DE102013109951B4 - Connector with a fuse element - Google Patents

Abstract

Connector (1), with - a connector part (13) for establishing a plugging connection with another connector part (4), - a line (3) which is arranged on the connector part (13), - one on the connector part (13) arranged guide element (111) through which the line (3) is guided to the connector part (13), and a fastening sleeve (12) arranged on the guide element (111), which connects the guide element (111) and the line (3) for fixing the line (3) on the guide element (111), characterized by a securing element (2) which overlaps the guide element (111) and the fastening sleeve (12) at least in sections such that the connection between the guide element ( 111) and the line (3) cannot be released without releasing the securing element (2), the securing element (2) having a first part (20) and a second part (21) which, in a pre-assembly position before manufacture en of the encompassing with the guide element (111) and the fastening sleeve (12) are articulated to one another via at least one hinge, in particular a film hinge, and can be fixed to one another to encompass the guide element (111) and the fastening sleeve (12).

Description

The invention relates to a connector according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a connector comprises a connector part for establishing a plugging connection with another connector part. A line, for example an electrical line or an optical line, is arranged on the connector part and is guided to the connector part through a guide element arranged on the connector part. The line is connected to the guide element by means of a fastening sleeve arranged on the guide element, the fastening sleeve fixing the line, for example in a clamping manner, to produce a load-bearing connection on the guide element.

Conventional plug connectors are used, for example, to produce an electrical contact or an optical contact and can implement a so-called male part of a plug connection or a so-called female part of a plug connection. In this context, a male part means e.g. a plug attached to the end of a cable or a built-in plug built into a device housing. A female part, on the other hand, means e.g. a coupling attached to the end of a line or a socket built into a device housing. The male part can be inserted into the female part and for this purpose has protruding contact pins that are to be inserted into associated contact openings in the female part.

For example, from the DE 10 2009 011 388 B3 Known connector for optical waveguides comprises a connector housing on which optical waveguides are held with ferrules arranged thereon. The connector housing with the optical waveguides arranged thereon can be plugged into an assigned socket or coupling in order to produce an optical contact in this way. A sliding sleeve is arranged on the connector housing, which serves to release a locking between the connector housing and an associated socket or coupling for pulling the plug housing from the socket or coupling. The connector of the DE 10 2009 011 388 B3 in this way realizes a plug connector according to the so-called "push-pull" principle, in which a locking connection can be established in a simple manner by inserting the plug connector into an associated plug receptacle of a socket or coupling, which can be easily established by actuating the sliding sleeve. can be solved easily again.

Other connectors based on the "push-pull" principle are, for example, from the DE 10 2005 025 769 B3 , the DE 20 2009 010 037 U1 and the DE 10 2007 031 504 A1 known.

To assemble a connector, the line is generally first arranged on the connector part and, for this purpose, passed through the guide element. Wire cores of the line are received in the connector part and connected, for example, with suitable contact pins on a plug-in section of the plug-in connector part, so that the contact pins - in the case of a male plug-in connector part - protrude from the plug-in section and can be brought into connection with associated contact openings of a plug receptacle. After the line has been arranged on the connector part, the fastening sleeve arranged on the guide element is screwed onto the guide element, for example, so that the line is fixed on the guide element and thus locked to the connector part. In this way, a strain relief is provided in particular, which has the effect that when the line is pulled, a force is introduced into the connector part and, in particular, there is no direct force effect on the line cores arranged on the plug-in section, for example.

Such plug connectors are assembled, for example, by a supplier who delivers the plug connector together with the cable attached to it to a customer. There is a fundamental need here to ensure that the connector cannot be tampered with after assembly or, if the connector assembly has been manipulated, that this can be easily recognized. Such protection against manipulation can be important both for the delivering supplier, for example in the context of the warranty, and for the customer in order to be able to recognize that a pre-assembled plug is in its original state in which it was delivered.

The US 2008/0009173 A1 describes a connector in which a cable is fixed to a connector part via a sleeve device. An enveloping or shielding stub can be arranged on the cable, which is fixed together with the cable via the sleeve device on the connector part.

