EP0897203B1 - Electrical connector with locking piece - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connector for Use with a mating connector, for example for use between a mating connector and an electrical control unit for an airbag (an inflatable restraint system) in one Motor vehicle.

Such a connector, in which the mating connector Is part of a generator (a can with squib), is the subject of DE 195 13 358 C1.

A connector of the generic type has a tight limited size (for example: diameter about 1.5 cm).

The assembly and assembly is therefore both manual how mechanically problematic. Because motor vehicles in large today Quantities are equipped with "airbags" as standard, there is an urgent need for the connector structurally simple, but safe to design.

An essential feature is that plug and Mating connector can only be contacted if connector and Mating connector exactly like the associated contacts are positioned to each other.

In the connector known from DE 195 13 358 C1 a locking member is provided, which as coaxial to Housing arranged and axially displaceable on the housing Sleeve is formed.

DE 195 32 381 A1 describes an electrical connector a contacting element that can be inserted into a base body. In a latching position, the contacting element can a contact securing slide can be held.

The invention has for its object a connector of the type mentioned, the one hand Pre-assembly (pre-locking position) enables and on the other hand ensures that contact with the Mating connector is only possible when all components are exact are positioned to each other.

The invention is based on the finding that this is due to the special training of a locking member is possible. The basic idea is so housing and locking member train that the locking member in two different locking positions (locking positions) the housing is attachable. In doing so, a first rest position should be used create a pre-locking position, but with the mating connector cannot be used in the connector. Only in one second rest position, at the same time ensuring that the cables and contacts in the housing are secure and the mating connector is to be kept be made possible.

• einem zum Gegenstecker hin offenen Gehäuse zur Aufnahme elektrischer Kabel mit Kontakten, die im Montagezustand des Steckverbinders am offenen Gehäuseende liegen,
• einem auf das Gehäuse aufsteckbaren Verriegelungsglied, wobei
• Gehäuse und Verriegelungsglied so ausgebildet sind, daß
• das Verriegelungsglied in einer ersten Rastposition gegenüber dem Gehäuse mit seinem ersten Ende in den Querschnitt der Gehäuseöffnung hin einragt und damit derart verjüngt, daß der Gegenstecker mit seinen Gegenkontakten nicht in Kontaktposition mit den korrespondierenden Gehäusekontakten gebracht werden kann, und
• das erste Ende des Verriegelungsgliedes in einer zweiten Rastposition gegenüber dem Gehäuse im Gehäuse versenkt angeordnet ist.

In its most general embodiment, the invention then relates to an electrical connector for use with a mating connector, with the following features:

• a housing that is open towards the mating connector for receiving electrical cables with contacts that are in the assembled state of the connector at the open housing end
• a locking member attachable to the housing, wherein
• Housing and locking member are designed so that
• the locking member protrudes with its first end into the cross section of the housing opening in a first latching position with respect to the housing and thus tapers in such a way that the mating connector with its mating contacts cannot be brought into contact position with the corresponding housing contacts, and
• the first end of the locking member is sunk in a second latching position relative to the housing in the housing.

The locking member can be on the side of the housing to be pushed on.

In other words: in the first resting position of the Locking element protrudes the locking element with his first end into the housing opening so that the Cross section of the housing opening becomes smaller and prevents the mating connector can be plugged on.

In the second latching position, the locking member is ready pushed onto the housing that the first end of the Locking member no longer in the housing opening protrudes. Now the mating connector can be plugged in and connector and mating connector can be contacted. The Locking member can no longer be removed, it is captively secured.

During the locking member from the first locking position in the second rest position is transferred accordingly first end of the locking member from the open housing end led away into the housing body so that it is the cross section of the Housing opening no longer affected.

In terms of design, the invention offers this various solutions to:

According to a first embodiment, the locking member at its first end at least one L-shaped shoulder, whose free leg from the front in the direction of insertion Section of the locking member protrudes.

Viewed from the side, the short L-leg is inferior front, towards the housing opening. Will that Locking member laterally from above or via corresponding openings in the housing the projecting leg of the approach is guided into the Brought area of the housing opening.

In this embodiment, the housing has an extension of the displacement of the locking member on the wall side Openings in which the free leg in another Displacement of the locking member relative to the housing is guided (second rest position).

