Connector with a coding device

0001The invention relates to a connector according to the preamble of claim 1.

0002A connector has a first connector part and a second connector part. In each case one of the connector parts is a plug part and one of the connector parts is a socket part.

0003A known connector with the features a) to d) of claim 1 shows the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US5273462A"><text>US 5,273,462</text></patcit> known. However, this coding device is specifically used only on relatively pivotable housing parts and optimized in terms of this.

0004A generic connector show the <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US3491330A"><text>US 3,491,330</text></patcit> and the <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="WO0062380A"><text>WO 00/62380</text></patcit>, the last-mentioned document still disclosing the feature f). The assembly and in particular an exact setting and adjusting the coding but are still too expensive.

0005The invention has the object to supplement the generic connector to a particularly easy to assemble easy to handle coding, which is relatively compact.

0006The invention solves this problem by the subject matter of claim 1 Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

0007After the characterizing part of claim 1, the coding elements include preassembled as a preassembled unit on at least one of the plug connector parts and the respective other connector part is configured such that one of the two coding elements preassembled coding device in the first purely axial mating of the two connector parts in / sets him, so that this coding element remains after the first release of the first mated connector parts alone by axial pulling on this other connector part, wherein the force for releasing the coding element from the other connector part is greater than the force which is necessary to separate the two coding elements from each other. In addition, this has one of the coding element on the type of feature f. Struts with lugs, which are shaped and designed so that the other coding element can be rotated and latched in different rotational positions in a receiving contour of a connector part.

0008By "axial" is here a straight mating and separating without the need to move one of the connector parts perpendicular to the direction of insertion and removal to understand.

0009This connector is particularly advantageous in terms of assembly and handling of the coding. Especially the mounting of the coding device is very simple. The coding device also builds very compact, whereby different codes are not realized by many different coding elements but by turning the same.

0010This also offers an advantage over the particular <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="EP1119229A1"><text>EP 1 119 229 A1</text></patcit>, From the<patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="EP1119229A1"><text>EP 1 119 229 A1</text></patcit> It is known to set a coding device with two parts on an electronics housing as a preassembled unit on an electronics housing, wherein after a placement of the electronics housing on a terminal clamp-like base support the one coding on the electronics housing and the other on the base carrier. For a generic connector with preferably rotatable coding this solution is not suitable because it is necessary to move the two parts electronics housing and terminal when mating not only in the plugging direction but also perpendicular to what is not feasible in generic connectors in the rule. This problem is solved according to the invention, since here alone by axial plugging and pulling a mounting of the coding device without additional movement perpendicular to the insertion direction can be realized.

0011The connector is designed for connection of electrical lines and / or light pipes and / or fluid lines.

0012As far as the arrangement of coding elements is described or claimed by way of example on a male and a female part, this arrangement is in principle reversible, ie the arranged in the following figures on the male parts coding could be arranged with appropriate redesign of the housing and the book parts and vice versa , The following description of the figures is not to be understood as limiting. The same applies to the use of terms such as "top", "bottom", "right", "left", etc., which may refer only to the respective representation, but is not to be understood as limiting.

0013The invention will be described in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. It shows:<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>Fig. 1a, b</dt><dd>various perspective views of a plug part of a first connector;</dd><dt>Fig. 2</dt><dd>a perspective view of a socket part of a first connector;</dd><dt>Fig. 3a-d</dt><dd>different views of a first coding element of a coding device;</dd><dt>Fig. 4a-f</dt><dd>different views of a second coding element of the first coding device</dd><dt>Fig. 5a-c</dt><dd>the coding from <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">4</figref> in the assembled state;</dd><dt>Fig. 6a, b</dt><dd>the plug part <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> each with two coding devices arranged thereon;</dd><dt>Fig. 6c</dt><dd>the plug part <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> with a coding device arranged thereon and a coding device before assembly;</dd><dt>Fig. 7a-c</dt><dd>the first mating and detaching of male and female parts with the first coding devices;</dd><dt>Fig. 8a-d</dt><dd>various other views of the connector part <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> with coding elements arranged thereon;</dd><dt>Fig. 9a-c</dt><dd>various other views of the female part <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> with coding elements arranged thereon;</dd><dt>Fig. 10</dt><dd>a perspective view of a plug part of a second connector;</dd><dt>Fig. 11</dt><dd>a perspective view of a female part of a second connector;</dd><dt>Fig. 12a-d</dt><dd>different views of a first coding element of a second coding device;</dd><dt>Fig. 13a-d</dt><dd>different views of a second coding element of the second coding device</dd><dt>Fig. 14a-b</dt><dd>the coding from <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">4</figref> in the unmated and in the assembled state;</dd><dt>Fig. 15a, b</dt><dd>the socket part <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 11</figref> each with two coding devices arranged thereon;</dd><dt>Fig. 15c</dt><dd>the socket part <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 11</figref> with a coding device arranged thereon and a coding device before assembly;</dd><dt>Fig. 16a-c</dt><dd>the first mating and loosening of male and female parts with coding on the type of <figref idref="f0014">Fig. 14</figref>;</dd><dt>Fig. 17a-d</dt><dd>various other views of the connector part <figref idref="f0010">Fig. 10</figref> with coding elements arranged thereon;</dd><dt>Fig. 18a-d</dt><dd>various other views of the female part <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 11</figref> with a coding element arranged thereon.</dd></dl>

0014A connector has a first connector part and a corresponding second connector part. They can be designed for mounting on housings or free cables / cables.

