EP1585201B1 - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The plug-in connector, cooperating with a complementary connector element (10,14), has a seating for reception of at least 2 contact elements, enclosed by a screening (22), both the seating and the screening at least partially enclosed by a housing (24).

Description

The present invention relates to a connector for mating with a complementary connector, in particular for use in a motor vehicle.

Connectors are used to easily and electrically connect lines with another line or a circuit carrier with an electrical circuit and mechanically. Connectors therefore find particular application in motor vehicle construction. In this application, such connectors must be able to be produced very inexpensively on the one hand and on the other hand allow a stable connection even under unfavorable conditions, especially in vibration and / or shock.

In motor vehicles, digital data connections are increasingly being used to transmit control signals or data in addition to analogue ones. In order to reduce disturbances in the data transmission by other electrical or electronic devices, in particular by electromagnetic radiation emitted by them, it is desirable to use shielded electrical connections for the data transmission also in the automotive sector.

A connector with a contact element receptacle for receiving a contact element, a contact element receiving the partially surrounding shield and a contact element receiving and the shield partially receiving housing is known from US-A-4,900,262.

US-A-5,634,809, US-A-5,545,052 and US-A-5,171,161 describe a shield having a fuse element which, upon mating of the connector with a corresponding mating connector relative to a complementary fuse element of the mating connector, into a fuse position relative to the mating fuse element is movable and by means of which in the backup position by interaction with the complementary securing element, a relative movement of the connector from the mated position is limited out.

A connector having the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP-A-0 562 311.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a simple connector by means of which only low-interference connections to a circuit substrate or shielded cables can be produced.

This object is achieved with a connector having the features of claim 1. Subclaims are directed to preferred embodiments.

The connector according to the invention for mating with a complementary connector in a plugging direction, in particular for use in a motor vehicle, has a contact element receptacle for receiving a contact element, preferably at least two contact elements, a contact element receiving at least partially surrounding shield and a contact element receiving and the shield at least partially receiving housing on.

A contact element receptacle for receiving contact elements is provided. The contact element receptacle, which is preferably designed as a plastic injection molded part, can for this purpose have corresponding receiving channels. The contact elements can be inserted into the contact element receptacle, pressed or injected.

Preferably, the contact element receptacle for receiving at least two, more preferably more than two contact elements is formed. Such a connector is then particularly suitable for connecting lines of a bus system in a motor vehicle, which often have multiple wires.

In principle, any contact elements, such as pins, tongues or blades or contact sockets, can be used. The contact elements can be connected to conductors, which in the context of the invention not only wires of cables are understood, but also tracks on circuit boards.

The shield made of an electrically conductive material, preferably a metal, serves to shield contact elements in the contact element receptacle against electric and electromagnetic fields. In particular, it can have a contacting device to which a conductor with a reference potential, for example ground, can be connected. The shield preferably receives the contact element receptacle.

Furthermore, the shields of the connector and the complementary connector may be suitably designed so that upon mating of the connector, an electrical contact between the shields is made.

The contact element receptacle and the at least partially surrounding shield are at least partially surrounded by the housing, which protects it against external influences and in particular can also be designed for mechanical connection to a complementary plug connector or its housing. In particular, the housing of the connector and / or the complementary connector may have guides, by means of which the plug-in connector when mating or are feasible in one another.

In order to reduce the risk that a manufactured connector accidentally triggers, for example, by vibrations and / or shocks, the shield has at least one securing element, preferably a snap or latching element, on the mating of the connector with a corresponding complementary connector relative to a complementary securing element of the complementary connector, preferably a complementary snap or locking element, in a securing position relative to the complementary Fuse element is movable and by means of which in the backup position by interaction with the complementary securing element, a relative movement of the connector from the mated position is limited out. The complementary connector may be formed in particular as a suitably designed connector with a corresponding complementary fuse element. One of the securing elements is at least partially, preferably in a direction different from the plugging direction, movable. The connector and the complementary connector are therefore at least in a predetermined range of layers in a mated condition in which the contact elements and the complementary contact elements are still in contact with each other, securable, that is only apart by overcoming determined by the securing forces forces apart. The securing elements may in particular be designed so that a relative movement of the connector is blocked from the mated position. The fuse elements may further provide contact between the shields of the mated connectors in the fuse layer when the complementary fuse element is also formed on a shield of the mating connector. The use of snap-action or latching elements has the advantage that they can automatically snap into one another when the securing position is reached, forming a snap-in or latching connection, so that the securing can take place automatically.

Another object of the invention is a connector system with a first connector according to the invention and a mating with the first connector, complementary to this second connector. The complementary second connector can for this purpose in particular in a trained accordingly Contact element receiving arranged, corresponding to the contact elements of the first connector complementary second contact elements and a housing which allows mating with the housing of the first connector having.

The connector system according to the invention allows a simple connection of a shielded cable with another, in particular also shielded, line or a circuit carrier, wherein the contacting region is at least partially shielded and thus low-interference.

Further developments and preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the description, the claims and the drawings.

