Electric plug connector assembly

Abstract

Electric plug connector assembly comprising a conductive plug 2 (Figure 4) and a conductive socket 4 connectable with one another,  the socket comprising an annular receiving space for receiving the plug, the annular receiving space defined between an inner sleeve 4.2 and an outer sleeve 4.1 coaxially arranged, the plug comprising an annular inserting section 7.1 (figure 6) insertable into the annular receiving space, the annular inserting section comprising an inserting sleeve 7.3 (Figure 9) to be inserted into the receiving space of the socket, a radius of the annular inserting section being such that the annular inserting section rests against the outer sleeve or the inner sleeve in the connected position, and the socket comprising an insulation 6.1, 6.2 (Figure 7) on an outer surface of the outer sleeve and on an inner surface of the inner sleeve. The annular insertion section may comprise fingers 2.1 (Figure 4). The socket and plug may comprise respective connection latches 4.3, 2.3 (Figure 4).

Description

The invention relates to an electric plug connector assembly comprising a socket or receiving member and a complementary plug or insertable member connectable with one another at respective connection ends oriented to or towards one another during connection and a fastener to releasably fasten the male member to the female member in a connected position to ensure the electric connection of the members of the connector assembly with one another. Electric plug connectors of this kind are generally known in the prior art. These are usually relatively spacious, meaning they are rather large and, therefore, require larger volumes. In addition, correct alignment of the male and female members with respect to one another is usually necessary for connecting the two members to one another in the connected position. This is often cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when the area in which the members are mounted is not always visible to a user, namely when the connection of the two members has to be carried out without visual access for the user. Task I technical Problem Starting from the prior art mentioned above and the disadvantages associated therewith, it is therefore the task or technical problem of the present invention to at least partially avoid the disadvantages stated above and to, more specifically, provide an electric plug connector that is easy to manufacture and especially easy to use. Invention This technical problem is already solved by the features of the independent claims. Further features are disclosed in the dependent claims to better put the invention into practice. The technical problem is solved by an electric plug connector assembly comprising the following features: The socket comprises an annular receiving space for receiving the plug. The annular receiving space is defined by a double-sleeve comprising at least two sleeves with different radii coaxially arranged with respect to a central axis of rotation 1 R, namely an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve at a radial distance to the inner sleeve so that the annular receiving space is defined between an outer wall of the inner sleeve and an inner wall of the outer sleeve and open at a receiving space inserting opening. The plug also comprises an annular inserting section insertable into the annular receiving space of the socket. This annular inserting section comprises an inserting sleeve designed to be inserted into the receiving space of the socket. This is achieved by a radius of the annular inserting section being such that the annular inserting section rests against the outer sleeve or the inner sleeve in the connected position. Due to the fitting system between the female and male members no separate fastener is required. The fastening is achieved by the appropriate design of the mating sleeves, namely the receiving double-sleeve and the at least one inserting sleeve. Finally, at least the socket comprises insulation on the outer surface of the outer sleeve and on the inner surface of the inner sleeve. Preferably, this insulation comprises a layer of plastic, such as polycarbonate or nylon. In other words, the socket and the plug are both designed to coaxially extending sleeves or rings which can be pushed into one another in any orientation with their connection ends oriented towards one another; these connection ends also being the ends with the inserting openings, or simply spoken the electric plug connector generally consists of two double-sleeves or rings which can be pushed into one another at their connection ends and then connected to one another to transmit the current. The inserting section consists of two sleeves, also called a “double-sleeve”, and comprising an opening at the connection end. The inserting section on the male member comprises at least one sleeve insertable into the inserting opening of the annular receiving section to ensure a reliable electric connection for the current to flow. Advantages One main advantage of the invention is the large contact surface provided for the current to flow, due to which the electric plug connector is especially suitable for high-current and low-voltage applications in which easy mounting of the members to one another to achieve electric connection is required. This is typically useful in the field of “low-voltage, high-power”, sometimes also called “Safety-voltage”, mostly for voltages below 48V, but strong currents, e.g. 325A. Since the two connectable sleeves can be pushed into one another in any orientation, it does not matter how the two members are oriented with respect to one another around the central axis of rotation. Once the male member is pushed into the female member or the two members are connected to one another, a safe and reliable electric connection between the two members of the electric plug connector is achieved. The connector is, therefore “rotationally invariant”, meaning that the members can be connected to one another in any orientation with respect to one another. This makes the invention especially suitable for demanding situations requiring mating connectors with heavy cables at odd angles and / or automated connections. The sleeves