Device for handling a plug

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (100) for handling a plug (200). The device (100) is characterized according to the invention by: - ​​a receiving element (101) which has a barb (102) and a counter bearing (104) arranged at a distance from the barb (102), wherein: - a receiving section (105) is formed between the barb (102) and the at least one counter bearing (104); - an insertion section (103) of the barb (102) corresponding to a cavity (210) formed in a housing (201) of the plug (200) and having a housing opening (208), and a free end of the insertion section (103) is directed towards the counter bearing (104); and - the plug (200) can be arranged or is arranged in the receiving section (105) such that the insertion section (103) is inserted through the housing opening (208) into the cavity (210).rests on a base (106) of the receiving section (105) arranged between the barb (102) and the counter bearing (104) and abuts the counter bearing (104) on one side opposite the housing opening (208).

Description

The invention relates to a device for handling a plug. From CN 101 867 130 A, a connector designed as a cable harness connector with barbs for an automatic transmission is known, comprising a connector housing made of plastic. A front end of the connector housing is a cylindrical body. An edge of a rear end of the connector housing is provided with a support element. Connecting holes are arranged in the cylindrical body, extending from the cylindrical body to the rear end of the connector housing. Terminals penetrate the front ends of the connecting holes, and wires penetrate the rear ends of the connecting holes. The front ends of the wires are connected to the rear ends of the terminals. Slanted, flexible barbs are arranged symmetrically outside the cylindrical body. DE 696 36 873 T2 describes a wall-mounted housing arrangement for the removable mounting of modular electrical connectors, consisting of a connector mounting housing which has an opening with a first and a spaced-apart second edge for receiving and mounting a connector and a spring-loaded connector coupling latch formed near the first edge, a connector coupling projection formed near the second edge, and spaced-apart lateral stops formed near the latch in lateral corners of the opening.The connector has a slot device formed near a first edge of an end face of the connector to receive the projection formed at the second edge of the opening, and spaced slots formed near corners of the end face of the connector, recessed from the end face of the connector and designed to receive the lateral stops of the connector mounting housing when the connector is engaged in the housing. EP 0 798 814 A1 describes an expandable junction box with a base featuring mounting tabs for connection modules. These tabs are arranged so that multiple connection modules can be independently locked along one edge of the base. The junction box also includes a bridge with mounting tabs for additional connection modules. These mounting tabs are arranged so that additional connection modules can be independently locked to the bridge. The bridge can be attached directly to the base above the connection modules already locked to the base to create an expandable junction box. The invention is based on the objective of providing a novel device for handling a plug. The problem is solved according to the invention by a device which has the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The device for handling a plug according to the invention comprises: - a receiving element which has a barb and a counter bearing arranged at a distance from the barb in a positionally fixed manner on the receiving element, wherein - a receiving section is formed between the barb and the at least one counter bearing, - an insertion section of the barb corresponding to a housing opening formed in a housing of the plug and a free end of the insertion section is directed towards the counter bearing, and - the plug can be arranged or is arranged in the receiving section such that the insertion section is inserted into the housing opening, rests on a base of the receiving section arranged between the barb and the counter bearing, and abuts the counter bearing on a side opposite the housing opening. The device facilitates the easy handling of a connector, particularly a connector for a vehicle wiring harness, during its installation on or in a vehicle and during wiring harness manufacturing. The connector is easily positioned within the holding element and is securely held there. The holding element, together with the connector attached to it, can be easily and safely grasped and transported by a handling unit, such as one mounted on a robot. This enables an increased level of automation in wiring harness manufacturing and / or connector assembly. The fixed positioning of the counter bearing on the receiving element allows for a particularly simple design of the receiving element. Specifically, in this configuration, the plug is first guided at an angle to the ground with the housing opening facing the insertion section of the barb, and the insertion section of the barb is then inserted through the housing opening into the cavity. Subsequently, or simultaneously with