DE202011000739U1 - Connector assembly for electrical conductors - Google Patents

Abstract

Plug connection arrangement (1) for electrical conductors, with: a) a plug (2) with at least one tunnel (11); b) a socket (3) with at least one latching tongue (6); c) wherein the at least one latching tongue (6) with the at least one tunnel (11) of the plug (2) is provided for a latching interaction when the plug-in connection arrangement (1) is plugged together, characterized by d) at least one on the plug (2) ) attached cover section (13), which forms a protection of the at least one locking tongue (6) in the state of the locking interaction against manual action and actuation by a tool.

Description

The invention relates to a connector assembly for electrical conductors according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such connector assemblies are used in different applications, such as for the connection of photovoltaic systems.

The document WO 2009/076917 describes a connector for photovoltaic cable sets.

A continuously increasing demand results in the demand for small number of parts, quick assembly and simple and safe handling.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved, safely manageable connector assembly.

The object is achieved by a connector assembly with the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, a connector assembly for electrical conductors comprises a plug with at least one tunnel; a socket with at least one latching tongue, wherein the at least one latching tongue is provided with the at least one tunnel of the plug for a latching interaction in a mated state of the connector assembly. The connector assembly is characterized by at least one attached to the plug cover portion which forms a protection of at least one latching tongue in the state of latching interaction against manual action and actuation by a tool.

Thus, a secure protection against unintentional unlocking while low number of parts and easy handling is possible.

In one embodiment, the at least one cover portion is formed so that it covers the at least one latching tongue of the socket at least partially in the assembled state of the connector assembly, in the direction of the at least one latching tongue is resistant to deformation and in the opposite direction to yield. As a result, protection against unintentional and / or non-professional operation and at the same time an operation only with a corresponding tool possible. Due to the flexibility in a movement away from the catch tongue, the cover portion can not be used as a lever holder for improper tools such. B. screwdrivers serve.

In another embodiment, the at least one tunnel of the plug opens in a plug-in direction in a receptacle section of the plug which is open on both sides, whereby a material saving is possible.

It is further provided that the receiving portion of the plug in the insertion direction of a tunnel section with the at least one tunnel and a holder of the at least one cover portion is limited. In addition, the receiving portion of the plug is bounded perpendicular to the direction of insertion of a plug housing of the plug and the at least one cover portion. This results in a compact construction.

In a further embodiment, the tunnel section has a slope, which extends from the top of the tunnel section downwards in the direction of the receiving section to an upper edge of the at least one tunnel. Thus, the introduction of an improper tool is prevented by being guided by the slope so that it emerges through the laterally open receiving portion and does not actuate the locking tongues.

It is provided in a still werteren execution that one end of the at least one cover portion is firmly connected via the holder to the plug, the at least one cover portion tapers to the other end in opposite directions to the insertion direction and the other end close to the slope or they partially is arranged overlapping. By a fixed arrangement of the one end on the holder on the plug a one-piece production is possible. If the other end is arranged so as to partially cover the slope, it can not be pressed down on the latching tongue for its operation.

In yet another embodiment, an actuating portion of a tool for unlocking the connector assembly in mated condition in cooperation with the bevel exerts a compressive force parallel to the mating direction on the at least one cover portion for moving it away from the detent tongue to release actuation of the at least one detent tongue by the tool out. Here, the tool is suitably designed to operate the locking tongues so that an operation, d. H. unlocking the mated connector assembly is easily, easily and without damage carried out the same.

In a further embodiment, the cover portion is a partial section of a circular cylindrical shell whose longitudinal axis is arranged parallel to the direction of insertion. This results in another compact design.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereby show:

1 a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a connector assembly according to the invention prior to mating;

2 a schematic perspective view of the embodiment according to 1 in a mated condition; and

3 - 4 schematic perspective views of the embodiment according to 1 when unlocking with a tool.

1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a connector assembly according to the invention 1 before a mating.

The connector assembly 1 includes a plug 2 and a socket 3 , It is used for electrical connection of electrical conductors (not shown), each to the plug 2 and the socket 3 are connected. The socket 3 is in a plug-in direction 4 in the plug 2 plugged in and pulled out again in the opposite direction. In a plug-in operation and in a mated state of plug 2 and socket 3 runs the plug-in direction 4 in the longitudinal axis of plug 2 and socket 3 ,

The socket 3 has a female housing 5 on, in which on one side a contact element 8th in the longitudinal direction of the socket 3 is arranged protruding and on the other side, an electrical conductor is connected. Furthermore, there are two locking tongues 6 each with a catch 7 parallel to the contact element 8th and diametrically opposed to each other at the female housing 5 mounted on the side on which the contact element 8th protrudes.

