ACTUATING CLIP

Abstract

An actuating clip (1) for a connector (10), having a cable receptacle (2) for receiving at least one cable; connecting means in order to connect the actuating clip to the connector in such a manner that the actuating clip adjoins the connector at a cable-side end of the connector; surfaces for actuating the connector (10), which are configured to ensure guiding of the connector (10) when the latter is connected to an actuating clip by the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) being able to be gripped by a human hand and/or by a gripping tool, wherein the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) are specifically designed to be gripped by a hand and/or by a gripping tool.

Claims

1. A connector assembly, comprising: an electrical connector, and a handling clip, wherein said electrical connector comprises an interface portion and a cable-receiving portion, said cable-receiving portion comprises a first cable receptacle, said handling clip comprises a second cable receptacle, and said cable-receiving portion and said handling clip are shaped such that a motion of said handling clip relative to said cable-receiving portion from a separated state toward a joined state incurs a dilation of said second cable receptacle.

2. The cable of claim 1, wherein: said handling clip comprises at least two opposing gripping surfaces, each of said at least two opposing gripping surfaces is sized for manipulation of said handling clip using individual fingers, and in said joined state, manual manipulation of said handling clip via said at least two opposing gripping surfaces effects a corresponding motion of said electrical connector.

3. The cable of claim 2, wherein: said handling clip comprises an outer wall and an inner wall distinct from said outer wall, said outer wall constitutes at least a portion of said at least two opposing gripping surfaces, and said inner wall constitutes at least a portion of said second cable receptacle.

4. The cable of claim 1, wherein: said handling clip comprises an outer wall and an inner wall distinct from said outer wall, said outer wall constitutes at least a portion of an outer circumference of said handling clip, and said inner wall constitutes at least a portion of said second cable receptacle.

5. The cable of claim 4, wherein: said handling clip comprises at least one hollow formed between said outer wall and said inner wall.

6. The cable of claim 1, wherein: a motion of said handling clip relative to said cable-receiving portion from said separated state to said joined state effects a snapping engagement of said handling clip to said cable-receiving portion.

7. The cable of claim 1, wherein: in said joined state, said second cable receptacle complements said first cable receptacle.

8. The cable of claim 1, wherein: said second cable receptacle has a generally tubular shape.

9. The cable of claim 8, wherein: said first cable receptacle has a generally tubular shape, and in said joined state, said generally tubular shape of said second cable receptacle substantially aligns with said generally tubular shape of said first cable receptacle.

10. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: said first cable receptacle is configured to receive a first portion of said cable, and said second cable receptacle is configured to receive, in said joined state, a second portion of said cable adjacent said first portion.

11. The cable of claim 1, wherein: said interface portion is configured to mechanically and electrically engage a counterpart connector.

12. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: in said separated state, said handling clip is disconnected from said electrical connector, and in said joined state, said handling clip is secured to said cable-receiving portion.

13. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: in said separated state, said handling clip is disconnected from said electrical connector, and in said joined state, said handling clip is secured to an outer structure of said cable-receiving portion.

14. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: said handling clip comprises a plurality of peripheral gripping surfaces devoid of protrusions.

15. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: said handling clip comprises a plurality of surfaces that collectively define an outer circumference of said handling clip in a circumferential direction around said second cable receptacle, and each of said surfaces is devoid of skin-damaging protrusions.

16. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein: said second cable receptacle comprises at least two slits that extend in a longitudinal direction of said second cable receptacle.

17. The connector assembly of claim 16, wherein: said at least two slits subdivide a wall of said second cable receptacle in a manner that reduces a force necessary to effect said dilation of said second cable receptacle.

18. The cable of claim 1, wherein: said handling clip is devoid of electrical, electromagnetic and electronic functionality.

19. The cable of claim 1, wherein: said electrical connector comprises an engagement structure at a longitudinally terminal end of said electrical connector, and in said joined state, said engagement structure substantially fills a generally U-shaped, interior cross-section of said handling clip.

20. The cable of claim 1, wherein: said electrical connector comprises a first engagement structure at a longitudinally terminal end of said electrical connector, said handling clip comprises a second engagement structure at a longitudinally terminal end of said handling clip, said first engagement structure is configured to slidingly receive said second engagement structure in a tongue-and-groove-like arrangement, and said first engagement structure and said second engagement structure are configured to snappingly engage.

