EP1362393B1 - Plug connector having a housing and a clamping insert - Google Patents

Abstract

A plug connector has, in a housing, an insulating member, which in a known manner receives contact elements, for example, contact pins and/or contact sockets, which are connected to individual wires or strands of an electrical cable. The plug connector also includes a clamping member or clamping insert in order to also fix the electrical cable relative to the housing, which takes place by a clamping nut, preferably by a union nut. In order to easily assemble these parts and to maintain a given spacing in the axial direction, the insulating member and the clamping member are connected by at least one, and preferably a plurality of spacers, with a radially open interspace remaining free laterally of the spacers, and between insulating member and clamping member. The insulating member and the clamping member are preferably separate parts, which can be reciprocally connected by the spacers.

Description

The invention relates to a connector with a housing, in which an electrical contact elements, for example Contact pins and / or contact sockets, containing insulating body is arranged, the contact elements in the use position with individual wires or strands of an electrical Cables are connected, and with a clamp body for this electrical cable, which in the use position with axial Distance to the insulating body is arranged, the housing the connector has a mating thread for one with the Clamping body interacting clamping nut, especially for one Cap nut.

Such connectors are known, for example from document US-A-4,354,723.

As a rule, the Insulating body either contact pins or contact sockets, see above that the two halves of the connector are put together is possible. The assembly in the axial is difficult Direction of parts to be inserted into the housing one after the other especially the clamping insert or clamping body with large Care must be taken because he already has the cable encloses, which in turn with those of the insulating body held contact elements is connected. The Insulating body and the clamping body in their end position free axial distance between them, which allows an outer shield of the cable, usually one Shielding braid between the facing end faces of the clamping body and the insulating body emerge radially so that the part of the Shielding or shielding wires on the clamp body inside out and between this and the outer housing in particular can be trapped. During installation, i.e. in the axial insertion of the insulating body and Clamping body can under certain circumstances be relative movements between these two parts occur, causing wires of electrical Shielding in an unwanted position, in the worst case even can come into contact with the contact elements.

It is therefore the task of a connector to create the type mentioned, in which the assembly relieved and the risk of incorrect positions of Avoid possible shielding wires is.

To solve this problem is the one defined at the beginning Connector characterized in that the insulating body and the clamping body via at least one spacer are connected and a radial side of this spacer open space between insulating body and clamping body remains free.

Through this connection of the insulating body and the clamping body with the help of a spacer are relative movements between these parts during their introduction and definition in the Housing avoided. Nevertheless, it is possible to use single strands the contact elements - if necessary before their introduction in the insulator - to connect firmly and if necessary afterwards a possible shielding in the area of the gap between the insulating body and the clamping body radially outwards and to deform against the direction of insertion so that a thereby part of the electrical part located on the outside Shielding in use on the inside of the at least partially electrically conductive housing to the system comes and with this usually metallized or metallic or otherwise electrically conductive housing interacts. In any case, the assembly is also without shielding of the individual parts in the housing through their connection with the required distance simplified.

It is particularly advantageous if the spacer is approximately in the Area of the outer circumference of the insulating body and the clamping body this is arranged connecting. Then he is at the same time at least near the inside of the housing. This results in an unobstructed passage of the cable and its strands from the clamping body to the insulating body.

For a stable and effective embodiment of the invention it is useful if at least two with a distance and in particular spacers running parallel to one another provided between insulating body and clamping body and on the circumference are distributed and a space between them with the inner space between the Insulator and the clamp body is connected or merges into these. This will make the connection between insulating body and clamping body more stable without the Possibility to prevent wires or braid parts of one Shielding the cable inside from the outside in to deform the area of the inside of the housing.

An embodiment of the invention of very special importance can be that the insulating body and the clamping body are two separate items that are in their use position subsequently connected by means of the spacer (s) and are kept at a distance from each other. This enables first the strands with the contact elements in a convenient manner to connect the insulating body and a possibly existing one Shielding braid against the clamp body in its Bring to use position and then before assembly or before inserting these parts into the housing the insulating body and the clamping body by means of the spacers to connect so that thereafter relative movements between them both parts are no longer possible.

It can be used for subsequent connection of the insulating body and a locking or snap connection of the clamping body is provided his. This allows these parts to be axial Put the movement together and quickly into the use position bring without for example for the mutual connection a relative twist is required.

A practical implementation can provide that at least one of the spacers as part of the locking connection is formed between the insulating body and the clamping body. Thereby this spacer has an additional function to that the axial distance between the clamping body and insulating body to define, namely the function, also the mutual Connect.