or the structure of the sleeves are easy and cost-efficient to manufacture since the bases can simply be stamped, laser- or plasma-cut from sheet metal parts, bent into the sleeves with their circular or annular form. In summary, the invention provides a low-voltage, high-current plug connector assembly that is especially cost efficient to produce and on which the members are especially easy to assemble. The plug assembly is especially suitable for use in high-voltage DC or AC applications, preferably up to 48 Volts in a lower frequency range up to 100 Hz and AC up to 250 Amps. To even more securely fasten the plug and socket or two members to one another in the connected position the annular inserting section may comprise a plurality of fingers extending around the central axis of rotation with intermittent spaces between juxtaposed fingers, each finger at a proximal end being connected to a base and extending in a distal direction from the base to a distal free end. The fingers can be elastic by their mere design, but it is especially preferable if these fingers are furthermore biased to press against the receiving sleeves in the connected position to obtain an even better electric connection. These fingers constitute an especially preferable design for the fastener. Since the interacting sleeves, preferably the inserting sleeve comprising fingers perform the connection function. An even more reliable electrical and mechanical connection between the plug member and the socket can be achieved if the plug also comprises a double-sleeve with fingers, namely comprises two rings of fingers, namely an outer finger ring and an inner finger ring, the inner finger ring arranged closer to the central axis of rotation than the outer finger ring. Furthermore, the rings of fingers can be arranged so that the finger of the inner finger row is located between two adjacent fingers of the outer finger row, thereby creating two rings of interchanging outer and inner fingers. To further improve conductivity in the connected state, the outer fingers can be designed to rest against an inner surface oriented to the central axis of rotation of the outer sleeve, and the inner fingers can be designed to rest against an outer surface oriented away from the axis of rotation of the inner sleeve. By this design, two connectable double-sleeves are created, namely one continuous double-sleeve, preferably the receiving double-sleeve or socket, comprising two continuous sleeves, and one finger-double-sleeve or the plug, having fingers at the connection end and also being continuous, namely with the base, at the opposite end. To facilitate attachment to supply lines, the members may comprise connection latches, which are preferably located opposite of the connection ends, meaning away from the connection ends. Most preferably, the latches are made of a one-piece design with the sheet materials used to produce the conductive sleeves. If these connection latches are not provided the plug and / or socket can be designed for crimping, soldering or screwing-on the supply lines. To further improve insulation, the insulation may not only comprise insulation surfaces but also be designed as an insulation body that encompasses or partially encompasses the members. Most preferably, the insulation body can be designed as an insulation sleeve that encloses the socket on the outside and inside, namely on the surfaces a user touches during handling. Furthermore, again, to simplify handling and improve the electric connection of the members to one another further, the insulation body can be designed to bias the fingers radially outward and / or radially inwards. Most preferably, the insulation surface comprises plastic, preferably created by injection molding. The members are preferably made of metal, most preferably stamped or cut sheet-metal parts, which are then bent into the respective doublesleeve or double-finger shape. Due to the round nature of the electric plug connector, designing the electric plug connector assembly as a push-pull connector is especially preferable. Preferably the electric plug connector assembly is arranged in a surrounding or encasing housing, preferably made of metal. This housing preferably comprises a tubular housing body, preferably a housing sleeve surrounding the plug on one side and a cover in which the socket is located on the other side. The housing may comprise a push - pool connector which can be activated by pulling an outer activation ring in order to connect and disconnect the electric push-pull connector. In addition, sealing means like an O-Ring can be provided between the housing and the cover. The invention also provides a manufacturing method of an electric plug connector assembly according to one of the aspects discussed above, comprising the steps of the cutting of first and second sheet members from an electrically conductive sheet material, preferably copper or brass sheets, wherein a first-shaped of the first sheet member and the second shape of the second sheet member are essentially the same, however, have a different surface area, then shaping the first and second sheep members into generally annular members, each annular member comprising an inner annular section and an outer annular section, the outer annular section located at or larger radial distance with respect to a central axis of rotation than the inner annular section to define a respective annular receiving space between the inner annular section and the outer annular section. The annular members are designed such that these can be inserted into one another at connection ends and oriented towards one another when connected to one another into the connected position. Preferably, the shaping involves bending or sheet-metal forming. To further improve the members' connection characteristics, the manufacturing method can additionally include the step of galvanizing either the sheet members or the annular members. To simplify handling for a user insulation can be provided or applied to the annular members. The insulation need not only be a surface but can also include providing an insulation body that encompasses the metal conductive parts of the members for the most part so that a user cannot be in contact