EP2923418B1 - Locking mechanism for plug connectors - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a locking mechanism for locking a connector with a plug partner.

Locking mechanisms of this type are required in order to achieve a secure mechanical, non-permanent connection of the plug connector to the plug partner. It must be ensured that the two connectors are fully mechanically locked together in the contacted state and that the internal contacts are also fully connected.

The connector type can be electrical as well as optical, pneumatic or hydraulic connectors. Such locking mechanisms can be transferred to any type of connector.

In addition to the mechanical connection of the connectors, loosening of the connection must also be ensured. The mechanical locking must be released completely without destroying components of the locking mechanism or the connector.

These contacting and decontacting processes of connectors and locking mechanisms must be repeatable many times without influencing the quality of locking and contacting.

State of the art

The DE 102 36 275 B3 shows a locking device for two connectors that can be joined together, with latching hooks on one of the connectors in latching recesses of the second connector intervene when joining the connectors. The locking hooks can be raised and lifted out of the locking recesses by means of a sliding sleeve and bevels formed thereon, as a result of which the connectors can be separated.

From the DE 10 2006 040 254 A1 a circular connector with two coupling parts is known, with raster elevations of the first coupling part engaging in grooves of the second coupling part. The grid elevations are pressed into the grooves by means of an actuating slide. By pulling back the actuating slide, the raster elevations can slide out of the grooves if there is a corresponding pull on the two coupling parts.

The DE 10 2004 034 321 B3 discloses an electrical connector, in particular for use between a socket and an electrical control device, for a restraint system in motor vehicles, for example an airbag. The connector has a locking arm which is blocked by a spring arm when plugged in.

In the DE 698 22 740 T2 an electrical connector is also disclosed which has latching means which is blocked by a second element which is inserted into the path of movement of the latching means.

From the EP 1 337 008 A2 a connector is known which has a locking ring, wherein the locking ring can be expanded radially by means of an unlocking sleeve and thus a lock is released to a mating connector.

The publication DE 10 2004 034 321 B3 discloses an electrical connector with a spring-loaded locking means.

A disadvantage of the solutions known from the prior art is that a force is always exerted on the latching means of the plug connector. This also increases due to the direction of actuation of the actuating slide and sliding sleeve when the catch is released. As a result, the tensile force on the latching means is increased continuously until it is released in the unlocking process.

The increase in the tensile force leads to a very high force occurring at the edge region of the latching means when the latching means are released from one another. This greatly increased force leads to rapid wear of the locking means if the connectors are unlocked frequently.

Furthermore, the devices known from the prior art have a negative effect that a complete locking of the plug connectors cannot always be ensured. In the case of very high plug-in and / or contacting forces of the internal contacts of the plug-in connectors, due to the high friction of the locking means, the locking may not be complete. It must also be checked whether the latching has taken place completely.

task

The object of the invention is to present a locking mechanism for plug connectors which ensures complete latching and which the user can clearly see. In addition, the locking mechanism should be suitable for high mating cycles without wear and tear - especially on the locking means - occurring.

The object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The present invention proposes a locking mechanism for locking connectors with connectors. The locking mechanism has at least one locking means which is provided for positive engagement in a locking recess of the plug-in partner.

The locking mechanism is advantageously provided on the connector. The plug partner only has to be able to be joined to the plug connector in a form-fitting manner and have the corresponding locking recess for the locking means.

The plug partner of the plug connector is preferably a mating plug connector that can be connected to the plug connector. The plug-in partner can also be a plug socket matching the plug connector, which is attached or molded onto a housing or device. Other, appropriate components that can be contacted with a connector are to be equated with the plug-in partner.

Optionally, the terms plug-in connector and plug-in partner can also be exchanged and replaced accordingly. The functioning of the proposed locking mechanism is not affected by this. In this case, the locking mechanism would be on the plug partner and lock with the connector to be contacted.

It is advantageous according to the invention that both the locking means of the locking mechanism and the locking recess that fits in a form-fitting manner have rounded shapes. As a result, high forces at the tips of locking hooks, as are known from the prior art, are advantageously avoided during locking and unlocking.

The locking means is provided on a primary locking element, which enables an engagement in the locking recess of the plug-in partner and its release.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the primary locking element is designed as a rocker arm-like component. This is rotatably mounted in a base body of the locking mechanism via a molded axis of rotation. The plug partner can be locked or released by tilting the primary locking element.

