CN107425357B

CN107425357B - Device for assembling, disassembling and inserting connector and method for using the same

Info

Publication number: CN107425357B
Application number: CN201710333467.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·帕伯; H·施密德
Original assignee: Harting Electronics GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Harting Electronics GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2016-05-12
Filing date: 2017-05-12
Publication date: 2020-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-12
Also published as: CN107425357A; DE102016108780A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for assembling, disassembling and disassembling a plug connector. The component (1) has at least one latching flank (4) which is provided for latching the component (1) to the plug connector. A first wedge surface (10) provided on the component (1) is provided for disengaging the plug connector from a wall bushing or other plug connector receptacle. By means of the first movement, the component (1) can thus be latched on the plug connector, wherein at the same time the locking of the plug connector to the plug connector receiving element is released. To remove the plug connector by means of the device (1), a second, opposite movement is required. The plug connector can therefore be disengaged and removed particularly advantageously by two small movements.

Description

Device for assembling, disassembling and inserting connector and method for using the same

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device suitable for fitting, disengaging (releasing) and removing a plug connector and to a method for using the device according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Background

Plug connectors known from the prior art are used for different possibilities of use. In addition to plug connectors which are used directly, plug connectors for mounting on housings or surfaces, so-called mounting (assembly) plug connectors, are also known. Plug connectors for use in modular plug connector systems are also known. The modular plug system forms a special embodiment, which is suitable for receiving the entire plug connector but also for receiving the individual contact elements. Such systems are used in special applications, such as mobile video walls, where the conventional electrical connections to power and signal cables should be eliminated. Many video elements of the same type are electrically and mechanically connected directly to one another and are contacted by special plug systems. The aim of plug-in systems is to transmit electrical power for operating video elements on the one hand and video signals on the other hand. Ideally, all contacts and plug connectors are implemented redundantly in order to ensure the highest possible reliability. But this redundancy also doubles the component cost.

In such applications, which are heavily loaded by very high plug-in times and harsh environmental conditions, the failure rate is correspondingly high. This is firstly achieved by the signal plug connector, which is a potential fault risk at its low voltage level. If the plug connection is out of operation despite the presence of redundant plug connections, the plug connection must be able to be repaired and/or replaced most quickly.

In the solutions known from the prior art, it is disadvantageous that the replacement of a single plug connector is often only difficult to achieve. In order to replace individual plug connectors, for example, the entire device and components must be disassembled in order to remove the respective plug connector held in the receiving part from the receiving part.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a possibility for removing plug connectors, in particular plug connectors for signal transmission, such as RJ45 plug connectors or RJ45 sockets, from a fitted system without the system itself having to be removed. Here, the user-friendliness and simple operability of the proposed solution should be as important as economy.

This object is achieved by the features of the characterizing portion of independent claim 1 and the parallel method according to claim 13.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a device for assembling, disassembling and removing a plug connector, wherein the device has a base body and at least one latching element. The base body is designed in such a way that it at least partially surrounds a cavity. The cavity is configured to receive a plug connector. The component can thus be arranged on or around the plug connector.

The base body is configured with a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side is oriented in the disengaging direction of the device, wherein the second side is oriented in the opposite detaching direction.

The locking element is arranged on the base body and has a first locking flank. The first latch side faces the removal direction. The first latching flank projects into this cavity, which is at least partially surrounded by the base body. The component can thus be latched to the plug connector received in the cavity by means of the first latching flank.

The plug connectors may be different types of plug connectors depending on the application. Preferably, the device for assembling, disassembling and disassembling a plug connector is used. Such socket or plug couplers are also used for inserting and connecting plugs. Alternatively, the device can also be used directly on a plug for latching the plug into a mounting frame or a mounting housing. The device for mounting, dismounting and mounting can therefore be used as flexibly as possible on plug connectors of different types.

A latching flank is understood to mean a flank which is designed to latch the component. The surface designed as a latching flank is arranged in such a way that it can be latched against the other surfaces. Preferably, this face is therefore oriented transversely to the insertion direction and the disengagement direction. Depending on the purpose of the latching flank and the latching direction, the respective face faces either the insertion direction or the removal direction.

The locking element furthermore has a first wedge surface, which is arranged on the locking element in the disengagement direction. The first wedge surface is arranged at an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees between the release direction and the side of the locking element opposite the cavity. The catch thus forms a wedge in the disengagement direction, which is suitable for moving the catch between the two elements and simultaneously separating the two elements from one another.

