Storage device for a plug connector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage device for electrical plug connectors for arrangement on or in a towed working machine, wherein the storage device comprises a frame and at least one cover pivotably mounted thereon. The cover can be pivoted at least into two positions: a rest position and a fixing position, wherein an energy store forces the cover into a default rest position. The frame comprises a base plate with at least one holding shape, at least two holding plates arranged on the base plate for receiving the plug connector, and a cover receptacle.

Description

[0001] 2024-04-09 - 1 - P2024035DEApplicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: Storage device for connectors Description The invention is based on a storage device for connectors according to the preamble of independent claim 1. Such storage devices are required to store connectors and the associated cables in an easily accessible and, ideally, protected position on towed work machines, in particular towed agricultural work machines, while the towed devices are parked. State of the art: Particularly in the field of towed agricultural work machines, data-carrying and power-carrying cables have previously been provided with a protective cap arranged on a connector or stored in a receiving device, which usually also accommodates one or more hydraulic couplings and / or pneumatic couplings.A disadvantage of the simple, previously common method of attaching to towed devices is inadequate protection of the connector, as the protective caps used cannot be reliably used in combination with rather rudimentary retaining fittings. Due to the harsh working environment, the protective caps are often damaged or lost, especially in connectors used in agriculture. The mounting devices, which also accommodate hydraulic couplings, can lead to increased contamination of the electrical connector, e.g., if residual fluid from the hydraulic coupling comes into contact with the electrical connector. This makes it easier for the electrical connector to collect dust and dirt. When using electrically operated work units, the protection of the connectors, and especially the contacts located therein, is of particular importance, which is not adequately guaranteed by the current devices.Task The object of the invention is to provide a storage device for plug connectors for use on towed devices, in particular towed agricultural work machines, which is simple and cost-effective to manufacture and offers improved protection against foreign media, in particular splash water and rainwater, while the towed device remains uncoupled from a tractor and unused. The object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. The present invention therefore offers the following advantages: A simple and cost-effective storage device for plug connectors of towed devices, in particular equipped with an electrical work unit, is offered. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.The present invention solves this problem with a storage device for electrical connectors, wherein the storage device and the connector are arranged on or in a towed work machine, and wherein the storage device comprises a frame and at least one cover pivotably mounted thereon. The cover is pivotable into at least two positions: a rest position and a fixed position, with an energy accumulator generally forcing the cover into a rest position. The frame comprises a base plate with at least one holding shape, at least two holding plates arranged on the base plate for receiving the connector, and a cover receptacle. A storage device is therefore essentially understood to be a holding device and / or a fitting that can accommodate an electrical connector on or in itself.These fittings are particularly useful for preventing connectors from resting on the ground when not in use. Simply positioning the connector higher can provide initial protection against contamination. The term towed machine essentially refers to any machine equipped with an electrically powered power unit that can be coupled to a tractor. This preferably refers to agricultural machines. Power-driven, towed machines in particular can benefit from operation with an electrical power unit and thus from the storage device according to the invention. One embodiment provides for a receptacle shape to be arranged on each holding plate. The receptacle shape is square, triangular, hook-shaped, U-shaped, C-shaped, V-shaped, X-shaped or Y-shaped.This allows a receiving element of the connector to be inserted into the receiving mold. The appropriate design of the receiving mold allows for a clever, advantageous attachment of the connector to the storage device. The respective shape of the receiving mold essentially enables the connector to be suspended as securely as possible. In one embodiment, the receiving mold is designed to correspond to at least the receiving element. This means that a square receiving element of the connector is preferably designed to be inserted into a likewise square receiving mold of the storage device. The corresponding shape of the respective elements also makes it possible to accommodate connectors which, in addition to locking them with an attachment housing of the tractor, also use the receiving molds for coding according to the poka-yoke principle.The use of a connector with the poka-yoke principle is of course primarily useful for multi-pin connectors. In a clever embodiment, it is proposed that the holding plates each have a guide which guides the receiving element towards the receiving shape. In a clever and simple embodiment, this guide is designed as a simple wedge, bevel or curved track pointing towards the receiving shape. The guide is preferably integrally formed on the holding plate. Alternatively, the guide can be designed as an additional component. A further developed embodiment provides that the cover has at least one cover plate, a fastening shape and a sealing element arranged on the cover plate. The cover plate is understood to be a base plate of the cover, onto which at least the fastening shape is integrally formed.Alternatively, the fastening form can be designed so that it can be engaged with the cover plate using fastening means. A fastening form refers to at least one formed portion provided with a through-opening, which can be engaged with the cover receptacle so that the cover is pivotably connected to the frame. A bearing element is used to connect the cover to the frame in a simple manner. The bearing element is preferably designed as a simple bearing bolt, a clamping sleeve, a dowel pin, or a screw. Other bearing elements are known to those skilled in the art and may be advantageously used. 2024-04-09 - 5 - P2024035DE In a useful embodiment, the cover plate has a wall that at least partially surrounds the sealing element. The wall enables advantageous protection of the sealing element, particularly in a rest position.For this purpose, it is proposed that the wall have a depth greater than or equal to the sealing element. This means that in the rest position the wall is in contact with the base plate of the frame. The sealing element preferably does not touch the base plate. In an advantageous embodiment, the wall is arranged at a distance from the sealing element which allows the reception of a plug-in area of ​​the plug connector. This means