Terminal insert, connector, and set

Abstract

To provide a connector that facilitates easy assembly.SOLUTION: Provided is a terminal insert 20 for a non-shield cable 8, and the terminal insert 20 is constituted to be inserted into an insert receptacle 30 of a connector 100. The terminal insert 20 comprises: an insert receptacle fitting part which is constituted to be fitted and accepted by at least a part of the insert receptacle 30; a terminal receptacle 21 which is constituted to fit and accept at least a part of the cable terminal 10; and a contact protection part 29 of at least a first end part 91, where the insert receptacle fitting part and the contact protection part 29 are arranged on one monolithic component 99.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal insert. Further, the present invention relates to a connector including the terminal insert. Further, the present invention relates to a set including the connector and the terminal insert.

Background Art

[0002] In certain applications, for example automotive applications, easy assembly is important. Connectors used in automotive applications often integrate several different types of wires, such as signal and power wires, or high voltage (HV) and low voltage (LV) wires, which have several different requirements.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Accordingly, an object of the present invention can be seen as providing a solution that enables easy assembly.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to the present invention, this is a terminal insert for an unshielded cable, the terminal insert being configured to be inserted into an insert receptacle of a connector, the terminal insert including an insert receptacle fitting section configured to fit (fit properly, conform, fit exactly, fittingly) into at least a part of the insert receptacle, a terminal receptacle configured to fit (fit properly, conform, fit exactly, fittingly) at least a part of a cable terminal, and a contact protection portion at least at a first end, the insert receptacle fitting section and the contact protection portion being arranged in one monolithic piece, which is realized by the terminal insert.

[0005] The corresponding connector comprises a terminal insert according to the invention and an insert receptacle configured to fit the terminal insert and at least one further terminal insert. The further terminal insert is configured to connect to different cables, in particular shielded cables.

[0006] The set comprises a connector including an insert receptacle, a terminal insert according to the invention, and a further terminal insert. The further terminal insert includes a shield portion configured to connect to the shield of a shielded cable. The cable receptacle is configured to selectively receive the terminal insert or the further terminal insert.

[0007] Conventional terminal inserts comprise several parts, some parts, such as the contact protection part, are formed from plastic, and other parts, such as the shield part, are formed from metal. Such conventional terminal inserts are used regardless of whether the connector requires a shield. For example, there is no need to shield a power line or power cable within the connector, but the power line or power cable is connected via the same insert terminal as the signal line. The solution of the present invention enables the connection of a cable or wire without shielding it by inserting such a cable or wire into the same insert receptacle of the connector, as is the case with conventional insert terminals. Thus, the assembly is simplified. In addition, the number of parts is reduced compared to conventional terminal inserts, further simplifying the assembly.

[0008] The solution according to the invention can be further improved by the following further developments and advantageous embodiments, which are independent of each other and can be arbitrarily combined as desired.

[0009] In a development enabling further simplification, the terminal receptacle is also arranged in a monolithic part. In particular, the entire terminal insert may be a single monolithic (or synonymously one-piece or integral) part.

[0010] The expression "fittingly received" in this specification is to be understood as "arranged with minimal play and / or tolerance". To achieve such a configuration, it is preferred that a part of the receiving element is complementary to a part of the inserted element. Thus, the receiving element and the inserted element are at least partially adapted to each other.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the terminal receptacle is substantially complementary to a part of the cable terminal. This can result in a more stable connection and / or can provide a sealing effect. Complementary in this context means, for example, that the inner surface of the receiving element has a similar shape to the outer surface of the inserted element.

[0012] The terminal insert can further comprise at least one terminal insert fixing element for fixing the terminal insert to the insert receptacle. The terminal insert fixing element can fix the position or can lock the terminal insert relative to the insert receptacle and thus relative to the connector, in particular along the terminal insert insertion direction in which the terminal insert is inserted into the insert receptacle. To achieve a good force flow, the terminal insert fixing element is preferably arranged at the insert receptacle mating part.

[0013] Furthermore, the terminal insert can further comprise at least one cable terminal fixing element for fixing the cable terminal to the terminal insert. Again, the cable terminal fixing element can fix the position or can lock the cable terminal relative to the terminal insert, in particular along the cable terminal insertion direction in which the cable terminal is inserted into the terminal insert. To achieve a good mechanical connection, the cable terminal fixing element is preferably arranged at the terminal receptacle.

