EP2957000B1 - Electrical connector comprising push-pull type latching - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical circular connector with a plug part and a mating connector which are releasably lockable and at least each have a plug contact and a plug-side locking mechanism according to the push-pull principle, the at least one axially extending radially deflectable locking element with a transverse arranged to radially inwardly projecting latch, which is associated with a mating connector side, outwardly open latch, wherein the locking element is at least operable by means of an axially displaceable unlocking sleeve carried by the plug part, that the Rasfiklinke and the latch against the movement of the unlocking sleeve the plug-in direction of the plug part can be disengaged. In this case, the at least one locking element is formed on a retaining ring, which is the plug side mounted on the plug part between the Entriegelungshülse and a front hollow cylindrical plug portion of a plug housing part of the plug part, wherein the latch a rear in the insertion direction of the plug part rear sliding ramp and the latch an associated in Plug-in direction of the plug part rearwardly disposed inner rear Gegengleitrampe, which contract the plug part and the mating connector part by means of a radially inwardly acting spring force component.

The US 2009/0275226 A1 discloses such a circular connector.

Under push-pull locking system is generally understood a locking system of a connector, wherein the plug part is mechanically secured to the mating connector part when nesting the electrical contacts by the plug part is pressed into the mating connector part. After complete insertion of the plug part in the mating connector part, the plug part is automatically locked with the mating connector part. The locking takes place by means of a provided on the plug part, releasably engageable in the mating connector latching device, for example, has at least one radially and / or circumferentially deflectable locking element with a protruding latch, which engages in an associated latching latch for locking or engages behind. A slidably guided in the insertion direction on the plug housing housing release sleeve engages over the locking element with a locked connector and allows disengagement of the locking element from the mating connector housing at a force acting on the plug member against the direction of insertion tensile force. An unlocking of the plug part of the mating connector part is only possible by the unlocking sleeve is moved manually against the direction of insertion of the plug part and the plug part at the same time away from the mating connector part until the latch and the latch catch disengage. The state of the art is exemplified in the publication US 2004/0 014 350 A1 directed.

The US 2004/0 014 350 A1 discloses a coaxial electrical connector having a plug part with a contact pin and a mating plug part with a plug contact socket, which are lockable to each other via a push-pull latch. The tubular plug part has a receiving section on the plug side and the tubular counterpart plug part has an insertion section for the receiving section of the plug part assigned to the receiving section. At a side remote from the plug part end of the insertion of the mating connector part a circumferential locking groove is arranged. The receiving portion of the male part carries a push-pull locking mechanism which cooperates with the locking groove of the insertion portion of the mating male part in the locked state. The push-pull locking mechanism includes several axially extending radially deflectable locking elements each having a transversely thereto radially inwardly projecting latch, which engage in mated coaxial connector in the locking groove of the mating connector each. The locking elements are integrally formed on an annular body which is fixed immovably on the receiving portion of the male part. To prevent inadvertent deflection of the locking elements a slidably mounted on the plug part securing sleeve is provided which is displaceable from a securing position in which it radially supports the locking elements from the outside, in a release position in which it does not overlap the locking elements, and vice versa. The locking sleeve is not acted upon by spring force and is manually moved back and forth between the securing position and the release position.

A disadvantage is considered in this prior art, that the axial lock is not free of play and the locking sleeve is not fixed by spring force in the securing position. Thus, the plug part can be solved automatically occurring vibrations occurring easily from the mating connector. The locking is also only partially play.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to remedy this situation and to propose an improved electrical circular connector, in which the plug part can easily plug on the mating connector and deduct from this and recorded in the mating connector part even at high vibration stresses safely and completely free of play is held the mating connector part. The locking mechanism of the proposed electrical connector according to the push-pull principle should also be relatively straightforward and constructed with a few parts that are simple to manufacture, easy to assemble and inexpensive.

This object is achieved by an electrical connector with the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

In the proposed electrical circular connector, the at least one locking element is integrally formed on a retaining ring which is mounted on the plug side on the plug part radially between the unlocking sleeve and a front hollow cylindrical plug-in area of the plug part. A plug-in area of the mating plug part engages in the plug-in area when the racking part is plugged together with the mating plug part. The latch on the locking element has a rear in the insertion direction of the connector rear sliding ramp and the latch on the mating connector part assigned in the insertion direction of the plug part rear inside Gegengleitrampe, the plug part and the mating connector by means of a radially inwardly acting spring force component when locking the plug part with the mating connector and in the locked state of the circular connector contract permanently without play. The catch is a recess in the insertion of the mating connector part with a front and rear flank in the insertion direction, each extending obliquely. As a result, the locking element is at least operable by means of a plug part carried by the axially displaceable unlocking sleeve, that the latch and the latch can move out of engagement in a release position of the locking elements during the movement of the Entriegelungshülse against the insertion direction of the plug part.

According to the invention, between the retaining ring with the at least one molded locking element and the unlocking sleeve with the unlocking sleeve axially displaceable locking sleeve for the at least one locking element arranged in the insertion direction of the male part by means of a spiral compression spring, the rear of the plug housing part and the rear inside of the unlocking sleeve the plug part is supported, spring force is applied. The locking sleeve is coupled directly or indirectly to the unlocking sleeve and engages over the retaining ring and at least partially integrally formed thereon a locking element. In this case, the locking sleeve acts on the locking element with a radially inwardly directed force by a front sleeve portion which forms a pressure surface, the locking sleeve on the Locking element acts, wherein at least when the latch is in engagement with the latching latch, the front sleeve portion of the locking sleeve permanently at the front free end of the locking element, in which the latch extends radially inwardly, is held in abutment. This is caused by the helical compression spring which presses the unlocking sleeve and the locking sleeve in the direction of the plug-in area. About the spring force of the compression spring, the effect of the locking sleeve can be preset. In this case, the locking element is at least in the radial direction of the plug part inwardly and / or externally actuated such that the latch and the latch can enter and / or out of engagement.

