EP3018764B1 - Connector with vibration protection - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector for producing an electrical connection with a counterpart, having the features of claim 1.

A generic connector is for example in the DE 42 05 440 A1 shown. The local connector has a locking sleeve with a locking profile on an inner circumferential line and a in the embodiment of two diametrically opposed teeth formed locking profile on the side of the contact carrier. If the snap-in profiles meet when making a screw connection that secures the plug-in connection, they interlock positively. In this case, the radial overstroke of the first projection over the second projection is ensured by at least one of the projections being displaced out of its rest position. This can be ensured by a suitable material weakening zone or by the choice of material of the projections.

It is also from the DE 200 03 224 U1 known to provide between the projections of the locking profiles an elastomeric ring, the compression allows the overstroke. The connectors mentioned from the prior art ensure by the interlocking of the locking profiles of connector housing or contact carrier and the locking sleeve sufficient security of the connector against vibration. Another significant advantage is the fact that in the usually consisting of two connectors connector vibration protection is ensured by only one of the connectors. In existing systems, for example, by changing the wiring harness, the vibration protection can be retrofitted without each of the connector components would have to be changed.

Finally shows DE 10 2006 007 191 A1 a connector with a contact carrier and this enclosing locking sleeve. The contact carrier is provided with an outer circumferential detent profile whose locking teeth each have a flat and a steep tooth flank. The locking sleeve-side latching hook slides when screwed onto the counterpart on the flat tooth flanks and thus allows easy securing the connector. In the opposite direction, the latching hook abuts the steep tooth flanks and thus hinders release of the safety screw connection.

DE 20 2004 021 043 U1 shows a connector whose housing carries a fixed fixing ring. This has restoring elastic detent springs, which are arranged circumferentially distributed. A locking sleeve has locking knobs on its inner circumference, which cooperate with the detent springs to ensure a secure screw connection. To support the restoring force of the detent springs an elastomeric ring is arranged in the deflection under these.

Anti-vibration under the help of restoring elastic locking elements are also in connectors according to US 2010/0136817 A1 and US2006 / 0051999 A1 shown.

It has been found that, especially in the areas in which the connector is regularly separated and restored, there is an increased wear on the abutting locking profiles and the aforementioned elastomer ring. As a result, in extreme cases, after a certain number of connection cycles, the vibration protection can no longer be sufficiently resistant.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a new connector, the vibration protection is designed sufficiently wear.

• der Axialabschnitt der Sicherungshülse entlang einer Innenumfanglinie ein Rastprofil mit wenigstens einem zweiten Vorsprung und wenigstens einem zweiten Rücksprung ausbildet und
• die Sicherungshülse auf dem Gehäuse radial relativbeweglich gelagert ist und
• der die Radialbeweglichkeit gewährleistende Radialspalt zwischen Gehäuse und Sicherungshülse einen radialen Überhub des ersten Vorsprungs über den zweiten Vorsprung gewährleistet, wenn die Vorsprünge während der Schraubbewegung aufeinandertreffen und
• die elastische Dichtung rückstellend gegen die radiale Überhubbewegung wirkt.

The invention is achieved by a connector having the features of claim 1, in particular with its characterizing features, according to which the axial portion of the housing along an outer circumferential line forms a latching profile with at least a first projection and at least a first recess and

• the axial section of the securing sleeve along an inner circumferential line forms a latching profile with at least one second projection and at least one second recess and
• the locking sleeve is mounted radially movable relative to the housing and
• ensuring the radial mobility radial gap between the housing and the locking sleeve ensures a radial overstroke of the first projection on the second projection, when the projections meet during the screwing movement and
• the elastic seal acts resetting against the radial overstroke movement.

The main advantage of the invention is the fact that the wear causing, acting on the projections of the locking sleeve and connector housing forces are significantly reduced by the backup sleeve is displaced as such radially when an overstroke takes place. The wear-causing friction of two projections against the restoring forces are thus significantly minimized.

It is envisaged that the securing sleeve forms a latching profile with a plurality of second projections and second recesses alternately arranged along the inner circumferential line, in particular if the housing forms a latching profile with a plurality of first projections and first recesses arranged alternately along the outer circumferential line.

By increasing the number of projections, in particular on the side of the locking sleeve, but also on the side of the connector housing, a finer detent can be realized at the end of the screw locking movement of the locking sleeve securing the connector.

Of considerable importance for the invention is that the circumferential pitch of the locking profiles differ from the housing and locking sleeve. This is the essential precondition for allowing the overstroke movement of a first projection over a second projection to be made possible by the at least one further, corresponding first projection being inserted into a further second recess.

