EP1526616B1 - 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 having two connector parts which can be plugged together and which can be coupled to one another by means of a slide, which is guided in one of the two connector parts, in particular transversely to the insertion direction, and is movable from a starting position to an end position for coupling the two connector parts, and with a securing element. that is movable between a starting position and an end position, in which it is fixed in its end position in coupled together connector parts and is released only when coupled together connector parts for movement into its end position. A connector of this type, according to the preamble of claim 1, is in the US-A-5 928 014 described.

In electrical connectors of this type, it is currently common to release the CPA or fuse element (CPA = connector position assurance) when the slide assumes its end position, so that the fuse element can be transferred in its end position engaging slide in each case in the final or secure position , The fuse element is thus locked only in its initial position engaging slider in the starting position. Such a constructed connector can now be delivered in particular in such a state in which the slide assumes its initial position. After the fuse element is locked in its initial position, an accidental transfer of the fuse element is excluded in the final or securing position in this starting position corresponding mounting position of the slider. However, there is also a need among other things for such electrical connectors that can be delivered in a state in which the slide assumes its final position. After the fuse element in the aforementioned currently common type in such, the End position corresponding preassembly position of the slide is unlocked, there is a risk that the fuse element is adjusted in its pre-assembly entnehmendem slide in the unplugged state of the connector in its final position. In order to move the slider before mating the two connector parts initially in its initial position, the fuse element would therefore have to be moved back from its final or securing position to its initial position, which is relatively expensive.

From the DE-A-100 32 234 a connector with a bow-shaped secondary locking is known, which is displaceably mounted on one of the two connector parts of the connector and locked in a delivery position. The secondary interlock is blocked in its delivery position until the two connector parts are put together.

One from the EP-A-0 921 600 known connector is provided with a securing element which is slidably mounted on one of the two connector parts of the connector and can be transferred to its closed position in assembled connector parts.

The invention has for its object to provide an improved electrical connector of the type mentioned in the simplest possible structure both for delivery in a state in which the slide occupies one of its initial position corresponding preassembly, as well as for delivery in one Condition is suitable in which the slide assumes a corresponding pre-assembly position of its end position. It should be excluded in both cases that the fuse element inadvertently prematurely actuated, i. is moved from its initial position to its end position.

This object is achieved in that the fuse element is carried out separately from the slide and the two connector parts and movably mounted between its initial position and its end position on the slider and locked in its initial position.

The securing element is therefore only released when the two connector parts are coupled together, that is completely plugged together. It is thus possible both a delivery of the connector in a state in which the slide assumes a pre-assembly position corresponding to its starting position, as well as in a state in which the slide assumes a pre-assembly position corresponding to its end position. In both cases, the securing element is locked in its initial position, so that premature actuation, ie premature transfer of the securing element is excluded from its initial position to its end position. The securing element is only released or unlocked when the two connector parts are coupled together, that is completely plugged together.

Preferably, the slider is movable into different, in each case in particular defined by locking means pre-assembly positions, in which the securing element is locked in its initial position respectively. In this case, a pre-assembly position of the slide can correspond to its end position and its initial position. It is therefore possible either a delivery of the electrical connector with its end position engaging slide or with its starting position einnehmendem slide. In both pre-assembly of the slide, the fuse element is locked in its initial position.

The securing element may be movably mounted on the slider, in particular in the direction of insertion of the two connectors.

Of particular advantage is also when the fuse element is mounted transversely to the direction of movement of the slider movable on this slider.

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

In a preferred practical embodiment of the connector according to the invention, the securing element is provided with at least one resilient latching hook and prevented by this cooperating with a counter-locking latching hooks to be moved from its initial position to its end position.

It is also particularly advantageous if the slide provided with the securing element is provided with at least one latching hook cooperating with a counter-latching element, by which the securing element is prevented from being separated from or taken out of the slide.

Advantageously, the fuse element mounted on the slide is locked by its associated resilient latching hook and the slider associated latching catches and the respective counter-locking elements on the slide or securing element in its initial position.

In a preferred practical embodiment of the connector according to the invention, the resilient latching hooks of the securing element and the latching hooks of the slide or cooperating with this latching means are provided on opposite sides of the securing element. Thus, the fuse element can be easily inserted into the slide, while ensuring that it then assumes a defined starting position, in which it is also locked in the desired manner.

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

An expedient practical embodiment of the connector according to the invention is characterized in that the slide guided in one of the two connector parts is U-shaped and its two legs cooperate with at least one coupling element provided on the other connector part. The two legs of the U-shaped slide can each be provided with at least one incision into which at least in its end position engaging slide each engages a coupling element. The incisions are expediently designed so that after an engagement of the coupling elements, the two connector parts are initially completely contracted during the transfer of the slide in its end position.

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

One of the two connector parts may comprise a plug housing and the other connector part a socket housing. In this case, the slide provided with the securing element is preferably guided in the socket housing.

