Plug connector with contact insert fastener

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical plug connector having a plug connector housing which has a cable feed opening, a connection opening, at least one first holding profile and at least one contact insert. The contact insert accommodates at least one contact element and / or at least one plug connector module and / or a half plug connector module and has at least one fastening frame. The fastening frame has at least one second retaining profile, wherein the second retaining profile corresponds to the first retaining profile. The corresponding holding profiles, namely the first holding profile and the second holding profile, are releasably connected by means of a holding mechanism, wherein the fastening frame is held in the plug connector housing by means of the holding mechanism. According to the invention, the retaining mechanism has at least one fastening body, a spring element and a fastening element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention is based on a plug-in connector with a contact insert fastener of the type according to independent claim 1 .

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for connecting a contact insert to a plug-in connector housing of a plug-in connector according to claim 13 .

[0003] Such a contact insert fastener is required in order to preferably releasably fasten a contact insert, which is optionally embodied as a module holding frame for accommodating a plug connector module and / or a half of a plug connector module, in a plug connector housing. Background Art

[0004] Industrial plug connectors, also called heavy-duty plug connectors or rectangular plug connectors, usually have a contact insert which is releasably fastened in a plug connector housing by means of a screw connection. In this case, the contact insert can be designed directly for accommodating contact elements. Alternatively, the prior art also discloses clever solutions in which the contact insert is designed as a holding frame which in turn accommodates one or more identical and / or mutually different plug connector modules. In this case, the plug connector module can also consist of a plurality of modular components which can likewise be identical and / or mutually different.

[0005] DE 197 07 120 C1 discloses a plug connector with a contact carrier, wherein the contact carrier is implemented as a holding frame for a plug connector module. Here, the contact carrier is conventionally fastened in the plug connector housing by means of a screw connection.

[0006] A disadvantage of the connection technology that is preferably used in the prior art is that a relatively long period of time is required in order to releasably introduce the contact carrier into the plug connector housing by means of four screw connections, which are usually arranged at the corners of the contact carrier. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a plug-in connector which can be equipped with a contact insert in a simple and quick manner and in which the contact insert is releasably and securely fastened in a plug-in connector housing of the plug-in connector.

[0008] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is to specify a method for simply and quickly fastening a contact insert in a plug-type connector housing, which method enables the contact insert to engage in the plug-type connector housing in a releasable and firmly fitting manner.

[0009] This object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1 and by the method of independent claim 13 .

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0011] The invention is based on an electrical plug connector, which has a plug connector housing with a cable lead-through opening, a connection opening, at least one first retaining shaped part and at least one contact insert. The contact insert accommodates at least one contact element and / or at least one plug connector module and / or half a plug connector module. The contact insert has at least one fastening frame, which has at least one second retaining shaped part, wherein the second retaining shaped part corresponds to the first retaining shaped part. The corresponding retaining shaped parts, i.e. the first retaining shaped part and the second retaining shaped part, are releasably connected by means of a retaining mechanism, wherein the fastening frame is retained in the plug connector housing by means of the retaining mechanism. According to the invention, the retaining mechanism has at least one fixing body, a spring element and a fixing element.

[0012] In principle, a plug connector housing is understood to be a housing of a cable end provided with contact elements. Plug connector housings are usually made of metal or plastic. In the case of plastic housings, electrically conductive plastics are also used. In addition, there are plug connector housings that are molded from composite materials, wherein the housing can be formed from metal and plastic or different metals or different plastics.

[0013] A cable lead-through opening is particularly understood to be a recess in a plug connector housing, which is provided for guiding one or more electrical leads and / or cables through. These cable lead-through openings are usually integrated with a cable gland, so that the objects led through are at least partially sealed against external media, such as dust, dirt or fluids.

[0014] The term “connection opening” refers to a recess in a plug connector housing, which is shaped for connection to a mating plug connector or a mating plug connector housing and / or a contact element arranged therein.

[0015] The term "first retaining profile" refers to a device on or in the plug connector housing, which is provided to enable the fastening of further components of the plug connector. Usually, a blind hole with an internal thread is inserted into the plug connector housing, into which a screw is introduced for fastening the further component. In this case, the first retaining profile usually extends into the plug connector housing, thereby locking the further component in the direction of the interior of the plug connector housing.

