Angled plug connection, electrical connector for such an angled plug connection, and electrically heated windshield wiper having such an angled plug connection

Abstract

To provide an angled plug connection and an electrical connector for an angled plug connection that are used in an electrically heated windshield wiper system for a vehicle.SOLUTION: Applicability of electrical plug connections is increased by way of an angled plug connection 1 with a connector 6 that is adapted to be plugged in along a first plug-in direction 10 and a mating connector 8 that is adapted to be plugged in along a second plug-in direction 12 that extends at an angle or perpendicular to the first plug-in direction, wherein the connector is connected to the mating connector by way of a link guide 14. Two different plugging directions can be realized with the angled plug connection and a plugging process between the connector and the mating connector can be supported by the link guide. In an electrically heated windshield wiper system, the angled plug connection 1 can serve as a connection between a wiper arm and a wiper blade with an electric heating element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to angled plug connections and electrical connectors for angled plug connections, particularly for use in automotive applications, such as electrically heated windscreen wiper systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Modern technology requires releasable plug connections for data transmission or the transmission of electrical current and / or liquid media, even in automotive engineering, for example, for windshield wiper systems. The cleaning fluid dispersed by the wiper blades is used as the liquid medium, which then enhances the cleaning action of the windshield wiper system. To ensure the operation of the windshield wiper system even in frosty or cold wind conditions, an electric heating element is installed in the wiper blade, which supplies electrical energy to prevent the cleaning fluid from freezing. Furthermore, the heating element can easily remove snow and ice from the windshield when necessary.

[0003] The development of such plug connections poses challenges for system providers to offer ever smaller, lighter and cheaper end products. Challenging requirements often arise in relation to the installation space, plugging direction and accessibility of the individual components of the plug connection. In addition, there may be stringent requirements for easy and fast handling of the plug connection. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention is based on the problem of improving the versatility and applicability of plug connections as a whole. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This problem is solved by an angled plug connection having a connector adapted to be plugged in along a first plug direction and a mating connector adapted to be plugged in along a second plug direction extending obliquely or perpendicularly to the first plug direction, the connector being connected to the mating connector by a link guide. The first and second plug directions can in particular be represented by two linearly independent two-dimensional vectors. The first and second plug directions can in particular extend at an angle of 90°±45° relative to each other.

[0006] The present invention thereby allows the implementation of two different plugging directions that can be adapted to the available space and orientation requirements of the application, which contributes to improving the applicability of the inclined plug connection according to the present invention. Furthermore, the plugging process between the connector and the mating connector can be supported by the link guide, which makes the inclined plug connection according to the present invention easier and more convenient to handle.

[0007] The invention can be further improved by the following embodiments, which are advantageous on their own but can also be combined with one another in any way.

[0008] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a connector can include at least one link guide element, and a mating connector can include at least one link guide element complementary to the link guide element of the connector. In particular, the associated link guide elements can engage with each other, thus allowing the connector to be directly connected to the mating connector by the link guide.

[0009] The connector preferably includes at least one sliding block, and the mating connector includes at least one connecting link having a link track having a shape complementary to the at least one sliding block of the connector, the direction of the link guide being determined by the direction of the link track.

[0010] In particular, the sliding block can be configured as, for example, a rail-, bolt- or stud-like protrusion. In this case, too, the link track can be realized by a slot-like recess, which in terms of its shape forms a counterpart in the sliding block. The link track can in particular be a straight groove that forms at least an acute angle with the first and / or second plug-in direction. In at least one cross section perpendicular to the path of the link track, the inner contour of the link track preferably corresponds to the outer contour of the sliding block. For example, the inner contour of the link track and the outer contour of the sliding block can each have a square, rectangular, triangular, semicircular, or elliptical shape, or can be configured as a combination of such basic geometric shapes, resulting in a simple structure for the link guide, which allows for reliable force transmission.

[0011] Naturally, at least one sliding block can also be arranged on the mating connector, so that at least one connecting link with a link track is arranged on the connector.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the angled plug connection may further comprise a guide housing formed with a first receptacle for the connector and a second receptacle for the mating connector, the second receptacle opening into the first receptacle. The first receptacle preferably extends along a first plug-in direction, and the second receptacle preferably extends along a second plug-in direction. The first receptacle may in particular form a first socket, the inner contour of which in at least one cross section perpendicular to the first plug-in direction corresponds to the outer contour of the connector in a cross section of the connector perpendicular to the first plug-in direction. Similarly, the second receptacle can form a second socket, the inner contour of which in a cross section perpendicular to the second plugging direction corresponds to the outer contour of the mating connector in a cross section of the mating connector perpendicular to the second plugging direction. Thus, the connector and mating connector can be inserted into their respective receptacles and mated with each other inside the guide housing, which provides a stabilizing effect on the plugging process.

