Electrical connector with encryption structure
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MPR GMBH & CO KG
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-03
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
Field of invention
[0001] The invention relates to an electrical connector, which is designed in particular for connecting an electrical accessory, such as a light, in particular a headlight and / or a taillight, to a bicycle. Background of the invention
[0002] Electrical connectors with an interlocking structure, often also called a positioning structure, are well-known. These are generally positive locking elements that ensure, firstly, that the plug is inserted in the correct orientation and, secondly, prevent incorrect plug pairing.
[0003] Such a positioning structure is known, for example, from patent EP 3 823 105 B1.
[0004] The DIN standard "Electrical connectors for household and similar general purposes - Part 3: Standards and gauges" shows an electrical connector formed from three overlapping quadrilaterals. Connectors are also known from documents CN 1 16 315 888 A, US 2019 / 0020 161 A1 and DE 20 2010 003 651 U1.
[0005] Especially with plugs that are exposed to the elements, such as those used in bicycles, particularly e-bikes, the encryption structure should be as simple as possible while also offering the best possible protection to prevent an unintended combination of plug and socket from being connected. Object of the invention
[0006] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing an encryption structure for an electrical connector that is as simple as possible but at the same time as tamper-proof as possible. Summary of the invention
[0007] The object of the invention is already solved by an electrical connector according to claim 1.
[0008] Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.
[0009] The invention relates to an electrical connector comprising a plug that can be inserted into a socket. The plug can be understood, in particular, as the male part and the socket as the female part of the connector.
[0010] The electrical connector is used in particular for connecting an electrical accessory of a bicycle, especially a light.
[0011] Preferably, the plug is designed for a low voltage between 5 and 20 V.
[0012] The socket and / or plug incorporate an interlocking structure. This interlocking structure acts as a positive locking element, ensuring that only a matching plug / socket pair can be connected. The interlocking structure can be designed, in particular, as a projection and a complementary cavity.
[0013] The encryption structure is formed in a top view from a first and a second quadrilateral, in each of which at least one contact, in particular a contact pin or a contact socket, is located.
[0014] The first and second quadrilaterals are positioned one above the other, spaced apart from each other. Specifically, the first and second quadrilaterals are oriented such that their lateral edges each lie on a single line.
[0015] Furthermore, the encryption structure is formed from a third quadrilateral, which is arranged laterally offset to the first and second quadrilaterals, with two opposite corners of the third quadrilateral being connected to the first and second quadrilaterals.
[0016] Thus, a contiguous surface is formed by a total of three quadrilaterals, one of which, namely the third quadrilateral, is arranged offset to the side in the middle, which accordingly serves as a plateau or cavity for providing an encryption structure.
[0017] The third quadrilateral can be offset laterally by approximately its width relative to the first and second quadrilaterals.
[0018] A contact can also be arranged in the third quadrant. In one embodiment, no contact is arranged in the third quadrant, and the connector has exactly two contacts.
[0019] The overlaps create a passage (in the case of a cavity) or a connecting area (in the case of a plateau) to the first and second quadrilaterals.
[0020] One passage / connection area may have a different width compared to another. In particular, the width at the narrowest point of a smaller passage may be 30-70% less than the width of the larger passage / connection area at its narrowest point.
[0021] The area resulting from the spacing between the first and second quadrilateral forms, at least on the side where the encryption structure is designed as a cavity, a locking bar which prevents the use of a connector in which there is no recess between the contacts in which the locking bar can be accommodated.
[0022] According to the invention, the three quadrilaterals are each designed as a parallelogram.
[0023] In particular, the quadrilaterals are designed as parallelograms with sides of equal length.
[0024] According to the invention, the parallelogram has an interior angle α ≠ 90°. In particular, the interior angle α is 60° to 80°, preferably 65° to 75°.
[0025] Such an oblique projection of a square creates a more complex structure in a simple way, which increases the security of the encryption structure.
[0026] Preferably, the corners and / or edges of the encryption structure are rounded.
