DE102019114257B4 - Connector with locking system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connection for establishing a releasable electrically conductive connection, comprising a plug connector plug (140), a plug connector mating plug (130) and a locking system (100) for connecting and locking the plug connector plug (140) to the plug connector mating plug (130), with a primary lock from at least one bayonet ring (110) is formed with a rotational degree of freedom, fixed on the connector plug (140) and designed for functional interaction with a control link (131), arranged in a groove on the connector mating connector (130), characterized in that the primary locking is provided by at least a spring pin (120) engaging in the control link (131) assigned to the spring pin (120) is formed and the spring pin (120) integrally realizes a secondary lock depending on the bayonet ring position, in that the spring pin (120) is within the groove of the respective control link se (131) is guided over a step until it rebounds in a latching position (133, 134) in the control link (131), this position of the spring pin (120) a separation of the connector plug (140) from the connector mating connector (130) opposite to Plug direction prevented.

Description

The invention relates to a locking system for connectors for connecting and locking a connector with its mating partner, having a primary lock, formed at least from a bayonet ring with a rotational degree of freedom, fixed on a connector plug and designed for functional interaction with a control link on a connector mating connector. The invention also relates to a plug connection with a locking system.

For contacting or making detachable electrically conductive connections, plug-in connections, contacting elements, pole connectors, receptacles, etc. are used in a wide variety of designs and variants. In particular, but not exclusively for electrical contacting tasks in the higher power range, contact systems have been developed that are based on round contact geometries for receiving a contact pin.

Such high-voltage connectors are often implemented as round connectors with one or more plug contact pins and, in addition to reliable, detachable and permanent contact, must also be secured against unintentional disconnection or disconnection caused by axial tensile loads.

In the case of circular connectors, bayonet or screw locks are often used as primary locks in the prior art. These securing means are usually permanently attached to the respective plug connections and are supplemented by secondary locks to protect against unintentional disconnection. In the prior art, securing means are usually used as spring-like arrangements which engage with corresponding openings or catches and thereby cause two parts of a circular connector to be locked.

Furthermore, circular connectors are known in which the plug connection is made via so-called bayonet locks. An alternative form of a lock is a twist lock, which, like a bayonet lock, is attached to the plug connections in such a way that the connector pair is fixed to a locking thread by means of a locking screw.

Locks of this type are problematic, in particular, when the aim is to prevent the lock from being released unintentionally or improperly and / or from pulling the plug connector under voltage. In the latter case, arcs can ignite, especially in the high-voltage range, which are problematic in terms of safety and can endanger life.

In dynamic applications and when machines vibrate, the problem can also arise that connector locks, in particular screw locks, can loosen over time as a result of these mechanical vibrations and the connector is no longer reliably connected to the mating connector.

A well-known connector solution with primary and secondary locking is in the DE 10 2013 112 103 A1 presented. A plug of this plug connection comprises an inner subassembly, an outer sleeve which is mounted displaceably with respect to the inner subassembly and at least partially encloses the inner subassembly and first locking means for locking the plug with an associated plug connector part when the plug is plugged onto the plug connector part, the locking being effected by a Displacement of the outer sleeve with respect to the inner assembly can be solved.

Such connectors, consisting of a plug and a connector part, are known as push-pull connectors. This name is derived from the function of such connectors. These can be closed by simply plugging the connector onto the connector part in one direction of insertion (“push”). The connector part can be a socket or a second plug. When plugging in or by plugging on, the locking means of the plug and the plug connector part are locked together so that the plug connector cannot be pulled through e.g. B. can be solved on a cable connected to the connector. To release the connection, the outer sleeve of the plug is pulled against the direction of insertion ("pull"). A relative movement takes place between the outer sleeve and the inner assembly of the plug, whereby the locking means are unlocked. If the outer sleeve is pulled further against the direction of insertion, the plug is released from the connector part.

With other types of connectors, an additional operation must be performed to lock or unlock. Such a process would be, for example, the raising or lowering of a locking hook serving as a locking means or an additional rotational movement of the outer sleeve, such as. B. common with so-called bayonet connectors.