[0013] For additional stabilization, at least one linear guide element for linearly guiding a complementary linear guide element of the connector or mating connector, respectively, can be optionally formed in the first receptacle and / or the second receptacle. At least one linear guide element of the first receptacle or the second receptacle, respectively, can be configured by a rail-like, bolt-like, or stud-like protrusion on at least one inner surface of the first receptacle or the second receptacle, respectively. The protrusion can protrude into the first receptacle or the second receptacle, respectively. Furthermore, the rail-like protrusion can extend linearly along the first plug-in direction or the second plug-in direction, respectively. The associated complementary linear guide element of the connector or mating connector, respectively, may be a channel-like recess disposed in the connector or mating connector, respectively, that engages at least partially around the protrusion, it being understood that the protrusions and recesses may be interchangeable.

[0014] The connector or mating connector, respectively, can be inserted into an associated receptacle in the guide housing and can be placed in a pre-assembly position before the plugging process. Maintaining the connector or mating connector, respectively, in the associated receptacle can shorten the plugging process and thereby simplify the final assembly process, i.e., help move the connector and mating connector to the final assembly position.

[0015] To further improve the assembly process, the connector and / or the mating connector can each enter into at least one latching connection with the guide housing. More precisely, at least one latch element that latches with a complementary latch element on the guide housing can be disposed on the connector and / or the mating connector. For example, the connector and / or the mating connector can include at least one resilient spring arm having a latch tab or a latch hook. A corresponding latch groove or latch opening can be provided in the first receptacle or the second receptacle, respectively, into which the latch tab or latch hook can engage.

[0016] The connector and / or the mating connector are preferably latched in two distinct positions in the guide housing, such as a pre-latching position in which the connector or mating connector, respectively, is strictly in a pre-assembly position, and a final latching position in which the connector or mating connector, respectively, is strictly in a final assembly position. For this purpose, the connector in the first receptacle may be provided with two latching grooves or two latching openings arranged consecutively along the first plug-in direction. Correspondingly, the mating connector in the second receptacle may be provided with two latching grooves or two latching openings arranged consecutively along the second plug-in direction.

[0017] The connection between the connector and the mating connector by the link guide is preferably established from the pre-assembly position to the final assembly position and at all intermediate positions of the connector and the mating connector, so that the link guide can provide support for the plugging process until the connector and the mating connector reach the final assembly position.

[0018] Optionally, the latching in the pre-latching position (i.e. pre-assembly position) and / or in the final latching position (i.e. final assembly position) can be verified by an audible click and / or visual inspection. For this purpose, the respective latching groove or latching opening can in particular connect the inner surface of the guide housing to the outer surface of the guide housing end-to-end, such that the engagement of the latching tab or latching hook is visible from the outside.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, a link guide can couple movement of a connector along a first plugging direction to movement of a mating connector in a second plugging direction. Due to engagement of associated link guide elements of the connector and mating connector during movement of the connector along the first plugging direction, a force including at least one force component whose direction vector is directed along the second plugging direction can be transmitted through the link guide, thus resulting in movement of the mating connector along the second plugging direction. This ensures that a connector can be plugged into a mating connector even when the connector or mating connector is not directly accessible. Additionally, when the connector or mating connector is accessible from only one side, this coupling movement can also perform an unplugging process.

[0020] In a further embodiment of the present invention, at least one contact slot of the mating connector can be associated with at least one blade-shaped contact of the connector, and the at least one blade-shaped contact can be received in the at least one contact slot so as to be movable relative to the at least one contact slot in a direction along the link guide while contacting the at least one contact slot. Here, the at least one contact slot can be formed by a fork-shaped contact of the mating connector. Thus, a reliable electrical contact is achieved, preferably on both sides, with the simplest possible structure. Furthermore, this embodiment is characterized by low material and manufacturing costs, since conventional stamped and bent parts can be used for the respective contacts.

[0021] In particular, to establish an electrical connection, movement of the coupled connector and mating connector via the link guide can be used to insert at least one blade-type contact of the connector into at least one contact slot of the mating connector, and only one of the connector or mating connector needs to be actively moved to a final assembly position, with the respective other connector (i.e., the mating connector or connector) being moved to the final assembly position by the mechanical action of the link guide.

