ELECTRICAL PLUG CONNECTION

Abstract

A plug includes: a housing with a plurality of electrical plug contacts that electrically contact complementary plug contacts of a plugging module in a completely plugged-on position; and a slider movably attached to the housing, including first and second gear rack segments, and configured to engage with the plugging module such that, in response to a movement of the slider relative to the housing, a force is transmitted by the slider to the plugging module by which the plug and plugging module move towards each other or away from each other. A lever is rotationally mounted to the housing so that, responsive to a movement of the lever in one direction, the gear meshes with the first gear rack segment moving the slider in a first movement direction, and subsequently meshes with the second gear rack segment moving the slider in a second opposite movement direction.

Claims

1-11. (canceled).

12. An electrical plug connection comprising: a plug that includes: a housing, the housing including a plurality of electrical plug contacts; and a slider element movably attached to the housing and including first and second gear rack segments; a plugging module that: includes a plurality of complementary plug contacts, which, in a completely plugged-on position of the plug on the plugging module, electrically contact the electrical plug contacts; and is configured to engage with the slider element such that, in response to a movement of the slider element relative to the housing, a force is transmitted by the slider element to the plugging module, so that the plug and the plugging module are moved towards each other in a plugging direction or away from each other in a direction opposite to the plugging direction; a lever rotationally mounted to the housing; and a gear that is rotatable by the lever to, in succession, mesh with the first gear rack segment causing the slider element to move in a first movement direction in response to a movement of the lever in one direction, and subsequently, by a continued rotational motion of the gear, mesh with the second gear rack segment causing the slider element to move in a second movement direction opposite to the first movement direction.

13. The electrical plug connection of claim 12, wherein the first gear rack segment and the second gear rack segment are positioned relative to the gear such that: a first side of the gear meshes with the first gear rack segment; a second side of the gear, which lies essentially diametrically opposed to the first side of the gear (50), meshes with the second gear rack segment.

14. The electrical plug connection of claim 12, further comprising: a bearing element on the slider element; a countersupport element that is on the housing of the plug and that includes first and second guide walls that guide the bearing element when the slider element is moved in the first and second movement directions.

15. The electrical plug connection of claim 14, wherein the countersupport element includes a rib that forms the first and second guide walls.

16. The electrical plug connection of claim 14, wherein the bearing element of the slider element includes a rib arranged to slide on the first and second guide walls and on the second guide wall using lateral surfaces.

17. The electrical plug connection of claim 12, wherein the first and second gear rack segments are part of a single gear rack that includes a semicircular section connecting the first and second gear rack segments.

18. The electrical plug connection of claim 12, wherein the first and second gear rack segments run parallel to the first and second movement directions.

19. The electrical plug connection of claim 12, wherein the first and second gear rack segments are straight.

20. The electrical plug connection of claim 12, wherein the first and second gear rack segments are situated opposite to each other in the plugging direction.

21. The electrical plug connection of claim 12, wherein the slider element includes a sliding-block track: in which a pin attached to the plugging module is guidable; and that includes first and second sections oriented such that they cause movement of the slider element in the first and second movement directions to accomplish insertion of the plug into the plugging module in the plugging direction and disengaging of the plug from the plugging module in the direction opposite to the plugging direction.

22. The electrical plug connection of claim 20, wherein the first and second sections of the sliding-block track are connected via a bend in the sliding-block track at which the sliding-block track changes its direction.