this insertion, the plug is lowered onto the ground on the side opposite the housing opening and positioned against the counter bearing. According to a non-inventive embodiment of the device, the counter bearing is arranged on the receiving element so as to be displaceable in the direction of the barb and in the opposite direction. This displacement further simplifies the positioning of the plug on the receiving element. The displaceability also allows plugs of different lengths to be held between the barb and the counter bearing. In particular, in such an embodiment, the plug is first guided with its housing opening towards the insertion section of the barb, and the insertion section of the barb is then inserted through the housing opening into the cavity. When the plug rests on the ground, it is positioned against the counter bearing on the side of the plug opposite the housing opening.Alternatively, the plug can first be positioned against the displaced counter bearing and then moved together with it on the floor in such a way that the insertion section of the barb is inserted through the housing opening into the cavity. According to a further embodiment of the device not in accordance with the invention, the counter bearing is mechanically coupled to at least one spring element which exerts a spring force on the counter bearing directed towards the barb. This prevents unintentional movement of the plug if the counter bearing is displaceable, thus ensuring a secure hold. According to one possible embodiment of the device, the receiving element has a U-shaped cross-section, wherein a side wall extending at least substantially perpendicular to the ground is arranged on each longitudinal side of the bottom of the receiving section, and the barb and the counter bearing are arranged on a side of the bottom facing the side walls. In this design, the plug is surrounded on three sides by the receiving element, resulting in both increased protection of the plug against mechanical and thermal stresses and improved fixation of the plug to or within the receiving element. Furthermore, the side walls and base can be used as guides for the plug when positioning it within the receiving element. This simplifies the positioning of the plug within the receiving element. According to another possible embodiment of the device, an opening is formed in at least one of the side walls, extending from the barb behind the counter bearing, to allow the passage of at least one conductor exiting the connector on the side opposite the housing opening. The at least one conductor can be precisely routed through this opening from the receiving device. For example, the at least one conductor may be arranged with an S-shaped or Z-shaped bend. This creates a labyrinth for the conductor passing through the opening, so that it is held self-lockingly in the opening of the corresponding side wall, thus further increasing the retention of the connector connected to the conductor in the receiving element. According to another possible embodiment of the device, the distance between the inner sides of the side walls corresponds to, or is slightly greater than, the width of the plug, which extends perpendicularly to a length of the plug formed between the housing opening and the opposite side of the plug. This further improves the retention of the plug in the receiving element. It also simplifies the guidance of the plug when inserting the barb into the housing opening and the positioning of the plug between the barb and the counter bearing. According to another possible embodiment of the device, corresponding locking elements are formed on the sections of the housing that define the cavity and on the insertion section of the barb, so that the insertion section can be locked into the housing of the connector. This enables a particularly reliable fastening of the connector in the receiving element. According to another possible embodiment of the device, a contact chamber adjoins the cavity, in which at least one electrical contact is arranged. This contact can be connected to an electrical contact of an electrical connecting element corresponding to the plug, which can be guided through the cavity. This eliminates the need for an additional cavity in the plug housing for inserting the barb; instead, the cavity already provided for electrical contacting the plug with the electrical connecting element can be used. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a first embodiment of a device for handling a plug and a sectional view of the plug in a first position; Figure 2 schematically shows a side view of the device and a sectional view of the plug according to Figure 1 in a second position; Figure 3 schematically shows a side view of a second, non-inventive embodiment of a device for handling a plug and a sectional view of the plug in a first position; Figure 4 schematically shows a side view of the device and a sectional view of the plug according to Figure 3 in a second position; Figure 5 schematically shows a side view of the device and a sectional view of the plug according to Figure 3 in a third position; and Figure 6 schematically shows a top view of a detail of a third embodiment of a device for handling a plug and a sectional view of the plug. Corresponding