Plug connector

Abstract

A plug connector which has a main body, an actuator, a latch, and a block. The latch locks a receptacle of a counterpart plug connector by a push-pull mechanism. The latch can be released by actuation of the actuator. The block prevents the latch from moving into a locking position, in the unplugged state of the connector, i.e. without the seated receptacle. Thus, the connector can adopt two static states, an open state and a closed state.

Claims

1. A plug connector, having a base body with a first side designed as a plug-connection face, and a second side designed as a power-supply side, an actuator configured to be shifted along the base body, a plug-connection region, and at least one latch, wherein the actuator is configured to assume a first closed position and a second open position, wherein the latch is configured to assume a first locking position and a second unlocking position, wherein, in the first locking position, the latch engages at least in certain places in the plug-connection region and releases the movement region of the first closed position of the latch, wherein, in the second locking position, the latch releases the plug-connection region and engages at least in certain places in the movement region of the first closed position of the actuator, wherein, in its first closed position, the actuator engages in the movement region of the second locking position of the latch and blocks the latch in its first locking position, wherein the plug connector has a block which is arranged in the plug-connection region of the plug connector and configured to assume a first blocking position and a second unblocking position, and the first blocking position, the block blocks the latch in its second unblocking position.

2. The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in the second unblocking position, the block releases the latch to at least in certain places engage in the plug-connection region.

3. The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug connector has at least one first spring, wherein the first spring effects a forced movement of the actuator into the first closed position.

4. The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug connector has at least one second spring, wherein the second spring effects a forced movement of the block into the first blocking position.

5. The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two latches are arranged so that they are distributed over a circumference of the base body.

6. The plug connector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least two latches are designed as a single piece and are connected to each other via a connecting region.

7. The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein latch is configured to move in a tillable or pivotable fashion between the first locking position and the second unlocking position.

8. The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first blocking position of the block is situated further toward a first side of the base body and the second unblocking position of the block is situated further toward a second side of the base body, wherein the block is configured to move linearly between the first blocking position and the second unblocking position.

9. The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first closed position of the actuator is situated further toward a first side of the base body and the second open position of the actuator is situated further toward a second side of the base body, wherein the actuator is configured to move linearly between the first closed position and the second open position.

10. The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug connector has a first display and a second display, wherein the first display is covered by the actuator in the second open position, and wherein the second display is covered by the actuator in the first closed position.

11. The plug connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the actuator moves from its second open position into its first closed position, the actuator exerts a force on the latch which effects a movement of the latch from its second unlocking position into its first locking position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and explained in detail below. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a view in section of a plug connector according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a view in section of a plug connector according to the invention, with a receptacle of a complementary plug connector;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a view in section of a plug connector according to the invention, with a receptacle of a complementary plug connector in the connected, closed state;

(5) FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c show different embodiments of individual latching means and

(6) FIGS. 5a and 5b show a plug connector according to the invention in different states.

(7) The drawings contain partially simplified schematic views. In part, identical reference numerals are used for the same but possibly non-identical elements. Different views of the same elements can be shown at different scales.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows a view in section of a plug connector 1 according to the invention along a plugging axis in an open state. The side shown on the left here forms a first side of the plug connector 1 which is designed as a plug-connection face, i.e. for contacting a complementary plug connector. The side shown on the right forms a second side of the plug connector 1 which is designed as a power-supply side, i.e. for the insertion and contacting of a power-supply cable. The plug connector 1 shown in the exemplary embodiment takes the form of a circular plug connector.

(9) The plug connector 1 is formed from a base body 2 which forms the first side and the second side of the plug connector. The insulating bodies and contact elements provided and accommodated inside the base body 2 are not shown in this and subsequent views for the sake of clarity.

(10) The base body 2 is surrounded by an actuating means 3. The actuating means 3 is attached such that it can be shifted linearly along the plugging axis of the plug connector 1 on the base body 2. The actuating means 3 can thus assume a first closed position and a second open position (which is shown). In the first closed position, the actuating means 3 is arranged further toward the first side of the plug connector 1, i.e. the left in this case. In the second open position (as shown), the actuating means 3 is arranged further toward the second side of the plug connector 1, i.e. the right in this case, as can be seen in FIG. 1. This advantageous positioning of the actuating means 3 serves primarily for handling when the plug connector 1 is plugged onto a complementary plug connector and pulled off it. The actuating means 3 is here always positioned in the direction in which the plugging or pulling-off movement is directed: when plugging in, in the first closed position in the plugging direction and when pulling off, in the second open position counter to the plugging direction. This principle is known as the so-called push-pull principle.

(11) In order to achieve compulsory locking of the plug connector 1, a first spring 6 is associated with the actuating means 3. The first spring 6 exerts a constant force on the actuating means 3 and the base body 2. The force is directed such that the actuating means 3 is constantly forced into its first closed position. Movement of the actuating means 3 into the second open position can thus take place only counter to the spring force of the first spring 6.

(12) In the front region, facing the first side, of the plug connector 1, two latching means 4 are accommodated on the base body 2, inside the actuating means 3. The latching means 4 are arranged in a bitable or pivotabie fashion on the base body 2. The latching means 4 can here assume two positions: a first locking position and a second unlocking position (which is shown). In the second unlocking position which is shown, the latching means 4 are arranged at least in certain places in the movement region of the actuating means 3. The latching means 4 are tilted radially outward and project at least in certain places in front of the actuating means 3, As a result, the latching means 4 block the actuating means 3. Movement of the actuating means 3 from its second open position into its first closed position is not possible.