[0022] The arrangement of the blade and fork contacts can also be interchanged depending on the application. The number of blade and fork contacts can be adapted to the number of terminals required for the application. With a large number of terminals, an insertion aid, for example in the form of a lever, can be provided to provide an insertion force that increases proportionally to the number of terminals.

[0023] In applications requiring tightness of the angled plug connection, suitable seals can optionally be provided in the spaces between the connector and the first receptacle and between the mating connector and the second receptacle, respectively, which in particular allows the use of the angled plug connection according to the invention in electrically heated windscreen wipers.

[0024] The fundamental problem described above can also be solved by an electrical connector for an angled plug connection according to the aforementioned embodiment, in which at least one link guide element of the link guide is arranged in the connector housing of the electrical connector so as to forcibly guide a complementary link guide element of the mating connector of the angled plug connection.

[0025] The electrical connector according to the invention is advantageous because it can be attached to the electrical module or unit to be connected. For example, the electrical connector according to the invention can be attached to a wiper arm and / or wiper blade, preferably an electrically heated windscreen wiper system. Due to the above-mentioned advantages, the process of replacing wiper blades can be simplified.

[0026] At least one link guide element of the electrical connector is preferably formed on an outward-facing surface, particularly the outer surface, or an inward-facing surface, particularly the inner surface, of the connector housing, where the connector housing can be a contact support, which can hold at least one conductive contact element having a contact surface for establishing contact with a complementary mating contact.

[0027] At least one contact element can be crimped, soldered, welded, or similarly attached to the electrical conductor of the cable at an end facing away from the contact surface. The cable can, for example, pass through a wiper arm and be connected to a power source. When routing the cable, it is ensured that the cable or conductor has sufficient play to avoid damage during movement of the link guide.

[0028] Alternatively, at least one contact element can be connected at its end facing away from the contact surface to an electric heating element, the heating element being integrated into the wiper blade.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the connector housing configured as a contact support can hold at least one contact element configured as a blade-shaped, blade-like, or comb contact having at least one insertion chamfer, the at least one insertion chamfer extending on an edge of the contact element parallel to the first insertion direction. Preferably, two insertion chamfers can together form an insertion blade. The at least one insertion chamfer or insertion blade, respectively, reduces resistance during insertion into the mating contact, thereby simplifying the insertion process. In addition, material wear is reduced, thereby extending the service life of the at least one contact element.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, the connector housing configured as a contact support can hold at least one contact element configured as a fork contact or a fork contact with at least two contact pieces. The at least two contact pieces can define a contact slot, which extends parallel to the second insertion direction. The contact pieces are preferably arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the contact slot. Preferably, two tips of the contact pieces, which are arranged opposite each other with respect to the contact slot, are elastically pressed against each other. The required contact force is then generated by the contact pieces, thereby reducing the contact resistance accordingly.

[0031] At least one insertion bevel or blade of each of the at least one blade-type contacts can penetrate in a wedge-like manner between the tips of the contact pieces of the associated at least one fork-type contact to spread the contact pieces apart. In the spread-out state, the tips of the contact pieces rest against the contact surfaces of the at least one blade-type contact and establish electrical contact with these contact surfaces at at least one contact point. The number of contact points can increase over the course of the insertion process between the connector and the mating connector.

[0032] Movement of the connector and the mating connector coupled by the link guide preferably results in relative movement between the at least one blade-shaped contact and the associated at least one fork-shaped contact. Thus, during the insertion process between the connector and the mating connector, movement of each of the at least one contact occurs at the contact surface of the blade-shaped contact. Due to the path of the link track, each of the at least one contact can move at least partially parallel to the path of the link track. In the case of a link track with a curved path, movement of each of the at least one contact occurs along a correspondingly curved trajectory. Alternatively or additionally, each of the at least one contact can also move partially parallel to the first insertion direction and / or the second insertion direction.

[0033] Optionally, the tips of the contacts may be provided with entry bevels as well.

[0034] The contact pieces are preferably freely accessible or at least laterally accessible in the connector housing configured as a contact carrier. This means, in particular, that the contact pieces are not surrounded on all sides by the connector housing. Preferably, lateral access is provided for all fork-shaped contacts through gap-like openings in the connector housing.

[0035] In a further embodiment, the at least one contact element can extend freely and partially accessible or at least laterally accessible within a space at least partially enclosed by the connector housing, and the at least one link guide element is also located within said space, which allows for a compact and space-saving construction of the electrical connector.

