Locking mechanism for connectors

Abstract

Connector part (100; 300) that can be connected to a mating connector part (400) to form a plug connection, comprising a housing (110; 310) and an elastically deformable locking element (120; 320) formed separately from the housing (110; 310), which is designed to reversibly lock with a locking contour (420) of the mating connector part (400) when the plug connection is formed, wherein the locking element (120; 320) is arranged at least partially in the housing (110; 310) of the connector part (100; 300) and has a section curved about a longitudinal axis of the connector part (100; 300) parallel to the plug direction (S) with at least one locking area (122; 322) and at least one unlocking area (124; 324) wherein the locking component (120; 320) is pre-tensioned in a closed position and by applying a radially inward force to the unlocking area (124;324) in the locking area (122; 322) is elastically expandable radially outwards into an open position, characterized in that the housing (110) of the connector part (100) at least substantially surrounds the locking component (120) in a radial direction and has housing openings (114) near the unlocking area (124) of the locking component (120) which allow the insertion of a tool (W) to exert a radially inwardly directed force on the unlocking area (124).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector part that can be connected to a mating connector part to form a plug connection, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a connector part is used to connect cable ends, especially electrical cables.

[0003] Such a connector part comprises a housing and an elastically deformable locking element formed separately from the housing, which is designed to reversibly engage with a locking contour of the mating connector part when the plug connection is formed, wherein the locking element is at least partially arranged in the housing of the connector part and has a section curved about a longitudinal axis of the connector part parallel to the plugging direction, with at least one locking area and at least one unlocking area, wherein the locking element is pre-tensioned in a closed position and can be elastically expanded radially outwards into an open position by applying a radially inward force to the unlocking area in the locking area.

[0004] The connector shown in DE 43 00 037 C1 has a housing on which a spring element is arranged as a locking component. The housing has a recess on its outer circumferential surface in which the spring element is inserted. In DE 43 00 037 C1, however, the locking component, which is designed as a spring element, sits on the housing, so that the locking component radially surrounds the housing, at least in the area of ​​the housing. The outer circumferential surface of the locking component is exposed.

[0005] DE 10 2006 010 316 A1 discloses a locking component on which actuation surfaces are arranged that remain exposed even when the plug connection is assembled, so that the locking component can be manually actuated via these exposed surfaces. The same applies to DE 10 2009 009 990 A1, in which an actuation surface is formed on the locking component that remains exposed when the pipe clamp is assembled, so that the locking component can also be manually actuated via this surface. Similarly, US 2005 / 0225082 A1 discloses a locking component with actuation surfaces that can be manually actuated.

[0006] In conventional connectors of this type, as described in DE 2 323 180, the connector part and the mating connector part have different sections of an annular groove on their outer housing surfaces. These sections align when the connection is formed, creating a continuous annular groove. A snap ring is then inserted into the annular groove to lock the connection. A disadvantage of these connectors is that the snap ring is separate from the connector part housing. This can make handling more difficult. Furthermore, there is an increased risk of losing the snap ring. Additionally, the snap ring surrounds the connector part on one side of the housing, leaving it unprotected against weather and corrosion, which can shorten the service life of the connector part.

[0007] Other connector components mitigate the aforementioned problems by using a plastic housing with one or more integrated locking elements instead of a snap ring. These locking elements engage detachably with corresponding receptacles in a plastic housing of the mating connector component. However, the necessary deformation of the locking elements places high mechanical demands on the housing material, which often also has to meet electrical and environmental requirements. Meeting these requirements for the housing material simultaneously is often difficult.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a connector component that mitigates or avoids the aforementioned problems.

[0009] This problem is solved by an object having the features of claim 1.

[0010] The housing of the connector part then surrounds the locking component in a radial direction, at least substantially, and has housing openings near the unlocking area of ​​the locking component that allow the insertion of a tool to exert a radially inward force on the unlocking area.

[0011] The locking component can be designed to be elastically expanded into the open position in the locking area by means of the locking contour of the mating connector part during the formation of the plug connection and before it engages. The locking component can have a chamfered profile in the locking area.

[0012] The locking component may exhibit greater curvature in the unlocking area when in the pre-tensioned position than in the locking area. Furthermore, in the open position, the curvature of the locking component in the locking area may be increased compared to the closed position. Additionally, in the open position, the curvature of the locking component in the unlocking area may be decreased compared to the closed position.

