Electrical connector

Abstract

Electrical connector having: a) a connector (1) with a housing (10), b) a mating connector (2) with a housing (20) that can be plugged together with the connector (1), c) a locking device (5) for locking the connector (1) with the mating connector (2), d) wherein the locking device (5) has at least one annular locking body (3) which has a bearing element (33) with which the locking body (3) is rotatably mounted on the outer circumference of the housing (10) of the connector (1), e) wherein the locking device (5) has at least one projecting locking cam (30) and at least one groove-shaped locking contour (26), wherein the groove-shaped locking contour (26) is designed to receive the at least one locking cam (30) when plugging the plug connector (1) together with the mating plug connector (2) and to guide the at least one locking cam (30) received in the groove-shaped locking contour (26) during a rotational movement of the locking body (3), f) characterized in that the at least one groove-shaped locking contour (26) has at least one longitudinal extension section (28) which extends from an insertion opening (27), at which the at least one locking cam (30) can be inserted into the groove-shaped locking contour (26), to a locking position in which the plug connector (1) can be locked to the mating plug connector (2).

Description

The invention relates to an electrical plug connection having the following features: a) a plug connector having a housing, b) a mating plug connector having a housing which can be plugged together with the plug connector, c) a locking device for locking the plug connector to the mating plug connector, d) wherein the locking device has at least one annular locking body which has a bearing element with which the locking body is mounted rotatably on the outer periphery of the housing of the plug connector, e) wherein the locking device has at least one protruding latching cam and at least one groove-shaped latching contour, wherein the groove-shaped latching contour is configured to receive the at least one latching cam when the plug connector is plugged together with the mating plug connector and to guide the at least one latching cam received in the groove-shaped latching contour during a rotational movement of the locking body.Such an electrical plug-in connection is known from DE 11 2014 003 125 B4.The object of the invention is to specify an electrical plug connection with improved locking.This object is achieved in an electrical plug connection of the type mentioned at the beginning in that the at least one groove-shaped latching contour has at least one longitudinal extension section which extends from an insertion opening, at which the at least one latching cam can be inserted into the groove-shaped latching contour, to a latching position, in which the plug connector can be latched to the mating plug connector. This longitudinal extension section extends in a longitudinal extension direction of the groove-shaped latching contour. The longitudinal extension direction of the groove-shaped latching contour is understood to be the straight and / or curved course of the latching contour, as a result of which the latching cam is moved in this latching contour as a result of the rotational movement of the locking body during its movement guided through the latching contour. This longitudinal extension section can extend continuously in a straight line, i.e. with a constant gradient. The longitudinal extension section can also run at least partially non-rectilinear, for example in that the longitudinal extension section has one or more curved sections.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one groove-shaped latching contour runs predominantly or continuously curved at least in the longitudinal extension section, which extends from the insertion opening as far as the latching position. Advantageously, such a predominantly or continuously curved longitudinal extension section of the latching contour supports a combined longitudinal displacement movement and rotational movement of the annular locking body relative to the mating plug connector, both when the plug connector is plugged together and locked with the mating plug connector and also when the opposite movement is released from the mating plug connector. In an advantageous embodiment, the predominantly or continuously curved longitudinal extension section can always be curved in the same direction of curvature.The mentioned latching position can correspond to the end position of the rotatable annular locking body or to a position lying in front of the end position, for example in the sense of a pre-latching. In the latching position, for example, the at least one latching cam can be latched in the groove-shaped latching contour.The locking device can be used to lock the electrical plug connection particularly securely in the end position of the rotatable annular locking body, in particular by means of a self-reinforcing locking. The curved groove-shaped latching contour additionally provides a separating aid during the release rotational movement of the annular locking body. By rotating the annular locking body in the release direction, a force is generated, by which the mating connector is moved away from the connector and accordingly released.The groove-shaped latching contour can be designed to be open at the insertion opening, at which the latching cam is inserted into the latching contour. At this insertion opening of the latching contour, the latching contour can initially extend in the plug-in direction of the plug connector with the mating plug connector and then furthermore, due to its curved contour, in an end region, can extend diagonally to the plug-in direction or orthogonally to the plug-in direction, i.e. in the circumferential direction of the plug connector or mating plug connector.