EP3288121A1 - Fully sealed connector having improved retaining forces - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector, comprising a contact carrier (1) with at least one contact chamber (2), wherein in the at least one contact chamber (2) a contact partner (7) is arranged, wherein the contact partner (7) cooperating with its contact chamber (2) primary locking tab (10 ), wherein further on and / or in the contact carrier (2) a displaceable between a Vorverraststellung and a Endverraststellung locking element (6) is arranged, wherein the locking element (6) for secondary locking of a secondary locking tab (12) having contact partner (7) in its contact chamber (2) is formed when the contact partner (2) is in its intended position in its contact chamber (2) and the locking element (6) has been moved from its Vorverraststellung in its Endverraststellung, characterized in that in addition to the secondary locking tab (12) of the contact partner (7) with the Locking element (6) cooperating securing web (13) on the contact partner (7) is arranged.

Description

The invention relates to a connector which can be plugged together with a mating connector, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

There are always plug-in connections known, which consist of a connector and a mating connector, the connector with the mating connector releasably mated and can be unplugged again.

In practice, it is necessary for the connector to hold together reliably when the connector has been inserted into the mating connector. This is absolutely necessary for the power and / or signal transmission via such a connector to prevent unwanted situations or dangerous situations. Not only the external forces, in particular tensile and compressive stresses to be considered on the entire connector, but above all, tensile stresses, for example via a cable, which act on the connector and arranged in the connector contact partner. Namely, if the cable, at the end of the connector is arranged, with certain forces that can quite possibly occur in practice, pulled, there is a risk that a contact partner moved out of the connector and thus forcibly also from the contact partner in the mating connector, with which he was previously contacted electrically disconnects.

In order to prevent such a release as effectively as possible, it has already become known, the contact in his contact chamber in the contact carrier of the connector not only once set (to lock, so-called primary lock), but to provide a further locking (so-called secondary lock).

The primary locking takes place, for example, between the contact partner and a corresponding inner contour of the contact chamber. This is done, for example, in that the contact partner has a protruding spring tab which engages (engages) in a corresponding recess in the inner contour in the contact chamber when the contact partner has been arranged in its intended end position in its contact chamber. This already effectively prevents the contact partner from being able to move out of its contact chamber, be it from external influences (such as vibrations) that may occur during normal use of the connector. As a rule, however, this primary lock is not sufficient to absorb unusual loads on the contact partner, what the secondary locking is intended.

Such secondary locking is realized for example with an additional locking element, which is also referred to as a bar or CPA (Contact Position Assurance). With such a locking element, similar to the primary lock, the contact partner in its contact chamber set, in which a secondary locking tab or the like of the contact partner is supported on the locking element when the contact partner is in its intended position in its contact chamber. For the installation of the contact partner in its contact chamber is provided that it is first introduced into the contact chamber and thereby the primary locking is realized. The secondary locking is then realized in that the locking element, which is initially not arranged on the connector or is in a Vorverraststellung on the connector, in particular its contact carrier is moved to an end position (Endverraststellung), in particular is displaced so that thereby the secondary locking tab the contact partner comes to rest on the locking element, which ensures that the contact partner can not be moved out of its contact chamber.

Such a connector with a primary lock and a secondary locking means of a bolt is known from DE 10 2016 208 673 known.

However, it has been found in practice that when using such connectors external stresses, in particular tensile stresses on the cable, can occur, which despite primary and secondary locking of the contact partner in its contact chamber cause the contact partner is pulled out of its contact chamber. Even if such tensile stresses would not occur in practice, there are test requirements for at least to be met holding forces of the contact partner in his contact chamber.

The invention has for its object to provide a connector of a connector, which can be mated with a mating connector and which is arranged at one end of a cable, can be achieved with the higher holding forces and withstands the appropriate test specifications.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention it is provided that in addition to the secondary locking tab of the contact partner cooperating with the locking element securing web is arranged on the contact partner.

