Plug-type connector with locking system

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug-type connector (1), in particular a round plug-type connector or a plug-type connector according to the push-pull principle, with locking system, having a housing (6) having at least one electrical contact element (5) held therein, a locking ring (4) and a union sleeve (2). The union sleeve (2) and the locking ring (4) are each arranged on the plug side (S) of the plug-type connector (1), wherein the union sleeve (2) can be moved axially and interacts with the locking ring (4). The union sleeve (2) has a circumferential undercut (2.1) and a circumferential groove (2.2) adjoining the undercut (2.1), wherein the undercut (2.1) is arranged on the union sleeve (2) in the direction of the connection side (A) and the groove (2.2) is arranged on the union sleeve in the direction of the plug side (S). According to the invention, the plug-type connector (1) also has a seal, which serves simultaneously as a vibration damping system, a locking system and a protective system.

Description

[0001] The invention is based on a connector with locking of the generic type according to independent claim 1.

[0002] This type of connector can be electrical, optical, pneumatic, or hydraulic. The connector is a circular connector, in particular a so-called push-pull connector. The invention presented can be applied to all connectors of this type, in particular circular connectors. Such connectors are required, for example, to couple pneumatic or optical lines and / or to electrically connect cables.

[0003] A permanent, secure mechanical locking of the connector and mating connector is just as important as a good connection of the conductors or cables to the internal contact elements. In addition to a mechanical connection of the connectors, the ability to release the connection must also be ensured. The mechanical locking must be completely released without damaging components of the locking mechanism or the connectors. These contacting and decontacting processes of connectors must be repeatable many times without affecting the quality of the locking and the contact between the contact element and the mating contact element. State of the art

[0004] The PushPull principle is demonstrated, among other things, in DE 10 2012 111 408 B3. DE 10 2012 111 408 B3 shows a locking mechanism for connectors and mating connectors.

[0005] The locking mechanism has two types of locking elements: a primary locking element, which is suitable for locking the mating connector, and a secondary locking element, which is suitable for mutual locking with the primary locking element. The secondary locking element locks the primary locking element when the locking mechanism is locked, and the primary locking element locks the secondary locking element when it is unlocked. The mechanism is automatically locked by contacting the mating connector and unlocked by actuating the secondary locking element, which is designed as an actuator.

[0006] DE 102 36 275 B3 shows a locking device for two connectors that can be joined together, wherein locking hooks on one of the connectors engage in locking recesses of the second connector when the connectors are joined together. Using an actuator, in this case a sliding sleeve with molded-on bevels, the locking hooks can be lifted and removed from the locking recesses, thus enabling the connectors to be separated.

[0007] DE 10 2006 040 254 A1 discloses a connector, more specifically a circular connector, with two coupling parts, wherein notches on the first coupling part engage grooves on the second coupling part. The notches are pressed into the grooves by an actuator, more specifically an actuating slide. By retracting the actuating slide, the notches can slide out of the grooves when appropriate tension is applied to the two coupling parts.

[0008] From EP 1 337 008 A2 a connector is known which has a locking ring, wherein the locking ring can be radially widened by means of an unlocking sleeve and thus a locking to a mating connector is released.

[0009] US 2009 / 0275226 A1 discloses a connector for RF (radio frequency) signals, which has an axial bore for receiving a mating connector. The radio frequency connector has a first sealing ring and a second sealing ring. The first sealing ring is mounted between an inner surface of the outer housing and an outer surface of the locking element. The second sealing ring is arranged around an inner surface of the locking element to be pressed against an outer surface of the connector when the mating connector is inserted into the cavity of the connector.

[0010] The document US 2010 / 029118 A1 discloses a connector with a sealing ring arranged on the connector housing.

[0011] The document EP 0 491 626 A1 discloses a coaxial connector with a push-pull unlocking mechanism.

[0012] The document CN 107 196 122 A discloses a waterproof coaxial connector with a release mechanism and two sealing rings.

[0013] EP 2 978 079 A1 shows a push-pull coupling with a coupling sleeve for unlocking. The sleeve forms a radial, essentially fluid-tight seal with the housing via an O-ring. The slidably mounted sleeve runs on the O-ring.

[0014] A disadvantage of the known connectors, however, is that they are locked into place by deforming the connector, or at least a component of the connector. Furthermore, any additional desired function of the connector, such as locking, requires an additional component on the connector. Task

[0015] The object of the invention is to propose a connector with a locking mechanism that enables secure sealing and locking while simultaneously being easy to handle and inexpensive to manufacture. In particular, the number of individual parts comprising the connector with its locking mechanism should be reduced as much as possible.

