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DE-102024137832-A1 - MODULAR CONNECTOR

DE102024137832A1DE 102024137832 A1DE102024137832 A1DE 102024137832A1DE-102024137832-A1

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a modular connector (100). The modular connector comprises an adapter (10) provided with a cutout (12). Furthermore, the modular connector comprises an arc-shaped element (50) detachably connected to the adapter (10). The modular connector also includes a holder (60) movably positioned on the arc-shaped element on a first main surface (51) facing away from the adapter (10), the holder being configured to move between one or more positions along the arc-shaped element and being lockable to the arc-shaped element. The modular connector (100) further comprises a plunger (20), one end (22) of which is pivotably arranged in the cutout and another end (24) is opposite the end connected to the holder. The plunger can pivot around one end and operates between a first position and a second position relative to the displacement of the holder on the arc-shaped element.

Inventors

  • Onkar Mokashi
  • Simran Bhurke
  • Rakshitha Satish
  • Varun Lenka

Assignees

  • Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20241216
Priority Date
20241108

Claims (10)

  1. Modular connector (100) comprising: an adapter (10) with a recess (12); an arc-shaped element (50) detachably connected to the adapter (10) and defined by an elongated slot (54) along a curvature of the arc-shaped element (50); a holder (60) movably positioned on the arc-shaped element (50) on a main surface facing away from the adapter (10), the holder (60) being configured to move between one or more positions along a curvature of the arc-shaped element (50) and being lockable with the arc-shaped element (50); and a plunger (20), wherein one end (22) is pivotably arranged in the cutout (12) and another end (24), which is opposite the one end (22), is connected to the holder (60), wherein the plunger (20) is pivotable about the one end (22), wherein the plunger (20) is configured to operate between a first position and a second position relative to the displacement of the holder (60) on the arc-shaped element (50).
  2. Modular connector (100) according to Claim 1 , wherein the arc-shaped element (50) is defined by a plurality of ridges (52) on the main surface facing away from the adapter (10).
  3. Modular connector (100) according to Claim 1 , wherein the adapter (10) comprises a base (13) and a plurality of first walls (11) extending perpendicularly from the base (13) and defining the cutout (12); and wherein the adapter (10) comprises a plurality of second walls (14) extending from one of the plurality of first walls (11) and the base (13), the plurality of second walls (14) being configured to be attached to a mounting surface.
  4. Modular connector (100) according to Claim 2 , wherein the plunger (20) comprises: a head (21) which can engage with a stepped profile (15) defined by the multiple first walls (11) within the cutout (12); and a shaft (23) extending from the head (21).
  5. Modular connector (100) according to Claim 4 comprises an elastic element (30) that is arranged around the shaft (23) of the plunger (20) and can be actuated between a compressed state and a decompressed state.
  6. Modular connector (100) according to Claim 3 comprises a tension cushion (40) attached to the other end (24) of the plunger (20), wherein the tension cushion (40) is structured to exert tension on the elastic element (30) in order to selectively limit the movement of the elastic element (30) along the shaft (23).
  7. Modular connector (100) according to Claim 4 , wherein the first position of the plunger (20) corresponds to an engagement position of the head (21) of the plunger (20) with a stepped section of the majority of the first walls (11) within the cutout (12).
  8. Modular connector (100) according to Claim 4 , wherein the second position of the plunger (20) corresponds to a position in which the head (21) of the plunger (20) is out of engagement with the stepped profile (15) of the plurality of walls within the cutout (12).
  9. Modular connector (100) according to Claim 1 , wherein the holder (60) is formed with one or more engagement pins (62) configured to engage with the plurality of serrations (52) of the arc-shaped element (50) to lock the holder (60) to the arc-shaped element (50).
  10. Method for assembling a modular connector (100), comprising: Positioning a plunger (20) having a head (21) and a shaft (23) in a cutout (12) of an adapter (10); Arranging an elastic element (30) around the shaft (23); Coupling a tensioning cushion (40) to the shaft (23) of the plunger (20) to exert tension on the elastic element (30) in order to selectively limit the movement of the elastic element (30) along the shaft (23); and connecting a holder (60) to the shaft (23) by means of an arc-shaped element (50), wherein the holder (60) is movably arranged on the arc-shaped element (50) on the surface facing away from the adapter (10) and is configured to lock with the arc-shaped element (50) in one or more positions along a curvature of the arc-shaped element (50).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA The present invention relates generally to the field of structural support. In particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a modular connector. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention disclose a modular connector for routing cable harnesses in vehicles. BACKGROUND Fasteners or connectors are typically used to fasten or secure various components within a system. In an electrical system with numerous wires connecting different electrical parts, for example, it is important that the wires do not hang or swing freely. Uncontrolled movement of the wires can cause them to become tangled, frayed, or damaged, which can lead to electrical hazards. To prevent the wires from moving freely, connectors are essential. These connectors are also used in areas such as server rooms and computer systems. Like any other electrical system, vehicles, including passenger cars and commercial vehicles, have wires and wiring harnesses that connect various electrical components to the power source, such as the battery. The wiring harness in a vehicle is routed across its entire length and width to supply power to these various electrical components. It is inevitable that such cables or harnesses will develop some slack due to the vehicle's operating conditions. Over time, this slack can damage the wires, which is undesirable. As described above, connectors are used in vehicles to secure the cables or harnesses to structures. Typically, rigid connectors with cable ties are used to fasten the cables or harnesses to structures such as the body, frame, etc., within the vehicle. However, conventional connectors are not without their limitations. These connectors incorporate support structures within the vehicle's rigid framework. Consequently, more time is required to effectively secure the wires to the structure. Furthermore, the existing support structures can lead to cable pinching when securing cables in tight corners or areas with very small angles. Several alternatives were explored to solve the aforementioned problems. The Japanese patent application JPH0928020A The patent application discloses a clamp for cable harnesses with multiple holes for fixing the position of the wires and the cable harness. However, the orientation angle of the cable harness cannot be changed as needed. Furthermore, the patent application states... KR200429438Y1 The patent application discloses a ribbon cable for securing the wiring harness. The ribbon cable is pivotable around a point and includes a connecting cable for fixing the wires. Furthermore, the Korean patent application discloses KR101338602B1 a cable holder with a height-adjustable function and a swivel function around a pen. The present invention aims to overcome one or more of the above-mentioned limitations or other limitations associated with the prior art. The background information disclosed in this section is provided solely for a better understanding of the general background of the invention and is not to be construed as an acknowledgment or indication that this information constitutes prior art already known to those skilled in the art. The disadvantages/difficulties/drawbacks/limitations of conventional techniques explained in the "Background" section serve only as examples, and the invention would never limit its scope to these limitations alone. A person skilled in the art would understand that this invention and the description mentioned below can also solve other problems or overcome other disadvantages of conventional techniques not explicitly listed above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One or more shortcomings of conventional connectors are overcome, and additional advantages are provided by the connector as claimed in the present invention. These additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered part of the claimed invention. In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, a modular connector is disclosed. The modular connector comprises an adapter provided with a cutout. Furthermore, the modular connector comprises an arc-shaped element that is detachably connected to the adapter and has an elongated slot defined along a curvature of the arc-shaped element. Furthermore, the modular connector comprises a holder that is movably positioned on the arc-shaped element on a primary surface facing away from the adapter. The holder is configured to move between one or more positions along a curve of the arc-shaped element and to lock into place with the arc-shaped element. Additionally, the modular connector comprises a plunger, one end of which is pivotably arranged in the cutout and the other end of which is connected to the holder opposite the first end. The plunger is pivotable about this end and is configured to operate between a first position and a second position with respect to the displacement of the