EP2273626B1 - Safety device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a securing device for a plug-in and peelable plug-in means, wherein the securing state automatically occurs when attaching the plug means.

Electrical terminal blocks, as they come for the preferred application of the invention, but not exclusively in question, consist of a base terminal, which is the fixed part of the electrical terminal and is usually snapped onto a mounting rail. A connection plug forms the mobile part of the electrical terminal block. This is attached to corresponding slots of the basic terminal or should be deducted from this again. When plugged in there should be a secure electrical contact between the contact elements of the plug and the corresponding contact elements of the basic terminal.

This can be achieved in that a connection plug, which usually consists of several disc-shaped plug connector parts, which emit a block, each having laterally mounted mounting cover with a screw receptacle, which allow the connection plug in the mounted state on the Slot of the basic terminal, screwed by means of inserted screws. These screws are screwed into threaded inserts of mounting base clamps, which laterally, like the fastening lids of the plugs, corresponding disc-shaped base element parts which emit a block, laterally delimit them, and so collectively define the corresponding slot of the base clamp.

In order to be able to screw in the corresponding connection plug by means of screws in the mounting base clamps which belong to the corresponding slot and in order to achieve a secure state, a tool such as a screwdriver is required. Also, to release this secure state - so if the connection plug is to be removed - is again a tool, such as a screwdriver, required.

An embodiment of an electrical terminal block or corresponding terminal block blocks which has become known in this manner is known from US Pat DE 10 2006 003 064 A1 out. It should also be stated in this context that the fastening base terminal used there can each have two threaded inserts, so that in each case only one fastening base clamp is required for two adjacently arranged slots, since the screw receptacles of the fastening cover on opposite sides of the connection plug with respect to one Center line can be suitably offset.

The US 5,192,225 A describes a control element with which the correct plug connection or the correct locking of a plug in a socket can be checked. For this purpose, the control element is first locked with the plug. Only when the plug is correctly inserted into the socket, plug and socket are thus connected locked, the lock between the control element and the plug is released.

From the DE 100 45 498 C2 is an electrical terminal out, in which their connection plug can be plugged into the associated base terminal and can be secured in the plugged state. In this known terminal block, it is not necessary to achieve a backup of the plugged state, to use a tool, since the connection plug is provided with a fastener, such as a resilient latching arm, so that the connection plug when plugging on the base terminal automatically transferred to the secure state by the resilient latching arm has a latching nose which engages under a projection of the housing of the basic terminal. To solve this secure state, so if the connector plug is to be removed, it is necessary to press on a considerably over the connector plug protruding part of the latching arm while the connector plug is removed. Since the pressing on the latching arm must be carried out continuously during the entire removal process of the connection plug, this is perceived as extremely hindering.

It is an object of the invention to provide a securing device for an attachable and peelable plug-in means that is easy to handle.

This object is achieved by the safety device according to claim 1. Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Further preferred features of the invention are given in the embodiment.

The securing device according to the invention is provided for a plug-in means which can be attached to a base means and can be pulled off. The securing state of the plug-in means occurs automatically when plugging onto the basic means. For this purpose, the securing device on a securing state triggering engagement element. By the engagement of the engagement element on the base means when plugging in an automatically entering security state corresponding to a first stable position of the security device can be reached. For the removal of the plug means an operable release device is provided, which repeals the backup state by i actuation and at the same time transfers the securing device into a second stable position, such that only after removal and renewed insertion of the plug means, the second stable position of the securing device acting as a Entsicherungsanlage and can be revoked and, in particular, repealed.

The plug-in means may in particular be a connection plug. The basic means to which the connection plug can be attached and removed is usually stationary. The basic means may in particular be a base terminal of an electrical terminal block.

Under a stable position in the sense of this application, a situation is understood that does not solve itself.

The safety device according to the invention can be influenced in an advantageous manner without tools, so by pressing the release device by a single finger pressure so that the armed position is reached. Furthermore, this will Entsicherungslage lifted in a further advantageous manner when attaching the plug means to the basic means again. Upon complete insertion of the plug-in means in the basic means of the desired securing state is then achieved in a very advantageous manner by this backup state is automatically or automatically achieved.

