EP3476009A1

EP3476009A1 - Plug connector

Info

Publication number: EP3476009A1
Application number: EP17739852.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Heinrich FRIESEN
Original assignee: Harting Electronics GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Harting Electronics GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2016-06-22
Filing date: 2017-06-08
Publication date: 2019-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2037-06-08
Also published as: US20190319403A1; WO2017220073A1; CN109417247A; EP3476009B1; DE102016111458B4; US10587078B2; DE102016111458A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector (1) which has a main body (2), an actuating means (3), a latching means (4), and a securing means (5). By means of the latching means (4), locking of a receptacle of a counterpart plug connector is made possible by a known push-pull mechanism. The locking can be released by actuation of the actuating means (3). The securing means (5) prevents the latching means (4) from moving into a locking position, in the unplugged state of the connector (1), i.e. without the seated receptacle. Thus, the connector (1) can adopt two static states, an open state and a closed state.

Description

Connectors

description

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

Such connectors are needed to preferably connect electrical leads and cables reversibly. It must have a secure electrical and mechanical connection of the connector

be guaranteed. A permanent mechanical locking of the

Connector is just as important as a complete connection and

Contacting internal contacts.

In such a type of connector can be both electrical, as well as optical, pneumatic or hydraulic

Act connectors. The presented invention can be applied to any type of connector.

In addition to the mechanical connection of the connector also a release of the connection must be ensured. The mechanical locking must be completely solved without destroying components of the locking mechanism or the connector.

These contacting and decontacting operations of connectors and the latching mechanism present on the connectors must be repeatable many times without the quality of latching and locking

Contacting influence.

State of the art

DE 10 2012 1 1 1 408 B3 shows a locking mechanism for connectors with a connector. It has the

Locking mechanism via two types of locking means. One primary locking element, which is suitable for locking the mating partner and a secondary locking element which is suitable for mutual locking with the primary locking element. In this case, locks the secondary locking element, the primary in the locked state of the locking mechanism, and the primary

Locking element the secondary in the unlocked state. By

Contacting the mating partner, the mechanism is automatically locked and by pressing the - executed as an actuator - secondary

Locking element unlocked.

A disadvantage of such solutions known from the prior art is the large number of mechanical parts. Many of the known solutions have many small parts, which together form a very complex, error-prone device. Naturally, devices with many parts are more prone to failure and failure.

task

The invention is therefore based on the object, a further type of

To introduce connectors to expand the variety of such connectors with locking mechanisms. The connector should have as few mechanical items as possible and so the reliability and probability of failure of the device can be reduced. The

existing individual parts of the mechanical locking mechanism should be as robust as possible and have a low susceptibility to errors.

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 for reversible contacting of electrical, pneumatic, optical or hydraulic lines. In this case, the connector is formed by a base body having a first side and a second side. The first page is as

Mating face formed and for contacting with a

Mating connector provided. The second side of the connector is designed as a connection side and provided for receiving lines or cables in the connector.

On the main body of the connector, an actuating means and a locking means are provided. The connector also has a

Plug-in area. The plug-in area is designed to receive a mating connector. In this case, the plug-in area is the area of the plug-in connector in which a mating connector engages with its latching or contact area. Most of this part of the mating connector is referred to as a socket or so-called Receptacle. The plug-in area of the present invention serves to receive such a receptacle.

The actuating means of the connector is preferably formed as a, surrounding the base sleeve. The actuating means serves as a handle of the connector. In this case, the actuating means is movably mounted on the base body and displaceable between a first, closed position and a second, open position. The first, closed

Position is in the front, the first side of the base body facing region, wherein the second, open position of the actuating means in the rear, the second side of the body facing the region of the connector is provided.

The two positions, the first, closed position and the second, open position, simultaneously define the state of the connector. In this case, the connector is in the first, closed position of the actuating means in a closed state. In this closed state, the connector is locked or with a connector

Mating connectors are connected and does not release the connection with the mating connector. When the actuating means is in the second, open position, the connector is also in an open state. The locking with a mating connector is in this open state solvable.

The locking means of the connector is also arranged on the base body. It is provided on the connector so that it can at least partially engage in the mating area. By engaging the locking means in the mating region of the connector, the locking means can be introduced

Lock the receptacle of a mating connector. The latching of a mating connector, or of parts of a mating connector, preferably takes place over a region of the latching means in the mating region in a recess of the mating connector or a Receptacles of

Mating connector engages.

For this purpose, the latching means can assume two positions: a first, locking position and a second, unlocking position. In the first, locked position, the latching means engages at least partially in the plug-in region of the connector. That that the latching means is at least partially in the plug-in area and engages there in a Receptacle. So it is in a recess of the Receptacle, so that it is prevented from moving.