23. The electrical plug connection of claim 22, wherein the sliding-block track has a zigzag shape.

24. The electrical plug connection of claim 20, wherein the sliding-block track has a zigzag shape.

25. A plug for an electrical plug connection, the plug comprising: a housing that includes a plurality of electrical plug contacts; a slider element movably attached to the housing and including first and second gear rack segments; a lever rotationally mounted to the housing; and a gear that is rotatable by the lever to, in succession, mesh with the first gear rack segment causing the slider element to move in a first movement direction in response to a movement of the lever in one direction, and subsequently, by a continued rotational motion of the gear, mesh with the second gear rack segment causing the slider element to move in a second movement direction opposite to the first movement direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG. 1A schematically shows a side view of a plug in a placed-on position, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 1B schematically shows a side view of an electrical plug connection in a placed-on position, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 2A schematically shows a side view of the plug from FIG. 1A, in a mid-position, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 2B schematically shows a side view of the electrical plug connection from FIG. 1B, in a mid-position, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 3A schematically shows a side view of the plug from FIG. 1A, in a completely inserted position, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 3B schematically shows a side view of the electrical plug connection from FIG. 1B, in a completely inserted position, according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] FIG. 1A schematically shows an electrical plug 12, which is shown together with a plugging module 14 in FIG. 1B, for implementing an electrical plug connection 10. Plug 12 includes a plurality of plug contacts 16, and plugging module 14 includes a plurality of complementary plug contacts 18, which can be brought into electrical contact by plugging plug 12 in a plugging direction R, onto plugging module 14. For example, plug contacts 18 can be provided in the form of a blade connector.

[0056] For example, plugging module 14 is mounted on an electrical device, and the plug is connected, e.g., to a wiring harness. Using electrical plug connection 10, the electrical device can then be connected to the wiring harness.

[0057] In FIG. 1B, plug contacts 16, 18 are schematically depicted next to plug 12 and plugging module 14. However, plug contacts 16 are situated inside a housing 20 of plug 12, and plug contacts 18 are situated inside a housing 22 of plugging module 14. Housing 22 of plugging module 14 includes a collar, onto which housing 20 of plug 12 can be plugged, and which then guides plug 12 in plugging direction R. The two housings 20, 22 can be made of plastic.

[0058] A slider element 26 is attached to plug 12. Slider element 26 is movable relative to housing 20 of plug 12, in essence, in a direction Q transverse with respect to plugging direction R.

[0059] Transverse direction Q can be oriented substantially perpendicularly to plugging direction R. Slider element 26 can also be made of plastic. In this context, slider element 26 is attached to housing 20, so that it can transmit forces to housing 20, in particular, in or opposite to plugging direction R.

[0060] Plug 12 further includes a lever 28, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation A at housing 20. A gear 50 rotatable with lever 28 about axis of rotation A is attached to lever 28, the gear meshing with a gear rack 52, which is provided by slider element 26. Gear rack 52 can be implemented as a recess or depression in slider element 26 or at a projection on slider element 26.

[0061] In this case, gear rack 52 is U-shaped (i.e., as a horizontal U) and includes a first gear rack segment 54a and a second gear rack segment 54b, which run parallel to transverse direction Q, and/or whose teeth point towards each other. The two segments 54a, 54b are connected by a semicircular section 56 of gear rack 52. In this context, a first side, that is, a lower side of gear 50 with respect to axis A in the figure, meshes initially with first gear rack segment 54a (the lower segment in the figure). Subsequently (in FIG. 3A), a second side, that is, an upper side of gear 50 with respect to axis A in the figure, meshes with second gear rack segment 54b (the upper segment in the figure).

[0062] Slider element 26 further includes a bearing element 58, which interacts with a countersupport element 60 at housing 20 of plug 12. Countersupport element 60, which is manufactured as a rib on housing 20, includes a first guide wall 62a (turned upwards in the figure) and a second, parallel guide wall 62b (turned downwards in the figure), which run parallel to transverse direction Q, and at which bearing element 58 is guided along by its lateral surfaces 64.

[0063] Bearing element 58 and countersupport element 60 are positioned in such a manner that gear 50 is not able to leave gear rack 52, irrespective of the position of gear 50 in gear rack 52, since bearing element 58 and countersupport element 60 are placed on each other in such a manner, that this movement is prevented. In other words, with regard to their dimensions (lengths, widths, diameters) and mutual spacings, bearing element 58, the countersupport element, gear rack 52 and gear 50 are matched to each other in such a manner, that bearing element 58 and countersupport element 60 keep the gear constantly in meshing contact with the gear rack. In the designing of the device, one skilled in the art can easily determine the exact dimensions in view of the figures and adapt them to respective purposes.