Since, due to the rounded shape of the locking means and the locking recess on the plug-in partner, the lock would automatically release as soon as opposing forces would act on the plug-in connector and plug-in partner, an additional secondary locking element is provided.

The secondary locking element is provided for this purpose, the primary locking element in its state locking the plug partner to lock. For this purpose, the secondary locking element advantageously has a secondary locking means, which is located in the movement path of the primary locking element in such a way that it cannot release the plug partner.

The secondary locking means can be moved out of the movement path of the primary locking element by moving the secondary locking element - advantageously against the direction of insertion of the connector. The mating connector can be released again by the primary locking element.

In an advantageous embodiment, a secondary spring element is provided, which acts on the secondary locking element. According to the invention, the secondary spring element is designed such that it causes the secondary locking element to be forced into the position locking the primary locking element. This ensures positive locking of the primary locking element when it locks the plug partner.

According to the invention, a further, primary spring element is provided, which acts on the primary locking element. The primary spring element is designed such that it causes a forced movement of the primary locking element into the position that releases the plug partner. This, apparently contrary to the actual purpose of locking, serves to safely unlock the locking mechanism.

The secondary locking element is advantageously designed at the same time as an actuator, so that it can be operated by hand. By sliding the secondary locking element against the forced movement, the primary locking element is released. The primary locking element is in turn due to its forced movement moves into the position releasing the plug partner and releases the locking of the plug connector and plug partner.

According to the invention, the locking elements are designed such that — as already mentioned — the secondary locking element locks the primary locking element in the position locking the plug partner. In addition, in a position released to the plug partner, the primary locking element blocks the secondary locking element.

To unlock the locking mechanism, the secondary locking element must be moved by hand - advantageously counter to the direction of insertion - in order to release the primary locking element. The primary locking element is automatically set into an unlocking position by the applied spring force.

To lock the locking mechanism, the primary locking element must in turn be moved from the unlocked to a locking position. In the locked state, the secondary locking element is automatically set into the position locking the primary locking element by the applied spring force.

The locking of the primary locking element is initiated according to the invention by the plug-in partner himself. For this purpose, the primary locking element has a lever area. The lever area is in the unlocked state in the plug area of the plug partner. By contacting the plug-in partner, this interacts with the lever area and exerts a force on the primary locking element. The contacting force of the plug partner thus causes the primary locking element to move into a position locking the plug partner.

Further advantageous refinements of the invention are shown in the subclaims and the exemplary embodiment.

embodiment

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Explosionsansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Verriegelungsmechanismus mit Steckverbinder und Steckpartner;

Fig. 2

den erfindungsgemäßen Verriegelungsmechanismus im Teilschnitt;

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch einen Verriegelungsmechanismus in einem geöffneten Zustand;

Fig. 4

einen Schnitt wie Fig. 3 mit Steckpartner in einem teilkontaktiertem Zustand;

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt wie Fig. 4 im voll kontaktierten, geschlossenen, nicht verriegeltem Zustand; und

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch den Verriegelungsmechanismus im voll kontaktierten und verriegelten Zustand.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. Show it:

Fig. 1

an exploded perspective view of a locking mechanism according to the invention with connector and plug partner;

Fig. 2

the locking mechanism according to the invention in partial section;

Fig. 3

a section through a locking mechanism in an open state;

Fig. 4

a cut like Fig. 3 with plug partner in a partially contacted state;

Fig. 5

a cut like Fig. 4 in fully contacted, closed, unlocked condition; and

Fig. 6

a section through the locking mechanism in the fully contacted and locked state.

The Figure 1 shows a locking mechanism 1 according to the invention in a spatial exploded view. In addition, a connector 40 is shown, on which the locking mechanism 1 can be fastened in this embodiment by means of a snap ring 41. And opposite is shown a plug partner 50 which is provided for contacting and locking with the connector.

The embodiment of the invention shown in the figures is based on a circular connector. This embodiment is for illustration only and is not to be considered as limiting the invention. The invention can also be applied to other, non-round connector types.

The locking mechanism 1 is formed from a base body 10 which is intended to be connected to the connector 40. In this embodiment, the base body 10 has a corresponding recess on its inside in order to be able to be fastened on the plug connector by means of the snap ring 41.

