WO2013149813A1

WO2013149813A1 - Electrical plug element with expandable contact securing device

Info

Publication number: WO2013149813A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/055541
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Lehner; Andreas Wilkner; Christian Otto Boemmel; Rolf Jetter
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh
Priority date: 2012-04-04
Filing date: 2013-03-18
Publication date: 2013-10-10
Also published as: TWI604666B; TW201351793A; DE102012102966B4; DE102012102966A1; AR090608A1

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 (1 a) 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 (1 a) 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 EXPANDABLE CONTACT SECURING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a plug element for an electrical plug type connector, having a housing member which has at least one receiving member for an electrical plug contact and having a contact securing member which is fitted to the housing member and which can be moved into a securing position and which protrudes at least partially into the receiving member with at least one contact securing element at least in the securing position.

Plug elements having a contact securing member are known from the prior art. The contact securing members, often referred to as a contact securing means, overlap in the securing position with an electrical contact element which rests in the receiving member and secure it mechanically against being pulled out of the receiving member. A first mechanical securing of the contact element is mostly carried out by means of a catch spring which is formed on the contact element itself and which is engaged with a projection in the receiving member.

With the plug elements known from the prior art, the problem arises that a force for moving the contact securing member into the securing position may be high since the contours of the receiving member and the contact securing element and/or the movement path of the contact securing element in the receiving member are not optimally adapted to each other. Thus, in the context of production tolerances, there may occur variations which make the insertion of the contact element into the receiving member more difficult. Since the plug elements are generally produced with the injection moulding method, a compensation or an optimisation of the contours and movement paths can be carried out by means of corrections of the tools. However, such corrections are costly and time-consuming since tools, such as, for example, sliding members of the injection moulds, sometimes have to be newly produced.

Taking into account the above-described problems with plug elements known from the prior art, an object of the present invention is to reduce the forces for moving the contact securing member into the securing position or to compensate for production tolerances.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the contact securing member has an expansion portion which is arranged between the housing member and the contact securing element and in which the contact securing member is constructed so as to be able to expand transversely relative to the securing direction. Owing to the expandability, when the contact securing element is inserted into the receiving member, production tolerances or variations in the movement path of the contact securing element can be compensated for by means of extension and/or compression of the contact securing member. The forces for inserting the contact securing element into the receiving member can consequently be reduced.

The plug element according to the invention can be freely expanded and further improved by the following additional embodiments which are each advantageous per se.

For instance, according to a first advantageous embodiment of a plug element according to the invention, there may be provision for the contact securing member to be secured to the housing member so as to be able to be pivoted by means of a hinge from a release position into the securing position. The release position may be a pre-engagement position, in particular when the contact securing member is engaged in the securing position, which in this case can also be referred to as the catch position. Consequently, the contact securing member may be connected to the housing member in a non-releasable manner. The contact securing member may be laterally hinged in a movable manner to a insertion portion of the plug element substantially transversely relative to an insertion direction of the plug element in order to combine the plug element with a mating plug element. The securing of the contact securing member by means of a hinge is advantageous in that a defined movement path of the contact securing element may be predetermined by it being able to be movable, for example, with a defined radial spacing or in a movement path predetermined by the hinge. The contact securing element can consequently be pivotable in the receiving member.

The expansion portion may be arranged between the hinge and the securing element on the contact securing member. Consequently, for example, the radial spacing of the contact securing element with respect to the hinge or the radius of the movement path of the contact securing element may be able to be corrected in a variable manner or by means of the expandability.

The expansion portion may have at least one weakening zone. The weakening zone may, for example, be formed by means of recesses in the material which forms the expansion portion. Consequently, the expansion portion can be constructed with simple means.

The expansion portion may comprise at least one material bridge which may extend at least partially in an inclined manner relative to a predefined movement path of the contact securing element, along which path the contact securing element can be moved into the receiving member. Thus, the material bridge may, for example, be constructed as a curved and/or bent expansion element or an expansion strip which can be expanded and/or compressed by being able to change its curvature or its bending angle. A plurality of such material bridges may, for example, be arranged between the recesses.

