ES2672129T3 - Plug connector with latch for secondary blocking of associated contact elements - Google Patents

Abstract

Plug connector, which has a contact support (1) with at least one contact chamber (2), in which an associated contact element is insertable and lockable, in which there is also a blocking element with the that the at least one associated contact element is secondaryly lockable in its contact chamber (2), in which the blocking element is shaped as a movable latch (6) relative to the contact support (1), in which the latch (6) has, successively in the direction of movement, correspondingly to the number of associated contact elements respectively a contact securing element (11) for secondary blocking and is mobilely formed between a pre-fitted position and a final fitting position in the contact support (1), in which the latch (6) has a snap hook (8) and the contact support (1) a stop (18) cooperating with the snap hook (8), characterized by and the latch (6) has a recess (10), within which the snap hook (8) is disposed with its free end.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Plug connector with latch for secondary blocking of associated contact elements

The invention relates to a plug connector, which has a contact support with at least one contact chamber, in which an associated contact element is insertable and primarily lockable, in which there is also a blocking element with the that the at least one associated contact element is secondaryly lockable in its contact chamber, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Plug connectors, which have a contact support with at least one contact chamber, in which an associated contact element is inserted, have long been known. In order to achieve contact security, it has also been known for a long time that the associated contact element, when inserted into its corresponding contact chamber, is not only primarily blocked (for example, by means of an outgoing tab in the associated contact element, which it retracts when it is inserted in its contact chamber and is supported against a stop in the final position of the associated contact element in the contact chamber), but also a secondary blockage occurs, which fixes the associated contact element in its contact contact chamber in addition to the primary lock. This achieves the objective that the associated contact element is fixed as provided in its contact chamber, when the plug connector is plugged into a conjugate plug connector that cooperates with it and then the associated contact element of the connector plug is coupled with the associated conjugate contact element of the conjugate plug connector.

A blocking element of a plug connector, which is arranged in a contact support, is known from DE 10 2010 042 826 B3. In this known plug connector, the blocking element (referred to there as a contact securing member) is formed as a protruding flange with a protrusion at the free end of the protruding flange. The securing tab that protrudes at the beginning of the contact support is moved with its free end towards the contact chambers, when the associated contact elements have been inserted and locked therein primarily. Through the tilting of the securing flange in the direction of the contact support is produced by the projection at the free end of the securing flange not only its attachment to the contact support, but also the secondary blocking of the associated contact elements in their respective contact chambers.

A known structuring of this type works essentially satisfactorily, but has the disadvantage that such a plug connector with a protruding flange, which is manufactured in large quantities in a synthetic injection molding process, is expensive to manufacture, since complex shapes are necessary for the injection molding process. In addition, there is the disadvantage that the locking flange extends over the entire width of the contact support and thus it is not possible without further disassembly in case contacts have to be removed from their contact chambers to replace them. In addition, due to the extension of the locking flange over the entire width of the contact support, it is not always ensured that it, also with the objective of secondary blocking, is arranged over its entire width in its theoretical position with the free end in the contact support, that is to say it is fitted as planned.

Document DE 11 2012 003699 T5 discloses a plug connector according to the preamble of the claim

one.

The invention therefore has as its basis the task of further improving a plug connector of the type in question, to avoid the disadvantages set forth at the beginning.

This task is solved by the characteristics of claim 1.

According to the invention, it is provided that the blocking element is shaped as a movable latch in relation to the contact support and with it as a separate component with respect to the contact support, in which the latch has, successively in the direction of movement, so corresponding to the number of associated contact elements respectively a contact securing element for secondary blocking and is mobilely formed between a pre-fitting position and a final fitting position in the contact support. The separate structuring of the locking element, namely the movable latch, has the advantage that both the latch and the contact support, to which it is fixed, can be manufactured separately from each other, so that manufacturing is simplified of these two components, in particular when they are manufactured in an injection molding process of synthetic material. Despite simplified manufacturing, the two components can be optimally adjusted to each other in terms of their geometry and the mode of operation that results. The displacement of the latch in relation to the contact support has the advantage that by simple movement it is ensured that the latch, with its corresponding contact securing elements, blocks secondaryly the associated contact elements in their respective inserted contact chambers. . This may well occur by means of the resource that a respective associated contact element is inserted into its corresponding contact chamber and is then locked in a primary manner and after that the latch is brought into operative connection with the contact support and is then moved , to generate the secondary block. Alternatively, it is provided, in particular preferably,

