EP1526616A1 - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has two parts (12,14) that can be plugged together and that can be coupled by a sliding element (16) fed into one connector part, especially transversely to the plugging direction, and a securing element (24) movable between a starting position and an end position in which it fixes the sliding part in its end position. The securing element is locked in its starting position and is only released for movement to its end position with the connector parts coupled.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connector with two mating Connector parts, which by means of a slider with each other can be coupled, in particular, transversely in one of the two connector parts guided to the plug-in direction and for coupling the two connector parts of a starting position is movable into an end position, as well as with a Securing element that between a starting position and an end position is movable in which it is coupled with each other connector parts fixed the slide in its final position.

In electrical connectors of this type, it is currently common for the CPA or Release connector element assurance (CPA), when the slider assumes its end position, so that the Securing element at its end position engaging slide in can be transferred in each case in the final or securing position. The fuse element is thus engaging only at its initial position Slider locked in the starting position. Such a structure Connector can now in particular in such a state be delivered, in which the slide assumes its initial position. After the fuse element in its initial position is locked, is an accidental transfer of the fuse element in the final or securing position in this the starting position corresponding Mounting position of the slider excluded. It exists but now, among other things, a need for such electrical connectors, which can be delivered in a state in which the Slider takes his final position. After the fuse element in the aforementioned currently common type in such, the End position corresponding pre-assembly position of the slide unlocked There is a risk that the fuse element at its pre-assembly engaging slide when not plugged in the Connector is adjusted in its final position. To the slide in front a mating of the two connector parts first in his To be able to move home position, would have the fuse element So first again from its final or secured position in his Starting position to be spent, which is relatively expensive.

The invention is based on the object, an improved electrical Connectors of the aforementioned type to create the possible simple construction both for delivery in one state, in which the slide one of its initial position corresponding Pre-assembly, as well as for delivery in one State is suitable, in which the slide one of its end position corresponding Pre-assembly takes. It should in both cases be ruled out that the fuse element accidentally prematurely operated, i. moved from its initial position to its end position becomes.

This object is achieved in that the fuse element is locked in its original position and only when together coupled connector parts for movement into its end position is released.

The fuse element is thus released only when the two connector parts coupled together, i. are completely plugged together. It is thus both a delivery of the connector in a state in which the slide one of its initial position corresponding Pre-assembly takes place, as well as in a condition possible in the slider a pre-assembly corresponding to its end position occupies. In both cases, the fuse element is in his Locked home position so that premature actuation, i. a premature transfer of the fuse element from its initial position is excluded in its final position. The fuse element is only released or unlocked when the two connector parts coupled together, i. are completely plugged together.

In a preferred practical embodiment of the invention Connector is the fuse element between its initial position and its end position movably mounted on the slide.

Preferably, the slider is in different, in particular by Rastmittel defined pre-assembly movable, in which the securing element is locked in its initial position respectively. It can a pre-assembly of the slide its end position and a correspond to its starting position. So it is optional extradition the electrical connector with its end position einnehmendem Slider or with its starting position engaging slider possible. In both pre-assembly positions of the slider is the fuse element each locked in its initial position.

The securing element can in particular in the insertion direction of the two Connector movably mounted on the slide.

It is particularly advantageous if the fuse element transversely to Direction of movement of the slider movably mounted on this slider is.

The release of the securing element takes place advantageously over the not provided with the securing element or slide connector part.

In a preferred practical embodiment of the invention Connector is the fuse element with at least one provided resilient latching hook and through this with a counter-locking element cooperating latching hook prevented from his Starting position to be moved to its final position.

Of particular advantage is when the with the fuse element provided slides with at least one with a counter-latching element cooperating latching hook is provided, through which the securing element prevented, separated from the slider or from this to be taken out.

Advantageously, the fuse element mounted on the slider is by assigned to him resilient latch hook and the slider associated Rasthäken and the relevant counter-locking elements on the slide or fuse element locked in its initial position.

In a preferred practical embodiment of the invention Connector are the resilient latching hook of the fuse element and the latching hook of the slider or cooperating with this Locking means on opposite sides of the securing element intended. This allows the fuse element in a simple manner be used in the slide, while ensuring at the same time that it then assumes a defined starting position in which it also locked in the desired manner.

Conveniently, this is not with the fuse element or slide provided connector part with at least one approach and the fuse element associated resilient Ratshaken for release the fuse element can be acted upon accordingly via this approach. The approach may be performed, for example, pin-like.

An expedient practical embodiment of the invention Connector is characterized by the fact that in one of the two Connector parts guided slide is U-shaped and its two Leg each with at least one provided on the other connector part Coupling coupling element. The two legs of the U-shaped Sliders can each provide with at least one incision be, in the at least at its end position engaging slider each engaging a coupling element. Here are the cuts suitably designed so that after an engagement of the coupling elements the two connector parts during the transfer of the slider initially completely contracted into its final position.

