EP1727243A1 - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The plug-in connector (10) has a first plug-in part (12) and a second plug-in part (14) is interconnectable with the first part and essentially parallel to the plug-in direction (16) which is adjustably supported between the first and the second end position at the first plug-in part and intervenes with the second plug-in part with the locking slot (46). Which work together with a locking arm (30) of first plug-in part in such a way that the locking arm takes up in idle position when the locking slot is in first or second end position.

Description

The invention relates to a connector, in particular an electrical and / or optical connector, with a first plug-in part and a second plug-in part which can be plugged together with the first plug-in part.

It is known to provide such a connector with a Go / No Go mechanism, which comprises at least one spring, which is stretched when mating the male parts and prevents permanent connection of the male parts, as long as the male parts have not reached a relative position in which the connector is completely plugged together.

The invention has for its object to provide a connector with a simplified Go / No Go mechanism, which prevents the capture of an undefined relative position of the male parts not only when mating, but also when disconnecting the male parts and beyond a reliable function of the connector permanently ensures.

To solve the problem, a connector with the features of claim 1 is provided.

The connector according to the invention comprises a first plug-in part, a second plug-in part which can be plugged together with the first plug-in part, and one in the substantially parallel to the direction of insertion between a first and a second end position slidably mounted on the first male part and for displacement with the second male part engageable locking slide, which cooperates with a locking arm of the first male part such that the locking arm occupies a substantially relaxed rest position, if the locking slide is in the first or second end position, and can be brought by a displacement of the locking slide in a tensioned position in which the locking arm exerts a displacement of the locking slide counteracting force on the locking slide.

The locking slide is moved from the one end position to the other both the complete assembly, as well as the separation of the male parts. The first end position in this case is the designated position in which the locking carriage is located in separate plug-in parts, whereas the second end position defines that position which occupies the locking slide with fully mated plug-in parts.

The displacement of the locking slide tightens the locking arm. In this tensioned state of the locking arm exerts a displacement of the locking slide counteracting force on the locking slide. The locking arm is therefore in a sense a spring element.

Since the locking arm assumes a substantially relaxed rest position whenever the locking slide is in one of its end positions, and it is in the separated or complete mated state of the connector is the most common in practice states, the locking arm is predominantly in a relaxed state. As a result, a spring property of the locking arm and thus a reliable Go / No Go function, ie ultimately a reliable function of the connector as a whole permanently ensured.

As long as the plug-in parts are not completely assembled, the second plug-in part, if it is not acted upon by a sufficiently large insertion force, at least partially pushed out of the first plug-in part by the locking arm again. Conversely, the second plug-in part is pulled back into the first plug-in part, as long as the plug-in parts are not effectively separated. The plug-in parts are thus always in a defined relative position to each other. This makes it immediately apparent whether the plug connector is correctly plugged together or effectively disconnected or not.

Under the fully mated condition of the connector is understood here a relative position of the plug-in parts, in which, for example, electrical and / or optical, connecting elements of the first plug-in part and corresponding connection elements of the second plug-in part are correctly interconnected. By contrast, the expression "effective separation of the plug-in parts" merely states here that there is no longer any connection between the connection elements of the two plug-in parts. The state of the effectively separated plug-in parts thus includes a relative position of the plug-in parts, in which the second plug-in part is at least partially still in the first plug-in part.

From the fact that the second plug-in part does not cooperate directly, but only indirectly with the locking arm via the locking slide, there is a certain freedom in the design of the plug-in parts. In particular, the interaction of locking slide and locking arm, i. the Go / No Go function of the connector, essentially independent of the geometry of the first and second male part. The inventive interaction of locking slide and locking arm can therefore be transferred to a variety of different connector types and thus used very versatile.

