DE19816418C2 - Screwless plug-in unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A round plug, which can be connected to a flexible cable, comprises two housing parts (1, 2), contact elements (5) arranged therein, a holding plate (15) and a strain relief (24-29). The contact elements (5) have screwless wire clamping devices with a bow spring (8), spring legs (8a) and window opening (11). The holding plate (15) has chambers (14) for receiving the wire clamping devices as well as first and second access openings (16, 17), the first access openings (16) for actuating the bow spring (8) by opening the respective window (11) and the second access openings (17) for introducing the relevant line wires (40) into the respectively open windows (11) when the device is open. The second housing part (2) is locked with the first housing part (1). The strain relief device (24, 25, 26, 29) is effective when it is locked.

Description

The invention relates to a screwless plug-in unit which is connected to a flexible line can be connected. Such connectors should comply with the standards IEC 60309-1 / DIN EN 60309-1 and IEC 60309-2 / DIN EN 60309-2 are sufficient.

Plug devices of this type are known in essential for industrial use in rooms or in Free uses, the above being international Standards Plug devices with a nominal operating voltage up to 690 V direct or alternating current, a frequency up to 500 Hz and rated currents up to 250 A.

Such connectors are used for connection a flexible line to a facility or a Fixed installation or for connecting two flexible ones Cables. For this purpose, each plug device comprises two Plug-in units, at least one plug-in unit, namely a plug or a connector to a flexible cable can be connected. The plug is the plug-in unit, which is connected to the flexible line. The coupling is the plug-in unit that is connected to a power source becomes.

These plug-in units, i.e. H. the plug and the Coupling, have a housing in which terminals are arranged for the line to be connected.

Reconnectable plug devices must be used be provided with terminals, the connection so far was accomplished by means of screws. Furthermore, the a flexible cable connectable plugs and couplings have a strain relief device so that the Terminals connected line wires from the train and the Rotation on the connection terminals are relieved.  

Plug devices usually consist of two parts, the housing part (which is shown in DE 87 02 728 U2) and the contact carrier part, which with plug screws together be screwed.

All plug-in units available today described type is common that the individual, for one necessary operation of the connectors or couplings Components at least partially using screws must be installed, in particular the respective Contact carrier part is screwed to the housing. Of The disadvantage here is that when using screws additional, varied, in international standards Regulations reproduced according to IEC 60309-1 / DIN EN 60309-1 and IEC 60309-2 / DIN EN 60309-2 must be observed. Furthermore, with the use of Screws a time-consuming and therefore also cost-intensive assembly or disassembly of the individual plugs or couplings connected.

Screwless wire clamping devices according to feature b) of claim 1 are known per se (DE 94 15 076 U1, EP 0 632 529 A2, DE 195 04 092 A1, DE 34 18 536 A1). Here but it is a connector strips with several contact elements arranged one behind the other. This Power strips have a relatively open design and do not need in a compact design in a round plug to be accommodated.

A holding plate according to feature c), albeit in rectangular design, is from DE 34 18 536 A1 known.

The accommodation of spring clips in one tubular housing is known from DE 88 07 156 U1. The Spring clips are in plastic housings with right angle Outer contour arranged side by side. This right angle Plastic housing has no holding plate. The  tubular housing is not near this right-angled plastic case divided and there over a Locking device connected to each other.

Circular plugs are from DE 44 01 245 C1 and DE 90 15 056 U1 known. The housings consist of several Housing parts, however, are not along one Detent shared, which is the opening of the housing parts allows access to a holding plate and the Actuators for housed therein To grant wire clamping devices.

DE 39 18 548 A1 describes a socket for Motor vehicle trailers that have a first and a second Housing part, also a contact carrier and a Holding plate to the contact elements captive hold. The wire connection ends are in the contact elements inserted and are possibly screwed into it clamped. The first and the second housing part are over Screws connected to each other and to the body fixed.

The invention has for its object a improved plug-in unit of the type specified at the outset to provide, in which a standardized assembly of the Plug or the coupling essentially without the use of screws is guaranteed to be more efficient Assembly of the plug or the coupling to reach.

The object of the invention is achieved resulting from the combination of the features of claim 1. Advantageous and preferred configurations are in the Subclaims listed.