It can be convenient if two, three, four or more in Axial oriented spacers are provided by which at least one, preferably several or all, as Locking finger is / are, at the end of such Locking fingers a locking projection for snapping into a Counter opening, for example in an annular groove, or Locking opening provided for the engagement of a locking projection is. Especially when training several or all of them Spacer as a locking finger results in a stable and nevertheless releasable under certain circumstances Connection.

The spacers can be made in one piece on the insulating body be arranged and the clamping body can the latching opening or Have locking openings or locking projections. This is what makes it happen everything possible, the clamping body also in other applications to use because it is free of spacers. He can can also be used in cases where no Connector should be made and not an insulating body is available. The clamping insert is therefore of the same size and shape also available for other compression fittings.

The spacers can also be made in one piece on the Clamping body can be arranged and the insulating body can Have locking opening or locking openings or locking projections. This makes it possible to change the insulating body in others Use cases because he himself is free of Spacers.

An advantageous design of the connector according to the invention can provide that the spacers act as locking fingers formed with radially inward locking projections are and as a counter recess on the counterpart, in particular the clamping body or on the insulating body, an annular groove is provided, in which the locking projections of the spacers fit and can be snapped into place. The ring groove has the advantage that not on a mutual precise alignment of Clamping body and insulating body at the mutual Plug-in assembly must be observed.

The one or more lockable spacers can be made of elastic bendable material and outside the housing of the connector to be bendable for releasing the latching connection. Both locking and a possible separation from Clamping body and insulating body could therefore outside of Housing can be done easily. Inside the case is however an elastic bending of the spacers in radial direction outwards - that for releasing the snap connection serves - locked by the housing, so that the snap connection in the position of use by the whole unit enclosing housing is fixed inextricably.

This can be further promoted by the fact that the extending on the outside between the insulating body and the clamping body Spacers with their outer surfaces almost or approximately flush with the outer sides or surfaces of the insulating body or of the sprag, which are in close contact in the position of use lie on the inside of the housing or even this inside touch.

Especially when combining the above measures can achieved that the trained as a locking finger with their locking projections from the outside into a counter recess or ring groove snap-in spacer through which they in Enclosure enclosing position in its snap-in position are set. The tensile forces acting on the cable essentially be taken up by the compression fitting, can in no way on the connection of the wires or Strands of the cable with the contact elements act.

So that the connector consists of as few parts as possible, it is useful if the spacer or spacers with a the spaced parts, especially with the Insulating body or with the clamping body, connected in one piece are. This can already happen during manufacture, so that there is no additional assembly for attaching the or Spacers are required.

A particularly advantageous further development can provide that the one-piece connection of the spacer (s) with the Clamping body or with the insulating body a predetermined breaking point having. This makes it possible to use the spacer or spacers cancel and the clamping body and especially the insulating body to be used for connectors that do not have a cable gland included, but for example firmly on one device are installed.

Especially when combining one or more of the features and measures described above result Connector that has a fixed connection of the cable and the Strands and a simple radial deformation of part of the Cable shielding between the clamping body and the insulating body allowed without inserting the insulator and the Clamping body in the housing difficulties of mutual Placement and maintenance of the necessary mutual Distance occur.

Fig.1

eine Seitenansicht der einzelnen Teile des erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders vor der gegenseitigen Montage, wobei Kontaktelemente bereits mit Litzen verbunden und eine Abschirmung eines Anschlusskabels an dessen Ende, wo die Litzen aus ihm austreten, radial nach außen umgebogen sind, die Kontaktelemente aber noch nicht mit dem Isolierkörper axial verbunden sind,

Fig.2

eine der Fig.1 entsprechende Darstellung nach dem Einführen der Kontaktelemente in den Isolierkörper und nach dessen axialer Verbindung mit dem Klemmkörper oder Klemmeinsatz vor dem Einfügen des Isolierkörpers und des Klemmeinsatzes in das Gehäuse des Steckverbinders und vor dem Aufschrauben der Überwurfmutter auf das an einem Ende des Gehäuses befindliche Außengewinde, aus welchem die Klemmfinger des Klemmeinsatzes in Gebrauchsstellung axial etwas überstehen,

Fig.3

in vergrößertem Maßstab eine teilweise im Längsschnitt gehaltene Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders nach der Montage,

Fig.4

eine der Fig.1 entsprechende Darstellung einer abgewandelten Ausführungsform, bei welcher Abstandhalter zwischen Klemmfinger und Isolierkörper einstückig mit dem Klemmkörper verbunden sind, sowie

