PLUG CONNECTION DEVICE
20240014597 ยท 2024-01-11
Inventors
Cpc classification
H01R13/62927
ELECTRICITY
International classification
H01R13/629
ELECTRICITY
H01R13/533
ELECTRICITY
Abstract
A connector device including: a plug which has a plug housing and at least one electrical plug contact that is held so as to be insulated in the plug housing; and a socket which has a socket housing and a socket contact. The socket housing has an electrically insulating plug channel for receiving the plug contact, in which plug channel the socket contact is located. A sleeve is rotatably arranged on the plug housing or the socket housing. A slotted guide arrangement is operatively disposed between the sleeve, the plug housing and the socket housing. A slotted guide of the slotted guide arrangement has a separating portion having a slope relative to a circumferential direction. After the separating portion in an opening direction, a delay portion is located, which has a smaller slope than the separating portion.
Claims
1. A plug connection device, comprising: a plug comprising a plug housing and at least one electrical plug contact held in the plug housing in an insulated manner, a socket comprising a socket housing and a socket contact, wherein the socket housing comprises a plug channel configured in an electrically insulated manner in which the socket contact is arranged, for receiving the plug contact, wherein a sleeve is rotatably arranged on the plug housing or the socket housing, a slotted guide arrangement arranged to be effective between the sleeve, the plug housing and the socket housing, a guide slot having a separation section comprising an inclination relative to a circumferential direction, wherein a deceleration section is arranged after the separation section in an opening direction, the deceleration section having a lower inclination than the separation section.
2. The plug connection device according to claim 1 further comprising a spring mechanism that is arranged to be effective between the sleeve, the plug housing and the socket housing and the spring mechanism is configured to store movement energy during movement of the sleeve for separation of the plug and the socket in order to release the movement energy during a continued separation movement.
3. The plug connection device according to claim 1, wherein the plug and the socket comprise a latch device having a latch section and a first counter latch section and a second counter latch section.
4. The plug connection device according to claim 3, wherein the socket or the plug comprises a holding cavity for receiving a holding extension of the plug or the socket.
5. Plug connection device according to claim 4, wherein the latch section is arranged on the holding extension and wherein the first counter latch section is arranged at a first position and the second counter latch section is arranged at a second position in the holding cavity.
6. The plug connection device according to claim 3, wherein the plug connection device is configured so that the latch section is brought into engagement with the second counter latch section during guidance of a cam through the separation section.
7. The plug connection device according to claim 2, wherein during guidance of a cam through the separation section the at least one electrical plug contact and the socket contact are driven away from one another at least partly due to energy released from the spring mechanism.
8. The plug connection device according to claim 2, wherein the plug and the socket comprise a latch device having a latch section and a first counter latch section and a second counter latch section and wherein at a location along a separation path of the plug and the socket a force for separating the plug contact and the socket contact applied by the spring mechanism is larger than a friction force between the latch section and a support of the first counter latch sections and the second counter latch section.
9. The plug connection device according to claim 2, wherein a cavity is formed between the separation section and the deceleration section in which a cam engages, during an explosion between the plug contact and the socket contact, in order to inhibit or temporarily block a further movement of sleeve in an opening direction.
10. The plug connection device according to claim 9, wherein if the cam has engaged the cavity, the cam can be brought into disengagement with the cavity against a spring force of the spring mechanism, so that at least the spring force has to be applied for movement of the sleeve in opening direction.
11. The plug connection device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking section of the guide slot, wherein the separation section is arranged after the locking section in an opening direction, wherein the locking section blocks a separation movement of plug contact relative to the socket contact.
12. The plug connection device according to claim 1, wherein the guide slot comprises a release section that allows a further movement of the plug contact and the socket contact relative to each other in a separation direction.
13. A plug or socket for a plug connection device according to claim 1.
14. The plug connection device according to claim 2, wherein the plug and the socket comprise a latch device having a latch section and a first counter latch section and a second counter latch section.
15. The plug connection device according to claim 14, wherein the socket or the plug comprises a holding cavity for receiving a holding extension of the plug or the socket.
16. Plug connection device according to claim 15, wherein the latch section is arranged on the holding extension and wherein the first counter latch section is arranged at a first position and the second counter latch section is arranged at a second position in the holding cavity.
17. The plug connection device according to claim 16, wherein the plug connection device is configured so that the latch section is brought into engagement with the second counter latch section during guidance of a cam through the separation section.
