DE102018118681A1 - Plug device with lockable components - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug device such as a plug or a coupling with a compact and easily assembled structure. In a preferred embodiment, an insert module (EB) in a front housing (FG) is connected by a latching between first latching elements (RE1) on the front housing and second latching elements (RE2) on the insert module. Furthermore, the insert module (EB) is connected to the holding plate, which carries the electrical contact elements (BU), by a latching between third latching elements (RE3) on the insert module and fourth latching elements (RE4) on a holding plate (HP). The second (RE2) and third locking elements (RE3) on the insert module (EB) are axially overlapping. Additionally or alternatively, the first (RE1), second (RE2), third (RE3) and fourth latching elements (RE4) can all be arranged within a collar (212) of the front housing.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical plug-in device with a front housing, to which components provided for receiving electrical contact elements (pins, sockets) are connected.

Electrical plug devices such as plugs or sockets or couplings for power current according to DIN VDE 0623, EN 60309-2 ("CEE plug devices") or according to IEC 62196 ("E-car charging plug devices") contain an access side on which a complementary trained plug device (coupling or plug) can be inserted. The access side typically has a front housing, which closes the plug device in this area from the outside and is electrically insulated, an insert (as a separately manufactured component) being arranged in the front housing, which contains the actual metallic contact elements (pins for a plug and sockets for one) Socket) and their electrical connection to an electrical supply line is made possible. As a rule, the insert is screwed to the front housing, but this requires a relatively complex assembly.

Against this background, it was an object of the present invention to provide a plug-in device which has a compact structure and is easy to assemble.

• - Der Grundaufbau einer erfindungsgemäßen Steckvorrichtung, welche wie eingangs erläutert insbesondere als ein Stecker oder als eine Steckdose/Kupplung ausgebildet sein kann, umfasst die folgenden Komponenten: Ein Frontgehäuse mit einem Kragen, der an seiner Innenseite erste Rastelemente aufweist.
• - Einen Baustein, welcher in das Frontgehäuse eingesetzt werden kann und daher im Folgenden als „Einsatzbaustein“ bezeichnet wird. Der Einsatzbaustein weist dabei zweite Rastelemente auf, die beim Einfügen des Einsatzbausteins in das Frontgehäuse mit dessen ersten Rastelementen verrasten und somit für eine Kopplung sorgen, vorzugsweise für eine feste Fixierung des Einsatzbausteins im Frontgehäuse. Ferner weist der Einsatzbaustein dritte Rastelemente auf.
• - Eine Halteplatte, welche für die Aufnahme elektrischer Kontaktelemente (typischerweise Stifte oder Buchsen) eingerichtet ist und welche vierte Rastelemente aufweist, die bei Kopplung der Halteplatte an den Einsatzbaustein mit dessen dritten Rastelementen verrasten.

This object is achieved by a plug device according to claims 1 and 2 and by a kit according to claim 10. Advantageous refinements are contained in the subclaims.

• - The basic structure of a plug-in device according to the invention, which, as explained at the outset, can be designed in particular as a plug or as a socket / coupling, comprises the following components: a front housing with a collar which has first latching elements on its inside.
• - A module that can be inserted into the front housing and is therefore referred to below as the “insert module”. The insert module has second latching elements which latch when the insert module is inserted into the front housing with its first latching elements and thus ensure a coupling, preferably for a firm fixation of the insert module in the front housing. Furthermore, the insert module has third locking elements.
• - A holding plate which is set up for receiving electrical contact elements (typically pins or sockets) and which has fourth latching elements which latch when the holding plate is coupled to the insert module with its third latching elements.

As far as the first, second, third or fourth latching elements are used in the plural, this relates to the typical case and is not intended to exclude the possibility that in certain embodiments only a single first, second, third and / or fourth latching element is provided ,

The electrical contact elements (pins, sockets) typically have a longitudinal extent, which determine the plugging direction in which the plug device can be assembled with a complementary plug device during the plugging process. This longitudinal extension or insertion direction is used in the following as a reference axis for terms such as “axial”, “radial” or “circumferential direction”.

The front housing is typically arranged on the access side of the plug device, that is, where the plug-in process takes place. In terms of the three-dimensional shape, it is generally tubular in principle with a tube axis which corresponds to the plug-in direction mentioned above.

Furthermore, the term “collar” is intended to refer to only one area of the front housing in the broadest sense. Typically, however, the collar is a terminal area of the front housing, especially at the "proximal" end of the front housing facing away from the access side. In many cases, the collar has an external thread on its outside, via which the front housing can be screwed together with a further, rear housing part (usually referred to as a “hood”) to form the entire plug device. In these cases, the collar can typically be identified with the area of the external thread.