The locking sleeve is moved by means of the unlocking in and against the insertion direction of the connector part. The locking sleeve can be immovably fixed to the unlocking sleeve or relative to the unlocking sleeve slidably on the unlocking sleeve. The securing sleeve is provided to secure the at least one locking element of the plug-part-side locking mechanism on the one hand so that the latch and the latch securely engage and on the other hand ensure that the latch is selbstnachstellend, ie at least the locking element with the latch Alternatively, to move radially inwardly when the locking sleeve with the front sleeve portion on the actuating cam of the locking element in abutment to hold the lock backlash. The locking sleeve acts both during locking of the plug part with the mating plug part, as well as in the locked state of the circular connector on the at least one locking element with the detent pawl formed thereon and thus protects the locking element against unwanted deflection, for example by vibrations. It thus ensures the locking of the circular connector according to the invention and reliably prevents unwanted release of the connector part of the mating connector part. In this case, the locking sleeve can be closed tubular or formed with longitudinal slots. If the securing sleeve is executed segmented, so are formed by the longitudinal slots Segments arranged according to the axially extending locking elements and associated with these.

Advantageously, the securing sleeve in the insertion direction of the plug part on the front in the radial direction outwardly inclined acting as a pressure surface sleeve portion with which the locking sleeve acts on the free end of the locking element force and thus presses in the direction of the latching latch.

Conveniently, in one embodiment of the invention, the securing sleeve is integrally formed on the unlocking sleeve. Thus, two parts are combined into one part, which has a favorable effect on the parts and assembly costs of the circular connector according to the invention and on the stability of these parts. To further simplify the assembly, the retaining ring with the at least one locking element and / or the locking sleeve is preferably latched onto the body of the connector part.

In a preferred embodiment of the circular connector according to the invention, the pawl also has a front in the insertion direction of the plug part front sliding ramp and the latch on an associated in the insertion direction of the plug part rear outer rear Gegengleitrampe, which automatically deflect the locking element for locking radially outward. The outer rear Gegengleitrampe the locking latch is formed by reducing the wall thickness of the insertion of the mating connector part and leads to the inner rear Gegengleitrampe the locking latch. When mating the male part with the mating male part, the front sliding ramp moves via the outer rear Gegengleitrampe to the inner rear counter slide ramp in the recess of the latch, in the recess, the rear slide ramp of the latch slides along the inner rear Gegengleitrampe.

The height of the latch is preferably equal to or less than the depth of the catch traps, so that the associated front and rear Gleitrampen and Gegengleitrampen the at least one latch of the male part and the at least one latch of the mating connector unhindered can slide together until a completely backlash-free locking is achieved. A locking of the circular connector by means of a plurality of locking elements with a latch and a corresponding number of locking catches has proven to be particularly favorable, especially when the locking elements are arranged distributed as evenly as possible in the circumferential direction of the circular connector. The catch traps may be designed as individual recesses or merged into a circumferential groove. The resiliently formed, radially outwardly deflectable locking elements are on the one hand self-restoring and are also applied when moving the Entriegelungshülse in the securing position, ie in the insertion of the male part in the mating connector, in the radial direction inwardly with a compressive force, which causes the pawls as far as possible in the catch traps are pressed, the rear slide ramps of the pawls are held on the rear inner Gegengleitrampen the catch traps in Appendix. As a result, the plug part is moved in the direction of the mating plug part until they are connected to each other without clearance. The pressure on the locking elements is maintained by the unlocking sleeve even in the securing position of the Entriegelungshülse, so that no play between the plug part and the mating connector part arises even at high vibration stresses.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element between the latch and the holder ring on an actuating cam which extends radially outward in the direction of the unlocking sleeve and acts on the locking sleeve. The actuating cam is formed with a back in the direction of insertion of the male part inclined sliding flank, which acts on the locking sleeve with an axial and a radial force component.

If the unlocking sleeve is not displaced counter to the plugging direction of the plug part, the front radially outwardly inclined sleeve section of the securing sleeve slides along the sliding flank of the actuating cam, thereby moving the locking element radially inwards. If the unlocking sleeve is displaced counter to the plugging direction of the plug part, this acts on the Locking sleeve with, and moves it against the direction of insertion of the connector part directly or indirectly. In this case, the locking sleeve away from the actuating cam, so that the latch is radially free to move and can get out of engagement with the latch. In this case, locking element dependent on its training either independently or by means of an introduced radial force component to the outside pivoting. The force component can be effected by moving the unlocking sleeve relative to the connector housing or by pulling on the connector housing in the axial direction away from the mating connector.

In one embodiment of the circular connector according to the invention, the at least one locking element of the retaining ring is self-locking, so that the latch automatically latches into the latch and is securable there by means of the locking sleeve when the latch engages the latch at least partially. In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one locking element of the retaining ring is selbstentriegelnd opposite, so that the latch is latched by means of the locking sleeve in the latch and there securable when the latch at least partially overlaps the latch, and automatically disengages from the latch when the locking sleeve does not act on the locking element.

In this case, the retaining ring with the at least one integrally formed locking element can be an injection molded part made of a thermoplastic material or a stamped and bent part made of an elastically deformable metal material. Preferably, this is the retaining ring with the integrally formed self-locking metal or metal alloy locking element and the retaining ring with the integrally formed self-locking locking element made of a plastic or a plastic mixture.

