Electrical plug connection
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ENOVA SOLUTIONS AG
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-06
Smart Images
Figure EP2026051498_06082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] 33696 / 34 / ss
[0002] 20251216
[0003] 1
[0004] Electrical connector
[0005] The present invention relates to an electrical connector with a first connector part having a first connector part housing and at least one first electrical plug contact and a second connector part having at least one second electrical plug contact and with at least two movable locking arms for forming a locking connection between the first connector part and the second connector part in a connection position of the connector parts in which the first electrical plug contact and the second electrical plug contact are electrically connected together, wherein each locking arm has a locking element for engaging in a respective counter-locking element on the first connector part housing and an actuating surface for deflecting the locking arm.
[0006] Electrical connectors are known in the prior art in a variety of designs and for a wide range of applications. Depending on their design, they can, for example, serve to connect two cables or to connect a cable to a device or its housing. Examples of such electrical connectors are shown in CN 214100081 Ul and CN 215221139 U. In these prior art connectors, the locking arms protrude freely even when the plugs are connected. They are therefore relatively susceptible to damage or breakage if handled improperly. The object of the invention is to improve an electrical connector of the type mentioned above in such a way that, when connected, it is both robust and easy to operate, allowing the plugs to be disconnected again.
[0007] For this purpose, the invention proposes an electrical connector according to claim 1.
[0008] It is therefore provided according to the invention that the first plug-in housing has at least two openings open to the outside, wherein in the connection position the actuating surface arranged on the respective locking arm is accessible from the outside in the respective opening.
[0009] Because the actuating surfaces are arranged in the respective openings and are accessible from the outside in the connected position, the locking arms and their actuating surfaces can be well protected in the first connector housing in the connected position, thus effectively preventing breakage and / or other damage to the locking arms due to improper handling. Furthermore, it is easy to locate the actuating surfaces, which are accessible from the outside in the respective openings, by touch, so that the respective locking connection can be easily released and the connectors separated by pressing on them. Thus, according to the invention, an electrical connector is created that is both very robust and easy to use. An electrical connector is a connector that serves to...It is configured to connect electrical plug contacts by connecting at least two plug parts together and to disconnect them again by disconnecting them. Such electrical plug connections thus make it possible to establish and disconnect electrical connections by plugging and unplugging them in a multitude of repetitions.
[0010] The electrical connector according to the invention has at least two plug-in parts which can be plugged together and disconnected from each other. Each plug-in part has one or more electrical contacts. The designations "first plug-in part" and "second plug-in part," as well as "first electrical contact" and "second electrical contact," are purely for differentiation and are arbitrary. Both the first and second plug-in parts can be cable connectors, i.e., plug-in parts attached to a cable. However, both the first and second plug-in parts can also be chassis connectors, which are designed to be attached to an electrical or electronic device, in particular to its housing.
[0011] The first connector has the aforementioned first connector housing, in which the first electrical contacts are arranged. These contacts can be partially or completely enclosed within the first connector housing, even when the connectors are separated. Alternatively, they can protrude from the housing. The same applies in preferred embodiments to the second connector. This connector can also have a second housing, in which the second electrical contacts can be completely enclosed or protrude.
[0012] The two movable locking arms of the second connector serve to form the locking connection, in which the respective locking elements of each locking arm engage with the corresponding locking element on the first connector housing when the connectors are in the connected position. In preferred embodiments, this engagement occurs automatically, i.e., by itself, due to a corresponding elasticity when the connected position is reached. The required elastic preload can be inherent in each locking arm itself. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be elastically preloaded by at least one additional spring element, as will be explained in detail later. To release this locking connection, each locking arm has an actuating surface, which allows the user to press on the actuating surface with a finger to deflect the locking arm and thus disconnect the locking connection.The respective actuation surface of each locking arm is therefore the portion of the locking arm designed to deflect the locking arm by pressing it with a finger. According to the invention, the actuation surfaces, as described above, are arranged in the respective opening of the first plug-in housing in the connected position, accessible from the outside. The actuation surfaces can have an uneven and / or rough surface to be easily located by touch, even without looking, and also to prevent slipping. The uneven surface can be created, for example, by ribs, knobs, crossed structures, or the like, or simply by roughening the surface.
[0013] Preferably, each locking arm has a deflectable connection area that connects the actuating surface to the second plug-in housing of the second plug-in part. In preferred embodiments, the connection area is elastically designed.