[0036] To further improve the functionality of the electrical connector, at least two link guide elements can be arranged on the connector housing. Preferably, one respective link guide element is provided on at least two oppositely arranged surfaces of the connector housing. The surfaces are particularly arranged opposite each other with respect to the at least one contact element. Thus, a symmetrical arrangement of the at least two link guide elements can be achieved, which, among other things, acts in opposition on the at least one contact element being pressed into the respective mating contact. Furthermore, the resulting balanced load on the link guide elements reduces wear and thus increases the service life of the electrical connector.

[0037] In a further embodiment, the connector housing may be circumferentially surrounded, orthogonal to the first or second plug-in direction, by a sealing ring which serves to seal the gap between the connector housing and the guide housing.

[0038] In the case of an electrically heated windscreen wiper system, the initially mentioned problem can be solved by a windscreen wiper comprising a wiper arm and a wiper blade with at least one integrated heating element, the wiper blade being releasably connected to the wiper arm by means of at least one tilted plug connection according to the above-described embodiments, wherein the tilted plug connection can be used, inter alia, to supply power to the heating element and to facilitate the process of replacing the wiper blade by means of a link guide, for example after a certain amount of material has worn away.

[0039] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings using several embodiments, the various features of which can be combined with one another in any way according to the above description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic perspective exploded view of a tilted plug connector of the present invention according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic plan view of an angled plug connection of the present invention according to a first embodiment with a mating connector in a pre-assembly position; FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic plan view of an angled plug connection of the present invention according to a first embodiment, with the connector and mating connector in the final assembled position; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an angled plug connection of the present invention according to a first embodiment, with a connector and a mating connector in a pre-assembly position. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an angled plug connection of the present invention according to a first embodiment, with a connector and a mating connector in a final assembled position. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a tilted plug connector of the present invention according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an angled plug connection of the present invention according to a second embodiment, with the connector and mating connector in a pre-assembly position. [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an angled plug connection of the present invention according to a second embodiment, with the connector and mating connector in the final assembled position. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic view of an electrically heated windscreen wiper of the invention according to a possible embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial view of a cross section of a tilted plug connector of the present invention according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] First, the general structure of the inclined plug connector 1 according to the present invention and the electrical connector 2 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 and 10. Next, the general structure of the electrically heated windshield wiper 4 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 9.

[0042] The oblique plug connection 1 according to the present invention may comprise a connector 6 and a mating connector 8, where the connector 6 is adapted to be plugged into the oblique plug connection 1 along a first plug-in direction 10 and the mating connector 8 is adapted to be plugged into the oblique plug connection 1 along a second plug-in direction 12 extending obliquely or perpendicularly to the first plug-in direction 10. Furthermore, the connector 6 may be connected to the mating connector 8 by a link guide 14, as will be further described below with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

[0043] The electrical connector 2 according to the present invention, which will be described in more detail below, can be used in various embodiments as the connector 6 and / or the mating connector 8. In order to make the text easier to understand, only the differences between the connector 6 and the mating connector 8 will be described below, and the descriptions will also relate to the electrical connector 2 according to the present invention.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1 , the connector 6 can include a connector housing 16a. Correspondingly, the mating connector 8 can include a connector housing 16b. The connector housings 16a, 16b can be, for example, injection-molded parts made of a plastic material. Furthermore, the connector housings 16a, 16b can serve as contact supports 18a, 18b. The contact supports 18a, 18b can each hold at least one conductive contact element 20a, 20b for establishing contact with a complementary mating contact 22b, 22a. For this purpose, each contact element 20a, 20b can include a contact surface 24a, 24b and can be molded or plugged into the corresponding contact support 18a, 18b. For the purpose of accessibility to the respective contact surfaces 24a, 24b, the corresponding contact elements 20a, 20b may be only partially molded into the contact support 18a and / or may protrude into recesses in the contact support 18b.

[0045] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the connector housing 16a of the connector 6 configured as a contact support 18a holds at least one blade-type contact 26, for example two blade-type contacts 26. The blade-type contacts 26 extend parallel to one another along the first plug-in direction 10 into a space 28 partially enclosed by the connector housing 16a of the connector 6. For this purpose, the blade-type contacts 26 are partially molded into the contact support 18a and remain partially accessible laterally, in particular from a direction 30 perpendicular to the first plug-in direction 10. The accessible portions 32 of the blade-type contacts 26 are each formed with at least one insertion chamfer 34, which extends to an edge 36 of the respective blade-type contact 26 parallel to the first plug-in direction 10. At least one insertion chamfer 34 presents a greater material thickness than the rest of the blade-shaped contact 26. This means that in the region of the insertion chamfer 34, the blade-shaped contact 26 has a smaller material thickness perpendicular to the first insertion direction 10. More precisely, two respective points on the outer surface of the blade-shaped contact 26 arranged opposite each other with respect to the first insertion direction 10 exhibit a smaller distance in the region of the insertion chamfer 34 than outside the region of the insertion chamfer 34.

