Connector unlocking resistance mechanism

Abstract

Connector (100), comprising: a housing (110), the housing having a cable opening (105) for receiving a cable having a plurality of wires; a contact insert (130); a plurality of contacts (150) arranged within the contact insert (130); and a retaining pin (160, 180, 190) disposed within the contact insert, the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) having a base (163) and a projecting portion (161), wherein the protruding portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is configured to engage with a socket insert (230) of a socket connector (200) through a socket contact opening (235) when the plug connector (100) is inserted into the socket connector (200), and wherein the protruding portion (161) comprises a first region and a second region adjacent to one another along an insertion direction of the plug connector (100), wherein a diameter of the first region of the protruding portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is greater than a diameter of the socket contact opening (235) and a diameter of the second region of the protruding portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) corresponds to the diameter of the socket contact opening (235), wherein the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is not electrically conductive and is designed such that a resistance force builds up slowly when the plug-in connector (100) is inserted into the socket connector (200), while a withdrawal force acting against the withdrawal increases sharply with a minimal travel during withdrawal, wherein a total insertion force for inserting the plug-in connector (100) into the socket connector (200) is lower than a total withdrawal force for withdrawing the plug-in connector (100) from the socket connector (200).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 446,962, filed February 20, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to connectors having a mechanism for increasing unlocking resistance. BACKGROUND

[0003] Plug connectors and socket connectors typically consist of a male plug and a female socket. The plug typically contains pin contacts, and the socket typically contains socket contacts. Sockets are often permanently attached to a device, such as a panel connector, while plugs are attached to a cable. Both plugs and sockets can be connected to cables, for example, to connect two cables together.

[0004] Plugs generally have one or more metal contacts, also called terminals, that are inserted into openings in the mating socket. The connection between the mating metal parts must be sufficiently strong to create a good electrical connection and complete an electrical circuit.

[0005] A locking mechanism can be used to mechanically lock a plug to a receptacle. The locking mechanism can be opened to release the plug from the receptacle. Technical standards such as UL 1682 stipulate that a minimum withdrawal force must be sufficient to prevent inadvertent removal of the plug from the receptacle during normal use, even when the locking mechanism is released. The withdrawal force is typically determined by the friction of the plug contacts. SUMMARY

[0006] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a connector. The connector includes a housing having a cable opening for receiving a cable having multiple wires. A plurality of contacts are disposed within a contact insert. A retention pin is disposed within the contact insert. The retention pin has a base and a protruding portion. The protruding portion of the retention pin is configured to engage a receptacle insert of a receptacle connector through a receptacle contact opening when the connector is inserted into the receptacle connector. A diameter of the protruding portion of the retention pin is larger than a diameter of the receptacle contact opening. The retention pin is configured to elastically deform when the connector is inserted into or removed from the receptacle connector.The retention pin exerts a retention force when the connector is removed from the receptacle connector. This prevents unwanted detachment of the connector from the receptacle connector, which could otherwise occur. The retention pin can replace a contact, allowing existing connectors to be retrofitted with increased retention force without requiring any further mechanical modifications.

[0007] The retention pin may have an inclined flange. The projecting portion of the retention pin may include a domed portion located near a tip of the retention pin and a generally cylindrical portion located between the domed portion and the base. A slot may extend across the retention pin in the domed portion. A length of the slot may be between 40% and 60% of the length of the retention pin for a first type of retention pin and between 60% and 85% of the length of the retention pin for a second type of retention pin. The geometry of the domed portion and the slot cooperate to achieve a desired force-to-displacement ratio as the retention pin slides into or out of the receptacle connector.The force-displacement ratio can be selected so that the connector as a whole meets a certain minimum unlocking force-displacement requirement.

[0008] The curved portion of the retention pin may include circumferentially spaced lobes disposed on opposite sides of the slot. Each of the circumferentially spaced lobes may include a forwardly inclined portion extending from a forward end of the lobe near the tip of the retention pin to a maximum diameter area of ​​the lobe. A rearwardly inclined portion may extend from the maximum diameter area of ​​the lobe toward a rearward end of the lobe near the generally cylindrical portion. In some configurations, the forwardly inclined portion is longer than the rearwardly inclined portion. In other configurations, the forwardly inclined portion and the rearwardly inclined portion have a symmetrical profile.

[0009] In some configurations, the protrusions have a generally triangular profile. In other configurations, the protrusions have a generally curved profile. In another configuration, a central bore may extend along a longitudinal axis through the retaining pin.