[0016] Behind the expression "contact insert" lie various alternatives. Firstly, this refers to a simple insulating body and / or a contact carrier, which serves to accommodate and / or spatially and / or electrically separate the contact elements. In the prior art, module holding frames are known, which in the case of the present invention are also understood as contact inserts in the assembled embodiment, i.e. with accommodated modules. Such module holding frames are designed to accommodate different and / or identical types of plug connector modules, wherein each plug connector module itself is understood as a contact insert or contact carrier. Recently, there are also a plurality of plug connector modules, which can be formed from identical and / or mutually different submodules.

[0017] On the one hand, a fastening frame is a mold frame and / or a mounting frame which is designed to fasten the contact insert in the plug connector housing. The module holding frame generally also has the properties of the fastening frame desired in the present invention. In particular in the case of a simple insulating body, the fastening frame can be designed in multiple parts and arranged on the insulating body.

[0018] The term "second retaining shaped part" refers to a device on or in the fastening frame, which is designed to enable the contact carrier to be fastened to the plug connector housing. Usually, through-holes are introduced into the fastening frame, through which screws for fastening to the plug connector housing are guided. In this case, the second retaining shaped part usually projects outwards, that is, away from the contact carrier.

[0019] A retaining mechanism is an element that is provided for connecting a first retaining profile with a second retaining profile. In other words, the retaining mechanism is used to secure the contact insert in the plug connector housing. Ideally, the retaining mechanism is designed to releasably connect the contact insert to the plug connector housing. According to the present invention, the retaining mechanism is composed of different components. Among these components, there is at least one fixed body, a spring element and a fixed element. For different embodiments, the component can be composed of a plurality of elements. Therefore, it may be meaningful that the fixed body is composed of at least two elements, such as a rotating pin and a head and / or a flange arranged thereon. In a particularly advantageous manner, the spring element can be implemented as at least one disc spring and / or a helical spring and / or a leaf spring and / or a wave spring and / or a rubber spring. Of course, a combination of the aforementioned spring element and other spring elements can also be considered.

[0020] A retaining element designed in this way enables a simple, quick and reliable assembly of the contact insert in the plug connector housing. It is particularly useful here if the fixing body is designed as a pin-shaped element with a head and / or a flange, which covers the second retaining profile of the fastening frame. In this way, the retaining profile and thus the contact insert cannot pass over the retaining element, so that a reliable connection is ensured.

[0021] One embodiment provides that the retaining means is designed as a rivet, in particular as an expanding rivet. In this context, these terms can be assigned as follows: the fixing body is formed by the rivet head, the expanding leg or at least its connection to the rivet head represents the spring element, and the rivet pin is regarded as the fixing element. In order to implement the expanding rivet releasably, it is proposed to design the rivet pin with a head which enables the pin to be removed from the actuated expanding rivet.

[0022] As an alternative to this, the holding mechanism is implemented as a quick-release locking element, in particular a quarter-turn locking element. In this case, the locking pin together with the latch bolt forms the fixing body, the commonly used disc springs and / or helical springs can of course be regarded as spring elements, and the fixing element can be understood here as a sleeve with a cam track and / or a cam track arranged on the first retaining profile. As an alternative, a simple recess corresponding to the latch bolt can also be provided for the cam track. Other embodiments of the quarter-turn locking element are known in the prior art and are also conceivable.

[0023] In an improved embodiment, the holding mechanism has a release element. As a release element, a component is provided which is designed to return the holding mechanism to an initial state in a simple manner, so that not only the holding mechanism but also the contact insert secured thereby can be removed from the plug connector housing again. An essentially sleeve-shaped embodiment of the release element is particularly ingenious. The sleeve can be designed as a tubular C-clip. In other words, the release element can have a slot which, in particular in combination with a fixing body designed in one piece, allows two components to be connected to one another in a simple manner.

[0024] Another embodiment provides that the release element is connected at least to the flag, which, after actuation of the holding mechanism, points substantially toward and / or projects beyond the fastening body, thereby signaling the engagement of the holding mechanism in the first holding profile. Assembly can be further simplified by such signaling, which advantageously indicates a secure actuation of the holding mechanism, particularly in the case of quarter-turn closures and / or push-push locking devices.

[0025] Another embodiment provides that the fixing element engages with a first retaining profile of the plug connector housing. This means that the latching sleeve of the push-push mechanism is screwed, pressed or bonded into the first retaining profile. Instead of the latching sleeve, a latching spring, a latching hook or a similar element can be introduced in a similar manner. Alternatively, in the case of a quarter-turn latch, a mating part for a latching bolt of the locking pin can be introduced into the first retaining profile or inserted via a component such as a sleeve. Such a sleeve can be screwed, pressed or bonded similarly to the fixing element of the push-push mechanism.

