GB2638160A - Hermaphroditic insulating housing, plug connector system, method, and kit of parts - Google Patents

Abstract

A hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 suitable for a plug connector (figure 3A, 10) suitable for the direct electrical conductor-conductor contacting of two cables (figure 3A, 3, 3’). The hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 comprises an elongated hollow body with an inner volume, wherein the inner volume is configured to completely accommodate and secure at least one electrical contact element 2 of the plug connector (figure 3A, 10). The housing 1 may comprise a receiving and securing portion 6 suitable for receiving and releasably locking or securing an insulating housing counterpart (figure 3A, 1'), the insulating housing counterpart (figure 3A, 1') preferably being configured with a similar receiving and securing portion (figure 3, 6’). A plug system (figure 3B) and a method forming a direct electrical conductor-conductor contacting of two cables is also taught as utilising the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1.

Description

Applicant: HARTING International Innovation AG Hermaphroditic insulating housing, plug connector system, method, and kit of parts Technical Domain The invention relates to a hermaphroditic insulating housing for a plug connector system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a plug connector system, a method, and a kit of parts.

All inventions have a common objective, namely the production of a di-rect electrical conductor-conductor contacting of cables, in particular two cables, using a plug connector system and/or its components. However, other applications such as cable-to-circuit boards and cable-to-cabinet may be explicitly included.

is Related Art Plug connector systems, i.e., the combination of plug and socket for the direct electrical contacting of two conductors of cables, are known from the prior art. Fig. 12 shows an example of such a connector system 10 from the prior art, which is typically used for contacting cables 3, 3A, 3', 3A'. Electrical contact elements 2, 2', which are in electrical contact with the respective conductor of the cable 3, 3A, 3', 3A', are embedded in the housing 11, 11' of the respective connector. As shown above left, the electrical contact elements 2 are arranged freely in the housing 11. Although this means that they are spaced apart and therefore electrically in-sulated from each other, a user of the connector 10 can come into direct contact with the electrical contact 2.

In addition, the plug connector system 10, shown as an example, only allows conductors to be contacted in pairs by means of electrical contact elements 2, 2'. Among other things, this circumstance contributes to the fact that the two housings 11, 11' have an exaggerated design, which is -2 -disadvantageous for many applications with limited space, such as in robotics, automotive industry, etc. In addition, the fixed arrangement of the electrical contact elements 2, 2' in pairs or groups in the housing 11, 11' can be disadvantageous for ap-plications in which the contact points must be arranged spatially relative to one another, in particular if the cables to be contacted have different cable lengths.

The two housings 11, 11' of the connector system 10 shown in Fig. 12 are not hermaphroditic, as they are not of the same or identical design or configuration.

The housing 11 shown at the top left can accommodate part of the housing 11' shown at the top right in its interior.

A projection can be seen in the center of the inner wall of the housing shown at the top left, which engages in a corresponding recess in the housing 11' shown at the top right when the two housings 11, 11' are or will be joined together. The projection shown acts as a guide in conjunction with the recess.

Furthermore, the housings 11, 11' are shaped in relation to each other so that incorrect mating is prevented, as the projection is only arranged on one side of the inner wall. The housings 11, 11' are then secured against twisting in relation to each other.

Examples of hermaphroditic housings are known from US4687263A and US5906518A.

Hermaphroditic insulating housings are, therefore, characterized by the fact that each insulating housing of a plug connector system is designed or configured in such a way that it interlocks with its counterpart, which is preferably of the same or identical design or configuration, whereby this is to be understood as a supplementary and not a substitute definition to the definitions from the aforementioned disclosures. In addition, such hermaphroditic insulating housings can have the advantage that only two primary components of the insulating housings need to be provided to form a connector system. -3 -

Short disclosure of the invention

An object of the present invention is the provision of a hermaphroditic insulating housing, a plug connector system, a method, and a kit of parts, each of which individually eliminates the disadvantages and limitations of

the prior art.

A further aim of the present invention is the provision of a hermaphroditic insulating housing, a plug connector system, a method, and a kit of parts, each of which enables space-saving and flexible conductor-to-conductor contacting of cables. In this context, flexible can mean that the contact points of two cable pairs, which are electrically contacted using the plug connector system, can be arranged spatially offset to each other.

Alternatively, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a hermaphroditic insulating housing, a plug connector system, a method, and a kit of parts, each of which provides mechanically and electrically stable and reliable conductor-to-conductor contacting, even in harsh en-vironments.

An auxiliary object of the present invention is the provision of a hermaph-roditic insulating housing, a connector system, a method, and a kit of parts that can prevent the miscontacting of cables or their conductors.

According to the invention, these objectives are attained by the hermaph-roditic insulating housing, the plug connector system, the method, and the kit of parts according to the independent claims.

Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims thereof.

In a first aspect, a hermaphroditic insulating housing for a plug connector for direct electrical conductor-conductor contacting of two cables is disclosed.

The hermaphroditic insulating housing is configured as an elongated hollow body with an inner volume, and wherein the inner volume is config-ured to entirely accommodate and secure at least one electrical contact element of the plug connector. -4 -

The cables and the contact element can be, at least partly, external to the hermaphroditic insulating housing and are then not part of the insulating housing as such. The cables can have a sheath that electrically insulates the conductor of the respective cable from the environment.