[0010] The retention pin may be disposed within the contact insert in a space configured to accommodate one of the plurality of contacts. The retention pin is not electrically connected to a wire.

[0011] In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method of assembling a connector. The method includes routing a cable through a cable opening of a connector housing; connecting contacts to wires of the cable; inserting the contacts into a contact insert; inserting a retention pin into the contact insert; and securing the contact insert in the connector housing.

[0012] The method may further comprise selecting the retention pin from a plurality of different retention pins to selectively increase a withdrawal force required to separate the plug connector from a receptacle connector. Upon mating the plug connector into the receptacle connector, the method comprises elastically deforming the retention pin while pushing the retention pin through an opening of a receptacle contact insert of the receptacle connector.

[0013] The following detailed description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the invention or its application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory in the foregoing background or the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a plug and socket connection system. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a plug and socket connection system. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a connector. Fig. 4 shows the connection system of Fig. 2 without connector housing. Fig. Figure 5 shows an internal view of the assembly of Fig. 4 ready. Fig. 6 shows a perspective cross-section through the connection system of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a side view of a first configuration of a retention pin. Fig. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining pin of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the retaining pin of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is a side view of a second configuration of a retention pin. Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining pin of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the retaining pin of Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a side view of a third configuration of a retention pin. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the retaining pin of Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the retaining pin of Fig. 13. Fig. Figure 16 shows a comparison between a connector and a retention pin. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a plug-and-socket connection system. The system includes a plug connector 100 and a socket connector 200.

[0015] The connector 100 includes a plurality of pin contacts 150. Pin contacts are sometimes also referred to as male contacts. In the context of the present application, they should be understood in a broader sense and refer to a first type of contact. In use, each of the pin contacts 150 is electrically connected to a wire of a cable. The contacts can be in the form of screw terminals, crimp terminals, or cage clamp terminals. The terms contact and terminal are used synonymously. The pin contacts 150 are securely held in a plug insert 130. The plug insert 130 is in turn mounted in a plug housing 110. The plug housing 110 can also be referred to as a hood. The plug housing 110 includes a cable entry opening 105, which can be arranged for rear or side cable entry. A cable entry protector 120 can be attached to the cable entry opening 105.The cable entry protector 120 can be available in various configurations. The cable entry protector 120 can be, for example, a universal cable gland, a special cable clamp with strain relief, a cable gland with a bell mouth, or an anti-twist device. A cable gland can contain one or more seals.

[0016] The connector 100 is configured to mate with a corresponding receptacle connector 200. The receptacle connector 200 includes a plurality of receptacle contacts 250. Receptacle contacts are sometimes also referred to as female receptacle contacts. In the context of the present application, they should be understood in a broader sense and refer to a second type of contact. Each of the receptacle contacts 250 is configured to receive one of the pin contacts 150 to establish an electrical connection. The receptacle contacts 250 are securely held in a receptacle insert 230. The receptacle insert 230 is mounted in a receptacle housing 210.

[0017] The geometries of the plug insert 130 and the socket insert 230 are matched to each other so that they can be mated together. When mated together, sections of the plug insert 130 and the socket insert 230 overlap.

[0018] A locking mechanism may be provided to lock the plug connector 100 to the socket connector 200. The locking mechanism may include a lever 211 pivotally connected to the socket housing 210. The lever 211 may have a recess that engages with a locking projection 111 of the plug housing 110. In the engaged state, the lever securely holds the plug connector 100 and the socket connector 200 together. The lever 211 can be pivoted to an unlocked position to release the locking projection 111 and remove the plug connector 100 from the socket connector 200.

[0019] Fig. 1 shows an example in which the socket connector 200 is adapted to be permanently attached to a device, such as a panel-mounted plug. Fig. Figure 2 shows an alternative configuration in which the plug housing 110 and the socket housing 210 are identical and both are configured to be connected to a corresponding cable. Both the plug housing 110 and the socket housing 210 each have cable insertion openings 105, 205. The plug housing 110 is locked to the socket housing 210 by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism here consists of two levers 211, 212. The levers 211, 212 are shown in the locked state. To unlock the plug housing 110 from the socket housing 210, the levers can be pivoted toward the socket connector 200. A seal 203 is arranged between the plug housing 110 and the socket housing 210.

[0020] After unlocking the locking mechanism, the connector 100 and the receptacle connector 200 can be separated by applying an axial withdrawal force. The amount of withdrawal force required to separate the connector 100 from the receptacle connector 200 depends primarily on the number and friction between the pin contacts 150 and the receptacle contacts 250 within the connectors. The withdrawal force may additionally depend on a friction force between the plug insert 130 and the receptacle insert 230 if they are press-fitted.