The latching means are expediently designed as spring arms and extend away from the base body in the disengagement direction. The embodiment as a spring arm is particularly advantageous when the component surrounds the plug connector and the first latching flank cannot be latched into the plug connector. In this case, a first latching flank projecting into the cavity bears against the plug connector, as a result of which the latching means is bent away from the plug connector.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking element has a second wedge surface, which is arranged behind the first locking flank. The second wedge surface likewise faces the release direction and projects into the cavity together with the first latching flank. When the device is plugged onto the plug connector, the latching means embodied as a spring arm is deflected by the second wedge surface in such a way that the first latching flank is moved out of the cavity. The second wedge surface is therefore only used for mounting the component on the plug connector. The first latching flank thus moves out of the cavity and enables the insertion of the plug connector into the component.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, two latching means can be provided on the base body. The two latching elements are arranged on opposite sides of the base body, so that the latching elements latch the plug connector received in the cavity of the base body on both sides. The device for fitting, removing and removing is thereby reliably held on the plug connector. When disassembled, the plug connector can be better received and removed with the device.

It is particularly advantageous if the locking means is formed integrally with the base body. It is thus possible to produce the device for fitting, removing and dismantling in one piece in an injection molding process. No additional assembly of the individual parts is required. Assembly and manufacturing costs can be saved. The catch, which is embodied as a spring arm, is deflected only by the flexibility of the material. The material is bent so that the detent flank and the second wedge surface can be moved out of the cavity of the component.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the device for fitting, removing and dismantling has an actuating element. The actuating element can be arranged on the component in a manner that is reversible transversely to the insertion direction. Advantageously, the actuating element, just like the latching element, is integrally formed on the base body. The actuating element is configured as a lever having a first end and a second end. Between the two ends, the actuating element is connected to the base body via a shaft. The shafts are formed here as two flexible, concentric shafts which are likewise formed in one piece on the actuating element and on the base body.

By means of these shafts, the actuating element can thus be arranged on the base body in a reversible manner. A second latching flank is arranged on the first end of the actuating element. The second latching flank is oriented in the insertion direction and projects into the cavity. The second latching flank is provided here for holding the means for fitting, removing and removing on the plug connector and preventing it from moving axially in the plug-in direction. For this purpose, the second latching flank latches onto the edge of the plug connector, so that undesired axial movements of the means for fitting, disengaging and removing are prevented.

In order to release the axial movement for uncoupling and dismounting, an actuating part is provided at the second end of the actuating element. The actuating part is designed as a pressure point which can be pressed by the user. By pressing the actuating element, the actuating element is pivoted about the axes and the second latching flank is lifted out of the cavity, so that the latching with the plug connector is released. The actuating element thus forms a tilting lever, by means of which the means for fitting, removing and detaching are latched to the plug connector and can be removed by pressing the actuating element.

It is particularly advantageous if the means for fitting, removing and detaching are made of a polymer or of a metal plate. In particular, the flexible region, for example the latching means or the actuating element, can be produced in one piece. The stiffness and rigidity of these regions can be adjusted by the material properties. In addition, the production costs are particularly low in the production of injection-molded parts.

Depending on the embodiment, the means for mounting, dismounting and mounting can be designed differently. It is particularly advantageous here if the component completely surrounds the cavity. Depending on the application, however, embodiments are advantageous which surround the hollow space on only three sides or are formed on only two sides of the hollow space.

The invention further relates to a method for using the device for assembling, disassembling and disassembling a plug connector. Starting from the plug connector, the plug connector is fitted in the plug connector receptacle. The plug connector is preferably designed as a socket, for example an RJ45 socket. The plug connector receiver is configured, for example, as a mounting housing or a fastening flange. The plug connector is thus fixed to the housing or housing wall or device wall by the plug connector receiver. The plug connector receptacle has a latching means which latches into the plug connector, preferably from the side.

The means for fitting, removing and detaching are fitted to the plug connector in a region which is not arranged in the plug connector receptacle. The component surrounds the plug connector such that the plug connector fills the cavity of the component for assembly, disassembly and assembly.

