Connector for an electrical conductor

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector (100, 200, 300) for an electrical conductor (130), comprising at least one plug (110) and at least one socket (120), wherein the at least one socket (120) and the at least one plug (110) can be fixed in a plugged-together state (1) in which an electrical connection exists between the plug (110) and the socket (120) by means of a locking mechanism (140), wherein the locking mechanism (140) can be brought into an unlocked position in the plugged-together state (1), in which the plug (110) and the socket (120) can be separated by a certain axial pulling force acting against the plugging direction of the plug connection, and wherein the locking mechanism (140) can be brought into a locked position (1) in the plugged-together state (1), in which the plug (110) and the socket (120) cannot be separated by the certain axial pulling force acting against the plugging direction,wherein the locking mechanism (140) is configured to release the fixation of the mated state (1) in the locked position when a minimum axial force (Fz) acting counter to the mating direction is exceeded.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for an electrical conductor and to a plug and a socket for such a connector. Background of the invention

[0002] Integrated cable strain relief devices on connectors for industrial and automotive applications are typically designed for relatively low pull-out forces (e.g., 120 N for a cable diameter of 17 mm). For further security, additional strain relief devices can be implemented using other technical attachments (cable clamps, etc.).

[0003] The pull-out forces of crimp contacts typically used in connectors can be many times higher (e.g. 70 mm 2-Crimping according to IEC60512-16d > 3400 N). If the strain relief is improperly installed or due to very high pull-out forces, there is a risk that the cable will detach from the strain relief integrated in the connector and subsequently tear out of the connector housing with the uninsulated main contact.

[0004] To detect an open circuit, it is mandatory, particularly in the high-voltage range of mobile applications (automotive, mobile machinery), to integrate a so-called HVIL (high-voltage interlock) into the connector. This HVIL ensures, for example, that a control unit or other higher-level entity interrupts the power supply to the connector if the connector is disconnected under load. If the cable is then torn out of the connector strain relief, there is a risk that the interlock integrated in the connector will not register this interruption and the high-voltage system will not be discharged. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] According to the invention, a connector for an electrical conductor, as well as a plug and a socket for such a connector, are proposed, having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims and the following description.

[0006] The invention utilizes design features regarding the connector, particularly at the transition between the plug and socket, which serve to ensure that the plug detaches from the socket when a very high force is applied to the cable or electrical conductor before the cable detaches from the plug or connector. This ensures that, on the one hand, the connector is detachable at the designated interface, thus continuing to guarantee touch protection and insulation of live parts, and, on the other hand, that HVIL contacts are separated in a timely manner, allowing the system to be discharged accordingly.

[0007] In detail, a plug connector according to the invention for an electrical conductor comprises at least one plug and at least one socket, wherein the at least one socket and the at least one plug can be fixed in a connected or plugged-together state by means of a locking mechanism. In the plugged-together state, the locking mechanism can be brought into an unlocked position in which the plug and socket can be separated by a specific axial pull-out force acting counter to a plugging direction of the plug connection, and the locking mechanism can be brought into a locked position in the plugged-together state in which the plug and socket cannot be separated by the specific axial pull-out force acting counter to the plugging direction. Moving the plug and socket from the locked position to the unlocked position must in particular be done manually, for example by operating a lever or similar.The locking mechanism is designed to release the mated connection in the locked position if a minimum axial force acting in the opposite direction to the plug-in direction is exceeded. In other words, the locking mechanism is configured so that if the electrical conductor is subjected to excessive axial load, an emergency release occurs, allowing the plug and socket to separate. This ensures that the electrical conductor, on both the socket and plug sides, remains in its intended installed state and is not torn out of the affected component. By separating it at the point intended for this purpose, at least a minimum level of operational reliability is maintained.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, the minimum force exceeds the axial pull-out force required to separate the unlocked plug connection by at least 30%, 50%, 100%, 200%, 300%, or more than 300%. Thus, a noticeably higher force is required for (accidental) emergency unlocking than for releasing the plug connection in the unlocked state, so that emergency unlocking due to incorrect operation is less likely and therefore typically only occurs in actual emergencies. In other words, an inattentive user can become aware of the incorrect operation due to the noticeably higher force required before the emergency release is activated and thus correct their error if necessary.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, the locking mechanism for releasing the fixation has a predetermined breaking point designed to break when the minimum axial force is exceeded. This is a particularly easy-to-manufacture design with which the required minimum force can also be predetermined relatively precisely, allowing it to be flexibly adapted to different application scenarios by defining the predetermined breaking point for each specific application.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a first locking element provided on the at least one plug and a second locking element provided on the at least one socket, wherein the first locking element is designed to interact with the second locking element. In particular, it can be provided that the first locking element has a slotted guide and the second locking element has a sliding block designed to engage in the slotted guide and / or that the second locking element has a slotted guide and the first locking element has a sliding block designed to engage in the slotted guide.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the link is designed such that application of the minimum axial force to the connector causes a transverse force acting on the link which is not parallel to the direction of the axial force, and the transverse force acting on the link causes unlocking of the locking mechanism.