The connection between the front housing and the insert module or between the insert module and the holding plate preferably takes place exclusively through the interaction of the first and second latching elements or the third and fourth latching elements, without the need for further aids such as screws.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the first, second, third and fourth locking elements are all arranged within the collar of the front housing in a plug-in device with the basic structure described above in the assembled state of the front housing, insert module, and holding plate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the case of a plug-in device having the basic structure described above, the axial extensions of the second latching elements and third latching elements on the insert module overlap (in whole or in part), the “axial” direction being defined by the plug-in direction, as explained. Since the second and third latching elements of the insert module are typically arranged at the height of the assigned first and fourth latching elements, the axial overlap between them generally also requires an additional axial overlap with the first and / or fourth latching elements.

A plug-in device according to the invention is preferably designed in accordance with both aspects, i.e. that the second and third locking elements overlap axially and that in the assembled state the first, second, third and fourth locking elements are all arranged in the collar.

Plug devices according to the first and / or second aspect of the invention have the advantage that they can be easily assembled using latching elements, preferably solely by latching processes (“clipping together”). Furthermore, a particularly compact structure is achieved since all the locking elements are accommodated in the collar or at least partially overlap axially. The arrangement of all locking elements in the collar also has the advantage that it limits the mobility of locking elements radially outward and thus contributes significantly to the stability of the connection.

Various optional developments in the invention are described below. which can be realized together with a plug device according to the first and / or the second aspect.

For example, at least one of the third locking elements can be designed as a U-shaped bracket which surrounds at least one of the second locking elements. In this way, a compact arrangement of the various locking elements can be realized, in particular also their axial overlap. The term “U-shaped” should be understood in a general sense and should also include, for example, arch shapes or C shapes. As a rule, the outer legs of the U-shape of the bracket are axial, i.e. aligned in the direction of insertion. Furthermore, all third locking elements of the insert module are preferably designed as such brackets, which each surround at least one second locking element.

According to a development of the embodiment described above, there are at least two latching elements designed as brackets, in the circumferential direction, between which at least one of the second latching elements is arranged. In this way, a sufficiently high number of second locking elements can be provided, since these are not only arranged within a bracket, but also between two brackets. All third locking elements of the insert module are preferably designed as brackets, and the associated second locking elements are arranged alternately within a bracket or between two brackets.

Electrical connectors are often manufactured with different electrical assignments of the contact elements (e.g. as an outer conductor, neutral conductor, or protective conductor). In order to be able to implement such variants inexpensively with as few different (injection molding) component shapes as possible, it is provided according to the invention that the front housing and the insert module can preferably be joined together at least two different angles of rotation relative to one another (based on the direction of insertion). Typically, they can be plugged together at six to twelve different discrete angles of rotation, also called time positions, in order to implement a correspondingly large number of variants of the finished plug-in device.

According to another embodiment, the front housing and the insert module are set up to be assembled by plugging in from the side of the collar. The insert module is therefore not inserted from the front (distal) access side of the front housing, but on the rear (proximal) collar side, so that the back of the insert module, to which the retaining plate is to be mounted, does not pass through the front housing from the access side must be (which would usually not be possible due to space constraints). This has the advantage that the holding plate can be preassembled on the insert module and that the insert module with the preassembled holding plate can then be inserted into the front housing from the collar side. This possibility of pre-assembly considerably simplifies the production process.

It has already been pointed out that in extreme cases only a single one of the first, second, third and / or fourth locking elements could be present.

Typically, however, two or more of the first, second, third and / or fourth latching elements are provided for reasons of stability, these preferably being arranged distributed in the circumferential direction. For reasons of uniform force absorption, an even circumferential distribution (i.e. at equal angular distances) will usually take place.

There are various options for the specific design of the locking elements. In particular, at least one of the first locking elements, second locking elements, third locking elements and / or fourth locking elements can be designed as a nose-shaped (ramp-shaped) projection. Such a projection has a bevel ("bridge of the nose") along which a complementary locking element can slide when being assembled, projecting after the tip of the nose has been passed and an elastic deformation regressing, thus blocking the backward movement.

The essential components in the plug-in device according to the invention, that is to say the front housing, the insert module and the holding plate, can each be produced and sold as independent products. In particular, the invention therefore also relates to a kit which contains at least one of the three components (front housing, insert module and / or holding plate) for a plug device according to one of the above-described embodiments. In particular, the insert module and the holding plate can be part of the kit, in which case it usually also contains the associated contact elements (pins, sockets).

