ZA200005587B

ZA200005587B - Screwless plug-in connector.

Info

Publication number: ZA200005587B
Application number: ZA200005587A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Johannes Bals
Original assignee: Bals Elektrotechnik Gmbh & Co Kg
Priority date: 1998-04-14
Filing date: 2000-10-11
Publication date: 2001-05-16
Also published as: CN1297596A; ES2185347T3; EP1072067A1; TR200002990T2; CN1116717C; DK1072067T3; EP1072067B1; BR9909694A; WO1999053572A1; AU4134999A; ATE230168T1; TR200102068T2

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug-in connector which can be connected to a line or a cable (40), said cable (40) having a terminal with freely moveable conductors (43) and free strand ends (41). A first, essentially tubular housing part (1) consisting of insulating plastic encompasses an inner, essentially cylindrical contact carrier (4). A second essentially tubular housing part (2) consisting of insulating plastic can be connected to the first housing part (1) and surrounds the terminal with the freely moveable conductors (43) and a strain relief device (50). Contact elements (5) have clamping devices (7, 8) for the strand ends (41) and are retained by a retaining plate (15). Said retaining plate (15) has a rim of sloping surfaces (52). The strain relief device (50) comprises a cage-type clamping chuck (51) on which sloping surfaces are mounted for interacting with the sloping surfaces (52) of the retaining plate (15) in order to compress a series of clamping arms (56) which have teeth or claws (58) at their radially innermost point, and to clamp the terminal of the cable (40) so that it is tight.

Description

Lo Lo AEE

The invention relates to a plug connector which can be connected at a connecting end to freely movable wires in a cable, and can be coupled to a mating plug connector, according to the precharacterizing clause of

Claim 1. The plug connector follows the standards ICE 309-1, ICE 309-2 and EN 60 309 1 + 2 and is constructed for tractive power.

Plug connectors of this type are disclosed by the

German Utility Models 297 07 710.4 and 297 07 711.2.

These provide plug connectors in which proper assembly is essentially ensurad without “he use of screws.

However, the strain-relief device is configured in such a way that it includes a T-nut and therefore has screw faces.

The invention is based on the object of providing a totally screwless plug connector in which the strain relief is arranged in the housing of the plug connector.

The object set 1s achieved on the basis of the features of Claim 1 and of Claim 6 and is refined and developed by the further features of the dependent claims.

The plug connector, which can be constructed as a plug or coupler (receptacle), has a first, essentially tubular housing part made of insulating plastic, which encloses an inner, essentially cylindrical contact carrier. The connecting end of the cable, at which the cable sheath has partly been removed in order to render the insulated wires freely movable, can be drawn with these wires, whose ends have been exposed, through a second, essentially tubular housing part made of insulating plastic, which can be joined to the first housing part. The said second housing part has a retaining plate, which is provided to be fixed to the first housing part in order to retain contact elements in a contact carrier in the first housing part. The free wire ends are plugged into the contact elements,

oo o. AER which have screwless clamp connections for the ends of the wires and clamp the latter firmly and, after that, the first and second housing parts are joined to each other by being plugged together and rotated in the

S manner of a bayonet connection, the strain-relief device becoming effective and clamping the cable firmly on its sheath. For this purpose, the retaining plate or a part joined to it has a circle of inclined faces on cams, which extend at a short distance from the inner side of the second housing part and along this side.

The strain-relief device comprises a cage-like clamping chuck, which has an actuating ring with inclined faces attached to it on cams, which interact with the circle of inclined faces on the retaining plate when the first and second housing parts are plugged together and rotated in relation to each other. The clamping chuck comprises clamping arms which are arranged distributed around the connecting end of the cable and have an arcuate curvature towards Lhe connecting end and away from the latter, in each case a radially inner vertex being formed, to which teeth or claws are fitted which can bite firmly into the cable sheath. The clamping arms have free ends which are supported on supperting faces of the second housing part when the first and second housing parts are plugged together and locked.

The cage-like clamping chuck is therefore compressed between the two housing parts, by which means the radially inner vertices of the clamping arms move radially inwards until the cable brings this movement to an end after the teeth or claws of the clamping arms have gripped. Depending on the thickness of the cable, the free ends of the clamping arms can pass radially outwards to a greater or lesser extent onto the supporting faces of the second housing part, and the clamping arms adjacent to the actuating ring can curve to a greater or lesser extent, so that automatic adaptation to the size relationships of the cable takes place.