Advantageously, the unlocking hook of the locking element, which pivots radially outward, moves the securing sleeve counter to the insertion direction of the plug part when the unlocking sleeve is displaced counter to the plugging direction of the plug part. Thus, the locking sleeve gives the at least one Locking element of the male part freely, so that the locking element is deflected radially outward to allow unlocking of the male part of the mating connector part.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the locking element is selbstverriegelnd, the at least one locking element outside a arranged on the actuating cam in the direction of the mating connector part unlocking hook and the Entriegelungshülse inside an associated, open in the opposite direction Mitnehmerhaken for the release hook. When moving the Entriegelungshülse against the direction of insertion of the male part in the release position of the catch hook unlocking the unlocking hooks of the locking element and deflects this each with increasing displacement of the Entriegelungshülse in the release position continuously radially outwards until the at least one latch and the at least one latch are out of engagement. The rear sliding ramp of the latch slides along the rear inner Gegengleitrampe the catch latch.

In order to allow easy unlocking without too much effort and to protect the release hook or the associated driving hook from damage, the release hook and the driving hook is suitably suitable in its form. Preferably, the molded onto the locking element Entriegelungsgleitfläche and molded onto the Entriegelungshülse Mitnehmerhaken an associated, away from the mating connector part Entriegelungsgegengleitfläche on, which cooperate such that during movement of the Entriegelungshülse against the insertion direction of the male part of the driving hook of the Entriegelungshülse the locking element continuously deflects radially outward. In the reverse direction of movement of the release sleeve in the securing position, the locking element moves radially inward until the catch of the release unlocking of the release hook of the locking element dissolves, so that the latch of the locking element the plug part and the associated latch of the mating connector part as described above, the plug part and the mating plug part play together determine each other. As long as the unlocking hook and the driving hooks are in engagement with each other, the unlocking sliding surface of the unlocking hook of the locking element inclined towards the mating plug part and the counter-inclined unlocking sliding surface of the catch hook of the unlocking sleeve are in contact with each other and slide radially inwards or outwards along the deflection of the locking element.

The securing sleeve is preferably on the unlocking hook of the locking element on the actuating cam on the side facing away from the mating connector part in abutment. The corresponding contact surface is provided as an inclined rear sliding edge of the release hook. The inclined sliding edge allows for easy pivoting of the unlocking radially inward when the locking sleeve is moved in the direction of the mating connector part.

• Beim axialen Zusammenführen des Steckerteils und des Gegensteckerteils bewegt sich die Entriegelungshülse in Richtung des Gegensteckerteils, wobei sich die Rastfalle der Rastklinke annähert. Dabei gleitet die vordere Gleitrampe der Rastklinke zuerst entlang der hinteren äußeren Gegengleitrampe der Rastfalle. Gleichzeitig entfernt sich der Mitnehmerhaken der Entriegelungshülse zunehmend von dem Entriegelungshaken des Verriegelungselementes und gibt damit das Verriegelungselement frei. Sobald die vordere Gleitrampe der mindestens einen Rastklinke die zugeordnete hintere äußere Gegengleitrampe der zugeordneten Rastfalle überwunden hat, greift der Entriegelungshaken des Verriegelungselementes nicht mehr in den Mitnehmerhaken der Entriegelungshülse ein, so dass sich das mindestens eine freigegebene ausgelenkte federnd ausgebildete Verriegelungselement, bedingt durch die eigene rückstellende Federkraft und durch die von der Sicherungshülse ausgeübte Kraft, radial nach innen bewegt, bis die Rastklinke des Verriegelungselementes in die Rastfalle des Gegensteckerteils spielfrei eingreift. Dabei gleitet die hintere Gleitrampe der Rastklinke entlang der hinteren inneren Gegengleitrampe der Rastfalle und stützt sich in axialer Richtung dort ab. Diese verbleiben in Anlage aneinander und ziehen das Steckerteil spielfrei gegen das Gegensteckerteil.

The locking or unlocking of the plug part with or from the mating plug part takes place in all embodiments of the electric circular plug connector according to the invention with at least one self-locking locking element as follows:

• During axial merging of the plug part and the mating plug part, the unlocking sleeve moves in the direction of the mating plug part, wherein the latching latch approaches the latching pawl. In this case, the front sliding ramp of the latch first slides along the rear outer counter slide ramp of the latch. At the same time, the driving hook of the unlocking sleeve increasingly moves away from the unlocking hook of the locking element and thus releases the locking element. As soon as the front sliding ramp of the at least one latch has overcome the associated rear outer counter slide ramp of the associated latch, the unlocking hook of the locking element no longer engages the catch hook of the unlocking sleeve, so that the at least one released deflected resiliently formed locking element, caused by the own restoring spring force and by the force exerted by the securing sleeve force, moved radially inward until the latch of the locking element engages in the latching latch of the mating connector part free of play. In this case, the rear sliding ramp of the latch slides along the rear inner Gegengleitrampe the locking latch and is supported in the axial direction there. These remain in contact with each other and pull the plug part backlash against the mating connector part.

In the locked state of the circular connector is unlocking sleeve in the securing position. In this case, the locking sleeve acts in the locking position of the unlocking sleeve on the wedge-shaped sleeve portion on the at least one locking element continuously, so that a vibration-resistant and permanently backlash-free connection of the male part is ensured with the mating connector.