From the US 7 494 376 B1 a housing for a plug connector is known in which a guide element can be attached to a collar of a housing part. The guide element consists of two articulated halves and can be in different Rotational positions are positively attached to a slotted contour of the collar. A cable can be guided away from the housing in a specific direction by means of the guide element.

The DE 10 2006 040 254 A1 describes a circular connector with a first coupling part and a second coupling part, each having a first and second contact carrier, the first contact carrier being connected to a latching body from which resilient latching bars extending in the longitudinal direction of the connector are formed with latching elevations that are suitable are to engage behind at least one groove formed from the second coupling part in the circumferential direction (locking position). The first coupling part comprises an outer, sleeve-shaped actuating slide which can be pushed back against a spring force in the longitudinal direction of the connector (unlocking position) and is suitable for actuating a locking element which is formed as a slide web from an end of the actuating slide facing the latching body and in the longitudinal direction of the first Coupling part is displaceable by the spring force under each free end of the locking bars (locking position), which merge outside of the actuating slide at a respective transition point in the locking body. The locking body having the locking bars and the first contact carrier of the first coupling part are formed as sections of a single molded part made of plastic.

In the DE 297 04 312 U1 describes a connector with a union nut, wherein a clamp can be fixed positively to the body of the connector and is provided with at least one claw that can be snapped into a knurling of the union nut.

The US 2004/0156169 A1 discloses a protective device for a plug connection which has a connection part and a housing for a plug to be arranged therein.

The object of the present invention is to provide a plug connector which enables a fuse after assembly in a simple, inexpensive manner.

This object is achieved by an object having the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, the plug connector has a securing element that overlaps the guide element and the fastening sleeve at least in sections such that the connection between the guide element and the line cannot be released without releasing the securing element, the securing element having a first part and a second part, which in a preassembly position prior to producing the wraparound with the guide element and the fastening sleeve are articulated to one another via at least one hinge, in particular a film hinge, and can be fixed to one another for grasping the guide element and the fastening sleeve.

The securing element can preferably only be released by destroying the securing element, so that a securing element, once it has been destroyed, cannot be reset to its securing state.

Because the securing element overlaps both the guide element and the fastening sleeve, it establishes a connection between the guide element and the fastening sleeve which cannot be canceled relative to the guide element without releasing the securing element. The fastening sleeve can only be adjusted after this additional connection created by the securing element has been released, in order to release the connection between the line and the guide element.

However, if the securing element has been released from its securing position on the guide element and the fastening section, this indicates that the connector has been accessed, which may indicate manipulation of the connector. A plug connector which no longer has a safety element or whose safety element has been destroyed has thus possibly been manipulated, which is easily recognizable for a user.

The securing element thus provides a safeguard in that access to the fastening sleeve for releasing the connection between the guide element and the line is not readily possible. If the fastening sleeve has nevertheless been accessed, this can be recognized on the basis of the manipulated securing element, so that a user is informed of any manipulation that may have taken place.

The securing element engages around the guide element and the fastening sleeve, preferably in a circumferential direction around a longitudinal axis, along which the guide element and the fastening sleeve extend at least in sections. The longitudinal axis can correspond to a screw axis around which the fastening element can be rotated relative to the guide element for screwing onto the guide element. The longitudinal axis of the guide element and the fastening sleeve can also deviate from a longitudinal direction of the connector part, for example when the guide element protrudes from the connector part in an oblique direction.

The securing element advantageously comprises at least one first wrap-around section that surrounds the guide element in a ring, and at least one second wrap-around section that surrounds the fastening sleeve in a ring. The securing element thus has two annular wraparound sections which provide an annular wraparound around the longitudinal axis on the one hand around the guide element and on the other hand around the fastening sleeve. Because the first wrap-around section and the second wrap-around section are axially spaced from one another and preferably hold the fastening sleeve axially in position relative to the guide element, the securing element overlaps the guide element and the fastening sleeve, so that the position of the fastening sleeve is secured relative to the guide element and the fastening sleeve is not without can further be adjusted relative to the guide element to release the connection between the line and the guide element.