[0064] Using lever 28, gear 50 and gear rack 52, a reciprocating movement of slider element 26 can be generated by rotating lever 28 in a single movement direction B (here, clockwise).

[0065] This reciprocating movement is translated by slider element 26 into two partial movements of plug 12 relative to plugging module 14, which both occur in the same direction (that is, in plugging direction R or against plugging direction R).

[0066] In principle, first and second gear rack segments 54a, 54b can also be elements separate from each other (not depicted here). That is, they can be situated, e.g., on two gear racks separate from each other. For this, FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3A would need to be imagined without the semicircular connections. In this context, the transition of gear 50 between first and second gear rack segments 54a, 54b can then be implemented, e.g., via pressure or tension at the housing, in or opposite to plugging direction R.

[0067] To that end, as is shown in FIG. 1B, slider element 26 includes a plurality of sliding-block tracks 30, which can each be implemented as a notch or recess in slider element 26, or as two projections set apart on slider element 26. For example, sliding-block tracks 30 can be provided on an inner side of slider element 26, while gear rack 52 is provided at an outer side.

[0068] In this case, sliding-block tracks 30 have a zigzag shape. They can be equally spaced apart from one another. Alternatively, or in addition, they can run parallel to each other.

[0069] A plurality of pins 32, which are each constructed to be guided in one of the sliding-block tracks, are attached to collar 24 of housing 22 of plugging module 14. Pins 32 can also be spaced apart equally from one another.

[0070] It is also possible for only one single sliding-block track 30 and one single pin 32 to be provided.

[0071] Each of sliding-block tracks 30 includes a first section 34a and a second section 34b, which merge at a bend 36. First section 34a includes an entrance 38, at which respective pin 32 can be introduced into sliding-block track 30 in a starting position, and/or changes, at its end in bend 36, into second section 34b. Second section 34b ends at an end point 40 of sliding-block track 30, at which the pin 32 in an end position can no longer be moved further.

[0072] In FIGS. 1A-3B, it is shown how plug connection 10 is assembled by operating the lever 28. FIGS. 1A and 1B, 2A and 2B, and 3A and 3B each shows plug 12 or the plug connection at the same times of assembly.

[0073] FIG. 1A shows lever 28 in a starting position, while FIG. 1B shows entire plug connection 10 in a plugged-on position, in which plug 12 is put onto plugging module 14 and pins 32 are situated in entrance 38 of sliding-block track 30. Electrical contacts 16, 18 are not in contact. In FIGS. 1B, 2B and 3B, lever 28 is not depicted for the sake of clarity.

[0074] Lever 28 is now moved, for example, by an operator, in direction B. In this context, the first side of gear 50 turned downwards meshes with first gear rack segment 54a of gear rack 52 and pushes slider element 26 in a first movement direction S1 (thus, in this case, from right to left). In this instance, slider element 26 is guided by bearing element 58, which slides on countersupport element 60.

[0075] Due to the movement of slider element 26, the sliding-block tracks 30 running at an angle to movement direction S1, S2 exert a force on pins 32 in plugging direction R. Thus, these pins 32 travel along first section 34a of sliding-block track 30, until they are at bend 36, i.e., the transition between first section 34a and second section 34b, as is depicted in FIG. 1B. In this context, plug 12 is pushed in plugging direction R into plugging module 14, with a first partial movement.

[0076] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, lever 28 and plug connection 10 are now in a mid-position, in which plug 12 can already be partially inserted into plugging module 14, but plug contacts 16, 18 need not have established any electrical contact. In the mid-position, slider element 26 is at a maximum displacement from its starting position.