At the same time, the locking means in the first, locking position is the

Movement range of the actuating means free. The latching means is preferably in the first, locking position, the range of motion of

Actuator in its first, closed position free. The

Actuating means can thus be moved freely from its second, open position and first, closed position without the latching means preventing the actuating means therefrom. The actuating means is designed so that it locks in its first, closed position, the locking means in its first, locking position. Thus, the latching means can not be moved from the first latching position to the second unlocking position when the actuating means is in the first, closed position. According to the invention, a first spring is provided for this purpose, which is a forced movement of the

Actuator effected in its first, closed position. That that the actuating means is always forced by the first spring in the first, closed position, as long as the locking means does not prevent it.

In the second, unlocking position, the locking means behaves contrary in relation to the plug-in area and the actuating means. The locking means are in its second, unlocking position, the plug portion of the connector completely free and does not intervene in this. A Receptacle or

Mating connector can move freely in and out of the mating area.

However, in its second, unlocking position, the latching means engages the range of movement of the actuating means in its first, closed position. This means that the latching means is located in the range of movement of the actuating means, that the actuating means is not movable from its second, open position to its first, closed position. The actuating means is thus locked by the locking means, which is in the second, unlocking position, in its second, open position.

The actuating means and the locking means thus lock each other, depending on the position in which they are located. The actuating means locks in its first, closed position a movement of the latching means from its first, locking position to its second, unlocking position. The latching means, however, locks in its second, unlocking position Movement of the actuating means from its second, open position to its first, closed position.

According to the invention, the plug connector has a blocking means which is arranged in the plug-in region of the plug connector. The locking means may occupy a first, locking position and a second, unlocking position. In this case, the first, blocking position preferably faces closer to the first side of the connector and the second, unlocking position further the second side of the connector. Thus, a linear movement of the locking means between the two positions would be advantageous. But also rotational or tilting movements would be conceivable in other embodiments. The locking means behaves similar to the locking means as the actuating means. This means that the locking means can be locked by the locking means in its movement.

In its first, blocking position, the blocking means thus blocks the

Locking means in its movement. The blocking means is in this first, blocking position at least partially in the movement space of the

Locking means in its first, locking position. That is, the latching means is not movable from its second, unlocking position to its first, locking position when the locking means is in its first, locking position.

Only when the locking means is in its second, unlocking position, the locking means can be moved to its first, locking position. According to the invention, a second spring is also provided on the connector, which causes a forced movement of the locking means in its first, blocking position. This means that the blocking means is always forced into the first, blocking position, unless a greater force prevents it. A preferred embodiment provides that not only a locking means is provided on the connector, but a plurality of locking means are mounted. The plurality of locking means are preferably evenly distributed over the circumference of the connector. This will be in the closed state of

Connector a force evenly transmitted to and from the mating connector. A wedging of the connector is prevented.

Also, the plurality of locking means may be formed at least partially in one piece. Depending on the configuration of the locking means so two or more locking means may be formed as a component. This would be the multitude of

Advantageously reduce individual parts of the connector.

The design of the locking means may be different depending on the technical configuration. Locking means which are tiltable or pivotable between their first, locking position and their second, unlocking position have proven to be particularly advantageous. But also solutions with linearly movable locking means can be conceivable.

Suitably, the connector has two display means, a first display means and a second display means. The display means are designed for status display. Depending on which of the display means is visible, a different state of the connector is signaled. In this case, the first display means is covered by the actuating means in the second, open position. In the first, closed position, this obscures

Actuating means, however, the second display means. Thus, depending on the position of the actuating means - which defines the state of the connector - the corresponding display means hidden or released.

By the connectors described with the invention, known from the prior art disadvantages are resolved and with the

Problem of the invention defined object solved. embodiment

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

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a connector according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of a connector according to the invention with a receptacle of a mating connector.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a connector according to the invention with a receptacle of a mating connector in the

connected, shot state;

Fig. 4 individual locking means in different versions; and

Fig. 5 shows a connector according to the invention in different

States.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In part, identical reference numerals are used for the same but possibly not identical elements. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of a device according to the invention

Connector 1 along a thru-axle in an open state. The side shown on the left forms a first side of the connector 1 which, as a mating face, i. as to contact with a

Mating connector is formed. The side shown on the right forms a second side of the connector 1 which serves as a terminal side, i. to the

Inserting and contacting a connected cable is formed. The connector 1 shown in this embodiment is as

Circular connector executed.

The connector 1 is formed from a base body 2, which forms the first side and the second side of the connector. The measures provided for in the interior of the body 2 and recorded insulator as well Contact elements are not shown in this and the following representations for the sake of clarity.

