Connector with contact insert attachment

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connector comprising a connector housing with a cable entry opening, a connection opening, at least one retaining element, and at least one contact insert. The contact insert accommodates at least one contact element and / or at least one connector module and / or half a connector module and has at least one mounting frame. The mounting frame has at least one second retaining element, wherein the second retaining element corresponds to the first retaining element and wherein at least one retaining means interacts with the first retaining element and the corresponding second retaining element.

Description

[0001] The invention is based on a connector with contact insert fastening according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention is based on a method for connecting a contact insert to a connector housing of a connector according to claim 10.

[0003] Such contact insert fastenings are required to fasten a contact insert, optionally designed as a module holding frame for accommodating connector modules and / or half connector modules, preferably detachably in a connector housing. State of the art

[0004] Industrial connectors, also known as heavy-duty connectors or rectangular connectors, typically feature a contact insert that is releasably secured in the connector housing by means of screw connections. The contact insert can be designed directly to accommodate contact elements. Alternatively, the state of the art also allows for clever solutions in which a contact insert is designed as a holding frame, which in turn accommodates one or a plurality of identical and / or different connector modules. Connector modules can also consist of multiple modular components, which can also be identical and / or different from one another.

[0005] DE 197 07 120 C1 discloses a connector with a contact carrier, which is designed as a holding frame for connector modules. The contact carrier is usually secured in the connector housing by means of screw connections.

[0006] A disadvantage of the connection technology primarily used in the prior art is the comparatively long time required to detachably insert a contact carrier into a connector housing by means of the four screw connections usually provided at the corners of the contact carrier. Task

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a connector which is equipped with a contact insert in a simple and quick manner and which can be releasably and firmly fastened in a connector housing of the connector.

[0008] Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for the simple and rapid fastening of a contact insert in a connector housing, which method engages the contact insert detachably and with a tight fit in the connector housing.

[0009] The problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1 and the method of independent claim 10.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0011] The invention is based on an electrical plug connector comprising a plug connector housing with a cable feedthrough opening, a connection opening, at least one first holding form, and at least one contact insert. The contact insert accommodates at least one contact element and / or at least one plug connector module and / or half a plug connector module and has at least one fastening frame. The fastening frame has at least one second holding form, wherein the second holding form corresponds to the first holding form, and wherein at least one holding means interacts with the first holding form and the corresponding second holding form. As a result, the fastening frame is held in the plug connector housing with the aid of the holding means. The holding means has at least one fixing body, a fixing element, and a locking element.

[0012] Connector housings are generally understood to be enclosures for cable ends equipped with contact elements. Connector housings are typically made of metal or plastic. In the case of plastic housings, electrically conductive plastics are also used. There are also connector housings made of composite materials, whereby the housings can be made of metal and plastic, or of different metals or different plastics.

[0013] Cable entry openings are specifically defined as recesses in the connector housing intended for the passage of one or more electrical wires and / or cables. These cable entry openings are usually complemented by cable glands, so that the objects passing through them are at least partially sealed against foreign media such as dust, dirt, or fluids.

[0014] The term connection opening refers to a recess in the connector housing which is formed for connection to a mating connector, or the mating connector housing and / or the contact elements arranged therein.

[0015] The term "first retaining element" refers to a device on or within the connector housing that is designed to enable the attachment of additional components of the connector. Connector housings typically feature blind holes with internal threads into which a screw is inserted to attach additional components. The first retaining element usually extends into the connector housing, thereby securing additional components toward the interior of the connector housing.

[0016] The term "contact insert" encompasses a variety of options. Firstly, it refers to simple insulating bodies and / or contact carriers, which are used to accommodate and / or spatially and / or electrically separate contact elements. Module holding frames are known in the prior art, which, in the case of the present invention, are also understood as contact inserts in a populated version, i.e., with modules accommodated. Such module holding frames are designed to accommodate different and / or similar connector modules, with each connector module being understood as a contact insert or contact carrier. Recently, there has also been a variety of connector modules, which can be formed from identical and / or different sub-modules.

[0017] Mounting frames are, on the one hand, molded and / or assembled frames designed for securing a contact insert in a connector housing. A module holding frame also typically has the characteristics of a mounting frame desired in this invention. Particularly in the case of simple insulating bodies, mounting frames can be constructed in multiple parts and arranged on the insulating body. In the prior art, mounting frames are often constructed from two individual elements, which, particularly in industrial connectors, are arranged on the narrow sides of the contact inserts and have no direct connection to each other.

[0018] The term "second retaining form" refers to a device on or within the mounting frame designed to enable the attachment of a contact carrier to the connector housing. Mounting frames typically have through-holes through which a screw is inserted for attachment to the connector housing. The second retaining form usually protrudes outward, i.e., away from the contact carrier.

