Housing assembly and method of releasing a connection between a connector and a mating connector

Abstract

A housing assembly (100) for a connector is shown, comprising a securing mechanism (20) for securing the connector to a mating connector in a securing position (21), and a locking mechanism (40), wherein the locking mechanism (40) in a locked position (41) locks the securing mechanism (20) in the securing position (21), and wherein the locking mechanism (40) is configured latchable in a parking position (42), in which the securing mechanism (20) is movable out of the securing position (21). Furthermore, a method for releasing a connection between a connector and a mating connector, which is secured to the connector by a securing mechanism (20), is shown, wherein the locking mechanism (40) in a locked position (41) prevents the securing mechanism (20) from moving out of the securing position (21), wherein the locking mechanism (40) is latched in a parking position (42), in which the securing mechanism (20) is movable out of the securing position (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a housing assembly for a connector, the housing assembly comprising: a retaining mechanism for securing the connector to a mating connector in a fixed position; and a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism, in a locked position, locks the retaining mechanism in the fixed position. The invention also relates to a method for releasing the connection between the connector and the mating connector. Background Technology

[0002] The drawback of existing connectors is that releasing them from mating connectors is complicated. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a solution that can be easily released.

[0004] According to the invention, this is achieved by configuring the locking mechanism to be latchable in a parking position in which the fixing mechanism can be moved out of the fixed position.

[0005] The connector can then be gradually released by moving the locking mechanism to the parking position and then moving the fixing mechanism out of the fixing position.

[0006] This objective is also achieved by a method for releasing the connection between a connector and a mating connector, the mating connector being secured to the connector by a fixing mechanism, wherein a locking mechanism in a locked position prevents the fixing mechanism from moving out of the fixed position, wherein the locking mechanism is latched in a parked position, in which the fixing mechanism can be moved out of the fixed position.

[0007] The invention can be further improved through the following developments and embodiments, which are advantageous in themselves and can be combined with each other arbitrarily.

[0008] The fixing mechanism may include a lever. This makes actuation easy and requires almost no force. The lever may be hinged to the housing, which is part of the housing assembly.

[0009] The housing assembly may include a parking latch mechanism configured to latch the locking mechanism in a parking position. The parking latch mechanism may particularly include at least one latching element, at least one latching surface, at least one stop, and / or at least one deflectable element. For easy switching movement, an inclined surface may be arranged on the parking latch mechanism. The inclined surface may, in particular, extend obliquely relative to the direction of movement of the movable element of the parking latch mechanism.

[0010] Locking mechanisms, fixing mechanisms, and / or parking latch mechanisms may include elements disposed on the housing. These may, for example, be latch elements, latch surfaces, guide surfaces, and / or guide elements.

[0011] In the parking position, the locking mechanism can release the path used for securing the mechanism from the fixed position. The stop surface of the securing mechanism in the parking position can be located outside the volume swept and / or claimed by the securing mechanism.

[0012] The housing assembly may include a parking release mechanism configured to release the parking latch mechanism when the fixing mechanism is moved out of the fixed position. This can facilitate return to the fixed position. This return can occur at least partially automatically.

[0013] The parking release mechanism may include a deflecting element that, upon release, locks the locking mechanism in the parking position. The parking release mechanism may particularly include at least one stop and / or at least one deflectable element.

[0014] The locking mechanism can be configured to latch in a pre-latch position, wherein the fixing mechanism can, for example, move from a release position to a fixed position. In the pre-latch position, the locking mechanism can release the path for the fixing mechanism to the fixed position. The stop surface of the fixing mechanism in the pre-latch position can be located outside the volume swept and / or claimed by the fixing mechanism. In the pre-latch position, the locking mechanism does not provide any resistance to the fixing mechanism.

[0015] The housing assembly may include a pre-latch mechanism configured to latch the locking mechanism in a pre-latch position. The pre-latch mechanism may, in particular, include at least one latching element, at least one latching surface, at least one stop, and / or at least one deflectable element. For easy conversion movement, an inclined surface may be arranged on the pre-latch mechanism. The inclined surface may, in particular, extend obliquely relative to the direction of movement of the movable element of the pre-latch mechanism.

[0016] The housing assembly may include a pre-latch release mechanism configured to release the pre-latch mechanism when the fixing mechanism reaches a fixed position. The pre-latch release mechanism may in particular include at least one stop and / or at least one deflectable element.

[0017] In a simplified embodiment, at least one latching element may be arranged on the resiliently deflectable arm. The latching element may particularly be arranged at the free end of the resiliently deflectable arm.