The disadvantage is that accidental loosening of the connector due to the simple Unlocking can be done by pulling on the outer sleeve. Another disadvantage of the known connectors of this PushPull type is that anyone who has access to the connector can release such a connector without any further aids. Accidental, arbitrary or unauthorized loosening cannot be prevented with the well-known connectors of the convenient PushPull type.

The solution suggests DE 10 2013 112 103 A1 that an additional locking element is provided, which is slidably mounted and in at least one stable locking position in which the displacement of the outer sleeve is blocked with respect to the inner assembly, and at least one stable release position in which the displacement of the outer sleeve with respect to the inner Module is released, can be brought.

The DE 20 2008 013 794 U1 discloses a connector device with two coupling halves consisting of a plug part and a socket part for connecting and disconnecting multi-core electrical high-voltage and / or low-voltage lines, each coupling half consisting of a substantially cylindrical housing which accommodates electrical contact elements, both of which can be coupled by means of a sleeve.

At one of its two open ends, the coupling sleeve has a radially inwardly projecting nose for engagement in a locking groove which is formed on the housing end of one of the two coupling halves. The locking groove consists of an end section running in the circumferential direction into which an axially or obliquely running insertion section opens, with a torsion spring being arranged in the cap sleeve, one end of which is in the cap sleeve and the other end on the housing end not provided with the locking groove supports.

This three-part connector device is coupled or decoupled via a bayonet system. The torsion spring has the effect of a closing spring, which automatically turns the coupling sleeve into the closed position when the two coupling halves are plugged together.

Another known connector device shows DE 20 2005 010 113 U1 . A connector coupling is presented, consisting of a first coupling half, which has at least one coupling housing, a contact carrier accommodated therein including contact elements and a contact carrier and possibly its contact elements encompassing at least part of its axial length, with an external thread for optionally screwing on a rotatable with a second coupling half coupled union nut or for connection of a rotatably coupled to a second coupling half, equipped with means for bringing about a quick locking connection element suitable area of the coupling housing. The primary lock is optionally designed as a screw connection, for example by means of a union nut or as a bayonet lock. A reverse rotation protection or a protection against undesired rotation due to vibrations is assigned to a connector partner as a secondary lock. Such an anti-rotation lock is formed in that the anti-rotation lock assigned to the threadless connecting element of the second coupling half or protection against unwanted rotation due to vibrations consists of at least one spring element fixed on the clutch housing of the second clutch half and a detent assigned to it on the inner circumference of the sleeve forming the connecting element, wherein A simple implementation results from the fact that the spring element or elements fixed on the coupling housing of the second coupling half are formed by radially projecting leaf spring sections, which are assigned notch-shaped detents on the inner circumference of the sleeve forming the connecting element.

Another secondary locking solution in combination with a bayonet as the primary locking is shown by the DE 20 2010 017 274 U1 . A secondary locking means is attached to one of the plug connectors in such a way that the primary locking means, preferably the locking ring, is held in its position by the secondary locking means in its intended locked state. By releasing the secondary locking means as intended, the locking ring can be unlocked from its locking position and released against the locking direction.

The secondary locking or the secondary locking means is designed as a spring pin arranged between the connector and the connector socket. A so-called pogopin can be used as a spring pin.

The Pogopin is constructed in such a way that the spring pin pin can resiliently dip into the spring pin body and, when the spring pin pin is released, can return to its original position against a spring force of a spring arranged in the spring pin body.

The spring pin is arranged on the connector socket in such a way that it follows in a recess on the locking ring of the connector The locking of the locking ring can dip in that the spring pin engages in a recess on the locking ring and thus secures the locking ring against loosening. At the end of the locking process, the spring pin engages the corresponding secondary locking recess and fixes the primary lock, preferably a locking ring, in its intended position. The arrangement of the spring pin relative to the connector partners is always chosen so that the spring pin movement takes place axially to the connector in an also axially aligned recess.

The object of the invention is to provide a plug connector which at least partially reduces the aforementioned disadvantages and in particular prevents the unintentional or undesired separation of the plug connection due to environmental influences on the plug connection. A safety-relevant separation of the live connectors should be counteracted with a high degree of reliability.

