Cable connector with locking lever

Abstract

A cable connector 1, in particular an IDC (Insulation Displacement Connector) connector, has an insulator 2 and an abutment 3. The insulator 2 includes a housing 20 and a locking element 21 integrally manufactured with the housing 20. The locking element 21 includes a rod 210 and a bearing shaft 211. The rod 210 is doubly connected to the housing 20. The bearing shaft 211 of the locking element 21 is designed to be inserted into a bearing recess 34 of the abutment 3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable connector, in particular to an IDC (Insulation Displacement Connector) connector, which comprises an insulator and an abutment bridge. The insulator has at least one locking element for mutually locking with a plug connector. Background Art

[0002] Cable connectors are known in different embodiments. They usually have an insulator that carries contacts for connection to a plug connector (e.g., a PCB socket). On the cable side, the connection contacts are designed as insulation displacement contacts, which are connected to the cable end, for example, using LSA technology via crimping, IDC connection, etc. This connection is made, for example, by inserting the cable end into an abutment, which then makes an electrical connection with the terminal contact when the abutment moves relative to the insulator.

[0003] In order to permanently and securely connect the cable connector to the mating plug connector, in particular to prevent the cable connector from being pulled out when the cable is subjected to tension, the cable connector usually has a locking mechanism that establishes a lock between the mating connector and the cable connector connected thereto. The locking mechanism may have a locking / locking lever as part of the insulator.

[0004] The locking bar can be made in one piece with the insulator (integrally molded). However, this causes several problems. First, when the size of the connector is small, the locking bar is thin and soft. Therefore, the locking bar provides little back pressure during actuation and therefore provides little feedback to the user as to whether actuation has actually occurred. As a result, the user tends to apply too much force, resulting in the bar breaking or being damaged. When removing the plug connector from the cable connector, the lack of feedback can cause the user to want to disconnect the plug without actuation, resulting in the locking bar breaking near the locking lug.

[0005] Furthermore, in this variant, the connection of the locking lever to the base of the insulator is designed as a rotational / articulated joint and is therefore designed to be thin. This means that at the articulation, especially under high loads or if the connector is repeatedly attached to or detached from a mating connector, there is a high risk that the locking lever will fall out. Furthermore, due to the thin connection between the locking lever and the base of the insulator, both the spring travel and the spring force are small.

[0006] For these reasons, solutions have been proposed in which the locking lever and the base of the insulator are designed in two parts. The two parts are connected together via a bearing, allowing the rotational movement of the locking lever (rocker). Although the axial bearing is relatively safe, not prone to damage and strong, the entire molding process is complicated. In addition, an additional step is required during assembly, namely, attaching and mounting the locking lever to the base of the insulator. Summary of the invention

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cable connector with a locking lever which is stable and easy to manufacture.

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved by providing a cable connector according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] The cable connector according to the present invention comprises an insulator and an abutment, wherein the insulator has at least one locking element for mutually locking with a mating connector and the abutment has at least one bearing for supporting a bearing shaft (bearing axis) of a locking rod of the insulator.

[0010] The bearing of the bearing shaft of the insulator or the locking element in the abutment prevents the risk of a hinge breaking or a connection breaking between the locking lever and the base body of the insulator. With this design, during the installation of the abutment and the insulator, supporting the insulator and the abutment and providing the electrical connection between the cable and the contact end of the cable connector can be performed in one step.

[0011] The invention is particularly relevant to cable connections, since tensile forces can be exerted on the connector via the cable, which can lead to the cable connector being unintentionally pulled out of the mating plug connector. Thus, a safety device, usually in the form of a locking mechanism, is required.

[0012] An IDC (insulation displacement connector) plug is an application example of the cable connector according to the present invention. In this technology, the wires of a cable (e.g., a ribbon cable) are inserted into corresponding receiving grooves provided in the abutment and then pressed together with the insulation displacement contact pieces located in the insulator, thereby contacting the wires through the insulation displacement connector.