As a result, a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the first and second projections and the first and second recesses when impinging the axial sections on each other during the securing screw movement of the locking sleeve impose a rotational movement about its axis of rotation, which is induced by the Überhub- and dipping ,

The differing pitch of the detent profiles allows the first and second projections to slide over one another in realizing the anti-vibration device, thereby significantly reducing the wear of the projections. Resetting elastic projections are therefore not required in the connector according to the invention.

Therefore, it is possible that the Sicherungsstülsen- and housing-side locking profiles are formed of a substantially rigid material, such as hard plastic or metal.

Fig. 1:

einen erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinder in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 2:

den Steckverbinder gemäß Fig. 1 mit aufgebrochener Sicherungshülse;

Fig. 3:

eine Steckverbindung unter Nutzung des Steckverbinders gemäß Fig. 1 in Teilschnittansicht;

Fig. 4:

einen Radialschnitt durch den Steckverbinder gemäß Fig. 1 im Bereich der Rastprofile in einer ersten Ausführungsform mit konzentrisch angeordneter Sicherungshülse;

Fig. 5:

die Darstellung gemäß Fig. 4 mit exzentrisch angeordneter Sicherungshülse;

Fig. 6:

einen Radialschnitt durch den Steckverbinder gemäß Fig. 1 im Bereich der Rastprofile in einer zweiten Ausführungsform mit konzentrisch angeordneter Sicherungshülse;

Fig. 7:

die Darstellung gemäß Fig. 5 mit exzentrisch angeordneter Sicherungshülse;

Fig. 8:

die Darstellung gemäß Fig. 3 unter Herstellung einer vibrationssicheren Steckverbindung.

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

Fig. 1:

a connector according to the invention in a perspective view;

Fig. 2:

the connector according to Fig. 1 with broken safety sleeve;

3:

a connector using the connector according to Fig. 1 in partial section view;

4:

a radial section through the connector according to Fig. 1 in the region of the locking profiles in a first embodiment with concentrically arranged locking sleeve;

Fig. 5:

the representation according to Fig. 4 with eccentrically arranged locking sleeve;

Fig. 6:

a radial section through the connector according to Fig. 1 in the region of the locking profiles in a second embodiment with concentrically arranged locking sleeve;

Fig. 7:

the representation according to Fig. 5 with eccentrically arranged locking sleeve;

Fig. 8:

the representation according to Fig. 3 producing a vibration-proof connector.

In the figures, a connector according to the invention is provided overall with the reference numeral 10.

The connector 10 includes, as shown Fig. 1 it can be seen, first a connector housing 11, which holds in its plugging x front end 12 a contact carrier 13 for receiving electrical plug contacts. At the rear in the direction of insertion x end 14 of the connector 10 exits a cable 15. Finally, the connector housing 11 again carries in its front portion a locking sleeve 16 which also traps the contact carrier 13 and has a thread not shown here. With this thread, the locking sleeve 16 can be screwed onto a plug-compatible second connector, which in Fig. 1 also not shown. The screw connection secures the plug connection.

Out Fig. 2 It can be seen that the connector housing 11 in its front, encompassed by the locking sleeve 16 axial portion has a first latching profile 17, which is arranged along an outer circumferential line on the connector housing 11. It comprises a plurality of circumferentially distributed first projections 18, between which first recesses 19 are arranged. In addition, the contact carrier 13 is surrounded by an annular rubber seal 20 against which a in Fig. 2 unillustrated second connector runs up to protect the electrical connection against external influences.

Fig. 2 also shows the axially cut locking sleeve 16. This also has an axial portion which carries a second latching profile 21. The second latching profile 21 is arranged on an inner circumferential line and has circumferentially distributed second projections 22, between which second recesses 23 are arranged.

The locking sleeve 16 is rotatably mounted on the connector housing 11 and has a radial mobility Finally, it is also arranged axially displaceable on the connector housing 11 to some extent.

Fig. 3 now shows a connector that has been made between the connector 10 according to the invention and a second connector 50, which serves as a counterpart. This second connector 50 may be, for example, a built-in connector. The second connector 50 also has a connector housing, which is provided in this case with the reference numeral 51. This carries a contact carrier 52 which is equipped with plug contacts 53. The connector housing 51 is provided with an external thread 54 into which an internal thread 24 of the locking sleeve 16 engages. The connector housing 51 has a receiving space in which the contact carrier 13 of the connector 10 is immersed. An end wall 55 of the second connector 50 runs during the manufacture of the connector on the rubber seal 20 of the connector 10. When making the plug connection securing screw fastening the locking sleeve 16 is spent in its front in the insertion x end position, so that the first locking profile 17 and the second locking profile 21 are brought into line.

