EP3078082B1 - Plug-type connector having plug-in force limitation - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector according to the preamble of the independent claim 1.

Such connectors are needed to connect lines for signals or power. The present invention relates to connectors for preferably electrical or optical lines. In this case, signals and information, as well as power in the form of, for example, electrical voltage or pneumatic pressure, can be transmitted via such plug connectors and lines.

The invention preferably relates to a so-called push-pull connector. This type of connectors is contacted by simply plugging the plug on a mating connector and locked with this automatically. By pulling on the connector, the latching with the mating connector is released and a decontacting is possible. Due to the simple handling by plugging and unplugging the connector, these are known as push-pull connectors.

A large number of so-called push-pull connectors is already known from the prior art. All disclosed solutions have in common that when attaching the connector to the mating connector a detent point is reached at which the latching of the connector is noticeable and usually audible. It is thus clearly visible whether the connector with the mating connector is securely locked or not.

In the publication DE 24 47 088 A1 discloses a coupling which provides a connection between a fixed part and a movable one Part by means of a ball which engages in a bearing assembly, described. A slider holds the ball in the bearing assembly or releases it from the bearing assembly to release the connection.

The publication DE 20 2006 005 177 U1 shows a metallic connector which can latch by means of locking plates with connecting hooks located in a mating connector. By a sliding, captive sleeve on the connector, the locking plates can be raised and the connecting hooks are lifted from the mating connector, whereby the locking of the connector is released.

A disadvantage of the known from the prior art connectors that they are designed for a simple locking, know only a locked and a non-locked state.

From the publication DE 10 2012 100 615 A1 discloses a connector system comprising a plurality of staggered locking units, which can also be unlocked by a sliding mechanism. Due to the staggered locking units, or also called latching steps or locking points, a level compensation between the contact means of a connector and a mating connector is possible.

For connectors having a plurality of detent steps or detent points, for example, to provide a length compensation between the contact means of connector and mating connector, it is not clear to the user whether the locking was done correctly. Or if another detent step has to be put on.

This is especially disadvantageous if the contact means of plug connector and mating plug connector are plugged by an excessive insertion force and thus damaged. Damage to and interference with the contact means or other components of the connectors must be prevented.

The object of the invention is to design a connector so that damage and impairment of the contact means and components of the connector is avoided during the insertion process. In addition, an over-insertion of the contact means should be prevented. It should be ensured that power-regulating devices of the connector in the unplugged state of the connector can not be manipulated intentionally or unintentionally.

The object is solved by the characterizing features of independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

In the invention, it is a connector of the type described above, which are known as so-called push-pull connector. In this particular, described variant, the invention relates to such connectors, which have more than one latching step or a detent point.

This advantageous embodiment of connectors makes it possible to provide a length compensation between the contact means of connector and to be contacted mating connector. Depending on how the tolerances of the components of the connectors fail - which can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer - the difference can be compensated by a variable locking of the connector.

According to the invention, the connector has a force limitation, which allows the user to contact the connector only with a defined force with the mating connector. Thus, a length compensation between the connector and mating connector can be made possible while ensuring that no components are damaged by a too large contacting force.

For this purpose, the connector has a second actuating means by means of which the user can push the connector on the mating connector and contact. The force exerted by the user on the second actuating means is transmitted by means of drivers on the second actuating means and body to the connector.

Suitably, the driver on the second actuating means and the base body of the connector are formed so that they engage in one another and transmit the force from the second actuating means to the base body. Due to a special design of the driver as ramps, the power transmission to a certain value - due to the slope of the ramps - limited.

If the defined force is exceeded, the ramps slide over each other and the axially movable in the insertion direction second actuating means is transmitted without further force on the connector to the mating connector as a stop. It is not possible to attach connectors and mating connectors further.

Damage to or impairment of the contact means, as well as other components of the connector and mating connector, can be prevented.

Furthermore, the connector according to the invention has all other components that are already known from similar connectors of the prior art. In addition to a locking means, which can be latched into notches of the mating connector, the connector has a first actuating element, which is axially displaceable against the insertion direction of the connector.

This first actuating means lifts by means of corresponding, already known on or molding the latching means of the connector from the detents of the mating connector. Thus, a release of the latch between the connectors is possible.

In a specific embodiment, the two actuating means are the already known first actuating means for unlocking the lock and the second actuating means for locking the connector - integrally formed. Thus, the connector only has an actuating means which serves for contacting and decontacting the connector.