The housing may in principle be of any desired construction, however, an embodiment is preferred in which the housing is composed of at least two housing parts, in particular put together and / or pushed. The, preferably designed as a plastic injection molded parts, housing parts may have fastening elements by which they are optionally connected to each other movable. In particular, in a training for mating and / or pushing a particularly simple machine connection of the housing parts is possible. The connector is then easily assembled by joining the contact element receptacle, the shield and the housing. In particular, a sprinkling of the housing can be avoided to a line, if this can be enclosed by mating the housing parts. For this purpose, the housing parts can preferably have corresponding indentations in edge areas, which form an opening for receiving the line only after joining the housing parts. The indentations may preferably comprise portions of a sleeve, which after assembly of the housing surrounds a conduit. The line can then be installed in the assembly of the housing parts in the housing. This may be particularly advantageous when the contact elements are to be connected to the line prior to assembly of the connector to allow easy handling during assembly. The production of such a connector as well as its connection to a line is then particularly cost.

Alternatively, it is preferred that the housing is formed in one piece, and comprises a sleeve-shaped portion into which the shield is inserted with the contact element receptacle. The shield with the contact element receiving is inserted by a relative movement between the housing and the shield with the contact element receiving in the sleeve-shaped portion, so that the housing can be pushed over the shield. Such a housing is particularly simple and stable. Furthermore, it is easy to produce by plastic injection molding. Particularly preferably, the housing then has a flap for at least partially closing an opening, through which the shield with the contact element receptacle can be inserted into the housing. If appropriate, the flap can have an indentation in an edge region through which a conduit can be guided.

For particularly simple production of the shield, it is preferred that this is formed from one or more stamped and bent parts. The shield is so very simple and can be produced fully or over a large area.

In order to obtain the best possible shielding, it is preferred that the shielding as completely as possible, in particular substantially up to the end faces of the contact element receptacle, the contact element receptacle, at or in which parts of contact elements are arranged, the same encloses. In essence, this means in particular that small production-related gaps or holes can occur at seams or corners, but preferably not in areas. Particularly preferably, the shield also surrounds on the mating side of the contact element receptacle from these protruding ends of contact elements arranged in the contact element receptacle.

In one embodiment, it is preferable for the shield to have at least two shielding parts which can be pushed transversely to the plug-in direction and are preferably designed as stamped and bent parts. Particularly preferably, the shield has only two shielding parts. Preferably, the shielding parts are pushed over the contact element receptacle. The shielding parts can still have complementary fastening elements by means of which they can be connected to one another. In this way, a shield can be very easily provided for contact element receptacles that do not allow a simple sliding a shield in the direction of insertion or only with additional steps.

It is particularly preferred that the contact element receiving and the shielding transversely to the direction of insertion extending, cooperating locking elements which block a relative movement between the contact element receiving and the shield in and / or against the insertion direction. In particular, these locking elements may be a groove and a corresponding strip or projections which abut each other. In this way, a relative movement between the shield and the contact element receptacle can be reliably prevented even when larger insertion forces occur on the contact elements and thus the contact element receptacle with ease of manufacture of the shield.

Alternatively, it is preferred that the shield is integrally formed as a stamped and bent part. Such shields are characterized not only by a particularly simple and inexpensive production, but also allow easy production of the connector, since only a part is to handle.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the shield has an opposite to the plug-in direction angled, bent wing, which at least partially closes an insertion opening in the shield, through which the contact element receptacle is inserted into the shield. As a result, on the one hand good shielding of such an insertion opening is achieved. On the other hand, a relative movement between contact element receptacle and shield is prevented against the direction of insertion, since it is blocked by the bent wing. The contact element receptacle can not be pushed out of the shield by insertion forces when mating with another connector. Such shields are preferably used with contact element receptacles, which are designed to receive contact elements, the conductor-side ends are angled relative to the plugging direction. For example, these, as well as the contact element receiving substantially L-shaped. The bent wing can then be angled in particular at an angle of about 90 ° relative to the plugging direction. Such a shield can simply be pushed onto the contact element receptacle or the contact element receptacle can be pushed into the shield before the wing is bent from a position preferably aligned parallel to the plug direction, whereupon the wing is bent onto the contact element receptacle. In this way results in a very simple to produce a good shielding even with angled contact elements. A wing is accordingly also for contact element recordings usable, which receive linear contact elements and may in particular have an opening or preferably a recess in the edge, can be guided by the cable to contact elements in the contact element receiving. In principle, several wings can be used to close the insertion opening.

It is particularly preferred that on the wing holding elements, which preferably extend in the bent state in the insertion direction, and in the housing corresponding complementary holding elements are formed, by means of which the bent wing is fastened in a direction inclined to the plugging direction relative to the housing. Suitably, the holding elements and the complementary holding elements are formed so that the shield with the bent wing in the housing on or the housing can be pushed onto the shield with the bent wing. As holding elements in particular parallel to the direction of insertion extending grooves or slots can be used in conjunction with corresponding projections, strips or springs. In this way, the wing can be easily inserted into the housing, while a subsequent bending of the wing is blocked. The bent wing can then absorb, in particular via the contact element receiving on the wing exerted insertion forces and transmitted to the housing.

Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the connector is designed as a device receptacle, wherein contacts are preferably formed on opposite sides of the shield for connection to a circuit carrier. The contacts of the shield are preferably used for mechanical connection to the circuit carrier and at the same time for electrical connection with conductor tracks on the circuit carrier. Furthermore, the housing can expediently have additional fastening elements, for example pins, by means of it is connectable to the circuit carrier, so that it can be transmitted well, for example, when mating with a complementary connector forces on the circuit board. The contact element receptacle as well as the contact elements can preferably be L-shaped, so that the plug-in direction can run parallel to a circuit carrier on which the device receptacle is then held.

In order to enable a particularly stable securing of the connector between the connector and a suitable complementary connector, it is preferred that the shield has two, preferably formed on opposite sides of the shield, fuse elements. These can each be the same or different. In particular, when arranged on opposite sides of the shield occurring forces can be better distributed. In addition, additional security results from the achieved redundancy.