[0026] Another embodiment provides that the fixing body is releasably engaged with the fixing element by a first pressure movement of the fixing body in the direction of the plug connector housing. For this purpose, the fixing body is provided, for example, with a recess into which the fixing element at least partially engages during the first pressure movement. In certain embodiments, for example in the case of a pin-shaped fixing body, it may be meaningful to form the recess circumferentially so that the fixing element surrounding the fixing body in a tubular manner can also engage without problems in the recess. Thus, a latching mechanism, such as a push-in mechanism, a push-pull mechanism and / or a push-push mechanism, can be provided.

[0027] Another embodiment provides that the fixed body is released from the fixed element by a second pressure movement of the fixed body in the direction of the plug connector housing. This type of locking device is known, for example, from ballpoint pens and is referred to as a ballpoint pen mechanism or a push-push mechanism. Preferably, the fixed body is provided with a release element for this purpose, wherein the release element is movably arranged in a circumferential recess as a sleeve along the longitudinal axis of the fixed body. The fixed element is implemented as a sleeve, which tapers conically at least in its end region against the plug-in direction. At least the tapering part of the fixed element is provided with a longitudinally oriented groove, thereby achieving elastic deformation. Therefore, by the first pressure movement of the fixed body, the release element is displaced from the fixed element. Then, the fixed element engages in the recess of the fixed body. The spring element presses the fixed body in the plug-in direction. However, since the fixed element engages in the recess of the fixed body, the contact insert and the plug connector housing remain connected by the spring tensioning force of the spring element.

[0028] Another embodiment provides that the fastening body is releasably engaged with the fastening element by a first rotational movement along the longitudinal axis of the fastening body. In this case, the rotational movement refers to at least a partial rotation of the fastening body, but at most a full rotation. In this way, a difference is ensured from conventional screw connections, which usually require multiple thread pitches, i.e. full rotations.

[0029] Another embodiment provides that the holding means, in particular the fixing body, is additionally subjected to a first pressure movement. This pressure movement is required in particular in known quarter-turn closures in order to bring the latching bolt of the fixing body into engagement with the cam track of the fixing element. The fixing body is substantially released from the fixing element by a second rotational movement along the longitudinal axis of the fixing body. The second rotational movement is carried out in the opposite direction of the first rotational movement.

[0030] Furthermore, the invention discloses a method for connecting a contact insert to a plug connector housing of a plug connector, wherein the plug connector housing has at least one first retaining molded part, and wherein the contact insert has at least one second retaining molded part, wherein the first retaining molded part corresponds to the second retaining molded part, wherein at least one retaining mechanism is used to connect the contact insert to the plug connector housing, the retaining mechanism having a fixing body, a fixing element and a spring element.

[0031] In another embodiment, the fixing body is engaged into a fixing element which is engaged with the first retaining molding by a first pressure movement on the fixing body in the direction of the plug-in connector housing, wherein the contact insert is locked in the plug-in direction against unintentional release by means of a retaining mechanism and is locked against unintentional release from the first retaining molding in the opposite direction of the plug-in direction.

[0032] A further embodiment provides that a second pressure movement on the fastening body counter to the plug-in direction releases the holding means from the first holding profile in such a way that the fastening body can be removed from the first holding profile.

[0033] Another embodiment provides that the fixing body engages into a fixing element engaged with the first retaining molding by a first rotational movement along the longitudinal axis of the fixing body, and the contact insert is locked in the plug-in direction by means of a retaining mechanism to prevent unintentional release and is locked opposite to the plug-in direction to prevent unintentional release from the first retaining molding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It is shown in the drawings:

[0035] Figure 1 A perspective sectional view showing a retaining mechanism according to the present invention in a plug connector;

[0036] Figure 2 A perspective sectional view showing the rotation of the holding mechanism according to the invention in the plug connector;

[0037] Figure 3 A perspective sectional view shows an alternative retaining mechanism according to the invention in a plug connector;

[0038] Figure 4 A perspective view of a holding mechanism according to the invention in a fastening frame is shown.

