EP3429037A1 - Break away socket - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug-in part for electrically conductive plug-in connection of the male part with a mating male part, wherein the male part comprises a base element and a desired separator, the target separating element is fixed by at least one fastening means to the base element, the target separating element by the at least one fastening means with a predetermined force acting on the target separating element destructively detachable from the base element and the target separating element has a locking mechanism for fixing the mating male part to the target separating element.

Description

The invention relates to a plug-in part for electrically conductive plug connection of the plug-in part with a mating plug-in part, wherein a desired separating element of the plug-in part can be detached from a socket part of the plug-in part under the action of a force.

In a plug-in connection of a plug-in part and a counter-plug part locked therewith, it can lead to the destruction of the plug-in part, the mating plug-in part or an electronics connected thereto, if too great an external force acts on the plug-in connection. The external force acts mostly along a cable on a part of the connector and acts on the connector as a release force. Under the action of the external force, which acts as a separating force on the plug connection, for example, plug-in part and mating plug-in part can be separated. By a mechanical lock between the male part and mating male part separation is prevented by the separation force until the separation force of the mechanical lock can not be maintained and the mechanical lock is thereby destroyed. Various devices are known from the prior art to prevent such destruction or to redirect targeted.

From the DE 10 2013 008 765 A1 For example, a connector housing is known which has predetermined breaking points, so that it comes under the action of an external force that would destroy the connector to a targeted break at the predetermined breaking points and the connector is thereby separated. The intended breakage prevents the uncontrolled destruction, but repairs and replacement of a damaged component are necessary for repair.

The revelations of DE 20 2009 002 880 U1 , the EP 2 603 954 A1 , the US 9,184,532 B2 and the US 2017/0377970 A1 teach each to provide a hold-down mechanism, the male part and mating connector pressed together, yields under the action of acting as a release force external force, opens and releases the respective plug or mating connector. By yielding and by the force acting from the outside plug part and mating plug are automatically separated in the presence of excessive external force. However, these hold-down mechanisms have several disadvantages. The sealing area is in such connectors with hold-down mechanism in the separation area between the plug and mating connector. The force acting on a seal in the sealing area force to seal the connector corresponds to the hold-down force. The seal of the Consequently, the connector is essentially determined by the hold-down force of the respective hold-down mechanism. If the seal is to be improved, however, the hold-down force can not be arbitrarily increased, since the hold-down force determines at which externally acting and acting as a separating force force should solve the connector. Therefore, the connector between male part and mating connector is poorly sealed. In addition, the externally applied force must almost completely attack axially to the connector and may deviate only a few degrees from the connector axis, otherwise the releasing part of the connector (plug or mating connector) can catch or jam when disconnecting the hold-down mechanism , As a result, the hold-down mechanism can be irreparably damaged during the separation process. In addition, if the force applied from the outside deviates too much from the connector axis, the hold-down mechanism may jam and not yield, whereby it does not open and the connector does not release. As a result, a safe disconnection of the connector can not be guaranteed.

The invention is therefore based on the object to overcome the abovementioned disadvantages and to provide a plug-in part for electrically conductive connector of the male part with a mating connector and a plug connection, which acts under the action of an externally on the male part or the mating male part and at least partially along the Connector axis acting force or separation force nondestructive physical and electrical disconnects.

This object is achieved by the combination of features according to claims 1 and 11.

