Plug connectors and plug connector configurations

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is a plug-in connector (100) for connecting a mating plug-in connector (200), the plug-in connector comprising: a contact receiving body (110), in which at least one contact element for connecting to a mating contact element of the mating plug-in connector (200) is received; a cable receiving body (111) connected to the contact receiving body (110), in which a cable (400) for connecting to at least one contact element of the contact receiving body (110) can be received; and a locking device (115) of at least partially elastic design, by which the plug-in connector can be locked. (100) is locked together with the mating plug-in connector (200), wherein the locking device (115) has a first end (116), and the locking device (115) is connected to the plug-in surface (117) of the contact receiving body (110) through the first end, and wherein the locking device (115) has a second end (118) opposite to the first end (116), wherein a first locking arm (120) and a second locking arm (121) are formed on the second end (118), wherein in the locked position, the two locking arms (120, 121) are locked on the cable receiving body (111).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug-in connector for connecting mating plug-in connectors, wherein the plug-in connector comprises: a contact receiving body in which at least one contact element for connecting to a mating contact element of the mating plug-in connector is received; a cable receiving body connected to the contact receiving body in which a cable for connecting to at least one contact element of the contact receiving body can be received; and a locking device of at least partially elastic design, by means of which the plug-in connector and the mating plug-in connector can be locked together, wherein the locking device has a first end, via which the locking device is connected to a plug-in surface of the contact receiving body, and wherein the locking device has a second end opposite the first end. The present invention also relates to a plug-in connector arrangement comprising a plug-in connector and a mating plug-in connector. Background Art

[0002] Such plug connectors are so-called RJ-45 plugs, which can be used in particular as data plug connectors, for example in the telecommunications sector. In the connected state, the contact receiving body of the plug connector is held in a mating plug connector designed as a socket by means of a latching device. At the same time, at least one contact element is pressed against at least one resiliently mounted mating contact element of the mating plug connector under the elastic action of the latching device, thereby creating a floating contact between the plug connector and the mating plug connector.

[0003] Such a plug-in connector is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2012 111 125 B4. The locking device in this case features an elongated design, with a first end fixedly connected to the contact receiving body and a second end, opposite the first end, injection-molded onto the cable receiving body, thereby securing the connection thereto. To achieve a springy effect, the locking device is curved between its two ends. Manufacturing the plug-in connector requires additional mold and equipment investment during the injection molding process, which becomes particularly complex when cables exit at an angle. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a plug-in connector and a plug-in connector arrangement which are distinguished by being easier to manufacture.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of the independent claim. Useful embodiments and advantageous further developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0006] The plug connector according to the present invention is characterized in that a first locking arm and a second locking arm are formed on the second end of the locking device, wherein in the locking position, the two locking arms are locked on the cable receiving body.

[0007] According to the present invention, the locking device is no longer integrally formed on the cable receiving body. Instead, the cable receiving body and the locking device are manufactured separately. Separate manufacturing, particularly by providing separate injection molding processes for the cable receiving body and the locking device, reduces the complexity of the injection molding process. This allows the cable receiving body to achieve different cable outlet directions using a single mold assembly, eliminating the need for a slider. Only when all components of the plug-in connector are assembled and the plug-in connector is inserted and connected to a mating plug-in connector is the locking device secured to the cable receiving body using two locking arms. The locking arms are preferably locked to the cable receiving body in a manner that allows the locking device to continue to exert a resilient force in the locked position and prevents it from undesirably falling off the cable receiving body. The two locking arms facilitate symmetrical locking of the locking device on the cable receiving body. Alternatively, the locking device can be integrally formed with the contact receiving body. For example, the locking device can be injection molded onto the contact receiving body. The contact receiving body and the locking device can both be formed from a plastic material, in particular from the same plastic material.

[0008] To form the lock, a first undercut is preferably formed on the cable receiving body, with a first locking arm locking onto the first undercut in the locking position. Furthermore, a second undercut is preferably formed on the cable receiving body, with a second locking arm locking onto the second undercut in the locking position. In the locking position, the locking arms can engage the undercuts from below, with each locking arm corresponding to one undercut. By engaging the undercuts from below, a form-fitting connection can be formed between the locking arms and the undercuts, and thus between the cable receiving body and the locking device. This allows for a particularly reliable and stable connection between the locking device and the cable receiving body. To achieve this form-fitting connection, the locking arms preferably have a shape that matches the contour of the undercuts.