[0014] To achieve a good electrical connection, the cable terminal can be formed from metal. The cable terminal can include a cable receptacle configured to receive a cable. The cable and / or the terminal can be standardized according to at least one standard. Similarly, the insert receptacle can be standardized.

[0015] In a connector, both the terminal insert and the further terminal insert according to the invention are configured to be selectively fixed or locked in the same insert receptacle.

[0016] In an embodiment enabling easy assembly, at least one of the at least one terminal insert fixing element or the at least one cable terminal fixing element is a latch element.

[0017] According to one development, the latch element includes an arm. This can result in a simple latch. The latch arm can extend away from a second end opposite the first end or towards the second end. In particular, the latch arm can be arranged closer to the second end than to the first end.

[0018] In a further embodiment, the latch arm extends towards the first end. At least one of the at least one terminal insert fixing element or the at least one cable terminal fixing element, in particular the base of the latch arm, can be fixed or arranged closer to the first end than to the second end.

[0019] The base of the latch arm of the terminal insert fixing element can be arranged close to the second end. As used herein, close means less than 10%, preferably less than 5% of the total length of the terminal insert. The length can be measured, in particular, along the terminal insert insertion direction and / or the cable terminal insertion direction.

[0020] To enable a simple and stable connection, the latch arm preferably extends along the cable terminal insertion direction and / or the terminal insert insertion direction, or in the opposite direction to the cable terminal insertion direction and / or the terminal insert insertion direction.

[0021] According to one embodiment, to enable a simple attachment, the latch element of the terminal insert fixing element includes a latch projection that protrudes radially outwards.

[0022] Similarly, the latch element of the cable terminal fixing element can include a latch projection that protrudes radially inwards, particularly within the free internal space of the terminal receptacle.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the latch projection is arranged at the free end of the latch arm to maximize the deflection height and / or minimize the force required for deflection.

[0024] To enable an automatic latch, the latch projection can include an inclined deflection surface. The inclined deflection surface can be configured to automatically deflect the latch projection during the insertion of each of the terminal insert or the cable terminal.

[0025] The free end of the latch arm can be deflectable radially inwards and / or outwards.

[0026] In this context, "radial direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the cable terminal insertion direction and / or the terminal insert attachment direction.

[0027] The terminal insert can include two or more terminal insert fixing elements and / or two or more cable terminal fixing elements to enhance mechanical stability, particularly the pulling force required to forcibly separate the corresponding elements. To enable good force distribution, the terminal insert fixing elements and / or the cable terminal fixing elements can be evenly distributed along the periphery of the terminal insert.

[0028] Integrating a terminal insert fixing element or a cable terminal fixing element into the wall of the terminal insert enables a compact configuration. The terminal insert fixing element and / or the cable terminal fixing element may be substantially in the same plane as the enveloping shape of the outer or inner surface of the terminal receptacle or the insert receptacle fitting portion, except for the latch protrusion. This can be the case especially in the relaxed state where no force is applied to the respective fixing element.

[0029] At least two terminal insert fixing elements and / or two cable terminal fixing elements may be offset along the cable terminal insertion direction and / or the terminal insert insertion direction. Such a solution is necessary to enable movement of the fixing elements, but by dispersing the recesses that weaken the structure along the length, it reduces the weakening at one specific point along the length, thus enabling the terminal insert to be more stable.

[0030] In one embodiment, there are at least two latch arms, one latch arm extending along the cable terminal attachment direction and one latch arm extending opposite to the cable terminal attachment direction.

[0031] The terminal insert fixing element and the cable terminal fixing element may be offset along the circumferential direction. This can result in a more stable attachment of the assembly. In particular, when there are multiple terminal insert fixing elements and cable terminal fixing elements, they can be alternated. This can, for example, improve the vibration performance.

[0032] To achieve good protection at the first end while allowing the insertion of opposing terminals, the contact protection portion includes at least one protrusion protruding along the terminal insert insertion direction from the rest of the terminal insert. According to one embodiment, there are four such protrusions evenly distributed along the perimeter.