In one embodiment of the connector according to the invention, it is preferred that the securing element has a resilient snap or latching hook, which is preferably formed in a collar formed by the shield. The resilient snap-in or latching hook can be formed in particular by a spring arm with a snap-action or latching projection arranged at its free end. The shield is then preferably made of a correspondingly elastic sheet metal. If the snap-in or latching hook is formed in a collar formed by the shield, the collar preferably surrounds contact elements which protrude from the contact element receptacle, so that they are mechanically protected before and during mating and are well electromagnetically shielded after being plugged together.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the securing element has a securing projection, behind which engages in the securing position a snap-in or latching hook of a plugged together with the connector complementary connector. Such a securing element or snap or latching element is therefore complementary to a fuse element designed as a snap-in or latching hook. The securing projection can be formed in particular by a shoulder of a recess or depression in the shield of the connector.

In particular, when using snap or locking elements as security elements, it is not completely ruled out that move with correspondingly strong shocks or vibrations, the securing elements relative to each other out of the backup position and so is not blocked as a result, a release of the connector. The invention therefore provides that a relative to the contact element receiving between an unlocking position and a locking position movable locking element is provided, wherein in the unlocking position of the locking element, the securing elements of the connector and the complementary connector in the backup position and / or out of this are movable and the Locking element in the locking position, the locking elements locked their backup position against movement from the backup position.

In order to allow a particularly compact connector, it is preferred that the locking element is displaceable parallel to the plugging direction relative to the shield and preferably at least partially surrounds the shield like a sleeve. An embodiment as a sleeve is particularly advantageous if two formed on opposite sides of the shield fuse elements are provided, since then with two locking elements both securing elements can be locked or unlocked simultaneously.

In principle, it is sufficient that the locking element is manually movable in the locking position. However, it is preferred that a resilient element is provided which can be tensioned by movement of the locking element relative to the connector in the unlocking position and by means of which restoring force, the locking element is movable into the locking position. In this way, an automatic locking can be achieved and, in particular, it can largely be prevented that locking does not occur due to an assembly error. In addition, the production of the connector is simplified.

It is particularly preferred that the resilient element is formed by a spring arranged in the insertion direction. This can be arranged in particular between a projection or stop of the locking element and a support element on the housing, the contact element receiving or preferably the shield. When arranged on the shield of the connector according to the invention is particularly easy to produce when the housing is mounted last.

If a plug connector with a snap-in or latching hook is used as a complementary connector as a complementary connector, the shield of the connector can be a Have recess or recess into which the snap or latching hook of the complementary connector by mating the connector is so snapped or latched that the locking element is at least partially movable over the snap-in or latching hook. It is then preferred that when mating with a complementary connector, the locking element through the housing, the shield or preferably the snap or latching hook of the complementary connector is movable into the unlocking position. In this way, not only results in an automatic locking, but it is also possible when plugging an automatic unlocking, so that the fuse elements can reach their backup position without additional mounting handles. The connector system according to the invention may in particular comprise a correspondingly designed first connector and a complementary second connector, the housing, shield or preferably snap or latching hooks is formed accordingly.

Often plug connections must be solvable again. For this purpose, it is preferred that, by an opening movement of an actuating part of the housing from a connecting position, in which the connector is plugged together with a complementary connector in an open position relative to the contact element receiving the locking element from the locking position in the unlocking position is movable. In the open position of the actuating element, therefore, the locking element, which is at least partially coupled to the actuating element during the opening movement, assumes the unlocking position. The housing may for this purpose have guides, by means of which the actuating part can be guided relative to the housing between the connecting and the open position, wherein the movement can be limited for example by corresponding stops on the housing. Preferably that is Actuating part thereby formed as a shield at least partially surrounding sleeve, resulting in a particularly compact connector, especially when forming the locking element as the shield surrounding, at least partially surrounding of the operating part sleeve.

In principle, the actuating part can be rigidly coupled to the locking element. However, it is preferred that the locking element has a driving stop which bears against a complementary stop of the actuating part, at least during part of the opening movement of the actuating part. Preferably, this stop also limits the movement of the locking element in the insertion direction and thus determines the locking position of the locking element. In this way, the locking element when mating easily without an opening movement of the actuating element, for example by means of the snap or latching hook of a complementary connector, are moved from its locking position. In particular, the actuating element can be used for mating. On the other hand, simply the connector can be solved. In particular, when the locking element is held by a spring in its locking position, the necessary force for moving the locking element from the locking position into the unlocking position can be determined simply but effectively by appropriate design of the spring.

It is further preferred that the movable securing element is designed as a snap hook, which is movable by movement relative to the complementary snap element, that is, a securing projection, against the insertion direction, from the securing position when corresponding forces act. In particular, this may have an obliquely to the direction of insertion hook surface, the move apart the mated connector is parallel to the direction of insertion on the securing projection abgleitend moved by appropriate constraining forces transverse to the direction of insertion.

In a connector system according to the invention, it is preferred that the complementary connector has a collar formed by a shield in which at least partially a plurality of male contact elements are arranged, and that in the contact element receiving the erfirdungsgemäßen connector a plurality of female contact elements are arranged, wherein the contact element receiving the second invention Connector with the shield in the collar of the complementary connector is insertable. In this way, a large-area contact between the two shields is achieved.

