EP1686658B1 - Socket - Google Patents

Abstract

The socket includes a socket housing (2) accommodating a contact carrier provided with contacts to be joined to wires. For assembly, the contact carrier includes bayonet guides around its circumference, which engage with inwardly-facing bayonet pins (15) formed in the socket housing. The bayonet guides and corresponding pins are preferably distributed unevenly or asymmetrically around the circumference of the contact carrier.

Description

The invention relates to a socket for an electrical connector, in particular for the electrical connection of motor vehicle trailers to a towing vehicle, with a socket housing and a contact carrier insert received therein, containing contacts.

As an accessory for the automotive industry, there is a high demand for easy assembly and reliable function. In particular, the tightness of the contact area should be ensured in order to avoid the introduction of moisture and dirt, especially in the form of splashing water.

From the EP 0 834 960 A2 (Erich Jaeger A socket of the type mentioned above is known, for example, wherein a so-called contact insert a contact carrier insert and a receiving, engageable in the socket housing or connected thereto support body, for example with a seal against the socket housing, and wherein the contact carrier insert in the already in the can body latched or firmly connected to this support body can be latched. Can body and contact carrier insert are thus locked together. Such Verrastungseinrichtungen require a high accuracy of fit to achieve a backlash-free fit of the parts against each other and in particular to achieve the required tightness with sufficient contact pressure.

The DE 32 48 154 C1 relates to an electrical connector with a built-in connector, a matching on the connector bayonet ring and a coupling. On the coupling, which is pushed over the socket connector and is detected by the bayonet ring, lugs are arranged, which fit into axial slots of the bayonet ring. For this purpose, the coupling 61 is inserted into the bayonet ring, wherein in the bayonet ring slots and on the coupling outwardly projecting lugs are arranged. Also the DE 90 05 156 U1 shows an electrical Connector in which the two connector parts are joined together by means of a bayonet closure.

From the US 2002/0151255 A1 is a socket for an electrical connector known, in which a contact carrier insert can be inserted. The contact carrier insert has on its circumference two projecting guide cams, which engage in a corresponding groove in the socket housing.

From the EP 1 049 212 A1 is an electrical connector with a contact carrier insert and a bayonet lock for connecting the plug with a power outlet known. For introducing the contact carrier insert into the plug, projections are provided on the inside of the plug housing, which engage in grooves provided in the contact carrier insert, for which purpose the contact carrier insert is first introduced in the axial direction into the connector housing and then rotated about this axial direction.

In the DE 94 08 661 a plug is described in which a contact pin carrier rotatably inserted into a contact pin carrier holder. To connect this plug with a socket, a rotatable bayonet ring is provided on the outside of the contact pin carrier holder.

The DE 101 08 967 A1 and the US 4,698,030 describe a contact insert with a relative to openings in the contact insert displaceable end plate having corresponding openings. By a displacement of the end plate, a fixation of contact pins in the openings of the contact insert is achieved.

The object of the invention is the elimination or at least reduction of the abovementioned disadvantages known from the prior art.

The stated object is achieved with the features of claim 1. In the case of a socket of the type mentioned in the introduction, provision is made in particular for the contact support insert to have bayonet guides distributed over its circumference for mounting, into which socket housing, e.g. engage inwardly projecting bayonet cams. To further facilitate assembly, the bayonet guides are provided on a relative to the remaining part of the contact carrier insert separately rotatable bayonet ring. Contact carrier insert and socket housing are thus connected to each other by means of bayonet locking, so that a reliable and easy installation of contact carrier insert and socket housing takes place with good sealing.

For coding, the bayonet guides and the associated bayonet cams can be distributed unevenly or asymmetrically over the circumference of the contact carrier insert or of the socket housing. Thus, the contact carrier insert can only lock in a specific orientation with the socket housing.

This goal can also be achieved by making the bayonet guides and the associated bayonet cams of different widths and thicknesses so that only one particular type of bayonet cot fits for a particular type of bayonet guide.

It is further proposed according to the invention that the separately rotatable bayonet ring is preferably releasably latched in its initial and / or end position relative to the socket housing. This facilitates assembly even further.

In a further development of the inventive idea, the contact carrier insert can be provided by means of a base plate designed as a perforated plate for the passage of connecting wires, on which the contacts or the sealing elements for the receiving channels can be supported.

This is advantageously done by the fact that the bottom plate is rotatable or displaceable relative to the contact carrier insert. During assembly, first the holes in the bottom plate are aligned with the inlet openings of the receiving channels. If the contacts and the sealing elements are inserted into the receiving channels with the base plate already preassembled, the base plate is slightly rotated relative to the contact carrier insert so that the contacts or the sealing elements can no longer emerge from the receiving channels but are supported.

For safety, the bottom plate opposite the contact carrier insert in at least one end position, preferably in the open position and in the closed position, e.g. be latched by means of latching hooks.

It is proposed that the bottom plate a handle for twisting or moving relative to the contact carrier insert and - when the bottom plate has reached its closed position - also for the rotation of the then entrained contact carrier insert against the socket housing.