The invention solves the problem by means of a plug connection for producing a detachable electrically conductive connection having a plug connector, a plug connector mating connector and a locking system, in particular for high-voltage plug connectors (in DC applications) with integrated primary and secondary locking. Both the actual locking and the locking safety device are released in two stages via a bayonet lock which is able to lock against unintentional release in the end position or a certain position. The at least one control link of the lock solution based on the bayonet principle offers an associated spring pin two locking positions, which are achieved by a meander-shaped control link or a Z-shaped extension.

The locking positions of the respectively assigned spring pins are added to the Z-shaped link profile by a ramp, i.e. H. a height profile in the form of a changing groove depth provided within the link groove at the two locking positions.

The ramp can be designed in different ways: in a "soft" curve, stepped with a high or low gradient or gradient, as a partial radius, cage curve with radii of different amounts that merge into one another, etc.

The spring pin assigned in each case to a control link is embedded in a bore of a connector plug and has a radial degree of freedom of movement with respect to its central axis. It works functionally together with a spring element and optionally an assigned sleeve that preferably envelops the spring element in regions. The spring element and the optional sleeve are accommodated in a pocket of a bayonet ring encompassing the connector on the outside and lie against the outer face of the spring pin in a defined bayonet ring orientation.

The bayonet ring has a degree of freedom in relation to the connector plug that supports two end positions. With a rotational degree of freedom, for example, the bayonet ring is designed in such a way that it has two positions, which in this case can be reached by a rotary movement. One of the end positions supports an unlocked state of the primary lock, the other end position supports the locked position. In the unlocked position (if the connector and mating connector can be separated) the associated spring pin can be moved by the control link, as the radial mobility of the spring pin follows the differences in the depth of the control link. In the locking position of the bayonet ring, the assigned spring pin is fixed by the ring in the radial direction, so that the movement out of the locking position in the link groove is locked, with the result that the connector cannot be released.

The bayonet ring can optionally be locked in the desired end position by latching, fixing means or spring elements.

• • In der Sperrposition ist die Vibrationsfestigkeit erhöht. Ein selbständiges Drehen des Sperrrings durch Vibrationen kann ausgeschlossen werden, da der Ring mittels versetzten Federelementen in Sperrposition gehalten wird;
• • um unbefugtes Lösen der Steckverbindung kann durch die optionale Gestaltung der Sperrposition verhindert werden dadurch, dass diese nur durch ein Werkzeug freigegeben wird;
• • die Z-förmige Ausbildung der Steuerkulisse erzwingt eine zweigestufte Bewegungskinematik, sodass ein schnelles Trennen der Steckverbindung verhindert wird. Zur Vermeidung eines Lichtbogens werden beim Ziehen des Steckverbinders zunächst zwei Schaltkontakte freigeschaltet, welche das System veranlassen die Spannung abzuschalten. In dieser Zeit muss der Hochstromkontakt noch gesteckt bleiben. Um im System Kapazitäten und Induktivitäten abzubauen, sollte nach dem Trennen der zwei Schaltkontakte ein kurzer Zeitraum zum Abbau der Ladung gewährleistet sein.

With the locking system according to the invention for connectors, in particular for high-voltage connectors with primary and secondary locking, not only a number of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art are at least partially reduced, but further advantages are achieved:

• • In the locked position, the vibration resistance is increased. Independent rotation of the locking ring due to vibrations can be excluded, since the ring is held in the locking position by means of offset spring elements;
• • Unauthorized loosening of the plug-in connection can be prevented by the optional design of the locking position by only releasing it with a tool;
• • The Z-shaped design of the control link forces two-stage kinematics of movement, so that a quick separation of the plug connection is prevented. To avoid an electric arc, two switching contacts are first released when the connector is pulled, which causes the system to switch off the voltage. During this time, the high-current contact must remain connected. To im To reduce system capacities and inductances, there should be a short period of time to reduce the charge after the two switching contacts have been disconnected.

In the case of the two-stage control link, after reaching the intermediate stage, first latching position, an axial and then a rotational movement component of the connector elements to each other must first be implemented in order to release the plug connection and the contacting of the plug contact pins. The time required by the kinematics of the movement ensures that the plug contacts are de-energized before the actual release and that arcing does not occur.

