Connectors with primary locking mechanism

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector with primary locking for the detachable, electrically conductive contacting of contact elements, comprising a connector plug and a connector mating plug, wherein a locking connection is arranged between the connector plug and the connector mating plug, wherein the locking connection and the connector plug and the connector mating plug can be plugged together by sliding them into one another, and the locking connection has at least one locking mechanism which, by interacting with the connector plug and the connector mating plug, translates and converts at least part of the insertion path, so that the forces required for insertion are reduced.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector with primary locking for releasable, electrically conductive contacting of contact elements, comprising a connector plug and a connector mating plug.

[0002] For contacting or creating detachable, electrically conductive connections, plug connectors, contact elements, pole connectors, sockets, etc., are used in a wide variety of designs and variants. In particular, but not exclusively, for electrical contacting tasks in the higher power range, contact systems have been developed that are based on prismatic geometries for accommodating one or more contact pins.

[0003] Connector systems, connectors, and detachable plug connections are often implemented with one or more plug contact pins and, in addition to reliable, detachable, and durable electrically conductive contact, must also be secured against unintentional disconnection or disconnection caused by axial tensile stress. Locking solutions are used for this purpose, which, depending on the specific requirements and design of the connector, are configured as primary locks and can be supplemented by secondary locks. For circular connectors, bayonet or screw locks are commonly used as primary locks in the prior art. If prismatic, cube-shaped, square, or other connector geometries are chosen, integrated or separate primary locks can be used, which can be supplemented by secondary locking devices.

[0004] Interlocks are particularly problematic when they are intended to prevent the lock from being unintentionally or improperly released and / or the live connector from being pulled out. In the latter case, especially in high-voltage applications, arcs can ignite, posing a safety hazard and potentially causing death.

[0005] In dynamic applications and when machines are subject to vibration, the problem can also arise that connector locking mechanisms can loosen over time due to these mechanical vibrations, and the connector is no longer reliably connected to the mating connector.

[0006] Various locking solutions are known in the prior art that achieve a positive locking mechanism against loosening of the plug connection by means of a pivoting movement of a locking element. Locking solutions that provide a linear and / or rotary locking movement are also known.

[0007] DE 10 2021 133 011 B3 presents a locking device for plug connectors, consisting of at least one pivotable bracket relative to the plug connector, which interacts with at least two sliders and achieves the locking of the plug connector consisting of two plug connector partners at at least four engagement points. A bolt-and-groove mechanism is proposed for this purpose; that is, the at least two sliders and the plug connector housings to be locked have pairs of bolts and grooves that interlock. This creates a simultaneous and parallel locking action with respect to the locking movement and the locking areas by means of a pivotable bracket relative to the plug connector, which effectively serves as the drive for the locking movement.The locking is achieved at at least four locking areas by the fact that the bracket, through its pivoting movement, initiates a linear movement into the at least two sliders, which realize the multi-point locking through bolt-slot pairings at the respective locking areas.

[0008] The subject matter of DE 10 2020 110 647 A1 is a device for the primary locking of a plug connection, comprising at least one first pivotable locking element with at least one locking lever for introducing a torque and a pivoting movement into the locking element, wherein the at least one first locking element has a cam guide which interacts with an associated cam pin, so that the pivoting movement of the at least one first locking element is translated into a locking or unlocking movement, wherein at least one second locking element with an associated cam pin is coupled to the first locking element by a coupling, so that the at least two locking elements support a largely simultaneous locking or unlocking movement by coupled pivoting.

[0009] A disadvantage of known solutions is that the locking movement of the locking elements is initiated by the pivoting movement of one or more pivoting levers. This necessitates a considerable amount of installation space or assembly space. Approaches to reducing installation space available in the prior art often aim to reduce the size or shorten the pivoting levers. However, this not only reduces the installation space requirement only slightly, but also increases the force required for the pivoting movement due to the shortened lever lengths. A further disadvantage is that known locking solutions often do not reduce the insertion forces, i.e., the insertion forces of the plug-in connectors, or do not reduce them over the entire insertion path.

[0010] The object of the invention is to further develop a plug connection with primary locking for the detachable, electrically conductive contacting of contact elements, so that the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art are at least partially reduced and both the reduction of the installation space requirement and the reduction of the force required for plugging and locking the plug connection are supported.

[0011] The invention provides a locking connection with at least one locking mechanism, which interacts with the connector plug and the mating connector plug of the connector in such a way that when the connector is plugged together, the locking connection, the connector plug and the mating connector plug are pushed into each other.

[0012] The at least one locking mechanism is pivotably mounted on the locking connection and has, in sections, external teeth and an arcuate groove. The at least one locking mechanism interacts with a rack section of the connector plug such that, upon mating the connector, the locking mechanism is set into a pivoting motion at the beginning of the mating path.