If according to a further embodiment of the invention, the bottom plate protrudes with a tongue in a recess of the contact carrier insert and a section of one of the bayonet guides simulates such that locked in the open position of the bottom plate bayonet guide in question, in closing rotation or -schiebestellung the bottom plate the bayonet guide in question is released, it is ensured that the contact carrier insert can only be mounted in the socket housing when the bottom plate is to secure the contacts in the locked rotational position.

A simplification and improvement of the sealing of the contact interior can be achieved by providing a preferably one-piece seal which is intended and suitable for sealing both against the contact carrier insert and against an inserted plug. In this way, only a single seal is required for the rear and front sealing of the contact carrier insert when plugged in, which can be easily mounted.

This is preferably done in that the seal is designed as a circumferential on the inner wall of the socket housing ring seal.

In this case, the seal against a provided on the contact carrier insert shoulder as well - after inserted plug - abut against a frontally provided surface of the plug.

This is particularly simple in terms of design in that the socket housing has a rib which runs around the inner wall and on which the seal is received. The seal may be formed as a ring seal with U-shaped cross-section, which is mounted on the rib.

In order to prevent channels of the contacts from entering the contact carrier insert in the region of the receptacle, the receiving channels of the contact carrier insert can be connected on the connection side, e.g. be sealed by means of plug-like sealing elements, which at the same time support the support of the contacts to the rear.

Regardless of their support, the contacts in their receiving channels, for example by means of Rastbeinchen, can be latched.

It is also advantageous if integrally formed on a socket housing a holder for attachment to a mounting surface.

Other objects, features and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Figure 3 does not show a socket of the invention.

Fig. 1

eine die Erfindung aufweisende Steckdose gemäß einer Ausführungsart in Seitenansicht, teilweise geschnitten, ohne Kontaktträgereinsatz,

Fig. 2

eine ähnliche Darstellung wie in Fig. 1 für eine andere Ausführungsart der Erfindung, mit eingesetztem Kontaktträgereinsatz,

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch einen Kontaktträgereinsatz,

Fig. 4

die Ansicht B von Fig. 3, also eine bodenseitige Ansicht des Kontaktträgereinsatzes,

Fig. 5

einen bei der Erfindung zu verwendenden Kontaktträgereinsatz in Seitenansicht,

Fig. 6a, b

einen Einsatz gemäß Fig. 5, teilweise geschnitten, bei unterschiedlicher Drehstellung der Bodenplatte.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a socket having the invention according to an embodiment in side view, partially cut, without contact carrier insert,

Fig. 2

a similar representation as in Fig. 1 for another embodiment of the invention, with inserted contact carrier insert,

Fig. 3

a section through a contact carrier insert,

Fig. 4

the view B of FIG. 3, ie a bottom view of the contact carrier insert,

Fig. 5

a contact carrier insert to be used in the invention in side view,

Fig. 6a, b

an insert according to FIG. 5, partially cut, at different rotational position of the bottom plate.

1 has a socket housing 2 for receiving a contact carrier insert 5 (see FIG. 2) in which contacts 4 (see FIG. 3) are received in accordance with the number of poles of the plug connection to be created. The can body 2 is closed when not in use with a lid 3, which applies in its closed position against a seal 26 at the front edge of the socket housing 2 and can be opened against a closing spring 25.

In the socket housing 2, a one-piece seal 6 in the form of a ring with a U-shaped cross-section is received on an internally circumferential rib 9, which is suitable for sealing both against the contact carrier insert 5 (see Fig. 2) and against an open lid 3 used (not shown plug) is determined and suitable. For this purpose, the contact carrier insert 5 has a plug-side facing shoulder 8, which can rest against the bottom surface of the seal 6, while the plug, not shown, when plugged into and locking in the socket housing 2 with an end face to the male side surface of the seal. 6 comes to the plant. To lock the plug relative to the socket housing 2, the latter has on its inner wall surface at least one locking cam 27, which serves to guide a corresponding bayonet groove of the plug. Upon complete insertion and insertion of the plug into the socket housing 2, its end face is thus reliably pressed against the seal 6.

The contact carrier insert 5 (see Figures 2, 5 and 6a and 6b) has for the assembly over its circumference distributed bayonet guides 14 in which on the socket housing 2 inwardly projecting bayonet catches 15 engage. When inserting the contact carrier insert 5 into the socket housing 2, the contact carrier insert 5 thus engages with the shoulder 8 provided on it under contact pressure against the bottom-side surface of the seal 6. The bayonet guides 14 and the associated bayonet cams 15 may be distributed unevenly or asymmetrically over the circumference of the contact carrier insert 5 and the can body 2, to set a coding. The same can take place in that the bayonet guides 14 and the associated bayonet cams 15 have different widths or thicknesses.