[0018] The housing assembly may include a drive mechanism that generates a force to press the locking mechanism out of the parking and / or pre-latched position. This, in particular, enables automatic retraction from the parking and / or pre-latched position without further manual actuation.

[0019] The drive mechanism may include a spring element. This keeps the construction simple. The spring mechanism may include a helical spring.

[0020] In the parked position, movement is prevented. This preventation can be released when the fixing mechanism moves out of the fixed position. The locking mechanism can be pushed into the locked position, particularly by a drive mechanism.

[0021] In the pre-latch position, movement is prevented. This preventer can be released when the locking mechanism moves to the fixed position. The locking mechanism can then be pushed into the locked position.

[0022] To simplify construction, the parking latch mechanism and the pre-latch mechanism can be part of a single latch assembly.

[0023] The locking mechanism may include a latch, wherein the locking mechanism is in a locked position, a parked position, or a pre-latched position depending on the position of the latch.

[0024] In a particularly simple construction, the clip can be held linearly movable. To simplify operation, the direction of movement can be opposite to and extend along the connection direction of the connector and the mating connector. Guiding elements and / or guiding surfaces can be provided on the clip and / or housing to guide the movement.

[0025] The latch can be part of the latch assembly.

[0026] When the fixing mechanism is moved out of its fixed position, the locking mechanism can move from the parked position to the pre-latched position. This can happen automatically, which simplifies operation.

[0027] In an advantageous configuration, when the fixing mechanism reaches the fixed position, the locking mechanism can move from the pre-latch position to the locked position.

[0028] The fixing mechanism may include a deflecting element that deflects a latching element in a fixed position, which latches the locking mechanism in a pre-latch position or a parking position.

[0029] To achieve simple and safe operation, the latching element for the parking position and the latching element for the pre-latch position can be deflected perpendicularly to each other. The deflection direction of the latching element for the parking position and the deflection direction of the latching element for the pre-latch position can extend perpendicularly to each other.

[0030] To make the connector more secure, the housing assembly may include another locking mechanism that locks the fixing mechanism in a fixed position.

[0031] Another locking mechanism with a simple construction can be formed even when there is no parking space.

[0032] The other locking mechanism can be configured such that it must be manually deflected to move the fixing mechanism out of its fixed position. For example, the other locking mechanism may include a resiliently deflectable portion.

[0033] The fixed mechanism can move, for example, by rotating about an axis.

[0034] The locking mechanism may have an actuation section for manual actuation. Attached Figure Description

[0035] In the following, the invention will be described in detail by way of example using advantageous constructions with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantageous developments and constructions shown are independent of each other and can be combined with each other as needed for the application.

[0036] in:

[0037] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the housing assembly is shown;

[0038] Figure 2 The locked position is shown. Figure 1 Schematic detailed views of an embodiment;

[0039] Figure 3 The parking position is shown. Figure 1 Schematic detailed views of an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 4 The pre-latch position is shown. Figure 1 Schematic detailed views of an embodiment;

[0041] Figures 5A-5E Various schematic diagrams of fixed positions are shown;

[0042] Figures 6A-6E Various schematic diagrams showing parking locations;

[0043] Figures 7A-7E Various schematic diagrams of the pre-latch position are shown;

[0044] Figures 8A-8D Various schematic diagrams of fixed positions are shown;

[0045] Figure 9 This is a schematic perspective view of the clip;

[0046] Figure 10 These are schematic perspective views of the card from different angles;

[0047] Figure 11 This is a schematic perspective view of a lever;

[0048] Figure 12 These are schematic perspective views of a lever from different angles. Detailed Implementation

[0049] Figure 1 An exploded view shows the housing assembly 100 for the connector. Besides... Figure 1In addition to the components shown, namely, in particular the housing 110, the clip 49, the drive mechanism 50, and the fixing mechanism 20, the connector may also include other components internally, such as contact elements, for establishing electrical contact with the mating connector.

[0050] Lever 25 can be attached to housing 110 and rotate there about axis 112. Retention mechanism 20 secures the connector to mating connector, for example, through form-fit engagement. Retention mechanism 20 can move to a fixed position 21, in which the connector is secured to the mating connector, or it can be moved out of fixed position 21, for example, to a released position. Retention mechanism 20 can also perform other functions. For example, when moved to the fixed position, it can press the connector and mating connector together. For this purpose, retention mechanism 20 can have contact surfaces extending in a spiral shape about axis 112.

[0051] The latch 49 is part of the locking mechanism 40, which locks the fixing mechanism 20 in the fixed position 21 when in the locked position 41, so that the latter cannot be removed from the fixed position 21. The locking mechanism 40 can be moved out of the locked position 41, so that the fixing mechanism 20 can be moved out of the fixed position 21.