The locking arm is a part of the first male part. For example, the locking arm may be formed integrally with a housing of the first plug-in part. The Go / No Go mechanism according to the invention thus without additional separate spring elements, such as leaf or coil springs, from. Furthermore, the locking arm fulfills a dual function by being not only part of the Go / No Go mechanism, but also provides locking of the male parts in the fully assembled state of the connector. As a result, the structure of the connector according to the invention is considerably simplified and its production with a lower economic outlay possible.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

According to a preferred embodiment, a control mechanism is provided to control the locking arm from the rest position to bring into the strained position and vice versa. The locking arm can not jump uncontrollably from its rest position to the tensioned position or from the tensioned position to the rest position. Rather, both the tensioning process and the relaxation process takes place in a precisely predetermined manner. This helps to ensure the function of the connector permanently.

Advantageously, the control mechanism comprises two inclined surfaces of the locking slide. In this case, the one inclined surface seen in the direction of insertion increase and the other inclined surface fall seen in the insertion direction. The inclined surfaces allow a particularly controlled tension or relaxation of the locking arm by the locking arm initially runs on one inclined surface during a displacement of the locking slide and then moved back along the other inclined surface back to its rest position. In addition, the inclined surfaces ensure that the force exerted by the strained locking arm on the locking slide force has a force component which counteracts the respective displacement of the locking slide when mating or separating the male parts.

Preferably, the control mechanism comprises a latching projection cooperating with the locking slide and in particular engageable with inclined surfaces of the locking slide locking projection of the locking arm. The locking projection serves on the one hand to run onto the inclined surfaces of the locking arm. On the other hand, it allows a backup of the locking slide in its respective end position. A Fixing the locking slide in its first end position, ie with separate plug-in parts, facilitates the engagement of the second plug-in part with the locking slide, whereas securing the locking slide in its second end position causes a locking of the fully mated connector.

In order to improve latching of the locking slide with the latching projection of the locking arm, at least one, and in particular the sloping surface, seen in the plugging direction, can transition into a latching surface which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the plugging direction.

Preferably, the locking arm is formed by a substantially extending in the insertion direction and by the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the plug-direction direction deflectable housing portion of the first plug-in part. By appropriate dimensioning of the locking arm, i. by a suitable choice of the length and the cross section of the deflectable housing portion, a required for the Go / No Go function spring property of the locking arm can be adjusted. Due to the one-piece design of the locking arm with the housing of the first male part, the number of components of the connector is reduced and simplifies the structure of the connector.

According to a further embodiment, a coupling mechanism for connecting the second male part to the locking slide is provided. The coupling mechanism ensures a secure connection between the second male part and the locking slide, whereby a locking of the two male parts in the assembled Condition of the connector over the locking slide and the locking arm is possible. An additional lock to secure the mated connector is therefore unnecessary.

The coupling mechanism may comprise a coupling projection of the second plug-in part and a recess of the locking element for, in particular positive, receiving the coupling projection. By engaging in the recess coupling projection the second male part is effectively secured to the locking slide in a particularly simple manner.

Advantageously, means are provided for rotating the carriage during its displacement about an axis perpendicular to the plug-in direction. This facilitates the insertion of the coupling projection of the second plug-in part in the recess of the locking slide during mating of the plug-in parts and the decoupling of the second plug-in part of the locking slide during the separation of the plug-in parts. Due to the rotatability of the locking slide, the coupling projection need not be offset in parallel for engagement with the recess of the locking slide. Rather, the locking slide rotates when assembling the male parts in the manner of a gear transmission on the coupling projection on it.

Preferably, the locking slide is guided in, in particular on opposite sides of the locking arm, guided guides which are partially curved in such a way that the locking slide completes a rotation about an axis perpendicular to the plug-in direction during its displacement. The arrangement of the locking slide in partially curved guides allows a particularly simple way a defined rotation of the locking slide. As a result, the coupling or decoupling of the second plug-in part and locking slide is further simplified.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines ersten und zweiten Steckteils eines erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders;

Fig. 2

eine Explosionsansicht des ersten Steckteils von Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

(A) eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Verriegelungsschlittens des ersten Steckteils von Fig. 2 und (B) eine Querschnittsansicht des Verriegelungsschlittens;

Fig. 4 bis 8

Querschnittsansichten eines Go/No Go-Mechanismus des Steckverbinders von Fig. 1, während sich die Steckteile beim Zusammenstecken des Steckverbinders aufeinander zu bewegen.

