connectors

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (100) with a plug (2), a mating plug (3) and a position securing element (1), wherein a locking means (21) is formed on the plug (2) and a complementary counter-locking means (31) is formed on the mating plug (3) to form a primary locking mechanism, wherein the position securing element (1) is mounted on the plug (2) in a positionally variable manner in the plugging direction at least between a pre-assembly position (VS), in which the position securing element (1) is arranged, in particular directly and / or contacting, adjacent to the locking means (21), and a final assembly position (ES), in which the position securing element (1) is mounted on the locking means (21), wherein, in the case of a primary locking device which is not arranged as intended, a plug-side free end (14) of the position securing element (1) rests against the locking means (21) at least when guiding and / or moving the position securing element (1) into the final assembly position (ES).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector with a plug, a mating plug and a position securing element.

[0002] A connector position assurance (CPA) is a movable part of a connector that can only be closed when the connector is properly engaged with the mating connector, thus blocking actuation. However, with practice, known position assurance elements can also be closed even if the final locking position of the locking connection has not been reached. This poses a significant safety risk, as the connector connection can become loose.

[0003] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a connector in which the safety and guarantee of the connection of the connector is optimized.

[0004] This problem is solved by the combination of features according to patent claim 1.

[0005] According to the invention, a connector comprising a plug, a mating plug, and a position-securing element, in particular a CPA, is proposed. A latching means is provided on the plug, and a complementary counter-latching means is provided on the mating plug to form a primary locking mechanism, preferably a latching connection. The position-securing element is mounted on the plug in a positionally variable manner in the plugging direction, which is preferably aligned parallel to a longitudinal extension of the plug, at least between a pre-assembly position, in which the position-securing element is arranged, in particular directly and / or contacting, adjacent to the latching means, and a final assembly position, in which the position-securing element is mounted on the latching means.Furthermore, in the case of a primary locking device that is not arranged as intended, a plug-side free end of the position securing element, which in particular forms a contact surface, rests against the locking means at least when guiding and / or moving the position securing element into the final assembly position.

[0006] The advantage of this is that the position securing element cannot be guided into the final assembly position if the primary locking mechanism is not arranged as intended.

[0007] In an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that, in the case of a primary locking mechanism that is not designed as intended, the locking means can be guided into a primary locking mechanism arranged as intended or into a final locking position of the primary locking mechanism when the position securing element is moved from the pre-assembly position into the final assembly position by means of the position securing element.

[0008] In one embodiment of the invention, a projection is formed on the free end of the position-securing element, in particular such that the position-securing element can only be guided into the final assembly position when the primary locking mechanism is arranged as intended. The projection forms a thickened portion of the free end of the position-securing element or extends the height of the position-securing element, whereby the position-securing element cannot be pushed past the locking means when moving into the final assembly position. The plug connector according to the invention is accordingly designed such that, when the primary locking mechanism is arranged as intended, a distance between the counter-locking means and an inner circumferential surface of the plug is less than the combined height of the locking means and the position-securing element in the final assembly position.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the counter-locking means comprises an inclined ramp and a cover surface immediately adjacent thereto, which is flat and / or parallel to the plug-in direction. A control cam for supporting the plug-side free end of the position-locking element during movement into the final assembly position is formed exclusively from the cover surface.

[0010] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is one in which the position-securing element has an actuating element for moving and / or guiding the position-securing element by a user. When the position-securing element is arranged in the final assembly position, the actuating element is arranged such that unlocking of the primary locking mechanism is blocked. Furthermore, the actuating element is designed to deflect the locking element of the plug.

[0011] Preferably, the connector is designed such that, when the position securing element is arranged in the final assembly position, the actuating element is arranged, in particular directly, above the rotation axis of the locking means.

[0012] In a further advantageous variant, at least one, preferably two, guide grooves extending along a longitudinal extent of the position-securing element are formed on the actuating element of the position-securing element. Furthermore, at least one, preferably two, complementary guide rails are formed on the locking means.

[0013] In one embodiment, the connector according to the invention is designed in such a way that a guide arm is formed on a respective side surface of the actuating element. When the position-locking element is arranged in the final assembly position, the respective guide arm is mounted on a housing of the connector.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking means is an elastically resilient locking tab. It is further advantageous if at least the free end of the position-securing element is designed in the shape of a locking hook.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the free end of the position-locking element is designed to be ramp-like and / or angled. In this way, with a properly arranged primary locking mechanism, the position-locking element can be guided into the final assembly position even with a certain height difference between the locking element and the counter-locking element, and does not jam on the locking element.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a further guide groove is formed at the free end of the position-securing element. Furthermore, at least one further guide groove is formed, in particular at a further free end opposite the free end, into which a further guide rail of the plug preferably engages.

[0017] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that the further guide groove is designed in such a way that the free end of the position securing element does not contact the ramp of the mating connector when moving into the final assembly position.

[0018] Furthermore, an embodiment is advantageous in which a contact surface of the position-securing element, which rests on the locking means in the final assembly position of the position-securing element, is angled and / or arcuate. A corresponding counter-contact surface of the locking means is correspondingly angled and / or arcuate in a complementary manner.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the plug is designed to receive a contact carrier.