[0033] The contact protection part preferably extends over most or all of the terminal insert, at least when the cable is attached to the terminal insert. This can maximize the safety of the user.

[0034] To enable easy insertion, in one embodiment, the terminal insert has a tapered insertion surface at a first end. The insertion surface may be frustoconical. The expression "tapered" of course relates to embodiments that are tapered towards the first end.

[0035] According to one embodiment for further enhancing safety, the terminal insert comprises at least one coding element that enables the terminal insert to be attached to the insert receptacle at only a single relative rotational angle. For the purpose of enabling attachment with manufacturing tolerances or mounting tolerances, in this specification, the single angle is understood to relate to a small range that is substantially one angle, for example + / -5°, preferably + / -3°, particularly + / -1°.

[0036] To enable a safe interlock with other parts of the connector, the coding element can project radially outwards.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the terminal insert comprises at least one spacing element configured to space other parts of the terminal insert from the inner wall of the insert receptacle. Such a spacing element creates a defined insertion force and can, for example, compensate for size tolerances of the elements involved. Furthermore, the spacing element can save material because the wall does not need to have the same thickness as in a solution without a spacing element. To maximize the effect, the spacing element preferably projects radially outwards.

[0038] The outer surface of the spacing element may be parallel to the terminal insert insertion direction. This can simplify the attachment. To achieve a good guiding effect, the outer surface may be perpendicular to the radial direction. The outer surface may in particular be the outermost surface or another surface facing radially outwards.

[0039] Alternatively or in addition, at least a portion of the spacing elements may be configured to function as a fixing element. Such a fixing element may be configured to fix the terminal insert in the insert receptacle and may in particular be embodied as a clamping element. For example, the outer surface can be inclined with respect to the terminal insert insertion direction, for example, by less than 10°, less than 5°, or less than 3°. Such an inclination can cause automatic clamping or press-fitting during insertion. In order to facilitate insertion, it is preferable that the front surface of the spacing element is inclined with respect to the terminal insert insertion direction.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the terminal insert comprises at least two spaced-apart elements that center the cable terminal relative to the insert receptacle in at least one radial direction. The cable terminal can then be placed at the center between the spaced-apart elements, and the cable terminal can have a desired predefined position that enables contact with the mating terminal of the mating connector. If there are more than three spaced-apart elements, the terminal insert can be centered along two perpendicular radial directions.

[0041] To enable simple assembly and achieve stable mounting in the insert receptacle, the coding element and / or the spacing element can extend along the terminal insert insertion direction.

[0042] The coding element and / or the spacing element can be, for example, an elongated protrusion having a length / width ratio greater than 5, preferably greater than 10, particularly greater than 20, and / or a length / maximum height ratio greater than 5, preferably greater than 10, particularly greater than 20. The coding element and / or the spacing element can be configured as a rail or fin and / or can have a constant cross-section along the terminal insert insertion direction.

[0043] If there are two or more spaced-apart elements, preferably, these spaced-apart elements should be evenly distributed along the perimeter of the terminal insert.

[0044] According to an advantageous embodiment, the spaced-apart elements are provided in closely spaced pairs. Such a configuration can have the advantage that two spaced-apart elements achieve a similar spacing effect as a single wider spaced-apart element, but can be deformed more easily and reduce the force required for insertion. Furthermore, the paired spaced-apart elements can save material.

[0045] In one development, the terminal insert comprises a base body, which includes a first tube portion in which the terminal receptacle is arranged and a second tube portion in which at least a part of the insert receptacle fitting portion is arranged. The tubular configuration can provide a mechanically stable but lightweight terminal insert.

[0046] In order to save material, the first tube portion can have an outer dimension that is smaller than that of the second tube portion.

[0047] Similarly, the first tube portion can have an inner dimension that is smaller than that of the second tube portion. Furthermore, this can enable easy attachment of the cable terminal through the second tube portion.

[0048] To adapt to different requirements, the base body according to one development includes a third tube portion between the first tube portion and the second tube portion. At least a part of the insert receptacle fitting portion can be arranged in the third tube portion.