[0021] In some applications, the withdrawal force required to remove the connector 100 from the receptacle connector 200 may be less than a desired retention force of the connector. That is, the connector 100 may be removed from the receptacle connector 200 by pulling the connector 100 with a withdrawal force less than the desired retention force. This is particularly problematic when the withdrawal force is less than the retention force specified by standards such as UL 1682.

[0022] The UL 1682 standard requires a minimum retention force of 67 N for connectors rated at 60 A. Therefore, a withdrawal force of at least 67 N, but not more than 111 N, may be desired. However, the withdrawal force caused by the existing friction between the contacts 150, 250 and possibly the contact inserts 130, 230 may be less than the desired minimum of 67 N. In this case, a retention pin 160 can be inserted into an otherwise unused contact cavity 131 of the connector insert 130.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a connector 100 from a mating side. A plug insert 130 is arranged within the connector 100. The plug insert 130 contains six identical contact cavities 131 arranged in a 2x3 matrix. The plug insert 130 is modularly constructed using three pairs of identical plug insert modules 132, each with two contact cavities 131. The plug insert 130 is equipped with five pin contacts 150. A retention pin 160 is arranged in a contact cavity 131 of the middle one of the insert modules 132.

[0024] Fig. 4 shows the connection system of Fig. 2 without the plug housings 110, 210. The plug insert 130 comprises an insert frame 133 into which three identical plug insert modules 132 are inserted. Similarly, the socket insert 230 comprises an insert frame 233 into which three socket insert modules 232 are inserted. The insert frame 133 of the plug connector 100 and the insert frame 233 of the socket connector 200 may be identical. On the other hand, the plug insert modules 132 of the plug connector 100 and the socket insert modules 232 of the socket connector 200 are complementary and designed to be mated together. When mated together, portions of the plug insert modules 132 overlap with portions of the socket insert modules 232.

[0025] Fig. 5 shows the assembly of Fig. 4, with further parts removed to expose the interior of the connection system. In the illustrated plugged-in state, the pin contacts 150 are received within the socket contacts 250. Each contact includes a plug portion 151, 251 and an opposing connecting portion 153, 253. The plug portions 251 of the socket contacts 250 are configured to receive the plug portions 151 of the pin contacts 150. The respective connecting portions 153, 253 are generally hollow cylindrical and configured to receive a wire. A wire can be connected to the contact 150, 250 by crimping.

[0026] A contact flange 152, 252 is arranged between the plug-in section 151, 251 and the connecting section 153, 253 of each contact. The insert modules 132 comprise resilient locking arms 134 that engage behind the contact flange 152, 252 and hold the contact in position. The resilient locking arms 134 prevent, in particular, the contacts 150, 250 from being pushed out of the plug insert 130, 230 in the opposite direction to the plugging direction.

[0027] The retention pin 160 sits in a contact cavity identical to those occupied by pin contacts 150. Like the pin contacts 150, the retention pin 160 also has a flange 162. Unlike the pin contacts 150, the retention pin 160 does not have a connecting portion 153. The retention pin 160 is not connected to a wire. The flange 162 forms a rear end of the retention pin 160.

[0028] Fig. 6 shows a perspective cross-section through the connection system of Fig. 2, as indicated by arrow 6 in Fig. 5. The cross-section shows the retention pin 160 seated in the plug insert 130. A protruding portion 161 of the retention pin 160 extends through a socket contact opening 235 into the socket insert 230. In the plugged-in state, the protruding portion 161 of the retention pin 160 is arranged in an overlap region of the plug insert 130 and the socket insert 230.

[0029] A diameter of the protruding portion 161 of the retention pin 160 is larger than a diameter of the socket contact opening 235. The retention pin 160 elastically deforms when the connector 100 is inserted into or removed from the socket connector 200. The retention pin 160 thus generates an additional retention force against which the connector 100 must be separated from the socket connector 200.

[0030] The retention force provided by the retention pin 160 depends on both its geometry and the material from which it is made. It is therefore possible to adjust the retention force of the entire connector system by selecting one of several differently designed retention pins 160.

[0031] In the Fig. Figures 7-15 show three such differently designed retention pins 160, 180, and 190, which generate different retention forces. The retention pins 160 comprise a protruding portion 161 and a base 163. The protruding portion 161 engages the female insert 230 of the female connector 200. The base 163 is securely held in the male insert 130 by its inclined flange 162.