[0009] The two lower cuts are preferably formed on two opposite sides of the cable receiving body. In this way, the locking arm can be locked on the side of the cable receiving body. That is, the locking of the locking arm on the cable receiving body is preferably transverse to the main extension plane of the locking device, or transverse to the longitudinal direction of the connection portion of the locking device formed between the first end and the second end. In order to form the lock, the two locking arms are preferably guided laterally along the cable receiving body before reaching the locking position. The two lower cuts are preferably formed symmetrically on the two side surfaces. The side surfaces preferably form the transverse surfaces of the cable receiving body. The two locking arms preferably extend parallel to each other so that the two locking arms are separated from each other. In this way, the cable receiving body can be at least partially positioned between the two locking arms in the locking position.

[0010] The locking arms can each comprise a first arm and a second arm forming a free end. In the locked position, the locking arm can be locked to the cable receiving element by means of the second arm, wherein the second arm can be formed at an angle to the first arm. The locking arm can thus be L-shaped. The first arm is preferably longer than the second arm, which is used to lock the locking arm to the contact receiving element. When connected to a mating plug connector, the second arm of the locking arm preferably extends parallel to the plug-in direction of the plug connector. The first arm of the locking arm preferably extends transversely to the plug-in direction.

[0011] In order to release the connection between the plug connector and the mating plug connector, the user can release the lock between the locking device of the plug connector and the mating locking element of the mating plug connector by operating the locking device. In order to facilitate the user's operation, the locking device can have a gripping surface for operating the locking device.

[0012] The gripping surface can be arranged at the second end of the latch mechanism between the first and second latch arms. This allows the user's manipulation of the latch mechanism to directly affect the latch arms, thus enabling the user to perform even the simplest operations with minimal effort. The two latch arms are preferably directly connected to the gripping surface. The latch arms are preferably precisely opposed to one another so that they can be symmetrically connected to the gripping surface.

[0013] The gripping surface is preferably designed to extend transversely to the two locking arms. The gripping surface and the two locking arms may form a U-shape. When the locking device is connected to the cable receiving body, this U-shape may encircle a portion of the cable receiving body. The gripping surface may extend transversely to the plug-in direction when the plug-in connector is connected to the mating plug-in connector. The gripping surface is preferably located in the same plane as the connecting portion extending between the two ends of the locking device. The locking arms preferably extend in a plane transverse to the plane formed by the gripping surface and the connecting portion.

[0014] To facilitate user manipulation of the gripping surface, the gripping surface can be in the form of a circular segment. This circular segment shape allows the gripping surface to be designed as wide as possible, thereby preventing the user's fingers from slipping when operating the locking mechanism. The arcuate portion of the circular segment shape is preferably distal to the first end of the locking mechanism. For example, the circular segment shape can be semicircular.

[0015] The possibility of manufacturing the cable receiving body and the locking device separately allows for greater variability in the design of the cable receiving body without increasing the difficulty. Preferably, different cable receiving bodies can be manufactured and used, which differ from each other due to different cable outlet directions. The cable receiving body preferably has a first end, via which the cable receiving body is connected to the contact receiving body. In addition, the cable receiving body preferably has a second end, on which an opening for inserting the cable is formed. The two ends of the cable receiving body can be at an angle of 180° to each other so that the two ends are aligned with each other. However, the second end of the cable receiving body can also be formed at an angle to the first end of the cable receiving body. The angle is preferably formed by an angle of 90°. Any other angle can also be formed between the first end and the second end, in particular an angle between 40° and 160°.

[0016] The object of the present invention is further achieved by a plug-in connector configuration, which has a plug-in connector designed and further designed as described above and a mating plug-in connector, wherein the mating plug-in connector has a receiving opening, and the plug-in connector can be inserted into the receiving opening with its contact receiving body along the plug-in direction, wherein at least one mating locking element is formed in the receiving opening, and the mating locking element is locked together with the locking device of the plug-in connector in the inserted state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and with reference to preferred embodiments.