[0049] When the first tube portion and / or the second tube portion, and / or the third tube portion if present, is a circular tube, a particularly stable and small configuration can be achieved. In this case, the outer dimension or the inner dimension is particularly related to the outer or inner radius or diameter. To enable easy insertion, the outer dimension or the inner dimension of the third tube portion can be between the outer dimension or the inner dimension of the first tube portion and the outer dimension or the inner dimension of the second tube portion.

[0050] The base body can include at least one transition portion connecting two pipe portions, and the transition portion has at least one of an inclined outer surface or an inclined inner surface. Thereby, each of the insertion of the terminal insert into the insert receptacle and / or the insertion of the cable terminal into the terminal insert is facilitated.

[0051] The spacing element can extend along the second pipe portion so as to be disposed at the insert receptacle fitting portion. Further, the spacing element can extend along the third pipe portion to increase the length at which the spacing element contacts the corresponding surface of the insert receptacle, and thus the mechanical stability can be enhanced. Good results should be obtained when the spacing element extends along at least 40%, preferably at least 50% of the length of the terminal insert. However, the spacing element should not extend along the first pipe portion in order to enable insertion through small through holes with little or no gap.

[0052] To achieve a good mechanical fit, the length of the terminal receptacle should be at least 1 / 4, preferably at least 1 / 3 of the length of the cable terminal.

[0053] Similarly, the length of the insert receptacle fitting portion should be at least 1 / 4, preferably at least 1 / 3 of the length of the cable terminal.

[0054] The terminal insert can be provided with a stop surface facing the terminal insert insertion direction. The stop surface can be configured to contact the opposing stop surface of the connector to prevent the terminal insert from moving beyond a defined relative position into the insert receptacle.

[0055] In a configuration for material saving, the stop surface is at least partially disposed on the spacing element. By disposing some portions of the stop surface on two spacing elements and preferably connecting the two spacing elements, additional mutual support of the two spacing elements can be provided. The stop surface is preferably disposed close to the second end.

[0056] As described later in this specification, the expression "to be arranged" may particularly mean "being a part of".

[0057] For weight reduction, the terminal insert can be formed from a plastic material, for example, a moldable plastic material.

[0058] The first end may be a connection-side end, that is, the side where connection with the mating connector is made. Such an end can also be called a distal end.

[0059] The second end may be a cable-side end, that is, the end where the cable enters the terminal insert. Such an end can be called a proximal end.

[0060] In an embodiment enabling good force distribution, the terminal insert has an n-fold rotational symmetry except for the coding element, which means that after a rotation of 360° / n, the terminal insert has the same shape. n should be 3 or more and / or less than 12, preferably less than 8.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the terminal receptacle is arranged closer to the first end than the insert receptacle fitting portion.

[0062] To simplify the installation process, the cable terminal insertion direction is preferably parallel to the terminal insert insertion direction.

[0063] The further part of the connector and / or the cable terminal can include opposing elements corresponding to the elements of the terminal insert, for example, opposing latch elements or opposing fixing elements configured to cooperate with the latch element or the fixing element of the terminal insert.

[0064] The parameters of contact protection can be defined by standards. As will be described later in this specification, the standards refer to national standards, international standards, in-house standards, industrial standards, or consortium standards. The contact protection standard can include the definition of a test finger similar to a human finger.

[0065] The connector and / or the set can further comprise at least one cable terminal. The insert according to the invention and a further insert terminal can be configured to receive the same cable terminal.

[0066] The further insert terminal can in particular be a multi-component insert terminal comprising parts formed from at least two different materials.

[0067] The connector can be a high-voltage or high-power connector.

[0068] The connector can in particular be shielded even in areas where shielding is not required, in particular around the insert receptacle for inserting the terminal insert according to the invention.

[0069] The present invention has been described as being used with an unshielded cable. However, the cable connecting the terminal insert can also be a shielded cable. The shield can be removed at least partially, for example, at the location where it is connected to the cable terminal of the present invention.

