EP1032086B1 - Plug connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector specified in the preamble of claim 1. Art This may be in particular an electrical connector. Such a connector is known from EP-A-0 709 928.

In a conventional, known from DE 196 09 522 A1 connector of the resilient latching arm is provided on the outside of the relevant connector part. He cooperates with a arranged on the outside of the other connector part locking lug. When mating the two connector parts of the resilient latching arm is deflected outwards. The guided on the latch arm slide extends in its end position by a tab which is provided as well as the latch on the outside of the respective connector part. This known connector has, inter alia, the disadvantage that in addition a relatively large amount of space is claimed to the outside.

In the case of the connector known from EP-A-0 709 928, the two connector parts can no longer be plugged together and latched together when the slider is prematurely engaged in its end position. The locking arm is already prevented before the mating of the two connector parts from being deflected.

The aim of the invention is to provide an improved connector of the type mentioned, in which the aforementioned disadvantages are eliminated.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the prematurely engaging its end position slider is moved with the mating of the two connector parts in a defined by latching means pre-assembly.

With the construction according to the invention an overall extremely compact construction is achieved. Since the resilient latching arm moves when mating the two connector parts inward, no additional space is required to the outside.

The prematurely engaging its end position slider is moved with the mating of the two connector parts in its pre-assembly. When plugging the two connector parts of the slide thus jumps back to its pre-assembly. Subsequently, the slider can then be moved back into its end position, in which he secures the spring-loaded latching arm when plugged together and locked connector parts.

The end position of the slider is preferably defined by latching means. An accidental displacement of the slider is thus at least difficult. In addition, it is clearly recognizable to the respective user when and / or whether the end position has been reached.

In an advantageous embodiment of the connector according to the invention means for captive attachment of the slider are provided on the relevant connector part. The slider can thus be preassembled on the relevant connector part and delivered together with this.

It is advantageous if the means for a captive attachment of the slide when placing the slider on the connector part in question take effect and are effective at the latest after reaching the pre-assembly. It is thus ensured that the slider is actually already secured captive on the relevant connector part after reaching the pre-assembly.

The slider may in particular be guided on the resilient latching arm having connector part. In this case, the slider may be guided at least partially on the resilient latching arm itself.

The resilient latching arm may be at least partially enclosed by the slider. Alternatively or additionally, the latching arm may be protected by a bracket or the like provided on the relevant connector part. The locking arm is thus protected against damage. In addition, it is impossible that the respective cables get caught.

In an expedient practical embodiment, at least one connector part is provided with a preferably molded cap. The cap may consist of at least two mutually lockable cap parts.

Conveniently, the cap comprises a cable tie.

It is also advantageous if at least one connector part is provided with a preferably molded-on flap, which forms a secondary locking device for contacts to be inserted into the connector part. In this case, the secondary locking flap can be latched with the relevant connector part expediently.

In a practical practical embodiment, the secondary locking flap is additionally secured by the closed cap.

In a preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention, the cap is provided on the resilient latching arm having connector part.

Also, the secondary locking flap is suitably associated with the resilient locking arm having connector part.

In an expedient practical embodiment of the connector according to the invention, one of the two connector parts includes a blade receptacle housing and the other connector part comprises a receiving housing.

In this case, for example, the connector sleeve part comprising a flat connector sleeve housing can be provided with the resilient latching arm.

Figur 1

eine auseinandergezogene schematische Darstellung eines Steckverbinders,

Figur 2

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des den Rastarm aufweisenden Verbinderteils des Steckverbinders gemäß Figur 1 bei noch offener Kappe und noch ausgeschwenkter Zweitverriegelungsklappe,

Figur 3

eine schematische geschnittene Seitenansicht des Steckverbinders unmittelbar vor dem Zusammenstecken der beiden Verbinderteile, wobei der Schieber vorzeitig seine Endstellung einnimmt,

Figur 4

eine schematische geschnittene Seitenansicht des Steckverbinders unmittelbar nach dem Zusammenstekken der beiden Verbinderteile, wobei der Schieber wieder seine Vormontagestellung einnimmt, und

Figur 5

eine schematische geschnittene Seitenansicht des Steckverbinders nach dem Zusammenstecken der beiden Verbinderteile, wobei der Schieber seine Endstellung einnimmt, in der er den Rastarm sichert.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment with reference to the drawing; in this show:

FIG. 1

an exploded schematic representation of a connector,

FIG. 2

a schematic perspective view of the locking arm having connector part of the connector according to Figure 1 with the cap still open and still pivoted second locking flap,

FIG. 3

a schematic cross-sectional side view of the connector immediately before the mating of the two connector parts, the slider assumes its end position prematurely,

FIG. 4

a schematic cross-sectional side view of the connector immediately after Zusammenstekken the two connector parts, the slider assumes its pre-assembly, and

FIG. 5

a schematic sectional side view of the connector after the mating of the two connector parts, wherein the slide assumes its end position in which it secures the locking arm.