[0013] In particular, the insulating body has a housing, the housing and the at least one locking element are formed in one piece, i.e. are integrally formed. The structure of the insulating body can be one-piece, i.e. the housing (hereinafter also referred to as base body) and the locking element can be designed as one piece. This means that, compared to a two-piece design, additional components and additional assembly steps when attaching the additional component to the base body can be avoided.

[0014] Preferably, at least one locking element is connected to the housing via at least two connecting elements. Due to the double connection of the locking element, in particular the rod of the locking element, the insulator as a single component is mechanically stable and strong against external influences. The spring element is firmly connected to the one-piece insulator.

[0015] Preferably, the locking element has a rod, which includes a rocker and a spring rod. The spring rod can be one of the above-mentioned connecting elements. Preferably, the spring rod extends from the region of the locking boss or the latching hook in the end region of the rocker to the base body / housing of the insulating body, thereby forming a second connection. Due to the strong double connection between the housing and the rocker, the risk of twisting in this region is reduced.

[0016] In the design according to the invention, the locking bar can be deformed. However, instead of deformation in the hinge, deformation can be facilitated by providing a long bar with a spring bar. In this way, a thicker spring bar can be achieved that is less prone to bending and provides a higher holding force. Due to the lower material load during deformation of the long spring bar, the material can be used for the production of insulators that are not suitable for other structures or do not meet some contrary requirements, such as liquid crystal polymer (LCP) materials.

[0017] The spring lever can be formed as a massive lever, the deformation of which can be adjusted in a manner defined by the structure and material selection. The lead-in bevel of the locking boss can be made more or less flat or beveled, for example, allowing the locking lever to be designed with a greater preload.

[0018] In particular, the bearing of the abutment can be designed as a recess in the base body of the abutment, which is complementary to the bearing axis and the bearing center of the locking element, respectively. The recess can be designed, for example, as a semicircle.

[0019] In particular, in a first position of the insulator relative to the abutment, the bearing shaft of the locking element does not engage with the bearing recess of the abutment, whereas in a second position of the insulator relative to the abutment, the bearing shaft engages with the bearing recess of the abutment. When the insulator and the abutment move together from the first relative position (separated position) to the second relative position (inserted position), the bearing shaft moves into the bearing recess of the abutment so as to be securely supported therein.

[0020] The cable connector may have a locking device that locks the abutment in the second state to prevent the abutment from being separated from the insulator. For example, the locking device may be provided by a latch between the abutment and the insulator. Even in the first state, the abutment may be prevented from accidentally falling off by the latched connection between the abutment and the insulator.

[0021] The locking element (which may be a locking element for locking with a mating plug connector, for example) may have a blocking element which abuts against a first stop of the abutment in a first state and engages with a lower cutout of the insulator in a second state. In the first state, the rocker is locked in a T-slot forming a third fixing point.

[0022] The insulator can be made of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) material. Even if the material used does not meet all the desired (sometimes opposite) properties (such as fracture resistance, rigidity and elasticity, etc.), the construction measures proposed by the present invention also reduce or eliminate the disadvantages of the missing properties of individual materials. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Further advantages, features and possible applications of the invention result from the following description of preferred but non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention based on the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a front view of a cable connector according to the present invention, wherein some individual components are shown semi-transparently;

[0025] Figure 2a is based on Figure 1 Detail of the cable connector.

[0026] Figure 2b are details of a further version of the cable connector according to the invention; and

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a cable connector connected to a plug connector is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 The cable connector 1 according to the present invention, in particular an IDC (Insulation Displacement Connector) connector, is shown. The cable connector 1 comprises an insulator 2 and an abutment 3.

[0029] The insulator 2 comprises a housing 20 and locking elements 21 (in this case, latching elements 21), which are respectively arranged on the side of the housing 20. The housing 20 has an accommodating space 200 for accommodating at least a part of the abutment 3. In addition, the housing 20 contains a plurality of contacts 4, which are particularly designed as insulation displacement and / or clamping contacts arranged side by side.