[0070] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, the present invention will be illustrated in more detail by way of advantageous embodiments. The embodiments to be described are only possible configurations, but the above individual mechanisms can be provided independently of each other or omitted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0071]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0072] In FIGS. 1 to 5, an embodiment of the terminal insert 20 is shown. In FIGS. 6 and 7, alternative embodiments of the terminal insert 20 are shown. Further, FIGS. 1 to 5 show a connector 100 having several insert receptacles 30. The insert receptacles 30 have a similar internal structure. In FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, two terminal inserts 20 according to the present invention are arranged in the insert receptacles 30. In FIG. 3, the terminal insert 20 according to the present invention is arranged in the lower insert receptacle 30, and in the upper insert receptacle 30, a further terminal insert 120 according to a conventional solution is arranged. The terminal insert 20 and the further terminal insert 120 can be arranged in each of the insert receptacles 30 in a replaceable manner.

[0073] The further terminal insert 120 is shielded. In particular, the further terminal insert 120 includes a shield part 128 formed of metal, and the shield part 128 may be connected to the shield 8 of the cable 5 by a connecting element 127, for example, by crimping, welding, or soldering. The further terminal insert 120 includes two further parts 124, 125 formed of a plastic material. The shield part 128 surrounds the two further parts 124, 125 and locks the further terminal insert 120 in the insert receptacle 30. A contact protection part 129 is present on the first part 124. The cable terminal 10 is received in the terminal receptacle 121. This further terminal insert 120 is configured to connect to the shielded cable 5. However, the further terminal insert 120 is difficult to assemble and relatively heavy due to the metal.

[0074] To connect the cable 5 that does not require a shield into the connector 100 with less assembly work, the terminal insert 20 is formed from a single monolithic part 99. The terminal insert 20 does not have a shield part connected to the shield 8 of the cable 5. Instead, only the inner conductor 6 of the cable 5 is connected to the cable terminal 10, in particular, to the conductor connection part 15 configured as a crimp part 16. The inner conductor 6 is surrounded by an insulator 7, and the insulator 7 is surrounded by a shield 8. The terminal insert 20 may be used with an unshielded cable.

[0075] The connector 100 can be connected to a mating connector (not shown). For the mating of the insertion surface, the connector 100 has a front part 105. The connector 100 includes a locking mechanism 150 for locking the connector 100 to the mating connector. The locking mechanism 150 particularly includes a lever 151. To receive the mating terminals of the mating connector, the cable terminal 10 includes a mating terminal receptacle 14 having an elastic cage 19 for achieving good electrical contact.

[0076] Each terminal insert 20 is configured to be inserted into one insert receptacle 30 of the connector 100. The terminal insert 20 includes an insert receptacle fitting portion 23 configured to fit into and be received by at least a portion of the insert receptacle 30. In the illustrated embodiment, a radially outwardly protruding spacing element 71 realizes a fitting or conforming reception within the insert receptacle 30. The outer surface 77 of the spacing element 71 contacts the inner wall 39 of the insert receptacle 30.

[0077] The terminal insert 20 of FIG. 2 includes pairs of adjacent spacing elements 71, and these pairs are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction U of the terminal insert 20. The illustrated embodiment includes four pairs of spacing elements 71 that can center the cable terminal 10 in the insert receptacle 30 along two perpendicular radial directions R. The spacing between a pair of two spacing elements 71 may be, for example, less than four times the width 222 of the spacing element 71.

[0078] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the terminal insert 20 can include individually independent spacing elements 71 evenly distributed along the circumferential direction U.

[0079] The terminal insert 20 further includes a terminal receptacle 21 configured to fit into and receive at least a portion of the cable terminal 10. The embodiment shows that the terminal receptacle 21 has a length 171 that is approximately 90% of the length 164 of the mating terminal receptacle 14, providing good mechanical stability. In this embodiment, to achieve high stability, the terminal receptacle 21 is complementary to the mating terminal receptacle 14 of the cable terminal 10.

[0080] To achieve a good mechanical fit, the length 171 of the terminal receptacle 21 should be at least 1 / 4, preferably at least 1 / 3, of the length 160 of the cable terminal 10.

[0081] Similarly, the length 173 of the insert receptacle fitting portion 23 should be at least 1 / 4, preferably at least 1 / 3, of the length 160 of the cable terminal 10.

[0082] The terminal insert 20 includes, at a first end portion 91, a contact protection portion 29 for prohibiting a user from accessing the voltage transmission portion of the cable terminal 10. Substantially the entire surface of the cable terminal 10 is surrounded by the plastic material of the terminal insert 20, except for the portion where, of course, the mating terminal and the cable 5 are to enter the terminal insert 20.

