EP1528639B1 - Connector housing with short-circuit bridge - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector housing comprising a longitudinal axis, a first housing portion having a front end face and a rear end, at least two receiving chambers extending parallel to the longitudinal axis for receiving an electrical contact element having a pin, wherein the receiving chambers each have an insertion opening for the associated contact element and having an open end face for the front end opening for the plug pin, an elastic latch arm per receiving chamber for fixing the contact element in the receiving chamber, a second housing portion which is integrally formed with the first housing portion forms a receiving space into which a portion of a housing of a mating connector can be introduced, which has a contact socket having contact elements, which are each electrically conductively connected to the contact elements and a plug connection comprising the Ste connector housing and an associated mating connector. More particularly, the invention relates to a connector housing having a shorting bridge for shorting the contact elements provided with a pin.

EP 1 235 306 A2 describes such a connector housing with receiving chambers for contact elements with contact sockets, wherein the contact sockets are inserted through an insertion opening into the receiving chambers and via an opening in the front end face of the connector housing for the entry of a Connector pin are accessible. The contact elements are each set in the receiving chambers by a locking arm, which engages behind an edge on the associated contact element. In addition, a front holder is provided which enters into a gap between a wall of the first housing portion of the connector housing and the outer surface of the locking arms, so that they are fixed.

When connector housings with a shorting bridge, the problem is that when inserting the contact element in the associated receiving chamber, the contact arms of the shorting bridge are in the rebounded state and thus are in the range of motion exiting the end face of the housing connector pins, so that the risk of misalignment of the contact element is. In addition, there is a risk that, if a special coating is provided on the connector pins to improve contact, damage to the surface of the connector pins may occur during the relative movement between the connector pins and the contact region of the contact arms. Furthermore, the expended for the assembly of the contact elements force is correspondingly high, since the spring force of the contact arms is overcome. Moreover, if the contact elements are made of a highly conductive material, for example, a copper material that is relatively soft, the connector pins can be bent.

In EP-A-0 678 938 a connector housing is described in which a fuse element is provided which forms a secondary latch for both contact elements and for the shorting bridge in the connector housing. This element can be inserted transversely to the longitudinal axis into a recess of the connector housing and can be fixed in two different positions via latching means. In the first position, this securing element is held so that both the contact elements and the shorting bridge can be inserted into the connector housing so that they are fixed by the locking means provided in the connector housing. Thereafter, the securing element can be transferred to the final holding position, in which it secures both the shorting bridge and the individual contact elements in addition, so that a total of a double lock given is. In this final position, the fuse element acts on the shorting bridge so that it comes into contact with the contact elements. In addition, a locking element in the form of a flap is provided, which is pivotally mounted on the connector housing and having first locking means which come into contact with second locking means on the mating connector and lock the connector housing to the mating connector. This locking flap is additionally provided with a release element that brings the shorting bridge out of contact with the contact elements in the locked state of the locking flap with the mating connector.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a connector housing in which the contact elements are easy to assemble and the risk of damage to the same is not given despite the presence of a shorting bridge.

• eine Kurzschlussbrücke, die
  • aus einem elektrisch leitenden Material besteht,
  • im ersten Gehäuseabschnitt festgelegt ist,
  • für jedes Kontaktelement einen elastisch federnden Kontaktarm umfasst, wobei die Kontaktarme miteinander verbunden sind und dazu dienen, mit den Steckerstiften in Kontakt zu treten,
• und einen vorderen Halter, der
  • zwischen einer Anfangsposition und einer Endposition entlang der Längsachse verlagerbar ist,
  • mindestens ein erstes Lüftelement aufweist, das in der Anfangsposition die Kontaktarme in einer Lüftposition hält und in der Endposition diese unbeaufschlagt lässt, so dass diese in Kontakt zu den Steckerstiften treten.