The new, connectable to a flexible line Plug-in unit comes with an inner, essentially cylindrical contact carrier for receiving contact elements provided against which a line wire to be clamped  is pressed. These are screwless Wire clamping devices provided here as a bow spring are designated and each have a window opening, into which the wire end to be clamped is inserted. The Connection end of the respective contact element is in one Chamber housed a holding plate.

The holding plate has two types of access openings on, once around the respective bow spring z. B. with a Tool or a slider to compress it Keep the window open and the other end of the Wires in the respective window opening of the bow spring to slide in. The thicker the wire end, the larger the clamping force of the bow spring. The clamping force thus adapts automatically shows the cross-section of the wire. The clamping edge of the The wire opening can be adapted to a flat Ensure installation of the wire.

The plug-in unit comprises a first housing part and a second housing part by a locking device are connectable to each other and so a surrounding housing form. It has been advantageous here on Front clip arranged locking clip proved that for loosening the two housing parts using a tool is compressible. The contact carrier and the first housing part is formed from one piece. The The holding plate can be locked to the contact carrier.

A preferred embodiment of the invention Plug unit provides that the second housing part Has cable entry end with an internal thread and an adjoining collar with a annular inclined surface is formed. At this Sloping surface is a flexible chuck with passage for arranged the line to be connected, one in the Female thread, screwable toggle nut, the clamping chuck  assembled line in such a way in contact with the inclined surface presses that passed through the cable entry end Line is clamped. This is an advantage if that Cable entry end additionally a safety device which has an unintentional loosening of the gag nut prevented.

The line entry end expediently comprises also a cable entry seal, which on the collar as circumferential lip is molded and an expandable Feed-through opening forms around the inside of the Surrounding housing arranged parts against to protect penetrating splash water.

The invention is described below with reference to the drawings described. Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a clutch

Fig. 2 shows a contact element with a bow spring as a clamp, and

Fig. 3 shows a modified coupling in longitudinal section.

In Fig. 1 is a clutch which can be connected to a current source connected to a flexible line as a the international standards IEC 60309-1 / IEC 60309-2 and DIN EN 60309-1 / DIN EN 60309-2 enough embodiment of the Invention shown. The coupling has a two-part housing, consisting of a first housing part 1 and a second housing part 2 , each with a connecting end 1 a or 2 a for mutual connection. The housing part 1 further comprises a coupling end 1 b for plugging together with a complementary plug-in unit and a hinged cover 3 . The second housing part 2 has a cable insertion end 2 b for inserting a flexible cable.

The housing part 1 is essentially cylindrical and made by injection molding. In its interior, a contact carrier 4 is provided, which has individual contact chambers 6 to receive contact elements 5 , here contact sockets 5 a, 5 b. The contact socket 5 a forms an extended protective conductor contact, and the contact socket 5 b forms a phase contact. Even if only two contact elements are visible due to the sectional view, depending on the type of plug device, the contact carrier 4 is designed to accommodate either two phase contacts and one protective conductor contact, three phase contacts and one protective conductor contact, or three phase contacts, one neutral conductor contact and one protective conductor contact. It is also possible to design the contact carrier in addition to accepting a pilot contact.

The contact elements 5 are produced in a known manner, with chip-free production as a stamped and bent part with better contact alloys being preferred.

In the case of a plug, the contact carrier 4 is designed to receive contact pins as contact elements.

The contact elements 5 are for connecting a wire (40 in Fig. 3) of a flexible pipe, respectively an integrally formed on the contact elements contact plate 7, to which the respective lead wire 40 is connected by means of a spring clamp as described below.

2 as seen in the enlarged sectional view of the Fig., The spring clip made of sheet metal is formed substantially as a loop-shaped fastening spring 8 which abuts with a first leg 9 at the contact plate 7. A clamping plate 10 connected to the first leg 9 via a second spring leg 8 a surrounds the first leg 9 and the contact plate 7 with a window opening 11 formed on the clamping plate 10 , which has a clamping edge 12 and a free edge 13 . Due to the tension spring force of the bow spring 8 , the clamping edge 12 is pulled against the contact plate 7 , so that the spring clip is arranged as a non-positive, self-supporting component on the contact plate 7 .

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the contact plates 7 with the spring clips arranged thereon are each insulated in individual chambers 14 of a holding plate 15 , which closes the contact carrier 4 at the top in FIG. 1 and can be locked with it. The protective conductor to be connected projects beyond the phase conductor in order to implement a safety aspect.