21. The cable of claim 1, wherein: in said joined state, said handling clip is secured to said electrical connector in a manner that inhibits separation of said handling clip from said electrical connector in any direction and that permits transmission of torsional force relative to a longitudinal axis of said electrical connector from said handling clip to said electrical connector.

Description

INDICATION OF CONTENTS OF THE DRAWING

[0053] The present invention is explained in greater detail below on the basis of the exemplary embodiments indicated in the schematic figures of the drawing, in which here:

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a connector arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a connector arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0056] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a connector arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0057] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a connector arrangement in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0058] The accompanying figures of the drawing are intended to convey a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and in association with the description serve to clarify principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned are evident in view of the drawings.

[0059] The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown in a manner true to scale with respect to one another.

[0060] In the figures of the drawing, identical, functionally identical and identically acting elements, features and components—unless explained otherwise—are provided in each case with the same reference signs.

[0061] An inter-related and overarching description of the figures is given below.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a connector arrangement 20 having a connector 10 and having an actuating clip 1. The actuating clip 1 may facilitate handling of the connector 10 and may accordingly be termed a handling clip. The connector 10 comprises a housing 12 that interacts with the actuating clip 1. The connector 10 may be termed an electrical connector.

[0063] The connector 10 comprises a cable-side end 15 and an interface-side end 16. A cable receptacle 14 is provided at the cable-side end 15 of the connector 10 in order to receive electrical conductors of a cable and, over the further course of the connector, to make contact with electric contacts of the connector 10.

[0064] FIG. 1 shows the connector 10 with the actuating clip 1 directly prior to its installation, i.e. as the actuating clip moves from an disconnected to a joined state relative to the connector 10. Accordingly, a direction of movement along which the actuating clip is to be guided in order to mount the actuating clip 1 on the connector 10 is indicated by a direction arrow 101 in FIG. 1. The actuating clip 1 is accordingly guided from below on a protrusion 15 of the connector 10 and pushed onto the latter with little effort. The protrusion 15 slidingly engages a slot-like structure of actuating clip 1 in the manner of a tongue-and-groove.

[0065] During the pushing-on operation, a bevelled edge 9 of the latching lug 8 of the actuating clip 1 moves along the lateral contour of the protrusion 15. The lateral contour of the protrusion 15 of the connector 10 comprises an oblique surface 11, which ensures a continuous expansion of the actuating clip, a vertical surface 12 and a latching lug 13 that interacts with the latching lug 8 of the actuating clip 1 and therefore ensures that the actuating clip 1 is fastened to the connector 10.

[0066] The expansion of the actuating clip 1 is facilitated by a plurality of recesses 3, 4 and 5 by said recesses increasing the spring elasticity of the actuating clip. The recesses 3, 4 and 5 are arranged axially symmetrically with respect to the actuating clip, wherein the axis of symmetry runs through the center of the actuating clip 1 in the direction of the arrow 101. Furthermore, the expansion of the actuating clip 1 is facilitated by the edge of the cable receptacle 2 having two opposite interruptions 102.

[0067] The actuating clip comprises two times two respectively opposite actuating surfaces, namely two lateral actuating surfaces 6 and upper/lower actuating surfaces 7, wherein the upper actuating surface has a recess on its top surface.

[0068] FIG. 2 shows a connector arrangement 20 according to FIG. 1, wherein the actuating clip 1 is mounted on the connector 10.

[0069] In such a joined state, the actuating clip 1 is secured to the connector 10 in a manner that inhibits separation of the actuating clip 1 from the connector 10 in any direction and that permits transmission of torsional force relative to a longitudinal axis of the connector 10 from the actuating clip 1 to the connector 10.

[0070] FIG. 3 shows a connector arrangement 20 according to FIG. 2, wherein the actuating clip 1 is mounted on the connector 10. FIG. 3 shows a sectional view through a section plane located in the region of the protrusion 15 of the connector 10. The actuating clip 1 in this region has a contour corresponding to the connector 10. Accordingly, the actuating clip 1 forms an offset in the region of the protrusion 15, i.e. in the section plane according to FIG. 3. Accordingly, the inner regions of the actuating clip 1, and also the cable lead-through 2, are set back around the offset. Consequently, the inner regions of the actuating clip 1 that are set back in the region of the protrusion 15 are not illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0071] It is apparent in FIG. 3 that the actuating clip 1 is held on the connector by the latching lugs 8 and 13.