This object is achieved by a connector housing, which is characterized by

• a shorting bridge, the
  • consists of an electrically conductive material,
  • is set in the first housing section,
  • for each contact element comprises an elastically resilient contact arm, wherein the contact arms are connected to each other and serve to contact the connector pins,
• and a front holder, the
  • is displaceable between an initial position and an end position along the longitudinal axis,
  • At least one first Lüftelement has that holds the contact arms in a release position in the initial position and leaves in the end position this unencumbered, so that they come into contact with the connector pins.

An advantage of this design is that the known in itself for the setting of locking arms front holder can be additionally used to hold the contact arms of the shorting bridge initially in a raised release position during assembly of the contact elements, so that they are not connected to the plug pins Contact elements can come into contact. As a result, the assembly of the contact elements is facilitated overall. The insertion thus needs to be done only by overcoming the spring force of the locking arm. The plug pins themselves are not loaded at the tip when exiting the outlet opening in the end face of the first housing section, so that no damage can occur. Only when all the contact elements are correctly mounted, i.e., is it ensured that the locking arms assume the correct locking position, the front holder can be transferred to its end position, so that the contact arms are released and are introduced transversely to the longitudinal axis of the connector pins. Normally, the contact arms of the shorting bridge contact the connector pins in a region close to the support, so that there is no risk of bending them.

It is favorable if each contact arm, a first Lüftelement is provided.

Preferably, the front holder is designed like a frame and is at least partially sunk in the end position in the end position.

To improve the guidance of the front holder has parallel to the longitudinal axis extending struts, which carry the truss.

It is particularly favorable when the cross member in the end position of the front holder fills a gap between a wall of the first housing portion and the outer surfaces of the locking arms facing away from the receiving chambers in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. As a result, the locking arms are prevented from escaping from the locking position, so that a double backup of the contact elements is given in their position in the receiving chambers. Thus, even when tensile forces occur on a cable connected to the contact element in the Extend the same from the connector housing no release occur.

The object is further achieved by a connector comprising a connector housing according to one of the claims, which relate to the connector housing, and a mating connector, which is associated with at least a second Lüftelement which brings the contact arms when connecting to the connector housing out of contact with the connector pins.

A preferred embodiment of the connector housing and a mating connector is shown in the drawing.

Fig. 1

einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Steckverbindergehäuse in der Ebene einer Aufnahmekammer, wobei sich der vordere Halter in einer Anfangsposition befindet,

Fig. 2

einen Längsschnitt entsprechend dem von Fig. 1, wobei jedoch sich der vordere Halter in der Endposition befindet,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines vorderen Halters als Einzelteil und

Fig. 4

einen Längsschnitt durch einen Gegensteckverbinder mit einem Lüftelement.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a longitudinal section through an inventive connector housing in the plane of a receiving chamber, wherein the front holder is in an initial position,

Fig. 2

3 is a longitudinal section corresponding to that of FIG. 1, but with the front holder in the end position,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of a front holder as a single part and

Fig. 4

a longitudinal section through a mating connector with a ventilation element.

From Fig. 1, a connector housing 2 can be seen, which has the longitudinal axis 1. The connector housing 2 comprises a first housing section 3 and a second housing section 4. The first housing section 3 extends between a front end face 5 and a rear end 6. In the first housing section 3, two receiving chambers 7 are arranged, as in the present embodiment, a bipolar embodiment. The two receiving chambers 7 are parallel to the longitudinal axis, but only one of which is visible. The second receiving chamber is located behind the visible receiving chamber 7, ie behind the drawing plane.

The receiving chamber 7 is open via an insertion 9 and an outlet bore 8 to the rear end 6. In the front end face 5, an outlet opening 10 is present, which is in communication with the receiving chamber 7. Further, a locking arm 11 is provided per receiving chamber 7, which is integrally formed with the first housing portion 3, but is separated from it so that it can be elastically deformed. It has a locking projection 12 which, in the relaxed state of the locking arm 11, that is, when no force is exerted on it, protrudes into the region of the receiving chamber 7. Between the outer surfaces 15 of the locking arms 11 and the wall 14 of the first housing portion 3, a gap 13 is formed, in which the locking arm 11 can be elastically displaced. The first housing section 3 integrally formed second housing portion 4 forms a receiving space 16 for a housing portion of a mating connector.

