TW201351793A - Electrical plug element with expandable contact securing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug element (1, 1', 1'', 1''', 1'''', 1''''') for an electrical plug type connector, having a housing member (1a) which has at least one receiving member (5) for an electrical plug contact and having a contact securing member (8) which is fitted to the housing member (1a) and which can be moved in a securing direction (S) into a securing position (B) and which protrudes at least partially into the receiving member (5) with at least one contact securing element (13) at least in the securing position (B). In order to reduce the forces for moving the contact securing member (8) from a release position (A) into the securing position (B) and improved tolerance compensation, there is provision according to the invention for the contact securing member (8) to have an expansion portion (17) which is arranged between the housing member (1a) and the contact securing element (13) and in which the contact securing member (8) is constructed so as to be able to expand transversely relative to the securing direction (S).

Description

Electrical plug element with extendable contact fastening device

The present invention relates to a plug component for an electrical plug type connector having a housing component having at least one receiving component for an electrical plug contact and having a contact fastening component adapted to the housing The component is movable into a fastening position and at least partially protrudes into the receiving part by at least one contact fastening element in at least the fastening position.

Plug elements with contact fastening components are known from the prior art. A contact fastening member, commonly referred to as a contact fastening member, overlaps one of the electrical contact elements resting in the receiving member in a secured position and mechanically secures it from being pulled out of the receiving member. One of the first mechanical fastenings of the contact element is primarily performed by means of a snap spring formed on the contact member itself and engaged with a projection in the receiving member.

For the plug element known from the prior art, the problem arises because the contact path of the receiving part and the contact fastening element and/or the moving path of the contact fastening element in the receiving part are not optimally adapted to each other, so that the contact is tight The force by which the solid part moves to the fastening position can be high. Thus, in the context of manufacturing tolerances, variations in the insertion of the contact element into the receiving component may occur more difficult. Since the plug element is typically fabricated using an injection molding process, the compensation or optimization of the profile and movement path can be performed by means of tool correction. However, since it is sometimes necessary to newly manufacture a tool such as, for example, a sliding member that projects a mold, such correction is expensive and time consuming.

In view of the above described problems with plug elements known from the prior art, the present invention The objective is to reduce the force used to move the contact fastening component to the fastening position or to compensate for manufacturing tolerances.

The object according to the invention is achieved in that the contact fastening component has an extension which is arranged between the outer casing component and the contact fastening element and wherein the contact fastening component is constructed so as to be laterally extendable relative to the fastening direction. Due to the malleability, when the contact fastening element is inserted into the receiving part, the manufacturing tolerance or variation on the path of movement of the contact fastening element can be compensated by the extension and/or compression of the contact fastening part. As a result, the force for inserting the contact fastening member to the receiving member can be reduced.

The plug elements according to the invention are freely extendable and further improved by the following additional embodiments which are advantageous for each.

For example, according to a first advantageous embodiment of the plug element according to the invention, the contact fastening means is provided to be fastened to the outer casing part so as to be pivotable from a release position into the fastening position by means of a hinge. In particular, when the contact fastening component is engaged in the fastening position (which may also be referred to as a click position in this example), the release position may be a pre-engagement position. As a result, the contact fastening member can be coupled to the outer casing member in a non-release manner. The contact fastening member can be laterally hinged to one of the plug member insertion portions in a movable direction substantially transversely with respect to one of the insertion directions of the plug member to combine the plug member with the mating plug member. Since the one of the contact fastening elements defines the movement path as the contact fastening element can be predetermined, for example, at a defined radial spacing or in a predetermined movement path by the hinge, the fastening of the fastening component by means of the hinge It is advantageous. As a result, the contact fastening element can pivot in the receiving part.

The extended portion may be disposed between the hinge and the fastening member on the contact fastening member. As a result, for example, the radial spacing of the contact fastening elements relative to the hinge or the radius of the path of movement of the contact fastening elements can be corrected in a variable manner or by virtue of the malleability.