The one ends of the locking tongues 6 are on the socket housing 5 appropriate. Their other ends each carry a catch 7 and are slightly bent outwards. Every catch 7 has a slope, which from the front free end to the socket housing 5 towards an edge increases substantially perpendicular to the latching tongue 6 stands.

The plugs 2 has a connector housing 9 in which an unillustrated plug element for receiving the contact element 8th the socket 3 is arranged. The connector housing 9 is like the socket housing 5 on one side (in 1 left) for connecting an electrical conductor and on the other side for receiving the contact element 8th the socket 3 educated.

In this embodiment, the connector housing 9 in one direction (in 1 in the drawing plane) perpendicular to the plug-in direction 4 provided with a height which is greater than its width transverse thereto. The connector housing 9 also has two flat side surfaces. At the to the socket 3 facing side is the connector housing 9 with diametrically arranged tunnel sections 11 each with a tunnel 11 Mistake. The tunnels 11 run in the longitudinal direction of the plug 2 , ie parallel to the direction of insertion 4 , The tunnel sections 10 are rounded at their opposite surfaces. The tunnels 11 each have a length which corresponds to the respective length of the locking tongues 6 the socket 3 corresponds.

The tunnels 11 each lead in the plugging direction 4 in a receiving section 18 of the connector housing 9 , The recording sections 18 are between the tunnel sections 10 and keepers 14 of deck sections 13 arranged and laterally in the longitudinal direction of the plug housing 9 open. At the receiving sections 18 are the tunnel sections 10 each with a slope 12 provided, which from the top of the tunnel sections 10 down towards the receiving sections 18 to the top of the tunnel 11 runs.

The at the holders 14 attached deck sections 13 also have outer curves such as the tunnel sections 10 on. These outer curves can z. B. partial surfaces of cylinder jackets whose longitudinal axes parallel to the plugging direction 4 run.

The deck sections 13 are shaped as parts of cylinder jackets that are against the insertion direction 4 and about the recording sections 18 up to the slopes 12 extend. The deck sections 13 are on the side facing the connection of the electrical conductor sides with the holders 14 connected. The holders 14 are as narrow webs across the width of the connector housing 9 extending trained and extend outwards perpendicular to the direction of insertion 4 , At their outer edges they show the roundness of the deck sections 13 on, and the deck sections 13 are at right angles in the opposite direction of the plug direction 4 running attached

A mating of plugs 2 and socket 3 takes place in the plugging direction 4 , where the socket 3 with the contact element 8th in the plug 2 is inserted. Here are the locking tongues 6 with the locking lugs 7 ahead in the direction of insertion 4 in the tunnel 11 the tunnel sections 10 of the connector housing 9 introduced. The locking lugs 7 be first through their slopes when entering the respective tunnel 11 pressed against each other, wherein the locking tongues 6 be tense. In the further course of mating the locking lugs occur 7 then from the respective tunnel 11 in the recording section 18 of the connector housing 9 one, passing through the cocked locking tongues 6 be pressed outwards again and with their edges at the edges of the tunnel sections 10 are attached to the receiving sections 18 and to which the respective slope 12 starts.

An inner profile of the deck sections 13 in the area of the receiving sections 18 is designed so that the locking lugs 7 in this room can swing up to the outside and with the edges of the tunnel sections 10 lock as described above.

2 shows a schematic perspective view of the embodiment according to 1 in a mated condition.

In this mated condition are the locking lugs 7 with those to the receiving sections 18 pointing sides of the tunnel sections 10 latched and become from the deck sections 13 covered. As a result, it is not possible, the locking lugs 7 with some tool, eg. As screwdriver, or otherwise to operate to release them from their locked positions.

The connector assembly 1 is in the in 2 shown mated state against unintentional release and / or unlocking by means of a screwdriver or by manually pressing on the deck sections 13 and latching noses 7 protected. The deck sections 13 are also designed in terms of their material and their shape, the no accidental or deliberate pressing on them, without damaging them, no release of the locking lugs 7 can cause.

Unlocking is associated with the 3 and 4 described which schematic perspective views of the embodiment according to 1 when unlocking with a tool 15 demonstrate.

A tool 15 to unlock, as in 3 and 4 is shown, has two opposite arms in the manner of an open-end wrench 16 with cutting-like operating sections 17 on. The operating sections 17 are each provided with a narrow cutting edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the tool 15 extends and thickened perpendicular to it.

To unlock the connector assembly 1 in the mated state becomes the tool 15 at right angles to the direction of insertion 4 on the plugs 2 pushed so that the operating sections 17 on both sides of the connector housing 9 with their cutting each between the slopes 12 and the free ends of the deck sections 13 be guided.

