EP1622232A1 - Electrical connector with locking hooks - Google Patents

Abstract

The large electrical units [3,4] are electrically connected and are fitted with mechanical handles [2] that are used to pull the contacts into engagement and also provide separation. The ends of the handle arms are shaped so as to be hinged to the base and to have a slot that locates on pins on the upper unit.

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical connector according to the preamble of claim 1.

Generic connectors are widely known. Thus, in DE 102 09 686 A1, an electrical connector is shown and described, wherein in each leg of a U-shaped handle rests a metallic locking clip, each leg has a correspondingly shaped receptacle. The Verriegelungsklammem are thus an integral part of the handle, while the pressing forces with which the Gehäusober- and -unterteil are pressed against each other, are generated by the elasticity forces between the housing parts arranged rubber seal against which the Verriegelungsklammem form an abutment.

Furthermore, a generic electrical connector is known from EP 0 731 534 A2. Here, pockets are provided for receiving the Verriegelungsklammem in the opposite legs of a U-shaped handle made of plastic, in each of which a locking clip rests, wherein the associated pocket is dimensioned so that the two legs of the locking clip against each other are movable. The legs of the U-shaped handle are formed so that they completely cover at least one leg of the respective locking clip and are pivotally mounted together on a bearing journal of the housing base.

However, the manufacture and assembly of such a connector is quite complicated, especially when in addition to the first and the second leg of the locking clip is fixed in the associated leg of the handle. In addition, the handle must be configured according to the Verriegelungsklammem used, so that it can not be practically used for differently shaped brackets, in particular also different sized.

The invention has the first task to create a handle with respect to the particularly stable designed connector, which can be inexpensively finished with a simple structural design.

This object is solved by the subject matter of claim 1. Advantageous developments are contained in the subclaims.

With particularly few and easily assembled elements such a stable and cost-effective, reliable "heavy" connector is realized.

In addition, a solution is to be provided in which on the elasticity forces of a rubber seal out to ensure secure clamping a spring force is used, these spring (s) are to be designed so that on the one hand a slight operation and on the other hand easy unlocking without malfunction is feasible.

This object is achieved by an electrical connector having the features of claim 1 and 9 et seq, wherein this can be designed to be mounted easily mounted on the type of claims 2 to 7.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

Fig. 1a,b

perspektivische Ansichten von zwei Steckverbindern;

Fig. 2a-c

verschiedene perspektivische Ansichten und Vergrößerungen von Elementen einer der Handhaben für einen Steckverbinder nach Art der Fig. 1a;

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch den Verbindungsbereich zwischen Griffteil und Verriegelungsklammer nach Art der Fig. 2 oder 5;

Fig. 4

einen Griffteil einer Handhabe in einer Sprengansicht mit zwei verschiedenen Verriegelungsklammern;

Fig. 5a-c

verschiedene perspektivische Ansichten und Vergrößerungen von Elementen einer der Handhaben für einen Steckverbinder nach Art der Fig. 1b;

Fig. 6a, b

jeweils Seitenansichten der Verriegelungsklammem aus Fig. 5 in verschiedenen Gebrauchsstellungen im geöffneten Zustand (Fig. 6a) des Steckerverbinders und während des Öffnens beim Ansprechen des Überdehnungsschutzes (Fig. 6b);

Fig. 7

eine weitere Variante einer Montage der Verriegelungsklammem aus Fig. 5 an einem Steckerbinder.

Fig. 8, 9

perspektivische Ansichten von zwei weiteren Steckverbindern;

Fig. 10a-c

verschiedene perspektivische Ansichten und Vergrößerungen von Elementen einer der Handhaben für einen Steckverbinder nach Art der Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 -13

verschiedene perspektivische Ansichten und Vergrößerungen von Elementen einer der Handhaben für einen Steckverbinder nach Art der Fig. 9; und

Fig. 14 -15

verschiedene perspektivische Ansichten und Vergrößerungen einer Verriegelungsklammer für den Steckverbinder nach Art der Fig. 8.