Fig.5

eine der Fig.2 entsprechende Darstellung des Ausführungsbeispiels nach Fig.4 nach dem Einführen der Kontaktelemente in den Isolierkörper und nach dessen axialer Verbindung mit dem Klemmkörper vor dem Einfügen des Isolierkörpers und des Klemmeinsatzes in das Gehäuse des Steckverbinders und vor dem Aufschrauben der Überwurfmutter.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows in a partially schematic representation:

Fig.1

a side view of the individual parts of the connector according to the invention before mutual assembly, contact elements already connected with strands and a shield of a connecting cable at the end where the strands emerge from it are bent radially outwards, but the contact elements are not yet axially with the insulating body are connected,

Fig.2

a representation corresponding to Fig.1 after inserting the contact elements into the insulating body and after its axial connection with the clamping body or clamping insert before inserting the insulating body and the clamping insert into the housing of the connector and before screwing the union nut onto the end of the External thread from the housing, from which the clamping fingers of the clamping insert protrude somewhat axially in the use position,

Figure 3

on an enlarged scale, a side view, partly in longitudinal section, of the connector according to the invention after assembly,

Figure 4

a representation corresponding to Figure 1 of a modified embodiment, in which spacers between the clamping finger and insulating body are integrally connected to the clamping body, and

Figure 5

a representation corresponding to Figure 2 of the embodiment of Figure 4 after inserting the contact elements in the insulating body and after its axial connection with the clamping body before inserting the insulating body and the clamping insert in the housing of the connector and before screwing on the union nut.

A connector designated as a whole has 1 Housing 2, in which after assembly (see Fig. 3) Insulating body 3 is arranged, the electrical contact elements 4, in the embodiment according to Fig.1 to 3 contact pins, in Embodiment according to Figures 4 and 5 instead or additionally contains contact sockets. Here are these Contact elements 4 according to Figures 1 to 5 in Use position with individual wires or strands 5 one electrical cable 6 connected, which is particularly evident in Figures 1 and 4 can be seen where this connection already is made, but the contact elements 4 are not yet in the Insulating body 3 are used.

The connector 1 also has a clamping insert or Clamping body 7 for the electrical cable 6 and its axial Determining which in the use position according to Figure 3 and even in the preassembly position according to FIG. 2 with an axial Distance to the insulating body 3 is arranged, which Housing 2 of the connector 1 has a counter thread 8 for one the clamping body 7 cooperating clamping nut, in the embodiment has a union nut 9. Accordingly, the counter thread 8 an external thread.

In Figures 2, 3 and 5 it is shown that the Insulating body 3 and the clamping body 7 via spacers 10 are connected and laterally from the spacer or spacers 10 a radially open space 11 between the insulating body 3 and Clamping body 7 remains free.

While in the arrangement according to Figures 1 and 4, the insulating body 3 and the clamping body 7 are not yet connected, this is in the arrangement of Figure 2 performed so that the unit from insulating body 3 and clamping body 7 together with the already attached to the cable 6 in the housing 2 can be inserted, with the spacers 10 Relative movements between insulating body 3 and clamping body 7 be avoided during this assembly.

Nevertheless, it is possible according to FIGS. 1 and 4, the individual Strands or wires 5 with the contact elements 4 carefully connect, then insert them into the insulating body 3 and then the rigid connection between the insulating body 3 and To produce clamp body 7 for the subsequent assembly. there can also be seen in the figures shield 12 of the Cable 6 bent at the exit of the strands 5 from the cable 6 be that this shield 12 within the housing desired contact with this housing 2 receives.

It is also advantageous for this that between the insulating body 3 and an intermediate space 11 is defined for the clamping body 7, which also open radially outwards between the spacers 10 is so that the shield 12 is accessible if necessary is and if necessary still be corrected in their position can if the connection of the insulating body 3 with the Clamping body 7 according to Figures 2 and 5 is made. Moreover is through this space 11 and the distance between the Spacers 10 avoided that the shield 12 when Connecting the insulating body 3 with the clamping body 7 a experiences unwanted change of position.

It follows from Figures 1 to 5 that the Spacer 10 approximately in the area of the outer circumference of the Insulating body 3 and the clamping body 7, connecting them, are arranged. This results in a continuous interior Gap 11, which is a free passage for the Contact elements 4 and the strands 5 releases and enables.

The spacers 10 also have between them a distance and run parallel to each other between Insulating body 3 and clamping body 7 and are distributed on the circumference expediently evenly distributed. So you have each there is a space between them or an opening that connects with the Gap 11 between the insulating body 3 and the Clamping body 7 is connected, so that even after Connection of the insulating body 3 with the clamping body 7 of this Gap 11 and the bent and arranged there everted shield 12 is accessible.

