Plug coupling, in particular for power supply line of shock absorber

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug coupling, in particular for a power supply line of a shock absorber, comprising two coupling parts having the functions of a plug and a line socket, one of the coupling parts having an end-side profiled sleeve with a curved profile having a first deflection profile and a second deflection profile, wherein the curved profile starts from the highest point in the deflection profile and terminates in a guide groove, into which an axially extending connecting web of the other coupling part engages when the two coupling parts are rotationally aligned as defined, and wherein the connecting web is provided with a counter profile, the invention relates to a plug coupling having a curved profile and a counter profile, the counter profile at least partially contacting the curved profile during a connection movement of the two coupling parts and generating a torque between the two coupling parts, the curved profile and the counter profile having an asymmetry at least with respect to an axis of the plug coupling.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a plug coupling for an electrical supply line according to the preamble of claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] A connector device with a self-aligning feature is known from patent document EP 2 795 739 B1, in which a plug has a first element, namely a receiving opening defined by a profile sleeve. The profile sleeve has a symmetrical curved profile at the end side, which ends in two symmetrically opposite guide grooves. The curved profile of the plug extends conically from an upper end point to the guide groove.

[0003] The line socket as the second element of the connector device has a counter-shaped portion on the outer circumference which is complementary to the curved shaped portion and which also extends on the end side at the two axially extending connecting pieces.

[0004] During the movement of the line socket onto the plug, the curved profile and the counter profile produce a rotational relative movement between the two elements of the connector device until the connecting piece of the line socket engages in the guide groove of the plug. In this position, for example, the pins of the plug are functionally correctly aligned with the contact points in the line socket.

[0005] During the rotational movement, the plug is held axially in the support member by the outer retaining profile in the region of the profiled sleeve. The support member can be, for example, a hollow piston rod of a vibration damper. In EP 2 795 739 B1, the line socket can be rotated without problems in the socket connector housing 21, i.e., for example, in the piston rod, when the counter-profile is engaged on the curved profile, for example, when the tops of the two counter-profiles are attached to the upper end points of the curved profile of the plug at the line socket.

[0006] When the connector device is used in a hollow piston rod, this possibility of supporting the push-in movement is not always easy to implement, because one end region of the piston rod is accommodated together with the connector device in the housing to protect the connector device. In addition, the piston rod has a multi-toothed profile on the inside for the rotational support of the line socket, into which the line socket engages with a corresponding multi-toothed profile in order to ensure contact in the plug connection. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the invention is to prevent jamming between the plug and the line socket when the plug coupling is closed.

[0008] This object is achieved in that the curved profile and the counter profile have an asymmetry at least with respect to the axis of the plug coupling.

[0009] This asymmetry ensures that the plug coupling does not get stuck at the beginning of the insertion movement of the plug into the line socket, because there is a slight play between the two elements of the plug coupling. This promotes automatic alignment between the plug and the line socket.

[0010] A first possibility for an asymmetry in the plug coupling is that the deflection contour of the curved profile of the profiled sleeve has a different axial distance from the corresponding profile of the connecting piece.

[0011] This different distance is preferably achieved by an asymmetry at the line socket in that the highest point of a first deflection contour of the profiled sleeve has a greater axial distance from the opposite seating surface at the end than a second deflection contour arranged separated by the guide groove.

[0012] As an alternative or additional measure, it may be that the deflection contour of the curve profile between two guide grooves has a different profile curve than a second, opposite deflection contour.

[0013] In this case, it can be provided that a first subsection within the deflection contour has an asymmetry compared to a second subsection of the deflection contour with respect to the highest point of the deflection contour.

[0014] The asymmetry can be realized particularly conveniently by forming the asymmetry by at least two inclined regions with different inclinations. Thus, the substantially very advantageous conical shape of the curved profile can still be used.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, starting from the highest point of the deflection contour, the first inclined region has a smaller inclination relative to the horizontal axis than the second inclined region.

[0016] With a view to ensuring a secure rotational guidance of the line socket in the piston rod, the profiled sleeve has a segmented rotary bearing profile, wherein at least one rotary bearing segment is arranged downstream of the two deflection contours.

[0017] Furthermore, there is a possible solution for achieving asymmetry in the plug connector, namely that the molded sleeve has two opposing deflection contours, wherein a first circumferential angle starting from the highest point of the first deflection contour along a first direction to the highest point of the second deflection contour is greater than a second circumferential angle between the highest point of the first deflection contour and the highest point of the second deflection contour along a second direction.