[0032] The Fig. The embodiment shown in Figures 7-9 shows that the projecting portion 161 includes a curved portion 164 disposed near a tip 166 of the retention pin 160. A generally cylindrical portion 165 is disposed between the curved portion 164 and the base 163. A slot 167 extends over the retention pin within the curved portion 164 and partially into the generally cylindrical portion 165. The length of the slot 167 is directly related to the resilience of the retention pin 160 and, therefore, to the retention force generated by the retention pin 160. Fig. 7-9 show a configuration utilizing a long slot 167 having a length that is between 60% and 85% of a total length of the retaining pin 160. Fig. 10-12 show a configuration utilizing a short slot 187 with a length that is between 40% and 60% of the total length of the retaining pin 180. The length of the slot 167, 187 can be varied to fine-tune the retention force generated by the retaining pin 160, 180.

[0033] The curved portion 164 includes circumferentially spaced bulges 170. The circumferentially spaced bulges are disposed on opposite sides of the slot 167. Fig. 7-8 show two protrusions 170, however, more than two protrusions 170 may be used. For example, the retaining pin 160 may be designed to use two intersecting slots 167 and four protrusions 170.

[0034] Each of the circumferentially spaced protrusions 170 includes a forwardly inclined portion 171 extending from a front end of the protrusion 170 near the tip 166 of the retention pin 160 to a largest diameter region 173 of the protrusion 170. The width mw of the retention pin 160 in a largest diameter region 173 is larger than the socket contact opening 235. For example, a diameter of the socket contact opening 235 may be 6.25 mm. A width mw of the retention pin 160 in the largest diameter region 173 of the protrusion 170 may be 6.9 mm. That is, the largest diameter region 173 is approximately 10% wider than the socket contact opening 235. About 10% here refers to a width between 5 and 15%.

[0035] As in Fig. 7-9, the forwardly inclined portion 171 of the bulge 170 is longer than the rearwardly inclined portion 172. The asymmetry results in different force profiles and a corresponding user perception when inserting the connector 100 into the receptacle connector 200 compared to withdrawing the connector 100 from the receptacle connector 200. While a resistive force builds up slowly when inserting the connector 100 into the receptacle connector 200, the withdrawal force acting when withdrawing the connector 100 from the receptacle connector 200 increases sharply with minimal travel.

[0036] The forwardly inclined portion 171 of the bulge 170 may have the shape of a truncated cone with a cone angle between 5° and 15°, and in particular approximately 8°. The rearwardly inclined portion 172 of the bulge 170 may have the shape of a truncated cone with a steeper cone angle between 30° and 65°, and in particular approximately 50°. The different truncated cone angles may result in the total insertion force for inserting the connector 100 into the socket connector 200 being lower than the total withdrawal force for withdrawing the connector 100 from the socket connector 200.

[0037] Fig. 10-12 show an alternative embodiment in which a first sensor effect upon insertion of the connector 100 into the socket connector 200 and a second sensor effect upon removal of the connector 100 from the socket connector 200 are identical. This is achieved by a symmetrically curved profile 182 of the protrusions 181 of the retaining pin 180, as shown in Fig. 11. The symmetrically curved profile 182 changes the force-displacement curve of the retaining pin 180 compared to the Fig. 8 shows the triangular asymmetrical profile of the bulges 170.

[0038] Fig. 13-15 show another alternative embodiment of a retaining pin 190. The retaining pin 190 is a rotationally symmetrical body and includes a central bore 191. A single bulge 192 extends around the retaining pin 190. The single bulge 192 has a curved outer profile.

[0039] While the figures show the retention pin 160 in a connector 100 near the pin contacts 150, it should be noted that the retention pin 160 can also be used near the socket contacts 250 in the socket connector 200.

[0040] For comparison, Fig. 16, the retention pin 160 is directly adjacent to a pin contact 150. An axial length of the retention pin 160 is significantly shorter than an axial length of the pin contacts 150. The retention pin 160 lacks a connecting portion 153 for connecting a wire. This makes the retention pin 160 simpler and less expensive to manufacture than a pin contact 150. The diameter of the generally cylindrical portion 165 of the retention pin 160 corresponds to a diameter of the mating portion 151 of the pin contacts 150. The maximum width mw of the curved portion 164 of the retention pin 160 is 10 to 20% and approximately 15% larger than the diameter of the generally cylindrical portion 165.

