Plug connector housing

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector housing (1) for a plug connector element (110), comprising a retaining element (115) having a receptacle (10) for the plug connector element (110), an inner feed-through (20) for the supply line (120) to the plug connector element (110) and a fastening region (30) for fastening the plug connector housing (1) to a higher-level assembly (100), wherein the receptacle (5) is designed to interlockingly secure the plug connector element (110) at least in the axial and radial direction of the plug connector element (110).

Description

Connector housing

[0001] The invention relates to a plug housing for a plug element with a locking mechanism.

[0002] In the prior art, connector elements with a locking mechanism for connecting one or more electrical conductors are known. The conductors terminating in two matching connector elements are electrically connected by inserting the two connector elements into one another and are secured against unintentional disconnection by the locking mechanism, which mechanically connects the two connector elements on their outer surface. The locking mechanism can comprise locking elements arranged on at least one connector element and interacting with corresponding projections on the other connector element, a locking nut that interacts with a suitable external thread on one connector element and is held on the other connector element, or a bayonet fitting with a locking mechanism on one connector element comprising buttons that can be guided in a slot on the other connector element.

[0003] Particularly in assemblies where electrical and / or electronic components and, for example, the housing are manufactured separately, and where, due to prior testing, no electrical connection to the electrical and / or electronic components should or may be altered during assembly, it is known to equip the electrical and / or electronic components with a so-called "pigtail." This is a cable permanently attached to the electrical and / or electronic component at one end, with a connector element, often with a locking mechanism, at its free end. The connector element is used during assembly of the component. The cable is guided through a suitable opening in the housing and is then available outside the housing for connecting a supply cable with a suitable connector. After connecting a suitable supply cable, the connector can be detachably fastened on the outside of the housing, e.g., in a clamping element located there.

[0004] A disadvantage of such a "pigtail" arrangement is the risk of the cable leading out of the housing and / or the attached connector element being torn off. Due to this risk, it is generally required in aircraft construction that assemblies with such a "pigtail" arrangement must be assembled by two people to ensure that both the electrical and mechanical connections of the assembly can be made without damaging the "pigtail".

[0005] The object of the present invention is to create a connector housing with which the disadvantages known from the prior art can no longer occur or only to a reduced extent.

[0006] This problem is solved by a connector housing according to claim 1. An arrangement comprising such a connector housing is protected by claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] Accordingly, the invention relates to a connector housing for a connector element with a locking mechanism, comprising a receptacle for the connector element, an internal feedthrough for the supply line to the connector element, and a fastening area for fastening the connector housing to a higher-level assembly, wherein the receptacle is designed to provide positive locking of the connector element at least in the axial and radial direction of the connector element.

[0008] First, some terms used in connection with the invention will be explained.

[0009] A "pigtail connector" is an electrical connection for an electrical or electronic component in which an electrical conductor is permanently attached to the electrical or electronic component at one end and has a permanently mounted plug element at the other end.

[0010] A "locking mechanism" is a mechanical locking device for two interconnected plug elements, in which the housings of the two plug elements are secured against unintentional disconnection by at least one locking element, usually located on the outside of the plug elements. The locking mechanism may include a locking nut on one of the plug elements, which can engage with a suitable external thread on the other plug element. Similarly, a bayonet fitting may be used, in which one plug housing has a locking element that—like the other plug housing—is designed to operate on the button-and-slot principle known from bayonet fittings.A locking element extending from one plug element to another, which interacts there with a projection in a form-fitting manner, is also a locking device within the meaning of the present invention.

[0011] In the case of a connector element, the "axial direction" generally refers to the direction in which the connector element can be connected to a matching connector element. Often, the axial direction coincides with the longitudinal axis of the connector element. The "radial direction" runs perpendicular to the axial direction. A connector element is secured against rotation about the axial direction when it is even when a moment is applied about the axial direction or the longitudinal axis of the connector element, it cannot be rotated in principle.

[0012] The invention provides a connector housing that retains the advantages of a pigtail connector for an electrical or electronic component of an assembly, while virtually eliminating the disadvantages associated with this configuration in the prior art during the subsequent installation of the fully assembled assembly. Thus, an electrical or electronic component of an assembly can be manufactured and tested using a pigtail connector in a known manner – including the connector itself. The electrical connection does not need to be modified during assembly of the module.Rather, the already assembled and tested connection can be received in a connector housing according to the invention and held in the receiving area in such a form-fitting manner that the connector element of the pigtail connection – at least when the connector housing is attached to the higher-level assembly – behaves in principle like a connection element firmly mounted on the higher-level assembly and connected to the electrical or electronic component, for which, however, the electrical connection of the electrical or electronic component would usually have to be changed, even if it has already been tested.

