Connector part with a locking element

Abstract

Connector part (1) for connecting to an associated mating connector part (2), with - a case (10), - a plug-in section (100) arranged on the housing (10), which can be plugged in a direction (E) and connected to an associated mating connector part (2) and is engaged with the mating connector part (2) in a connection position, wherein at least one electrical contact element (15) for electrical contact with the mating connector part (2) is arranged on the plug-in section (10), - a locking element (11) movably arranged on the housing (10), which has a locking position for locking the connector part (1) relative to the mating connector part (2) in the connection position and is movable from the locking position to unlock the connection between the connector part (1) and the mating connector part (2), wherein the locking element (11) has a locking section (110) at a first end (111) for locking with the mating connector part (2) in the connection position, and - a push element (12) movably arranged on the housing (10), which can be actuated in a first actuation direction (C) and is operatively connected to the locking element (11) via a deflection element (13) in order to act on the locking element (11) via the deflection element (13) in a second actuation direction (B) different from the first actuation direction (C) to unlock the connection between the connector part (1) and the mating connector part (2), characterized in that the locking element (11) has an actuation section (112) at a second end located away from the locking section (110), which can be actuated in the second actuation direction (B) to move the locking element (11) out of its locked position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector part for connecting to an associated mating connector part according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a connector part comprises a housing and a plug-in section arranged on the housing, which can be plugged into an associated mating connector part in a plugging direction and is engaged with the mating connector part in a connected position, wherein at least one electrical contact element for making electrical contact with the mating connector part is arranged on the plug-in section. A locking element is movably arranged on the housing, which has a locking position for locking the connector part in the connected position relative to the mating connector part and is movable from the locking position to release the connection between the connector part and the mating connector part, wherein the locking element has a locking section at a first end for locking with the mating connector part in the connected position.The connector part further comprises a pressing element which is movably arranged on the housing and which can be actuated in a first actuating direction and is operatively connected to the locking element via a deflecting element in order to act on the locking element via the deflecting element in a second actuating direction which is different from the first actuating direction in order to unlock the connection between the connector part and the mating connector part.

[0003] Such a connector part can be designed, for example, as a charging plug on a charging system for charging an electrically powered vehicle (also referred to as an electric vehicle). Such a connector part can, for example, be arranged on a charging cable and plugged into a charging socket on a vehicle. To charge an electric vehicle, the charging plug is inserted into the charging socket and, when plugged in, establishes an electrical connection for transmitting a charging current in the form of an alternating current or a direct current.

[0004] In this context, the locking element serves to prevent the connector part from being accidentally pulled out of the associated mating connector part during a charging process, which would result in an interruption of the charging process. Due to the locking provided by the locking element in the connected position of the connector part with the mating connector part, the connector part is held in a defined position relative to the mating connector part and cannot be detached from the mating connector part in a direction opposite to the plugging direction.

[0005] Connector parts with a locking element are known, for example, from US 2013 / 0047687 A1, US 2011 / 0034053 A1 and DE 10 2013 204 904 A1.

[0006] In a conventional connector part, as described, for example, in US 2013 / 0047687 A1, the locking element can be actuated by manually pressing an actuating portion on the locking element, for example, with the thumb of the hand gripping the connector part. This allows the locking element to be lifted from its locked position, thus releasing the locking of the connector part with the associated mating connector part.

[0007] DE 10 2010 062 234 A1 discloses a connector part with a push element that is operatively connected to a locking element. The locking element can be actuated exclusively via the push element and not via the locking element itself. The locking element is articulated to a connecting rod via a joint, which in turn is operatively connected to the push element.

[0008] In DE 10 2010 041 229 A1, the locking element can also only be actuated indirectly via the push-button element. If the housing is arranged around the interior of the connector part, only a portion of the push-button element protrudes from the housing, so that a user can only actuate the push-button element to indirectly actuate the locking element. However, the locking element itself does not have an actuation section for a user.

[0009] WO 2011 / 092431 A1 describes a base for receiving an electrical plug and for fastening it to a motor vehicle. This base comprises a first blocking means, which is intended to cooperate with a second blocking means on the electrical plug to prevent decoupling of the base and the electrical plug when the first and second blocking means are in a first relative position, and to enable decoupling of the base and the electrical plug when the first and second blocking means are in a second relative position. Furthermore, a locking means is provided, which, in a first configuration, prevents movement from the first relative position to the second relative position and, in a second configuration, enables movement from the first relative position to the second relative position.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a connector part in which the ease of use for actuating the locking element can be improved.