[0041] The retaining pin 160 can be manufactured as a machined metal part, for example, from an aluminum cylinder. The retaining pin 160 need not be electrically conductive and can be made of plastic, for example, in the form of an injection-molded plastic part.

[0042] Retention pin 160 may be disposed in the same space within connector 100 that could be occupied by a pin contact 150. Alternatively, retention pin 160 may be disposed in the same space within receptacle connector 200 that could be occupied by a receptacle contact 250. More than one retention pin 160 may be used in a particular connector 100 or receptacle connector 200.

[0043] The use of retention pins can be particularly advantageous when an existing interconnect system must meet retention force requirements for which it was not originally designed. In such cases, a retention pin can be used to retrofit the existing connector if the connector can accommodate more pins than are needed for a particular application. In such cases, a method of assembling a connector can be used. The method includes passing a cable through a cable opening of a connector housing; connecting contacts to wires of the cable; inserting the contacts into a contact insert; inserting a retention pin into the contact insert; and securing the contact insert in the connector housing.

[0044] More than one type of retention pin may be used to tailor the existing connector to a specific withdrawal force. In this case, the method includes selecting the retention pin from a plurality of different retention pins to selectively increase the withdrawal force required to separate the connector from a receptacle connector.

[0045] An increase in the withdrawal force is achieved by elastic deformation of the retention pin when the connector is inserted into a receptacle connector. The method therefore includes elastic deformation of the retention pin while the retention pin is pushed through an opening of a receptacle contact insert of the receptacle connector.

[0046] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the disclosed and illustrated embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover numerous other modifications, substitutions, variations, and substantially equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the following claims. The following is a list of further embodiments of the invention:

[0047] Embodiment 1 Connector (100) comprising: a housing (110), the housing having a cable opening (105) for receiving a cable having a plurality of wires; a contact insert (130); a plurality of contacts (150) arranged within the contact insert (130); and a retaining pin (160, 180, 190) disposed within the contact insert, the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) having a base (163) and a preceding paragraph (161), wherein the projecting portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is configured to engage with a socket insert (230) of a socket connector (200) through a socket contact opening (235) when the plug connector (100) is plugged into the socket connector (200), and wherein a diameter of the projecting portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is larger than a diameter of the socket contact opening (235).

[0048] Embodiment 2 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 1, wherein the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is configured to elastically deform when the plug connector (100) is inserted into or removed from the socket connector (200).

[0049] Embodiment 3 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 1, wherein the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) provides a retaining force when the plug connector (100) is removed from the socket connector (200).

[0050] Embodiment 4 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 1, wherein the base (163) of the retaining pin (160) has an inclined flange (162), and wherein the preceding section (161) comprises a curved portion (164) disposed near a tip (166) of the retaining pin (160) and a generally cylindrical portion (165) disposed between the curved portion (164) and the base (163).

[0051] Embodiment 5 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 4, wherein a slot (167) extends over the retaining pin (160) into the curved portion (164).

[0052] Embodiment 6 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 5, wherein the slot (167) extends from the tip (166) into the generally cylindrical portion (165), and wherein a length of the slot (167) is between 40% and 60% of a length of the retaining pin (160).

[0053] Embodiment 7 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 5, wherein the slot (167) extends from the tip (166) into the generally cylindrical portion (165), and wherein a length of the slot (167) is between 60% and 85% of a length of the retaining pin (160).

[0054] Embodiment 8 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 5, wherein the curved portion (164) has circumferentially spaced bulges (170), and wherein the circumferentially spaced bulges (181) are arranged on opposite sides of the slot (167).

[0055] Embodiment 9 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 8, wherein each of the circumferentially spaced bulges (170, 181) comprises a forwardly inclined portion (171) extending from a front end of the bulge (170) near the tip (166) of the retaining pin (160) to a region of the largest diameter (173) of the bulge (170); and a rearwardly inclined portion (172) extending from the region of largest diameter (173) of the bulge (170) to a rear end of the bulge (170) proximate the generally cylindrical portion (165).

[0056] Embodiment 10 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 9, wherein the forwardly inclined portion (171) is longer than the rearwardly inclined portion (172).

[0057] Embodiment 11 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 9, wherein the forwardly inclined portion (171) and the rearwardly inclined portion (172) have a symmetrical profile.

[0058] Embodiment 12 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 9, wherein the bulges (170) have a generally triangular profile.

[0059] Embodiment 13 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 9, wherein the bulges (181) have a generally curved profile.