At least two material bridges may be formed in an axially symmetrical manner relative to a centre axis in a state opposite each other on the centre axis of the contact securing member which extends parallel with an expansion direction of the expansion portion. Transverse forces which occur during the expansion of the material bridges can thus be compensated for. This helps to predetermine an expansion direction which is as linear as possible. The expansion portion may be constructed in a concertina- 1 ike manner by the arrangement of a plurality of material bridges and recesses.

The expansion portion may have at least one slot which extends at least partially substantially transversely relative to the securing direction. Thus, the slot may also extend transversely relative to the expansion direction. Thus, the slot may also be constructed so as to be expandable and compressible in order to enable a resilience of the expansion portion. At least two slots may be arranged in such a manner that the contact securing member or the expansion portion at least partially has a meandering path, respectively.

A catch element for engaging the contact securing member on a counter-catch element of the plug element and/or the counter-catch element may be retained in a resiliently movable manner. Owing to the resilience of the catch element and/or the counter-catch element, production tolerances and variations of the movement path of the contact securing element when the catch element and counter-catch element are engaged can thus be compensated for by the tolerance compensation provided by the expansion portion. For example, the counter-catch element may be movably retained substantially in the securing direction in a resilient manner. The catch means may be retained in a resiliently movable manner transversely relative to the securing direction, for example, substantially parallel with the expansion direction.

The expansion portion may be formed integrally with the housing member and/or the contact securing member. The expansion portion, the contact securing member and/or the housing member may thus be produced from a single injection moulding material, which may help to reduce the production complexity and consequently the costs for producing a plug element according to the invention.

The expansion portion may comprise at least one resilient elastomer element. The resilient elastomer element can thus be introduced into the contact securing member, for example, by means of a two-component injection moulding operation. The resilient elastomer element may at least partially form the hinge. Owing to the resilient elastomer element, an expandability or compressibility and/or extendibility of the contact securing member or hinge may be provided.

The invention is explained in greater detail below by way of example with reference to a plurality of embodiments and the appended drawings. The embodiments are only possible constructions in which individual features, as described above, can be produced independently of each other and omitted. In the description of the embodiments, for the sake of simplicity, features and elements which are the same have been given the same reference numerals. Features and elements with a functionality which is the same or at least similar generally have the same reference numeral or the same reference letter, which is supplemented with one or more apostrophe(s) in order to identify an additional embodiment.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a plug element according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the plug element shown in Figure 1 having the contact securing member in a release position;

Figure 3 shows the plug element shown in Figures 1 and 2 with the contact securing member in the securing position;

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 a fourth embodiment of a plug element according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows a fifth embodiment of a plug element according to the invention; and

Figure 8 is a sixth embodiment of a plug element according to the invention.

An embodiment of a plug element 1 according to the invention is first described with reference to the schematic perspective view thereof in Figure 1 . The plug element 1 comprises an insertion portion 2 and a conductor receiving portion 3 which form a housing member 1 a of the plug element 1 or which are surrounded by the housing member 1 a. The insertion portion 2 is configured to be introduced into a mating plug element (not shown) and/or a housing (not shown). The conductor receiving portion 3 is configured to introduce electrical conductors (not shown), for example, in the form of pin contacts and/or contact sockets, into the plug element 1 .

The insertion portion 2 comprises an insertion face 4 which is orientated in a plug direction Z of the plug element 1 , along which the plug element 1 is constructed so as to be able to be inserted into a housing and/or mating plug element. Contact receiving members 5 of the plug element 1 are accessible via openings 6 to the contact receiving members 5 in the insertion face 4. The contact receiving members 5 or openings 6 are arranged in a row 5a which extends parallel with a lateral direction X of the plug element 1 . The contact receiving member 5 or the openings 6 thereof are at least partially provided with markings 7 which facilitate an association of contact elements or counter-contact elements (not shown) with the respective contact receiving members 5.