• 1 die Seiten und Vorderansicht sowie die Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbindersteckers mit Verschlusssystem für Steckverbinder in einer Geöffnetstellung („unlock“) des Verschlusssystems;
• 2 die Seiten und Vorderansicht sowie die Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbindersteckers mit Verschlusssystem für Steckverbinder in einer Geschlossenstellung („lock“) des Verschlusssystems;
• 3 die dreidimensionale Darstellung des Steckverbindersteckers mit Verschlusssystem für Steckverbinder;
• 4 die Vorderansicht und perspektivische Darstellung des Steckverbindergegensteckers.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the figures. Show:

• 1 the side and front view and the sectional view of the connector plug with locking system for connectors in an open position ("unlock") of the locking system;
• 2 the side and front view and the sectional view of the connector plug with locking system for connectors in a closed position ("lock") of the locking system;
• 3 the three-dimensional representation of the connector plug with locking system for connectors;
• 4th the front view and perspective view of the connector mating connector.

1 forms the side and front view as well as the sectional view of the connector plug 140 with locking system 100 for connectors in an open position ("unlock") of the locking system 100 from. The inventive construction of the locking system designed as an integrative solution with regard to primary and secondary locking 100 has a further developed bayonet lock. The bayonet ring 110 is with a rotational degree of freedom relative to the connector plug 140 with respect to the common center axis on the outside of the connector plug 140 set.

On the bayonet ring 110 is a locking ring V rotatably mounted, the locking ring V is movable from a locking position to a release position. In the locked position, the resilient pins (bayonet pins), which will be described in more detail later, cannot resiliently spring outwards because they are supported by the locking ring V be blocked in this direction in this degree of freedom.

In the unlocked or released position of the locking ring V can use the spring pins 120 be deflected radially outward against the spring force of a spring. In this position the spring pins 120 are therefore resiliently moved back and forth in the radial direction.

The three spring pins 120 are movable along their axial axis in a respective bearing opening or bore 145 of the connector plug 140 and work functionally together with a spring element 121 as well as an optionally assigned, the spring element 121 preferably partially enveloping sleeve 122 . Spring element 121 and sleeve 122 are in a bag 111 of the connector 140 locking ring encompassing the outside V recorded. With a relative bayonet ring orientation, which corresponds to the open position, the spring pins are located 120 the feathers. The spring pin is in this bayonet ring orientation 120 radial to the connector plug 140 and against the spring force of the spring element 121 movable so that the spring pin 120 unequal depth levels of the control backdrop 131 can compensate kinematically. The locking ring V in the unlocked position (shown here) allowed by the degree of freedom of the spring pin then available 120 the level-independent driving through the control link 131 with the spring pin 120 .

In 1 is an arrangement of three spring pins 120 symmetrically on the circumference of the connector plug 140 or shown evenly distributed around the circumference. This design, which is often advantageous for static reasons, can also be constructed differently depending on the area of application or environmental conditions, for example asymmetrically or with one, two or more than three functionally interacting spring pin arrangements.

2 includes the side and front view as well as the sectional view of the connector plug 140 with locking system 100 for connectors in a closed position ("lock") of the locking system 100 . In the 2 The end position shown supports the “lock” position by the fact that the spring pin 120 has no degree of freedom along its axial axis and as a result the spring pin 120 no actuation path within the control link 131 into an area with a shallower groove depth. This state is achieved by the locking ring V with its pitch circular movement in the locked position that in the pocket 111 recorded spring element 121 and sleeve 122 from the to the spring pin 120 aligned position moved out and moved into one with the recess 143 aligned position. The spring force of the spring element 121 moves the sleeve 122 at least in sections into the recess 143 into it so that the sleeve 122 comes to rest with their front sides in the bottom of the blind hole.

In the construction example of the invention shown here, the end position is in the blocking position by the stop of a sleeve section in the recess 143 on the bayonet ring 110 realized on the circumference. Opposite the stop side, the recess 143 over a ramp, slope 144 have which the axial movement of the sleeve in the locking ring pocket 111 supported. As an alternative or in addition, this or both end stops for limiting the movement of the respective end positions can be implemented by other suitable stops.

In the bayonet ring pocket 111 can be geometrically with the interior of the spring element 121 cooperating cathedral 112 be designed with the aim of the inside in a section of the spring element 121 to intervene so that this is guided and / or by a slight force fit in the pocket 111 is fixed.

