Plug-in connector for connecting signal conductors

Abstract

This invention relates to a plug-in connection device for connecting signal conductors, the plug-in connection device having a plug connector, a mating plug connector, and a rod unit disposed at the plug connector. The rod unit has a locking element and a safety element, wherein the plug connector and the mating plug connector are movable to a connection position where the plug connector and the mating plug connector are electrically connected to each other, the plug connector and the mating plug connector each have a contact carrier, the contact carrier each having a receiving opening, the rod unit being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position in the connection position, the locking element being disposed in the receiving openings of two contact carriers in the locked position, and the locking element being disposed outside the receiving opening of at least one contact carrier in the unlocked position, and the safety element being movable to a locked position in the connection position, in which the safety element fixes the rod unit in the locked position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug-in connection device for releasably connecting conductors, especially electrical and optical signal conductors. Background Technology

[0002] To establish a releasable connection between optical or electrical conductors, plug-in connector systems are commonly used today. These typically operate on the principle that one mating part has a locking hook and another has a locking tab. The locking hook connects to the locking tab for mechanical connection between the two mating parts. The locking hook and locking tab are usually located within the housing of the mating parts. Although signal conductors are also electrically connected in this plug-in connection, the primary and mechanically load-bearing connection is usually made via the housing of the plug-in connector. This provides a plug-in connector system with low complexity. However, connecting the mating parts via the housing has the following disadvantages: it introduces additional positional and component tolerances, which can accumulate to create very large tolerances. This problem arises especially when very high signal rates need to be transmitted via optical or electrical signal conductors, as tolerance fluctuations cannot always ensure a sufficiently stable connection of the signal conductors. Therefore, it is desirable to keep the tolerance chain between the signal conductors to be connected as short as possible and to mechanically connect the signal conductors to be connected as directly as possible. However, there is a drawback: additional functions, such as the need to prevent unintentional loosening of the mechanical connection, are difficult to integrate due to the complex construction required for the plug-in connection. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome at least one of the disadvantages mentioned in the prior art and to provide a plug-in connection device with a position safety device, wherein the signal conductors of the two plug-in mating parts can be connected to each other on the shortest possible tolerance chain.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is achieved by a plug-in connection device.

[0005] The plug-in connection device according to the invention has a plug-in connector and a mating plug-in connector. A lever unit is provided at the plug-in connector. The lever unit is preferably detachably arranged at the plug-in connector. The lever unit can be configured as a one-sided or two-sided lever. The lever unit has a locking element and a safety element. The plug-in connector and the mating plug-in connector can be moved to a connection position where the plug-in connector and the mating plug-in connector are electrically connected to each other. The plug-in connector and the mating plug-in connector can have one or more signal conductors. Hereinafter, the electrical connection can be understood as the ability to transmit signals between the signal conductors of the plug-in connector and the signal conductors of the mating plug-in connector. The plug-in connector and the mating plug-in connector each have a contact carrier. The contact carrier of the plug-in connector and the contact carrier of the mating plug-in connector each have a receiving opening. The contact carrier is essentially used to receive the signal conductor. The lever unit is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position in the connection position. For this purpose, the lever unit can be pivotally arranged at the plug-in connector, for example. For this purpose, the lever unit can have an operating section on which force can be generated to move the lever unit between the locked position and the unlocked position. The locking element is arranged in the receiving openings of the two contact carriers in the locked position. Therefore, preferably, the receiving spaces of the two contact carriers are aligned with each other in the connected position. In the unlocked position, the locking element is arranged outside the receiving opening of at least one contact carrier. Preferably, the locking element is arranged outside the receiving opening of the mating connector in the unlocked position. The lever unit can have an actuating section in which the locking element is arranged. The actuating section can abut against the operating section. The safety element can move to a locked position in the connected position, in which the safety element secures the lever unit in the locked position. The safety element can be arranged in the operating section and / or the actuating section.

[0006] The plug-in connection device according to the invention enables a particularly reliable and interference-resistant connection between two signal conductors. Simultaneously, a safety element ensures that the connection between the plug-in connector and the mating plug-in connector, generated by the lever unit, will not be accidentally released. Furthermore, since both the locking element and the safety element are constructed via lever units, the plug-in connection device maintains a simple construction.

