EP3176885B1 - Connector assembly - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a male connector assembly.

Electrical plug-in connections are required for a wide range of applications, e.g. as connections for coaxial cables in high-frequency applications or as connections for other components to one another and to cables, e.g. in the automotive sector. The problem with the connection is that loosening of the two plug connections must be avoided. Therefore, a large number of fixing means are known which are intended to prevent the two connectors from becoming detached from one another. A fixed connection can therefore be made using a wide variety of fixing means, e.g. using several additional auxiliary elements that create a connection by means of a rotary movement. This type of connection is preferably selected for at least approximately cylindrical connectors. Alternatively, in the case of rectangular plug connectors, for example, the connection is achieved via sliding elements which snap into one another via spring elements.

Different fixatives for fixing plugs are in the US 2015/0177467 A1 , the EP 2 104 186 A1 , the DE 100 37 751 A1 , the U.S. 4,758,181 A or the KR 101 132 375 B1 suggested. KR 101 132 375 B1 discloses a connector arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1. Here various additional parts such as pins, snap connections, spring elements, etc. are proposed as a safeguard against unscrewing the connector. In the U.S. 3,805,379 B are locking balls, which are applied in the direction of openings of a locking ring, proposed as a safeguard against unscrewing the connector. A connection between a connector and a housing is in the DE 382375 A1 proposed, which deals with the attachment of lamps to a base. In addition, the U.S. 4,059,324A and the FR 1 188 157 A more connectors. Also the U.S. 2006/0172580 A1 proposes a fixation of the plug connection via several means to be connected to one another. In this case, the connection is made mainly by first unscrewing the elements and fixing them by means of spring arms that engage or snap into the corresponding counterparts.

the DE 91 05436 U1 discloses a connector assembly with an actuating element designed as a rotary ring for fixing the two connectors. When connecting the two connectors, the rotary ring is turned over both connectors by means of a bayonet-type connection so that it accommodates part of the connector. The final fixation of the two connectors takes place via locking projections arranged on the outer circumference of one of the connectors and locking recesses arranged inside the rotary ring, which lock together in the end position when the rotary ring is turned open.

The previously proposed connector arrangements can only be used to a limited extent for modern high-frequency applications, since they either require a large number of parts or have too much space. In the case of solutions with several parts, there is the problem that these parts alone are cost-intensive because of their number. There is also a risk that intermodulation can occur if the parts are not precisely matched or if intermodulation-free material is not used to prevent wear. In addition, the assembly of the parts is complex and therefore expensive. With solutions that require a smaller number of parts, there is the problem that they require a certain amount of space, for example due to a rotary ring required for the connection, so that several plug connections cannot be arranged next to one another at a small distance from one another, which in turn causes costs.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide mating connectors of a connector assembly which solve the above problems. Above all, miniaturization of the plug connectors or the overall system of the plug connector arrangement is to be implemented. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent patent claim. Advantageous configurations are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a plug connector arrangement according to claim 1 is proposed with a first plug connector, which is designed to be connected at a first end to a first electrical component and to be connected at a second end to a second plug connector that is complementary to the first plug connector, the first Connector comprises at least a first part of a bayonet-like connection and at least a first locking element of a locking device, which is arranged such that it extends in a plug-in direction.

By providing the combination of bayonet-type connection and latching element, which is arranged in the plug-in direction, no additional elements such as slides or adapters are required to fix the connector.

In addition, the arrangement of the latching element in the insertion direction makes it possible to connect a complementary second connector to the first connector in such a way that both connectors can be dimensioned to a minimum, and as a result several connector arrangements can be arranged very close to one another.

A bayonet-type connection is understood to be a connection in which one of the two connectors has at least one insertion bevel with a first guide means and the other of the two connectors has a second guide means that fits into the insertion bevel via the first guide means. By inserting the second guide into the insertion bevel via the first guide and rotating the second guide along the insertion bevel, the two connectors are brought together or separated, depending on the direction of movement. Unlike bayonet connections, no overtravel is required or used with a bayonet-type connection. Overtravel refers to the guide means snapping into a bulge in the insertion bevel, as a result of which the guide means cannot simply be moved out of the end region of the insertion bevel without the application of force. The disadvantage of an overtravel is that in order to release the connection, the plug connectors have to move axially towards one another, so that the electrical contact is passed over several times, which is not advantageous.