[0018] in:

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the plug-in connector according to the present invention when the locking device and the cable receiving body are in a separated state,

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The plug-in connector shown is a schematic diagram when the locking device and the cable receiving body are in the locked position,

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a contact receiving body with a locking device. The cable receiving body is not shown in the figure.

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The plug connector is shown with a cable connected.

[0023] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the plug-in connector according to the present invention when the cable is routed out at an angle,

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another plug-in connector according to the present invention when the cable is routed out at an angle,

[0025] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another plug-in connector according to the present invention when the cable is routed out at an angle,

[0026] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another plug connector according to the present invention when the cable is routed out at an angle, and

[0027] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of a plug connector arrangement comprising a plug connector according to the invention and a mating plug connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 and Figure 2 Two different positions of the plug connector 100 according to the invention are shown. The plug connector 100 forms an RJ45 plug which can be used, in particular, for data transmission.

[0029] The plug connector 100 has a contact receiving body 110 in which one or more contact elements are received. The plug connector 100 is usually formed as a multi-pole plug connector 100, wherein, for example, eight contact elements can be received and arranged in the contact receiving body 110. Figure 9 When the mating plug-in connector 200 schematically shown in FIG. 1 is in a connected state, these contact elements can be in electrical contact with the mating contact elements of the mating plug-in connector 200 .

[0030] The cable 400 is connected to the contact element, for which the cable 400 is inserted into the cable receiving body 111 of the plug connector 100. The cable receiving body 111 has a first end 112, at which the cable receiving body 111 is connected to the contact receiving body 110. In addition, the cable receiving body 111 has a second end 113, on which an opening 114 is formed. Figures 4 to 8 As shown, the cable 400 can be inserted into the cable receiving body 111 through the opening.

[0031] The plug connector 100 further comprises a locking device 115 which can lock the plug connector 100 together with the mating plug connector 200. The locking device 115 is at least partially elastic.

[0032] The locking device 115 has a first end 116, through which it is connected to a plug-in surface 117 of the contact receiving body 110. Furthermore, the locking device 115 has a second end 118 opposite the first end 116. A connecting portion 119 of the locking device 115 is formed between the two ends 116, 118. The connecting portion 119 is in the form of a narrow strip. The connecting portion 119 extends parallel to the plug-in direction S, along which the plug connector 100 can be moved and inserted to connect to the mating plug connector 200.

[0033] The first end 116 of the locking device 115 is permanently, and in particular, non-detachably, fixed to the contact receiving body 110. In the embodiment shown here, the locking device 115 is integrally formed with the contact receiving body 110. Therefore, the locking device 115 and the contact receiving body 110 can be formed from the same material. For example, the locking device 115 and the contact receiving body 110 can be formed from a plastic material, in particular, the same plastic material.

[0034] The second end 118 can be used to fix the locking device 115 on the cable receiving body 111. Figure 1 In the position shown, the locking device 115 is still separated from the cable receiving body 111 , and the locking device 115 has not yet been fixed to the cable receiving body 115 . Figure 2 The locked position is shown, in which the locking device 115 is held and fixed on the cable receiving body 111 .

[0035] In order to fix the locking device 115 to the cable receiving body 111, a first locking arm 120 and a second locking arm 121 are formed on the second end 118 of the locking device 115. The two locking arms 120 and 121 can be Figure 2 The locking position shown is locked with the cable receiving body 111. For this purpose, the cable receiving body 111 has two lower cutouts 122, 123, so that the first locking arm 120 can hook the first lower cutout 122 from below and the second locking arm 121 can hook the second lower cutout 123 from below.

[0036] The locking device 115 has an elastic effect in the locked position, but there is no risk of the locking device 115 being separated from the cable receiving body 111 .

[0037] The two latch arms 120, 121 extend substantially parallel to each other and are formed to be spaced apart from each other.

[0038] Each locking arm 120, 121 includes a first arm portion 124 and a second arm portion 125 adjacent to the first arm portion 125. The second arm portion 125 forms the free end of each locking arm 120, 121. The locking arms 120, 121 respectively lock with the undercuts 122, 123 of the cable receiving body 111 via the second arm portion 125. The length of the second arm portion 125 is shorter than that of the first arm portion 124. The length of the second arm 125 is preferably less than half the length of the first arm 124.