In a further specific embodiment, the second actuating means sleeve-like surrounds the connector, that the connector can be gripped by the user only on the second actuating means. The supply of too high insertion force on connector and mating connector is not possible.

The connector according to the invention also has a blocking element which prevents a triggering of the force limit of the second actuating means is unintentionally in the unmated state possible. For this purpose, the blocking element blocks the movement of the second actuating means in the insertion direction and releases them only when a mating connector is connected to the connector.

The advantages achieved by the invention consist essentially in the fact that a connector system consisting of connectors and mating connector with variable insertion depth, can no longer be plugged. Damage to contacts or components of the connector can be prevented. Furthermore, minimum, required insertion forces can be ensured. By inserting the connector "until the force limit triggers" a minimum insertion force can be ensured with suitably selected force values, at the same time, not exceeding maximum insertion force.

Fig. 1

eine Explosionsansicht eines Steckverbinders;

Fig. 2a / 2b

eine Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbinders im Grundzustand;

Fig. 3a / 3b

eine Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbinders im kraftbegrenzenden Zustand;

Fig. 4a /4b

eine Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbinders im entriegelnden Zustand,

Fig. 5

einen Teilschnitt des Steckverbinders im Grundzustand,

Fig. 6

einen Teilschnitt des Steckverbinders im kraftbegrenzenden Zustand;

Fig. 7

eine Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbinders mit Sperrelement im nicht gesteckten Zustand; und

Fig. 8

eine Schnittdarstellung des Steckverbinders mit Sperrelement im gesteckten Zustand.

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

Fig. 1

an exploded view of a connector;

Fig. 2a / 2b

a sectional view of the connector in the ground state;

Fig. 3a / 3b

a sectional view of the connector in kraftbegrenzenden state;

Fig. 4a / 4b

a sectional view of the connector in the unlocking state,

Fig. 5

a partial section of the connector in the ground state,

Fig. 6

a partial section of the connector in kraftbegrenzenden state;

Fig. 7

a sectional view of the connector with blocking element in the unplugged state; and

Fig. 8

a sectional view of the connector with locking element in the inserted state.

The FIG. 1 shows a connector 1 according to the present invention in an exploded view. Shown are the most important components of the connector 1: a base body 2, here two locking means 3, and the first actuating means 4 and the second actuating means 4a, which in this particular embodiment are made in one piece. In addition, a mating connector 5 is shown.

For the sake of clarity, only the receiving flange is shown by the mating connector 5. The remaining components are inventively not relevant and can be neglected here. In addition, the illustrated receiving flange is referred to as a mating connector 5 representative.

The main body 2 has a plug side and a connection side. The plug-in direction S facing plug side corresponds to the male receptacle of the mating connector 5. The main body 2 and the mating connector 5 are proceeding to receive contact elements that are contactable with each other. For the sake of clarity, the representation of the contact elements has been omitted in the figures. These are not dependent on the present invention and may vary according to the prior art. It is only said so much that the contact elements can be both electrical, pneumatic, optical or hydraulic type.

In the specific embodiment shown, two locking means 3 are provided, which are to be fastened to the base body 2. The locking means 3 shown here right and left of the main body 2 have resilient latching arms, at the ends of each latching hooks 3.1 and 3.2 Entrastungsnasen are provided.

The locking hooks 3.1 of the latching means 3 are provided to latch into locking receptacles 5.1 in the mating connector 5. The mating connector 5 has a plurality of latching regions formed from a plurality of latching receptacles 5.1. Depending on the insertion depth of the connector 1 in the mating connector 5, the locking hooks 3.1 engage in more forward or rearward detent recesses 5.1.

The provided on the locking means 3 Entrastungsnasen 3.2 are provided for unlocking connector 1 and mating connector 5. They are raised by corresponding Entrastungsschrägen 4.2 on the inside of the first actuating means 4 when the first actuating means 4 is actuated against the insertion direction S.

By operating the first actuating means 4 against the insertion direction S, the Entrastungsschrägen 4.2 under the Entrastungsnasen 3.2 and thus raise the latching arms. This causes a lifting of the locking hooks 3.1 from the locking receptacles 5.1, whereby the connector 1 and mating connector 5 are released: This corresponds to the well-known and common push-pull principle in the art.

As already mentioned, in this particular embodiment, the first actuating means 4 and the second actuating means 4a are made in one piece. By the second actuating means 4a, the force limitation according to the invention in the insertion process is possible. This principle is in the sectional views of Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 better recognizable and represented.

The Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 each show the connector 1 of Fig. 1 in a cutaway view. The views are the Fig. 2a . 3a and 4a each cut in the plane of the driver 2.1 / 4.1 and the views of Fig. 2b . 3b and 4b respectively in the plane of the latching hook 3.1 and Entrastungsnasen 3.2, and the Entrastungsschrägen 4.2 and the locking receptacles 5.1.

In Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b the connector is shown in a locked ground state. The snap hooks 3.1 engage in recesses 5.1 of the mating connector 5. A release of the connector is prevented.

Another plugging of the connector 1 on the mating connector 5 is possible by means of the second actuating means 4a. The integrally formed on the second actuator 4a driver 4.1 (only one driver 4.1 visible in section) transmit a force exerted on the second actuating means 4a force on the drivers 2.1 (in section also only one driver 2.1 visible) of the main body. 2

Another nesting of connector 1 and mating connector 5 is made possible. Depending on the insertion depth, the latching hooks 3.1 engage in further forward or rearward lying recesses 5.1 of the mating connector 5 a.

If the defined insertion force is exceeded in the further insertion process, the drivers 4.1 and 2.1 slide over one another by elastic deformation of the second actuation means 4a and of the base body 2. A further power transmission to the base body 2 is prevented. This condition is in the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b shown.

The drivers 4.1 and 2.1 have slid over each other and a power transmission to the base body 2, and thus further plugging connector 1 and mating connector 5 is prevented. The second actuating means 4a can maximally up to the mating connector 5 - as in the Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b shown - to be pushed. The main body 2 of the connector 1 is locked in this state, regardless of insertion forces of the second actuating means 4 a with the mating connector 5.

In order to effect unlocking of connector 1 and mating connector 5, the first actuating means 4 must be moved counter to the insertion direction S. In this case, a certain force must be applied to the driver 4.1 / 2.1 back to the starting position Fig. 2a / 2b bring to.

Then, the first actuating means 4 can be moved even further against the insertion direction S ( Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b ) until the Entrastungsschrägen 4.2 engage under the Entrastungsnasen 3.2 of the locking means 3 and lift them radially outward. By means of Entrastungsschrägen 4.2 and the Entrastungsnasen 3.2, the locking hooks 3.1 are lifted out of the recesses 5.1 and thus release the lock between connector 1 and mating connector 5. A removal of the connector 1 from the mating connector 5 is possible.

The FIG. 5 shows a further connector according to the invention in the ground state - as the FIGS. 2a and 2b - However, with a further embodiment of the driver 2.1, 4.1. Here are the driver 2.1 is formed by a spring clip. The spring clip is fixed to a pin on the base body 2. The driver 4.1 is designed as a pin. This runs in one eye of trained as a spring clamp driver 2.1. As a result, the unlocking between connector 1 and mating connector 5 can be realized.

When the actuating force is exceeded by the second actuating means 4a on the base body 2 in the insertion direction of the trained as a spring clamp driver 2.1 is spread from the driver 4.1 and the driver 4.1 slides in the direction of insertion from the eye of the driver 2.1. This force limited state is in FIG. 6 shown. Visible is the driver 4.1, which is in the direction of insertion in front of the driver 2.1.

In the FIGS. 7 and 8 In each case the function according to the invention of a blocking element 6 is shown in a sectional view of the connector 1. This is what the FIG. 7 The plug-in element 1 is in a non-plugged state. The blocking element 6, which is designed as a rocker in this embodiment and is mounted in the base body 2, can be seen.

A first region of the blocking element 6 is provided as a blocking region 6.1, while the second region of the blocking element 6 forms a lever region 6.2. When not plugged in, the lever area 6.2 lies in the plug-in area of the mating connector 5. The blocking area 6.1 is located in the path of movement of the second actuating means 4a. A movement of the second actuating means 4a in the insertion direction is not possible.

By inserting a mating connector 5 in the mating region of the connector 1, the lever portion 6.2 is raised. As a result of the rotation of the blocking element 6, the blocking region 6.1 is pivoted out of the movement path of the second actuating means 4a. This mated condition is in the FIG. 8 shown.

The lever portion 6.2 of the locking element 6 has been levered by the mating connector 5 from the mating area. As a result, the blocking region 6.1 has been moved out of the movement path of the second actuating means 4a. When reaching a maximum insertion force can now be the force limit according to the FIGS. 2a-3a , or the FIGS. 5 to 6 trigger without the blocking area 6.1 of the locking element 6, the second actuating means 4a blocks.