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that the latch is already supported on the contact support in a certain position, namely a pre-fitting position, in which in this pre-fitting position of the latch it is possible to insert an associated contact element in the contact chamber and lock it there in a primary way. Once this has occurred, the latch can be brought from its pre-fitted position to its other position, in particular a final fitting position, to thereby cause secondary blocking of the associated contact elements in their contact chambers. This effectively prevents the latch from being lost after its manufacture, being in any case available by continuing to mount the plug connector, to ensure secondary blocking, after the associated contact elements have been inserted into their contact chambers and have been blocked primarily. Preferably, the latch is only movable between a pre-fitting position, in which it is arranged in the contact support, and a single additional position, namely its final fitting position. While there is no secondary blocking in the pre-fitting position, this is done only when the latch has been moved to its other position, in particular its final fitting position. In any case, it can be considered either to bring the latch back from its final fitting position to the previous fitting position, for example to be able to replace a defective associated contact element, or to move the latch from its final fitting position to a different position to the pre-set position, to eliminate the secondary block in the final set position. This means that in this case the latch would be arranged in a movable way between three positions (if necessary also more than three positions) in relation to the contact support.

According to the invention, the latch has a snap hook and the contact support has a stop that cooperates with the snap hook. By means of the snap hook, the latch can also be arranged in its previous snap position on the contact support, after these two components have been manufactured separately from each other. This means that for the next movement of the latch it is already arranged in the contact support and can then be taken from the previous fitting position adopted to the final fitting position, when the fitting hook tilts by force application and slides on the stop on the contact support, until the free end of the snap hook is supported against the opposite side of the stop, to fix the latch displaced in this way in its final engagement position on the contact support.

According to the invention, the latch has a recess, within which the snap hook with its free end is arranged. This arrangement makes simplified manufacturing possible, since such recesses can be made in a simple way in particular for shapes that are used in an injection molding process of synthetic material. In addition, by means of the arrangement of the snap hook with its free end inside the recess a particularly compact construction of the latch is had. The same applies to the stop, which cooperates with it, in the contact support, so that by means of the cooperation of the stop in the contact support and the free end of the snap hook, a defined positioning of the latch can be carried out in the contact support, namely on the one hand in its previous fitting position and on the other hand in its final fitting position.

In order to improve the invention, the latch has at least one linear guide and the contact support has a guide corresponding to the previous one. By means of the corresponding linear guides, it is guaranteed that the latch is in a defined way on a path of travel in the contact support during its movement from the position of pre-fitting to its position of final fitting (and if necessary to positions that They go beyond). Such linear guides, formed for example as a spring groove or as T-guides, can also be carried out in a simple and uncomplicated manner by a corresponding conformation of these two components, whereby manufacturing in the molding process is simplified in particular. injection of synthetic material already mentioned.

It is conceivable that the plug connector is already finished when the associated contact elements are inserted in corresponding numbers in their contact chambers and are there locked in a primary way and after that there has been secondary blocking by Latch displacement. A contact support of this type with the associated contact elements inserted, which have, for example, bumped against the end of the electrical conductor, and with the latch in its final fitting position, can be a plug connector ready to operate.

Alternatively, it is conceivable to insert a contact support in an outer housing as described above with associated contact elements disposed therein, which are locked both primaryly and also secondarily by the latch. This has the advantage that the plug connector that then has an outer housing is more easily manageable and in addition to this it can comprise other functional elements, which are available in the outer housing. As an example, another block can be cited, which ensures that the plug connector, plugged in with the conjugate plug connector, can no longer be unplugged (a so-called CPA element of the English "Connector Position Assurance") , connector position lock). In addition, the outer housing can be used for example to configure it in color, to provide for situation coding or the like. The outer housing can also be manufactured in an injection molding process of synthetic material separately from the contact support and the latch and is geometrically shaped so that it has a reception area, in which the contact support can be inserted with the latch already inserted (either in its previous lace position or in its final lace position). Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the contact support is inserted.