with the metal components when connecting the members to one another. In the following detailed figure description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form part of this description of the invention and are shown to illustrate specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," etc., is used in reference to the orientations of the figure(s) described. Since components of embodiments may be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is for illustrative purposes and is not limiting in any way. It is understood that other embodiments may be used, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. The following detailed description is not to be construed in a limiting sense. In the context of this description, the terms "connected", "connected" as well as "integrated" are used to describe both a direct and an indirect connection, as well as a direct or indirect integration. Unless otherwise indicated, the indefinite and definite articles refer not only to a single component but are to be understood as "at least one". The terminology includes the previously mentioned words, variations thereof, and similar meanings. Further, it should be understood that the terms "about," "substantially," and similar terms in connection with the dimensions and property of a component of the invention do not describe the described dimension and property as a strict limit or parameter and do not exclude minor variations thereof which are functionally similar. At a minimum, description parts with numerical parameters also include variations of these parameters according to mathematical and manufacturing principles in the prior art, e.g., rounding, deviations and other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc. In the figures, identical or similar elements are given identical reference numbers where appropriate, and identical reference numerals in the figures refer to identical components or features. Reference mark lines are lines connecting the reference mark to the part in question. An arrow, on the other hand, that does not touch a part refers to an entire unit to which it is directed. Incidentally, the representations in the figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain areas may be shown exaggeratedly large to illustrate details. Furthermore, the drawings may be strikingly simplified and do not include every detail that may be present in the practical embodiment. The electric plug connector, according to the invention, is described below by way of example with reference to the figures. All features of the respective embodiment are disclosed independently of other features of the respective embodiment example. Likewise, the above-mentioned features and the features described in further detail can each be used individually in accordance with the invention or in any combination of several features. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as a conclusive list but rather have an exemplary character for the description of the invention. The Figures show Figure 1 an isometric front view of the annular plug with fingers without insulation; Figure 2 an isometric front view of the annular socket without insulation; Figure 3 an isometric rear view of the annular socket according to figure 2 without insulation; Figure 4 an isometric rear view of the annular plug according to figure 1 without insulation; Figure 5 a top view of the unenrolled sheet member used for creating either the inner or outer annular plug shown in figures 1 and 4; Figure 6 an isometric front view of the annular plug according to figure 1 with plastic insulation; Figure 7 an isometric front view of the annular socket according to figure 2 with plastic insulation; Figure 8 the annular socket according to figure 3 with plastic insulation; Figure 9 the annular socket according to figure 4 with plastic insulation; Figure 10 an enlarged cross-section of the electric plug connector assembly in the assembled position along line X - X in Figure 12; Figure 11 an enlarged cross-section of the assembled electric plug connector along line XI - XI in Figure 12; Figure 12 a front view of the enlarged cross-section of the assembled electric plug connector along line XII - XII in Figure 10; and Figure 13 an isometric view of the electric plug connector assembly arranged in this encasing metal housing in the unconnected position. Figures 1 and 4 show an isometric perspective front and back view the annular plug 2 without insulation. The annular plug 2 defines an annular inserting section with a plurality of fingers 2.1 (only one indicated with a reference number for clarity) with intermittent spaces between juxtaposed fingers. The inserting section of the plug member 2 comprises two rings of fingers, namely an outer finger ring and an inner finger ring, which is arranged closer to the central axis of rotation R than the outer finger ring. The rings of fingers are furthermore arranged in such a manner that the finger of the inner finger ring is located between two adjacent fingers of the outer finger ring, but still including a space between two juxtaposed fingers. In this manner, two finger rings of interchanging fingers are created, defining the inserting section of the annular plug 2. Figures 2 and 4 show isometric perspective front and back views of the annular socket 4, again only stamped and bent from conductive sheet material, preferably brass or copper sheet material, without insulation. The annular socket 4 comprises an inner sleeve 4.2 and an outer sleeve 4.1 with a larger radius than the inner sleeve and surrounding the inner sleeve at a radial distance created by bending appropriately shaped sheet metals, namely sheet metals with a consistent rectangular surfaces not interrupted by fingers and connection latches 4.3 at one side of the base to create the inner sleeve 4.2 and the outer sleeve 4.1 with different radii in such a manner that the annular receiving space is defined between the outer wall of the inner sleeve 4.2 and the inner wall of the outer sleeve 4.1. The distance between the outer wall of the smaller inner sleeve 4.2 and the larger outer sleeve 4.1 defines that annular receiving space for receiving the annular male member 2, specifically the finger 2.1 