The extended portion can have at least one weakened zone. The weakened zone can be formed, for example, by a recess in the material forming the extended portion. As a result, the extension can be constructed using a simple method.

The extended portion can include at least one material bridge extending at least partially obliquely relative to a predefined path of movement of the contact fastening element, along which the contact fastening element can be moved into the receiving member. Thus, the material bridge can, for example, be constructed to stretch and/or compress one of the curved and/or curved extended elements or an extended strip due to its ability to change its curvature or its bend angle. A plurality of such material bridges can be disposed, for example, between the recesses.

At least two material bridges are formed in a state in which the central axis is opposite to each other on a central axis of the contact fastening member extending parallel to one of the extension portions in an axisymmetric manner with respect to a central axis. Thus, lateral forces occurring during the extension of the material bridge can be compensated for. This help is scheduled to be as linear as possible in one of the extended directions. The extension can be constructed in an accordion-like manner by the arrangement of a plurality of material bridges and recesses.

The extended portion can have at least one slot that extends at least partially transversely relative to the fastening direction. Therefore, the slot can also extend laterally relative to the extension direction. Thus, the socket can also be constructed to be malleable and compressible to achieve one of the stretches. At least two slots may be configured to contact the fastening members or the extension portions are at least partially configured to have one of a tortuous path.

One of the contact fastening members for engaging one of the plug members with respect to the latching member and/or the latch member can be held in a resiliently movable manner. Due to the elasticity of the cassette element and/or the relative cassette element, the movement path of the contact fastening element can be compensated by the tolerance compensation provided by the extension part when the cassette element and the opposite cassette element are engaged Manufacturing tolerances and changes. For example, the latching element can be movably held substantially in the fastening direction in an elastic manner. The cassette member can be held in an elastically movable manner transversely relative to the holding direction (eg, substantially parallel to the direction of extension).

The extended portion may be integrally formed with the outer casing member and/or the contact retaining member. Thus, the extension, the contact fastening component and/or the outer casing component can be manufactured from a single injection molding material, which can help reduce the manufacturing complexity and thus the cost of manufacturing the plug component according to the invention.

The extended portion can include at least one elastomeric element. Thus, the elastomeric element can be introduced into the contact retaining member, for example, by means of a two component injection molding operation. The elastomeric element can at least partially form a hinge. Due to the elastomeric element, the malleability or compressibility and/or extensibility of the contact fastening component or hinge can be provided.

The invention is explained in more detail below by means of examples with reference to a plurality of embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are only possible configurations, wherein the omission of individual features as described above can be made independently of each other. In the description of the embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the same features and elements for the sake of simplicity. Features and elements having the same or at least similar functionality are typically supplemented with one or more (s) apostrophes to identify the same reference numerals or the same reference numerals of an additional embodiment.

An embodiment of the plug element 1 according to the invention will first be described with reference to a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of one of the plug elements 1 of Fig. 1. The plug element 1 comprises an insertion portion 2 and a housing part 1a forming the plug element 1 or a conductor receiving portion 3 surrounded by the housing part 1a. The insert portion 2 is configured to be incorporated into a mating plug element (not shown) and/or a housing (not shown). The conductor receiving portion 3 is configured to introduce an electrical conductor (not shown) into the plug member 1 in the form of, for example, a pinhole contact and/or a contact socket.

The insertion portion 2 comprises an insertion face 4 oriented in the plug direction Z of the plug element 1, along which the plug element 1 is constructed so as to be insertable into the housing and/or the mating plug element. The contact receiving part 5 of the plug element 1 can be connected via the opening 6 to the receiving part 5 in the insertion face 4. The contact receiving part 5 or the opening 6 is arranged parallel to the row 5a of the plug element 1 in the lateral direction X. The contact receiving member 5 or its opening 6 is at least partially provided with indicia 7 which facilitates the association of the contact elements or opposing contact elements (not shown) with the respective contact receiving members 5.