In the connector system according to the invention, the complementary connector is preferably designed as a device receptacle or as a plug coupling and the connector according to the invention as a plug with locking element.

In order to enable the most secure connection between cables and contact elements in the connector, it is preferred that in the contact element receptacle are arranged on cable stopable or battered contact elements. The striking of contact elements on cables is also often referred to as making a so-called crimp connection.

Fig. 1

eine schematische perspektivische Darstellung eines Steckverbindersystems nach einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit einem ersten, als Geräteaufnahme ausgebildeten Steckverbinder auf einem Schaltungsträger und einem zweiten, zu dem ersten komplementären Steckverbinder nach einer entsprechenden bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

einen perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung des ersten Steckverbinders in Fig. 1, wobei eine erste Abschirmung des ersten Steckverbinders in einem Montagezustand gezeigt ist,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht der ersten Abschirmung in Fig. 2 in Steckrichtung mit einer in diese eingeschobenen ersten Kontaktelementaufnahme mit ersten Kontaktelementen,

Fig. 4

die erste Abschirmung mit der eingeschobenen ersten Kontaktelementaufnahme in Fig. 2 nach Umbiegen eines Flügels der ersten Abschirmung,

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines ersten Gehäuses des ersten Steckverbinders in Fig. 1 und der ersten Abschirmung mit der darin gehaltenen ersten Kontaktelementaufnahme in Fig. 4 vor dem Zusammenstecken,

Fig. 6

den ersten Steckverbinder in Fig. 5 im zusammengesteckten Zustand über einem Abschnitt des Schaltungsträgers in Fig. 1,

Fig. 7

eine schematische Explosionsdarstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen, zweiten Steckverbinders,

Fig. 8

eine schematische, teilweise Explosionsdarstellung des zweiten Steckverbinders in Fig. 7, bei der zwei Abschirmungsteile einer zweiten Abschirmung des zweiten Steckverbinders um eine zweite Kontaktelementaufnahme herum zusammengesteckt sind,

Fig. 9

den zweiten Steckverbinder in Fig. 7 in einem bis auf ein Aufstecken eines Betätigungsteils fertig montierten Zustand,

Fig. 10

eine teilweise geschnittene schematische Ansicht des ersten und des zweiten Steckverbinders beim Zusammenstecken in einem ersten Stadium,

Fig. 11

die Ansicht in Fig. 10 in einem späteren zweiten Stadium des Zusammensteckens,

Fig. 12

die Ansicht in Fig. 11 in einem dritten Stadium des Zusammensteckens,

Fig. 13

die Ansicht in Fig. 10 mit vollständig zusammengesteckten ersten und zweiten Steckverbindern,

Fig. 14

die Ansicht in Fig. 13 beim Lösen der Steckverbindung in einem ersten Stadium, und

Fig. 15

die Ansicht in Fig. 14 in einem späteren zweiten Stadium.

The invention will now be further explained by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic perspective view of a connector system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with a first connector designed as a device receptacle on a circuit carrier and a second, to the first complementary connector according to a corresponding preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2

an exploded perspective view of the first connector in Fig. 1, wherein a first shield of the first connector is shown in an assembled state,

Fig. 3

2 a perspective view of the first shield in FIG. 2 in the insertion direction with a first contact element receptacle inserted into the first contact element,

Fig. 4

the first shield with the inserted first contact element receptacle in FIG. 2 after bending over a wing of the first shield, FIG.

Fig. 5

1 shows a perspective view of a first housing of the first connector in FIG. 1 and the first shield with the first contact element receptacle held therein in FIG. 4 before being plugged together, FIG.

Fig. 6

5 in the assembled state over a portion of the circuit carrier in Fig. 1,

Fig. 7

a schematic exploded view of a second connector according to the invention,

Fig. 8

a schematic, partially exploded view of the second connector in Fig. 7, in which two shielding parts of a second shield of the second connector are mated around a second contact element receiving around,

Fig. 9

the second connector in Fig. 7 in a ready mounted on a plugging an operating part state,

Fig. 10

a partially sectioned schematic view of the first and the second connector when mating in a first stage,

Fig. 11

the view in Fig. 10 in a later second stage of the mating,

Fig. 12

the view in Fig. 11 in a third stage of the mating,

Fig. 13

the view in Fig. 10 with fully mated first and second connectors,

Fig. 14

the view in Figure 13 when releasing the connector in a first stage, and

Fig. 15

the view in Fig. 14 in a later second stage.

In Fig. 1, a first designed as a device receptacle connector 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention are shown in a fragmentary manner, formed in the example as a circuit board carrier 12 and a connector 14 formed as a plug, which also embodies a connector corresponding to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown. These form a connector system for a motor vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The second connector 14 is connected to a line 16. It is designed as a connector complementary to the first connector 10 and so plugged together to connect the cable 16 to the circuit substrate 12 and in particular arranged thereon traces.

The first connector or the device holder 10 are shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 6. The first connector 10 consists of three prefabricated components which can be plugged into one another, namely a first contact element receptacle 18 with contact elements designed as contact pins 20, a first shield 22 made as a one-piece stamped and bent part from a metal sheet and a first housing 24.

The trained as a plastic injection molded part first contact element receptacle 18 has an L-shape with a running in a direction of insertion S ₁ first leg 26 with an asymmetrical cross-section and a relative to this at an angle of 90 ° angled second leg 26 '. A first end face 28 of the first leg 26 is oriented orthogonal to the plug-in direction S ₁ and a second end face 28 'of the second leg 26' orthogonal to the first end face 28.