According to the invention, the securing element has a first part and a second part. The first part and the second part are articulated to one another, so that in a preassembly position of the securing element, the first part and the second part can be pivoted to one another in such a way that the securing element around the guide element and the Mounting sleeve can be placed. To fix the securing element on the guide element and the fastening sleeve, the first part and the second part are then folded towards one another and, for example, brought into engagement with one another while producing a latching connection, so that the first part and the second part are fixed to one another and to the guide element and the Mounting sleeve are held.

The securing element is preferably made of plastic, for example by means of plastic injection molding. The first part and the second part can preferably be connected to one another in an articulated manner by means of at least one film hinge, so that the securing element can be manufactured in one piece.

The securing element encompasses the guide element and / or the fastening sleeve, preferably on a section which has at least one form-fit element for securely holding the securing element on the guide element and / or the fastening sleeve. The at least one form-fit element can for example be arranged on a substantially cylindrical section of the guide element or the fastening sleeve and thus create a contour that is not rotationally symmetrical in the circumferential direction, but rather, for example, polygonal or asymmetrical in an irregular manner. The one or more form-fit elements engage in one or more associated form-fit sections of the securing element and in this way establish a form-fitting connection between the securing element and the guide element and / or the fastening sleeve, so that the securing element is circumferentially around the longitudinal axis of the guide element and the Fastening sleeve is held on the guide element and the fastening sleeve and cannot be rotated.

In this context, it is conceivable and possible for one or more form-fitting elements to be arranged both on the guide element and on the fastening sleeve. However, it is also conceivable to arrange one or more form-locking elements only on the guide element or the fastening sleeve.

The securing element can also be used to identify or label the connector and for this purpose have a display area for attaching a label and / or identification. For example, the security element can have a colored marking in order to use different markings to identify whether the connector has, for example, an Ethernet, Profinet, optical waveguide or another insert and is thus designed to establish an electrical or optical network connection or another connection is. Or labeling can be attached to the display area, which contains details about the assembly and design of the connector. It is also conceivable to store information in machine-readable form, for example in the form of a barcode or an RFID marking, on the display surface, so that the connector can be automatically identified and read using suitable reading devices.

The fastening sleeve is preferably screwed onto the guide element and, by screwing it onto the guide element, causes the line to be clamped on the guide element. By screwing it onto the guide element, the fastening sleeve can press the guide element, for example, into pressing contact with the line, so that a firm, load-bearing connection is established between the line and the guide element.

In a specific embodiment, the guide element can be arranged, for example, on a cap part that with the Connector part is connected and the connector part closes at one end which faces away from a plug-in section for insertion into a plug receptacle of another connector part. The guide element is thus arranged on the rear of the connector part and leads the line out of the connector part at the end facing away from the connector section. The cap part can be manufactured separately from the connector part and connected to the connector part in a latching manner, for example, in order to produce the connector. In principle, however, it is also conceivable to form the cap part in one piece with the connector part.

In an advantageous embodiment, the connector can be designed according to the “push-pull” principle, for this purpose an outer sleeve is preferably arranged on the connector part, which is displaceable in a release direction relative to the connector part. To establish a connection of the plug connector part with a plug receptacle of another connector part, the plug connector part with a plug section arranged thereon can be plugged into the plug receptacle in a plug-in direction, with a locking connection between the plug connector part and the plug receptacle being established during insertion and thus the plug connector part not being readily produced can be removed from the plug receptacle against the plugging direction. To release the connection between the connector part and the connector receptacle, the outer sleeve can be actuated in the release direction opposite to the insertion direction, whereby the latching between the connector part and the connector receptacle is canceled and the connector part can thus be removed from the connector receptacle.

In principle, however, the present invention is not limited to use with plug connectors based on the “push-pull” principle, but can also be used with other plug connectors.

• 1 eine Ansicht eines Steckverbinders nach dem „Push-Pull“-Prinzip;
• 2A eine Ansicht eines Steckverbinders mit einem Sicherungselement in einer Vormontagestellung;
• 2B eine Ansicht des Steckverbinders mit dem Sicherungselement in einer Montagestellung;
• 3A eine Ansicht eines Steckverbinders mit einem daran angeordneten Kennzeichnungselement;
• 3B eine Ansicht eines Steckverbinders mit einem schräg von einem Steckverbinderteil erstreckten Führungselement; und
• 3C eine Ansicht eines Steckverbinders mit einem in einer anderen Richtung vom Steckverbinderteil erstreckten Führungselement.