[0016] The problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0018] The invention relates to a plug connector with locking means, comprising a housing with at least one electrical contact element accommodated therein, a locking ring, and a sleeve, in particular a coupling sleeve. The housing has a plug-in side and a connection side, wherein the coupling sleeve and the locking ring are each arranged on the plug-in side. The coupling sleeve is arranged to be axially movable and interacts with the locking ring. The coupling sleeve additionally has a circumferential undercut and a circumferential groove adjoining the undercut, wherein the undercut is arranged on the coupling sleeve towards the connection side, and the groove is arranged on the coupling sleeve towards the plug-in side. The plug connector furthermore has a seal.

[0019] Connectors, particularly circular connectors and circular connectors based on the push-pull principle, with locking mechanisms are known in the art. There are also some square designs. The connector presented here is a circular connector. It has a connection side and a plug-in side opposite the connection side. The connection side is used, for example, for connecting an electrical conductor, an optical conductor, or a pneumatic conductor. The plug-in side is used to contact the connector with a matching mating connector.

[0020] The connector has a housing. In this case, it is a substantially cylindrical housing of a circular connector. At least one contact element is accommodated in the housing. The contact element can be an electrical, pneumatic, or optical contact element. The conductor is connected to the at least one contact element from the connection side. Towards the plug-in side, the at least one electrical contact element can be contacted with a corresponding contact element of the mating connector.

[0021] In addition, a locking ring is located on the mating side of the housing. This locking ring is a ring-shaped object. It serves to lock the connector and mating connector together.

[0022] A cap sleeve is also arranged on the housing. This is also located on the plug-in side, but unlike the locking ring, it is arranged on the outside of the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the cap sleeve forms part of the housing. The cap sleeve is designed to interact with the locking ring and deform it. For this purpose, it has an approximately cylindrical geometric body. Preferably, the cap sleeve has a locking hook-like formation. The locking hook-like formation points inward toward the locking ring.

[0023] In an alternative design, the coupling sleeve does not have a locking hook-like shape. In this design, the coupling sleeve can be inserted in any radial orientation.

[0024] According to the invention, the coupling sleeve has a circumferential undercut and a circumferential groove directly adjacent to the undercut. The undercut is positioned toward the connection side, and the groove toward the plug-in side. The undercut and groove thus form a common recess.

[0025] The coupling sleeve also features a seal. This seal serves both as protection against external environmental influences, specifically the ingress of media into the connector, and as vibration dampening and additional locking of the coupling sleeve. To further increase the degree of sealing, the connector features an annular seal in the area of ​​the locking ring. These two seals make it possible to protect the connector according to the desired IP protection class. Objects are classified into IP classes based on their suitability for different environmental conditions. IP stands for "International Protection." This refers to the degree of protection provided by the housing against contact, foreign bodies, and water. The protection class of the connector can be advantageously increased by the seals, the annular seal and the seals in the area of ​​the coupling sleeve.

[0026] According to the invention, the undercut and the groove form a common area on the side of the coupling sleeve facing the housing. By facing the recess resulting from the undercut and groove toward the housing, it is inherently protected against external influences. The merging of the undercut and groove allows the coupling sleeve a limited range of motion, from the beginning of the undercut to the end of the groove. This range of motion enables the coupling sleeve to be optimally used for assembling and disassembling the connector. This range of motion prevents accidental separation of the coupling sleeve and housing, which would in turn complicate assembly or disassembly.

[0027] According to the invention, the seal is a state-of-the-art O-ring. O-rings are also known as "round rings" or "zero rings." They represent a high-performance and economical sealing element for a wide variety of static and dynamic applications. They are primarily made of elastomeric materials, which gives O-rings a very broad range of applications. They are used as primary sealing elements, as individual seals, or as quality-assurance seals in the automotive and mechanical engineering industries. O-rings are primarily used for radial-static, axial-static, and dynamic sealing.

[0028] According to the invention, the O-ring is arranged on the housing of the connector. Ideally, it is located in a circumferential groove on the housing, so that it is fixed in a fixed position. This prevents the O-ring from twisting, warping, or jamming, which could lead to damage to the O-ring and thus a deterioration of its sealing function.

[0029] According to the invention, the coupling sleeve can slide over the O-ring in the area of ​​the circumferential groove and the circumferential undercut. The coupling sleeve thus covers the O-ring and thus prevents the influence of the external environment on the O-ring. The O-ring seal design, combined with the cover provided by the coupling sleeve, ensures optimal sealing of the connector and meets the desired IP protection rating. The limited movement space of the coupling sleeve is ideally combined with the O-ring at this point, ensuring the connector's seal.

