Locking device for plug connectors

Abstract

A locking arrangement for plug connectors, comprising a first locking device and a second locking device. The two locking devices can be plugged together and engaged with one another. At least one blocking element is provided for engaging the first locking device with the second locking device. The blocking element is suitable for mechanical engaging and can be actuated and released via an actuator. In addition, another actuator is arranged in the first locking device or in the second locking device to protect against failure of the locking arrangement. The engaging of the two locking devices can be released by the actuator, even when the actuator fails. The first locking device and the second locking device are provided for use in a plug and a corresponding counter plug.

Claims

1. A locking arrangement for plug connectors, having a first locking device and a second locking device, wherein the first locking device has at least one blocking element, wherein the first locking device and the second locking device are capable of being locked to one another by the blocking element, wherein the first locking device has an electrically operated actuator adapted to act on the blocking element to unlock the blocking element, wherein the activator is in the form of an electrically actuated screw bolt, which is arranged in the first locking device in rotatable and linearly movable fashion, wherein the actuator is fitted on the activator and is arranged so as to be linearly movable therewith, wherein the locking arrangement has a limit switch adapted to be switched when the first and second locking devices are completely in contact with one another, wherein the limit switch is electrically connected to the actuator via the contact elements, and wherein the locking device has an opening configured for providing access to the actuator so that the actuator may be manually moved in the event electrical power supply to the actuator is interrupted.

2. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is in the form of an electric motor.

3. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is in the form of a linear solenoid.

4. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator is a pneumatically operated actuator.

5. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first locking device and the second locking device have corresponding contact elements.

6. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the contact elements are in the form of electrical contacts, pneumatic contacts or combined electrical and pneumatic contacts.

7. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the limit switch is arranged in the second locking device and is adapted to be activated by the first locking device.

8. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the limit switch is electrically connected to the actuator via the contact elements.

9. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the activator is adapted to act on the actuator and the blocking element is thus adapted to be unlocked indirectly.

10. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the activator is arranged in the first plug part and is accessible from the plugging direction of the first locking device.

11. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first locking device and the second locking device are each a plug connector module adapted to be received in a modular plug connector.

12. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first locking device and the second locking device have receivers, which are adapted to receive the locking device in a plug connector.

13. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first locking device has a first plug part, and the second locking device has a second plug part, wherein the first plug part and the second plug part are pluggable one inside the other.

14. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first plug part and the second plug part are pluggable one inside the other in a form-fitting manner.

15. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first plug part is in a form of a pin and the second plug part is in a form of a socket, or vice versa.

16. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the blocking element is formed on the first plug part of the first locking device.

17. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 16, wherein the blocking element is adapted to engage in the second plug part of the second locking device.

18. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first plug part of the first locking device is designed, together with the blocking element, as a so-called quick release ball lock pin, wherein the blocking element is in a form of a ball, and in that the second plug part of the second locking device is in a form of a receptacle for the quick release ball lock pin.

19. The locking arrangement as claimed in claim 18, wherein the quick release ball lock pin has two blocking elements in the form of balls.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) One exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a sectional illustration of a first embodiment of a locking device when separated;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a sectional illustration of a first embodiment of a locking device when connected;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of a second embodiment of a locking device when connected; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a locking device when unconnected.

(6) Some of the figures include simplified, schematic illustrations. In part, identical reference symbols are used for the same, but possibly non-identical elements. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows a sectional illustration of a locking device 1 in accordance with the present invention. The locking device 1 is formed from a first locking means 10 and a second locking means 20. The first locking means 10 and the second locking means 20 are in the form of plug connector modules, which are intended to be received in a holding frame for modular plug connectors. Two receiving means 19 are formed integrally on the first locking means 10 for the purpose of receiving said locking means in a holding frame, with it being possible for the first locking means 10 to be held in receptacles of a holding frame in a form-fitting manner by means of said receiving means. Correspondingly, receiving means 29 are formed integrally on the second locking means 20.

