• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    - 13 Abstract The invention relates to a housing (1) for receiving a trailer module. In order to create a housing (1) which assures a permanently reliable tightness against water while simultaneously requiring a simple assembly, the invention proposes a housing (1) comprising a housing chamber (2) which provides a volume space (3) for receiving the trailer module, a housing cover (5) which comprises a grommet (6), wherein the housing cover (5) and the grommet (6) are one piece made of an elastic plastic material, and comprising a retaining ring (8) which carries locking hooks (9) on the side of the housing chamber, wherein the housing chamber (2) comprises a circumferential stop collar (11) on the side of the housing cover, which stop collar comprises recesses (12) corresponding to the locking hooks (9) of the retaining ring (8), and wherein the housing cover (5) comprises a circumferential attached flange (13) corresponding to the stop collar (11) of the housing chamber (2) on the side of the housing chamber. (Fig. 2) Un a, (-'4 & a' cJ r en & Ii 0'
    公开号:AU2013204051A1
    申请号:U2013204051
    申请日:2013-04-11
    公开日:2014-01-16
    发明作者:Frantisek Krajger；Alexander Wystron
    申请人:Mkem Spol S R O；
    IPC主号:B60D1-60
    专利说明:
    - 1 Housing for receiving a trailer module The invention relates to a housing for receiving a trailer module. Trailer modules which are also called trailer connection devices are known in themselves from the state of the art. They provide the circuitry which is required for electrically and/or electronically contacting a trailer with a towing vehicle. Multiple designs of trailer modules are known from the state of the art, for which reason reference shall only be made exemplarily to EP 2 390 140 A2, DE 10 2004 045 435 Al, EP 1 653 782 Al and DE 44 24 471 C2. Trailer modules of the above mentioned type are typically placed in a reception space provided by the towing vehicle, for example in the car boot, such that they are protected against splash water. But there are also application cases which do not allow arranging the trailer module in the towing vehicle in a splash water-protected manner. In these cases a separate housing is used which serves to receive the trailer module in a splash water-protected manner. Such a housing is mostly arranged on the towing vehicle and is exposed to weather effects occurring in the due application case. The housing thus has two functions. On the one hand, it serves to receive and arrange the trailer module on the towing vehicle, on the other hand, it protects the trailer module against weather effects, in particular against water. A proper operation of the trailer module shall be assured in this way. The hitherto known housings for receiving trailer modules have proved to be satisfying in daily practice, but they still present some disadvantages. Thus, the tightness of the housing with respect to water ingress is now as before a problem. In particular age related material fatigue can cause leaks in the housing which can then lead to a short circuit in the trailer module due to water ingress. Furthermore, the installation of the housing can sometimes be quite complex, in particular for being able to safely assure an at least initial tightness with respect to water ingress.
    -2 Based upon the known state of the art, it is therefore the object of the invention to provide a housing for receiving a trailer module, which housing can be easily installed while simultaneously offering a permanently reliable tightness with respect to water. For achieving this aim, the invention proposes a housing for receiving a trailer module, comprising a housing chamber which provides a volume space for receiving the trailer module, a housing cover which comprises a grommet, wherein the housing cover and the grommet are one piece made of an elastic plastic material, and comprising a retaining ring which carries locking hooks on the side of the housing chamber, wherein the housing chamber comprises a circumferential stop collar on the side of the housing cover, which stop collar comprises recesses corresponding to the locking hooks of the retaining ring, and wherein the housing cover comprises a circumferential attached flange corresponding to the stop collar of the housing chamber on the side of the housing chamber. The housing according to the invention has three main components. A housing chamber, a housing cover as well as a retaining ring are provided. Herein, the retaining ring serves to the waterproof arrangement of the housing cover resting on the housing chamber. The housing chamber is made of a dimensionally stable plastic, for example a glass fibre reinforced polyamide, and provides a volume space for receiving the trailer module. The housing cover including the grommet formed in one piece therewith is made of an elastic plastic material. Under the effect of forces, the elastic plastic material of the housing cover can become adjacent to the housing chamber in a water-tightening manner. The retaining ring helps the housing cover to sit close on the housing chamber in a watertight manner. This retaining ring carries locking hooks which cooperate with a stop collar of the housing chamber in the due application case, which stop collar is placed on the circumference of the housing chamber on the side of the housing cover. For locking the locking hooks of the retaining ring in the housing chamber, recesses which are designed correspondingly to the locking hooks of the retaining ring are provided by the circumferential stop collar of the housing chamber.
