Socket part for an electrical plug connection

Abstract

A socket part (BU) for an electrical plug connection with a complementary plug part (kST) is provided, wherein the socket part (BU) has a contact carrier (1) with contact elements (8), a socket housing (2), a sealing sleeve (6), an axial spring (5), a sealing element (7) and a holder, wherein the contact carrier (1) is surrounded by the socket housing (2), wherein the axial spring (5) is held in the socket part (BU) by the sealing sleeve (6), wherein the sealing element (7) is arranged on the sealing sleeve (6), which sealing element is elastically deformed when the socket part (BU) is connected to the plug part (kST) by a plug end (9), wherein the holder has a spring ring (3) with conically inwardly shaped holding jaws which can engage in a threaded section (12) of the complementary plug part (kSt) in order to achieve a quick connection between the socket part (BU) and the complementary plug part (kST) without To enable screwing,wherein the spring ring (3) is interrupted at one point on its circumference and has an opening (20), wherein the spring ring (3) is spirally deformed when inserted into the socket part (BU), so that the retaining jaws of the spring ring (3) assume the shape of a thread, with which a screwable and / or pluggable connection of the socket part (BU) with a standard-compliant complementary plug part (kST) can be established.,

Description

The invention relates to a socket part, in particular a spring ring, which is integrated into the socket part, for an electrical plug connection according to the preamble of claim 1.The present invention preferably relates to round plug connectors for industrial applications, in particular cable plugs, cable sockets and cable feedthroughs for and in housings of any kind.The round plug connectors in question have been known for a long time and are also manufactured and sold by the applicant under the series designation "ecolink", among other things.The product organization of the "ecolink" series comprises cable boxes, cable plugs, connecting lines and central distributors in the designs M8 and M12 for automation technology. The assortment is organized according to application areas. In addition to the connection technology for general industrial applications, there are embodiments for use in the hygiene and wet sector in the food and beverage industry, for use in machine tools and the metal processing industry, for use in welding installations, mobile work machines and also in explosion-risk sectors.In order to ensure the reliability required for the aforementioned applications, in particular in order to prevent unintentional loosening, these plug connectors are provided with a vibration protection, the mode of operation of which is described in DE 102005056563 B3 of the applicant. The socket part described in this document is only screwable and is not suitable for a quick connection technique (direct connection by plugging without screws). The quick connection technology always requires a downward compatibility, i.e. both directly pluggable and also screwable in standardized fashion.DE 102022117860 B3 discloses a bushing part with a spring ring. The invention aims to eliminate the axial play between the threaded sleeve and the contact carrier and to seal the plug axially on the threaded collar. This is achieved by a sealing element which is pressed in a suitable manner. Due to the spring action, the connection is vibration-proof and tight against penetrating media. Improvements are required to be compatible with plugs whose threads are not continuous throughout the diameter but are interrupted.The object of the invention is to overcome the disadvantages mentioned and to specify a socket part for an electrical plug connection for the mechanical coupling of a socket part to a complementary plug part, which enables simple and reliable handling and an improved connection.A further object is to provide an electronic control unit which has a plug connector which can be used flexibly.The socket part must be compatible with all standard-compliant plugs of a plug standard (i.e. a socket part according to the invention specifically for the M12 connection must be compatible with all standard-compliant M12 plugs). Moreover, it should be easy to handle, mechanically locked and thus vibration-proof and tight against penetrating media according to the standards ANSI 60529 or EN 60529. The protection type IP67 should be reachable.The objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments and advantages of the invention are evident from the further claims, the description and the drawings.The essential inventive concept consists, on the one hand, in integrating a disk-shaped spring ring into a bushing part which resembles a disk spring in its shape. In contrast to conventional spring washers, however, this ring is not continuously closed, but has an opening on one side. This opening makes it possible to deform the spring ring in a spiral manner.The invention consists in conically deforming the spring ring by a first forming element, which can also be an inner side of the bushing part. This is effected by a helically formed end face of the shaped element, against which the spring ring abuts during the insertion into the bushing part. The deformation brings the spring ring into a helical position, which ensures improved functionality and stability of the bushing part.The operation of the invention is based on the use of the split spring ring in conjunction with the first and second mould elements. When the spring ring is introduced into the bushing part, the latter is deformed in a spiral manner by the conical deformation of the first and second shaped elements between the shaped elements. This achieves a secure and firm connection of the spring ring in the bushing part.A socket part for an electrical plug connection with a complementary plug part is provided, wherein the socket part has a contact carrier with corresponding contact elements, a socket housing, a sealing sleeve, an axial spring, a sealing element and a holder. The contact carrier is surrounded or enclosed by the socket housing. The axial spring is held in the bushing part by the sealing sleeve. The axial spring generates a force on the plug part and deforms the sealing element in a sealing manner, so that the socket and the plug are tightly coupled. For this purpose, the sealing element is arranged on the sealing sleeve and is elastically deformed by a plug end when the socket part is connected to the plug part, so that the socket part is sealed with respect to the plug part. The holder has a spring ring with inwardly conical retaining jaws which can engage in a threaded section of the complementary plug part in order to enable a quick connection between the socket part and the complementary plug part without screwing. According to the invention, the spring ring is interrupted at one point on its circumference and has an opening at this point. When inserted into the socket part, the spring ring is deformed in a spiral shape, so that the conically inwardly inclined retaining jaws of the spring ring take the form of a thread, with which a screw and / or plug connection of the socket part with a complementary plug part conforming to the norm can be produced.It is advantageous that, due to the interruption of the spring ring, the sleeve part is also compatible with plugs whose threads are not continuous over the entire diameter, but rather are interrupted.In one embodiment of the invention, the spring ring has slots on its inner and outer periphery, which slots form a meandering structure around the periphery of the spring ring.The meandering structure of the slots on the inner and outer periphery of the spring ring results in increased elasticity of the holder, which ensures a reliable and vibration-proof connection between the socket and plug parts.In one embodiment, the holder has, in addition to the spring ring, a first shaped element and a second shaped element, wherein the shaped elements each have a helical end face which are designed to engage one another and to receive the spring ring between the shaped elements in order to deform the spring ring in such a way that a thread turn is formed for fastening a plug part. When the