EP3096410B1 - Connector with a latch for secondary locking of contact partners - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector, comprising a contact carrier with at least one contact chamber, in which a contact partner is used and primary locking, wherein furthermore a locking element is present, with which the at least one contact partner is secondary locked in its contact chamber, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1 ,

Connectors having a contact carrier with at least one contact chamber, in which a contact partner is used, have long been known. For the purpose of contact safety, it has long been known that the contact partner is not only primary locked when inserting into its associated contact chamber (for example, by a protruding tab on the contact partner, which shrinks when inserted into its contact chamber and in the end position of the contact partner in the contact chamber comes to a stop to the system), but that also a secondary locking takes place, which sets the contact partner in addition to the primary lock in his contact chamber. Thus, the goal is achieved that the contact partner is properly defined in its contact chamber when the connector is plugged into a cooperating mating connector while the contact partner of the connector is brought together with the mating contact partner of the mating connector.

A locking element of a connector, which is arranged on a contact carrier, is made of DE 10 2010 042 826 B3 known. In this known connector, the locking element (there called contact securing member) is formed as a protruding tab with a projection on the free end of the protruding tab. The first protruding from the contact carrier locking tab is moved with its free end in the direction of the contact chambers when there the contact partners have been used and primary locked. By pivoting the securing tab in the direction of the contact carrier carried by the projection on the free end of the securing tab not only their attachment to the contact carrier, but also the secondary locking of the contact partners in their respective contact chambers.

Although such a known embodiment works basically satisfactory, but it has the disadvantage that such a connector with a protruding tab, which is produced in large quantities in a plastic injection molding process, consuming, because complex molds for the injection molding process are required. In addition, there is the disadvantage that the locking tab extends over the entire width of the contact carrier and thus disassembly in the event that contacts must be removed from their contact chambers for replacement, not readily possible. In addition, due to the extension of the locking tab over the entire width of the contact carrier is not always ensured that it is also arranged for secondary locking over its entire width in its desired position with the free end of the contact carrier, that is properly locked. DE 11 2012 003699 T5 discloses a connector according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention is therefore an object of the invention to further improve a generic connector to avoid the disadvantages described above.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention it is provided that the locking element is designed as a relative to the contact carrier slidable latch and thus as a separate component to the contact carrier, wherein the bolt in the direction of movement according to the number of contact partners each having a contact securing element for the secondary locking and between a Vorverrast- and a Endverraststellung on the contact carrier is designed to be movable. The separate embodiment of the locking element, namely the sliding bolt, has the advantage that both the bolt and the contact carrier to which it is fixed, can be made separately from each other, so that thereby the manufacture of these two components is simplified, especially when made in a plastic injection molding process. Despite the simplified production, both components can optimally be optimally matched with respect to their geometry and the resulting functionality. The displacement of the bolt with respect to the contact carrier has the advantage that it is ensured by a simple movement that the bolt with its corresponding contact securing elements secondary locking the contact partners in their respective contact chambers used. This can be done either by using a respective contact partner in its associated contact chamber and thereby primary locking and then brought the latch into operative connection with the contact carrier and then displaced, thereby causing the secondary latch. Alternatively, it is, in particular preferred, provided that the bolt is already mounted in a certain position, namely a Vorverraststellung on the contact carrier, wherein it is possible in this Vorverraststellung the bolt to use a contact partner in the contact chamber and there to lock primarily. After this is done, the bolt can be brought from its Vorverraststellung in its further position, in particular a Endverraststellung, so as to cause the secondary locking of the contact partners in their contact chambers. This is effectively avoided that the bolt is lost after its preparation or in the further assembly of the connector in any case is available to ensure the secondary locking after the contact partners have been used in their contact chambers and primary locked. Preferably, the latch is only between a Vorverraststellung in which it is arranged on the contact carrier, in a single further position, namely its Endverraststellung, displaced. While in the Vorverraststellung the secondary locking is not given, this is only then realized when the bolt has been moved to its other position, in particular its Endverraststellung. However, it can be thought who the, either to bring the bolt again from its Endverraststellung in the Vorverraststellung, for example, to replace a defective contact partner, or to move the bolt from its Endverraststellung in another, deviating from the Vorverraststellung position to the Cancel secondary lock in the final locked position. This means that in this case the bolt between three positions (possibly more than three positions) would be arranged displaceable relative to the contact carrier. According to the invention, the latch on a latching hook and the contact carrier on a cooperating with the latch hook stop. By means of the latching hook, the bolt can be arranged both in its pre-locked position on the contact carrier, after these two components have been produced separately from each other. This means that for the further movement of the bolt this is already present on the contact carrier and can then be brought from the assumed Vorverraststellung in the Endverraststellung when the latch hook is pivoted by force and slides over the stop on the contact carrier until the free end the latching hook on the opposite side of the stop comes to the plant to set the thus shifted latch in its Endverraststellung on the contact carrier. According to the invention, the latch on a recess, within which the latching hook is arranged with its free end. This arrangement enables a simplified production, since such recesses can be easily realized, in particular in molds used in a plastic injection molding process. In addition, given by the arrangement of the latching hook with its free end within the recess a particularly compact design of the bolt. The same applies to the cooperating stop on the contact carrier, so-that by the interaction of stop on the contact carrier and the free end of the latching hook a defined positional positioning of the bolt on the contact carrier, namely on the one hand in its Vorverraststellung and on the other hand in its Endverraststellung, can be realized.