The connector according to the invention comprises a plug-in means and a basic means. In this case, at least one securing device is arranged on the insertion means, which is designed according to a securing device as described above. The release device of the securing device can be actuated from outside the plug-in means, in particular in the direction of the attachment direction of the plug-in means. This is accompanied by a particularly easy operation, z. B. when the entire safety device is arranged parallel to the mounting direction next to the plug-in means and a head-like actuating part of the release device projects beyond the plug means.

If the attachable plug-in means is located in the base means, it is advantageously provided that the release device has a rod-like guided element, such as a slide, which makes the solution of the engagement element of the securing device feasible. Then, the second stable position of the securing device is reached, so that the removal of the insertion means of the base means is feasible.

Once the plug-in means has been removed from the basic means, the second stable position of the securing device, that is to say the release position, initially remains intact. Therefore, it is advantageously provided that the rod-like guided element of the release device is pushed back during insertion of the insertion means on the base means in its initial position, so that the second stable position of the securing device can be canceled. Thus, the securing means for a renewed engagement of the engagement element is made "sharp".

It is advantageous that a latching hook is provided as the securing state triggering engagement element, which may already have itself on a bias favorable bias engagement, however, the effective force of engagement of the latching hook is further enhanced if a resilient element is provided in the base means, that when plugging the plug means on the basic means of the rear wall of the latching hook itself - is placed in a clamping position.

Further developments of the safety device according to the invention are provided in the form of the plug-in means as a connection plug and in the formation of the basic means as the basic terminal of a terminal block.

Then, it is first advantageous that the connection plug has at least one side wall, a guide shaft or latching flange with an integrally formed latching hook, and that in the locking flange of the slide is received, which is also in communication with a head part, which upon release of the Loosening device, in particular in the direction of Aufsteckrichtung the plug means, as far as is actuated that the Entsicherungslage or second stable position is reached.

Furthermore, it is then advantageous that at least one lateral base flange is provided on the base clamp, in which the locking flange is inserted, so that its trained latch hook engages below a stage of a receiving shaft in a free space part, wherein in the respective receiving slot, the engagement force of the respective latching hook reinforcing spring arm is provided.

Advantageously, it is provided in this connection that the base flange mounted on each side has in each case two receiving shafts, so that latching bottles can be introduced from adjacent connecting plugs into one of the receiving shafts. It comes with the advantage that basic terminals can be arranged side by side and only one base flange must be inserted between the adjacent basic terminals, as a base flange has two receiving slots. The receiving slots of a basic terminal need not be separated from each other. It is sufficient if space areas are provided, each of which is suitable for a space area for receiving a respective locking flange and having the respective spring arm.

Should be provided in particular that the basic clamp each side - left and right - basic flanges and respective -. B. has two security devices and also has an associated connector plug suitably associated detent flanges, so it is highly advantageous if the headboards are opposite to each other plugs color and slightly different in size from the respective adjacent plugs are formed.

Preferably, the respective securing device engages over the associated locking flange and in particular its head part. This achieves a clear assignment.

The invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment, wherein a plug-in means, a connection plug of an electrical terminal and the base means is a basic terminal of the electrical terminal.

Below is a short description of FIGS. 1 to 10 respectively. The FIGS. 1 to 9 are directed to the connection plug and the base terminal in different positions, which take into account the sequence.

1. a) eine Ansicht von oben auf den Anschluss-Stecker mit darunter befindlicher Grundklemme mit zugehöriger Schnittlinie A- A für den unter b) dargestellten Figurteil, unter
2. b) eine Schnittzeichnung von Anschluss-Stecker und Grundklemme nach der aus dem Figurenteil a) ersichtlichen Schnittlinie A - A, und unter
3. c) eine perspektivische Darstellung von Anschluss-Stecker und Grundklemme gezeigt,
   wohingegen in den Figuren 2 bis 9 in Figurenteil a) die Schnittzeichnung von Anschluss-Stecker und Grundklemme und in Figurenteil b) die perspektivische Darstellung von Anschluss-Stecker und Grundklemme aufgenommen ist.