Preferably, the U-shaped slider with a in the region of its web arranged guide provided for the fuse element.

One of the two connector parts can be a plug housing and the other Connector part comprise a socket housing. It is with the Secured element provided slide preferably in the receptacle housing guided.

Figur 1

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines elektrischen Steckverbinders im zusammengesteckten Zustand mit seine Endstellung einnehmendem Sicherungselement,

Figur 2

eine auseinander gezogene perspektivische Darstellung des Steckverbinders gemäß Figur 1,

Figur 3

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des elektrischen Steckverbinders in einem Auslieferungszustand, in dem der Schieber eine seiner Endstellung entsprechende Vormontagestellung einnimmt, wobei das Sicherungselement in seiner Ausgangsstellung verriegelt ist,

Figur 4

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des elektrischen Steckverbinders in einem Auslieferungszustand, in dem der Schieber eine seiner Ausgangsstellung entsprechende Vormontagestellung einnimmt, wobei das Sicherungselement wieder in seiner Ausgangsstellung verriegelt ist,

Figur 5

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des Sicherungselements,

Figur 6

eine schematische, teilweise geschnittene Darstellung des elektrischen Steckverbinders im nicht gesteckten Zustand mit seine Ausgangsstellung einnehmendem Schieber,

Figur 7

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Ausschnitts A des in Figur 6 dargestellten, mit dem Schieber versehenen Verbinderteils,

Figur 8

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des elektrischen Steckverbinders, wobei die beiden Verbinderteile zwar bereits zusammengeführt sind, das Sicherungselement jedoch noch verriegelt ist,

Figur 9

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Ausschnitts A des in Figur 8 dargestellten, mit dem Schieber versehenen Verbinderteils,

Figur 10

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des elektrischen Steckverbinders mit vollständig zusammengesteckten, d.h. gekoppelten Verbinderteilen, wobei das Sicherungselement zwar bereits freigegeben ist, jedoch noch seine Ausgangsstellung einnimmt,

Figur 11

. eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Ausschnitts A des in Figur 10 dargestellten, mit dem Schieber versehenen Verbinderteils,

Figur 12

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung des elektrischen Steckverbinders mit vollständig zusammengesteckten, d.h. gekoppelten Verbinderteilen und seine Endstellung einnehmendem Sicherungselement, und

Figur 13

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Ausschnitts A des in Figur 10 dargestellten, mit dem Schieber versehenen Verbinderteils.

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

FIG. 1

a schematic perspective view of an electrical connector in the assembled state with its end position engaging securing element,

FIG. 2

an exploded perspective view of the connector according to Figure 1,

FIG. 3

a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector in a delivery state in which the slide occupies a pre-assembly position corresponding to its end position, wherein the securing element is locked in its initial position,

FIG. 4

a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector in a delivery state in which the slide occupies one of its initial position corresponding preassembly position, wherein the securing element is locked again in its initial position,

FIG. 5

a schematic perspective view of the fuse element,

FIG. 6

a schematic, partially sectioned view of the electrical connector in the unplugged state with its starting position engaging slide,

FIG. 7

an enlarged view of a section A of the shown in Figure 6, provided with the slider connector part,

FIG. 8

a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector, the two connector parts are indeed already merged, the fuse element is still locked,

FIG. 9

an enlarged view of a section A of the shown in Figure 8, provided with the slider connector part,

FIG. 10

a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector with fully mated, ie coupled connector parts, the fuse element is indeed already released, but still assumes its initial position,

FIG. 11

, an enlarged view of a section A of the shown in Figure 10, provided with the slider connector part,

FIG. 12

a schematic perspective view of the electrical connector with fully mated, ie coupled connector parts and its end position einnehmendem fuse element, and

FIG. 13

an enlarged view of a section A of the illustrated in Figure 10, provided with the slider connector part.

Figures 1 to 13 show a purely schematic view of an electric Connector 10.

This electrical connector 10 includes two mating Connector parts 12, 14 which can be coupled by means of a slider 16. At the Present embodiment, this slider 16 is in the with a Socket housing 18 (see Figure 2) provided connector part 12 transverse to Plug-in direction S out. To couple the two connector parts 12, 14 the slider 16 from a starting position (see Figures 4 and 6 to 9) in an end position (see Figures 1 and 10 to 13) movable. there the slider 16 acts with provided on the other connector part 14, For example, peg-like coupling elements 20, in the present case four such coupling elements 20 together (see, for example, the figures 2 and 6). The coupling elements 20 having connector part 14th has a plug-in housing 18 of the connector part 12 complementary Plug housing 22 (see in particular Figure 2). As with the figure 2, the coupling elements 20 are on this connector housing 22 provided.