Advantageously, the hermaphroditic insulating housing can completely accommodate the contact element in its inner volume and partially or entirely enclose it, so that contact between a user and the electrical contact element can be avoided. The elongated design of the hollow body also has the advantage that the insulating housing contributes only slightly to io the circumference of the cable sheathing, so that a compact size or a small construction volume is required for the contacting and insulation. The hollow body can have a round, hollow cylindrical shape and thus follow the shape of a cable.

In a first embodiment of the first aspect, the hermaphroditic insulating housing can be configured with a receiving and securing portion for re-ceiving and releasably locking or securing an insulating housing counterpart, the insulating housing counterpart can preferably be configured with a similar receiving and securing portion. Similar here can mean identical or matching. The receiving and securing portion, therefore, can have a dual function. On the one hand, the insulating housing counterpart can be at least partially accommodated therein. On the other hand, the insulating housing counterpart can engage in the securing portion of the hermaphroditic insulating housing with its similarly designed receiving and securing portion.

In a second embodiment of the first aspect, the receiving and securing portion can have a plurality of recesses for receiving the insulating housing counterpart. Here, too, the insulating housing counterpart can be at least partly arranged outside the hermaphroditic insulating housing. Advantageously, the recesses are spatially separated from each other so that twisting of the hermaphroditic insulating housing and the insulating housing counterpart can be prevented, as the recesses interlock with the similarly or identically designed receiving portion.

In a third embodiment of the first aspect, the receiving and securing portion can comprise a plurality of mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient ele- 3 ments, the mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements can be -5 -arranged substantially coaxially to a longitudinal axis, wherein the mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements can be integrally formed with the hermaphroditic insulating housing. The mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements can engage in the recesses of the insulating housing counterpart and prevent the hermaphroditic insulating housing from twist- ing relative to the insulating housing counterpart. Spring element can also be a synonym for flexible or at least partially flexible, i.e., resilient back element. The number of arm-shaped resilient elements is preferably 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. A higher number is possible but not practical. The arm- shaped resilient elements can be resilient to allow a reset and, thus a re-lease of the securing to separate a connector with two mated hermaphroditic insulating housings. A larger number would require more effort to release. Mutually spaced can be a synonym for spaced apart or at a distance from each other.

is In a further embodiment of the first aspect, each of the mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements can have projections at one end directed towards a central axis for engagement with a mating structure of the insulating housing counterpart. The counter structure can be the receiving and securing portion of the insulating housing counterpart.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the adjacent arm-shaped resili-ent elements each can be spatially separated from one another by a recess, wherein the recesses have a width corresponding to at least one width of the arm-shaped resilient elements or corresponding to at least one width of one arm-shaped resilient element.

In a different embodiment of the first aspect, the receiving and securing portion can have a radially partially circumferential recess or projection portion for locking the insulating housing counterpart. Radially can refer to a central longitudinal axis, and the indentations or integrations can be arranged on an outer side of the hermaphroditic insulating housing. Fur-thermore, the recesses or integrations can be fully circumferential.

In a further embodiment of the first aspect, the radially partially circumferential recess or projection portion can be configured as a locking formation or locking recess and the projections can be configured as locking hooks for engagement in the locking formation or locking recess of the in-sulating housing counterpart. -6 -

In another embodiment of the first aspect, the receiving and securing portion can comprise two elongated mutually spaced housing parts or portions integrally formed with the hermaphroditic insulating housing and extending substantially parallel or coaxial to a longitudinal axis, wherein one of the housing parts can be radially offset relative to the other hous-ing part. Housing part may be synonymous with housing portion or housing area and may be used interchangeably.

In different embodiment of the first aspect, at least one of the two housing parts can be configured in a half-shell shape with two mutually spaced edges.

In a further embodiment of the first aspect, each housing part can be configured in a half-shell shape, each with two mutual edges, the two housing parts can be arranged such that the edges of the housing parts are substantially opposed to each other so that the two half-shell-shaped is housing parts can be open to each other along a longitudinal axis.

In yet another embodiment of the first aspect, the hermaphroditic insulating housing can be configured to accommodate and secure at least two electrical contact elements in the inner volume, and one housing part can be configured to at least partially enclose the electrical contact elements.

Preferably, said electrical contact elements are not an integral part of the hermaphroditic insulating housing.

In a different embodiment of the first aspect, one housing part can be configured in a hollow cylindrical shape for accommodating and entirely enclosing a portion of an electrical contact element in a corresponding in- tenor volume. In particular, when the electrical contact element is in-serted into the hermaphroditic insulating housing, the said housing part can encase and insulate the electrical contact element.

In a further embodiment of the first aspect, one of the half-shell-shaped housing parts can be configured to be partially flexible or resilient.

In another embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the two spaced hous-ing parts can be configured to form a tight fit with the insulating housing counterpart. Tight or tight mechanical fit can be synonymous with clearance, interference, or transition fit. Preferably, the tight fit is a transition fit that requires a certain amount of force to join two components. The types -7 -of fits can be understood and categorized according to the ISO 286 standard.

In a different embodiment of the first aspect, the hermaphroditic insulat-ing housing can comprise a molded-in or integrally formed part that can be arranged in the inner volume for engaging with and securing the elec-trical contact element.