• 1 eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Steckers;
• 2 den Stecker nach Ablösen des hinteren Gehäuseteils vom Frontgehäuse, in welchem ein Einsatzbaustein mit einer Halteplatte angeordnet ist;
• 3 den Einsatzbaustein mit der Halteplatte vor dem Einfügen in das Frontgehäuse;
• 4 den Einsatzbaustein und die Halteplatte sowie Steckstifte in getrenntem Zustand in einer Explosionsansicht;
• 5 die Ansicht von 4 aus einer Perspektive von vorne;
• 6 eine vergrößerte Ansicht des Einsatzbausteins aus einer Perspektive von vorne;
• 7 eine perspektivische Gesamtansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Kupplung nach Ablösen des hinteren Gehäuseteils vom Frontgehäuse;
• 8 den Einsatzbaustein, die Halteplatte und die Buchsen der Kupplung in getrenntem Zustand in einer Explosionsansicht;
• 9 die Explosionsansicht von 8 zusammen mit dem Frontgehäuse von hinten.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of the figures and examples. It shows

• 1 an overall perspective view of a connector according to the invention;
• 2 the plug after detaching the rear housing part from the front housing, in which an insert module with a holding plate is arranged;
• 3 the insert module with the holding plate before insertion in the front housing;
• 4 the insert module and the holding plate and pins in a separate state in an exploded view;
• 5 the view of 4 from a perspective from the front;
• 6 an enlarged view of the insert module from a perspective from the front;
• 7 an overall perspective view of a coupling according to the invention after detaching the rear housing part from the front housing;
• 8th the insert module, the holding plate and the sockets of the coupling in a separate state in an exploded view;
• 9 the exploded view of 8th together with the front case from behind.

In the 1 to 6 is one as a connector 100 trained plug device according to the present invention shown in increasing degrees of disassembly or in reverse order of assembly.

1 shows the fully assembled connector 100 in a perspective view obliquely from the front, ie with a view of the access side. You can see the connector pins ST for protection and insulation in a tubular front housing 110 (hereinafter also generally provided with the reference symbol “FG”). The longitudinal axis of the connector pins ST defines the plug-in direction of the plug-in device and is referred to below as the reference axis X used.

How from 2 is recognizable are the front housing FG and a rear housing part 120 ("Hood") connected by a screw connection. This screw connection is made via an external thread in the area of a collar facing away from the access side (ie proximal) 112 the front housing is provided.

3 shows the front housing FG separated, ie before inserting an insert 140 ("EB") and a holding plate 130 ("HP"), which are already connected to each other in the course of a pre-assembly, and the connector pins ST take up. On the inside of the collar 112 are the first locking elements 111 ("RE1") recognizable in the form of noses, which are evenly distributed over the circumference. These first locking elements RE1 have a slope that runs along the axis X seen to the access side of the front housing FG runs radially inwards.

Along the outer circumference of the insert component EB are second nose-shaped locking elements 142 ("RE2") arranged radially pointing outwards, with respect to the axial direction X one to the first locking elements RE1 have opposite orientation. When inserting the insert component EB in the front housing FG slide the second locking elements RE2 with elastic radial deformation inwards with their nose bridge along the nose bridge of the first locking elements RE1 , When the desired insertion depth is reached, the tips of the noses pass each other, so that the latching elements undergo elastic recovery RE1 . RE2 lock together and an axial retraction of the insert EB from the front housing FG is prevented. The front housing and insert module are thus firmly connected.

4 shows the insert module in an exploded view EB separate from the holding plate HP and still the connector pins ST with the associated screws 133 separate from the holding plate HP , The connector pins ST are on the holding plate HP in surveys 132 housed away from the body 131 extend the holding plate axially. Electrical connection lines (not shown) can be made using the screws 133 with the connector pins ST get connected.

The same expression view is in 5 shown again from an angle from the front.

Furthermore shows 6 the insert module EB from diagonally in front in an enlarged view. The nose-shaped second locking elements are particularly good RE2 to recognize, of which in the illustrated embodiment 12 Pieces are evenly distributed circumferentially, with their lugs extending radially outward. The second locking elements RE2 are elastic in the radial direction, so that they can move slightly inwards during assembly during assembly.

Furthermore, U-shaped brackets can be seen, which are the third locking elements RE3 form. 6 of these are evenly distributed around the outside edge of the insert EB arranged. Every bracket RE3 surrounds one of the second locking elements RE2 , Furthermore, each of the second locking elements is another RE2 between two brackets RE3 arranged.

The cross-connecting bar of the U-shaped bracket RE3 serves for locking with the fourth locking elements RE4 , which are arranged in a nose shape pointing radially outward along the outer circumference of the holding plate HP ( 4 ). The stirrups move during the rest process RE3 typically elastic somewhat radially outwards.