The belt-shaped contact fastening member 8 is laterally fastened to the plug member 1 or the conductor receiving portion 3 (i.e., the outer casing member). The root of the contact fastening member 8 is disposed in the region of the lower edge or the rear edge 10a of the plug member 1. From the root 9, the contact fastening member 8 is substantially along the insertion direction Z along The plug element 1 extends on the outside. The root 9 is first adjacent to the hinge 11 connecting the root 9 to the actuation portion 12 of the contact fastening member 8. The fastening element 13 contacting the fastening member 8 abuts the actuation portion 12. The fastening element 13 is in the form of a rod extending transversely or parallel to the lateral direction X with respect to the insertion direction Z, the rod being in a direction towards the inspection opening 14 in the wall of the plug element 1 from the direction of insertion One end of the Z-directed contact fastening member 8 extends substantially in the lateral direction Y.

The test opening 14 is in the form of a groove which extends substantially in the lateral direction X along the wall or the insertion portion 2 and protrudes in the lateral direction Y of the plug element 1 by the test opening 14 to the contact receiving part 5 The contact with the contact receiving part 5 or the column 5a and the contact receiving part 5 is such that the fastening element extending substantially parallel to the transverse direction Y in the fastening direction S can at least partially protrude into the contact receiving part 5. The latch member 15 in the form of a tab projection on the fastening element 13 is configured to cooperate with the opposing latch member 16 in the form of an engagement recess or a latching tab in the test opening 14.

The extended portion 17 of the contact fastening member 8 extends from one side of the contact fastening member 8 to the other side in the lateral direction X and has a specific height parallel to the vertical direction Z. The extended portion 17 includes a plurality of weakened regions 17a in the form of a recess in which the material bridge 17b forming the material contacting the fastening member 8 is located. The material bridge 17b and thus the weakened zone 17a also extends generally in a curved manner in the direction of extension D such that the extension 17 is redirected or extended by straightening the weakened zone 17a and the material bridge 17b. By virtue of the greater curvature of the weakened zone 17a or the material bridge 17b, the stretched portions are compressed or pressed together in the direction of extension D. The extended portion 17 connects the first portion 8a of the contact fastening member 8 to the second portion 8b of one of the contact fastening members 8. The first portion 8a is disposed between the hinge 11 and the extended portion 17. The second portion 8b is disposed between the extended portion 17 and the fastening member 13.

In the state shown in FIG. 1, the plug element 1 or its contact fastening member 8 is located in a release position B in which the fastening element 13 is not engaged in the contact receiving part 5. The contact receiving member 5 is correctly provided with the electrical contact member, and can be applied in the fastening direction S. The power F moves the contact fastening member 8 from the release position A to the fastening position B (still not shown here), in which the fastening element 13 engages in the inspection opening 14 and the click member 15 cooperates with or engages the opposing cassette member 16.

Figure 2 is another schematic perspective view of the plug element 1. Here, it can be seen that the contact fastening member 8 or its actuating portion 12 can move from the release position A to the fastening position B substantially along the movement path R. The fastening element 13 can be guided into the inspection opening 14 along the movement path R. The moving path R is substantially in the form of its center or center of rotation predetermined by the hinge 11. As a result, the fastening element 13 can be tilted or pivoted generally about the hinge 11.

In FIG. 2, it can further be seen that the groove-like inspection opening 14 is constructed to substantially compensate for the fastening element 13. As long as there is no incorrect insertion into the contact element in the contact receiving part 5 to prevent the contact fastening element 8 from moving from the release position A to the fastening position B by the contact element of the fastening element 13 and the inspection opening 14 In the overlapping, the contact fastening member 8 is moved in the direction of the inspection opening 14 by the actuation force F directed parallel to the fastening direction S, and the fastening element 13 is moved into the inspection opening 14 and substantially fills the opening. 14.