In Fig. 1 will be under

1. a) is a view from above of the connector with underneath basic clamp with associated section line A- A for the figure part shown under b), below
2. b) a sectional drawing of connection plug and base terminal according to the part of the figure a) apparent cutting line A - A, and below
3. c) shows a perspective view of connection plug and base terminal,
   whereas in the FIGS. 2 to 9 in part of the figure a) the sectional drawing of connection plug and base terminal and in part b) the perspective view of connection plug and base terminal is added.

Fig. 1

dass der Anschluss-Stecker noch nicht in die Grundklemme eingesteckt ist,

Fig. 2

dass der Anschluss-Stecker teilweise in die Grundklemme eingesteckt ist,

Fig. 3

dass der Anschluss-Stecker weiterhin teilweise in die Grundklemme eingesteckt ist,

Fig. 4

dass der Anschluss-Stecker in erheblichem Ausmaß in die Grundklemme eingesteckt ist,

Fig. 5

dass der Anschluss-Stecker in erheblichem Ausmaß in die Grundklemme eingesteckt ist, jedoch Veränderungen im Bereich des Rasthakens eingetreten sind,

Fig.6

dass der Anschluss-Stecker in erheblichem Ausmaß in die Grundklemme eingesteckt ist, jedoch weitere Veränderungen im Bereich des Rasthakens eingetreten sind,

Fig. 7

dass der Anschluss-Stecker in erheblichem Ausmaß in die Grundklemme eingesteckt ist, jedoch noch weitere Veränderungen im Bereich des Rasthakens eingetreten sind,

Fig. 8

dass der Anschluss-Stecker vollständig und verrastet in die Grundklemme eingesteckt ist,

Fig. 9

dass der Anschluss-Stecker noch vollständig in die Grundklemme bei bereits gelöster Verrastung eingesteckt ist. Ferner zeigt

Fig. 10

eine bevorzugte Gestaltung der Kopfteile der Schieber in einer Draufsicht für eine erleichterte Zuordnung zum jeweiligen Anschluss-Stecker.

Regarding the procedure is shown in

Fig. 1

that the connection plug is not yet plugged into the basic terminal,

Fig. 2

that the connection plug is partly plugged into the base terminal,

Fig. 3

that the connection plug is still partially plugged into the base terminal,

Fig. 4

that the connection plug is inserted to a considerable extent in the basic terminal,

Fig. 5

that the connection plug is inserted to a considerable extent in the basic terminal, but changes have occurred in the area of the latching hook,

Figure 6

that the connection plug is inserted to a considerable extent in the basic terminal, but further changes have occurred in the area of the latching hook,

Fig. 7

that the connection plug is plugged into the base terminal to a considerable extent, but that further changes in the area of the latching hook have occurred,

Fig. 8

that the connection plug is fully inserted and latched into the base terminal,

Fig. 9

that the connection plug is still fully inserted into the base terminal with already released latching. Further shows

Fig. 10

a preferred design of the head parts of the slide in a plan view for easy assignment to the respective connector plug.

It essentially becomes apparent below Fig. 1 Reference may be made to describe the components in an embodiment of the invention according to the embodiment.

A connection plug 1 comprises - here three - disc-shaped plug terminal parts 2a, 2b and 2c, which are latched into each other and form a block. There are usually used left and right of the block side walls 3l and 3r, which are also locked to the connector terminal parts of the block.

On the left side wall 31 is, as the sectional views b) of Fig. 1 and a) the Fig. 2 to 9 can be clearly seen, also attached an engagement element for securing the position of engagement of the connector plug 1 in the below to be described in more detail basic terminal 21. Also, on the right side wall 3r such an engagement element can be attached.

In the Fig. 1b ) and in the figure parts a) the FIGS. 2 to 9 is a locking hook 5 to recognize the function of this engagement element of the securing device takes over. The latching hook 5 is connected overall in one piece with a guide shaft 6, which is held open in a side region, and which can in turn be connected or latched in a suitable manner to the side wall 31 and / or the side wall 3r.

In the guide shaft 6 is essentially a rod-like element 7, which can also be considered as a slide and is referred to below, out.

A relatively narrow side region 7a of the slide 7 projects over its entire length at a side region out of the open area of the guide shaft. As in the later referred to again Fig. 3 to 8 shown, is a head portion 8 of slide 7 to a maximum extent beyond a - upper - Schachteintrittöffnung 9 addition. Incidentally, the head part 8 has a larger cross-section than the rest of the slide 7, so that at the same time as the cross-sectional jump of the head part 8 relative to the remaining slide 7, the entry depth of the slide 7 into the guide shaft is limited.

