Connection assembly

Abstract

A connection assembly (100) is shown, comprising a first housing part (10) comprising a contact element accommodation (11) for a contact element (12) and a latching element (14) for latching the contact element (12) in the contact element accommodation (11), a second housing part (20) configured to be plugged together with the first housing part (10), a joint connector (40) held between the first housing part (10) and the second housing part (20) and configured to connect at least two contact elements (12), wherein the second housing part (20) comprises at least one locking portion (21) locking one of the latching elements (40) in a latching position (91).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connection assembly comprising: a first housing portion including a contact element receiving portion for contact elements and a latching element for latching the contact elements in the contact element receiving portion; a second housing portion configured to be inserted into the first housing portion; and a connector held between the first housing portion and the second housing portion and configured to connect at least two contact elements. Summary of the Invention

[0002] The purpose of this invention is to make this connection component safer.

[0003] According to the present invention, the second housing portion includes at least one locking portion that locks one of the latching elements in the latching position.

[0004] Because of the locking mechanism, the contact elements will not loosen, and the connection components are more secure.

[0005] The invention can be further improved through the following developments and embodiments, each of which is advantageous in itself and can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

[0006] The locking part can be configured as a protrusion that allows for easy assembly. The locking part can be configured, for example, as an arm or strap to save space. The arm or strap can be fixed at one end and movable at the other.

[0007] The protrusion may taper gradually away from the base plate to facilitate insertion into the corresponding mating element. For example, the protrusion may be wedge-shaped.

[0008] When the housing parts are inserted together, the locking portion can extend into the first housing part. It can extend particularly close to the contact element receiving portion when the housing parts are inserted together, so that it can be easily locked.

[0009] When the housing portions are inserted together, in an advantageous embodiment, when viewed from the second housing portion, the locking portion can extend beyond the first half of the contact element receiving portion facing the second housing portion. This achieves a secure connection.

[0010] The locking portion can, for example, prevent the locking element from moving out of the latch position by mechanical and / or form-fitting means. Locking can be achieved in a simple manner.

[0011] For secure locking, when the housing portions are inserted together, a locking portion can be positioned between the latching element and the wall portion of the first housing portion. This allows for the establishment of force flow. The locking portion abuts against the latching element and the wall portion and mechanically prevents the latching element from moving toward the wall element. The locking portion can be supported by the wall portion.

[0012] The first housing portion may include a receiving portion for locking a part, particularly the end, and can achieve a defined fixation.

[0013] The receiving portion may be located behind and / or defined by the latching element to achieve a space-saving configuration. A wall portion may also define the receiving portion.

[0014] When a portion of the locking part is housed within the receiving part, the locking element can be locked.

[0015] The first housing portion may include a slot for a locking portion to achieve a space-saving configuration. The slot may at least partially complement the locking portion.

[0016] The slot can extend parallel to the contact element receiving portion to achieve simple interaction. The slot and the contact element receiving portion can each be constructed as elongated cavities, for which the extension in one direction is approximately twice or more larger than the extension in other directions.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the locking element may protrude into the contact element receptacle. This enables simple latching. Specifically, the latching elements in a weak state may protrude into the contact element receptacle. They may be deflectable such that they do not protrude or protrude less into the contact element receptacle in a deflected state. This enables automatic latching. The latching elements may be deflected by the contact element during insertion and may latch with the contact element when the contact element is fully inserted.

[0018] In another advantageous embodiment, the locking portion is integrally connected to the remainder of the second housing portion. This allows for simple manufacturing.

[0019] Furthermore, the latching element can be integrally connected to the rest of the first housing portion. This also simplifies manufacturing.

[0020] Connectors are used for electrical contact with multiple contact elements, for example, to make them present the same potential. To enable contact to be established from the outside as well, connectors may include connecting portions that protrude from a first housing portion and / or a second housing portion, at least in the assembled state. This, for example, allows for a connection to the ground or the earth.

[0021] The connection assembly may include a sealing element that can be inserted into the first housing portion. The sealing element can be used to seal the contact elements against external influences, particularly liquids and dust.

[0022] Sealing elements can be made of flexible, in particular compressible materials, or include such materials to achieve a good seal.

[0023] The sealing element may include a closed circumferential protrusion or recess that interacts with a closed circumferential recess or protrusion on the housing portion and thereby can be held on the housing portion in a sealing manner.

[0024] The locking portion may extend through the sealing element. The sealing element may have a channel hole for the locking portion. The locking portion and the sealing element may be connected to each other in a sealing manner at the channel hole.

[0025] In another advantageous embodiment, the connector, particularly the connecting portion, may extend through the sealing element. For this purpose, the sealing element may include a channel hole for the connector. The connector and the sealing element may be connected to each other in a sealing manner at the channel hole.