[0072] FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of a connector arrangement 20 through the section plane according to FIG. 3, wherein the actuating clip is not yet fastened to the connector 10, but rather is in a preassembled state.

[0073] FIG. 4 illustrates the expansion operation of the actuating clip 1 by the oblique edge 9 of the actuating clip 1 sliding up on the oblique surface 11 of the connector. The oblique edge 9 ensures an improved guiding of the movement of the actuating clip 1.

[0074] The present disclosure may be summarized as disclosing, inter alia, the following Embodiments.

Embodiment 1

[0075] Actuating clip (1) for a connector (10), having [0076] a cable receptacle (2) for receiving at least one cable; [0077] connecting means in order to connect the actuating clip to the connector in such a manner that the actuating clip adjoins the connector at a cable-side end of the connector; [0078] surfaces for actuating the connector (10), which are configured to ensure guiding of the connector (10) when the latter is connected to an actuating clip by the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) being able to be gripped by a human hand and/or by a gripping tool, wherein the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) are specifically designed to be gripped by a hand and/or by a gripping tool.

Embodiment 2

[0079] Actuating clip (1) for a connector (10) according to Embodiment 1, wherein the surfaces of the actuating clip (1) are designed in terms of ergonomic aspects for manual actuation by the surfaces not having any radially outwardly directed protrusions.

Embodiment 3

[0080] Actuating clip (1) for a connector (10) according to either of the preceding Embodiments, wherein at least one recess is provided in the interior of the actuating clip (1), and/or the cable receptacle has at least one, in particular two interruptions (102) in order to ensure spring elasticity of the actuating clip (1).

Embodiment 4

[0081] Actuating clip (1) for a connector (10) according to one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the actuating clip (1) is expandable in order to be connected to a connector (10).

Embodiment 5

[0082] Actuating clip (1) for a connector (10) according to one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the actuating clip (1) has latching means that are configured to interact with latching means of the connector (10).

Embodiment 6

[0083] Actuating clip (1) for a connector (10) according to one of the preceding Embodiments, wherein the actuating clip (1) forms an optional additional component to a connector (10), to which in particular no electrical, electromagnetic and/or electronic function is assigned.

Embodiment 7

[0084] Connector arrangement having a connector (10) and having an actuating clip (1) according to one of the preceding Embodiments, which, with a cable in a cable-side region of the connector (10), is electrically connectable to contacts of the connector (10), and the actuating clip (1) is fastened to a cable-side end of the connector (10) and forms an extension of the connector (10) in an axial longitudinal direction.

Embodiment 8

[0085] Connector arrangement according to Embodiment 7, wherein the connector (10) has oblique surfaces that cause a continuous expansion of the actuating clip (1) when the actuating clip (1) is guided along the oblique surfaces during its installation on the connector (10).

Embodiment 9

[0086] Connector arrangement according to Embodiment 7 or Embodiment 8, wherein the connector (10) has guide means that are used to limit a movement of the actuating clip (1) in at least one spatial direction during its installation on the connector (10).

Embodiment 10

[0087] Connector arrangement according to one of the preceding Embodiments 7-9, wherein the connector has actuating surfaces, wherein the actuating surfaces of the actuating clip are arranged radially offset from the actuating surfaces of the connector.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0088] 1 Actuating clip [0089] 2 Cable receptacle [0090] 3 Recess [0091] 4 Recess [0092] 5 Recess [0093] 6 Actuating surface [0094] 7 Actuating surface [0095] 8 Latching lug [0096] 9 Edge [0097] 10 Connector [0098] 11 Oblique surface [0099] 12 Vertical surface [0100] 13 Latching lug [0101] 14 Receptacle [0102] 15 Protrusion [0103] 16 Interface-side end [0104] 17 Cable-side end [0105] 18 Connector housing [0106] 20 Connector arrangement [0107] 101 Arrow [0108] 102 Interruption