From a - lower - shaft outlet opening 10, the tip 11 of the slider 7 protrudes, according to further her coming to functions in the sectional drawings under a) the Fig. 2 to 9 then further explained, has a suitable design.

From the sectional view of Fig. 1 b) (Above) it can be seen that the latching hooks 5 displaced away from its elastic bias by the lying in the lowest position of slide 7 and the top 11 of the latching hooks from a corresponding side wall, such as 31, the terminal block 2a - 2c away.

A base clamp 21 comprises - here three - disk-shaped basic clamping parts 22a, 22b, 22c, which are locked in one another and form a block. To the left and right of this block are attached base flanges 231 and 23r.

Each base flange 231 and 23r has on each side of two receiving bays 241, 24'l and 24r, 24'r with respective cross-sectional opening, which in any case larger as an outer cross section of the guide shaft 6, together with the latching hook 5 connected thereto and the side region 7a of the slide 7 projecting laterally out of the guide shaft 6.

It should be noted that the receiving wells, such as 241 and 24'I, of a base flange 231 need not be separated from each other. So it can only be areas that are assigned to a single receiving shaft in an imaginary way, as in Fig. 1c is indicated.

Apart from the non-illustrated contact connection between male connector parts 2a, 2b and 2c of connector plug 1 and corresponding base members 22a, 22b and 22c of base terminal 21 in the fully inserted state, see. Fig. 8 , So the guide shaft 6 on the outside completely into the corresponding receiving slot 24, as shown here clearly in the respective sectional drawings b) Fig. 1 and a) the Fig. 2 to 9 shown 241, be introduced.

It should be noted, however, that when a connection plug on the side wall 3r has a guide shaft 6, this is offset by an imaginary line of symmetry attached. Thus, for a connection plug 1 of a total of four available receiving bays or shaft areas, only the receiving bays 241 and 24'r are required.

Thus, the receiving wells 24'l and 24r for receiving guide shafts 6 and in conjunction therewith latching hooks 5 are also available for further angeureihende connection plug left and right of the connector connector 1 shown in the drawing available. Furthermore, 21 further basic clamps can be attached to the left and right of the basic clamp shown in the drawing, without it being necessary to have to provide further base flanges.

The short description of the Fig. 1 to 9 should now be supplemented, as far as this is necessary for understanding the functioning and other functionally important parts.

In Fig. 1 the connection plug 1 is not yet plugged into the base terminal 21. Although it is possible that the connection plug is first plugged into the base terminal, but in particular in Fig. 1 pointed out that at a consumer connected to the connector plug 1 a service work was performed, which is now complete and the consumer again with a controller connected to contacts of the base terminal 21, z. B. in a cabinet is in communication to go into operation.

It can be clearly seen from the sectional view A-A that the latching hook 5 is pushed away or opened by the slide 7, which is still in the depressed state, against its elastic bias. The safety device has still taken the release position of the last removal of the connector plug 1 from the base terminal 21.

Out Fig. 2 with the representation of the partial insertion of the connector plug 1 in the base terminal 21 it can be seen that and how the slide 7 with its tip portion on an edge of the opening portion of the receiving shaft, here 241 of the base flange, here 231 runs.

With Fig. 3 Furthermore, it can be seen how the slider 7 is pushed upward, so that its head part 8 - in the perspective view of b) 8l and 8r - protrudes beyond the upper part of the connector plug. Since the latching hook 5 has the above-described elastic bias, the tip portion of the slider 7 is also reliably pressed against the edge of the opening portion of the receiving shaft 241.

Out Fig. 4 also shows that the slider 7 with respect to the connector 1 maintains its relative position, while the latching hook 5 further penetrates into the receiving shaft 241.

Out Fig. 5 is a further intrusion of slide 7 and latching hooks 5 in the receiving shaft 24 out. It is apparent in particular from the sectional view a), that the tip of the latching hook 5 on a, as an intermediate wall, formed in the lower part of the receiving shaft spring arm 26 of the base flange 23 abuts.