3 shows the three-dimensional representation of the connector plug 140 with locking system 100 . The bayonet ring 110 the locking system 100 is at the end of the connector plug 140 arranged so that the functional interaction with the plug connector mating connector which can be axially inserted at the end 130 (not shown) is supported. The plug connector contact is made axially centric with a plug contact which is preferably round. In the example shown, the contact is made by means of a lamellar contact socket 141 intended.

4th includes the front view and perspective view of the connector mating connector 130 of the mating connector. This example shows a flange solution; other plug contact housing shapes are also encompassed by the invention. The Z-shaped control link 131 has an axial extension (plug-in direction) of the connector mating connector 130 running inlet and outlet groove 131 ' so that the assigned spring pin 120 in the Z-shaped area of the control link 131 can be moved in and out.

In contrast to conventional bayonet systems, in which the locking and unlocking of a bayonet ring take place in opposite directions of rotation, the plug-in and transfer of the plug-in connector into the mating connector takes place here by an axial plug-in movement. The spring pins dive in the process 120 in their unlocked position in the longer axial groove areas 131 the control backdrop 131 a.

When the connector is fully inserted into the mating connector and an existing signal connector has already detected the joining together, the spring pin becomes 120 Spring-loaded into the lowest area in the height above the step S. with the reference number 133 actuated. Because of the level S. the connector cannot be separated from the mating connector by a simple axial separating movement. It is therefore possible to bring the plug with the mating plug into a locked position without actuating the bayonet.

Now becomes the outer locking ring V actuated in its locked position ("lock"), the respective spring pin 120 no longer rebound. A twisting movement of the bayonet ring 110 in this position is therefore not possible, as to rotate the bayonet ring 110 the spring pins 120 Must be able to rebound radially outwards, so that these along the control linkage the ramp R1 can be operated up to the higher level.

Since, as just explained, it is not possible to separate the connector from the mating connector beforehand, it is necessary to remove the respective spring pin 120 in the to the entry gate E. each parallel axial link section A. to be operated via the two ramps R1 and R2 in that order. To do this, the locking ring V must first be turned back to its unlocked position ("unlock"). Now the spring pins can 120 rebound. Now becomes the bayonet ring 110 rotated so that it is initially inside the groove along the control link 131 the ramp R1 be operated up to the higher level, can be in this intermediate position of the bayonet ring 110 the connector still does not separate from the mating connector, because if there is an axial pull on the connector opposite the mating connector (opposite to the plug direction) the respective spring pin 120 along the axial groove into the intermediate locking position 134 is operated via the second stage S2 which prevents actuation in the opposite direction. This ensures that you can control the backdrop 131 only in one direction with the spring pins 120 can go through.

The control link is used to prevent the connector from being disconnected quickly with the risk of an electric arc in DC applications 131 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction at the intermediate locking position 134 of a stop X limited and experiences a change of direction of about 90 ° compared to the axial plug-in direction.

This means that further separation of the connector from the mating connector is only possible when the bayonet ring 110 is initially rotated further, namely up to the link section E. high over the ramp R2 on the height level in this area. This realizes a two-stage disconnection process, which can be used at the same time that an electrical activation or load disconnection takes place via the signal connector before the connector is completely disconnected.

As previously described, the spring pins 120 operated radially outwards. In this position of the bayonet ring 110 the connector can be pulled axially from the mating connector. The respective spring pin slides 120 in the control backdrop in the backdrop section E. .

The deviating groove depth ranges of the control link 131 are above and with a ramp each 132 connected to each other and designed so that the into the groove 131 engaging spring pin 120 a contact surface is provided at the front. In the spring pin direction of travel of the respective ramp 132 Upstream or downstream groove area represents a latching position 133 , 134 for the spring pin 120 from which the spring pin 120 can only extend if its axial degree of freedom through the open position of the bayonet ring 110 is allowed.

A locking position is preferably an intermediate locking position 134 provided so that a quick disconnection of the connector is prevented. This "compulsory stop" during the process of separating the plug connection serves to avoid arcing effects on plug connections that have not yet been de-energized. When the connector is disconnected, the signal contact 142 initially in this intermediate rest position 134 two switching contacts activated, which cause the system to switch off the voltage. During this time the high current contact must 141 still stuck.