The unlocking of the plug part of the mating connector part is done in the reverse manner. For this purpose, the unlocking sleeve is moved from the securing position in the direction of the release position, so that the driving hook of the unlocking engages in the unlocking of the locking element and this pulls radially outward. In this case, the locking sleeve is displaced by means of the unlocking hook on the rear sliding edge of the release hook, which acts on the wedge-shaped sleeve portion of the locking sleeve, against the insertion direction of the connector part. The unlocking sleeve can only so far against the insertion direction of the connector part moves until the driving hook of the unlocking engages completely in the unlocking hook of the locking element. In this case, the locking element on the inclined Entriegelungsgegengleitfläche of the driving hook of Entriegelungshülse which cooperates with the corresponding inclined Entriegelungsgleitflächen the Entriegelungshakens of the locking element, pivoted outwardly so far, that the latch of the locking element and the latch of the mating connector part are disengaged. Now the plug part can be pulled off the mating connector part axially. When pulling off the rear sliding ramp slides along the latch the rear inner Gegengleitrampe the catch latch and overcomes this. If the plug part continues to move away from the mating plug part, then the front sliding ramp of the latching pawl slides along the rear outer counter slide ramp of the latching latch, with spring force acting on the safety sleeve being reinforced. As soon as the unlocking sleeve is released, the securing sleeve moves the unlocking sleeve on the plug-part housing in the plug-in direction of the plug part, so that the catch hook of the unlocking sleeve is released from the unlocking hook of the locking element and the locking element is radially freely movable.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, in which the locking element is selbstentriegelnd, the at least one locking element on the outside of the actuating cam arranged unlocking hook and the unlocking sleeve inside no associated, open in the opposite direction Mitnehmerhaken for the release hook. After insertion of the plug part in the mating connector part, the locking of the circular connector is connected by the locking sleeve connected to the unlocking sleeve by acting on the actuating cam of the at least one locking element by means of the radially outwardly inclined sleeve portion with a radially inwardly directed force component of the applied spring force of the helical compression spring is determined. The spring force of the compression spring must be chosen so that the inwardly directed force component for each of the provided locking elements, which acts on the respective actuating cam, is equal to or greater than a restoring force of the at least one locking element.
When moving the Entriegelungshülse against the direction of insertion of the male part in the release position, the locking sleeve releases the locking element by moving away from the actuating cam, so that the locking element with the arranged at the free end of the locking element latch independently with increasing displacement of the release sleeve in the release position continuously further radially outwardly pivots out until the at least one latch and the at least one latching latch are out of engagement. The rear sliding ramp of the latch slides along the rear inner Gegengleitrampe the catch latch.

When the detent pawl is engaged with the detent latch, the locking and unlocking with respect to the movement of the detent pawl with respect to the detent latch is similar to that of the self-latching detent element described above. When locking the circular connector, the locking sleeve on the actuating cam of the locking element on the side facing away from the mating connector part, in particular on the back sliding edge in abutment. The inclined sliding edge allows for easy pivoting of the unlocking radially inward when the locking sleeve is moved in the direction of the mating connector part.

• Nach dem axialen Zusammenführen des Steckerteils und des Gegensteckerteils bewegt sich die Sicherungshülse mit der Entriegelungshülse in Richtung des Gegensteckerteils, wobei sich die Rastfalle der Rastklinke annähert. Dabei gleitet die vordere Gleitrampe der Rastklinke zuerst entlang der hinteren äußeren Gegengleitrampe der Rastfalle. Gleichzeitig entfernt sich der Mitnehmerhaken der Entriegelungshülse zunehmend von dem Betätigungsnocken. Sobald die vordere Gleitrampe der mindestens einen Rastklinke die zugeordnete hintere äußere Gegengleitrampe der zugeordneten Rastfalle überwunden hat, gleitet die Rastklinke des Verriegelungselementes durch die über den vorderen Hülsenabschnitt der Sicherungshülse eingeleitete Kraftkomponente zwangsläufig in die Rastfalle hinein, indem das federnd ausgebildete Verriegelungselement mit seinem freien Ende radial nach innen bewegt wird, bis die Rastklinke des Verriegelungselementes in die Rastfalle des Gegensteckerteils spielfrei eingreift. Dabei gleitet die hintere Gleitrampe der Rastklinke entlang der hinteren inneren Gegengleitrampe der Rastfalle und stützt sich in axialer Richtung dort ab. Diese verbleiben in Anlage aneinander und ziehen das Steckerteil spielfrei gegen das Gegensteckerteil.

The locking or unlocking of the plug part with or from the mating plug part takes place in all embodiments of the electric circular plug connector according to the invention with at least one selbstentriegelnden locking element as follows:

• After the axial merging of the plug part and the mating plug part, the securing sleeve moves with the unlocking sleeve in the direction of the mating plug part, wherein the latching latch approaches the latching pawl. In this case, the front sliding ramp of the latch first slides along the rear outer counter slide ramp of the latch. At the same time, the driving hook of the unlocking sleeve moves away from the actuating cam. Once the front sliding ramp of the at least one latch has overcome the associated rear outer Gegengleitrampe the associated latch, the latch of the locking element slides through the introduced via the front sleeve portion of the locking sleeve force component inevitably into the latch into it by the spring-trained locking element with its free end radially is moved inward until the latch of the locking element engages in the latch of the mating connector part clearance. The rear sliding ramp of the detent pawl slides along the rear inner counter slide ramp of the detent latch and is supported there in the axial direction. These remain in contact with each other and pull the plug part backlash against the mating connector part.

During the movement of the unlocking sleeve against the insertion direction of the plug part, the outwardly pivoting locking element, in the event that the securing sleeve is not formed on the unlocking sleeve, moves the securing sleeve over the actuating cam against the plugging direction of the plug part. The spring force which acts on the unlocking sleeve and / or the securing sleeve in the insertion direction of the plug part is greater than the radial spring force of the at least one locking element formed on the retaining ring, so that the locking is safe and self-adjusting.

