Electrical connector and connection

Abstract

An electrical connector may be provided for connection to a mating electrical contact in an insertion direction. The connector has an inner casing in which an electrical bushing contact having a locking element, which can be moved parallel to the insertion direction for setting a contact force, can be fixed to the mating contact, which can be inserted into the bushing contact. At least one axial end of the locking element may protrude laterally out of the inner casing. The connector also has an outer casing in which the inner casing can be accommodated. A locking element fixing means, which can be fixed on the outer casing in a stationary manner against movement parallel to the insertion direction and also engages in the axial end of the locking element, is also provided, allowing a movement of the inner casing relative to the outer casing parallel to the insertion direction.

Claims

1. An electrical insertion-type connector configured to mate with an electrical mating contact in an insertion direction, the connector comprising: an inner casing in which an electrical bushing contact having a locking element configured to be moved parallel to the insertion direction for setting a contact force is provided, the locking element being configured to be fixed to the mating contact, the inner casing configured to be inserted into the bushing contact in such a manner that at least one axial end of the locking element protrudes laterally out of the inner casing perpendicular to the insertion direction; an outer casing configured to accommodate the inner casing; a locking element fixation configured to be fixed on the outer casing in a stationary manner against movement parallel to the insertion direction and also to engage the at least one axial end of the locking element, thereby allowing a movement of the inner casing relative to the outer casing parallel to the insertion direction; and wherein the outer casing includes a locking element fixation guide, in which the locking element fixation is configured to be guided, perpendicular to the insertion direction, and fixed in the insertion direction.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the locking element fixation comprises a substantially U-shaped element including two opposed retaining arms, of which at least one includes an engagement groove, the engagement groove extending perpendicular to the insertion direction for accommodating engagement of the at least one axial end of the locking element.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the engagement groove is formed by a first retaining arm portion and a second retaining arm portion, the second retaining arm portion facing away from the mating contact in the insertion direction being shorter than the first retaining arm portion.

4. The connector of claim 2, wherein the retaining arms include a detent element on a side oriented toward the inner casing, the detent element configured be put into engagement with at least one mating detent element of the outer casing.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the outer casing includes at least one first mating detent element associated with a pre-detent position of the locking element fixation, and at least one second mating detent element spaced apart from the at least one first mating detent element perpendicularly to the insertion direction and associated with a final detent position of the locking element fixation, for entering into engagement with the locking element fixing fixation.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein in the pre-detent position of the locking element fixation, the locking element of the bushing contact is movable in the insertion direction past a free end of the second retaining arm portion and is configured to be brought into engagement with the first retaining arm portion.

7. The connector of claim 5, wherein in the final detent position of the locking element fixation, both the first retaining arm portion and the second retaining arm portion are in engagement with the locking element.

8. The connector of claim 6, wherein in the final detent position of the locking element fixation, both the first retaining arm portion and the second retaining arm portion are in engagement with the locking element.

9. The connector of one of claim 1, wherein the outer casing includes one inner casing receptacle part and one header casing receptacle part surrounding the inner casing receptable part on an outside thereof perpendicular to the insertion direction.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the locking element fixation is located in the header casing receptacle part.

11. The connector of claim 1, wherein the outer casing includes a fastener slide displaceable perpendicular to the insertion direction and configured to be brought into engagement with a header casing of the mating contact, and upon actuation, via a guide link formed on the fastener slide, the outer casing moves relative to the inner casing or vice versa.

12. An electrical insertion-type connection comprising a connector of claim 1 and an electrical mating contact, the mating contact being inserted jointly in the connector and located in a header casing.

13. The connection of claim 12, wherein a fastener slide of the connector is brought into engagement with the header casing, and a closing motion of the fastener slide perpendicular to an insertion direction effects a relative motion between an inner casing and an outer casing of the connector in the insertion direction or parallel thereto.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing exemplary embodiments in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Below, one advantageous exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained with reference to the drawings. These show:

(2) FIG. 1 an exploded view in perspective of an insertion-type connection of the disclosure, which is formed by the electrical insertion-type connector of the disclosure and a header with a mating insertion-type contact;

(3) FIG. 2 in a perspective view, a portion of the insertion-type connector with an inner casing and an outer casing, before they are inserted into one another;

(4) FIG. 3 a top view in perspective on the portion of the insertion-type connector in which the inner casing is connected to the outer casing via a locking rocker;

(5) FIG. 4 a sectional view of the portion of the insertion-type connection in which a locking element fixing means is in a final detent position;

(6) FIG. 5 a sectional view of a portion of the insertion-type connection in which the inner casing is unlocked relative to the outer casing and thus is movable relative to it; and

(7) FIG. 6 a side view in perspective of a portion of the insertion-type connector, in which a fastener slide engages the header casing in order to fix the insertion-type connector and the header to one another.