(8) The locking means 10, 20 are preferably produced from an electrically insulating plastic. Thus, electrical components can be received directly in the housings of the first locking means 10 and the second locking means 20. A first plug part 11 is formed integrally on the first locking means 10 on the plugging side. The first plug part 11 is embodied as a pin plug part and, together with a mandrel 16 and two balls which act as blocking elements 12, forms a so-called quick release ball lock pin. The balls are received in the front part of the first plug part 11. A securing sleeve is arranged around the first plug part 11 and holds the balls in the first plug part 11 and prevents them from falling out. The securing sleeve, however, is configured in such a way that the balls can protrude out of the first plug part 11 in regions.

(9) The mandrel 16 guided in the first plug part 11 has a narrow region and a broader region. In FIG. 1, the mandrel 16 is arranged in the first plug part 11 in such a way that the balls lie in the narrower region of the mandrel 16 and completely penetrate the first plug part 11.

(10) A sloping surface is provided between the narrow region and the broad region of the mandrel 16. By virtue of a movement of the mandrel 16 in the plugging direction, the balls are pushed radially outwards over the sloping surface, with the result that they protrude out of the first plug part (see FIG. 2). In order to enable a linear movement of the mandrel 16, the mandrel 16 has a thread on the rear side, in which thread a threaded bolt 17 has been inserted rotatably. By virtue of the rotation of the threaded bolt 17, the mandrel 16 is movable linearly in and counter to the plugging direction of the first locking means 10.

(11) An actuator 13, which may be in the form of a linear solenoid, a pneumatically operated actuator, or an electric motor is provided in the first locking means 10 for the rotation of the threaded bolt 17. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the actuator 13 is in the form of an electric motor. By application of a voltage, the electric motor, as actuator 13, rotates the threaded bolt 17, as a result of which a linear movement of the mandrel 16 takes place. Thus, the blocking elements 12 can be moved out of the first plug part 11 or into the first plug part 11 by means of the actuator 13.

(12) Furthermore, an indicator 9 is provided on the mandrel 16. The indicator 9 can be registered via a sensor 8 in the first locking means 10 and thus the position of the mandrel 16 can be determined. The sensor technology in the described exemplary embodiment may be optical, for example. However, other sensors with a magnetic or capacitive mode of operation, for example, are also conceivable.

(13) An opening 18 is provided on the rear side in the first locking means 10, said opening enabling access to an activator 15. The activator 15 is embodied as a threaded bolt and is for the linear alignment and fixing of the actuator 13 in the first locking means 10. The actuator 13 and the activator 15 have a rotatable connection for this purpose. In the event of a power failure, the electrical power supply to the actuator 13, i.e. the electric motor, may no longer be ensured. In this case, the activator 15 can be rotated via the opening 18 and thus the entire actuator 13 can be moved linearly. As a result, the mandrel 16 is also moved counter to the plugging direction, as a result of which the balls 12 can penetrate the first plug part 11. Thus, even in the event of a lack of power supply, it is possible for the locking means 10, 20 to be released.

(14) In addition to the first plug part 11, electrical contact elements 14 are also provided on the first locking means 10, on the plugging side. The contact elements 14 are only illustrated schematically in the drawings and can perform various tasks. For example, a limit switch 23 in the second locking means 20 can be connected to electronics or to the actuator 13 in the first locking means 10 via the contact elements 14.

(15) The second locking means 20 has a second plug part 21, facing the first locking means 10, on the plugging side. The second plug part 21 is in the form of a socket, which acts in a corresponding manner to the first plug part 11, in the form of a pin, of the first locking means 10. The first plug part 11 can be received in a form-fitting manner in the second plug part 21. In this case, the second plug part 21 is shorter than the first plug part 11. Thus, the first plug part 11 can be inserted so far into the second plug part 21 that the blocking elements 12 reach as far as behind the second plug part 21 (see FIG. 2).

(16) Contact elements 24 are provided on the second locking means 20 above the second plug part 21. The contact elements 24 which may be in the form of electrical contacts, pneumatic contacts or combined electrical and pneumatic contacts are for plugging and making contact with the corresponding contact elements 14 on the first locking means 10. The contact elements 24 are connected to the limit switch 23, which is arranged in the second locking means 20. The limit switch 23 is positioned in such a way that the first plug part 11 of the first locking means 10 can activate the limit switch 23 when said first plug part has been inserted completely into the second plug part 21.