Although the embodiments of the first aspect are disclosed and discussed independently, they may be selectively combined where useful and technically feasible.

o In a second aspect of the invention, a plug connector system for direct electrical conductor-conductor contacting of two cables is disclosed.

The plug connector system comprises: -at least two hermaphroditic insulating housings, each formed according to the first aspect (including any embodiment or a combination thereof), is wherein the hermaphroditic insulating housings have similar receiving and securing portions; -at least two cables, which are each equipped with an electrical contact element at their cable ends, and the respective contact element is electrically contacted on the connection side with a conductor of the cable, at least one electrical contact element being arranged in each inner volume of the hermaphroditic insulating housing and being enclosed by the respective hermaphroditic insulating housing, at least one electrical contact element being placed in each inner volume of the hermaphroditic insulating housing and being surrounded by the respective hermaphroditic insu-lafing housing, wherein the hermaphroditic insulating housings are further configured such that the receiving and securing portions of the hermaphroditic insulating housings engage with one another for securing the position of the hermaphroditic insulating housings relative to one another and for electrical contacting of the electrical contact elements.

The similar or identical receiving and securing portions ensure that the hermaphroditic insulating housings engage with each other and can be mated. In addition, the electrical contact elements are held or fixed by the hermaphroditic insulating housing so that secure electrical contacting of the electrical contact elements is ensured when they engage. -8-

In addition, the electrical contact elements inside the plug connector system are entirely enclosed by the two hermaphroditic insulating housings when mated and are safe to touch. The plug connector system can be configured for rated operating voltages of up to 200 V, preferably 500 V, but particularly preferably up to 1000 V, and for rated currents of up to 15 A, preferably 75 A, particularly preferably up to 120 A. In a first embodiment of the second aspect, a number of mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements of the at least two hermaphroditic insulating housings can be equal to one another. This can ensure that only her-maphroditic insulating housings with similarly or identically designed securing portions can be plugged in or mated.

In a second embodiment of the second aspect, the hermaphroditic insulating housings can be configured to be rotatable about an axis of rotation concerning their electrical contact elements comprised in the inner is volume. Advantageously, this allows the arm-shaped resilient elements of the respective hermaphroditic insulating housings or elongated mutually housing parts to be aligned with each other without having to rotate the electrical contact element located therein or its cable.

Although the embodiments of the second aspect are disclosed and dis-zo cussed independently, they may be selectively combined where useful and technically feasible.

In a third aspect, a method for producing a direct electrical conductor-conductor contacting two cables using a connector system is disclosed.

The method comprises the following steps: -providing at least two hermaphroditic insulating housings, each config-ured according to the first aspect (including any embodiment or a combination thereof), wherein the hermaphroditic insulating housings have similar receiving and securing portions; -providing at least two prefabricated cables, each cable having an elec- 3o trical contact element at one cable end and being electrically contacted on the connection side with a conductor of the respective cable; -inserting the electrical contact elements into a respective inner volume of the hermaphroditic insulating housings; either -aligning the two hermaphroditic insulating housings with respect to one another by rotating them so that at least one mutually spaced arm- -9 - shaped resilient element of one hermaphroditic insulating housing is op-posite the recess of the other hermaphroditic insulating housing; and -bringing the hermaphroditic insulating housings together until mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements of each hermaphroditic insulating housing are in engagement with the radially partially circumferential re-cess or projection portion of the respective other hermaphroditic insulating housing, as a result of which the electrical contact elements are electrically contacted; or -aligning the two hermaphroditic insulating housings with respect to each 0 other by rotating them so that the housing part configured with the radi-ally offset housing part of one hermaphroditic insulating housing is aligned with the non-radially offset housing part of the other hermaphroditic insulating housing; and -bringing the hermaphroditic insulating housings together until the radi- is ally offset housing part and the non-radially offset housing part are en-gaged to form a tight fit and until the electrical contact elements are electrically contacted. Again, tight or tight mechanical fit can be synonym for clearance, interference or transition fit. Preferably, the tight fit is an transition fit which requires some degree of force to join two components.

Advantageously, the method using the hermaphroditic insulating hous-ings achieves stable and reliable mating and securing thereof as well as reliable electrical contacting of the electrical contact elements within the hermaphroditic insulating housings. In addition, the locking can be released, e.g., by bending back the arm-shaped resilient elements with a tool to disconnect the electrical contact.

In a fourth aspect, a kit or kit of parts for producing a direct electrical conductor-conductor contacting of two cables using a plug connector system, is disclosed.

The kit or kit of parts comprises: -at least two hermaphroditic insulating housings according to the first as-pect (including any embodiment or a combination thereof), wherein the hermaphroditic insulating housings are configured with similar receiving and securing portions; -at least two electrical contact elements, each configured for insertion into the inner volume of a hermaphroditic insulating housing.

-10 -Such a kit or kit of parts may be commercially attractive and beneficial to the user to form a connector system with all the advantages described previously for use in applications where space is at a premium and reliable conductor-to-conductor electrical contact is required.

