Activation clip

Abstract

The present invention relates to an actuating clip (1) for a connector (10) with a cable receptacle (2) for receiving at least one cable; connecting means for connecting the actuating clip to the connector such that the actuating clip connects to the connector at a cable-side end of the connector; surfaces for actuating the connector (10) which are configured to ensure guidance of the connector (10) when it is connected to an actuating clip, in that the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) can be gripped by a human hand and / or by a gripping tool, wherein the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) are specifically designed to be gripped by a hand and / or a gripping tool.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an actuating clip and a connector arrangement comprising a connector and an actuating clip. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Connectors are well-known. It is also known that connectors are often mounted in confined spaces. During the assembly of a connector in such a space, difficulties can arise in ensuring sufficient room for the assembly tool or for manual assembly by the operator.

[0003] US 2002 / 0065004 A1 shows a connector with an actuating device.

[0004] US2017 / 0331222A1 discloses a connector arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a connector with a cable clamp.

[0005] The US10205266B1 shows a connector with an actuating device.

[0006] DE 20 2007 010 061 U1 discloses an actuating clip for a connector with a cable receptacle for receiving at least one cable; connecting means for connecting the actuating clip to the connector in such a way that the actuating clip connects to the connector at a cable-side end of the connector; surfaces for actuating the connector which are designed to ensure guidance of the connector when it is connected to an actuating clip by allowing the surfaces of the actuating clip to be gripped by a human hand and / or a gripping tool, wherein the surfaces of the actuating clip are specifically designed to be gripped by a hand and / or a gripping tool. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention is based on the objective of creating a mounting option for a connector in a confined space.

[0008] According to the invention, this problem is solved by an actuating clip with the features of claim 1.

[0009] Connectors ensure the detachable connection of a cable to another electrical or electronic component. Accordingly, a connector comprises an interface-side end, which is connected to the other component, and a cable-side end, at which the connector is connected to the cable.

[0010] In this patent application, the term "cable" encompasses both uninsulated electrical conductors and electrical conductors surrounded by electrical insulation, such as a plastic sheath. A cable can have one or more electrical conductors.

[0011] In this patent application, connecting elements serve to fasten the actuating clip to the connector. Accordingly, the connecting element can be designed as a locking device, bayonet connection, screw connection and / or the like.

[0012] Guiding the connector means that the connector is guided along a specific direction of movement. For example, during assembly, the connector must be guided onto another component to bring the interface end of the connector into contact with the other component.

[0013] In this patent application, the assembly of a connector is understood to mean that a connector is plugged into another component, for example a mating connector.

[0014] Recesses inside the actuating clip are chambers that are separated from the material of the actuating clip. Accordingly, the recesses inside the actuating clip are usually filled with air.

[0015] Spring elasticity ensures elastic deformability under the influence of a force, whereby the deformation recedes when the force is relieved.

[0016] Expanding means that the circumference of an expanded object increases.

[0017] Detent devices include, for example, detent lugs, detent hooks, snap hooks, and / or the like. A detent connection is characterized by the fact that a directed force must be applied to create the detent between two components until they engage. Once engaged, the detent devices secure the components against disengagement.

[0018] In this patent application, an optional additional component means that the component has no function during operation. Accordingly, the connector arrangement achieves at least one partial function independently of the actuating clip. An electrical function, for example, means that a component carries an electric current. An electromagnetic function means that a component modifies the electromagnetic properties of a component, such as its EMC properties.

[0019] Electronic functions refer to control, for example switching a component on and / or off or setting a specific operating mode.

[0020] A connector comprises an interface through which an imaginary interface plane can be placed. The axial longitudinal direction is perpendicular to this interface plane.

[0021] Slanted surfaces run monotonically in one direction. Slanted surfaces can be curved or straight.

[0022] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to relocate the actuation surfaces of a connector. This is achieved by the invention by relocating the actuation surfaces of a connector towards a cable connected to the connector by means of an actuation clip.

[0023] Accordingly, the actuating clip is placed around the cable connected to the connector and attached to one end of the connector on the cable side. If the connector has actuating surfaces, a choice can be made between the actuating surfaces of the connector and those of the actuating clip during assembly or mating. If the connector does not have actuating surfaces, the actuating surfaces of the actuating clip can be used. Therefore, it is not absolutely necessary for the connector to have actuating surfaces.

[0024] Actuating a connector means inserting (i.e., assembling) or uninserting (i.e., disassembling) the connector. Accordingly, actuation surfaces are surfaces that can be gripped by a tool or a human hand to actuate the connector.

[0025] It is understood that a connector assembly is provided comprising a connector and an actuating clip as described above, wherein the connector is configured to be electrically connected to the cable in a cable-side area of ​​the connector. The actuating clip is attached to a cable-side end of the connector and forms an extension in the axial longitudinal direction of the connector.

[0026] In this patent application, a connector arrangement comprises at least one connector, one actuating clip and one cable connected to the connector.

[0027] It is also provided that the connector has inclined surfaces which cause a continuous widening of the actuating clip when the actuating clip is guided along the inclined surfaces during its assembly on the connector.