[0030] exist Figure 2aThe locking element 21 shown in detail in FIG. 2 is designed as a stop element and comprises a lever 210 and a bearing shaft 211. The lever 210 has a rocker 2100, a locking boss 2101, which is arranged at a first end of the rocker 2100, which is remote from the abutment 3, and a bridge element 2102, which is arranged at a second end of the rocker 2100, which is facing the abutment 3. The rocker 2100 is connected to the bearing shaft 211 via a through connection 2103 extending from the central area of ​​the rocker 2100. The bearing shaft 211 is connected to the housing 20 via a connection 22 in the form of a curved thin spring element. In addition, the rocker 2100 is connected to the housing 20 via a web or spring rod 23, which extends from the locking boss 2101 in the direction of the bearing shaft 211. Therefore, the connection of the rocker 2100 to the housing 20 is double. If the insulating body 2 is integrally formed, i.e. formed as a separate piece or a one-piece component, the double connection ensures a firm and stable connection of the locking element 21 to the housing and prevents the locking element 21 from easily detaching from the housing 20. This design measure enables the entire insulating body 2 to be manufactured integrally from a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) material. The integral production of the locking element 21 and the housing 20 eliminates the assembly step of joining the above components.

[0031] Figure 2b Another version of the locking element 21 is shown, which corresponds essentially to Figure 2a The only difference is that the abutment element 2102 has a different design. The abutment element 2102 widens towards the free end and thereby forms a kind of hook.

[0032] The abutment 3 has a base 30. Inside the base 30, a receiving groove 31 is formed as a container to receive the cable 5. In addition, the base 30 has a stopper 33 on each side for contacting the bridge foundation element 2102 in a first state before contact (see Figure 1 ) and a T-shaped slot 32 for accommodating the corresponding abutment element 2102 in the second state after contact (see Figure 3 ). As shown in the figure, the stopper 33 limits the mobility of the rod 210 in the first state, so that no damage occurs. In addition, the housing 30 has a bearing recess 34 on each side thereof to accommodate the corresponding bearing shaft 211 of the locking element 21. For example, the bearing recess 34 can have an inner contour of a circular sector, such as a semicircular inner contour.

[0033] exist Figure 1 In the first position shown, the abutment element 2102 is supported between the insulator 2 and the abutment 3 in the T-shaped slot of the abutment 3 and thus forms a third fixing point for the locking element 21. The locking element 21 therefore cannot bend or wear in the first position.

[0034] In accordance with Figure 1In the first positioning, the bearing axis 211 of the locking or locking element 21 is still located outside the bearing recess 34 of the abutment 3.

[0035] After the conductors 5 of the cables or cable segments are positioned in the corresponding cable receiving grooves 31 of the bridge abutment 3, the bridge abutment 3 can be moved relative to the insulator 2 in the installation direction (=contact direction) M. Figure 3 As shown, the cable connector 1 changes to the second state (second positioning). Figure 3 In the embodiment, the insulator 2 and the abutment 3 are fully engaged with each other. The bridge base element 2102 engages with the groove or undercut 35 formed behind the stopper 33 (which is formed as a protrusion, see Figure 1 ). In addition, on both sides, the bearing shaft / bearing axis 211 moves into the corresponding bearing recess 34 and is securely supported therein because the bearing recess 34 is designed to match the bearing axis 211 (for example, the bearing shaft 34 may have a circular cross-section and the recess 34 may have a semicircular inner contour). Even if the connecting piece 22 is torn off in the second position, the stability of the bearing of the locking element 21 is ensured.

[0036] In the second position, the conductor 5 positioned in the cable duct 31 of the abutment 3 is pushed into the insulation displacement and / or clamping contact 4 so as to form an electrical connection therewith, whether by forming an insulation displacement connection by the insulation displacement contact cutting the insulation of the conductor end 5 or by establishing a crimp or the like.

