Abstract
Disclosed is an HF plug on a mounting wall of HF subassemblies, comprising an HF plug element that has a fastening collar and is to be plugged into a through-hole located on the mounting wall of the HF subassembly, and a securing element which is in the form of a resilient element and is shaped and designed to be inserted between a connecting zone of the HF plug element and the mounting wall in such a way as to be positioned between the connecting zone and the mounting wall in such a way as to immobilize the HF plug element. Also disclosed is a mounting wall for the HF plug.
Claims
1.-27. (canceled)
28. An HF module having a mounting panel (2) and at least one HF plug element (1) with a fastening neck (11) inserted into a through-opening (20) arranged on the mounting panel (2) for each HF plug element (1), and for each HF plug element (1), at least one securing element (3) designed as a flexible element is plugged onto a connecting region (13) of the HF plug element (1) adjacent to the fastening neck (11), wherein a region of the securing element (3) facing the HF plug element (1) has a slope (33), and wherein the region of the connecting region (13) facing the securing element (3) has a corresponding slope to secure the HF element (1) on the mounting panel (2) without any play due to the prestress on the securing element (3).
29. The HF module according to claim 1, wherein the securing element (3) is designed in the form of a ring.
30. The HF module according to claim 1, wherein the securing element (3) has a peripheral opening for lateral attachment and at least one spring arm (31).
31. The HF module according to claim 3, wherein a web (30) is attached to the region opposite the peripheral opening.
32. The HF module according to claim 3, wherein each of the spring arms (31) is thinner toward the peripheral opening, or wherein each of the spring arms (31) becomes thinner up to the region of its open end toward the peripheral opening and becomes thicker again in the region of the open end.
33. The HF module according to claim 4, wherein each open end of each one of the spring arms (31) is thicker than the respective remaining spring arm (31), or wherein each of the spring arms (31) becomes thinner up to the region of its open end toward the peripheral opening and becomes thicker again in the region of the open end
34. The HF module according to claim 3, wherein the securing element (3) has two spring arms (31), a locking element (70) being arranged on their open ends to prevent the securing element (3) from becoming unsnapped.
35. The HF module according claim 1, wherein at least one region of the securing element (3) has a mounting aid (60).
36. The HF module according to claim 1, wherein a securing element (3) is connected to one or more other securing elements (3) by means of a flexible connecting web (14) attached thereto, wherein a plurality of connecting elements (14) can also be connected crosswise to the respective securing elements (3).
37. The HF module according claim 1, wherein the fastening neck (11) of the HF plug element (1) and/or the through-opening (20) has/have a structure (50), wherein some of the material on the through-opening (20) is cut away or deformed when the fastening neck (11) is inserted into the through-opening (20).
38. The HF module according to claim 11, wherein the structure (50) has at least one flattened or sloping region.
39. The HF module according to claim 11, wherein the structure (50) is a polygon, in particular a triangle or a pentagon or a hexagon.
40. The HF module according to claim 11, wherein the structure (50) has at least one region with elevations and recesses.
41. The HF module according to claim 14, wherein the elevations and recesses are in the form of grooves, triangles, squares, trapezoids, semicircles or a combination thereof.
42. The HF module claim 1, wherein the mounting panel (2) has a recess in a region near the through-opening (20), said recess being positioned in such a way that a securing element (3) attached to the connecting region (13) is visible on the other side of the mounting panel (2).
43. The HF module according to claim 1, wherein the at least one HF plug element (1) is an HF bushing.
44. The HF module according to claim 1, wherein the mounting panel (2) is an antenna cover.
45. The HF module according to claim 4, wherein the securing element (3) has two spring arms (31), a locking element (70) being arranged on their open ends to prevent the securing element (3) from becoming unsnapped.
46. The HF module according to claim 5, wherein the securing element (3) has two spring arms (31), a locking element (70) being arranged on their open ends to prevent the securing element (3) from becoming unsnapped.
47. The HF module according to claim 6, wherein the securing element (3) has two spring arms (31), a locking element (70) being arranged on their open ends to prevent the securing element (3) from becoming unsnapped.