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the curved course of the at least one groove-shaped latching contour is circular arc-shaped. In this way, during the process of connecting the plug connector and the mating plug connector, the slope of the latching contour is continuously reduced during the rotational movement of the locking body, so that the advancing movement between the plug connector and the mating plug connector is minimized towards the end of the rotational movement, but the transmitted pressing force is maximized. The groove-shaped latching contour can comprise in particular a quarter-circle arc.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking body is rotatably mounted on the housing of the plug connector in the circumferential direction of the housing. The axis of rotation of the locking body can correspond to the central axis of the plug connector. This allows simple and effective operation of the locking device. The invention is particularly suitable for round plug connectors.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking body has at least one rotational path limiting element, by means of which the rotational path of the locking body relative to the housing of the plug connector is limited. As a result, the maximum rotational path, i.e. the angle of rotation of the locking body with respect to the housing, is limited to a maximum value, e.g. to an angle of rotation of approximately 90 degrees. In this way, the locking body has defined end positions of the rotational movement beyond which it cannot be rotated. Damage caused by overloading can be avoided in this way.Alternatively, the locking body can also be mounted rotatably with unlimited limits about the housing of the plug connector.The locking device can be realized in different ways, in particular with regard to the assignment of the at least one latching cam and the at least one latching contour to the annular locking body and the housing of the mating plug connector. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one latching cam can be arranged on the annular locking body and the at least one groove-shaped latching contour can be arranged on the housing of the mating plug connector. In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one groove-shaped latching contour can be arranged on the annular locking body and the at least one latching cam can be arranged on the housing of the mating plug connector. This allows many possible implementations of the locking device, so that the invention is suitable for plug connections of all types, i.e. both for large and for small plug connections.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one groove-shaped latching contour has a receiving pocket for receiving the at least one latching cam guided in the at least one latching contour in the latching position or in a locked end rotational position of the locking body. By means of such a receiving pocket, the locking device can be locked in the final rotational position in a particularly secure manner and, as mentioned, in a self-reinforcing manner. An undesired release of the locking can thus be largely ruled out.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the receiving pocket has a round shape. This counteracts tilting of the latching cam in the receiving pocket. Advantageously, the latching cam itself can have a round shape, i.e. a circular cross-sectional contour. The latching cam can have a significantly smaller diameter than the inner diameter of the receiving pocket, e.g. at least 10% smaller.The groove-shaped latching contour can have a constant width over its entire course, with the exception of the receiving pocket, in the direction of longitudinal extent.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a) the receiving pocket extends further counter to the plug-in direction of the plug connector than the at least one groove-shaped latching contour at the transition to the receiving pocket if the at least one groove-shaped latching contour is arranged on the housing of the mating plug connector, or b) the receiving pocket extends further in the plug-in direction of the plug connector than the at least one groove-shaped latching contour at the transition to the receiving pocket if the at least one groove-shaped latching contour is arranged on the annular locking body.In this way, the receiving pocket forms a certain undercut with respect to the groove-shaped latching contour, into which the latching cam is displaced in the locked end rotational position. For example, the receiving pocket can have a diameter which is at least 10% greater than the width of the groove-shaped latching contour at least at the transition to the receiving pocket. The plug-in direction of the plug connector is understood to be the direction in which the plug connector is moved when it is plugged together with the mating plug connector.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one cross-sectional constriction of the groove-shaped latching contour is formed in the at least one groove-shaped latching contour, in particular at the transition of the latching contour to the receiving pocket. As a result, a fixing position for the final rotational position of the locking body is formed, for example in the form of the mentioned latching position as a pre-latching. The latching cam is then additionally secured against a release movement by the cross-sectional constriction. In addition, the user can identify haptically easily when the desired locked end rotational position is reached, because an increased resistance has to be overcome during the manual rotational movement of the annular locking body.