CN116830397A

CN116830397A - electrical connector

Info

Publication number: CN116830397A
Application number: CN202280009074.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 托马斯·维特; 克里斯蒂安·阿恩特; 穆罕默特·阿利·蒂尔克屈勒
Original assignee: Wago Verwaltungs GmbH
Current assignee: Wago Verwaltungs GmbH
Priority date: 2021-02-12
Filing date: 2022-02-10
Publication date: 2023-09-29
Also published as: WO2022171741A1; DE102022103153A1; EP4292171A1; DE202021100717U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking pawl for an electrical connector having a connector housing and plug contacts inserted therein, which plug contacts are designed for electrical contact with mating plug contacts of a mating connector, wherein the locking pawl is designed for mechanically locking the mating connector to the connector housing. The invention also relates to an assembly of at least one electrical connector and at least one such locking pawl.

Description

Electric connector

Technical Field

The invention relates to a locking pawl for an electrical connector, comprising a connector housing and a connector contact accommodated in the connector housing, which is designed to be in electrical contact with a mating connector contact of a mating connector, wherein the locking pawl is designed to mechanically lock the mating connector to the connector housing. The invention also relates to an assembly of at least one electrical connector and at least one such locking pawl.

Background

Such a locking pawl for an electrical connector is known from DE 10 2007 056 252 A1.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is based on the object of realizing an improved locking pawl. Furthermore, an improved assembly of at least one electrical connector and at least one such locking pawl should be proposed.

In a locking pawl of the type mentioned at the outset, the object is achieved in that the locking pawl is formed as a plastic component which is reinforced by means of at least one sheet metal insert component. The invention has the advantage that the locking pawl can also be more robust and more practically constructed. The plastic member is reinforced by the metal plate insertion member so that the locking pawl can exert a larger holding force in the locked state. Overall, the advantageous functional and spring properties of the locking pawl are retained. The functionality of the locking pawl can be maintained identically in the dry state and in the wet state by the sheet metal insert. Thus, the locking pawl can be realized in a compact form in a humidity-independent embodiment while being compact. It is also possible to construct the locking pawl smaller and in particular flatter than in the prior art, so that the electrical connector can be constructed overall more compactly.

The object is also achieved by an assembly of at least one electrical connector with at least one locking pawl of the type described above, wherein the electrical connector has a connector housing and a connector contact which is inserted into the connector housing and is designed to be in electrical contact with a mating connector contact of a mating connector, wherein the locking pawl is designed to mechanically lock the mating connector to the connector housing. The assembly may also include a mating hub.

Such connectors are used, for example, in the wiring of buildings in order to connect connection lines and connecting lines, which are assembled by means of plug parts and socket parts, to one another or to combine pluggable splitters and splitters. In addition to the plug-in connector, a mating plug-in connector is provided which is arranged on the plug-in front of the plug-in connector and can be locked to the plug-in connector housing by means of a locking pawl having a longitudinal section, for example a T-shape. The locking pawl can be mounted in a displaceable manner on the mating face of the connector or on a correspondingly configured mating face of the mating connector.

A further advantage of the invention is that the propensity of the locking pawl to break during unlocking can be reduced relative to a pure plastic component. The locking pawl may have one or more sheet metal insert members. The sheet metal insert part itself may be formed as a one-piece or multipart part, for example, in a one-piece embodiment, from sheet metal parts. The sheet metal insert member may be formed from a relatively thin sheet metal material, for example, a sheet metal material having a spring hardness of less than 1mm or less than 0.5mm in material thickness.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sheet metal insert part can be covered with plastic, in particular completely with plastic, from all sides or at least on the side of the locking pawl facing away from the connector housing. In this way, the locking pawl can be constructed safely and ergonomically, wherein in particular the risk of injury at the edges of the sheet metal insertion part is minimized. The possible transferable locking forces can also be increased. The advantages of the plastic, which tends to be resilient and light, and the tear-resistant (high tensile strength) sheet metal insert can also be combined so that the tendency of the locking pawl to bend under tension is reduced.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sheet metal insertion part follows the contour of the locking pawl at least in sections or over its entire longitudinal extension. This has the advantage that an already existing configuration of the locking pawl can be maintained and the sheet metal insert member can be inserted into said configuration.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking pawl has at least one first locking hook which is designed to lock onto a locking edge of the mating connector. Such a locking hook allows the mating connector to be securely locked to the connector. The first locking hook may, for example, have a contour in the form of a barb. The mating connector can have a housing with a locking recess, on which a locking edge is formed. The first locking hook then dips into the locking recess in the locked state. The first locking hook may be arranged, for example, on an elastically deflectable locking web of the locking pawl.