A strap-like contact securing member 8 is laterally secured to the plug element 1 or to the conductor receiving portion 3, that is to say, the housing member. A root of the contact securing member 8 is arranged in the region of a lower or rear edge 10a of the plug element 1 . From the root 9, the contact securing member 8 extends substantially in the insertion direction Z along an outer side of the plug element 1 . The root 9 is first adjoined by a hinge 1 1 which connects the root 9 to an actuation portion 12 of the contact securing member 8. A securing element 13 of the contact securing member 8 adjoins the actuation portion 12. The securing element 13 is in the form of a bar which extends transversely relative to the insertion direction Z or parallel with the lateral direction X which extends from an end of the contact securing member 8 directed counter to the insertion direction Z substantially along the transverse direction Y in the direction towards a verification opening 14 which is arranged in the wall of the plug element 1 .

The verification 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 which intersects the contact receiving members 5 or the row 5a and the contact receiving members 5 by the verification opening 14 protruding in a transverse direction Y of the plug element 1 into the contact receiving members 5 so that the securing element 13, in a securing direction S which extends substantially parallel with the transverse direction Y, can at least partially protrude into the contact receiving member 5. A catch means 15 in the form of a catch projection on the securing element 13 is constructed to cooperate with a counter-catch means 16 in the form of an engagement recess or counter- catch projection in the verification opening 14.

An expansion portion 17 of the contact securing member 8 extends in the lateral direction X from one side to the other of the contact securing member 8 and has a specific height parallel with the vertical direction Z. The expansion portion 17 comprises a plurality of weakening zones 17a in the form of recesses, between which material bridges 17b of the material which forms the contact securing member 8 are located. The material bridges 17b and consequently also the weakening zones 17a extend substantially in an expansion direction D in a curved manner so that, by straightening the weakening zones 17a and material bridges 17b, the expansion portion 17 is redirected or extended. By means of greater curving of the weakening zones 17a or material bridges 17b, the expansion portion is compressed or pressed together in the expansion direction D. The expansion portion 17 connects a first portion 8a of the contact securing member 8 to a second portion 8b of the contact securing member 8. The first portion 8a is arranged between the hinge 1 1 and the expansion portion 17. The second portion 8b is arranged between the expansion portion 17 and the securing element 13.

In the state illustrated in Figure 1 , the plug element 1 or the contact securing member 8 thereof is located in a release position B in which the securing element 13 does not engage in the contact receiving members 5. As soon as the contact receiving members 5 are correctly provided with electrical contact elements, the contact securing member 8 can be moved, by an actuation force F being applied in the securing direction S, from the release position A into a securing position B (not yet shown here), in which the securing element 13 engages in the verification opening 14 and the catch means 15 cooperates with the counter-catch means 16 or is engaged on the counter-catch means 16.

Figure 2 is another schematic perspective view of the plug element 1 . Here, it can be seen that the contact securing member 8 or the actuation portion 12 thereof can be moved substantially along a movement path R from the release position A into the securing position B. The securing element 13 can be guided along the movement path R into the verification opening 14. The movement path R is substantially in the form of a circular path whose centre or centre of rotation is predetermined by the hinge 1 1 . Consequently, the securing element 13 can be substantially tilted or pivoted about the hinge 1 1 .

In Figure 2, it can further be seen that the groove-like verification opening 14 is constructed so as to substantially complement the securing element 13. As soon as the contact securing member 8 is moved by an actuation force F which is directed parallel with the securing direction S in the direction towards the verification opening 14, the securing element 13 moves into the verification opening 14 and substantially fills it, as long as no contact element which is incorrectly inserted into the contact receiving members 5 overlaps with the verification opening 14 in such a manner that movement of the contact securing member 8 from the release position A into the securing position B is prevented by the contact element blocking the securing element 13. Figure 3 shows the plug element 1 with the contact securing member 8 in the securing position. As soon as the contact securing member 8 is in the securing position S, it abuts the housing member 1 a so that the contact securing member or the surface thereof directed counter to the transverse direction Y is substantially in alignment with the lateral surface of the connector portion 2 in the insertion direction P. The catch means 15 is engaged with the counter-catch means 16 and prevents undesirable opening of the contact securing member 8 or prevents the securing element 13 from being pulled out of the securing opening 14 counter to the securing direction S.