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firstly without a latch in the outer housing, and that the latch is then brought into operative connection with the contact support for example through an opening in the outer housing, so that secondary blocking can occur, after the associated elements of contact, in corresponding number, have been inserted in their corresponding contact chambers in the contact support and have been blocked from forming primary.

The previously described mode of operation can also occur in reverse, so that the latch is brought from its final fitting position to its previous fitting position or can be completely separated from the contact support, for example to be able to replace elements Defective contact partners. In this sense it is conceivable that the latch can be carried, inside the outer housing, from its final fitting position to its previous fitting position, for example by means of an appropriate tool, without having to be removed from the outer housing. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the latch is arranged relative to the outer housing or that the outer housing has a corresponding recess such that the latch is either brought only from its final fitting position to its previous fitting position or that it is completely separated from the contact support.

A preferred embodiment of a plug connector according to the invention is described in the following and is explained in more detail with the aid of the figures.

Figures 1 to 5 show, in detail representation, in various views a contact support 1 of a plug connector. This contact support 1 is preferably manufactured from synthetic material and in a synthetic injection molding process. In corresponding number it has contact chambers 2, four contact chambers 2 being represented in this embodiment. However, there may also be less than four or more than four contact chambers 2, which are arranged either successively in a row or also in two or more than two rows parallel to each other. The opening of the contact chambers 2, which are oriented in the direction of a conjugate plug connector not shown, is shown in FIG. On the opposite side of the contact support 1, it has according to FIG. 2 an outlet side 3, from which it protrudes or respectively in which an end zone of associated contact elements (not shown) which are arranged in the contact chambers 2. On the output side 3, the contact support 1 (and with it outside the plug connector), for example, is connected to a cable, against which the associated contact element is supported at the end not represented

In Figures 3 to 5 it can be recognized that the contact support 1 has a receiving area 4 for a blocking element (which is still described later). This at least one reception area 4 (in figures 3 and 5 are three reception areas 4) preferably extends over the entire width of the contact support 1 and is longitudinally shaped with a rectangular or respectively square cross-section. Furthermore, it can be recognized in Figure 4 that the contact support 1 has a transverse bridge 5 with a stopper element (which is still described later).

A locking element in the form of a latch 6 is shown in FIGS. 6 to 10. The latch 6, which serves for secondary blocking of the associated contact elements in the contact chambers 2 of the contact support 1, has a part of base 7. Together, latch 6 is approximately flat in shape with recesses and elevations. Starting from the base part 7 there is a snap hook 8, which has, but it is not necessary to have it, at its free end a projection 9. Around the snap hook 8 there is a recess 10 in the latch 6, of so that the free end of the snap hook 8 can move within this recess 10, when a force is applied on it, in particular by the stop of the transverse bridge 5 of the contact support 1.

In addition, the latch 6 separately has contact securing elements 11, which are available in corresponding number of the contact chambers 2 of the contact support 1. This means that in this exemplary embodiment, for each associated contact element there are a contact securing element 11. This may also vary, so that for example for every two associated contact elements there is a contact securing element. The contact securing elements 11 are shaped in block form and so that they protrude from the flat conformation of the latch 6. In addition, at least one linear guide of the latch 6 is provided, with which it is guided guided support in the support of contact 1. In this exemplary embodiment there is a first linear guide 12 and a second linear guide 13, which are both arranged on the longitudinal sides of the latch 6. Both do not extend over the entire length of the latch 6, but this may be conceivable for one or both linear guides 12, 13.

An outer housing 14 of the plug connector is shown in figures 11 to 14.