The invention will be described purely by way of example with reference to an advantageous embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first and second male part of a connector according to the invention;

Fig. 2

an exploded view of the first male part of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

(A) is a perspective view of a locking slide of the first male part of Fig. 2 and (B) is a cross-sectional view of the locking slide;

Fig. 4 to 8

Cross-sectional views of a Go / No Go mechanism of the connector of Fig. 1, while moving the male parts to each other during mating of the connector.

In Fig. 1, an inventive connector 10 is shown, which is designed as an electrical connector. The connector 10 comprises a first plug-in part 12 and a second plug-in part 14, which can be plugged together in an insertion direction 16 or in the opposite direction are expandable. Fig. 1 shows the connector 10 in a disconnected state, ie with mutually detached plug-in parts 12, 14th

Each plug-in part 12, 14 has a housing 18, 20, in each of which a plurality of electrical connection elements 22 are accommodated. The connection elements 22 of one plug-in part 12 are designed to be complementary to the connection elements 22 of the other plug-in part 14. Furthermore, the electrical connection elements 22 of each plug-in part 12, 14 are connected to electrical leads 24 leading out of the housing 18, 20 of the respective plug-in part 12, 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first plug-in part 12 also comprises a plurality of inserts 26 and seals 28, which ensure correct positioning of the electrical connection elements 22 within the first plug-in part 12 and protect them from external influences.

In the fully assembled state of the connector 10, the electrical connection elements 22 of the two plug-in parts 12, 14 are correctly connected to each other, whereas an effectively disconnected state of the connector 10 denotes a state in which the connection elements 22 are electrically isolated from each other. This includes both the situation shown in FIG. 1, in which the plug-in parts 12, 14 are detached from each other, as well as a situation in which the second plug-in part 14 is at least partially still in the first plug-in part 12.

The first plug-in part 12 further comprises a locking arm 30, which is formed by a portion of the plug-part housing 18, that is, ie is formed integrally with the housing 18. The locking arm 30 is provided on an upper side 32 of the housing 18 and extends in its rest position substantially in the insertion direction 16, wherein a free end 34 of the locking arm 30 points in the direction of the second male part 14. The length and the cross section of the locking arm 30 are chosen so that it has a certain spring property. On its underside, the locking arm 30 has a guide channel 36 which extends in the insertion direction 16 and in which a locking projection 38 explained in more detail below is arranged (FIGS. 4 to 8).

As shown in FIG. 2, on opposite sides of the locking arm 30 from side walls 40 of the housing 18 of the first plug-in part 12 resulting wall portions 42 are arranged, on the inner sides of which slide-like guides 44 are provided. The guides 44 extend substantially in the direction of insertion 16, with each guide 44 in the region of its front, i. pointing to the second plug-in part 14, the end of the housing upper side 32 away, in the figure thus upwards, is curved.

Between the wall portions 42 extends a locking slide 46 which is slidably mounted in the guides 44. A displacement of the locking carriage 46 along the guides 44 causes a movement of the locking carriage 46 substantially in the insertion direction 16, wherein in the front region of the guides 44 by the curvature in addition a rotation of the locking slide 46 is added to a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction 16 axis. If the locking slide 46 is located in the front, curved end region of the guides 44, this defines a first end position of the locking slide 46, whereas the locking slide 46 assumes a second end position when it is in the opposite, rear end region of the guides 44.

In the area of the front end of each guide 44, a securing nose 47 (FIG. 4) is provided, which prevents the locking slide 46 from slipping out of the guides 44 when the plug-in parts 12, 14 are disengaged.

As shown in Fig. 3, the locking carriage 46 has a cross member 48, at the lateral ends of which are provided at right angles to the cross member 48 extending bearing portions 50, which serve to support the locking slide 46 in the guides 44.

On an upper side of the cross member 48, a survey 52 is provided which has two inclined surfaces 54. The width of the elevation 52 and thus of the inclined surfaces 54 is adapted to the width of the guide channel 36 of the locking arm 30. The inclined surfaces 54 are oriented such that a front oblique surface 54 'rises in the direction of insertion 16 and a rear oblique surface 54 "decreases in the direction of insertion 16. In an apex region 56 oriented transversely to the insertion direction 16, the inclined surfaces 54 converge.