[0011] This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0012] Accordingly, the locking element has an actuating section at a second end remote from the locking section, which can be actuated in the second actuating direction to move the locking element out of its locking position.

[0013] Because the push element is operatively connected to the locking element via the deflection element, the push element can be arranged spatially separate from the locking element on the housing of the connector part. For example, the locking element can be arranged on an upper back of the connector part, while the push element is arranged on a side facing away from the locking element, e.g., a lower side of the housing. A user grasping the connector part with one hand can thus, for example, act on the push element via their index finger (similar to a pistol trigger) to press the push element and thereby actuate the locking element.

[0014] The actuation takes place via the deflection element, which deflects the actuation force exerted on the push element and acts on the locking element in the second actuation direction, which is different from the first actuation direction, in order to release it from its locked position.

[0015] In this case, the first actuation direction being different from the second actuation direction means that the first actuation direction and the second actuation direction are not aligned in the same direction. The first actuation direction and the second actuation direction can, for example, be directed opposite to each other or at an angle to each other.

[0016] The push element can be operatively connected to the locking element, for example, via a lever mechanism, of which the deflecting element is a component. For this purpose, the deflecting element can be mounted on the housing so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis, for example. The deflecting element has a first lever arm extending in a first direction from the pivot axis, via which the deflecting element is operatively connected to the push element, and also a second lever arm extending in a second direction different from the first direction, via which the deflecting element is operatively connected to the locking element. If the push element acts on the first lever arm of the deflecting element in the first actuation direction, this leads to a pivoting of the deflecting element about its pivot axis, so that the second lever arm also pivots and the locking element is thereby actuated in the second actuation direction.

[0017] In one embodiment, the push element is pivotably mounted on the housing about a second pivot axis. The push element can thus be pivoted relative to the housing to actuate the push element in the first actuation direction.

[0018] However, it is also conceivable and possible to mount the push element on the housing in a movable manner, for example. In this case, the push element can be moved along a (straight or curved) path of movement on the housing to actuate the push element to unlock the locking element.

[0019] In one embodiment, the push element can, for example, have two transmission sections spaced apart from one another for acting on the deflection element. The transmission sections extend parallel to one another and are preferably axially spaced apart along the pivot axis associated with the push element. An electrical line can thus be routed between the transmission sections to electrically connect the electrical contact elements of the connector part.

[0020] To absorb an actuating force from the push element, the deflecting element can, for example, have a contact pin that extends, for example, parallel to the pivot axis associated with the deflecting element (transverse to the second actuating direction). The push element (for example, with its two spaced-apart transmission sections) acts on the deflecting element via the contact pin to move the deflecting element when the push element is actuated.

[0021] The push element preferably has, particularly on its spaced-apart transmission sections, a push contour extending obliquely to the first actuation direction. The push element acts on the deflection element via the push contour. Upon actuation of the push element, the push contour, for example, engages the contact pin of the deflection element and slides along the contact pin. The oblique orientation of the push contour allows a suitable transmission (or reduction) of the lever mechanism provided by the deflection element to be set, so that actuation of the push element leads to a suitable adjustment of the locking element for lifting the locking element from its locking position.

[0022] In one embodiment, the locking element can be arranged on the housing so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis. The locking element has a locking portion at one end for locking with the mating connector part in the connected position and can be actuated via an actuating portion at an end remote from the locking portion. The actuating portion can, for example, be accessible to a user from the outside, so that a user can, for example, press on the actuating portion from the outside in order to pivot the locking element, for example, about its pivot axis and move it out of its locking position.

[0023] Advantageously, the locking element is spring-loaded toward its locking position, so that the locking element automatically moves into its locking position when the connector part is inserted into the mating connector part. To release the locking, a user can, for example, press on the actuating section to pivot the locking element and release the locking.

[0024] The spring element that pre-tensions the locking element also (indirectly) pre-tensions the push element into its non-actuated initial position, so that the push element is held in the initial position when it is not actuated.

[0025] The deflection element can, for example, act on an arm of the locking element extending from the actuating section in order to press the actuating section in the second actuating direction upon actuation of the push element. The deflection element thus acts on the lever arm of the locking element, on which the actuating section is also formed. The locking element can thus be actuated via the deflection element in order to unlock the locking element.

[0026] On this arm, on which the deflection element acts, a locking device can also be arranged, for example, which serves to lock the locking element in the locked position. The locking device can be designed as a lock, for example. However, it is also conceivable and possible to design the locking device as a simple eyelet to which a padlock can be attached.