[0026] Furthermore, the connector, particularly the connecting portion, can extend through the second housing portion to enable simple contact. For this purpose, the second housing portion may include a channel hole for the connector.

[0027] To achieve a good seal, the sealing element can be at least partially molded or sprayed onto the connector. The sealing element can be an injection-molded component attached to the connector. The connector can be embedded within the sealing element.

[0028] To improve the sealing effect, the second housing portion can apply pressure to the sealing element in the assembled state. This can be achieved, for example, because the sealing element receiving portion is smaller than the sealing element. The sealing element receiving portion can be formed by the first housing portion. The sealing element receiving portion can be configured such that the portion of the sealing element facing the second housing portion in the uncompressed state protrudes and is compressed by the second housing portion.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting assembly includes an attachment mechanism through which the second housing portion can be attached to the first housing portion. The attachment mechanism may in particular be a latching mechanism that latches the first housing portion to the second housing portion in a latched position. When the latching mechanism is in the latched position, the second housing portion can lock a latching element. This allows for simple operation.

[0030] If at least two of the following directions extend in parallel or antiparallel directions, the process can be made easier:

[0031] - Insertion direction: The contact element is inserted into the contact element receiving portion along this insertion direction;

[0032] - Insertion direction, the second housing portion is inserted together with the first housing portion along the insertion direction;

[0033] - Locking direction, the locking portion can be displaced relative to the contact element receiving portion along the locking direction;

[0034] - In the compression direction, the second housing portion applies pressure to the sealing element along this compression direction.

[0035] This design, in particular, can prevent or reduce lateral forces that could cause damage or make operation more difficult.

[0036] To achieve a simple and secure lock, the locking portion can extend along the locking direction that is displaced relative to the contact element receiving portion, and can be perpendicular to the deflection direction of the latching element.

[0037] To simplify the locking of multiple contact elements, the second housing portion may include locking portions for the multiple contact elements. Specifically, the second housing portion may include locking portions for all contact elements. There can be as many locking portions as there are contact elements, such that each locking portion is associated with a contact element. To reduce complexity, the locking portions may lock multiple latching elements for each contact element. Furthermore, a single latching element may latch multiple contact elements.

[0038] In an advantageous configuration, multiple locking portions can have a common base. This increases stability. The common base can protrude from the base plate. As a result, the remaining portions of the locking portions can be constructed shorter and stability can be further increased. The sealing element can seal in the area of ​​the common base such that the sealing surface is smaller than if multiple locking portions were sealed separately. For this purpose, the sealing element can include a single channel hole for the common base.

[0039] A latching element can be arranged between the contact element and the second housing portion to achieve good locking.

[0040] In another advantageous configuration, the contact element can be arranged between the latching element and the second housing portion. This allows the connecting assembly to be stable.

[0041] The second housing portion can be arranged on the side of the first housing portion opposite to the side where the contact element is inserted. This allows for simple assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0042] In the following description, the invention will be illustrated in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, using advantageous constructions. The advantageous further developments and constructions shown are independent of each other and can be combined with each other according to the needs of the application, as shown in the figures:

[0043] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the first embodiment is shown;

[0044] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Schematic exploded view of an embodiment;

[0045] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment;

[0046] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A schematic partial cross-sectional side view of an embodiment;

[0047] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 Detailed view;

[0048] Figure 6 It shows Figure 1 A schematic partial cross-sectional side view of an embodiment;

[0049] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 Detailed view;

[0050] Figure 8 A schematic perspective view of the first embodiment as viewed from different directions is shown;

[0051] Figure 9 This is a schematic perspective view of the first embodiment as viewed from another direction;

[0052] Figure 10 A schematic top view shows the parts used to manufacture the connecting assembly;

[0053] Figure 11 It shows Figure 10 A schematic side view of the manufacturing process;

[0054] Figure 12 It shows Figure 10 A schematic perspective view of the manufacturing process;

[0055] Figure 13 A schematic top view showing the steps involved in manufacturing the parts of the connecting assembly;

[0056] Figure 14 It shows Figure 13 A schematic side view of the manufacturing process;

[0057] Figure 15 It shows Figure 13 A schematic perspective view of the manufacturing process;

[0058] Figure 16 A schematic top view showing the steps involved in manufacturing the parts of the connecting assembly;

[0059] Figure 17 It shows Figure 16 A schematic side view of the manufacturing process; and

[0060] Figure 18 It shows Figure 16 A schematic perspective view of the manufacturing process. Detailed Implementation

[0061] The connecting assembly 100 is shown in the accompanying drawings with different views and different components. The connecting assembly 100 is used to establish the same potential on different lines, for which these lines are connected to the connector 40, or comb connector, via contact element 12. The connector 40 specifically comprises a single metal component, which also includes a connecting portion 41 through which external contact can be made, for example, to establish a connection to ground.

