EP3381089B1 - Arrangement for releasably fixing an electrical connector on a wiring carrier - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for releasably fixing an electrical connector to a wiring support, the connector consisting of an insulating housing which has insertion openings on opposite housing sides, such that electrical contact pins can be inserted on a first side and electrical conductors can be inserted on a second side , in particular can be clamped, furthermore a connector strip compatible with the insertion openings on the first side can be fastened on the wiring support, and with at least one hook-like or nose-like projection that protrudes from the insulating housing and is located on the housing side wall, which is essentially parallel to the direction of insertion for the electrical contact pins, according to claim 1.

From the EP 1 850 418 B1 An electrical connector is previously known, which consists of an insulating housing that has insertion openings on two opposite housing sides, on the one hand for inserting electrical contact pins and on the other hand for inserting insulation-free ends of electrical conductors. On the conductor side, the known connector for each electrical conductor to be connected has a leaf spring clamp connection with a leaf spring, which is suitable for extending in the conductor insertion direction and obliquely against the electrical conductor and with its leaf spring end toward the insulation-free end of the inserted electrical conductor terminals.

The insulating housing of the connector provides a connection space for each electrical conductor to be connected, in which the contact pin and the electrical conductor can be held next to one another with an approximately parallel orientation to overlap the contact pin.

The construction described above makes it possible to create a connector whose size is reduced compared to the prior art known to date, so that the connector can be used as a single-pole as well as a multi-pole connector even in confined spaces.

From the DE 20 2011 000 835 U1 is a bus-compatible, stackable connection and / or function module for controlling and / or monitoring technical processes or for building automation, which has a block-like structure. The previously known function module can be combined with further modules to form a connection system and has at least one base terminal support and an attachable housing. A printed circuit board and / or a lead frame or else a busbar arrangement are located in the housing. In addition, there is at least one bus conductor contact for forwarding at least one energy or data bus in the direction of the sequence.

In known surge protection arrangements for information and telecommunications technology, e.g. As a divisible arrester for top-hat rail mounting, the connection of the devices to be protected via existing wire terminals is very complex, whereby the number of wires to be connected often requires a large number of screw terminals, which are difficult to integrate into a corresponding housing. When it was necessary to make a through connection in the sense of a bus communication line for data exchange between several devices arranged next to one another, it was previously necessary in the area of surge protection to carry out a separate cable connection in this regard. For this reason, when replacing corresponding devices or for measuring and testing purposes, it is necessary to loosen additional terminals, which results in more complicated handling.

Basically, there is the possibility of electrical connectors according to the type EP 1 850 418 B1 also to be used in surge protection arrangements, in particular for information and telecommunications technology, and to carry out communication connections which can be detached as a wiring carrier, starting from a printed circuit board located in the surge protection arrangement. A connector provided with electrical conductors can be completely pulled off a plug connector after releasing any locking device that may be present, so that an overvoltage protection arrangement that is, for example, top-hat rail-mounted, can be replaced. Since the installation space is particularly important for arrangements for top hat rail mounting is limited and the actual surge protection arrangement has to accommodate a large number of further electronic and electrical components, there is a need for even more compact connectors with the possibility of a locking function in order to rule out an undesired pulling of the connector and thus a functional failure.

From the DE 198 82 798 T1 a snap-in socket and pin assembly is previously known. It is about creating an arrangement for releasably fixing an electrical connector on a wiring support, the connector consisting of an insulating housing. The housing has insertion openings on its opposite sides of the housing in such a way that electrical contact pins can be inserted on a first side and electrical conductors in the form of wire conductors can be inserted, in particular clamped, on a second side. Furthermore, a connector strip that is compatible with the insertion openings on the first side can be fastened on the wiring support. There is also a hook-like or nose-like projection that protrudes from the insulating housing and is located on the housing side wall. A spring clip, which has a latching section, can be fastened on the wiring support. This latching section or projection engages behind the projection protruding from the insulating housing of the connector when the connector is plugged onto the connector strip. At the same time there is a stop against pulling out the connector.

The EP 0 077 432 A1 discloses a connector clip having connector pins soldered to a circuit board. Free ends of the connecting pins run essentially parallel to the circuit board. A clamping part has an essentially U-shape and has hook-like projections pointing towards one another for engaging behind a socket.

From the above, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a further developed arrangement for releasably fixing an electrical connector on a wiring carrier, the connector consisting in a manner known per se of an insulating housing which has insertion openings on opposite sides of the housing, such that on a first side electrical contact pins and on a second side insulation-free ends of electrical conductors, in particular are clampable. The arrangement to be created is intended to ensure the possibility of direct attachment to a wiring support or a printed circuit board and, at the same time, to allow the connector to be securely latched and unlocked. In particular, the connector strip is to be functionally relieved or separated from latching means for securing a received socket connector.