In the locked state of the circular connector is unlocking sleeve in the securing position. In this case, the securing sleeve in the locking position of the unlocking sleeve, preferably via the wedge-shaped sleeve portion on the at least one locking element acts continuously, so that a vibration-resistant and permanently backlash-free connection of the male part is ensured with the mating connector.

The unlocking of the plug part of the mating connector part is done in the reverse manner. For this purpose, the unlocking sleeve is moved from the securing position in the direction of the release position, wherein the locking sleeve moves axially away from the actuating cam of the locking element, so that it automatically pivots independently by its own restoring force to the outside and thus disengages the latch from the latch.

Figur 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines Steckerteils eines erfindungsgemäßen Rundsteckverbinders, bei dem das Verriegelungselement selbstverriegelnd ausgebildet ist, in einer Längsschnittdarstellung;

Figur 2

das dem Steckerteil gemäß Figur 1 zugeordnete Gegensteckerteil eines erfindungsgemäßen Rundsteckverbinders in einer Längsschnittdarstellung;

Figur 3

das Steckerteil gemäß Figur 1 und das Gegensteckerteil gemäß Figur 2 im zusammengesteckten unverriegelten Zustand;

Figur 4

das Steckerteil gemäß Figur 1 und das Gegensteckerteil gemäß Figur 2 in zusammengestecktem verriegelten Zustand;

Figur 5

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines Steckerteils eines erfindungsgemäßen Rundsteckverbinders, bei dem das Verriegelungselement selbstentriegelnd ausgebildet ist, in einer Längsschnittdarstellung;

Figur 6

das Steckerteil gemäß Figur 5 und das Gegensteckerteil gemäß Figur 2 im zusammengesteckten unverriegelten Zustand; und

Figur 7

das Steckerteil gemäß Figur 1 und das Gegensteckerteil gemäß Figur 2 in zusammengestecktem verriegelten Zustand.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to two embodiments shown in the drawing. Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the claims and the accompanying drawings. The individual features of the invention may be implemented on their own or in several different embodiments of the invention. Show it:

FIG. 1

a first embodiment of a plug part of a circular connector according to the invention, in which the locking element is formed selbstverriegelnd, in a longitudinal sectional view;

FIG. 2

according to the plug part FIG. 1 associated mating connector part of a circular connector according to the invention in a longitudinal sectional view;

FIG. 3

the plug part according to FIG. 1 and the mating connector part according to FIG. 2 in the assembled unlocked state;

FIG. 4

the plug part according to FIG. 1 and the mating connector part according to FIG. 2 in mated locked state;

FIG. 5

a second embodiment of a plug part of a circular connector according to the invention, in which the locking element is selbstentriegelnd formed, in a longitudinal sectional view;

FIG. 6

the plug part according to FIG. 5 and the mating connector part according to FIG. 2 in the assembled unlocked state; and

FIG. 7

the plug part according to FIG. 1 and the mating connector part according to FIG. 2 in mated locked state.

The FIG. 1 shows as a first embodiment, a plug part 1 of an electric circular connector 2 according to the invention, in which the FIG. 2 mating connector part 3 is assigned. The plug part 1 and the mating plug part 3 are detachably lockable with each other and each have at least one electrical plug contact, which is received in an insulating contact carrier 4 of the plug part 1 or in an insulating contact carrier 5 of the mating plug part 3. The plug contacts of the plug part 1 and the mating connector part 3, in the FIGS. 1 to 4 not shown are complementary to each other as a pen and Socket contacts executed. The plug part 1 has a locking mechanism according to the push-pull principle, which in the embodiment, a plurality of axially extending, radially deflectable locking elements 6, which are selbstverriegelnd and each with a transverse thereto, radially inwardly projecting pawl 7, which a in the FIG. 2 shown mating connector part side, outwardly open latch 8 is associated. The locking elements 6 are arranged opposite the latching traps 8 such that the latching pawls 7 engage in the latching traps 8 without external force. The locking elements 6 of the plug part 1 are so actuated by means of a plug part 1 supported axially releasable release sleeve 9, that the pawls 7 of the plug part 1 and the catch traps 8 of the mating connector part 3 during the movement of the unlocking sleeve 9 against the insertion direction of the plug part 1 disengaged reach.

The locking elements 6 of the connector part 1, of which in the FIG. 1 only one is shown or visible, are integrally formed on a retaining ring 10, which is the plug side mounted on the plug part 1 between the Entriegelungshülse 9 and a front hollow cylindrical plug-in portion 11 of a plug connector housing 12 of the connector part 1. The pawl 7 has a rear in the insertion direction of the plug part 1 rear sliding ramp 14 and the latch 8 an associated in the insertion direction of the plug part 1 front inside rear rear sliding ramp 16, the plug part 1 and the mating connector part 3 when locking by means of a inward in the radial direction contracting acting spring component without play. The pawl 7 also has a front in the direction of insertion of the plug part 1 front sliding ramp 13 and the latch 8 an associated in the insertion direction of the plug part 1 rear outside arranged rear counter slide ramp 15, which deflect the locking element 6 for locking radially outward. The corresponding counter slide ramps 15, 16 are in the FIG. 2 shown. According to FIG. 2 are the catch traps 8, of which only one is shown or visible, designed as recesses. The front slide ramp 13 of the latch 7 interacts with the outer rear counter slide ramp 15 of the latch 8 and the rear slide ramp 14 of the latch 7 with the inner rear counter slide ramp 16 of the latch 8 when locking or in the locked state and accordingly reversed when unlocking together. The mode of action is from the FIGS. 3 and 4 and will be described in more detail below in connection with these figures.