List of reference symbols

100

Locking system for connectors

110

Bayonet ring

111

Pocket, locking ring pocket

112

Dom

120

Spring pin

121

Spring element

122

Sleeve

130

Connector mating connector

131

Control backdrop

131 '

Inlet / outlet groove

132

ramp

133

Locking position

134

Intermediate stop position

140

Connector plug

141

Contact, round contact, lamellar contact socket, high-current contact

142

Signal contact

143

Recess

144

Ramp, slope

145

Hole (for spring pin)

A.

Scenery section

E.

Introduction gate

R1

ramp

R2

ramp

S.

step

S2

second step

V

Locking ring

X

attack

Claims (13)

Plug connection for producing a releasable electrically conductive connection, comprising a plug connector plug (140), a plug connector mating plug (130) and a locking system (100) for connecting and locking the plug connector plug (140) to the plug connector mating plug (130), a primary lock consisting of at least one bayonet ring ( 110) is formed with a rotational degree of freedom, fixed on the connector plug (140) and designed for functional interaction with a control link (131), arranged in a groove on the connector mating connector (130), characterized in that the primary locking is provided by at least one spring pin (120 ), engaging in the control link (131) assigned to the spring pin (120), and the spring pin (120) integrally realizes a secondary locking depending on the bayonet ring position, in that the spring pin (120) within the groove of the respective control link (131) one step ge until it rebounds in a latching position (133, 134) in the control link (131), this position of the spring pin (120) preventing the connector plug (140) from being separated from the connector mating connector (130) against the plugging direction. Plug connection according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the spring pin (120) is arranged with its resilient direction of movement engaging radially in the associated control link (131). Plug connection according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the spring pin (120) interacts functionally with a spring element (121) so that the radial engagement in the associated Control link (131) takes place in a spring-preloaded manner as a function of the bayonet ring position. Plug connection according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the control link (131) of the corresponding plug connector mating connector (130) has at least two groove depths that differ from one another, the transition between which is formed by a ramp (132). Plug connection according to Claim 4 , characterized in that a groove area adjacent to a ramp (132) is designed as a latching position (133). Plug connection according to Claim 5 , characterized in that a latching position (133) is designed as an intermediate latching position (134). Plug connection according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the control link (131) of the corresponding connector mating connector (130) has a Z-shaped section and is supplemented by at least one inlet / outlet groove (131 '). Plug connection according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the bayonet ring (110) can be moved between two positions, which are preferably end positions, one position representing an unlocking state and one position representing a locking state of the locking system (100). Plug connection according to Claim 4 and 8th , characterized in that the spring pin (120) in the unlocking position of the bayonet ring (110) has a degree of freedom in its axial direction and is partially displaceable radially to the connector plug (140) into a pocket (111) of the bayonet ring (110), so that the spring pin ( 120) in the control link (131) can be moved over its depth levels. Plug connection according to Claim 6 and 8th , characterized in that the spring pin (120) in the unlocking position of the bayonet ring (110) has a degree of freedom in its axial direction and is partially displaceable radially to the connector plug (140) into a pocket (111) of the bayonet ring (110), so that the spring pin ( 120) in the control link (131) can be moved into and over an intermediate locking position (134). Plug connection according to Claim 6 and 7th , characterized in that the intermediate locking position (134) is arranged in the central area of the Z-shaped course of the control link (131). Plug connection according to Claim 5 and 8th , characterized in that the spring pin (120) is fixed in the locking position of the bayonet ring (110) in its axial direction, so that the spring pin (120) in the control link (131) remains in a detent position (133), so that the secondary locking is an integral part of the Primary lock is. Plug connection according to one of the Claims 6 , 10 or 11 , characterized in that the connector plug (140) can only be separated from the connector mating connector (130) if the spring pin (120) can spring in with its spring pin end from a locking position and along the control link (131) via the intermediate latching position (134) via a Ramp slope is moved to a higher gate section in order to then be guided by axial pull on the connector plug (140) opposite the connector mating connector (130) in its spring-loaded state within a linear (shorter) gate section, which enables the connector to be separated from the mating connector.

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