In the embodiment according to the invention, it is provided that the first part of the bayonet-like connection is formed as an insertion bevel arranged between the first end and the second end and running obliquely to a plug-in direction of the connector, and the first latching element is arranged on the end face of the second end of the first connector is.

The arrangement of the first latching element on the connector specifies which second connector can be connected to the first connector. Due to the correspondingly arranged first latching element, a miniaturization of both the plug connector and the plug connector arrangement produced from two complementary plug connectors connected to one another is achieved.

A corresponding arrangement of the first part and the locking element to each other and to the second end of the connector ensures that when There is no overtravel when two connectors are brought together or separated.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the first latching element is a latching recess or a latching lug.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the first connector comprises at least two first parts of a bayonet-type connection. In a further embodiment it is provided that the first connector comprises at least two first latching elements. In a further embodiment, the at least two first latching elements are arranged symmetrically to one another.

The provision of a plurality of first parts of the bayonet-type connection and/or a plurality of latching elements, which are formed as latching recesses, latching lugs or a combination thereof, enables connectors to be fixed in place even better.

The connector arrangement also has a second connector, which is complementary to the first connector and can be plugged into it, and which is set up to be connected to a second electrical component with a first end area and to the first connector with a second end area to be connected. The second connector comprises at least a second part of a bayonet-type connection that is complementary to the first connector, and at least one second latching element of a latching device, which is arranged in such a way that it extends in a plugging direction, the at least one second latching element having a shape that matches that of the first Has locking element complementary shape.

In the embodiment according to the invention it is provided that the second part of the bayonet-like connection is arranged at the second end of the second connector as a second guide means and the second latching element is arranged at a distance from the second part of the bayonet-like connection in the direction of the first end of the second connector.

The second connector is designed to complement the first connector and thus has the same advantages, above all that miniaturization of the overall system made up of the first and second connectors can be achieved.

It is also provided within the scope of the present invention that the first and/or the second plug connector is/are formed in one piece, in two pieces or in several pieces.

A one-piece connector is very inexpensive, while a two-piece connector has the advantage that assembly on the corresponding component, e.g., a cable, can be simplified. There is also the possibility of constructing the connector in several pieces, if necessary. Which connector is chosen depends on the application.

In one embodiment, the first part of the bayonet-like connection and the second part of the bayonet-like connection are formed and arranged so as to complement one another in such a way that the first connector can be brought together with or separated from the second connector. The first latching element and the second latching element are formed and arranged so as to complement one another in such a way that the first latching element latches with the second latching element in a position in which the two connectors are in an end position of the bayonet-like connection.

The connector arrangement made up of the first and second connectors results in a miniaturization of the connector arrangement, so that a plurality of connector arrangements can be arranged close to one another and are easy to assemble. The connector arrangement combines all the advantages of the individual connectors.

In a further embodiment it is provided that when the first part of the bayonet-type connection is designed as a guide lug and the first locking element is designed as a locking lug, elastic deformation of the guide lug and/or the locking lug and/or the material of the plug connector when they are brought together or takes place when the connector is pulled apart in or against the plug-in direction, with the deformation being reversible.

Due to the elastic deformation, an overtravel can be avoided when bringing them together or moving them apart. Furthermore, the reversibility avoids additional protection against slipping out of the bayonet-type connection.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures in FIG Drawing showing details of the invention and from the claims.

• Fig. 1 zeigt eine Ansicht eines Steckverbinders gemäß einer Ausführung einer Steckerverbinderanordnung der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig. 2 zeigt eine Ansicht eines zu einem in Figur 1 gezeigten Steckverbinder komplementären Steckverbinders gemäß einer Ausführung einer Steckerverbinderanordnung der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig. 3 zeigt eine Ansicht eines in Figur 2 gezeigten, zweiteilig ausgebildeten Steckverbinders gemäß einer Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig. 4 zeigt eine Ansicht eines Zusammenführens des ersten und des zweiten Steckverbinders gemäß einer Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig. 5 zeigt eine Ansicht eines Zusammenführens und Drehens des ersten und des zweiten Steckverbinders gemäß einer Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine Ansicht eines Zusammenführens und Drehens bis kurz vor der Endposition des ersten und des zweiten Steckverbinders gemäß einer Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung.
• Fig. 7 zeigt eine Ansicht einer Steckerverbinderanordnung in Endposition gemäß einer Ausführung der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawing.