According to Fig. 5 and 6a and 6b, the bayonet guides 14 are provided on a relative to the remaining part of the contact carrier insert 5 separately rotatable bayonet ring 16 to facilitate assembly.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3, the receiving channels 10 provided for the contacts 4 of the contact carrier insert 5 are sealed on the connection side by means of plug-type sealing elements 11 against which the contacts 4 can be supported.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3, 4 and 6a and 6b, the contact carrier insert 5 is provided by means of a base plate 12 designed as a perforated plate for the passage of connecting wires 24. The bottom plate 12 is rotatable or displaceable relative to the contact carrier insert 5, so that, as shown in FIG. 4, the holes 22 for the passage of the connecting wires 24 from an open position 22 (solid lines), in which the contacts 4, the sealing elements 11 and the connecting wires 24 can be passed, in a locking position (openings 22 ', dashed lines) can be transferred, in which the openings of the receiving channels 10 of the contacts 4 are at least partially closed rearwardly to support the sealing elements 11 and the contacts 4 backward. In addition, the contacts 4 are latched in their receiving channels 10, for example by means of Rastbeinchen 19, in the receiving channels 10.

The bottom plate 12 is locked relative to the contact carrier insert 5 at least in an end position by means of latching hooks 21. For the latching 5 stops 23 may be provided on the housing of the contact carrier insert, which also serve the optical orientation of the rotational position.

The bottom plate 12 also has at least one handle 13 for rotation relative to the contact carrier insert 5. If the bottom plate 12 is already locked to the contact carrier insert 5, so these handles 13 serve to rotate the contact carrier insert 5 relative to the socket housing 2 to produce the bayonet lock or to solve these again.

FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate a particular type of base plate 12. In this case, the bottom plate 12 protrudes with a tongue 17 into a recess 18 of the contact carrier insert 5 and forms a portion of one of the bayonet guides 14, such that in the offend rotational position of the bottom plate 12, the bayonet guide 14 in question locked in closed rotational position of the bottom plate 12 the relevant Bayonet guide is released.

In Fig. 2 it is illustrated that the socket housing 2 may be integrally provided with a holder, which serves to attach the socket 1 to a mounting surface.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

socket

2

socket housing

3

cover

4

contacts

5

Contact carrier insert

6

poetry

7

inner wall

8th

shoulder

9

rib

10

recording channels

11

sealing elements

12

baseplate

13

grip

14

bayonet guides

15

bayonet cams

16

bayonet ring

17

tongue

18

recess

19

Rastbeinchen

20

holder

21

latch hook

22, 22 '

holes

23

attack

24

leads

25

closing spring

26

Ring seal for cover 3

27

locking cam

Claims (16)

1. A socket for an electric plug-in connection, in particular for the electric connection of vehicle trailers to a towing vehicle, said socket comprising a socket housing (2) and a contact carrier insert (5) containing contacts (4) to be provided with electric connecting wires (24), said contact carrier insert (5) being accommodated in the socket housing (2) and secured to said socket housing (2), characterized in that, for fitting to the socket housing (2), the contact carrier insert (5) has bayonet guides (14) distributed over its circumference, and bayonet lugs (15) projecting from the socket housing (2) engage in said bayonet guides (14), and in that the bayonet guides (14) are provided on a bayonet ring (16) which can be rotated independently of the rest of the contact carrier insert (5).
2. A socket according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bayonet guides (14) and associated bayonet lugs (15) are distributed unevenly or asymmetrically over the circumference of the contact carrier insert (5) and socket housing (2) respectively.
3. A socket according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bayonet guides (14) and associated bayonet lugs (15) have different widths or thicknesses.
4. A socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bayonet ring (16) is detachably secured in its initial and/or final rotational position relative to the socket housing (2).
5. A socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact carrier insert (5) is provided by means of a base plate (12) taking the form of a perforated plate for passage of the connecting wires (24).
6. A socket according to Claim 5, characterized in that the base plate (12) can be rotated (about the axis of the socket housing (2)) or displaced relative to the contact carrier insert (5).
7. A socket according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the base plate (12) can be secured relative to its contact carrier insert (5) in at least one final rotational position or final displaced position, for example by means of snap-in hooks (21).
8. A socket according to one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the base plate (12) has a gripping element (13) for rotation or displacement relative to the contact carrier insert (5).
9. A socket according to one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that a tongue (17) of the base plate (12) projects into a recess (18) in the contact carrier insert (5) and replicates a portion of one of the bayonet guides (14) in such a way that in the open rotational position of the base plate (12) the related bayonet guide (14) is blocked, but in the closed rotational position of the base plate (12) on the other hand the related bayonet guide (14) is clear.
10. A socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a preferably one-piece seal (6) which is accommodated in the socket housing (2) and which is suitably designed for sealing the contact carrier insert (5) as well as an inserted plug.
11. A socket according to Claim 10, characterized in that the seal (6) takes the form of a circumferential seal disposed on the inner wall (7) of the socket housing (2).
12. A socket according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the seal (6) rests against a shoulder (8) provided on the contact carrier insert (5) as well as - after the plug has been inserted - against a surface of the plug provided on its end face.
13. A socket according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the socket housing (2) has a circumferential rib (9), disposed on the inner wall (7), on which the seal (6) is seated.
14. A socket according to one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the receiving channels (10) provided in the contact carrier insert (5) for the contacts (4) are sealed on the connection side, for example by means of stopper-like sealing elements (11).
15. A socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contacts (4) engage in their receiving channels (10), for example by means of small snap-in legs (19).
16. A socket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a holder (20) is formed in one piece on the socket housing (2).

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