In a development of the invention, the bolt has at least one linear guide and the contact carrier has a corresponding guide. The mutually corresponding linear guides ensures that the latch is defined on a displacement path on the contact carrier in its movement from the Vorverrast- in its Endverraststellung (and optionally beyond this position). Such linear guides, for example designed as a spring groove or as T-guides, can likewise be implemented simply and simply by a corresponding shaping of these two components, which in turn in particular facilitates the production in the already mentioned plastic injection molding process.

It is conceivable that the connector is then already completed when the contact partners in the contact carrier in a corresponding number used in their contact chambers and there are primarily locked and then the secondary locking was done by means of the displacement of the bolt. Such a contact carrier with the contact partners used, which are struck, for example, at the end of the electrical conductor, and the bolt in its Endverraststellung can be a ready connector.

Alternatively, it is conceivable to use a contact carrier as described above with contact partners arranged therein, which are both primary-locked and secondarily locked by means of the bolt, in an outer housing. This has the advantage that the plug connector, which then has an outer housing, is easier to handle and can also comprise other functional elements which are present on the outer housing. As an example, this is another Called interlock, which ensures that the plugged together with the mating connector plug connector can not be easily separated (so-called CPA element). Additionally, the outer housing may be used to color it, for example, to provide location codes or the like. Also, the outer housing can be made in a plastic injection molding process separately from the contact carrier and the bolt and it is geometrically designed to have a receiving area in which the contact carrier with the already used latch (either in its Vorverrast- or in Endverraststellung) used can be. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the contact carrier is first used without a bolt in the outer housing, and then brought about, for example via an opening in the outer housing of the latch in operative connection with the contact carrier, so that the secondary locking can be done after in corresponding Number of contact partners have been used in their associated-contact chambers in the contact carrier and primary locked.

The above-described operation can also be reversed, namely that the bolt can be brought back from its Endverrast- in its Vorverraststellung or completely detached from the contact carrier, for example, to replace defective contact partners. It is conceivable that the bolt inside of the outer housing from its Endverrast- in its Vorverraststellung, for example by means of a suitable tool, can be brought without having to be removed from the outer housing. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the bolt so in relation to the Outer housing is arranged or the outer housing has a corresponding recess to bring the latch either only from its Endverrast- in its Vorverraststellung or completely detached from the contact carrier.

A preferred embodiment of a connector according to the invention is described below and will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS.

The FIGS. 1 to 5 show, as far as shown in detail, in different views a contact carrier 1 of a connector. This contact carrier 1 is preferably made of plastic and in a plastic injection molding process. In a corresponding number, it has contact chambers 2, wherein in this embodiment, four contact chambers 2 are shown. However, it may also be less than four or more than four contact chambers 2, which are arranged either in a row behind each other or else in two or more than two rows parallel to each other. In FIG. 1 the opening of the contact chambers 2 is shown, which point in the direction of a mating connector, not shown. On the opposite side of the contact carrier 1, this according to FIG. 2 a downstream side 3, from which an end portion of contact partners (not shown), which are arranged in the contact chambers 2, protrudes or arranged. On the outlet side 3, for example, a cable, at the end of the contact partner, not shown, is beaten, led out of the contact carrier 1 (and thus from the connector).

In the FIGS. 3 to 5 it can be seen that the contact carrier 1 has a receiving region 4 for a locking element (to be described later). This at least one receiving area 4 (in the FIGS. 3 and 5 it is three receiving regions 4) preferably extends over the entire width of the contact carrier 1 and is elongated with a rectangular or square cross-section. It is also in FIG. 4 recognizable that the contact carrier 1 has a crossbar 5 with a stop element (will be explained later).