[0013] The receptacle is designed to provide a positive locking connection for the connector element, at least in the axial and radial directions of the connector element. The receptacle is preferably designed such that a connector element inserted therein is positively locked in place by cylindrical contact surfaces and recesses that correspond to corresponding contact surfaces and projections on the connector element, so that a connector element inserted into the receptacle is held securely in place. The receptacle is secured in the axial and radial directions. Furthermore, the receptacle preferably comprises a square-shaped section into which a corresponding square section of the connector element fits, thus ensuring rotational rigidity of the connector element inserted into the receptacle.

[0014] Does the outer surface of the connector element exhibit at least partially n-fold rotational symmetry with n (including the case of no rotational symmetry), which is then reflected in the receptacle, the connector element can also be secured against rotation about its axial direction by positive locking. At the latest in this case, a connector element mounted in the connector housing according to the invention is indistinguishable, or only barely distinguishable, from a permanently mounted connection element in its subsequent use.

[0015] To easily secure a connector element in the connector housing, it is preferred that the receptacle for the connector element is formed by a recess in the connector housing and a locking element that can be inserted into the connector housing. The recess in the connector housing is designed for inserting the connector element, and the locking element is designed for subsequently creating a complete positive fit with the connector element. In this embodiment, the receptacle is divided into two parts, with the surfaces of the receptacle intended for the positive fit with the connector element being partly located in the connector housing itself and partly on the locking element. By inserting the locking element only after the connector element has been placed into the recess in the connector housing, the recess can be designed so that the connector element can be inserted or placed into it easily and without difficulty.The locking element then closes off free areas on the plug element that are intended or required for creating the positive locking connection.

[0016] The locking element can be attached to the connector housing by positive locking, frictional locking, and / or material locking, although the latter is less preferred due to the greater difficulty of disassembly. For positive locking, for example, detent elements can be provided on the locking element or the connector housing, which engage appropriately with the respective other element to secure it in the inserted position. Alternatively, the locking element and the corresponding opening in the connector housing can be dimensioned similarly to an interference fit, so that the locking element must be pressed into the opening, but can then be considered secured by frictional locking.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally to the aforementioned methods of securing the locking element in the connector housing, it is preferred that the opening for inserting the locking element into the connector housing be located on a surface of the connector housing which, when the connector housing is properly attached to a higher-level assembly via the mounting area, rests against the higher-level assembly. In other words, the locking element should be inserted into the connector housing from the side that rests against the higher-level assembly when the connector housing is attached to it. If the higher-level assembly does not have a recess or opening precisely at the location of the locking element of the connector housing when attached, the locking element is held in position and secured by the higher-level assembly.To facilitate easy mounting of the connector housing to a higher-level assembly, it is preferred if the locking element is held securely in the connector housing, at least to withstand the loads expected during assembly, and in particular by force-fit and / or positive locking. For further explanation, please refer to the preceding statements.

[0018] Particularly when the connector housing is to be used with an existing pigtail connection, it is preferable if the feedthrough through the connector housing is dimensioned such that the connector element can be guided through the connector housing into the receptacle. This ensures that the conductor of the connector element is guided directly through the feedthrough when the connector element is inserted into the receptacle. In this case, the connector housing can be manufactured as a single piece, apart from any locking element.

[0019] Furthermore, it is preferred if the feedthrough terminates at its end furthest from the receiving area in a surface that, when the connector housing is properly attached to a higher-level assembly via the mounting area, rests against the higher-level assembly. In this case, the conductor between the connector element and the higher-level assembly runs entirely within the feedthrough and thus within the connector housing, thereby protecting it from external influences.

[0020] Particularly in the latter case, it is preferred if the connector housing has an edge protector protruding from the connector housing at the end of the feedthrough furthest from the receiving end. Such an edge protector, which ultimately covers the edge of the opening for the pigtail connection in the higher-level assembly, ensures that the cable is not damaged by, for example, improperly deburred or even sharp edges on the higher-level assembly.

[0021] It is preferred if the feedthrough has an angle of substantially 90°. This ensures that, when appropriately attached to a higher-level assembly, the axial axis of the connector element is substantially parallel to the surface of the The connector housing is aligned with the higher-level assembly to which it is attached. This ensures that the overall height of the connector housing can remain low, even with a long connector element.

[0022] As can be seen from the preceding explanations, the connector housing according to the invention, and in particular its receptacle for the connector element, must be adapted to the respective connector elements provided for the connector housing. It is possible that one connector housing is suitable for different connector housings. However, it is also possible that one connector housing can only be used for a single, specific connector element.