[0077] Gear 50 is now in semicircular section 56, which causes slider element 26 to be moved a (relatively short) distance in plugging direction R. Bearing element 58 is on the side of countersupport element 60 facing transverse direction Q and/or changes sides with countersupport element 60.

[0078] In addition, the pins 32 on collar 24 of plugging module 14 are situated in bends 36 of sliding-block tracks 30. The movement of slider element 26 in plugging direction R, which is caused by semicircular section 56 of gear rack 52, can be used for carrying pins 32 over from first section 34a of sliding-block track 30 into second section 34b.

[0079] In response to a further movement of lever 28 in movement direction B, the gear enters second gear rack segment 54b of gear rack 52. The second side of gear 50 (the upper side in the figure), which is separated from the first side by axis A, now meshes with second gear rack segment 54b. Due to this, slider element 26 now changes from first movement direction S1 to the second movement direction S2 opposite to first movement direction S1. With a second partial movement in plugging direction R, plug 12 is now pushed completely into plugging module 14.

[0080] Thus, the movement direction of slider element 26 reverses, since in response to the same direction of rotation (clockwise) of lever 28 and, consequently, of gear 50, the teeth on the lower side of the gear (first side) move from right to left, and the teeth on the upper side of the gear (second side) move from left to right.

[0081] The movement of slider element 26 ends, when the lever reaches an end position, as shown in FIG. 3A. As is depicted in FIG. 3B, pins 32, which have now traveled through second section 34b, have reached their final position at end points 40 of sliding-block tracks 30.

[0082] Plug connection 10 is now in a completely inserted position, in which plug 12 is pushed into plugging module 14 to a maximum degree and electrical plug contacts 16, 18 are electrically contacted. Slider element 26 is now in the starting position again, in which it takes up a minimum of space.

[0083] Disengagement of plug 12 from plugging module 14 can be accomplished by moving the lever in a direction opposite to direction B, during which plug 12, plugging module 14 and slider element 26 move in a manner opposite to the insertion operation.

[0084] During the movement of slider element 26, a force is applied to pins 32 by slider element 26, the force acting in parallel with plugging direction R and/or resulting in the insertion or disengagement of plug 12. In this context, sections 34a, 34b of sliding-block track 30 act as a mechanical force transmission, in which a force on slider element 26 along movement directions 51, S2 is converted to a force parallel to plugging direction R. In this instance, plugging direction R is approximately perpendicular to first and to second movement directions 51, S2.

[0085] In this case, the transmission ratio of the force is a function of the angle of sections 34a, 34b to plugging direction R (i.e., the local angle, at which pins 32 are situated in sliding-block track 30).

[0086] The two sections 34a, 34b can be straight and have, in each instance, the same positive and negative angle with respect to plugging direction R. It is also possible for the angle between section 34b and the straight line defined by direction R to be greater than the angle between section 34a and this straight line. During the insertion operation, this can be advantageous if at the end, a lot of force must be exerted in order to bring the plug contacts mechanically into contact. For example, if plug contacts 16, 18 are positioned in such a manner, that as of the mid-position, the plug contacts contact and are pushed inside each other, and thus, a higher friction force must be overcome.

[0087] In this case, a higher force transmission occurs in second section 34b than in first section 34a. If pin 32 is in second section 34b, then, for example, an assembler can apply less operating force (e.g., at lever 28) than with the pin 32 in first section 34a, in order to generate the same insertion force between plug 12 and plugging module 14. At the same operating force, the insertion force between plug 12 and plugging module 14 is greater, when pin 32 is in second section 34b. Conversely, the ratio of operating path to insertion path is less for second section 34b than in first section 34a. In other words, in comparison with first section 34a, in second section 34b, a relatively long operating path must be covered for a relatively short insertion path.

[0088] Finally, it is emphasized that terms, such as having, including, etc. do not exclude any other elements or steps, and terms, such as a or an, do not exclude a plurality.