Short description of the drawings

Exemplar embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the description and illustrated by the drawings in which: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a hermaphroditic insulating hous-ing; Fig. 2 a further perspective view of a hermaphroditic insulating housing or a plug connector; Fig. 3A a perspective view of a mated plug connector system with two hermaphroditic insulating housings; Fig. 3B a sectional drawing of the mated connector system of Fig. 3A; Fig. 4 a perspective view of several plug connector systems; Figs. 5A,5B a perspective view of a plug connector system compris-ing hermaphroditic insulating housings accommodating multiple electrical contact elements; Figs. 6A,6B a perspective view of a plug connector system with a mountable insulating housing; Fig. 7 a perspective view of a plug connector system with a mountable insulating housing for accommodating multiple electrical contact elements; Fig. 8A a perspective view of an unmated plug connector sys-tem with two hermaphroditic insulating housings; Fig. 8B a sectional drawing of the mated connector system of Fig. 8A; Fig. 9A a perspective view of a plug connector system compris-ing hermaphroditic insulating housings accommodating two electrical contact elements; Figs. 9B,9C sectional drawings of the mated connector system of Fig. 9A; Fig. 10A,11A a perspective view of a plug connector system comprising hermaphroditic insulating housings accommodating three electrical contact elements; Figs. 10B,11 B, sectional drawings of the mated connector system of 10C,11C Fig. 10A and 11A; Fig. 12 plug connector system, according to the prior art.

Examples of embodiments of the present invention The figures contain partially simplified schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for similar but possibly not identical elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional indications such as "left", "right", "top" and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual representations in relation to the object shown.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, or plug connector. The hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 encloses the electrical contact element 2 located therein. The electrical contact element 2 is in electrical contact with a conductor (not illustrated) of the cable 3 so that there is an electrically conductive connection between them. The cable end is partially surrounded by the hermaphroditic insulating is housing 1 or inserted into it. As can be seen, the electrical contact ele-ment 2 is shielded by the structure of the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, making unintentional contact with it difficult or impossible. Furthermore, the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 is designed with a total of three latching arms 5A-5C in the receiving and latching section 6.

The latching arms 5A-5C are spaced apart from one another, whereby latching arms of a second, not shown hermaphroditic insulating housing, can be accommodated in the spaces between them. The latching arms 5A-5C have a certain flexibility or pliability so that it is possible to bend each latching arms 5A-5C radially outwards, whereby these can spring back into the initial position, as illustrated. Each latching arm 5A-5C is provided with an inwardly directed detent lug or projection. This detent lug or projection can be seen on the right-hand side of Fig. 1 (circled). In addition, the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 is formed with a latching -12 -formation 4 in the receiving and latching section 6, which is partially radially circumferential in the example shown. A recess, for example, a notch, can also be provided instead of an integrally formed section. Irrespective of whether it is a molded-on section or a recess, these can also be completely circumferential radially. The hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 is made of a non-conductive material, such as fiber-reinforced plastic, preferably manufactured by injection molding or 3D printing.

The plug connector can be assembled by passing the cable 3 entirely through the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, assembling the cable 3 with the electrical contact element 2, and inserting the electrical contact element 2 into the interior of the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 by pulling on the cable 1 or by pushing. Alternatively, it can also be a pre-assembled cable 3, whereby the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 is pushed in from the side of the electrical contact element 2. This simplifies is the manufacture of the plug connector.

Fig. 2 shows a further perspective view of a hermaphroditic insulating housing 1. The hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 shown is essentially identical to the insulating housing shown in Fig. 1. However, this hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 has four latching arms 5A-5D. The latching arms 5A-5D have a through recess located in the latching arm, which can further reduce the weight of the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1.

Fig. 3A shows a perspective view of a plug connector system 10 with two hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1'. Each hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1' is essentially configured as shown and described in Fig. 1.

Inside the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1', there are two electrical contact elements (not shown) that are in contact with each other. The two cables 3, 3' are connected to the respective electrical contact element. As can be seen, the two hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' are in a latched state to form the plug connector system 10. This means that the latching arms 5 of the first hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 engage in the latching formation of the second hermaphroditic insulating housing 1' -13 -and the latching lugs are also in engagement. Similarly, the latching arms 5' of the second hermaphroditic insulating housing 1' engage in the latching formation of the first hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, with the corresponding latching lugs being in engagement with the latching formation. The latching arms 5, 5' of each hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1' are inserted into the spaces between the latching arms of the corresponding so that the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' are secured against rotation relative to one another.

When a tensile force is applied to the cables, the plug connector system 10 remains latched as long as a predetermined tensile force limit is not exceeded. As long as the plug connector system 10 is latched, there is an electrical connection between the electrical contact elements within the plug connector system 10. The latching arms 5, 5' can be bent radially outwards to release the latch. This can be achieved using tools de-is veloped for this purpose. The receiving and latching section 6, 6' extends over approximately half the length of the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1', whereby a compact configuration of the plug connector system 10 can be achieved.

Fig. 3B shows a sectional drawing of the latched plug connector system from Fig. 3A. As can be seen, the electrical contact elements 2, 2' are lo- cated inside, whereby the left-hand contact element 2 of the first hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 is designed as a socket contact and the right-hand contact element 2' of the second hermaphroditic insulating housing 1' is designed as a pin contact. This means that, unlike the insu-lafing housings, the electrical contact elements are not hermaphroditic.