[0046] Two insertion bevels 34 may preferably be formed on each blade-shaped contact 26 that together form an insertion blade 38 .

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the connector housing 16b of the mating connector 8, configured as a contact carrier 18b, holds at least one fork-shaped contact 40, e.g., two fork-shaped contacts 40. Each fork-shaped contact 40 may have at least two contact pieces 42 defining a contact slot 44. The contact slot 44 extends parallel to the second plugging direction 12. In particular, the contact pieces 42 may be arranged in pairs mirror-symmetrically with respect to the contact slot 44. Two tips 46 of the contact pieces 42 arranged opposite each other with respect to the contact slot 44 are preferably elastically pressed against each other. Furthermore, each fork-shaped contact 40 protrudes into a gap-like opening 48 in the contact carrier 18b, so that the corresponding contact slot 44 is accessible from both sides perpendicular to the second plugging direction 12. This is shown in FIG. 2.

[0048] The angled plug connection 1 may further comprise a guide housing 50 formed with a first receptacle 52 for the connector 6 and a second receptacle 54 for the mating connector 8, the second receptacle 54 opening into the first receptacle 52. The paths of the first receptacle 52 and the second receptacle 54 are shown by way of example in FIG. 4. The first receptacle 52 extends linearly along the first plug-in direction 10. Correspondingly, the second receptacle 54 extends linearly along the second plug-in direction 12. The guide housing 50 may also be a plastic injection-molded part and may be formed, for example, as a cage 56, within which the connector 6 or the mating connector 8 is movably arranged by captive means.

[0049] The first receptacle 52 may form a first socket 58, an inner contour 64 of the first socket 58 in at least one cross section 62a perpendicular to the first plugging direction 10 corresponding to an outer contour 66a of the connector 6 in a cross section 68a of the connector 6 perpendicular to the first plugging direction 10. Similarly, the second receptacle 54 may form a second socket 60, an inner contour 64b of the second socket 60 in a cross section 62b perpendicular to the second plugging direction 12 corresponding to an outer contour 66b of the mating connector 8 in a cross section 68b of the mating connector 8 perpendicular to the second plugging direction 12. As shown in FIG. 5 , the connector 6 and the mating connector 8 may be inserted into the respective receptacles 52, 54 configured as sockets 58, 60 and plugged into each other in the interior 70 of the guide housing 50.

[0050] At least one respective linear guide element 72 may optionally be formed in the first receptacle 52 and / or the second receptacle 54 for linearly guiding a complementary linear guide element 74 of the connector 6 or mating connector 8, respectively.

[0051] 7 for connector 6, at least one linear guide element 72 in first receptacle 52 may be implemented by a rail-like protrusion 76 on at least one inner surface 78a, preferably two oppositely arranged inner surfaces 78a, of first receptacle 52. In particular, at least one linear guide element 72 may protrude into first receptacle 52. An associated complementary linear guide element 74 of connector 6 may be a channel-like recess 80 formed in at least one outer surface 82a, preferably two oppositely arranged outer surfaces 82a, of connector housing 16a of connector 6, at least partially surrounding the corresponding rail-like protrusion 76.

[0052] 1 with respect to the mating connector 8, rail-shaped protrusions 76 may also be formed on at least one outer surface 82b, preferably two oppositely arranged outer surfaces 82b, of the connector housing 16b of the mating connector 8. Correspondingly, channel-shaped recesses 80 are formed on at least one inner surface 78b, preferably two oppositely arranged inner surfaces 78b, of the second receptacle 54. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the two channel-shaped recesses 80 each recess into a bulge 88 of the guide housing 50.

[0053] 4 and 5, the connector 6 can include at least one link guide element 90a, and the mating connector 8 can include at least one link guide element 90b that is complementary to the link guide element 90a of the connector 6. In particular, each associated link guide element 90a, 90b can engage with one another, such that the link guide 14 directly connects the connector 6 to the mating connector 8.

[0054] At least one link guide element 90a of the connector 6 can be configured, for example, as a sliding block 92. Preferably, two sliding blocks 92 are arranged in the connector 6. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the two sliding blocks 92 can be rail-like protrusions 94 that are parallel to each other and extend linearly in the space 28 on oppositely arranged inner surfaces 86 of the connector housing 16a of the connector 6 and at an acute angle 96 with respect to at least the first plug-in direction 10 and / or the second plug-in direction 12. Alternatively, the two sliding blocks 92 can be configured as bolt-like or stud-like protrusions.