Co HE ANAEET.Y

The screwless clamping devices of the contact elements, to which the ends of the wires are to be joined, each have a stirrup-shaped ‘spring having a supporting leg and a clamping plate. The contact elements are formed with a contact plate on which the supporting leg of the respective stirrup-shaped spring bears. The clamping plate engages around the contact plate with a window opening which has an actuating edge (on the contact plate) and a free edge (on the stirrup- shaped spring). The stirrup-shaped spring acts on the clamping plate like a tension spring and pulls the actuating edge against the contact plate. Each stirrup- shaped spring is assigned a latching slide, which can be moved into a position for pressing the stirrup- shaped spring together and into a pcsition for releasing the stirrup-shaped spring. When the stirrup- shaped spring is pressed together, the window opening in the stirrup-shaped spring opens and the associated free wire end can be pushed into the window opening. By displacing the latching slide into the released position of the stirrup-shaped spring, the stirrup- shaped spring pulls the actuating edge of the window opening against the inserted wire end and presses the latter against the contact plate of the respective contact element.

The novel screwless plug connector has the advantage that it can be assembled without any tools.

As a result of the clamping principle both of the wire ends and also of the cable, automatic adaptation to the respective cross section takes place. This makes it possible to use one and the same plug connector for flexible leads or cables of different dimensions.

The invention will... be described using the drawings, in which: :

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a coupler, }

Fig. 2 shows a contact element with a stirrup-shaped spring as a clamp,

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Fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail of Fig. 1 but with a thinner cable,

Fig. 4 shows a clamping chuck, sectioned, and

Fig. 5 shows a view of the clamping chuck from

S below.

Fig. 1 illustrates a coupler or receptacle which is connected to a flexible lead or cable 40, to be specific in accordance with the rules of the international standards ICE 309-1, ICE 308-2 and

EN 60 309 1 + 2. The coupler has a two-part enclosing housing, comprising a first tubular housing part 1, the collar; and a second tubular housing part 1, the hood.

The first hecusing part 1 constitutes a front housing part and has a Zoining end la and a plug-in end 1b for coupling to a complementary plug-in unit. The second housing part 2 constitutes a protective part and cable clamping part and has a Joining end 2a and a lead insertion end 2b for the insertion of a flexible lead or a cable 40. Fitted to the [irst housing part 1 is a pivotable cover 3, which covers the plug-in end 1b and protects it against spray water when the coupler or receptacle is disengaged from a plug.

The first hcusing part 1 comprises a cylindrical contact carrier 4, which is formed in one piece with the outer tubular housing part 1 and is designed with individual accommodation chambers 6 to accommodate contact elements 5 (contact sockets here). The number of accommodation chambers and contact sockets depends on the intended purpose and may have three accommodation chambers (two phase contacts and one protective conductor contact), four accommodation chambers (three phase contacts and one protective conductor contact) or five accommodation chambers (three phase contacts, one neutral conductor contact and one prctective conductor contact). In addition, the contact carrier 4 can be designed to accommodate a pilot contact. The contact socket for the protective conductor contact can project somewhat further back, so that this protective conductor connection is the last

Co SE Zouusou! to be maintained in each case, even when the cable is pulled in such a way that the conductor ends are pulled out of the clamping point (Fig. 2). i

In the case of a plug, the contact carrier 4 is

S designed to accommodate contact pins. The term contact element 5 is used both for contact sockets and for contact pins.

In order to connect an exposed wire 41 of the cable 40, the contact elements 5 have a contact plate 7 (Fig. 2), which, together with a supporting leg 18, is joined in one piece to the body of the contact element 5. MA lcop-shaped stirrup-shaped spring 8 has two mutually crossing legs 9 and 10, the leg 10 having a window opening 11 through which the leg 9 passes. The window encloses an actuating edge 12 and a free edge 13. By pressing the stirrup-shaped spring 8 together in the direction of the free edge, the contact plate 7 may be pushed through the window opening and, by being released at the actuating edge 12, may be clamped firmly and, in this way, the stirrup-shaped spring is carried by the contact element 5.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, the contact plates 7 and the stirrup-shaped springs 8 in each case project into individual chambers 14 in a retaining plate 15, which consists of insulating material and can be latched or otherwise joined to the contact carrier 4.