(8) The drawings are merely schematic illustrations and serve solely to explain some exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. Identical elements or elements with the same effect are all identified by the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) As used throughout the present disclosure, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “or” encompasses all possible combinations, except where infeasible. For example, the expression “A or B” shall mean A alone, B alone, or A and B together. If it is stated that a component includes “A, B, or C,” then, unless specifically stated otherwise or infeasible, the component may include A, or B, or C, or A and B, or A and C, or B and C, or A and B and C. Expressions such as “at least one of” do not necessarily modify an entirety of a following list and do not necessarily modify each member of the list, such that “at least one of A, B, and C” should be understood as including only one of A, only one of B, only one of C, or any combination of A, B, and C.

(10) FIG. 1, in a perspective exploded view, shows an electrical insertion-type connection 1, which essentially consists of an electrical insertion-type connector 2 as the first contact partner, an electric lead 3 connected to it, and a header 4, as the second contact partner, that can be put together with the insertion-type connector 2. Hereinafter, a uniform designation assumes that the putting together is done such that the insertion-type connector 2 is put together with the header 4 in an insertion direction S. The insertion-type connection 1 is especially advantageously suitable for use in a motor vehicle.

(11) The insertion-type connector 2 has an electrical bushing contact 2.1, of the kind explained in detail in the prior art mentioned at the outset, DE 10 2015 104 377 A1 or DE 10 2015 114 080 A1, which are incorporated here by reference. Accordingly, the bushing contact 2.1 has a bushing (not identified by reference numeral), a contact spring (not identified by reference numeral), a locking element 2.11 in the form of a locking bolt, and a flat contact cord (not identified by reference numeral). The contact cord is connected electrically to the lead 3. The locking element 2.11 is displaceable, parallel to the insertion direction S, in a guide formed by slits in the bushing; as a result, a contacting force inside the bushing of the bushing contact 2.1 can be adjusted. The locking element 2.11, for that purpose, is movable smoothly, parallel to the insertion direction S, between an unlocking position, in which the bushing contact 2.1 exerts either only a slight contact force or none, and a locking position, in which the bushing contact 2.1 exerts a contact force in the form for instance of a clamping force.

(12) The bushing contact 2.1 is received in an electrically insulating inner casing 2.2, manufactured of a plastic, which inner casing, on an end facing toward the lead 3 is sealed off with a first sealing element 2.21 in the form of a ring seal and closed with a cap 2.22. The first sealing element 2.21 and the cap 2.22 in the longitudinal direction form the closure of the insertion-type connection 1. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the bushing contact 2.1 is received in a bushing contact receptacle 2.23 of the inner casing 2.2 and is primarily locked there; the bushing contact receptacle 2.23, perpendicular to the insertion direction S, has two slitlike openings 2.24 in the form of recesses in material, in order to be able to guide the axial ends of the locking element 2.11 out of the inner casing 2.2. Because of the slitlike design of the openings 2.24, in which the slits run parallel to the insertion direction S, the locking element 2.11 can be moved back and forth completely between its unlocking and locking positions. For sealing purposes, a second sealing element 2.25 is located, adjacent to the bushing contact receptacle 2.23, on a collar of the inner casing 2.2.

(13) The inner casing 2.2 is received in an electrically insulating outer casing 2.3, likewise made from plastic, which can be inserted into each other parallel to the insertion direction; the second sealing element 2.25 then comes into contact with an inner side of the outer casing 2.3. The outer casing 2.3 furthermore has both an inner casing receptacle part 2.31, with corresponding lateral openings 2.311, 2.312 for leading the axial ends of the locking element 2.11 to the outside, and a header casing receptacle part 2.32, surrounding it on the outside perpendicular to the insertion direction, which are accessible from opposed directions extending parallel to the insertion direction S. In the inner casing receptacle part 2.31, the bushing contact receptacle 2.23 of the inner casing 2.2 is received along with the bushing contact 2.1 by being plugged into each other in the insertion direction S, and seals off this portion by means of the second sealing element 2.24, resting behind the bushing contact 2.1 on the inside of the outer casing 2.3. The header 4 is received in the header casing receptacle part 2.32 by being put together counter to the insertion direction S, and seals off this portion by means of a third sealing element 2.33 in the form of a ring seal, which rests on the inside on the outer casing 2.3 and on the outside of the header 4. The outer casing 2.3 furthermore has a separately manufactured locking element fixation 2.34. Locking element fixation 2.34 may include means for fixing. Locking element fixation 2.34 may be fixed to outer casing 2.3 in stationary fashion, and at least parallel to the insertion direction S. Furthermore, the outer casing 2.3 has a fastener slide 2.35, which cooperates with the header 4 in order to fix the header 4 and the outer casing 2.3 to one another in the assembled state.