rings. To connect the plug 2 and socket 4 in the connected position and for the current to flow, the inserting section of the annular plug 2 merely has to be inserted into the annular receiving space in any orientation of the socket 4 and plug 2 in respect to one another. The fingers of the outer finger row on the annular male member 2 are designed, presently biased, to rest against an inner surface of the outer sleeve 4.1 of the correspondingly designed annular female member 4, and the inner fingers are designed to rest against an outer surface of the inner sleeve 4.2 of the annular female member in the connected position. The terms inner and outer of the surfaces of the sleeves relate to the orientation with respect to the central axis of rotation R. On the rear end oriented away from the connection ends, oriented towards one another during connection, the plug 2 and socket 4 comprise connection latches 2.3 and 4.3 for connecting the annular conductive members to corresponding cables or wires. Figure 5 shows a top view of a sheet member, stamped or cut from conductive sheet material, preferably brass or copper sheets material, before bending used to create the annular plug 2 with the annular base 2.2 when bent and the fingers 2.1 extending in a distal direction from the base 2.2 to a respective distal free end. Each finger 2.1 is at proximal end connected to the annular base 2.2 and extends in a distal direction from the base 2.2 to a distal free end of each finger 2.1. Opposite the fingers in the middle of the base 2.2 is the connection latch 2.3, presently in the preferred form as a one-piece design with the male member 2. This sheet metal, shown in figure 5, is used twice to create the inner finger row and the outer finger ring by using two different lengths of sheet metals and bending the sheet-metal into annular rings with two different radial diameters, shown in figures 1 and 4, however with varying arrangements of fingers 2.1, the fingers of the inner ring 9 are located in the space between to juxtaposed fingers of the outer fingers, the fingers never touching each other in the assembled position. Sheet metal material similar to the one shown in figure 5 is used to create the annular socket 4, namely the outer sleeve 4.1 and the inner sleeve 4.2. The only difference is that the sheet metal members include no fingers 2.1 shown in figure 5. Hence, the sheet metal members are of the same type shown in figure 5 but without fingers, namely made of a continuous base to create the continuous inner sleeve 4.2 and the outer sleeve 4.1 without cutouts to create the fingers 2.1. Alternatively, the socket can be made of differently sized metal tubes. Figures 6 to 9 show isometric perspective front and rear views of the members 2, 4 with insulation 6, 7. In the case of the female member 4, an outer insulation sleeve 6.1 is created on the outer side of the outer sleeve 4.1 and an inner insulation sleeve 6.2 on the inner side of the inner sleeve 4.2. Also, as is shown in figure 8, the rear side of the outer insulation sleeve 6.1 and the inner insulation sleeve 6.2 are connected to one another at the rear, only letting the connection latches 4.3 stick out. As shown in figure 6 and 9, the insulation 7 on the annular male member comprises an insulation ring 7.1 located in front of the distal ends of the fingers 2.1. Therewith at the connection end of the annular male member 2 and insulation fingers 7.2 extending from this insulation ring 7.1 to the base 2.2 of the annular male member 2. These insulation fingers 7.2 are arranged on the outer side to press the fingers of the inner finger ring radially inwards and on to press the fingers of the outer finger ring radially outwards. The insulation ring 7.1, therefore comprises insulation fingers 7.2 adapted to the spaces between the fingers 2.1 of the outer finger ring and the inner finger ring of the annular male member 2 to bias the fingers radially inwards or radially outwards and, therewith further improve conductivity and mechanical connection in the connected position inserted into the annular receiving space of the male member 2. As can be seen in Figure 9, an insulation sleeve 7.3 also extends between the outer finger ring and the inner finger ring 7.3 to firmly secure the two finger rings of the annular male member 2 inside the sleeve and avoid displacement. Figures 10 and 11 show enlarged longitudinal sections of the members 2, 4 in the connected position along the lines X - X 10 and XI - XI in figure 12. As can be best seen in figure 10, the inner fingers of the inner finger ring of the annular male member 2 rest against the outer side of the inner sleeve 4.2 in the connected position in a biased manner, meaning that these inner fingers are pressed radially outwards when inserted into the annular receiving space to ensure electric and mechanical connection between the members 2 and 4. Correspondingly, the outer fingers of the outer finger ring are pressed against the inner side of the outer sleeve 4.1 in the connected position to achieve the same effects. Figure 13 shows an isometric view of the electric plug connector assembly located in a encasing housing, said housing comprising a tubular body 8 in which the plug is located and a cover 10 in which the socket is located. Hence, when the cover 10 is attached to the body 8, the plug is electrically connected to the socket and the cover is in the mechanically connected to the body. On the outside of the body is a relatively movable activation ring 12 as part of a ball-lock mechanism to releasably connect the cover 10 to the body 8. On an outer peripheral surface of an inserting sleeve 10a provided on the plate-like cover 10 the ball lock can grip into the groove 10b provided on the outer side of the sleeve 10a that is insertable into the tubular body 8. Preferably the housing consists of metal. Reference numbers R Central axis of rotation 2 annular male member 2.1 finger 2.2 base 2.3 connection latch 4 annular female member 4.1 outer sleeve 4.2 inner sleeve 4.3 connection latch 6 insulation 6.1 outer insulation sleeve 6.2 inner insulation sleeve 7 insulation 7.1 insulation ring 7.2 insulation finger 7.3 insulation sleeve 8 Housing body 10 Cover 10a Sleeve 10b groove 12 Pulling ring