In the FIGS. 6 to 10 a locking element in the form of a bolt 6 is shown. The latch 6, which serves for the secondary locking of the contact partners in the contact chambers 2 of the contact carrier 1, has a base part 7. Overall, the latch 6 is designed approximately flat with recesses and elevations. Starting from the base part 7, a latching hook 8 is present, which has a projection 9 at its free end, but need not have. Around the latching hook 8 around a recess 10 in the latch 6 is present, so that the free end of the latching hook 8 can move within this recess 10, when a force is exerted on it, in particular by the stop of the cross bar 5 of the contact carrier first ,

Furthermore, the latch 6 at a distance from each other on contact securing elements 11, which are present in a corresponding number of the contact chambers 2 of the contact carrier 1. This means that a contact-securing element 11 is present per contact partner in this exemplary embodiment. This can also differ, so that, for example, for every two contact partners, a contact securing element is present. The contact securing elements 11 are block-shaped and formed by the flat design of the bolt 6 projecting. Furthermore, at least one linear guide of the bolt 6 is provided with which it is guided guided on the contact carrier 1. In this embodiment, a first linear guide 12 and a second linear guide 13 is provided, which are both arranged on the longitudinal sides of the bolt 6. They both do not extend over the entire length of the bolt 6, but this can be conceivable for one or both linear guides 12, 13.

In the FIGS. 11 to 14 an outer housing 14 of the connector is shown.

At this point it should be mentioned that by assembling contact carrier 1 and latch 6, including the contact partners arranged in the contact 2, the end-side are struck on a cable, already a finished connector can be realized.

This previously described and illustrated structure can but in the outer housing 14 according to the FIGS. 11 to 14 be used. In this case, the outer housing 14 has a receiving space 15 for the contact carrier 1 with its latch 6. On the other side of the receiving space 15, a downstream side 16 of the outer housing 14 is provided, are provided on the through openings 17, from which the respective cable is led out of the outer housing 14. For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that in this region of the passage opening 17, the cable, in particular its outer jacket, can be sealed against the outlet side 16 of the outer housing 14.

In the FIGS. 11 to 14 If, in consideration of these figures, a further locking element is also shown above the outer housing 14, which causes the outer housing 14 to be additionally latched and locked to a mating connector (not shown) or its outer housing (in particular a so-called CPA element). Instead of the compound of Connector 1 with a mating connector by means of the further locking element, the connector 1 can be arranged by means of the further locking element at a certain location and fixed (fixed in position), what then this locking element is designed accordingly.

However, this arranged outside of the outer housing 14 element is not related to the primary and secondary locking of the contact partners in the contact chambers 2 of the connector (more precisely, the contact carrier 1).

In the FIGS. 15 to 17 the assembly of the contact carrier 1, the bolt 6 and, if present, the outer housing 14 is shown.

Starting point in FIG. 15 the production of the parts shown there is separate from each other, preferably made of plastic and also preferably from a plastic injection molding process.

Before the contact carrier 1 is equipped with the contact partners, not shown, is in accordance with FIG. 16 the latch 6 in a first position (Vorverraststellung) arranged on the contact carrier 1. In this position of the bolt 6 in relation to the contact carrier 1, the contact securing elements 11 are in such a position that they do not hinder the insertion of a respective contact partner into its associated contact chamber 2. This means that in this position of the bolt 6, the placement of the contact partners in the respectively associated contact chambers 2 is possible. If this is done and the respective contact in its associated contact chamber 2 is also primarily locked, the latch 6 can be moved a bit far from its Vorverrast- in its Endverraststellung and fixed. Is the Endverraststellung reached, the respective contact securing elements 11 come into operative connection with the respectively associated contact partner in the contact chamber 2 and prevent the contact partner can be moved out of its contact chamber 2, should the primary lock do not work properly. Thus, a second definition of the contact partner in its contact chamber (secondary lock) is realized in an advantageous manner. This means that the respective contact securing element 11 is designed and arranged in the contact chamber 2 such that movement of the contact partner out of its contact chamber 2 is prevented. For this purpose, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 7 shown, the contact securing elements 11 block-shaped. However, they can also have other geometric shapes such as pin-shaped, web-shaped or the like, if with this other geometric shape, the secondary locking is ensured and can be prevented that the contact partner of its associated contact chamber 2 can be removed, especially if the primary lock not works.

After according to FIG. 16 the contact carrier 1 equipped with contact partners in its contact chambers 2 and the latch 6 has been brought from its Vorverrast- in its Endverraststellung, is already a ready-to-use connector available. In this case, the outer housing 14 is dispensable. However, the outer housing 14 according to the FIGS. 15 to 17 to be used, if desired. This is especially the case to the connector with the External housing 14 to give better handling, in addition to realize elements and functions (such as the CPA element), for example, to enable position encodings and the like. Thus, when the outer housing 14 is used, the contact carrier 1 is inserted with its latch 6 and arranged in the contact chambers 2 contact partners in the receiving space 15 of the outer housing 16 and fixed there, for example, locked, glued or the like.

