EP1411596A2 - Plug connector having retaining element - Google Patents

Abstract

A plug casing (PC) (14) has a flexible locking arm (FLA) (21) with a locking link (23). A plug has a slider bar (SB) (29) in a limited but adjustable on-axis position in the PC. In a locking position, the plug prevents the FLA from any excursion and releases it in any different position. Compression springs (27) supported on the PC and the SB cause the SB to return to its locking position.

Description

The invention relates to a plug with a holding element for connecting to a socket. The connection should be made with a socket, which is a socket housing with a first longitudinal axis and with one enclosed by a wall Has receiving space that to an end face of the socket housing open and closed at the far end by a floor. The socket housing is assigned first contacts that are in the receiving space protrude from the floor parallel to the first longitudinal axis. On the outer surface of the the wall enclosing the recording space is arranged in a projecting manner. This points towards the floor in the direction away from the end face from the outer surface rising ascending contact surface to which in In the direction of the floor there is a locking surface to be run on the outer surface.

EP 0 896 396 A2 describes a connector that has a socket and includes a connector. The socket has a socket housing and a recording room enclosed by a wall. This is an end face of the socket housing open and at its distal end through closed a floor. The socket has a first longitudinal axis that defines a connection direction. The socket housing are the first contacts assigned. These are aligned parallel to the first longitudinal axis and are from Floor in front of the recording room. On the outer surface of the one enclosing the recording room Wall is a protruding tab. The plug is a assigned elastically deflectable locking arm, which locks via a slide can be when he is in the latch position and there is a deflection the locking arm prevented from the relaxed position. The slide are compression springs assigned to each other at their end not supported on the slide are connected via a traverse. The locking arm has an inclined surface that runs against the latch when inserting the plug into the socket. there the slide is in a position in which its locking surface is not in contact to the latch arm. For this purpose, the locking arm is in a temporary position via holding means Position held. If the plug is inserted into the socket, it arrives not only the locking arm with its hook-like projection against the latch, but also the traverse that connects the two compression springs to each other, comes to rest against the end face of the socket. The plug continues introduced, the springs are biased. The hook-shaped locking element of the locking arm slides over the latch. The locking arm has one position reached, in which its locking surface can reach behind the latch. there the effect of the compression springs is also released, i.e. give the holding means the slider so that it moves away from the spring due to the action of the springs Latch is moved, causing the locking surface of the slider over the locking arm get and secure it in its engaged position against deflection. The holding means are also returned to their original position, so that the springs are also relieved. To release the slide must be opposite be moved to the direction of release of the plug on the socket so that the latch arm is released. So that a sufficiently large contact area for The compression springs are supported on the socket housing Ribs provided, which are arranged in the extension of the course of the compression springs are, i.e. extend parallel to each other in the direction of connection and from the Go out the end face of the socket and reach to the catch.

To release, the slide is first moved towards the socket so far that the locking arm is released. The compression springs are partially preloaded and the holding means fix the slide in this position. In this position can be acted on an unlocking section of the slide, i.e. be pressed on this, this section on an underlying Projection of the locking arm acts. Because the latch arm is suspended like a seesaw is, the hook-like projection is out of engagement with the locking lug on the socket emotional. If the plug is now pulled, it can be removed from the socket be separated. Handling is cumbersome and requires in particular then, if safe operation is required, additional measures in the form of Ribs on the socket to provide secure support for the compression springs Activate the slide to reach. Handling is also disadvantageous insofar as than when loosening the connector, i.e. the plug from the socket of the The slide must first be moved in the opposite direction to the setting slide to be transferred to a position in which the actuating section associated therewith a force on the latch arm in the sense of releasing it from the Locking nose of the socket is possible. At the same time, the plug must be pulled to release it from the socket.

DE 198 28 968 A1 relates to a connector with a socket and a Plug, the socket being assigned a leaf spring-like holding element, which also serves as a short-circuit bridge for the contacts of the socket. The Holding element has two locking legs, each with a projection of the plug come into contact and experience a deformation when connecting, so that the Projections can drive over a kink in the locking leg and then one Allow it to rebound again so that the plug is secured in the socket. Furthermore, two are in the unconnected state of the plug and socket there are contact legs that come into contact with the contacts of the socket, which are part of the holding element, which is made of metal and so that it is electrically conductive. So in the disconnected state is between the contacts A short-circuit contact is made via the contact legs. These are at Pushing the plug out of contact with the contacts of the socket.

In DE 100 52 970 A1 is a connector that has a socket and a Includes connector, described, wherein the connector is assigned a slide that is designed in one piece with a compression spring and initially biased when connecting and a push-out force is generated as long as the final connection state has not been reached. This slide also serves as a holding element in the connected state. The resilient section designed as a compression spring comprises one serpentine curved leaf spring-like section.