The contact element receptacle 18 includes in corresponding channels and grooves pressed several, in the example six, also L-shaped parallel contact pins 20, the conductor-side contacting ends 30 with respect to the insertion direction S ₁ angled at an angle of about 90 ° from the second end face 28 'of second leg 26 ' and whose plug ends 32 extend parallel to the plug-in direction S ₁ extending from the first end face 28 of the first leg 26.

The one-piece, first punched out of a resilient metal sheet first shield 22 is shown in Fig. 2 in an already partially bent state, and has a sleeve portion 34 which corresponds in shape to the corresponding portion of the first contact element receptacle 18. This is followed by a substantially U-shaped foot member 36 with arranged on opposite sides forked feet 38, which together with the sleeve portion 34 an orthogonal to the insertion direction S ₁ oriented insertion opening 40 encloses U-shaped. Through the insertion opening 40, the contact element receptacle 18 in the first shield 22 can be inserted (see Fig .. 3).

Furthermore, on the sleeve portion 34 at the edge of the insertion opening 40, a wing 42 is formed with already shown in Fig. 2 shown side panels 44 which is oriented, except for the side members 44, in Fig. 2 in an assembled state parallel to the plugging direction.

The sleeve portion 34 and in particular its interior have transversely to the direction of insertion on a cross section corresponding to the cross section of the contact element receiving transversely to the insertion direction S ₁ , so that the contact element receptacle 18 closely fitting to the inner wall of the sleeve portion 34 is inserted into this.

In the sleeve portion 34 further two resilient snap hooks 46 are formed as securing elements, which are formed by a spring arm with a hook-shaped portion formed thereon by bending. The hook-shaped portions are V-shaped bent at the plug-in direction S ₁ obliquely inclined legs. These securing elements are symmetrical to each other on opposite sides of the sleeve portion 34 arranged, wherein the hook-shaped protruding portions each have in the interior of the sleeve portion 34. The securing elements 46 simultaneously serve for contacting a second shield of the second connector 14.

The foot part 36 also corresponds in shape to the shape of the corresponding portion of the first contact element receptacle 18, i. of the second leg 26 ', wherein the fork-shaped feet 38 are designed for mounting on the circuit carrier 12 in corresponding holes 48.

The wing 42 is dimensioned such that by bending the wing 42 along a bending line orthogonal to the plug-in direction S _1, the insertion opening 40 is essentially coverable or closable by the wing 42 (see Fig .. 4). The wing 42 and the side parts 44 thereto are formed so that in the bent state, the lower edge is approximately aligned with the lower edge of the foot part 36 and the leg 26 '. On the side parts 44 further bent guide rails 50 are formed, which extend in the bent state in Fig. 4 parallel to the insertion direction S ₁ .

The first housing 24 is integrally formed as an injection molded part of a dimensionally stable plastic sleeve-like with an asymmetric, the cross section of the first shield 18 corresponding cross-section transverse to the insertion direction S ₁ . It has for attachment to the circuit substrate 12 has two retaining pin 52 and a substantially U-shaped wall portion 54 which is formed so that it receives the foot portion 36 of the shield substantially form-fitting manner, and when mounted on the circuit substrate 12 on this with his lower edge is seated.

In the first housing 24, a circumferential receiving groove 56 is formed for receiving a housing collar of the second connector 14. Furthermore, parallel to the plug-in direction Si, which runs parallel to the walls of the sleeve-like portion of the housing 24, retaining grooves 58 for receiving the guide rails 50 on the side parts 44 of the wing 42 of the first shield 22 are formed.

When mounting the first connector 10, after punching and bending the first shield 22 in the form shown in FIG. 2 and after producing the first contact element receptacle 18 with the injected contact pins 20, as shown in Fig. 3, the first contact element receptacle 18 in the first shield 22 is inserted. In this case, the wing 42 is oriented parallel to the plug-in direction S ₁ in the assembled state. The part of the sleeve portion 34, which projects beyond the end face 28, now forms a collar 59 surrounding the plug-in ends 32, the edge of which protrudes beyond the plug-in ends 32 in the insertion direction S ₁ .

Thereafter, the wing 42 is bent over to the first contact element receptacle 18 until it is angled at an angle of approximately 90 ° relative to the insertion direction-S ₁ at the edge of the foot portion 36 abuts (see Fig .. 4). The first contact element receptacle 18 is now secured against movements parallel to the plug-in direction S 1 by the bent wing 42 on the one hand and the wing section 42 opposite the wall portion of the foot part 36 on the other. Furthermore, the first contact element receptacle 18 including the plug-in ends 32 to the end faces of the legs 26 and 26 'is substantially completely enclosed by the first shield 22.

In a next step (see Fig. 5), the unit thus formed is inserted into the first housing 24, wherein the guide rails 50 are inserted at the side parts 44 in the retaining grooves 58 in the first housing 24 become. These are designed such that, at least for assembly purposes, the unit of first contact element receptacle 18 and first shield 22 is connected to the housing 24 by means of a clamping fit. A bending of the wing 42 in a position parallel to the insertion direction S ₁ is now blocked by the guide rails 50 held in the retaining grooves 58, so that the first contact element receptacle 18 is securely held in the first shield 22. Furthermore, the first housing 24 surrounds the sleeve portion 34 of the first shield 18 so that it is mechanically well protected.