The basic principle of the primary and secondary locking of the contact partner in its contact chamber is initially maintained. However, according to the invention, the secondary locking tab is reinforced by a further element, namely a securing web interacting with the locking element on the contact partner. Thus, already common holding forces can be intercepted by means of the primary locking and secondary locking tab, with significantly higher holding forces acting against tensile stresses on the contact partner can be realized by an additional element. This is particularly advantageous when the contact partner is made as a stamped and bent part of a flat metal material, since the holding forces can not be achieved by simple material thickening or reinforcement of the secondary locking tab. In addition, such a securing bar exactly in the direction be aligned, in which the tensile load acts. As a result, the tensile stresses acting on the contact partner, are effectively intercepted by this acting in the direction of the tensile stress direction and transmitted to the locking element in an advantageous manner.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the connector according to the invention satisfies a test specification LV214 specified by automobile manufacturers, in which it is defined that a contact partner outgoing force from the housing or its contact chamber must be greater than 55 Newton with respect to only the secondary locking.

In the context of the invention, the term "secondary locking tab" is used to represent each geometry of the contact partner, which is suitable and intended to realize a secondary locking of the contact partner in its contact chamber. It can also be a paragraph, a block or the like, so that the secondary lock does not have to be designed or not just as a tab.

In a further development of the invention, therefore, the securing web is arranged and aligned in the longitudinal direction of the contact partner on this. While in one embodiment, the secondary locking tab is arranged and oriented, for example, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the contact partner (this arrangement and orientation is sufficient for a certain amount of holding forces), the securing web according to the invention is aligned in the longitudinal direction, so that an overall higher stability of the entire contact partner and Thus, a much better transmission of tensile stresses on the contact over his Securing ridge is achieved on the locking element. In addition, such an elongated securing web aligned in the longitudinal direction of the contact partner can be realized particularly easily if the contact partner is produced in a stamping and bending process (or possibly also in a punch rolling process).

In development of the invention it is provided that the securing web and the secondary locking tab are angled aligned and arranged. On the one hand, such an arrangement can again be produced simply, quickly and inexpensively in a stamped bending process or a comparable process. In addition, holding forces up to a certain order of magnitude are realized with the secondary locking tab, which normally do not occur in practice or during the test of the connector. However, if the holding forces are to be maintained during the test increased or it is conceivable that such tensile stresses occur in practice, in addition, the securing web is arranged in a different direction than the secondary locking tab and aligned to intercept these increased holding forces can.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the securing web and the secondary locking tab are aligned and arranged at approximately 90 degrees, exactly 90 degrees to each other. Such an arrangement advantageously results in a simple production, since an angling in a punch bending process is very easy to implement. On the other hand, the contact partner can be much better supported on the locking element to increase the holding forces, than if these two elements (securing web and secondary locking tab) In a further development of the invention, the locking element has a cooperating with the securing web and the secondary locking tab contact securing end. This contact securing end causes a contact of the securing web and the secondary locking tab on the locking element, if this has been moved from a first position, in particular its Vorverraststellung, in the end position, in particular its Endverraststellung. Before the movement of the locking element from its first position to its Endverraststellung, it is possible to use the contact partner in its contact chamber. This would not be possible if the locking element would already be in its Endverraststellung on or in the connector, more precisely on or in the contact carrier of the connector. This means that the contact partner must first be inserted into its contact chamber before the locking element can be brought into its Endverraststellung. This has the additional advantage that it is ensured in any case that the function of the locking element is realized when the contact partner has been used as intended in its contact chamber. This is not possible before in the event that the locking element would already be in its Endverraststellung. This additionally gives an increased ease of installation.

In a further development of the invention, the contact-securing end is L-shaped. By this L-shape of Kontaktsicherungsendes two contact surfaces are realized, namely on the one hand a contact surface for the secondary locking tab and on the other a contact surface for the securing web, preferably an end face of the securing web.