    -3 The housing cover, as far as it is concerned, is provided with a circumferential extension in form of an attached flange, wherein the attached flange is designed correspondingly to the stop collar of the housing chamber. In the due application case the attached flange of the housing cover is adjacent to the stop collar of the housing chamber. The retaining ring encompasses the housing cover on the side of the housing chamber, thus it fixes this one with respect to the housing chamber, wherein the locking hooks provided by the retaining ring engage into the recesses provided by the circumferential stop collar of the housing chamber for securing the position of the retaining ring. Thanks to the above described arrangement, a fixed positioning of the housing cover with respect to the housing chamber is achieved, on the one hand, and it is assured that the attached flange of the housing cover, which flange is made of an elastic plastic material, is pressed on the stop collar of the housing chamber, on the other hand, whereby a watertight arrangement of the housing cover on the housing chamber is ensured. The above described construction proves to be advantageous in two respects. On the one hand, a final assembly can be realized in a most simple way. After inserting the trailer module into the volume space provided by the housing chamber, the housing chamber can be closed by putting the housing cover on top. Herein, the housing cover has to be pulled over the housing chamber until it gets adjacent to the stop collar of the housing chamber. An incorrect handling by the user is in so far excluded. Then, the retaining ring has to be fixed in a second and final assembly step. This is realized in a simple manner, in that the retaining ring is pulled over the housing cover with its locking hooks ahead until the locking hooks carried by the retaining ring engage with their snap in noses into the recesses provided by the stop collar of the housing chamber. In this position, the retaining ring supports itself by means of its locking hooks against the circumferential stop collar of the housing chamber while the attached flange of the housing cover is interposed. Herein, the geometric dimensions of the locking hooks of the housing cover and the recesses of the housing chamber which are correspondingly designed are adapted to each other such that an elastic deformation of the plastic material of which the housing cover is made occurs. Due to this elastic deformation, an elastic reset force acts upon the housing chamber or the housing cover after a proper engagement of the locking hooks into the correspondingly designed recesses. As a -4 result, a permanently safe and watertight arrangement of the housing cover on the housing chamber is achieved. Another advantage of the design according to the invention is the watertight placing of the housing cover on the housing chamber which is also permanently stable thanks to the above described construction principle. The spring elastic properties of the plastic material of which the housing cover is made, on the one hand, and the geometric dimensions of the locking hooks and the correspondingly designed recesses, on the other hand, are adapted to each other such that even age-related material fatigue, in particular with respect to the elastic plastic material, can be compensated. A result is an also permanently watertight placing of the housing cover on the housing chamber and this by means of a simultaneously simple assembly. For fixing the respective locking hook in the transverse direction it is provided according to another feature of the invention that the recesses and the respective locking hook together provide cooperating stop faces in the due application case. Herein, it can be provided that the stop faces taper towards each other, starting from the border section of the stop on the side of the cover into the direction of the border section of the stop that is distant from the cover. This conic design provokes an additional centering of both the locking hooks with respect to the respective recesses and the entire retaining ring with respect to the housing chamber or the housing cover. According to another feature of the invention, the housing chamber comprises a thickened chamber wall in at least some sections. Herein, this thickening serves to receive or provide a slot that is open towards one side and into which a retaining element, for example in form of a metal strip, can be inserted for fastening the housing on for example a towing vehicle. Such a metal strip which is also designated as holding tongue can be glued into the slot of the housing chamber, which slot is open towards one side. The metal strip as far as it is concerned preferably provides a bore on the side of the other end, which bore allows screwing to the towing vehicle. As an alternative of the metal tongue it can also be provided to place the housing chamber as such on the towing vehicle by gluing.
    -5 Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description by means of the figures. Herein: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a housing according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective explosion view of a housing according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the housing according to fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a schematic cut view according to cutting line IV-IV of fig. 3 of the housing according to fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of the housing according to fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a schematic cut view according to cutting line VI-VI of fig. 5 of the housing according to fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a schematic cutout view according to the cutout VII of fig. 6 of the housing according to fig. 6 and Fig. 8 is a schematic perspective view of a housing cover according to a second embodiment; Fig. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a retaining ring according to a second embodiment and Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a housing chamber according to a second embodiment. Different views of the housing 1 according to the invention are visible in figures 1 through 6.