18. The plug connection device according to claim 17, wherein during guidance of the cam through the separation section the at least one electrical plug contact and the socket contact are driven away from one another at least partly due to energy released from the spring mechanism.
19. The plug connection device according to claim 18, wherein at a location along a separation path of the plug and the socket a force for separating the plug contact and the socket contact applied by the spring mechanism is larger than a friction force between the latch section and a support of the first counter latch section and the second counter latch section.
20. The plug connection device according to claim 19, wherein a cavity is formed between the separation section and the deceleration section in which the cam engages, during an explosion between the plug contact and the socket contact, in order to inhibit or temporarily block a further movement of sleeve in an opening direction.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] Additional features and exemplary embodiments are derived from the dependent claims, the following description as well as the figures. The drawings show schematically and by way of example:
[0034]
[0035]
[0036]
[0037]
[0038]
[0039]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] An example of a plug connection device 10 is schematically illustrated in
[0041] In the socket housing 12 openings 17, 18 are provided which are part of the plug channel 16 (see
[0042] A cylinder surface is formed on the plug housing 14 that is orientated concentrically relative to the attachment or plug direction A. On the cylinder surface 19 a sleeve 20 (which can also be denoted as locking bushing) is held that can be rotated in circumferential direction (arrow U in
[0043] In
[0044] As also apparent from
[0045] A section of the guide slot 22 denoted as separation section 22b adjoins the locking section 22a. The separation section 22b comprises an inclination relative to the circumferential direction U. In other words the longitudinal extension direction of the separation section 22b comprises a component in circumferential direction U that is not negligible and also a component in axial direction A that is not negligible. The inclination or the angle is larger than an inclination of the locking section 22a that can be present. Due to the inclination, the separation section 22b includes a reflex angle with circumferential direction U.
[0046] In the illustrated embodiment a deceleration section 22c of guide slot 22 adjoins the separation section 22b. The deceleration section 22c is exclusively orientated in circumferential direction U in the illustrated embodiments. Alternatively, it can also comprise an inclination relative to the circumferential direction U that is less than the inclination of the separation section 22b. Consequently, the longitudinal extension direction of the deceleration section 22c can comprise a component in axial direction A (in separation direction) that is not negligible.
[0047] At its inner surface sleeve 20 comprises a cam 28 orientated toward the interior, as apparent from
[0048] Preferably a coupling between sleeve 20 and plug housing 14 allows an axial movement of sleeve 20 relative to the plug housing 14. In preferred embodiments sleeve 20 cannot only be rotated around the axial direction A on the plug housing 14, but is also movable in axial direction A on the plug housing 14. For this purpose a ring shaped projection 27, as is illustrated in
[0049] Preferably sleeve 20 can be slidably moved in axial direction A against a spring force of at least one elastical element 30a, 30b of a spring mechanism 30. The spring mechanism 30 is not illustrated in
[0050] While the figures show embodiments in which the guide slot 22 is formed in the socket housing 12, it is alternatively possible to form a guide slot 22 into the plug housing 14. The sleeve 20 can be held on the socket housing 12 accordingly. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible and different then illustrated in the figures, to form the guide slot 22 into the inner side of the sleeve. The cams 28 would then be supported by plug housing 14 or socket housing 12 respectively.
[0051] The embodiment shown in
[0052] The holding extension 33 forms a latch section 34 and on the holding cavity 32 a first counter latch section 35 and preferably a second counter latch section 36 are formed. The counter latch sections 35, 36 define two holding locations on respective flanks 35a, 36a during the opening or separation movement of the plug from the socket.
[0053] As apparent from
[0054]
[0055] For separating the plug 13 and the socket 11, it can be proceeded as follows (
[0056] Due to the rotation position of sleeve 20, cam 28 can be arranged at the beginning of locking section 22a of the guide slot 22. The cam 28 can be pulled or pushed into the cavity 26, e.g. by means of an elastically deformed element. The element can be the elastical element 30a, 30b of spring mechanism 30. Where appropriate, cam 28 has to be moved out of cavity 26 into the portion of the locking section 22a extending in circumferential direction U. The sleeve 20 is rotated in opening direction, whereby cam 28 is moved in circumferential direction U through the locking section 22a toward the separation section 22b. The separation section 22b adjoins the locking section 22a, which exclusively extends in circumferential direction U, by means of a bend 39 of more than 90, but less than 180 (reflex angle).