[0007] A locking element can be arranged on a first side of the lever unit. The first side preferably faces the plug connector. Furthermore, the locking element can extend vertically away from the first side. A safety element can be arranged on a second side of the lever unit opposite the first side. The first and / or second side can be arranged parallel to the plug axis of the plug connection device. Here, the plug axis can be understood as a directional axis along which the plug connector moves relative to the mating plug connector to position the plug connector and the mating plug connector in the connection position. The second side preferably faces away from the plug connector. Furthermore, the first side can be arranged parallel to the second side.

[0008] In the connected position, the plug connector can be partially arranged within the plug cavity of the mating plug connector. In the locked position, the locking element can abut against a first stop surface of the plug cavity. The first stop surface preferably extends parallel to the plug axis and can be part of the inner wall of the plug cavity. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous that the lever unit is at least partially arranged within the plug cavity in the connected position. Furthermore, the locking element can abut against the first stop surface with a side facing away from the second side of the lever unit.

[0009] The plug-in connector or mating plug-in connector may have a second stop surface configured to: when the lever unit moves from the unlocked position to the locked position in the connected position, the second stop surface contacts a locking element, and the locking element moves out of the locked position. The second stop surface is preferably adjacent to a first stop surface. The second stop surface is also preferably arranged perpendicular to the first stop surface. Preferably, the stop surface is configured such that the locking element disengages from the stop surface before the lever unit reaches the locked position, so that once the lever unit is positioned in the locked position, the locking element can move to the locked position. The locking element can be moved out of the locked position by elastic deformation, so that upon reaching the locked position, the locking element automatically returns to the locked position.

[0010] The safety element is movable between a locked position and a released position. Preferably, the safety element is movable parallel to the insertion axis between the locked and released positions, at least in the locked position. In the released position, the safety element is preferably arranged such that the lever unit can move from the locked position to the unlocked position without being obstructed by the safety element. Furthermore, the safety element may also have an operating element by which the safety element can be moved between the locked and released positions.

[0011] The lever unit can have a resilient element that pre-tensions the safety element in the direction of the locking posture when in the released posture. When the safety element is positioned in the locking posture, the resilient element is preferably relaxed or has no force acting on the safety element. The resilient element can be located on a second side of the lever unit.

[0012] The lever unit can have a guide slot in which the safety element is movably guided. The guide slot is preferably located on a second side of the lever unit. Furthermore, the guide slot is preferably arranged parallel to the insertion axis. The guide slot is preferably open on the side opposite to the second side. The guide slot is preferably located both in the actuating section and the operating section.

[0013] The safety element may have at least one locking element that holds the safety element at least in the locked position. The lever unit preferably has a mating locking element that can be connected to the locking element. More preferably, the lever unit has two mating locking elements that can be connected to the locking element, wherein when the safety element is positioned in the locked position, the locking element can be connected to a first mating locking element, and when the safety element is positioned in the released position, the locking element can be connected to a second mating locking element.

[0014] The lever unit can be arranged at the plug connector in a manner movable between a pre-locked position and a final locked position. Furthermore, the lever unit can have a secondary locking element that secures the contact carrier of the plug connector within the plug connector in the final locked position. Preferably, the secondary locking element releases the contact carrier, allowing it to be removed from the plug connector unless otherwise secured by other fixing mechanisms. The lever unit preferably has a locking shoulder that can engage with first and second locking receptacles at the plug connector. Preferably, the locking shoulder engages with the first locking receptacle in the pre-locked position and with the second locking receptacle in the final locked position. The locking shoulder is preferably arranged in a plane having the secondary locking element, particularly perpendicular to the plug axis. The secondary locking element can be arranged on a first side of the lever unit and extends substantially vertically away from the first side. Furthermore, the secondary locking element can be arranged parallel to the locking element. The secondary locking element can be constructed as a single piece with the locking element. The lever unit is preferably movable between the locked and unlocked positions in the final locked position.

[0015] The lever unit can be constructed as a double-sided lever, wherein the rotation axis of the double-sided lever is arranged in the secondary locking element or in a plane perpendicular to the insertion axis and parallel to the longest side of the secondary locking element. The lever unit can be divided into an operating section and an action section by the secondary locking element. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Furthermore, other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments. The features described below and above can be implemented individually or in combination, provided that these features do not contradict each other. Preferred embodiments are described here with reference to the accompanying drawings. Herein lies:

[0017] Figure 1 An exploded three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of the plug-in connection device according to the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the plug-in connection device according to the invention, according to a first embodiment, is shown during the plugging process;

[0019] Figure 3A cross-sectional view of a plug-in connection device according to the invention according to a first embodiment is shown, the plug-in connection device having a safety element in a locked position;