[0028] This expansion mechanism using the angled surfaces of the connector is ergonomically advantageous compared to expansion using a separate tool or even by the hand of a fitter.

[0029] Additionally, the connector is provided to have guide means by which movement of the actuating clip during its assembly on the connector is restricted in at least one spatial direction.

[0030] For example, the connector may have a guide rib that guides the actuating clip along the connector in the assembly direction, thus preventing the actuating clip from sliding beyond the area of ​​the connector intended for assembly towards an interface-side end of the connector and potentially damaging other components there.

[0031] According to the invention, at least one recess is provided inside the actuating clip to ensure spring elasticity of the actuating clip. The recess inside the actuating clip forms a hollow chamber and is not to be confused with the recess on the surface of the actuating clip.

[0032] Additionally, the cable receptacle may have one or more breaks to improve the spring elasticity of the actuating clip.

[0033] The recess inside the actuating clip ensures a higher spring elasticity of the actuating clip compared to an actuating clip that does not have recesses inside.

[0034] Furthermore, the cutouts allow for weight and material savings. This ensures that the actuating clip adds only minimal weight and keeps manufacturing costs low.

[0035] According to the invention, the actuating clip can be widened to be connected to a connector.

[0036] This allows the actuating clip to be easily placed around the cable of a cable connected to the connector, without requiring any particular force. If the actuating clip has recesses, it is advantageous to arrange the recesses in such a way that they support the opening of the actuating clip. For this purpose, for example, the recesses can be designed symmetrically with respect to an axis around which the actuating clip opens.

[0037] This ensures that an actuating clip can be attached to a connector without tools. The expansion can be achieved, for example, manually by pulling the actuating clip apart, or by means of angled surfaces on the connector that allow the actuating clip to expand as it is slid over corresponding angled surfaces on the connector.

[0038] Advantageous designs and further developments result from the further sub-claims as well as from the description with reference to the figures in the drawing.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surfaces of the actuating clip are designed ergonomically for manual actuation by not having any radially outwardly directed projections.

[0040] This ensures manual assembly with high ergonomic requirements. When designing the ergonomics of connector assembly, it must be considered that a human assembler only needs a few seconds to insert or assemble a connector, and consequently assembles a large number of multiple O connectors during a work shift.

[0041] Due to such high throughput, a human assembler quickly experiences wear and tear on the body parts of their body that operate the connector, typically the fingers. Therefore, a connector or connector assembly with other components must be designed in such a way that an assembler does not experience pain during connector assembly, even after assembling an extremely large number of connectors.

[0042] For example, outward-facing protrusions would cause pressure points on the body parts of the assembler that actuate the connector when assembling a large number of units.

[0043] The actuating surface may have smaller recesses, provided that the actuating surface surrounding the recesses adequately supports the actuating body part, i.e., usually the actuating finger, so that the recesses in the actuating surfaces do not cause pressure points.

[0044] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the operating surfaces do not contain any harmful materials, i.e., are free of lead and / or chromium, for example. This ensures that a human technician does not need to wear gloves.

[0045] It goes without saying that plastic is a suitable material for the actuating clip.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating clip has locking means which are configured to interact with locking means of the connector.

[0047] One possible locking device is, for example, locking lugs on the actuating clip and / or on the connector, which interact with each other by each forming a stop to prevent the actuating clip from slipping out relative to the connector.

[0048] The locking devices can be designed in such a way that the locking connection between the actuating clip and the connector cannot be released without tools.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuating clip forms an optional additional component to a connector, which in particular does not have any electrical, electromagnetic and / or electronic functions.

[0050] Consequently, the actuating clip does not necessarily have to be made of an electrically conductive material, but can be made of cost-effective plastic.

[0051] Alternatively, it is conceivable to manufacture the actuating clip from metal, for example to achieve a shielding effect against electromagnetic effects or to improve the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of a connector arrangement.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector arrangement comprises both actuating surfaces on the connector and actuating surfaces on the actuating clip, wherein the actuating surfaces of the actuating clip are arranged radially offset from the actuating surfaces of the connector.

[0053] Accordingly, it may be provided that the connector has actuation surfaces that are arranged laterally on the connector and that the actuation surfaces of the actuation clip are arranged above and / or below the connector.

[0054] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0055] The above embodiments and further developments can be combined with one another as appropriate. Further possible embodiments, further developments, and implementations of the invention also include combinations of features of the invention described previously or subsequently with regard to the exemplary embodiments, even if not explicitly mentioned. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention. CONTENT OF THE DRAWING

[0056] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the schematic figures of the drawing. These figures show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a connector arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a connector arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a connector arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a connector arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0057] The accompanying figures are intended to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, serve to explain the principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned will become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0058] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally equivalent and similarly acting elements, features and components are each provided with the same reference symbols unless otherwise stated.

[0059] The following section describes the characters in a coherent and comprehensive manner. DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0060] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a connector arrangement 20 with a connector 10 and an actuating clip 1. The connector 10 includes a housing 12 which interacts with the actuating clip 1.

[0061] The connector 10 comprises a cable-side end 15 and an interface-side end 16. A cable receptacle 14 is provided at the cable-side end 15 of the connector 10 to receive electrical conductors of a cable and to contact them further along the connector with electrical plug contacts of the connector 10.