The L-shaped lugs or lugs can be on the outside the housing contacts.

This embodiment is particularly useful when the locking member is U-shaped in section transverse to the axial direction M. Accordingly, the L-shaped approaches can then be extended the lateral U-legs run.

The following description of the figures explains the construction Design in more detail.

The locking member on the housing can also done in different ways.

So it is possible to the locking member on its second End on both sides of the front section in the direction of insertion to train inward locking means. corresponding for this purpose, the housing then has 2 spaced apart on both sides Corresponding locking recordings arranged to each other.

The first snap-in receptacles in the insertion direction define the first stop position and the one behind it in the direction of insertion arranged snap-in receptacles the second locking position. The first and the second latching position can be carried out accordingly lateral pressing of the locking member onto the housing can be achieved.

The design described above allows more constructive and functional features and functions train.

So can the locking member within the from the side U-legs of limited space with several, spaced and parallel webs are formed.

If, for example, three webs are provided, the result is together with the side U-legs a total of five in parallel and spaced sections of the Locking member.

The inner webs (framed by the U-legs) have following function:

Adjacent bars can have an associated one between them Get in touch and lead or define.

One embodiment provides that the outer webs in Extension of the L-shaped lugs towards the second End of the locking member and laterally next to the Arrange housing contacts. With two contacts then one further webs run between the housing contacts, so that each contact is delimited on both sides by a bridge.

By appropriate profiling / inclined surfaces of the free ends the webs can already be clamped in this way Definition of the contacts or associated cables to reach.

Another form of training provides for the housing arms running parallel to the housing contacts form the spring towards the housing contacts are trained.

In this way it should be achieved that at The connector arms are assembled laterally pressed against the contacts and these accordingly (primary locking of the contacts).

To secure the spring arms in the desired clamping position can in turn the webs (of the locking member) be aligned so that when you plug the Locking member on the housing in the second Locking position the spring arms and thus the contacts support. This also ensures that in the second locking position (where the connector is finished is assembled) the contacts are precisely aligned and are additionally secured (secondary locking of the contacts) and now the mating connector can be plugged on.

In this way, incorrect contact can be prevented.

An additional safeguard in this sense creates one Embodiment in which the housing contacts in the axial direction with at least two spaced apart Thickenings are formed.

The thickening is arranged and spaced apart such that one of the thickenings in the assembled state of the connector in front and the other thickening immediately lies behind the aforementioned clamping areas.

1.
Entweder der Kontakt ist nur geringfügig zurückversetzt. In diesem Fall läßt sich das Verriegelungsglied nicht aufsetzen, weil die Verdickung im Verschiebeweg der Stege liegt. Dies wird vom Monteur sofort erkannt und er kann den Kontakt richtig einlegen.

2.
Es kann auch sein, daß der Kontakt ein erhebliches Stück nach hinten versetzt im Gehäuse einliegt, und zwar "hinter" dem Klemmbereich. In diesem Fall kann das Verriegelungsglied zwar aufgesteckt und auch in die zweite Rastposition gebracht werden. Der Kontakt liegt jedoch jetzt soweit zurück, daß beim Aufstecken des Gegensteckers keine Kontaktierung zu den Kontakten des Gegensteckers mehr möglich wird. Entsprechend kann auch diese Fehlposition sofort erkannt werden.

In this embodiment, if a contact is inadvertently not inserted far enough forward (in the direction of the housing opening), for example in its end position, against a stop on the housing side, there are two alternatives:

1.
Either the contact is only slightly set back. In this case, the locking member cannot be put on because the thickening lies in the displacement path of the webs. This is immediately recognized by the fitter and he can insert the contact correctly.

Second
It may also be the case that the contact lies a considerable distance behind in the housing, namely "behind" the clamping area. In this case, the locking member can be plugged on and also brought into the second latching position. However, the contact is now so far back that contact with the contacts of the mating connector is no longer possible when the mating connector is plugged on. Accordingly, this incorrect position can also be recognized immediately.

Finally, with the help of the webs respectively additional jaws also a strain relief in the housing reach the inserted cable.

It is provided that the locking member on his second end several, parallel and spaced apart running webs (jaws) for clamping fixing of corresponding cable sections in the second locking position having.

For this purpose, for example, those facing the cables Surfaces of the jaws should be profiled so that they corresponding cable sections positively and under Set static friction.