• 1 12 is a view of a connector according to an embodiment of a connector assembly of the present invention.
• 2 shows a view one to one in figure 1 shown connector complementary connector according to an embodiment of a connector assembly of the present invention.
• 3 shows a view of an in figure 2 shown, two-piece connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• 4 12 is a view of mating the first and second connectors according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• figure 5 Fig. 12 shows a mating and rotating view of the first and second connectors according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• 6 Fig. 12 shows a view of bringing together and rotating to just before the final position of the first and second connectors according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• 7 Figure 12 shows a final position view of a male connector assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following descriptions of the figures, the same elements or functions are provided with the same reference symbols.

Figures 1 and 2 12 show views of two complementary first and second connectors 10 and 20 according to an embodiment of a connector assembly of the present invention. figure 3 shows the in figure 2 connector 20 shown as a two-piece connector.

the inside figure 3 Connector shown differs from the one in figure 2 connector shown only in that it is designed in two parts for better pluggability on eg cable and can be connected via connecting elements 23 to form a complete connector. The connecting elements 23 can be designed in different ways, as a snap connection, as a screw connection, they can be glued, welded or connected to one another in any other way, as long as the connector is firmly seated on the component.

In the following description, the in figure 1 connector shown described as the first connector 10, and the in figure 2 or. figure 3 connector shown as the second connector 20, which is only for ease of description. Likewise, the designations could also be used in reverse. The same applies to all components described below and labeled "first / first / first".

In figure 1 a first connector 10 is thus shown, which can be connected at a first end region 101 to an electrical component, for example a cable, a socket or another component. At its second end 102, the first connector 10 can be connected to a second end region 202 of a second, in figure 2 shown, connector 20 are connected, which has a complementary to the first connector 10 shape.

For this purpose, the body of the first connector 10 has insertion aids 12 and 13 for bringing the two connectors 10 and 20 together. In the figure 1 The insertion aids 12 and 13 shown comprise insertion bevels 13 arranged opposite one another on the body of the first connector 10, which enable the bayonet-like closure, and a first guide means 12, which is arranged on the end face or end face of the first connector 10 as a recess in the circumference to Record guide lug 22 of a second connector 20 and lead into the insertion slope 13. The insertion aid 12 and 13 serves as the first part of a bayonet-like connection in conjunction with the complementary second part of the bayonet-like connection, which is shown in figure 2 correspondingly shown as guide lugs 22 .

the inside figure 2 or. figure 3 The second connector 20 shown can be connected at a first end region 201 to an electrical component, for example a cable will. At its second end area 202 it is formed in such a way that it can be connected to the first plug connector 10 . For this purpose, it is formed as a complementary connector to the first connector 10 in such a way that it has a second guide means 22 as the second part of the bayonet-like connection, which is designed as a guide lug 22 . In figure 2 or. figure 3 there are two guide lugs 22 which fit into the corresponding first guide means 12 of the first connector 10.

in the in Figures 1 and 2 1 and 3, the first and second connectors 10 and 20 are substantially cylindrical. However, any other suitable form can be used as long as the connection of the present invention can be done.

In figure 1 two insertion bevels 13 and two first guide means 12 are shown. However, depending on the application, only one insertion bevel 13 and one first guide means 12 or more than two insertion bevels 13 or first guide means 12 can be provided. Accordingly, the second connector 20 is selected for connection to the first connector 10.