Characteristic of the described construction of the plug device 100 is that the second locking elements RE2 and the third locking elements RE3 on the insert module EB are arranged axially overlapping. This means that each of these locking elements has a certain axial extension, the axial extensions e2 the second locking elements RE2 with the axial extensions e3 the third locking elements RE3 at least partially overlap ( 6 ). In this way, a particularly compact construction is achieved in the axial direction. This can be used, for example, for shorter contact elements ST train and thus achieve a corresponding material saving (e.g. brass).

A second characteristic of the construction described is that the first, second, third and fourth locking elements RE1 . RE2 . RE3 . RE4 when assembled, all (axially) in the area of the collar 112 of the front housing FG are accommodated. In the example shown, this is particularly the case for the third, U-shaped latching elements RE3 important because of the surrounding collar 112 their radial movement to the outside is prevented, so that after assembly they no longer move away from the fourth locking elements RE4 the holding plate HP to be able to solve.

Another advantage of the construction shown is that the insert module can be inserted EB in the front housing FG only from the side of the collar (facing away from the access side) 112 forth. On the one hand, this simplifies assembly, since it is not necessary to turn the front housing over. On the other hand, it allows the pre-assembly of the insert module EB and holding plate HP as in 3 shown.

The 7-9 show the exemplary structure of a connector in the form of a coupling 200 , the same components as the connector 100 are provided with reference numbers increased by 100 or with the same reference letters.

The coupling 200 again consists of a rear housing part 220 that with a front front case 210 / FG via an external thread on the collar 212 the front housing is screwed. Furthermore is in the front housing FG an insert 240 / EB attached. This can be done with a holding plate 230 / HP be locked, the holding plate the metallic bushings BU as contact elements.

The connection between the front housing FG and insert module EB takes place by locking between nose-shaped first locking elements. 211 / RE1 on the inside of the collar 212 of the front housing with nose-shaped second locking elements 242 / RE2 along the outside of the insert EB ,

Furthermore, there is a connection between the insert module EB and holding plate HP by locking bracket-shaped third locking elements 243 / RE3 on the insert module with fourth locking elements 234 / RE4 on the outer circumference of the holding plate.

The entire structure is therefore analogous to that of the connector 100 , so that a detailed description can be omitted again.

Claims (10)

Plug device (100, 200), comprising: - a front housing (FG) with a collar (112, 212) which has first latching elements (RE1) on its inside; - an insert module (EB) with second latching elements (RE2), which latch when the insert module is inserted into the front housing (FG) with the first latching elements (RE1), and with third latching elements (RE3); - A holding plate (HP) for receiving electrical contact elements (ST, BU), which has fourth locking elements (RE4), which lock when the holding plate is coupled to the insert module (EB) with the third locking elements (RE3); the first (RE1), second (RE2), third (RE3) and fourth locking elements (RE4) all in the collar (112, 212) of the front housing when the front housing (FG), insert module (EB) and holding plate (HP) are assembled (FG) lie. Plug device (100, 200), especially after Claim 1 , comprising: - a front housing (FG) with a collar (112, 212) which has first latching elements (RE1) on its inside; - An insert module (EB) with second locking elements (RE2), which lock when inserting the insert module into the front housing (FG) with the first locking elements (RE1), and with third locking elements (RE3); - A holding plate (HP) for receiving electrical contact elements (ST, BU), which has fourth locking elements (RE4), which lock when the holding plate is coupled to the insert module (EB) with the third locking elements (RE3); the axial extent (e2) of the second latching elements (RE2) and the axial extent (e3) of the third latching elements (RE3) overlap. Plug device (100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one third latching element (RE3) is designed as a U-shaped bracket which surrounds at least a second latching element (RE2). Plug device (100, 200) after Claim 3 , characterized in that at least a second locking element (RE2) is arranged in the circumferential direction between two third locking elements (RE3) designed as a bracket. Plug device (100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front housing (FG) and the insert module (EB) can be joined together at least two different angles of rotation relative to one another. Plug device (100, 200) after Claim 5 , characterized in that the number of matching angles of rotation corresponds to the number of first locking elements (RE1) and / or the number of second locking elements (RE2). Plug device (100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front housing (FG) and the insert module (EB) are set up to be assembled by plugging in from the side of the collar (112, 212). Plug device (100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two or more of the first (RE1), second (RE2), third (RE3) and / or fourth locking elements (RE4) are arranged distributed in the circumferential direction. Plug device (100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the first (RE1), second (RE2), third and / or fourth locking elements (RE4) is designed as a nose-shaped projection. Kit containing an insert module (EB) and a holding plate (HP) for a plug device (100, 200) according to at least one Claims 1 to 9 ,

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