Since the spring arm 26 is formed pointed in its upper portion, this, like the Fig. 6 in part a), pushed outward, especially in the receiving shaft 24, a step 27 is formed, which also pushes the tip of the latching hook 5 to the outside - ie away from the block of the plug and Grundklemmenteile -.

With Fig. 7 is shown in continuation of the insertion process that locking hooks 5 and spring arm 26 are pushed further outwards.

Out Fig. 8 can then be seen how the latching hook 5, supported by the force exerted by the spring arm 26, below the above-mentioned stage 27 of the receiving shaft 24 finally engages in a free space portion 28 of receiving shaft and base 21. The connection plug is now in the base terminal 21 so plugged or inserted that a secure electrical contact is present. Furthermore, the connection plug 1 is also absolutely mechanically secured in the base terminal 21, wherein this securing state automatically occurs when the connection plug is inserted.

No tools are needed for this. It is achieved a first stable backup position. With the essential parts of latching hooks 5, guide shaft 6 or latching flange, slide 7, receiving shaft 24 of the base flange 23, spring arm 26 and room part 28, below step 27, a total of a safety device 30 (FIG. Fig. 1 ) formed, the first stable position decided from Fig. 8 evident.

With Fig. 9 a state is described in which it is then possible to deduct the connection plug 1, starting from its stable securing position of the base terminal 21 can. This requires the stable To suspend security. According to the invention, it is provided that the securing device 30 can be transferred into a release position or a second stable position. For this purpose, in relation to the exemplary embodiment, the head part 8 of the slide 7 is pressed until its lower end position is reached. Thereby, the latching hook 5 is removed from its securing position by the tip of the slider against the force of the spring arm 26 and the elastic bias of the latching hook 5 pushes it outwards, so that the hook portion of the latching hook 5 is pulled out of its engagement region of the free space part 28 ,

Due to the design of the latching hook 5 and guided in the guide shaft 6 slide 7 can be achieved that the Entsicherungslage is taken stable, so a second stable position of the securing device 30 is taken. The connection plug 1 can be removed from the base terminal 21, without a button od. Like. Must be pressed permanently until the assignment of connection plug 1 and base terminal 21, as in Fig. 1 is achieved is achieved.

If the connection plug with two safety devices - left and right (301 and 30r) - be equipped, the advantage of removing the connector plug 1, without a button od. Like. Permanently pressed must be fully maintained, as such second securing device 30r also assumes its unlocked position after a brief press on the head part 8 of the corresponding slide 7 and stable.

It can, as in plan view in Fig. 10 is shown, one of the securing device 301 or 30r associated actuator head 8l and 8r dimensionally and also color (not from Fig. 10 prominent) are highlighted relative to a left or right adjacent connector plug, so that easily the actuator heads 8l and 8r, associated with a particular connector plug in a series of several connector plug, to which also in parallel a second row of several Connection plugs can be found for an operator. In particular, can the associated actuating head 8l or 8r overlap the securing device or the plug, so that a clear assignment is made possible.

In order to gain the increased space for the operating heads described above, a base flange located below the connection plug or provided can be thickened on the side of its wall facing the adjacent base terminal part (without reference number).

As far as in the above description certain parts, which are also named in the following list of reference numerals, in multiple execution, for. B. as right and left are arranged in a line-up of several plugs on assigned parentheses or transversely side by side to the Aufreihungsrichtung, but described only as a single part, this is done only for the sake of clarity in the description and in the figures of the drawing, however this is by no means to be construed as a limitation or incomplete disclosure with respect to these multiple-part design parts, the items have received no notice with additional letters (such as r or l) or apostrophe because of the multiple use.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Wall plug

2a. 2b, 2c

Plug clamp part

2a-c

Plug-in terminal block

31

left side wall

3r

right side wall

5

latch hook

6

Guide shaft (locking flange)

7

pusher

7a

Side area (enlarged in cross-section) of the slider

8th

Head part of the slider

8l

Head section of a slide on the left of a connection plug

8r

Head section of a slider on the right of a connection plug

10

Shaft outlet opening (stop in the locking flange)