The locking elements 6 each have an actuating cam 26 on the outside with an unlocking hook 18 that is open in the direction of the counterpart plug part 3. The unlocking sleeve 9 has inside one of the number of locking elements 6 corresponding to the unlocking hooks 18 of the locking elements 6 associated, open in the opposite direction driver hooks 19 for the release hooks 18. When unlocking the plug part 1 of the mating connector part 3 by a movement of the unlocking sleeve 9 against the insertion direction of the plug part 1, the catch hooks 19 of the release sleeve 9 engage in the release hooks 18 of the locking elements 6 and deflect them radially outwards, so that the pawls. 7 the locking elements 6 and the catch traps 8 of the mating connector housing 17 are disengaged. The mode of action is likewise in the description of the FIGS. 3, 4 explained in more detail.

The unlocking hooks 18 of the actuating cams 26 of the locking elements 6 have a mating connector part 3 inclined towards Entriegelungsgleitfläche 20 and the driver hooks 19 an associated Entriegelungsgegengleitfläche 21 inclined away from the mating connector part 3, which are designed and arranged and cooperate such that upon movement of the Entriegelungshülse 9 against the insertion direction of the plug part 1, the driving hooks 19 of the unlocking sleeve 9, the locking elements 6 deflect radially outward.

The retaining ring 10, on which the locking elements 6 are arranged axially projecting in the insertion direction, is made in the illustrated embodiment of a plastic material, wherein the locking elements 6 are resilient. The retaining ring 10 is disposed on the hollow cylindrical plug-in portion 11 of the connector part housing 12 and locked with this, wherein between the Retaining ring 10 with the molded locking elements 6 and 9 of the unlocking sleeve axially displaceable locking sleeve 22 is arranged for the locking elements 6. The securing sleeve 22 is integrally formed on the unlocking sleeve 9 in the illustrated embodiment. It can also be designed as a separate part. The locking sleeve 22 is acted upon in the insertion direction of the connector part 1 spring force. For this purpose, the plug part 1, a coiled compression spring 23 which is biased and axially supported on the plug part housing 12 and the locking sleeve 22.

The securing sleeve 22 has expediently in the insertion direction of the plug part 1 at the front a wedge-shaped sleeve portion 24 which is on an inclined rear sliding edge 25 of the actuating cam 26 with unlocking hook 18 in abutment. The wedge-shaped sleeve portion 24 force acts on the locking elements 6 radially inward and secures them at the same time against unintentional radial deflection to the outside. During the movement of the unlocking sleeve 9 against the insertion direction of the plug part 1 move the locking elements 6 radially outwardly pivoting unlocking hook 18, the locking sleeve 2 against the insertion direction of the connector part 1 by the sliding edge 25 is pressed against the wedge-shaped sleeve portion 24 of the locking sleeve 22. In addition, the locking sleeve 22 is also additionally moved by the unlocking sleeve 9.

From the FIGS. 3 and 4 open up the locking and unlocking of the male part 1 and the mating connector part 3 of the circular connector 2 according to the invention in the FIG. 3 is the plug part 1 inserted into the mating connector part 3, but not yet locked with this. The unlocking sleeve 9 is in the release position. The FIG. 4 illustrates the locked state of the circular connector 2, in which the unlocking sleeve 9 is in the locked position. During the locking or unlocking, the locking sleeve 9 is in an intermediate position between the release position and the locking position and cooperates with the locking elements 6.

In the FIG. 3 is the unlocking sleeve 9 in the release position and withdrawn against the mating direction of the male part 1 against the mating connector part 3. The plug part 1 and the mating connector part 3 are not yet fully inserted. The latching pawls 7 of the locking elements 6 are not engaged with the catching traps 8 of the counterpart plug housing 17. The front slide ramps 13 of the latching pawls 7 of the locking elements 6 of the plug part housing 12 are in contact with the rear counter slide ramps 15 of the catch traps 8 of the mating connector housing 17, which lead to the catch traps 8. The locking sleeve 22 is with its wedge-shaped sleeve portion 24 to the rear sliding flanks 25 of the actuating cam 26 with unlocking hooks 18 of the locking elements 6 of the connector part 1 in Appendix. The driver hooks 19 of the unlocking sleeve 9 are not visible in this figure in engagement with the unlocking hooks 18 of the locking elements 6, wherein the locking sleeve 22 is acted upon by the prestressed coiled compression spring 23 in the direction of the mating connector part 3 spring force. The securing sleeve 22 also acts on the unlocking sleeve 9 accordingly.

Upon further axial merging of the plug part 1 and the mating connector part 3, the unlocking sleeve 9 moves in the direction of the mating connector part 3, wherein the catch pawls 8 and the pawls 7 approach each other. At the same time, the driving hooks 19 of the unlocking sleeve 9 increasingly move away from the unlocking hooks 18 of the locking elements 6 and release the locking elements 6. As soon as the front slide ramps 13 of the detent pawls 7 have overcome the associated rear outer counter slide ramps 15 of the detent traps 8, the unlocking hooks 18 engage the locking elements 6, like the FIG. 4 shows no longer in the driving hooks 19 of the unlocking sleeve 9, so that the released deflected resiliently formed locking elements 6 is moved by its own restoring spring force and by acting on the locking sleeve 22 spring force of the coiled compression spring 23 radially inward until the pawls 7 of Locking elements 6 engage in the catch traps 8 of the mating connector housing 17 of the mating connector part 3.