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a plug element 1 ' according to the invention in the release position A. In contrast to the plug element 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the plug element 1 ' has a contact securing member 8' having an expansion portion 17'. The expansion portion 17' comprises two weakening zones 17c in the form of slots, which extend substantially parallel with the lateral direction X. The two weakening zones 17c open at two opposing sides of the expansion portion 17' in opposing directions and terminate at two material bridges 17d, about which the second portion 8b of the contact securing member 8 can be substantially bent. That is to say, the contact securing member 8, owing to the slots, has an S-shape which can be expanded or compressed in the expansion direction D in a projection in the securing direction S.

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a plug element 1 " according to the invention. In contrast to the plug elements 1 or 1 ' shown in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 4, the plug element 1 " has a contact securing member 8" with an expansion portion 17". In a similar manner to the expansion portion 17' of the plug element 1 ', the expansion portion 17" of the plug element 1 " comprises weakening zones 17e in the form of slots which extend substantially parallel with the lateral direction X and material bridges 17f. In contrast to the weakening zones 17c or slots in the contact securing member 8', the weakening zones 17e or slots of the contact securing member 8" additionally have an inclined path transversely relative to the securing direction S or expansion direction D, which forms an overexpansion protection element 18 which forms two stops 18a and 18b. The stops 18a and 18b overlap when viewed in projection in the securing direction S and strike each other in the event of excessive

overexpansion of the contact securing member 8" or the second portion 8b thereof with respect to the first portion 8a counter to the movement path R and thus prevent overexpansion of the contact securing member 8". Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a plug element 1 "' according to the invention. Unlike the plug elements 1 , 1 ' and 1 ", the plug element 1 "' has a contact securing member 8"' having an expansion portion 17"' in the form of a resilient elastomer element 17g. The resilient elastomer element 17g connects the first portion 8a of the contact securing member 8"' to the second portion 8b of the contact securing member 8"' and extends substantially parallel with the lateral direction X. That is to say, the second portion 8b of the contact securing member 8"' is connected to the first portion 8a by means of the resilient elastomer element 17g.

Figure 7 is another schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a plug element 1 "" according to the invention. In contrast to the plug element 1 "' shown in Figure 6, the plug element 1 "" has a counter-catch element 16 which is connected to the housing member 1 a by means of a resilient portion 16a. A gap 16b extends in the form of a groove substantially parallel with the lateral direction X along the verification opening 14. The resilient portion 16a and the gap 16b enable resilient redirection of the counter-catch element 16 in and counter to the securing direction S.

Figure 8 is a schematic, perspective view of another embodiment of a plug element 1 "" according to the invention. In contrast to the plug elements 1 "' and 1 "", the plug element 1 "" has a counter-catch element 16' which is arranged centrally in the lateral direction X in the verification opening and consequently extends over only a portion of the verification opening 14. In the region of the catch element 15 on the securing element 13, a cutout 19 is formed in the contact securing member 8"" through which the securing portion 13 is constructed at least partially as a type of freely floating transverse connection 20. The transverse connection 20 forms a type of resilient region in which a resilient redirection of the catch element 15

transversely relative to the securing direction S is facilitated, whereby engagement and disengagement forces or the force F for moving the contact securing member 8"" from the release position A into the securing position B can be prevented.