The invention therefore proposes a plug-in part for the electrically conductive plug connection of the plug-in part with a mating plug-in part. The male part comprises a base element and a desired separator. The desired separating element is fastened to the base element by at least one fastening means. The desired separating element can be detached from the base element in a non-destructive manner by the at least one fastening means for fastening the desired separating element to the base element with a predetermined separating force acting on the desired separating element. The release force always has at least one component which acts along the insertion direction of the male part with the mating male part. The desired separating element also has a locking mechanism for fastening the mating male part to the desired separating element. The external force, which at the plug connection from plug part and Opposing plug acts as a release force, does not directly affect the target separating element, but can in particular also via the mating plug element, which is fixed on the target separating element via the locking mechanism, which is intended for attachment of the mating plug to the target separating element, indirectly act on the target separating element. The at least one fixing means for fixing the target partitioning member to the base member provides a holding force between the base member and the target partitioning member in an inserted state in which the target partitioning member is not separated from the base member. Exceeds the force acting from the outside of the target separating element force or separation force on the target separating element, the holding force between the desired separating element and base element, the target separating element is released from the base element, the electrical and physical connection between the male part and mating male part and separated Connector brought into a disconnected state in which the target separating element is separated from the base element.

A force acting from the outside, which acts as a separating force on the plug-in part and in particular on the desired separating element, preferably acts on the mating plug element via a cable and is guided by the mating plug element via the locking mechanism onto the desired separating element. If the separating force acting on the desired separating element exceeds the direction-dependent holding force between the desired separating element and the base element, the desired separating element is separated from the base element and the plug connection is thereby transferred from the first, inserted state into the second, separate state. The force components of separation force and holding force that are relevant for the separation of the desired separating element and the base element are in each case the force components that run in a separating corridor. The separation corridor is the set of all directions in which a separation of desired separation element from base element is possible. The separation corridor is essentially conical. Its tip is located in a contact region and it is preferably rotationally symmetrical about a connector axis or an insertion direction along which the mating plug is inserted into the male part. Opposite the connector axis, the lateral surface of the separation corridor at an angle between 0 ° and 89 °, preferably between 0 ° and 45 °.

In an advantageous embodiment, the plug-in part comprises a contact region which has at least one contact. The contact region is centrally arranged relative to the desired separating element and, in particular, round in its basic form. The mating plug part has a mating contact region which corresponds to the contact region and which has a mating contact. In the inserted state, the contact of the contact region is in electrically conductive contact with the mating contact of the mating contact region. When separating the mating male part of the male part by the separation force of the contact of the contact area is separated from the mating contact of the mating contact area. The contact region has a wall which extends in from the male part in the direction of the mating male part, is annular in shape toward the outside and has individual chambers open to the mating male part in its interior, each being arranged around a contact. The mating contact region has a receptacle corresponding thereto in its mating contact region. By separating the desired separating element and the base element, the contact, which is designed, for example, as a pin, is also physically and electrically disconnected from the mating contact, which is designed, for example, as a socket.

The locking mechanism for fixing the mating male part to the desired separator is in a preferred embodiment, a bayonet lock. The bayonet lock has a rotatable outer ring and a fixed inner ring. The outer ring is rotatably arranged on the mating plug part and the inner ring is arranged on the desired separating element of the plug-in part. Preferably, the inner ring is formed integrally with the desired separating element and extends sleeve-shaped, an opening surrounding the desired separating element in the direction of the mating male part. The opening in the desired separating element, which is surrounded by the inner ring of the bayonet closure, is formed so that the mating male part with its mating contact region can contact the contact region of the male part through the opening. Between the mating male part and the target separating element, preferably between the inner ring and the outer ring of the bayonet closure, a seal is arranged on the high, the gasket reinforcing, pressing forces can be applied by the bayonet closure, which of the holding force and the external force or Separation force are completely independent. As a result, high forces can be applied to the seal by the bayonet closure, which improve the tightness. The seal is arranged in particular as a sealing ring on the mating plug-in part, preferably in the outer ring, and lies in the inserted state of the plug-in connection on an end face of the inner ring. The seal also serves in particular to seal the interior of the contact area from the environment.