The locking pawl can also have a plurality of first locking hooks, for example arranged next to one another, which are designed for locking with the same locking edge of the mating connector or with different locking edges of the mating connector.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sheet metal insert part has a central region and at least one first locking web which is angled relative to the central region and is completely or partially covered by plastic, wherein the first locking hooks are formed by the plastic-covered angled first locking web. In this way, the locking pawl is also formed in a reinforced manner by the sheet metal insert part in the region of the first locking hook. The angled first connection plate may be at a specific predetermined angle with respect to the central region in terms of manufacture. Depending on the configuration of the sheet metal insert member and the materials used, the angled first connecting plate may be adjustably configured in terms of angle.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking pawl has at least one second locking hook which is designed to lock onto a locking edge of the connector housing. This has the advantage that the locking pawl can also be fixed relative to the connector housing by means of a locking. The second locking hook allows the locking pawl to be locked more firmly to the connector housing. The second locking hook may for example have a profile in the form of a barb. In this way, the locking pawl does not have to be fixed to the connector housing via another element. The connector housing may have a locking recess, on which the locking edge is formed. The second locking hook then engages in the locking recess of the connector housing in the locked state. The second locking hook may be arranged, for example, on a locking web of the locking pawl which is elastically deflectable.

The locking pawl can also have a plurality of second locking hooks, for example arranged next to one another, which are designed for locking with the same locking edge of the connector housing or with different locking edges of the connector housing.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sheet metal insert part has at least one second locking web which is angled relative to the central region and is completely or partially covered with plastic, wherein the second locking hooks are formed by plastic-covered angled second locking webs. In this way, the locking pawl is also formed in a reinforced manner by the sheet metal insert part in the region of the second locking hook. The angled second web may be at a particular predetermined angle with respect to the central region in terms of manufacture. The angled second web is angularly adjustable depending on the configuration of the sheet metal insert member and the material used.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the second locking hook is arranged at a distance from the first locking hook. The first and second latching hooks are in this way formed as mating parts relative to one another. The first and second latching hooks may be arranged, for example, on opposite end sides of the central region. The central region then extends from the first locking hook to the second locking hook.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the sheet metal insert part is formed as a substantially planar part at least in the central region. This allows the locking pawl to remain in a compact and flat configuration.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the central region of the sheet metal insert part is essentially rectangular in shape and can have one, two or more recesses. Thereby, weight can be saved in the area where the locking pawl does not need high strength.

The release of the locking pawl or its locking on the connector housing or on the housing of the mating connector can be carried out, for example, by a movable release element provided on the connector housing or on the mating connector housing, as is known from DE 10 2007 056 252 A1. It is also possible to use an external tool for unlocking, which is not part of the electrical connector or the mating connector, for example a screwdriver.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking pawl has at least one manual actuating section which is provided for releasing the locking between the connector and the mating connector. In this way, the locking pawl has an integrated release aid for manually releasing the lock. Accordingly, no external tools are required. Furthermore, the connector and the mating connector can also be realized without a movable release element.

The manual operating section may for example project beyond the first locking hook or the second locking hook in the longitudinal direction of the sheet metal insert part. The locking pawls can also each have a manual actuation section on opposite sides, such that one manual actuation section protrudes beyond the first locking hook in the longitudinal direction and the other manual actuation section protrudes beyond the second locking hook in the longitudinal direction. The direction parallel to the insertion direction is understood here to be the longitudinal direction of the actuating element, in which the connector can be inserted together with the mating connector.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the manual actuating section is formed by an actuating web which protrudes from a central region of the sheet metal insert part and is entirely or partially covered by plastic. In this way, the manual operating section can be constructed ergonomically and reliably. Furthermore, the manual operating section is also mechanically reinforced by the sheet metal insert element, so that high loosening forces can be transmitted. The risk of injury is minimized by plastic encapsulation. The operating web may protrude from the central region, for example, either straight or at an angle to the central region.

One advantage of the connector is that the locking pawl is unlocked in order to release the connector and the mating connector from each other. For this purpose, it is necessary to provide access to the locking pawl from above or from below in order to raise the resilient locking web upwards away from the connector housing and to release the locking at the same time as the mating connector is pulled out.

