plug-in connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector having a plug connector housing and a secondary safety device, the secondary safety device having two securing arms and at least one safety element, the safety element being arranged between the securing arms. The secondary safety device is movable between a pre-locking position and a final locking position. At least one of the two securing arms has a first locking unit, which in the final locking position is connected to a first mating locking unit arranged at the plug connector housing. At least one of the two securing arms has a locking element, which extends away from the securing arm parallel to the plug axis. The locking element prevents a connection in the pre-locking position to a mating plug connector. The plug connector housing has at least one access opening, which is connected to a contact cavity. The safety element in the final locking position extends through the access opening into the contact cavity and locks a contact device in the contact cavity.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a plug connector for connecting a mating plug connector. The plug connector is particularly suitable for connecting optical conductors and electrical conductors. BACKGROUND

[0002] In order to connect conductors, which transmit for example optical signals and / or electrical signals, to one another or to components, plug connectors are generally used, which can be detachably connected with a complementary mating plug connector and thus establish a connection for the transmission of signals. For this purpose, the conductors to be connected are connected signal-conductively to the plug connector. In contrast, the mating plug connector is connected signal-conductively to the object to be connected, so that a connection for the signal transmission between the conductors and the respective object to be connected is generated when the plug connector and the mating plug connector are connected.

[0003] In particular for plug connectors, in which it must be ensured that the connection between the conductors and the plug connector and / or between the plug connector and the mating plug connector is present correctly, additional safety systems are generally used. For example, secondary locking means can be provided, which can be used for the additional securing of the conductors at or in the plug connector. Furthermore, the plug connector can have a plug-in blocking, which prevents the connection of the plug connector and the mating plug connector when the conductors are not correctly connected to the plug connector and / or the object to be connected is not correctly connected to the mating plug connector. Furthermore, depending on the available installation space, it can be necessary for a plurality of conductors to be connected with the respective complementary mating plug connector by means of the plug connector.

[0004] However, the additional safety systems and the requirement to connect a plurality of conductors with one plug connector significantly increase the complexity of the plug connector. In particular for small plug connectors, i.e. they are used for example in optical waveguide conductors and / or high-frequency conductors, a high degree of complexity and thus an increase in the manufacturing effort of the plug connector occurs due to the extensive functionality. SUMMARY

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present application to provide a plug connector, which has additional functions, i.e. for example secondary locking means and / or a plug-in blocking, but nevertheless has a simple and compact design.

[0006] The object according to the present application is achieved by the plug connector of the present application. Further advantageous embodiments can be derived from the description as well as from the drawings.

[0007] The plug connector according to the application has a plug connector housing for connecting a mating plug connector. The connector housing has at least one contact cavity for accommodating a contact device. The contact device preferably has at least one signal conductor. As soon as the plug connector is connected with the mating plug connector, the contact device of the plug connector is preferably at least connectable with the contact device of the mating plug connector, so that a signal can be transmitted from the signal conductor of the plug connector to the signal conductor of the mating plug connector. The signal conductor can be an electrical conductor or an optical conductor. The contact cavity extends in the direction of a plug side from a contact side. The contact side can be understood in this context as a side of the plug connector housing at which the contact device can be reached into the contact cavity. The plug side can be understood as a side of the plug connector housing at which the plug connector housing can be connected with the mating plug connector. The contact cavity is preferably reachable via the contact side and via the plug side. The plug connector according to the application also has a secondary safety device. The secondary safety device has two securing arms and at least one safety element. The safety element is arranged between the securing arms. The secondary safety device is movable between a pre-locking position and a final locking position. Here, the movement preferably takes place perpendicular to a plug axis of the plug connector. At least one of the two securing arms has a first locking unit, which in the final locking position is connected with a first mating locking unit arranged at the plug connector housing. The first locking unit can be embodied, for example, as a locking hook or a snap hook, wherein the first mating locking unit is embodied complementary to the first locking unit, so that a mechanical connection and in particular a releasable connection between the first locking unit and the first mating locking unit can be established. At least one of the two securing arms has a locking element, which extends away from the securing arm parallel to the plug axis, the locking element being arranged at the securing arm. The plug axis can be understood as a movement axis along which the plug connector or the mating plug connector is moved in order to establish a connection between the plug connector and the mating plug connector. In the pre-locking position, the locking element prevents the connection with the mating plug connector. The plug connector housing has at least one access opening, which extends in the contact cavity. The access opening is preferably arranged at a side of the plug connector, which is different from the plug side and the contact side. In the final locking position, the safety element extends through the access opening into the contact cavity, thereby locking the contact device in the contact cavity.

[0008] The access opening can be arranged on a first housing side, which adjoins the plug side and / or the contact side. The contact side and the plug side can be arranged opposite one another. However, it is also possible for the contact side and the plug side to be arranged at an angle, in particular a right angle, when the plug connector is embodied as an angle plug connector.