Description
[0052] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail below on the basis of the accompanying drawings. Basically one or two of the arms of the securing elements illustrated in the figures may be designed as spring arms. In the drawings:
[0053] FIG. 3 shows a sectional view through an HF plug connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0054] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view through an HF plug connector according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] FIGS. 5a through 5c show a side view of an HF plug connector according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 6 shows examples of sectional views of a structure of the fastening neck or of the interior of the through-opening in the mounting panel, i.e., an antenna cover here, according to different embodiments of the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 7a shows a top view of a securing element of an HF plug connector according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] FIG. 7b shows a view of a securing element of an HF plug connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] FIG. 7c shows a view of a securing element of an HF plug connector according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0060] FIGS. 8a to 8c show a diagram of a securing element comprised of two parts with oblique sloping edges mounted on an HF plug connector according to an additional embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] FIGS. 9a to 9d show views of a plurality of securing elements attached to a connecting web according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0062] FIGS. 10a and 10b each show a view of an insertion aid according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] FIGS. 11a and 11b each show views of locking elements that can be attached to the securing element according to various embodiments of the present invention.
[0064] FIGS. 12a and 12b each show a view of a catch element and a corresponding mating part according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0065] FIGS. 13a and 13b each show a view of two alternatives of an insert arranged in the through-opening according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0066] In the following descriptions of figures, the same elements and/or functions are labeled with the same reference numerals.
[0067] FIGS. 3 and 4 each show sectional views of different basic embodiments of HF plug connectors according to the invention. These figures each show an HF bushing 1, which serves as an HF plug element and whose fastening neck 11 is inserted into a through-opening 20 in a mounting panel, shown here as an antenna cover 2, as far as the stop on the closing web 12. To attach the securing element 3 to the HF bushing 1, the HF bushings 1 of both embodiments have a connecting region 13 which makes it possible to click on the securing element 3 so that it cannot slip in the axial direction. In both FIGS. 3 and 4 the securing element 3 is shown with sloping edges 33 because the best surface pressure is obtained in this way and thus the least freedom from play. The shape of the securing element 3 can be adapted to the shape of the connecting region 13. It is important for the securing element 3 to be mountable in the connecting region 13 of the HF bushing 1 so that a movement of the HF bushing in the axial direction, i.e., out of the antenna cover and also a torsion, i.e., a rotation of the bushing in the antenna cover are impossible, i.e., a play-free connection between the HF bushing and the antenna cover 2 is achieved.
[0068] The HF bushings 1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 differ in that the HF bushing 1 shown in FIG. 3 is plugged into the antenna cover 2 from above. However, the HF bushing 1 shown in FIG. 4 is inserted into the antenna cover 2 from beneath, which has the effect that the closing web 12 prevents the HF bushing 1 from slipping out when there are axial forces acting in the direction of the top side of the cover. This advantage can be utilized in particular when, after final assembly, the top side of the antenna cover 2 is directed downward, so that the weight of an attached cable alone exerts an axial force downward on the HF bushing 1.
[0069] The two embodiments also differ in that the securing element 3 according to the invention shown in FIG. 3 is arranged on the side of the antenna cover 2 which is no longer visible from the outside after final assembly. However, the securing element 3 according to the invention of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is visible on the outside and/or top side of the antenna cover 2 after final assembly.
[0070] Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, the securing element 3 cannot be plugged onto the fastening neck 11 from the side, but instead this must be done from above (not shown in the figures). To do so, the securing element is preferably ring-shaped with an opening on its top side to keep the bushing free and/or to be able to attach it from above. Furthermore, it is embodied such that, on its underside with which it is clamped on the connecting region 13 of the HF plug element 1, it has a shape which represents a means of securing the HF plug element 1 against axial movement and rotational movement, thereby achieving a connection without any play. In this embodiment, the material of the securing element 3 must have elastic properties in particular because it must be stretched greatly in order to be able to push it over the plug element. However, it must also have the property of being able to return to its initial shape in order to fulfill the desired holding properties. This embodiment of the securing element 3 is preferably selected when the variant of the HF plug connector shown in FIG. 4 is used, i.e., the securing element 3 is visible after the final assembly. In addition, to the required elasticity, it is important here in choosing the material for the securing element that it should have a certain weather fastness because in this embodiment it is mounted on the outside and is therefore exposed to a wide variety of weather conditions, such as ice, hail, UV light or water. When the variant illustrated in FIG. 3 is chosen, the securing element 3 must be attached to the fastening neck 11 before other connections are attached to the lower side of the HF plug element 1, e.g., cable.