[0013] The locking component can be essentially ring-shaped. It can also be essentially oval. Furthermore, a release area can be arranged at each apex of a longer diameter of the locking component, and a locking area can be arranged at each apex of a shorter diameter of the locking component.

[0014] Alternatively, the locking element can be circular. Another alternative is that the locking element can be arc-shaped. Furthermore, the locking element can be arranged concentrically with the longitudinal axis of the connector part within the housing. Alternatively, the locking element can be arranged eccentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connector part within the housing.

[0015] The housing of the connector part encloses the locking element, at least substantially, in a radial direction. Furthermore, the housing of the connector part has openings near the release area of ​​the locking element, allowing the insertion of a tool to apply a radially inward force to the release area. The housing may have multiple openings near the release area, allowing the tool to be inserted from different directions.

[0016] The housing of the connector part can have a shape that is at least essentially rotationally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis parallel to the insertion direction in an area that engages with the mating connector part.

[0017] The housing of the connector part and the locking component can be made of different materials. The housing of the connector part can be made of a more rigid material than the locking component. The housing of the connector part can be made of plastic. The locking component can be made of a less rigid plastic than the housing and / or flexible metal.

[0018] In addition, a connector is presented. The connector comprises a connector part of the type presented here and a mating connector part with which the connector part can be reversibly connected to form a plug connection.

[0019] The locking contour of the mating connector part may include an annular groove. Additionally, the locking contour may have a protruding area.

[0020] The locking contour of the mating connector part may have a chamfered area. The chamfered area may be located in the protruding part of the locking contour.

[0021] The mating connector part can have a shape that is at least essentially rotationally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis parallel to the insertion direction in an area that engages with the housing of the connector part.

[0022] Further features, functions and advantages of the invention will become clear from the detailed description and the drawings. These show: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a perspective view of a connector part according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2A: a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of a connector part with the locking component in the closed position; Fig. 2B: a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of a connector part with the locking component in the open position; Fig. 3A: a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of a connector part with the locking component in the closed position according to a further embodiment which is not part of the invention; Fig. 3B: a schematic representation of a cross-sectional view of a connector part with the locking component in the open position according to a further embodiment which is not part of the invention; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of a perspective view of a mating connector part according to an example; Fig. 5 a schematic representation of a side view of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 6 A schematic representation of a perspective view of two connectors according to a further embodiment with a tool inserted into the housing from different directions.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a connector part 100. The connector part 100 is designed to form a plug connection with a mating connector part. The connector part 100 comprises a housing 110, which has a housing area 112 that engages with the mating connector part. In the example shown, the housing area 112 engaging with the mating connector part is rotationally symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the connector part 100 that is parallel to the plugging axis S. The housing 110 surrounds an electrical contact area 130 of the connector part 100, which is designed for contact by a mating contact area of ​​the mating connector part. In the example shown, the housing 110 also includes several housing openings 114.

[0024] The connector part 100 further comprises a locking element 120, which is separate from the housing 110 and serves for the reversible locking of a plug connection with a mating connector part. The locking element 120 comprises several locking areas 122 and several unlocking areas 124. The locking element 120 also has a chamfered profile 126 in the locking areas 122.

[0025] The connector part 100 is for forming a plug connection with a mating connector part, for example the mating connector part 400 as shown in Fig. Figure 4 shows the locking element, which is designed as described in more detail below. For this purpose, the locking element 120 is elastically deformable and pre-tensioned in a closed position. When a mechanical force is applied to one or both of the unlocking areas 124 in a direction radially inward to the longitudinal axis of the connector part 100, the locking element 120 undergoes elastic deformation such that the curved locking element 120 expands in the locking areas 122 and thus transitions into an open position. This is in relation to the mating connector part 400. Fig. For example, when a plug connection is present and the locking component 120 is in the closed position, each of the locking areas 122 projects into an annular groove 420 of the mating connector part 400. In this way, the mating connector part 400 is held in the connected position and the plug connection is thus locked. If, on the other hand, the locking component 120 expands in the locking areas 122, for example as a result of a force acting on one or both of the unlocking areas 124, the locking areas 122 are moved out of the annular groove 420 of the mating connector part 400 and the plug connection is thus releasably unlocked.