[0083] The insert receptacle fitting portion 23 and the contact protection portion 29 are arranged in one monolithic component 99. Further, the terminal receptacle 21 is also part of the monolithic component 99. The terminal receptacle 21 is a single integral component.

[0084] The terminal insert 20 further includes a terminal insert fixing element 50 arranged in the insert receptacle fitting portion 23 for fixing the terminal insert 20 to the insert receptacle 30.

[0085] In addition, the terminal insert 20 includes several cable terminal fixing elements 40 arranged in the terminal receptacle 21 for fixing the cable terminal 10 to the terminal insert 20.

[0086] The terminal insert fixing element 50 and the cable terminal fixing element 40 are embodied as latch elements 51, 41, and these latch elements 51, 41 are respectively automatically latched and fixed when the cable terminal 10 is inserted into the terminal receptacle 21 along the cable terminal insertion direction T, or when the terminal insert 20 is inserted into the insert receptacle 30 along the terminal insert insertion direction I, by the inclined deflection surface 66.

[0087] Each latch element 41, 51 includes a latch arm 60 extending from the base 69 along the cable terminal insertion direction T and / or the terminal insert insertion direction I, or opposite to the cable terminal insertion direction T and / or the terminal insert insertion direction I. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable terminal insertion direction T and the terminal insert insertion direction I are parallel to each other and parallel to the axial direction A in which the terminal insert 20 extends. The cable terminal insertion direction T and the terminal insert insertion direction I are further parallel to the cable insertion direction C in which the cable extends into the terminal insert 20 and the connector 100. The radial direction R is perpendicular to the axial direction A.

[0088] Some of the latch arms 60 extend away from a second end 92 opposite the first end 91, and other latch arms 60 extend toward the second end 92.

[0089] The terminal insert fixing element 50 is disposed closer to the second end 92 than to the first end 91. The cable terminal fixing element 40 is disposed closer to the first end 91 than to the second end 92.

[0090] Latch protrusions 65 are disposed at the free ends 61 of the latch arms 60 and project radially outward or inward according to respective requirements. In particular, the latch element 41 of the cable terminal fixing element 40 includes a latch protrusion 65 projecting into the empty internal space defined by the terminal receptacle 21.

[0091] The terminal insert fixing element 50 and the cable terminal fixing element 40 are evenly distributed along the circumferential direction U. The terminal insert fixing element 50 and the cable terminal fixing element 40 are offset along the circumferential direction U. In order to achieve good vibration behavior, the terminal insert fixing element 50 and the cable terminal fixing element 40 are arranged alternately.

[0092] The terminal insert fixing element 50 and the cable terminal fixing element 40 are incorporated into the wall of the terminal insert 20. In at least a relaxed state where no force is applied, the terminal insert fixing element 50 and the cable terminal fixing element 40 are substantially in the same plane as the outer and inner surrounding shapes of the terminal insert 20, except for the latch protrusion 65.

[0093] The contact protection part 29 includes four protrusions 28 that protrude along the terminal insert insertion direction I from the remaining part of the terminal insert 20.

[0094] To enable easy insertion, the terminal insert 20 includes a tapered insertion surface 27 at the first end 91. In the illustrated embodiment, the insertion surface 27 is frustoconical, i.e., frustum-shaped.

[0095] The first end 91 is the connection side end 96 where the connector 100 is connected to the mating connector. The second end 92 is the cable side end 97 where the cable 5 enters the terminal insert 20.

[0096] To ensure that the terminal insert 20 can be inserted into the insert receptacle 30 at only a single relative rotation angle, each terminal insert 20 has one coding element 70.

[0097] Similar to the spacing element 71, the coding element 70 protrudes radially outward (see Figure 7).

[0098] The coding element 70 and the spacing element 71 extend along the terminal insert insertion direction I. The coding element 70 and the spacing element 71 are elongated protrusions with a large ratio of length 221 to width 222 and a large ratio of length 221 to maximum height 223. The coding element 70 and the spacing element 71 are configured as rails or fins and have a constant cross-section along the terminal insert insertion direction I.