(14) The header 4 has an electrically insulating header casing 4.1 of a plastic, in which casing an electrical mating insertion-type contact 4.2 in the form of a flat insertion-type contact is inserted and protrudes parallel to the insertion direction S. The mating insertion-type contact 4.2 in the assembled state, that is, the installed state, is inserted into the bushing of the bushing contact 2.1 and, in the locking position of the locking element 2.11, contacted and fixed by means of the contact force. On a securing flange (not identified by reference numeral) of the header casing 4.1, a fourth sealing element 4.3 is located, which longitudinally forms a further closure of the insertion-type connection 1. Because there are a total of four sealing elements 2.21, 2.24, 2.33 and 4.3, the insertion-type connection 1 is well sealed off.

(15) In FIG. 2, the insertion-type connector 2 is shown again in detailed fashion in a perspective view, in which the inner casing 2.2 together with the bushing contact 2.1 has not yet been inserted into the outer casing 2.3. It can therefore be seen that the locking element fixing means 2.34 is guided in a locking element fixing means guide 2.37 of the outer casing 2.3, and this guide is shaped between the inner casing receptacle part 2.31 and the header casing receptacle part 2.32. The locking element fixing means 2.34 is U-shaped, with two retaining arms 2.341, 2.342 that are complementary to one another and that are connected to one another via a base part 2.343. Each of the retaining arms 2.341, 2.342 has two retaining arm portions 2.3411, 2.3412 and 2.3413, 2.3414, respectively, adjacent to one another in the insertion direction S, of which the one that is forward in the insertion direction S (that is, is to the right in FIG. 2) is shorter in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction S than the other. Between the respective retaining arm portions 2.3411, 2.3412 and 2.3413, 2.3414, a central engagement groove 2.3415 and 2.3416, respectively, is formed in each of the retaining arms 2.341, 2.342 perpendicularly to the insertion direction S, and the axial ends of the locking element 2.11 engage them if on the one hand the inner casing 2.2 is inserted into the outer casing 2.3 and lock there and on the other the locking element fixing means 2.34 is in its final detent position (see FIG. 4). The engagement groove 2.3415 and 2.3416, respectively, is open only toward the interior of the U shape and toward the outside is covered by plastic material of the respective retaining arm 2.341, 2.342. Engagement grooves may include detent elements. Each of the retaining arms 2.341, 2.342, for being secured to the outer casing 2.3, has two detent elements oriented inward (that is, into the U shape): a first detent element, which may include engagement groove 2.3415, 2.3416, and a second detent element 2.3417, 2.3418, respectively, which are spaced apart from one another in a direction that is perpendicular to the insertion direction S. Each first detent element (e.g., engagement groove 2.3415, 2.3416) of the pre-detent position (see FIG. 2) and each second detent element 2.3417, 2.3418 of the final detent position (see FIG. 4) is associated with the locking element fixing means 2.34. The detent elements or engagement grooves 2.3415, 2.3416 and 2.3417, 2.3418, respectively, are each capable of being brought into engagement with a mating detent element 2.371 of the locking element fixing means guide 2.37 of the outer casing 2.3, and the final detent position, out of the pre-detent position, is attained in such a way that the locking element fixing means is moved farther in the same direction (see movement direction B in FIG. 4), past the pre-detent position, until the final detent position is reached by engagement of the second detent element 2.3417, 2.3418. In and counter to the insertion direction S, the locking element fixing means 2.34 is fixed by means of contact on both sides with the locking element fixing means guide 2.37.