that the plug-in area of ​​the connector is inserted between the wall and the sealing element. An embodiment in which the wall surrounds the plug-in area and thus provides at least rudimentary protection against the ingress of rainwater or splash water is particularly preferred. The sealing element advantageously improves this protection against the ingress of foreign media in that the sealing element lies on the plug-in area and closes it with the support of the energy accumulator.Furthermore, one embodiment provides that the sealing element at least partially engages the plug-in area. Alternatively, the sealing element can at least largely enclose the plug-in area. These designs further improve the protection of the plug-in area in a simple and clever way. Depending on the design, material can be saved while simultaneously improving protection against the penetration of foreign media. In conjunction with this, an improved embodiment makes particular sense in which the sealing element tapers conically from the cover plate for improved sealing. Alternatively, it is proposed that the sealing element widen conically from the cover plate. 2024-04-09 - 6 - P2024035DE Finally, an embodiment is proposed in which the sealing element is held by a support form. This support form is intended, in particular, to further reduce the material consumption of the sealing element.At the same time, the stability of the sealing element is advantageously increased. The support shape preferably supports the connection between the sealing element and the plug connector. Exemplary embodiment An exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a closed storage device; Fig. 2 a perspective view of an open storage device; Fig. 3 a perspective view of an open storage device with an inserted plug connector; Fig. 4 a perspective view of a locking storage device with a fastened plug connector; The figures contain partly simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference numerals are used for identical, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of identical elements may be scaled differently.Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual representations depending on the object depicted. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a storage device 1 according to the invention in an inactive state, as would be found in towed work machines in use. A frame 3 is shown, which has a base plate 30 and holding plates 32 arranged thereon. The holding plates 32 are positioned on two opposite sides of the base plate 30. A side arranged between the holding plates 32 has a cover receptacle 33. The holding plates 32 each have at least one receiving shape 34. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the sides of the holding plates 32 facing the cover receptacle 33 are each provided with a guide 35.The guides 35 are cleverly designed as wedge-shaped bevels pointing towards the cover receptacle 33 and end with the respective receptacle forms 34. A cover 4 is pivotally mounted on the cover receptacle 33. For this purpose, the cover 4 has a fastening form 41. A force accumulator 5 designed as a spiral spring forces the cover 4 into the illustrated rest position P1. To improve the function of the force accumulator 5, the force accumulator 5 is designed with a deflection, which is referred to as a cover engagement 50. This cover engagement 50 can particularly advantageously engage in an engagement form 45, which is introduced into a cover plate 40 of the cover 4. Logically, the force accumulator 5, at least when designed as a spiral spring, has a second deflection, which is attached to the cover receptacle 33 or a recess in a bearing element 60.As an alternative to the clamping sleeve shown, the bearing element 6 can also be designed as a dowel pin, a clamping sleeve, a bolt, a pin, or a screw. The special feature of the cover 4 according to the invention becomes clearer in Figure 2. In the open position, referred to as the transition position P3, the sealing element 42 can be seen, which sealingly accommodates a plug connector 2, or rather its plug-in area 21, in the storage device 1. The energy accumulator 5 forces the sealing element 42 against the plug-in area 21, thus initially fixing the plug connector 2 in the storage device 1 and sealing the plug-in area 21 against the ingress of foreign media. The base plate 30 with the provided fastening elements 7 becomes visible when the cover 4 is opened.The fastening elements 7, designed as simple hexagon socket screws, conceal the retaining shapes 31, which allow the fastening elements 7 to protrude through the base plate 30. The retaining shapes 31 are designed in the simplest form as a through-hole. The cover 4 has a wall 43 that completely surrounds the sealing element 42. It can be seen that the wall 43 has at least a height equal to the height of the sealing element 42. Furthermore, the cover 4 has a support shape 44 on the cover plate 40, which accommodates the seal 42 and protects it from unwanted deformation. Finally, a distance a is visible, which is dimensioned such that the plug-in area 21 of the connector 2 can be accommodated between the wall 43 and the sealing element 42. Figure 3 illustrates how the intended connector 2 essentially interacts with the storage device 1.For this purpose, the connector 2 has a receiving element 20, which in the embodiment shown is designed as a screwed-on sleeve. Alternatively, the connector 2 can have a bolt, a rivet, or a similar receiving element 20. The receiving element 20 is arranged in two opposite positions. Preferably, the receiving elements 20 are arranged on the connector 2 so as to be aligned at 180° to one another. These receiving elements 20 fit into the corresponding receiving shapes 34 of the holding plates 32. The inclined guide 35 enables the connector 2 to be suspended in the storage device 1. After the connector 2 has been suspended, the guides 35 allow the connector 2 to slide down its receiving element 20.After the connector 2 is seated in the receiving mold 34, the cover 4 is forced into its rest position P1 by the energy storage device 5, but cannot pivot further than the locking position P2 due to the inserted connector 2. In the locking position P2, the sealing element 42 engages in the plug-in area 21 and fixes the connector 2 in the storage device 1, sealing it against foreign media. The connector 2 is thus held in the receiving mold 34 of the storage device 1 by the receiving element 20 and secured by the cover 4 and the force of the energy storage device 5 acting on the cover 4. Furthermore, the energy storage device 5 ensures that the sealing element 42 arranged in the cover 4 is forced against the plug-in area 21, thus reliably preventing the penetration of foreign media, in particular splash water and rainwater.As an alternative to the embodiment shown, the sealing element 42 can also be designed to point conically outwards from a center of the cover 4, starting from a wall 43, such that the plug-in area 21 is enclosed by the sealing element 42. Finally, one embodiment provides a sealing element which is located flat in the cover, thereby offering a particularly cost-effective alternative. Even if various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art – unless otherwise stated – that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different exemplary embodiments can be interchanged.

