EP1376775B1 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connector, in particular for use between a can (squib) and an electrical control device for a restraint system in motor vehicles, for example an airbag.

Connectors of this type are known for example from the following publications: EP 0 591 947 A2, DE 195 34 205 C2, DE 195 00 959 C2.

EP-A-1130692 discloses an electrical connector according to the preamble of claim 1. In this connector, however, it may happen that the delivered together with the second component locking element of this dissolves and is lost or incorrectly reassembled. Damage to the internal parts would complicate the assembly or possibly even completely prevent.

EP-A-1207591 also discloses a connector having secondary locking means with arms, but does not solve the above problem either.

Such a connector has a narrow limited size (for example, length: 2 to 3 cm, width: about 1 cm, height: 0.1 to 1.0 cm). It follows that individual components of the connector or the associated socket have only an extremely small size, but nevertheless in relation to the safety application (for example, belt tensioner, airbag) easy assembly on the one hand and high reliability on the other is required.

This applies in particular with regard to latching of plug and socket, wherein the contact elements of the components must contact safely in the locked state. Likewise, the plug and socket must not unintentionally separate from each other.

In the above-mentioned prior art, this problem is solved in that in a first step, the plug and the socket are contacted and latched and in a second step, a locking member is guided as a so-called secondary locking behind the latching arms of the plug to the latch against to secure unintentional loosening.

When the connector according to DE 198 40 726 C2, the locking member can be pre-assembled and is in the preassembled starting position against the action of a spring in a raised position. Plug connector and socket can be latched against the action of the spring.

With the present invention, an alternative design for a connector is to be offered, which meets the following requirements: A locking member for secondary locking of the housing and box should be pre-assembled. The locking member should facilitate in the preassembled position, the insertion of the connector (or its corresponding housing portion) in the can at least. The locking member should then be brought into its final position relative to the housing of the connector, in which it assumes the desired function of a secondary locking against resilient locking arms on the housing.

• mit Verriegelungsarmen, und
• mit Federarmen,

die sich beide von einem Basisteil des Verriegelungsgliedes aus erstrecken. Die Verriegelungsarme dienen, wie der Name sagt, im Wesentlichen der Sekundärverriegelung der gehäuseseitigen Rastarme. Sie können deshalb im Wesentlichen steif sein und erfüllen ihre Funktion, wenn sie in Steckrichtung des Verriegelungsgliedes so weit vorgeschoben wurden, dass sie in den Bereich hinter die korrespondierenden Rastarme des Gehäuses gelangen.The invention is based on the idea of designing the locking member with different functional arms, namely:

• with locking arms, and
• with spring arms,

both extending from a base portion of the locking member. The locking arms serve, as the name implies, essentially the secondary locking of the housing-side latching arms. They can therefore be substantially rigid and perform their function if they have been advanced in the insertion direction of the locking member so that they reach into the area behind the corresponding locking arms of the housing.

The spring arms have a certain elasticity, that is, they can be brought into different positions under appropriate bias or cancellation of the bias. It should set a position (before mounting) the locking member relative to the housing. By pressing the locking member of the corresponding housing part is carried and can be used in the can.

However, at the end of this movement path, the spring arms should release from the locking position relative to the housing again. It then takes place on the one hand, the supply of the connector in the locking position relative to the can. But there is also a relative displacement of locking member and housing (in the insertion direction), so that the locking member can be guided in its end position relative to the housing. In this position then also the locking arms are behind the locking arms of the housing. In this position, a locking arm can also be used to cancel a shorting bridge, as will be explained.

The movement is therefore two stages:

First, the locking member and housing are performed in the preassembled position together, then the locking member is released from the anchoring position relative to the housing and moved relative thereto.