[0099] The front surface 72 of the spacing element 71 is inclined with respect to the terminal insert insertion direction I.

[0100] The terminal insert 20 includes a base body 25, and the base body 25 includes a first pipe portion 80, 81 where the terminal receptacle 21 is disposed, and a second pipe portion 80, 82 where a part of the insert receptacle fitting portion 23 is disposed. A further part of the insert receptacle fitting portion 23 is disposed in a third pipe portion 80, 83 disposed between the first pipe portion 80, 81 and the second pipe portion 80, 82.

[0101] The first pipe portion 80, 81 has an inner dimension and an outer dimension smaller than those of the third pipe portion 80, 83, and the third pipe portion 80, 83 has an inner dimension and an outer dimension smaller than those of the second pipe portion 80, 82. The pipe portion 80 is configured as a circular pipe, and thus, the inner dimension and the outer dimension are related to the inner diameters 81a, 82a, 83a and the outer diameters 81c, 82c, 83c.

[0102] The base body 25 includes two transition portions 88 connecting the two pipe portions 80 respectively, and the transition portions 88 have an inclined outer surface 89 and an inclined inner surface 87 for facilitating the mounting process.

[0103] To achieve a good mechanical fit, the spacing element 71 extends basically along the second pipe portion 82 and the third pipe portion 83, that is, substantially along the entire insert receptacle fitting portion 23 (see FIG. 2). Alternatively, to save materials, the spacing element 71 extends only along the second pipe portion 82 (see FIG. 6). However, the spacing element 71 does not extend along the first pipe portion 81. The spacing element 71 can extend along at least 40%, preferably at least 50% of the length 170 of the terminal insert 20, and preferably along at least 40%, preferably at least 50% of the length 180 of the insert receptacle 30.

[0104] The stop surface 79, which is configured to face the terminal insert insertion direction I and contact the opposing stop surface of the connector 100, prevents the terminal insert 20 from moving beyond the desired position. The stop surface 79 is partially disposed on two adjacent spaced elements 71 and is designed as a bridge element 78, providing additional mutual support between the two spaced elements 71.

[0105] The embodiment of the terminal insert 20 shown in this specification has four-fold rotational symmetry except for the coding element 70.

[0106] The connector 100 has a housing 140 that is simultaneously a base element 130. A seal 109 can be provided in the housing, particularly in each insert receptacle 30, to prevent the ingress of water and other contaminants.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0107] 5 Cable 6 Inner Conductor 7 Insulator 8 Shield 10 Cable Terminal 14 Mate Terminal Receptacle 15 Conductor Connection 16 Crimping Portion 19 Cage 20 Terminal Insert 21 Terminal Receptacle 22 Intermediate Portion 23 Insert Receptacle Fitting Portion 25 Substrate 27 Insertion Surface 28 Protrusion of Contact Protection Portion 29 Contact Protection Portion 30 Insert Receptacle 31 First Insert Receptacle 32 Second Insert Receptacle 39 Inner Wall of Insert Receptacle 40 Cable Terminal Fixing Element 41 Latch Element 50 Terminal Insert Fixing Element 51 Latch element 60 Latch arm 61 Free end 65 Latch projection 66 Biasing surface 69 Base 70 Coding element 71 Spacing element 72 Front surface of the spacing element 77 Outer surface 78 Bridge element 79 Stop surface 80 Tube portion 81 First tube portion 81a Inner diameter of the first tube portion 81c Outer diameter of the first tube portion 82 Second tube portion 82a Inner diameter of the second tube portion 82c Outer diameter of the second tube portion 83 Third tube portion 83a Inner diameter of the third tube portion 83c Outer diameter of the third tube portion 87 Inner surface 88 Transition portion 89 Outer surface 91 First end 92 Second end 96 Connection side end 97 Cable side end 99 Monolithic component 100 Connector 105 Front side component 109 Seal 120 Further terminal insert 121 Terminal receptacle 124 First component 125 Second component 127 Connection portion 128 Shield portion 129 Contact protection portion 130 Substrate 140 Housing 150 Lock mechanism 151 Lever 160 Length of the cable terminal 164 Length of the mating-side terminal receptacle 170 Length of the terminal insert 171 Length of the terminal receptacle 173 Length of the insert receptacle fitting portion 180 Length of the insert receptacle 200 Set 221 Length of the spacing element 222 Width of the spacing element 223 Maximum height of the spacing element A-axis direction C-cable insertion direction I-terminal insert insertion direction R-radial direction T-cable terminal insertion direction U-circumferential direction