In this special embodiment, the base body 10 is formed from two parts 10a and 10b. This has only assembly-technical reasons to be able to mount the locking mechanism 1. Depending on the embodiment, one-piece or multi-piece base bodies 10 are conceivable.

The basic body parts 10a and 10b here have, due to the design, latching means which serve to connect the parts 10a and 10b to a basic body 10. The basic body parts 10a and 10b will not be dealt with any further, since - as already mentioned - they can appear differently depending on the design and installation conditions. In the following, the basic body parts 10a and 10b will no longer be considered and will only be referred to as the basic body 10.

The base body 10 is - due to the circular connectors 40 and 50 - designed as a cylindrical sleeve which is arranged on the connector 40. According to the invention, it has — here two — recesses 11, which are located on opposite sides of the sleeve-like base body 10. The recesses 11 are each intended to receive a primary locking element 20.

The recesses 11 each have two receptacles 12 on the side. The part-circular receptacles 12 form an axle support in which the primary locking elements 20 can be rotatably supported.

The two primary locking elements 20 are listed in the manner of a rocker arm and their shape corresponds to the recesses 11 of the base body 10. They have formations which serve as an axis of rotation 24 and are provided for receiving in the receptacles 12. Due to the likewise part-circular design of the axis of rotation 24, the primary locking elements 20 can slide in the receptacles 12. This enables a tilting rotary movement of the primary locking elements 20 in the recesses 11.

Furthermore, a primary spring element 25 is provided, which is received in a groove-shaped spring receptacle 15 in the base body 10. The spring retainer 15 expediently intersects with the recesses 11 for the primary locking elements 20. As a result, the primary spring element 25 designed as an annular spring can act on the primary locking elements 20 in the spring retainer 15.

For this purpose, the primary locking elements 20 have a spring holder 23, which are mounted in the area of the spring holder 15 of the base body 10. Thus, according to the invention, the primary spring element 25 can exert a radially inward force on the primary locking elements 20 in the area of the spring receptacles 23.

The locking mechanism 1 is completed by a secondary locking element 30 which is sleeve-shaped, the remaining elements of the locking mechanism 1 being provided in its interior. The secondary locking element 30 is provided on the base body 10 such that it can move axially along the plug-in direction.

Inside, the secondary locking element 30 has a circumferential formation, which serves as a secondary locking means 32.

Another provided, secondary spring element 35 is designed here as a spiral spring and arranged between the base body 10 and the secondary locking element 30. It generates a force between a spring stop 16 provided on the base body 10 and the secondary locking means 32 serving as a spring stop in the secondary locking element 30. As a result, the secondary locking element 30 is subjected to a forced movement in the plug-in direction of the connector 40.

The composite locking mechanism 1 is in Fig. 2 shown in a partial section.

A primary locking element 20 can be seen, which is rotatably mounted in the base body 10 about its axis of rotation 24. The primary spring element 25 inserted into the spring holder 15 acts on the spring holder 23 of the primary locking element 20 such that the spring holder 23 is pressed radially inward. As a result, a primary locking means 22 provided on the locking element 20 is again pressed radially outward.

In this position, the primary locking means 22 is in the path of movement of the secondary locking means 32. The secondary locking means 32 is pressed by the secondary spring element 35 in the plugging direction against the primary locking means 22 and blocked by the latter. The various states of the locking mechanism 1 are shown and described in detail in FIGS. 3 to 6.

Fig. 3

geöffneter Zustand ohne Steckpartner 50,

Fig. 4

geöffneter Zustand mit teilweise kontaktiertem Steckpartner 50,

Fig. 5

geschlossener Zustand mit voll kontaktiertem, nicht verriegeltem Steckpartner 50 und

Fig. 6

geschlossener Zustand mit voll kontaktiertem und verriegeltem Steckpartner 50.

The show Figures 3 to 6 in each case a section through a locking mechanism 1 according to the invention during the contacting and locking process in the following states:

Fig. 3

open state without plug-in partner 50,

Fig. 4

opened state with partially contacted plug-in partner 50,

Fig. 5

closed state with fully contacted, unlocked connector 50 and

Fig. 6

closed state with fully contacted and locked plug-in partner 50.