• einem Gehäuse zur Aufnahme von elektrisch angeschlossenen Kontaktelementen zur Kontaktierung mit korrespondierenden Kontaktteilen der Dose,
• federnden Rastarmen am Gehäuse zur Festlegung des Gehäuses an der Dose,
• einem Verriegelungsglied, mit
• Verriegelungsarmen, die von einem Basisteil des Verriegelungsglieds abstehen,
• die Verriegelungsarme sind so ausgebildet, dass sie die Rastarme gegen Lösen sichern, wenn sich das Gehäuse in der Verriegelungsposition gegenüber der Dose befindet,
• Federarmen, die vom Basisteil in die gleiche Richtung wie die Verriegelungsarme abstehen,
• die Federarme sind so ausgebildet, dass sie sich in einer vormontierten Ausgangsstellung gegen das Gehäuse in Steckrichtung abstützen, wobei das Gehäuse innenseitig an gegenüberliegenden Abschnitten jeweils eine stufenartige Verdickung zum Einfedern des Verriegelungsgliedes in die vormontierte Ausgangsstellung aufweist und das Gehäuse durch Druck auf das Verriegelungselement in die Dose steckbar ist und die Federarme jedoch kurz vor Erreichen der Verriegelungsposition gegenüber der Dose durch Auflaufen auf eine Innen-fläche der Dose aus dieser Position wieder gelöst werden.

In its most general embodiment, the invention then relates to an electrical connector, in particular for use between a can (squib) and an electrical control device for a restraint system in motor vehicles, having the following features:

• a housing for receiving electrically connected contact elements for contacting with corresponding contact parts of the can,
• resilient locking arms on the housing for fixing the housing to the box,
• a locking member, with
• Locking arms which protrude from a base part of the locking member,
• the locking arms are adapted to secure the latching arms against loosening when the housing is in the locking position opposite the can,
• Spring arms which protrude from the base part in the same direction as the locking arms,
• the spring arms are formed so that they are supported in a preassembled starting position against the housing in the insertion direction, wherein the housing has on the inside at opposite portions each a step-like thickening for compression of the locking member in the preassembled starting position and the housing by pressure on the locking element in the Can be plugged and the spring arms, however, are released shortly before reaching the locking position relative to the can by running on an inner surface of the can from this position again.

The inner surface, for example, formed as an inclined surface in the region of the box (the inclined surface can also be formed on the spring arm) is preferably formed in the region of a separate insulating body, which is used in the, usually metallic, can body. This provides the ability to fit the insulator with high dimensional accuracy and thus ensure an exact positioning of the housing of the connector in the region of the box.

This feature is also important when a shorting bridge between pins is to be solved by the locking member at the same time. The small size mentioned allows only short plug-in distances, so that only with optimum precision and optimal function and safety is achieved. The manufacturer of the connector can dimension the insulating body (insert) exactly.

The said arms (locking arms, spring arms) are dependent on a common base part. According to one embodiment, the spring arms are arranged at a distance from the latching arms. The spring arms can run in the unloaded state at an angle not equal to 90 degrees to the base part. The angle between the outer surface of the spring arm and the underside of the base should be <90 °. In other words: in a side view, the spring arms extend, starting from the base part, respectively to the outside.

The spring arms may be formed on their, the can facing outer surface with an undercut (a bead-like depression). This undercut serves as a support surface on a corresponding step in the region of the inner wall of the housing to adjust said pre-assembly position. In this position, the locking member thus rests on the housing stage. If the user presses on the base part, he automatically guides the housing of the connector with it. The recess may have a base surface which is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the latching arms.

At its free end, the spring arms may be formed on the outside with an inclined surface. This inclined surface serves as a ramp surface on a correpondierenden ramp, which is arranged in the region of the box. With the help of these inclined surfaces / ramp, the locking member can be released on further plugging the can from the pre-assembly position. In other words: by running the spring arms in the can or a can insert the spring arms are biased "inward" pressed while doing the Undercut released from its locking position relative to the housing-side stage, so that subsequently a relative displacement of locking member and housing can take place.

According to one embodiment, the spring arms protrude from opposite portions of the base part. For example, in the case of a rectangular base part, the spring arms protrude in the region of two parallel sides. The distance between opposing spring arms in the unloaded state can be greater at their free ends than in the region of the base part, resulting in the side view of a downwardly conically widening geometry.

The spring arms are arranged, for example, so that their direction of movement when releasing from the preassembled starting position in the direction of the locking arms. This includes embodiments in which the locking arms extend substantially perpendicular to the spring arms, that is, for example, along parallel edge portions perpendicular to the parallel edge portions, from which extend the spring elements.