[0018] It has proven to be advantageous here if the first circumferential angle extends at different inclinations over subsections of the deflection contour. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The present invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 A sectional view of the vibration damper in the region of the coil arrangement is shown;

[0021] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 A longitudinal sectional view of a piston rod;

[0022] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The plug connector is shown in different cross-sectional views;

[0023] Figures 5 to 8 The diagram of the plug is shown in different views,

[0024] Fig. 9 A top view of the plug is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 A section of an adjustable shock absorber 1 is shown. The damping valve device is not shown in the figure. A hollow piston rod 5 is guided in an axially movable manner in the cylinder 3, which piston rod serves in particular as a longitudinal channel 7 for the line 9 of an electric coil 11. The coil 11 comprises a coil base 13 and a winding 15, which is only shown schematically. A pot-shaped coil housing 17 is fixed to the hollow piston rod 5, which accommodates the coil 11.

[0026] The coil housing 17 is fixed to the hollow piston rod 5 by means of a welding process which limits the heat locally. Preferably, a laser welding process is used.

[0027] Figure 2 The hollow piston rod 5 is shown in which a plug 19 connected to the line 9 is arranged in the region of the end of the piston rod remote from the coil housing 17. The line 9 has a second line socket 21 for connection to a plug coupling of the coil housing 17.

[0028] The first plug 19 and the line socket 21 are supported in the piston rod 5 in an axially fixed manner but rotatably in the circumferential direction. The piston rod 5 comprises a tubular section 23 with a constant cross section. A piston rod journal 25 is welded to the tubular section 23, in which the plug 19 is arranged. The plug 19 is received in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The coil housing 17 is connected to the line socket 27 shown in the drawing and thus a connection is established between the coil housing 17 and the onboard electrical system of the motor vehicle (not shown).

[0029] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first plug coupling 29 is shown in different views with the plug 19 as a connection part in the hollow piston rod 5 and with the line socket 27 which can be pushed into the piston rod.

[0030] The plug 19 has an end-side profile sleeve 31 with a curve profile 33 with a first upper deflection contour 35 and a second upper deflection contour 37, wherein the curve profile starts from the highest point in the deflection contours 35, 37 and ends in a guide groove 39, 41 arranged axially deeper. The illustrated variant has two deflection contours 35, 37 that are opposite to each other with respect to the longitudinal axis of the plug coupling 29. Each deflection contour 35, 37 has two sections 35A, 35B, 37A, 37B, which have different (opposite or opposite) inclination angles relative to the highest point of the deflection contour.

[0031] When the line socket 27 and the plug 19 are rotationally aligned as specified, the axially extending connecting pieces 43, 45 of the line socket 27 engage in the guide grooves 39, 41. The connecting pieces 43, 45 are arranged on the peripheral side surface 47 outside the corresponding sleeve 49 of the line socket 27. The outer diameter of the peripheral side surface 47 is smaller than the inner diameter of the molded sleeve 31, so that the corresponding sleeve 49 can be pushed into the molded sleeve 31. The axially extending connecting pieces 43, 45 form a larger diameter with their radial outer surfaces 51, 53 than the inner diameter of the molded sleeve 31. This ensures that the corresponding molded part 55 of the connecting pieces 43, 45 always slides on the curved molded part 33 until it can engage in the guide grooves 39, 41. From Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can be seen that the line socket 27 has two axially extending connecting pieces 43 , 45 arranged opposite each other.

[0032] The counter sleeve 49 has a longitudinal section in the direction of the line housing 57 of the line socket 27, which has a diameter enlarged relative to the circumferential side surface 47 with the axially extending connecting pieces 43, 45, and which has a multi-toothed profile 59, which engages in a multi-toothed hollow profile 61 in the piston rod 5. When the multi-toothed profile engages in the multi-toothed hollow profile, the line socket 27 is fixed in the circumferential direction and can only move axially in the piston rod 5.

[0033] The axially extending connecting pieces 43, 45 are formed with a counter-profile 55 for sliding movement on the curved profile 33. The counter-profile and the curved profile at least partially contact during the connecting movement of the two coupling parts and generate a torque between the two coupling parts 19, 27.

[0034] Figures 5 to 8 The enlarged view shows the Figures 1 to 4 A plug and pins thereof, wherein it can be seen that the curved shaped portion and the counter-shaped portion are asymmetrical at least about the axis of the plug connector.