The unit thus formed can now be mounted on the circuit carrier 12, wherein the feet 38 are inserted into the holes 48, the retaining pin 52 in corresponding mounting holes 60 and the contacting ends 30 in contacting holes 62. The holding pins 52 are seated in the clamping seat in the mounting holes 60. The feet 38 serve both as a mechanical support for the first shield 22 and for contacting printed conductors on the circuit substrate 12. The very easy to manufacture first connector 10 in the form of a device holder is then very firmly held even with very large insertion forces on the circuit substrate 12.

The second connector 14 is shown in more detail in FIG. It has a second contact element receptacle 64, a second shield 66 with two shielding parts 68 and 70, a locking element 72 with two resilient elements 74 and a housing 76 with a housing cap 78 and an actuating part 80.

The second contact element receptacle 64 is likewise designed as a plastic injection-molded part and has a flat cuboidal basic shape. In the second contact element receptacle 64 are parallel to a direction of insertion S _{2 of} the second connector several, in the example six in a series of mutually parallel, channels for receiving contact elements 82 is formed. The contact elements 82 have on the plug side contact sockets and on a conductor side means for abutting cables 84 of the line 16 and for establishing a crimp connection with the cables 84. On the front side in the insertion direction S ₂ locking projections 86 are formed as blocking elements.

The second shield 66 consists of the two designed as stamped and bent parts shielding parts 68 and 70, which can be put together in a direction transverse to the insertion direction S ₂ . The two shield parts 68 and 70 are substantially U-shaped so that they enclose the second contact element receptacle 64 after mating and abut against this.

The first shield member 68 has, for connection to the second shielding member 70, two pairs of first tabs 88 and second tabs 90, each lowered from the outer surfaces.

The second shielding member 70 has, in an L-shaped outer portion 92, opposed flat recessed portions 94 protruding parallel to its surface beyond the L-shaped portion 92. Breakthroughs 96 are furthermore punched out in the recessed regions 94, which roughly correspond in shape to the shape of the first tongues 88. At the opposite side of the insertion direction S ₂ side of the openings 96 each support elements 98 are bent approximately orthogonal to the level of the recessed areas 94. Furthermore, a zusammenbiegbare clamp 100 is formed for contacting a not shown in the figures shielding of the line 16 at the opposite end of the insertion direction S ₂ end face.

To the recessed areas 94 adjacent shoulders of the L-shaped portion 92 orthogonal to the insertion direction S ₂ form securing projections than to the snap hooks 46 complementary securing elements.

Like the first shielding part 68, the second shielding part 70 is formed, except for the clamp 100, symmetrically with respect to a plane parallel to the recessed region 94.

The recessed areas 94 are lowered relative to the L-shaped portion 92 so far that the locking projections 86 of the second contact element receptacle 64 in the frontal portion of the L-shaped portion 92 are durable.

The housing cap 78 is in two parts and composed of an upper part 102 and a lower part 104 and has a cuff 106 formed from corresponding sleeve portions of the upper and lower part for receiving the conduit 16.

The housing cap 78 is substantially pot-shaped, wherein the pot walls are shaped so that they can receive the mating shield 66 partially and positively (see Fig. 9).

On opposite flat sides in each case two fastening elements 108 are formed, by means of which the actuating member 80 is displaceably held on the housing cap 78. The width of the displacement is determined by the length of slots 110 in the fasteners 108.

Furthermore, housing support elements 112 are formed on the upper part 102 and the lower part 104, which correspond in shape to the support elements 98 on the second shielding part 70 and support these in the assembled state of the second connector.

The locking element 72 is also embodied sleeve-shaped as a plastic injection molded part and corresponds in shape substantially to the shape of the sleeve-shaped portion of the housing cap 78. On opposite flat sides of the locking element 72 stop elements 114 are formed, which serve on the one hand, the resilient, in the form of coil springs To hold elements 74 and act as a driving stop on the other.

On opposite inner sides of the locking element 72, two optional sliding plates 116 are fastened in metal in the edge portion in the insertion direction S ₂ .

The actuating member 80 is also formed as an injection molded part made of plastic. It has the form of a sleeve which receives the locking element 72 and the housing cap 78 at least partially tight fitting. A front housing collar 118 in the direction of insertion S ₂ has smooth walls and a cross-section such that it can be inserted in a form-fitting manner into the first housing 24 and in particular its receiving groove 56. In a rear handle portion 120 seen in the direction of insertion S ₂ symmetrical parallel to the insertion direction S ₂ extending, opposite ends of the insertion direction S ₂ open guide channels 122 are formed on opposite flat sides, in which the support members 98, the housing support members 112 and the stop members 114 are feasible.

Furthermore, the actuating member 80, not shown in the figures, to the fastening elements 108 complementary fastening elements, so that the actuating member 80 is slidably supported and guided on the housing cap 78.

To assemble the second connector, the cables 84 are first struck against the contact elements 82 by crimping. The contact elements 82 are then inserted into the injection-molded second contact element receptacle 64 and locked there in a known manner.

In a following step, the two shielding parts 68 and 70 are pushed across the second contact element receptacle 64 transversely to the plugging direction S2, the second tongues 90 engaging under the L-shaped section 92 and edge sections of the recessed areas 94 in the first shielding part 68. The first tongues 88 snap into the apertures 96 and close them. The contact element receptacle 64 is now completely enclosed by the shield 66 except for its end faces, since the apertures 96 are covered by the first tongues 88. Furthermore, the contact element receptacle 64 with respect to the shield 66 is no longer displaceable, since the locking projections 86 engage in the acting as a locking element L-shaped portion 92.