The locking pawl can be formed in one piece with the connector. In an advantageous embodiment, the locking pawl is formed as a separate element which can be mounted displaceably on the mating face of the connector housing.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking pawl is formed as a separate component from the connector housing, which component can be fastened to at least one receiving element of the connector housing. This has the advantage that the production of the connector housing and the locking pawl is simplified, since the connector housing and the locking pawl can be produced separately. The locking pawl can be designed, for example, to be lockable or lockable into the receiving element of the connector housing.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the locking pawl can be mounted on the plugging front side of the plug housing in a displaceable manner. This allows a simple and reliable fastening of the locking pawl to the connector housing. When the mating connector is plugged onto the connector, the plugging front face (also referred to as plugging face) is covered by the mating connector. In this way, the locking pawl is additionally fastened to the connector.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking pawl has a guide pin. As a counterpart of the guide pin, a guide rail and/or a guide opening can be provided in the mating face of the connector housing as a receiving element for receiving the guide pin of the locking pawl.

The guide pins can be, for example, beams which extend conically toward the connector and the mating connector and which are inserted into mating guide openings in the mating front face.

The guide pins are connected, for example, to longitudinal beams extending in the plugging direction. A locking element can be provided on the longitudinal beam, which locking element engages with the connector housing or the mating connector in the locked state. The locking pawl can be locked with the connector and with the opposite mating connector by means of the longitudinal beam.

The indefinite article "a" is not to be understood as a number of words in the sense of the present invention. Thus, when one component is discussed, for example, this is understood to mean "at least one component". As long as the angular specification is given in degrees, the angular specification relates to a circular size of 360 degrees (360 °).

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings according to embodiments.

Drawings

The drawings show:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a locking pawl;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the locking pawl according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the locking pawl according to FIG. 1 in the section plane A-A shown in FIG. 2;

fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the sheet metal insert member;

fig. 5 shows a side view of the sheet metal insert member;

fig. 6 shows a side view of the sheet metal insert member according to the sectional plane A-A of fig. 2;

fig. 7 shows an electrical plug-in device locked by means of a locking pawl;

fig. 8 shows the plug-in device according to fig. 7 during the release by means of an external tool;

fig. 9 shows a side view and a partial sectional view of a further electrical plug-in connection with a locking pawl;

FIGS. 10 to 12 show perspective views of different embodiments of the locking pawl;

fig. 13 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a sheet metal insert member.

Detailed Description

The locking pawl 1 shown in fig. 1 has one or more longitudinal beams 2 which are directed in the longitudinal direction L. The longitudinal direction L of the locking element 1 extends parallel to the plugging direction S of the plug connector. The first locking hook 3 and the second locking hook 4 project downwards from at least one longitudinal beam 2. The longitudinal beam or longitudinal beams 2 have, on one or both sides, on the extension in the longitudinal direction L, manual actuation sections 8 which are provided for releasing the locking between the connector and the mating connector by manual actuation. From the longitudinal beam or beams 2, the connecting section or sections 7 extend approximately centrally to a fastening region of the locking pawl 1, which is/are designed to fasten the locking pawl 1 to the connector and/or to the housing of the mating connector. The connecting section 7 merges into a guide pin 5 which points to the left in the longitudinal direction L and a guide pin 6 which points to the right in the longitudinal direction L. The guide pins 5, 6 forming the fastening region can be accommodated in guide rails and/or guide openings of the connector, as will be explained further below.

The locking pawl 1 is constructed as a plastic component reinforced by means of at least one sheet metal insert component. The outer contour of the locking pawl 1, which is recognizable in fig. 1, is formed here by a plastic component.

Fig. 2 shows a front view of the locking pawl 1, in which a sectional plane A-A is shown.

Fig. 3 shows a sectional plane A-A of the locking pawl 1. Thus, at least part or section of the sheet metal insert element 10 embedded in the plastic material can be seen. Based on the selected sectional plane, a central region 20 of the sheet metal insert part 10 is visible in fig. 3, which extends substantially over the length of the respective longitudinal beam 2. Also seen is a first locking web 30 angled relative to the central region 20, which extends into the interior of the first locking hook 3. In this way, the first locking hooks 3 are reinforced by the metal plate material of the metal plate inserting member 10. A second locking web 40 is also seen, which is angled relative to the central region 20 and extends into the second locking hook 4. In this way, the second locking hook 4 is reinforced by the metal plate material of the metal plate inserting member 10 as well.