[0062] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows the connector 10 with the actuating clip 1 immediately before its assembly. Accordingly, a direction of movement along which the actuating clip 1 is to be guided to mount it on the connector 10 is indicated by a directional arrow 101. The actuating clip 1 is thus brought up from below to a projection 15 of the connector 10 and pushed onto it with minimal force.

[0063] During upward movement, a chamfered edge 9 of the locking lug 8 of the actuating clip 1 travels along the lateral contour of the projection 15. The lateral contour of the projection 15 of the connector 10 comprises a slanted surface 11, which ensures continuous expansion of the actuating clip, a vertical surface 12, and a locking lug 13, which interacts with the locking lug 8 of the actuating clip 1 and thus ensures the attachment of the actuating clip 1 to the connector 10.

[0064] The widening of the actuating clip 1 is facilitated by several recesses 3, 4, and 5, which increase the spring elasticity of the actuating clip. The recesses 3, 4, and 5 are arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the actuating clip, with the axis of symmetry running through the center of the actuating clip 1 in the direction of arrow 101. Furthermore, the widening of the actuating clip 1 is facilitated by the cable receptacle 2 having two opposing interruptions 102 at its edge.

[0065] The actuating clip comprises two sets of two opposing actuating surfaces, namely two lateral actuating surfaces 6 and upper / lower actuating surfaces 7, the upper actuating surface having a recess on its surface.

[0066] Figure 2 shows a connector arrangement 20 according to Figure 1 , wherein the actuating clip 1 is mounted on the connector 10.

[0067] Figure 3shows a connector arrangement 20 according to Figure 2 , wherein the actuating clip 1 is mounted on the connector 10. Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view through a section plane located in the area of ​​the projection 15 of the connector 10. The actuating clip 1 has a contour corresponding to the connector 10 in this area. Accordingly, the actuating clip 1 forms a profile in the area of ​​the projection 15, i.e., in the section plane as shown. Figure 3 a setback. Accordingly, the inner areas of the actuating clip 1, including the cable entry 2, are set back by the setback. Consequently, the inner areas of the actuating clip 1, which are set back in the area of ​​the projection 15, are in Figure 3 not shown.

[0068] In Figure 3 It can be seen that the actuating clip 1 is held on the connector by the locking tabs 8 and 13.

[0069] Figure 4shows a schematic sectional view of a connector arrangement 20 through the section plane according to Figure 3 , whereby the actuating clip is not yet attached to the connector 10, but is in a pre-assembled state.

[0070] In Figure 4 The expanding process of the actuating clip 1 is illustrated by the angled edge 9 of the actuating clip 1 sliding up the angled surface 11 of the connector. The angled edge 9 ensures improved movement guidance of the actuating clip 1. List of reference symbols

[0071] 1 Actuating clip 2 Cable receptacle 3 Recess 4 Recess 5 Recess 6 Actuating surface 7 Actuating surface 8 Detent lug 9 Edge 10 Connector 11 Beveled surface 12 Vertical surface 13 Detent lug 14 Receptacle 15 Projection 16 Interface end 17 Cable end 18 Connector housing 20 Connector arrangement 101 Arrow 102 Break

Claims

1. Connector assembly having a connector (10) and an actuating clip (1) for the connector (10) having - a cable mount (2) for receiving at least one cable; - connecting means for connecting the actuating clip to the connector such that the actuating clip connects to the connector at a cable-side end of the connector; - surfaces for actuating the connector (10), which are configured to ensure guidance of the connector (10) when it is connected to an actuating clip, in that the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) can be gripped by a person's hand and / or a gripping tool, wherein the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) are specifically configured to be gripped by a hand and / or by a gripping tool, wherein the connector assembly can be electrically connected to contacts of the connector (10) with the cable in a cable-side region of the connector (10) and the actuating clip (1) is fastened to a cable-side end of the connector (10) and forms an extension of the connector (10) in the axial longitudinal direction, wherein the actuating clip (1) can be expanded so as to be connected to the connector (10), wherein the connector (10) has oblique surfaces (11), which cause continuous expansion of the actuating clip (1) when the actuating clip (1) is guided along the oblique surfaces during its assembly on the connector (10), wherein the connector (10) has means for guiding the actuating clip (1) so as to restrict its movement in at least one spatial direction during its assembly on the connector (10), characterized in that inside the actuating clip (1) at least one recess (3, 4, 5) is provided, which forms a hollow chamber, and / or the cable mount has at least two interruptions (102) to ensure a spring elasticity of the actuating clip (1).

2. Connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) are configured for manual actuation according to ergonomic principles, in that the surfaces do not have any radially outwardly directed projections.

3. Connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating clip (1) has latching means which are configured to cooperate with latching means of the connector (10).

4. Connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating clip (1) forms an optional additional component to a connector (10), which in particular has no electrical, electromagnetic and / or electronic function.

5. Connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connector has actuating surfaces, wherein the actuating surfaces of the actuating clip are radially offset relative to the actuating surfaces of the connector.

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