[0012] Regardless of the specific design of the first and second locking elements, it can be provided that the first and second locking elements engage with one another in the locked position, and that the first and / or the second locking element is plastically and / or elastically deformable by the minimum force in order to release the fixation of the plugged-together state in such a way that the engagement of the first locking element and the second locking element with one another is released and / or a connection between the first locking element and the at least one plug is released and / or a connection between the second locking element and the at least one socket is released.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the at least one plug and / or the at least one socket each comprise a housing which in particular has an electrically insulating material, wherein the locking mechanism is arranged in particular on an outer side of the housing. The insulating material of the housing can contribute to operational safety in an emergency unlocked state, since unintentional contact with live conductor ends can thereby be avoided. In particular, it can be provided that the minimum force is at least 20%, 30%, 50% or more than 60% lower than the axial pull-out force required to pull the electrical conductor out of the housing. This ensures that the housing remains around the conductor and that the connector is actually separated at the interface provided for this purpose.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, pulling the electrical conductor out of the housing comprises pulling an electrical contact out of a contact location provided within the housing. This prevents the contact from being torn out of the housing due to the application of high tensile force to the electrical conductor.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, pulling the electrical conductor out of the housing comprises releasing a connection between the electrical conductor and a contact arranged in the housing. This prevents the electrical conductor from being torn from the contact and out of the housing due to the application of high tensile force.

[0016] As already mentioned above, the invention also relates to a plug and a socket for a connector as just described. The plug and socket each benefit from the advantages described here with regard to the connector in a corresponding manner.

[0017] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0018] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0019] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using exemplary embodiments and is described in detail below with reference to the drawing. Character description Fig. 1 shows schematically in three views a) to c) a first embodiment of the invention in different positions in side view. Fig. 2 shows schematically in three views a) to c) a second embodiment of the invention in different positions in side view and top view. Fig. 3 shows schematically in three views a) to c) a third embodiment of the invention in different positions in side view. Detailed description of the drawing

[0020] In Fig. 1, a first embodiment of a connector according to the invention for an electrical conductor is schematically shown and designated overall by 100. The Fig. The connector 100 shown in Figure 1 comprises a plug 110 and a socket 120 which are configured to establish an electrical connection between an electrical conductor 130 connected to the plug, for example a cable, and an electrical conductor connected to the socket 120, for example a printed circuit board.

[0021] Socket 120 and plug 110 can be connected to one another by inserting plug 110 into socket 120 while applying a pushing force. As a result, a contact arranged in plug 110, which is connected to electrical conductor 130, is electrically connected to a contact arranged in socket 120. Socket 120 and plug 110 can be fixed in a connected or plugged-together state by means of a locking mechanism 140, so that for the intended separation of plug 110 and socket 120, the locking mechanism must first be unlocked in order to remove plug 110 from socket 120 while applying a pulling force.

[0022] In Fig. 1, views a) to c) show three states of the connector 100, in which Fig. 1a a state 1 a connected or plugged together and locked state, in Fig. 1c a state 3 a separated state, which is switched from the connected state by the action of an axial minimum force F acting against a plugging direction of the connector 100 z on the electrical conductor 130, and in Fig. 1b a state 2 represents a transition state between the connected state 1 and the separated state 3.