EP 1 089 393 A1 comprises a plug socket with a socket enclosed by a wall Recording space into which a plug can be inserted. To one To achieve a watertight arrangement, the connector on the Receiving space of the socket entering section a seal that with the Inner surface of the receiving space comes into contact. The section of the connector that is in the receptacle of the socket is opposite to that recessed area of the plug tapered in cross section.

The invention has for its object a connector for a conventional socket, i.e. to propose one in which only one latch is provided, the is easy to use and as long as no final connection has been achieved, one Force that releases the plug from the socket.

• ein Steckergehäuse,
  das eine zweite Längsachse aufweist,
  das einen bei zueinander parallel ausgerichteten Längsachsen in den Aufnahmeraum einführbaren ersten Gehäuseabschnitt mit einer Endfläche aufweist, von der aus zu den ersten Kontakten passende zweite Kontakte zum elektrischen Verbinden mit diesen zugänglich sind, und
  das einen elastisch auslenkbaren Riegelarm mit Rastmitteln aufweist, die beim Verbinden mit dem Steckbuchsengehäuse der Rastnase gegenüberstehen,
• einen Schieber,
  der am Steckergehäuse entlang der zweiten Längsachse zwischen einer Lösestellung und einer Riegelstellung begrenzt verstellbar gehalten ist und in der Riegelstellung eine Auslenkung des Riegelarms verhindert,
• mindestens eine Druckfeder,
  die einerseits am Steckergehäuse und andererseits am Schieber abgestützt ist und den Schieber zur Einnahme seiner Riegelstellung hin beaufschlagt, und
• ein federndes Halteelement,
• das aus einem Stahldraht geformt ist,
  das zwei von einem Verbindungsabschnitt beabstandet abstehende Feder schenkel und jeweils einen an diesen abgewinkelt anschließenden Befestigungsabschnitt aufweist, wobei jeder Befestigungsabschnitt in eine separate Aufnahmebohrung des Schiebers eingreift und die Aufnahmebohrungen rechtwinklig zur zweiten Längsachse und zueinander parallel versetzt verlaufen

This problem is solved by a plug, comprehensively

• a connector housing,
  which has a second longitudinal axis,
  which has a first housing section which can be inserted into the receiving space with longitudinal axes aligned parallel to one another and has an end face from which second contacts which match the first contacts are accessible for the electrical connection therewith, and
  which has an elastically deflectable locking arm with latching means which, when connected to the socket housing, face the latching lug,
• a slider,
  which is held to a limited extent on the plug housing along the second longitudinal axis between a release position and a locking position and prevents deflection of the locking arm in the locking position,
• at least one compression spring,
  which is supported on the one hand on the plug housing and on the other hand on the slide and acts on the slide to assume its locking position, and
• a resilient holding element,
• which is formed from a steel wire,
  the two spaced apart from a connecting section spring leg and each has an angled to this fastening section, each fastening section engages in a separate receiving bore of the slide and the receiving bores are perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis and offset parallel to each other

The advantage of this version is that the connector in connection with usual Sockets can be used, which have only one latch, so that without changing the same it is ensured that the plug from the socket is separated as long as no final locking position has been reached. Furthermore, handling is simplified in that only when connecting the plug housing is acted on by this relative to the socket housing, d. H. is moving towards the bottom. The release of the slide to the final The locking arm is secured automatically depending on the position of the Plug housing to the socket housing by the leaf spring-like holding element reaches the end face of the socket housing except for active engagement and thus the force of the effective between the connector housing and the slide Compression springs is released. The slide is relative to the socket housing and moved to the connector housing so that the locking arm against displacement in the unlocked position is secured. This position can easily be canceled be that for releasing the plug from the socket to the slider is only acted in the release direction. It is also of major advantage that the Holding element a separate, i.e. component separated from the slide, which consists of a Material is produced that is subject to practically no wear or subsidence is. By designing the holding element in connection with the inclusion of the Fastening sections in offset mounting holes of the slide is a compact design achieved because the attachment of the holding element on the slide only has a small footprint and is cheap to provide the necessary travel can be used.

It is preferably provided that the spring legs on the connecting portion connect with a turn so that each spring leg connects the connecting section crossing. Favorable installation conditions are created that the spring legs extend from the connecting section in such a way that the fastening sections are offset parallel to each other. Preferably there is the holding element from a round wire. Conveniently, it is made of stainless steel manufactured.

Since the holding element made of steel in the finally locked state of the connector the socket is deflected elastically from its normal position, i.e. as long as the Socket and the plug are connected to one another, it is tensioned, it is favorable if it's made of stainless steel.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is schematic in the drawing shown.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Steckbuchse,

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Steckers und der Steckbuchse vor dem Verbinden,

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Steckbuchse mit dem Stecker im teilweise verbundenen Zustand,

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Steckers mit der Steckbuchse im vollständig verbundenen Zustand und

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Halteelements.