The method according to the invention is described by the following method steps:

a) the means for fitting, removing and detaching are moved along the insertion direction on the plug connector. The component is pushed on the plug connector towards the plug connector receiver.

b) The locking of the plug connector is released by the first wedge surface of the component, by the locking element of the component being introduced between the plug connector and the plug connector receiver. In this case, the locking element, which is tapered, is inserted into the region between the plug connector and the plug connector receiving element. The plug connector receptacle is widened or at least partially elastically deformed or at least in the region of the latching with the plug connector is influenced in such a way that the latching of the plug connector in the plug connector receptacle is released.

c) The component for assembly, disassembly and assembly is latched to the plug connector by latching the first latching flank in the plug connector. When the component is pushed far enough onto the plug connector, the first latching flank latches into the recess of the plug connector. The latching of the component with respect to the plug connector is effected in this case in contrast to the latching of the plug connector with respect to the plug connector receptacle which is released.

d) The device for fitting, removing and detaching is pulled out of the plug connector receptacle counter to the insertion direction together with the latched plug connector. The direction of movement is thus along a removal direction, which is opposite to the insertion direction. This pulling out therefore corresponds to the removal of the plug connector, which is removed from the plug connector receptacle by the device.

A preferred embodiment provides a further first method step. This further first method step is preceded by the above-mentioned method step a): by actuating the actuating element, the second locking flank is moved via the actuating element. In this case, the means for fitting, removing and detaching snap onto the plug connector in the initial position. The latch on the plug connector is released by the tilting of the actuating element, so that the component can be moved on the plug connector in accordance with the method step a) described above.

The method according to the invention and the method described therefore provide the possibility of disengaging and removing the plug connector in a simple manner. In this case, the plug connection of the plug connector does not need to be undone beforehand. The plug connector can be detached together with a mating plug connector of the latch.

Furthermore, the disengagement and removal can be performed in a very small space. Removal of the plug connector, or of the parts surrounding the plug connector, is not necessary.

Drawings

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in detail below. It shows

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the invention,

figure 2 is another perspective view of the device of figure 1,

figure 3 is a front view of the device of figure 1,

figure 4 is a perspective assembly view of the device of figure 1 with a plug connector and a mating plug connector,

FIG. 5 is a full sectional view and a partial sectional view of a plug connector with means for assembly, disassembly and assembly,

FIG. 6 is a full sectional view and a partial sectional view of a plug connector with means for assembly, disassembly and disassembly when disengaged,

FIG. 7 is a full sectional view and a partial sectional view of the plug connector with means for fitting, disengaging and removing, when removed,

fig. 8 is a full sectional view and a partial sectional view of the plug connector with means for fitting, removing and dismantling in the dismantled state.

The drawings comprise partially simplified, schematic views. In part, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements, but the same reference numerals are also used for different elements, if necessary. Different views of the same element may be shown on different scale.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device 1 according to the invention. The component 1 is formed by a base body 2, which is embodied in this exemplary embodiment as a sleeve closed on four sides. The base body 2 encloses a cavity which is provided for receiving a plug connector. The base body 2 forms a first side a in the front region, which first side faces the insertion direction of the component 1. In the rear region, a side B is formed opposite the first side a, said side facing the removal direction.

In the insertion direction, two latching means 3 are formed on the base body 2 on the first side a. Along the insertion direction, the locking element 3 extends away from the base body 2. First wedge surfaces 10 are formed on the ends of the locking element 3. The first wedge surface faces the insertion side and the outer side of the base body 2.

On the inner side of the locking element 3, a first locking flank 4 of the locking element 3 is formed in each case facing the cavity. The latch flank 4 is one of the sides B, i.e. the face facing in the direction of removal. A second wedge surface 5 is formed on the first latching flank 3, which is directed in the insertion direction and faces the cavity. When the component 1 is plugged onto the plug connector, the locking element 3 can then be pivoted about the second wedge surface 5 and thus the first locking flank 4 can be moved out of the cavity.

On the upper side of the device 1, a handling element 6 is formed. The actuating element 6 is mounted as a rocker via two shafts 7 and is connected to the base body 2. A second latching flank 8 is formed on the first end of the actuating element 6 corresponding to the cavity. The second latching flank 8 is oriented here in the insertion direction. The actuating element 6 can be pivoted about the axis 7 by means of an actuating part 9, which is arranged on a second side of the actuating element 6. By turning the actuating element 6 over, the second latching flank 8 is lifted out of the cavity. The latching by means of the second latching flank 8 is thereby released.

Another perspective view of the device of fig. 1 is shown in fig. 2. The device 1 is here shown with a view looking towards the second side B.

A front view of the device of figure 1 is shown in figure 3. A base body 2 can be seen, which surrounds the cavity. The first latching flank 4 and the second latching flank 8 project into the cavity laterally or from above. It is thus possible to latch the component 1 on a plug connector or the like, which can be located in this cavity.