[0027] By providing the push element on the one hand and the actuating section on the locking element on the other, the locking element can be actuated in two ways. A user can press either the push element or the actuating section to unlock the locking element. The actuation of the locking element via the actuating section can be possible independently of the push element, so that when the locking element is actuated via the actuating section, the push element is not subjected to any force, and the push element, in particular, does not impede movement of the actuating section.If the locking element is actuated via the actuating section and thus moved out of operative connection with the push element, no force acts on the push element, whereby it is conceivable that the push element can move freely and independently if it is not separately spring-loaded into its non-actuated initial position via a spring element.

[0028] In this context, it is also conceivable and possible, in a different embodiment, that the locking element and the pushing element always move in a coupled manner and that the pushing element is moved along with the actuating section when the locking element is actuated.

[0029] However, when the push element is actuated, the actuating section is also moved, simply because the actuating section is formed on the locking element.

[0030] The actuating section of the locking element can, for example, be arranged on a first side of the housing of the connector part, for example on a housing back, and be accessible to a user for actuation. The pressing element, in contrast, can be arranged on a second side of the housing facing away from the first side, for example on a housing underside. A user who grips the connector part with one hand can thus, for example, conveniently act on the actuating section using their thumb or on the pressing element using their index finger in order to unlock the locking element optionally via the actuating section or the pressing element. Actuation by a user can thus be simple, intuitive, and convenient.

[0031] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a connector part in the form of a charging plug with a locking element arranged thereon and a pressing element for actuating the locking element; Fig. 2 another perspective view of the connector part; Fig. 3 a side view of the connector part; Fig. 4 a partially cutaway side view of the connector part; Fig. 5A is a partially cutaway perspective view of the connector part; Fig. 5B shows the partially cut-away perspective view with the push element actuated to unlock the locking element; Fig. 6A is a separate view of a locking assembly of the connector part; and Fig. 6B the assembly according to Fig. 6A, when the push button is pressed.

[0032] Fig. 1 to 6A, 6B show an embodiment of a connector part 1 in the form of a charging plug, which can be inserted in a plugging direction E (see Fig. 3) can be plugged into an associated mating connector part 2 in the form of a charging socket, for example on a vehicle.

[0033] The connector part 1 has a housing 10, on which a plug-in section 100 is arranged at a front end, which can be inserted in the plug-in direction E into a plug-in opening 20 of the mating connector part 2. Contact elements 15 (see Fig. 1) are arranged, which make electrical contact when connecting the connector part 1 with the mating connector part 2 and thus, in a connecting position of the connector part 1, establish an electrical connection between the connector part 1 and the mating connector part 2, via which a charging current can be transmitted, for example in the form of an alternating current.

[0034] The housing 10 has, at an end remote from the plug-in section 100, a handle 102 extending obliquely to the plug-in direction E, to which a cable outlet 101 is connected. An electrical line 4 (see Fig. 1) is led out of the connector part 1.

[0035] On the housing 10, around a pivot axis 113 (see Fig. 4) pivotable, a locking element 11 is provided which has a locking section 110 in the form of a latching nose at an end 111 facing the mating connector part 2, which engages in a locking engagement 21 of the mating connector part 2 when the connector part 1 is inserted into the mating connector part 2, so that the connection between the connector part 1 and the mating connector part 2 is locked and the connector part 1 cannot therefore be removed from the mating connector part 2 opposite to the plugging direction E, as long as the connector part 1 is locked to the mating connector part 2 via the locking element 11.

[0036] The locking element 11 is connected to a spring element 14 in the form of a compression spring (see Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B) is spring-loaded in the direction of its locking position relative to the housing 10, so that when the connector part 1 is inserted into the mating connector part 2, the locking is automatically established.

[0037] The locking section 110 is arranged on a first lever arm of the locking element 11, which extends from the pivot axis 113 in the direction of the plug-in section 100. On a second lever arm extending in the direction of the handle 102, an actuating section 112 is formed, which is accessible to a user from the outside and on which a user can press in an actuating direction B in order to pivot the locking element 11 about the pivot axis 113 and release the locking with the mating connector part 2. In order to remove the connector part 1 from the mating connector part 2, a user can thus press on the actuating section 112 to release the locking and can then pull the connector part 1 off the mating connector part 2 opposite to the plug-in direction E.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, an arm 115 is arranged on the actuating section 112, which extends beyond the actuating section 112 and on which a locking device 114 in the form of an eyelet is arranged. A lock 3 (see Fig. 3) in the form of a padlock to lock the locking element 11 in its locked position and thus prevent unauthorized release of the lock. Only an authorized user who has a key that matches the lock 3 can unlock the lock 3 and remove it from the locking device 114, allowing the locking element 11 to be actuated.