11

Tip of the slider

21

ground chuck

22a, 22b, 22c

Basic terminal part

22a-c

Basic terminal block

231

Base flange left

23r

Ground flange right

241

Receiving shaft (1), left

24'L

Receiving shaft (2), left

24r

Receptacle (1), right

24'r

Receiving shaft (2), right

26

spring arm

27

step

28

free space part

30

safety device

301

Safety device on the left of a connection plug

30r

Safety device on the right of a connection plug

Claims (12)

1. Safety device (30) for a plug-in device (1) that can be plugged onto and disconnected from a base device (21), wherein the safe condition of the plug-in device (1) is adopted automatically when it is plugged onto the base device (21),
   characterized in that
   the safety device (30) comprises an engaging element (5) that triggers the safe condition, the engagement of said element with the base device (21) during insertion allowing an automatically occurring safe condition corresponding to a first stable position of the safety device (30) to be obtained, and that a release device (7, 8) is provided, which can be actuated and which releases the safe condition for the removal of the plug-in device (1) by actuation, and at the same time transfers the safety device (30) into a second stable position, with the result that the second stable position of the safety device (30) can be released only after the plug-in device (1) has been removed and re-inserted.
2. Plug connection with a base device (21) and with a plug-in device (1) with at least one safety device (3) according to Claim 1 on the plug-in device (1),
   characterized in that
   the release device (7, 8) can be actuated from outside of the plug-in device (1), in particular in the direction of the insertion direction of the plug-in device (1).
3. The safety device according to Claim 1, 3, 4 and 5,
   characterized in that
   the release device (7, 8) has an element guided in a rod-like manner, such as a piston (7), which enables the release of the engaging element (5) of the safety device (30) when the push-on plug-in device (1) is plugged into the base device (21).
4. Safety device according to at least one of the previous claims,
   characterized in that
   on releasing the engaging element (5) of the safety device (30) the second stable position of the safety device (30) can be obtained, so that the disconnection of the plug-in device (1) from the base device (21) can be carried out.
5. Safety device according to at least one of the previous claims,
   characterized in that
   when the plug-in device (1) is plugged onto the base device (21), the element (7) of the release device (7, 8), which is guided in a rod-like manner, is moved back into the starting position thereof, so that the second stable position of the safety device (30) can be released.
6. The plug connection according to Claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the engaging element triggering the safe condition is provided in the form of a locking clip (5), which is reinforced by an elastic element (26) in the base device (21) with regard to the engagement force acting.
7. The plug connection according to any one of Claims 2 to 6,
   characterized in that
   the plug-in device is implemented as a connector plug (1) and the base device is implemented as a base terminal (21) of a terminal block.
8. Safety device according to at least one of Claims 1, 4,
   characterized in that
   the plug (1) comprises at least one side wall (31, 3r), a latching flange (6) with a latching clip (5), formed integrally therewith, and that the latching flange (6) accommodates the piston (7), which is further connected to a head part (8), which when the release device is released, in particular in the direction of the insertion direction of the plug-in device (1), can be actuated to such an extent that the unlocking' position or second stable position can be reached.
9. The safety device according to Claim 7,
   characterized in that
   on the base terminal (21) at least one side base flange (231, 23r) is provided, into which the latching flange (6) can be inserted such that the latching clip (5) formed thereon engages in a free space (28) underneath a step (27) of a mounting bay (241, 24'l, 24r, 24'r), wherein a spring arm (26) reinforcing the engaging force of the respective latching clip (5) is provided in the respective base flange (231, 23r).
10. Plug connection according to Claim 9,
    characterized in that
    on the base terminal (21) two base flanges (231; 23r) are arranged facing one another, each of which has two mounting bays (24l, 24'l, 24r, 24'r), so that latching flanges from adjacent connector plugs can be inserted into one of the mounting bays (24'l; 24r).
11. Plug connection according to Claim 10,
    characterized in that
    an associated connector plug (1) has safety devices (301, 30r) facing one another with suitably assigned latching flanges (6), the head parts (81, 8r) of which are designed with respect to colour and different sizes compared to connectors positioned adjacent to one another, such that they are easily distinguishable from the respective adjacent connectors.
12. Plug connection according to Claim 7,
    characterized in that
    the connector plug (1) comprises at least one side wall (31, 3r), on which the latching flange (6) of the safety device (30) is mounted.

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