On the base element or on the desired separating element, a cover device having a cover is arranged in a further advantageous development. The covering device is designed, in a state in which no mating plug part is contacted with the plug-in part, to cover an end face of the desired separating element or preferably of the inner ring of the bayonet-shaped locking mechanism with the cover, so that the contact region is sealed, away from the base element. The lid is preferably connected via at least three joints with the male part and has a bayonet lock. By the bayonet lock, the lid can be locked in place of the mating male part on the target separator to seal the interior of the contact area. The cover further has, preferably on at least part of the joints, via spring elements which press the lid on an end face of the desired separation area or the inner ring and thus produce a basic seal without locking the bayonet lock when the mating connector is not inserted. A seal may be arranged in particular as a sealing ring at the bottom of the lid.

The fastening means for fastening the desired separating element to the base element is formed in a first advantageous embodiment of at least one pair of opposing spring arms on the base element. The spring arms engage in each case behind a locking lug formed on the desired separating element and corresponding to it, or a latching projection. By the at least one pair of spring arms, which is engaged behind the respective latching lugs or latching projections, a holding force is provided between the base element and the desired separating element, which hold together the base element and the desired separating element. If the separating force acting on the desired separating element exceeds the retaining force, the pair unlocks spring arms from the respective locking lugs or latching projections, whereby the desired separating element and the base element are separated and the plug connection is transferred from the inserted state to the disconnected state.

It is particularly advantageous if the spring arms are each arranged in an edge portion of the base member and the corresponding locking lugs have a shape which is adapted to detent the spring arms under the action of the predetermined force or separation force and thus the target separating element of the base member physically and to disconnect electrically.

In a second likewise advantageous embodiment, the fastening means for fastening the desired separating element to the base element is formed by at least one detent pin on the desired separating element and in each case one opening corresponding to the at least one detent pin. The latching pin has a groove which extends radially around the latching pin and is releasably fixed by a spring element engaging in the groove of the latching pin and arranged in the opening, in that the spring element engages in the groove. By the forces transferable in the insertion direction via the spring element, the holding force is provided, which fixes the target separating element to the base element. The groove formed on the detent pin is shaped to release or unlatch the spring element under the action of the predetermined force or separation force and thus to physically and electrically separate the desired separating element from the base element. If the separating force acting on the base element exceeds the holding force, the setpoint separating element and the base element are separated from one another by the unlatching of the spring element from the groove of the detent pin and the plug connection is transferred from the inserted state into the disconnected state.

A third advantageous embodiment provides that the fastening means for fastening the desired separating element to the base element is formed by a projection surrounding the desired separating element and an opening corresponding to the projection and the desired separating element in the base element. The projection, which extends parallel to the connector axis of the male part with the mating male part, has at least one circumferential groove. In the opening on the base element, a spring ring is arranged, which engages or engages in the groove formed on the projection and thereby provides the holding force. The projection circumferential groove is formed under the action of the predetermined force or separating force to detent the spring ring and thus physically and electrically disconnect the desired separating element from the base element. If the separating force acting on the base element exceeds the holding force, the setpoint separating element and the base element are separated from one another by unlocking the spring ring from the groove of the projection and the plug connection is transferred from the inserted state into the disconnected state.

The fastening element for fastening the desired separating element to the base element is formed in a fourth likewise advantageous embodiment of at least one first magnet fixed to the base element and in each case a corresponding thereto, oppositely poled and fixed to the target separating element second magnet. The magnetic force between the first and second magnets fixes the target separator to the base and forms the holding force. Exceeds the externally applied force or release force on the target separating element, the holding force, the target separating element is physically and electrically separated from the base member by the action of the external force or separation force, the connector is thus from the inserted state to the disconnected state transferred. By the appropriate choice of the magnetic force between the first and second magnets, the separation force which is necessary to separate the target separating element from the base element, can be selectively predetermined.

The separation of the desired separating element from the base element can be detected by a sensor device in an advantageous embodiment. For this purpose, the base element has a sensor device. The sensor device is designed, for example, as an inductive or capacitive sensor. However, it can also be designed as a multi-part current-carrying conductor, which runs from the base element via the desired separating element, so that the current flow is interrupted by the separation and the interruption of the current flow is detected. By detecting the separation further protective measures can be initiated. For example, the contacts or mating contacts can be switched off, a warning light for signaling the disconnected state of the connector controlled or emergency shutdown can be initiated.

