Trailer plug with emergency unlocking and plug-in system and method for the use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a trailer plug (1) which comprises the following: - a plug-in region (11) having a plug-in axis (S); - a cable outlet (12) having a cable outlet direction (R); - a central part (3) arranged between the plug-in region (11) and the cable outlet (12); and - two mutually opposite locking levers (32) which each have a latching surface (322) facing the cable outlet (12), the locking levers (32) being held rotatably on the central part (3) under spring loading.

Description

[0001] Applicant: HARTING Automotive GmbH

[0002] Title: Trailer plug with emergency release, plugging system and method for its use

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a trailer plug, in particular a truck trailer plug, having an emergency release.

[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a plug system which has a trailer plug according to claim 1.

[0006] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for using the plug-in system according to claim 11.

[0007] These types of trailer connectors (also known as "trailer truck connectors") are needed to electrically connect trailers, especially truck trailers, to a vehicle, particularly a truck, to supply the trailer with power. These trailers are typically vehicles that do not have their own propulsion system but may have electrically powered functional units, such as an electrically operated tailgate and / or electric lighting. Emergency release mechanisms are required to disconnect a trailer connector, which is plugged into and locked to a socket, from the socket without causing damage, even if it has not been previously unlocked. This might be necessary, for example, if a truck driver has forgotten to disconnect an electrical cable between the truck and a trailer that has already been detached before driving off.State of the art.

[0008] German patent application DE 10 2011 078 348 A1 describes a connector assembly. This connector assembly has a support structure with an elongated shape and an inlet for receiving a charging cable. A fitting element is mechanically engaged with a front end of the support structure to connect the support structure to a vehicle charging socket. The support structure and the fitting element are designed to separate from each other when the connector assembly is subjected to a lateral load exceeding a predetermined threshold.

[0009] For the aforementioned trailer connector, however, activating the emergency release with a lateral load is not effective. Furthermore, it is desirable to be able to set the threshold value as precisely as possible at the factory, which is currently only inadequately guaranteed with the existing technology.

[0010] The German Patent and Trademark Office has searched the following prior art in the priority application for the present application: DE 10 2020 124 092 A1 , DE 10 2022 113 144 A1 and DE 10 2011 078 348 A1.

[0011] Task

[0012] The object of the invention is to provide a design for an emergency release mechanism for a trailer plug that is inserted into and locked to a mounting socket in a specific insertion direction. The mechanism automatically disconnects the trailer plug from the mounting socket by a separation force acting primarily in the insertion direction as soon as this force exceeds a threshold value. Preferably, the threshold value should be adjustable as precisely as possible, particularly during the manufacturing of the trailer plug. In this context and in the following, the term "insertion direction" is to be understood vectorially in the sense of "parallel to an insertion axis" and therefore does not include orientation.

[0013] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0014] A trailer plug, in particular a truck trailer plug, has at least one plug-in section comprising a plug-in axis and a cable outlet with a defined cable exit direction. Furthermore, the trailer plug has a central section located between the plug-in section and the cable outlet. The trailer plug also has two opposing locking levers, each with a detent facing the cable outlet. The locking levers are – at least partially – spring-loaded and rotatably mounted on the central section.

[0015] In particular, the two locking levers can be arranged opposite each other on the central part.

[0016] A plug-in system has a trailer plug of the aforementioned type and a mounting socket which has a swiveling locking flap.

[0017] This locking flap, when closed (i.e., in its closed position), protects the mounting socket from dust, dirt and moisture.

[0018] When open, the locking flap allows the trailer plug to be inserted into the mounting socket.

[0019] In its locked position, the locking flap secures the inserted trailer plug to the mounting socket. For this purpose, the locking flap has a locking pin on each side, which, when locked, engages the respective detent surface of the locking levers on the cable connection side.

[0020] A method for using a plug-in system of the aforementioned type comprises the following steps:

[0021] A. Opening the locking flap of the mounting socket from a closed position to an open position;

[0022] B. Inserting the trailer plug in one direction with the mounting socket;

[0023] C. Locking the inserted trailer plug to the mounting socket by partially closing the locking flap from the open position into a locked position, thereby automatically engaging the detent surfaces of the locking levers of the trailer plug by means of the locking pins of the locking flap.