[0035] A first and clearly visible asymmetry in the plug coupling 29 is that the deflection contours 35 , 37 of the curved profile 33 of the profiled sleeve 31 have different axial distances from the counter-profile 55 of the axially extending webs 43 , 45 . Figure 5 In particular, it is shown that the highest point of the first deflection contour 35 of the molded sleeve 31 has a greater axial distance from the end-opposite seating surface 64 than the second deflection contour 37 separated by the guide grooves 39, 41. Each deflection contour 35, 37 comprises two funnel-shaped guide surfaces which descend from the respective highest point in the direction of the guide groove. Figure 5 and Figure 7 The height difference of the deflection contours 35 , 37 can be clearly seen in FIG.

[0036] In addition to or as an alternative to the asymmetry of the deflection profiles 35, 37, such as Figure 6 As shown, the deflection profile 35 of the curve profile 33 can have a different profile curve between the two guide grooves 39, 41 than the opposite deflection profile 37. The slope shows a small difference between the subsections 35A, 35B of the deflection profile, so that one connecting piece 43, 45 of the line socket 27 rests on the first subsection 35A, and the opposite connecting piece 43, 45 has at least a small distance relative to the subsection 37B of the deflection profile 37, because the slope of the opposite deflection profile is greater. (α<δ)

[0037] If the first subsection 35A of the deflection profile 35 has an asymmetry, the asymmetry can also develop within the deflection profiles 35, 37. Figure 6 , the left subsection 35A exhibits different inclined regions 35A1, 35A2 below the highest point of the turning profile 35. In contrast, the right subsection 35B is provided with a continuous taper angle. Starting from the highest point of the turning profile, the first inclined region has a smaller slope relative to the horizontal axis than the second inclined region.

[0038] (angle α<β)

[0039] Even if the profiled sleeve 31 has different heights in the two deflection contours 35, 37, for the segmented rotary bearing profile 65 (see Figure 2 ) At least one rotatable bearing section 67 , 69 is arranged so that the plug 19 is rotatably supported on the two deflection contours 35 , 37 in the hollow piston rod 5 .

[0040] Watch together Figure 6 and Fig. 9, which shows a further feature for producing an asymmetry at the profile sleeve 31. The top view of the profile sleeve 31 shows the highest point 73 of the deflection profile 35 on the transverse axis 71 of the profile sleeve 31. The auxiliary line 75 intersects the highest point 77 of the opposite second deflection profile 37. A first circumferential angle 79 starting from the highest point 73 of the first deflection profile 35 in a first direction to the highest point 77 of the second deflection profile 37 is greater than a second circumferential angle 81 between the highest point 73 of the first deflection profile 35 and the highest point 77 of the second deflection profile 37 in a second direction.

[0041] Figure 6 and Fig. 9 It is also described that the larger first circumferential angle 79 extends at different inclinations on the subsections 35A1 , 35A2 of the curved profile 35 . Figure 6 In FIG. 8 , the offset 83 of the two circumferential angles 73 , 77 is shown by two auxiliary lines 75 .

[0042] When the line socket 27 is assembled, it is pushed together with the counter sleeve 49 into the profile sleeve 31 of the plug 19 in the piston rod 5. As soon as the multi-toothed profile 59 and the multi-toothed hollow profile 61 of the piston rod 5 engage with each other, the line socket 27 can no longer be rotated in the circumferential direction relative to the piston rod 5 in order to support the sliding movement of the axially extending connecting pieces 43, 45 on the curved profile 33. This asymmetry ensures that there is an initial one-sided contact between the line socket 27 and the plug 19. This one-sided contact facilitates the rotation function of the plug 19 in the rotation bearing 65 of the piston rod 5, so that the line socket 27 can be easily introduced into the plug 19 without jamming, until the axially extending connecting pieces 43, 45 engage in the guide grooves 39, 41 and only an axial coupling movement is possible in the plug coupling 29.