[0014] The connection area particularly preferably imparts the aforementioned elastic preload to the locking arm in the direction towards the locking position of the respective locking element of the locking arm.
[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the locking arm could also be elastically pre-tensioned by an additional spring element or similar device, see further below. It is also advantageous if the connection area is longitudinally elongated.
[0016] It should be noted that, as a general rule, all components of the electrical connector are listed here only in their minimum number. However, where technically feasible, they can also be present in a larger number in embodiments according to the invention. For example, the electrical connector can have more than two plug parts. In most cases, each plug part also has more than one electrical contact. In particularly preferred embodiments, however, the electrical connector has exactly two plug parts and / or the first plug part housing has exactly two openings and / or the second plug part has exactly two locking arms. In preferred embodiments of the electrical connector, the openings are each completely enclosed by the respective wall section of the first plug part housing.
[0017] Put simply, the openings are designed as through holes in the first plug-in component housing, whereby these through holes can be not only round but also shaped differently.
[0018] In preferred embodiments, the locking elements are each designed as locking lugs. The counter-locking elements are advantageously adapted in shape to the respective shape of the locking element. Particularly preferably, the locking elements are each formed in an edge region of the respective actuating surface on the respective locking arm. This then results in the counter-locking elements, in preferred embodiments, being formed in partial areas of the edge region of the first plug-in housing, which each completely surround the opening. In the locked state, in such embodiments, it is thus provided that both the actuating surface and the locking element are arranged in the respective opening of the first plug-in housing.In other words, it is thus advantageously provided that the locking elements in the connection position for forming the locking connection each bear in a form-fitting manner against a wall area of the first plug-in part housing surrounding the respective opening, forming the respective counter-locking element.
[0019] Preferably, the openings are arranged on opposite sides of the first connector housing. Similarly, the locking arms can also be arranged on opposite sides of the second connector.
[0020] The first electrical contacts, preferably all of them, and the second electrical contacts, preferably all of them, are arranged in preferred embodiments in the connected position in an area between the locking arms and / or between the openings. The electrical contacts of both connectors can be directly mounted in the respective connector housing. However, the electrical contacts, whether first or second, can also be combined in an insert, or in other words, in a contact carrier, with the insert then being arranged accordingly in the first connector housing or on the second connector, preferably in the second connector housing.
[0021] As already explained above, the necessary elasticity or elastic preload for engaging the respective locking element with the respective counter-locking element can be provided by the locking arm itself, preferably its connection area. However, as already indicated above, it can also be provided that an additional spring element for the elastic preload of the respective locking arm is provided alternatively or additionally. Thus, in preferred embodiments, the second plug-in part, preferably in addition to the connection area, may have a spring element for each locking arm to elastically preload the locking element in the direction of engagement with the respective counter-locking element.
[0022] Particularly favorable force transmission is achieved when the respective spring element acts on the respective locking arm in the area of the respective actuating surface and / or is located there. In these cases, the elasticity of the respective spring element, intended for preloading, acts directly on the respective locking arm in the area of the actuating surface. In preferred embodiments, the respective spring element may therefore act on the respective locking arm and / or be located on a side of the respective locking arm opposite the respective actuating surface.
[0023] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment consists in the respective spring element acting on the respective locking arm on a side opposite the respective opening in the connected position and / or being arranged there.
[0024] Electrical connectors, their plugs, and the components of the individual plugs may, where possible and technically feasible, be made of plastic. Particularly preferred are appropriately resilient and / or flame-retardant plastics. However, due to the required electrical conductivity, the electrical contacts are generally made of a suitable metal such as copper. In principle, the use of appropriately electrically conductive plastics or similar materials for the electrical contacts would also be conceivable. It is preferred that the first plug and / or the second plug, apart from the electrical conductors and the first and second electrical contacts, are made of plastic. This applies in particular to the first plug housing and any second plug housing that may be present.The first connector housing is advantageously formed in one piece. Preferably, the locking arms of the second connector are also formed in one piece. Particularly preferably, the locking arms are integrally formed in one piece with the second connector housing of the second connector.
[0025] Further features of preferred embodiments of the invention are explained below by way of example. Figures 1 to 5 show illustrations of a first embodiment of a plug connection according to the invention, in which both plug parts are designed as cable plugs;
[0026] Figs. 6 to 9 show alternative possibilities for the design of additional spring elements on the locking arm and
[0027] Figs. 10 to 12 show representations of electrical connectors according to the invention, in which one connector part is designed as a chassis connector.