    As it is in particular visible in the views of figures 2 and 3, the housing 1 according to the invention comprises a housing chamber 2, a housing cover 5 as well as a retaining ring 8. The housing chamber 2 is made of a dimensionally stable plastic, for example a glass fibre reinforced polyamide and provides the actual volume space 3 for receiving a trailer module which is no further represented in the figures. Herein, the volume space 3 is accessible via a loading aperture 4 of the housing chamber, which loading aperture is formed on the side of the housing cover 5. The housing cover 5 serves to close the loading aperture 4 of the housing chamber 2. This housing cover is made of an elastic plastic material. A grommet 6 is made in one piece with the housing cover 5, which grommet serves to lead out cables, which are connected to a trailer module that is no further represented in the figures, in a watertight manner. For this purpose, the grommet 6 provides a passageway 7 which ends in a sealing rib on the side of the outlet. The cables which leave a trailer module are typically placed within an insulating tube that comprises an outer diameter which is slightly larger than the initial diameter of the grommet 6. As a result, the elastic plastic material of the grommet 6 sits closely in a water-tightening manner on the insulating tube receiving the electric cables. As it is in particular visible in the cutout view of fig. 7, the housing chamber 2 provides a circumferential stop collar 11 on the side of the housing cover. In the due application case, an attached flange 13 provided by the housing cover 5 cooperates with this stop collar 11, which attached flange is designed as circumferential rim. In the due application case, the attached flange 13 sits closely in a water-tightening manner on the stop collar 11. The retaining ring 8 serves to secure the position of the housing cover 5 on the housing chamber 2 and to place it there in a permanently water-tightening manner. The retaining ring provides four locking hooks 9 which each comprise a snap-in nose 10 on the side distant from the retaining ring. The locking hooks 9 cooperate with recesses 12 which are provided by the stop collar 11 of the housing chamber 2. As in particular visible in fig. 3, theses recesses 12 comprise a web 14 which extends horizontally with respect to the drawing plane of fig. 3 as well as stop faces 15 which taper towards each other with respect to the drawing plane of fig. 3. In the due final assembly state, as it results in particular from the figures 1, 5 and 6, the housing cover 5 sits closely on the housing chamber 2, wherein the attached flange 13 and the stop collar 11 are in contacting touch. The retaining ring 8 supports itself on the stop collar 11 of the housing chamber with interposition of the attached flange 13, wherein due to the spring elastic deformation of the plastic material that forms the attached flange 13 a permanent pressing force is generated between the stop collar 11 on the one hand and the attached flange 13 on the other hand. As a result, a watertight placing of the housing cover 5 on the housing chamber 2 is obtained in the area of the contact surface between the attached flange 13 and the stop collar 11. The assembly of the housing 1 according to the invention becomes in particular apparent, if the figures 3 and 4 are seen together. After having inserted the trailer module that is no further represented in the figures into the volume space 3 provided by the housing chamber 2, the housing cover 5 has to be pulled over the rim of the housing chamber 2 on the side of the housing cover until the attached flange 13 of the housing cover 5 gets adjacent to the stop collar 11 of the housing chamber 2. Then, the retaining ring 8 with its locking hooks 9 ahead has to be pulled over the grommet 6 and the housing cover 5 until its locking hooks 9 snap into the recesses 12 of the stop collar 11 of the housing chamber 2 and it is anchored with interposition of the elastically deformed attached flange 13. A loosening of the retaining ring 8 in case of disassembly is possible in a simple manner. For this purpose, the locking hooks have to be seized on the snap-in noses and to be deflected with respect to the housing chamber 2, i.e. they have to be pivoted against the elastic spring force provoked by the plastic material, such that the undercut conditioned by the locking hooks 9 will disappear, i.e. the stop collar 11 will be released Then, the retaining ring 8 can be removed and the housing cover 5 can be loosened from the housing chamber 2. As it is furthermore in particular visible in the view according to fig. 1, the retaining ring 8 encompasses the housing cover 5 and thus also the housing chamber 2 in a circumferential manner. This assures a position safe and fixed placing of the housing cover 5 with respect to the housing chamber 2. As it is in particular visible in fig. 4, one of the chamber walls 16 of the housing chamber is thickened and this in its section distant from the housing cover. This thickening serves to form a slot 17 that is open towards one side and that is able to receive a metal strip for the purpose of fastening the housing 1 to an abutment, for example a fitting panel of a motor vehicle. This metal strip can be glued into the slot 17 that is open towards one side and it can comprise a bore for receiving a screw on the side of the other end. Second embodiments with respect to the housing chamber 2, the retaining ring 8 and the housing cover 5 are visible in the other figures 8, 9 and 10. As it is in particular visible in the representation of fig. 8, the housing cover 5 according to the second embodiment comprises two grommets 6. In contrast to the first embodiment, the housing cover 5 thus provides two cable outlets. The grommets 6 provided for this can be designed such as shown in fig. 8. Herein, the cables are preferably led out by the grommets 6 separately in dependence on their function, for example in such a way that earth cables are led through one of the two grommets 6 and non-earth cables are led through the other one of the two grommets 6. Other divisions according to the functions are of course likewise possible. In so far, the exemplary embodiment is to be understood as only explaining and not limiting. The housing cover 5 according to fig. 8 has greater dimensions in the direction of width than the housing cover 5 according to figs. 1 through 7. The housing chamber 2 according to fig. 10 is designed in a corresponding way and comprises a dimension corresponding to the width extension of the housing cover 5. The retaining ring 8 represented in fig. 9 serves to fix the position of the housing cover 5 on the housing chamber 2, which retaining ring has dimensions which are adapted to the ones of the housing cover 5 or the housing chamber 2 according to figs. 10 respectively 8.