[0019] A holding means refers to an element which is provided for connecting the first holding form to the second holding form. In other words, the holding means is used to fasten a contact insert in a connector housing. Ideally, the holding means is designed to detachably connect the contact insert to the connector housing. According to the invention, the holding means is composed of various components. These components include at least one fixing body, one fixing element, and one locking element. For various embodiments, the aforementioned components can consist of multiple elements. For example, it may make sense for the fixing body to consist of at least two elements, for example a socket and a fastening form arranged thereon for connection to the first holding form.In a particularly advantageous manner, the fixing element can be provided with a securing element in order to be secured against loss in a corresponding securing form in the fixing body.

[0020] The retaining element designed in this way enables simple, quick, and reliable installation of the contact insert in the connector housing. A particularly useful design for the fixing element is a pin-like element with a head and / or flange, which allows the inserted fixing element to be inserted within the fixing body, while also allowing the fixing element to be removed from the fixing body again.

[0021] This ensures that the simple installation of the contact insert can be reversed just as easily.

[0022] In one embodiment, the fixing body is connected to the first holding mold. This means that at least a portion of the fixing body, which is directed opposite to the insertion direction, is screwed, pressed, or glued into a first holding mold.

[0023] In a further embodiment, the locking element is connected to the second retaining form. A locking sleeve, a locking spring, a locking hook, or a similar element can be used as the locking element. According to the invention, the locking element engages behind the second retaining form in the plug-in direction, thus securing the contact insert in the connector housing.

[0024] A clever embodiment provides for the locking element to be essentially formed as a circumferential bead with a larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of the second retaining shape. Alternatively, the locking element is designed as at least one locking hook arranged on the fixing body, which holds the second retaining shape in the connected state in the connector housing.

[0025] In a further developed embodiment, the contact insert with its fastening frame and the second holding form arranged thereon is pushed over the locking element of the holding means, wherein the locking element elastically deflects into the interior of the fixing body.

[0026] A further embodiment provides that the fixing element is inserted into the fixing body opposite to the plugging direction.

[0027] In a clever embodiment, the connector housing accommodates at least a first holding means and at least a second holding means, wherein the first holding means is designed as a socket element and the second holding means is designed as a pin element.

[0028] A further developed embodiment provides that a fixing element is arranged on the second holding means, which is brought into engagement with the first holding means in a plugged-in state of the connector housing with a mating connector housing.

[0029] Furthermore, a method for connecting a contact insert to a connector housing is disclosed, wherein the connector housing has at least one first holding shape and wherein the contact insert has at least one second holding shape, wherein the first holding shape corresponds to the second holding shape and wherein at least one holding means is used to connect the contact insert to the connector housing, which holding means has a fixing body, a fixing element and a locking element.

[0030] A further embodiment of the method provides that the fixing body is designed essentially as a hollow pin which has elongated through-openings and / or slots on which the locking element is arranged so as to be elastically displaceable inwards.

[0031] A clever embodiment of the method provides that the fixing element is introduced into the fixing body and blocks the elastic displacement of the locking element.

[0032] A further embodiment of the method provides that the plug connector receives at least a first holding means and a second holding means, wherein the second holding means has a fixing element which, in the plugged-in state of the plug connector housing, interacts with the fixing body of the first holding means with a mating plug connector housing.

[0033] Finally, one embodiment of the method provides for the first retaining means and the second retaining means to be used as a coding device. This means that the retaining means are used as a means of securing against incorrectly oriented mating of the connector and mating connector or accidental mating of a first connector with a second mating connector intended for a second connector. Example

[0034] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 shows a perspective sectional view of a retaining means according to the invention in a connector; Fig. 2 shows a rotated perspective sectional view of a retaining means according to the invention in a connector; Fig. 3 shows a perspective sectional view of an alternative retaining means according to the invention in a connector; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a retaining means according to the invention in a mounting frame.

[0035] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0036] The Figure 1 and Figure 2show a section of a plug connector with a plug connector housing 1 and a first holding mold 2 located therein. Furthermore, a fastening frame 4 of a contact insert 3 can be seen, although the contact insert 3 is not shown. The fastening frame 4 has a second holding mold 5. The holding means 6 is connected to the first holding mold 2. The holding means 6 is essentially designed in two parts. First, the fixing body 60 of the holding means 6 can be seen connected to the first holding mold 2. The fixing body 60 is essentially hollow-cylindrical. A fixing element 61 is arranged in the fixing body 60. The fixing element 61 has a head which serves as a release element 62. The release element 62 enables, or at least simplifies, the release of the second holding mold 5 from the holding means 6.To prevent loss and to make handling easier, the fixing element 61 has a securing element 64 which engages in a first securing form 65 when opened. The first securing form 65 is located at an end region of the fixing body 60 located in the plug-in direction S. A second securing form 65' is arranged in the fixing body 60 such that the fixing element 61 is secured in a closed position. On the outside of the fixing body 60 there is a bead running all the way around which acts as a locking element 63 and initially allows the second holding form 5 to be pushed over the locking elements 63. After the fastening frame 4 with the second holding form 5 has initially been releasably placed over the locking element 63, the fixing element 61 is, as shown in . Figure 2 can be seen, locked by a pressure movement D.

