Electrical plug connector

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical plug connector (1) for connecting with a complementary mating plug connector (2). The electrical plug connector comprises a housing (3) having at least one plug cavity (4), at least one contact device (5) arranged at least partially within the plug cavity (4), a securing element (6) securing the contact device (5) within the plug cavity (4), and an auxiliary locking piece (7) movable between a pre-locking position and a final locking position and locking the securing element (6) in the final locking position against the securing being released of the contact device (5) in the plug cavity (4). The housing (3) has a securing groove (8) at least locally along the plug cavity (4), wherein the auxiliary locking piece (7) in the final locking position is at least with a locking element (9) embedded into the securing groove (8).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an electrical plug connector for connecting with a complementary mating plug connector. BACKGROUND

[0002] For connecting cables with each other or with electrical components, electrical plug connectors are usually used, which can be detachably connected with a complementary mating plug connector and thereby produce an electrically conductive connection. Here, the cable is connected with the plug connector. On the other hand, the mating plug connector is electrically conductively connected with the mating piece to be connected, so that an electrically conductive connection between the cable and the respective mating piece to be connected is established when the plug connector is connected with the mating plug connector.

[0003] Especially in plug connectors, additional locking systems are usually used, in which it must be ensured that a correct connection between the cable and the plug connector and / or between the plug connector and the mating plug connector exists. For example, an auxiliary locking piece can be provided, which can provide an additional securing of the cable on or in the plug connector. Furthermore, the plug connector can have a plugging prevention, which prevents a connection between the plug connector and the mating plug connector if the cable is not correctly connected to the plug connector and / or the mating piece to be connected is not correctly connected to the mating plug connector. Furthermore, it can be necessary to connect several cables with the aid of a plug connector to a respective complementary mating plug connector, depending on the available space.

[0004] However, both the additional locking systems and the requirement to be able to connect several cables with one plug connector significantly increase the complexity of the plug connector. Especially in small plug connectors, for example plug connectors used in high-frequency cables, the extensive functionality leads to an increased manufacturing cost of the plug connector. SUMMARY

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present application to provide an electrical plug connector, which overcomes at least one of the disadvantages mentioned in the prior art and has a lower complexity while having the same functionality.

[0006] The electrical plug connector according to the application has at least one housing for the mechanical and electrical connection with a complementary mating plug connector. The housing comprises at least one plug-in chamber. However, the housing can also have a plurality of, preferably two, more preferably four, plug-in chambers. The plug-in chamber is preferably of cylindrical shape. The plug connector also has at least one contact device which is arranged at least partially in the plug-in chamber. The plug-in chamber is preferably accessible from the outside of the housing at least at two, particularly preferably opposite, positions, so that the contact device can be introduced into the plug-in chamber at a first position and an electrically conductive connection to the mating plug connector can be generated via a second position. The contact device can consist of one or more electrically conductive elements which are in electrically conductive connection with the cable. If the cable is a coaxial cable, the contact device can have, for example, an inner conductor contact which is in connection with the inner conductor of the cable and an outer conductor contact which is in connection with the outer conductor of the cable. If the housing has a plurality of plug-in chambers, a contact device can be provided for each plug-in chamber.

[0007] The electrical plug connector also comprises a securing element which secures the contact device which is arranged at least partially in the plug-in chamber in the plug-in chamber. If the housing has a plurality of plug-in chambers for a plurality of contact devices, a securing element can be provided for each plug-in chamber. The securing element preferably detachably secures the contact device, for example, by a form fit and / or a force fit in the plug-in chamber. The securing element can have, for example, a locking projection which engages into a complementary contour in the contact device. In order to particularly effectively provide the securing element, it is advantageous if the securing element is formed integrally with the housing.

[0008] The electrical plug connector comprises an auxiliary locking element which can be moved between a pre-locking position and a final locking position. The auxiliary locking element is preferably connected to the housing both in the pre-locking position and in the final locking position. In the pre-locking position, the auxiliary locking element can serve as a plug-in blocking device, so that the electrical plug connector cannot be connected with the mating plug connector when the auxiliary locking element is in the pre-locking position. In the final locking position, the auxiliary locking element locks the securing element, so that the securing of the securing element in the plug-in chamber is released. This can be done, for example, in such a way that the auxiliary locking element in the final locking position at least restricts the mobility of the securing element or, more preferably, prevents the mobility of the securing element. In the final locking position, the auxiliary locking element prevents the securing of the contact device in the plug-in chamber by the securing element from being released. If this securing is to be released, the auxiliary locking element must first be moved from the final locking position back to the pre-locking position.