[0028] In all embodiments shown here, the electrical connector 1 comprises a first connector 2 with a first connector housing 3 and at least one first electrical contact 4. Furthermore, the connectors 1 shown here also have a second connector 5 with at least one second electrical contact 6. Each of the second connectors 5 has two movable locking arms 7 for forming a locking connection between the first connector 2 and the second connector 5 in a connected position. In this connected position, the first electrical contact(s) 4 and the second electrical contact(s) 6 are electrically connected. Each locking arm 7 has a locking element 8 for engaging with a corresponding mating locking element 9 on the first connector housing 3.Furthermore, each locking arm 7 also has an actuating surface 10 for deflecting the locking arm 7 by pressing on the actuating surface 10 with a finger. According to the invention, in all embodiments shown here, the first plug-in part housing 3 has at least two outwardly open openings 11, wherein, in the connected position, the actuating surfaces 10 arranged on the respective locking arm 7 are accessible from the outside in the respective opening 11.
[0029] In the electrical connectors 1 shown here according to the invention, each connector has exactly two plug parts 2 and 5. The second plug part 2 has exactly two locking arms 7. Accordingly, the first plug part housing 3 also has exactly two openings 11 in which, according to the invention, the actuating surfaces 10 of the locking arms 7 are located and are accessible from the outside when the plug parts 2 and 5 are in the connected position. The openings 11 are each completely enclosed by the respective wall area 12 of the first plug part housing 3. The locking elements 8 are designed as locking lugs in all embodiments shown here.
[0030] Furthermore, in all embodiments shown here, the locking lugs 8 are each formed in an edge region 13 of the respective actuating surface 10 on the respective locking arm 7. Consequently, in all embodiments shown here, the counter-locking elements 9 are each formed by a wall region 12 of the first plug-in housing 3, which surrounds the respective opening 11.
[0031] In all the training variants shown here, the openings 11 are located on opposite sides of the first plug-in housing 3 and the locking arms 7 are located on opposite sides of the second plug-in part 5.
[0032] Both the first electrical contacts 4 and the second electrical contacts 6 are located in the connected position within a region between the locking arms 7 and also between the openings 11. Each locking arm 7 has an elastically deflectable and longitudinally extending connecting area 14, which connects the respective actuating surface of the respective locking arm 7 with the second plug housing 15 of the second plug 5. In addition, in all embodiments shown here, the second plug 5 has, besides the connecting area 14 for each locking arm 7, a spring element 16 for elastically pre-tensioning the locking element 8 towards engaging the respective counter-locking element 9. This will be explained in more detail below with reference to the various embodiments.
[0033] Fig. 1 shows the first embodiment of an electrical connector 1 in the connected position of the two connector parts 2 and 5. In this first embodiment, both the first connector part 2 and the second connector part 5 are cable connectors that can be connected to a cable. The cables themselves are not shown here. However, the cable glands 17, which in this embodiment are formed on both the first connector housing 3 and the second connector housing 15, are clearly visible. In the connected position shown, the first electrical contacts 4 are electrically connected to the second electrical contacts 6, and the locking elements 8 of the locking arms 7 are also engaged in the mating locking elements 9 on the first connector housing 3. Fig.1. It is well-designed how the two actuating surfaces 10, arranged on opposite sides, are accessible from the outside in the respective openings 11 of the first plug-in housing 3. As explained above, this provides good protection for the actuating surfaces 10 and the locking arms 8 against damage or breakage. At the same time, the actuating surfaces 10 are easily accessible and simple to operate. By pressing on the actuating surfaces 10 with one finger each, the locking connection between the locking element 8 and the counter-locking element 9 can be released by pivoting the locking arms 7 inwards, thus pulling the plug-in parts 2 and 5 apart and separating them.
[0034] Fig. 2 shows a side view of this connection position of this first embodiment of an electrical connector 1 according to the invention. Here it can be clearly seen how the locking elements 8, each designed as locking lugs and in an edge region 13 of the respective actuating surface 10 on the respective locking arm 7, engage behind the respective counter-locking elements 9 in the locked position. The counter-locking elements 9 are each formed by a wall region 12 of the first connector housing 3, which surrounds the respective opening 11.
[0035] Fig. 3 shows a side view rotated 90° relative to Fig. 2. Section line AA is indicated here. Fig. 4 shows the section along section line AA through the electrical connector 1 of this first embodiment in the connected position. The area B circled in Fig. 4 is shown enlarged in Fig. 5.
