Connector

Abstract

A plug connector for an electrical connection has at least two electrical lines, the ends of which are connected to contact elements, includes: a housing that encompasses the electrical lines and the contact elements at least in a region of connecting the electrical lines to respective contact elements; and a holder fixedly connected to the housing. The holder has receptacles configured to hold the electrical lines, the receptacles holding the lines such that the lines cannot move out of position.

Claims

1. A plug connector for an electrical connection having at least two electrical lines, the ends of which are connected to contact elements, the plug connector comprising: a housing (1) that encompasses the electrical lines and the contact elements at least in a region of connecting the electrical lines to respective contact elements, the housing (1) having a protrusion (7) arranged on only one side of the housing (1); and a holder (4) fixedly connectable to the housing, the holder (4) having receptacles (12) configured to hold the electrical lines (2), the receptacles holding the lines (2) such that the lines cannot move out of position, the holder having a first limb (5) and a second limb (6), the first limb (5) being shorter than the second limb (6), the first limb (5), in an assembled state of the plug connector, extending as far as the protrusion (7) of the housing (1) such that the holder (4) can only be fixed to the housing (1) in one orientation.

2. The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (4) is connected to the housing (1) by a latching connection (8-11).

3. The plug connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the receptacles (12) each have a cross-section smaller than a diameter of the respective electrical line (2) held by the respective receptacle.

4. The plug connector as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cross-section of the receptacle (12) is open at one side (14).

5. The plug connector as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the receptacles (12) is defined at its open side by two protrusions (15).

6. The plug connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the receptacles (12) is allocated an insertion incline (14) on the holder (4).

7. The plug connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the holder (4) is one selected from the group of cup-shaped and U-shaped such that, in either case, the holder (4) encompasses the housing (1) in a region of the electrical lines (2).

8. The plug connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the holder (4) is connected to the housing (1) non-detachably.

9. The plug connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the non-detachable connection is by a film hinge.

10. The plug connector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the holder (4) is U-shaped.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is further explained with reference to an exemplary embodiment. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1: illustrates a plug connector in accordance with the invention; and

(3) FIG. 2: illustrates a cross-sectional view of the plug connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) The plug connector in FIG. 1 includes a housing 1 that encompasses electrical lines 2 and their contact elements in the region of their connection site. A U-shaped holder 4 is arranged on the plug connector and a limb 5, 6 of the holder 4 encompasses the housing 1 in the region of the electrical lines 2. The limb 5 is shorter than the limb 6 and extends in the assembled state as far as a protrusion 7 of the housing 1. By virtue of this design, the holder 4 can only be fixed to the housing 1 in one orientation so that an incorrect contact as a result of twisting is not possible. The fixing arrangement is produced by a latching connection formed by two latching hooks 8, 9 on the housing 1 and two latching steps 10, 11 on the limb 6. The holder 4 comprises three receptacles 12 for the electrical lines 2 of which two are illustrated. The receptacles 12 have a cross-section that is slightly smaller than the diameter of lines 2. As a consequence, the electrical lines 2 are clamped in the receptacles 12 and are thus held such that the lines cannot move out of position so that the part of the electrical lines 2 that is located in the housing 1 cannot perform any movements even if the regions of the electrical lines 2 that are located above the plug connector are moved.

(5) FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view through a base 13 of the U-shaped part of the holder 4 that connects the two limbs 5, 6 to one another. Three receptacles 12 are embodied in the base 13, on which two are already holding, in each case, an electrical line. The cross-sections of the receptacles 12 are each open to one side of the base 13. In this embodiment, three sides are each provided with one slot 14, which results in only a slight weakening of the structure of the holder 4. These slots 14 render it possible to insert the electrical lines 2 laterally from the edge of the holder 4 into the respective receptacle 12. The receptacles 12 are separated from a respective slot 15 by in each case two protrusions 15. As a consequence, the slots 15 can be wider so as to facilitate the process of inserting the lines 2 and the receptacles encompass the lines 2 with a greater angular range. In addition, the protrusions 15 act as a latching step that emits a haptic message if the respective electrical line 2 is arranged in the receptacle 12 in a proper manner.

(6) Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.