The retaining plate 15 is provided with first access openings 16, through which a latching slide 36 extends in each «case as a contact opener. Second access openings 17 open towards the contact elements in the area of the window 11. The latching slide 36 has a cutout 37, in which the joining part 8a (of bulge-like design) of the stirrup-shaped spring 8 is situated when the plug connector is finally assembled. The latching slide 36 has the function of a pressing-down tocol which can assume two positions, namely a release position, as illustrated, and a pressing-down position, in which the inclined face of the cutout 37 presses down the curved part of the joining leg 8a and opens the window 11, so that the free wire end 41 can be pushed into the window 11. The two aforementioned positions of the latching slide 36 are determined by stops 38 and 39, which bear on respective shoulders of the retaining plate 15. In

S order to be able to displace the latching slide 36 easily between its two openings, an actuating opening 36a is provided, at which the latching slide can be pushed forwards and backwards, for example by means of a screwdriver.

In order to join the housing parts 1 and 2 to each other, a screwless latching system 20 is provided which can be actuated by pushing in and rotating and, to this end, has four pairs of locks 21 which interengage in the manner of a bayonet and press the housing parts 1 15> and 2 firmly onto each other, so that these parts are closed in a watertight manner in relation to each other. During the rotational movement, a strain-relief device 50 is alsc actuated, which is described below.

The strain-relief device 50 comprises a cage-like clamping chuck 51, which is clamped in between inclined faces 52 and curved supporting faces 53. The inclined faces 52 are formed by a circle of, for example, four cams, which is fitted to the retaining plate 15 and which extends at a short distance from the inner side of the second housing part 2 and along this side. The supporting faces 53 are circumferential and, in cross section, constitute a dome.

The cage-like clamping chuck 51 has an actuating ring 54, on which cams are provided to form inclined faces, which interact with the inclined faces 52. The actuating ring 54 is secured against rotation by one or more ribs 55 on the housing part 2 engaging in corresponding grooves in the actuating ring 54.

Consequently, if the housing parts 1 and 2 are locked to each other by being pushed into each other and rotated, the inclined faces of the actuating ring 54 engage in the inclined faces 52 of the retaining plate 15, as a result of which the actuating ring 54 is pushed away from the housing part 1 in the axial direction.

The cage-like clamping chuck 51 has four clamping arms 56, which are arranged distributed around the 5S cable 40 with an angular spacing of 90° from one another and which, overall, are bent in an S shape.

This forms a radially inner vertex 57, on which teeth or claws 58 are situated. The arms 56 have free ends 59 which are supported on the domed face 53.

Integrally moulded on the second housing part 2 is a protective sleeve 60, which consists of a flexible material and has sealing lips 61 which bear on the cable 40 in order to keep moisture and dust away from the interior of the device. The protective sleeve also serves as anti-kink protection for the cable.

The assembly cf the cable to the plug connector is carried cut as follows: firstly, a piece cf the sheath 42 of the cable 40 is removed in order to obtain individual insulated wires 43. The front end of these freely movable insulated wires 43 is stripped in order to obtain naked wire ends 41, over which, if appropriate, wire-end sleeves can also be pushed. The connecting end of the cable, prepared in this way, is pushed through the opening formed at the lips 61 into the interior of the housing part 2 until the free wire ends 41 come into the range of the stirrup-shaped springs 8. The latching slide 36 is moved into the position for pressing the stirrup-shaped spring 8 together, if it has not already been supplied in this position, in which the window 11 is open. The wire end 41 can therefore be pushed into the opened window 11, then resting between the contact plate 7 and the supporting leg 18 of the contact element 5. By sliding the slide 36 into the illustrated released position, the compression of the stirrup-shaped spring 8 is cancelled and the latter pulls the caught wire end 41 firmly against the plate 7.

The housing part 2 is then latched to the housing part 1, which is carried out by plugging them into each other axially and rotating them. In the process, the inclined faces of the actuating ring 54 and the inclined faces 52 on the retaining plate 15 come into effect, that is to say the clamping chuck 51 is forced in the axial direction relative to the housing parts 1 and 2, upwards in the drawing. However, the free end 59 which rests on the supporting face 53 does not permit pure displacement of the clamping chuck 51. Instead, the latter is compressed, the vertices 57 of the clamping arms 56 moving radially inwards. During this movement, the teeth or claws 58 dig intc the sheath 42 of the cable, which then opposes such a resistance to further movement of the clamping arms 56 that the further compression of the clamping chuck 51 leads to an outward curvature of the clamping arms in the area between the vertex 57 and the actuating ring 54. This radially outward curvature is more pronounced the thicker the cable 40, as a comparison between Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 shows.