An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1a, b

perspective views of two connectors;

Fig. 2a-c

various perspective views and enlargements of elements of the handle for a connector of the type of Fig. 1a;

Fig. 3

a section through the connection region between the handle part and the locking clip of the type of Figure 2 or 5 ..;

Fig. 4

a handle portion of a handle in a blasting view with two different locking clips;

Fig. 5a-c

various perspective views and enlargements of elements of the handle for a connector of the type of Fig. 1b;

Fig. 6a, b

5 are in different positions of use in the open state (FIG. 6a) of the plug connector and during the opening when the overstress protection responds (FIG. 6b);

Fig. 7

a further variant of an assembly of Verriegelungsklammem of Fig. 5 to a connector.

Fig. 8, 9

perspective views of two other connectors;

Fig. 10a-c

various perspective views and enlargements of elements of the handle for a connector of the type of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 -13

various perspective views and enlargements of elements of the handle for a connector of the type of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 14 -15

various perspective views and enlargements of a locking clip for the connector of the type of Fig. 8.

In Fig. 1a and b and 2 so-called heavy electrical connectors are shown, which have a first housing part, here a lower housing part 1 and a detachably connected by means of one or two locking units 2 second housing part, here a housing upper part.

The terms "housing lower and upper housing part" refer to the exemplary representation of FIG. 1 and are not intended to be limiting. In use, the orientation of the two connector parts or their housing parts may be of any type.

In the housing parts plug pins and / or sockets, plug modules and the like. Be used to realize electrical connections between conductors. The lower housing part 1 and the upper housing part 3 have e.g. lateral bushings for at least one usually multi-core cable on (not visible here or not shown).

For fixed attachment of the connector, the lower housing part 1 here, for example, a mounting portion 4 provided with mounting holes on.

Each locking unit 2 has - see Fig. 2 - a U-shape, each with at least two or more zweischkligen Metallische Verriegelungsklammem 5 on opposite outer sides of the manifold, which are each preferably constructed identically and (and possibly or -springs) as a longitudinal leg serve, which are each connected to each other by means of a handle 6 as a base leg of the U.

The handle 6 is formed in a cost-effective manner as a circumferentially closed hollow profile and from a e.g. truncated in cross-section triangular or otherwise shaped longer metal profile. This makes it particularly cost-effective and has a compact size compactness, so that even in case of fire for a longer period than when using a handle made of plastic, the locking between the two connector parts is maintained.

Shortly before the two axial ends of the handle 6 are inserted into this slots 7, in which the end portions 8 of the two Verriegelungsklammem 5 can be inserted, preferably one to the cross-sectional inner contour of the grips 6 adapted shaping and two gradations 18 which abut the walls of the slot laterally of the slot, so that they are non-rotatable relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle 6 when they engage in the slots 7.

Snap-on or latching, stepped stepped plug caps 19, preferably made of plastic, close the open axial end of the handle 6. At the plug caps 19 are in their mounting position inwardly into the hollow chamber of the handle protruding pin portions 20 (Fig. 2b, 2c) integrally formed , which holes 10 of the end portions 8 of the Verriegelungsklammem 5 (possibly also latching or snapping, see Fig. 3) pass through, so that the Verriegelungsklammem 5 can not slip out of the slots 7 of the handle 6 and are secured relative to the handle 6 immovably on this , The plug caps 19 have, in addition to their outer lid portions 21 still in the hollow chambers of the grips 6 projecting portions 22, to which then the pin portions 20 are formed, wherein the regions 22 extend to the end portions 8 of the Verriegelungsklammem and stabilizing abut against this.

Such a stable handle 6 is realized with locking brackets with minimal parts and assembly costs, regardless of whether the locking brackets 5 are rigid (Fig. 1a) or spring-like design (Fig. 1b).