Under the survey 52, a recess 58 is provided on an underside of the cross member 48. The recess 58 serves for the positive reception of a coupling projection 60, which is provided on an upper side of the housing 20 of the second plug-in part 14.

The locking arm 30, the locking slide 46 and the locking projection 60 form a Go / No Go mechanism, the mode of operation of which will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

Fig. 4 shows a situation at the beginning of the assembly of the connector 10. The locking arm 30 is in its rest position, in which it is aligned substantially parallel to the insertion direction 16. The locking slide 46 is in its first end position, i. in the front, curved end portion of the guides 44 and is thereby rotated. The elevation 52 of the locking slide 46 engages in the guide channel 36 of the locking arm 30 a.

Due to the rotation of the locking slide 46, the front of the cross member 48 is slightly raised relative to the rear side thereof. As a result, when the second plug-in part 14 is inserted into the first plug-in part 12, the coupling projection 60 can move under the front side of the locking slide 46. In the situation shown, the second plug-in part 14 has already been inserted so far into the first plug-in part 12 that the coupling projection 60 of the second plug-in part 14 partially engages in the recess 58 of the locking slide 46.

The locking slide 46 abuts with its rear side against the locking projection 38 of the locking arm 30 arranged in the guide channel 36. As long as the insertion force exerted on the second plug-in part 14 is not sufficiently strong, the locking slide 46 is prevented from moving along the guides 44 by the latching projection 38. However, if the insertion force is increased on the basis of this situation, the latching projection 38 runs on the rear inclined surface 54 " the locking arm 30 is deflected counter to a restoring force, ie, away from the housing upper side 32, in the figure, therefore, upwards, bent.

Fig. 5 shows a situation in which the locking projection 38 is short of the apex portion 56 of the elevation 52. The locking slide 46 has been displaced along the guides 44 so far that it has left the curved region of the guides 44. The rotation of the locking slide 46 is thereby completely eliminated, so that the locking projection 60 of the second plug-in part 14 engages positively in the recess 58 of the locking slide 46.

The locking arm 30 is approximately maximally deflected in the situation shown. Due to the rear oblique surface 54 ", the restoring force exerted on the locking slide 46 by the lock arm 30 has a force component opposite to the insertion force Would the insertion force be less than the restoring force, for example because an operator of the connector 10 would be the second male part 14 lets go, it would mean that the locking arm 30 could return to its rest position, whereby the locking slide 46 would be pushed forward and the second male part 14 at least as far out of the first male part 12, that the connection elements 22 are effectively separated.

Only at the moment in which the locking projection 38 has exceeded the apex portion 56 of the survey 52, as shown in Fig. 6, an inadvertent separation of the male parts 12, 14 is prevented. Instead, the locking projection 38 now acts with the front inclined surface 54 ' the survey 52 together, so that the locking slide 46 is pressed at a release of the second male part 14 by the locking arm 30 in the insertion direction 16 and the second male part 14 would be completely drawn into the first male part 12.

Fig. 7 shows a situation in which the deflection of the locking arm 30 has already decreased again. The locking projection 38 has thereby down along the front inclined surface 54 ', i. moved in the direction of the top 32 of the second male part 14.

Fig. 8 shows the Go / No Go mechanism with fully assembled connector 10. The locking arm 30 is no longer deflected, but he is back in its rest position. The locking slide 46 assumes its second end position. The locking projection 38 of the locking arm 30 abuts the front of the cross member 48, whereby the locking slide 46 is blocked and a separation of the male parts 12, 14 is prevented.

In order to improve the blocking effect, the locking slide 46 on the front side of the cross member has a latching surface 62, which is oriented at a non-rotated locking slide 46, ie in its second end position, substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 16. Accordingly, the latching projection 38 has on its rear side a latching surface 64, which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the plug-in direction 16 when the latching arm 30 is in the rest position. Thus, the locking surface 62 of the locking slide 46 and the locking surface 64 of the locking projection 38 cooperate over the largest possible area, points the locking projection 38 at its rear on a greater height than at its front.