The holding plate is provided with first access openings 16 in order to insert a depressing tool, for example a screwdriver, into the chambers 14 of the holding plate 15 and to compress the respective bow spring 8 in such a way that the clamping edge 12 moves away from the contact plate 7 . Through further second access openings 17 formed in the holding housing 15 , the respective line wires to be connected can then be inserted through the window openings 11 into the space between the contact plate 7 and the clamping edge 12 . After insertion of the line wire, the tool is removed again, the clamping edge 12 pressing due to the tension spring force of the bow spring 8 against the inserted line wire 40 and clamping it between the clamping edge 12 and the contact plate 7 .

In order in particular stronger when inserting cable cores, which require increased tension spring of the hoop spring 8, a defined seating of the spring clip to ensure, the contact plate 7 has an angled end portion 7 b, of the first leg 9 of the spring clip engages over from one side.

Furthermore, at least one support leg 18 , preferably integrally formed thereon, is arranged on the contact plate 7 , which extends in the opposite direction to the spring clip and supports the retaining plate 15 when the bow spring 8 is compressed. The support leg 18 is disposed on the side of the contact plate so as not to obstruct the to be clamped cable core, and has an upper edge on which the clamping plate 10 rests partially, thereby slipping out of the defined seat b in connection with the end portion 7 substantially completely is excluded.

The first housing part 1 also has an annular groove 19 at the connection end 1 a, which is used to receive a locking clip ring 20 . The locking clip ring 20 represents a clasp which can be compressed against its spring force to form a closed ring in order to assume a smaller diameter.

In order to connect the first housing part 1 to the second housing part 2 , the second housing part 2, with its connecting end 2 a according to FIG. 1, is slipped over the locking clip ring 20 from above. In order to facilitate the compression of the locking clip ring 20 , it is formed with a circumferential inclined edge 21 . The connecting end 2a of the second housing part 2 has for latching a peripheral undercut 22, into which the locking clip ring 20 engages after the pulling over of the line upper portion 2, that is, when the locking clip ring 20 is not compressed, it assumes its original clip form back and connects the Front housing part 1 and the housing part 2 with each other.

For releasable locking of the two housing parts 1 , 2 , the locking clip ring 20 can have, for example in its open position, an outward extension which is located on a defined area of the undercut 22 provided with an access opening, so that the locking clip ring 20 by means of a Tool can be compressed from the outside through this access opening. A circumferential sealing ring is then expediently arranged at point 23 in the event of an increased degree of protection of the plug-in unit.

The cable entry end 2 b of the second housing part 2 is formed with an internal thread 24 for screwing in a toggle nut 25 . The thread 24 is adjoined by a collar 26 , which is formed in one piece at the cable insertion end 2 b and has a through opening 27 and is essentially in the form of an ring. The collar 26 , with its side facing the internal thread 24 , has an inclined surface 28 on which the internal diameter defined by the internal thread 24 tapers conically. The inclined surface 28 serves as a contact surface for a clamping chuck 29 which can be inserted between the inclined surface 28 and the toggle nut 25 .

A particularly suitable clamping chuck 29 is one which, as shown, has flexible webs 31 which extend from a ring insert 30 and which, when the toggle nut 25 is screwed in, press against the inclined surface 28 and are pushed inward as a result of the inclined surface 28 . A line guided by the toggle nut 25 , the clamping chuck 29 and the line insertion end 2 b can be clamped and easily fixed in this way. In order to prevent inadvertent loosening of the gag nut 25 and thus a release of the inserted line, in particular when using thermoplastic plastics, a securing device 34 for the gag nut 23 is provided at the line insertion end 2 b.

For this purpose, for example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a ratchet ring 34 at the cable entry end 2 b. In order to prevent self-loosening of the gag nut, the gag nut is designed with tongues 35 which come into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet ring when the gag nut 25 is screwed in. The tongues 35 are designed sufficiently stiff that the ring gear of the ratchet ring 34 blocks the direction of rotation for unscrewing the gag nut 25 against self-loosening, but is flexible enough to unscrew the gag nut 25 under the action of force.

However, the use of non-metric threads is also suitable, in which the flanks of the internal thread 24 and the external thread of the toggle nut 25 lying on top of one another are formed radially to the axis of the toggle nut 25 . When the gag nut 25 is firmly screwed in, this results in a high coefficient of friction which protects the gag nut against self-loosening.