[0052] To achieve this release in a simple manner, the locking mechanism 40 can be stopped in the parking position 42. For example, it can be manually actuated by the user on the actuating section 48, as the user presses the latch 49 in the direction of movement 149 towards the housing 110 and against the driving force of the drive mechanism 50. As a result, the stop surface 45 on the latch disengages from the corresponding stop surface 45 on the lever 25.

[0053] The operating mode of locking mechanism 40 is in Figure 2 , 3 This is shown in more detail in section 4. Figures 5A to 8D Other cross-sections and views in different states are also shown.

[0054] exist Figure 2 In the middle, the locking mechanism 40 is in the locked position 41, in which a form-fit engagement is established between the fixing mechanism 20 and the locking mechanism 40 along the rotation direction of the lever 25. Another locking mechanism 40 can also be seen on the left, which includes a simple latching element and is described only briefly below. This other locking mechanism 40 can be released by deflecting the latching element, wherein the latching element must be held in the deflected state by the user in order to eject the lever 25. In previous locking mechanisms with a latch, it was also necessary to hold the latch in the deflected state, which was difficult, especially when used in conjunction with another locking mechanism.

[0055] In the advantageous configuration shown on the right, the user does not need to perform this permanent retention, especially of the latch 49. The user can latch the locking mechanism 40, especially the latch 49, onto the latch. Figure 3 The parking position 42 is shown. As the latch 49 moves along a movement direction 149 parallel to the connection direction of the connector and the mating connector, the parking latch mechanism 60 secures the locking mechanism 40 in the parking position 42, and beyond a certain range there. This boundary is defined by the locking element 65 of the parking latch mechanism 60, which then snaps into place on the mating element on the housing 110. During movement, the latch element 65, arranged on the resiliently deflectable arm 120, deflects along the deflection direction 165. The inclined surface 55 facilitates the deflection. When the locking element 65 has passed the corresponding mating latch element, the latch element 65 springs back elastically, such that the stop surface on the face side of the latch element 65 abuts against the mating stop surface 66 on the housing 110 and prevents it from returning to its original position.

[0056] exist Figure 3 In the parking position shown, the lever 25 can now be thrown out because the corresponding stop surface 45 on the locking mechanism 40, particularly the latch 49, releases the volume swept by the lever 25, particularly the stop surface 45 thereon. During this movement, the deflecting element 71 arranged on the lever 25 deflects the latching elements 65 of the parking latching mechanism 60, causing them to disengage from the corresponding surfaces and elements on the housing 110. The locking mechanism 40 is thus released from the parking position 42 and moves to the pre-latch position 43 due to the drive mechanism 50 including the spring element 21. The locking mechanism is engaged in the pre-latch position 43 by the pre-latch mechanism 80, as the latching element 85 of the pre-latch mechanism 80 strikes the corresponding mating element on the housing 110. In the pre-latch position 43, movement of the fixing mechanism 20, particularly the lever 25, is possible without resistance from the locking mechanism 40, because the movement path of the lever 25 is released.

[0057] When the fixing mechanism 20 is moved to the fixed position 21, i.e., when the lever 25 is rotated, the locking mechanism 40 automatically moves from the pre-latch position 43 to the locked position 41. The deflecting element 95 of the pre-latch release mechanism 90 deflects the latching element 85 of the pre-latch mechanism 80 in the deflection direction 185. This releases the obstruction of the drive mechanism 50 in the movement direction 149, and the drive mechanism 50 presses the locking mechanism 40 in the force direction 150. The latch 49 then re-engages with the fixing mechanism 20 in a form-fitting manner.

[0058] Card 49 Figure 9 and 10 The diagram is shown in two perspective views. In particular, it can be seen that the deflection direction 165 of the latching element 65 of the parking latching mechanism 60 can be deflected perpendicularly to the deflection direction 185 of the latching element of the pre-latching mechanism 80. This ensures safe operation.

[0059] Card 25 Figure 11 and 12 The diagram is shown in two perspective views. In particular, the stop surface 45 (by means of which the lever 25 is locked in the fixed position 21), the deflection element 71 of the parking release mechanism 70, and the deflection element 95 of the pre-latch release mechanism 90 can be seen.