It shows

Figure 1

a perspective view of the socket,

Figure 2

a perspective view of the plug and the socket before connecting,

Figure 3

3 shows a perspective illustration of the plug socket with the plug in the partially connected state,

Figure 4

a perspective view of the plug with the socket in the fully connected state and

Figure 5

a perspective view of the holding element.

A conventional socket 1 is shown in FIG. The socket 1 includes a Socket housing 2, which has a first longitudinal axis 3. It also has a Wall 4, which has an approximately rounded rectangular receiving space in the opening cross section 5 encloses. This is open to the end face 6 and on the opposite End closed by the bottom 8. The end face 6 is preferred bevelled towards the receiving space 5. Stand from the floor 8 first contacts 7 in the form of pins. They are parallel to the first Longitudinal axis 3 aligned. On an outer surface 9 of the wall 4 there is a latch 10 arranged which has an inclined contact surface 11 in the direction of the end face 6, the end facing the end face 6 towards the bottom 8 moving away from the outer surface 9, i.e. increasing, running. This closes a locking surface 12, which runs in the direction of the outer surface 9, i.e. prefers runs perpendicular to this or possibly even has an undercut.

In Figure 2, the connector 13 with the connector housing is separated from the socket 1 14 shown. The connector housing 14 has the second longitudinal axis 15 has a first housing section 16 which, when connected to the socket 1 enters the receiving space 5 according to FIG. 1. Here are the first longitudinal axis 3 and the second longitudinal axis 15 are aligned with one another. The first housing section 16 starts from an end surface 17 in which there are openings which are connected to Contact chambers are related in which second contacts in Formed by socket-shaped terminals and through a locking element 18 are secured.

The first housing section 16 is followed by an im Cross section of reduced seat section for a seal of an intermediate section 19 a second housing section 20. The cross section of the first housing section 16 is essentially that of the receiving space 5 of the socket housing 2 adapted to the socket 1, i.e. he is approaching a rounded one Rectangle. A locking arm 21 is located on a wide area of the connector housing 14 arranged, which is designed like a frame and comprises two longitudinal struts 22 which in parallel distance to each other and one end away from the End surface 17 are integrally formed with the connector housing 14. That of the end face 17 near ends of the two longitudinal struts 22 are transverse to one another Locking strut 23 connected to each other as locking means, which for locking with the locking lug 10 of the socket 1 can be engaged.

In the area of the end of the longitudinal struts 22 near the locking strut 23 there are locking lugs 24 attached. In the opposite area is adjacent to the Longitudinal struts 22 arranged at least one release surface 25, which is away from the end surface 17 away from the second longitudinal axis 15. Also in this area laterally to the longitudinal struts 22 of the locking arm 21 two first spring support bearings 26 arranged, which serve to support the compression springs 27 at one end. The Detent strut 23 has one of the first spring support bearings 26 on its underside away from the second longitudinal axis 15 footprint 28.

The connector housing 14 is surrounded by a tubular slide 29. This points in its interior towards an end face against two second spring support bearings 30 which support the compression springs 27 with their other end. In the second Spring support bearings 30 opposite surface is an adjustment recess, not shown available, which in the assembled state of the slide 29 on the connector housing 14 with a movement stop of the plug housing, not shown 14 cooperates and the movement of the slide 29 to the connector housing 14 limited along the second longitudinal axis 15. Furthermore, the slide 29 Bolt stops 33, not shown, are in the finally connected state the socket 1 with the plug 13, the locking arm 21 on the socket housing 2 secure against relocation, i.e. face the locking lugs 26.

The slide 29 are at the end having the second spring support bearing 30 assigned two releasing projections 31, which serve when releasing the plug 13 release the locking arm 21 from the socket 1. The locking arm 21 is at pulling action on the slide 29 in the release direction elastically from its relaxed Position deformed away from the second longitudinal axis 15 and to the locking approach 10 of the socket 1 moves before the connector housing 14 out of the socket housing 2 can be pulled out. Furthermore, the slide 29 has an approach 32 with two parallel to the second longitudinal axis 15 and parallel to each other offset receiving holes 33, 34.

A holding element 35, as shown in FIG. 5, is assigned to the slide 29. The holding element 35 consists of a round wire made of stainless steel.

Two spring legs 37 project transversely from a connecting section 36. she connect to the ends of the connecting section 36 with a turn 38, so that they leave the connecting section 36 transversely. To the connecting section 36 distal ends of each spring leg 37 each include one angled fastening section 39. The fastening sections 39 run parallel to the connecting section 36 and towards each other. The mounting sections 39 run parallel to each other. The attachment portions 39 are shown in the receiving bores 33, 34 shown in FIG. 2 and offset from one another of the approach 34 of the slide 29 added. This will initiate a Pivotal movement in the area of the turns 38 or the connecting section 36 generates a counter moment.