According to the invention, a plug-in connection is further proposed which comprises the plug-in part and a mating plug part inserted in the plug-in part. The male part has in a contact region a contact and the mating male part in a mating contact region on a mating contact, which are contacted in an inserted state of the connector with each other electrically conductive. The connector is in the inserted state when the mating male part is inserted in the male part and the contact with the mating contact is contacted. The male part is formed the contact and the mating contact under a predetermined, acting on the mating male member force acting on a target separating element as a release force, by a non-destructive release of the desired separating element of the male part of a socket element of the male part electrically and physically to separate. The target partition and the base member are held together by a holding force provided by a fixing means for fixing the target partition to the base member. The electrical and physical separation and thus the transfer of the connector from the inserted state to a separate state is triggered or performed when the separation force exceeds the holding force and thereby the target separating element is separated from the base element.

Between the desired separating element and the base element, it is possible to arrange a surface seal or a sealing ring which eliminates the respective fastening means for fastening the desired separating element to the base element in order to ensure additional sealing of the plug-in part to the contact region of the plug-in part. In addition, an automatic sealing device can be provided, which is designed to seal the contact area in the event of separation of the desired separating element from the base element relative to the surroundings.

The features disclosed above can be combined as desired, as far as this is technically possible and they do not contradict each other.

Fig. 1

eine erste Ausführungsform des Steckteils in einem getrennten Zustand;

Fig. 2

die erste Ausführungsform des Steckteils in einem verbundenen Zustand;

Fig. 3

die erste Ausführungsform des Steckteils ohne Gegensteckteil;

Fig. 4

eine zweite Ausführungsform des Steckteils in einem getrennten Zustand;

Fig. 5

die zweite Ausführungsform des Steckteils in dem getrennten Zustand aus einer seitlichen Rückansicht;

Fig. 6

die zweite Ausführungsform des Steckteils in einem verbundenen Zustand;

Fig. 7

eine dritte Ausführungsform des Steckteils in einem getrennten Zustand;

Fig. 8

die dritte Ausführungsform des Steckteils in einer Explosionsdarstellung.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are shown in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS. Show it:

Fig. 1

a first embodiment of the male part in a separate state;

Fig. 2

the first embodiment of the male part in a connected state;

Fig. 3

the first embodiment of the male part without mating male part;

Fig. 4

a second embodiment of the male part in a separate state;

Fig. 5

the second embodiment of the male part in the disconnected state from a side rear view;

Fig. 6

the second embodiment of the male part in a connected state;

Fig. 7

a third embodiment of the male part in a separate state;

Fig. 8

the third embodiment of the male part in an exploded view.

The figures are exemplary schematic. Like reference numerals in the figures indicate like functional and / or structural features.

FIG. 1 shows a male part 10 with a mating male part 20 which is formed with the male part 10 to enter a connector in which the mating connector 20 is connected via a bayonet lock 15 with the male part 10 against unintentional loosening. The plug-in part 10 comprises a base element 11 with an integrally formed contact body 13 and a desired separating element 12. The base element 11, which has four sides in its basic form, has a spring arm 41 'arranged on each of its sides. The spring arms 41 'are fixed on at least one side to the base element 11 and extend in the direction of the mating male part 20. The desired separating element 12 has correspondingly to the spring arms 41' locking lugs 41 "in. In the illustration shown, the mating male part 20 through the The cover 31 of the covering device 30 rests on the mating plug part 20 or on a projection of the mating plug part 20, surrounds the projection in a radial direction of the cover 31 and additionally fixes the mating plug part 20 to the desired position. In the illustrated state, the contacts 14 of the contact region 13 are electrically and physically separated from the counterpart plug 20 by the separation of the base element 11 from the target separator 12 Separated mating contacts of the mating contact region 21. By the physical and electrical separation de r contacts 14 of the male part 10 of the mating contacts of the mating connector 20 is located in FIG. 1 shown plug connection of male part 10 and mating connector 20 in a separate state. For separation, the separating force acting on the desired separating element 12 must be greater than the holding force of the desired separating element 12 on the base element 12. The holding force is generated by the fastening means formed by the spring arms 41 'and the latching noses 41 " Hinges and a hinge on, so that the lid 31 with its bayonet closure, the contact portion 14 of the target separating element 12 can seal when the mating male part 20 is removed from the target separating element 12.