[0013] The at least one locking mechanism also interacts with a bolt of the mating connector such that, at the beginning of the mating path and before the pivoting movement of the at least one locking mechanism is initiated by the rack section of the connector, the bolt initially engages in the arc-shaped groove. As the mating path progresses, the bolt is pulled towards the mating position by the initiated pivoting movement through engagement in the arc-shaped groove, thus reducing the force required for mating while simultaneously reducing the installation space required, since the drive mechanism in the form of the rack section is an integral part of the connector and no bulky clips, sliders, or levers are necessary.This results in a very compact design in which at least one locking mechanism, by interacting with the connector plug and the mating connector plug, translates and converts at least part of the insertion path, thus reducing the forces required for insertion.

[0014] Both the adaptation to different connector types and the influencing of the mating path and the externally applied mating force can be achieved through the design and dimensioning of the locking mechanism with regard to its transmission ratio to the translation of the linear movement of the rack section into the pivoting path. The same applies to the selection of the pitch circle diameter of the arc-shaped groove in relation to the diameter of the external teeth and the offset of the pitch circle diameter center point from the pivoting center point of the locking mechanism.

[0015] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the figures. These show: Fig. 1 A three-dimensional view of the plug connection with primary locking in an exploded view before the plug connection is assembled; Fig. 2 A perspective view of the plug connection with primary locking from a second viewing direction.

[0016] Fig. Figure 1 shows a three-dimensional exploded view of the connector with primary locking mechanism 1 before the connector is plugged in. The locking mechanism 10 is located inside the connector between the plug 20 and the mating plug 30 and is designed as a hollow profile. In the illustrated embodiment, a square hollow profile with rounded edges is used, one side of which is open, forming a U-profile-like cross-section. At least one locking mechanism 11 is pivotably mounted on the locking mechanism 10. To prevent tilting or misalignment of the locking mechanism 10 within the connector and relative to the plug 20 and mating plug 30, as shown in Figure 1, the locking mechanism 10 can be pivotally mounted on the locking mechanism 10. Fig. 1 shown - two locking mechanisms 11 are provided on opposite side surfaces of the locking connection 10.

[0017] The at least one locking mechanism 11 is pivotably fixed to the locking connection 10 and has, in sections, an external toothing 12 formed from a plurality of toothed teeth 13. Furthermore, the locking mechanism 11 has an arcuate groove 14 with an open groove entry area 15 at the end. Optionally, the at least one locking mechanism 11 can be supplemented by a pivot angle limiter 16.

[0018] The connector plug 20 has a hollow profile design and is configured to accommodate or guide contact elements within its interior. The connector plug 20 is dimensioned for the locking connection 10 and the connector plug 20 to slide together when the plug connection 1 is mated along an axial mating path. To interact with the locking connection 10 and the at least one locking mechanism 11, the connector plug 20 has a rack section 21, which is an integral part of a housing wall of the connector plug 20 and whose rack teeth 22 extend inwards.The positioning is axially aligned, such that when the connector plug 20 and the locking connection 10 are plugged together by sliding them together, the rack teeth 22 of the rack section 21 and the toothed teeth 13 of the external toothing 12 of the locking mechanism 11 engage each other and the linear plugging-in movement along the axial of the plug connection with primary locking 1 is converted by the locking mechanism 11 into a pivoting movement.

[0019] The mating connector 30 is also designed as a hollow profile and is configured to accommodate or guide contact elements within its interior. The mating connector 30 is dimensioned to allow the locking connection 10 and the mating connector 30 to slide together when the connector 1 is plugged in along an axial insertion path. To interact with the locking connection 10 and the at least one locking mechanism 11, the mating connector 30 has a bolt 31, which extends outwards and is associated with each of the at least one locking mechanism 11.The bolt 31, which is assigned to at least one locking mechanism 11, is arranged along the assembly path in alignment with the groove entry area 15 of the groove 14 of the locking mechanism 11, so that when the connector mating plug 30 and the locking connection 10 are plugged together by pushing the bolt 31 into each other, the bolt 31 enters the groove entry area 15 of the groove 14.

[0020] Fig. Figure 2 includes a perspective view of the connector with primary locking mechanism 1 from a second viewing direction. The essential elements – locking connection 10 with at least one locking mechanism 11, connector plug 20, and mating connector plug 30 – interact in different ways, partly in parallel and partly sequentially.

[0021] In the realization of the electrically conductive contacting of the contact elements of the plug connection with primary locking 1, i.e., the plugging together of the locking connection 10, the connector plug 20 and the connector mating plug 30, these are pushed into one another, supported by their respective hollow profile base bodies and the dimensioning relative to each other.