It can be seen above all from FIGS. 1 and 4 that the Insulating body 3 and the clamping body 7 actually two separate Are individual parts which, in their position of use according to FIG. 2, 3 and 5 subsequently connected by means of the spacers 10 and are kept at a distance from each other at the same time. The Spacers 10 have the additional function that Connection between insulating body 3 and clamping body 7 manufacture.

It is for subsequent connection of the insulating body 3 and of the clamping body 7 a snap or snap connection provided that very easily by axial merging the parts can be effected in their position of use, so that rotations in this mutual connection can be avoided with a corresponding torsion of the cable 6.

The spacers 10 are expediently part of this the locking connection between the insulating body 3 and the clamping body 7 trained by being designed as latching fingers that at its end a locking projection 13 for snapping into a Counter opening, in the exemplary embodiment have an annular groove 14.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, these are Spacers 10 are arranged in one piece on the insulating body 3 or integrally formed, while the clamping body 7 as the annular groove 14th Has trained locking opening. By training the Locking opening as an annular groove 14, the two parts in any orientation relative to an axis of rotation put together or by a slight twist be placed in an appropriate position for the Course of the strands 5 relative to the contact elements 4 and the this receiving insulating body 3 is cheap.

The spacers 10 are thus designed as locking fingers, that in Figures 1 and 2 as a detail in a circle are shown once enlarged. You already have it mentioned, inward locking projections 13, which in the Fit ring groove 14 and snap into place during assembly.

These lockable spacers 10 consist of elastically bendable material so that it is outside the Housing 2 of the connector 1 again from the Snap connection can be released by slightly bent become. This bendability can be achieved at the starting point the spacer 10 provided material weakening at the same time represents a predetermined breaking point 15, still favors become.

From the figure 3 you can see that the approximately outside extending between insulating body 3 and clamping body 7 Spacers 10 with their outer surfaces almost flush with the outer sides or surfaces of the insulating body 3 or of the clamping body 7 are and in any case in the use position rest on the inside of the housing 2, that is, on one unwanted bending against its locked or locked position be prevented by the housing 2. So you will be in this Use position from the outside through the housing 2 in their Locked position determined. If the housing is removed, you can but they can be solved again, so that a repair or an exchange of parts is possible.

Advantageously, the spacers 10 with the Insulating body 3 connected in one piece, so that the entire Arrangement has as few items as possible. It points but the one-piece connection of the spacer 10 with the Insulator 3, the previously mentioned predetermined breaking point 15, the on the one hand the pivoting or bending of the spacers 10 facilitates, but also enables the spacers 10 cancel if the insulator 3 for a connector or connector that does not have a clamp body or does not contain a cable gland, but for example firmly is installed on a device.

On the basis of Figure 3 it can be clearly seen that the to Clamping body 7 or clamping insert belonging, by axial Slots formed clamping fingers 16 axially over the housing 2 project so that it is gripped there by the union nut 9 and by tightening the union nut 9 on the thread 8 of the Housing 2 can be pressed radially against the cable 6. In the union nut 9 thus belongs to this mounting position to a certain extent with the housing 2 or connects it axially the opposite of the contact elements 4 or contact pins End from. It can in a conventional manner in Inside the connector 1 at the required locations Sealing rings can be arranged.

For the assembly of the connector 1, the first stripped strands 5 of the cable 6 with the contact elements 4 connected and also the shield 12 at the end of Cable 6 turned inside out, so that this Shield 12 over part of the outside of the clamp body 7 runs. Then the contact elements 4 in the Insulating body 3 inserted and axially in a known manner set with a retaining clip 17, for example. simultaneously can the insulating body 3 via the trained as a locking finger Spacer 10 connected to the clamp body 7 and on the specified distance are kept so that the in Figure 2 unit shown from insulating body 3 and clamping body 7 with already inserted cable 6 and attached strands 5 arises. This unit can then be easily inserted into the housing 2 inserted or vice versa the housing 2 on this unit be pushed until it stops at a stop 18 of the Clamping body with the corresponding face to the system comes. Then only the union nut 9 is needed to be screwed on to finish the connector 1 put. So assembly is easy and it's the danger avoided that the shield 12 in an unwanted Position or even in contact with the contact elements 4 arrives.