Claims

1. A terminal insert (20) for a non-shielded cable (8), wherein the terminal insert (20) is configured to be inserted into an insert receptacle (30) of a connector (100) that can be connected to a mating connector, and the terminal insert (20) has: an insert receptacle fitting portion (23) configured to fit into and be received by at least a part of the insert receptacle (30); a terminal receptacle (21) configured to fit into and receive at least a part of a cable terminal (10); and a contact protection portion (29) at least at a first end portion (91), and is provided with: wherein the insert receptacle fitting portion (23) and the contact protection portion (29) are arranged in a single monolithic part (99); the terminal insert (20) includes a base body (130), and the base body (130) includes a first pipe portion (80, 81) where the terminal receptacle (21) is arranged, a second pipe portion (80, 82) where at least a part of the insert receptacle fitting portion (23) is arranged, and a third pipe portion (80, 83) between the first pipe portion (80, 81) and the second pipe portion (80, 82); the terminal insert (20) includes a separation element (71) configured to separate the remaining part of the terminal insert (20) from the inner wall (39) of the insert receptacle (30); the separation element (71) extends along the second pipe portion (80, 82) and the third pipe portion (80, 83), and along the terminal insert insertion direction (I), of the terminal insert (20).

2. The terminal insert (20) according to claim 1, wherein the terminal receptacle (21) is substantially complementary to a part of the cable terminal (10).

3. The terminal insert (20) according to claim 1, wherein the terminal receptacle (21) is also arranged in the monolithic part (99).

4. The terminal insert (20) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one terminal insert fixing element (50) for fixing the terminal insert (20) to the insert receptacle (30).

5. The terminal insert (20) according to claim 1 further comprises at least one cable terminal fixing element (40) for fixing the cable terminal (10) to the terminal insert (20).

6. The terminal insert (20) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one terminal insert fixing element (50) is a latch element (51).

7. The terminal insert (20) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one cable terminal fixing element (40) is a latch element (41).

8. The terminal insert (20) further comprises at least one cable terminal fixing element (40) for fixing the cable terminal (10) to the terminal insert (20), the at least one terminal insert fixing element (50) and the at least one cable terminal fixing element (40) are offset along the circumferential direction (U) of the terminal insert (20). The terminal insert (20) according to claim 4.

9. The outer surface of the spacing element (71) is parallel to the terminal insert insertion direction (I) in the terminal insert (20) according to claim 1.

10. The terminal insert (20) according to claim 1, wherein the spacing element (71) includes a plurality of spacing elements (71) spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction (U) of the terminal insert (20).

11. The terminal insert (20) according to claim 1, wherein the spacing element (71) includes a plurality of pairs of spacing elements (71) spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction (U) of the terminal insert (20).

12. The first pipe portion (80, 81) has an outer dimension smaller than that of the third pipe portion (80, 83), and the third pipe portion (80, 83) has an outer dimension smaller than that of the second pipe portion (80, 82) in the terminal insert (20) according to claim 1.

13. The front surface (72) of the spacing element (71) near the first end portion (91) is inclined with respect to the terminal insert insertion direction (I) in the terminal insert (20) according to claim 1.

14. The terminal insert (20) according to claim 1 is provided with a stop surface (79) facing the terminal insert insertion direction (I).

15. A connector (100), the terminal insert (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and An insert receptacle (30) configured to fit with the terminal insert (20) and at least one additional terminal insert (120). A connector (100) comprising the same. **Claim 16** A set (200) comprising A connector (100) including an insert receptacle (30), a terminal insert (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and an additional terminal insert (120), The additional terminal insert (120) includes a shield portion (128) configured to connect to a shield (8) of a shielded cable (8), The insert receptacle (30) is configured to selectively receive the terminal insert (20) or the additional terminal insert (120). A set (200).

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