In the context of the notion of the invention, modifications of the embodiments described above are possible. For instance, the plug elements 1 , 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 may be provided with insertion portions 2, conductor receiving portions 3 and insertion faces 4 which are constructed in any manner in order to form a plug connector which complies with requirements. The contact receiving members 5 may be shaped so as to correspond to the plug contacts which are intended to be received in each case. The contact securing member 8 may have a form which complies with respective requirements, as long as the securing element 13 thereof can engage in the receiving members 5 or verification opening 14 in such a manner that it can secure a contact element which is located in the receiving member 5. At least two portions 8a, 8b of the contact securing member 8 are intended to be connected to each other by means of an expansion portion 17, 17', 17", 17"" or a combination of these portions so that the contact securing member 13 can be movable in the most resilient manner possible in the expansion direction D relative to the housing member or the root 9.

List of reference numerals Plug element

' Plug element

" Plug element

"' Plug element

"" Plug element

Plug element

a Housing member

Insertion portion

Conductor receiving portion, collar

Insertion face

Contact receiving member

a Row of contact receiving members

Opening in the insertion face with respect to the contact receiving member Marking

Contact securing member

' Contact securing member

" Contact securing member

"' Contact securing member

"" Contact securing member

a First portion of the contact securing member

b Second portion of the contact securing member

Root of the contact securing member

0a Lower edge of the plug element

0b Upper edge of the plug element

1 Hinge

2 Actuation portion

3 Securing element

4 Verification opening/Verification groove

5 Catch means/element

6 Counter-catch element

6' Counter-catch element

6a Resilient portion

6b Gap

7 Expansion portion

7' Expansion portion

7" Expansion portion

7"' Expansion portion

7"" Expansion portion

7a Weakening zone/recess

7b Material bridge

7c Weakening zone/slot 17d Material bridge

17e Weakening zone/slot

17f Material bridge

17g Resilient elastomer element

18 Overexpansion protection element

18a Stop

18b Stop

19 Cutout

20 Transverse connection/resilient element

A Release position / Pre-engagement position

B Securing position / Catch position

D Expansion direction

F Actuation force

P Insertion direction

R Movement path

S Securing direction

X Lateral direction

Y Transverse direction

Z Insertion direction

Claims

1 . Plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 ) for an electrical plug type connector, having a housing member (1 a) 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 (1 a) 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), characterised in that the contact securing member (8) has an expansion portion (17) which is arranged between the housing member (1 a) 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).

2. Plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 ) according to claim 1 , characterised in that the contact securing member (8) is secured to the housing member (1 a) so as to be able to be pivoted by means of a hinge (1 1 ) from a release position (A) into the securing position (B).

3. Plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 ) according to claim 2, characterised in that the expansion portion (17, 17', 17", 17"', 17"") is arranged on the contact securing member (8) between the hinge (1 1 ) and the securing element (13).

4. Plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the expansion portion (17, 17', 17", 17"', 17"") has at least one weakening zone (17a, 17c, 17e).

5. Plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the expansion portion (17, 17', 17", 17"', 17"") comprises at least one material bridge (17b, 17d, 17f) which extends at least partially in an inclined manner relative to a predefined movement path (R) of the contact securing element (13), along which path the contact securing element (13) can be moved into the at least one contact receiving member (5).

6. Plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 ) according to claim 5, characterised in that at least two material bridges (17b, 17d, 17f) are formed in an axially symmetrical manner relative to a centre axis (M) in a state opposite each other on the centre axis (M) of the contact securing member (8) which extends parallel with an expansion direction (D) of the expansion portion (17, 17', 17", 17"', 17"").

7. Plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the expansion portion (17, 17, 17", 17"', 17"") has at least one slot (17c, 17e) which extends at least partially substantially transversely relative to the securing direction (S).

8. Plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that a catch element (15) for engaging the contact securing member (8) on a counter-catch element (16) of the plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 ) and/or the counter-catch element (16) is/are retained in a resiliency movable manner.

9. Plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the expansion portion (17, 17, 17", 17"', 17"") is formed integrally with the housing member (1 a) and/or the contact securing member (8).

10. Plug element (1 , 1 ', 1 ", 1 "', 1 "", 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the expansion portion (17, 17', 17", 17"', 17"") comprises at least one resilient elastomer element (17g).