One or more locking arms as well as one or more spring elements can be arranged on each side of the base part. The arrangement of the spring arms outside each connection to the locking arms increases the security of the device.

Due to the geometric separation of the locking arms of the spring arms, the locking arms can serve not only the secondary locking housing-side locking arms, but are used by a corresponding length at the same time to cancel a shorting bridge, the is usually arranged between the contact parts / contact elements of the housing and box.

Taking into account the above-mentioned features, an embodiment can be realized in which the locking member has a rectangular base part from which a locking arm protrudes perpendicularly from two opposing sections and from which one or two spring arms protrude in the same direction from the two remaining opposite side sections, preferably inclined, so that opposite spring elements at the free end have a greater distance than in the region of the base part. Due to this inclination, the pre-locking relative to the housing of the connector can be easier to perform, possibly also under bias. Once the locking member has accumulated over the free ends of the spring arms on the corresponding portion of the can, the spring arms can be pivoted in a more or less vertical orientation relative to the base part (under bias), with a reversible deformation of the spring arms is self-evident.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the features of the claims and the other application documents.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an embodiment.

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Teilansicht eines Steckverbinders mit eingesetztem Verriegelungsglied,

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Verriegelungsgliedes gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 3:

eine teilweise Schnittdarstellung eines Steckverbinders in Zuordnung zu einer Dose in einer ersten Montagestufe,

Figur 4:

eine teilweise Schnittdarstellung eines Steckverbinders in Zuordnung zu einer Dose in einer zweiten Montagestufe,

Figur 5:

eine teilweise Schnittdarstellung eines Steckverbinders in Zuordnung zu einer Dose in einer dritten Montagestufe (endgültige Verriegelungsposition).

It shows - in a schematic representation -:

FIG. 1:

a partial perspective view of a connector with inserted locking member,

FIG. 2:

a perspective view of the locking member of Figure 1,

FIG. 3:

a partial sectional view of a connector in association with a can in a first assembly stage,

FIG. 4:

a partial sectional view of a connector in association with a can in a second assembly stage,

FIG. 5:

a partial sectional view of a connector in association with a can in a third assembly stage (final locking position).

In the figures, the same or equivalent components are shown with the same reference numerals.

The connector shown in Figure 1 corresponds with respect to its basic structure according to DE 198 40 726 C2. In this regard, reference is made to this document. Accordingly, the connector has an L-shape in the side view, wherein in FIG. 1 essentially only one plug-in part of the housing 10 is shown (which forms the shorter L-leg). This housing part has essentially a rectangular basic shape. In the insertion direction S are openings 12 in which contact springs (not shown) are arranged, which contact with corresponding contact pins 52 a corresponding box 50 (Figure 3) in the locked state of connector and box 50.

In the insertion direction S also resilient latching arms 14, 16 extend from opposite portions of the housing 10. All these features are known from the connector described in DE 198 40 726 C2.

This also applies to the feature of a locking member 20 (Figure 2) in terms of its principal function of a secondary lock for the latching arms 14, 16th

For this purpose, the locking member 20 having a rectangular base part 22 has two locking arms 24, 26 which protrude perpendicularly from opposite side sections 22a, 22b of the base part 22. In order to fill a space 18 between the trunk-like housing portion 10r and the latching arms 14, 16 in the sense of an optimal secondary locking, the locking arms 24, 26 in the upper part (the base portion 22 adjacent) formed with outwardly projecting moldings 24p, 26p, during each lower portion 24u, 26u is plate-like, parallel to the outer edges of the portions 22a, 22b of the base part 22nd

In Figure 1, the locking member 20 is seen in partial engagement with the housing 10. Also visible is the lower portion 24u of the locking member 24, which projects beyond the corresponding locking arm 14 in this plug-in position.

Run substantially perpendicular to the locking arms 24, 26, in turn at opposite portions 22c, 22d of the base member each have two spring arms 28, 30, 32, 34, which are designed the same and are explained using the example of the spring arm 28: The spring arm 28 protrudes from the base part 22 in the same direction as the locking arms 24, 26 from, but not perpendicular, but inclined, wherein the angle between the lower end face of the base member 22 and the central longitudinal axis M - M of the spring arm 28 is about 80 °. Along an outer surface 28a is a bead-like depression 28h formed, whereby a kind of undercut is formed. At the free end of the spring arm 28, an inclined surface 28s is formed so that the end portion of the spring arm 28 is narrower than the angelenkte portion on the base portion 22.