The object of the invention is achieved by the combination of features according to the teaching of claim 1, claim 2 is based on a special development of the arrangement according to the invention for use in an outer housing, in particular of such an outer housing for a surge protection arrangement, in particular for information and telecommunications technology. The subclaims represent at least expedient refinements and developments of the invention.

Accordingly, the solution according to the invention is based on an electrical connector which is known per se and can be releasably fixed on a wiring support.

The connector is designed with one or more poles and / or with one or more rows and consists of an insulating housing which has insertion openings on opposite sides of the housing.

On one side, the insertion openings are designed so that electrical contact pins can be inserted. On the second side, insulation-free ends of electrical conductors can be inserted through the insertion openings and in particular clamped there. Electrically, the construction of the connector ensures that contact between the insulation-free ends and the electrical contact pins is ensured.

A connector strip that is compatible with the insertion openings on the first side can be attached to the wiring carrier, in particular by soldering. Furthermore, at least one hook-like or nose-like projection, which protrudes from the insulating housing, is formed on the insulating housing and is located on the housing side wall, which runs essentially parallel to the direction of insertion for the electrical contact pins.

A spring clip is fastened directly on the wiring support, which has a latching section which, when the connector is plugged onto the connector strip, engages behind or protrudes from the projection protruding from the insulating housing of the connector, so that a securing against pulling out of the connector arises.

The spring clip can e.g. are designed as a wire-shaped spring clip. It is also possible to implement the spring clip as a stamped and bent part.

The spring clip is pretensioned in the direction of the housing side wall with a protruding projection, the connector being removable by inserting a tool between the relevant housing side wall and the spring clip. When the tool is inserted, the spring clip therefore comes out of contact with the protruding projection, so that the connector can be pulled off the corresponding compatible plug connector.

According to the invention, the ends of the spring clip are soldered to the wiring carrier already mentioned using conventional technology, the ends of the spring clip being angled in the area of a respective soldering island and the resulting or resulting angled section of the spring clip providing a support and support surface based on the corresponding surface of the wiring carrier forms.

A further bending section extends in each case at the angled section for the support and support surface, the wiring carrier being cut out or cut out in the space between the bent sections or the two ends of the spring clip in order to achieve the desired mobility of the spring clip, in particular when introducing the tool for pulling the connector to ensure.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the arrangement according to the invention is located within an outer housing, in particular such an outer housing of a surge protection arrangement for information and telecommunications technology.

The outer housing has an opening with a guide channel in the region of the position of the connector for centering insertion of the connector. A recess in the guide channel also enables the tool to be inserted when the connector is inserted and the spring clip to move away with the protruding projection protruding from the insulating housing. If the corresponding tool is removed, the spring clip moves back to its pretensioned starting position and is prepared for a renewed locking connection.

In one embodiment, the spring clip has a handle-like offset. This offset enables the desired movement of the spring clip as a combination of rotation and tilting under the action of the torsional restoring forces, in particular when a wire-shaped spring clip is used.

It should be mentioned at this point that the hook-like or nose-like projection protruding from the insulating housing has a wedge shape or insertion bevel for easier insertion and pushing away of the spring clip until the end position and latching position has been reached.

A space is also formed within the guide channel for immersing the spring clip, in particular for the phase of inserting the connector, but also for moving the spring clip away when inserting the tool for the purpose of pulling the connector.

Supporting surfaces or supporting edges for the spring clip are provided adjacent to the free space in the guide channel, so that forces when pulling and plugging are not transmitted beyond the absolutely necessary amount to the respective soldering island, and in this respect there is an adverse influence on the preferred soldered connection of the spring clip.

As already mentioned, in a preferred embodiment the outer housing is part of an overvoltage protection arrangement, electrical conductors for data transmission, in particular for a bus system, being able to be contacted by means of the insertion opening.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring clip is made of an electrically conductive material and can have electrical potential, e.g. Lead earth potential or can also be used as an electrical connector or bridge element. In this respect, the spring clip has a double function as a mechanical locking element, but also as a passive electrical component.

The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment and with the aid of figures.

