EP2034563A2 - Connector with inlaid element - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly has a plug (10) and/or a socket including a contact holder with a plugging front (12). The holder holds a contact for making an electrical connection with counter contacts of the plug and is connected with a strand of a cable (14). The holder and the front are surrounded with a plastic casing (17) that connects the holder and the front by an extrusion process under release of the front. The plastic casing includes an insertion unit (18) formed as a positioning unit and embedded undetachably and visibly in its surface. The unit (18) is protruded from an outer surface of the casing.

Description

The invention relates to a plug connector with a socket and plug, plug and / or socket having a contact carrier with a plug-in front or socket facing the plug, which holds at least one contact for producing an electrical connection, which is connected to a wire of a cable. wherein the aforementioned components of the plug and / or socket by means of encapsulation, leaving the plug front with a said components of male and / or female captively interconnected plastic jacket are surrounded, having a substantially kabelkoaxiale axis.

Generic connectors are well known from the obvious prior art. They are generally used to connect electrical supply lines or lines for control commands together, for example, to connect a device or a measuring device to a control bus or a central power supply.

In addition to the corresponding product quality, more and more logistical requirements are placed on manufacturers of connectors by their customers. In the prevailing "just in time" manufacturing customers of connectors usually order more small quantities on specific delivery dates.

On the part of the users of connectors, there is still the need to identify these previously referred to as pure merchandise products belonging to your company, so that the producers of connectors are faced with the task to produce connectors with customer logo and / or color code.

The customization of connectors, however, presents the producers with significant problems, as he uses the production machines Often, but then only for small quantities retrofit, clean and retract to constant production parameters. Using the example of injection molding, this is particularly easy to understand.

If an order for the customer B is to be processed after the production of a connector for the customer A, then the device is first to be cleaned, colored granules correspondingly used for a color request, and possibly a tool part for attaching a brand lettering to be replaced. Subsequently, the production is to be restarted, whereby first some test injections have to be made in the injection mold until the production conditions have again reached a constant level.

It is easy to understand that set-up costs are disproportionately low in the case of small quantities, which is why orders have been collected and then processed until a certain minimum quantity has been reached. However, this is in contrast to the requirements of the customer even when ordering small quantities of connectors shipped as short as possible.

The object of the invention is to provide a connector that can be inexpensively and efficiently finished in small series even with oversight with different labels.

The invention solves the problem with a connector having the features of claim 1, in particular the characterizing features, according to which the plastic jacket has a captive embedded by means of extrusion and visible in its surface insert element.

The embedding of an insert element in the plastic jacket of a standardized connector allows small batch production in especially easy way. From past production periods and current orders, it is roughly possible to estimate how many connectors will be produced for a customer in the coming production period. The insert elements according to the invention can be pre-produced and kept in accordance with the customer-specific requirements.

The injection mold for the standardized connector is provided with a holder for the insert, in which the same is inserted before the injection of the injection molding compound. In current production, therefore, a plug connector with customized identification can be produced by simply changing the insert elements according to the invention, without the production machines having to be retrofitted in a complicated manner.

Since the insert elements represent extremely cost-effective components, a possible overstocking is not significant. Also, quite unproblematic connectors without marking can be made by the intended receptacle for the insert element is not filled.

In summary, the invention with the features of claim 1 solves the problem of producing individualized connectors in small series in a surprisingly simple way, which is extremely advantageous because the current production process does not have to be basically interrupted.

In the manufacture of connectors, in particular when encapsulating and connecting contact carrier and cable with a plastic jacket, the problem is that the cable is pushed so far by the shot of the plastic injection molding in the plastic injection mold that it rests against the inner wall of the injection mold during encapsulation and is not injected properly. As a result, the cable is exposed in this area and the connector thus produced is to be disposed of as broke.

From the prior art, which is not documented in printed form, it is known to provide the injection mold with rod-shaped positioning elements, which are arranged opposite the bullet point and to keep the cable in a secure position for the encapsulation.

A disadvantage of this solution is that the connector has a cavity or an opening in the shell at this point. In particular, in food production, this breakthrough is a risk of contamination, so that such connectors are usually not applicable there.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a connector in which the cable is securely held during the overmolding.

The invention solves this problem with the features of claim 2, in particular with the characterizing features, according to which in the plastic jacket designed as a positioning element insert element is embedded, which holds the cable during the extrusion in a respect to the plastic sheath axis central location.

When encapsulating, so when creating the plastic sheath, the cable is pressed by the injection pressure of the injection molding against the insert element. The insert element in turn is positioned so that the cable can not be pressed into the outer surface area of the plastic sheath to be created. Thus, a secure positioning of the cable is ensured in a central region with respect to the plastic jacket axis.

In a preferred embodiment, the positioning element is visibly embedded in the plastic shell, so that the positioning element also serves as an identification element, to which all the advantages mentioned in claim 1 apply.