[0039] The locking element 11 can be actuated from its locked position via the actuating section 112 by a user, who grasps the handle 102 with one hand, pressing the actuating section 112 with a thumb and thus moving the actuating section 112 into the housing 10 in the actuating direction B. In this way, the locking element 11 with its locking section 110 is lifted out of the locking engagement 21 on the side of the mating connector part 2, so that the lock between the locking element 11 and the mating connector part 2 is released and the connector part 1 can thus be pulled out of the mating connector part 2 opposite to the plugging direction E.

[0040] Additionally, a push element 12 is provided, which—opposite the actuating portion 112 of the locking element 11 arranged on the back of the housing 10—is arranged on a housing underside of the housing 10 and can be actuated, for example, via the index finger of the user's hand grasping the handle 102. The push element 12 is mounted on the housing 10 so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis 120 and can be actuated in an actuating direction C to move the locking element 11 out of its locked position.

[0041] The pressing element 12 has, as can be seen for example from the views according to Fig. 6A and Fig. 6B, two transmission sections 121 spaced apart from one another along the pivot axis 120, which form a gap between them through which the cable 4 can be laid. The cable 4 can thus extend between the transmission sections 121 in order to be inserted within a contact insert 16 (see, for example, Fig. 4) to contact the contact elements 15 on the plug-in section 100 of the connector part 1 and to be led out of the housing 10 at the cable outlet 101.

[0042] Via pressing contours 122 formed on the transmission sections 121, the pressing element 12 acts on a deflecting element 13 in the form of a pivoting lever mounted on the housing 10 about a pivot axis 130. The pressing contours 122, which are directed obliquely to the actuation direction C, are in contact with a contact pin 133 extending parallel to the pivot axis 130 on a lever arm 131 of the deflecting element 13, so that the deflecting element 13 is pivoted about the pivot axis 130 when the pressing element 12 is actuated in the actuation direction C.

[0043] The deflection element 13 acts via a further lever arm 132 on the arm 115 of the locking element 11, which extends from the actuating section 112. Upon actuation of the pressing element 12 in the actuating direction C, the locking element 11 is thus pressed—via the lever arm 132 of the deflection element 13—on the arm 115 in the actuating direction B, so that the locking section 110 at the end of the locking element 11 facing away from the actuating section 112 is lifted out of the locking engagement 21 of the mating connector part 2, and the locking is thus released.

[0044] The oblique alignment of the pressing contours 122 and the length of the lever arms 131, 132 allow adjustment of the transmission (or reduction) for transmitting the actuating movement of the pressing element 12 to the locking element 11. The transmission of the actuating movement is such that, upon actuation of the pressing element 12, the locking element 11 is pivoted sufficiently far about its pivot axis 113 to release the locking portion 110 from the locking engagement 21. By means of a suitable transmission (or reduction), an adjusting force on the pressing element 12 can be adjusted, which enables user-friendly, haptically pleasant actuation of the pressing element 12 by a user.

[0045] The fact that the push element 12 is arranged on a side of the housing 10 facing away from the locking element 11 and can be actuated by a user like a pistol trigger results in simple, intuitive operation. The user can act on the locking element 11 either via the actuating section 112, for example with their thumb, or via the push element 12, for example with their index finger, to release the lock.

[0046] If the user actuates the locking element 11 by pressing the actuating section 112 in the actuating direction B, the locking element 11 is actuated independently of the pressing element 12, i.e., without the pressing element 12 being moved along with it or the actuation of the actuating section 112 being hindered in any way by the pressing element 12. In particular, in this case, the arm 115 of the locking element 11 is moved away from the lever arm 132 of the deflecting element 13, so that no force is transmitted to the deflecting element 13 and the pressing element 12.

[0047] If, on the other hand, a user actuates the push element 12 in order to unlock the locking element 11, the deflection element 13 is pivoted about its pivot axis 130 via the push element 12 and an actuating force is thereby exerted on the locking element 11 via the arm 115, so that the locking element 11 with its locking section 110 is lifted out of the locking engagement 21.

[0048] The locking element 11 is spring-loaded into its locking position via the spring element 14, so that when the connector part 1 is inserted in the plugging direction E into the mating connector part 2, the locking connection between the locking element 11 and the locking engagement 21 on the mating connector part 2 is automatically established. Unlocking occurs against the spring force of the spring element 14, so that after unlocking, the locking element 11 is automatically returned to its locking position.