[0020] The features disclosed above can be combined as desired, as long as this is technically possible and they do not contradict each other.

[0021] Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are presented in more detail below, together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a position securing element of a connector; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a plug of the connector; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a mating connector of the connector; Fig. 4 a sectional view of the connector with the position securing element in the pre-assembly position; Fig. 5 a sectional view of the connector with the primary locking mechanism not arranged as intended when the position securing element is moved into the final assembly position; Fig. 6 a sectional view of the connector with the primary locking mechanism arranged as intended when the position securing element is moved into the final assembly position; Fig. 7 a sectional view of the connector with the position securing element in the final assembly position.

[0022] The figures are schematic examples. Identical reference numerals in the figures indicate identical functional and / or structural features.

[0023] In Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a position securing element 1 of a connector 100.

[0024] The position securing element 1 has a plug-side free end 14 for contacting a locking means 21 of a plug 2 of the plug connector 100 when guiding and / or moving the position securing element 1 into the final assembly position ES.

[0025] A projection 11 is formed on the free end 14 of the position-securing element 1, such that the position-securing element 1 can only be guided into the final assembly position ES when the primary locking mechanism is arranged as intended. Furthermore, the position-securing element 1 has an actuating element 12 for moving and / or guiding the position-securing element 1 by a user. Furthermore, the actuating element 12 is designed such that, when the position-securing element 1 is arranged in the final assembly position ES, unlocking of a primary locking mechanism of the connector 100 is blocked.

[0026] In addition, two guide grooves 121 extending along a longitudinal extent of the position-securing element 1 are formed on the actuating element 12. A guide arm 123 is provided on a respective side surface 122 of the actuating element 12, which, when the position-securing element 1 is arranged in the final assembly position ES, is mounted on a housing 22 of the connector 2.

[0027] Furthermore, the free end 14 of the position securing element 1 is designed in the shape of a locking hook. Furthermore, the free end 14 of the position securing element 1 is designed in a ramp-like and / or angled manner. A further guide groove 124 is formed at the free end 14 of the position securing element 1. Furthermore, a further guide groove 125 is formed at a further free end 15 opposite the free end 14.

[0028] In addition, a contact surface 13 of the position securing element 1, which in the final assembly position ES of the position securing element 1 rests on the locking means 21, is angled and / or arcuate.

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a plug 2 of the connector 100. A housing 22 of the plug 2 is sleeve-shaped. Furthermore, a complementary locking means 21 is formed on the plug 2 for forming a primary locking connection with a counter-locking means 31 of a mating plug 3. The locking means 21 is an elastically resilient locking tab. Furthermore, a mating contact surface 212 of the locking means 21 for the counter-locking means 31 of the mating plug 3 is angled and / or arcuately formed in a complementary manner to the counter-locking means 31. Furthermore, two guide rails 211 complementary to the two guide grooves 121 of the position-securing element 1 are formed on the locking means 21.

[0030] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a mating connector 3 of the connector 100. A mating locking means 31 is formed on the mating connector 3. The mating locking means 31 has an inclined ramp 312 and a cover surface 311 immediately adjacent thereto, which is flat and / or parallel to the plugging direction. A control cam for supporting the plug-side free end 14 of the position-securing element 1 during movement into the final assembly position ES is formed exclusively from the cover surface 311.

[0031] Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of the connector 100 with the position securing element 1 in the pre-assembly position VS. The position securing element 1 is arranged on the plug 2 in the plugging direction at least between the pre-assembly position VS, in which the position securing element 1 is arranged directly and in contact with the locking means 21, and a final assembly position ES ( Fig. 7), in which the position securing element 1 is mounted on the locking means 21, mounted in a positionally variable manner.

[0032] In Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the connector 100 with the primary locking mechanism not arranged as intended when the position securing element 1 is moved into the final assembly position ES.

[0033] In the Fig. In the state shown in Figure 5, the actuating element 12 of the position-securing element 1 is actuated by a user. After the primary locking mechanism is in a non-intended state, a free end 14 of the position-securing element 1 on the plug side rests. Furthermore, when the position-securing element 1 is moved from the pre-assembly position VS to the final assembly position ES, the locking means 21 can be guided by means of the position-securing element 1 into a properly arranged primary locking or final locking position of the primary locking mechanism. In this case, the position-securing element 1 is guided with the guide grooves 121, 124, 125 on the corresponding guide rails and / or the control contour of the counter-locking means 31 of the mating connector 3. Furthermore, a contact carrier for contacting the mating connector 3 is accommodated in the connector 2.In addition, the actuating element 12 is designed to deflect the plug in such a way that the plug is deflected when the actuating element is actuated.

[0034] Furthermore, in Fig. 5 shows that the projection 11 on the free end 14 of the position securing element 1 is designed in such a way that the position securing element 1 can only be locked in the case of a primary locking device arranged as intended ( Fig. 6) can be guided into the final assembly position ES and not in the Fig. 5, since the locking means 21 of the plug 2 blocks the free end 14 of the position securing element 1.