It should be noted at this point that by means of the assembly of the contact support 1 and the latch 6 including the associated contact elements arranged in the contact chambers 2, which are supported by one end against a cable, a connector of full plug

This structure, previously described and represented, can however be inserted in the outer housing 14 according to Figures 11 to 14. In this case, the outer housing 14 has a reception space 15 for the

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contact support 1 with its latch 6. On the other side of the reception space 15 there is provided an outlet side 16 of the outer housing 14, on whose side there are passage openings 17, by which the respective cable is guided out of the outer housing 14. For reasons of completeness it should be noted that in this area of the passage opening 17 the cable, in particular its outer sheath, may be tightly closed with respect to the outlet side 16 of the outer housing 14.

In figures 11 to 14 it is also shown, observing these figures above the outer housing 14, another locking element, which causes the outer housing 14 to be fitted and locked in addition with a conjugate plug connector not shown or respectively with its outer housing (in particular a so-called CPA element). Instead of the connection of the plug connector 1 with a plug connector conjugated by the additional locking element, the plug connector 1 can be arranged and held (fixed in position) in a certain place by the additional blocking element, for which this blocking element is correspondingly shaped.

This element disposed outside the outer housing 14 is not, however, related to the primary and secondary blocking of the associated contact elements in the contact chambers 2 of the plug connector (more precisely its contact support 1).

Figures 15 to 17 show the assembly of the contact support 1, the latch 6 and, whenever available, the outer housing 14.

The starting point in Figure 15 is the manufacture of the pieces shown there separately from one another, preferably from synthetic material and equally preferred in an injection molding process of synthetic material.

Before the contact support 1 is equipped with the associated contact elements not shown, according to figure 16, the latch 6 is arranged in a first position (pre-fitted position) in the contact support 1. In this position of the latch 6 in relation to the contact support 1, the contact securing elements 11 are in a position such that they do not prevent the insertion of a respective associated contact element in its corresponding contact chamber 2. This means that in this position of the latch 6 it is possible to provide the associated contact elements within the corresponding corresponding contact chambers 2. When this has occurred and the respective associated contact element is also locked primarily in its corresponding contact chamber 2, the latch 6 can be moved a distance from its pre-fitting position to its final fitting position and fixed. When the final engagement position has been reached, the respective contact securing elements 11 enter into operative connection with the corresponding corresponding contact element respectively in the contact chamber 2 and prevent the associated contact element from being moved out of its contact chamber 2, if the primary lock will not work as intended. With this, a second fixation of the associated contact element in its contact chamber (secondary blocking) is advantageously carried out. This means that the respective contact securing element 11 is shaped and arranged in the contact chamber 2 in such a way that movement of the associated contact element out of its contact chamber 2 is prevented. To do this, as shown in In the exemplary embodiment according to Figure 7, the contact securing elements 11 are formed in block form. However, they can also have other geometric shapes such as, for example, spike shape, bridge shape or the like, when secondary blocking is guaranteed with this other geometric shape and the associated contact element can be prevented from being removed from its chamber. corresponding contact 2, in particular when the primary block does not work.

After according to FIG. 16, the contact support 1 has been provided with associated contact elements in its contact chambers 2 and the latch 6 has been brought from its pre-fitted position to its final assembled position, it is already taken available a plug connector ready for use. In this case, the outer housing 14 may be waived. In any case, the outer housing 14 may find application according to Figures 15 to 17 when desired. This is the case in particular to give a better manageability to the plug connector with the outer housing 14, to additionally perform elements and functions (such as for example the CPA element), to make possible for example situation coding, and the like. When therefore the outer housing 14 finds application, the contact support 1 with its latch 6 and with the associated contact elements arranged in the contact chambers 2 is inserted into the reception space 15 of the outer housing 16 and is fixed there. , for example embedded, adhered or similar.

In figures 18 to 19 it is represented again by greater clarity that the latch 6 is in its pre-fitted position with respect to the contact support 1. In this pre-assembled position, the associated contact elements can be inserted in their respective 2 contact chambers and be blocked primarily. Once this has occurred, the latch 6 can be brought from its pre-set position to its final fit position, so that by means of the contact securing elements 11 the secondary block is achieved. This is represented in figures 21 to 23.