[0057] Illustration 4b shows the cam 28 inside separation section 22b. Because of the partly axial movement in the separation section 22b, the latch tooth 38 or the latch tooth 39 is further moved axially inside the first latch cavity, which forms the first counter latch section 35, and now abuts against a flank 36a of the first counter latch section 35, which limits the first latch cavity. In order to be able to further move cam 28 through the separation section 22b at this holding site, a holding force has to be overcome in that by pulling of plug 13 and socket 11 in opposite directions and/or (concurrent) rotation of sleeve 20 in opening direction (rotation in opening direction similar to a right-hand or left-hand thread) the latch tooth 37, 38 is urged against flank 36a so strongly that in turn the latch section 34 or the holding sections 33a, 33b are so highly deformed until finally the latch engagement between latch tooth 37, 38 and the first counter latch section 35, 36 is overcome and an additional separation path is suddenly allowed. Thereby, plug contact 15 and socket contact 16a are suddenly separated, which reduces the probability of spark creation and also the occurrence of contact erosion.
[0058] The plug connection device 10 is preferably explosion proof according to the explosion-proof category explosion-proof enclosure. Because inspite of the sudden separation of plug contact 15 and socket contact 16a, a spark formation and as a result an explosion between plug contact 15 and socket contact 16a may result. However, gaps between plug contact 15 and plug channel 16 are dimensioned so long and narrow that hot gas and/or particles can escape from the interstice between plug contact 15 and plug channel 16 at the very most cooled in a manner, so that they are cooled down previously to a non-ignitable temperature. In order for sufficient time to be provided for this and the gap is not opened too wide, so that hot gas and/or particles cannot sufficiently cool down, measures are taken according to the present disclosure that contribute individually or in combination to avoid this.
[0059] In case of an explosion, cam 28 can be pushed into the cavity 40 that is arranged at the beginning of the deceleration section 22c and a continued separation of plug 13 and socket 11 relative to one another or from one another is only possible when plug 13 and socket 11 are moved in the opposite direction sense (attachment direction sense, connection direction sense), so that cam 28 can be moved out of cavity 40 and then the sleeve 20 can be further rotated, so that cam 28 is moved through the deceleration section 22c toward the release section 22d.
[0060] Because of the less inclination of the deceleration section 22c relative to the separation section 22b, the axial separation movement of plug 13 and socket 11 relative to each other is decelerated at this location in order to provide sufficient time so that hot explosion gas and/or particles can cool down. Finally, the latch tooth 37, 38 is engaged into the second latch cavity 36 after the sudden disengagement of latch tooth 37, 38 and the first latch cavity 35 and a movement of plug 13 and socket 11 relative to one another in separation direction requires overcoming of a holding force between latch tooth 37, 38 and the second counter latch section 36, particularly a second flank 36a.
[0061] Even if cam 28 is guided through the deceleration section 22c into the release section 22d by rotation of sleeve 20, a final separation can only be carried out, if the holding force at the holding location between the latch teeth 37, 38 on one hand and the second counter latch section 36 is overcome by deforming the latch section 34 of holding extension 33.
[0062]
[0063] The embodiment according to
[0064] For separation of plug contact 15 and socket contact 16a or plug 13 from socket 11, the user rotates sleeve 20 in a rotation direction counter clockwise (opening direction) as the user is used to it for opening a right-hand threaded connection. Alternatively, the guide slot 22 can be orientated so that the user has to rotate the sleeve 20 in clockwise direction for opening, just as in case of a left-hand threaded connection. Prior to that it can be necessary to move the sleeve 20 a little further onto the socket housing 12 in order to move cam 28 out of cavity 26 at the beginning of the locking section 22a of guide slot 22 in order to thereby allow the rotation movement. Thereby it can be necessary to act against a spring force, e.g. of spring elements 30a, 30b of spring mechanism 30. The movement in axial direction A can be carried out automatically when the user rotates sleeve 20 with sufficient force and thereby overcomes the friction force between cam 28 and the wall of guide slot 22 at the cavity 26. The rotation movement is partly transferred in an axial movement in order to disengage cam 28 and the cavity.
[0065] Due to the rotation movement, the user guides cam 28 through the locking section 22a.