[0027] The encryption structure, i.e. the cavity or the projection, can be arranged within a circular segment, as is provided for in one embodiment.
[0028] In particular, the chord of the circular segment can run parallel to the side edges of the quadrilaterals.
[0029] The encryption structure can be arranged within this circular segment as a cavity or projection.
[0030] The circular segment can itself be formed as a cavity and a complementary projection.
[0031] This circular segment provides another encryption structure, which encloses the encryption structure described above.
[0032] The socket can include a projection formed from the encryption structure, with a contact socket arranged in the first and second quadrants.
[0033] The protrusion can be located in a pot-shaped recess in the housing of the socket.
[0034] In combination with the inserted plug, this allows for a particularly good seal, as the plug housing, especially the circular segment-shaped part of the plug, is enclosed by the socket.
[0035] The invention further relates to a socket which is designed for the electrical connectors described above.
[0036] The invention also relates to a plug designed for the electrical connectors described above.
[0037] The plug or socket may in particular include the encryption structure described above.
[0038] However, for the purposes of the invention, it is sufficient if the plug or socket is suitable for use as intended with an electrical connector as described above.
[0039] The invention further relates to a bicycle, in particular a bicycle designed as an e-bike, which includes the electrical connector described above. This connector can be used in particular for connecting the headlight and / or the taillight. Brief description of the drawings
[0040] The subject matter of the invention will below be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. 7 will be explained in more detail using an example. Fig. Figure 1 is a front view of a plug for an electrical connector according to the invention. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are perspective views of the plug. Fig. Figure 4 is a top view of the corresponding socket. Fig. 5 and Fig. Six are perspective views of the box. Fig. Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a bushing. Detailed description of the drawings
[0041] Fig. Figure 1 shows a plug 10 for an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0042] The connector 10 includes the two electrical contacts. These can be designed as contact pins 14.
[0043] Furthermore, plug 10 includes an encryption structure which is formed from the squares 11, 12 and 13.
[0044] Quadrilaterals 11 to 13 are formed as cavities (see Fig. 4) The cavity formed from the quadrilaterals 11 to 13 is itself located in a projection which has the shape of a circular segment 15.
[0045] Quadrilaterals 11 to 13 are each designed as a parallelogram with sides of equal length.
[0046] The interior angle α is between 60 and 80°.
[0047] The quadrilaterals 11 to 13 are arranged such that quadrilaterals 11 and 12 are spaced apart from each other and placed one above the other.
[0048] The side edges of quadrilaterals 12 and 13 lie on a common line.
[0049] The third quadrilateral, 13, is arranged laterally offset from quadrilaterals 11 and 12. It can be offset from quadrilaterals 11 and 12 by approximately its width.
[0050] The third quadrilateral 13 is connected at two side corners to the quadrilaterals 11 and 12, thereby forming a passage 2a, 2b in each case.
[0051] Passage 2a is wider than passage 2b. This simply increases the complexity of the encryption structure.
[0052] The corners bordering passages 2a and 2b are rounded.
[0053] Preferably, all three quadrilaterals 11-13 are essentially the same in shape.
[0054] At passage 2a, 2b, the corner of the third quadrilateral 13 borders on a corner of the first and second quadrilaterals 11, 12.
[0055] The oblique side edges of the quadrilaterals 11-13 are in turn arranged parallel to the chord 16 of the circular segment 15.
[0056] As in the perspective view according to Fig. To recognize 2, this structure creates a cavity which serves as an encryption structure and which is located within the circular segment 15.
[0057] Circle segment 15 extends to level 19.
[0058] A seal 18 is arranged behind stage 19.
[0059] Due to the spacing of the quadrilaterals 11 and 12, there is a locking bar 17 between the quadrilaterals 11 and 12, which prevents a socket from being inserted in which there is no recess between the contacts.
[0060] In this embodiment, connector 10 serves to connect a two-pole cable 1.
[0061] As in the perspective view according to Fig. As can be clearly seen in Figure 3, the circular segment 15, within which the cavity-shaped encryption structure is arranged, occupies more than half the area of the circle. Therefore, the chord 16 is shorter than the diameter of circular segment 15.