As follows from the above description of the invention all measures can be taken simultaneously when putting on the Carry out locking element on the housing.

The fact that the locking member when placed on the Housing partially penetrates the housing as it turns out the following description of the figures still shows, can also Design of the connector to be small, with simultaneous Improvement of the security functions that are currently in the Application area "airbag" are of great importance to a Allow the airbag to deploy in an emergency and sure.

Further characteristics result from the characteristics of Subclaims and the other registration documents.

The invention is based on a Embodiment described in more detail.

Figur 1:

eine Explosionsdarstellung eines Steckverbinders,

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Steckverbinders in einer ersten Rastposition,

Figur 3:

eine Ansicht gemäß Figur 2 in einer zweiten Rastposition,

Figur 4:

einen Längsschnitt durch den Steckverbinder nach Figur 3,

Figur 5a:

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie B-B entlang der ersten Rastposition gemäß Figur 2,

Figur 5b:

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie B-B entlang der ersten Rastposition gemäß Figur 3,

Figur 6:

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie C-C gemäß Figur 4,

Figur 7:

einen Längsschnitt gemäß Figur 4 mit einem fehlerhaft gesteckten Kontakt.

Show:

Figure 1:

an exploded view of a connector,

Figure 2:

2 shows a perspective view of the connector in a first latching position,

Figure 3:

3 a view according to FIG. 2 in a second latching position,

Figure 4:

3 shows a longitudinal section through the connector according to FIG. 3,

Figure 5a:

3 shows a section along the line BB along the first latching position according to FIG. 2,

Figure 5b:

4 shows a section along the line BB along the first latching position according to FIG. 3,

Figure 6:

3 shows a section along the line CC according to FIG. 4,

Figure 7:

a longitudinal section according to Figure 4 with an incorrectly inserted contact.

The connector basically consists of the following components:

A housing 10 with a housing opening 12, one in section U-shaped locking member 30 and cables 50, 52 with Contacts 50k, 52k at the free end.

The housing 10 is at its left open one in FIG Housing end 121 is cylindrical in shape and has on its on the other end 12r essentially a rectangular cross section, being in the axial direction M of the connector on section 12r two locking edges 14, 16 are formed on each side.

These locking edges 14, 16 serve to accommodate the Locking member (slide) 30, the side U-legs are marked with 32. The U-legs 32 are cranked inwards at its free end. This will corresponding to the locking edges (locking receptacles) 14, 16 Locking means 34 formed.

At a first end 321 (in Figure 1: left) are in Extension of the U-legs 32 L-shaped lugs 36l, r to detect. The free legs 38 stand to the left in the figure in front.

Corresponding to the legs 38 are in the open Housing end 121 (front housing part) slots 18 formed. The locking member 30 is when placed on the housing 10 with the lugs 361, 36r and legs 38 in the slots 18 led. In parallel, the U-leg 32 of the locking member 30 on the rear Housing end 12r is first pressed radially outwards in order to then with the locking means 34 behind the snap corresponding locking edges 14 and so the to define the first stop position (FIG. 2).

As FIG. 2 shows, the legs 38 protrude into the housing opening 12 and reduce the cross section. A clip on one Mating connector is now not possible - according to the task.

At this point, the cables 50, 52 are already in the housing 10 assembled.

The cables 50, 52 are in the rear housing part 12r bottom-side guides and protrude with their contacts 50k, 52k into the open housing end 121 (the open housing section). The exact positioning results from an overview of Figures 1 and 4 (for the second rest position).

The contacts 50k, 52k each have two, in the axial direction spaced thickenings 54, 56. The front are Thickenings 54 in the housing section 121 and the rear Thickenings 56 in the housing section 12r.

This positioning is supported by the following features and relieved:

At the transition area between the housing sections 121, 12r runs between shoulders 361, 36r and legs 38 or U-legs 32 a web 40.

At the free end of the housing section 12r extend from Connecting leg 33 of the locking member 30 three jaws 42a, b, c, essentially parallel to the U-legs 32nd

In this way, between the approaches 361, r and Web 40 or between the jaws 42a, b, c Guide slots for the cables 50, 52 or contacts 50k, 52k.

FIG. 4 shows the positive reception of the cables 50, 52 between the jaws 42a to c in the assembled state of the Connector.