Each locking clip 5 in turn has, in its regions facing away from the handle, two legs 11, 12, e.g. Omega-like or U-shaped are connected to each other, wherein one of the two legs 11 of the locking clip 5 is penetrated by a (joint) pin 13 on one of the two connector parts.

In contrast, the respective other leg 12 has a latching recess 14 into which a corresponding or further pin 15 of the other plug connector part 3 engages in latching fashion in the locked position in the locking position. When connecting the connector parts, a seal 24 is compressed between the two connector parts during actuation of the handle part 6 until the notch 14th engages the pin 15. In this case, a closing force between the two connector parts is generated by the elasticity of the seal. When depressing the grip part 6, the catch is released against the force of the seal and the lock is opened.

An analogous construction is also shown in FIGS. 5 et seq. Here, however, each locking clip 5 'has a spring-like design.

As can be seen initially in FIGS. 4 and 5, the type of assembly of the locking clamps 5 'on the grip part 6 according to FIGS. 4 and 5 corresponds to that of FIG. 2. This can additionally be seen in FIG Locking clip 5 'in addition in this Fig. Is shown to allow a comparison of the locking brackets 5 and 5', both of which are cost-effectively punched in one piece from a metal sheet.

Also, the second type of locking clip 5 'thus has the end portions 8, which engage in the slots 7 of the handle portion 6 and there are fixed with caps 19 in the manner of Fig. 3.

However, the locking brackets 5 'has two relatively thinner legs 11', 12 'relative to FIG. 1, which are shaped in the manner of a "U" or an "omega" and are dimensioned such that when the connection is closed against the pin 15 and slightly widen when loosening this connection until the locking connection is made or dissolved.

One of the legs 11 'is in turn hinged to a bore 23 to a pivot pin 13 of a connector part 2. The other has correspondingly on the recess 14, which engages over the other pin 15 on the other connector part 3 in the closed state latching, however, wherein the spring force of the relatively resiliently stretched legs 11 ', 12' increases the closing force. Since both legs 12 'each have a bore 23 and a recess 14, the Verriegelungsklammem at the bore of each leg 11' or 12 ', wherein then the corresponding leg 12' or 11 'for locking when closing the connector is used (Figure 7, the assembly of Verriegelungsklammem 5' takes place here on the upper part).

Similarly, when opening something first the spring by pressing the handle part 6 7 is opened and then released the locking connection. This facilitates the stable metallic, lever-like handle 6.

At the two free end portions of the legs 11 'and 12' of the spring-like locking clips 5 'of Fig. 4 to 6 are each perpendicular to the end portions of the legs 11', 12 'towards each other extending hook portions 16, 17 formed mutually with play reach behind, which is dimensioned so that the spring, although released from its detent position but can not be overstretched. Such an effective overstretch protection for the spring-like locking clips 5 'is realized with the simplest means.

Ach Fig. 8 and 9, the handle 6 is formed in a cost-effective manner as a circumferentially closed hollow profile and from a. truncated in cross-section triangular or otherwise shaped longer metal profile.

The construction of the connector of FIG. 8 largely corresponds to that of the plug-in connector of FIG. 1 a and the construction of the connector of FIG. 9 to a large extent that of the connector of FIG. 1 b.

A difference between the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9 and those of FIG. 1 is that the end sections 8, which engage in the slots 7 of the grip part 6 and are fastened there with cover caps 19, have recesses 28 (FIGS. 10, 11, 12 ) or undercuts, in which material webs 29 (FIG. 12) engage, which are for example bent out of the handle parts or the profiles 6 in the slots 7 and which additionally secure the profiles 6 on the brackets eg by embossing seat, which the locking units 2 additionally stabilized in itself.