The compression springs 27 act on the slide 29 to take the one shown in FIG Position on the connector housing 14. The first housing section 16 is in inserted the receiving space 5 of the socket housing 2, the first Longitudinal axis 3 and the second longitudinal axis 15 are aligned with each other. there comes the holding element 35 with the turns 40 or the connecting section 36 against the end face 6 or against the receiving space 5 of the socket 1 subsequent chamfer to the system. The holding element 35 is in the relaxed Status. The socket 1 and the plug 14 continue in the connection direction moved (see Figure 3), the slide 29 to the socket 1 remains at rest, while the first housing section 16 is moved deeper into the receiving space 5. The locking arm 21 is released and can with its locking strut 23 on the Sliding contact surface 11 of the locking lug 10 with simultaneous elastic deformation and sit behind the locking surface 12.

The end face of the slide 29 facing the socket 1 is not located more in one plane with the end face 17 of the housing section 16 but already close to locking strut 23.

During this movement, the first contact 7 became deeper in the first housing section 16 of the connector housing 14 under the windings 38 or the connecting section 37 of the holding element 35 moves, so that at the same time or in the further Insert the connector housing 14 into the receiving space 5 and when approaching the end surface 17 to the bottom 8 of the socket 1, the holding element 35 deflected is so that its turns 40 out of contact with the end face 6 of the socket 1 arrive. When inserting the connector housing 14 into the socket 1 Prestressed compression springs 27 can take effect and the slide 29 adjust relative to the connector housing 14 towards the bottom 8, the holding element 35 slides on the outer surface 9 of the socket 1. Are in this position the compression springs 27 relaxed and the slide 30 takes in relation to the connector housing 14 the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in which the Lock arm 21 is secured against displacement away from the second longitudinal axis 15.

The movement of the holding element 35 in the relaxed state can by a Stop at the neck 32 of the slide 29 are limited.

To release the plug 13 from the socket 1, the slide 29 is off the floor 8 moves away, whereby the release projections 31 under the shelves 28 of the locking arm 21 reach and lift the locking arm 21 out of engagement with the latch 10.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

receptacle

2

Jack housing

3

first longitudinal axis

4

wall

5

accommodation space

6

face

7

first contact

8th

ground

9

outer surface

10

locking lug

11

approach surface

12

Rest area

13

plug

14

plug housing

15

second longitudinal axis

16

first housing section

17

end face

18

blocking element

19

intermediate section

20

second housing section

21

locking arm

22

longitudinal strut

23

Rest strut

24

Riegel approaches

25

release sheet

26

Spring support bearing

27

compression spring

28

footprint

29

pusher

30

second spring support bearing

31

release projection

32

approach

33

location hole

34

location hole

35

retaining element

36

connecting portion

37

spring leg

38

convolution

39

attachment section

Claims (4)

Plug (13) for connecting to
a socket (1),
which is a socket housing (2) with a first longitudinal axis (3) and with a receiving space (5) enclosed by a wall (4), which is open to an end face (6) of the socket housing (2) and at the distal end through a floor (8), to which first contacts (7) are assigned, which protrude into the receiving space (5) from the floor (8) parallel to the first longitudinal axis (3), with the receiving space (5 ) surrounding wall (4) at least one locking lug (10) is arranged projecting, comprising a connector housing (14),
which has a second longitudinal axis (15),
which has a first housing section (16) which can be inserted into the receiving space (5) with longitudinal axes (3, 15) parallel to one another and has an end face (17) from which the second contacts for the electrical contacts connect to the first contacts (7) are accessible, and
which has an elastically deflectable locking arm (21) with latching means (23) which, when connected to the socket housing (2), face the latching lug (10), a slide (29),
which is held to a limited extent on the plug housing (14) along the second longitudinal axis (15) between a release position and a locking position and prevents deflection of the locking arm (21) in the locking position, at least one compression spring (27),
which is supported on the one hand on the plug housing (14) and on the other hand on the slide (29) and acts on the slide (29) to assume its locking position, and a resilient holding element (35), which is formed from a steel wire,
which has two spring legs (37) spaced apart from a connecting section (36) and each has an angled fastening section (39) adjoining this, each fastening section (39) engaging in a separate receiving bore (33, 34) of the slide (29) and the Receiving bores (33, 34) run at right angles to the second longitudinal axis (15) and offset parallel to one another. Plug according to claim 1,
characterized in that the legs connect to the connecting section (36) with a turn (38) such that each spring leg (37) leaves the connecting section (36) transversely. Plug according to claim 1,
characterized in that the spring legs (37) proceed from the connecting section (36) such that the fastening sections (39) are offset parallel to one another. Plug according to claim 1,
characterized in that the holding element (35) consists of a round wire.

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