The FIG. 4 illustrates the backlash locked state of the circular connector 2, in which the unlocking sleeve 9 is in the securing position. When snapping the pawls 7 in the catch traps 8 slide the rear slide ramps 14 of the pawls 7 on the rear inner Gegengleitrampen 16 of the catch traps 8 along. These remain in abutment against each other and pull the plug part 1 backlash against the mating connector part 3, as in FIG. 4 shown. In this case, the locking sleeve 22, in the locking position of the unlocking sleeve 9, permanently acts on the locking elements 6 via the radially outwardly inclined sleeve section 24, so that a vibration-resistant and permanently play-free connection of the male part 1 to the mating connector part 3 is always guaranteed.

The unlocking of the plug part 1 of the mating connector part 3 is carried out in the reverse manner mutatis mutandis. For this purpose, the unlocking sleeve 9 is moved in the direction of the release position, so that the driving hooks 19 of the unlocking sleeve 9 engage in the unlocking hooks 18 of the locking elements 6 and pull them radially outward. In this case, the locking sleeve 22 by means of the unlocking hooks 18 on the rear sliding flanks 25 of the actuating cam 26, which act on the wedge-shaped sleeve portion 24 of the locking sleeve 22, against the insertion direction of the connector part 1 is moved. The unlocking sleeve 9 can only be moved so far against the insertion direction of the connector part 1 until the driver hooks 19 of the unlocking sleeve 9 completely engage in the unlocking hooks 18 of the locking elements 6. The locking elements 6 on the inclined Entriegelungsgegengleitflächen 21 of the driving hooks 19 of the Entriegelungshülse 9, which cooperate with the corresponding inclined Entriegelungsgleitflächen 21 of the release hooks 18 of the locking elements 6, as far as pivoted outwardly that the pawls 7 of the locking elements 6 and the catch traps 8 of Mating connector housing 17 are disengaged. Now the connector part 1 can be completely withdrawn axially from the mating connector part 3.

The FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a plug part 1 of an electric circular connector 2 according to the invention, in which the FIG. 2 illustrated Mating connector part 3 is assigned. Here, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment will be used for the following description. The mating connector part 3 of the second embodiment is in perfect agreement with that of the first embodiment. The plug part 1 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment by the retaining ring 10 used with the molded locking elements 6 and its mode of action. In the following, only the differences between the two variants of the connector parts 1 will be described.

The plug part 1 and the mating plug part 3 are releasably lockable to each other by means of the locking elements 6 according to the push-pull principle. The plug part 1 has a locking mechanism according to the push-pull principle, which in the embodiment, a plurality of axially extending, radially deflectable locking elements 6, the selbstentriegelnd and each having a transversely thereto, radially inwardly projecting pawl 7 are formed, which in the FIG. 2 shown mating connector part side, outwardly open latch 8 is associated. The locking elements 6 are arranged opposite the latching traps 8 such that the latching pawls 7 do not engage in the latching traps 8 without external force. The locking elements 6 of the plug part 1 are actuated by means of the plug part 1, axially displaceable unlocking sleeve 9 via the mechanically locked with the unlocking sleeve 9 locking sleeve 22 on the radially outwardly inclined sleeve portion that the pawls 7 of the plug part 1 and the Catch traps 8 of the mating connector part 3 in the movement of the unlocking sleeve 9 in the insertion direction of the connector part 1 engage.

The locking elements 6 of the connector part 1, of which in the FIG. 5 only one is shown or visible, are integrally formed on a retaining ring 10, which is the plug side mounted on the plug part 1 between the Entriegelungshülse 9 and a front hollow cylindrical plug-in portion 11 of a plug connector housing 12 of the connector part 1. The locking pawl 7 has a rear sliding ramp 14 arranged in the direction of insertion of the plug part 1 at the rear, and the latching latch 8 has an associated rear counter-sliding ramp 16 arranged in the insertion direction of the plug part 1 on the inside on, the play the part 1 and the mating connector part 3 when locking by means of a radially inwardly acting spring force component free of play.

The pawl 7 also has a front in the direction of insertion of the plug part 1 front sliding ramp 13 and the latch 8 an associated in the insertion direction of the plug part 1 rear outside arranged rear counter slide ramp 15, which deflect the locking element 6 for locking radially outward. The corresponding counter slide ramps 15, 16 are in the FIG. 2 shown. The mode of action is from the FIGS. 6 and 7 and will be described in more detail below in connection with these figures.

The locking elements 6 have on the outside each an actuating cam 26 without, which is formed without unlocking 18. A release hook is not required in this case, the locking elements 6 are selbstentriegelnd formed. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the unlocking sleeve 9 inside and no dog hooks 19 for the missing release hooks 18. The latch 7 is latched by means of the locking sleeve 22 in the Rastfalle8 and is securable there, when the latch 7, the latch 8 overlaps at least partially, and automatically latches out of the latch 8, as soon as the locking sleeve 22 with the inclined radially outward Sleeve portion 24 does not act on the actuating cam 26, the locking element 6. The spring force which acts on the securing sleeve 22 in the plug-in direction of the plug part 1 is greater than the radial spring force of the locking elements 6 integrally formed on the retaining ring 10. It is especially dimensioned to be significantly larger. measured in such a way. When the manual movement of the unlocking sleeve 9 against the insertion direction of the plug part 1 for unlocking the circular connector 23, the outwardly pivoting locking element 6 moves the locking sleeve 22 via the actuating cam 26 against the insertion direction of the connector part. 1

The retaining ring 10, on which the locking elements 6 are arranged axially projecting in the insertion direction, is in the illustrated embodiment of a made of resilient metal material, so that the locking elements 6 are resilient.

