DE102019116146A1 - Self-locking locking bracket for a connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking bracket (1, 1 ') which can be pivoted on pivot pins (6) formed on both sides of a first connector housing (7), the locking bracket (1, 1') via pivot pins formed on a second connector housing (9) (8) can be overlapped so that the two connector housings (7, 9) can be pressed against one another on the plug-in side and the connector housings (7, 9) assume a locked state, the locking bracket (1, 1 ') having a locking means with which the locking bracket (1, 1 ') is blocked in the locked state, the locking means being a latching tab (10) with which the locking bracket (1, 1') can be reversibly latched to one of the two connector housings (7, 9).

Description

The invention is based on a locking bracket for a connector according to the preamble of independent claim 1. The invention also relates to a system comprising a first connector housing and a second connector housing plugged therewith and such a locking bracket.

Such locking brackets are used for the reversible locking of two plugged connectors or connector housings.

State of the art

The DE 10 2017 121 868 B3 shows a U-shaped locking bracket for reversible locking of a plug connection of two plugged connectors. In order to ensure that the plug-in connection is opened accidentally, the locking bracket has a pivotable locking device.

It has been found that such a pivotable locking means can interfere with the pivoting movement of the locking bracket. In addition, the manufacturing costs of such a locking bracket are very high.

Task

The object of the invention is to generate a locking bracket that is easy and safe to use and at the same time can be manufactured inexpensively.

The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

Disclosure of the invention

The locking device consists essentially of a transverse leg and U-legs formed thereon and protruding approximately perpendicularly therefrom, the locking bracket having a U-shaped cross section. The U-legs each have a bearing mount. As a rule, the bearing receptacle is designed as a circular opening or circular recess. The bearing receptacle engages over a matching bearing journal of a connector housing. The locking device can be pivotably mounted on a first connector housing through the bearing receptacle. The locking bracket according to the invention can accordingly be pivoted on both sides on bearing journals formed on a first connector housing.

The U-legs of the locking bracket each have locking receptacles which, via a pivoting movement of the locking bracket, grip via bearing journals formed on a second connector housing. As a result, the two connector housings are pressed against one another on the plug-in side and assume a locked state.

The locking bracket has a locking means with which the locking bracket is blocked in its pivoting movement in the locked state. According to the invention, the locking means is designed as a locking tab with which the locking bracket can be reversibly locked on one of the two connector housings.

The locking bracket is U-shaped and has a transverse leg and two U-legs protruding therefrom. The latching tab, with which the locking bracket can be blocked in the closed state, is preferably arranged and / or molded onto the transverse leg. It is particularly advantageous if the locking tab is arranged and / or molded on the inside of the transverse leg. With the inside it is meant that the tab is arranged and / or formed on the side of the transverse leg that is directed towards the connector housing. As a result, the locking tab is protected or covered by the cross leg and cannot easily break off. This also prevents unwanted opening. The locking tab can, for example, be released using a screwdriver and the locking bracket can be released again.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the locking bracket is made of plastic. The locking bracket can thus be manufactured inexpensively in an injection molding process.

The locking bracket advantageously has lateral shields which, in the locked state, cover both the bearing journals of the first connector housing and the bearing journals of the second connector housing. Such shields protect the bearing journals of the connector housing and in particular the swivel mount of the locking bracket from contamination. In addition, the side shields give the locking bracket additional mechanical stability. This makes the locking bracket particularly durable.

The locking tab is essentially a flat one, slightly detached from the transverse leg bent away part formed. The latching tab is only fixed or molded onto the transverse leg at one end. The other end of the latching tab protrudes at an angle away from the cross leg so that it can swing freely. The latching tab is thus arranged and / or molded on the locking bracket so that it can swing. During the locking process, the locking tab snaps over an edge of the first or second connector housing. As a result, the latching tab is excited to oscillate, the frequency of which lies in a frequency band that can be perceived by the human ear. This means that the locking process can be heard audibly. A user of the locking device according to the invention can thereby easily perceive a successful locking process. Similarly, the unlocking process is also designed to be acoustically perceptible through an oscillation of the locking tab.

The fixing of the locking bracket in the closed situation works as long as the tab can apply a counter torque to the opening moment. As a result, a so-called line of force, which is an imaginary extension of the bracket, must be far enough away from the pivot point.