Figures 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a connector 10, which may be, for example, an electrical connector.

This connector 10 comprises two mating connector parts 12, 14, one of which may have, for example, a blade receptacle housing and the other a receiving housing. In the present case, the connector part 12 is provided with a flat plug sleeve housing 12 'and the connector part 14 is provided with a receiving housing 14' (cf., in particular, FIG.

The connector part 12 has a resilient latching arm 16, which extends generally in the plug-in direction S (cf., in particular, FIGS. 3 to 5) and cooperates with a counter-latching means 18 provided on the other connector part 14. As can be seen in particular with reference to Figures 1 and 3 to 5, this counter-locking means 18 may for example comprise a kind of bracket or the like, which is engaged behind in its end position engaging latch arm 16 from the free end of this latching arm 16. In this case, this free arm end is provided with a ramp 20 which comes when mating the two connector parts 12, 14 with the counter-latching means 18 into engagement, whereby the latching arm 16 is deflected inwardly accordingly.

At the resilient latching arm 16 of the connector part 12, a slider 22 is slidably guided generally in the insertion direction S. This slide 22 is movable in an end position, in which he at plugged connector parts 12, 14 a latching connection in question solving the resilient latching arm 22 prevented. In this case, the free end of the resilient latching arm 16 is prevented by a projection 22 provided on the slide 24 from being pivoted inward again (cf., in particular, FIG.

When mating the two connector parts 12, 14 of the resilient latching arm 16 is deflected against the spring force inwards. To produce the latching connection, it then snaps back outward, so that the free end of the latching arm 16 can engage behind the counter-latching means 18. When plugged together and latched connector parts 12, 14 of the resilient latching arm 16 is finally prevented by the end position engaging slider 22 from being deflected back inwards (see, in particular Figure 5).

The end position of the slide 22 is defined by latching means which are formed in the present case by latching lugs 26 provided on the resilient latching arm 16 and latching openings 28 provided on the slide 22 (cf., in particular, FIG.

There are further provided means for a captive attachment of the slider 22 on the connector part 12. In the present case, these means comprise a spring tongue 30 provided on the slide 22, which engages behind an internal shoulder 34 of the connector part 12 after insertion of the slide 22 into the guide 32 provided on the latching arm 16 (cf., in particular, FIGS. 3 to 5).

The slider 22 is also movable in a pre-assembled position defined by locking means. In the present case, the relevant Detent means formed by the provided on the resilient latching arm 16 locking lugs 26 and provided on the slide detent openings 36. In the figure 4, the slider 22 is shown in this pre-assembly. From this figure 4 also shows that the slider 22 is already inserted so far into the guide 32 of the resilient latching arm 16 in the pre-assembly, that the spring tongue 30 engages behind the shoulder 34. The means 30, 34 for a captive attachment of the slider 22 are therefore effective at the latest after reaching the pre-assembly.

If the slide 22 already assumes its end position prior to a complete mating of the two connector parts 12, 14 (see in particular FIGURE 3), as the two connector parts 12, 14 are pushed together with the resilient latching arm 16, the slider 22 will also be pivoted inwardly. In this case, the projection 24 of the slider 22 comes into contact with an upper edge 38 of the connector part 14, which causes that with a further mating of the two connector parts 12, 14 of the slider 22 is moved back to its pre-assembly position shown in FIG. If the slider 22 is subsequently moved back into its end position, the resilient latching arm 22 is thereby secured in the manner shown in FIG. 5 when the connector parts 12, 14 are completely plugged together and locked together.

The resilient latching arm 16 is at least partially enclosed by the slider 22. In addition, the latching arm 16 is protected by a provided on the connector part 12 bracket 40. Thus, the latching arm 16 is protected against damage. In addition, it is impossible that the respective cables get caught.

The connector part 12 is also provided with a molded-on cap 42. As can be seen best with reference to FIG 2, this cap 42 in the present case of two mutually lockable cap parts 42 ', 42' '. In the figure 2, the cap 42 is still shown in the open state. The locking means in question comprise latching lugs 44 provided on the cap part 42 "and latching openings 46 provided on the other cap part 42. In the present case, the cap 42 comprises a cable tie 48.