(16) Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 2 that the locking element fixing means 2.34 and the fastener slide 2.35 are actuated in directions opposite, or in other words contrary, to one another, both of which are oriented perpendicular to the insertion direction S. The locking element fixing means 2.34 and the fastener slide 2.35 are here each located in a pre-detent position, in which they are held by a suitable detent means on the outer casing 2.3. It can also be seen that the third sealing element 2.33 is located between the inner casing receptacle part 2.31 and the header casing receptacle part 2.32, or in other words in the interior of the outer casing 2.3. In terms of the insertion direction S, the third sealing element 2.33 is thus located in front of the bushing contact 2.1 in the assembled state.

(17) It can further be seen from FIG. 2 that the inner casing 2.2, on a side (in FIG. 2, the upper side) offset by 90° from the lateral openings 2.24, has a locking rocker 2.26, of which at least one free end can be deflected outward perpendicular to the insertion direction S. Furthermore, the locking rocker 2.26, in its non-outwardly-deflected state, is in engagement with a locking opening 2.36 of the outer casing 2.3, as long as the inner casing 2.2 and the outer casing 2.3 are plugged into one another. Because of the engagement between the locking rocker 2.26 and the locking opening 2.36, the outer casing 2.3 and the inner casing 2.2 are not movable relative to one another.

(18) This can be seen even better in FIG. 3, in which the inner casing 2.2 is already inserted into the outer casing 2.3. Accordingly, the locking rocker 2.26 is in engagement with the locking opening 2.36, so that the inner casing 2.2 and the outer casing 2.3 are fixed against a relative motion to one another. In this pre-assembled state of the insertion-type connector 2, the inner plug face 2.27 of the inner casing 2.2 protrudes in the insertion direction S past the outer plug face 2.38. Viewing this together with FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, it can be seen that the locking element 2.11 of the bushing contact 2.1 is in its locking position, in which the mating insertion-type contact 4.2 of the header 4 cannot (yet) be introduced into the bushing contact 2.1, since the bushing itself is locked.

(19) FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a portion of the insertion-type connection 1, in which the inner casing 2.2 together with the bushing contact 2.1 and the outer casing 2.3 of the insertion-type connector 2 are inserted into one another, and the insertion-type connector 2 is (not yet all the way) inserted into the header 4. The inner plug face 2.27 furthermore protrudes past the outer plug face 2.38, so that the bushing contact 2.1 is in its unlocking position, and the mating insertion-type contact 4.2 can be inserted and later locked. However, the locking element fixing means 2.34 is in its final detent position, which can be seen particularly from the fact that the axial ends of the locking element 2.11 are located between two retaining arm portions 2.3411, 2.3412, and 2.3413, 2.3414, respectively, in the respective engagement groove 2.3415 and 2.3416. In other words, compared to the pre-detent position shown in FIG. 2, the locking element fixing means 2.34 has been moved in the movement direction B, as a result of which an undercut is achieved, counter to the insertion direction S, between the respective shorter retaining arm portion 2.3412, 2.3414 and the locking element 2.11. In the final detent position of the locking element fixing means 2.34, the locking element 2.11 is thus fixed both in and counter to the insertion direction S by means of engagement with the locking element fixing means 2.34, namely in particular with respective to the outer casing 2.3.

(20) In FIG. 5, which shows a sectional view of a portion of the insertion-type connection 1 in a sectional plane offset relative to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the header casing 4.1 has an unlocking rib 4.11, shaped toward the inside, which when the insertion-type connector 2 is put together with the header 4 in the insertion direction S comes into contact with the locking rocker 2.26, which is in engagement with the locking opening 2.36 and deflects it in such a way as to disengage it. In other words, when the insertion-type connector 2 and header 4 are inserted into one another, the locking or fixation between the inner casing 2.2 and the outer casing 2.3 is undone, and these elements can move relative to one another. In FIG. 5, it can also be seen that as a result of the motion of the inner casing 2.2 relative to the outer casing 2.3 and consequently of the locking element fixing means 2.34, the locking element 2.11 of the bushing contact 2.1 is now in its locking position, and therefore the mating insertion-type contact 4.2 is now held fixedly. When the inner casing 2.2 is unlocked relative to the outer casing 2.3, the fastener slide 2.35 is also unlocked relative to the outer casing 2.3 and can be displaced accordingly.

(21) FIG. 6 shows the insertion-type connection 1 now in the assembled state. In order to fix the insertion-type connector 2 on the header 4, a locking link 2.351 of the fastener slide 2.35 is in engagement with a locking element 4.12 of the header casing 4.1, as a result of which the insertion-type connector 2 is fixed on the header 4 both in and counter to the insertion direction S.

(22) Having described aspects of the present disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that further modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. All matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.