The idea on which the invention is based is to be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a view of a connector according to the "push-pull"principle;
• 2A a view of a connector with a securing element in a preassembly position;
• 2 B a view of the connector with the securing element in an assembly position;
• 3A a view of a connector with a marking element arranged thereon;
• 3B a view of a connector with a guide element extending obliquely from a connector part; and
• 3C a view of a connector with a guide element extending in another direction from the connector part.

1 shows a connector 1 which is designed according to the "push-pull" principle and with a plug-in section 130 a connector part 13 in a plug receptacle 40 another connector part 4th can be plugged in. The plug-in section 130 realizes, for example, a so-called male part with protruding contact pins in contact openings 400 the connector receptacle 40 can be plugged in, for example to establish an electrical or optical connection between the connector 1 and the connector part 4th to manufacture.

On the connector part 13 is on one of the plug-in section 130 remote side, a cap part 11 with one the connector part 13 final wall 110 arranged. From the wall 110 is a guide element 111 to the outside, to which a fastening sleeve 12 is attached, which serves to one through the guide element 111 passed through to the connector part 13 laid line 3 on the guide element 111 to fix. The fastening sleeve 12 has an opening 120 on, through which the line 3 Is guided, and can in a known manner, for example, on the guide element 111 be screwed to a pressing connection between the guide element 111 and a line jacket of the line 3 to create and thereby a frictional connection between the line 3 and the guide element 111 and over it with the fixed with the cap part 11 connected connector part 13 to manufacture.

On the connector part 13 is along a release direction B ' displaceable, an outer sleeve 10 arranged to release a locking connection between the connector part 13 and the connector socket 40 can be operated. The connector 1 can with the plug-in section 130 of the connector part 13 in one mating direction B. into the plug receptacle 40 be plugged in, with a locking connection between the connector part when inserted 13 and the connector socket 40 is made and the connector 1 , after establishing the connection, so not easily from the plug receptacle 40 can be taken. The outer sleeve 10 in the direction of insertion B. opposite Direction of release B ' relative to the connector part 13 are shifted, whereby, for example, locking springs on the connector part 13 out of engagement with locking projections on the connector receptacle 40 be brought to in this way the locking connection between the connector part 13 and the connector socket 40 to solve.

It should be noted at this point, however, that the present invention is not limited to plug connectors based on the “push-pull” principle, but can in principle also be used with other plug connectors.

For assembling the connector 1 becomes the line 3 through the guide element 111 of the cap part 11 passed through and towards the connector part 13 relocated. After attaching to the connector part 13 becomes the line 3 by screwing on the fastening sleeve 12 on the guide element 111 on the guide element 111 set and thus relative to the connector part 13 fixed, so that in particular a strain relief is provided by means of which on the line 3 acting tensile forces in the housing of the connector part 13 are initiated, but not in the connector part 13 towards the plug-in section 130 laid wires of the line 3 Act.

The assembly of the connector 1 takes place, for example, at a manufacturer who makes the connector 1 with a line attached to it 3 delivers to a customer. In order to ensure that after the connector has been assembled, the line 3 not again from the connector part 13 is solved and there is no manipulation of the configuration of the connector 1 comes is how in 2A and 2 B shown, a fuse element 2 provided that - as in 2A shown - on the guide element 111 and the fastening sleeve 12 can be applied and in an assembly position - shown in 2 B - the guide element 111 and the fastening sleeve 12 in a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis L. , along which the guide element 111 and the fastening sleeve 12 to carry out a line 3 extend, encompassed.

The security element 2 has two parts 20th , 21st on, the two semi-annular wraparound sections 201 , 202 or. 211 , 212 exhibit. About the wraparound sections 201 , 202 are the two parts 20th , 21st of the fuse element 2 on film hinges 203 , 204 connected together so that the two parts 20th , 21st around the film hinges 203 , 204 can be pivoted to each other.