In a development of the invention, the locking element and / or the contact carrier has a guide surface on which the contact partner slides during insertion into its contact chamber. As a result, it is effectively avoided that the contact partner when inserting into its contact chamber, for example, is introduced obliquely and thus no longer intended. This guide surface thus facilitates the insertion of the contact partner in its associated contact chamber. It is particularly advantageous if, during the insertion process of the contact partner into its contact chamber, not only the contact carrier has a corresponding guide surface, but even if the locking element is already fixed in its Vorverraststellung on the contact carrier and in turn also has a guide surface for the contact partner. As a result, in addition to the remaining surfaces of the inner contour of the contact chamber, a further common guide surface is available during the sliding of the contact partner when it is inserted into its contact chamber.

In a further development of the invention, the insertion of the contact partner is increased in its contact chamber, if not only a respective guide surface of the contact carrier and the locking element are available, but if the guide surfaces are aligned in the Vorverraststellung of the locking element to each other. This results in a total guide surface, which preferably runs parallel to the outer surface of the securing web, so that is optimally guided by this investment of the facing surfaces of the contact partner when it is inserted into its contact chamber.

An inventive connector is in various views and details in the FIGS. 1 to 41 shown and described below.

In the FIGS. 1 to 9 is, as far as shown in detail, a contact carrier 1 shown in different views. This contact carrier 1 is part of a connector, not shown.

With particular reference to the FIGS. 5 and 6 it can be seen that the contact carrier 1 has at least one contact chamber, in this embodiment, two adjacent contact chambers 2. It is also possible to provide more than two contact chambers in a row or else a plurality of contact chambers in rows one above the other, ie parallel to one another.

The contact carrier 1 has a receiving geometry 3 ( FIG. 5 ), in which still a darzustellendes and described locking element for a secondary locking can be used.

With reference in particular to the FIG. 7 it is shown that the contact carrier 1 has a cable outlet end 4 and at its opposite end a mating face 5. About the cable outlet end 4, an unillustrated electrical cable is inserted, wherein at each electrical conductor of the cable, a contact partner is arranged, which is inserted from the cable outlet end 4 in the direction of the contact carrier 1 and fixed there. From the direction of the mating face 5, an unillustrated mating connector, preferably the contact carrier, is inserted into the contact carrier 1. At this plugging is realized a connector consisting of connectors and mating connector, wherein each contact partner of the connector with each contact partner of the mating connector corresponds and is plugged together to make an electrical connection.

The FIGS. 8 and 9 show sections through the contact carrier 1 according to the FIGS. 5 and 6 ,

In the FIGS. 10 and 11 is again shown the contact carrier 1, in which for the secondary locking a locking element 6 can be used in a direction of insertion ER. While in FIG. 10 is shown that the locking element 6 has not been used in the contact carrier 1 and there preferably brought into a Vorverraststellung is in FIG. 11 illustrated that the locking element 6 was inserted in the insertion direction ER in the interior of the contact carrier 1, in particular in the direction of its receiving geometry 3 and set in a Vorverraststellung there. The locking element 6 is located in the illustration in FIG. 11 not yet in its Vorverraststellung. This is achieved only when the locking element 6 (also referred to as a bar) completely mounted on its end stop in the contact carrier 1 (inserted and locked) was.

In the FIGS. 12 to 17 Different views of the locking element 6 are shown. As can be seen, the locking element 6 geometries, which are adapted to the receiving geometry in the interior of the contact carrier 1 on the one hand. These geometries cause a guided insertion of the locking element 6 in the receiving geometry 3 of the contact carrier 1 in Insertion direction ER. In addition, the geometries of the locking element 6 in conjunction with corresponding geometries within the contact carrier 1, that the locking element 6 is fixed there in a Vorverraststellung and can be brought under application of a force from the Vorverraststellung in the Endverraststellung. This can, but does not have to be, possible until the respective contact partner has been inserted in its associated contact chamber within the contact carrier 1. This means that a displacement of the locking element 6 would also be possible without the contact partners 2 (for example pin contacts) have been previously mounted.