(17) The actuation of the actuator 13 can be enabled by means of the limit switch 23. Thus, the actuator 13 can only be operated when the limit switch 23 has been activated, i.e. only when the first locking means 10 and the second locking means 20 are connected completely. This prevents undesired locking of the quick release ball lock pin in the unplugged state or during the contact-making process of the locking device 1.

(18) Expediently, the second plug part 21 is provided with a metal sleeve on the inside. This is primarily provided for protecting the plastic material. As a result, the plastic is not damaged during a plugging or separation process. Likewise, the blocking elements 12 can latch at the end of the metal sleeve in a better and more defined manner. Thus, a firm and precise fit between the first locking means 10 and the second locking means 20 is ensured.

(19) FIG. 2 illustrates the locking device 1 from FIG. 1 in the locked state in which contact has been made. The first locking means 10 has been assembled with the second locking means 20, as a result of which the first plug part 11 has been completely inserted into the second plug part 21.

(20) The motor acting as actuator 13 has been rotated to such an extent that the mandrel 16 has been pushed in the direction of the second locking means 20 via the threaded bolt 17, which is fastened on the rotor of the motor. By virtue of the linear displacement of the mandrel 16 within the first plug part 11, the blocking elements 12 have been pushed radially outwards over the sloping surface between the narrow and the broad region of the mandrel 16. The blocking elements 12 therefore protrude beyond the circumference of the first plug part 11 and jam behind the second plug part 21. As a result, withdrawal of the first plug part 11 out of the second plug part 21 is no longer possible.

(21) Only by virtue of a rotation of the motor into the original position (FIG. 1) can the mandrel 16 be drawn back and thus the blocking elements 12 moved back into the first plug part 11. A particularly advantageous feature of the embodiment of the locking device 1 in the form of a quick release ball lock pin is that the release of the lock operates without any faults even when there is stress between the first locking means 10 and the second locking means 20. In this case, the advantages of a quick release ball lock pin are utilized such that the balls (blocking elements 12) are still movable into the first plug part 11 even under the influence of force. In the locked state, they are only supported by the mandrel 16 in order to maintain the locking action.

(22) In the event of an insufficient, faulty or interrupted power supply to the actuator 13, emergency unlocking of the locking device 1 continues to be possible by means of the activator 15. By virtue of the activator 15 in the form of a screw bolt 30 being unscrewed, the actuator 13 fitted thereon is likewise moved counter to the plugging direction of the first locking means 10. Owing to the movement of the entire actuator 13, the mandrel 16 connected thereto is also moved in the first part 11 in such a way that the blocking elements 12 release the lock between the first locking means 10 and the second locking means 20.

(23) However, the described emergency unlocking only operates on the actuator side on the locking device 1. For emergency unlocking from the opposite side, a further embodiment is required, and this is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the emergency unlocking can be actuated from the side of the second locking means 20, which does not include an actuator 13. For this purpose, the second locking means 20 has an opening 18, which enables access on the rear side to the inside of the second locking means 20.

(24) In this exemplary embodiment, the mandrel 16 is formed in two parts. Specifically, the mandrel 16 is formed from a main part 16a and a tip 16b. The tip 16b of the mandrel 16 forms at least the broader region, which is provided for blocking of the blocking elements 12. In the exemplary embodiment shown, both the broader and the narrower region of the mandrel 16 are provided on the tip 16b.

(25) The main part 16a and the tip 16b of the mandrel 16 are connected releasably to one another via a thread. In the event of emergency unlocking (FIG. 4), the tip 16b of the mandrel 16 can be unscrewed using a corresponding tool through the opening 18. By removal of the tip 16b, the blocking elements 12 can penetrate completely into the first plug part 11. The lock between the first locking means 10 and the second locking means 20 is thus released and separation of the plug connectors is possible. In this exemplary embodiment, the tip 16b of the mandrel 16 acts as activator 15 for opening the locking device 1.

(26) This embodiment of the mandrel 16 enables particularly advantageous opening of the locking device 1 even when there is no power available for operating the actuator 13. Thus, faulty operation and technical failures of the actuator 13 can also be eliminated.