[0039] The drawings include partially simplified schematic illustrations. In some cases, the same reference numerals are used for identical, but possibly different, elements. Different views of the same element may be scaled differently. Directional indications, such as "left", "right", "upper" and "lower", are to be understood with reference to the corresponding drawings and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the objects shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 2 A section through an electrical plug connector is shown, in which a part of the plug connector housing 1 can be seen. The plug connector housing 1 has a blind hole here, which is provided with an internal thread and forms a first retaining molded part 2 in the sense of the invention. In addition, the following area of ​​the contact carrier 3 can be seen, which is mostly embodied for accommodating electrical contact elements (not shown). The contact carrier 3 is usually formed from plastic. Here, the contact carrier 3 is surrounded by a fastening frame 4. The fastening frame 4 can be embodied in one piece. Alternatively, the fastening frame 4 is formed from two or more separate elements. The fastening frame 4 has a second retaining molded part 5, which is embodied as a simple through-hole in the view. The retaining means 6 is located in the first retaining molded part 2 in an engaged manner and is guided through the second retaining molded part 5. The retaining means 6 is embodied in multiple parts, wherein the fixing body 60 is provided with a cylindrical head 67, which has a larger diameter at its widest point than the diameter of the second retaining molded part 5. In addition, the retaining means 6 has a spring element 62, which is arranged at Figure 167 is shown as a disc spring. Of course, two or more disc springs can also be used to improve the holding effect. It is meaningful that the outer diameter of the spring element is comparable to the diameter of the head 67. In addition, a fixing element 62 belongs to the holding mechanism 6, wherein the fixing element 62 is arranged in the first holding molded portion 2. The fixing element 62 is screwed into the first holding molded portion 2 in a simple manner. Alternative fastening of the fixing element 62 in the first holding molded portion 2 is conceivable and can provide advantages. Here, in particular, methods such as pressing or pasting can be provided. The fixing element 62 of the holding mechanism 6 has a locking element 65 pointing in the opposite direction to the plug-in direction S. The locking element 65 is designed to interact with the locking molded portion 66 of the fixed body 60. The fixed body 60 also has a release element 63 in an ingenious way. The holding mechanism 6 therefore moves against the plug-in direction S during the first pressure movement D, wherein the fixing element 62 first blocks the release element 63. During the blocking of the release element 63, the latching element 65 of the fixing element 62 can engage in the latching profile 66 of the fixing body 60. The fastening frame 4 is forced to fix in the plug-in direction S by the spring force F. A second, deeper pressure movement D conveys the release element 63 along the fixing element 62 against the plug-in direction S, so that the latching element 65 is released from the latching profile 66. Here, the latching element 65 can fix the release element 63 for a short time, so that the latching element 65 cannot re-engage in the latching profile 66 when the fixing body 60 is returned. As a result, the holding mechanism 6 is released again, so that the fastening frame 4 can be removed from the plug-in connector housing 1. Instead of the second pressure movement D for releasing the holding mechanism 6, the release element 63 has a flag 64, which remains in position after the first pressure movement D so as to indicate the engagement of the latching element 65 in the latching profile 66. The flag 64 can be used ideally to move the release element 63 counter to the plug-in direction S in order to initiate a release process of the latching element 65 from the latching shaped portion 66 .

[0041] exist Figure 3 An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. It is particularly clear that the fixing body 60 is implemented in two parts, namely consisting of a fixing body 60 and a fixing body 60 '. This embodiment makes it possible in particular to implement the release element 63 as a tubular sleeve, while Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 The one-piece embodiment requires that the release element 63 can be clipped / pushed onto the fixing body 60. Figure 3In the embodiment shown, the fixing body parts, i.e. the fixing body 60 and the fixing body 60', are shown in a manner screwed to each other. Other fastening methods and / or joining methods are conceivable and may be meaningful. In addition, in the embodiment shown, no flag is assigned to the release element 63. In order to achieve sufficient fastening of the first retaining profile 2 and the second retaining profile 5, the spring element 61 is implemented as a helical spring element.

[0042] exist Figure 4 1 and 2 clearly show an embodiment of the holding mechanism 6 according to the invention without the plug connector housing 1. Here, the fixing element 62 is only shown in order to better illustrate the cooperation between the fixing body 60 and the release element 63 in the fixing element 62. As mentioned above, in this case, the release element 63 is embodied as a sleeve-shaped clip.

[0043] Even if different aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the drawings, it is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones, unless otherwise stated. In particular, corresponding units or feature combinations from different embodiments can be interchanged.