Highlighted at the top center (dashed circle) in the mounting and latching section 6', it can be seen how the latching lug of the second hermaphroditic insulating housing 1' engages in the latching formation 4 of the first hermaphroditic insulating housing 1. The latching lug is provided with a chamfer or bevel on both sides, which has an angle of approximately 60° to the horizontal axis. The latching projections 4, 4' are also provided with a chamfer or bevel. The chamfering of the latching lugs and the latching -14 - formations 4, 4' makes it easier to insert or latch them together. In addition, the force, particularly the tensile force, that must be applied to separate the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' can be adjusted. If the latching lugs and latching formations 4, 4' were perpendicular to the hori-zontal, a maximum force would be required to separate them by means of tensile force. In this case, the latching arms 5, 5' would have to be bent back radially to release the latching action without needing to apply a great force. Consequently, the above-mentioned tensile force limit is set via the angle of the latching lugs and the latching formations 4, 4' to to each other.

The figure also shows that the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' secure the respective electrical contact element 2, 2' in its interior or hold it in position, particularly in relation to the horizontal. The first hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 has a radially circumferential web on the left- is hand side (see circle), which presses against the electrical contact ele-ment 2. The second hermaphroditic insulating housing 1' is also provided with such a web (right-hand side, circle). When the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' are brought together, the webs press laterally against the electrical contact elements 2, 2' so that the pin contact 2' is pushed into the socket contact. The aforementioned web is only one pos-sible variant for fixing and holding an electrical contact element 2, 2' in the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1' in order to ensure reliable contacting during mating. Further variants could provide corresponding recesses or moldings within the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1', which hold and/or guide the electrical contact elements 2, 2'. The afore-mentioned web could also be flexible, so that the electrical contact elements 2, 2' are brought together by means of spring force. However, the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' are rotatably mounted in relation to the electrical contact elements 2, 2' to be able to align the latching arms 5, 5' with the recesses of the counterpart. This prevents the cables -15 - 3, 3' from twisting. In summary, it should be noted that the hermaphro-ditic insulating housings 1, 1' are rotatably mounted with respect to its electrical contact elements 2, 2' or cables 3, 3'.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of several plug connector systems, showing a first plug connector system with two hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' according to Fig. 1 and a plug connector system with two hermaphroditic insulating housings 1A, 1A1 according to Fig. 2. The plug connector systems are mated by plugging the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1', 1A, 1A1 together by the movement M relative to each other (see arrow) and locking them in place by applying a further corresponding force. Before they can be plugged together, at least one hermaphroditic insulating housing 1', 1A1 of a plug connector system must be aligned by turning so that the latching arms are aligned with the recesses of the other hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1A. The plug is connector systems are released by applying a corresponding force, which can correspond to at least the tensile force limit. In addition, the configuration of the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1', 1A, 1A' with a different number of latching arms prevents the wrong plug connectors from being latched together. Due to the different number of latching arms, it is impossible to plug the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1', 1A, 1A1 together incorrectly and latch them.

Fig. 5A shows a further example of a plug connector system 10 with two hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1'. These hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' have the essential features of the hermaphroditic insulat-ing housings shown in Figs. 1 to 4. The difference is that two electrical contact elements 2, 2' are accommodated in each hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1'. The first hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 has pin contacts 2, and the second hermaphroditic insulating housing 1' has socket contacts 2' to receive the pin contacts 2. Furthermore, each her-maphroditic insulating housing 1, 1' is designed with five latching arms 5, 5'. Besides, each latching arm has an inwardly directed latching lug (dotted circle) for engaging in the corresponding latching formation 4, 4' of -16 -the counterpart. Here too, the two hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' are latched together by pushing them together M and applying a corresponding force.

Fig. 5B shows a further example of the plug connector system 10 shown and described in Fig. 5A, whereby two hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' now each accommodate three electrical contact elements 2. The other features essentially correspond to the features of the plug connector system shown in Fig. 5A.

Fig. 6A shows an unclaimed example of a plug connector system 10. The plug connector system 10 comprises a cable 3, 3', the conductors of which can be contacted by means of two electrical contact elements 2, 2', which are designed as a socket contact 2 and a pin contact 2'. However, The insulating housings (after assembly of the housing parts insu-is lafing housing parts 1B, 1 B', 1C, 1C' around the contact elements 2, 2') are not hermaphroditic, as they are configured differently on the two plug connectors, i.e. not identical or matching. Each insulating housing consists of two insulating housing parts 1B, 1B', 1C, 1C1 designed as half shells. The following explanations apply by way of example to the left-hand plug connector, but can be applied analogously to the right-hand plug connector. After assembling the cable 3 with the socket contact 2, the two insulating housing parts 1B, 1C are placed around the socket contact 2 and pressed together under the effect of a force and in an hermaphroditic mating, since the two insulating housing parts 1 B, 1C de-signed as half shells are identical or similar and can be considered as hermaphroditic insulating housing parts 1B, 1C. The insulating housing parts 1 B, 1C of the left-hand plug connector have recesses to hold the socket contact 2 in position or to engage with mating structures of the socket contact 2.

The insulating housing part 1C shown at the top left is provided with two latching lugs (dotted circle) and two latching recesses. The corresponding second insulating housing part 1B is also designed with two latching -17 - lugs (not shown) and two latching recesses (dotted circle), so that the two insulating housing parts 1 B, 1C form a closed insulating housing that is latched by pressing together. In addition, each insulating housing has a receiving or latching section 6, 6'. When the insulating housing of the left-s hand plug connector is latched, the receiving or latching section 6 has a circumferential latching formation which engages in a corresponding latching recess in the receiving or latching section 6' of the right-hand plug connector when it is brought together with the right-hand plug connector. Even in this unclaimed example, the two plug connectors can be o latched together so that the plug connector system 10 can only be sepa-rated by applying a corresponding tensile force.