[0030] The O-ring not only provides a seal but also supports the locking of the union sleeve through adhesion and friction in combination with the undercut. Furthermore, the O-ring enables vibration dampening. For vibration dampening, the O-ring is designed to create deliberate friction between the O-ring and the union sleeve. Vibration dampening optimizes the sealing function of the O-ring and also reduces or completely eliminates the rattling of the union sleeve, as is the case with conventional push-pull and circular connectors. Furthermore, the combination of O-ring and union sleeve ensures the secure fixation and locking of the union sleeve.

[0031] According to the invention, the locking ring is slotted, which allows it to be compressed and expanded. "Slotted" here means that the locking ring is not a complete ring, but rather a ring with a slot, i.e., a segment of a circular ring. The slot is small relative to the overall size of the ring. The slot allows for compression and / or expansion, i.e., expansion / bending, of the locking ring in the circumferential direction under the influence of force. These two movements are necessary to connect the connector to a mating connector or to disconnect the connector from a mating connector.

[0032] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the locking ring can be compressed and expanded by the axial movement of the union sleeve. This means that the union sleeve and the locking ring interact on the plug-in side of the connector. This interaction ensures easy assembly and disassembly of the connector. The locking ring is expanded by the axial movement of the union sleeve from the plug-in side towards the connection side. The movement begins at the end of the groove facing the plug-in side and ends in the area of ​​the undercut. During this movement, the locking hook-shaped contour of the union sleeve pulls the locking ring apart and holds it in this position. A mating connector can now be assembled or disassembled. During assembly, the movement of the union sleeve does not have to be done manually, but can be done by the pressure when inserting a mating connector.When the coupling sleeve returns to its original position, the locking ring is released and returns to its original shape. In this position, a mating connector is locked and held securely.

[0033] This combination of housing, O-ring, cap sleeve, and locking sleeve allows for a reduction in the number of parts while simultaneously ensuring the desired and necessary functions. This makes the connector technically easier to implement and cost-effective to manufacture. The use of standard components also makes this connector flexible in its application, as it can be used for a wide variety of diameters and only requires adjustments in its dimensions, not its design. Example

[0034] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a connector according to the invention Fig. 2 a sectional view of a partial section of the Figure 1 Fig. 3 a sectional view of a partial section of the Figure 1

[0035] The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for identical, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of identical elements may be scaled differently.

[0036] The Figure 1shows a perspective view of a connector 1 according to the invention. The connector 1 has a plug-in side S and a connection side A. The plug-in side S is located on the left side of the image, and the connection side A is located on the right side. The plug-in side S serves to contact the connector 1 with a corresponding mating connector. The connection side A, on the other hand, serves to connect the connector 1 to a conductor.

[0037] The connector 1, more precisely a circular connector, consists of a housing 6 and a contact element 5 accommodated in the housing 6. Since this connector 1 is a connector according to the push-pull principle, it also has a coupling sleeve 2 and a locking ring 4.

[0038] The cap sleeve 2 and the locking ring 4 are each arranged on the plug-in side S. The cap sleeve 2 is movably arranged on the outside of the housing 6. Its shape resembles a cylinder and has grooves on the side facing away from the housing 6 for better grip for the user. The cap sleeve 2 also has a locking hook-like formation on the side facing the plug-in side S. This is referred to below as locking hook 2.3 and is in the Figure 2 shown. The locking hook 2.3 is designed such that it acts on the locking ring 4 during an axial movement of the union sleeve 2 and can widen it.

[0039] The locking ring 4 is accommodated within the union sleeve 2 in front of the housing 6 and is arranged there in a circumferential recess with space for expansion.

[0040] On the connection side A, the connector also has a cable fastening, in this case a cable gland for fixing a cable.

[0041] The Figure 2 shows a section of a sectional view through the Figure 1 . The cutout refers to the plug-in side S in the area of ​​the union sleeve 2.

[0042] This illustration shows the position of the O-ring 3 and the function of the union sleeve 2, as well as the arrangement of the housing 6, O-ring 3, locking ring 4 and union sleeve 2.

[0043] The cap sleeve 2 is arranged on the outside of the housing 6. It has a circumferential locking hook 2.3 on the plug-in side S, which can act on the locking ring 4.