Fig. 1

eine Überspannungsschutzanordnung für die Informations- und Telekommunikationstechnik, bestehend aus einem Außengehäuse mit am Gehäuseboden ausgebildeten Mitteln zur Hutschienenmontage, im Gehäuse befindlichen Überspannungsschutzelementen sowie elektrischen Anschlussmitteln nebst beispielhafter Anordnung der erfindungsgemäß weitergebildeten elektrischen Verbinder mit Ausziehsicherung;

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung ähnlich derjenigen nach Fig. 1, jedoch mit entferntem Außengehäuse und im Inneren erkennbaren elektrischen Verbindern nebst Federbügel und zwei Leiterplatten als elektrische Verdrahtungsträger;

Fig. 3a und 3b

Detaildarstellungen des auf einem Verdrahtungsträger mit Steckerleiste fixierbaren elektrischen Verbinders im gesicherten Zustand (Fig. 3a) und mit eingesetztem Werkzeug zum Entriegeln (Fig. 3b);

Fig. 4a und 4b

Darstellungen analog derjenigen nach den Fig. 3a und 3b, jedoch ohne Werkzeug einmal im verriegelten Zustand (Fig. 4a) und einmal im entriegelten Zustand (Fig. 4b);

Fig. 5a bis 5c

verschiedene Ansichten der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung mit elektrischem Verbinder, wobei Fig. 5a und 5b einen Teil des Außengehäuses (siehe Fig. 1a) mit Führungskanal zeigen und Fig. 5c die mögliche Bewegungsrichtung des Federbügels zum Ziehen des elektrischen Verbinders illustriert, und

Fig. 6a und 6b

eine Ausführungsform des Federbügels als Stanz-Biegeteil.

Here show:

Fig. 1

an overvoltage protection arrangement for information and telecommunications technology, consisting of an outer housing with means for top-hat rail mounting formed on the housing base, overvoltage protection elements located in the housing and electrical connection means along with an exemplary arrangement of the electrical connectors according to the invention with pull-out protection;

Fig. 2

a representation similar to that after Fig. 1 , but with the outer housing removed and electrical connectors recognizable inside, together with spring clips and two printed circuit boards as electrical wiring supports;

3a and 3b

Detailed representations of the electrical connector that can be fixed on a wiring support with a plug connector in the secured state ( Fig. 3a ) and with inserted tool for unlocking ( Fig. 3b );

4a and 4b

Representations analogous to those after the Fig. 3a and 3b , but once locked without tools ( Fig. 4a ) and once in the unlocked state ( Fig. 4b );

5a to 5c

different views of the inventive arrangement with an electrical connector, wherein Fig. 5a and 5b part of the outer case (please refer Fig. 1a ) show with guide channel and Fig. 5c illustrates the possible direction of movement of the spring clip for pulling the electrical connector, and

6a and 6b

an embodiment of the spring clip as a stamped and bent part.

When using the arrangement according to the invention for releasably fixing an electrical connector within a surge protection arrangement according to the Fig. 1 and 2 the surge protection arrangement there has an outer housing which has the shape of an upside down T.

The housing has a bar-shaped base body 1 and a protruding head part 2.

At the bottom of the bar-shaped base body 1, a recess 3 is provided for the purpose of top-hat rail mounting of the corresponding surge protection arrangement.

A first level on the bar-shaped base body 1 is referred to as the horizontal level 4 and a second level as the vertical level 5. Electrical connection means 6 as well as electrical connection means 7 on the vertical level 5 are arranged accessible on the horizontal level 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the first electrical connection means are designed as connector terminals for wire connection. The horizontal plane 4 can be inclined, i.e. be designed as an inclined surface so that an optimal insertion of connecting lines and pulling the connector is possible.

For example, sockets or plugs can be arranged in the vertical plane 5. The representation according to the Fig. 1 and 2 shows as a connection means 7 a BNC socket.

The inclined surface mentioned is in the Fig. 1 symbolized with the reference numeral 8.

Another level 9 as the third level is used to arrange a terminal in alignment with the neighboring device when stringing together different surge protection arrangements, e.g. for through connection for data exchange between neighboring devices.

How Fig. 2 shows, two spaced printed circuit boards 10 and 11 are arranged within the outer housing 1, which have a surface shape which corresponds essentially to the longitudinal sectional area of the outer housing 1.

In the space between the printed circuit boards 10 and 11 there are connectors 6 for the wire connection or a plug or a socket 7 for connecting a coaxial conductor.

The printed circuit boards 10; 11 also carry the actual surge protection elements, e.g. Varistors 12, and serve to fix function displays or the like.

The connectors 6 consist of an insulating housing 13, which has insertion openings 14 on opposite sides. In the Fig. 1 and 2 only the upper side with insertion opening 14 is shown, which can receive insulation-free ends of electrical conductors by clamping. The opposite, quasi lower side serves to receive electrical contact pins on the respective printed circuit board 10; 11 attached, compatible connector strip 15.

Hook-like or nose-like projections 16 protrude from the insulating housing.

On the respective wiring carrier 10; 11, according to the invention, a, for example, wire-shaped spring clip 17 is fastened, which has a latching section 18 which, when the connector 6 is plugged onto the connector strip 15, engages behind the projection 16 protruding from the insulating housing 13 of the connector 6. In this respect, the protruding projection 16 forms a stop after the spring clip 17 is relaxed in the direction of the connector 6.