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With respect to the two positions of the latch 6 in relation to the contact support 1, reference is made again for clarification purposes to Figures 20 (open secondary block) and 23 (closed secondary block). In these two figures 20 and 23 the two positions of the latch 6 can be recognized in relation to the contact support 1. Here the cooperation of the snap hook 8 (or respectively of its shoulder 9) with the stop 18 in the support of the holder can also be recognized contact 1. While in the pre-fitting position according to figure 20 the snap hook 8 or respectively its shoulder 9 is supported by one of the sides of the stop 18, according to figure 23 the latch 6 has been brought to its end fitting position, so that the snap hook 8 or respectively here again the shoulder 9 has been supported by the other side of the stop 18. Thus, by means of the cooperation of the snap hook 8 of the latch 6 with the stop 18 of the contact support 1, the two latch positions 6 are defined in a defined manner.

In particular considering the preceding description in relation to figures 20 and 23 it can be recognized that the latch 6 has been arranged in its pre-fitted position in the contact support 1 and in this arrangement has been inserted in the receiving space 15 of the housing exterior 14. After that, the contact chamber 2 has been provided with the associated contact elements and the following movement of the latch 6 from its pre-fitted position to the final assembled position within the reception space 15. This means that the outer housing 14 is completely closed around the reception space 15. Alternatively, it is conceivable that in an appropriate place the outer housing 14 has about the reception space 15 an opening, recess or the like, through which either the latch 6 is operable or through which the latch 6 can be inserted and can be brought into operative connection with the sop orte of contact 1. This means that it is conceivable that the contact support 1 is provided with the associated contact elements and then inserted into the outer housing 14, in which only after this can the latch 6 be carried, with the aim of Secondary lock, to operative connection with contact support 1.

While considering figures 20 and 23 it has been shown and described that the latch 6 has been brought from its pre-fitted position to its final engaged position with the objective of secondary locking, the reverse procedure is also conceivable. This means that by means of the reverse procedure, the latch 6, either within the receiving space 15 in the outer housing 14 or from outside or respectively outwards, can be brought from the final fitting position to the fitting position prior or even be completely separated from contact support 1, to eliminate the secondary block adopted. After that, by eliminating the primary blockage, the associated contact element, for example, defective, can be removed from a contact chamber 2 and replaced. Instead of replacement in case of defect, the replacement of the associated contact elements from one type of construction to another type of construction is also considered.

List of reference numbers

1. Contact support

2. Contact camera

3. Exit side

4. Reception area

5. Cross bridge

6. latch

7. Base part

8. Lace hook

9. Highlight

10. Down

11. Contact assurance element

12. First linear guide

13. Second linear guide

14. Outside accommodation

15. Reception space

16. Exit side

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17. Passage opening

18. Stop

Claims (6)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 1. Plug connector, which has a contact support (1) with at least one contact chamber (2), in which an associated contact element is inserted and locked in a primary manner, in which there is also a blocking element with which the at least one associated contact element is secondaryly lockable in its contact chamber (2), in which the blocking element is shaped as a movable latch (6) relative to the contact support (1), in which the latch (6) has, successively in the direction of movement, correspondingly to the number of associated contact elements respectively a contact securing element (11) for secondary blocking and is mobilely formed between a position of pre-fitting and a final fitting position in the contact support (1), in which the latch (6) has a snap hook (8) and the contact support (1) a stop (18) that cooperates with the hook lace (8), characterized by Because the latch (6) has a recess (10), inside which the snap hook (8) is disposed with its free end. 2. Plug connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the latch (6) has at least one linear guide (12, 13) and the contact support (1) has a guide corresponding to the previous one. 3. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug connector has an outer housing (14), in which the contact support (1) with the movable latch (6) is inserted. 4. Plug connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the latch (6), in its pre-fitted position in the contact support (1), is inserted together with it in the outer housing (14). 5. Plug connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the latch (6) can be brought from the pre-fitting position to the final fitting position, after it has been inserted together with the contact support (1) into the exterior accommodation (14). 6. Plug connector according to claim 5, characterized in that the latch (6) can be brought from the final fitting position to the previous fitting position, after it has been inserted together with the contact support (1) into the exterior accommodation (14).