Fig. 4 to 6 show the complete sheet metal insert member 10 in the first embodiment. It is seen that the central region 20 is constituted as a substantially flat portion of the sheet metal member 10. The central region 20 is essentially rectangular in shape and has a recess 21. The sheet metal insert member 10 is formed in one piece in the embodiment shown. Correspondingly, a plurality of first locking webs 30 are formed from sheet metal by a stamping process on one side and are accordingly angled relative to the central region 20, so that further recesses 31 are formed at this point. On the other side of the central region 20, a plurality of second locking webs 40 are produced from sheet metal by a stamping process and are accordingly angled relative to the central region 20, so that further recesses 41 are formed at this point.

The sheet metal insert part 10 also has an actuating web 80 which protrudes from the central region 20 and which extends into or is covered by the plastic material of the manual actuating section 8. The actuating plate 80 is accordingly not visible in fig. 3 and 6 on the basis of the sectional plane selected in fig. 2.

As can be seen in fig. 7, the electrical connector 91 is plugged together with the mating connector 90. The electrical connector 91 has a locking pawl 1, wherein the second locking hook 4 engages into a locking recess 94 of a connector housing 97 of the connector 1. The locking pawl 1 is locked to the connector housing 98 of the mating connector 90 via the first locking hook 3, for example in that the first locking hook 3 protrudes into a locking recess 95 on the connector housing 98 of the mating connector 90. The locking recesses 64, 95 each form a locking edge.

Fig. 8 shows the release of the locking described in fig. 7 by means of a tool 92 which is pushed into the region between the manually operated section 8 and the housing of the mating connector 90. The manually operated section 80 is deflected upwards by means of the tool 92 with elastic deformation of the locking pawl 1, so that the first locking hook 3 is removed from the locking recess 95. In this way, the lock between the first lock hook 3 and the lock recess 95 can be released.

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of an electrical plug device with a plug connector 91 and a mating plug connector 90. In this case, a movably mounted release element 93 is present on the mating connector 90, said release element having a release finger 94 on the side facing the locking element 1. The release finger 94 can be formed, for example, in a wedge-shaped manner, so that when the release element 93 is moved toward the locking pawl 1, the release finger 94 can engage the manual operating element 8 from below and in this way, like the illustration of fig. 8, can be moved forward from the housing of the mating connector. In this way, the lock between the first lock hook 3 and the lock recess 95 can be released.

The fixing of the locking pawl 1 to the guide rail or guide opening 99 of the connector 91 is also visible in the region of the section. The mating connectors may also have corresponding guide rails or guide openings 96.

In fig. 10 to 12, different possible embodiments of the locking pawl 1 are shown in two different perspective views. The corresponding upper drawing shows a top view of the locking pawl 1, i.e. on the side facing away from the connector housing 97, and the lower drawing shows the locking pawl on the lower side, i.e. on the side facing toward the connector housing 97. Fig. 10 shows here again the locking pawl 1 already described with reference to fig. 1 to 3, which has a manually operated section 8 arranged on one side.

Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of the locking pawl 1 which is designed without the manually operated section 8, the remainder however being designed as in the embodiment of fig. 10.

Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of the locking pawl which likewise does not have a manually operated section 8. For this purpose, an additional locking element 9 is provided on one side of the locking pawl 1, for example in the form of a locking web or a locking arm. The locking element 9 may be made of plastic, for example. The locking pawl 1 according to fig. 12 is suitable for locking to an insulating material housing, for example a connector housing 97, by means of a locking element 9.

Fig. 13 shows another embodiment of the sheet metal insert member 10, wherein a perspective view similar to fig. 4 is shown in the left view and a perspective view from the opposite side (lower side) is shown in the right view. The sheet metal insert part 10 firstly has various elements identical or at least similar to the embodiments according to fig. 4 to 6, in particular a central region 20 with a recess 21 provided therein and an actuating web 80 extending from the central region 20. There is also a first locking web 30 and a second locking web 40. However, unlike the embodiment of fig. 4 to 6, these locking webs are not punched directly out of the material of the central region 20, i.e. no recesses 31, 41 are present here. Instead, the first and second locking webs 30, 40 are formed as webs that initially protrude flat from the central region 20, which webs are bent into the desired angled shape by a bending process. Thus, the first and second locking webs 30, 40 are locking webs that are bent from the outside edges of the central region 20.