On the two free end portions of the legs 11 'and 12' of the spring-like locking clips 5 'of Fig. 8 are again - see also Figs. 14 and 15 - each perpendicular to the end portions of the legs 11', 12 'to each other extending hook portions 16, 17 formed, which engage each other mutually. Here, however, in addition between the two hook portions 16, 17 is a spacer 25 - here in S-shape and e.g. Made of plastic - set, which preferably has at its ends locking lugs 26 which engage in recesses 27 of the legs 11 ', 12'.

In turn, once again an extremely improved overstretch protection for the spring-like locking clips 5 'is realized with the simplest means, in which case the spacer 25 has a stabilizing effect.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

Housing bottom

1

locking units

2

Housing top shell

3

mounting portion

4

Verriegelungsklammem

5, 5 '

grip

6

slots

7

plug caps

8th

pin sections

9

pivot pin

10

leg

11, 12

pivot pin

13

notch

14

spigot

15

hook portions

16, 17

gradations

18

plug caps

19

pin sections

20

cover sections

21

areas

22

drilling

23

poetry

24

spacer

25

locking lugs

26

recesses

27

recesses

28

material webs

29

Claims (15)

Electrical connector with a. a first housing part (1) and a second housing part (3), b. at least one or two locking units (4), the two each two-legged locking clip (s) (5), wherein one of the legs (11) is pivotally hinged respectively to the one housing part (2) and a Rastausparung (14), which in addition is designed to engage in a closed position locking another pin (15) on the second housing part (3), c. a handle (6), each of which connects two of the locking brackets (5) to opposite sides of the housing parts (2, 3) and with which these two Verriegelungsklammem (5) from a unlocking into a locking position and vice versa are pivotable,
characterized in that d. both the locking brackets (5, 5 ') and the grips (6) are formed as metal parts. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle (6) of a hollow profile and the Verriegelungsklammem (5, 5 ') are made as stamped parts of a metal sheet. Electrical connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the handle (6) is designed as a circumferentially closed hollow profile. Electrical connector according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the handle (6) is cut to length from a longer metal profile. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping piece (6) has slots (7) in front of the two axial ends, in which end regions (8) of the two locking clips (5) are inserted, which preferably have an adapted to the cross-sectional inner contour of the hollow profile-like grips (6) shaping. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end sections (8), which engage in the slots (7) of the grip part (6) and are fastened there with cover caps (19), have recesses (28) or undercuts, in which material webs (29) intervene. Electrical plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that plug caps (19) close the open axial ends of the handle (6) which have inwardly into the hollow profile protruding pin portions (20), which holes (10) of the end regions (8). the locking Klammem (5) preferably engage by latching or snapping and thus secure the Verriegelungsklammem (5) in the slots (7). Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug caps (19) have cover sections (21) and further into the hollow chambers of the grips (6) projecting portions (22) to which the pin portions (20) are integrally formed, wherein the regions (22) extend as far as the end regions (8) of the locking clips (5) and bear against them in a stabilizing manner. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the legs (11, 12) are rigidly connected to each other and that by the elasticity of a peripheral seal (24) between the two connector parts (2, 3) a closing force between the two connector parts is generated , Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the legs (11 ', 12') of the locking brackets (5 ') are spring-like, and are dimensioned so that they Close the connection to the pin (15) and when releasing this connection, first lightly until the locking connection is made by spring force. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the legs (11 ', 12') are u- or omega-shaped connected to each other. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the two free end portions of the legs (11 'and 12') each extending towards each other hook portions (16, 17) are formed, which engage behind each other in the closed state of the connector with play, that is dimensioned so that the spring is indeed releasable from its rest position but not overstretched. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the hook portions (16, 17) is a spacer (25), preferably in S-form - is set. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer (25) at its ends locking lugs (26) which engage in recesses (27) of the legs (11 ', 12'). Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that both of the legs (11 ', 12') each have a bore (23) and a latching recess (14), so that the locking clips (5 ') on the bore of each leg (5'). 11 'or 12') are articulated, in which case the corresponding leg (12 'or 11') is used for locking when closing the connector.

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