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one cross-sectional constriction has a ramp running obliquely through the groove-shaped latching contour in the direction of movement of the latching cam and / or one or more webs arranged in the groove-shaped latching contour. The ramp and / or the web or webs can be arranged on the base of the latching contour and / or on one or both side edges.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking body is placed over a housing of the plug connector in the manner of a union nut. This allows simple mounting of the locking body on the housing of the plug connector and simple operability by the user.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a) the at least one latching cam protrudes radially from an inner surface of the locking body if the at least one latching cam is arranged on the annular locking body, or b) the at least one groove-shaped latching contour is formed as a depression on an inner surface of the locking body if the at least one groove-shaped latching contour is arranged on the annular locking body.As a result, the locking mechanism is well protected from external environmental influences by the outer side of the locking body, at least in the plugged-together state of the electrical plug connection.During the process of connecting the plug connector and mating plug connector, the latching cam is first introduced into the latching contour on an input side. During a rotational movement of the annular locking body during the further mating between the plug connector and the mating plug connector, the at least one latching cam then slides along the groove-shaped latching contour until an end rotational position is reached.In the event of a tensile load on the plug connection, the latching cam can move within the final rotational position (fixing position) into a receiving pocket, in particular of a round shape, which is matched to the latching cam in terms of shape, and locks it therein automatically. In addition, unintentional loosening can be prevented by at least one cross-sectional constriction of the guide groove at the transition of the latching contour to the receiving pocket.To release the locking, an intentional rotational movement in a release rotational direction of the locking body is first required. In this case, the at least one latching cam is led out of the receiving pocket and is led into the groove-shaped latching contour. During the further turning process of the locking body, the latching cam slides over the at least one cross-sectional constriction of the groove-shaped latching contour and at the same time easily disconnects the plug connection and reaches a de-latching position. By further turning of the locking body, the latching cam is guided along the groove-shaped latching contour until it leaves the latter and the plug connection is disconnected.In the sense of the present invention, the indefinite term "a" is not to be understood as a numerical word. Thus, if, for example, a component is mentioned, this is to be interpreted in the sense of "at least one component". Insofar as angle specifications are given in degrees, these refer to a circular dimension of 360 degrees (360°).The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments using drawings.The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a plug connector and a mating plug connector of an electrical plug connector, FIG. 2 shows the plug connector and mating plug connector according to FIG. 1 in the plugged-together state, FIG. 3 shows the arrangement according to FIG. 2 in the sectional plane A-A, FIG. 4 shows a locking body in a perspective view, FIG. 5 shows a plug connector, a mating plug connector and a locking body in a perspective view, FIG. 6 shows the plug connector according to FIG. 1 in the initial rotational position in the sectional plane B-B, FIG. 7 shows the plug connector according to FIG. 1 in the locked end rotational position in the sectional plane B-B.FIG. 1 shows a plug connector 1 having a housing 10. To form a locking device, an annular locking body 3 is arranged on the housing 10, which can be latched to the housing 10, for example. The locking body 3 is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the housing 10, i.e. the locking body 3 can be rotated about an axis of rotation about the housing 10, which axis of rotation runs parallel to a plug-in direction S in which the plug connector 1 can be plugged together with a mating plug connector 2.FIG. 1 also shows a mating plug connector 2 which can be plugged together with the plug connector 1 in order to form an electrical plug connection. The mating connector 2 has a housing 20. The latching cam 30 cannot be seen in the illustration of FIG. 1 and is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.The latching contour 26 has an insertion opening 27 at which the latching cam 30 can be inserted into the latching contour 26 when the plug connector 1 is plugged together with the mating plug connector 2. From the insertion opening 27, the latching contour 26 runs in a longitudinal extension section 28 predominantly or continuously curved as far as a cross-sectional constriction 22 of the latching contour 26, which marks a latching position in which the plug connector 1 can be latched to the mating plug connector 2. The cross-sectional constriction 22 can be formed, for