spring ring is introduced between the shaping elements, the spring ring is deformed spirally to form a thread turn. In addition to screwing a complementary plug part in and out, this also allows a plug part to be inserted into the socket, as a result of which a simple, secure and tight connection is produced.In one embodiment of the invention, the socket housing forms the first shaped element. The inner wall of the socket housing is formed spirally like the first forming element. When the spring ring is mounted between the bushing part and the second forming element, the spring ring deforms spirally by the inner wall and assumes the shape of a thread.According to one embodiment of the invention, an electronic control unit for automation technology has at least one socket part according to the invention, which is provided for an electrical connection. The integration of the described socket parts into control units contributes to the standardization of connection elements, which increases the compatibility with other components and simplifies the storage.A further advantage of the invention is that it offers several connection possibilities. The helical spring ring makes it possible to screw a plug into a socket in a conventional manner and additionally offers the possibility of plugging the plug into the socket. This allows different plug parts to be connected to the socket part, which increases the flexibility and versatility of the application.The possibility of a quick connection without screwing reduces the installation time and facilitates maintenance, which leads to a higher availability of the automation systems.The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a socket part according to the invention for M12 round plug connectors; FIG. 2 shows the socket part with a standard M12 plug in the unmated state; FIG. 3 shows the socket part with a standard M12 plug during the plugging process; FIG. 4 shows the socket part with a standard M12 plug when the plug is released; FIG. 5 shows an electronic control unitFIG. 1 shows a socket part BU (female) according to the invention for M12 round plug connectors (male), without restricting the invention to this thread design or size. It is compatible with all standardized M12 connectors and easy to handle, since the connector only has to be inserted up to the stop. Due to the spring force, the connection is vibration-proof and tight against penetrating media.The figures show the socket part BU, a contact carrier 1, the socket housing 2, flexible retaining jaws for engaging in a threaded contour, a spring ring 3, an axial spring 5, a sealing sleeve 6, a sealing element 7, the contact elements 8, as well as a first shaped element 14 and a second shaped element 4.The spring ring 3 is interrupted at one point on its circumference and has an opening 20 at this point. When inserted into the socket part BU, the spring ring 3 is deformed in a spiral shape, so that the conically inwardly inclined retaining jaws of the spring ring 3 assume the shape of a thread, with which a screw and / or plug connection of the socket part BU to a complementary plug part kST conforming to the norm can be produced.The spring ring 3 has slots on its inner and outer periphery, which form a meandering structure around the periphery of the spring ring 3.The meandering structure of the slots on the inner and outer periphery of the spring ring 3 results in increased elasticity of the holder, which ensures a reliable and vibration-proof connection between the socket and plug parts.In an embodiment of the invention not shown here, the socket housing 2 forms the first shaped element 14. When the spring washer 3 is mounted between the bushing part BU and the second forming member 4, the spring washer 3 spirally deforms by the inner wall and takes the shape of a thread.FIG. 2 shows a socket part BU (female) with a standard-compliant M12 plug (male) in an unmated state. The handle body of the plug kST is designated GK. Arranged between the first shaped element 14 and the second shaped element 4 is the spring ring 3, which is pressed together with the respective shaped element during the insertion into the bushing part and thereby assumes a spiral shape. The flexible retaining jaws of the spring ring 3 are conically inclined inwardly so that they take the form of a thread. The retaining jaw is designed such that, in the plugged state, it adapts to the thread shape of the plug part kST (plug) and latches with it.The axially acting helical spring 5 is prestressed and is held in position on the one hand by a sealing sleeve 6 and on the other hand by a narrowing in the bushing housing 2.FIG. 3 shows the socket part BU (female) with the M12 plug (male) kST during the plugging process. In this case, the flexible retaining jaws are simultaneously pressed downwards and also upwards into their natural position in the plug-in direction and hold the plug firmly. In addition, the threaded sleeve 11 of the complementary plug part kST is pressed by the spring ring 3 in the direction of the grip body GK. The retaining jaws jump over the thread profile of the threaded section 12 of the threaded sleeve 11The sealing element 7 is pressed through the plug end 9 and pressed down with the sealing sleeve 6. In this case, the helical spring 5 is compressed further. The plug depth is limited by the contact carrier. The contact carrier serves as a stop for the plug end 9.FIG. 4 shows the socket part BU with the M12 plug kST conforming to the standard when the plug ksT is released. In this case, the axial spring 5 pushes the plug kST upwards. In this case, the flexible retaining jaws of the spring ring 3 latch into the threaded profile 12 of the threaded sleeve 11 and return upwards into their initial state. As a result, they wedge in the threaded sleeve 11 and block the threaded section 12 during axial movement of the plug. The sealing element 7 is now pressed with constant force against the sealing contour of the plug kST.The plug connection can only be released by turning out the threaded sleeve 11. An axially acting vibration protection 10 provided on the plug part kST locks the plug connection and thus protects it against unintentional (automatic) loosening. The axial spring 5 generates the mechanical (basic) prestress which is absolutely necessary for the function of the vibration protection 10 acting as a snap-action latch and acts like a snap-action locking mechanism.FIG. 5 shows an IO link box by way of example. This is an electronic device, in particular a control unit for automation technology, which has a plurality of sockets according to FIGS. 1 to 4. The socket part BU according to the invention is compatible with all standardized plug codings of the designs M12 and M8. The socket part BU is provided for use in electronic devices in automation technology. In particular, the socket part BU can be used in passive distributors, Y distributors, plug connectors.The invention is not limited to the design M12. The invention can also be applied to the design M8.The use of a spring ring 3 with inwardly conically shaped retaining jaws, which can engage in a threaded section of the plug part kST, enables a quick connection without screwing. In addition, the sealing element 7 is elastically deformed in order to ensure an effective seal between the socket part BU and the plug part kST. These improvements contribute to increasing the reliability and efficiency of the electrical plug connection in various applications, in particular in automation technology.The interruption of the spring ring 3 and the formation of the opening 20 has the advantage that the socket part BU is also compatible with plugs kST whose threads are not continuous over the entire diameter but are interrupted.Reference numerals denote reference numeralsBU socket part for an electrical plug connection 1 contact carrier 2 socket housing 3 holding jaw(s) 4 second shaped element 5 axial spring (axial spiral spring) 6 sealing sleeve 7 sealing element (seal) 8 contact element (contact spring) 9 plug end 10 vibration protection 11 threaded sleeve 12 threaded section on the norm-compliant complementary plug part kST 14 first shaped element 20 opening GK handle body kST complementary plug part, norm-compliant and complementary to the socket part 2