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 FIG. 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 in FIG. 6 shown, 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 in FIG. 8 shown, 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 in FIG. 10 shown, 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 in FIG. 10 shown, provided with the slider connector part.

The FIGS. 1 to 13 show in a purely schematic view of an electrical connector 10th

This electrical connector 10 comprises two plug-together 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 receptacle housing 18 (see. FIG. 2 ) provided connector part 12 transverse to the insertion direction S. For coupling the two connector parts 12, 14 of the slider 16 is from a starting position (see FIGS. 4 and 6 to 9 ) into an end position (cf. FIGS. 1 and 10 to 13 ) movable. In this case, the slider 16 cooperates with, for example, pin-like coupling elements 20 provided on the other connector part 14, in the present case four such coupling elements 20 together (cf., for example, FIGS Figures 2 and 6 ). The connector part 14 having the coupling elements 20 has a plug housing 22 which is complementary to the receptacle housing 18 of the connector part 12 (cf. FIG. 2 ). As based on the FIG. 2 can be seen, the coupling elements 20 are provided on this connector housing 22.

The electrical connector 10 also comprises in the present case on the slider 16 between a starting position (see FIGS. 4 and 6 to 11 ) and an end position (cf. FIGS. 1 . 12 and 13 ) movably mounted securing element 24 which, when coupled together, ie completely mated connector parts 12, 14, the slider 16 is fixed in its end position or not.

As based on the FIG. 2 1, the connector part 14 comprises, in addition to the plug housing, a plug element 26 (SLC = slide lock connector) and a module 28, which may be, for example, an electro-optical module. An electro-optical module is to be understood as any module in which optical signals are converted into electrical signals and electrical signals are converted into optical signals.

The connector part 12 comprises, in addition to the receptacle housing 18 and the slide 16 with associated securing element 24, a receiving part 30 (SLC female) and a housing seal 32.

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

As in particular on the basis of FIGS. 6 to 13 can be seen, the fuse element 24 is mounted in the insertion direction S of the two connector parts 12, 14 and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the slider 16 movable on the slide 16.

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

In the FIG. 4 the electrical connector or its connector part 12, however, is shown in a delivery state in which the slider 16 occupies a pre-assembly position corresponding to its starting position. Also in this case the securing element 24 is locked again in its starting position.

The pre-assembly can be defined by locking means.

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

The securing element 24 is provided with at least one resilient latching hook 34 which cooperates with a counter-latching element 36 associated with the slide 16 in order to prevent the securing element 24 from being moved from its initial position into its end position (cf. FIGS. 5 to 11 ).

Moreover, the slide 16 provided with the securing element 24 also has a latching hook 38 which interacts with a counter-latching element 40 associated with the securing element 24 in order to prevent the securing element 24 from being separated from the slide 16 or removed therefrom (cf. FIGS. 6 and 7 ). In this case, the fuse element 24 mounted on the slider 16 by its associated resilient latching hook 34 and the slide 16 associated latching hooks 38 and the respective counter-latching elements 36, 40 on slide 16 and securing element 24 in its initial position locked (see FIG. 7 ). As in particular on the basis of FIG. 7 can be seen, the resilient latching hook 34 of the securing element 24 and the latching hooks 38 of the slider 16 and the cooperating with this counter-locking means 40 on opposite sides of the securing element 24 are provided.

The connector part 14 not provided with the securing element 24 or slide 16 is provided with at least one, for example, peg-like attachment 42 (cf. Figures 2 and 6 to 11 ), by which the securing element 24 associated resilient locking hooks 34 for releasing the securing element 24 is acted upon accordingly.

As in particular on the basis of Figures 2 . 6 and 7 can be seen, the guided in the connector part 12 slide 16 is U-shaped. The two legs 16 ', 16 "each cooperate with two, in particular pin-like coupling elements 20 provided on the connector part 14. In this case, the two legs 16', 16" of the U-shaped slide 16 are each provided with two notches 44 (cf. especially the Figures 2 . 6 and 7 ), in which when mating the two connector parts 12, 14 in each case a coupling element 20 engages. The cuts 44 are designed so that after engagement of the coupling elements 20, the two connector parts 12, 14 are completely contracted during the transfer of the slider 16 in its end position.

As in particular on the basis of Figures 2 and 7 can be seen, the U-shaped slider 16 is provided with a guide 48 arranged in the region of its web 46 for the securing element 24.

FIG. 1 shows the electrical connector 10 in the coupled, ie fully assembled state with its end position engaging, locked in this end position fuse element 24th

In FIG. 6 is the electrical connector 10 in the unplugged state with its starting position engaging slide 16 shown. The securing element 24 is locked by the cooperating with the counter-element 36 resilient latching hooks 34 and cooperating with the counter-element 40 latching hook 38 in its initial position (see also FIG. 7 ).

