EP1708312B1 - Electrical connector for a restraint system in a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connector for use between a can (squib) and an electrical control device for a restraint system in motor vehicles, for example an airbag.

Such connectors should generally have the smallest possible dimensions due to the limited space available in restraint systems. It follows that individual components of the connector or the associated can / squib have only an extremely small size, but nevertheless in relation to the safety application (for example, belt tensioner, airbag) easy assembly on the one hand and high reliability on the other is required.

This applies in particular with regard to locking of plug and socket, wherein the contact elements of the components must contact safely in the locked state and incorrect operation should be largely avoided. Likewise, the plug and socket must not unintentionally separate from each other.

In the prior art, this problem is solved, for example, in that in a first step, the plug and the socket are contacted and latched and in a second step, a locking member is guided as a so-called secondary locking behind the locking arms of the plug to the latch against unintentional release to secure.

Connectors of the aforementioned type are in the EP 1 150 389 A1 , according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as the EP 1 207 591 A1 disclosed.

• Die Sekundärverriegelung soll möglichst unabhängig von der Anzünder- und Isolierringgeometrie sein.
• Das Einstecken des Steckers in die Zündpille soll ausschließlich mittels Kraftausübung auf das Sekundärverriegelungsmittel bewirkt werden können.
• Die Sekundärverriegelung soll eine möglichst kompakte Bauform aufweisen.
• Die Verriegelung sowie der gesamte Steckvorgang soll in einem Arbeitsschritt erfolgen.

With the present invention, an alternative design for a connector is to be offered, which meets the following requirements:

• The secondary locking should be as independent as possible of the igniter and Isolierringgeometrie.
• The insertion of the plug into the squib should be able to be effected solely by applying force to the secondary locking means.
• The secondary locking should have the most compact possible design.
• The locking and the entire mating process should be done in one step.

The basic idea of the present invention is to block the plug in a preassembled state by the secondary locking means in such a way that initially plugging of the plug into the can or into the insulating ring arranged in the can is prevented. Only by pressure on the secondary locking means in the insertion direction S plugging of the plug into the box or the insulating ring is made possible.

In this way it is prevented that when mating the lock of the secondary locking means is forgotten or otherwise tried to plug the plug into the squib.

Furthermore, the electrical connector is designed so that the joining process is possible only by pressure on the secondary locking means in the insertion direction to the fully locked position of the plug.

1. a) einem Stecker mit einem Gehäuse zum Einstecken in die Dose sowie zur Kontaktierung von Steckkontakten des Steckers mit in der Dose angeordneten Kontaktstiften und
2. b) einer Rastnase zum Verrasten des Steckers in der Dose in einer Primärverriegelungsstellung durch Einrasten der Rastnase in eine korrespondierende Ausnehmung in der Dose;
3. c) einem in einer Steckrichtung S des Steckers verschiebbar geführten Sekundärverriegelungsmittel zur Verriegelung des Steckers in der Primärverriegelungsstellung, das aus einer Basisplatte und mindestens einem von der Basisplatte in Steckrichtung S abstehenden Sekundärrastarm gebildet ist;
4. d) in einer Vormontagestellung ist das Sekundärverriegelungsmittel relativ zu dem Stecker so positioniert, dass die Rastnase blockiert ist und das Sekundärverriegelungsmittel erst durch Krafteinwirkung auf Sekundärverriegelungsmittels relativ zu dem Stecker verschiebbar ist, in der die Rastnase freigegeben ist und der Stecker durch weitere Krafteinwirkung auf das Sekundärverriegelungsmittel, insbesondere durch Druck auf die Basisplatte, in Steckrichtung S in die Primärverriegelungsstellung verschiebbar ist, wobei durch Druck auf das Sekundärverriegelungsmittel (30) in Steckrichtung S das Sekundärverriegelungsmittel (30) bis zur vollständig verriegelten Position des Steckers verschiebbar ist.

In its most general embodiment, the invention then relates to a generic electrical connector having the following features:

1. a) a plug with a housing for insertion into the can and for contacting plug contacts of the plug with arranged in the can pins and
2. b) a latching nose for latching the plug in the socket in a primary locking position by engagement of the latching lug in a corresponding recess in the box;
3. c) a secondary locking means slidably guided in a plug-in direction S of the plug for locking the plug in the primary locking position, which is formed from a base plate and at least one secondary detent arm projecting from the base plate in the plug-in direction S;
4. d) in a pre-assembly, the secondary locking means is positioned relative to the plug so that the latch is blocked and the secondary locking means only by force on Secondary locking means is displaceable relative to the plug, in which the latch is released and the plug by further force on the secondary locking means, in particular by pressure on the base plate, in the insertion direction S in the primary locking position is displaceable, wherein by pressure on the secondary locking means (30) in Plug-in direction S, the secondary locking means (30) is displaceable to the fully locked position of the plug.