The Fig. 3 shows the base body 10, which is held on the connector 40 by means of the snap ring 41. The state of the locking mechanism 1 shown here corresponds to that in the Fig. 2 shown state. The primary locking element 20 is held in a first position 2A by the force exerted radially inward (shown below) by the primary spring element 25.

In this position 2A, a locking means 21 molded onto the primary locking element 20 is located outside a plug-in area 13 of the plug-in partner 50. At the same time, the primary locking means 22 is in the path of movement of the secondary locking means 32. As a result, the movement of the secondary locking element 30 from the first position shown here 3A to a second position 3B (position 3A and position 3B are in Fig. 4 shown) prevented.

Due to the secondary spring element 35, the secondary locking element 30 performs a forced movement in the plugging direction. For this purpose, the secondary spring element 35 is clamped between the secondary locking means 32 and the spring receptacle 16 on the base body 10.

In the Fig. 4 is the locking mechanism 1 in the same state as in Fig. 3 shown. In addition, the part of a plug-in partner 50 necessary for locking is shown. This is partially inserted into the plug area 13.

In this embodiment, a seal 52 is expediently provided on the plug partner 50, which is used to seal the connection between the plug connector 40 and the plug partner 50.

A lever area 26 on the primary locking element 20 projects into the plug-in area 13 of the plug-in partner in the position 2A shown. The front part of the plug-in partner 50 thus touches the lever area 26.

A further, complete insertion of the plug-in partner 50 into the plug-in area 13 exerts a force on the lever area 26 and the primary locking element 20. The primary locking element 20 is moved by the force from the first position 2A to a second position 2B. The primary locking element 20 rotates about the axis of rotation 24, counter to the spring force of the primary spring element 25.

The position 2B of the primary locking element 20 with the plug-in partner 50 fully inserted is shown in FIG Fig. 5 shown.

The primary locking element 20 has different from Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 rotated counterclockwise and the force of the primary spring element 25. As a result, the locking means 21 now engages in the plug-in area 13 and thus in the plug-in partner 50. For this purpose, a locking recess 51 is provided on the connector 50.

In this exemplary embodiment, the latching recess 51 is expediently designed as a circumferential groove. As a result, the orientation of the plug partner 50 relative to the plug connector 40 and the locking mechanism 1 is variable. In other embodiments, for example in the case of angular plug connectors, a different configuration of the latching recess 51, for example as a blind hole, is also conceivable.

By rotating the primary locking element 20 from position 2A to position 2B, the primary locking means 22 was also moved out of the movement path of the secondary locking means 32. As a result, the secondary spring element 35 can remove the secondary locking element 30 from the in FIG Fig. 5 shown first position 3A to the second position 3B.

The position 3B of the secondary locking element 30 is in Fig. 6 shown. This is in the plug-in direction before position 3A. Recognizable in Fig. 6 is that the secondary locking means 32 is now blocking the primary locking means 22 and is in its path of movement. This ensures that the plug-in partner 50 is locked by the locking means 21.

Since the primary locking element 20 is blocked in its movement by the secondary locking element 30, the plug partner 50 cannot be removed from the locking mechanism 1 and from the plug connector 40.

To unlock the locking mechanism 1, the secondary locking element 30 would now have to be pulled counter to the direction of insertion. As soon as the secondary locking means 32 releases the primary locking means 22, the plug partner 50 can be released by rotating the primary locking element 20 in a clockwise direction. The rotation of the primary locking element 20 and the associated release of the plug partner 50 is also supported by the spring force of the primary spring element 25.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1.

locking mechanism

10th

body

11th

recess

12th

admission

13th

plug-in region

15th

spring mount

16th

spring stop

20th

primary locking element

2A

first position of 20

2 B

second position of 20

21st

locking means

22nd

primary blocking agent

23rd

spring mount

24th

axis of rotation

25th

primary spring element

26th

lever portion

30th

secondary locking element

3A

first position of 30

3B

second position of 30

32nd

secondary blocking agent

35th

secondary spring element

40th

Connectors

41st

snap ring

50th

plug partner

51st

recess

52nd

poetry

Claims (20)