Holders can be provided by which the molded-on cap 42 is still retained on the housing of the connector 12 even after the film hinges 50 (see in particular FIG.

Moreover, the connector part 12 is provided with a molded-on flap 52 which forms a secondary lock for contacts to be inserted into the connector part 12. This second locking flap 52 can be latched to the connector part 12. The respective locking means are formed in the present case by provided on the secondary locking flap 52 and the housing of the connector part 12 locking lugs 54 and 56, respectively. In FIG. 2, the secondary locking flap 52 is still swung out. In contrast, it is locked in the illustrations according to the figures 3 to 5 via the locking means 54, 56 with the housing of the connector part 12.

From Figures 3 to 5 also shows that the secondary locking flap 52 is additionally secured by the closed cap 42.

Figure 3 shows the connector 10 immediately before Zusammenstekken the two connector parts 12, 14, wherein the slide 22 prematurely his End position occupies. If the two connector parts 12, 14 now further mated, the slider 22 is moved back to its pre-assembly.

Figure 4 shows the connector 10 immediately after the mating of the two connector parts 12, 14, wherein the slider 22 again assumes its pre-assembly. Following this, the slider 22 can then be moved to its end position, in which it secures the resilient latching arm 16 in the manner shown in Figure 5.

The locking of plug and socket can be designed according to the GO-NOGO principle. There is a coded plug of plug and socket provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Connectors

12

connector part

12 '

Flat receptacle housing

14

Interconnects

14 '

receiving housing

16

resilient latch arm

18

Securing means

20

approach ramp

22

pusher

24

approach

26

locking lugs

28

latching openings

30

spring tongue

32

guide

34

paragraph

36

latching openings

38

upper edge

40

hanger

42

cap

42 '

cap part

42 "

cap part

44

locking lugs

46

latching openings

48

cable ties

50

film hinge

52

Second locking flap

54

locking lugs

56

locking lugs

S

plug-in direction

Claims (16)

1. Plug connector (10) comprising two connector parts (12, 14) which can be plugged together, of which one (12) is provided with a resilient latch arm (16) which generally extends in the plugging direction (S) and cooperates with a counter-latch means (18) which is provided at the other connector part (14), and comprising a slider (22) which is generally displaceably guided at one (12) of the two connector parts (12, 14) in the plugging direction (S) and can be moved into a final position in which, when the connector parts (12, 14) are plugged together, it prevents a deflection of the resilient latch arm (22) by which the relevant latch connection would be released,
   wherein the resilient latch arm (16) is deflected inwardly against the spring force on the plugging together of the two connector parts (12, 14) and then snaps back outwardly to form the latch connection; and wherein the slider, (22) is guided at least partly on the resilient latch arm (16) and, when the connector parts (12, 14) are plugged together and latched to one another, the resilient latch arm (16) is prevented from being deflected inwardly by the slider (22), which adopts its final position,
   characterized in that
   the slider (22), which prematurely takes its final position, is moved into a pre-assembly position defined by latching means (26, 36) while the two connector parts (12, 14) are plugged together.
2. Plug connector in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the final position of the slider (22) is defined by latching means (26, 28).
3. Plug connector in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that means (30, 34) are provided for a non-losable securing of the slider (22) at the relevant connector part (12).
4. Plug connector in any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said means (30, 34) for a non-losable securing of the slider (22) become effective when the slider (22) is placed onto the relevant connector part (12) and are effective at the latest after the pre-assembly position has been reached.
5. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resilient latch arm (16) is at least partly surrounded by the slider (22).
6. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resilient latch arm (16) is protected by a bracket (40) which is provided at the relevant connector part (12).
7. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one connector part (12) is provided with a preferably molded on cap (42).
8. Plug connector in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the cap (42) consists of at least two cap parts (42', 42") which can be latched with one another.
9. Plug connector in accordance with claim 7 or claim 18, characterized in that the cap (42) comprises a cable binder (48).
10. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one connector part (12) is provided with a preferably molded on flap (52) which forms a second locking for contacts which are to be inserted into the connector part (12).
11. Plug connector in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that the second-locking flap (52) can be latched with the relevant connector part (12).
12. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second-locking flap (52) is additionally secured by the closed cap (42).
13. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (42) is provided at the connector part (12) having the resilient latch arm (16).
14. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second-locking flap (52) is provided at the connector part (12) having the resilient latch arm (16).
15. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one (12) of the two connector parts (12, 14) comprises a flat plug sleeve housing (12') and the other connector part (14) comprises a reception housing (14').
16. Plug connector in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that the connector part (12) comprising a flat plug sleeve housing (12') is provided with the resilient latch arm (16).

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