The engagement of the first locking profile 17 of the connector housing 11 and the second locking profile 21 of the locking sleeve 16 is now based on the FIGS. 4 to 7 explained, wherein the FIGS. 4 and 5 a first embodiment of the locking profile and the FIGS. 6 and 7 a second embodiment of the locking profiles 17 and 21 show.

In Fig. 4 So now is a radial section through the aligned axial sections of the connector housing 11 and the locking sleeve 16, which carry the first locking profile 17 and the second locking profile 21. The second locking profile 21 has a plurality of second Protrusions 22 which are spaced apart by intermediate second recesses 23. The first locking profile 17 is shown here in its simplest form. It includes exactly one first projection 18 and exactly one first recess 19, wherein this extends beyond the circumference not assumed by the projection. The sleeve 16 and the connector housing 11 are in Fig. 4 arranged concentrically to each other, the first projection 18 runs on a second projection 22 and must pass this with continued screwing in the direction S.

Neither the first projections 18 nor the second projection 22a are spring-mounted or have resilient elastic material properties. On the contrary, in the preferred embodiment, both the first locking profile 17 and the second locking profile 21 are made of metal. A continued movement in the direction S (in the exemplary embodiment, ie counterclockwise) leads to the in Fig. 5 illustrated situation.

During the overstroke of the first projection 18 over the second projection 22a as shown in FIG Fig. 5 is shown, takes place a radial displacement of the locking sleeve 16 in the direction R, wherein the remaining second projections 22 dip into the first recess 19. Therefore, the locking sleeve 16 to the connector housing 11 in the illustration of Fig. 5 stored eccentrically.

As will be described later, the seal 20 acts as an elastomeric element against the eccentric radial movement of the locking sleeve 16 resetting and urges them back into the concentric neutral position. A continued rotation of the securing sleeve 16 in the direction S thus leads to a return displacement, so that the first projection 18 is immersed in the nearest second recess 23. When the first locking profile 17 and the second Detent profile 21 at the end of the connector securing screw movement engage and the overstroke movement of the first projection 18 takes place over the second projections 22 away, the backup sleeve 16 is thus imposed around the common axial axis of the locking sleeve 16 and connector housing 11 around, oscillating movement. The each overtravel counteracting restoring force of the seal 20 ensures that connector housing 11 and locking sleeve 16 assume their concentric neutral position after each overstroke and one of the securing movement S opposite direction of rotation of the locking sleeve 16 is prevented by running a second projection 22 on the first projection 18. In this way, the vibration protection of the connector is ensured.

In particular, the latching profile 17 of the connector housing 11 is in the FIGS. 4 and 5 in its simplest form, namely with a projection 18 and a recess 19 shown. Of course, the vibration prevention is ensured in this embodiment. Also, it is quite conceivable that the second locking profile 21 is also formed in its simplest form with a projection 22 and a recess 23.

However, a better vibration protection is achieved in any case when the first locking profile 17 as well as the second locking profile 21 has a plurality of projections 18/22 and recesses 19/23. This is on the FIGS. 6 and 7 referenced, which represent a preferred embodiment. The first locking profile 17 is in turn formed on the side of the connector housing. It carries four circumferentially distributed first projections 18 and intervening four first recesses 19. The locking sleeve 16 in turn carries a number circumferentially distributed second projections 22 with interposed second recesses 23. In Fig. 4 is again the coaxial one Neutral position of the connector housing 11 and the locking sleeve 16 shown. The first projections 18 are in second recesses 23 a. The second projections 22 are in the first recesses 19 a. Assuming a screwing movement in the direction S - here counterclockwise - first projections 18a obviously run on second projections 22a. The upcoming and in Fig. 7 shown overtravel therefore requires an eccentric displacement of the locking sleeve 16 in the radial direction R according to Fig. 7 , This is made possible by a deeper immersion of corresponding first projections 18 into the corresponding second recesses 23. In return, the corresponding second projections 22 dive deeper into the first recesses 19. In this embodiment as well, with continued rotation in the direction S, it becomes clear that the securing sleeve 16 performs an oscillating movement about the longitudinal axis of the connector housing 11 and securing sleeve 16 that is common in a concentric arrangement. Also in this case, the seal 20 acts against the radial displacement R of the locking sleeve 16 reset.