1. Locking mechanism (1) for locking a plug connector (40) to a plug-connection partner (50) with which contact is to be made,
   wherein the locking mechanism (1) can be arranged on the plug connector (40) and consist of a main body (10) and at least two types of locking elements,
   wherein at least one primary locking element (20) of a first type is provided, which is arranged such that it can move between a first position (2A) and a second position (2B), and
   wherein at least one secondary locking element (30) of a second type is provided, which is arranged such that it can move between a first position (3A) and a second position (3B),
   wherein the locking mechanism (1) can have a first, open state, in which the plug connector (40) and the plug-connection partner (50) are not in contact, the primary locking element (20) is in the first position (2A) and the secondary locking element (30) is in the first position (3A),
   and also a second, closed state, in which the plug connector (40) and the plug-connection partner (50) are locked to one another, the primary locking element (20) is in the second position (2B) and the secondary locking element (30) is in the second position (3B),
   wherein the primary locking element (20) has a locking means (21) which, in the second position (2B), engages into the plug-connection partner (50) with which contact is made and in this way locks the plug connector (40) to the plug-connection partner (50),
   the primary locking element (20), in the first position (2A), is suitable for blocking a movement of the secondary locking element (30) from the first position (3A) to the second position (3B),
   the secondary locking element (30), in the second position (3B), is suitable for blocking a movement of the primary locking element (20) from the second position (2B) to the first position (2A),
   wherein a primary spring element (25) is provided, which exerts a force on the primary locking element (20) and in this way forces the primary locking element (20) to move to the first position (2A), characterized in that a secondary spring element (35) is provided, which exerts a force on the secondary locking element (30) and in this way forces the secondary locking element (30) to move to the second position (3B).
2. Locking mechanism (1) according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that
   the locking means (21), in the first position (2A) of the primary locking element (20), releases the plug-connection partner (50) with which contact is made.
3. Locking mechanism (1) according to Claim 2,
   characterized in that
   the locking means (21) has a rounded shape and can engage in an interlocking manner into a latching recess (51) of the plug-connection partner (50) with which contact is to be made.
4. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the movement path of the secondary locking element (30) runs along the insertion direction of the plug connector (40), and the first position (3A) is located behind the second position (3B) in the insertion direction.
5. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the primary locking element (20) has a primary blocking means (22) which, in the first position (2A) of the primary locking element (20), is located in the movement path of the secondary locking element (30) and blocks the said secondary locking element.
6. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the secondary locking element (30) has a secondary blocking means (32) which, in the second position (3B), is located in the movement path of the primary locking element (20) and blocks the said primary locking element.
7. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the primary locking element (20) is designed such that it can be moved from the first position (2A) to the second position (2B) by the plug-connection partner (50) when contact is made by the plug connector (40).
8. Locking mechanism (1) according to Claim 7,
   characterized in that
   the primary locking element (20) has a lever region (26) which, in the first position (2A) of the primary locking element (20), protrudes into the plug-connection region (13) of the plug-connection partner (50) and, in the second position (2B) of the primary locking element (20), is located outside the plug-connection region (13) of the plug-connection partner (50).
9. Locking mechanism (1) according to Claim 8,
   characterized in that
   the lever region (26) is designed such that the lever region (26) and therefore the primary locking element (20) can be moved from the first position (2A) to the second position (2B) by the contact-making plug-connection partner (50).
10. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the main body (10) has at least one recess (11) in which the primary locking element (20) is received.
11. Locking mechanism (1) according to Claim 10,
    characterized in that
    the recess (11) has a receptacle (12) in which the primary locking element (20) is mounted such that it can rotate between the position (2A) and the second position (2B).
12. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the primary locking element (20) is formed in the manner of a rocker lever and has a moulded-on portion which is suitable for functioning as a rotation shaft (24).
13. Locking mechanism (1) according to Claims 11 and 12,
    characterized in that
    the primary locking element (20) is received in the receptacle (12) of the main body (10) such that it can rotate on the rotation shaft (24).
14. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the secondary locking element (30) is of sleeve-like design and surrounds the main body (10) and also the primary locking element (20).
15. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the secondary locking element (30) can be manually operated.
16. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the locking mechanism (1) preferably has two primary locking elements (20) and one secondary locking element (30) .
17. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the main body (10) of the locking mechanism (1) is formed in one piece with the plug connector (40).
18. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the main body (10) of the locking mechanism (1) can be releasably connected to the plug connector (40).
19. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the primary spring element (25) is embodied as an annular spring and encompasses the main body (10).
20. Locking mechanism (1) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the secondary spring element (35) is embodied as a helical spring and is braced between the secondary locking element (30) and the main body (10).

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