[0020] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a plug-in connection device according to the invention according to a first embodiment is shown, the plug-in connection device having a safety element in a released position;

[0021] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the plug-in connection device according to the invention of the second embodiment during the plugging process is shown;

[0022] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a plug-in connection device according to the invention according to a second embodiment is shown, the plug-in connection device having a safety element in a locked position;

[0023] Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of a plug-in connection device according to the invention according to a second embodiment is shown, the plug-in connection device having a safety element in a released position;

[0024] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the plug-in connection device according to the invention of the third embodiment during the plugging process is shown;

[0025] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the plug-in connection device according to the invention, according to a first embodiment, is shown, wherein the rod unit is arranged in a pre-locked position; and

[0026] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the plug-in connection device according to the invention according to a first embodiment is shown, wherein the rod unit is arranged in the final locked position. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1A three-dimensional exploded view of a first embodiment of the plug-in connection device 1 according to the present invention is shown. The plug-in connection device 1 has a plug connector 2 and a mating plug connector 3. The plug connector 2 and the mating plug connector 3 each have contact carriers 7.1 and 7.2. The contact carriers 7.1 of the plug connector 2 and 7.2 of the mating plug connector 3 each have two signal conductors 19.1 and 19.2. In the present embodiment, the signal conductors 19.1 and 19.2 are optical fibers for transmitting optical signals. The contact carrier 7.1 of the plug connector 2 is detachably fixed to the plug connector 2 by means of a main locking device 22.1. Similarly, the contact carrier 7.2 of the mating plug connector 3 is fixed to the mating plug connector 3 by means of a main locking device 22.2. The contact carrier 7.2 of the mating plug connector 3 is additionally fixed to the mating plug connector 3 by means of a secondary locking device 21. The plug connector 2 and the mating plug connector 3 can be detachably connected at the connection position by means of a rod unit 4. In the current embodiment, the lever unit 4 is constructed as a double-sided lever. In the current embodiment, the lever unit 4 is detachably arranged at the plug connector 2. The lever unit 4 has a locking shoulder 23, which can connect with the locking receiving portion 24 at the plug connector 2. The lever unit 4 has a locking element 5, and contact carriers 7.1 and 7.2 of the plug connector 2 and mating plug connector 3 can be connected using the shape fit of the locking element. Furthermore, the lever unit 4 has a safety element 6, which is arranged at the lever unit 4 in a manner movable parallel to the plug axis y between a locked and a released position. For this purpose, the safety element 6 is guided in a guide groove 15. Furthermore, the safety element 6 has an operating element 16, by means of which the safety element 6 can be moved between the locked and released positions.

[0028] Figure 2A cross-sectional view is shown of a first embodiment of the plug-in connection device 1 according to the invention during the plugging process of the plug-in connector 2 and the mating plug-in connector 3. The cross-sectional plane of the view extends parallel to the plugging axis y. During the plugging process, the plug-in connector 2 and the mating plug-in connector 3 move toward each other along the plugging axis. The mating plug-in connector 3 has a plugging cavity 11 into which the plug-in connector 2 and the rod unit 4 are partially introduced. A locking element 5 is arranged at a first side 9 of the rod unit 4. A safety element 6 is arranged at a second side 10 of the rod unit 4. A secondary locking element 17 is also arranged at the first side 9. The guide groove 15, the secondary locking element 17, and the locking element 5 are constructed as a single piece and are made of the same material as the rod unit 4. During the plugging process, the rod unit 4 deflects to the unlocked position about a rotation axis 18. The rotation axis 18 is constructed within the secondary locking element 17. The secondary locking element 17 divides the rod unit 4 into an operating section 25 and an actuating section 26. The actuating section 26 can be deflected by pressing on the operating section 25. Locking element 5 is arranged in actuating section 26. Guide groove 15 extends over operating section 25 and actuating section 26, allowing locking element 6 to also move over operating section 25 and actuating section 26. Through deflection of lever unit 4 during the mating process, locking element 6 contacts the second stop surface 13 at the mating connector 3. If the connector 2 moves further into the mating cavity 11, locking element 6 shifts from a locked position to a released position. This ensures that the mating process is not obstructed by locking element 6.