[0009] The housing has at least locally along the plug-in cavity a securing groove. The securing groove is preferably open towards the plug-in cavity and preferably has an angular, in particular quadrangular cross-sectional geometry. If the housing has a plurality of plug-in cavities, a plurality of securing grooves can also be provided. The securing groove is preferably assigned to each plug-in cavity. If a plurality of securing grooves are provided, it is particularly preferred for the securing grooves to be arranged parallel to one another. Furthermore, the securing groove preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the plug-in cavity. The auxiliary locking piece has at least one locking element which in the final locking position is embedded in the securing groove. It is preferred here for the locking element to connect the auxiliary locking piece to the housing in a form-fit manner and for the auxiliary locking piece to be held in the final locking position by the locking element. It is particularly preferred here for the locking element in the final locking position to be held outside the plug-in cavity, in other words to project only into the securing groove and not into the plug-in cavity.

[0010] By virtue of the configuration according to the application, it is possible to provide a plug-in connector which can be produced in particular by injection moulding at significantly less production cost. By virtue of the housing having a securing groove which is open towards the plug-in cavity and which at the same time serves for the form-fit connection of the auxiliary locking piece at least in the final locking position, a significantly simpler geometry of the injection moulding tool required for the production of the electrical connector according to the application can be selected in order to be able to produce the electrical connector according to the application, since the complex slide system for producing the plug-in cavity and the further securing options for the auxiliary locking piece can be dispensed with.

[0011] The securing element can have a locking arm which can be deformed elastically, for example, in order to generate the securing of the contact device within the plug-in cavity. The locking arm preferably has a main extension direction which is parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the plug-in cavity. It is also preferred for a locking projection to be arranged on the side facing towards the plug-in cavity, which locking projection projects at least partially into the plug-in cavity and is at least partially embedded in the recess of the cable device.

[0012] The plug-in connector can withstand high mechanical loads during assembly and also after assembly, which can result in the securing of the contact device by the securing element also being able to withstand high loads. It can therefore be advantageous for the securing element to have a support element on the side facing away from the plug-in chamber and, in particular preferably, on the side facing the auxiliary locking piece, which support element is at least partially arranged in the opening of the auxiliary locking piece at least in the final locking position. If the housing has a plurality of plug-in chambers, each with a securing element, it can be advantageous for each securing element to have a support element each. It is particularly preferred in this regard for the auxiliary locking piece to have a plurality of openings in this case, so that a plurality of support elements can be respectively inserted into the openings of the auxiliary locking piece. In order to make assembly and disassembly easier, it can also be advantageous if the support element is arranged outside the opening in the pre-locking position. The support element can be configured, for example, as a protrusion projecting from the securing element. If the securing element has a locking arm and a locking projection, it is particularly advantageous for the support element to be arranged on the locking arm opposite the locking projection.

[0013] The support element can abut at least one side of the opening of the auxiliary locking piece at least in the final locking position. It is particularly advantageous in this regard for the support element to abut on a side extending parallel to the narrow side of the locking arm. In order to ensure that the support element abuts to the side of the opening after the movement of the auxiliary locking piece from the pre-locking position to the final locking position, the auxiliary locking piece and / or the housing can have a positioning element, for example a pressing rib, to ensure that the side is arranged close to the support element. By arranging the side on the support element, forces acting on the securing element can be more effectively transferred to the auxiliary locking piece.

[0014] The housing can have a recess on the side wall. The recess adjoins the plug-in chamber in such a way that access to the plug-in chamber is possible through the recess. Access to the securing slot is also preferably possible through the recess. The securing element can also be at least partially arranged in the recess. If the housing has a plurality of plug-in chambers, access to the plurality of plug-in chambers and / or the plurality of securing elements can also be possible via the recess at least in the recess.

[0015] The securing slot preferably extends from the plug-in side of the housing to the recess. In this scenario, the plug-in side of the housing is understood to mean the side of the housing on which the housing can be connected to a complementary mating plug-in connector. Furthermore, the securing slot is preferably open towards the plug-in side and the recess.

[0016] The insertion cavity can have at least one end stop on the insertion side. The end stop can serve as a stop for the contact device, so that the contact device cannot be guided through the insertion cavity beyond the insertion side. The end stop can be realized, for example, by a reduced diameter, in which case the diameter in the end stop is smaller than the outer diameter of the contact device. In the region of the securing groove, the end stop can have a gap, so that the securing groove is open on the insertion side despite the end stop. Preferably, the securing groove is arranged in the region of a side wall of the insertion cavity which faces into the recess.