[0009] In order to ensure that the contact device can be introduced into or removed from the contact chamber without problems in the pre-locking position of the secondary locking device, the locking element can be arranged outside the contact chamber in the pre-locking position. Furthermore, the locking element can also be arranged outside the access opening.

[0010] The plug connector housing can have a plug-in chamber in which a mating plug connector housing of a mating plug connector can be introduced at least partially. The plug-in chamber can also have a coding element in order to ensure that only a mating plug connector housing having a complementary coding element can be connected to the plug connector housing. A locking element can be arranged in the plug-in chamber. Here, the mating plug connector housing can be introduced into the plug-in chamber, preferably in a pre-locking position and in a final locking position.

[0011] The locking element can be introduced into the plug-in chamber via a lateral opening in the plug connector housing. The lateral opening is preferably arranged in the region of the plug-in chamber. The lateral opening is also preferably arranged on a housing side of the plug connector housing which adjoins the plug-in side. The lateral opening can have a contour which at least partially corresponds to the outer contour of the locking element.

[0012] In the pre-locking position, the locking element can be introduced into the plug-in chamber, preferably via the lateral opening. It is particularly advantageous here that the locking element and the lateral opening are arranged in alignment with one another in the pre-locking position.

[0013] Preferably, the locking element can be introduced into the plug-in chamber by means of a pivoting movement. Thus, the securing arm having the locking element can be pivoted at least about a pivoting axis which is arranged perpendicular to the plug-in axis. The pivoting axis is particularly preferably arranged parallel to the plug-in side.

[0014] The plug connector housing can have a step in the plug-in chamber, wherein the locking element is arranged in alignment with the step in the final locking position. The step can be arranged both parallel and perpendicular to the plug-in axis. The mating plug connector housing can have a surface section which has a complementary shape with respect to the step and the locking element arranged in alignment with the step. A recess can be arranged inside the step or between the step and the inner wall of the housing, in which recess the locking element can be introduced into the final locking position.

[0015] At least one of the two securing arms can have a second locking unit which, in the pre-locking position, is connected to a second mating locking unit arranged at the plug connector housing. Preferably, in the final locking position, the connection between the second locking unit and the second mating locking unit is released. The second mating locking unit is preferably embodied complementary to the second locking unit, such that a mechanical connection and a releasable connection can be achieved, in particular by means of a form fit and / or force fit between the locking unit and the mating locking unit.

[0016] One of the two securing arms can also have a second latching unit and the other one can accordingly have a third latching unit. In the pre-latching position, the second latching unit can be arranged with a second mating latching unit arranged at the plug connector housing. In the pre-latching position, the third latching unit can be connected with a third mating latching unit arranged at the plug connector housing. In the final latching position, it is likewise preferred that the third latching unit is released from the third mating latching unit. It is also preferred that the second latching unit is different from the third latching unit.

[0017] The contact device can have two signal conductors, so that the two signal conductors at the plug connector can be connected with the two signal conductors at the mating plug connector. The plug connector housing can have two access openings and the secondary safety device can have two safety elements, which are arranged in each case in one of the access openings at least in the final latching position. The signal conductors are arranged parallel to each other in the region of the contact device. It is also preferred that the contact device has a contact carrier, which accommodates the two signal conductors.

[0018] The plug connector housing can have a guide section at the second housing side and at the third housing side, respectively. In each guide section, one of the securing arms can be arranged, respectively. Here, it is preferred that the securing arms move along the guide sections when moving between the pre-latching position and the final latching position. The first mating latching unit, the second mating latching unit and / or the third mating latching unit can be arranged inside the guide sections. The guide sections can be configured as a groove or a channel.

[0019] The second housing side and the third housing side can be arranged opposite to each other and adjoin the first housing side. The guide sections can extend from the first housing side to the housing side opposite to the first housing side. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Further advantages and features of the present application are apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments. The features described below and above can be used individually or in combination. Here, the preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Herein are shown:

[0021] Figure 1 An exploded view of a first embodiment of a plug connector according to the present application is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 A sectional view of a plug connector according to the present application according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0023] Figure 3 A further sectional view of a plug connector according to the present application according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0024] Figure 4 Fig. 3 shows a three-dimensional view of the plug-in connector according to the first embodiment in the pre-latching position according to the application;

[0025] Figure 5 Fig. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of the plug-in connector according to the first embodiment in the final latching position according to the application;

[0026] Figure 6 Fig. 5 shows a further three-dimensional view of the plug-in connector according to the first embodiment in the pre-latching position according to the application; and