When the component 1 is pushed onto the plug connector, the first latching flank 4 and therefore the latching means 3 are pressed outward by the plug connector. When the component 1 is placed on the end of the plug connector, the second latching flank 8 can latch onto the end and the component 1 is protected against further pushing.

By actuating the actuating element 9, the actuating element 6 is pivoted about the axis 7 and the second catch flank 8 is moved out of the cavity. The fastening of the component 1 to the plug connector is thus released and the component 1 is pushed further onto the plug connector.

Fig. 4a and 4b show perspective assembly views of the device 1 of fig. 1 with the plug connector 15 and the mating plug connector 20. The plug connector 15 is designed here as a socket of an RJ45 plug connector. The substantially cuboid plug connector 15 has two receptacles for receiving mating plug connectors 20. One of the sockets is provided on each end side of the plug connector 15.

On the illustrated front left side of the plug connector 15, the component 1 is received on the plug connector 15. In this case, the plug connector 15 is at least partially received in this cavity of the component 1. The component 1 is held on the front end side of the plug connector 15 by means of the second latching flank 8 of the actuating element 6, so that the component 1 cannot be pushed further onto the plug connector 15 and the plug connector 15 cannot be pushed further into the cavity of the component 1.

Fig. 4a and 4b show the initial state of the component 1 on the fitted plug connector 15. In this position, the plug connector 15 can be fitted, i.e. inserted and operated in a housing, a mounting flange, a wall bushing or the like. For illustration purposes, the mating plug connector 20 is additionally shown. The mating plug connector 20 can be inserted through this cavity of the component 1 into the socket of the plug connector 15 and latched therein. The device 1 therefore does not limit the operation and the use of the plug connector 15.

The invention is particularly advantageous if the component 1 is latched on the second latching flank 8 in the insertion direction to the plug connector 15, so that the plug connector 15 can be mounted by the component 1. The device 1 can thus be used as a handle for plugging in and out the connector 15.

Fig. 5 to 8 show the disconnection and removal process of the plug connector 15 in a single step. Each figure is shown here in a full sectional view (a) and a partial sectional view (b), respectively.

Fig. 5a and 5b show a plug connector 15 with a device 1 for assembly, disassembly and assembly corresponding to fig. 4, but without a mating plug connector 20. For this purpose, the plug connector 15 is received in the wall bushing 30. The wall sleeve 30 receives the plug connector 15 and fixes it. The wall bushing 30 can be inserted into and screwed to the housing wall or the device wall.

It is well known that the plug connector 15 latches with the wall sleeve 30 by means of latching arms of the wall sleeve. The latching arms of the wall bushing hold the plug connector 15 and prevent it from being pulled out of the wall bushing. The component 1 is fitted on the end face to the plug connector 15. By means of the second latching flank 8, the component 1 is prevented from being pushed further onto the plug connector 15 towards the wall sleeve 30.

The first latching flank 4 is pressed out of the cavity by the second wedge surface 5 by means of a plug connector 15, which is received in the cavity of the component 1. As a result, the locking means 3 is likewise deflected and laterally abuts against the plug connector 15. The locking means 3 is in this case in a prestressed state due to the elasticity of the material of the component 1. At the same time, the locking element 3 is designed such that the first wedge surface 10 rests against the locking arm of the wall sleeve 30 and makes it easier to grip the locking arm from below.

Fig. 6a and 6b show a plug connector 15 with a device 1 for assembly, disassembly and disassembly when it is disconnected. By operating the actuation part 9, the fixing of the component 1 to the plug connector 15 is released. The component 1 can thus be pushed on the plug connector 15 in the disconnection direction, i.e. further towards the wall sleeve 30. The first wedge surface 10 grips the latching arm of the wall sleeve 30 from below and lifts the latching arm. By means of the first wedge surface 10, the latching arms of the wall bushing 30 slide and are lifted from the plug connector 15. The catch 3 of the device 1 is thus moved under the catch arm of the wall bushing 30. The plug connector 15 is thus unlocked and disengaged from the wall sleeve 30.

Fig. 7a and 7b further show the plug connector 15 with the device 1 for assembly, disassembly and disassembly. The component 1 is pushed onto the plug connector 15 to such an extent that the first latching flank 4 is inserted into and latches onto the plug connector 15. By prestressing the latching means 3, the first latching flank 4 is introduced into the cavity of the component 1, so that the component 1 latches onto the plug connector. At the same time, the latching arms of the wall bushing 30 are lifted to such an extent that they no longer latch with the plug connector 15.