FIG. 2 shows the connector of male part 10 and mating connector 20 of FIG. 1 showing an inserted state in which the spring arms 41 'are latched behind the detents 41 "so that the target separator 12 is secured to the pedestal element 11 by the holding force Separating element acting as a separating force, the holding force not.

FIG. 3 shows the male part 10 of Figures 1 and 2 without the mating male part 20. In particular, the part of the locking mechanism for fixing the mating male part to the target separating element is visible. The locking mechanism is designed as a bayonet closure 15, the inner ring in Figure 3 is shown. On the inner ring extending radially outward pins. The cover 31 is integrally formed as an outer ring of a bayonet closure and has on its circumferential inner surface guide grooves, which can be brought into engagement with the pins of the inner ring of the bayonet 15. By the outer ring of the bayonet lock of the lid 31 and the inner ring of the bayonet closure of the target separating element, the lid 31 can be locked to the desired separating element 12 and the interior of the male part and in particular the contact area 13 are sealed from the environment. To produce a seal against the environment, a sealing ring is also arranged on the bottom of the lid 31.

FIG. 4 . 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment in which the fastening means for fastening the desired separating element to the base element are formed by the locking pins 42 '' and the openings 42 '.' The openings 42 'are formed as through holes and correspond to the locking pins 42''. In each case a spring element 422 is arranged in the through holes or the openings 42 '. A spring element 422 consists of a bent spring wire, wherein the spring wire is bent in a substantially rectangular shape. Two portions of the spring member 422 project from grooves formed in the through holes and snap into a groove 421 on a respective detent pin 42 "as it is slid into the aperture 42 'by engaging the spring member 422 in the groove 421 of the respective one Locking pin 42 ", the target separating element 12 and the base member 11 are connected together. By the locking pins 42 "engaged in the openings 42 ', the holding force is provided which counteracts a separating force for separating the desired separating element 12 from the base element 11. The four locking pins 42" and the corresponding openings 42' are perpendicular to a central axis in the plug-in direction is distributed symmetrically. The arrangement of the locking pins 42 ", a preferred separation direction can be determined.

FIG. 4 shows the connector of male part 10 and mating connector 20 in a separate state in which an externally acting on the cable separating force exceeds the holding force between the desired separating element 12 and base member 11 so that the connector is in a disconnected state.

FIG. 5 shows the plug connection of FIG. 4 , wherein from the illustrated side rear view, the four locking pins 42 "and their symmetrical distribution are shown.

In FIG. 6 the release force does not exceed the holding force, so that the target separating element 12 and the base element 11 are held or fixed to one another by the holding force.

The FIGS. 7 and 8 show a further embodiment of the male part 10, in which the desired separating element 12 is round or annular in its basic form. The fastening means for fastening the desired separating element to the base element is in this case formed by a projection 43 "which also runs along the desired separating element 12 and is also round or annular in its basic shape penetrate and lock with the base element. In the opening 43 'is the center of the contact body 13. A spring ring 432 in the opening 43' is formed in a groove 431 on the projection 43 "of the target separating element 12 to lock when the target separating element 12 in the opening 43 'of the base element Spring ring 432 and groove 431 hold in their latched state together target separating element 12 and base element 11 together.