In addition, an embodiment is preferred in which the plastic shell forms the grip, wherein the insertion element, even if it is designed as a positioning element, may have a contouring securing the grip.

In a particularly preferred embodiment it is provided that the insert element protrudes from the outer surface of the plastic jacket, which significantly improves the identification function.

It has been found that annular or rod-shaped insertion elements are particularly suitable.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the insert element has to the cable facing lugs that hold the cable in a central position relative to the plastic sheath axis.

Fig. 1

einen erfindungsgemäßen Stecker eines Steckverbinders,

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung der Einzelkomponenten des Steckers gemäß Fig. 1 vor dem Umspritzvorgang zur Erstellung des Kunststoffmantels,

Fig. 3

ein Einlegeelement,

Fig. 4

ein Radialschnitt des Steckers gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

ein Radialschnitt eines Steckers in alternativer Ausführungsform,

Fig. 6

und 7 schematische Ansichten einer Spritzgießform zur Erstellung von Steckern gemäß Fig. 1.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. Show it:

Fig. 1

a plug according to the invention of a connector,

Fig. 2

an illustration of the individual components of the plug according to Fig. 1 before the encapsulation process to create the plastic jacket,

Fig. 3

an insert element,

Fig. 4

a radial section of the plug according to Fig. 1 .

Fig. 5

a radial section of a plug in an alternative embodiment,

Fig. 6

and FIG. 7 are schematic views of an injection mold for making plugs according to FIG Fig. 1 ,

In the figures, a plug of a connector is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 and serves in the following the illustration of the invention.

The plug 10 initially comprises a contact carrier 11, which holds not shown contacts for making an electrical connection with mating contacts of a socket. The contacts of the contact carrier 11 are connected on a side facing away from a plug-in front side 12 with strands 13 a cable 14, wherein the strands 13 are combined by a sheath 15 to the cable 14. At the contact carrier 11, a union nut 16 is further arranged to couple connector 10 and socket, not shown, via a screw connection with each other. Contact carrier 11 and cable 14 are by means of a in Fig. 1 shown plastic sheath 17 connected to form a unit, wherein the plastic sheath 17 is created by overmolding of cable 14 and contact carrier 11. When encapsulating a liner 18 is embedded in the plastic sheath 17, which in detail in Fig. 3 is shown.

In series production of a plug 10 according to the prior art, the contact carrier 11 is equipped with corresponding contacts, these are connected in a suitable manner with the strands 13. The thus prefabricated components are in an injection mold 19, as shown schematically in the 6 and 7 is shown, loaded, whereupon the mold cavity 20 is filled in a suitable plastic melt. This production process is very simple and inexpensive and makes it possible to produce plug 10 in large quantities.

However, as shown at the outset, individualized plugs 10 are to be produced in a specific manner, for example with the imprint of a logo, provided with a brand name or with a color coding, it is necessary to convert the injection molding machine (not shown) for each batch of plugs 10. The screw of the injection molding machine has to be cleaned, the plastic granulate has to be exchanged and eventually the parts of the injection mold 19 have to be exchanged, by means of which a logo is molded directly into the plastic jacket. Subsequently, the production is resumed, whereby first with some committee is to be counted, until the production parameters such as pressure and temperature etc. are again stable.

It is obvious that these set-up costs are disproportionately significant in the small quantities demanded by the market.

The obvious solution to the problem, namely to use multiple injection molding machines, each equipped with a different colored plastic granules and are equipped for the production of exactly one type of connectors 10, first requires a relatively high, one-time investment investment, in the other, however, can be so small Produce quantities only at comparatively high costs. This is due in particular to the fact that injection molding machines are designed for continuous operation, so that the plastic melt present in the screw burns when the machine is at a standstill for a long time. Even with this obvious solution, it is therefore necessary to switch off and clean the machines after production of the numbers ordered by the customer of plugs 10, wherein when restarting up to the start of the actual production process is initially expected to reject again until constant production parameters are reached ,

With the help of the insert element 18 according to the invention, the problem of producing small, individualized quantities can be easily solved. The insert elements 18 are prefabricated in advance and placed in the current production process together with the prefabricated unit of contact carrier 11 and cable 14 in the injection mold 19. When creating the plastic sheath 17 by means of encapsulation, the insert element 18, here a coaxially arranged to the cable insert ring, embedded in the plastic sheath. Thus, a rational small batch production of individually marked plugs 10 is possible.

In the production of parts of a connector, such as connectors 10, there is another problem, which is particularly easy from the 6 and 7 opens.

There is shown at 19 in its entirety a schematically illustrated injection mold of a plastic injection molding machine, in the first mold cavity 20, a contact carrier 11 are arranged with connected strands 13 of a cable 14 and a designated 18 insert element.