Figure 3 shows the plug element 1 with the contact fastening means 8 in the fastening position. The contact fastening member 8 is in the fastening position S, which abuts against the outer casing member 1a such that the contact fastening member or its surface guided with respect to the lateral direction Y is substantially in the insertion direction P with the side of the connector portion 2 Align to the surface. The cassette member 15 engages with the opposing cassette member 16 and prevents contact with the unintended opening of the fastening member 8 or prevents the fastening member 13 from being withdrawn from the fastening opening 14 with respect to the fastening direction S.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the plug element 1' according to the invention in release position A. In contrast to the plug element 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3, the plug element 1' has a contact fastening member 8' having an extended portion 17'. The extended portion 17' includes two weakened regions 17c in the form of slots that extend substantially parallel to the lateral direction X. The two weakened zones 17c open on opposite sides of the extended portion 17' in the opposite direction and terminate at the two material bridges 17d, contacting the fastening members The second portion 8b of 8 can be bent generally about the two material bridges 17d. That is, due to the slot, the contact fastening member 8 has an S shape that can be extended in the extending direction D or compressed in the convex portion in the fastening direction S.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a plug element 1" according to the invention. Compared to the plug element 1 or 1' shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 4, the plug element 1" has possession The contact fastening member 8" of the extended portion 17". In a manner similar to the extended portion 17' of the plug member 1', the extended portion 17" of the plug member 1" includes a weakened region 17e and a material bridge 17f in the form of a slot substantially parallel to the lateral direction X. The weakened zone 17e or the slot of the contact fastening component 8" additionally has an oblique path transversely with respect to the fastening direction S or the extension direction D compared to the weakened zone 17c or slot in the contact fastening component 8', The inclined path forms an over-expanding protective element 18 which forms two baffles 18a and 18b. When viewed in the convex portion in the fastening direction S, the baffles 18a and 18b overlap and if contact the fastening member The 8" or its second portion 8b is excessively stretched relative to the first portion 8a relative to the moving path R, impinging on each other and thus preventing the over-extension of the contact fastening member 8".

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a plug element 1"" in accordance with the present invention. Unlike the plug elements 1, 1' and 1", the plug element 1" has a contact fastening member 8"" having an extended portion 17" in the form of an elastomeric member 17g. '. The elastomeric element 17g connects the first portion 8a of the contact fastening member 8"' to the second portion 8b of the contact fastening hardware 8"" and extends generally parallel to the lateral direction X. That is, the second portion 8b of the contact fastening member 8"' is connected to the first portion 8a by the elastic member 17g.

Figure 7 is another schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a plug member 1"" according to the present invention. In contrast to the plug element 1 ′′′ shown in FIG. 6 , the plug element 1 ′′′′ has an opposite latching element 16 which is connected to the housing part 1 a by means of the elastic part 16 a . The gap 16b extends along the inspection opening 14 substantially parallel to the lateral direction X in the form of a groove. The elastic portion 16a and the gap 16b effect elastic reorientation with respect to the locking element 16 in the fastening direction S and with respect to the fastening direction S.

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a plug element 1"" according to the present invention. In contrast to the plug elements 1 ′′′ and 1 ′′′′, the plug element 1 ′′′′ has a relative central arrangement in the lateral direction X in the test opening and as a result only extends over a portion of the test opening 14 Cartridge element 16'. In the region of the latching element 15 on the fastening element 13, a slit 19 is formed in the contact fastening part 8"", through which the fastening part 13 is at least partially constructed as a kind A type of free floating transverse connector 20. The transverse connector 20 forms a type of resilient region in which the resilient redirection of the latching element 15 relative to the fastening direction S is facilitated, whereby the contact fastening member 8"" can be prevented from being The release position A moves to the engagement and disengagement force or force F in the fastening position B.