In the FIGS. 18 to 19 is again shown for clarity, that the latch 6 is in its Vorverraststellung with respect to the contact carrier 1. In this Vorverraststellung the contact partners can be used in their respective contact chambers 2 and primary locked. After this is done, the latch 6 can be brought from its Vorverrast- in its Endverraststellung, so that by means of the contact securing elements 11, the secondary locking is achieved. This is in the FIGS. 21 to 23 shown.

With respect to the two positions of the bolt 6 with respect to the contact carrier 1 is again for clarity on the Figures 20 (Secondary lock open) and 23 (Secondary lock closed) directed. In these two Figures 20 and 23 are the two positions of the bolt 6 with respect to the contact carrier 1 recognizable bar. In this case, the interaction of the latching hook 8 (or its projection 9) with the stop 18 on the contact carrier 1 can be seen. While in the Vorverraststellung according to FIG. 20 the latching hook 8 or its projection 9 rests on the one side of the stop 18 is according to FIG. 23 the latch 6 has been brought into its Endverraststellung, so that the latching hook 8 and here again the projection 9 has come on the other side of the stop 18 to the plant. Thus, the two positions of the bolt 6 are defined by the interaction of the latching hook 8 of the bolt 6 with the stop 18 of the contact carrier 1 adjustable.

In particular with regard to the above description regarding the Figures 20 and 23 It can be seen that the latch 6 has been arranged in its pre-latching position on the contact carrier 1 and was used in this arrangement in the receiving space 15 of the outer housing 14. Thereafter, the placement of the contact chambers 2 with the contact partners and the subsequent movement of the bolt 6 from its Vorverrast- in the Endverraststellung within the receiving space 15. This means that the outer housing 14 is completely closed around the receiving space 15 around. Alternatively, it is conceivable that at an appropriate location the outer housing 14 around the receiving space 15 around an opening, recess or the like, via which either the latch 6 is actuated or via which the latch 6 are used and brought into operative connection with the contact carrier 1 can. This means that it is conceivable that the contact carrier 1 is equipped with the contact partners and then inserted into the outer housing 14, wherein only after the bolt 6 can be brought into operative connection with the contact carrier 1 for the purpose of secondary locking.

While overlooking the Figures 20 and 23 has been shown and described that the latch 6 has been brought from its Vorverrast- in its Endverraststellung for the purpose of secondary locking, the reverse procedure is conceivable. That is, by the reverse procedure, the latch 6 either within the receiving space 15 in the outer housing 14 or of be brought outside or to the outside of the Endverrast- in the Vorverraststellung or even be completely detached from the contact carrier 1 to cancel the assumed secondary lock. Thereafter, the cancellation of the primary lock, for example, the defective contact partner can be removed from a contact chamber 2 and replaced. Instead of replacement in the event of a defect, the replacement of the contact partners from one type to another type is also considered.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1. 1. Contact carrier
2. 2nd contact chamber
3. 3rd exit side
4. 4. Recording area
5. 5th crossbar
6. 6. Bar
7. 7th base part
8. 8. latching hook
9. 9th lead
10. 10. recess
11. 11. Contact securing element
12. 12. First linear guide
13. 13. Second linear guide
14. 14. outer casing
15. 15th recording room
16. 16th exit side
17. 17th passage opening
18. 18th stop

Claims (6)

1. Plug-in connector, having a contact carrier (1) with at least one contact chamber (2) into which a contact partner can be inserted and can be primarily locked, wherein a locking element is further provided, with which locking element the at least one contact partner can be secondarily locked in its contact chamber (2), wherein the locking element is in the form of a bolt (6) which can be displaced relative to the contact carrier (1), wherein the bolt (6) has, in accordance with the number of contact partners, one behind the other in the movement direction, a respective contact-securing element (11) for the secondary locking and is designed such that it can move between a preliminary latching position and an end latching position on the contact carrier (1), wherein the bolt (6) has a latching hook (8) and the contact carrier (1) has a stop (18) which interacts with the latching hook (8), characterized in that the bolt (6) has a cutout (10) within which the latching hook (8) is arranged by way of its free end.
2. Plug-in connector according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bolt (6) has at least one linear guide (12, 13) and the contact carrier (1) has a guide which corresponds to the said linear guide.
3. Plug-in connector according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in connector has an outer housing (14) into which the contact carrier (1) containing the movable bolt (6) is inserted.
4. Plug-in connector according to Claim 3, characterized in that the bolt (6), in its preliminary latching position on the contact carrier (1), is inserted into the outer housing (14) together with the said contact carrier.
5. Plug-in connector according to Claim 3, characterized in that the bolt (6) can be moved from the preliminary latching position to the end latching position after it has been inserted into the outer housing (14) together with the contact carrier (1).
6. Plug-in connector according to Claim 5, characterized in that the bolt (6) can be moved from the end latching position to the preliminary latching position after it has been inserted into the outer housing (14) together with the contact carrier (1).

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