[0035] Fig. Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the connector 100 with the primary locking mechanism arranged as intended during the movement of the position securing element 1 into the final assembly position ES. The locking means 21, designed as an elastically resilient locking tab, is engaged in the final locking position of the primary locking mechanism.

[0036] The free end 14 of the position-securing element 1 is designed to be partially ramp-like and / or angled so that the free end does not block the part of the locking means 21 that protrudes beyond the cover surface 311 of the counter-locking means 31 during further movement. This provides a certain tolerance compensation.

[0037] The counter-locking means 31 has an inclined ramp 312 and a cover surface 311 immediately adjacent thereto, which is flat and / or parallel to the plug-in direction. A control cam for supporting the plug-side free end 14 of the position securing element 1 during movement into the final assembly position ES is formed exclusively from the cover surface 311.

[0038] The free end 14 of the position securing element 1 lies in the Fig. 6 shown state on the control cam, in particular the cover surface 311, of the counter-locking means 31.

[0039] In Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the connector 100 with the position securing element 1 in the final assembly position ES.

[0040] In the final assembly position ES, the position-securing element 1 rests on the locking means 21. Furthermore, the actuating element 12 is arranged such that unlocking of the primary locking mechanism is blocked. The actuating element 12 is arranged directly above a rotational axis of the locking means 21. Furthermore, the respective guide arm 123 is mounted on the side surface 122 of the actuating element 12 on the housing 22 of the connector 2. Furthermore, a contact surface 13 of the position-securing element 1, which rests on the locking means 21 in the final assembly position ES of the position-securing element 1, is angled. Furthermore, a corresponding counter-contact surface 212 of the locking means 21 is correspondingly angled in a complementary manner.

[0041] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable that utilize the solution presented even in fundamentally different embodiments.

Claims

[1] Connector (100) with a plug (2), a mating plug (3) and a position securing element (1), wherein a locking means (21) is formed on the plug (2) and a complementary counter-locking means (31) is formed on the mating plug (3) to form a primary locking mechanism, wherein the position securing element (1) is mounted on the plug (2) in a positionally variable manner in the plugging direction at least between a pre-assembly position (VS), in which the position securing element (1) is arranged, in particular directly and / or contacting, adjacent to the locking means (21), and a final assembly position (ES), in which the position securing element (1) is mounted on the locking means (21), wherein, in the case of a primary locking device which is not arranged as intended, a plug-side free end (14) of the position securing element (1) rests against the locking means (21) at least when guiding and / or moving the position securing element (1) into the final assembly position (ES). [2] Connector (100) according to claim 1, wherein, in the case of a primary locking mechanism not designed as intended, the latching means (21) can be guided into a properly arranged primary locking mechanism and / or final latching position of the primary locking mechanism when the position securing element (1) is moved from the pre-assembly position (VS) into the final assembly position (ES) by means of the position securing element (1). [3] Connector (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a projection (11) is formed on the free end (14) of the position securing element (1), in particular such that the position securing element can be guided into the final assembly position (ES) exclusively when the primary locking is arranged as intended. [4] Connector (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the counter-locking means (31) has an inclined ramp (312) and a cover surface (311) immediately adjoining it which is flat and / or parallel to the plugging direction, wherein a control cam for contacting the plug-side free end (14) of the position securing element (1) during the movement into the final assembly position (ES) is formed exclusively from the cover surface (311). [5] Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the position securing element (1) has an actuating element (12) for moving and / or guiding the position securing element (1) by a user, wherein, when the position securing element (1) is arranged in the final assembly position (ES), the actuating element (12) is arranged such that unlocking of the primary locking is blocked. [6] Connector (100) according to claim 5, wherein, when the position securing element (1) is arranged in the final assembly position (ES), the actuating element (12) is arranged, in particular directly, above the rotation axis of the locking means (21). [7] Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, wherein at least one, preferably two, guide grooves (121) extending along a longitudinal extent of the position securing element (1) are formed on the actuating element (12), wherein at least one, preferably two, complementary guide rails (211) are formed on the locking means (21). [8] Connector (100) according to claim 7, wherein a guide arm (123) is formed on a respective side surface (122) of the actuating element (12), wherein, when the position securing element (1) is arranged in the final assembly position (ES), the respective guide arm (123) is mounted on a housing (22) of the plug (2). [9] Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking means (21) is an elastically resilient locking tab. [10] Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the free end (14) of the position securing element (1) is designed in the shape of a latching hook. [11] Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the free end (14) of the position securing element (1) is ramp-like and / or angled. [12] Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a further guide groove (124) is formed on the free end (14) of the position securing element (1), wherein in particular at least one further guide groove (125) is formed on a further free end (15) opposite the free end (14). [13] Connector (100) according to claim 12, wherein the further guide groove (124) is designed such that the free end (14) of the position securing element (1) does not contact the ramp (312) of the mating connector (3) during a movement into the final assembly position (ES). [14] Connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a contact surface (13) of the position securing element (1), which in the final assembly position (ES) of the position securing element (1) is mounted on the locking means (21), is angled and / or arcuate, wherein a corresponding counter-contact surface (212) of the locking means (21) is correspondingly complementarily angled and / or arcuate.

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