Figure list

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Verriegelungsbügels,
• 2 eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des Verriegelungsbügels,
• 3 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Verriegelungsbügels,
• 4 eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels des Verriegelungsbügels,
• 5 eine Seitenansicht zweier Steckverbindergehäuse, die mit dem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel des Verriegelungsbügels miteinander verriegelt sind,
• 6 eine Seitenansicht zweier Steckverbindergehäuse, die mit dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel des Verriegelungsbügels miteinander verriegelt sind und
• 7 eine vergrößerte Schnittdarstellung des Verriegelungsbügels nebst Steckverbindergehäusen im Bereich der Rastlasche, stellvertretend für alle Ausführungsformen.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a locking bracket according to the invention,
• 2 another perspective view of the first embodiment of the locking bracket,
• 3 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a locking bracket according to the invention,
• 4th another perspective view of the second embodiment of the locking bracket,
• 5 a side view of two connector housings that are locked to one another with the first embodiment of the locking bracket,
• 6th a side view of two connector housings, which are locked with the second embodiment of the locking bracket and
• 7th an enlarged sectional view of the locking clip together with connector housings in the area of the latching tab, representative of all embodiments.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for identical, but possibly not identical elements. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

The 1 shows a first embodiment of a locking bracket according to the invention 1 . The locking bracket shown here 1 consists of a metal sheet and is manufactured in a stamping and bending process.

The locking bracket 1 has a U-shaped cross section and has a transverse leg 2 and two U-legs protruding approximately vertically from it 3 on. The U-legs 3 each have a bearing receptacle 4th on, which is designed as a substantially round opening in the sheet metal. The camp recordings 4th overlap the bearing journals 6th a first connector housing 7th and can be swiveled over it on the first connector housing 7th stored. The first connector housing 7th can via a screw connection 15th for example, be attached to a device wall.

The U-legs 3 of the locking bracket 1 have locking receptacles 5 on, which in this embodiment are designed as semicircular, open receptacles. With a pivoting movement into a closed position, the locking receptacles 5 via journal 8th a second connector housing 9 guided. In the locked state, the locking receptacles overlap 5 the U-leg 3 the bearing journals 8th of the second connector housing 9 . The U-legs 3 are designed so that the connector housing 7th , 9 are resiliently pressed against each other with a certain force in the closed state. The second connector 9 has a strain relief element 14th for a cable (not shown) to be connected.

In 6th are two connector housings 7th , 9 to see, which are locked in the inserted state with a second embodiment of a locking bracket 1 '. The locking bracket 1 'is made of plastic. The locking bracket 1 'has its U-legs 3 side shields 12 , 12 'on. These shields 12 , 12 'cover the bearing mounts 6th , 8th the respective connector 7th , 8th which are thereby protected in particular from contamination. The camp recordings 4th are designed here as cylindrical openings. The locking receptacles 5 each have sloping leading edges 13th on, which represent a mechanical guide during the pivoting movement and thus make the locking process easier.

The functioning of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments is the same in both cases. In the Swivel movement of the locking bracket 1 '1' in the closed position is the latch 10 over an edge 11 of the first connector housing 7th guided and set in vibration. The vibrations cover a frequency band in the audible range. When closed, the latch latches 10 behind or on the edge 11 and thus locks the locking bracket 1 '1' in its closed state.

Even if various aspects or features of the invention are each shown in combination in the figures, it is clear to the person skilled in the art - unless otherwise stated - that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different exemplary embodiments can be exchanged with one another.

List of reference symbols

1

Locking bracket

2

Transverse leg

3

U-leg

4th

Inventory

5

Locking receptacle

6th

Journal

7th

First connector housing

8th

Journal

9

Second connector housing

10

Locking tab

11

Edge

12

sign

13

Leading edge

14th

Strain relief element

15th

Screw connection

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102017121868 B3 [0003]

Claims (8)

Locking bracket (1, 1 ') which can be pivoted on bearing journals (6) formed on both sides of a first connector housing (7), the two connector housings (7, 9) being pressable against one another on the plug-in side via the locking bracket (1, 1') and assume a mutually locked state, the locking bracket (1, 1 ') having a locking means with which the locking bracket (1, 1') is blocked in the locked state, characterized in that the locking means is a latching tab (10), with which the locking bracket (1, 1 ') can be reversibly latched to one of the two connector housings (7, 9). Locking bracket after Claim 1 characterized in that the locking bracket (1, 1 ') is U-shaped and has a transverse leg (2) and two U-legs (3) protruding therefrom and that the latching tab (10) is arranged on the transverse leg (2) and / or is molded. Locking bracket according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the latching tab (10) is arranged and / or formed on the inside of the transverse leg (2). Locking bracket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking bracket (1 ') consists of plastic. Locking bracket according to one of the preceding Claims 1 - 3 characterized in that the locking bracket (1) consists of a metal sheet. Locking bracket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking bracket (1, 1 ') has lateral shields (12, 12') which, in the locked state, both the bearing pins (6) of the first connector housing (7) and the bearing pins (8 ) of the second connector housing (9). Locking bracket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching tab (10) is arranged and / or molded on the locking bracket (1, 1 ') so that it can swing, so that a latching process can be heard. System comprising a first connector housing (7) and a second connector housing (9) plugged therewith and a locking bracket (1, 1 ') according to one of the preceding claims.

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