[0062] The connecting assembly 100 includes a first housing portion 10, which includes a contact element receiving portion 11 for a contact element 12 and a latching element 14 for latching the contact element 12 in the contact element receiving portion 11. The latching element 14 is configured as a protrusion 60 in the form of an arm 15, which is integrally connected at its fixed end to the remainder of the first housing portion 10 and is resiliently deflectable at its free end. Specifically, the latching element 14 in a relaxed state protrudes into the contact element receiving portion 11. When the contact element 12 is inserted along the insertion direction E, the free end of the latching element 14 deflects along a deflection direction A extending perpendicular to the insertion direction E. When the terminal position of the contact element 12 reaches the contact element receiving portion 11, the latching element 14 automatically latches, thereby securing the contact element 12 in the contact element receiving portion 11.

[0063] The connecting assembly 100 also includes a second housing portion 20, which can be inserted into the first housing portion 10 along the insertion direction Z to form a housing 110. In the inserted state, the connector 40 is held between the first housing portion 10 and the second housing portion 20. If the contact elements 12 are inserted, the connector 40 electrically connects these contact elements 12 to each other.

[0064] In the illustrated example, the second housing portion 20 includes a plurality of locking portions 21, wherein a corresponding locking portion 21 locks the latching element 14 in a latching position 91. The latching position 91 is the position where the latching element 14 secures the contact element 12 in the contact element receiving portion 11. In the illustrated example, a corresponding latching element 14 is associated with both the contact element 12 and the contact element receiving portion 11. In other embodiments, the plurality of contact elements 12 may be secured by latching elements 13 and / or the locking portions 21 may be used for the plurality of contact elements 12 and / or latching elements 14.

[0065] The locking portions 21 are each configured as protrusions 22 protruding relative to the base plate 23 of the second housing component 20. In the example shown, a plurality of locking portions 21 are arranged on a common base 25, which in turn protrudes from the base plate 23.

[0066] The locking part 21 is constructed as an arm 28, which narrows in the direction away from the base plate 23, that is, it gradually tapers and is wedge-shaped.

[0067] When the housing portions 10 and 20 are inserted together, the locking portion 21 extends from the second housing portion 20 into the first housing portion 10. Each locking portion 21 is disposed at least partially adjacent to the contact element receiving portion 11. When viewed from the second housing portion 20, each locking portion 21 extends beyond the first half 16 of the contact element receiving portion 11 facing the second housing portion 20.

[0068] The first housing portion 10 includes a plurality of receiving portions 18 for the free ends of each corresponding portion, particularly the locking portion 21. In the plugged state, portions of the locking portions 21 are disposed in the receiving portions 18 and, in a form-fitting manner, prevent deflection of the associated latching element 14. The locking portions 21 are arranged between the latching element 14 and the wall portion 19 of the first housing portion 10. In the plugged state, the locking portions 21 are respectively located in slots 17 in the first housing portion 10. The slots 17 extend parallel to the contact element receiving portion 11.

[0069] The receiving portions 18 are respectively disposed behind the respective latching elements 14, that is, defined by the latching elements 14 and the wall portion 19. The latching elements 14 are functionally disposed between the contact element 12 and the locking portion 21 of the second housing portion 20. Meanwhile, the contact element 12 is disposed between the latching elements 14 and the base plate 23 of the second housing portion 20.

[0070] The locking portion 21 is integrally connected to the rest of the second housing portion 20.

[0071] The connecting assembly 100 also includes a sealing element 30 that can be inserted into the first housing portion 10. A locking portion 21 extends through the sealing element 30. For this purpose, the sealing element 30 includes a channel hole 32, which specifically accommodates the common base 25 in a sealing manner.

[0072] The connector 40 also extends through the sealing element 30. The connector 40 further extends through the second housing portion 20, which includes a channel hole 24 for this purpose. The connector 40 is attached to the sealing element 30 by injection molding. During manufacturing, the sealing element 30 is injected onto the connector 40, thereby automatically creating the channel hole 34. The connector 40 is then at least partially embedded in the sealing element 30.

[0073] The first housing portion 10 and / or the second housing portion 20, in their assembled state, can apply pressure to the sealing element 30 to compress it, thereby achieving a good sealing effect. The sealing element receiving portion 13 in the first housing portion 10 can be smaller than the sealing element 30 to allow for automatic compression. When inserted together, the second housing portion 20 can also generate pressure and compress the sealing element 30.

[0074] The two closed circumferential protrusions 31 on the sealing element 30 interact with the closed circumferential recesses 33 on the first housing portion 10, thereby holding the sealing element 30 in a form-fit manner.