[0055] At least one link guide element 90b of the mating connector 8 can again be a connecting link 98 having a link track 100, the link track 100 having a shape complementary to the sliding block 92, and a path 102 of the link track 100 determining a direction 104 of the link guide 14. Preferably, two connecting links 98, each having a link guide 14, are arranged in the mating connector 8. As shown in FIG. 1 , the link tracks 100 can be implemented by parallel slot-like recesses 106 in two oppositely arranged outer surfaces 82b of the connector housing 16b of the mating connector 8. In particular, the link track 100 can be a linear groove 110, which also extends at an acute angle 96.

[0056] In at least one cross section 112 perpendicular to the path 102 of the link track 100, the inner contour 114 of the link track 100 corresponds to the outer contour 116 of the associated sliding block 92. In the illustrated embodiment, the link tracks 100 each have a rectangular inner contour 114. Correspondingly, the sliding blocks 92 each have a rectangular outer contour 116. This can be seen in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the shape of the inner contour 114 and the outer contour 116 can be square, triangular, semicircular, elliptical, or a combination of such basic geometric shapes.

[0057] 2, for example, the mating connector 8 can be inserted into the second receptacle 54 and placed in a pre-assembly position 118b. In the illustrated embodiment, the pre-assembly position 118b of the mating connector 8 is characterized by the mating connector 8 being inserted into the second receptacle 54 until each end 120 of the link tracks 100 at least partially projects into the first receptacle 52. This state is also shown in FIGS. 4 and 7.

[0058] 4, connector 6 is inserted into first receptacle 52, also in pre-assembly position 118a. With connector 6 in pre-assembly position 118a, connector 6 is inserted into first receptacle 52 until outer edges 122 of each of sliding blocks 92 protrude into, and thus engage, the associated link tracks 100. Due to the engagement of the associated link guide elements 90a, 90b, movement of connector 6 along first plugging direction 100 is coupled to movement of mating connector 8 in second plugging direction 12 by link guides 14.

[0059] Further insertion of the connector 6 into the first receptacle 52 along the first plugging direction 10 can move the connector 6 from the pre-assembly position 118a of the connector 6 to the final assembly position 124a of the connector 6 as shown in FIG. The final assembly position 124a of the illustrated connector 6 can be characterized by at least one shoulder 126 of the connector housing 16a of the connector 6 abutting a step 128 of the first receptacle 52. Alternatively, in the final assembly position 124a of the connector 6, the link guide element 90a of the connector can be inserted entirely into the link guide element 90b of the mating connector 8.

[0060] Link guide 14 allows insertion movement of connector 6 to cause retraction movement of mating connector 8, thereby moving mating connector 8 further into second receptacle 54 without having to affect mating connector 8 in any other way. This retraction movement allows mating connector 8 to reach final assembly position 124b of mating connector 8. In final assembly position 124b of mating connector 8, front surface 130 of connector housing 16b of mating connector 8 can rest against inner surface 86 of connector housing 16a of connector 6. Figure 3 shows connector 6 and mating connector 8 in their final assembly positions 124a, 124b.

[0061] In the context of a withdrawal process, the steps described above are performed in reverse order.

[0062] 6 to 8 show a second possible embodiment of the angled plug connection 1, in which the pre-assembly position 118b and the final assembly position 124b of the mating connector 8 are defined by a latching connection 132. The latching connection 132 is established by at least one latch element 134 on the mating connector 8 and at least one complementary latch element 136 in the guide housing 50. In particular, the connector housing 16b of the mating connector 8 may include at least one resilient spring arm 138 having a latching hook 140. At least one corresponding latching groove 142 may be provided in the guide housing 50, into which the at least one latching hook 140 may engage.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , two resilient spring arms 138, each having a latching hook 140, are disposed on the connector housing 16b of the mating connector 8. Within the guide housing 50, latching grooves 142 are formed on two inner surfaces 78b disposed opposite the second receptacle 54, and the latching grooves 142 are arranged consecutively along the second insertion direction 12. Each of the latching hooks 140 can engage with one of the latching grooves 142 of the guide housing 50, which corresponds to the pre-assembly position 118b of the mating connector 8 or the final assembly position 124b of the mating connector 8. As can be further seen from FIGS. 6 to 8 , the latching grooves 142 of the guide housing 50 can be implemented as end-to-end openings 146.