[0044] Reference numerals list

[0045] 1 Plug connector housing

[0046] 2. First retaining molding part

[0047] 3 Contact insert

[0048] 4 Fasten the frame

[0049] 5 Second holding molding part

[0050] 6. Holding mechanism

[0051] 60 Fixed body

[0052] 61 Spring element

[0053] 62 Fixing elements

[0054] 63 Release element

[0055] 64 Flag Department

[0056] 65 Locking element

[0057] 66 Lock forming unit

[0058] 67 Head

[0059] S Plug direction

[0060] D Pressure Exercise

[0061] F Spring force

Claims

1. An electrical plug connector, comprising a plug connector housing (1), the plug connector housing having a cable lead-through opening, a connection opening, at least one first retaining shaped part (2) and at least one contact insert (3), wherein the contact insert (3) accommodates at least one contact element and / or at least one plug connector module and / or half of a plug connector module, and the contact insert (3) has at least one fastening frame (4), the fastening frame having at least one second retaining shaped part (5), wherein the second retaining shaped part (5) corresponds to the first retaining shaped part (2), wherein at least one retaining means (6) interacts with the first retaining shaped part (2) and the corresponding second retaining shaped part (5), and wherein, The fastening frame (4) is held in the plug connector housing (1) by means of the holding means (6). It is characterized in that The holding mechanism (6) has at least one fixing body (60), a spring element (61) and a fixing element (62).

2. Electrical plug connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The holding means (6) is designed as a rivet, in particular as an expanding rivet.

3. Electrical plug connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The holding mechanism (6) is designed as a quick-release closure, in particular a quarter-turn closure.

4. Electrical plug connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The holding mechanism (6) has a release element (63).

5. Electrical plug connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The release element (63) is connected to at least one flag (64) which, after actuation of the holding device (6), points substantially away from the fixing body (60), thereby signaling the engagement of the holding device (6) in the first holding profile (2).

6. Electrical plug connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fixing element (62) engages with the first retaining profile (2) of the plug connector housing (1).

7. Electrical plug connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fixing body (60) is brought into releasable engagement with the fixing element (62) by a first pressure movement (D) of the fixing body (60) in the direction of the plug connector housing (1).

8. The electrical plug connector according to claim 7, characterized in that The fixing body (60) is released from the fixing element (62) by a second pressure movement (D) of the fixing body (60) in the direction of the plug connector housing (1).

9. Electrical plug connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The retaining mechanism (6) can basically be inserted and released using the push-push principle.

10. Electrical plug connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fixing body (60) is releasably engaged with the fixing element (62) by a first rotational movement along the longitudinal axis of the fixing body (60).

11. The electrical plug connector according to claim 10, characterized in that The holding device (6), in particular the fixing body (60), is additionally acted upon by a first pressure movement (D).

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The fixing body (60) is substantially released from the fixing element (62) by a second rotational movement along the longitudinal axis of the fixing body (60).

13. Method for connecting a contact insert (3) to a plug connector housing (1), wherein: The plug connector housing (1) has at least one first retaining shaped part (2), and the contact insert (3) has at least one second retaining shaped part (5), wherein the first retaining shaped part (2) corresponds to the second retaining shaped part (5), It is characterized in that In order to connect the contact insert (3) to the plug connector housing (1), at least one holding means (6) is used, which has a fixing body (60), a fixing element (62) and a spring element (61).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that By means of a first pressure movement (D) on the fixing body in the direction of the plug-in connector housing (1), the fixing body (60) engages in the fixing element (62) which is engaged with the first retaining molding (2), and wherein the contact insert (3) is locked in the plug-in direction (S) by means of the retaining mechanism (6) to prevent unintentional release and is locked opposite to the plug-in direction (S) to prevent unintentional release from the first retaining molding (2).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that A second pressure movement (D) on the fixing body (60) opposite to the plug-in direction (S) releases the holding means (6) from the first holding profile (2), so that the fixing body (60) can be removed from the first holding profile (2).

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that By means of a first rotational movement along the longitudinal axis of the fixing body (60), the fixing body (60) engages in the fixing element (62) which is engaged with the first retaining molding (2), and the contact insert (3) is locked in the plug-in direction (S) by means of the retaining mechanism (6) to prevent unintentional release and is locked opposite to the plug-in direction (S) to prevent unintentional release from the first retaining molding (2).

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