[0044] In the direction of the connection side A, however, the union sleeve 2 has a circumferential groove 2.2 and a circumferential undercut 2.1. The groove 2.2 and the undercut 2.1 are arranged on the side of the union sleeve 2 facing the housing 6. The groove 2.2 and the undercut 2.1 form a common movement area of ​​the union sleeve 2. The undercut 2.1 forms the end facing the connection side A, and the groove 2.2 forms the end of the area facing the plug-in side S.

[0045] The O-ring 3 is fixed to the housing 6 in this area, over which the union sleeve 2 can be slid. If the O-ring 3 is in contact with the undercut 2.1, as shown in the Figure 2 As shown, the coupling sleeve 2 is in a relaxed position and does not act on the locking ring 4. In this position, a mating connector is securely held.

[0046] When the O-ring 3 rests against the groove 2.2 (not shown here), the union sleeve 2 is in the tensioned position and acts on the locking ring 4 by expanding it using the locking hook 2.3. The locking ring 4 then plunges deeper into its recess in the housing 6, thus increasing the diameter at this point. In this position, a mating connector can be removed or another mating connector can be inserted.

[0047] To move the union sleeve 2 from the relaxed position to the tensioned position, an axial movement of the union sleeve from the plug-in side S toward the connection side A is necessary. The movement in the opposite direction, i.e., from the tensioned position to the relaxed position, occurs automatically due to the desired relief due to the acting restoring force of the locking ring 4. However, it can also be carried out actively by actively moving the union sleeve 2 from the connection side A toward the plug-in side S.

[0048] The Figure 3 shows the same section of a sectional view through the Figure 1 as well as the Figure 2 . The cutout refers to the plug-in side S in the area of ​​the union sleeve 2.

[0049] If the O-ring 3 is in contact with the undercut 2.1, as shown in the Figure 2As shown, the coupling sleeve 2 is in a relaxed position and does not act on the locking ring 4. In this position, a mating connector is securely held.

[0050] In the Figure 3 The tensioned position of the O-ring 3 is shown. Here, the O-ring 3 rests close to the groove 2.2. The union sleeve 2 is in the tensioned position and acts on the locking ring 4 by expanding it using the locking hook 2.3. The locking ring 4 then plunges deeper into its recess in the housing 6, thus increasing the diameter at this point. In this position, a mating connector can be removed or another mating connector can be inserted.

[0051] To move the cap sleeve 2 from the relaxed position, Figure 2 , in the tense position, Figure 3, an axial movement of the union sleeve from the plug-in side S towards the connection side A is necessary. The movement in the opposite direction, i.e. from the tensioned position to the relaxed position, occurs automatically due to the desired relief due to the acting restoring force of the locking ring 4. However, it can also be carried out actively by actively moving the union sleeve 2 from the connection side A towards the plug-in side S.

[0052] Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art—unless otherwise stated—that the illustrated and discussed combinations are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be interchanged, provided they fall within the scope of the claims. List of reference symbols

[0053] 1Connector 2Cap sleeve 2.1Undercut 2.2Groove 2.3Locking hook 3O-ring locking ring 4 5Contact element 6Housing AConnection side SConnection side

Claims

1. Plug-type connector (1), having a housing (6), a locking ring (4) and a union sleeve (2), wherein the locking ring (4) is slotted, whereby the locking ring (4) is compressible and expandable, wherein the housing (6) has a plug-in side (S) and a connection side (A), wherein the union sleeve (2) and the locking ring (4) are each arranged on the plug-in side (S), wherein the union sleeve (2) is arranged so as to be axially movable, wherein the union sleeve (2) has a circumferential undercut (2.1) and a circumferential groove (2.2) adjoining the undercut (2.1), wherein the undercut (2.1) is arranged on the union sleeve (2) in the direction of the connection side (A), wherein the groove (2.2) is arranged on the union sleeve (2) in the direction of the plug-in side (S), and wherein the plug-type connector (1) has an O-ring (3) as a seal, wherein the O-ring (3) is arranged on the housing (6) of the plug-type connector, the union sleeve (2) is displaceable above the O-ring (3) in a sliding manner between a relaxed position and a tensioned position in the region of the circumferential groove (2.2) and the circumferential undercut (2.1), wherein the union sleeve (2) does not act on the locking ring (4) in the relaxed position and wherein the union sleeve acts on the locking ring (4) in the tensioned position.

2. Plug-type connector (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the undercut (2.1) and the groove (2.2) form a common region of movement on the side of the union sleeve (2) facing the housing (6).

3. Plug-type connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking ring (4) is expandable by the axial movement of the union sleeve (2).

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