Modifications of the above described embodiments are possible in the context of the concept of the invention. For example, the plug elements 1, 1", 1"", 1"", 1"" can be provided with an insertion portion 2, a conductor receiving portion 3, constructed in any manner to form a plug connector that meets the requirements. And the insertion face 4. The contact receiving member 5 can be shaped to correspond to a plug contact that is desired to be received in each housing.

As long as the fastening element 13 contacting the fastening component 8 can be engaged in the receiving component 5 or the inspection opening 14 in such a way that it can be fastened in the receiving component 5, the contact fastening component 8 can have a form that suits the respective requirements. . It is desirable that at least two portions 8a, 8b of the contact fastening member 8 are connected to each other by means of one of the extension portions 17, 17', 17", 17"" or one of the portions such that the contact fastening member 13 can be in the extension direction D moves in the most elastic manner relative to the outer casing part or root 9 as much as possible.

1‧‧‧ plug components

1'‧‧‧ plug component

1"‧‧‧ plug components

1'''‧‧‧ plug component

1''''‧‧‧‧ plug components

1'''''‧‧‧‧ Plug components

1a‧‧‧Shell parts

2‧‧‧Insert part

3‧‧‧Conductor receiving part, collar

4‧‧‧ insert face

5‧‧‧Contact receiving parts

5a‧‧‧Contacting the receiving parts

6‧‧‧ Openings in the insertion face relative to the contact receiving part

7‧‧‧ mark

8‧‧‧Contact fastening parts

8'‧‧‧Contact fastening parts

8"‧‧‧Contact fastening parts

8'''‧‧‧Contact fastening parts

8''''‧‧‧Contact fastening parts

8a‧‧‧Contact the first part of the fastening part

8b‧‧‧Contact the second part of the fastening component

9‧‧‧Contact the root of the fastening component

10a‧‧‧Under the edge of the plug component

10b‧‧‧ upper edge of the plug component

11‧‧‧ Hinges

12‧‧‧ actuation section

13‧‧‧ fastening elements

14‧‧‧Test opening/inspection groove

15‧‧‧Carton components/components

16‧‧‧ Relative card components

16'‧‧‧ Relative card components

16a‧‧‧Flexible part

16b‧‧‧ gap

17‧‧‧Extensions

17’‧‧‧Extensions

17”‧‧‧Extensions

17'''‧‧‧Extensions

17''''‧‧‧Extensions

17a‧‧‧Weakened area/concave

17b‧‧‧Material Bridge

17c‧‧‧Weakened area/slot

17d‧‧‧Material Bridge

17e‧‧‧Weakened area/slot

17f‧‧‧Material Bridge

17g‧‧‧ Elastomer components

18‧‧‧Extended extension protection components

18a‧‧ ‧Baffle

18b‧‧‧Baffle

19‧‧‧Incision

20‧‧‧Transverse connectors/elastic elements

A‧‧‧Release position/pre-join position

B‧‧‧ fastening position / cassette position

D‧‧‧Extension direction

F‧‧‧ motivation

M‧‧‧ center axis

P‧‧‧Insert direction

R‧‧‧Moving path

S‧‧‧ fastening direction

X‧‧‧ lateral direction

Y‧‧‧ transverse direction

Z‧‧‧Insert direction

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a plug member in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the plug member of Figure 1 having a contact fastening member in a release position. Figure 3 shows the insertion of the contact fastening members in the fastening position shown in Figures 1 and 2 Head element; Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a plug element according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of a plug element according to the invention; Figure 6 shows one of the plug elements according to the invention Fourth Embodiment; Fig. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of a plug member according to the present invention; and Fig. 8 is a sixth embodiment of a plug member according to the present invention.