[0043] List of reference numerals:

[0044] 1 Shock absorber

[0045] 3 Cylinder

[0046] 5 Piston rod

[0047] 7 Longitudinal channel

[0048] 9 lines

[0049] 11 Coil

[0050] 13 Coil substrate

[0051] 15 Winding

[0052] 17 Coil housing

[0053] 19 Plug

[0054] 21 Line Socket

[0055] 23 Tubular section of piston rod

[0056] 25 Piston rod journal

[0057] 27 Line Socket

[0058] 29 Plug connector

[0059] 31 Forming sleeve

[0060] 33 Curve Forming Department

[0061] 35 First turning profile

[0062] 35A Subsection of the turning profile

[0063] 35A1 Sloped area of ​​the turning profile

[0064] 35A2 Sloped area of ​​the turning profile

[0065] 35B Subsection of the turning profile

[0066] 37 Second turning profile

[0067] 39 Guide slot

[0068] 41 Guide slot

[0069] 43 Axially extending connecting piece

[0070] 45 Axially extending connecting piece

[0071] 47 Week Side

[0072] 49 corresponding sleeve

[0073] 51 External surface

[0074] 53 External surface

[0075] 55 Corresponding forming part

[0076] 57 Line housing

[0077] 59 Multi-tooth Forming Department

[0078] 61 Multi-tooth Forming Department

[0079] 63 pins

[0080] 64 Seat surface

[0081] 65 Rotating support

[0082] 67 Rotating bearing section

[0083] 69 Rotating bearing section

[0084] 71 Horizontal axis

[0085] 73 Highest point of turning profile 35

[0086] 75 Auxiliary lines

[0087] 77 Highest point of turning profile 37

[0088] 79 First circumference angle

[0089] 81 Second circumference angle

[0090] 83 Offset.

Claims

1. A plug connector (29) for a power supply line (9), in particular for a vibration damper (1), comprising two connection parts (19, 27) having the functions of a plug (19) and a line socket (27), wherein one of the connection parts (19) has an end-side profiled sleeve (31) with a curved profile (33), the curved profile having a first deflection contour (35) and a second deflection contour (37), wherein: The curved profile (33) starts from the highest point (73, 77) of the deflection profile (35, 37) and ends in a guide groove (39, 41), into which an axially extending connecting piece (43, 45) of another connecting part (27) engages when the two connecting parts (19, 27) are rotated and aligned in a specified manner, wherein the connecting pieces (43, 45) are provided with a corresponding profile (55), which at least partially contacts the curved profile (33) during the connecting movement of the two connecting parts (19, 27) and generates a torque between the two connecting parts (19, 27), characterized in that the curved profile (33) and the corresponding profile (55) are asymmetrical at least with respect to the axis of the plug connector (29).

2. The plug connector (29) according to claim 1, characterized in that The deflection contours (35, 37) of the curved profile (33) of the profile sleeve (31) have different axial distances relative to the corresponding profile (55) of the connecting piece (43, 45).

3. The plug coupling (29) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The highest point (73) of the first deflection contour (35) of the molded sleeve (31) has a greater axial distance from the base surface (64) opposite the end face than the highest point of the second deflection contour (37) arranged separated by the guide grooves (39, 41).

4. The plug coupling (29) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Between the two guide grooves (39, 41), the deflection profile (35) of the curve-shaped portion (33) has a different shaping curve relative to the opposite deflection profile (37).

5. The plug connector (29) according to claim 4, characterized in that A first subsection (35A) within the deflection profile (35) is asymmetrical relative to a second subsection (35B) of the deflection profile (35) about a highest point (73) of the deflection profile (35).

6. The plug connector (29) according to claim 5, characterized in that The asymmetry of the subsection (35A) of the deflection profile (35) is formed by at least two inclined regions (35A1, 35A2) having different inclinations.

7. The plug connector (29) according to claim 6, characterized in that Starting from the highest point (73) of the deflection profile (35), the first inclined region (35A2) has a smaller slope relative to the horizontal axis than the second inclined region (35A1).

8. The plug coupling (29) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The profiled sleeve (33) has a segmented rotary bearing profile (65), wherein at least one rotary bearing segment (67, 69) is arranged for two deflection contours (35, 37).

9. The plug coupling (29) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The molded sleeve (31) has two opposite deflection profiles (35, 37), wherein a first circumferential angle (79) from a highest point (73) of the first deflection profile (35) along a first direction to a highest point (77) of the second deflection profile (37) is greater than a second circumferential angle (81) between a highest point (73) of the first deflection profile (35) and a highest point (77) of the second deflection profile (37) along a second direction.

10. The plug coupling (29) according to claim 9, characterized in that The first circumferential angle (79) extends at different inclinations over a subsection (35A) of the deflection contour (35).

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