FIG. 3 shows a first assembly stage: The locking member 20 is inserted into a corresponding opening 40 of the housing part 10, wherein this housing part has in each case a step-like thickening 42 at opposite sections on the inside. When inserting the locking member 20, this first runs on the step 42 with the inclined surfaces (such as 28s), is thereby pivoted inwardly, and then springs into the provisional locking position shown in Figure 3. This position represents a kind of pre-assembly, which can be done by the manufacturer of the connector, so that connector and locking member can be delivered together and captive to the customer.

For final assembly of the connector in the arrangement shown in Figure 3 is further placed on an associated box with an insert 54 (insulator) and pressed by pressure on the locking member 20 in the insertion direction S. In this case, the inclined surfaces (such as 28s) of the spring arms 28, 30, 32, 34 run on corresponding inclined surfaces of the insulator 54 and are in turn pushed inwards (arrow direction I), so that they are in the position shown in FIG shown end position in which the connector is completely locked to the socket. The Locking position is achieved on the one hand via the contact of the contact pins 52 with the corresponding springs of the connector, further by the compression of the locking arms 14, 16 in a corresponding circumferential groove 56 of the box 50 (in Figures 3 to 5, this groove portion 56 is parallel to the plane ) and this position is finally secured by the locking members 24, 26, which are now behind the locking arms 14, 16.

Due to the extended design of the locking arms 24, 26 with their sections 24u, 26u, a shorting bridge 58 extending between the contact pins 52 is simultaneously released on the last path of the locking member 20 into the socket 50.

Claims (8)

1. Electrical plug connector, in particular for use between a receptacle (50) (ignitor) and an electrical control device for a restraint system in motor vehicles, with the following features:

   a housing (10) for receiving electrically connected contact elements for contacting corresponding contact parts (52) of the receptacle (50),

   spring-acting catch arms (14, 16) on the housing (10) for making the housing (10) fastened to the receptacle (50),

   a locking element (20)
   with locking arms (24, 26) which extend from a base portion (22) of the locking element (20)
   locking arms (24, 26) are configured such that they secure the catch arms (14, 16) against release when the housing (10) is in the locked position with respect to the receptacle (50)
   spring arms (28, 30, 32, 34) that extend from opposite sections (22c, 22d) of the base portion (22) in the same direction as the locking elements (24, 26), wherein
   the distance of the opposite spring arms (28, 30, 32, 34) at their free ends is greater than in the area of the base portion (22), characterized in that

   the spring arms (28, 30, 32, 34) are configured such that in a preassembled starting position they rest against the housing (10) in the plug direction, wherein
   in the inside in opposite sections there is comprised in each case a shoulder (42) for springing of the locking element (20) into the preassembled starting position and
   the housing (10) can be plugged into the receptacle (50) though pressure on the locking element (20)
   but shortly before reaching the locking position with respect to the receptacle (50) the spring arms (28, 30, 32, 34) are released from this position again through running up onto an interior surface of the receptacle (50).
2. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the spring arms (28, 30, 32, 34) run at a distance to the catch arms (14, 16).
3. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the spring arms (28, 30, 32, 34) are configured on their exterior surface (28s) turned toward the receptacle (50) with a bead-like depression (28h).
4. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the bead-like depression (28h) has a base surface (28g) which runs perpendicular to the direction of movement of the catch arms (14, 16).
5. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the spring arms (28, 30, 32, 34) at their free ends are configured on the outside with an oblique surface (28s).
6. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the spring arms (28, 30, 32, 34) are configured such that their direction of movement upon releasing from the preassembled starting position runs in a direction toward the locking arms (24, 26).
7. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which the locking arms (24, 26) extend from opposite sections (22a, 22b) of the base portion (22).
8. Plug connector according to claim 1 in which at least one locking arm (24, 26) has a length such that in the locked position of housing (10) and receptacle (50), it releases an effective shunt between the contact parts (52) and/or contact elements.

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