[0064] Although not shown, such a latching element 134 may also optionally be present in the connector 6 and the first receptacle 52 .

[0065] 7 and 8 , at least one contact slot 44 of the fork-shaped contact 40 of the mating connector 8 can be associated with each blade-shaped contact 26 of the connector 6. Furthermore, each blade-shaped contact 26 can be received in the associated contact slot 44 while making contact with the associated contact slot 44 and moving relative to the associated contact slot 44 in a direction 104 along the link guide 14. In particular, with the assistance of the link guide 14, each blade-shaped contact 26 can be inserted into the associated contact slot 44 and electrically contacted on both sides. In this process, the insertion blade 38 penetrates between the tips 46 of the contact pieces 42 in a wedge-like manner, spreading the contact pieces 42 apart, thereby simplifying the insertion of each blade-shaped contact 26 into the associated contact slot 44.

[0066] With the contact pieces 42 in the expanded position, the contact surfaces 24a of the blade-shaped contacts 26 touch the contact surfaces 24b of the fork-shaped contacts 40. In other words, the tips 46 of the contact pieces 42 rest on the contact surfaces 24a and make electrical contact with the contact surfaces 24a at at least one respective contact point 45.

[0067] Movement of the connector 6 and the mating connector 8 coupled by the link guide 14 causes relative movement between the blade-type contacts 26 and the associated fork-type contacts 40. Thus, during the mating process between the connector 6 and the mating connector 8, movement of each of the at least one contact point 45 occurs on the contact surface 24a of the blade-type contact 26. Due to the path 102 of the link track 100, each of the at least one contact point 45 can move at least partially parallel to the path 102 of the link track 100, i.e., along a direction 104. FIG. 10 illustrates the movement of each of the at least one contact point 45, with the path 47 of movement indicated by a dashed arrow. In the case of a curved link track 100, the path 47 will have a corresponding curvature. Alternatively or additionally, each at least one contact 45 can also be moved partially parallel to the first plug-in direction 10 and / or the second plug-in direction 12 .

[0068] 9, the mating connector 8 can be installed in the wiper arm 148 of the windshield wiper 4 so that it is not accessible from the outside, and yet can be moved with the aid of the link guide 14 from a pre-assembly position 118a of the connector 6 to a final assembly position 124a of the connector 6, and hence from a pre-assembly position 118b of the mating connector 8 to a final assembly position 124b of the mating connector 8. The connector 6 can now be attached to a wiper blade 150.

[0069] The ends 152 of the fork-shaped contacts 40 facing away from the contact surface 24b of the fork-shaped contacts 40 can each be crimped to a conductor (not shown) of an electrical cable 154 of the wiper arm 148. The ends 152 of the blade-shaped contacts 26 facing away from the contact surface 24a of the blade-shaped contacts 26 can be connected to an electric heating element 156 of the wiper blade 150 by soldering, welding, or a similar fastening method.

[0070] Overall, the angled plug connection 1 according to the invention allows for a releasable connection of the wiper blade 150 to the wiper arm 148. If required, at least one further mechanical and / or fluid delivery connection element 158 ​​can connect the wiper blade 150 to the wiper arm 148.

[0071] To ensure the tightness of the angled plug connection 1 against the ingress of water or other liquids, the connector housing 16b of the mating connector 8 can be surrounded by a sealing ring 162 in a circumferential direction 160 perpendicular to the second plug-in direction 12, as shown in FIG. 1 . The sealing ring 162 can then serve to seal a gap 164b between the connector housing 16b of the mating connector 8 and the guide housing 50. Alternatively, the guide housing 50 can be equipped with such a sealing ring 162. This is shown in FIG. 2 for the sealing of a gap 164a between the connector housing 16a of the connector 6 and the guide housing 50. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Angled plug connector 2 Electrical Connectors 4 Windshield wipers 6 Connectors 8 Mating connector 10 First insertion direction 12 Second insertion direction 14 Link Guide 16a, 16b Connector housing 18a, 18b Contact support 20a, 20b contact elements 22a, 22b Counterpart contact 24a, 24b contact surface 26 Blade type contact 28 Space 30 directions 32 parts 34 Insertion bevel 36 Edge 38 Insertion Blade 40 Fork type contact 42 Contact piece 44 contact slots 45 contacts 46 Tip 47 Career Path 48 Interstitial opening 50 Guide housing 52 First Receptacle 54 Second Receptacle 56 Cage 58 First Socket 60 Second Socket 62a, 62b cross section 64a, 64b inner contour 66a, 66b outer contour 68a, 68b cross section 70 internal 72 Linear guide elements 74 Complementary Linear Guide Elements 76 Rail-shaped protrusion 78a, 78b inner surface 80 Channel-shaped recess 82a, 82b external surface 86 Inside 88 Bulge 90a, 90b Link guide elements 92 Sliding Block 94 Rail-like protrusion 96 acute angle 98 Connecting Links 100 Link Track 102 Career Path 104 directions 106 Slot-shaped recess 110 Straight groove 112 cross section 114 Inner Contour 116 Outer contour 118a, 118b Pre-assembly position 120 End 122 outer edge 124a, 124b Final assembly position 126 Shoulder 128 steps 130 Front 132 Latch connection 134 Hooking element 136 Complementary latching elements 138 Elastic spring arm 140 Hanging hook 142 Latch groove 146 End-to-end opening 148 wiper arm 150 wiper blade 152 End 154 Cable 156 Heating Element 158 Connecting Elements 160 Circumferential direction 162 Sealing ring 164a, 164b gap