[0024] In particular, the following procedural steps may preferably follow:

[0025] D. Disconnecting the trailer plug from the mounting socket on a cable connected to the trailer plug or at its cable exit with a separating force greater than or equal to the applied spring force, with the locking flap in the locked position; thereby

[0026] E. Pivoting the locking levers against the spring force in the direction of the plug-in area; thereby

[0027] F. Unlocking the locking levers from the locking pins of the end cap, which at this time is still in its locked position.

[0028] The removal process at point D can occur parallel to, or at least largely in the direction of, the insertion axis, but with a vectorially opposite orientation compared to the insertion process in process step B. Preferably, the locking flap can then automatically close in a further process step G, i.e., automatically return to its closed position. This can be achieved, for example, by a return spring and / or by gravity.

[0029] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0030] Advantageously, the mechanism protects connected components of a plug connection from damage caused by high tensile force when the locking mechanism is not released.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, each of the two locking levers can have an eccentric section by means of which it is rotatably held on the central part. This advantageously allows for a very compact design.

[0032] The central part can have a circumferential, preferably round - in particular a circular - collar, against which the locking levers each rotatably rest on the inside with their eccentric sections.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, for the aforementioned spring actuation, each of the two locking levers can be connected at a common pivot point to a first end of a spring, which is movable relative to the central part, via a pivot lever rotatably mounted at the respective base pivot point. A second end of the spring can then be fixed to a fixing suspension on the central part.

[0034] For example, such a base pivot point and / or attack pivot point can each be realized by at least one bore and a pivot pin, particularly one that is at least partially cylindrical, received therein. The bore can be located on either the locking lever or the pivot lever. The pivot pin can, if necessary, pass through both bores, or it can be attached to the pivot lever and pass through the bore of the pivot lever, or it can be attached to the pivot lever and pass through the bore of the locking lever. Depending on the design, this ensures particularly easy assembly.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the first end of the spring can be linearly movable relative to the central section in the direction of the insertion axis. This can be achieved by guiding the pivot pin of the point of application linearly in the insertion direction, for example in a groove or slot of the central section.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the locking levers can assume a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0037] The locking state can be characterized by the fact that the detent surfaces of the locking levers are perpendicular to the plug axis and, in the unlocking state, are pivoted in the direction of the plug area.

[0038] In a particularly preferred embodiment, in the locked state the point of attack can be arranged offset by a distance A in the direction of the plugging area to a geometric straight line which passes through the base pivot points.

[0039] This is particularly advantageous because it makes it especially easy to set a threshold value for the release force. This threshold value depends on the distance A. The smaller this distance A is, the higher the threshold value for the release force. In a preferred embodiment, the detent surfaces are pivoted at an angle of at least 10° relative to the locked state when in the unlocked state.

[0040] In another preferred embodiment, the cable exit is designed as a handle. This is advantageous for ease of handling when manually inserting and removing the cable.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the cable exit to the plug axis can have an angle that is less than 20°, preferably less than 15°, particularly preferably less than 10°, i.e., e.g., less than 7.5° and particularly less than 5°, i.e., in a preferred further development, can run almost or ideally even completely in the plug direction, namely when the said angle is 0°.

[0042] In particular, such a trailer plug can be inserted into a mounting socket of a truck and / or a truck trailer to be electrically connected to the truck and locked to this mounting socket by means of its aforementioned locking arms.

[0043] Example of implementation

[0044] An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. The drawings show:

[0045] Fig. 1a - c a plug-in system in the unplugged, plugged and locked states;

[0046] Fig. 2a, b the plug-in system in the locked and emergency unlocked state;

[0047] Fig. 3a, b shows an emergency release mechanism in the locked and unlocked states; Fig. 4a shows the emergency release mechanism with geometric guidelines;

[0048] Fig. 4b is a force-displacement diagram;

[0049] Fig. 5a, b shows the emergency release mechanism in an oblique view with and without the cover.

[0050] The figures contain simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for elements that are the same but may not be identical. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional indications such as "left," "right," "up," and "down" are to be understood in relation to the respective figure and may vary from one representation to the actual object depicted.

[0051] Figures 1a, b and c show a plug system comprising a trailer plug 1 and a mounting socket 2, which has a pivoting locking flap 21.

[0052] The trailer plug 1 has a plug area 11, having a plug axis S, a cable outlet 12, having a cable outlet direction R, a central part 3 arranged between the plug area 11 and the cable outlet 12, and two opposing locking levers 32, each having a locking surface 322 facing the cable outlet 12.