This receiving space 16 is arranged upstream of the front end face 5 of the first housing section 3.

In addition, in the first housing section 3, a fixing set 17 is provided transversely to the longitudinal axis 1 and offset thereto, on which the holding section of an electrically conductive shorting bridge 18 is accommodated. The setting approach 17 is over the front end surface 5 in the receiving space 16 before, and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 1. The shorting bridge 18 has in the proposed two-pole embodiment, two contact arms 19, of which only one can be seen. The second contact arm 19 is located in the plane behind the visible contact arm 19 and is spaced therefrom, so that both can spring separately. Starting from the fixed to the fixing neck 17 holding portion of the shorting bridge 18, which connects the two contact arms 19 electrically conductive, each contact arm 19 extends in the direction of the front end face 5 into a recess in the end face 5, and that the longitudinal axis 1 approximately , and has towards the free end a projection 19a and a again away from the longitudinal axis 1 portion.

The connector housing 2 is associated with a front holder 20 which is located in the receiving space 16 in the initial position. The front holder 20 has two first vent elements 22. These each have an in the direction of the rear end 6 obliquely to the longitudinal axis 1 to be extended Lüftfläche 22a and then a holding surface 22b. The front holder 20 has struts 23 which extend from its front, designed as a frame 24 portion in the direction of the rear end 6 and carry a transversely to the longitudinal axis 1 extending cross member 22. The front holder 20 is made of an electrically insulating material. During assembly of the front holder 20, the first louver elements 22 each contact one of the contact arms 19 with the projection 19a provided in the region of the outwardly angled gate and lift the contact arms 19 on further insertion of the holder 20 in the direction of the rear end 6 by sliding the lugs 19a of the contact arms 19 on the ventilation surfaces 22a, so that they are supported in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis 1 clearly outside the outlet openings 10 in the front end face 5 on the support surfaces 22b adjoining the ventilation surfaces 22a.

In this position, the front holder 20 remains until complete assembly of contact elements 25, which are each connected to a cable 28. The insertion of the contact elements 25 takes place through the outlet bore 8 via the insertion opening 9 in the receiving chamber 7, wherein the elastic locking arm 11 with his Bolt projection 12 is displaced from the region of the receiving chamber 7 in the gap 13. When inserting the contact element 25, the molded-in plug pin 26 passes through the outlet opening 10 outwards into the receiving space 16 via the front end face 5. Since the contact arms 19 are held away from the exit openings 10 by the front holder 20, the insertion can be done easily and without a frictional contact or a bending stress by the contact arms 19. When the end position is reached, the elastically deformed locking arm 11 can again assume its relaxed position, in which its locking projection 12 sits in front of a retaining edge 27 of the contact element 25. Between the cable 28 and the wall of the outlet bore 8, a seal 29 is arranged to achieve a water- and moisture-proof connection.

When all the contact elements 25 are inserted as described above and secured by the associated latch arms 11 in the receiving chambers 7, the front holder 20 can be moved along the longitudinal axis 1 towards the rear end 6, wherein the first Lüftelemente 22 come out of contact with the contact arms 19 and the cross member 24 enters the gap 13 between the wall 14 of the first housing portion 3 and the outer surface 15 of the locking arms 11, so that the gap 13 is filled in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis 1. As a result, the locking arms 11 are fixed in their locked position. In this case, the front holder 20 assumes the position shown in Fig. 2, wherein the frame portion of the holder 20 is received in the recess 21 of the end face 5, so that it does not project beyond the front end face 5. From Fig. 2 is further seen that the contact arms 19 have come into contact with the connector pins 26 of the contact elements 25.

In Fig. 3, the front holder 20 is shown as a single part, which comprises a in the end position in the recess 21 entering frame portion and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis 1 struts 23 which project from the frame portion and carry at its free ends the cross member 24 which runs transversely to the longitudinal axis 1. Furthermore, the first vent elements 22 can be seen, which are each provided with a vent surface 22a and a holding surface 22b.