In FIG. 18 the situation is shown in which the locking element 6 has been arranged in its Vorverraststellung within the contact carrier 1. During assembly of the locking element 6 (also referred to as a bolt), the contact carrier 1 (also referred to as a plug sleeve) is widened in its interior. As soon as the locking element 6 has its end position, it locks in the area marked with the rectangle (latching area VB). Instead of this locking, as shown by an undercut, it is conceivable to realize a spring element or this function with the latching element (Vorverrast- and Endverraststellung) on the locking element 6.

The expansion takes place when the locking element 6 is inserted from the outside. When moving the locking element 6 from its pre-in its Endverraststellung the deflection is carried out normally via a latching hook on Locking element 6. However, it can alternatively be created solutions in which the wall of the contact carrier 2 during the displacement of the locking element 6 also expands.

In the FIGS. 19 to 24 is shown in various views that the locking element 6 is in the Vorverraststellung within the contact carrier. This makes it possible for each contact partner (not yet shown here) to be inserted into its associated contact chamber 2 within the contact carrier 1, specifically from the direction of the cable outlet end 4 in the direction of the mating face 5.

The reference numbers in the FIGS. 19 to 28 will be explained later in connection with the contact partner.

In the FIGS. 25 and 26 is the optimal leadership vote, placement of the contact partner between the contact carrier and the locking element 6 (bar) made clear.

In FIG. 29 an exemplary embodiment of an electrical contact partner 7 is shown, which is preferably produced in a stamping bending process or in a punch rolling process. This contact partner 7 has, for example, a contact pin 8, which is arranged in the region of the mating face 5 within the contact carrier 1, that is, it protrudes from the contact chamber 2. On the opposite side of a contacting region 9 is shown, which is adapted and adapted to the contact partner 7 in a suitable manner to define an electrical conductor. This can be realized, for example, by soldering or welding or else by a crimp connection.

It is essential to the invention that the contact partner has an element for primary locking, with which it can be primarily locked within the contact chamber 2 of the contact carrier 1 when it is in its intended, that is final position within the contact chamber 2 after insertion , In this case, the element for this purpose is designed as a primary locking tab 10 which protrudes from the contact partner 7. If the contact partner 7 is inserted into its contact chamber 2, the primary locking tab 10 is elastically deformed and slides with its end against the inner contour of the contact chamber 2. if the end position of the contact partner 2 is reached in its contact chamber 3, the end of the primary locking tab 10 can spring back into a corresponding recess in the internal geometry of the contact chamber 3, so that the end face of the primary locking tab 10 engages behind this internal geometry (paragraph) and pulling out the contact partner 7 from his Contact chamber 2 is prevented. In order to ensure a defined insertion of the contact partner 7 in its contact chamber 2, but not necessarily, a stop 11 may be present, which comes to rest at one end of the contact chamber 2 when the contact partner 7 has been used in its end position in its contact chamber 2 is.

Much more important for the achievement of the required holding forces is not only the presence of the known secondary locking tab 12, but also the presence of the securing web 13 according to the invention, the additionally realized the secondary locking of the contact partner 7 in its contact chamber 2. While in this embodiment, the secondary locking tab 12 is aligned approximately transverse to the longitudinal axis of the contact partner 7, the securing web 13 is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the contact partner 7.

In FIG. 30 is shown how the contact partner 7 is inserted in its contact chamber 2 of the contact carrier 1 and, above all, the secondary locking elements cooperate with the locking element 6. There are first the secondary locking tab 12 and the securing bar 13 can be seen. In addition, it can be seen that the locking element 6 has a contact-securing end 14. This contact securing end 14 of the locking element 6 in its Endverraststellung causes not only the secondary locking tab 12 at least partially, possibly also completely, but also the securing web 13, in particular its end face, which faces in the longitudinal direction of the contact 7 rests against this contact securing end 14. While with the concern of at least a portion of the secondary locking tab 12 at the contact securing end 14 certain holding forces are achieved, these holding forces, however, significantly increased by the fact that the securing web 13, in particular its end face, abut the contact securing end 14.