[0071] FIGS. 5a to 5c show an alternative embodiment of the HF plug connector according to the invention. Here, the HF plug element is not an HF bushing, but instead is only the electric module that is normally situated in the interior of the mechanical module of the HF bushing (see FIG. 5b). The mechanical module is formed so that it is already secured in the mounting panel 2 of the HF module, i.e., for example, the antenna, so it has an integral, i.e., one-piece, design and can be overmolded with a nonconductive material such as a plastic. This is illustrated in FIG. 5a. The electric module 1, for example, is inserted into the mounting panel combination shown in FIG. 5a and is secured with the securing element 3 according to the invention, as shown in FIG. 5c, for example, at least the internal and external conductors of the antenna. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the arrangement of the HF plug element may be at the top or at the bottom. This depends on how the mounting panel combination has been manufactured.
[0072] FIG. 6 shows examples of sectional views of a structure 50 of the fastening neck 11 and/or of the interior of the through-opening 20 in the mounting panel of the HF module 2 according to different embodiments of the present invention. As described above, both the fastening neck 11 and the inside of the through-opening 20 in the mounting panel of the HF module 2 may have a structure 50 to permit fastening of the HF plug element 1 on the mounting panel 2 of the HF module 2 without any play.
[0073] For example, the structure may be designed as a hexagon, which shapes the interior of the through-opening 20 on insertion into the through-opening 20 so that material is removed and/or scraped or deformed and/or pressed away from the opening. If the structure 50 is attached to the fastening neck 11, then the structure 50 scrapes off a portion of the inside of the through-opening 20 in the mounting panel of the HF module 2. If the through-opening 20 has the structure 50, then a portion thereof is removed and/or scraped off or deformed and/or pressed by the insertion of the fastening neck 11 because this portion has a shape ensuring that it will remove and/or scrape off a portion of the structure 50 of the through-opening. In other words, the fastening neck must have a diameter at least slightly larger than the diameter of the through-opening 30. In both types of mounting of the structure 50, it is ensured that a connection is formed between the HF plug element 1 and the mounting panel of the HF module 2 without any play.
[0074] Additional examples of structures 50 according to the invention, which meet the requirements defined above, are also shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows only examples of structures. Any other conceivable structure could be used instead of those shown here. These structures 50 may be used alone or in any combination. For example, this shows structures 50 in the form of a zigzag line, a trapezoid, a semicircle, a rectangle or a square. If recesses and/or elevations are preferably arranged in the fastening neck 11 and/or the inside of the through-opening 20, any shapes, including complementary shapes, may be used as the structures which permit a connection between the HF plug element 1 and the mounting panel of the HF module 2 without any play as a result of removal and/or scraping or deformation and/or pressing. Alternatively, the mounting panel of the HF module 2 may have an inclined contour which creates an axial prestress on the HF plug element by way of the securing element.
[0075] All the structures 50 shown here may be arranged on the fastening neck 11 or on the inside of the through-opening 20. The decision as to where this structure 50 will be arranged depends on factors such as the cost of manufacturing, the ease of manufacturing or the material and is made by the skilled person in accordance with the desired application.
[0076] FIG. 7a shows a top view of a securing element 3 of an HF plug connector according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the securing element 3 is embodied in the form of a horseshoe having a web 30 on the side and/or in the region opposite the opening. This web serves to distribute over a larger are the forces a.sub.max, which act in spots in the area where the web 30 is mounted, when the two spring legs 31 are pulled apart and/or bent separately. In addition, the securing element 3 in FIG. 7a has an area, where the arms 31 are made wider at the respective ends pointing toward the opening. This has the advantage that, in this way, the area for clicking and/or clamping is larger and therefore a greater holding force can be exerted on the fastening neck 11 of the HF bushing. In the example of the securing element 3 shown here, one or both arms may serve as spring arms.