[0060] Embodiment 14 Connector (100) with the features according to embodiment 4, wherein a central bore (191) extends along a longitudinal axis through the retaining pin (190).

[0061] Embodiment 15 A method of assembling a connector (100), comprising: guiding a cable through a cable opening (105) of a connector housing (110); Connecting contacts (150) to wires of the cable; Inserting the contacts (150) into a contact insert; Inserting a retaining pin (160, 180, 190) into the contact insert (130); and securing the contact insert (130) in the connector housing (110).

[0062] Embodiment 16 Method having the features according to embodiment 15, further comprising: Selecting the retention pin (160, 180, 190) from a plurality of different retention pins (160, 180, 190) to selectively increase a withdrawal force required to separate the plug connector (100) from a socket connector (200).

[0063] Embodiment 17 Method having the features according to embodiment 15, further comprising: Inserting the plug connector (100) into a socket connector (200), wherein inserting the plug connector (100) into the socket connector (200) comprises elastically deforming the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) while the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is pushed through an opening (235) of a socket contact insert (230) of the socket connector (200).

[0064] Embodiment 18 Connector (100) comprising: a housing (110), the housing having a cable opening (105) for receiving a cable having a plurality of wires; a contact insert (130); a plurality of contacts (150) arranged within the contact insert (130); and a retaining pin (160, 180, 190) disposed within the contact insert, the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) having a base (163) and a preceding paragraph (161), wherein the projecting portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is configured to engage with a female connector (200) when the plug connector (100) is plugged into the female connector (200), and wherein the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is arranged within the contact insert (130) in a space designed to receive one of the plurality of contacts (150), and wherein the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is not electrically connected to a wire. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] US 63 / 446,962

[0001]

Claims

[1] Connector (100) comprising: a housing (110), the housing having a cable opening (105) for receiving a cable having a plurality of wires; a contact insert (130); a plurality of contacts (150) arranged within the contact insert (130); and a retaining pin (160, 180, 190) disposed within the contact insert, the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) having a base (163) and a projecting portion (161), wherein the protruding portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is configured to engage with a socket insert (230) of a socket connector (200) through a socket contact opening (235) when the plug connector (100) is inserted into the socket connector (200), and wherein the protruding portion (161) comprises a first region and a second region adjacent to one another along an insertion direction of the plug connector (100), wherein a diameter of the first region of the protruding portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is greater than a diameter of the socket contact opening (235) and a diameter of the second region of the protruding portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) corresponds to the diameter of the socket contact opening (235), wherein the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is not electrically conductive and is designed such that a resistance force builds up slowly when the plug-in connector (100) is inserted into the socket connector (200), while a withdrawal force acting against the withdrawal increases sharply with a minimal travel during withdrawal, wherein a total insertion force for inserting the plug-in connector (100) into the socket connector (200) is lower than a total withdrawal force for withdrawing the plug-in connector (100) from the socket connector (200). [2] A system comprising a connector (100) and a socket connector (200), the connector (100) comprising: a connector housing (110), the connector housing having a cable opening (105) for receiving a cable having a plurality of wires; a plug contact insert (130); a plurality of pin contacts (150) arranged within the plug contact insert (130); and a retaining pin (160, 180, 190) arranged within the plug contact insert, the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) having a base (163) and a projecting portion (161), the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) being non-electrically conductive, wherein the connector (200) comprises: a socket housing (210); a socket contact insert (230); and a plurality of socket contacts (250) disposed within the socket contact insert (230); wherein the socket contact insert (230) has a socket contact opening (235); wherein the projecting portion (161) of the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) is configured to engage the socket contact insert (230) of the socket connector (200) through the socket contact opening (235) when the plug connector (100) is inserted into the socket connector (200), wherein a diameter of a region of the projecting portion (161) which extends beyond the socket contact opening (235) when the plug connector (100) is plugged into the socket connector (200) is larger than a diameter of the socket contact opening (235), wherein the retaining pin (160, 180, 190) and the socket contact opening are designed such that a resistance force builds up slowly when the plug-in connector (100) is inserted into the socket connector (200), while a withdrawal force acting against the withdrawal increases sharply with a minimal path when withdrawing, wherein a total insertion force for inserting the plug-in connector (100) into the socket connector (200) is lower than a total withdrawal force for withdrawing the plug-in connector (100) from the socket connector (200). [3] System according to claim 2, comprising: a locking mechanism with a lever (211) pivotally connected to the socket housing (210) and a locking projection (111) of the plug housing (110), wherein the lever (211) has a recess for engaging with the locking projection (111).

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