[0036] Figure 4 again shows the engaged position, in which the locking elements 8 of the locking arms 7 engage the counter-locking elements 9 in the wall area 12 of the first plug-in housing 3. The respective connection area 14 of each locking arm 7 is also visible. In this embodiment, as well as in the embodiments shown below, these connection areas 14 are elastically shaped and thus provide a preload in the direction of engagement. Furthermore, the connection areas 14 are also longitudinally extended. Figure 4 also clearly shows that the first electrical plug contacts 4, which are designed here as pins, are inserted into the second electrical plug contacts 6 of the second plug-in part 5 in the connected position.Both the first electrical plug contacts 4 of the first plug part 2 and the second electrical plug contacts 6 of the second plug part 5 are in the connection position both in the area between the openings 11 and between the locking arms 7.
[0037] As explained at the outset, in electrical connectors 1 according to the invention, each connector 2 or 5 can have only a single electrical contact 4 or 6. However, it is equally possible for each of these connectors 2 or 5 to have multiple electrical contacts 4 and 6. Particularly in the case of multiple electrical contacts 4 or 6, this also results in a certain space requirement between the locking arms 7, which prevents the locking arms 7 from being deflected inwards arbitrarily far.To provide the locking arms 7 with sufficient elastic preload for a secure locking connection even in confined spaces, spring elements 16 are provided for each locking arm 7 in the embodiments shown here, in addition to the inherently elastic connecting area 14. These spring elements also contribute to the elastic preload of the respective locking element 8 in the direction of engagement with the respective counter-locking element 9. They can also provide this preload entirely on their own if the connecting areas 14 do not generate any elastic preload. In all embodiments shown here, the respective spring element 16 acts directly on the respective locking arm 7 in the area of the respective actuating surface 10. In all embodiments shown here, it is also located there. For the first embodiment, this is particularly evident in the enlarged view in Fig.Figure 5 shows area B from Figure 4. In this first embodiment, the spring element 16j is designed as a wave-like, elastic connection between the locking arm 7 and a wall area of the second plug-in housing 15. Figure 5 clearly shows that the ends of this curved or wave-like spring element 16j are integrally formed on the aforementioned components. In this first embodiment, as well as in the other variants shown here, the spring element 16j is located on the side of the respective locking arm 7 and also of the respective opening 11 opposite the respective actuating surface 10.
[0038] Figures 6 to 9 show alternative ways in which this additional spring element 16 can be designed. A first modification is shown in Figures 6 and 7, where Figure 7 represents area C from Figure 6. In this variant according to Figures 6 and 7, the spring element 16 is designed as a curved leaf spring, the ends of which are fixed to the locking arm 7 on the side opposite the actuating surface 10.
[0039] In the variant according to Figures 8 and 9, where Figure 9 again shows an enlarged version of area D from Figure 8, the side of each locking arm 7 opposite the actuating surface 10 is designed as an elastomer body to realize the spring element 16. Figures 10 to 12 now further explain that, in an electrical connector 1 according to the invention, at least one of the two connector parts 2 or 5 can also be designed as a chassis connector. It would even be conceivable to design both connector parts 2 and 5 as chassis connectors, although this is not explicitly shown here.
[0040] Figures 10 to 12 show two such electrical connectors 1j side by side.
[0041] Figure 10 shows a perspective view, Figure 11 a side view, and Figure 12 a longitudinal section through the two electrical connectors 1. On the left side, the second connector 5 is designed as a so-called chassis connector, which has a second connector housing 15 with a mounting flange 19. This flange allows the second connector 5, or its second connector housing 15, to be attached to a device housing 18 of an electrical or electronic device (shown here only partially). The mounting flanges 19 can, for example, have through holes that allow the mounting flanges 19, and thus the respective second connector housing 15 and therefore also the respective second connector 5, to be attached to the device housing 18.
[0042] Of course, a snap-in connection or another type of connection, or even integration as part of a housing, would also be possible.
[0043] On the right-hand side of Figures 10, 11 and 12, an electrical connector 1 according to the invention is shown, in which the first connector 2 with its first connector housing 3 is designed as a chassis connector.