In one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the latching lug is attached to a directed in the insertion direction S primary latching arm of the plug and protruding therefrom, wherein extending parallel to the Primärrastarm Sekundärrastarm engages behind the primary latching arm on the side facing away from the latching lug. In this way, it is ensured that the primary latching arm is prevented from being plugged in by the latching lug. A molded in the insertion direction of the latching ramp normally ensures that the Primärrastarm 14 rebounds to the middle of the connector until the plug engages in the latching latch recess in the primary locking position. This is now prevented by the secondary detent arm.

By the locking lug is blocked in the pre-assembly by a latching hook attached to the secondary detent arm, which projects substantially in the direction of the detent from the secondary detent arm, the detent can be positioned in the release position behind a latch hook recess of the primary detent arm and thereby release the latch.

The release of the secondary locking means via an implementation of the compression movement of the latching hook via inclined ramps in a vertical compression movement of the secondary latching arm. After the secondary locking means is released, this slips slightly lower on a paragraph of the spring-loaded latch hook, which on the Secondary locking means, in particular the base plate of the secondary locking means acting force for the insertion movement of the plug passes. In the inserted state or the primary locking position of the latching hook springs, so that the secondary locking means can be completely submerged to lock the latching hook.

Thus, in the primary locking position, the plug locks in a primary locking direction PR, whereas in a secondary locking position, the secondary locking means latches in a secondary locking direction SR which is orthogonal to the primary locking direction PR and to the connecting direction S. Thus, the plug is locked at the same time.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the secondary locking means may comprise two secondary detent arms, which may also be fork-shaped, wherein on each leg of the secondary detent arm protrudes a projection in the opposite direction in the secondary detent direction SR. Both the secondary detent arm and the secondary locking means may be formed axially symmetrical.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the features of the claims and the other application documents.

Fig. 1:

eine geschnittene Seiten- und Frontansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders in einer Vormontagestellung;

Fig. 2:

verschiedene Schnittansichten des erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Steckverbinders in einer Freigabestellung;

Fig. 3:

eine geschnittene Seiten- und Vorderansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders in Sekundärverriegelungsstellung;

Fig. 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht des elektrischen Steckverbinders in einer Vormontageposition;

Fig. 5:

eine geschnittene Seiten- und Vorderansicht des elektrischen Steckverbinders gemäß der Erfindung in einer Herausziehposition;

Fig. 6:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Sekundärverriegelungsmittels.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment, wherein-in a schematic representation-the drawing has the following figures:

Fig. 1:

a sectional side and front view of the connector according to the invention in a pre-assembly;

Fig. 2:

various sectional views of the electrical connector according to the invention in a release position;

3:

a sectional side and front view of the connector according to the invention in the secondary locking position;

4:

a perspective view of the electrical connector in a pre-assembly position;

Fig. 5:

a sectional side and front view of the electrical connector according to the invention in a pull-out position;

Fig. 6:

a perspective view of a secondary locking means according to the invention.

In Fig. 1 left is a sectional side view of an electrical connector according to the invention with a plug 10, which is shown only partially shown. Furthermore, part of the invention, a running through the plug 10 secondary locking means 30, also referred to as a push button. The plug 10 is inserted together with the secondary locking means 30 in an insulating ring 52 which is inserted in a socket 50.

The plugging direction is indicated in all figures by an arrow with the letter S, while a primary catching direction is in each case marked with a double arrow and the letter combination PR. The primary detent direction PR indicates the approximate detent direction in which the Primary latching means, here lateral locking lugs 15, in a snap-in recess 55 of the box compress or latch.

With a further double arrow with the indicator SR a secondary locking direction SR is indicated, which essentially indicates the direction in which a locking of the secondary locking means 30 in a secondary locking position according to Fig. 3 is effected.

A housing 11 of the plug 10 consists of a housing cover 11 d and a housing shell 11u. The housing 11 has through openings corresponding to the secondary locking means 30, and a base plate 30p is integrated in the secondary locking position into a housing recess 11a, so that the plug 10 terminates as flat as possible in the locked position.

In the in Fig. 1 . 2 . 3 and 5 illustrated left view, the side view of the electrical connector, the secondary locking means 30 has a pointing in the direction of insertion S tuning fork shape, which is closed at the top with the base plate 30p. In the in Fig. 1 . 2 . 3 and 5 On the right-hand side, the secondary locking means 30 has a U-shape with the U upside down. The two legs of the U-shaped secondary locking means 30 are formed by the secondary locking arms 31 and connected to each other via the base plate 30p. Each leg 31 divides fork-shaped into two legs 31s1 and 31s2 from about halfway.

In the in Fig. 1 shown pre-assembly blocked a latching hook 32 which is integrally formed on the leg 31s1, a Primärrastarm 14 by the primary detent arm 14 engages behind and rests against this.

Only by moving the secondary locking means 30 in the insertion direction S by exerting a directed in the insertion direction S force on the base plate 30p of the secondary locking means 30, the secondary locking means 30 is displaced relative to the plug 10 and thus to the Primärrastarm 14 and runs on a ramp 17, wherein the Latch hook 32 at the level of a corresponding latching hook recess 16 of the primary latch arm 14 comes to a stop. As a result, now the primary detent arm 14 rebound and the blocking by the secondary detent arm 31 is canceled (see Fig. 2 ).