    In contrast to the exemplary embodiment of figs. 1 through 7, the retaining ring 8 according to fig. 9 comprises not only two but three locking hooks 9 with respect to each side wall for fixing the housing cover 5 on the housing chamber 2 in a safe position. Corresponding recesses 12, altogether respectively 3 with respect to each side wall, as it is in particular visible in the representation of fig. 10, are provided on the housing chamber for receiving these locking hooks 9 in the duly assembled state.
    List of reference numerals 1 housing 2 housing chamber 3 volume space 4 loading aperture 5 housing cover 6 grommet 7 passageway 8 retaining ring 9 locking hook 10 snap-in nose 11 stop collar 12 recesses 13 attached flange 14 web 15 stop faces 16 chamber wall 17 slot
    权利要求:
    Claims (7)
    [1] 1. A housing (1) for receiving a trailer module, comprising a housing chamber (2) which provides a volume space (3) for receiving the trailer module, a housing cover (5) which comprises a grommet (6), wherein the housing cover (5) and the grommet (6) are one piece made of an elastic plastic material, and comprising a retaining ring (8) which carries locking hooks (9) on the side of the housing chamber, wherein the housing chamber (2) comprises a circumferential stop collar (11) on the side of the housing cover, which stop collar comprises recesses (12) corresponding to the locking hooks (9) of the retaining ring (8), and wherein the housing cover (5) comprises a circumferential attached flange (13) corresponding to the stop collar (11) of the housing chamber (2) on the side of the housing chamber.
    [2] 2. A housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the attached flange (13) of the housing cover (5) sits closely on the stop collar (11) of the housing chamber (2) in the due application case.
    [3] 3. A housing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the due application case the retaining ring (8) supports itself on the stop collar (11) of the housing chamber (2) with interposition of the attached flange (13) of the housing cover (5).
    [4] 4. A housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recesses (12) provide stop faces (15) which cooperate with the respective locking hook (9) in the due application case for fixing the respective locking hook (9) in the transverse direction.
    [5] 5. A housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing chamber (2) comprises a chamber wall (16) which is thickened in at least some sections.
    [6] 6. A housing according to claim 5, characterized in that the thickened chamber wall (16) carries a slot (17) that is open towards one side.
    [7] 7. A housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing chamber (2) is made of glass fibre reinforced polyamide.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    NZ610073A|2014-03-28|
    AU2013204051B2|2015-05-07|
    PL2677614T3|2015-03-31|
    EP2677614A1|2013-12-25|
    EP2677614B1|2014-09-17|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    DE4424471C2|1994-07-12|1997-03-20|Daimler Benz Ag|Electrical trailer connection device for a towing vehicle|
    US6642628B2|2001-05-23|2003-11-04|Alcoa Fujikura Limited|Combined four way and seven way connector assembly for use with a vehicle and for accommodating a trailer tow package|
    JP4021671B2|2002-01-23|2007-12-12|矢崎総業株式会社|Waterproof box cover assembly structure|
    AT442762T|2004-05-04|2009-09-15|Aspick Systems Gmbh|LED CONTROL UNIT FOR VEHICLE LIGHTS|
    DE102004045435B4|2004-09-18|2008-07-31|Man Nutzfahrzeuge Ag|Monitoring the function of incandescent or LED lights in motor vehicles|
    PL2390140T3|2007-06-01|2015-12-31|Conwys Ag|Switching assembly|
    法律状态:
    2015-09-03| FGA| Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent)|
    2021-11-04| MK14| Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    EP12172794.5A|EP2677614B1|2012-06-20|2012-06-20|Housing for containing a trailer module|
    EP12172794.5||2012-06-20||
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