[0037] The Figure 3shows an alternative embodiment of the connector according to the invention. The connector is connected to a mating connector. The connector is designed with a connector housing 1 and a holding means 6 arranged in the first holding form 2. On the first holding form 2, a previously described and in the Figures 1 and 2shown holding means 6 is inserted. The mating connector and the mating connector housing 1' have an alternative, second holding means 6' in their first holding mold 2'. The second holding means 6' has a fixing element 61 on its fixing body 60' pointing in the plug-in direction S' of the mating connector. It can be seen that a fixing element 61 is arranged on the end of the second holding means 6' as viewed in the plug-in direction S'. In the plugged-in state of the connector and the mating connector shown, the fixing element 61 is engaged with the fixing body 60. In this way, the contact insert 3 and its fastening frame 4 of the connector housing 1 are securely held with the mating connector housing 1' and the corresponding components during the plug-in state.During a release process of the connector housing 1 and the mating connector housing 1', the fixing element 61 is ideally removed from the fixing body 60 after overcoming the plugging forces or tensile forces of the contact elements arranged in the contact inserts 3 and 3', so that the contact inserts 3 and 3' are not released together from the connector housing 1 or the mating connector housing 1'.

[0038] The Figure 4 shows a clever embodiment in which a connector housing 1 designed as a bulkhead housing accommodates a first retaining means 6 and a second retaining means 6' in alternating circumferential positions in the first retaining forms 2. The arrangement shown allows for a particularly advantageous fastening of the contact inserts 3 to be inserted, or the fastening frames 4 located thereon. Alternative arrangements of the retaining means 6 and 6' are conceivable for coding purposes.

[0039] 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. List of reference symbols

[0040] 1Connector housing 2First retaining mold 3Contact insert 4Mounting frame 5Second retaining mold 6Retaining means 60Fixing body 61Fixing element 62Release element 63Locking element 64Securing element 65Securing shape SSocking direction DPressure movement

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising a connector housing (1) with a cable feedthrough opening, a connection opening, at least one first holding form (2) and at least one contact insert (3), wherein the contact insert (3) accommodates at least one contact element and / or at least one connector module and / or half a connector module, and the contact insert (3) has at least one fastening frame (4) which has at least one second holding form (5), wherein the second holding form (5) corresponds to the first holding form (2), wherein at least one holding means (6) interacts with the first holding form (2) and the corresponding second holding form (5), and wherein the fastening frame (4) is held in the connector housing (1) by means of the holding means (6). characterized in that the holding means (6) has at least one fixing body (60), one fixing element (61) and one locking element (63).

2. Electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that the fixing body (60) is connected to the first holding form (2).

3. Electrical connector according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the locking element (63) is connected to the second holding form (5).

4. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the locking element (63) is essentially formed as a circumferential bead which has a larger outer diameter than an inner diameter of the second holding shape (5).

5. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the locking element (63) is designed as at least one locking hook arranged on the fixing body (60), which holds the second holding form (5) in the connected state in the connector housing (1).

6. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims characterized in thatthe contact insert (3) with its fastening frame (4) and the second holding form (5) arranged thereon is pushed over the locking element (63) of the holding means (6), wherein the locking element (63) elastically deflects into the interior of the fixing body (60).

7. Electrical connector according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the fixing element (61) is inserted into the fixing body (60) opposite to the plugging direction (S).

8. Electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in that the connector housing (1) accommodates at least one first holding means (6') and at least one second holding means (6"), wherein the first holding means (6') is designed as a socket element and the second holding means (6") is designed as a pin element.

9. Electrical connector according to claim 1 characterized in thata fixing element (61) is arranged on the second holding means (6"), which is brought into engagement with the first holding means (6') in a plugged-in state of the connector housing (1) with a mating connector housing (1').

10. Method for connecting a contact insert (3) to a connector housing (1), wherein the connector housing (1) has at least one first holding form (2) and wherein the contact insert (3) has at least one second holding form (5), wherein the first holding form (2) corresponds to the second holding form (5), characterized in that to connect the contact insert (3) to the connector housing (1), at least one holding means (6) is used, which has a fixing body (60), a fixing element (61) and a locking element (63).

11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe fixing body (60) is designed essentially as a hollow pin which has elongated through-openings on which the locking element is arranged so as to be elastically displaceable inwards.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the fixing element (61) is introduced into the fixing body (60) and blocks the elastic displacement of the locking element (63).

13. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the plug connector (1) accommodates at least a first holding means (6') and a second holding means (6"), wherein the second holding means (6") has a fixing element (61) which, in the plugged-in state of the plug connector housing (1), interacts with a mating plug connector housing (1') with the fixing body (60) of the first holding means (6').

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the first holding means (6') and second holding means (6") are used as coding.

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