[0077] In addition, the securing element 3 also has mounting aids 60, which are mounted on the widened area 32 of the arms 31. The mounting aids 60 here are holes through the opening of which a suitable tool can be inserted to facilitate the separation of the arms 31. In addition, these holes may serve to hold a locking element. Examples of locking elements are shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b. The shape of the locking element is adapted to the shape of the widened area 32 in the arms 31 and/or the type of opening. In the case of the securing element shown here, one or both arms may function as spring arms.
[0078] FIG. 7b shows a perspective view of a securing element 3 of an HF plug connector according to FIG. 7a, where the securing element 3 is designed in the form of a horseshoe with a web 30 on the side opposite the opening, as in the preceding embodiments. In addition, the securing element 3 has sloping edges 33 in the regions of the arms 31 facing into the interior of the horseshoe, thereby allowing a simple means of clicking the securing element 3 in place. In the case of the securing element shown here, one or both arms may serve as spring arms.
[0079] FIG. 7c shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a securing element 3 of an HF plug connector according to the present invention where the securing element 3 is designed in the form of a horseshoe with a web 30 on the side opposite the opening as in the preceding embodiments. Here again, the securing element 3 has edges 33, which have a slope in the regions of the arms 31 facing into the interior of the horseshoe shape, enabling simple clicking of the securing element 3 in place. In the case of the securing element not shown here, one or both arms may function as spring arms. The securing element 3 of this embodiment also has holes as mounting aids 60 but does not have a widened area of the arms 31 as in the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 7a and 7b.
[0080] FIGS. 8a to 8c show views of a securing element 3, which is mounted on the HF plug element 1. It consists of two parts 3a and 3b and has stepped and/or sawtooth sloping edges for the sake of illustration. The sloping, stepped and/or sawtooth edges make it easier for the parts 3a and 3b of the securing element to be upright, because the attachment cannot be done edge-on-edge, which would cause greater friction. The two parts 3a and 3b of the securing element are plugged onto the connecting neck 13 from two sides and lock together when attached in this way, so that a ring is formed around the connecting neck 13. Sloping edges may also be used on securing elements without an opening, these being secured on the HF plug element 1 from above, for example (not shown). With the securing element shown here, one or both arms may serve as spring arms.
[0081] FIGS. 9a to FIG. 9d each show views of several securing elements 3 connected to a connecting web 14. FIGS. 9a and 9b each show a top view onto two and/or four securing elements connected to one another by means of connecting webs 14. FIG. 9c shows how the connecting web 14 forms a kink to be inserted into the connecting path between two HF plug elements 1. By pressing on the kink, the two arms of the connecting web 14 and the securing elements 3 arranged on the two ends of the connecting web 14 click into the respective HF plug connectors 1. FIG. 9d shows a schematic of an additional securing means 15, which is embodied as a pin with a barbed hook in this case. The pin is inserted into a through-hole in the mounting panel and clicks with its barbed hook on the rear side of the mounting panel 2. The additional securing means 15 ensures that a secure connection to the mounting panel is achieved, so that the connecting web cannot return to its initial position as a result of the tension applied to it and the securing elements cannot snap out of the HF plug connectors.