1‧‧‧ plug components

1a‧‧‧Shell parts

2‧‧‧Insert part

3‧‧‧Conductor receiving part, collar

4‧‧‧ insert face

5‧‧‧Contact receiving parts

5a‧‧‧Contacting the receiving parts

6‧‧‧ Openings in the insertion face relative to the contact receiving part

7‧‧‧ mark

8‧‧‧Contact fastening parts

8a‧‧‧Contact the first part of the fastening part

8b‧‧‧Contact the second part of the fastening component

9‧‧‧Contact the root of the fastening component

10a‧‧‧Under the edge of the plug component

10b‧‧‧ upper edge of the plug component

11‧‧‧ Hinges

12‧‧‧ actuation section

13‧‧‧ fastening elements

14‧‧‧Test opening/inspection groove

15‧‧‧Carton components/components

16‧‧‧ Relative card components

17‧‧‧Extensions

17a‧‧‧Weakened area/concave

17b‧‧‧Material Bridge

A‧‧‧Release position/pre-join position

D‧‧‧Extension direction

M‧‧‧ center axis

P‧‧‧Insert direction

S‧‧‧ fastening direction

X‧‧‧ lateral direction

Y‧‧‧ transverse direction

Z‧‧‧Insert direction

Claims (10)

A plug element (1, 1 ', 1", 1", 1", 1", 1") for an electrical plug type connector having an electrical plug contact At least one of the receiving parts (5) is a housing part (1a) and has a contact fastening part (8) adapted into the housing part (1a) and movable in a fastening direction (S) to In a fastening position (B) and at least partially in the fastening position (B) due to at least one contact fastening element (13) protruding into the receiving part (5), characterized in that the contact fastening part (8) having an extension (17) disposed between the outer casing member (1a) and the contact fastening member (13), and wherein the contact fastening member (8) is constructed so as to be laterally relative to The fastening direction (S) is extended. A plug element (1, 1', 1", 1"', 1"", 1"", 1) of claim 1, wherein the contact fastening member (8) is fastened to the outer casing member (1a) so as to be pivotable from a release position (A) to the fastening position (B) by means of a hinge (11). The plug element (1, 1', 1", 1"', 1"', 1''''') of claim 2, wherein the extended portion (17, 17', 17", 17' '', 17'''') is disposed between the hinge (11) and the fastening element (13) on the contact fastening member (8). The plug element (1, 1', 1", 1"', 1"", 1"", 1) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the extended portion (17, 17' , 17", 17", 17"") have at least one weakened zone (17a, 17c, 17e). A plug element (1, 1', 1", 1"', 1"", 1"", 1) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the extended portion (17, 17' , 17", 17"", 17"", including at least one material bridge (17b) extending at least partially in an inclined manner relative to one of the contact fastening elements (13) , 17d, 17f), along which the contact fastening element (13) is movable into the at least one contact receiving member (5). The plug component (1, 1', 1", 1"', 1"', 1''''') of claim 5, wherein The contact fastening of a central axis (M) extending in an axisymmetric manner parallel to one of the extending portions (17, 17', 17", 17", 17"", extending direction (D) At least two material bridges (17b, 17d, 17f) are formed in a state in which the central axis (M) of the component (8) is opposed to each other. A plug element (1, 1', 1", 1"', 1"", 1"", 1) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the extended portion (17, 17' , 17", 17"", 17"") have at least one slot (17c, 17e) extending at least partially transversely relative to the fastening direction (S). A plug element (1, 1', 1", 1"', 1"", 1"", 1) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the plug element is engaged One of 1', 1", 1''', 1'''', 1'''''''''''''''''''''''' 15) and/or the relative cassette element (16) is held in an elastically movable manner. The plug element (1, 1 ', 1", 1"', 1"", 1"", 1) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the extended portion (17, 17' 17", 17"", 17"") are integrally formed with the outer casing member (1a) and/or the contact fastening member (8). The plug element (1, 1 ', 1", 1"', 1"", 1"", 1) of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the extended portion (17, 17' , 17", 17", 17"") includes at least one elastomeric element (17g).