The main body 2 is surrounded by an actuating means 3. The

Actuating means 3 is mounted linearly displaceable along the plug-in axis of the connector 1 on the base body 2. It can do that

Actuator 3 occupy a first, closed position and a second, open position (shown). In the first, closed position, the actuating means 3 is further on the first side of the connector 1, i. here on the left, arranged. In the second, open position (as shown), the actuating means 3 is further on the second side of the connector 1, i. here right, arranged as seen in Figure 1.

This advantageous positioning of the actuating means 3 is significantly the handling when plugging and unplugging the connector 1 on or from a mating connector. In this case, the actuating means 3 is always positioned in the direction in which the insertion or removal movement is directed. When plugging in the first, closed position in

Plug-in direction and when pulling in the second, open position opposite to the plugging direction. This principle is known as a so-called push-pull principle.

To achieve a positive locking of the connector 1, is the

Actuating means 3 associated with a first spring 6. The first spring 6 exerts a steady force on the actuating means 3 and the base body 2. The force is directed so that the actuating means 3 is always forced to its first, closed position. A movement of the actuating means 3 in the second, open position can thus take place only against the spring force of the first spring 6.

In the front, the first side facing region of the connector 1 are two locking means 4 on the base body 2, within the actuating means. 3 added. The locking means 4 are arranged tiltably or pivotally on the base body 2. In this case, the locking means 4 occupy two positions: a first, locking position and a second, unlocking position (shown). In the illustrated, second, unlocking position, the locking means 4

at least partially arranged in the range of movement of the actuating means 3. The locking means 4 are tilted radially outward and protrude at least partially in front of the actuating means 3. As a result, the locking means 4 lock the actuating means 3. A movement of the actuating means 3 from its second, open position to its first, closed position is not possible.

According to the invention, a blocking means 5 is also arranged on the connector 1. The locking means 5 is here annular and surrounds the base body 2 of the connector. 1 The blocking means 5 is provided in the front region, on the first side of the connector 1 and received in a plug-in region 10. The plug-in area 10 on the first side of the connector 1 is designed for receiving and mechanical latching of a mating connector. In this case, in the plug-in area 10, the so-called receptacle, the socket of the mating connector is inserted and mechanically locked.

The blocking means 5 is linearly movable on a base body 2 between a first, blocking position and a second, releasing position

added. In this case, the first, blocking position is in the direction of the first side of the connector 1 and the second, unlocking position in the direction of the second side of the connector first A second spring 7, which is arranged between the blocking means 5 and the main body 2, exerts a force on the blocking means 5, which always forces it into its first, blocking position.

In the illustrated, first, blocking position of the blocking means 5, this is positioned in the movement region of the locking means 4. Thus, the locking means 5 locks the locking means 4 in its second, unlocking position. A movement of Locking means 4 from the second, unlocking position to the first, locking position is not possible.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a device according to the invention

Connector 1 with a receptacle 20 of a mating connector. The Receptacle 20 of the mating connector is the part that serves for mechanical locking of connector 1 and mating connector. In FIG. 2, the receptacle 20 is partially inserted into the plug-in area 10 of the connector 1. The plug connector 1 is in the same open state as in FIG. 1. The receptacle 20 touches the front side, the locking means 5 of the connector 1, which is located in the plug-in area 10.

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of a device according to the invention

Connector 1 with a receptacle 20 of a mating connector in a connected, closed state. In this closed

Condition is the receptacle 20 further into the plug-in area 10 of

Inserted connector 1. Through the receptacle 20, the blocking means 5 has also been moved from its first, blocking position to its second, unlocking position. The locking means 5 has been moved against the spring force of the second spring 7.

Since in this position, the blocking means 5 no longer the movement of the

Locking means 4 blocks, this is moved to its first, locking position. In the illustrated, first, locking position, the latching means 4 engages in the plug-in region 10 of the plug-in connector 1 in such a way that it engages in a recess or groove of the receptacle 20.

The actuating means 3 is also moved to its first, geschossene position. In this position, the actuating means 3 blocks the locking means 4 in its first, locking position. The locking means 4 can not release the receptacle 20 thus. A locking of the connector 1 with the mating connector is ensured. The contact areas between the locking means 4 and the actuating means 3, as well as between the locking means 4 and the receptacle 20 or locking means 5 are formed so that actuating means 3, Receptacle 20 and locking means 5 cause a movement of the locking means 4 depending on the position. Thus, the actuating means 3, upon movement from its second, open position to its first, closed position, causes a force on the locking means 4 to move it from its second, unlocking position to its first, locking position.