[0039] The second arm portion 125 of each latch arm 120, 121 is formed at an angle to the first arm portion 124. Thus, the latch arms 120, 121 are each L-shaped. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle between the second arm portion 125 and the first arm portion 124 is α = 90°.

[0040] The contours of the undercuts 122, 123 match the shape of the latch arms 120, 121 or the shape of the second arm portions 125 of the latch arms 120, 121, so that the second arm portions 125 of the latch arms 120, 121 can engage with the undercuts 122, 123 in a form-fitting manner. The contours of the two undercuts 122, 123 are designed to facilitate demoulding from the injection mold in the region of the undercuts 122, 123.

[0041] Two undercuts 122 , 123 are formed at a first end 112 of the cable receiving body 111 , with which the cable receiving body 111 is arranged on the contact receiving body 110 .

[0042] Two undercuts 122, 123 are formed on two mutually opposite side surfaces 126, 127 of the cable receiving body 111, wherein the two side surfaces 126, 127 extend transversely to the plug-in direction S. Therefore, the locking device 115 is not held on the top of the cable receiving body 111, but on the side of the cable receiving body 111. Figure 2 In the locked position shown, the second end 118 of the locking device 115 spans the cable receiving body 111 .

[0043] To transition to the locked position, the locking arms 120, 121 are guided laterally along the sides 126, 127 of the cable receiving body 111 until the locking arms 120, 121 engage the undercuts 122, 123. The locking arms 120, 121 are extended while being guided along the sides 126, 127, or in other words, are stretched apart by the cable receiving body 110. When engaging the undercuts 122, 123, the locking arms 120, 121 rebound out of this outwardly deflected position, thereby clamping the first end 112 of the cable receiving body 110 between the two locking arms 120, 121.

[0044] The second end 118 of the latch 115 further comprises a gripping surface 128, through which a user can operate the latch 115. The gripping surface 128 extends between the two latch arms 120, 121. The first arm portion 124 of each latch arm 120, 121 is directly connected to the gripping surface 128. The gripping surface 128 is positioned relative to the two latch arms 120, 121 so that the gripping surface 128 and the two latch arms 120, 121 together form a U-shape. As a result, the second end 118 of the latch has a stirrup shape 115.

[0045] The gripping surface 128 and the connecting portion 119 together form a T-shape. The gripping surface 128 and the connecting portion 119 extend in a plane. The two locking arms 120 and 121 extend in a plane transverse to the plane formed by the connecting portion 119 and the gripping surface 128.

[0046] The gripping surface 128 is in the shape of a circle segment, in this case a semicircle. The semicircular arc portion of the gripping surface 128 is away from the first end 116 of the locking device 115.

[0047] Figure 3 The contact receiving body 110 is shown together with the locking device 115, but the cable receiving body 111 is not shown. Due to the special design of the locking device 115, the cable receiving body 111 can be manufactured separately from the locking device 115 and the contact receiving body 111, which allows the cable receiving body 111 to have different designs. Figures 4 to 8 , but without significantly increasing the difficulty.

[0048] exist Figures 4 to 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the contact receiving body 110 and the locking device 115 are always of the same design. However, the cable receiving body 111 is always of a different design with respect to the cable outlet direction of the cable 400 .

[0049] exist Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the two ends 112, 113 of the cable receiving body 111 are aligned and thus arranged at an angle of 180° to each other.

[0050] And in Figures 5 to 8 In the illustrated embodiment, the second end 113 of the cable receiving body 111 is formed at an angle to the first end 112 , wherein in all embodiments the two ends 112 , 113 extend at an angle of 90° to each other.

[0051] Figure 9 Schematically showing the Figure 1 and Figure 2 The plug connector arrangement 300 is shown, which shows a plug connector 100 and a mating plug connector 200. The mating plug connector 200 has a receiving opening 210, into which the contact receiving body 110 of the plug connector 100 and at least part of the latching device 115 can be inserted. A mating latching element 211 is formed in the receiving opening 210, which, in the inserted position, cooperates with the latching device 115 of the plug connector 100 to hold the plug connector 100 on the mating plug connector 200.