[0066] Due to a further rotation movement at sleeve 20, the cam 28 is guided through the separation section 22b. The guide slot 22 or the separation section 22b results in a forced guidance of cam 28 that in turn results in that a rotation movement on sleeve 20 is partly transferred into an axial movement of sleeve 20, similar to a thread. During the axial movement spring element or spring elements 30a, 30b of spring mechanism 30 is/are elastically deformed, as illustrated in
[0067] In embodiments, as illustrated in
[0068] The disengagement of latch section 34 and the first counter latch section 35 and the sudden release of the stored energy from the spring mechanism 30 or the sudden decompression of spring elements 30a, 30b is shown in the sequence in
[0069] In order to exclude incorrect operationfor example to exclude keeping the plug contact 15 and the socket contact 16a in a separated position, however, a position in which high contact erosion occursthe movement of plug 13 relative to socket 11 is partly driven by means of the decompressing spring element 30a, 30b in the phase of disengagement of latch section 34 and first counter latch section 35 and of engagement of latch section 34 and second counter latch section 35. The spring mechanism namely discharges its mechanical energy automatically, as apparent from the sequence of
[0070] This supports a movement of plug contact 15 and socket contact 16a relative to one another in separation direction, if they still are in contact or if the contact has just been separated, however, the plug contact 15 and the socket contact 16a are still so close to one another that increased contact erosion has to be feared.
[0071] If during separation of plug contact 15 and socket contact 16a an explosion between plug contact 15 and socket contact 16a occurs, the engagement of latch section 34 and first counter latch section 35 guarantees that the gap between the plug contact 15 and the socket channels remains so narrow that hot explosion gases and/or particles can escape from the interstice between plug contact 15 and socket contact 16a only sufficiently cooled so that an atmosphere outside the interstice, particularly outside the plug connection device 10, cannot be ignited. In addition or as an alternative, the cavity 40 on the deceleration section guarantees for this, as already described in relation to
[0072]
[0073]
[0074] The spring mechanism 30 can also be configured to store spring energy during connection or attachment of plug 13 and socket 11 by means of the same spring elements 30a, or an additional spring element, in order to release it for sudden establishment of the contact between plug contact and socket contact 16a. This can be explained as follows based on
[0075] The sleeve 20 is moved over socket housing 12, as illustrated in
[0076] For securing the connection, cam 28 can be guided through the locking section 22a in closing direction and can be preferably latched into cavity 26.
[0077] A plug connection device 10 is disclosed having a plug 13 comprising a plug housing 14 and at least one plug contact 15 held in the plug housing 14 in an insulated manner, having a socket 11 comprising a socket housing 12 and a socket contact 16a. The socket housing 12 comprises a plug channel configured in an electrically insulated manner for receiving the plug contact 15 in which plug channel the socket contact 16a is arranged. On the plug housing 14 or socket housing 12 a sleeve 20 is rotatably arranged. A slotted guide arrangement 21 is arranged to be effective between sleeve 20, plug housing 14 and socket housing 12. A guide slot 22 of the slotted guide arrangement 21 comprises a separation section 22b having an inclination relative to a circumferential direction U. In an opening direction after the separation section 22b a deceleration section 22c is arranged having a lower inclination than the separation section 22b.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0078] 10 plug connection device [0079] 11 socket [0080] 12 socket housing [0081] 13 plug [0082] 14 plug housing [0083] 15 plug contact [0084] 16 plug channel [0085] 16a socket contact [0086] 17 opening [0087] 18 opening [0088] 19 cylinder surface [0089] 20 sleeve [0090] 21 slotted guide arrangement [0091] 22 guide slot [0092] 22a locking section [0093] 22b separation section [0094] 22c deceleration section [0095] 22d release section [0096] 23 face [0097] 24 cylindrical section [0098] 26 cavity [0099] 27 projection [0100] 28 cam [0101] 29 cavity [0102] 30 spring mechanism [0103] 30a elastic element [0104] 30b elastic element [0105] 31 holding device [0106] 32 holding cavity [0107] 33 holding extension [0108] 33a holding section [0109] 33b holding section [0110] 34 latch section [0111] 35 first counter latch section [0112] 35a flank [0113] 36 second counter latch section [0114] 36a flank [0115] 37 latch tooth [0116] 38 latch tooth [0117] 39 bend [0118] 40 cavity [0119] 41a stop [0120] 41b stop [0121] 42 inlet [0122] A axial direction [0123] U locking section 22a