The invention is not limited in its execution to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments. Rather, a number of variants is conceivable, which makes use of the illustrated solution even with fundamentally different types of use. For example, the fastening means may have a coding or be arranged coded, so that the desired separating element can be fastened to the base element only in a specific position.

Claims (11)

Plug part (10) for electrically conductive plug connection of the plug part (10) with a mating plug part (20), wherein the plug part (10) comprises a base element (11) and a desired separating element (12), the target separating element (12) by at least a fastener is fastened to the base element (11), the target separating element (12) can be detached from the base element (11) non-destructively by the at least one fastening means with a predetermined force acting on the desired separating element (12) and the setpoint Separating element (12) has a locking mechanism for fixing the mating male part (20) on the desired separating element (12). Plug part (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the plug part (10) comprises a contact region (13) having at least one contact (14) and a contact (14) at least partially surrounding wall. Plug part (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein on the base element (11) or on the desired separating element (12) a cover (31) having a cover device (30) is arranged, which is formed in a state in which no mating plug part (11). 20) is contacted with the male part (10) to cover one of the base element (11) facing away from the end face of the desired separating element for sealing the contact region (13) with the cover (31). Plug part (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking mechanism is a bayonet closure (15). Plug part (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means of at least one pair of opposing spring arms (41 ') to the base element (11) is formed, each behind a to the desired separating element (12) formed, corresponding thereto Snap latch (41 ") into place. Plug part (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the spring arms (41 ') in each case in an edge portion of the base element (11) are arranged and the corresponding latching lugs (41 ") have a shape which is formed the spring arms (41') below To detent action of the predetermined force and thus to separate the desired separating element (12) from the base element (11). Plug part (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein the fastening means of at least one locking pin (42 ") on the desired separating element (12) having a radially around the locking pin (42") circumferential groove (421) , and in each case an opening (42 ') which corresponds to the at least one latching pin (42 ") is formed, wherein the latching pin (42") is inserted through an opening (42 ") in the groove (421) of the latching pin (42") ') arranged spring element (422) is releasably fixed and on the detent pin (42 ") formed groove (421) is formed to release the spring element (422) under the action of the predetermined force and thus the desired separating element (12) from the base element ( 11). Plug part (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein the fastening means of a the target separating element (12) circumferential projection (43 ") having at least one circumferential groove (431), and one to the projection (43 ") and the target separating element (12) corresponding opening (43 ') in the base element (11) is formed, wherein in the opening (43") on the base element (11) a spring ring (432) is arranged, which in the on the projection (43 ") formed groove (431) engages, and the projection (43") circumferential groove (431) is formed under the action of the predetermined force to detent the spring ring (432) and thus the target separating element (12) to separate from the base element (11). Plug part (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, wherein the fastening element of at least one of the base member (11) fixed to the first magnet and in each case a corresponding thereto, oppositely poled and fixed to the target separating element (12) second magnet formed and wherein the holding force of the first and second magnets to each other is determined to separate the first and the second magnet under the action of the predetermined force and thus to separate the target separating element (12) from the base element (11). Plug part (10) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug-in part (10) has a sensor device for detecting a separation of the base element (11) and the desired separating element (12). Plug connection comprising the plug-in part (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 10 and a mating plug-in part (20) inserted in the plug-in part (10), wherein the plug-in part (10) has a contact (14) in a contact region (13) and the mating plug-in part (20 ) have a mating contact in a mating contact region (21), which are contacted with each other in an inserted state of the connector electrically conductive, characterized in that the male part (10) is formed the contact (14) and the mating contact under a predetermined, at the mating male part (20) acting force, which acts on the target separating element (12) as a separating force, by a non-destructive release of a desired separating element (12) of the male part (10) of a base element (11) of the male part (10), of a holding force, which is provided by a fastening means for fastening the target separating element to the base element, held together, electrically and physically separate and the Stec kverbinder in a disconnected state to transfer as soon as the separation force exceeds the holding force.

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