[0017] The auxiliary locking member can be arranged at least partially within the recess at least in the final locking position. The locking element which is embedded in the securing groove at least in the final locking position can be guided at least partially through the recess in the final locking position, so that the locking element is embedded in the securing groove through the recess.

[0018] The auxiliary locking member can have at least one latching element which projects into the insertion cavity in the final locking position and also secures the contact device in the insertion cavity. By means of the latching element, the contact device is thus secured not only by the securing element but also by the auxiliary locking member in the insertion cavity. If the housing has a plurality of insertion cavities, the auxiliary locking member can have a plurality of latching elements, so that a plurality of contact devices in different insertion cavities can also be secured with the auxiliary locking member.

[0019] In order to be able to ensure that the auxiliary locking member can be moved back from the final locking position to the pre-locking position, the auxiliary locking member can have an unlocking aid. The unlocking aid can be designed, for example, in the form of a slot, so that the auxiliary locking member can be moved, for example, into the slot by inserting a removal aid. Alternatively, the unlocking aid can be designed as a protrusion which forms an alignment, for example, between the housing and the auxiliary locking member. A removal tool can then be arranged within the alignment and the auxiliary locking member can be guided back into the pre-locking position.

[0020] If the housing has at least two insertion cavities, it is preferable for the housing to have a securing groove which opens towards the insertion cavity for each insertion cavity separately. At least in the final locking position, the auxiliary locking member can project into the securing groove with the locking element respectively, so that the auxiliary locking member projects into both securing grooves with the locking element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Further advantages and features of the application can also be gathered from the following description of exemplary embodiments. The features described herein and above can be realized individually or in combination, provided that these features do not contradict each other. The following description of preferred embodiments refers to the attached drawings, which are shown here:

[0022] Figure 1 A first embodiment of a plug-in connector according to the application is shown in a three-dimensional view;

[0023] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the first embodiment in the region of the plug-in cavity of the plug connector is shown;

[0024] Figure 3 A second embodiment of the plug connector according to the application is shown;

[0025] Figure 4 A second embodiment of the plug connector according to the application is shown in a three-dimensional view;

[0026] Figure 5 A second embodiment of the plug connector according to the application is shown with an auxiliary locking element; and

[0027] Figure 6 A second embodiment of the plug connector according to the application is shown in a three-dimensional view with a mating plug connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 A first embodiment of the plug connector 1 according to the application is shown in a three-dimensional view. The plug connector 1 according to the application is suitable for connecting in an electrically and mechanically detachable manner with a complementary mating plug connector (not shown). The plug connector 1 has a housing 3 which has four plug-in cavities 4. In the present embodiment, the plug-in cavities 4 are arranged parallel to one another and are cylindrical. The plug-in cavities 4 are arranged opposite one another such that their central axes are arranged at the corners of an imaginary square. A contact device 5 is arranged in each plug-in cavity 4. Each contact device 5 is connected in an electrically conductive manner to a cable 23. In the present embodiment, the cables 23 are each coaxial cables having an inner conductor and an outer conductor. Correspondingly, in the present embodiment, the contact devices 5 have an inner conductor contact 24 which is in electrically conductive connection with the inner conductor of the cable 23 and an outer conductor contact 25 which is in electrically conductive connection with the outer conductor of the cable 23. The contact devices 5 are inserted into the plug-in cavities 4 at a rear side 26. The plug connector 1 can be connected to a mating plug connector (not shown) by means of a plug-in side 18.

[0029] Figure 2An enlarged sectional view of the plug-in chamber 4 of a first embodiment of the plug connector 1 according to the application is shown. In order to secure the contact device 5 in the plug-in chamber 4, the plug connector 1 has a securing element 6. In the present embodiment, this is integrally connected with the housing 3 in the same material. In the present example, the securing element 6 is composed of a latching arm 13 which has a locking projection 28 at its free end. The latching arm 13 extends parallel to the longitudinal extension 15 of the plug-in chamber 4 in its main extension direction 14. The locking projection 28 extends partially into the plug-in chamber 4 and engages in a recess 29 which surrounds the contact device 5. The contact device 5 is secured in the plug-in chamber 4 by the securing element 6. In the present example, the housing 3 and the securing element 6 are made of plastic, so that the contact device 5 can be positioned in the plug-in chamber 4 by the elasticity of the securing element 6 alone, in such a way that the latching arm 13 is deflected away from the plug-in chamber 4 when the contact device 5 is moved in.