Fig. 6B shows the plug connector system 10 from Fig. 6A in an assem-bled state. As indicated by the dashed circles, the insulating housing parts of the insulating housings 1, 1' are latched together. When the plug is connectors are pushed together M, the receiving or latching sections 6, 6' of the two plug connectors come into engagement and latch together. In the latched state, the two electrical contact elements 2' are in electrical contact.

Fig. 7 shows a further unclaimed development of the plug connector sys-tem 10 shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. The insulating housing 1, 1' of each plug connector also consists of two insulating housing parts 1B, 1B', 1C, 1C1, whereby these insulating housing parts are each designed to accommodate two electrical contact elements. The insulating housing part 1 of the left-hand plug connector accommodates two pin contacts 2, while the insulating housing part 1' of the right-hand plug connector ac-commodates two socket contacts 2. The insulating housing parts 1B, 1 B', 1C, 1C' are provided with structures for holding the electrical contact elements 2, 2'. When the two plug connectors are joined together M, the right-hand plug connector accommodates the left-hand plug connector in its front section shown, so that the pin contacts 2 are inserted into the socket contacts 2'. The two insulating housings 2, 2' are designed in such -18 -a way that an transition fit is created, which holds the plug connector system 10 in position in the mated state due to the frictional forces that occur. However, this is not the only way to lock the connector system 10 in position. The two insulating housings 2, 2' can also be designed with a similarly structured locking system as in Figs. 6A and 6B, i.e. they can have structures such as indentations or moldings that engage with each other to lock the position.

Fig. 8A shows an alternative design example to the plug connectors or plug connector systems shown in Figs. 1 to 5B. The plug connector sys-tem 10 comprises two plug connectors. Conductors of cables not shown are each conductively connected to an electrical contact element 2, 2'. Each plug connector also includes a hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1', which has the respective electrical contact element 2, 2' in its interior. As can be seen from the figure, each hermaphroditic insulating housing is 1, 1' is designed as an elongated, round-cylindrical component and has a receiving and latching section 6, 6'. The receiving and latching section 6, 6' extends over approximately half the length of the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1'. The receiving and latching section 6, 6' of each plug connector has the same or identical design and is divided into two parts.

In the following, the receiving and latching section 6 of the left-hand plug connector is explained in more detail, whereby the explanations can be transferred to the right-hand plug connector accordingly. The receiving and latching section 6 comprises a first half-shell-shaped extension 5, which is formed in one piece and aligned with the hermaphroditic insulat-ing housing 1. A second half-shell-shaped extension 5A is also formed in one piece with the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, but has a radial offset inwards. As can be seen, the two half-shell-shaped extensions are spaced apart from each other by a separating section or gap. In contrast to the first half-shell-shaped extension 5, the second half-shell-shaped extension 5A can have a smaller thickness along a longitudinal axis in or-der to increase its flexibility or pliability. The extensions 5, 5', 5A, 5A' therefore functionally act like the previously described latching arms, and -19 -locking or latching features could similarly be added as previously described. It can also be seen that the electrical contact element 2, which is designed as a socket contact, is entirely enclosed by the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1 and is therefore electrically insulated from it. When the two plug connectors are pushed together M, the two receiving and latching sections 6, 6' are pushed into each other in such a way that they engage with each other by means of a tight clearance fit or transition fit so that they are frictionally connected to each other. This force-fit connection can also be referred to as latching, although the hermaphroditic o insulating housings 1, 1' are designed without latching formations or equivalent features. The two hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' have a corresponding tolerance to enable the tight clearance or transition fit and the corresponding frictional connection.

The plug connectors can be assembled as described in Fig. 1. The her- is maphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' are also available by injection mold-ing or 3D printing, as described before.

Fig. 8B shows a longitudinal section of the plug connector system 10 from Fig. 8A in the mated or latched state. It can be noticed that the two electrical contact elements 2, 2' are entirely enclosed by the hermaphro-ditic insulating housings 1, 1'. Furthermore, the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' have corresponding structures in the circled areas to hold the electrical contact elements 2, 2' in position when plugged together so that the electrical contact elements 2, 2' can make reliable electrical contact. As can also be seen, the receiving and latching sections 6, 6' of the two hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' interlock. Since the receiving and latching sections 6, 6' each occupy approximately half the length of the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1', a compact design of the plug connector system 10 is also possible.

Fig. 9A shows a further example of the plug connector system 10 shown in Figs. 8A and 8B. As can be seen, each plug connector comprises two electrical contact elements 2, 2', which are accommodated in the interior -20 -of the respective hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1'. The hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' are essentially identical to the hermaphroditic insulating housings shown in Figs. 8A and 8B. The receiving and latching section 6, 6' of each plug connector is of the same or identical design and is divided into two parts. In the following, the receiving and latching section 6 of the left-hand plug connector is explained in more detail, whereby the explanations can be transferred to the right-hand plug connector accordingly. The receiving and latching section 6 comprises a half-shell-shaped extension 5, which is formed in one piece and aligned with the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1. A tubular extension 5A is also formed in one piece with the hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, but has a radial offset inwards. As can be seen, the two aforementioned extensions 5, 5A are spaced apart from each other by a separating section or gap. However, the tubular extension 5A completely encloses the is right-hand socket contact 2 and insulates it from the left-hand socket con-tact 2. When the two plug connectors are pushed together M, the two receiving and latching sections 6, 6' are pushed into each other in such a way that they engage with each other by means of a tight clearance or transition fit, so that they are force-locked together and a high amount of force is required to release the plug connection.

