or - the contact tongue (214) of the first line segment (211) acts on a first side of the circuit board (130) and the contact tongue (214) of the second line segment (212) acts on an opposite second side of the circuit board (130) which is arranged in the gap (206). [9] Connector device (122) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first line (204) is a configuration line of a data bus (110), in particular a CAN bus. [10] Connector device (122) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the N recesses (203) comprise two data recesses (203) for data lines (404, 405) of the cable (121); - the connector device (122) comprises a guide channel (407) for a termination element (408) extending from the cover (202) to the two data recesses (203); and - the connector device (122) is designed such that a termination element (408) with at least two contact elements (411, 412) can be inserted into the guide channel (407), so that the two contact elements (411, 412) are electrically conductively connected to the two data lines (404, 405) in the two data recesses (203). [11] Connector device (122) according to claim 10, wherein - the connector device (122) is designed such that the two data lines (404, 405) are separated from each other when the termination element (408) is removed from the guide channel (407); and / or - the guide channel (407) and the termination element (408) are designed such that one or more further lines of the N lines of the cable (121), which are arranged in one or more corresponding recesses of the N recesses (203), are coupled to the data lines (404, 405) via the termination element (408) when the termination element (408) is arranged in the guide channel (407); and / or - the guide channel (407) and the termination element (408) have a mechanical coding which is designed such that the termination element (408) can only be inserted into the guide channel (407) in one, in particular only in a single, predefined orientation. [12] Connector device (122) according to one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the termination element (408) comprises one or more electrical components, in particular an electrical resistor and / or a capacitor, via which the two data lines (404, 405) are connected to one another when the termination element (408) is plugged into the guide channel (407). [13] Connector device (122) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact edges (213) of the first and second line segments (211, 212) are each based on IDC, insulation-displacement contact, technology. [14] Connector device (122) for a wiring harness (120), the connector device (122) comprising - a base body (201) with N recesses (203) for arranging corresponding N lines (204, 404, 405) of a cable (121) of the cable harness (120); wherein the N recesses (203) extend along a longitudinal axis of the connector device (122); with N≥2; wherein the N recesses (203) comprise two data recesses (203) for data lines (404, 405) of the cable (121); - a cover (202) which is designed to press the N lines (204) into the N recesses (203) and which is designed to be attached to the base body (201); and - a guide channel (407) for a termination element (408), which extends from the cover (202) to the two data recesses (203); wherein the connector device (122) is designed such that a termination element (408) with two contact elements (411, 412) can be inserted into the guide channel (407), so that the two contact elements (411, 412) are electrically conductively connected to the two data lines (404, 405) in the two data recesses (203). [15] Wiring harness (120) comprising - a cable (121) with N lines, with N≥1; and - at least one connector device (122) according to one of the preceding claims, which is arranged on the cable (121).

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