In the area of the web 40, the housing 10 is lateral Spring arms 22 formed in the axial direction M of the Connector run and - as Figure 4 shows - to Housing end 121 over the area of the lugs 361, 36r and Leg: 38 protrude. When inserting the contacts 50k, 52k the spring arms 22 are laterally pushed away as soon as the Thickenings 54, 56, however, accumulate. Then the springs Arms 22 back (primary locking of the contacts).

When sliding the locking member 30 into the second Locking position (at which the locking means 34 behind the locking edges 16 jump) support the lugs 361, r the spring arms 22 outside and clamp the contacts 50k, 52k between the Spring arms 22 and the web 40 a (Figures 4, 5b).

Is the contact slipped so that one of the thickenings 54, 56 between the shoulders 361, 36r and legs 38 and the web 40 lies, can do not put the locking member 30 on. It follows that a final assembly of the connector only then is possible if the cables 50, 52 and contacts 50k, 52k exactly sit (Figure 4) or moved so far that the Thickenings 54, 56 no longer in the through the web 40th defined transverse plane.

In the latter case, the contact - as FIG. 7 shows - moved so far back that after putting on a Mating connector is no longer possible.

Figure 3 shows the connector in the second locking position of housing 10 and locking member 30. The legs 38 now run in housing-side recesses 13 and Housing opening 12 is unimpeded for plugging the Mating connector free. The mating connector blocks the Leg 38 so that the locking member is no longer (after above) can be removed from the housing 10. To the rear too (Axial) can no longer remove the locking member because the legs 38 in the corresponding recordings be held in the housing.

Claims (12)

1. An electrical connector for use with a counter plug, having the following features:

   1.1 a shell (10) which opens towards the counter plug, for receiving electrical cables (50, 52) with contacts (50k, 52k) being arranged at an open shell end (121) in the mounting position of the connector,

   1.2 a locking member (30) placeable onto the shell (10), characterized in that

   1.3 the shell (10) and the locking member (30) being designed in such a manner that

   1.4 in a first catching position with respect to the shell (10), the locking member (30) enters in and diminishes a cross section of the open shell end (12) with one first end so that the counter plug with its counter contacts cannot be brought to a contact position with the corresponding contacts (50k, 52k) of the shell, and

   1.5 in a second catching position with respect to the shell (10), the first end of the locking member (30) being arranged immersed within the shell (10).
2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking member (30) has at least one L-shaped projection (361, 36r) at its first end, the free leg (38) of which protrudes with respect to a front portion of the locking member (30).
3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein the L-shaped projection or projections (361, 36r) extend besides the contacts (50k, 52k) of the shell at the outside.
4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking member (30) has catch means (34) directed inwardly on both sides at its second end along its front portion and the shell (10) is designed with two corresponding catch edges (14, 16) in spaced apart relationship on both sides, respectively.
5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the locking member (30) is designed as a U, perpendicular to an axial direction (M).
6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein the locking member (30) is designed with several bridges (361, 36r, 40) extending in spaced apart relationship and parallel to each other within a space being delimited by the lateral U legs (32).
7. The connector according to claims 2 and 6, wherein the outer bridges (361, 36r) extend in the prolongation of the L-shaped projections towards the second end of the locking member (30) and besides the contacts (50k, 52k) of the shell and at least one further bridge (40) extends between the contacts (50k, 52k) of the shell.
8. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the shell (10) is designed with arms (22) extending parallel to the contacts (50k, 52k) of the shell, the arms being designed in a spring like manner towards the contacts (50k, 52k) of the shell.
9. The connector according to claims 6 and 8, wherein the bridges (361, 36r, 40) are designed to support the arms (22) when placing the locking member (30) onto the shell (10) in the second catching position, in fixing the contacts (50k, 52k) of the shell at the same time.
10. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the contacts (50k, 52k) of the shell are designed, in axial direction, with at least two enlargements (54, 56) extending in spaced apart relationship.
11. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking member (30) has several inner jaws (42a, 42b, 42c) extending parallel and in spaced apart relationship at its second end for clampingly fixing corresponding cable portions (50, 52) in the second catching position.
12. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the locking member (30) is formed so that it can no longer be removed from the shell (10) in the second catching position and after putting-onto the counter plug.

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