Fig. 9B shows a longitudinal section of the plug connector system 10 in Fig. 9A in the mated or latched state. It can be noticed that the two electrical contact elements 2, 2' are entirely enclosed by the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1'. Furthermore, the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' have corresponding structures in the circled areas to hold the electrical contact elements 2, 2' in position when they are plugged together, so that the electrical contact elements 2, 2' can make reliable electrical contact. As can also be seen, the receiving and latching sections 6, 6' of the two hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' interlock.

Since the receiving and latching sections 6, 6' each occupy approxi-mately half the length of the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1', a compact design of the plug connector system 10 is also possible. -21 -

Fig. 9C shows a cross-sectional view of the plug connector system 10 in Fig. 9A in the mated or latched state. It can be noticed that the two electrical contact elements 2, 2' are entirely surrounded by the tubular extensions 5A, 5A' and that the tubular extensions 5A, 5A' also form a partition wall 1D in the unmated and mated state. This partition can increase the dielectric strength of the plug connector system.

Fig. 10A shows a further example of the plug connector system 10 shown in Figs. 9A to 9C. The plug connector system or the plug connectors are almost identical to the previous example, but three electrical con-o tact elements 2, 2' are inserted in each hermaphroditic insulating housing 1, 1'. It can be seen that only one electrical contact element 2, 2' is entirely enclosed by a tubular extension 5A. The other two electrical contact elements 2, 2' are only partially surrounded by the half-shell-shaped extension 5.

is Figs. 10B and 10C show the plug connector system of Fig. 10A in differ-ent sectional views. In Fig. 10C, however, it can be noticed that the two outer electrical contact elements 2, 2' are enclosed by a tubular extension 5A, but the middle electrical contact element 2, 2' is separated from the outer electrical contact elements 2, 2' by the partitions 1 D. This can also increase the dielectric strength of the plug connector system, as the electrical contact elements are separated from each other by an electrically insulating barrier, thus increasing the clearance and creepage distance.

Figs. 11A and 11B further develop the plug connector system of figures 10A to 10C. The plug connectors and the plug connector system 10 have essentially the same features, although the hermaphroditic insulating housings 1, 1' are not flat but triangular in shape. The electrical contact elements 2, 2' are arranged in a corresponding triangular shape. This further development can be particularly advantageous in installation situa-tions where space is limited, as the plug connector system 10 requires little installation space and can be used to advantage in round installation spaces in particular.

-22 -Although a clearance or transition fit for securing the connector system in the mated state was mentioned above, particularly in Figures 8A-11 B, this is not the only possible implementation. The insulating housings can be configured with a similarly structured or at least similarly functioning locking system as in Figures 6A and 6B, i.e., they can have structures such as recesses or moldings that engage with each other to lock the position in a mated state.

Even if various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combi- nation in the figures, it is apparent to the skilled person -unless other-o wise stated -that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible or feasible ones. In particular, corresponding elements or feature sets from different embodiments can be used interchangeably.

-23 -Reference symbols 1, 1', 1A, 1A1 hermaphroditic insulating housing 1D partition wall 2, 2' electrical contact element 3, 3',3A, 3A' cable with conductor and sheathing 4, 4' snap-in molding 5, 5', 5A-5D Latching or locking arm(s), extension 6, 6' receiving and securing portion, or receiving and latching section plug connector system 11, 11' insulating housing (state of the art) assembly M Movement, plugging

Claims (21)