The FIGS. 8 and 9 show the electrical connector 10 in a phase in which the two connector parts 12, 14 already merged are, however, the fuse element 24 is still locked in its initial position. Thus, there is still no corresponding loading of the resilient latching hook 34 through, for example, the pin-like projection 42. The securing element 24 thus remains locked in its initial position.

The FIGS. 10 and 11 show the electrical connector 10 with fully mated, ie coupled connector parts 12, 14. The fuse element 24 still takes its initial position. However, it is already released via the approach 42 of the connector part 14 by a corresponding pivoting back of the resilient latching hook 34 for transfer to the end position. As in particular on the basis of FIG. 11 can be seen, the resilient latching hook 34 of the securing element 24 is pushed back so far by the particular pin-like projection 42 of the connector part 14 that it is released from the counter-latching element 36, whereby the securing element 24 is released.

In the illustration according to the FIGS. 12 and 13 the two connector parts 12, 14 are completely plugged together, ie coupled. The slider 16 engaging its end position is secured by the securing element 24 transferred into its end position or fixed relative to the housing of the connector part 12. This is achieved in the present case, for example, by the fact that the securing element 24 occupying its end position engages with one end 50 in a bracket-like receptacle 52 provided on the connector parts 12 or its housing. The slider 16 is thus prevented by the end position engaging securing element 24 from being moved out of the connector part 12, 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 (17)

1. An electrical plug connector (10) having two connector parts (12, 14) which can be plugged together and which can be coupled to one another by means of a slider (16) which is guided in one (12) of the two connector parts (12, 14), in particular transversely to the plug-in direction (S), and which is movable from a starting position into an end position to couple the two connector parts (12, 14), and also having a securing element (24) which is movable between a starting position and an end position in which it fixes the slider (16) in its end position when the connector parts (12, 14) are coupled to one another and is only released for a movement into its end position when the connector parts (12, 14) are coupled to one another,
   characterized in that
   the securing element (24) is made separately from the slider (16) and the two connector parts (12, 14) and is movably supported between its starting position and its end position at the slider (16) and is latched in its starting position.
2. A plug connector in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the slider (16) is movable into different pre-assembly positions, each in particular being defined by latching means, in which the securing element (24) is respectively latched in its starting position.
3. A plug connector in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that a pre-assembly position of the slider (16) corresponds to its end position.
4. A plug connector in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that a pre-assembly position of the slider (16) corresponds to its starting position.
5. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element (26) is movably supported at the slider (16) in the plug-in direction (S) of the two connector parts (12, 14).
6. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element (24) is movably supported at the slider (16) transversely to the direction of movement of the slider (16).
7. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the release of the securing element (24) takes place via the connector part (14) not provided with the securing element (24) or with the slider (16).
8. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element (24) is provided with at least one resilient latch hook (34) and is prevented from being moved out of its starting position into its end position by this latch hook (34) cooperating with a counter latching element (36).
9. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slider (16) provided with the securing element (24) is provided with at least one latch hook (38) which cooperates with a counter latching element (40) and by which the securing element (24) is prevented from being separated from the slider (16).
10. A plug connector in accordance with claim 8 and claim 9, characterized in that the securing element (24) supported at the slider (16) is latachable in its starting position by the resilient latch hook (34) associated with it and by the latch hook (38) associated with the slider (16) and by the respective counter latching elements (36, 40) at the slider (16) or at the securing element (24).
11. A plug connector in accordance with claim 9 or claim 10, characterized in that the resilient latch hook (34) of the securing element (24) and the latch hook (38) of the slider (16) or the counter latching means (40) cooperating with it are provided at sides of the securing element (24) disposed opposite one another.
12. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector part (14) not provided with the securing element (24) or the slider (16) is provided with at least one shoulder (42) and the resilient latch hook (34) associated with the securing element (24) can be acted on accordingly via this shoulder (42) to release the securing element (24).
13. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slider (16) guided in one (12) of the two connector parts (12, 14) is U-shaped and its two limbs (16', 16") each cooperate with at least one coupling element (20) provided at the other connector part (14).
14. A plug connector in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that the two limbs (16', 16") of the U-shaped slider (16) are each provided with at least one cut-out (44) into which a respective coupling element (20) engages at least when the slider (16) adopts its end position.
15. A plug connector in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that the cut-outs (44) are made such that, after an engagement of the coupling elements (20), the two connector parts (12, 14) are completely pulled together during the moving of the slider (16) into its end position.
16. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the claims 13, 14, or 15, characterized in that the U-shaped slider (16) is provided with a guide (48) for the securing element (24) arranged in the region of its web. (46)
17. A plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one (14) of the two connector parts (12, 14) includes a plug housing (22) and the other connector part (12) includes a plug sleeve housing (18) and in that the slider (16) provided with the securing element (24) is guided in the plug sleeve housing (18).

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