[0053] In Fig. 1a, the locking flap 21, which pivots about a rotary axis 23, is shown in a closed position, protecting the mounting socket 2 from dust, dirt, and moisture. The trailer plug 1 is not yet connected to the mounting socket 2. The plug axis S, which defines the plugging direction, and the cable exit direction K are also shown. The angle α exists between these two axes. The trailer plug 1 has an emergency release mechanism located on its central part 3, which is not visible here because it is covered by a closed cover 31.

[0054] In Fig. 1b, the locking flap 21 is in an open state, which it is usually brought into by manually operating its handle 27. In this open state, it is possible to connect the trailer plug 1 to the mounting socket 2. In this illustration, the trailer plug 1 is already connected to the mounting socket 2 but not yet locked in place.

[0055] In Fig. 1c, the inserted trailer plug 1 is locked to the mounting socket 2 by folding the locking flap 21 back into its locking position and thereby engaging the respective detent surface 322 of the locking lever 32 on the cable connection side with locking pins 211 molded on both sides.

[0056] Fig. 2a is an enlarged version of Fig. 1c.

[0057] Fig. 2b shows an arrangement in which the cover 31 has been removed, so that a first view of the emergency release mechanism is revealed.

[0058] This emergency release mechanism has two locking levers 32 and a spring 34. The locking levers 32 are held rotatably on the central part 3 by the spring.

[0059] The emergency release mechanism will be explained below with reference to Figures 3a and 3b:

[0060] The locking levers 32 each have an eccentric section 360 by which they are rotatably held on the central part 3. The central part 3 has a circular collar 30 against which the locking levers 32 rotatably rest from the inside with their eccentric sections 360.

[0061] Each of the two locking levers 32 is connected at a common pivot point A to a first end of a spring 34 via a pivot lever 33, which is rotatably mounted at the respective base pivot point B, B'. This first end of the spring 34 is held linearly movable on the central section 3 in the direction of the axis S. A second end of the spring 34 is fixed to the central section 3 by a fixing suspension 340.

[0062] This allows the locking levers 32 to assume both a locked state as shown in Fig. 3a and an unlocked state as shown in Fig. 3b.

[0063] In the locked state (Fig. 3a) the locking surfaces 322 are aligned perpendicular to the plug axis S.

[0064] In the unlocked state (Fig. 3b) the locking surfaces 322 are pivoted at least slightly in the direction of the plugging area 11 compared to the locked state.

[0065] For example, in the unlocked state, the respective detent surfaces 322 can be pivoted by an angle of at least 10° in the direction of the insertion area 11 relative to the locked state. In the present example, they are pivoted by between 20° and 30°, more precisely by about 25°.

[0066] Furthermore, Fig. 4a shows that in the locked state, the pivot point A is offset by a distance A towards the plugging area 11 from a geometric straight line B-B', which passes through the base pivot points B, B'. It is easy to imagine that a tensile force pushing the levers 32 upwards at their contact surfaces 322 in the drawing must first exceed a comparatively large threshold value to move the locking levers 32 from their locked state to their unlocked state. It is also easy to see that the unlocked state shown previously in Fig. 3b is "quasi-stationary", meaning that the levers remain in this position without any further force being applied.

[0067] Figure 4b shows a typical force-displacement diagram of the pulling force during emergency release. It is evident that a comparatively high threshold must initially be exceeded.

[0068] Finally, Figures 5a and 5b show the central part 3 with and without the cover 31 in a 3D representation. In the embodiment shown here, the locking arms 321 and the pivot levers 33 have through holes at their pivot points A, A', B, through which a connecting pivot pin 320, 330 is inserted and held, namely either a base pivot pin 320 or an engagement pivot pin 330, which may be identical but need not be.