[0049] The spring element 14 also resets the push element 12 and holds it in its non-actuated initial position.

[0050] The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can in principle also be implemented in completely different embodiments.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the connector part is implemented as a charging plug of a charging system for charging an electrically powered vehicle. However, a connector part of the type described here can also be designed differently, for example, as a charging socket or as a completely different connector part that is to be connected to an associated mating connector part to establish an electrical connection.

[0052] The push element can also be implemented differently than described. In particular, the push element can, for example, also be slidably mounted on the housing.

[0053] Likewise, the deflection element can also be arranged differently on the housing, for example it can be displaced on the housing.

[0054] Furthermore, the locking element can be pivotable or movable. The illustrated embodiment with a pivotable locking element is therefore only an example. List of reference symbols 1 connector part 10 housings 100 plug-in sections 101 Cable outlet 102 handle 11 Locking element 110 Locking section 111 End 112 operating section 113 Swivel axis 114 Locking device (eyelet) 115 Arm 12 Push element (push button) 120 swivel axis 121 transmission section 122 Press contour 13 Deflection element 130 swivel axis 131 lever arm 132 lever arm 133 Investment pin 14 Spring element 15 contact elements 16 contact insert 2 mating connector part 20 plug-in opening 21 Locking engagement 3 Castle 4 Line B, C Actuation direction E Plug-in direction

Claims

[1] Connector part (1) for connecting to an associated mating connector part (2), with - a housing (10), - a plug-in section (100) arranged on the housing (10), which can be connected in a plug-in direction (E) to an associated mating connector part (2) and is engaged with the mating connector part (2) in a connecting position, wherein at least one electrical contact element (15) for making electrical contact with the mating connector part (2) is arranged on the plug-in section (10), - a locking element (11) which is movably arranged on the housing (10), which has a locking position for locking the connector part (1) relative to the mating connector part (2) in the connecting position and is movable from the locking position for unlocking the connection between the connector part (1) and the mating connector part (2), wherein the locking element (11) has a locking section (110) at a first end (111) for locking with the mating connector part (2) in the connecting position, and - a pressing element (12) which is movably arranged on the housing (10), which can be actuated in a first actuating direction (C) and is operatively connected to the locking element (11) via a deflecting element (13) in order to act on the locking element (11) via the deflecting element (13) in a second actuating direction (B) different from the first actuating direction (C) in order to unlock the connection between the plug-in connector part (1) and the mating plug-in connector part (2), characterized by that the locking element (11) has an actuating section (112) at a second end remote from the locking section (110), which can be actuated in the second actuating direction (B) to move the locking element (11) out of its locking position. [2] Connector part (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the pressing element (12) is arranged on a side of the housing (10) facing away from the locking element (11). [3] Connector part (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the pressing element (12) is operatively connected to the locking element (11) via a lever mechanism (13), of which the deflecting element (13) is a component. [4] Connector part (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the deflection element (13) is mounted on the housing (10) so as to be pivotable about a first pivot axis (130) and has a first lever arm (131) operatively connected to the pressing element (12) and a second lever arm (132) operatively connected to the locking element (11). [5] Connector part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pressing element (12) is pivotally mounted on the housing (10) about a second pivot axis (120). [6] Connector part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the pressing element (12) has two transmission sections (121) spaced apart from one another for acting on the deflecting element (13), wherein an electrical line (4) connected to the at least one electrical contact element (15) is guided between the transmission sections (121). [7] Connector part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the deflection element (13) has a contact pin (133) extending transversely to the second actuating direction (B), via which the pressing element (12) acts on the deflection element (13). [8] Connector part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pressing element (12) acts on the deflecting element (13) via a pressing contour (122) extending obliquely to the first actuating direction (C). [9] Connector part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the locking element (11) is arranged on the housing (10) so as to be pivotable about a third pivot axis (113). [10] Connector part (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the deflection element (13) is designed to act on an arm (115) extending from the actuating section (112) in order to press the actuating section (112) in the second actuating direction (B) upon actuation of the pressing element (12). [11] Connector part (1) according to claim 10, characterized by that a locking device (114) for locking the locking element (11) in the locking position is arranged on the arm (115). [12] Connector part (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by that the locking element (11) can be actuated via the actuating section (112) independently of the pressing element (12). [13] Connector part (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized bythat the actuating section (112) of the locking element (11) is arranged on a first side of the housing (10) and the pressing element (12) is arranged on a second side of the housing (10) facing away from the first side.

Images