The or the in figure 1 The first guide means 12 shown are formed in such a way that they form a circumferential recess on the end face or end face of the first connector 10, so that a second guide means 22 complementary thereto, e.g. a guide lug, can be passed through and then guided into the insertion bevel 13 to become. The first guide means 12 formed as a recess has the advantage that, even in its end position, it does not protrude further out of the plug connector arrangement, or only protrudes slightly further than the second guide means 22 of the second plug connector 20, which is inserted via the bayonet-type connection.

In addition to the space-saving bayonet-type connection, the in figure 1 shown first connector 10 for secure fixing of the connection on its front side or face four first locking elements 11, of which two are arranged next to each other and the other two locking elements 11 opposite. The first latching elements 11 are arranged on the end face or end face or in the vicinity, ie at a small distance from the end face of the second end 102 of the first connector 10, in order to latch with corresponding, complementarily shaped second latching elements 21 of the second connector 20 in the plugging direction . The arrangement of the locking elements 11 depends on the application.

the inside figure 2 or. figure 3 The second plug connector 20 shown has a spaced-apart area from its second end area 202, on which the guide lugs 22 are arranged, to the in figure 1 shown locking recesses 11 complementary second locking elements 21, which are formed as locking lugs 21. The second latching elements 21 are so on the second connector in figure 2 arranged so that they are in the insertion direction, i.e. in the direction in which the first connector is brought together with or apart from the second connector (see reference number 40 in figure 4 ), With the first locking elements of the first connector 10 can engage.

The shape of the latching elements 11 and 21 is chosen so that a firm connection with as little play as possible is formed after they have snapped into one another. Shapes such as triangles, trapezoids, nubs or other shapes can be selected that allow them to be locked together. The choice of molds that are easy to produce, e.g. by injection molding, is advantageous.

The connector material is selected in such a way that it prevents intermodulation in high-frequency applications or is intermodulation-resistant. Furthermore, the material should have a certain elasticity, since elastic deformation and reshaping to the original shape of at least the guide element 22 embodied as a guide lug is necessary to avoid overtravel in the bayonet-type connection. A latching element can also be designed to be correspondingly elastic. This is useful when the guide lug 22 and locking lug 21 are arranged on the same connector. It is advantageous if the guide lug 22 is arranged closer to the second end region 202 of the connector than the latching lug 21, which in turn is arranged at a distance from the guide lug 22. When merging the two connectors, as in figure 4 shown, the guide lugs 22 of the second connector 20 are inserted into the guide recesses 12 of the first connector 10. Then the connectors 10 and 20 are positioned relative to each other as in figure 5 shown rotated so that the guide lugs 22 are guided in the chamfers 13 until the locking elements 21 of the second connector 20 on the Face or face of the first connector 10 meet. this is in figure 6 shown. In figure 6 it can be seen that the guide lugs 22 have not yet reached their end position and the locking elements 11, 21 have not yet locked together. In order to get to the end position or to achieve locking, the two connectors are rotated further. The distance between the guide lugs 22 and the locking lugs 21 is stretched elastically by the material between the insertion bevel 13 and the end face or end face of the first connector 10, which corresponds to a wedge in the direction of rotation. Upon reaching the end position, which in figure 7 is shown, the material of the second connector 20 can deform elastically back into its original shape, while the latching elements 21 latch with one another. Depending on the application and manufacturing tolerances, a residual tension of the guide lugs 22 in the axial direction, ie in the insertion direction 40, can remain. Due to the elastic deformability of the guide lugs 22 and/or the latching elements 21, an overtravel inside the connectors 10, 20, ie in the electrically connected components, can be avoided, which leads to greater reliability.

In figure 7 a connector assembly 30 is shown in which the first connector 10 has been brought together with the second connector 20 and the end position has been reached, ie the latching elements 11 and 21 are latched together. Due to the space-saving bayonet-like connection and the latching elements 11, 21 arranged accordingly in the insertion direction, the plug connector arrangement 30 requires very little space and is easy to assemble. Thus, multiple connector assemblies can be placed next to each other at a small distance, which in turn achieves cost savings.

Release of the male connector assembly is accomplished by reversing the mating operation. By applying force, which is determined by the appropriate selection of the bevels of the locking elements 11 and 21, the locking can be released. Due to the elastic deformability of the guide means 22 and/or ratchet elements 21 and/or the material of the plug connector, there is no overtravel on the electrical components even when the plug connector arrangement is released.