If the cable 40 is pulled, the teeth 58 attempt to penetrate still further into the cable sheath 42, so that the clamping of the cable 40 is increased. In the case of thrust on the cable in the direction of the interior of the housing, resistance to the movement is provided by the bending of the clamping arms 56, that is tec say the cable is also retained firmly din the push~in direction.

The device can be opened by the housing parts 1 and 2 being rotated in the direction opposite to their assembly direction and, as a result, unlatched. At the same time, the strain relief 50 is relieved of stress and, by pulling back the housing part 1, access to the interior of the housing can comfortably be obtained.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Plug connector which «can be “connected to a flexible lead or cable (40), the cable (40) having a connecting end with freely movable conductors (43) and free wire ends (41), with the following features: a first, essentially tubular housing part (1) made of insulating plastic, which encloses an inner, essentially cylindrical contact carrier (4); a second, essentially tubular housing part (2) rade of insulating plastic, which can be Z“oined to the first housing part (1) and surrounds the connecting end having the freely movable conductors (43); a strain-relief device (50), which is designed to clamp the connecting end of the cable (40) firmly; contact elements (5), which have clamping devices (7, 8) for the wire ends (41); a retaining plate (15), which is provided to be fixed to the first housing part (1) in order to retain the contact elements (5) in the contact carrier (4); characterized by the following construction: the retaining plate (15) or a part joined to it has a circle of inclined faces (52), which extend at a short distance from the inner side of the second housing part (2) and along this inner side; the strain-relief device (50) comprises a cage- like clamping chuck (51), which has an actuating ring (54) with inclined faces attached to it and a row of clamping arms (56) which, at a radially innermost point, have teeth or claws (58); the connecting end of the cable (40) can be inserted axially into the interior of the second housing part (2), the clamping arms (56) of the clamping chuck (51) surrounding the connecting end; the wire ends (41) can be plugged into the clamping devices (7, 8); in order to join the first and second housing parts, a locking system (20) is provided, which is made effective by plugging the housing parts together axially and rotating them relative to one another, the inclined faces (52) of the retaining plate (15) interacting with the inclined faces of the actuating ring (54) of the strain-relief device, forcing the clamping chuck (51) against a supporting face (53) on the second housing part (2) and compressing it at the same time, in order for the teeth or claws (58) to engage in the sheath (42) of the cable (40).

2. Plug connector according to Claim 1, characterized in that the clamping arms (56) are in general curved in an S shape and have a radially inner vertex (57) to which the claws or teeth (58) are fitted.

3. Plug connector accerding to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that four clamping arms (56) are provided, which describe a bell-shaped outline.

4. Plug connector according te one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clamping chuck (51) and the second housing part (2) have interengaging extensions (55) which permit displacement in the axial direction but prevent rotation relative to one another.

5. Plug connector according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at the cable insertion end of the second housing part (2), an anti-kink cable sleeve (60) is integrally moulded on which consists of a softer plastic material than the plastic material of the second housing part (2).

6. Plug connector according to the precharacterizing clause of Claim 1, and with the following further features: the clamping devices (7, 8) are screwless and each comprise a stirrup-shaped spring (8) having a supporting leg (9) and a clamping plate (10); the contact elements (5) each have a contact plate (7), on which the supporting leg (9) bears; the clamping plate (10) engages around the contact plate (7) with a window opening (11) which has an actuating edge (12) on the contact plate and a free edge (13) on the stirrup-shaped spring (8);

the stirrup-shaped spring (8) acts on the clamping plate (10) like a tension spring and pulls the actuating edge (12) against the contact plate (7); a latching slide (36) is displaceably guided in the retaining plate (15) and has a position for pressing the stirrup-shaped spring (8) together and a position for releasing the stirrup-shaped spring (8).

7. Plug connector according to Claim 6, characterized in that the latching slide (36) has a cutout (37), in which there is space for a joining leg (8a) of the ‘stirrup-shaped spring (8) when the position for releasing the stirrup-shaped spring is assumed.

8. Plug connector according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the latching slide (36) has stops (38, 39) in order to define its position for being pressed together and its position for releasing the stirrup-shaped spring (8).

S. Plug connector according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that on the contact plate (7) there is arranged a supporting device (18), which extends on the opposite side to the stirrup-shaped spring (8) and, in relation to the plug connector, is oriented radially inwards.

10. Plug connector according to one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the retaining plate (13) can be latched tec the contact carrier (4).