[0062] Fig. 4 shows in a Fig. 1 corresponding top view of the socket 20.
[0063] Socket 20 includes an encryption structure, which is complementary as a lead (see Fig. 5) is formed and is also composed of three quadrilaterals 21 to 23 of the same contour.
[0064] Accordingly, there is a connecting area 2a, 2b from the third quadrilateral 13 to the first and second quadrilateral 11, 12.
[0065] The connecting areas 2a, 2b are complementary to the passage at the in Fig. The connectors are arranged as shown in section 1. Passage 2a is wider than passage 2b.
[0066] In the first quadrant 21 and in the second quadrant 22 there is a contact socket 24 in each case.
[0067] The encryption structure is located within a circular segment 25, whose chord 26 also runs parallel to the side edges of the quadrilaterals 21 to 23.
[0068] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, the encryption structure, which is designed as a projection, is located within a cup-shaped recess 27 of the housing of the socket 20. At the front, within this cup-shaped recess 27, is a contact surface 28 for the seal of the plug. This can, for example, be designed as a circumferential groove.
[0069] In the composite state, the complementary encryption structures are therefore located in a completely sealed volume.
[0070] As in the perspective view according to Fig. As can be seen in 6, within the pot-shaped depression 27 there is a step 29 which extends to the chord 16 of the circular segment within which the encryption structure formed as a projection is arranged.
[0071] In the assembled state, stage 29, which is formed from a projection, engages with the stage of the plug (19 in Fig. 2) These interlocking stages provide, so to speak, a second encryption structure, which extends around the encryption structure formed by the squares.
[0072] Fig. Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a socket 20. In this embodiment, the cable 1 is arranged at an angle on the housing of the socket 20.
[0073] The invention made it possible to provide an electrical connector with an encryption structure that is simple in design and offers a high level of security. Reference symbol list 1 cable 2a,2b Passage / Connection 10 plugs 11 first square 12 second square 13 third square 14 Contact pin 15 Circle segment 16 tendon 17 locking bolts 18 Seal 19th level 20 sockets 21 first square 22 second square 23 third square 24 contact socket 25 circular segment 26 tendon 27 pot-shaped depressions 28 Mounting surface for seal 29th level
Claims
Electrical connector, in particular designed for connecting an electrical accessory to a bicycle, comprising a plug (10) and a socket (20), wherein the plug (10) can be inserted into the socket (20), wherein the socket (20) and the plug (10) have an encryption structure, wherein the encryption structure in a top view consists of a first quadrilateral (11, 21) and a second quadrilateral (12, 22), in each of which at least one contact is located, wherein the first (11, 21) and second quadrilateral (12, 22) are opposite each other, and is formed by a third quadrilateral (13, 23), which is arranged laterally offset to the first (11, 21) and second quadrilateral (12, 22), wherein two opposite corners of the third quadrilateral (13, 23) are connected to the first (11, 21) and second quadrilateral (12, 22), characterized in that the first (11, 21), second (12, 22) and third quadrilateral (13,23) each is designed as a parallelogram with an interior angle α other than 90°. Electrical connector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the parallelogram has an internal angle α of 60° to 80°, preferably of 65° to 75°. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that corners and / or edges of the encryption structure are rounded. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the encryption structure is arranged within a circular segment (15, 25), wherein in particular a chord (16, 26) of the circular segment (15, 25) runs parallel to edges of the quadrilaterals (11, 12, 13, 21, 22, 23). Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (10) comprises a cavity with the encryption structure, wherein the contacts are located in the cavity as contact pins (14). Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the socket (20) comprises a projection which is formed from the encryption structure, wherein a contact socket (24) is arranged in the first (21) and second quadrant (22). Electrical connector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the projection is located within a cup-shaped recess (27) of a housing of the socket (20). Socket (20) designed for the electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims. Plug (10), designed for the electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims. Bicycle comprising the electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims.