CN118232065A

CN118232065A - Plug connector part with releasable plug element

Info

Publication number: CN118232065A
Application number: CN202311759831.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乔舒亚·施勒布希
Original assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2022-12-20
Filing date: 2023-12-20
Publication date: 2024-06-21
Also published as: DE102022134013A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector part (1) for establishing an electrical connection, comprising: a housing (10) having a receptacle (100) and a plug element (11) which is arranged or can be arranged in the receptacle (100) of the housing (10) and has a plug section (110) for electrical connection with a mating plug section (20). It is proposed that the plug element (11) has at least one locking section (111) which forms a latching connection with at least one locking element (101) of the housing (10), wherein at least one unlocking element (102) is provided, by means of which the latching connection of the locking element (101) of the housing (10) with the locking section (111) of the plug element (11) can be released.

Description

Plug connector part with releasable plug element

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a plug connector part for establishing an electrical connection.

Background

The electrical connector parts are connectable to corresponding mating plug connector parts to establish an electrical connection. At least one plug element made of an electrically conductive material is typically arranged in the housing. When using a plug connector part, it is generally first connected to an electrical conductor, for example a cable, and then connected to a mating plug connector part.

Typically, a relatively large number of plug connector parts need to be connected. It is generally necessary to note here that no joints are confused or other connection errors occur. In this case, or for example in the case of a need for a modification of the connection line, it may be desirable to remove such a plug element from the housing.

DE 10 2006 010 163 B4 describes an electrical plug connector element having: a plug connector body in which a contact seat is formed; an electrical contact crimped with a corresponding cable and capable of being seated in a contact seat of a plug connector body; and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can be fastened to the plug connector body after insertion of the contacts and has stops which are inserted into the contact seats and prevent the contacts from coming out of their seats, wherein the locking mechanism is releasably fastened in the plug connector body by means of locking wedges which each have a projection which engages into a slot in a side wall of the housing of the plug connector body and engages into a longitudinal seat of the locking mechanism.

However, this requires a complex structure with additional components that are also easily lost.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to provide a plug connector part which can be used flexibly and which is at the same time of simple construction.

This object is solved by the subject matter having the features of claim 1.

The plug connector part for establishing an electrical connection therefore comprises a housing with a receptacle and a plug element with a plug section which can be arranged (and in the installed state) in the receptacle of the housing, the plug section being used for the electrical connection with a mating plug section, wherein the plug element has at least one locking section which forms a latching connection with at least one locking element of the housing, wherein at least one unlocking element is provided, by means of which the latching connection of the locking element of the housing with the locking section of the plug element can be released.

This is based on the recognition that a particularly simple and rapid installation of the plug element in the housing is possible by the latching connection, wherein the latching connection can be released by the provision of the unlocking element, so that the plug element can be removed again from the housing if required, without separate components being required for this purpose. This enables a particularly flexible use of the plug connector part, while having a simple structure and thus a simple manufacture of the plug connector part. The plug connector part may be formed in the form of a plug or in the form of a socket. Furthermore, the plug connector part may be fixedly mounted on the wall or be of movable design. Thus, a plug connector part with an releasable plug element is provided.

The at least one unlocking element may be configured in the form of a rod. This enables a particularly simple and intuitive operation of the plug connector parts.

The at least one unlocking element can be connected to the locking element via a connection section. For example, the unlocking element pulls the connecting section in operation, thereby pulling the locking element out of the locking section. This allows a particularly simple and easy to manufacture structure.

An end of the at least one unlocking element may abut the connection section. A compact and simple structure can thereby be achieved. The unlocking element may be configured to extend longitudinally and, for example, the end is a longitudinal side end.

The housing may form the at least one unlocking element. Thus, a particularly simple structure can be achieved. The at least one unlocking element may be part of the housing. The at least one unlocking element may be integrally formed with the housing.

The housing may have at least one bearing point on which the at least one unlocking element can be supported (and supported) during operation. Thus, an effective leverage can be obtained.

At least one bearing point is formed, for example, on the outside of the inner housing section. The inner housing section optionally forms at least a portion of a receptacle. This allows a particularly simple construction which at the same time prevents erroneous operation.

The at least one support point may be formed in the form of a projection. Such a bearing point is particularly durable and the operation of the unlocking element is correspondingly reliable.

The at least one unlocking element can be spaced apart from the at least one bearing point in the inoperative state. This allows for haptic feedback when operating.

The at least one bearing point forms, for example, a pivot point for the at least one unlocking element. Thus, unlocking can be achieved with a small operating stroke.

The housing may have two unlocking elements, in particular on opposite sides of the housing. In this way, a particularly simple operation is achieved by pressing the two unlocking elements together, while a reliable locking is achieved in the unoperated state.