[0069] Even though the figures show various aspects or features of the invention in combination, it is apparent to those skilled in the art – unless otherwise indicated – that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or sets of features from different embodiments can be interchanged. Applicant: HARTING Automotive GmbH

[0070] Title: Trailer plug with emergency release, plugging system and method for its use

[0071] Reference symbol list

[0072] 1 trailer plug

[0073] 11 Plug area

[0074] 12 Cable outlet / handle

[0075] 2 Mounting socket

[0076] 21 Locking flap

[0077] 211 Locking pins

[0078] 23 axis of rotation

[0079] 27 Operating handle

[0080] 3 Middle section

[0081] 30 collars

[0082] 31 lids

[0083] 32 locking levers

[0084] 320 Base pivot pin

[0085] 321 Locking arm

[0086] 322 Rest area

[0087] 33 Joint levers

[0088] 330 attack pivot pins

[0089] 34 spring

[0090] 340 Fixing suspension

[0091] 360° eccentric section

[0092] A pivot point of attack

[0093] B, B' Base pivots

[0094] C, C' Eccentric pivot points F Fixing suspension point

[0095] K Cable exit direction

[0096] S thru axle

[0097] BB' Straight through the base pivot points B, B' a slant angle between cable exit direction and plug axis

[0098] A Distance of the attack pivot point to a straight line through the

[0099] Base pivots

Claims

Applicant: HARTING Automotive GmbH Title: Trailer plug with emergency release, plugging system and method for its use Claims 1. Trailer plug (1) comprising: a plug-in area (11) having a plug-in axis (S); a cable outlet (12) having a cable outlet direction (R); a central part (3) arranged between the plug-in area (11) and the cable outlet (12); and two opposing locking levers (32), each having a detent surface (322) facing the cable outlet (12), characterized in that the locking levers (32) are rotatably held on the central part (3) by spring action.

2. Trailer plug (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the locking levers (32) each have an eccentric section (360) by means of which they are rotatably held on the central part (3).

3. Trailer plug (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central part (3) has a circumferential collar (30) on which the locking levers (32) with their eccentric sections (360) rotatably rest.

4. Trailer plug (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for said spring action each of the two locking levers (32) is provided on one The base pivot point (B, B') is connected via a joint lever (33) rotatably mounted on the respective base pivot point (B, B') to a common pivot point (A) with a first end of a spring (34) movable with respect to the middle part (3), wherein a second end of the spring (34) is fixed to a fixing suspension (340) on the middle part (3).

5. Trailer plug (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the first end of the spring is linearly movable in the direction of the plug axis (S) with respect to the central part (3).

6. Trailer plug (1 ) according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the locking levers (32) can assume a locking state and an unlocking state, wherein in the locking state the detent surfaces (322) are pivoted perpendicular to the plug axis (S) and in the unlocking state relative to the locking state in the direction of the plug area (11 ).

7. Trailer plug (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that in the unlocked state the respective locking surface (322) is pivoted by an angle of at least 10° in the direction of the plugging area (11) relative to the locked state.

8. Trailer plug (1 ) according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that in the locking state the attack pivot point (A) is arranged offset in the direction of the plugging area by a distance (A) to a geometric straight line (B-B') which passes through the base pivot points (B, B').

9. Trailer plug (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable exit (12) is designed as a handle.

10. Trailer plug (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cable exit direction (K) to the plug axis (S) has an angle (a) which is less than 20°.

11. Plug system comprising a trailer plug (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a mounting socket (2) which has a pivotable locking flap (21) which, in a closed state, protects the mounting socket (2) from dust, dirt and moisture, which, in an open state, allows the trailer plug (1) to be inserted into the mounting socket (2), and which, in its locking state, locks the inserted trailer plug (1) to the mounting socket by having a locking pin (211) on each side of the locking flap (21), which, in the locking state, engages behind the respective detent surface (322) of the locking levers (32) on the cable connection side.

12. Method for using a plug-in system according to claim 11, comprising the following steps: A. Opening the locking flap (21 ) of the mounting bushing from a closed position to an open position; B. Inserting the trailer plug (1) in one direction with the mounting socket (2); C. Locking the inserted trailer plug (1 ) on the mounting socket (2) by partially closing the locking flap (21 ) from the open position into a locked position and thereby automatically engaging the detent surfaces (322) of the locking levers (32) of the trailer plug (1) by means of the locking pins (211 ) of the locking flap (21 ).

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of: D. Disconnecting the trailer plug (1 ) from the mounting socket (2) on a cable connected to the trailer plug (1 ) or at the cable outlet (12) with a separating force greater than or equal to the applied spring force, whereby the locking flap (21 ) is in the locking position; thereby E. Pivoting the locking levers (32) against the spring force in the direction of the plug-in area (11); thereby F. Unlocking the locking levers (32) from the locking pins (211) of the end cap (21) which at this time is still in its locked position.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the following method step follows method step F: G. automatic closing of the locking flap (21 ) into its closed position.

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