Claims

1. An inclined plug connection (1) having a connector (6) adapted to be plugged in along a first plug-in direction (10) and a mating connector (8) adapted to be plugged in along a second plug-in direction (12) extending obliquely or perpendicularly to the first plug-in direction (10), The inclined plug connector (1) further comprises a guide housing (50) formed with a first receptacle (52) for the connector (6) and a second receptacle (54) for the mating connector (8); the first receptacle (52) extends along the first plug-in direction (10), the second receptacle (54) extends along the second plug-in direction (12), and the second receptacle (54) opens into the first receptacle (52); The connector (6) is adapted to be plugged into the first receptacle (52) along the first plug-in direction (10), and the mating connector (8) is adapted to be plugged into the second receptacle (54) along the second plug-in direction (12); The connector (6) is connected to the mating connector (8) by a link guide (14), The link guide (14) couples movement of the connector (6) along the first plugging direction (10) to movement of the mating connector (8) in the second plugging direction (12); The connector (6) comprises at least one sliding block (92), and the mating connector (8) comprises at least one connecting link (98) having a link track (100) having a shape complementary to the at least one sliding block (92) of the connector (6); The at least one sliding block (92) of the connector (6) is configured as a rail-like protrusion. Angled plug connector (1).

2. 2. The inclined plug connection (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connector (6) comprises at least one link guide element (90a), and the mating connector (8) comprises at least one link guide element (90b) complementary to the link guide element (90a) of the connector (6).

3. 3. The inclined plug connection body (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one contact slot (44) of the mating connector (8) is associated with at least one blade-type contact (26) of the connector (6), and the at least one blade-type contact (26) is received in the at least one contact slot (44) while in contact with the at least one contact slot (44) and movable relative to the at least one contact slot (44) in a direction (104) along the link guide (14).

4. At least one link guide element (90a) of the link guide (14) is disposed in a connector housing (16a) of the connector (6); At least one link guide element (90b) of the link guide (14) is disposed in a connector housing (16b) of the mating connector (8); The at least one link guide element (90a) of the connector (6) has a shape complementary to the at least one link guide element (90b) of the mating connector (8).

4. An angled plug connection (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The connector housing (16a) holds at least one contact element (20a) configured as a blade-type contact (26) having at least one insertion chamfer (34), the at least one insertion chamfer (34) extending to an edge (36) of the blade-type contact (26) parallel to the first insertion direction (10).

5. The angled plug connection (1) according to claim 4.

6. 5. The inclined plug connection (1) according to claim 4, dependent on claim 3, wherein the connector housing (16b) holds at least one contact element (20b) configured as a fork-shaped contact (40) having at least two contact pieces (42), the at least two contact pieces (42) defining the contact slot (44), the contact slot (44) extending parallel to the second insertion direction (12).

7. the at least one contact element (20a, 20b) extends freely within a space (28) surrounded by the connector housing (16a, 16b), and the at least one link guide element (90a, 90b) is disposed within the space (28); 7. An angled plug connection (1) according to claim 5 or 6.

8. 8. The inclined plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein one link guide element (90a, 90b) is arranged on each of at least two oppositely arranged surfaces (82a, 82b, 86) of the connector housing (16a, 16b).

9. An electrically heated windshield wiper (4) comprising a wiper arm (148) and a wiper blade (150), The electrically heated windscreen wiper (4) comprises at least one inclined plug connection (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, An electrically heated windshield wiper (4), wherein said wiper blade (150) is connected to said wiper arm (148) by said at least one angled plug connection (1).

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