About the wraparound sections 201 , 211 or. 202 , 212 forms the securing element 2 in the assembly position ( 2 B) two closed wraparound rings, by means of which the securing element 2 on the one hand the guide element 111 and on the other hand the fastening sleeve 12 encircled in a ring. The semi-annular wraparound sections 201 , 202 , 211 , 212 can use the hinges on the film 203 , 204 distant ends of the wraparound sections 201 , 202 , 211 , 212 are firmly locked together so that in the assembly position according to 2 B the two parts 20th , 21st of the fuse element 2 are firmly and permanently connected to each other and the securing element 2 on the guide element 111 and the fastening sleeve 12 is fixed.

The one through the wraparound sections 201 , 211 formed wrap-around ring with which the securing element 2 the guide element 111 encompasses, extends around a cylindrical portion 112 of the guide element 111 around, on the radially outwardly protruding form-fitting elements 113 , 114 are arranged. With the form-fit elements 113 , 114 will, as in 1 shown, the circular cylindrical shape of the cylindrical portion 112 perforated so that the guide element 111 in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L. viewed has an irregular, polygonal shape that when the fuse element is applied 2 form-fitting with associated form-fitting sections within the securing element 2 comes into engagement and thus a form fit between the securing element 2 and the guide element 111 manufactures. This is how the locking element is 2 in the assembly position according to 2 B secure against rotation on the guide element 111 set.

The one through the wraparound sections 202 , 212 The encircling ring formed engages around the fastening sleeve 12 on a cylindrically shaped sleeve wall 121 . The one through the wraparound sections 202 , 212 The encircling ring formed here comes on one side of a polygonal section 122 the fastening sleeve 12 to lie that the cylindrical section 112 of the guide element 111 is turned away, so that the wrap-around rings 201 , 211 or. 202 , 212 on both sides of the polygonal section 122 are arranged and the polygonal section 122 thus take up axially between them.

About the polygonal section 122 before attaching the fuse element 2 , using a tool on the fastening sleeve 12 attacked to the mounting sleeve 12 relative to the guide element 111 to adjust.

The through the wraparound sections 201 , 211 or. 202 , 212 Wrap-around rings formed are on the one hand over a display area 200 of the first part 20th and on the other hand via a footbridge 210 of the second part 21st interconnected in the axial direction. Via the display area 200 an area is made available by means of which a lettering or Marking on the fuse element 2 can be attached to the connector, for example by means of suitable color marking 1 to be marked or by a suitable lettering for a use of the connector 1 provide necessary or helpful information.

On the display area 200 For example, a machine-readable identifier, for example a barcode or an RFID symbol, can also be arranged in order to allow the connector to be automatically read out 1 to enable relevant information.

3A to 3C show different connectors 1 with label elements arranged thereon 2 ' , where instead of such identifier elements 2 ' also securing elements 2 which was previously based on 2A and 2 B described type can be provided.

The identifier element 2 ' has a display area 200 ' on, of which on both sides along a circumferential direction around the guide element 111 around a wrap-around section 201 ' extends over which the identifier element 2 ' clipping on the guide element 111 and above on the connector 1 is held.

The connector 1 according to 3A extends with its longitudinal direction along a longitudinal axis L. , the guide element 111 and also the fastening sleeve 12 along the longitudinal axis L. from the connector part 13 protrude and thus with their longitudinal axis L. coaxially to the longitudinal extension direction of the connector 1 are extended.

How out 3B and 3C can be seen, the guide element 111 together with the fastening sleeve arranged thereon 12 but also with its longitudinal axis L ' around which the fastening sleeve 12 on the guide element 111 is to be screwed on at an angle to the longitudinal axis L. of the connector part 13 of the connector 1 extend. The connector 1 can basically around the longitudinal axis L. be rotated by 180 ° and with the guide element extending obliquely downwards 111 , as in 3B shown, or with obliquely upwardly extending guide element 111 , as in 3C shown, can be used. The identifier element 2 ' can, as well as the locking element 2 , here in two different positions on the guide element 111 be arranged so that there are two discrete positions for the identification element 2 ' or the fuse element 2 on the guide element 111 and the fastening sleeve 12 surrender. The two discrete positions are here by 180 ° around the longitudinal axis L ' of the guide element 111 and the fastening sleeve 12 twisted to each other. In this way it can be achieved that the display area 200 ' of the label element 2 ' or the display area 200 of the fuse element 2 regardless of the position of the connector used 1 can point upwards, as shown in 3B and 3C is shown.