At 21, a second mold cavity is referred to, which is not yet equipped. A designated 22 contour of the second mold cavity 21 serves to receive the insert element 18 and holds it during injection of the plastic melt stationary in the injection mold 19. The injection mold 19 also has a central feed channel 23 for introducing the plastic melt, from there via two feed channels 24 enters the mold cavities 20 and 21, respectively.

When injecting the plastic melt via the feed channels 24, it may happen that the cable 14 or the strands 13 from their central position relative to a plastic jacket axis 25 be displaced. In the worst case, cables 14 or strands 13 attach to a wall 26 of the mold cavities 20 and 21 and are not properly enclosed by the plastic sheath. Such a faulty connector 10 is rejected.

In order to avoid the application of cables 14 or strands 13 to the wall 26 of the mold cavity 20 or 21, according to the invention, the insert element 18 - here in the form of a positioning ring - in the region of the cable 14 (FIG. Fig. 6 ) or in the area of strands 13 (FIG. Fig. 7 ) and holds the strands 13 and the cable 14 in a central region with respect to the plastic jacket axis 25 and spaced from the wall 26.

The insert element 18 is more precisely in FIG Fig. 3 shown, which is in the present embodiment is a ring having pointing to its central axis or cable 14 approaches 27, which serve for more precise positioning of the cable 14 during encapsulation. In the 4 and 5 In each case, a radial section through a plug 10 in the region of the insert element 18 or positioning element 18 is shown. In Fig. 4 a comparatively strong cable 14 is selected, which rests with its outer circumferential surface on the inwardly facing surfaces of the projections 27.

In Fig. 5 In contrast, a less strong cable 14 is selected, which is mounted at a distance from the cable 14 facing inner surfaces of the lugs 27 within the insert element 18. Between the outer circumferential surface of the cable 14 and the inner circumferential surface of the annular insert member 18 is in each case a gap 28 through which the plastic melt can penetrate when creating the plastic sheath 17, so that the Einlegering 18, whether he now as a positioning element or as pure marking or Identification element serves, can be firmly embedded in the plastic sheath 17.

It is obvious that an insert element 18, which serves to position the cable, can at the same time serve as a marking or identification element, provided that it is embedded from the outside in the plastic jacket 17. For this purpose, it is advantageous if the insert element 18, regardless of whether it is a pure identification element or additionally a positioning element, protrudes from the peripheral contour of the plastic jacket 17. Also, the invention is not limited to annular insert elements 18, also half-shell-like or rod-shaped insert elements 18 are suitable for both marking and positioning.

In summary, the invention succeeds in a surprisingly simple way to counteract two problems in the production of plugs 10 by using an insert element 18 to be produced inexpensively. On the one hand, a simple individualization in the form of a marking is possible without interruption of series production, on the other hand, the invention allows the secure position of the cable 14 in a respect to the plastic sheath axis 25 central area to ensure.

If the secure storage of the cable is not necessary and an individualization of the plug 10 is not required, is simply dispensed with the introduction of the insert element 18 in the plastic injection mold 19. When injecting the plastic melt through the feed channels 27 into the mold cavities 20 and 21, the contour 22 is then simply filled with. It is therefore obvious that insert elements 18 according to the invention can be embedded in the conventional series production of connectors very simply.

Claims (8)

Plug connector with socket and plug (10), plug (10) and / or socket having a contact carrier (11) with a connector (10) or socket facing plug (12), the at least one contact for establishing an electrical connection holding, which is connected to a stranded wire (13) of a cable (14), wherein the aforementioned components of plug (10) and / or socket by means of encapsulation, leaving at least the plug front (12) with one of the aforementioned components of connector (10). and / or bushing are surrounded by a plastic jacket (17) which can not be separated and which has a substantially cable-coaxial (25) axis, characterized in that the plastic jacket (17) has an insert element (18) which is captively and visibly embedded in its surface by means of extrusion coating , Plug connector with socket and plug (10), plug (10) and / or socket having a contact carrier (11) with a connector (10) or socket facing plug (12), the at least one contact for establishing an electrical connection holding, which is connected to a stranded wire (13) of a cable (14), wherein the aforementioned components of plug (10) and / or socket by means of encapsulation, leaving at least the plug front (12) with one of the aforementioned components of connector (10). and / or socket are surrounded by a plastic jacket (17) which can not be separated and which has a substantially cable-coaxial axis (25), characterized in that an insert element (18) designed as a positioning element is embedded in the plastic jacket (17), that the cable ( 14) during the extrusion coating in a respect to the plastic sheath axis (25) central area holds. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the positioning element is embedded visible in the plastic sheath (12). Connector according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the plastic jacket (17) forms a handle. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the insert element (18) from the outer surface (29) of the plastic jacket (17) protrudes. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert element (18) is annular. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the insert element (18) is rod-shaped. Connector according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the insert element (18) to the cable (14) facing lugs (27) which hold the cable (14) in a respect to a plastic sheath axis (25) central position.

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