1. -24 -Claims Hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) for a plug connector (10) for direct electrical conductor-conductor contacting of two cables (3, 3A), wherein the hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) is configured as an elongated hollow body with an inner volume, and wherein the inner volume is configured to completely accommodate and secure at least one electrical contact element (2) of the plug connector (10).
2. 2. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of claim 1, configured with a receiving and securing portion (6) for receiving and releasably locking or securing an insulating housing counterpart (1'), the insulating housing counterpart (1') preferably configured with a similar receiving and securing portion (6).
3. 3. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of claim 2, the receiving and securing portion (6) having a plurality of recesses for receiving the insulating housing counterpart (1').
4. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of claim 2 or 3, the receiving and securing portion (6) comprising a plurality of mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements (5), the mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements (5) arranged substantially coaxially to a longitudinal axis, wherein the mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements (5) are integrally formed with the hermaphroditic insulating housing (1).
5. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of claim 4, each of the mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements (5) having projections at one end directed towards a central axis for engagement with a mating structure of the insulating housing counterpart (1').
6. -25 - 6. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of claim 4 or 5, wherein adjacent arm-shaped resilient elements (5) are each spatially separated from one another by a recess, wherein the recesses having a width corresponding to at least one width of the arm-shaped resilient elements or corresponding to at least one width of one arm-shaped resilient element.
7. 7. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of any one of claims 2 to 6, the receiving and securing portion (6) having a radially partially circumferential recess or projection portion (4) for locking the insulating housing counterpart (1').
8. 8. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of claims 5 and 7, wherein the radially partially circumferential recess or projection portion (4) is configured as a locking formation or locking recess and the projections are configured as locking hooks for engagement in the locking formation or locking recess of the insulating housing counterpart (1').
9. 9. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of claim 2, wherein the receiving and securing portion (6) comprises two elongated mutually spaced housing parts (5, 5A, 5B) integrally formed with the hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) and extend substantially parallel or coaxially to a longitudinal axis, wherein one of the housing parts (5, 5', 5A, 5A') is radially offset relative to the other housing part (5, 5', 5A, 5A').
10. 10. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of claim 9, wherein at least one of the housing parts (5, 5', 5A, 5A') is configured in a half-shell shape with two spaced-apart edges.
11. 11. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of claim 10, wherein each housing part (5, 5', 5A, 5A') is configured in a half-shell shape with two edges spaced apart from each other, the two housing parts (5, 5', 5A, 5A') being arranged such that the edges of the housing parts (5, 5', 5A, 5A') are substantially opposed to each other, so that the -26 -two half-shell-shaped housing parts (5, 5', 5A, 5A1) are open to each other along a longitudinal axis.
12. 12. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of claim 11, configured to accommodate and secure at least two electrical contact elements (2) in the inner volume, and configured to at least partially enclose each electrical contact element (2) by a housing part (5, 5', 5A, 5A').
13. 13. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of claim 12, wherein one housing part (5, 5', 5A, 5A') is configured in a hollow cylindrical shape for completely enclosing a portion of an electrical contact element (2) in a corresponding interior volume.
14. 14. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein one of the half-shell-shaped housing parts (5, 5', 5A, 5A') is configured to be partially flexible or resilient.
15. 15. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the two spaced housing parts (5, 5A, 5B) are configured to form a tight fit with the insulating housing counterpart (1').
16. 16. The hermaphroditic insulating housing (1) of any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising a molded-in or integrally formed part arranged in the inner volume for engaging with and securing the electrical contact element (2).
17. 17. Plug connector system (10) for direct electrical conductor-conductor contacting of two cables (3, 3A), comprising: -at least two hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') each formed according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') have similar receiving and securing portions (6); -at least two cables (3, 3A), which are each equipped with an electrical contact element (2, 2') at their cable ends and the respective contact element (2, 2') is electrically contacted on the connection side with a conductor of the cable (3, 3A), at least one electrical contact element (2, 2') being arranged in each inner volume of the -27 -hermaphroditic insulating housing (1, 1') and being enclosed by the respective hermaphroditic insulating housing (1, 1'), at least one electrical contact element (2, 2') being arranged in each inner volume of the hermaphroditic insulating housing (1, 1') and being enclosed by the respective hermaphroditic insulating housing (1, 1), 1'), wherein the hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') are further configured such that the receiving and securing portions (6, 6') of the hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') engage with one another for securing the position of the hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1) relative to one another and for electrical contacting of the electrical contact elements (2, 2').
18. 18. The plug connector system (10) of claim 17, wherein a number of mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements (5) of the at least two hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') is equal to one another.
19. 19. The plug connector system (10) of claim 17 or 18, wherein the hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') are configured to be rotatable about an axis of rotation with respect to their electrical contact elements (2, 2') mounted in the inner volume.
20. 20. Method for producing a direct electrical conductor-conductor contacting of two cables (3, 3A) using a connector system (10), comprising the following steps: -providing at least two hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') each configured according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') have similar receiving and securing portions (6); -providing at least two prefabricated cables (3, 3'), each cable having an electrical contact element (2, 2') at one cable end and being electrically contacted on the connection side with a conductor of the respective cable (3, 3'); -28 - - inserting the electrical contact elements (2, 2') into a respective inner volume of the hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1'); either -aligning the two hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') with respect to one another by rotating them so that at least one mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient element (5) of one hermaphroditic insulating housing (1, 1') is opposite the recess of the other hermaphroditic insulating housing (1, 1'); and -bringing the hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') together until mutually spaced arm-shaped resilient elements (5) of each hermaphroditic insulating housing (1, 1') are in engagement with the radially partially circumferential recess or projection portion (4) of the respective other hermaphroditic insulating housing (1, 1') , as a result of which the electrical contact elements are electrically contacted; or - aligning the two hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') with respect to each other by rotating them so that the housing part (5, 5', 5A, 5A') configured with the radially offset housing part (5, 5', 5A, 5A') of one hermaphroditic insulating housing (1, 1') is aligned with the non-radially offset housing part (5, 5', 5A, 5A') of the other hermaphroditic insulating housing (1, 1'); and -bringing the hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') together until the radially offset housing part (5, 5', 5A, 5A1) and the non-radially offset housing part (5, 5', 5A, 5A') are engaged to form a tight fit and until the electrical contact elements are electrically contacted.
21. 21. Kit of parts for producing a direct electrical conductor-conductor contacting of two cables (3, 3A) using a plug connector system (10), comprising: - at least two hermaphroditic insulating housings (1) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the hermaphroditic insulating housings (1, 1') are configured with similar receiving and securing portions (6); -29 - -at least two electrical contact elements (2), each configured for insertion into the inner volume of a hermaphroditic insulating housing (1).