Furthermore, the clamp 100 is bent around the exposed shield of the conduit 16 and contacted therewith (see Fig. 8).

The exposed recessed areas 94 now form recesses 124 on opposite sides. At their end faces lying in the plug-in direction S ₂ , the recesses 124 form limiting shoulders, respectively a securing protrusion 126 as securing elements complementary to the securing elements or snap hooks 46.

In a next step, the upper part 102 and the lower part 104 of the housing cap 78 are put together, wherein the conduit 16 is encompassed by the sleeve sections which form the sleeve 106. Injection of the line 16 is not necessary.

The unit of second contact element receptacle 64 and second shield 66 is now pushed into the housing cap 78. Furthermore, the locking element 72 is pushed onto the shield 66, so that the resilient elements 74, which are held at one end against the stop elements 114, come to lie with their other ends against the support elements 98 (see FIG.

In a following step, the actuating member 80 is pushed onto the resulting unit and locked with the housing cap 78, so that the second connector 14 shown in FIG. 1 is formed.

The processes in the manufacture and release of a plug connection between the first and second connectors 10 and 14 will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 10 to 15. First, the second connector is inserted with the actuating member 80 in the first housing 24, wherein the non-symmetrical shape of the inner cross section of the housing 24 and the corresponding outer cross section of the actuating member 80 and the housing collar 118 accidental rotation is excluded.

The housing collar 118 is designed so that it is in the receiving groove 56 in the housing 24 substantially form-fitting manner receivable.

As shown in Fig. 10, the mating ends 32 of the contact pins 20 are inserted into the contact elements 82 in the second contact element receptacle 64, wherein at the same time, favored by mutually bent edges on the front side of the second shield 66, in Figs. 10 to 15 only incomplete and schematically shown snap hook 46 of the second shield 66 are resiliently bent apart and thus stretched. They abut against the end face of the locking element 72 and push the locking element 72, which surrounds the shield 66 and is guided in the guide channel 118 with the stop element 114, from a locking position in which it covers the recesses 124 and the securing projections 126 against the plug-in direction S ₁ to the housing cap 78 to. The resilient elements 84 are supported on the support elements 98 of the second shield 66.

Upon further insertion, the locking element 72 releases the securing projections 126 and the depression 124 at least partially, so that the snap-action hooks 46 can snap into the depressions 124 in a securing position behind the securing projections 126 (see Fig. 11). The locking element 72 has then reached the unlocking position.

As shown in Fig. 12, the snap hooks 46, after snapping into the recesses 124, no longer block the locking member 72 so that it is urged by the resilient members 74 that are urged by the movement of the locking member 72 relative to the second shield 66 Snap hook 46 is moved away in its locking position, in which now the wells 124 with the securing projections 126 and the snap hooks 46 are covered. Thus, movement of the snap hooks 46 in a direction orthogonal to the Plug-in direction S ₁ or S ₂ , that is, beyond the securing projections 126 away, no longer possible. The first and second connectors 10 and 14 are now secured in the mated position, since the snap hooks 46 engage behind the securing projections 126 and thus prevent a disengagement of the two connectors parallel to the direction of insertion.

In the completely assembled state (see Fig. 13), the housing collar 118 is inserted as far as possible into the receiving groove 56 in the first housing 24, wherein the handle portion 120 abuts in its connecting position on the end face of the first housing 24 and thus a further movement prevented in Zusammensteckrichtung. Furthermore, the area in which the contact elements are plugged together, completely surrounded by the mated housings and thus protected.

In the mated state in Fig. 13 is further characterized by the contact between the first and second shields 22 and 66 and in particular the concern of the snap hooks 46 on the second shield 66 in the recesses 124 a very good contact between the shields reached. Furthermore, the entire area of the contact elements to the line 16 is completely shielded.

To release the connector, the actuating member 80 is moved by an opening movement opposite to the insertion direction S ₂ on the housing cap 78 to an open position, wherein the run in the guide channels 122 stop elements 114 acting as driving stops 128 acting in the direction of insertion S ₂ end walls 130 of the guide channels 122nd be taken as complementary attacks. As a result, the locking element 72 is moved from the locking position into the unlocking position. For this purpose, one through the resilient elements 74 and their spring constant predetermined force necessary so that accidental movement of the actuating member 80 by specifying appropriate forces or spring constant of the resilient elements 74 can be largely excluded.

As a result of this movement of the locking element 72 out of the locking position into the unlocking position, the depression 124 and in particular the securing projections 126 and the snap-action hooks 46 are partially released, so that they can be moved in a direction transverse to the insertion direction. The length or locking position of the locking element 72 is selected so that the actuating member 80 only over a predetermined distance, in the example about 6 mm, must be moved until the unlocking position is reached. This precludes, on the one hand, that an unlocking can take place in the event of a brief, random movement of the actuating part 80. On the other hand, in conjunction with the spring constant of the preferably identically designed resilient elements 74, the minimum force for unlocking can be easily adjusted, which is necessary to effect unlocking.