Due to the fact that the connectors are brought together axially, a minimum of space is required without jeopardizing the secure fixing of the connectors.

Reference List

10

First connector

101

First ending

102

second ending

11

First locking element

12

First guide

13

lead-in bevel

20

Second connector

201

First end area

202

Second end area

21

Second locking element

22

Second part of the bayonet-like connection or second guide means

23

fasteners

30

connector assembly

40

mating direction

Claims (8)

1. A plug connector arrangement (30), comprising a first plug connector (10) and a second plug connector (20) which is designed to be complementary to the first plug connector (10), wherein the first plug connector (10) is configured to be connected to a first electrical component with a first end (101) and to be connected to the second plug connector (20) with a second end (102), and wherein the second plug connector (20) is configured to be connected to a second electrical component with a first end (201) and to be connected to the first plug connector (10) with a second end (202), wherein the first plug connector (10) comprises:

   - at least one first part (12, 13) of a bayonet-like connection, wherein the first part (12, 13) of the bayonet-like connection is configured as an insertion bevel (13) arranged between the first end (101) and the second end (102) and extending obliquely with respect to a plug-in direction (40) of the plug connector (10), and as a first guide means (12) which extends along the plug-in direction (40) on the end face of the second end (102),

   - at least one first latching element (11) of a latching device which is arranged on the end face of the second end (102) of the first plug-in connector (10) and which is arranged in such a way that it extends in a plug-in direction (40), wherein the first guide means (12) and the first latching element (11) are arranged at different positions of the end face,

   wherein the second plug connector (20) comprises

   - at least one second part (22) of a bayonet-like connection which is configured and arranged in such a way that it is in engagement with the insertion bevel (13) of the first plug-in connector (10) after connection,

   - at least one second latching element (21) which is arranged at a distance to the end face of the second end (202) of the second plug connector (20) in a direction of the first end (201) and which is arranged in such a way that, after the second plug connector (20) has been connected to the first plug connector (10), it is latched with the corresponding first latching element (11) of the first plug connector (10),
   characterized in that

   the bayonet-like connection has no overstroke, so that when the second part (22) of the bayonet-like connection of the second plug connector (20) is inserted into the insertion bevel (13) via the first guide means (12) and moved along the insertion bevel (13), the second part (22) is not snapped into a bulge of the insertion bevel (13), and in that

   the second latching element (21) of the second plug connector and/or the second part (22) of the bayonet-like connection of the second plug connector and/or the first plug connector (10) and/or the second plug connector (20) is formed of an elastic material.
2. The plug connector arrangement (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first latching element (11) is a latching recess (11) or a latching lug.
3. The plug connector arrangement (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plug connector (10) comprises at least two first latching elements (11).
4. The plug connector arrangement (30) according to claim 3, wherein the at least two first latching elements (11) are arranged symmetrically with respect to one another.
5. The plug connector arrangement (30) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first plug connector (10, 20) is formed in one piece, in two pieces or in multiple pieces.
6. The plug connector arrangement (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second plug connector (20) is formed in one piece, in two pieces or in multiple pieces.
7. The plug connector arrangement (30) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

   - the first part (12, 13) of the bayonet-like connection and the second part (22) of the bayonet-like connection are formed and arranged in a complementary manner to each other so that the first plug connector (10) and the second plug connector (20) can be brought together and moved apart from one another, and

   - the first latching element (11) and the second latching element (21) are formed and arranged in a complementary manner to each other so that the first latching element (11) latches with the second latching element (21) in a position in which the two plug connectors (10, 20) are located in an end position of the bayonet-like connection (12, 13, 22).
8. The plug connector arrangement (30) according to claim 7, wherein the second
   guide means (22) of the bayonet-like connection is configured as a guiding lug and the second latching element (21) is configured as a latching lug, wherein the guiding lug (22) and/or the latching lug (21) and/or the material of the plug connector (10, 20) is elastically deformed when bringing together or moving apart from one another the plug connectors (10, 20) in or against the plug-in direction (40), wherein the deformation is reversible.

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