The electrical connector 10 also includes one in the present Case on the slide 16 between a starting position (see Figures 4 and 6 to 11) and an end position (see Figures 1, 12 and 13) movable stored securing element 24 which, when coupled together, i.e. completely assembled connector parts 12, 14 the Slider 16 fixed in its final position or not.

As can be seen with reference to FIG. 2, the connector part 14 comprises in addition to the connector housing, a male connector 26 (SLC male; SLC = slide lock connector) and a module 28, which is for example a electro-optical module can act. Under an electro-optical Module is an arbitrarily executed module to understand, in the optical Signals in electrical signals and electrical signals in optical signals being transformed.

The connector part 12 includes except the receptacle housing 18 and the Slider 16 with associated securing element 24 a receiving part 30th (SLC female) and a housing seal 32.

As further described below in detail, this is in its initial position locked fuse element 24 only when coupled together Connector parts 12, 14 released for movement to its end position.

As can be seen in particular with reference to Figures 6 to 13, that is Securing element 24 in the insertion direction S of the two connector parts 12, 14th and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slider 16 movable on Slide 16 stored.

FIG. 3 shows the electrical connector or its connector part 12 in a delivery state, in which the slider 16 is one of its end position appropriate pre-assembly takes. The fuse element 24 is locked in this case in its initial position.

In the figure 4 is the electrical connector or its connector part 12, however, shown in a delivery state in which the slider 16 occupies one of its initial position corresponding preassembly. Also in this case, the securing element 24 is back in his Home position locked.

The pre-assembly can be defined by locking means.

The release of the plug in the direction of the connector parts 12, 14 and across to Direction of movement of the slider 16 movably mounted on the slider 16 Fuse element 24 takes place, as described below not provided with the securing element 24 or slider 16 Connector part 14.

The securing element 24 is provided with at least one resilient latching hook Provided 34, which is associated with a slide 16 associated counter-locking element 36 cooperates to prevent the fuse element 24, to be moved from its initial position to its end position (See in particular Figures 5 to 11).

Moreover, the one provided with the securing element 24 also has Slider 16 a latching hook 38, with a securing element 24 associated counter-latching element 40 cooperates to the fuse element 24 to prevent, separated from the slider 16 and out To be taken out of this (see in particular Figures 6 and 7). Here, the slide 16 mounted on the fuse element 24 by the this associated resilient latching hook 34 and the slider 16 associated locking hooks 38 and the respective counter-locking elements 36, 40 on the slide 16 and securing element 24 in its initial position Lockable (see in particular the figure 7). As in particular 7 can be seen, are the resilient latching hook 34 of the fuse element 24 and the latching hook 38 of the slider 16 or with this cooperating counter-locking means 40 on opposite Side of the fuse element 24 is provided.

This is not provided with the securing element 24 or slider 16 Connector part 14 is connected to at least one e.g. peg-like approach 42 provided (see in particular Figures 2 and 6 to 11), through which the the latching element 24 associated resilient latching hook 34 for release the fuse element 24 can be acted upon accordingly.

As can be seen in particular with reference to Figures 2, 6 and 7, is the in the connector part 12 guided slide 16 U-shaped. The two legs 16 ', 16 "each act with two on the connector part 14th provided, in particular pin-like coupling elements 20 together. In this case, the two legs 16 ', 16 "of the U-shaped slide sixteenth in the present case in each case with two cuts 44 (cf. Figures 2, 6 and 7) provided in the mating of the two connector parts 12, 14 each engage a coupling element 20. The Notches 44 are designed so that after an engagement of the coupling elements 20, the two connector parts 12, 14 during the transfer the slider 16 is fully contracted in its final position become.

As can be seen in particular with reference to Figures 2 and 7, the U-shaped Slider 16 with a arranged in the region of its web 46 Guide 48 provided for the fuse element 24.

Figure 1 shows the electrical connector 10 in the coupled, i. fully mated state with its end position engaging, locked in this end position fuse element 24th

In Figure 6, the electrical connector 10 is in the unplugged state shown with its starting position engaging slide 16. The Securing element 24 is cooperating with the counter element 36 resilient latch hook 34 and the counter element Locked 40 locking latch 38 in its initial position (See also Figure 7).