[0027] Figure 7 Fig. 6 shows a further three-dimensional view of the plug-in connector according to the first embodiment in the final latching position according to the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 Fig. 1 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of a first embodiment of a plug-in connector 1 according to the application. The plug-in connector 1 has a plug-in connector housing 2. A contact arrangement can be arranged in the plug-in connector housing 2. The contact arrangement consists in this embodiment of one contact carrier 27 and two signal conductors 22. The two signal conductors 22 are jointly accommodated by the contact carrier 27. The signal conductors 22 are optical fibers for the transmission of optical signals. The plug-in connector housing 2 has two primary locking means 26 in the form of snap hooks, which releasably fix the contact arrangement inside the plug-in connector housing 2. The contact arrangement can be introduced into the plug-in connector housing 2 at the contact side 5 parallel to the plug-in axis y. The plug-in side 6 is arranged opposite the contact side 5, at which the plug-in connector 1 can be connected with a mating plug-in connector, not shown. The plug-in connector housing 2 has a plug-in cavity 15 into which a mating plug-in connector housing, not shown, can be introduced. The plug-in connector 1 according to the application also has a secondary locking means 7. The secondary locking means 7 has two securing arms 8.1 ; 8.2. Between the securing arms 8.1 ; 8.2 two locking elements 9 are arranged. Furthermore, at the securing arm 8.1 a blocking element 12 is arranged. The secondary locking means 7 can be moved at the plug-in connector housing 2 between a pre-latching position and a final latching position. For this purpose, the securing arms 8.1 ; 8.2 are arranged in guide sections 25.1 ; 25.2 and are guided inside the guide sections 25.1 ; 25.2 when moved between the final latching position and the pre-latching position.

[0029] Figure 2A sectional view of a first embodiment of the plug connector 1 according to the application is shown. Here, the sectional plane extends parallel to the plug axis y. The contact device 4 is arranged inside the contact cavity 3 in the plug connector housing 2. The secondary securing device 7 is arranged in the pre-locked position. The securing element 9 is arranged in alignment with the access opening 13, which is arranged on the first housing side 14 of the plug connector housing 2. The access opening 13 is accessible into the contact cavity 3 via the first housing side 14.

[0030] Figure 3 A sectional view of a first embodiment of the plug connector 1 according to the application is shown according to Figure 2 , wherein the secondary securing device 7 is arranged in the final locked position. The securing element 9 extends into the contact cavity 3 through the access opening 13. The contact carrier 27 has two sections with an outer diameter, which is greater than the intermediate section arranged between the two sections. Since the securing element 9 is arranged in the region of the intermediate section, the contact device 4 can no longer be removed from the contact cavity, so that the securing element 9 fixes the contact device 4 in the contact cavity 3.

[0031] Figure 4 A three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of the plug connector 1 according to the application is shown. Here, the second housing side 23 is facing the observer. The secondary securing device 7 is arranged in the pre-locked position. The securing arm 8.1 is arranged in the guide section 25.1, which is configured at the second housing side 26 of the plug connector housing 2. The securing arm 8.1 has a first locking unit 10, which consists of a locking hook, which is arranged at the side of the securing arm 8.1 facing away from the plug connector housing 2. The securing arm 8.1 also has a second locking unit 18, which consists of a locking flange and a stop. The locking flange and the stop are arranged opposite each other at the narrow side of the securing arm 8.1. The second locking unit 18 is releasably connected in the pre-locked attitude to a second mating locking unit 19 arranged at the plug connector housing 2. By means of the connection between the second locking unit 18 and the second mating locking unit 19, the secondary securing device 7 is held in the pre-locked position. The locking element 12 projects into the plug cavity 15 through the side opening 16. In a process step not shown, the locking element 12 projects into the plug cavity 15 via the side opening 16 by means of a pivoting of the securing arm 8.1 perpendicular to the plug axis y and parallel to the plug side 6. As long as the secondary securing device 7 is arranged in the pre-locked attitude, the connection of the plug connector 1 to a mating plug connector is blocked by the locking element 12.

[0032] Figure 5A further three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the plug connector 1 according to the application is shown, wherein the second housing side 23 is directed towards the observer. The secondary safety device 7 is arranged in the final locking position. The first locking unit 10 is releasably connected with the first counter locking unit 11 at the plug connector housing 2, so that the secondary safety device 7 remains in the final locking position. In the final locking position, the connection between the second locking unit 18 and the second counter locking unit 19 is released.

[0033] Figure 6 A further three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the plug connector 1 according to the application is shown, wherein the third housing side 24 is directed towards the observer. The secondary safety device 7 is arranged in the pre-locking position. The securing arm 8.2 has a third locking unit 20, which in the pre-locking position is arranged with a third counter locking unit 21 on the plug connector housing 2. The third locking unit 20 differs in its construction from the second locking unit 18 by two locking hooks between which the third counter locking unit 21 is arranged in the form of a bracket.

