Electrical connectors – With supporting means for coupling part – Coupling part or mating part extending into panel opening
Patent
1992-12-14
1994-02-08
Desmond, Eugene F.
Electrical connectors
With supporting means for coupling part
Coupling part or mating part extending into panel opening
439550, 439559, H01R 1374
Patent
active
052844480
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electrical device and, more particularly, to a switching and control unit for a motor vehicle.
The invention is based on an electrical device comprising a housing with a front plate provided with an aperture and a collar portion bordering the aperture; and a plug body having a front face and plug parts or pins arranged on its front face and insulated from each other. The plug body projects through the aperture surrounded by the collar and is fixed to the collar.
In an electrical device of this type known from the DE-OS 33 10 477, a plug body is screwed in a collar-like front plate, with a seal arranged between the front plate and the plug body. The front plate and the screw-connected plug body are connected to a housing by snap-in devices. A seal is also inserted between the housing edge and the front plate. This electrical unit has the disadvantage that sealing problems occur at the screw connections between the front plate and the plug body, which are not influenced by the inserted seals between the front plate and the plug body or between the housing edge and the front plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical device, particularly a switching and control unit for a motor vehicle, which does not have the above-described disadvantage of the prior art device.
This object, and others which will be made more apparent hereinafter, is attained in an electrical device, particularly a switching and control unit for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing with a front plate provided with an aperture and, advantageously a collar portion bordering the aperture; and a plug body having a front face and plug parts arranged on its front face and insulated from each other. The plug body projects through the aperture surrounded by the collar and is fixed to the collar.
According to the invention, the electrical device further comprises cam means, advantageously a locking cam, for fixing the plug body to the front plate. The front plate and the plug body are provided with opposing grooves and the cam means is insertable into the opposing grooves to connect the front plate and the plug body. The front plate and the plug body can be inserted into the housing when the locking cam is fully inserted into the opposing grooves and, when the front plate and the plug body so connected with the locking cam in the fully inserted position are inserted in the housing, the locking cam is fixed in position by the housing.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, cam means comprises a locking cam which is advantageously U-shaped and has a wedge-shaped tooth at a free end of each U-leg.
In contrast, the electrical device in accordance with the invention has the advantage that the connection between the plug body and the front plate can be adequately sealed by means of a seal, since the connection is made without any holes going through to the outside. Using the wedge shaped region of the teeth of the locking cam, it is possible to effect a secure and tight connection with very little physical effort and with minor mounting effort in comparison to the screw connection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will now be illustrated in more detail by the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view through an electrical device according to the invention showing the plug body and the front plate fixed to each other;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a locking cam for making the connection shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of one of the wedge-shaped teeth of the locking cam shown in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
A plug body 10 is shown in FIG. 1. A number of flat pins 11, which are sealed and insulated from each other, are imbedded in the plug body 10, and the inner ends of these flat-pins are connected to a printed circuit board 12.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3553967 (1971-01-01), Porter et al.
patent: 5139431 (1992-08-01), Saitoh et al.
Hussmann Dieter
Jessberger Thomas
Karr Dieter
Klein Gerhard
Desmond Eugene F.
Robert & Bosch GmbH
Striker Michael J.
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