On the side of the collar 26 facing away from the inclined surface 28, a line entry seal 32 made of a rubber-elastic material is arranged for sufficient protection against water or dust penetrating into the interior of the surrounding housing. This cable entry seal 32 is molded onto the collar 26 of the cable entry end 2 b and forms a universal seal for the cable diameter specified in the standards. For anchoring purposes of the seal, the collar 26 has pouring channels 33 , in which parts of the seal 32 are anchored during their manufacture.

For assembly of the plug-in unit according to the invention, the contact elements 5 with the spring clips attached to them are first inserted into the receiving chambers 6 provided for this purpose of the contact carrier 4 , which is then locked with the holding plate 15 by latching. The line to be connected to the contact elements 5 is guided through the toggle nut 25 , the clamping chuck 29 and the line insertion end 2 b, so that the ends of the line wires are freely movable in the interior of the second housing part 2 . These line wires are then, as previously described, clamped to the contact plates 7 of the contact elements 5 by means of the spring clips. Then the connecting end 2 a of the second housing part 2 is slipped over the locking clip ring 20 and locked with the housing part 1 .

Finally, the inserted line is clamped with the toggle nut 25 and the clamping chuck 29 . The plug-in unit can thus be assembled without the use of screws, which saves time, particularly when assembling or disassembling.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a coupling which largely corresponds to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, with the exception of the design of the holding plate 15 . The first access opening 16 is formed slightly wider and as a guide to include a locking slide 36 which has a recess 37 in which the spring leg 8a of the bow spring finds space 8. The locking slide 36 has the function of the depressing tool, as discussed in connection with FIG. 1, and has two locking positions, which are determined by stops 38 and 39 , respectively. In the depressed position shown on the left in FIG. 3, the bow spring 8 is compressed and the window opening 11 is opened wide so that the wire 40 can be easily pushed in between the clamping edge 12 and the contact plate 7 . The release position of the bow spring 8 is shown on the right in FIG. 3, the clamping edge 12 pressing the wire 40 against the contact plate 7 and thus establishing the electrical connection to the contact element 5 .

The two positions of the locking slide 36 shown in Fig. 3 can with an elongated object, for. B. screwdriver. The contact elements 5 each have a longitudinal channel, via which access to the underside of the slide 36 is gained in order to push it up and thus open the spring clip (left position in FIG. 3). By acting on the stop 38, for example by means of a screwdriver, the second position of the locking slide 36 is obtained, as shown on the right in FIG. 3. In this the bow spring 8 can close the window 11 with the wire 40 being clamped in between.

The embodiment according to FIG. 3 has the advantage that the detent positions assumed in each case are retained.

The connector can thus be supplied with the windows 11 of the spring clips open, after which the cable is connected by pushing the free ends of the wires 40 into the corresponding open windows and moving the locking slide 36 into the lower position (on the right in FIG. 3) .

Reference list

1

Front part of the housing

1

a connection end

1

b plug end

2nd

Cable entry part

2nd

a connection end

2nd

b Cable entry end

3rd

cover

4th

Contact carrier

5

a,

5

b contact elements

6

Reception chamber

7

Contact plate

7

b end section

8th

Clamp, bow spring

9

leg

10th

Clamping plate

11

Window opening

12th

Operating margin

13

free margin

14

chamber

15

Retaining plate

16

,

17th

Access opening

18th

Support leg

19th

Groove

20th

Snap ring

21

Bevel edge

22

Undercut

23

Sealing point

24th

inner thread

25th

Gag nut

26

collar

27

Through opening

28

Sloping surface

29

Chuck

30th

Ring insert

31

Rag

32

Cable entry seal

33

channels

34

Security device

35

Tongues

36

Locking slide

37

Recess

38

attack

39

attack

40

Vein

Claims (14)