4, a mating connector 30 is shown having a portion 31, which enters the receiving space 16 of the connector housing 2 when connecting both together. In this section 31 are also receiving chambers in which, however, are designed as contact sockets 32 designed contact elements. Further, the mating connector 30 is associated with a second Lüftelement 33, that an obliquely from the longitudinal axis 1 is removed sliding surface 34 which comes into contact with the outwardly angled arm portions of the contact arms 19 of the shorting bridge 18 during insertion of the portion 31 in the receiving space 16, so that the contact arms 19 are lifted from the connector pins 26 from the position shown in Fig. 2, before the connector pins 26 can electrically conductively come into contact with the contact sockets 32.

There may be more than two receiving chambers 7 arranged side by side, so that the short-circuiting bridge 18 also has a corresponding number of contact arms 19. Furthermore, if a plurality of parallel rows of receiving chambers 7 are provided, a corresponding number of short-circuiting bridges 18 may be provided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

longitudinal axis

2

connector housing

3

first housing section

4

second housing section

5

front face

6

rear end

7

receiving chamber

8th

outlet bore

9

insertion

10

outlet opening

11

locking arm

12

locking projection

13

gap

14

wall

15

Outer surface of the locking arm

16

accommodation space

17

Immobilizing approach

18

Shorting

19

contact

19a

approach

20

front holder

21

depression

22

first ventilation element

22a

Lüftfläche

22b

holding surface

23

strut

24

traverse

25

contact element

26

pin

27

retaining edge

28

electric wire

29

poetry

30

mating connector

31

section

32

Contact socket

33

second ventilation element

34

sliding surface

Claims (6)

1. Connector housing (2) comprising

   - a longitudinal axis (1),

   - a first housing portion (3) comprising

   - a front end face (5) and a rear end (6),

   - at least two accommodation chambers (7) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (1) for accommodating an electric contact element (25), having a connector tab (26), wherein the accommodation chambers (7), respectively, have an insertion opening (9) for the mating contact element (25) and an exiting opening (10), open to the front end face (5), for the connector tab (26),

   - an elastic locking arm (11) for each accommodation chamber (7) for retaining the contact element (25) in the accommodation chamber (7),

   - a second housing portion (4), which

   - is formed integrally with the first housing portion (3),

   - forms an accommodation chamber (16), into which a portion of the housing of a mating connector (30) can be inserted, which has contact elements, having female contact terminals, and which can be electrically connected to the contact elements (25),

   characterised by

   - a short-circuiting bridge (18), which

   - is produced from an electrically conductive material,

   - is retained in the first housing portion (3),

   - comprises for each contact element (25) an elastic contact arm (19), wherein the contact arms (19) are connected to each other and serve for contacting the connector tabs (26),

   - and a front holder (20), which

   - can be displaced between an initial position and a final position along the longitudinal axis,

   - has at least one first lifting element (22), which holds in the initial position the contact arms (19) in a lifted position and in the final position leaves the same unloaded, so that the same comes to contact the connector tabs (26).
2. Connector housing portion according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   per each contact arm (19) a first lifting element (22) is provided.
3. Connector housing portion according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the front holder (20) is formed frame-like and is accommodated in the final position at least partially in a countersunk manner in the front end face (5).
4. Connector housing according to one of claims 1 or 3,
   characterised in that
   the front holder (20) has struts (23) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (1), which carry a crossbar (24).
5. Connector housing according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that
   the crossbar (24) fills in the final position of the front holder (20) in a direction transversally to the longitudinal axis (1) a gap (13) between a wall (14) of the first housing portion (3) and the outer face (15) of the locking arms (11) facing away from the accommodation chambers (7).
6. Connection comprising

   - a connector housing (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and

   - a mating connector (30), to which at least one second lifting element (33) is arranged, which brings the contact arms (19), when connecting to the connector housing (2), out of contact to the connector tabs (26).

Images