[0022] The at least one locking mechanism 11 interacts with a rack section 21 of the connector plug with primary locking 1. When the connector with primary locking 1 is plugged in, the external teeth 12 of the locking mechanism 11 engage with the rack teeth 22 of the rack section 21 associated with the at least one locking mechanism 11 at the beginning of the mating path of the locking connection 10 and the connector plug 20. If the mating of the connector with primary locking 1 is then continued along the axial mating path, the at least one locking mechanism 11 is driven into a pivoting movement by the engaged rack section 21.

[0023] The at least one locking mechanism 11 also acts together with a bolt 31 of the connector mating plug 30. When the locking connection 10 and the connector mating plug 30 of the plug connection with primary locking 1 are plugged together, at the beginning of the plugging path and before the initiation of the pivoting movement of the at least one locking mechanism 11 by the rack section 21 of the connector 20, the bolt 31 is first drawn into the groove entry area 15 of the arcuate groove 14.

[0024] As the mating path progresses, the at least one locking mechanism 11 is driven into a pivoting movement by the rack section 21. The bolt 31 is guided within the arcuate groove 14 by the initiated pivoting movement and pulled linearly towards the mating position. In this way, the locking mechanism 11, in conjunction with the rack section 21 of the connector plug 20 and the bolt 31 of the mating connector plug 30, reduces the force required to mat the connector with primary locking 1 while simultaneously reducing the required installation space.

[0025] A further significant advantage arises from the positioning of the rack section 21 of the connector plug 20, which is associated with at least one locking mechanism 11 of the locking connection 10. The rack teeth 22 of the rack section 21, which face into the interior of the connector plug 20, provide not only a drive function for the locking mechanism 11 but also a CPA function (CPA = Connector Position Assurance). The connector plug 20 and the locking connection 10 can only be mated together when the connector plug 20 is correctly oriented relative to the locking connection 10.

[0026] The correct orientation of the mating connector 30 relative to the locking connection 10 is achieved by a suitable coding, for example by a tongue-and-groove guide or an asymmetrical cross-sectional design of the connector 20 and the locking connection 10. This ensures the correct mating orientation of the connector 20, the locking connection 10 and the mating connector 30 and implements the CPA function. Reference symbol list 1 plug connector with primary locking mechanism 10 Locking connection 11 Locking gear 12 External teeth 13 Interlocking tooth 14 Nut 15 Groove entry area 16 Swivel angle limitation 20 connector plugs 21 Rack section 22 Rack tooth 30 mating connectors 31 bolts QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2021 133 011 B3

[0007] DE 10 2020 110 647 A1

[0008]

Claims

[1] Connector with primary locking (1) for detachable, electrically conductive contacting of contact elements, comprising a connector plug (20) and a connector mating plug (30), characterized by that a locking connection (10) is arranged between the connector plug (20) and the connector mating plug (30), wherein the locking connection (10) and the connector plug (20) and the connector mating plug (30) can be plugged together by sliding them into one another and the locking connection (10) has at least one locking gear (11) which, by interacting with the connector plug (20) and the connector mating plug (30), translates and converts at least part of the plugging path, so that the forces to be applied for plugging together are reduced (compared to a design without the locking gear 11). [2] Connector with primary locking (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the locking gear (11) is pivotally fixed to the locking connection (10) and has an external toothing (12) with toothed teeth (13), [3] Connector with primary locking (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the locking gear (11) has a groove (14) and a groove inlet area (15). [4] Connector with primary locking (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the locking gear (11) has a pivot angle limitation (16). [5] Connector with primary locking (1) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized byin that the plug connector (20) has a rack section (21) assigned to the at least one locking gear (11), the rack teeth (22) of which extend inwards of the plug connector (20) and interacts by being pushed into one another when the plug connection with primary locking (1) is plugged together in such a way that the rack teeth (22) of the rack section (21) and the toothing teeth (13) of the external toothing (12) of the locking gear (11) engage with one another and the linear plugging movement along at least part of the plugging path of the plug connection with primary locking (1) is converted into a pivoting movement by the locking gear (11). [6] Connector with primary locking (1) according to claims 1 and 3, characterized bythat the plug connector mating connector (30) has a bolt (31) assigned to the at least one locking gear (11) with an outwardly directed extension, so that when the plug connector mating connector (30) and the locking connection (10) are plugged together, the bolts (31) can be moved into the groove inlet area (15) of the groove (14) by pushing one into the other. [7] Connector with primary locking (1) according to claims 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, characterized by that the locking gear (11) pulls the connector mating connector (30) with the bolt (31) by the pivoting movement in the direction of the mating position of the plug connection with primary locking (1) through the interaction of the groove (14) with the bolt (31).

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