Claims

Socket part (BU) for an electrical plug connection with a complementary plug part (kST), wherein the socket part (BU) has a contact carrier (1) with contact elements (8), a socket housing (2), a sealing sleeve (6), an axial spring (5), a sealing element (7) and a holder, wherein the contact carrier (1) is surrounded by the socket housing (2), wherein the axial spring (5) is held in the socket part (BU) by the sealing sleeve (6), wherein the sealing element (7) is arranged on the sealing sleeve (6), which sealing element is elastically deformed by a plug end (9) when the socket part (BU) is connected to the plug part (kST), such that the socket part (BU) is sealed with respect to the plug part (kST), wherein the holder has a spring ring (3) with conically inwardly shaped retaining jaws which can engage in a threaded section (12) of the complementary plug part (kSt) in order to enable a quick connection between the socket part (BU) and the complementary plug part (kST) without screwing, characterized in that the spring ring (3) is interrupted at one point on its circumference and has an opening (20), wherein the spring ring (3) is deformed in a spiral manner when being introduced into the socket part (BU), so that the retaining jaws of the spring ring (3) assume the shape of a thread path with which a screwable and / or pluggable connection of the socket part (BU) to a complementary plug part (kST) in accordance with the standard can be produced.Bushing part (BU) according to claim 1, characterised in that the spring ring (3) has slots on its inner and outer periphery, which slots form a meandering structure around the periphery of the spring ring.Bushing part (BU) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the holder comprises, in addition to the spring ring (3), a first shaped element (14) and a second shaped element (4), wherein the shaped elements (14, 4) each have a helical contour on their end face which is designed to engage one another and to receive the spring ring (3) between the shaped elements (14, 4) in order to deform the spring ring (3) in a helical manner, such that, when the spring ring (3) is introduced between the shaped elements (14, 4), the spring ring (3) deforms to form a thread turn, wherein the helical spring ring (3) is designed to fasten a plug part.Bushing part (BU) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bushing housing (2) forms the first shaped element (14).Electronic device for automation technology, characterized in that at least one socket part (BU) according to one of Claims 1 to 4 is provided for an electrical connection.

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