[0037] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment, the cable connector 1 is connected to a corresponding plug connector 6 that matches the cable connector 1. The mating plug connector 6 is particularly designed as a socket-shaped plug connector, such as a printed circuit board socket. The mating connector 6 has a socket-shaped insulator 60 (which has a container for the cable connector 1) and a lower cutout 61, and the locking boss 2101 of the rod 210 is engaged in the lower cutout 61 to prevent the cable connector 1 from being loosened or disengaged from the mating connector 6, especially to prevent it from being pulled out.

[0038] The installation direction for contacting is indicated by arrow M. The contacting of the electrical contact and the installation of the bearing shaft 211 in the bearing recess 34 are carried out in one step, wherein the abutment 3 is moved relative to the insulator 2 from a first state ( Figure 1 ) moves to the second state ( Figure 3 ).

[0039] Reference numerals list

[0040] 1 Cable connector

[0041] 2 Insulator

[0042] 20 Shell

[0043] 200 Accommodation Space

[0044] 21 Locking element

[0045] 210 bars

[0046] 2100 Joystick

[0047] 2101 Locking boss

[0048] 2102 Bridge base element

[0049] 2103 Connectors

[0050] 211 bearing shaft

[0051] 22 connecting element; first connecting member

[0052] 23 Connecting element: Spring rod

[0053] 3 Abutments

[0054] 30 Matrix

[0055] 31 Receiving slot

[0056] 32T-slot

[0057] 33 Stopper

[0058] 34 Bearing recess

[0059] 35 Lower incision

[0060] 4 Contacts

[0061] 5 Cables

[0062] 6 Plug connector

[0063] 60 Insulator for plug connector

[0064] 61 Lower cutout of plug connector

Claims

1. A cable connector (1), comprising an insulator (2) and an abutment (3), wherein the insulator (2) has at least one locking element (21) for interlocking with a mating plug connector (6), wherein: The insulating body (2) has a housing (20), and the at least one locking element (21) is connected to the housing (20) via a first connecting element (22); The abutment (3) has at least one bearing recess (34) for mounting a bearing shaft (211) of the locking element (21); the abutment (3) moves along the mounting direction M until it is fully engaged with the insulator (2), and the bearing shaft (211) moves into the corresponding bearing recess (34) and is supported therein.

2. The cable connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The housing (20) and the at least one locking element (21) are integrally formed.

3. The cable connector (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The at least one locking element (21) is connected to the housing (20) via a second connecting element (23).

4. The cable connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The locking element (21) has a rod (210) comprising a rocker (2100) and a spring rod (23).

5. The cable connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The bearing recess (34) of the abutment (3) is a recess formed in a base body (30) of the abutment (3), the recess being formed to be complementary to the bearing shaft (211) of the locking element (21).

6. The cable connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The bearing shaft (211) of the locking element (21) is not engaged with the bearing recess (34) of the abutment (3) in a first relative position of the insulator (2) relative to the abutment (3), and the bearing shaft (211) of the locking element (21) is engaged with the bearing recess (34) of the abutment (3) in a second relative position of the insulator (2) relative to the abutment (3).

7. The cable connector (1) according to claim 6, wherein: The cable connector (1) has a locking device, which locks the abutment (3) in a second position of the insulator (2) relative to the abutment (3) to prevent the abutment (3) from being separated from the insulator (2).

8. The cable connector (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The locking element (21) has a locking boss (2101), which abuts against a first stopper (33) of the abutment (3) in a first relative position of the insulator (2) relative to the abutment (3), and engages in a lower cutout (35) formed in the abutment (3) in a second relative position of the insulator (2) relative to the abutment (3).

9. The cable connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The insulator (2) is made of an integrated liquid crystal polymer material.

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