The sake of completeness is in the FIGS. 31 and 32 the locking element 6 is shown in its Vorverraststellung in the contact carrier 1, and once from view of the mating face 5 (Fig. FIG. 31 ) and once to the cable outlet end 4 ( FIG. 32 ).

The FIGS. 34 and 35 show analogous to the FIGS. 31 and 32 the locking member 6 in its Endverraststellung, which is clear from the drawn rectangles that not only the locking member 6 has been moved, but that thereby the contact securing end 14 has been effective for the sake of clarity not shown here contact partner.

With reference to the FIGS. 19 to 28 is still to be mentioned that for optimal guidance in the placement of the contact partner 7 in its contact chamber 2, the respective contact chamber 2 has a guide surface 15 and also the locking element 6 has its own guide surface 16. Ideally, these two guide surfaces 15, 16 are arranged in alignment with each other, which is particularly in FIG. 22 is very recognizable.

The guide surface 16 is in the FIG. 16 seen above (Einführfase on the left side of the respective secondary locking bar).

In particular, the plug itself has no sealing element. The seal is made in each case only on the single core seals on the contact partners of plug and mating connectors (especially pin and socket contacts) and a seal between plug and mating connector.

In the FIGS. 36 and 37 another embodiment of the contact carrier 2 is shown. This includes the locking element 6, which in the FIGS. 38 to 41 is shown. Although the geometry of contact carrier 2 and Locking element 6 in the FIGS. 36 to 41 is something different than in the embodiment, which in the FIGS. 1 to 35 is shown, the same operation and direction is nevertheless realized.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1.

contact support

Second

contact chamber

Third

recording geometry

4th

Cable outlet end

5th

mating face

6th

locking element

7th

Contact partner

8th.

pin

9th

contacting

10th

Primary locking tab

11th

attack

12th

Secondary locking tab

13th

securing web

14th

Contact fuse end

15th

guide surface

16th

guide surface

HE

insertion direction

VB

Verrastbereich

Claims (8)

A connector, comprising a contact carrier (1) with at least one contact chamber (2), wherein in the at least one contact chamber (2) a contact partner (7) is arranged, wherein the contact partner (7) cooperating with its contact chamber (2) primary locking tab (10 ), wherein further on and / or in the contact carrier (2) a displaceable between a Vorverraststellung and a Endverraststellung locking element (6) is arranged, wherein the locking element (6) for secondary locking of a secondary locking tab (12) having contact partner (7) in its contact chamber (2) is formed when the contact partner (2) is in its intended position in its contact chamber (2) and the locking element (6) has been moved from its Vorverraststellung in its Endverraststellung, characterized in that in addition to the secondary locking tab (12) of the contact partner (7) with the Locking element (6) cooperating securing web (13) on the contact partner (7) is arranged. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing web (13) in the longitudinal direction of the contact partner (7) is arranged and aligned thereon. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the securing web (13) and the secondary locking tab (12) are angled aligned and arranged. Connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the securing web (13) and the secondary locking tab (12) are aligned and arranged approximately at 90 ° to each other. Connector according to claim 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the locking element (6) has a with the securing web (13) and the secondary locking tab (12) cooperating contact securing end (16). Connector according to claim 5, characterized in that the contact securing end (16) is L-shaped. Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (6) and / or the contact carrier (2) has a guide surface (14, 15) on which / at which the contact partner (7) during insertion into its contact chamber ( 2) guided along. Connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide surfaces (14, 15) in the Vorverraststellung of the locking element (6) are aligned with each other.

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