Claims (13)

1. An electric circular plug connector (2) with a plug member (1) and a complementary plug member (3), which are releasably latchable to one another and have at least one respective plug contact, and with a latching mechanism operating on the push-pull principle at the plug member, which includes at least one axially extending, radially deflectable latching element (6) with a latching detent (7), which is arranged transversely thereto and projects radially inwardly and associated with which is a latching recess (8) on the complementary plug member, wherein the latching element (6) is actuable by means of an unlatching sleeve (9), which is carried by the plug member (1) and is axially movable, at least so that the latching detent (7) and the latching recess (8) can move out of engagement when the unlatching sleeve (9) moves oppositely to the plugging , direction of the plug member (1), wherein the at least one latching element (6) is integrally formed on a support ring (10), which is mounted on the plug member (1) between the unlatching sleeve (9) and a front, hollow cylindrical plug region (11) of a plug member housing (12) of the plug member (1), wherein the locking detent (7) includes a rear sliding ramp (14) arranged at the rear in the plugging direction of the plug member (1) and the latching recess (8) includes an associated inner rear complementary sliding ramp (16) arranged at the rear in the plugging direction of the plug member (1), which pull the plug member (1) and the complementary plug member (3) together in a clearance-free manner by means of spring components acting inwardly in the radial direction, characterised in that arranged between the support ring (10) with the at least one integrally formed latching element (6) and the unlatching sleeve (9) there is a retaining sleeve (22), which is axially movable with the unlatching sleeve (9), for the at least one latching element (6), wherein a spring force is applied to the unlatching sleeve (9) in the plugging direction of the plug member (1) by means of a spiral compression spring (23), which bears rearwardly on the plug member housing (12) of the plug member (1) and which applies a force radially inwardly on the latching element (6) by means of a front sleeve section (24) of the retaining sleeve (22).
2. A plug connector as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the retaining sleeve (22) includes a sleeve section (24) at the front in the plugging direction of the plug member (1) which is inclined outwardly in the radial direction and acts as a pressure surface.
3. A plug connector as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that the retaining sleeve (22) is integrally formed on the unlatching sleeve (9).
4. A plug connector as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the latching detent (7) includes a front sliding ramp (13), which is arranged at the front in the plugging direction of the plug member (1) and the latching recess (8) includes an associated outer rear complementary sliding ramp (15) arranged at the rear in the plugging direction of the plug member (1) so that the latching element (6) is deflectable radially outwardly.
5. A plug connector as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the latching element (6) includes an actuating cam (26) between the latching detent (7) and the support ring (10) with an inclined sliding flank (25) at the rear in the plugging direction of the plug member (1), which extends radially outwardly in the direction of the unlocking sleeve (9), wherein the retaining sleeve (22) acts with the sleeve section (24) inclined outwardly in the radial direction on the sliding flank (25).
6. A plug connector as claimed in one of the preceding Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the at least one latching element (6) of the support ring (10) is of selflatching construction, wherein the latching detent (7) latches automatically into the latching recess (8) and is securable there by means of the retaining sleeve (22) when the latching detent (7) engages at least partly over the latching recess (8).
7. A plug connector as claimed in Claim 6, characterised in that the at least one latching element (6) includes on its exterior an unlatching hook (18), which is formed on the actuating cam (26) and is open in the direction of the complementary plug member (3) and the unlatching sleeve (9) includes on its interior an associated carrier hook (19), which is open in the opposite direction, for the unlatching hook (18) so that the latching element (6) is actuable by means of the unlatching sleeve (9) for the purpose of unlatching.
8. A plug connector as claimed in Claim 7, characterised in that the unlatching hook (18) affords an unlatching sliding surface (20) inclined towards the complementary plug member (3) and the carrier hook (19) affords an associated complementary unlatching sliding surface (21) inclined away from the complementary plug member (3), which cooperate so that when the unlatching sleeve (9) moves oppositely to the plugging direction of the plug member (1) the carrier hook (19) on the unlatching sleeve (9) deflects the latching element (6) radially outwardly.
9. A plug connector as claimed in one of Claims 7 or 8, characterised in that when the unlatching sleeve (9) moves oppositely to the plugging direction of the plug member (1) the unlatching hook (18) swinging outwardly moves the retaining sleeve (22) over the actuating cam (26) oppositely to the plugging direction of the plug member (1).
10. A plug connector as claimed in one of the preceding Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the at least one latching element (6) on the support ring (10) is of self-latching construction, wherein the latching detent (7), by means of which the retaining sleeve (22) is latchable in the latching recess (8) and may be secured there, when the latching detent (7) at least partially engages over the latching recess (8), and automatically unlatches out of the latching recess (8), when the retaining sleeve (22) with the sleeve section (24) inclined outwardly in the radial direction does not act on the latching element (6).
11. A plug connector as claimed in Claim 10, characterised in that when the unlatching sleeve (9) moves oppositely to the plugging direction of the plug member (1), the latching element (6) swinging outwardly moves the retaining sleeve (22) over the actuating cam (26) oppositely to the plugging direction of the plug member (1).
12. A plug connector as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the spring force, which the unlatching sleeve and/or the retaining sleeve (22) applies in the plugging direction of the plug member (1), is greater than the radial spring force of the at least one latching element (6) integrally formed on the support ring (10).
13. A plug connector as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support ring (10) with the at least one integrally formed latching element (6) is an injection moulded component of a thermoplastic plastic material or a flexible stamped component of an elastically deformable metal material.

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