The cutting edges are when pushing the tool 15 from the slopes 12 the tunnel sections 10 performed in such a way that in a further pushing the thickened operating sections 17 the deck sections 13 push slightly outwards. Then, the operation sections 17 the noses 7 unlock on both sides at the same time. Here are the noses 7 moving towards each other and the edges of the noses 7 so far pressed down that at one on the jack 3 applied traction in the opposite direction of the plugging direction 4 the noses 7 in the tunnel 11 can enter and the socket 3 out of the plug 2 can be pulled out, like 4 shows.

In other words, the tool 15 operated simultaneously with the operating sections 17 both locking lugs 7 and unlocks them at the same time. Will only be a catch 7 unlocked, is a pulling out of the socket 3 not possible.

Unlocking is thus not possible with a conventional tool, such as screwdrivers, because when trying the locking lugs 7 by stop at the bottom of the deck sections 13 lever-like unlock the deck sections 13 give way and slide off the screwdriver tool sideways. In addition, two screwdrivers would be needed simultaneously on both sides with simultaneous operation, causing damage to the connector 1 can lead.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments explained above. It is modifiable within the scope of the appended claims.

So of course more than two locking lugs 7 or only one be provided.

plug 2 and socket 3 can also be provided with other cross-sections, z. B. circular, oval, angular u. like.

The cutting or operating sections 17 of the tool 15 can also be at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the tool 15 arranged or adjustable to be usable even in tight installation spaces.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

A connector assembly

2

plug

3

Rifle

4

plug-in direction

5

socket housing

6

catch tongue

7

locking lug

8th

contact element

9

plug housing

10

tunnel section

11

tunnel

12

slope

13

deck section

14

holder

15

Tool

16

poor

17

actuating section

18

receiving portion

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been 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.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2009/076917 [0003]

Claims (9)

Connector assembly ( 1 ) for electrical conductors, comprising: a) a plug ( 2 ) with at least one tunnel ( 11 ); b) a socket ( 3 ) with at least one latching tongue ( 6 ); c) wherein the at least one latching tongue ( 6 ) with the at least one tunnel ( 11 ) of the plug ( 2 ) for a latching interaction in a mated state of the connector assembly ( 1 ) is provided, characterized by d) at least one on the plug ( 2 ) attached deck section ( 13 ), which provides protection of at least one latching tongue ( 6 ) in the state of latching interaction against manual action and actuation by a tool forms. Connector assembly ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one cover section ( 13 ) is designed so that it in the mated state of the connector assembly, the at least one latching tongue ( 6 ) of the socket ( 3 ) at least partially covered, in the direction of the at least one latching tongue ( 6 ) is resistant to deformation and in the opposite direction to yield. Connector assembly ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one tunnel ( 11 ) of the plug ( 2 ) in a plug-in direction ( 4 ) in a receiving section open on both sides ( 18 ) of the plug ( 2 ) opens. Connector assembly ( 1 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the receiving section ( 18 ) of the plug ( 2 ) in the plug-in direction ( 4 ) of a tunnel section ( 10 ) with the at least one tunnel ( 11 ) and a holder ( 14 ) of the at least one cover section ( 13 ) is limited. Connector assembly ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the receiving section ( 18 ) of the plug ( 2 ) perpendicular to the plug-in direction ( 4 ) of a plug body ( 9 ) of the plug ( 2 ) and the at least one cover section ( 13 ) is limited. Connector assembly ( 1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the tunnel section ( 11 ) a slope ( 12 ), which from the top of the tunnel section ( 10 ) down in the direction of the receiving section ( 18 ) to an upper edge of the at least one tunnel ( 11 ) runs. Connector assembly ( 1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that one end of the at least one cover section ( 13 ) over the holder ( 14 ) with the plug ( 2 ), which has at least one cover section ( 13 ) to the other end in opposite directions to the direction of insertion ( 4 ) and the other end close to the slope ( 12 ) or it is arranged partially overlapping. Connector assembly ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that an actuating portion ( 17 ) of a tool ( 15 ) for unlocking the connector assembly ( 1 ) in the assembled state in cooperation with the slope ( 12 ) a pressure force parallel to the plug-in direction ( 4 ) on the at least one cover section ( 13 ) for moving it away from the latching tongue ( 6 ) for releasing the actuation of the at least one latching tongue ( 6 ) through the tool ( 15 ) exercises. Connector assembly ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover section is a partial section of a circular cylindrical jacket whose longitudinal axis is parallel to the plug-in direction ( 4 ) is arranged.

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