[0002] 2024-04-09 - 10 - P2024035DEApplicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: Storage facility for connectors List of reference symbols 1Storage facility2 Connector20 Receptacle21 Plug-in area 3 Rahmen 30 Base plate 31 Holding form 32 Holding plate 33 Cover holder 34 Holding form 35 Guide 4 Deckel 40 Cover plate 41 Fastening form 42 Sealing element 43 Wall 44 Support form 45 Engagement form 5 Energy storage 50 Cover engagement 6 Bearing element 7 Fastening element 2024-04-09 - 11 - P2024035DE a Abstand P1 Rest positionP2 Fixing positionP3 Transition position

Claims

2024-04-09 - 1 - P2024035DEApplicant: HARTING Electric Stiftung & Co. KG Title: Storage device for connectors Claims 1. Storage device (1) for electrical connectors (2), wherein the storage device (1) and the connector (2) are arranged on or in a towed work machine, and wherein the storage device (1) has a frame (3) and at least one cover (4) pivotably mounted thereon, wherein the cover (4) is pivotable into at least two positions, a rest position (P1) and a fixing position (P2), and wherein a force accumulator (5) generally forces the cover (4) into a rest position (P1), characterized in that the frame (3) has a base plate (30) with at least one holding form (31), at least two holding plates (32) arranged on the base plate (30) for receiving the connector (2), and a cover receptacle (33). 2.Storage device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a receiving shape (34) is arranged on each of the holding plates (32), which is square, triangular, hook-shaped, U-shaped, C-shaped, or V-shaped, so that a receiving element (20) of the plug-in connector (2) can be inserted into the receiving shape (34).

3. Storage device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiving shape (34) is designed to correspond to at least the receiving element (20).2024-04-09 - 2 - P2024035DE4. Storage device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the holding plates (32) each have a guide (35) which guides the receiving element (20) towards the receiving shape (34).

5. Storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (4) has at least one cover plate (40), a fastening form (41) and a sealing element (42) arranged on the cover plate (40).6.Storage device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover plate (40) has a wall (43) which at least partially surrounds the sealing element (42).

7. Storage device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the wall (43) is arranged at a distance (a) from the sealing element (42), wherein the distance (a) enables the reception of a plug-in area (21) of the plug-in connector (2).

8. Storage device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing element (42) at least partially engages in the plug-in area (21).

9. Storage device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the sealing element (42) tapers conically starting from the cover plate (40). 2024-04-09 - 3 - P2024035DE10. Storage device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing element (42) at least largely encloses the plug-in area (21).11.Storage device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the sealing element (42) widens conically from the cover plate (40).

12. Storage device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing element (42) is held by a support form (44).

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