Optionally, the housing is designed such that the open ends of the two unlocking elements are directed away from each other. For example, the unlocking elements protrude angularly relative to each other from the rest of the housing. Thereby, a sufficiently long operating stroke can be provided despite the compact structure.

The at least one locking section of the plug element and/or the at least one locking element of the housing may (respectively) have a lead-in bevel and/or a latching edge. This allows a reliable latching.

The plug element may be insertable (and in the installed state) into a receptacle of the housing, for example in a direction parallel to the plug direction of the mating plug section on the plug section of the plug element. Thus, a particularly simple structure can be achieved.

The plug element may have contact tongues arranged in a circular manner. The contact tongues can spring-elastically establish electrical contact with the mating plug section inserted between them.

Optionally, the receptacle is cylindrically shaped at least in sections. The necessity of orienting the plug element relative to the housing can thus be simplified or eliminated.

The plug element may have a connection section for connecting an electrical conductor, for example a stranded conductor. The plug element with the connected conductors can then be simply inserted into the housing and snapped in, and removed again if necessary. This allows for simple wiring.

The connection section is optionally configured as a crimp section for crimping with an electrical conductor introduced therein. This allows a particularly reliable and at the same time quick and simple electrical connection to be established between the conductor and the plug element.

The housing may be integrally constructed. This allows a particularly simple manufacturing process.

Drawings

The idea underlying the invention is explained in detail below with the aid of an embodiment shown in the drawings. The drawings show:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a plug connector part for establishing an electrical connection with a mating plug connector part;

fig. 2 shows a cross-section of a housing of the plug connector part according to fig. 1 and a plug element arranged in the housing;

Fig. 3 shows a top view of a housing of the plug connector part according to fig. 1, in which no plug element is provided;

Fig. 4 shows a section through the housing of the plug connector part according to fig. 1 along the section line A-A shown in fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a top view of a housing of the plug connector part according to fig. 1, in which a plug element is provided; and

Fig. 6 shows a section through the housing and the plug element of the plug connector part according to fig. 1 along the section line B-B shown in fig. 5.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 to 6 show a plug connector part 1 for establishing an electrical connection with a mating plug connector part 2. The plug connector part 1 comprises a housing 10 and a plug element 11 arranged therein, which plug element is visible, for example, in the view of fig. 2.

The plug element 11 is made of an electrically conductive material, for example of a metal (e.g. copper) or a metal alloy. The housing 10 is made of an insulating material, such as plastic.

In particular, the housing 10 shown in fig. 1 is constructed in one piece. It has a receptacle 100 into which the plug element 11 can be inserted longitudinally and in the installed state is arranged. The receiving portion 100 is cylindrically formed. The receiving portion 100 is opened toward two opposite sides of the housing 10. The housing 10 is formed in an elongated and flat manner. The receiving portion 100 extends along a longitudinal side of the housing 10. The housing 10 has two larger side walls 107 and smaller upper and lower sides as compared to them. A plurality of plug elements 1 can be mounted in a side-by-side arrangement.

The plug connector part 1 also has at least one unlocking element 102, in this case two unlocking elements 102, which protrude from the housing 10 and which will be explained in more detail below. Between the protruding unlocking elements 102, the section of the housing 10 that partially forms the receptacle 100 protrudes from the remaining housing 10. This section (here: the inner housing section 105, see below) also forms a stop for the unlocking element 102, which prevents the unlocking element 102 from breaking off, for example, due to too intense manipulation.

The housing 10 furthermore forms a plug-in region 108, to which the mating plug-in connector part 2 can be plugged. The mating plug connector part 2 can be plugged onto the plug connector part 1 along a plug-in direction R. In this case, one of the two parts can be held stationary, while the other can be moved. The mating plug section 20 is introduced into an opening in the plug region 108 in order to be in electrical contact with the plug element 11. The plug region 108 is arranged on the opposite side of the plug connector part 1 from the unlocking element 102.

For example, it can be seen from fig. 2 that the plug element 11 is arranged in the receptacle 100. The plug element has a plug section 110 for electrical connection with a mating plug section 20 of the mating plug connector part 2. The plug section 110 is formed here by a plurality of contact tongues 112 arranged in a circular manner. The contact tongues 112 face each other with their open ends. The contact tongue 112 can thus be pressed elastically against the inserted mating plug section 20 and thereby reliably contact and mechanically hold the mating plug section.

The plug element 11 has at least one locking section 111 which forms a latching connection with at least one locking element 101, in this case two locking elements 101, of the housing 10. The locking section 111 of the plug element 11 has a circumferential (and closed-off-side) locking edge K2 (see, for example, fig. 6), but may alternatively have a plurality of locking edges, for example, two opposing locking edges. The locking section 111 is formed by a circumferential projection protruding radially outwards. The locking element 101 is formed in the form of a latching projection. The locking elements 101 face each other.

Furthermore, each locking element 101 of the housing 10 has a latching edge K1 which can latch with a latching edge K2 of the plug element 11 and which, in the mounted state of the plug element 11, latches in the housing 10 (see in particular fig. 2 and 6).

Furthermore, the locking elements 101 of the housing 10 each have a lead-in bevel C1, see for example fig. 4. The plug element 11 also has a circumferential insertion bevel C2, see for example fig. 6. If the plug element 11 is inserted into the receptacle 100 of the housing 10, the insertion bevel C2 of the plug element 11 presses against the locking element 101 of the housing 10. The locking element 101 of the housing 10 is arranged here on the opposite side of the receptacle 100 and the plug element 11 positioned therein. The plug element 11 can be inserted (and for example according to fig. 6) into the receptacle 100 of the housing 10 parallel to the plug direction R of the mating plug section 20 onto the plug section 110 of the plug element 11.

Once the plug element 11 has been inserted sufficiently far into the receptacle 100, the latching edge K1 of the housing 10 engages behind the latching edge K2 of the plug element 11 and thus establishes a latching connection. The chamfer of the housing 10 (alternatively a separate stop) limits the movement of the plug element 11 in the receptacle 100. The ring 109 is arranged on the plug-in region 108. When the mating plug section 20 is connected to the plug section 110 of the plug element 11, the mating plug section 20 is first guided by the ring 109 and then reaches the plug section 110 of the plug element 11. The ring 109 thus protects the plug section 110.

In order to be able to remove the plug element 11 again from the housing 10, the plug connector part 1 has an unlocking mechanism. At least one unlocking element 102 is provided, in this case two unlocking elements 102 being provided, by actuating them, the latching connection of the locking element 101 of the housing 10 to the locking section 111 of the plug element 11 being releasable. Two unlocking elements 102 are provided on opposite sides of the housing 10. The two unlocking elements 102 are arranged offset from each other by 180 degrees. By moving the open ends E2 of the unlocking elements 102 towards each other, the locking elements 101 of the housing 10 are moved away from each other, i.e. splayed. It may be provided that the unlocking element 102 is elastically deformed during operation.

The unlocking elements 102 are each designed in the form of a rod. Unlocking elements 102 are each constructed integrally with housing 10. The unlocking element 102 has an end E1 (see fig. 4, for example), by means of which end E1 the unlocking element 102 is connected to the remaining housing 10. Starting from this end E1, the unlocking element 102 extends at least in sections parallel to the longitudinal extension of the receptacle 100. Furthermore, unlocking elements 102 extend parallel to one another at least in sections. Unlocking elements 102 are oriented symmetrically to each other. Unlocking element 102 is elongate. The end E1 constitutes one longitudinal side end. Unlocking element 102 is connected to housing 10 only at end E1. The respective other longitudinal side end is thus the open end E2.

Unlocking element 102 extends between inner housing section 105 and outer housing section 106. The inner housing section 105 forms (at least) part of the receptacle 100. The outer housing section extends (at least) partially within the outer housing section 106. The outer housing section 106 has outer side walls 107 and walls on the upper and lower sides of the housing 10 that connect the side walls 107 to each other. The open end E2 of the unlocking element 102 protrudes from the outer housing section 106.

In the example shown, the open ends E2 of the unlocking element 102 are directed away from one another. Thus, the open end E2 can be easily grasped and pressed together for operation.

The unlocking elements 102 are each (integrally) connected to the respective locking element 101 by a connecting section 104. Each connecting section 104 is arranged adjacent to a respective locking element 101 (in this example directly opposite on the wall of the inner housing section 105). Each connection section 104 is provided at a corresponding end E1 of the unlocking element 102.

For the best possible leverage, the housing 10 has a bearing 103. In operation, the respective unlocking element 102 can be supported at the respective bearing point 103. The bearing points 103 are each formed on the outside of the inner housing section 105. For each unlocking element 102, the housing 10 has at least one bearing point 103. In this case, the housing 10 has two bearing points 103 for each unlocking element 102, one of which is visible in the sectional views of fig. 4 and 6 (the other bearing point is designed as a mirror image of the other bearing point).

The bearing points 103 are each formed in the form of a projection and each form a pivot point for the respective unlocking element 102.

If the unlocking elements 102 are actuated, i.e. in particular pressed toward one another here at their open ends E2, the unlocking elements 102 come into abutment with the bearing points 103 and further pressing results in the (inner) ends E1 of the unlocking elements 102 being lifted. The locking element 101 of the housing 10 is thus pulled out of engagement with the locking section 111 of the plug element 11 by the connection section 104. The plug element 11 can then be removed from the receptacle 100 parallel to the plug direction R. In the non-operative state, the unlocking element 102 is spaced apart from the respective bearing point 103. However, it is alternatively also possible to provide that the unlocking element 102 also abuts against the respective bearing point in the non-actuated state.