[0023] The invention also extends to an arrangement comprising a connector housing according to the invention with a first connector element properly inserted into the connector housing and a second connector element connected to the first connector element and secured with the locking device. For an explanation of the arrangement, reference is made to the preceding descriptions.

[0024] Due to its design according to the invention, the connector housing can also absorb mechanical forces transmitted via the connector element and transfer them to the higher-level assembly. Consequently, it is preferred if the second connector element of the arrangement has a strain relief for the cable connected to the second connector element.

[0025] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to an advantageous embodiment and the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1a, b: schematic representations of an exemplary embodiment of a connector housing according to the invention; Figure 2a-e: schematic sectional view of the use of the plug housing according to Figure 1 for the manufacture of an arrangement according to the invention.

[0026] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a connector housing 1 according to the invention in two different states – namely with (Figure 1a) and without (Figure 1b) the locking element 15 inserted. Further details of the connector housing 1 can also be seen in Figure 2, which shows a sectional view of the connector housing 1 from Figure 1 in use. The connector housing 1 is designed for a specific shape of a connector element 110. For other connector elements 110, suitable connector housings 1 are to be used, which can, however, be fundamentally identical to the embodiment shown.

[0027] The connector housing 1 serves – as will be shown in more detail with reference to Figure 2 – for the positive-locking reception of a connector element 110 with a locking mechanism 115. For this purpose, the connector housing 1 has a receptacle 10 for a connector element 110. The receptacle 10 is designed such that a connector element 110 inserted therein is positively secured: Cylindrical contact surfaces 11 and recesses 12, which correspond to corresponding contact surfaces 111 and projections 112 on the connector element 110, create a positive locking connection that secures a connector element 110 inserted into the receptacle 10 in the axial and radial directions; a square-shaped section 13 in the receptacle 10, into which a corresponding square section of the connector element 110 fits, further ensures torsional rigidity of the connector element 110 inserted into the receptacle 10.

[0028] To enable the insertion of a connector element 110 into the receptacle 10, the receptacle 10 is designed in two parts, each half being formed by a recess 14 in the connector housing 1 itself and a locking element 15 that can be inserted into the connector housing 1. The connector housing 1 has an opening 16 into which the locking element 15 can be inserted precisely. To secure the locking element 15 in the opening 16, the connector housing 1 includes locking elements 17 that can engage in recesses 18 on the locking element 15 to secure the locking element 15 in the opening 16 when inserted and completing the receptacle 10. As an alternative to such a positive locking of the locking element 15 in the opening 16, a force-locking or material-locking connection between locking element 15 and plug housing 1 can also be provided.

[0029] Adjoining the receptacle 10, the connector housing 1 has a passage 20 for the supply line 120 of a connector element 110 inserted into the connector housing 1. As can be seen particularly in Figure 2e, the passage 20 follows an angle of essentially 90° and opens into a surface 2 of the connector housing 1, which, in the properly assembled state of the connector housing 1, rests against a higher-level assembly 100. The connector housing 1 has an edge protector 3 arranged around the passage 20 on this surface 2, which protrudes from the surface and protects a line 120 passing through the passage 20 from potentially sharp edges on the higher-level assembly 100. As will be explained later in connection with Figure 2, the passage 20 is sufficiently dimensioned to allow a connector element 110 to be inserted into the receptacle 10 to pass through the passage 20.

[0030] The opening 16 for the locking element 15 also opens onto surface 2 of the connector housing, which, in the properly assembled state of the connector housing 1, rests against a higher-level assembly 100. In the properly assembled state, the locking element 15 can therefore also be held by the assembly 100 to which the connector housing 1 is mounted.

[0031] The connector housing 1 further comprises a mounting area 30, which enables attachment or mounting to a higher-level assembly 100, with the previously described surface 2 then resting against the higher-level assembly ä. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting area 30 includes two through holes 31 through which suitable fastening elements, such as screws or rivets (not shown), can be inserted.

[0032] Figure 2 is used to explain only the proper assembly and use of the plug housing 1 according to Figure 1, which also results in an arrangement 5 according to the invention.

[0033] In its initial state, a higher-level assembly 100 is present, comprising a fixed outer housing 101, of which only a small section is shown in Figure 2. An opening 102 is provided in the outer housing 101, from which a pigtail connector 103 extends. The pigtail connector 103 comprises a conductor 120, the end of which (not shown) is rigidly connected to an electrical or electronic component. A plug element 110 is attached to the free end of the conductor 120.