In the embodiment according to Figures 4 and 5 are the Spacers 10 are arranged in one piece on the clamping body 7 and the insulating body 3 has the annular groove 14 Rest opening. Aside from this swap of the Arrangement of the spacers 10 meet all other features and measures of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 1 to 3 also 4 and 5 for this embodiment. For example, the outer sides of the spacers 10 are included its outer surface is approximately flush with the outside of the Clamping body 7. Also in this embodiment in the final assembly position as a locking finger trained, with their locking projections 13 from the outside in engaging a counter recess or annular groove 14 Spacer 10 through which they are in the use position enclosing housing 2 in its snap-in or holding position established. The same applies to the bendability of the spacers 10 and a possible predetermined breaking point 15, to which in Embodiment according to Figures 4 and 5 but also be dispensed with can.

The connector 1 has an insulating body in a housing 2 3, the contact elements in a known manner, for example Contact pins and / or receptacles that with individual wires or strands 5 of an electrical cable 6 are connected. It also includes a clamp body or Clamping insert 7 to the electrical cable 6 also relative to that Housing 2 determine what with the help of a lock nut, preferably with the help of a union nut 9. For one easy mounting of these distances in the axial direction Complying parts are the insulating body 3 and the clamping body 7 via at least one, preferably a plurality of spacers 10 connected, also laterally from the spacers 10 radially open space 11 between the insulating body 3 and Clamping body 7 remains free. Insulating body 3 and Clamping body 7 prefers separate parts, which can be made using the Spacers 10 can be locked together.

Claims (15)

1. Plug connector (1) having a housing (2) in which is mounted an insulating member (3) containing electrical contact elements (4), e.g. contact pins and/or contact bushes, the contact elements (4) being connected to individual wires or strands (5) of an electric cable (6) in the position of use, and having a clamping member (7) for this electric cable (6) which is mounted at an axial spacing from the insulating member (3) in the position of use, the housing (2) of the plug connector (1) having a mating thread (8) for a clamping nut interacting with the clamping member (7), particularly for a union nut (9), the insulating member (3) and the clamping member (7) being connected via at least one spacer (10), characterised in that to the side of the spacer (10) a radially open gap is left between the insulating member (3) and clamping member (7).
2. Plug connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the spacer (10) is mounted substantially in the region of the outer circumference of the insulating member (3) and the clamping member (7), connecting these latter.
3. Plug connector according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least two spacers (10), extending at a spacing and in particular substantially parallel to one another, are provided between the insulating member (3) and the clamping member (7) and are distributed over the periphery and have a gap between them which is connected to the gap (11) between the insulating member (3) and the clamping member (7).
4. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the insulating member (3) and the clamping member (7) are two separate individual parts which are subsequently attached and held at a spacing from one another in their position of use by means of the or each spacer (10).
5. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a latching or snap-in connection is provided for the subsequent attachment of the insulating member (3).
6. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that at least one of the spacers (10) is formed as part of the latching connection between the insulating member (3) and clamping member (7).
7. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that two, three, four or more spacers (10) are provided which are oriented in the axial direction, at least one of which and preferably several or all of which is/are constructed as latching fingers, a latching projection (13) being provided at the end of such a latching finger for engaging in a mating aperture, preferably in an annular groove (14) or a latching aperture for the engagement of a latching projection.
8. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the spacers (10) are arranged with their latching ends integrally formed on the insulating member (3) and the clamping member (7) comprises the latching aperture or apertures or latching projections.
9. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the spacers (10) are integrally formed on the clamping member (7) and the insulating member (3) comprises the latching aperture or apertures or latching projections.
10. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the spacers (10) are formed as latching fingers with radially inwardly directed latching projections (13), and an annular groove (14) in which the latching projections of the spacers (10) fit and are adapted to engage is provided as a mating recess on the mating part, particularly on the clamping member (7) or on the insulating member (3).
11. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the latchable spacers (10) consist of elastically flexible material and can be bent outside the housing (2) of the plug connector (1) in order to release the latching connection.
12. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the spacers (10) extending substantially externally between the insulating member (3) and the clamping member (7) are disposed so that their outer surfaces are virtually flush with the outsides or surfaces of the insulating member (3) or clamping member (7).
13. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the spacers (10) constructed as latching fingers and engaging from outside with their latching projections (13) in a mating recess or annular groove (14) are secured in their latched position by the housing (2) which surrounds them in the position of use.
14. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the spacer or spacers (10) are integrally connected to one of the parts held at a spacing, particularly to the insulating member (3) or to the clamping member (7).
15. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the integral connection of the spacer(s) (10) to the clamping member (7) or insulating member (3) comprises a frangible point (15).

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