[0026] The chamfered profile 126 of the locking component 120 in the locking areas 122 facilitates the formation of a plug connection without the locking component 120 first having to be opened by exerting a force on the unlocking area(s) 124. In particular, the chamfered profile 126 facilitates the bending of the locking component 120 by a locking contour of the mating connector part when the plug connection is formed.

[0027] In the example shown, the locking component 120 is annular, in particular substantially oval. The release areas 124 are each located at a vertex on the longer diameter of the oval, while the locking areas 122 are each located at a vertex on the shorter diameter of the oval. The locking component 120 is also arranged concentrically with the longitudinal axis of the connector part 100. The connector part 100 is further arranged in the housing 110 such that the housing openings 114 are each located near one of the release areas 124 of the locking component 120.

[0028] At the in Fig. In the example shown, the housing 110 surrounds the locking component 120 in a radial direction. This prevents tool-free manual access to the release areas 124 of the locking component 120, thus preventing, for example, accidental or inadvertent disconnection of the plug connection. At the same time, the locking component 120 is effectively protected from external influences such as weather or UV radiation. In this way, the service life of many elastic materials that can be used for the locking element 120, such as an elastic plastic or a flexible metal, is effectively increased.

[0029] Simultaneously, the housing openings 114 allow the insertion of a tool, for example a screwdriver, in a direction tangential to the longitudinal axis of the connector part 100, in order to exert a radially inward force on the release areas 124. In some examples, the locking component 120 is designed such that, with respect to a mating connector part 400, it can be sufficiently deformed to achieve the open position by applying a force to only one of the release areas 124.

[0030] The housing 110 also partially encloses the locking component 120 in the axial direction. This prevents the locking component 120 from falling out of the housing and, in particular, from being lost. In other examples, the locking component 120 is secured against loss in a different way. For example, it is attached to the housing 110 at one or more connection points.

[0031] The connector part 100, with its separate housing 110 and locking element 120, facilitates the use of different materials for the housing 110 and the locking element 120. In particular, a more rigid and weather-resistant material can be used for the housing 110 than for the locking element 120, reflecting their differing functional requirements. At the same time, as previously described, the service life of the locking element 120 is also increased by its placement within the housing 110. This is especially true when using typically more weather-sensitive elastic materials for the locking element 120.

[0032] The invention has been described above using the example of a connector part 100 with a rotationally symmetrical region 112 that engages with the mating connector part and a centrally arranged, annularly closed, in particular oval, locking element 120. It is understood, however, that the described advantages can also be achieved with different embodiments of the connector part 100. In particular, in other examples, a connection region of the connector part 100 is not rotationally symmetrical. Furthermore, in other examples, the locking element 120 is circular. In still other examples, the locking element 120 is arc-shaped, such that it describes part of a ring, for example, part of an oval.In this example, the locking component 120 has, for instance, a number of at least one of these area types that differs from two unlocking areas 124 and two locking areas 122. In general, these examples show that the locking component has at least one curved section with at least one unlocking area and at least one locking area, and is designed such that, by the application of an inwardly directed force to the unlocking area, the curvature of the locking component changes in such a way that the locking area(s) are elastically moved with respect to a provided mating connector part 400 from a pre-tensioned position corresponding to a closed position to a position corresponding to an open position.

[0033] Fig. Figure 2A shows a cross-sectional view of the connector part 100. The cross-sectional plane lies in the area of ​​the locking component 120. Same reference numerals as in Fig. 1 denotes the same characteristics as in connection with Fig. 1 described.

[0034] Fig. Figure 2A shows the connector part 100 with the locking component 120 in the closed position. The locking component 120 has a greater curvature in the unlocking areas 124 than in the locking areas 122. Furthermore, the locking component 120 projects closer to a longitudinal axis of the connector part 100 in the locking areas 122. The distance of each of the locking areas 122 from the longitudinal axis is less than the outer radius of a locking contour 420 of a mating connector part 400.

[0035] Fig. Figure 2B shows another cross-sectional view of connector part 100. The cross-sectional plane corresponds to that shown in Figure 2B. Fig. 2A. Unlike Fig. 2A shows Fig. 2B the connector part 100 in an open position of the locking component 120.

[0036] A tool W, for example a screwdriver, is inserted into the housing 110 through one of the housing openings 114. A radially inward force is exerted on the corresponding unlocking area 124. Favored by the shape of the housing 110, which prevents the locking component 120 from shifting in any other way, the locking component 120 expands in the locking areas 122.