parts are marked with the same reference symbols in all figures. Fig. 1 schematically shows a side view of a first possible embodiment of a device 100 for handling a plug 200 and a sectional view of the plug 200 in a first position. The device 100 has a receiving element 101 which has a barb 102 with an insertion section 103, a counter bearing 104 arranged at a distance from the barb 102 in a position fixed position and a receiving section 105 formed between the barb 102 and the counter bearing 104 with a base 106. The connector 200 has a housing 201 with two contact spaces 202, 203, each containing an electrical connecting contact 204, 205. The connecting contacts 204, 205 are each electrically connected at one end to an electrical conductor 206, 207. At one end opposite the electrical conductors 206, 207, the connecting contacts 204, 205 are electrically coupled to corresponding connecting contacts (not shown) of an electrical connecting element (also not shown) that corresponds to the connector 200. To generate such an electrical coupling, the connecting contacts of the electrical connecting element are each guided through a housing opening 208, 209 and through a cavity 210, 211 located in front of the respective contact space 202, 203 to the connecting contacts 204, 205 of the plug 200. The connector 200 is specifically designed for use in a vehicle wiring harness. For the manufacture of the wiring harness and / or for the assembly of the connector 200 or its electrical coupling with the electrical connecting element, the connector 200 is arranged in the receiving element 101. The receiving element 101 is designed, for example, to be gripped and transported together with the connector 200 held therein by means of a handling unit of the device 100 (not shown in detail) which may be attached, for example, to a robot. To arrange the plug 200 in the receiving section 105 of the receiving element 101, it is first guided obliquely to the bottom 106 of the receiving section 105 with the housing opening 208 to the insertion section 103 of the barb 102 and the insertion section 103 of the barb 102 is inserted through the housing opening 208 into the cavity 210. In one possible embodiment not shown in detail, corresponding locking elements are formed on the sections of the housing 201 that bound the cavity 210 and on the insertion section 103 of the barb 102, so that the insertion section 103 can be locked into the housing 201 of the plug 200. Subsequently or simultaneously with the insertion of the insertion section 103 into the cavity 210, the plug 200 is positioned on the side opposite the housing opening 208, resting on the base 106 and lowered in the z direction against the counter bearing 104, until the plug 200 reaches the position shown in Fig. 2 in the receiving element 101. In this position, the plug 200 is securely held against displacement in the x, y, z directions in the receiving section 105 by means of the barb 102 and the counter bearing 104. The arrangement of the plug 200 in the receiving element 101 can be done manually or automatically, for example by means of a robot. In embodiments not shown in detail, several barbs 102 and counter bearings 104 may also be provided for fixing one or more plugs 200 to the receiving element 101. Fig. 3 schematically shows a side view of a second, non-inventive embodiment of a device 100 for handling a plug 200 and a sectional view of the plug 200 in a first position. In contrast to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the counter bearing 104 is arranged on the receiving element 101 so as to be displaceable in and opposite directions x. Furthermore, the counter bearing 104 is mechanically coupled, in a manner not shown in detail, to at least one spring element, which exerts a spring force on the counter bearing 104 directed towards the barb 102, i.e., opposite to direction x. Otherwise, the receiving element 101 and the connector 200 are designed according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2. To position the plug 200 in the receiving section 105 of the receiving element 101, it is first pressed at an angle to the bottom 106 of the receiving section 105 with the side opposite the housing opening 208 against the counter bearing 104, so that the counter bearing 104 moves in the direction x against the spring force. Subsequently, as shown in more detail in Fig. 4, when the displacement of the plug 200 and the counter bearing 104 is sufficient to allow the side of the plug 200, on which the housing opening 208 is formed, to be guided past the barb 102 towards the bottom 106 of the receiving section 105, the plug 200 is guided towards the bottom 106 until it rests on the bottom 106. The plug 200 is then guided in the opposite direction x towards the barb 102, so that its insertion section 103 is inserted through the housing opening 208 into the cavity 210 and, in one possible embodiment, locked into place. The counter bearing 104 moves automatically in the opposite direction x due to the spring force. The resulting position of the plug 200 in the receiving element 101 is shown in Fig. 5. In this embodiment as well, the arrangement of the plug 200 in the receiving element 101 can be carried out manually or automatically, for example by means of