[0030] In order to prevent the securing of the contact device 5 in the plug-in chamber 4 from being released automatically by the securing element 6, the plug connector according to the application has an auxiliary locking piece 7 which can be moved between a prelatching position and a final latching position. In the final latching position, the auxiliary locking piece 7 latches the securing element 6 in order to prevent the securing of the contact device 5 from being released. In the prelatching position, the auxiliary locking piece 7 is arranged in such a way that the securing element 6 can be moved out of the plug-in chamber 4. Figure 2 In the present example, the auxiliary locking piece 7 is arranged in the final latching position. In the present example, the auxiliary locking piece 7 is arranged on the side of the securing element 6 which faces away from the plug-in chamber 4 in the final latching position and rests against the latching arm 13. The auxiliary locking piece prevents the securing element 6 from being moved out of the plug-in chamber 4. Thus, in the final latching position of the auxiliary locking piece, the locking projection 28 cannot be moved out of the recess 29. For this purpose, the auxiliary locking piece 7 is connected in the final latching position in a form-fitting manner with the housing 3.

[0031] Figure 3 A second embodiment of the plug connector 1 according to the application is shown. The plug-in side 18 is directed towards the viewer. In the present example, the housing 3 has four plug-in chambers 4 which extend parallel to one another. A securing slot 8 which is open towards the respective plug-in chamber 4 is introduced into each plug-in chamber 4. The securing slot extends parallel to the plug-in chamber 4 and has a square cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, all four securing slots 8 have the same cross-sectional shape. The securing slots 8 are arranged in such a way that the securing slots 8 of two plug-in chambers 4 extend parallel to one another in the direction of the same side wall 16. Furthermore, each plug-in chamber 4 has an end stop 19 at the end on the plug-in side. By means of the end stop 19, the contact device which is introduced into the respective plug-in chamber 4 is prevented from being moved out beyond the plug-in side 18. In the present example, the end stop 19 is realized by a reduced diameter. Each end stop 19 has a recess 20 in the region of the securing slot 8.

[0032] Figure 4 A third embodiment of the plug connector 1 according to the application is shown in a three-dimensional view. Figure 3The second embodiment of the plug-in connector 1 according to the application is shown in Figure 2. The housing 3 has a cutout 17 at the side wall 16. In the area of the cutout 17, two of the four plug-in chambers 4 are exposed, so that the two plug-in chambers 4 are accessible from the side through the cutout 17. The securing slots 8 of the plug-in chambers 4 extend from the plug-in side 18 to the cutout 17, wherein the securing slots 8 are exposed and accessible not only at the plug-in side 18 but also at the cutout 17. In this embodiment, two securing elements 6 are arranged in the cutout 17, each securing element 6 corresponding to a plug-in chamber 4. In this embodiment, the securing elements 6 have a locking arm 13 and a locking projection 28, wherein the locking projection 28 extends into the respective plug-in chamber 4. In addition, each securing element 6 has a support element 10. The securing elements 6 are formed integrally with the housing 3 and are made of the same material. The housing 3 has the same cutout 17 on the side facing away from the observer, wherein the arrangement of the securing elements 6 is also the same.

[0033] Figure 5 A second embodiment of the plug-in connector 1 according to the application is shown, wherein two auxiliary locking pieces 7 are arranged on the housing 3. The plug-in side 18 is directed towards the observer. The auxiliary locking pieces 7 are in the final locking position. Each of the two auxiliary locking pieces 7 has two locking elements 9, which in the final locking position are embedded in the securing slots 8 and thus in the final locking position connect the auxiliary locking pieces 7 to the housing 3 in a form-fit manner. In this embodiment, the locking elements 9 are positioned in the securing slots 8 through the cutout. The locking elements 9 of each auxiliary locking piece 7 are embedded in the securing slots 8, which extend to the same side wall 16 of the housing. In this embodiment, the auxiliary locking pieces 7 are made of plastic. The two auxiliary locking pieces 7 also have two latching elements 21 for each plug-in chamber 4, which in the final locking position protrude into the respective plug-in chamber 4 and are also used to secure the contact device in the plug-in chamber 4. In order to make it easier to move the auxiliary locking pieces 7 from the final locking position back to the pre-locking position, the auxiliary locking pieces 7 have an unlocking aid 22. In this embodiment, the unlocking aid is implemented by a protrusion. If it is desired to move the auxiliary locking pieces 7 from the final locking position back to the pre-locking position, the auxiliary locking pieces 7 can be moved using the lever principle by means of a removal tool, which in this embodiment can be, for example, a screwdriver.