example, as an obliquely running ramp and / or one or more webs arranged in the latching contour 26, which webs can be arranged, for example, on the bottom of the latching contour and / or on one or both side edges of the latching contour. In the further course behind the latching position, the latching contour 26 has a receiving pocket 23 for receiving the at least one latching cam 30 guided in the latching contour 26, in particular in a locked end rotational position of the locking body 3. The latching contour 26 can also end at the receiving pocket 23.It can also be seen that a first protrusion 31 is formed on the plug connector 1 or on the locking body 3 pointing in the direction of the mating plug connector 2. On the mating connector 2 or its housing 20, a second projection 21, which is designed as a counterpart to the first projection 31 and protrudes in the direction of the connector 1, is arranged. When the plug connector 1 is plugged together with the mating plug connector 2 and the rotational movement of the locking body 3 carried out in the process, the first projection 31 and the second projection 21 come into contact with one another via mutually facing oblique surfaces which slide on one another when the locking body 3 is rotated into the locked end rotational position. In this case, a certain elasticity is incorporated into the locking body 3, for example by means of an elongated hole 32 which is inserted in the material of the locking body 3 and through which the first projection 31 can spring during sliding along the second projection 21.When the end locking position of the electrical plug-in connection shown in FIG. 2 is reached, the first projection 31 is latched behind the second projection 21. This latching can only be opened or released again with one tool.A sectional plane A-A is drawn in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 shows the electrical plug connection according to FIG. 2 in a sectional illustration in the sectional plane A-A. It can be seen that at least one protruding latching cam 30, in particular protruding radially inward, can be present on the inner periphery of the sleeve-shaped locking body 3, wherein FIG. 3 shows two latching cams 30 arranged distributed over the periphery (e.g. opposite). Accordingly, the housing 20 can also be formed with two oppositely formed groove-shaped latching contours of the type described above, into each of which a latching cam 30 can be inserted.FIG. 3 also shows receiving chambers 4 for receiving plug connector contacts. The plug connector contacts are electrical contacts of the plug connector 1, not shown in detail, or corresponding mating contacts of the mating plug connector 2.FIG. 4 shows the locking body 3 as a single component, for example before being attached to the housing 10 of the plug connector 1. the locking body 3 has the already mentioned elements latching cam 30, first projection 31 and slot 32.FIG. 5 shows the explained elements plug connector 1, locking body 3 and mating plug connector 2 in a perspective view, in each case as individual parts. In practical use, the locking body 3 is generally already locked on the housing 10 of the plug connector 1, for example on a fastening section 15. In this case, the respective latching cam 30 is inserted into the associated groove-shaped latching contour 26. In the further course, the locking body 3 is rotated in the circumferential direction, as a result of which the further joining of the plug connector 1 to the mating plug connector 2 is assisted until the latching cam 30 overcomes the cross-sectional constriction 22 and is then mounted in the receiving pocket 23. In the final locking position, as already explained with reference to FIG. 2, the first projection 31 is then locked to the second projection 21, wherein this locking can only be released again by means of a tool.FIG. 6 shows the plug connector 1 with the locking body 3 in a sectional plane B-B drawn in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 shows the arrangement when the locking body 3 is in its initial rotational position in which the latching cam 30 can be inserted into the latching contour 26 when the plug connector 1 is plugged together with the mating plug connector 2.FIG. 7 shows the arrangement in the locked end rotational position. It can be seen that the locking body 3 has at least one rotational path limiting element 34, by means of which the rotational path of the locking body 3 relative to the housing 10 of the plug connector 1 is limited. The rotational travel limiting element 34 interacts with stops 11 formed on the housing 10, which stops are arranged distributed over the desired angular range over which the locking body 3 is intended to be movable. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the rotational travel limiting element 34 is designed as a radially inwardly projecting pin which is movable within a free space formed between the stops 11 on the outer periphery of the housing 10. However, the assignment is also conversely possible, i.e. a radially outwardly projecting pin can be present on the housing 10 as a stop. The rotational path limiting element 34 on the locking body 3 can then be formed as an inner groove extending over the desired rotational angle.List of reference characters1 Plug connector 2 Mating plug connector 3 Locking body 4 Receiving chamber 10 Housing of the plug connector 11 Stop 15 Fastening section 20 Housing of the mating plug connector 21 Second projection 22 Cross-sectional constriction 23 Receiving pocket 24 End section 25 End section 26 Latching contour 27 Insertion opening 28 Longitudinal extension section 30 Latching cam 31 First projection 32 Elongated hole 33 Holding projection 34 Rotational travel limiting element S Plug-in directionReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 11 2014 003 125 B4