[0060] List of reference numerals

[0061] 20 fixed mechanisms

[0062] 21 Fixed position

[0063] 25 leverage

[0064] 40 Locking Mechanisms

[0065] 41 Pre-latch mechanism

[0066] 42 parking spaces

[0067] 43 Pre-latch position

[0068] 45 Parking mechanism locking mechanism stop surface

[0069] 48 Actuating Sections

[0070] 49 cards

[0071] 50 drive mechanism

[0072] 51 Spring Components

[0073] 55 Inclined Surface

[0074] 60 Parking latch mechanism

[0075] 65 Latch element in parking position

[0076] 66 mating latch surface

[0077] 70 parking release mechanism

[0078] 71 deflection element

[0079] 80 Pre-latch mechanism

[0080] 85 latching element in pre-latch position

[0081] 90 Pre-latch release mechanism

[0082] 95 deflection element

[0083] 100 housing assembly

[0084] 110 housing

[0085] 112 axis

[0086] 120 Flexible Deflectable Arm

[0087] 121 Free End

[0088] 140 latch assembly

[0089] 148 Guide Element, Clip Housing

[0090] 149. Direction of movement of the clip

[0091] 150 driving force direction

[0092] 160 connection direction

[0093] 165 latch element deflection direction

[0094] 185 latching element deflection direction

Claims

1. A housing assembly (100) for a connector, comprising: A fixing mechanism (20) is used to fix the connector to the mating connector in a fixed position (21); And a locking mechanism (40), wherein the locking mechanism (40) in the locked position (41) locks the fixing mechanism (20) in the fixed position (21), and wherein the locking mechanism (40) is configured to be latched in the parking position (42), in which the fixing mechanism (20) can be moved out of the fixed position (21). Along the connection direction (160) between the connector and the mating connector, the locking mechanism (40) is disposed between the fixing mechanism (20) and the housing (110) of the housing assembly (100). The housing assembly (100) includes a parking latch mechanism (60) configured to latch the locking mechanism (40) in the parking position (42) when the locking mechanism (40) moves along a movement direction (149) parallel to the connection direction (160); The locking mechanism (40) is configured to be latched in a pre-latch position (43), in which the fixing mechanism (20) can be moved to the fixed position (21). The housing assembly (100) includes a drive mechanism (50) that generates a force opposite to the direction of movement (149) to press the locking mechanism (40) out of the parking position (42) and / or the pre-latch position (43).

2. The housing assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The housing assembly (100) includes a parking release mechanism (70) configured to release the parking latch mechanism (60) when the fixing mechanism (20) is removed from the fixing position (21).

3. The housing assembly (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The housing assembly (100) includes a pre-latch mechanism (80) configured to latch the locking mechanism (40) in the pre-latch position (43).

4. The housing assembly (100) according to claim 3, wherein, The parking latch mechanism (60) and the pre-latch mechanism (80) are part of a single latch assembly (140).

5. The housing assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The locking mechanism (40) includes a latch (49), and the locking mechanism (40) is in the locked position (41), the parked position (42), or the pre-latched position (43) depending on the position of the latch (49).

6. The housing assembly (100) according to claim 5, wherein, The clip (49) is held in a linearly movable manner.

7. The housing assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, When the fixing mechanism (20) is moved out of the fixing position (21), the locking mechanism (40) moves from the parking position (42) to the pre-latch position (43).

8. The housing assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, When the fixing mechanism (20) reaches the fixing position (21), the locking mechanism (40) moves from the pre-latch position (43) to the locking position (41).

9. The housing assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The latching element (65) for the parking position (42) and the latching element (85) for the pre-latch position (43) can be deflected perpendicularly to each other.

10. The housing assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The housing assembly (100) includes another locking mechanism (40) that locks the fixing mechanism (20) in the fixed position (21).

11. The housing assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The fixing mechanism (20) includes a lever (25).

12. A method for releasing a connection between a connector and a mating connector, the mating connector being secured to the connector by a fixing mechanism (20), wherein, The locking mechanism (40) in the locked position (41) prevents the fixing mechanism (20) from moving out of the fixed position (21), wherein the locking mechanism (40) is latched in the parking position (42), in which the fixing mechanism (20) can be moved out of the fixed position (21), wherein the locking mechanism (40) is configured to be latched in the pre-latch position (43), in which the fixing mechanism (20) can be moved to the fixed position (21); Along the connection direction (160) between the connector and the mating connector, the locking mechanism (40) is disposed between the fixing mechanism (20) and the housing (110) of the housing assembly (100). The housing assembly (100) includes a parking latch mechanism (60) configured to latch the locking mechanism (40) in the parking position (42) when the locking mechanism (40) moves along a movement direction (149) parallel to the connection direction (160); The method further includes generating a force opposite to the direction of movement (149) by a drive mechanism (50) to press the locking mechanism (40) out of the parking position (42) and / or the pre-latch position (43).

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