Fig. 8 shows the connector according to Fig. 3 in the state of an overstroke movement according to Fig. 7 or Fig. 5 , Here, one of the radial displacement R following, resilient elastic deformation of the seal 20. It is assumed here a parallel displacement of the longitudinal axes L _{1 of} the connector 10 and L _{2 of} the connector 50. Also conceivable, however, is a tilting of the longitudinal axes L ₁ and L ₂ within the Locking sleeve 16 at an angle to each other during the overstroke movement of the first projections 18 via second projections 22nd

The in the FIGS. 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 illustrated locking profiles 17 and 21 reveal an essential prerequisite for the realized vibration protection by positive engagement of the respective locking profiles 17 and 21. The essential condition is in the different pitch of the respective latching profiles 17 and 21. The distances between adjacent first projections 18 differ from the distances between adjacent second projections 22 to each other. Care is taken to ensure that during an overstroke movement of a first projection 18 via a second projection 22 respectively corresponding projections 18 and 22 can dip into second recesses 23 and first recesses 19. This allows for radial deflection of the locking sleeve 16 during the overstroke movement.

In summary, a new connector 10 has been disclosed which has an advantageous vibration protection. This is realized by a locking profile 17 on the side of the connector housing 11 and an associated locking profile 21 on the side of a locking sleeve 16, wherein the positive connection between the locking profiles 17 and 21 by an eccentric radial displacement of the locking sleeve 16 relative to the connector housing 11 is releasable. The restoring elasticity, which maintains the positive locking, is ensured by the connector seal 20, which is generally present anyway. It is sufficient if one of the connectors 10/50 of a connector has the vibration prevention according to the invention. It is even possible, with appropriate design of the locking profiles 17 and 21 to allow the radial overstroke alone by conventional manufacturing tolerances.

The vibration protection is particularly resistant to wear, since the restoring forces are not defined by the material of the locking profiles 17 and 21 but only by the seal 20. In addition, with the vibration prevention described here, it is possible to use inelastic, wear-resistant materials such as metal or hard plastic.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Connectors

11

connector housing

12

front end

13

contact support

14

rear end

15

electric wire

16

securing sleeve

17

first locking profile of 11

18

first advantage of 17

19

first return of 17

20

poetry

21

second locking profile of 16

22

second projections of 16

23

second returns of 16

24

inner thread

x

plug-in direction

S

screwing

R

radial movement

L ₁

Longitudinal axis of 11

L ₂

Longitudinal axis of 50

50

second connector

51

connector housing

52

contact support

53

plug contact

54

external thread

55

Front wall of 50

Claims (7)

1. Plug connector (10) for establishing an electrical connection to a complementary part, comprising a housing (11) in which contacts are mounted at the front in the plug-in direction x which can be connected to a cable (15) which can be run out from the rear of the housing (11) in the plug-in direction x,

   - having a locking sleeve (16) mounted so as to be movable in rotation on the housing (11) in the circumferential direction, by means of which a screw connection locking the plug connection to the complementary part can be established, and at least towards the end of the locking screwing movement an axial section of the housing (11) and an axial section of the locking sleeve (16) move into a positive engagement with one another which protects the plug connection from vibration,

   - having an elastic seal (20) which protects the plug connection from the effects of foreign bodies, and

   - the axial section of the housing (11) forms a locking profile (17) along an external circumference having at least one first projection (18) and at least one first recess (19), and

   - the axial section of the locking sleeve (16) forms a locking profile (21) along an internal circumference having at least one second projection (22) and at least one second recess (23),

   characterised in that

   - the locking sleeve (16) is mounted on the housing (11) so as to be radially movable relative thereto and

   - the radial gap between the housing (11) and locking sleeve (16) permitting radial movability permits a radial passing movement of the first projection (18) beyond the second projection (22) due to a radial movement of the locking sleeve (16) when the projections (18, 22) make contact with one another during the screwing movement, and

   - the elastic seal (20) acts in a resetting manner opposing the radial passing movement of the locking sleeve (16).
2. Plug connector (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the locking sleeve (16) forms a locking profile (21) having several second projections (22) and second recesses (23) disposed in an alternating arrangement along the internal circumference.
3. Plug connector (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the housing (11) forms a locking profile (17) having several first projections (18) and first recesses (19) disposed in an alternating arrangement along the external circumference.
4. Plug connector (10) as claimed in claim 2 and 3, characterised in that the circumferential pitch of the locking profiles (17, 21) of the housing and locking sleeve (16) differ.
5. Plug connector (10) as claimed in claim 2 and 3, characterised in that the passing movement of a first projection (18) beyond a second projection (22) is made possible due to the fact that at least one other co-operating first projection (18) locates in one other second recess (22).
6. Plug connector as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that when the axial sections make contact with one another during the locking screwing movement, the first and second projections (18, 22) and the first and second recesses (19, 23) impart to the locking sleeve an oscillating movement in rotation about its axis of rotation, which is induced by the passing movement and locating process.
7. Plug connector (10) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking sleeve and housing-side locking profiles (17, 21) are made from a substantially rigid material such as rigid plastic or metal.

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