[0037] Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of a connector part 300 according to a further example, which is not part of the invention. Unless otherwise stated below, the preceding descriptions relating to connector part 100 apply accordingly to connector part 300. Also shown is a mating connector part 400, which is in plug connection with connector part 300.

[0038] The connector part 300 comprises a housing 310 and a locking element 320 arranged at least substantially within the housing 310. The housing 310 has housing openings 314 through which the locking element 320 partially projects in the closed position shown. In particular, operating areas 328 of the locking element 320 project outwards through the housing openings 314 over an outer surface of the connector part 300. In the closed position shown, the locking areas 322 also project into a locking contour 420, for example, into an annular groove, of the mating connector part 400.

[0039] In contrast to connector part 100 Fig. In the connector part 300, the locking element 320 is not completely enclosed by the housing 310 in the radial direction. This allows the connector part 300 to be operated manually without tools. In particular, the locking element 320 can be opened by manually pressing on at least one of the operating areas 328.

[0040] Fig. Figure 3B shows another cross-sectional view of connector part 300. The cross-sectional plane corresponds to that shown in Figure 3B. Fig. 3A. In deviation from the one stated in Fig. The position shown in 3A is located in Fig. 3B the locking component 320 in the open position. Both operating areas 328 are pressed radially inwards, and consequently the locking component 320 is expanded as far as possible in the locking areas 322. As shown in Figure 3B, the locking component 320 is in the open position. Both operating areas 328 are pressed radially inwards, and consequently the locking component 320 is expanded as far as possible in the locking areas 322. Fig. 3B is recognizable, protruding in contrast to the position in Fig. 3A no area of ​​the locking component 320 into the locking contour 420 of the mating connector part 400.

[0041] Compared to connector part 100, connector part 300 offers reduced protection against careless or accidental operation. In some examples, the weather protection for the elastic parts of the locking component 320 is also less than that of connector part 100. Nevertheless, the housing of connector part 300 still provides substantial protection for the locking component, while simultaneously enabling simpler, and in particular tool-free, operation.

[0042] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a mating connector part 400. The mating connector part 400 is designed, for example, to form a plug connection with a connector part 100, 300, as described above. For this purpose, the mating connector part 400 has a section 410 that engages with the housing of the connector part, as well as a locking contour 420 for locking the plug connection. The locking contour 420 is designed for the engagement of a locking component of the connector part with the locking contour 420. The mating connector part 400 also includes an electrical mating contact section 430 for contacting a corresponding contact section, for example, the contact section 130 of the connector part 100, when forming a plug connection.

[0043] In the example shown, the area 410 that engages with the housing of the connector part and the locking contour 420 are rotationally symmetrical. This allows, for example, the connected connector parts to be rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the connector relative to each other when a plug connection is present. The mating connector part 400 also has a chamfered area 422 in the region of the locking contour 420. Similar to what was described in connection with the chamfered profile 126 of the connector part 100, the chamfered area 422 facilitates the widening of the locking component by the locking contour 420 when the plug connection is formed.

[0044] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a side view of a connector 500. The connector 500 comprises a connector part 300 as described in connection with Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B described, as well as a mating connector part 400, as described in connection with Fig. 4 described. Fig. Figure 5 shows the connector 500 in a connected position. The locking component of the connector part 300 is also in the closed position, as can be seen from the operating areas 328 protruding from the outside of the housing.

[0045] Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a perspective view of two 500' connectors according to another example. Unlike the 500 connector, the 500' connectors each comprise a mating connector part 400 and a connector part 100, as described in connection with Fig. 1 described. In addition, a tool W, in the example shown a screwdriver, is inserted into a housing opening 114 in each of the 500' connectors. This places the connector 100 in an open position in both 500' connectors, as described in connection with Fig. 2B described. In addition to or as an alternative to the housing openings 114 shown and possible insertion directions of the tool W, other examples of the connector 500 have further or different housing openings 114 that allow the insertion of a tool from further or different directions. Reference symbol list 100, 300 connector part 110, 310 housing 112 Housing area engaging with mating connector part 114, 314 Case opening 120, 320 locking component 122, 322 Locking area 124, 324 unlocking range 126 beveled profile of the locking component 130 contact area 328 Control area 400 mating connector part 410 with housing of the connector part engaging area 420 Locking contour (420) 422 beveled area 430 counter-contact area 500, 500' connectors S Plug direction W tool

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