The bearing points 103 are each arranged (approximately) centrally on (along the length of) the respective unlocking element 102. The bearing points are arranged at steps S (see, for example, fig. 4) of the respective unlocking element 102.

The plug element 11 has a connection section 113 for connecting the electrical conductors 3, see for example fig. 6. The connection section 113 forms a receptacle into which the end of the electrical conductor 3 can be inserted, for example, before the plug element 11 is installed in the housing 10. The connection section 113 is configured as a crimp section for crimping with the electrical conductor 3 inserted therein. For this purpose, the connecting section 113 is pressed together with the electrical conductor 3 located therein. After crimping, the plug element 11 with the electrical conductor 3 fastened thereto is introduced into the receptacle 100 of the housing 10 and is thereby snapped in place. In this case, the locking elements 101 are pressed outwards until they are snapped behind the snap edges K2 of the plug element 11. If the plug element 11 with the electrical conductor 3 fastened thereto is inserted into and snapped into the receptacle 100 of the housing 10, the mating plug section 20 can be inserted into the plug section 110.

The latching connection is releasable, for example, in order to replace or otherwise connect the plug element 11 and/or the electrical conductor 3 fastened thereto. The plug element 11 can be unlocked and released manually and without tools. Unlocking is achieved by simultaneously operating two levers in the form of unlocking elements 102. The levers move toward each other; in this movement, the two levers respectively hit two rotation points; by means of these pivot points, a movement of the latching mechanism in the form of the locking element 101 away from the electrical contact is achieved and the latching to the plug element 11 is released. The plug connector part 1 thus has locking and unlocking means.

The idea on which the invention is based is not limited to the embodiments described above but can in principle also be implemented in completely different types.

Description of the reference numerals

1. Plug connector component

10. Shell body

100. Housing part

101. Locking element

102. Unlocking element

103. Support part

104. Connection section

105. Inner housing section

106. Outer housing section

107. Side wall

108. Plug-in area

109. Ring(s)

11. Plug element

110. Plug section

111. Locking section

112. Contact tongue

113. Connection section

2. Mating plug connector component

20. Mating plug section

3. Electrical conductor

C1, C2 lead-in inclined plane

E1, E1 end

K1, K2 latch edge

R direction of insertion

S-step

Claims

1. A plug connector part (1) for establishing an electrical connection, comprising:

A housing (10) having a receiving portion (100), and

Plug elements (11) which are arranged or can be arranged in the receptacle (100) of the housing (10) and have plug sections (110) for electrical connection with mating plug sections (20),

It is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

The plug element (11) has at least one locking section (111) which forms a latching connection with at least one locking element (101) of the housing (10), wherein at least one unlocking element (102) is provided, by means of which the latching connection of the locking element (101) of the housing (10) with the locking section (111) of the plug element (11) can be released.

2. Plug connector part (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one unlocking element (102) is formed in the form of a rod.

3. Plug connector part (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one unlocking element (102) is connected to the locking element (101) via a connection section (104).

4. A plug connector part (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that an end (E1) of the at least one unlocking element (102) adjoins the connection section (104).

5. Plug connector part (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) constitutes the at least one unlocking element (102).

6. Plug connector part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) has at least one bearing point (103) on which the at least one unlocking element (102) can be supported in operation.

7. Plug connector part (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one bearing point (103) is embodied on the outside of an inner housing section (105) which forms at least part of the receptacle (100).

8. Plug connector part (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the at least one bearing point (103) is formed in the form of a projection.

9. Plug connector part (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the at least one unlocking element (102) is spaced apart from the at least one bearing point (103) in the non-operating state.

10. Plug connector part (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the at least one bearing point (103) forms a rotation point for the at least one unlocking element (102).

11. Plug connector part (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) has two unlocking elements (102) on opposite sides of the housing (10).

12. Plug connector part (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the open ends (E2) of the unlocking element (102) are directed away from each other.

13. Plug connector part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one locking section (111) of the plug element (11) and/or the at least one locking element (101) of the housing (10) each have a lead-in bevel (C1, C2) and a latching edge (K1, K2).

14. Plug connector part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug element (11) can be inserted or plugged into a receptacle (100) of the housing (10) parallel to the plug direction (R) of the mating plug section (20) onto a plug section (110) of the plug element (11).

15. Plug connector part (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug element (11) has contact tongues (112) arranged in a circular manner.

16. Plug connector part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (100) is cylindrically shaped at least in sections.

17. Plug connector part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug element (11) has a connection section (113) for connecting an electrical conductor (3).

18. Plug connector part (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the connection section (113) is designed as a crimp section for crimping with an electrical conductor (3) introduced therein.

19. Plug connector part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (10) is constructed in one piece.