[0023] The locking mechanism 140 has a locking lever 112 (generally also referred to as the first locking element), which is mounted on the plug 110 - here pivotably - and has a guide rail 114 for receiving a guide block 122 (generally also referred to as the second locking element) arranged on the socket 120, which is also part of the locking mechanism 140. The procedure for locking the locking mechanism 140 is as follows: First, the plug connector 100 is plugged together. The locking lever 112 is positioned so that the opening of the guide rail 114 points in the direction of the socket 120. The plug 110 is inserted into the socket 120 far enough that the guide rail 122 engages in the guide rail 114. After plugging together orTo connect plug 110 and socket 120, the locking lever 112 is flipped, in particular manually, i.e., pivoted about its bearing on the plug 110, so that the sliding block 122 slides further into the slotted guide 114 and is restricted in its mobility, at least in the direction of the socket, by the slotted guide 114. In the example shown here, flipping the locking lever 112 involves a rotation of essentially 90°.

[0024] If the connector 100 is to be specifically unlocked, the locking lever 112 is pivoted from its locked position (shown in view a)), in particular manually, into the unlocked position so that the opening of the guide 114 again points in the direction of the socket 120. Depending on the specific geometric design of the guide 114, the locking mechanism can allow the connector 110 to be inserted even deeper into the socket 120. In such a case, the unlocking already pulls the connector 110 out of the socket 120 by a small distance. Such configurations facilitate both the correct mating and the intended unmating of the connector 100, since a precisely defined end position or starting position is achieved in each case.

[0025] The locking mechanism 140 comprises in the Fig. 1, a predetermined breaking point 142, which is formed by applying a minimum axial force Fz can be broken open to effect emergency release. The axial direction is defined as the minimum force F z a direction that is essentially opposite to the direction in which the plug 110 is moved relative to the socket 120 to achieve the mated state. The minimum axial force therefore acts on the plug 110 in the direction away from the socket 120.

[0026] In the example shown, the predetermined breaking point 142 is integrated into the locking lever 112 as a notch in the link 114. Alternatively or additionally, the predetermined breaking point can also be provided on the sliding block 122 and / or on the bearing (or hinge) of the locking lever 112 on the connector 110. The specific design of the predetermined breaking point can determine the required minimum force F zfor emergency release (i.e., for breaking open the predetermined breaking point 142). For example, a deeper cut and / or a smaller curve radius at its deepest point results in a lower required minimum force Fz.

[0027] Applying this minimum force F z leads to a minimum force F z opposite breaking force F R , which acts on the predetermined breaking point 142 and thus causes the breakage thereof, as in states 2 and 3 in Fig. 1 shown.

[0028] In Fig. 2, views a) to c) schematically illustrate a second embodiment of a connector according to the invention for an electrical conductor, designated overall by 200. View a) shows the connector 200 in a mated state 1 in a side view. View c) shows a substantially separated state 3 in a top view, and view b) illustrates the operation of the emergency release of the connector 200, which leads to state 3 in view c), in a top view.

[0029] The Fig. The connector 200 shown in Figure 2 differs from the one shown in Fig. 1 according to the first embodiment, in particular in that the emergency release of the locking mechanism 140 takes place in a different way. Instead of the predetermined breaking point 142, the connector 200 has an emergency release, which is achieved by plastic and / or elastic deformation of the first and / or second locking element, i.e., the locking lever 112 and / or the sliding block 122, upon application of the minimum force F z allows a separation of plug 110 and socket 120. In the example shown here, a bevel 242 is provided on the sliding block 122 and the link 114, which, when the minimum force F z on the cable 130 results in a transverse force F Qacts on the part of the locking lever 112 that engages with the sliding block 122. As a result, the part of the locking lever 112 that delimits the sliding block 114 is bent open, so that the sliding block 122 can slide out of the sliding block 114 of the locking lever 112. The bevel 242 can be configured, for example, in the form of a chamfer and / or a rounded portion.

[0030] To support the elastic deformation, the locking lever 112 and / or the sliding block 122 and / or the bearing of the locking lever 112 on the plug 110 can be made, at least in sections, from a material having a modulus of elasticity of less than 2, 1.5, 1.2 or less than 1 GPa, or can comprise such a material.

[0031] In cases where no plastic deformation of the locking mechanism 140 occurs during the emergency release, the connector remains completely intact and can be reused without repair.

[0032] In Fig. 3, a third embodiment of a connector according to the invention for an electrical conductor is schematically illustrated in views a) to c) and is designated overall by 300. View a) shows the connector 300 in the mated and locked state 1, view c) a separated state 3, and view b) a transition state 2 between state 1 and state 3 caused by the emergency release function of the connector 300, each in a side view.