In order to separate the plug-in parts 12, 14, starting from the situation shown in FIG. 8, the locking arm 30, for example manually, only has to be lifted so far that the latching surfaces 62, 64 are disengaged.

Under application of a corresponding tensile force on the second plug-in part 14, this can then pull out of the first plug-in part 12, the latching projection 38 first under appropriate deflection of the locking arm 30 runs up to the front inclined surface 54 ', after overcoming the apex portion 56 at the back inclined surface 54 "to move back down until the locking arm 30 is returned to its rest position.

As long as the locking projection 38 cooperates with the front inclined surface 54 ', the locking arm 30 exerts a restoring force on the locking slide 46, which has one of the force acting on the second plug member 14 tensile force component directed so that the locking slide 46 at a release of the second male part 14th pushed back into the second end position and the second male part 14 would be pulled back into the first male part 12, to connect the connecting elements 22 together correctly.

Only when the latching projection 38 has overcome the apex region 56 and the latching projection 38 cooperates with the rear inclined surface 54 "would the second plug-in part 14 no longer fit into the first plug-in part 12 pulled in, but at least as far pushed out of the first plug-in part 12 that a separation of the connection elements 22 is ensured.

In this way, the connector 10 can only assume those states in which the electrical connection elements 22 are either correctly connected to each other or are effectively separated from each other.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Connectors

12

male member

14

male member

16

axial direction

18

casing

20

casing

22

connecting element

24

management

26

commitment

28

poetry

30

lock

32

top

34

free end

36

guide channel

38

catch projection

40

Side wall

42

wall section

44

guide

46

locking slide

47

securing lug

48

crossbeam

50

bearing section

52

survey

54

sloping surface

56

apex region

58

recess

60

coupling projection

62

Rest area

64

Rest area

Claims (11)

Plug connector (10) with a first plug-in part (12), a second plug-in part (14) which can be plugged together with the first plug-in part (12) and a plug-in part (12) which is displaceable parallel to the plug-in direction (16) between a first and a second end position ) which is engageable with a locking arm (30) of the first male part (12) for displacement with the second male part (14) such that the locking arm (30) assumes a substantially relaxed resting position when the locking slide (46) is in the first or second end position, and by a displacement of the locking slide (46) can be brought into a tensioned position in which the locking arm (30) on the locking slide against the displacement of the locking slide (46) counteracting force (46). Connector (10) according to claim 1,
characterized in that
a control mechanism is provided to bring the locking arm (30) controlled from the rest position to the cocked position and vice versa. Connector (10) according to claim 2,
characterized in that
the control mechanism comprises two inclined surfaces (54) of the locking slide (46). Connector (10) according to claim 2 or 3,
characterized in that
the control mechanism comprises a locking projection (38) of the locking arm (30) cooperating with the locking slide (46) and in particular engageable with inclined surfaces (54) of the locking slide (46). Connector (10) according to claim 3 or 4,
characterized in that
the one inclined surface (54 ') increases in the plug-in direction (16) seen increases and the other inclined surface (54 ") seen in the insertion direction (16) drops. Connector (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
characterized in that
at least one and in particular rising in the insertion direction (16) inclined surface (54 ') merges into a latching surface (62), which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction (16). Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the locking arm (30) by a substantially in the insertion direction (16) extending and by the locking slide (46) in a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction (16) direction deflectable Section of the housing (18) of the first male part (12) is formed. Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
a coupling mechanism for connecting the second male part (14) to the locking slide (46) is provided. Connector (10) according to claim 8,
characterized in that
the coupling mechanism comprises a coupling projection (60) of the second plug-in part (14) and a recess (58) of the locking slide (46) for, in particular form-fitting, receiving the coupling projection (60). Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
Means are provided to rotate the locking slide (46) during its displacement about a direction perpendicular to the plug-in direction (16) axis. Connector (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the locking slide (46) in, in particular on opposite sides of the Verriegelungsarms (30) arranged guides (44) is guided, which are curved in sections such that the locking slide (46) during its rotation about a rotation to the direction of insertion (16) perpendicular Axis completes.

Images