The idea on which the invention is based is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described above, but can basically also be used in any other way.

In particular, the present invention is not limited to use on plug connectors based on the “push-pull” principle. In principle, fuse elements of the type described here can also be used on other plug connectors.

Securing elements of the type described here can in principle also be configured differently. For example, a predetermined breaking point can also be provided on such securing elements, which causes two annular sections of the securing element to be axially torn off from one another when the fastening sleeve is rotated relative to the guide element, the two annular sections after being torn off from one another on the one hand on the guide element and on the other hand on the fastening sleeve can remain. If the annular sections are detached from one another, this indicates that the fastening sleeve has been accessed.

A securing element of the type described here can preferably be produced from plastic in a cost-effective manner, with different plastics, for example using polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), being able to be used.

In principle, however, it is also conceivable to use other materials for manufacturing the securing element, for example metal.

List of reference symbols

1

Connectors

10

Outer sleeve

11

Cap part

110

Wall

111

Guide element

112

Cylindrical section

113, 114

Form-fit element

12

Mounting sleeve

120

opening

121

Sleeve wall

122

Polygonal section

13

Connector part

130

Plug section

2

Fuse element

20th

First part

200

Display area

201, 202

Wrap-around section

203, 204

Film hinge

21st

Second part

210

web

211.212

Wrap-around section

2 '

element

200 '

Display area

201 '

Wrap-around element

3

management

4th

Connector part

40

Connector receptacle

400

Contact openings

B.

Mating direction

B '

Direction of release

L.

Longitudinal axis

L '

Line axis

Claims (11)

Connector (1), with - a connector part (13) for establishing a plug-in connection with another connector part (4), - a line (3) which is arranged on the connector part (13), - one on the connector part (13) arranged guide element (111) through which the line (3) is guided to the connector part (13), and - a fastening sleeve (12) arranged on the guide element (111), which connects the guide element (111) and the line (3) for fixing the line (3) on the guide element (111), characterized by a securing element (2) which overlaps the guide element (111) and the fastening sleeve (12) at least in sections such that the connection between the guide element ( 111) and the line (3) cannot be released without releasing the securing element (2), the securing element (2) having a first part (20) and a second part (21), which in a pre-assembly position before Hers The position of the wrap around with the guide element (111) and the fastening sleeve (12) are articulated to one another via at least one hinge, in particular a film hinge, and can be fixed to one another to encompass the guide element (111) and the fastening sleeve (12). Connector according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the securing element (2) cannot be released without being destroyed. Connector according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the securing element (2) the guide element (111) and the fastening sleeve (12) in a circumferential direction around a longitudinal axis (L, L '), along which the guide element (111) and the fastening sleeve (12) at least partially extend, encompassed. Connector according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the securing element (2) has at least one first wrap-around section (201, 211) which surrounds the guide element (111) in an annular manner, and at least one second wrap-around section (202, 212) which surrounds the fastening sleeve (12) in an annular manner . Connector according to Claim 4 , characterized in that the at least one first wrap-around section (201, 211) and the at least one second wrap-around section (202, 212) are axially spaced from one another. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element (2) is made of plastic. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element (2) engages around the guide element (111) and / or the fastening sleeve (12) on a section (112) which has at least one form-locking element (113, 114) for the secure hold of the Has securing element (2) on the guide element (111) and / or the fastening sleeve (12). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element (2) has a display surface (200) for attaching an inscription and / or identification. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening sleeve (12) is screwed onto the guide element (111). Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide element (111) is arranged on a cap part (11) which is connected to the plug connector part (13) and closes the plug connector part (13) at one end which is a plug section (130 ) facing away for insertion into a plug receptacle (40) of another connector part (4). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector (1) has an outer sleeve (10) arranged on the connector part (13) so as to be displaceable along a release direction (B '), which is used to release the connection between the connector part (13) and a plug receptacle (40) of a connector part (4) into which the plug connector part (13) is inserted and can be actuated in the release direction.

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