[0029] Figure 3 Another cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the plug-in connection device 1 according to the present invention is shown, wherein the cross-sectional plane extends parallel to the plug-in axis. A plug-in connector 2 and a mating plug-in connector 3 are arranged in the connected position. In the connected position, the signal conductor 19.1 of the plug-in connector 2 is electrically connected to the signal conductor 19.2 of the mating plug-in connector 3, allowing signal transmission between the signal conductors 19.1 and 19.2. Contact carriers 7.1 and 7.2 each have receiving openings 8.1 and 8.2. A lever unit 4 is arranged in the locked position. A locking element 5 is arranged within the through opening 20 and in both receiving openings 8.1 and 8.2. Thus, the plug-in connector 2 and the mating plug-in connector 3 are form-fitted but detachably connected. A locking element 6 is arranged in the locked position. In the present embodiment, the locking element 6 abuts against a first stop surface 12 within the plug cavity 11 in the locked position. The first stop surface 12 partially forms the inner wall of the plug cavity 11. By positioning the safety element 6 in the locked position, the lever unit 4 is blocked in the locked position. The safety element 6 is connected to the guide groove 15 via a locking element (not shown), preventing the safety element 6 from moving out of the locked position on its own.

[0030] Figure 4Another cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the plug-in connection device according to the invention is shown, having a cross-sectional plane parallel to the plug-in axis y. The plug-in connector 2 and the mating plug-in connector 3 are arranged in the connected position. The lever unit 4 is arranged in the locked position, wherein the locking element 6 is arranged in the released position. The form-fit connection between the plug-in connector 2 and the mating plug-in connector 3 can therefore be released by, for example, pressing the operating segment 25 of the lever unit 4 along the direction of the plug-in connector 2, thereby moving the lever unit 4 to the unlocked position, in which the locking element 5 is arranged within the receiving opening 8.1 of the plug-in connector 2 and within the through opening 20.

[0031] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view is shown during the insertion process of the plug-in connector 2 and the mating plug-in connector 3 according to a second embodiment of the plug-in connection device 1 according to the invention. The cross-sectional plane extends parallel to the insertion axis y. In the view shown, the lever unit 4 is in a movable position between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lever unit 4 has an elastic element 14. During the insertion process, the locking element 6 contacts the second stop surface 13 of the mating plug-in connector 3 and is pushed into a release position. Because the elastic element 14 abuts against the locking element 6, the elastic element 14 is elastically deflected. By deflection, the elastic element 14 pre-tightens the locking element 6 in the direction toward the locking position.

[0032] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the plug-in connection device 1 according to the invention is shown in the connected position, wherein the cross-sectional plane extends parallel to the plug-in axis y. The lever unit 4 is arranged in the locked position. The safety element 6 is arranged in the locked posture and abuts against the second stop surface 13. By pre-tightening the elastic element 14 of the safety element 6 to the locked posture, the safety element 6 can automatically move to the locked position once the lever unit 4 moves to the locked position and the safety element 6 disengages from the second stop surface 13.

[0033] Figure 7 Another cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the plug-in connection device 1 according to the invention is shown in the connection position, wherein the cross-sectional plane extends parallel to the plug-in axis y. The safety element 6 is arranged in the release position. By moving the safety element 6 to the release position, the resilient element 14 is re-preloaded relative to the safety element 6, such that the safety element 6 can only be moved to the release position by an externally applied force. This can be achieved, for example, by an installer pushing the safety element 6 to the release position at the operating element 16.

[0034] Figure 8A cross-sectional view of the third embodiment of the plug-in connection device 1 according to the invention is shown during the plugging process of the plug-in connector 2 and the mating plug-in connector 3. The cross-sectional plane extends parallel to the plugging axis y. The lever unit 4 is arranged in the unlocked position. The locking element 6 is constructed as a single piece with the lever unit 4 and has an angled shape. Once the plug-in connector 2 and the mating plug-in connector 3 are in the connected position and the lever unit 4 is arranged in the locked position, the locking element 6 abuts against the first stop surface 12, thereby blocking the lever unit 4 in the locked position. The locking element 6 can be removed from the locked position by elastic deflection.

[0035] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the plug-in connection device 1 according to the present invention is shown. The cross-sectional plane extends perpendicularly to the plug-in axis y and extends through the secondary locking element 17. The lever unit 4 is fixed at the plug-in connector 2 in a pre-locked position. For this purpose, the lever unit 4 is connected to the locking receiving portion 24 of the plug-in connector 2 by means of a locking shoulder 23. The secondary locking element 17 is arranged outside the plug-in channel 27 of the contact carrier 7.1 such that once the main locking device is released from the contact carrier, the contact carrier 7.1 can be easily removed from the plug-in connector 2.