[0034] The plug element 110 has an external shape with contact surfaces 111, projections 112 and a square-shaped section 113, which align with the contact surfaces 11, recesses 12 and the section 13 of the receptacle 10 of the The connector housing 1 corresponds to the connector element 110. The connector element 110 is further provided with a locking mechanism 115 or part of a locking mechanism 115. In this case, the locking mechanism 115 is designed as an external thread 116 into which a locking nut 151 of a second connector element 150 inserted into the connector element 110 can engage (see Figure 2e).

[0035] In a first step, the plug element 110, arranged on the supply line 120, is guided through the opening 20 of the plug housing 1, which at this point is not yet attached to the higher-level assembly 100 (see Figure 2a), and inserted into the recess 14 provided in the plug housing 1 such that the contact surfaces 111, projections 112, and rectangular sections 113 abut or engage with the corresponding contact surfaces 11, recesses 12, and section 13 in the area of ​​the recess 14 (see Figure 2b).

[0036] The locking element 15 is then inserted into the opening 16 on the connector housing 1 until the locking elements 17 engage in the corresponding recesses 18 on the locking element 15 (see Figure 1b), as shown in Figure 2c. This completes the receptacle 10, and the connector element 110 is completely enclosed by the receptacle 10, thus being positively locked in the axial and radial directions. The rectangular sections 13 and 113 on the receptacle 10 and the connector element 110, respectively, further ensure that the connector element 110 is secured against rotation in the connector housing 1.

[0037] The connector housing 1, together with the connector element 110 held within it, is then inserted into the higher-level assembly 100. The edge protector 3 engages in the The opening 102 provided for this purpose in the outer housing 101 of the assembly 100 is inserted, and the through holes 31 of the mounting area 30 of the connector housing 1 are aligned with corresponding through holes 104 in the outer housing 101. The connector housing 1 can then be fastened to the higher-level assembly 100, for example, with screws or rivets via the through holes 31 and 104 (not shown).

[0038] A suitable second connector element 150 can then be inserted into the connector element 110, which is fixedly arranged opposite the assembly 100 by means of the connector housing 1, and secured with a union nut 151, which together with the external thread 116 on the connector element 110 forms the union nut 115, thus creating an arrangement 5 according to the invention. The second connector element 150 has a strain relief for the cable 152 connected to it.

[0039] Since only one hand is needed to insert the second connector element 150 and to create the locking device 115, the other hand can, for example, hold the assembly 110 before it is subsequently mechanically attached to a higher-level structure (not shown). In this scenario, the electrical and mechanical connection of the assembly 110 to a higher-level structure can be carried out by a single person.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Connector housing (1) for a connector element (110) with locking mechanism (115) comprising a receptacle (10) for the connector element (110), an internal feedthrough (20) for the supply line (120) to the connector element (110) and a fastening area (30) for fastening the connector housing (1) to a higher-level assembly (100), characterized in that the receptacle (5) is designed for positive locking of the connector element (110) at least in the axial and radial direction of the connector element (110).

2. Connector housing according to claim 1, characterized in that the receptacle (10) is designed to secure the connector element (110) against rotation about the axial direction of the connector element (110).

3. Connector housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the receptacle (10) is created by a recess (14) in the connector housing (1) and a locking element (15) that can be inserted into the connector housing (1), wherein the recess (14) in the connector housing (1) is designed for inserting the connector element (110) and the locking element (15) is designed for subsequently creating the complete positive locking connection with the connector element (110).

4. Connector housing according to claim 3, characterized in that the opening (16) for inserting the locking element (15) into the connector housing (1) is arranged on a surface (2) of the connector housing (1) which is properly aligned over the mounting area (30) on a higher-level The assembly (100) is in the fixed state of the connector housing (1) on the superior assembly (100).

5. Connector housing according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the locking element (15) is positively locked, force-locked or material-locked in the connector housing (1).

6. Connector housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passage (20) is dimensioned such that the connector element (110) can be guided through the connector housing (1) to the receiving (10).

7. Connector housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feedthrough (20) opens with its end away from the receptacle (10) into a surface (2) which, in a state of the connector housing (1) being properly attached to a superior assembly (100) via the fastening area (30), rests against the superior assembly (100).

8. Connector housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connector housing (1) has an edge protection (3) projecting from the connector housing (1) at the end of the passage (20) furthest from the receptacle (10).

9. Connector housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feedthrough (20) has an angle of substantially 90° .

10. Arrangement (5) comprising a connector housing (1) according to one of the preceding claims with a first connector element properly inserted into the connector housing (1). (110) and a second plug element (150) connected to the first plug element (110) and secured with the locking device (115).

11. Arrangement according to claim 10, characterized in that the second plug element (150) has a strain relief for the line (152) connected to the second plug element (150).

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