[0082] FIGS. 10a and 10b each show a view of an insertion aid 21 for an HF module. The insertion aid 21 is a defined structure that is arranged on the fastening neck 11 and on a region close to, directly on, or in the through-opening 20 in the mounting panel of the HF module 2 according to the lock and key principle. The insertion aid 21 serves to facilitate the insertion of the HF plug element 1 into the mounting panel of the HF module 2 and/or to predetermine the alignment for the assembly of the HF plug element 1. The insertion aid 21 in FIGS. 10a and 10b is designed as a recess directly in the through-opening 20, the diameter of the recess corresponding to the diameter of the fastening neck 11. The HF plug element, illustrated here as an HF bushing 1, can thus be prepositioned in the opening in such a way that the HF bushing 1 must be pressed or driven into the through-opening 20 in a subsequent assembly step, for example. Such an insertion aid may be necessary, for example, when the components are to be prepositioned for assembly. It may also be the case that a predetermined assembly sequence must be followed, so that the HF plug element and/or the HF bushing can be assembled because of the insertion aid 21 only in a certain predetermined assembly step. An insertion aid 21 may also be provided for reasons of space, namely when the space around the HF plug element, for example, is not sufficient to insert a positioning tool. The HF plug element can nevertheless be assembled in the correct position by means of the insertion aid 21.
[0083] FIGS. 11a and 11b show views of locking elements 70 as examples that can be mounted on the securing element 3. FIG. 11a shows a clamp and/or bar that is inserted at the ends of the arms 31 into the assembly aids 60, which is a hole in each case here. This clamp may additionally be provided with a filling web (not shown) which fills up the opening of the securing element 3 and thus ensures additional stability. FIG. 11b shows a clamp placed on the arms 31 from the side of the opening of the securing element, wherein the clamp clicks into the widened area of the arms 31 and thus provides an additional means of securing them to prevent the securing element being from falling off. In an alternative embodiment of the locking element 70 (not shown), a ring may be arranged out the securing element 3, holding it in its shape or even exerting a force on it, further compressing the securing element 3.
[0084] FIGS. 12a and 12b each show a view of a catch element 80 and a corresponding mating part 81 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12a shows a catch element 80 arranged on the securing element 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The catch element 80 is arranged, for example, on the ends of the arms and/or spring arms 31 for opening the securing element 3. FIG. 12b shows a mating part 81 arranged on the mounting panel of the HF module 2 corresponding to the catch element 80 shown in FIG. 12a, which serves to ensure that the securing element 3 is locked onto the mating part 81 after being attached thereto, so that it can no longer rotate. FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate such a catch element 80 and the mating part 81. However, the only shapes that can be used are shapes that are suitable for fulfilling the object define above.
[0085] FIG. 13a and FIG. 13b show two alternatives of a nonconductive insert 90, which is arranged in the through-opening 20 in the mounting panel of the HF module 2 and is described in the introduction. The insert 90 may either be fastened in the through-opening 20 or it may be arranged on the fastening neck 11 and pushed with it into the through-opening. In both cases, the insert 90 must have a structure 50, which is cut and/or scraped away or deformed and/or pressed on insertion into the through-opening 20. This is due to the fact that given the need to use an insert 90, both the mounting panel of the HF module 2 and the HF plug element 1 are made of a conductive material, wherein removal and/or scraping or deformation and/or pressing of the structure would be very difficult to accomplish. The insert is shaped in such a way that it prevents conductive connections between the mounting panel and the HF plug element as illustrated in the alternatives shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b.
[0086] From the description of the invention, it can be concluded that in particular with respect to the structure used, there are many degrees of freedom for implementing the principle of the invention. For this reason, not all alternatives can be described but they nevertheless still fall within the scope of protection of this invention. The individual features described may be combined with one another in order to comply with the safety requirements required for the desired application.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0087] 1 HF bushing and/or HF plug element [0088] 11 fastening neck [0089] 12 closing web [0090] 13 connecting region [0091] 14 connecting web [0092] 15 additional securing means [0093] 2 mounting panel, e.g., antenna cover [0094] 20 through-opening [0095] 21 insertion aid [0096] 3 securing element [0097] 3a, 3b part 1 and part 2 of a securing element [0098] 30 web [0099] 31 spring arms [0100] 32 widened area of the spring arms at the opening [0101] 33 sloping edges [0102] 300 nut [0103] 400 mounting plate [0104] 401 screws [0105] 50 structure [0106] 60 mounting aid [0107] 70 locking element [0108] 80 catch element [0109] 81 mating part to the catch element [0110] 90 nonconductive insert