The receptacle 20 and the locking means 5, however, cause movement in the insertion direction, ie from the second side in the direction of the first side of the connector 1, a force on the locking means 4, which moves it from its first, locking position to its second, unlocking position ,

These relationships between actuator 3, locking means 4, locking means 5 and 20 Receptacle caused in the present invention, a particularly advantageous locking, which defines two static states of the connector 1. The first, closed state, in which the connector 1 is connected to the mating connector. The locking means 4 locks the receptacle 20 and the actuating means 3 locks the locking means 4. In the second, open state of the connector 1 is open and not with the

Mating connector connected. The locking means 4 locks the actuating means

3 in its second, open position and the locking means 5 locks the locking means 4 in its second, unlocked position.

FIG. 4 shows individual latching means 4 in different designs. In this case, two locking means 4 are shown in the figure 4a, which individually on a

Connector 1 can be added.

An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 4b, in which two locking means

4 are formed in one piece. In this case, the locking means 4 via a ring connected. In this embodiment, only a part must be installed during assembly of the connector 1.

FIG. 4c shows a latching means 4 as shown in FIG. 4b, but in a different type of production. While the locking means 4 of Figures 4a and 4b are formed as solid parts, the locking means 4 is made as a stamped and bent part. Such production would be for larger quantities

be economically more profitable.

Finally, in FIG. 5, an inventive connector 1 in FIG

mapped to different states. In the figure 5a, the connector 1 is shown in an open state, while the connector 1 is shown in Figure 5b in a closed state. In the spatial view, the difference can only be seen at the position of the actuating means 3. In order to enable visual identification of the states, a first display means 8 and a second display means 9 are mounted on the connector 1.

The display means 8, 9 are designed as a colored marking of the main body 2. Depending on the position of the actuating means 3, the one of the

Display means 8, 9 visible, while the other display means 9, 8 is hidden. Thus, a particularly simple identification of the state of the connector 1 is possible.

Claims

claims

Connector (1), comprising a base body (2) with a as

Mating face formed first side and a terminal side designed as a second side, an actuating means (3) which along the base body (2) is displaceable, a plug-in region (10) and at least one latching means (4),

wherein the actuating means (3) can assume a first, closed position and a second, open position,

wherein the latching means (4) can assume a first, locking position and a second, unlocking position,

wherein the latching means (4) engages at least partially in the plug-in area (10) in the first, locking position and releases the movement range of the first, closed position of the actuating means (3), wherein the latching means (4) in the second, unlocking position

Plug-in area (10) releases and at least partially in the

Range of movement of the first, closed position of the

Actuating means (3) engages,

wherein the actuating means (3) in its first, closed position engages in the movement region of the second, locking position of the latching means (4) and locks the latching means (4) in its first, locking position,

characterized in that

the connector (1) has a blocking means (5) which is arranged in the plug-in region (10) of the connector (1) and can assume a first, blocking position and a second, unlocking position.

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the blocking means (5) in the first blocking position blocks the locking means (4) in its second, unlocking position.

3. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2,

characterized in that

the locking means (5) in the second, unlocking position releases the latching means (4) for at least partially engaging in the plug-in area (10).

4. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3,

characterized in that

the connector (1) has at least one first spring (6), wherein the first spring (6) causes a forced movement of the actuating means (3) in the first, closed position.

5. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4,

characterized in that

the connector (1) has at least one second spring (7), wherein the second spring (7) causes a forced movement of the locking means (5) in the first, locking position.

6. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that

at least two locking means (4) over the circumference of the base body (2) are arranged distributed.

7. Connector (1) according to claim 6,

characterized in that

the at least two latching means (4) are integrally formed and are connected to one another via a connection region.

Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7,

characterized in that

the latching means (4) tiltable or pivotable between the first,

locking position and the second, unlocking position is movable.

Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8,

characterized in that

the first, blocking position of the blocking means (5) is located further in the direction of the first side of the base body (2) and the second, unlocking position of the blocking means (5) is located further in the direction of the second side of the base body (2),

wherein the blocking means (5) is linearly movable between the first, locking position and the second, unlocking position.

10. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9,

characterized in that

wherein the first, closed position of the actuating means (3) is further in the direction of the first side of the base body (2) and the second, open position of the actuating means (3) is further in the direction of the second side of the base body (2),

wherein the actuating means (3) is linearly movable between the first, closed position and the second, open position.

1 1. Connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10,

characterized in that

the connector (1) has a first display means (8) and a second

Display means (9),

wherein the first display means (8) is concealed by the actuating means (3) in the second, open position and wherein the second display means (9) is concealed by the actuating means (3) in the first, closed position.

12. Connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1,

characterized in that

the actuating means (3), upon movement from its second open position to its first, closed position exerts a force on the detent means (4) which causes movement of the detent means (4) from its second unlocking position to its first, locking position causes.