Figures 8 and 9 show the electrical connector 10 in a Phase in which the two connector parts 12, 14, although already merged However, the fuse element 24 is still in its starting position is locked. So there is still no corresponding admission the resilient latching hook 34 through the example pin-like Approach 42. The fuse element 24 thus remains in locked to its original position.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the electrical connector 10 completely mated, i. coupled connector parts 12, 14. Although the fuse element 24 still takes its starting position. It is about the approach 42 of the connector part 14 by a corresponding However, pivoting back of the resilient latching hook 34 already for a Transfer to the end position released. As in particular on the basis of Figure 11 can be seen, the resilient latching hook 34 of the fuse element 24 through the particular pin-like projection 42 of the Connector 14 pushed back so far that he from the counter-locking element 36 is released, whereby the securing element 24 is released.

In the illustration according to FIGS. 12 and 13, the two connector parts are shown 12, 14 completely plugged together, i. coupled. His Final position engaging slider 16 is through in its final position transferred fuse element 24 secured or with respect to the housing set the connector part 12. This is for example in the present case achieved by the fact that its end position engaging securing element 24 with an end 50 in one of the connector parts 12 and its housing provided, e.g. bow-shaped receptacle 52 engages. The Slider 16 is thus by its end position engaging securing element 24 prevented from being moved out of the connector part 12 again to be, whereby the connector is secured.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

electrical connector

12

connector part

14

connector part

16

pusher

16 '

leg

16 "

leg

18

Receptacle housing

20

coupling element

22

plug housing

24

fuse element

26

male member

28

module

30

receiving part

32

housing seal

34

resilient latching hook

36

Counter-locking element

38

latch hook

40

Counter-locking element

42

approach

44

incision

46

web

48

guide

50

The End

52

admission

S

plug-in direction

Claims (18)

Electrical connector (10) with two connector parts (12, 14) which can be coupled to one another by means of a slide (16) which is guided in one (12) of the two connector parts (12, 14) in particular transversely to the direction of insertion (S) and to Coupling the two connector parts (12, 14) is movable from an initial position to an end position, and with a securing element (24) which is movable between a starting position and an end position, in which there is coupled with the connector parts (12, 14) the slider (16) fixed in its end position,
characterized in that the securing element (24) is locked in its initial position and is released only in mutually coupled connector parts (12, 14) for movement into its end position. Connector according to claim 1,
characterized in that the securing element (24) between its initial position and its end position is movably mounted on the slide (16). Connector according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the slide (16) in different, in each case in particular by locking means defined pre-assembly positions is movable, in which the securing element (24) is locked in its initial position respectively. Connector according to claim 3,
characterized in that a pre-assembly position of the slide (16) corresponds to its end position. Connector according to claim 3,
characterized in that a pre-assembly position of the slide (16) corresponds to its initial position. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the securing element (26) in the insertion direction (S) of the two connector parts (12, 14) is movably mounted on the slide (16). Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the securing element (24) mounted transversely to the direction of movement of the slide (16) movable on the slide (16). Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the release of the securing element (24) via the not with the securing element (24) or slide (16) provided connector part (14). Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the securing element (24) provided with at least one resilient latching hook (34) and by this with a counter-latching element (36) cooperating latching hook (34) is prevented from being moved from its initial position to its end position. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the slider (16) provided with the securing element (24) is provided with at least one latching hook (38) cooperating with a counter-latching element (40), by which the securing element (24) is prevented from being separated from the slider (16) to become. Connector according to claims 9 and 10,
characterized in that the on the slide (16) mounted securing element (24) by its associated resilient latching hook (34) and the slide (16) associated latching hooks (38) and the respective counter-latching elements (36, 40) on the slide (16) or securing element (24) can be locked in its initial position. Connector according to claim 10 or 11,
characterized in that the resilient latching hooks (34) of the securing element (24) and the latching hooks (38) of the slider (16) or cooperating with this counter-locking means (40) on opposite sides of the securing element (24) are provided. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the connector part (14) not provided with the securing element (24) or slide (16) is provided with at least one projection (42) and the resilient latching hook (34) assigned to the securing element (24) releases the securing element (24 ) can be acted upon accordingly via this approach (42). Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that in one (12) of the two connector parts (12, 14) guided slide (16) is U-shaped and its two legs (16 ', 16 ") each provided with at least one on the other connector part (14) Coupling element (20) cooperate. Connector according to claim 14,
characterized in that the two legs (16 ', 16 ") of the U-shaped slide (16) are each provided with at least one notch (44), in each of which at least in its end position engaging slide (16) a coupling element (20) intervenes. Connector according to claim 15,
characterized in that the notches (44) are designed so that after engagement of the coupling elements (20), the two connector parts (12, 14) during the transfer of the slide (16) are completely contracted into its end position. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the U-shaped slide (16) with a in the region of its web (46) arranged guide (48) for the securing element (24) is provided. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that one (14) of the two connector parts (12, 14) comprises a plug housing (22) and the other connector part (12) comprises a socket housing (18) and that the slide (16) provided with the securing element (24) is in the socket housing (18) is guided.

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