[0033] The connector 300 shown here differs from the previously described embodiments 100, 200 of the connector in that the emergency release is effected by an automatic actuation of the locking mechanism 140 in the opposite direction to the locking, wherein this automatic actuation is effected by applying the minimum force F z For this purpose, in the example shown, the gate 114 is designed so that when the minimum force F z a transverse force F Q acting on the locking lever 112, which moves the locking lever 112 into its unlocked position (as in state 3 of Fig.3). In the example shown, a local elevation 342, for example in the form of a hump, is provided in the link 114 for this purpose, which in the locked state 1 rests with a flank against the link block 122, so that when an axial tensile force acts on the connector 110 or cable 130, the link block presses against the flank and thereby exerts a force with a force component that does not act in the axial direction on the link. If the transverse force thus developed exceeds the holding force of the locking lever 112, the locking lever 112 opens by rotation F D around its hinge on the plug 110, so that the plug 110 can be pulled out of the socket. By appropriately designing the hump or the local elevation 342, the minimum force F required for emergency release can be z be set.

Claims

[1] Connector (100, 200, 300) for an electrical conductor (130), comprising at least one plug (110) and at least one socket (120), wherein the at least one socket (120) and the at least one plug (110) can be fixed by means of a locking mechanism (140) in a mated state (1), in which an electrical connection exists between the plug (110) and the socket (120), wherein the locking mechanism (140) in the mated state (1) can be brought into an unlocked position in which the plug (110) and socket (120) can be separated by a specific axial pull-out force acting counter to a plug-in direction of the plug connection, and wherein the locking mechanism (140) can be brought into a locked position in the mated state (1), in which the plug (110) and socket (120) cannot be separated by the specific axial pull-out force acting counter to the mating direction, wherein the locking mechanism (140) is configured to release the fixation of the mated state (1) in the locked position when a minimum axial force (Fz) acting counter to the mating direction is exceeded. [2] Connector (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1, wherein the minimum force (Fz) exceeds the specific axial pull-out force required to separate the unlocked connector connection by at least 30%, 50%, 100%, 200%, 300% or more. [3] Connector (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking mechanism (140) for releasing the fixation has a predetermined breaking point (142) which is designed such that it breaks when the minimum axial force (Fz) is exceeded. [4] Connector (100, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism (140) comprises a first locking element (112) provided on the at least one plug (110) and a second locking element (122) provided on the at least one socket (120), wherein the first locking element (112) is designed to cooperate with the second locking element (122). [5] Connector (100, 200, 300) according to claim 4, wherein the first locking element (112) has a slotted link (114) and the second locking element (122) has a slotted link block designed to engage in the slotted link (114) and / or wherein the second locking element has a slotted link and the first locking element has a slotted link block designed to engage in the slotted link. [6] Connector (300) according to claim 5, wherein the slotted link (114) is designed such that application of the axial minimum force (Fz) to the connector (300) causes a transverse force (F Q ), which is not parallel to the direction of the axial minimum force (Fz), and the transverse force (F Q ) causes the locking mechanism (140) to be unlocked. [7] Connector (200) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first (112) and the second (122) locking element are engaged with one another in the locked position, and wherein the first (112) and / or the second (122) locking element are plastically and / or elastically deformable by the minimum force (Fz) for the purpose of releasing the fixation of the mated state in such a way that the engagement of the first locking element (112) and the second locking element (122) with one another is released and / or a connection between the first locking element (112) and the at least one plug (110) is released and / or a connection between the second locking element (122) and the at least one socket (120) is released. [8] Connector (100, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one plug (110) and / or the at least one socket (120) each comprise a housing which in particular comprises an electrically insulating material, wherein the locking mechanism (140) is arranged in particular on an outer side of the housing. [9] Connector (100, 200, 300) according to claim 8, wherein the minimum force (Fz) is at least 20%, 30%, 50% or more than 60% lower than an axial pull-out force required to pull the electrical conductor (130) out of the housing. [10] The connector of claim 9, wherein withdrawing the electrical conductor from the housing comprises withdrawing an electrical contact from a contact location provided within the housing. [11] A connector according to claim 9 or 10, wherein withdrawing the electrical conductor from the housing comprises releasing a connection between the electrical conductor and a contact arranged in the housing. [12] Plug (110) for a connector (100, 200, 300) according to one of the preceding claims. [13] Socket (120) for a connector (100, 200, 300) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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