[0075] The connecting assembly 100 also includes an attachment mechanism 50 in the form of a latching mechanism 21, through which the second housing portion 20 can be attached to the first housing portion 10. When the first housing portion 10 is latched to the latched position 52 of the second housing portion 20, the second housing portion 20 automatically locks the latching element 14 by means of the locking element 21.

[0076] The insertion direction E along which the contact element 12 is inserted into the contact element receiving portion 11 is opposite to the locking direction V along which the locking portion 21 can be displaced relative to the contact element receiving portion 11. The insertion direction Z along which the second housing portion 20 is inserted together with the first housing portion 10 is also opposite to the insertion direction B and parallel to the compression direction K along which the second housing portion 20 applies pressure to the sealing element 30.

[0077] The second housing portion 20 is arranged on the side of the first housing portion 10 opposite to the side of the insertion contact element 12.

[0078] Figures 10 to 18 The manufacturing of the parts for the connecting assembly 100 is shown. After the corresponding parts are stamped from a sheet metal, they are bent to allow contact in different planes. In a subsequent step, the sealing element 30 is molded or sprayed onto the already formed connector 40.

[0079] List of reference numerals

[0080] 110 casing

[0081] 10 First shell section

[0082] 11 Contact element housing

[0083] 12 contact elements

[0084] 13 Sealing element housing

[0085] 14 latching elements

[0086] 15 arms

[0087] The first half of the 16-contact element receiving section

[0088] 17 slots

[0089] 18 Accommodation Department

[0090] 19 wall sections

[0091] 20 Second housing section

[0092] 21 Locked Part

[0093] 22 protrusions

[0094] 23 base plate

[0095] 24-channel hole

[0096] 25 Common Base

[0097] 28 arms

[0098] 30 sealing elements

[0099] 31 protrusions

[0100] 32-channel hole

[0101] 33 concavity

[0102] 34-channel hole

[0103] 40 connector

[0104] 41 Connection Part

[0105] 42 Contact Part

[0106] 50 attachments

[0107] 51 latching mechanism

[0108] 52 latch position

[0109] 60 protrusions

[0110] 94 latch position

[0111] 100 connection components

[0112] A deflection direction

[0113] E Insertion direction

[0114] K compression direction

[0115] V lock direction

[0116] Z-plug direction

Claims

1. A connection component (100), comprising: The first housing portion (10) includes a contact element receiving portion (11) for a contact element (12) and a latching element (14) for latching the contact element (12) in the contact element receiving portion (11). The second housing part (20) is configured to be inserted into the first housing part (10). A connector (40) is held between the first housing portion (10) and the second housing portion (20) and is configured to connect at least two contact elements (12). The second housing portion (20) includes a base plate (23) and a plurality of locking portions (21) that lock the latching element (14) in a latched position, wherein the locking portions are configured as protrusions that protrude relative to the base plate of the second housing portion.

2. The connection component (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The locking portion (21) prevents the latch element (14) from moving out of the latch position.

3. The connection component (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first housing portion (10) includes a receiving portion (18) for a part of the locking portion (21).

4. The connection component (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The latching element (14) protrudes into the contact element receiving portion (11).

5. The connection component (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The locking portion (21) is integrally connected to the rest of the second housing portion (20).

6. The connection component (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connector (40) includes a connection portion (41) protruding from the first housing portion (10).

7. The connection component (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connection assembly (100) includes a sealing element (30) that can be inserted into the first housing portion (10).

8. The connection component (100) according to claim 7, wherein, The locking portion (21) extends through the sealing element (30).

9. The connection component (100) according to claim 7, wherein, The connector (40) extends through the sealing element (30).

10. The connection component (100) according to claim 7, wherein, The sealing element (30) is at least partially sprayed or molded onto the connector (40).

11. The connection component (100) according to claim 7, wherein, The second housing part (20) in the assembled state applies pressure to the sealing element (30).

12. The connection component (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The connection assembly (100) includes an attachment mechanism (50) through which the second housing portion (20) can be attached to the first housing portion (10).

13. The connection component (100) according to claim 12, wherein, The attachment mechanism (50) is a latching mechanism (51) that latches the first housing portion (10) to the second housing portion (10) in the latched position (52), and when the latching mechanism (51) is in the latched position (52), the second housing portion (20) locks the latching element (14).

14. The connection component (100) according to claim 7, wherein, Extending in at least two of the following directions, either parallel or antiparallel: - Insertion direction (E), the contact element (12) is inserted into the contact element receiving portion (11) along the insertion direction (E); - Insertion direction (Z), the second housing part (20) is inserted together with the first housing part (10) along the insertion direction (Z); - Locking direction (V), the locking portion (21) is capable of shifting relative to the contact element receiving portion (11) along the locking direction (V); - Compression direction (K), the second housing part (20) applies pressure to the sealing element (30) along the compression direction (K).

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