List of reference numerals

1. Locking pawl

2. Longitudinal beam

3. First locking hook

4. Second locking hook

5. 6 guide bolt

7. Connection section

8. Manually operated section

9. Locking element

10. Metal plate inserting member

20. Central region

21. A void in the central region

30. First locking connecting plate

31. First hollow part

40. Second locking connecting plate

41. Second hollow part

80. Operation connecting plate

90. Matched connector

91. Plug-in connector

93. Loosening element

94. Loosening finger

95. 64 locking recess

96. Guide opening of connector

97. Connector shell

98. Plug connector shell matched with plug connector

99. Guide opening of mating connector

L longitudinal direction

S inserting direction.

Claims

1. A locking pawl (1) for an electrical connector (91) having a connector housing (97) and plug contacts which are accommodated in the connector housing (97) and are designed for electrical contact with mating plug contacts of a mating connector (90), wherein the locking pawl (1) is designed for mechanically locking the mating connector (90) to the connector housing (97),

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the locking pawl (1) is designed as a plastic component which is reinforced by means of at least one sheet metal insert component (10).

2. The locking pawl according to claim 1,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the sheet metal insert part (10) is covered with plastic from all sides or at least on the side of the locking pawl (1) facing away from the connector housing (97).

3. The locking pawl according to any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the sheet metal insert part (10) follows the contour of the locking pawl (1) at least in sections or over its entire longitudinal extension.

4. The locking pawl according to any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the locking pawl (1) has at least one first locking hook (3) which is designed to lock onto a locking edge of the mating connector (90).

5. The locking pawl according to claim 4,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the sheet metal insert part (10) has a central region (20) and at least one first locking web (30) which is angled relative to the central region (20) and is completely or partially covered by plastic, wherein the first locking hooks (3) are formed by the plastic-covered angled first locking web (30).

6. The locking pawl according to claim 4 or 5,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the locking pawl (1) has at least one second locking hook (4) which is designed to lock onto a locking edge of the connector housing (97).

7. The locking pawl according to claim 6,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the sheet metal insert part (10) has at least one second locking web (40) which is angled relative to the central region (20) and is completely or partially covered by plastic, wherein the second locking hooks (4) are formed by the plastic-covered angled second locking web (40).

8. The locking pawl according to claim 6 or 7,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the second locking hook (4) is arranged at a distance from the first locking hook (3).

9. The locking pawl according to any one of claims 4 to 8,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the sheet metal insert part (10) is designed as a substantially planar part at least in the central region (20).

10. The locking pawl according to any one of claims 4 to 9,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the central region (20) of the sheet metal insert part (10) is essentially rectangular in shape and can have one, two or more recesses (21).

11. The locking pawl according to any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the locking pawl (1) has at least one manual actuating section (8) which is provided for releasing the locking between the connector (91) and the mating connector (90).

12. The locking pawl according to claim 11,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the manual operating section (8) is formed by an operating web (80) protruding from the central region (20) of the sheet metal insert member (10), which is entirely or partly covered by plastic.

13. The locking pawl according to any one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the locking pawl (1) is formed as a separate component from the connector housing (97) which can be fastened to at least one receiving element (99) of the connector housing (97).

14. The locking pawl according to claim 13,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the locking pawl (1) can be mounted on the plugging front face of the plug housing (97) in a displaceable manner.

15. The locking pawl according to claim 14,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the locking pawl (1) has a guide pin (5, 6) which can be inserted into a guide rail and/or a guide opening present in the insertion front face of the connector housing (97) as a receiving element (99) for receiving the guide pin of the locking pawl (1).

16. Assembly of at least one electrical connector (91) with at least one locking pawl (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, having a connector housing (97) and plug contacts fitted into the connector housing (97) for electrical contact with mating plug contacts of a mating connector (90), the locking pawl being used for mechanically locking the mating connector (90) on the connector housing (97).

17. An assembly according to claim 17,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the assembly includes a mating hub (90).

18. The assembly of claim 16 or 17,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

in the plugging front of the plug housing (97) there are guide rails and/or guide openings as receiving elements (99) for receiving guide pins of the locking pawl (1), said guide rails and/or guide openings being connected to at least one longitudinal beam (2) extending in the plugging direction (S).