(13) According to the invention, a blocking means 5 is additionally arranged on the plug connector 1, The blocking means 5 here has an annular design and engaging around the base body 2 of the plug connector 1. The blocking means 5 is provided in the front region, on the first side of the plug connector 1, and accommodated in a plug-connection region 10, The plug-connection region 10 on the first side of the plug connector 1 is designed for receiving and mechanically latching a complementary plug connector 1. The so-called receptacle, the plug-in socket of the complementary plug connector, is thus inserted and mechanically latched in the plug-connection region 10.

(14) The blocking means 5 is accommodated on the base body 2 so that it can move linearly between a first blocking position and a second unblocking position. The first blocking position thus lies toward the first side of the plug connector 1, and the second unblocking position toward the second side of the plug connector 1. A force is exerted on the blocking means 5, which forces the latter constantly into its first blocking position, via a second spring 7 which is arranged between the blocking means 5 and the base body 2.

(15) In the first blocking position shown of the blocking means 5, the latter is positioned in the movement region of the latching means 4. The blocking means 5 thus blocks the latching means 4 in their second unlocking position. Movement of the latching means 4 from the second unlocking position into the first locking position is not possible.

(16) FIG. 2 shows a view in section of a plug connector 1 according to the invention with a receptacle 20 of a complementary plug connector. The receptacle 20 of the complementary plug connector is here the part which serves for mechanically latching the plug connector 1 and the complementary plug connector. In FIG. 2, the receptacle 20 is partially inserted into the plug-connection region 10 of the plug connector 1. The plug connector is situated in the same open state as in FIG. 1. The receptacle 20 bears at the front against the blocking means 5 of the plug connector 1, which is situated in the plug-connection region 10.

(17) FIG. 3 shows a view in section of a plug connector 1 according to the invention with a receptacle 20 of a complementary plug connector in a connected closed state. In this closed state, the receptacle 20 is pushed further into the plug-connection region 10 of the plug connector 1. The blocking means 5 has also been shifted from its first blocking position into its second unblocking position by the receptacle 20. The blocking means 5 is here displaced counter to the spring force of the second spring 7.

(18) Because in this position the blocking means 5 no longer blocks the movement of the latching means 4, the latter is moved into its first locking position. In the first locking position (which is shown), the latching means 4 engages into the plug-connection region 10 of the plug connector 1 such that it engages into a recess or groove 30 of the receptacle 20. The actuating means 3 is likewise moved into its first closed position. In this position, the actuating means 3 blocks the latching means 4 in its first locking position. The latching means 4 is thus no longer able to release the receptacle 20. Locking of the plug connector 1 to the complementary plug connector is ensured.

(19) The contact regions between the latching means 4 and the actuating means 3, and between the latching means 4 and the receptacle 20 or blocking means 5, are designed such that the actuating means 3, receptacle 20, and blocking means 5 effect a movement of the latching means 4 depending on the position. When it moves from its second open position into its first closed position, the actuating means 3 thus exerts a force on the latching means 4, which moves the latter from its second unlocking position into its first locking position. In contrast, when it moves in the plugging-in direction, i.e. from the second side toward the first side of the plug connector 1, the receptacle 20 and the blocking means 5 exert a force on the latching means 4, which moves the latter from its first locking position into its second unlocking position.

(20) In the present invention, these interdependencies between the actuating means 3, the latching means 4, the blocking means 5, and the receptacle 20 effected a particularly advantageous locking, which defines two additional states of the plug connector 1. The first closed state in which the plug connector 1 is connected to the complementary plug connector. The latching means 4 locks the receptacle 20 and the actuating means 3 blocks the latching means 4. In the second open state, the plug connector 1 is open and not connected to the complementary plug connector. The latching means 4 blocks the actuating means 3 in its second open position and the blocking means 5 blocks the latching means 4 in its second unlocked position.

(21) FIG. 4 shows different embodiments of individual latching means 4. Thus, in FIG. 4a two latching means 4 are shown which are accommodated individually on a plug connector 1. FIG. 4b shows an alternative embodiment in which two latching means 4 are designed as a single piece. The latching means 4 are here connected via a ring. In this embodiment, only one part needs to be installed when assembling the plug connector 1.

(22) FIG. 4c shows an latching means 4 as shown in FIG. 4b but produced in a different fashion. Whilst the latching means 4 in FIGS. 4a and 4b are designed as solid parts, the latching means 4 is produced as a stamped and formed part. Such a type of production would be more economic for higher volumes.

(23) Lastly, a plug connector 1 according to the invention is illustrated in different states in FIG. 5. The plug connector 1 is shown in an open state in FIG. 5a, whilst the plug connector 1 is shown in FIG. 5b in a closed state. In the three-dimensional view, the only visible difference is in the position of the actuating means 3. In order to make it possible to visually identify the states, a first display means 8 and a second display means 9 are applied to the plug connector 1.

(24) The display means 8, 9 take the form of colored markings on the base body 2. Depending on the position of the actuating means 3, one of the display means 8, 9 is visible, whilst the other display means 9, 8 is covered. It is thus possible to identify the state of the plug connector 1 particularly easily.