The plug connector 15 can now be pulled out of the wall bushing 30 by the component 1, which is latched to the plug connector 15. Since the wall bushing 30 is unlocked from the plug connector 15, the component 1 can easily be pulled out of the wall bushing 30 together with the plug connector 15 latched thereto.

The state of disassembly of the plug connector 15 and the component 1 is shown again in fig. 8a and 8 b. The plug connector 15 and the component 1 are removed almost completely from the wall bushing 30. The latching of the plug connector 15 with the wall sleeve 30 is released and the plug connector 15 can be completely removed from the wall sleeve 30. For the reassembly, the component 1 must be removed from the plug connector and mounted again in the initial state on one of the sides of the plug connector 15.

The advantages achieved by the invention consist, firstly, in the simple removal of the plug connector 15, as shown in fig. 5 to 8. The plug connector 15 can be released from the wall bushing 30 or the like by two simple movements. For this purpose, the component 1 must only be unlocked, completely moved (slipped) onto the plug connector 15 and latched to the plug connector, and the component 1, including the plug connector 15, is then removed from the wall bushing 30.

Claims

1. A device (1) for assembling, disassembling and disassembling a plug connector, which is received and latched in a plug connector receptacle, has a base body (2) and at least one latching means (3), wherein the base body (2) at least partially encloses a cavity, wherein the base body (2) is designed with a first side (A) facing in a disengaging direction and a second side (B) opposite the first side (A) facing in a disassembling direction opposite the disengaging direction,

wherein the locking element (3) has a first locking flank (4) which is oriented in the removal direction and projects into the cavity, and the locking element (3) has a first wedge surface (10) which is oriented at an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees in the disengagement direction and away from the cavity, so that a wedge oriented in the disengagement direction is formed on the first side (A).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the latching means (3) are configured as spring arms and extend away from the base body (2) in the disengagement direction.

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latch (3) has a second wedge surface (5), wherein the second wedge surface (5) is arranged on the rear side of the first latch flank (4), is oriented in the disengagement direction and projects into the cavity.

4. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base body (2) has two latches (3), wherein the latches (3) are arranged on opposite sides of the cavity.

5. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the detent (3) is integrally formed on the base body (2).

6. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (1) has an actuating element (6), wherein the actuating element (6) has a second latching flank (8) which is oriented in the disengagement direction and projects into the cavity.

7. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the operating member (6) can be flipped about an axis oriented transversely to the disengagement direction.

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the operating element (6) is configured as a lever, the second latching flank (8) being arranged on a first end of the lever and a second end of the lever constituting an operating portion (9).

9. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the actuating element (6) is integrally formed on the base body (2) and is connected thereto by two flexible, concentric shafts (7), wherein the shafts (7) are arranged between the second latching flank (8) and the actuating section (9).

10. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (1) is made of a polymer or of a metal plate.

11. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device (1) surrounds the cavity on at least three sides.

12. Device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the device (1) completely encloses the cavity, wherein the cavity is accessible through the first side (a) and the second side (B).

13. Method for using a device (1) for disconnecting and removing a plug connector, wherein the device (1) is arranged on a plug connector and a second latching flank (8) engages on the plug connector, characterized in that the plug connector is fitted into a plug connector receptacle by means of the device (1), the device (1) for disconnecting and removing being a device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Method for using a device (1) for disconnecting and removing a plug connector, wherein the plug connector is received and latched in a plug connector receptacle, characterized by the following method steps:

moving the component (1) along the insertion direction on the plug connector,

unlocking the plug connector by means of a first wedge surface (10) by introducing a locking element (3) between the plug connector and the plug connector receiving element,

latching the component (1) to the plug connector by means of a first latching flank (4),

pulling the component (1) out of the plug connector receptacle together with the inserted plug connector in the removal direction counter to the insertion direction.

15. Method for using a device (1) for disconnecting and removing a plug connector according to claim 14, characterized in that, prior to the first method step, the second latching flank (8) is moved by actuating the actuating element (6) by actuating the actuating section (9), as a result of which the latching of the device (1) with the plug connector is released.

16. Method of use of a device (1) for disconnecting and removing a plug connector according to any one of claims 14 to 15, characterized in that the device (1) for disconnecting and removing is a device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.