Claims

1. Electric plug connector assembly comprisinga conductive plug and a complementary conductive socket connectable with one another at respective connection ends oriented to one another during connection,the socket comprising an annular receiving space for receiving the plug,said annular receiving space defined by a double-sleeve comprising at least two sleeves with different radii coaxially arranged with respect to a central axis of rotation, namely an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve at a radial distance to the inner sleeve so that the annular receiving space is defined between an outer wall of the inner sleeve and an inner wall of the outer sleeve and open at a receiving space inserting opening,the plug comprising an annular inserting section insertable into the annular receiving space,the annular inserting section comprising an inserting sleeve designed to be inserted into the receiving space of the female membera radius of the annular inserting section being such that the annular inserting section rests against the outer sleeve or the inner sleeve in the connected position, andat least the female member comprising an insulation on an outer surface of the outer sleeve and on an inner surface of the inner sleeve.

2. Electric plug connector assembly, whereinthe annular inserting section comprises a plurality of fingers extending around the central axis of rotation with intermittent spaces between juxtaposed fingers, each finger at a proximal end being connected to a base and extending in a distal direction from the base to a distal free end.

3. Electric plug connector assembly according to claim 2, wherein the fingers comprise two annular rings of fingers, namely an outer finger ring and an inner finger ring,the inner finger ring arranged closer to the central axis of rotation than the outer finger ring,the ring of fingers being arranged in such a manner that a finger of the inner finger ring is located between two adjacent fingers of the outer finger ring,therewith creating two rings of interchanging outer and inner fingers,the outer fingers being designed to rest against an inner surface of the outer sleeve of the female member,and the inner fingers being designed to rest against an outer surface of the inner sleeve of the female member.

4. Electric plug assembly according to claim 3, whereinthe outer fingers are biased radially outward with respect to an inner axis of rotation,and wherein the inner fingers are biased radially inward with respect to the inner axis of rotation.

5. Electric plug connector assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe inner member and the outer member comprise connection latches, preferably located opposite of the connection ends.

6. Electric plug connector assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe insulation being part of an insulation body.

7. Electric plug connector assembly according to claim 6, whereinthe insulation body is designed to insulate the male and female member with respect to one another.

8. Electric plug connector assembly according to claim 7, whereinthe insulation body is designed to bias the fingers radially outward and / or radially inward.

9. Electric plug connector assembly according to claim 1, whereinthe insulation surface comprises plastic, preferably created by injection molding.

10. Electric plug connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said assembly is designed as a push-pull connector.

11. Electric plug connector assembly according to claim 1 arranged in an encasing housing closable by a cover, wherein one element of the group plug or socket is arranged in the housing and the other element corresponding element of the group is arranged in the cover.

12. Manufacturing method of an electric plug connector assembly according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps ofcutting of a first and second sheet member from an electrically conductive sheet material, preferably copper or brass sheets,wherein a first shape of the first sheet member and a second shape of the second sheet member are essentially the same, however, have different surface areas,shaping the first and second sheet members into generally annular members,each annular member comprising an inner annular section and an outer annular section,the outer annular section located at a larger radial distance with respect to a central axis of rotation than the inner annular section to define a respective annular receiving space between the inner annular section and the outer annular section,the annular members being designed such that these can be inserted into one another at connection ends oriented towards one another when connected to one another into a connected position.

13. Manufacturing method according to claim 12, whereinthe shaping involves bending or sheet metal forming.

14. Manufacturing method according to claim 12,further involving the step of galvanizing of either the sheet members or the annular members.

15. Manufacturing method according to claim 12,further involving the step of providing an insulation on the annular members.

Images