a robot. Fig. 6 schematically shows a top view of a section of a third embodiment of a device 100 for handling a plug 200 and a sectional view of the plug 200. In contrast to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the receiving element 101 has a U-shaped cross-section, wherein a side wall 107, 108 extending at least substantially perpendicular to the bottom 106 is arranged on each of the longitudinal sides of the base 106 of the receiving section 105. On one side of the base 106 facing the side walls 107, 108, two counter bearings 104 are arranged. Analogous to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, at least one barb 102 is arranged opposite the counter bearings 104, though not shown in detail. In this embodiment, the receiving element 101 is designed as a guide. The connector 200 is arranged in the receiving element 101 according to the described arrangement for the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, wherein the connector 200 is guided in the x direction by means of the side walls 107, 108. Alternatively, according to the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4 to 5, the counter bearings 104 are arranged on the receiving element 101 so as to be displaceable in and opposite to this direction x and are mechanically coupled to at least one spring element which exerts a spring force on the counter bearing 104 in the direction of the barb 102. The connector 200 is arranged in the receiving element 101 according to the described arrangement for the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4 to 5, wherein the connector 200 is guided in the direction x by means of the side walls 107, 108. In the side wall 107, an opening 109 is formed extending from the barb 102 in the x direction behind the counter bearing 104, through which the conductors 206, 207 are guided. For example, the conductors 206, 207 are arranged in an S-shape or Z-shape. This creates a labyrinth for the conductors 206, 207 passing through the opening 109, so that the conductors 206, 207 are held self-lockingly in the opening 109 and thus additionally secure the connector 200 in the receiving element 101. Such an opening 109 can alternatively or additionally also be formed in the other side wall 108 and / or in the base 106. Reference symbol list 100 Device 101 Receiving element 102 Barb 103 Insertion section 104 Counter bearing 105 Receiving section 106 Base 107 Side wall 108 Side wall 109 Opening 200 Connector 201 Housing 202 Contact chamber 203 Contact chamber 204 Connecting contact 205 Connecting contact 206 Cable 207 Cable 208 Housing opening 209 Housing opening 210 Cavity 211 Cavity x direction y direction z direction

Claims

Device (100) for handling a plug (200) comprising a receiving element (101) which has a barb (102) and a counter bearing (104) arranged at a distance from the barb (102) and fixedly on the receiving element (101), wherein: a receiving section (105) is formed between the barb (102) and the at least one counter bearing (104); an insertion section (103) of the barb (102) is formed corresponding to a cavity (210) formed in a housing (201) of the plug (200) and having a housing opening (208), and a free end of the insertion section (103) is directed towards the counter bearing (104); and the plug (200) can be arranged or is arranged in the receiving section (105) such that the insertion section (103) passes through the housing opening (208) into the cavity (210) is introduced,rests on a base (106) of the receiving section (105) arranged between the barb (102) and the counter bearing (104) and abuts the counter bearing (104) on one side opposite the housing opening (208). Device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving element (101) has a U-shaped cross-section, wherein a side wall (107, 108) extending at least substantially perpendicular to the bottom (106) is arranged on each longitudinal side of the bottom (106) of the receiving section (105), and the barb (102) and the counter bearing (104) are arranged on a side of the bottom (106) facing the side walls (107, 108). Device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that an opening (109) for the passage of at least one line (206, 207) exiting on the side of the plug (200) opposite the housing opening (208) is formed in at least one of the side walls (107, 108) starting from the barb (102) behind the counter bearing (104). Device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a distance between inner sides of the side walls (107, 108) corresponds to a width of the plug (200) which extends perpendicularly to a length of the plug (200) formed between the housing opening (208) and the opposite side of the plug (200). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that mutually corresponding locking elements are formed on the sections of the housing (201) limiting the cavity (210) and on the insertion section (103) of the barb (102). Device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a contact chamber (202) adjoins the cavity (210), in which at least one electrical connecting contact (204) is arranged, which can be contacted with an electrical connecting contact of an electrical connecting element corresponding to the plug (200) which can be guided through the cavity (210).

Images