[0002]

Claims

Electrical plug connection comprising: a) a plug connector (1) with a housing (10), b) a mating plug connector (2) with a housing (20), which mating plug connector can be plugged together with the plug connector (1), c) a locking device (5) for locking the plug connector (1) with the mating plug connector (2), d), wherein the locking device (5) has at least one annular locking body (3) which has a bearing element (33), with which the locking body (3) is rotatably mounted on the outer circumference of the housing (10) of the plug connector (1), e) wherein the locking device (5) has at least one protruding latching cam (30) and at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26), wherein the groove-shaped latching contour (26) is configured to receive the at least one latching cam (30) when the plug connector (1) is plugged together with the mating plug connector (2) and to guide the at least one latching cam (30) received in the groove-shaped latching contour (26) during a rotational movement of the locking body (3), f)da characterized in that the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) has at least one longitudinal extension section (28) which extends from an insertion opening (27), at which the at least one latching cam (30) can be inserted into the groove-shaped latching contour (26), to a latching position, in which the plug connector (1) can be latched to the mating plug connector (2).Electrical plug connection according to Claim 1, characterized in that the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) runs predominantly or continuously curved at least in the longitudinal extent section (28), which extends from the insertion opening (27) as far as the latching position.Electrical plug connection according to Claim 2, characterized in that the curved course of the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) is circular-arc-shaped.Electrical plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking body (3) is mounted rotatably on the housing (10) of the plug connector (1) in the circumferential direction of the housing (10).Electrical plug connection according to Claim 4, characterized in that the locking body (3) has at least one rotational path limiting element (34), by means of which the rotational path of the locking body (3) relative to the housing (10) of the plug connector (1) is limited.Electrical plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that either a) the at least one latching cam (30) is arranged on the annular locking body (3) and the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) is arranged on the housing (20) of the mating plug connector (2), or b) the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) is arranged on the annular locking body (3) and the at least one latching cam (30) is arranged on the housing (20) of the mating plug connector (2).Electrical plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) has a receiving pocket (23) for receiving the at least one latching cam (30) guided in the at least one latching contour (26) in a locked end rotational position of the locking body (3).Electrical plug connection according to Claim 7, characterized in that the receiving pocket (23) has a round shape.Electrical plug connection according to one of Claims 7 to 8, characterized in that a) the receiving pocket (23) extends further counter to the plug-in direction (S) of the plug connector (1) than the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) at the transition to the receiving pocket (23) if the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) is arranged on the housing (20) of the counter plug connector (2), or b) the receiving pocket (23) extends further in the plug-in direction (S) of the plug connector (1) than the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) at the transition to the receiving pocket (23) if the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) is arranged on the annular locking body (3).Electrical plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cross-sectional constriction (22) of the groove-shaped latching contour (26) is formed in the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26), in particular at the transition of the latching contour (26) to the receiving pocket (23).Electrical plug connection according to Claim 10, characterized in that the at least one cross-sectional constriction (22) has a ramp running obliquely through the groove-shaped latching contour (26) in the direction of movement of the at least one latching cam (30) and / or one or more webs arranged in the groove-shaped latching contour (26), in particular at the base of the latching contour (26) and / or at one or both side edges.Electrical plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking body (3) is placed over a housing (10) of the plug connector (1) in the manner of a union nut.Electrical plug connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a) the at least one latching cam (30) projects radially from an inner surface of the locking body (3) if the at least one latching cam (30) is arranged on the annular locking body (3), or b) the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) is formed as a depression on an inner surface of the locking body (3) if the at least one groove-shaped latching contour (26) is arranged on the annular locking body (3).

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