Plug connector with plug-in force LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Connectors

2

body

2.1

takeaway

3

latching means

3.1

latch hook

3.2

Entrastungsnase

4

First actuating means

4a

Second actuating means

4.1

takeaway

4.2

Entrastungsschräge

5

mating connector

5.1

latching receptacle

6

blocking element

6.1

stopband

6.2

lever portion

S

plug-in direction

Claims (14)

1. Plug connector (1) embodied from a base body (2), at least one latching means (3) and also a first actuating means (4) and a second actuating means (4a), wherein the base body (2) is provided so as to receive contact means and the at least one latching means (3) are provided so as to lock the plug connector (1) to a mating plug connector (5),
   wherein the first actuating means (4) is arranged on the base body (2) in such a manner that said actuating means can be displaced axially in the plugging direction (S) and the first actuating means (4) when being displaced in the opposite direction to the plugging direction (S) acts with a force upon the at least one latching means (3) in such a manner that a locking arrangement with respect to the mating plug connector (5) is released,
   wherein an axial force that acts in the plugging direction (S) can be transferred to the base body (2) by means of the second actuating means (4a),
   wherein the second actuating means (4a) is arranged on the base body (2) of the plug connector (1) in such a manner that it can be displaced axially in the plugging direction (S),
   and wherein the first actuating means (4) and the second actuating means (4a) are embodied as one part, characterized in that
   the force that can be transferred from the second actuating means (4a) to the base body (2) is limited, wherein a blocking element (6) is provided on the plug connector (1), said blocking element preventing the second actuating means (4a) from moving in the plugging direction (S) without the contacted mating plug connector (5).
2. Plug connector (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that
   the second actuating means (4a) is embodied in a sleeve-like manner and surrounds the base body (2).
3. Plug connector (1) according to either of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the second actuating means (4a) comprises at least one carrier (4.1) and the base body (2) comprises at least one carrier (2.1),
   wherein the carriers (4.1, 2.1) engage in one another in such a manner that the force that acts axially in the plugging direction (S) can be transferred from the second actuating means (4a) to the base body (2), wherein the carriers (4.1, 2.1) are designed in such a manner that said carriers only engage in one another with a force up to a maximum of 150 N.
4. Plug connector (1) according to Claim 3,
   characterized in that
   the force that can be transferred from the second actuating means (4a) to the base body (2) preferably amounts to a maximum 120 N, particularly preferably to a maximum 90 N.
5. Plug connector (1) according to either of Claims 3 and 4,
   characterized in that
   the carriers (4.1, 2.1) are embodied as ramp-shaped formations on the base body (2) and second actuating means (4a).
6. Plug connector (1) according to Claim 5,
   characterized in that
   in each case a carrier pair (4.1, 2.1) is arranged extending over the circumference of the plug connector (1) on the base body (2) and the first actuating means (4) as a ring.
7. Plug connector (1) according to either of Claims 3 and 4,
   characterized in that
   one of the carriers (4.1, 2.1) is embodied as a resilient clamp that is fixed to the base body (2) or to the second actuating means (4a),
   wherein the second of the carriers (2.1, 4.1) is embodied as a pin that is fixed accordingly to the second actuating means (4a) or to the base body (2),
   
   and
   that the pin can be latched in the resilient clamp.
8. Plug connector (1) according to Claim 5 or 7,
   characterized in that
   multiple carrier pairs (4.1, 2.1) are arranged distributed over the circumference of the plug connector (1) on the base body (2) and the first actuating means (4).
9. Plug connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   multiple latching positions are provided, said latching positions lying axially one behind the other in the plugging direction (S) between the plug connector (1) and the mating plug connector (5), and the latching means (3) can latch in the mating plug connector (5) in said latching positions.
10. Plug connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the blocking element (6) comprises a blocking region (6.1) and a lever region (6.2).
11. Plug connector (1) according to Claim 10,
    characterized in that
    the blocking region (6.1) in the non-plugged initial state of the plug connector (1) stands in the movement path of the second actuating means (4a) and prevents the second actuating means (4a) from moving in the plugging direction.
12. Plug connector (1) according to Claim 11,
    characterized in that
    the lever region (6.2) in the non-plugged initial state of the plug connector (1) protrudes into the plugging region of the mating plug connector (5).
13. Plug connector (1) according to Claim 12,
    characterized in that
    the lever region (6.2) is embodied so as to be moved by its contacting mating plug connector (5) out of the plugging region of said contacting mating plug connector.
14. Plug connector (1) according to Claim 13,
    characterized in that
    the blocking region (6.1) releases the second actuating means (4a) by means of a movement of the lever region (6.2) out of the plugging region of the mating plug connector (5).

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