[0044] Accordingly, the mounting flange 19 is also located on the first connector housing 3. The other connectors 2 and 5, respectively, are each designed as cable connectors in Figures 10, 11, and 12, which is clearly visible, among other things, from the respective cable grommet 17. The connectors 2 and 5, each designed as cable connectors, are each configured as in the first embodiment. The other details of the electrical connector 1 are also designed in these further embodiments according to Figures 10 to 12 as in the first embodiment, so that further detailed explanations are omitted here, and reference can be made to the above descriptions.
[0045] To create a watertight connection, a sealing element 20, shown in various configurations, can be provided on the front of the respective plug part 2 or 5. The locking forces of the locking arms 7 can generate contact forces that seal the two plug parts 2 or 5 against each other by means of the respective sealing element 20 or sealing elements 20. Legend
[0046] Regarding the reference numbers:
[0047] electric
[0048] Plug connection
[0049] first plug part
[0050] first plug-in housing
[0051] first electric
[0052] Plug connector
[0053] second plug part
[0054] second electric
[0055] Plug connector
[0056] Locking arm
[0057] Latching element
[0058] Counter-locking element
[0059] Operating area
[0060] opening
[0061] wall area
[0062] Edge area
[0063] Connection area
[0064] second
[0065] Plug-in housing
[0066] spring element
[0067] cable grommet
[0068] Device housing
[0069] Mounting flange
[0070] Sealing element
Claims
33696 / 34 / ss 20251216 18 Patent claims 1. Electrical connector (1) with a first connector (2) with a first connector housing (3) and at least one first electrical contact (4) and a second connector (5) with at least one second electrical contact (6) and with at least two movable locking arms (7) for forming a locking connection between the first connector (2) and the second connector (5) in a connection position of the connectors (2, 5) in which the first electrical contact (4) and the second electrical contact (6) are electrically connected together, wherein each locking arm (7) has a locking element (8) for engaging in a respective counter-locking element (9) on the first connector housing (3) and an actuating surface (10) for deflecting the locking arm (7), characterized in that the first connector housing (3) has at least two outwardly of open openings ( 11 ) has ,wherein in the connected position the actuating surface (10) arranged on the respective locking arm (8) is accessible from the outside in the respective opening (11).
2. Electrical connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the openings (11) are each circumferentially enclosed by the respective wall area (12) of the first connector housing (3).
3. Electrical connector ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking elements ( 8 ) are each designed as a locking lug.
4. Electrical connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking elements (8) are each formed in a peripheral area (13) of the respective actuating surface (10) on the respective locking arm (7).
5. Electrical connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the locking elements (8) in the connection position to form the locking connection each bear in a form-fitting manner against a wall area (12) of the first connector housing (3) surrounding the respective opening (11) and forming the respective counter-locking element (9).
6. Electrical connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first connector housing (3) has exactly two openings (11), and / or wherein the second connector (5) has exactly two locking arms (7).
7. Electrical connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the openings (11) are arranged on opposite sides of the first connector housing (3), and / or wherein the locking arms (7) are arranged on opposite sides of the second connector (5).
8. Electrical connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the, preferably all, first electrical connector contacts (4) and the, preferably all, second electrical connector contacts (6) are arranged in the connected position in an area between the locking arms (7) and / or between the openings (11).
9. Electrical connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each locking arm (7) has a preferably elastically deflectable, preferably longitudinally extending, connection area (14) which connects the actuating surface (10) with a second connector housing (15) of the second connector (5).
10. Electrical connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second connector part (5) preferably has, in addition to the connection area (14), a spring element (16) for each locking arm (7) for elastic preloading of the locking element (8) in the direction of locking into the respective counter-locking element (9).
11. Electrical connector ( 1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the respective spring element ( 16 ) acts on the respective locking arm ( 7 ) in the area of the respective actuating surface ( 10 ) and / or is arranged there .
12. Electrical connector (1) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the respective spring element (16) acts on and / or is arranged on a side of the respective locking arm (7) opposite the respective actuating surface (10).
13. Electrical connector ( 1 ) according to one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the respective spring element ( 16 ) in the connection position acts on the respective locking arm ( 7 ) on a side opposite the respective opening ( 11 ) of the respective locking arm ( 7 ) and / or is arranged there .
14. Electrical connector ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first connector ( 2 ) and / or the second connector ( 5 ) is made of plastic, apart from electrical conductors and the first and second electrical plug contacts ( 4 , 6 ).
15. Electrical connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first connector housing (3) is formed in one piece, and / or wherein the locking arms (7) are formed in one piece, and / or wherein the locking arms (7) are integrally formed onto a or the second connector housing (15) of the second connector (5).