[0036] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the plug-in connection device 1 according to the present invention is shown. The cross-sectional plane extends perpendicularly to the plug-in axis y and extends through the secondary locking element 17. The lever unit 4 is arranged in the final locked position. For this purpose, the lever unit 4 is connected to the locking shoulder 23 via an additional locking receiving portion 24 in the plug-in connector 2. The secondary locking element 17 is arranged within the plug-in channel 27 of the contact carrier 7.1 and within the fixing opening 28 in the plug-in connector 2, such that the contact carrier 7.1 is additionally fixed by the lever unit 4 in the final locked position.

[0037] List of reference numerals

[0038] 1. Plug-in connection device

[0039] 2-pin connector

[0040] 3. Connecting connector

[0041] 4-bar unit

[0042] 5 locking elements

[0043] 6 fuse elements

[0044] 7 Contact Carrier

[0045] 8 Accommodation openings

[0046] 9 First side

[0047] 10 Second side

[0048] 11 Socket

[0049] 12 First stop surface

[0050] 13 Second stop surface

[0051] 14 elastic elements

[0052] 15 guide slots

[0053] 16 operating elements

[0054] 17 secondary locking elements

[0055] 18 rotating shafts

[0056] 19 signal conductors

[0057] 20 through openings

[0058] 21 safety devices

[0059] 22 Main locking device

[0060] 23 Locking shoulder

[0061] 24 Locking Reception Section

[0062] 25 Operating Section

[0063] 26 Functional Sections

[0064] 27 plug-in channels

[0065] 28 Fixed opening.

Claims

1. A plug-in connection device (1), comprising: Plug-in connector (2) With the mating connector (3), and A rod unit (4) is arranged at the plug connector (2), the rod unit having a locking element (5) and a safety element (6). in, The plug connector (2) and the mating plug connector (3) are movable to the connection position, where the plug connector (2) and the mating plug connector (3) are electrically connected to each other. The plug connector (2) and the mating plug connector (3) each have a contact carrier (7.1; 7.2), and the contact carrier each has a receiving opening (8.1; 8.2). The rod unit (4) can move between the locked position and the unlocked position at the connection position. The locking element (5) is arranged at the locking position on two contact carriers (7.1); 7.2) receiving opening (8.1; In 8.2), and the locking element is arranged in the unlocked position in a receiving opening (8.1; 7.2) of at least one contact carrier (7.1; 7.2). In addition to 8.2), and The safety element (6) can move to the locked position at the connection position, and the safety element (6) fixes the rod unit (4) in the locked position at the locked position in the locked position. The rod unit (4) is arranged at the plug connector (2) in a manner that allows it to move between a pre-locked position and a final locked position, and the rod unit has a secondary locking element (17) that fixes the contact carrier (7.1) of the plug connector (2) within the plug connector (2) in the final locked position.

2. The plug-in connection device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The locking element (5) is arranged on the first side (9) of the rod unit (4), and the safety element (6) is arranged on the second side (10) of the rod unit (4) opposite to the first side (9).

3. The plug-in connection device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The plug connector (2) is partially arranged within the plug cavity (11) of the mating plug connector (3) at the connection position, and the safety element (6) abuts against the first stop surface (12) of the plug cavity (11) in the locking posture.

4. The plug-in connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The plug connector (2) or the mating plug connector (3) has a second stop surface (13) designed to touch the safety element when the lever unit (4) moves from the unlocked position to the locked position in the connected position, and the safety element (6) moves away from the locked posture.

5. The plug-in connection device (1) according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein, The safety element (6) is capable of shifting between the locked and released positions.

6. The plug-in connection device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The safety element (6) is capable of shifting parallel to the insertion axis (x) between the locked posture and the released posture.

7. The plug-in connection device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The lever unit (4) has an elastic element (14) that pre-tightens the safety element (6) in the direction from the release posture to the locking posture.

8. The plug-in connection device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The rod unit (4) has a guide groove (15) in which the safety element (6) is movably guided.

9. The plug-in connection device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The safety element (6) has at least one locking element that holds the safety element (6) at least in the locked position.

10. The plug-in connection device (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The lever unit (4) can move between the locked position and the unlocked position in the final locked position.

11. The plug-in connection device (1) according to claim 10, wherein, The rod unit (4) is constructed as a double-sided rod, and the rotation axis (18) of the double-sided rod is arranged in the secondary locking element (17).

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