By inserting a tool 19, as in the Fig. 3a and 3b shown, namely by inserting between the relevant housing side wall and the spring clip 17, the connector in the illustration according to the Fig. 3a and 3b be pulled upwards from the connector strip 15.

The Fig. 4a shows a representation with the connector 6 locked and the Fig. 4b a representation with the wire-shaped spring clip 17 pushed away, so that the respective projections 16 are exposed and the connector 6, optionally with electrical conductors connected thereto, can be removed from the plug connector 15, optionally supported by the force of a prestressed spring (not shown).

In particular from the representations according to the Fig. 3a . 3b and 5a to 5c the design of the spring clip 17 is understandable.

In this respect, the spring clip 17 is soldered to a respective wiring carrier 10, the ends 17.1 of the spring clip 17 being designed angled in the area of a respective soldering island. This bend creates a bend section that forms a support and support surface with respect to the corresponding upper side of the wiring board 10. This relieves the actual soldering in the area of the solder island. The solder island extends around the corresponding opening in the printed circuit board 10 for receiving the free sides 17.2 of the spring clip.

At the bend section for the formation of the support and support surface of the spring clip 17 there is a further bending section 17.3 which can be subjected to torsion, the space between the bending sections 17.3 of the wiring supports 10 having a recess, as can be seen in particular from FIGS Fig. 3b and 5c becomes clear.

The tool 19 for unlocking has at its lower end a wedge-shaped nose 19.1, with the aid of which the spring clip 17 can be transferred from its contact position for the purpose of locking the connector into a release position. The connector 6 is then together with the tool 19 when reaching the release position in the representations according to the Fig. 3a and 3b subtracted upwards.

Depending on the geometry and design of the connector 6 with its projections 16, the spring clip 17 can also have a handle-like offset 17.4 (see Fig. 3a and 3b ).

The Fig. 5a and 5b show a detail of the outer housing 1 (see Fig. 1 ). This outer housing 1 has, in the area for receiving the connector 6, an opening with a guide channel 20 for centering insertion of the connector 6.

A free space 21 for immersing the spring clip 17 is formed in the interior of the guide channel 20.

Supporting surfaces or supporting edges for the spring clip 17 can also be provided in the guide channel 20 adjacent to the free space 21.

The spring clip 17 or the clip 170 arranged on the wiring support 10 can consist of an electrically conductive material and in this respect can carry a potential or can be used as a passive electrical component or bridge element.

The representations according to the Fig. 6a and 6b show an embodiment of a spring clip as a stamped and bent part. The Fig. 6a corresponds essentially to the representation according to the Fig. 3a , but with the stamped and bent part 170 used here.

This stamped and bent part 170 also has free ends 172 and has a support and support surface 171.

Another section 174 performs the functions similar to the handle-like crank 17.4 of the wire-shaped spring clip.

Claims (4)

1. Arrangement consisting of an electrical connector (6) and a wiring carrier (10), for releasably fixing the electrical connector (6) on the wiring carrier (10; 11), wherein the connector (6) consists of an insulating housing (13) which has insertion openings on opposite housing sides (14) in such a way that electrical contact pins can be inserted,
   in particular clamped, on a first side and insulation-free ends of electrical conductors can be inserted, in particular clamped, on a second side, furthermore a plug strip (15) compatible with the insertion openings on the first side can be fastened on the wiring carrier (10; 11), and having at least one hook-like or nose-like projection (16) projecting from the insulating housing (13), which projection is disposed on the housing side wall, which extends essentially parallel to the insertion direction for the electrical contact pins, further a spring clip (17) is fastened on the wiring carrier (10; 11), said spring clip (17) having a latching section (18) which, when the connector (6) is plugged onto the plug strip (15), engages behind the projection (16) projecting from the insulating housing (13) of the connector (6) and forms a stop against withdrawal of the connector (6),
   characterized in that
   the ends of the spring clip (17) are connected to the wiring carrier (10; 11), wherein the ends of the spring clip (17) are formed in an angled manner in the region of a respective soldering island and the resulting angled section of the spring clip (17) forms a bearing and supporting surface, and a further bending section (17.3) is formed in each case on the angled section for the bearing and supporting surface, wherein the wiring carrier (10; 11) is cut out or cut free in the space between the bending sections (17.3) and the spring clip (17) is pretensioned in the direction towards the housing side wall with a projecting projection (16), wherein the connector (6) is removable by inserting a tool (19) between the relevant housing side wall and the spring clip (17).
2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that it is disposed inside an outer housing (1), wherein the outer housing (1) has an opening with a guide channel (20) in the region of the connector (6) for centering insertion of the connector (6).
3. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that a free space (21) is formed in the interior of the guide channel (20) for the immersion of the spring clip (17).
4. Arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that supporting surfaces or supporting edges for the spring clip (17) are provided in the guide channel (20) adjacent to the free space (21).

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