[0034] Figure 6A second embodiment of the plug connector 1 according to the application is shown in a three-dimensional view with an auxiliary locking piece 7 and a mating plug connector 2. The auxiliary locking piece 7 is in the final locking position. The auxiliary locking piece 7 facing the observer has two openings 11 into which a support element 10 of a securing element 6 extends. The support element 10 located in the opening 11 rests against a side face 12 of the opening 11. In order to ensure that the support element 10 rests correctly on the side face 12 when the auxiliary locking piece 7 is moved into the final locking position, the auxiliary locking piece 7 has two pressing ribs 27. By means of the pressing ribs 27, the side face 12 of the opening is pressed against the support element 10 of the securing element. The second auxiliary locking piece 7, which is in the present view facing away from the observer, has the same structure. In the present embodiment, the auxiliary locking piece 7 also has an anti-insertion function in a not shown pre-locking position. This is achieved by the auxiliary locking piece 7 protruding from the housing 3 in the pre-locking position. As a result of this protrusion, the plug connector 1 can no longer be fitted into the mating plug connector 2, which prevents insertion.

[0035] The explanations given with reference to the drawings are to be understood as purely exemplary and not restrictive.

[0036] List of reference signs

[0037] 1 plug connector

[0038] 2 mating plug connector

[0039] 3 housing

[0040] 4 plug-in cavity

[0041] 5 contact device

[0042] 6 securing element

[0043] 7 auxiliary locking piece

[0044] 8 securing groove

[0045] 9 locking element

[0046] 10 support element

[0047] 11 opening

[0048] 12 side face (of the opening)

[0049] 13 locking arm

[0050] 14 main extension direction

[0051] 15 longitudinal extension direction

[0052] 16 side wall (of the housing)

[0053] 17 recess

[0054] 18 plug-in side

[0055] 19 end stop

[0056] 20 gap

[0057] 21 locking element

[0058] 22 unlocking aid

[0059] 23 cable

[0060] 24 inner conductor contact

[0061] 25 outer conductor contact

[0062] 26 rear side

[0063] 27 pressing rib

[0064] 28 locking protrusion

[0065] 29 recess

Claims

1. An electrical plug connector (1) for connecting with a complementary mating plug connector (2), the electrical plug connector having: a housing (3) having at least one plug-in cavity (4); at least one contact device (5) arranged at least partially within the plug-in cavity (4); a securing element (6) securing the contact device (5) within the plug-in cavity (4); and an auxiliary locking piece (7) movable between a pre-locking position and a final locking position, and locking the securing element (6) in the final locking position to prevent the securing of the contact device (5) in the plug-in cavity (4) from being released, wherein the housing (3) has at least locally along the plug-in cavity (4) a securing groove (8) for securing the auxiliary locking piece (7), and the auxiliary locking piece (7) in the final locking position is at least with a locking element (9) embedded into the securing groove (8), wherein the securing element (6) has a locking arm (13) having a main extension direction (14) parallel to a longitudinal extension direction (15) of the plug-in cavity (4), wherein the securing element (6) has on a side facing away from the plug-in cavity (4) a support element (10) arranged at least partially in an opening (11) of the auxiliary locking piece (7) at least in the final locking position. the support element (10) bears against at least one side face (12) of the opening (11). the housing (3) has at a side wall (16) an indentation (17) through which the plug-in cavity (4) is accessible, and the securing element (6) is arranged at least partially within the indentation (17). the securing groove (8) extends from a plug-in side (18) of the housing (3) to the indentation (17). the plug-in cavity (4) has at the plug-in side (18) at least one end stop (19) having a clearance (20) at least in the region of the securing groove (8). the securing groove (8) is arranged in a region of the plug-in cavity (4) facing the side wall (16). the auxiliary locking piece (7) is arranged at least partially within the indentation (17) at least in the final locking position, and the locking element (9) is at least partially guided past the indentation (17). the auxiliary locking piece (7) has at least one latching element (21) projecting into the plug-in cavity (4) at least in the final locking position and also securing the contact device (5) in the plug-in cavity (4). the auxiliary locking piece (7) has at least one unlocking aid (22) with which the auxiliary locking piece (7) is movable from the final locking position to the pre-locking position. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. The electrical plug-jack (1) of claim 1, wherein, ​ 3. The electrical plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein ​ 4. The electrical plug-jack (1) of claim 3, wherein, ​ 5. The electrical plug-jack (1) of claim 4, wherein, ​ 6. The electrical plug-jack (1) of claim 4, wherein, ​ 7. The electrical plug-jack (1) of claim 4, wherein, ​ 8. The electrical plug-jack (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein, ​ 9. The electrical plug-jack (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein, ​ 10. The electrical plug-jack (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The housing (3) has at least two plug-in cavities (4), wherein each plug-in cavity (4) has a securing slot (8) respectively, and the auxiliary locking element (7) is respectively inserted with a locking element (9) into the securing slot (8) at least in the final locking position.

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