Upon further pulling on the actuating part 80, the housing cap 78 with the second shield 66 and the second contact element receptacle 64 received therein from the first plug connector 10 or the device receptacle via the resilient elements 74 or a corresponding stop, for example on the shield 66 or the housing cap 78 moved out. At this time, the snap hooks 46 of the first shield 22 are pulled and spread apart by applying a corresponding force to the securing protrusions 126, for which the corresponding hook-shaped portions are bent substantially V-shaped, so that the securing protrusions 126 are guided on the respective legs of the hook-shaped portions , The Snap hooks 46 no longer hinder the further pulling apart, so that the connectors can be completely separated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

first connector

12

circuit support

14

second connector

16

management

18

first contact element receptacle

20

contact pins

22

first shielding

24

first housing

26, 26 '

leg

28, 28 '

faces

30

conductor-side contacting ends

32

plug ends

34

sleeve section

36

footboard

38

feet

40

insertion opening

42

wing

44

side panels

46

Snap-in or latching hook

48

holes

50

guide rails

52

retaining pins

54

wall section

56

receiving groove

58

retaining

59

collar

60

mounting holes

62

vias

64

second contact element receptacle

66

second shield

68

first shielding part

70

second shielding part

72

locking element

74

resilient elements

76

casing

78

housing cap

80

actuating member

82

contact elements

84

cables

86

locking projections

88

first tongues

90

second tongues

92

L-shaped section

94

recessed areas

96

breakthroughs

98

support elements

100

clamp

102

top

104

lower part

106

cuff

108

fasteners

110

slots

112

Gehäuseabstützelemente

114

stop elements

116

sliding plates

118

housing collar

120

handle portion

122

guide channels

124

wells

126

securing projections

128

Take attacks

130

bulkhead

S ₁

first plug-in direction

S ₂

second plug-in direction

Claims (18)

1. Plug connector (14) for plugging together with a complementary plug connector (10) in a plug-in direction, in particular for use in a motor vehicle, comprising

   - a contact element receiver (64) for receiving a contact element (82), preferably at least two contact elements (82);

   - a screen (66) at least partly surrounding the contact element receiver (64), wherein the screen (66) has at least one securing element (126), preferably a snap element or latching element, which, when the plug connector (14) is plugged together with a corresponding complementary plug connector (10), can be moved relative to a complementary securing element (46) of the complementary plug connector (10), preferably relative to a complementary snap element or latching element, into a securing position relative to the complementary securing element; and wherein, by means of said securing element, a relative movement of the plug connectors (10, 14) out of the plugged together position can be limited in the securing position by cooperation with the complementary securing element;

   - a housing (76) which at least partly accommodates the contact element receiver (64) and the screen (66); and

   - a latching element (72) movable relative to the contact element receiver (64) between an unlatched position and a latched position, with the securing elements of the plug connector (14) and of the complementary plug connector (10) being movable into and/or out of the securing position in the unlatched position of the latching element (72) and with the latching element (72) in the latched position latching the securing elements (46, 126) in their securing position against a movement out of the securing position,

   characterized in that
   the plug connector (14) is formed for plugging together with a complementary plug connector (10) which has a collar (34) preferably formed by a screen (22);
   and in that the latching element (72) is spaced apart from the screen (66) of the plug connector such that the circumferential collar (34) of the complementary plug connector (10) can at least partly be accommodated between the latching element (72) and the screen (66) of the plug connector (14).
2. Plug connector in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the housing (76) is put together, is in particular plugged and/or pushed together, from at least two housing parts (78, 80, 104, 106).
3. Plug connector in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the housing is made in one piece and comprises a sleeve-like section into which the screen (66) with the contact element receiver (64) is pushed.
4. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screen (66) has at least two screen parts (68, 70) which can be pushed together transversely to the plug-in direction and which are preferably formed as bent stamped parts.
5. Plug connector in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the contact element receiver (64) and the screen (66) have cooperating blocking elements (86, 92) which extend transversely to the plug-in direction and which block a relative movement between the contact element receiver (64) and the screen (66) in and/or opposite to the plug-in direction.
6. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the screen is made in one piece as a bent stamped part.
7. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screen has a bent over wing which is angled with respect to the plug-in direction and which at least partly closes off a push-in opening in the screen through which the contact element receiver can be pushed into the screen.
8. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug connector is formed as an appliance receiver, with contacts for connection to a circuit carrier preferably being formed at opposite sides of the screen.
9. Plug connector in accordance any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screen (66) has two securing elements (126), which are preferably formed at opposite sides of the screen (66).
10. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element has a resilient snap hook or latching hook.
11. Plug connector in accordance any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the securing element has a securing projection (126) behind which a snap hook or latching hook (46) of a complementary plug connector (10), which is plugged together with the plug connector (14), engages in the securing position.
12. Plug connector in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the plug connector (14) for plugging together with a complementary plug connector (10) is made with a resilient snap element or latch element.
13. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the latching element (72) is displaceable parallel to the plug-in direction relative to the screen (66) and preferably at least partly surrounds the screen (66) in a sleeve-like manner.
14. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 13, characterized in that a resilient element (74) is provided which can be urged into the unlatched position through movement of the latching element (72) relative to the plug connector (14) and with the latching element (72) being movable into the latched position by means of the restoring force of said resilient element.
15. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the latching element (72) can be moved from the latched position into the unlatched position through an opening movement of an actuation part (80) of the housing (76) out of a connection position in which the plug connector (14) is plugged together with a complementary plug connector (10) into an opening position relative to the contact element receiver (64).
16. Plug connector in accordance with claim 15, characterized in that the latching element (72) has a co-moved abutment (128) which contacts a complementary abutment (130) of the actuation part (80) at least during a part of the opening movement of the actuation part (80).
17. Plug connector in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that contact elements (82) which can be or are fitted onto cables are arranged in the contact element receiver (64).
18. A plug connector system comprising a plug connector (14) in accordance with any one of the claims 1 to 17 and a complementary plug connector (10) which can be plugged together with it.

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