Guide arms 34 provide for the proper guidance of the secondary locking means 30 in the plug 10 and, in the secondary locking position, may additionally serve to separate a shorting bridge (not shown) between the contact pins 51.

In Fig. 3 Finally, the locked arrangement of the electrical connector is shown, in which the secondary locking means 30 is completely immersed in the plug 10 and projections 33 of the secondary locking means 30 engage in corresponding recesses 18 of the connector 10. In this position, the latching hooks 32 and further above on the secondary latching arm integrally formed disassembly lugs 35 block the primary latching arm 14, so that the latching lug 15 is locked in the latching lug recess 55 in this position inextricably.

In Fig. 5 the removal of the plug 10 from the box 50 is shown. For this purpose, the secondary locking means 30 must first be pulled against the spring force of return springs 19 and against the spring force of the recesses 18 engaged projections 33 on the legs 31s1 / 31s2 until the disassembly lugs 35 come to rest on the housing cover 11d and the locking hooks 32 behind the second Latch hook recesses 16.2 come to rest and thus the primary latching arm and the locking lug 15 are released to auszufedern from the latching lug recess 55. In Fig. 6 Finally, for clarity, the secondary locking means 30 is shown again in a perspective view.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

plug

11

casing

11a

housing recess

11d

housing cover

11u

shell

12

plug contacts

14

Primärrastarm

15

locking lug

16 / 16.2

Rasthakenausnehmung

17

ramp

18

recesses

19

Return spring

30

Secondary locking mechanism

30p

baseplate

31

Sekundärrastarm

31s1 / 31s2

leg

32

latch hook

33

head Start

34

guide

35

Dismantling nose

50

can

51

contact pins

52

insulating ring

55

Rastnasenausnehmung

S

plug-in direction

SR

Secondary locking direction

PR

Primary locking direction

Claims (13)

1. An electrical pin-and-socket connector for use between a socket (50) (primer) and an electrical control device for a retention system in motor vehicles, comprising:

   a) a connector (10) with a casing (11) to insert in the socket (50) and to contact the plug contacts (12) of the connector (10) with contact pins (51) positioned in the socket (50); and

   b) a latch (15) to lock the connector (10) in the socket (50) in a primary latching position by engaging the latch (15) in a corresponding recess (55) in the socket (50);

   c) a secondary latching device (30), which is movable in an insertion direction S of the connector (10), for latching the connector (10) in the primary latching position and which is formed by a base plate (30p) and at least one of the secondary catch arms (31) projecting from the base plate (30p) in an insertion direction (S);

   d) in a preassembled position, the secondary latching device (30) is positioned relative to the connector (10) in such a way that the latch (15) is blocked and the secondary latching device (30) is movable first through action of force on the secondary latching device (30), especially through pressure on the base plate (30p), in insertion direction S with the secondary latching device (30) in a release position relative to the connector (10) in which the latch (15) is released, and the connector (10) is movable through further action of force on the secondary latching device (30), especially by pressure on the base plate (30p), in insertion direction (S) in the primary latching position,

   characterized in that
   through the application of pressure on the secondary latching device (30) in the insertion direction (S) the secondary latching device (30) is moveable until the connector is in a completely locked position.
2. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to claim 1, wherein the latch (15) is attached to a primary catch arm (14) of the connector (10) in insertion direction (S) and projects from it.
3. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary catch arm (31), in particular, running parallel to the primary catch arm, grasps the primary catch arm (14) from behind on the side turned away from the latch (15).
4. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the latch (15) in the preassembled position is blocked by a catch hook (32), which is attached to the secondary catch arm (31) and which projects from the secondary catch arm (31) essentially in the direction of the latch (15).
5. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to claim 4, wherein the catch hook (32) is engaged in the catch hook recess (16) of the primary catch arm (14) in the release position thereby releasing the latch.
6. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to one of the previous claims, wherein the connector (10) locks into the primary latching position in a primary locking direction (PR).
7. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to claim 6, wherein the secondary latching device (30) in a secondary latching position locks in a secondary locking direction (SR), which runs orthogonal to the primary locking position (PR) and to the insertion direction (S), engages, and in the secondary latching position locks the connector (10), which is positioned in the primary latching position.
8. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to claim 7, in wherein the secondary latching device (30) has a projection (33) that locks the secondary latching device (30) in the secondary latching position in the connector (10).
9. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to claim 8, wherein the projection (33) is attached to the secondary catch arm (31) and projects in the secondary locking direction (SR) from the secondary catch arm (31).
10. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the secondary catch arm (31) is formed like a fork and on each leg (31s) of the secondary catch arm (31) a projection projects in the opposite direction in secondary locking direction (SR).
11. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to one of the previous claims, wherein the secondary catch arm (31) is designed so it is axially symmetrical.
12. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to one of the previous claims, wherein the secondary latching device (30) has two secondary catch arms (31) that project from the edge of the base plate (30p).
13. Electrical pin-and-socket connector according to one of the previous claims, wherein the secondary latching device is designed so it is axially symmetrical.

Images