[0034] Figure 7 A further three-dimensional view of the first embodiment of the plug connector 1 according to the application is shown, wherein the third housing side 24 is directed towards the observer, whereas the secondary safety device 7 is arranged in the final locking position. In the final locking position, the connection between the third locking unit 20 and the third counter locking unit 21 is released. However, the securing arm 8.2 likewise has a first locking unit 10, which is releasably connected with the counter locking unit 11 arranged at the third housing side 24 of the plug connector housing 2. The locking element 12 is arranged in alignment with the step 17 arranged in the plug cavity 15. The locking element 12 thus releases the plug cavity 15, so that the plug connector 1 according to the application can be connected with a counter plug connector.

[0035] List of reference signs

[0036] 1 plug connector

[0037] 2 plug connector housing

[0038] 3 contact cavity

[0039] 4 contact device

[0040] 5 contact side

[0041] 6 plug side

[0042] 7 secondary safety device

[0043] 8 securing arm

[0044] 9 safety element

[0045] 10 first latching unit

[0046] 11 first mating latching unit

[0047] 12 locking element

[0048] 13 access opening

[0049] 14 first housing side

[0050] 15 plug-in cavity

[0051] 16 side opening

[0052] 17 step

[0053] 18 second latching unit

[0054] 19 second mating latching unit

[0055] 20 third latching unit

[0056] 21 third mating latching unit

[0057] 22 signal line

[0058] 23 second housing side

[0059] 24 third housing side

[0060] 25 guide section

[0061] 26 main locking device

[0062] 27 contact carrier

Claims

1. A plug connector (1) for connection with a mating plug connector, said plug connector having: A plug connector housing (2) having at least one contact cavity (3) for accommodating a contact device (4) extending from the contact side (5) toward the plug side (6); and A secondary safety device (7) having two fixed arms (8.1; 8.2) and at least one safety element (9) arranged between the fixed arms (8.1; 8.2). in, The secondary safety device (7) is movable between the pre-locked position and the final locked position. At least one of the two fixed arms (8.1; 8.2) has a first locking unit (10), which is connected in the final locked position to a first mating locking unit (11) disposed on the plug connector housing (2). At least one of the two fixing arms (8.1; 8.2) has a locking element (12) that extends toward the contact device and parallel to the insertion axis (y). In the pre-locked position, the locking element (12) extends inward toward the contact device from inside the connector housing, and the locking element is fixed between the contact device and the mating connector to prevent the mating connector from connecting to the contact device. The connector housing (2) has at least one access opening (13) that is connected to the contact cavity (3). The safety element (9) extends into the contact cavity through the access opening (13) in the final locked position and locks the contact device (4) in the contact cavity (3).

2. The plug connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The access opening (13) is arranged on the first housing side (14), which is adjacent to the plug-in side (6) and / or the contact side (5).

3. The plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The safety element (9) is arranged outside the contact cavity (3) at the pre-lock position.

4. The plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The plug connector housing (2) has a plug cavity (15), and the mating plug connector housing of the mating plug connector can extend at least partially into the plug cavity.

5. The plug connector (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The locking element (12) is arranged in the insertion cavity (15).

6. The plug connector (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The locking element (12) can extend into the plug cavity (15) via a side opening (16) in the plug connector housing (2).

7. The plug connector (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The locking element (12) can extend into the insertion cavity (15) through the side opening (16) in the pre-locked position.

8. The plug connector (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The locking element (12) can extend into the insertion cavity (15) by means of pivoting movement.

9. The plug connector (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The connector housing (2) has a step (17) in the plug cavity (15), and the locking element (12) is arranged aligned with the step (17) in the final locked position.

10. The plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one of the two fixed arms (8.1; 8.2) has a second locking unit (18) which is connected in the pre-locking position to a second mating locking unit (19) disposed in the plug connector housing (2).

11. The plug connector (1) according to claim 10, wherein, One of the fixed arms has a second locking unit (18) and the other fixed arm has a corresponding third locking unit (20), wherein, in the pre-locked position, the second locking unit (18) is connected to a second mating locking unit (19) arranged in the plug connector housing (2) and the third locking unit (20) is connected to a third mating locking unit (21) arranged in the plug connector housing (2).

12. The plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The contact device (4) has at least two signal wires (22).

13. The plug connector (1) according to claim 12, wherein, The contact device (4) has at least two signal wires (22) arranged in parallel to each other.

14. The plug connector (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The plug connector housing (2) has guide sections (25.1; 25.2) on the second housing side (23) and the third housing side (24), respectively, in which one of the two fixing arms (8.1; 8.2) is arranged.

15. The plug connector (1) according to claim 14, wherein, The second housing side (23) and the third housing side (24) are arranged opposite to each other and adjacent to the first housing side (14).

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