[0052] Description of Reference Numerals

[0053] 100 plug-in connector

[0054] 110 contact receiver

[0055] 111 Cable receiver

[0056] 112 First End

[0057] 113 Second End

[0058] 114 Opening

[0059] 115 Locking device

[0060] 116 First End

[0061] 117 plug-in surface

[0062] 118 Second End

[0063] 119 connection

[0064] 120 Locking arm

[0065] 121 Locking Arm

[0066] 122 Lower incision

[0067] 123 Lower incision

[0068] 124 First Arm

[0069] 125 Second Arm

[0070] 126 Side

[0071] 127 Side

[0072] 128 grip surface

[0073] 200-pair mating connector

[0074] 210 receiving opening

[0075] 211 matching locking elements

[0076] 300 plug-in connector configuration

[0077] 400 cable

[0078] S plug-in direction

[0079] α angle

Claims

1. A plug-in connector (100) for connecting to a mating plug-in connector (200), the plug-in connector comprising: a contact receiving body (110) receiving at least one contact element for connecting to a mating contact element of the mating plug-in connector (200), a cable receiving body (111) connected to the contact receiving body (110), wherein the cable receiving body can receive a cable (400) for connecting to at least one contact element of the contact receiving body (110); and A locking device (115) is at least partially elastically designed, through which the plug-in connector (100) and the mating plug-in connector (200) can be locked together. The locking device (115) has a first end (116), and the locking device (115) is connected to the plug-in surface (117) of the contact receiving body (110) through the first end, and wherein the locking device (115) has a second end (118) opposite to the first end (116), The connecting portion (119) of the locking device (115) is formed between the two ends (116, 118) of the locking device (115). A first locking arm (120) and a second locking arm (121) are formed on the second end (118), wherein in the locking position, the two locking arms (120, 121) are locked on the cable receiving body (111). wherein the locking device (115) has a gripping surface (128) for operating the locking device (115), and wherein the gripping surface (128) is arranged between the first locking arm (120) and the second locking arm (121) on the second end (118), It is characterized in that The gripping surface (128) and the connecting portion (119) together form a T-shape, wherein the gripping surface (128) and the connecting portion (119) extend in a plane, and wherein the two locking arms (120, 121) respectively extend in a plane transverse to the plane formed by the connecting portion (119) and the gripping surface (128).

2. The plug-in connector (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that A first lower cutout (122) is formed on the cable receiving body (111), and the first locking arm (120) is locked on the first lower cutout at the locking position; and a second lower cutout (123) is formed on the cable receiving body (111), and the second locking arm (121) is locked on the second lower cutout at the locking position.

3. The plug-in connector (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that The two lower cutouts (122, 123) are formed on two mutually opposite side surfaces (126, 127) of the cable receiving body (111).

4. The plug-in connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The locking arms (120, 121) each have a first arm portion (124) and a second arm portion (125) forming a free end. In the locking position, the locking arms (120, 121) are locked on the cable receiving body (111) by means of the second arm portion, wherein the second arm portion (125) is formed at an angle to the first arm portion (124).

5. The plug-in connector (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The gripping surface (128) extends transversely to the two locking arms (120, 121).

6. The plug-in connector (100) according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that The gripping surface (128) is in the shape of a circle segment.

7. The plug-in connector (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The cable receiving body (111) has a first end (112), and the cable receiving body (111) is connected to the contact receiving body (110) through the first end, and the cable receiving body (111) has a second end (113), and an opening (114) is formed on the second end for inserting the cable (400), wherein the second end (113) is formed at an angle with the first end (112).

8. A plug-in connector configuration (300), comprising a plug-in connector (100) designed according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and a mating plug-in connector (200), wherein the mating plug-in connector (200) has a receiving opening (210), and the plug-in connector (100) can be inserted into the receiving opening with its contact receiving body (111) along the plug-in direction (S), wherein at least one mating locking element (200) is formed in the receiving opening (210), and the mating locking element is locked together with the locking device (115) of the plug-in connector (100) in the inserted state.

Images