1. Screwless plug-in unit that can be connected to a flexible cable with the following features:

• a) a first housing part ( 1 ) which receives an essentially cylindrical contact carrier ( 4 ) which has receiving chambers ( 6 ) for contact elements ( 5 ) arranged in a circle;
• b) the contact elements (5) have wire clamping devices, which are screwless and each is a bow spring (8) with spring arms (8 a) and the window opening (11) comprising, around an associated cable wire (40) between parts (7, 10) of the contact element ( 5 ) and the clip spring ( 8 ) to clamp;
• c) a holding plate ( 15 ) has chambers ( 14 ) for receiving the wire clamping devices and first and second access openings ( 16 , 17 ), the first access openings ( 16 ) for actuating the bow spring ( 8 ) when the respective windows ( 11 ) are opened and the second access openings ( 17 ) are arranged for introducing the relevant line wires ( 40 ) into the respectively open windows ( 11 );
• d) a second housing part ( 2 ), which has a cable insertion end ( 2 b) and a connecting end ( 2 a) for connecting to the first housing part ( 1 ), with a latching device ( 19-22 ) between the connecting end ( 1 a) of the first Housing part ( 1 ) and connecting end ( 2 a) of the second housing part is arranged so that when the second housing part ( 2 ) is in a separate position, the access openings ( 16 , 17 ) of the holding plate ( 15 ) are accessible, while when the housing parts ( 1 , 2 ) the interior enclosed by the housing parts is closed;
• e) a strain relief device ( 24 , 25 , 26 , 29 ), which is accommodated in the second housing part ( 2 ), has a released position and a clamping position, the second housing part ( 2 ) being separated from the first housing part ( 1 ) in the released position arranged separately (moved away) and the wire ends ( 40 ) can be fixed to the wire clamping devices of the contact elements ( 5 ), while in the connecting position of the first and second housing parts ( 1 , 2 ) the clamping position of the strain relief device can be brought about.

2. Plug-in unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective first access openings ( 16 ) for compressing the respective bow spring ( 8 ) house a latching slide ( 36 ) which has a latching position for compressing the bow spring ( 8 ) and a latching position for releasing the bow spring ( 8 ). 3. plug-in unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking slide (36) has a recess (37) in which the spring leg (8 a) of the bow spring finds (8) space when the bow spring is released. 4. Plug-in unit according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the locking slide ( 36 ) has stops ( 38 , 39 ) to define its locking positions for compressing and for releasing the bow spring. 5. Plug-in unit according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the part ( 7 ) of the contact element ( 5 ), on which the line wire ( 40 ) is clamped, is designed as a contact plate ( 7 ) on which a support device ( 18th ) is arranged, which extends to the side of the second access opening ( 17 ), opposite to the bow spring ( 8 ). 6. Plug-in unit according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the chambers ( 14 ) of the holding plate ( 15 ) are arranged in one plane, except for a chamber which houses a protective conductor contact ( 5 a), which is opposite the other contacts ( 5 b) is arranged closer to the strain relief device ( 24 , 25 , 26 , 29 ). 7. Plug-in unit according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the first housing part ( 1 ) and the second housing part ( 2 ) together form a surrounding housing, the latching device ( 19 to 22 ) being arranged such that the holding plate ( 15 ) comes to lie within the second housing part ( 2 ). 8. Plug-in unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the latching device ( 19 to 21 ) comprises a latching clip ring ( 20 ). 9. Plug unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the contact carrier ( 4 ) and the first housing part ( 1 ) are formed from one piece. 10. Plug unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding plate ( 15 ) with the contact carrier ( 4 ) can be locked. 11. Plug-in unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
that the cable entry end ( 2 b) of the second housing part ( 2 ) is formed with an internal thread ( 24 ) and an adjoining collar ( 26 ) with an annular inclined surface ( 28 ) to form the strain relief device,
that in the cable entry end ( 2 b) on the inclined surface ( 28 ) sits a flexible clamping chuck ( 29 ) with passage for the line to be connected, and
that a toggle nut ( 25 ) which can be screwed into the internal thread ( 24 ) presses the clamping chuck ( 29 ) into the inclined surface ( 28 ) when the line is installed,
that the lead through the cable entry end ( 2 b) is clamped. 12. Plug-in unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the cable entry end ( 2 b) has a securing device ( 34 ) to prevent unintentional loosening of the gag nut ( 25 ). 13. Plug unit according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that on the collar ( 26 ) of the cable entry end ( 2 b) a cable entry seal ( 32 ) is attached, the parts arranged inside the housing parts sufficiently against penetrating media, in particular when the line is inserted protects against dust, dirt and / or splash water. 14. Plug unit according to claim 13, characterized in that the cable entry seal ( 32 ) on the collar ( 26 ) is injection molded.