0015<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows as the first connector part, a plug part 1, which has a housing 2, are arranged on / in the plug contacts 3, which are formed here as pins. The housing has remote openings 27 for to be connected ladder. This plug part could also be referred to as a pin header.

0016<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> shows as a second connector part a female part 4, which has a housing 5, are arranged on / in the socket contacts 6 (not visible here). To recognize collar 28, which receive the socket contacts. Furthermore, openings for conductors to be connected can also be provided on the housing (not visible here).

0017The housings 2, 4 and the electrical contacts - plug contact 3 and socket contact 4 - form on the sides to be joined in each case a so-called mating face and are formed correspondingly such that the electrical contacts 3, 6 and the housings 2, 5 can be plugged together the electrical contacts 3, 6 conductively connect to each other (see <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref> and <figref idref="f0016 f0017 f0018">16</figref>).

0018Here, the plug part 1 and the socket part 4 each exemplify two of the electrical contacts. However, the invention is not limited to this but can also be used in connector parts with only one or more than two corresponding contacts.

0019In order to realize a mechanical coding function, the housings 2, 5 of the connector parts are here designed such that at least in each case at least one mechanically acting by its distinguishable shape coding element 7, 8 (see <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> and <figref idref="f0004">4</figref>) can be arranged and fastened, wherein the coding elements have a mutually corresponding, a mating permitting shape, so that they can each be plugged together to form a coding device 9 with the two coding elements 7, 8 (<figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>).

0020On the connector part 1 more coding elements 7 can be provided as only one if they have a corresponding number of contours for the arrangement of the coding elements 7. In particular, it is conceivable to provide one of the coding elements 7 for each electrical contact on the connector parts 1. The same applies to the female part.

0021Accordingly, the male and female parts of the type shown, each having two electrical contacts 3, 6, each provided with two coding elements 7, 8, so that on each of two coding devices 9a, 9b are formed (see, eg <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> and <figref idref="f0007">7</figref>).

0022Accordingly, the housing 2 of the plug part here in a particularly clear view in a housing projection 10 in addition to the plug contacts 3 each have a receiving contour 11 for receiving the coding elements 7a, b (<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>).

0023These receiving contours 11 are designed such that, viewed from the mating face, they initially have a cylindrical receiving section 12 and subsequently a non-rotationally symmetrical, preferably polygonal receiving section 13 which, by way of example, has an approximately square geometry with slightly curved side and corner regions.

0024The insertable into these receiving contours 11 coding 7 - see <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> - Have a rinkragenartigen / flange-like head 14, to which two struts 15, 16 are formed here by way of example at their end facing away from the head each have a radially outwardly projecting projection 17, 18, which are preferably formed tapered towards the end ,

0025The struts 15, 16 and the lugs 17, 18 are shaped and designed so that it is possible to easily compress them radially towards each other so that they in the cylindrical receiving portion 11 of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> can be plugged into it. Upon further insertion into the receiving contour 11, the lugs 17, 18 finally snap into the square receiving section 13, the spring legs 15, 16 again moving radially away from each other, so that the lugs 17, 18 are held in the receiving section 13 like an undercut. The head 14 rests on the housing 2. Thus, the coding elements are held captive in the receiving contours 11 (<figref idref="f0008">Fig. 8</figref>). The approaches could theoretically also extend inwards and intervene there in contours, if the receptacles 11 would be designed differently (not shown here).

0026The head 14 - see <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> and <figref idref="f0008">8</figref>) is provided with a non-rotationally symmetric Kodierkontur 19, which is preferably designed such that it may also be rotated once with a tool.

0027The coding contour 19 can therefore be designed, for example, as a non-symmetrical polygonal socket. Here, the Kodierkontur is designed as an arrow-shaped slot. The coding element 7 can be rotated in the receiving contour 11 about its longitudinal axis, wherein the receiving portion 13 is here shaped such that the lugs 17, 18 are noticeably latched in each of two of the four corners of the receiving portion 13.

0028Thus, the coding element 7 can be adjusted in four different, visually based on the arrow contour clearly distinguishable from each other positions.

0029This number of positions is advantageous, but not mandatory. It can also be formed two, three or more locking areas in the receiving contour 13. Likewise, the number of struts 15, 16 and the lugs 17, 18 is advantageous, but not mandatory.

0030The corresponding coding element 8 of <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> also has a head 20 which is adapted to be placed on a housing projection / part 21 of the housing 5 of the socket part.

0031The head 20 is plate-like and has on its one side mounting or here plug contours 22, here pins, which here exemplarily in opposite corner regions of the preferably polygonal, in particular square-shaped head 15 at its side facing the housing projection 21 (<figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref>) are arranged.

0032At the side facing away from the plug contours 22 side of the head 20, a Kodierkontur 23 is formed, which has a Kodierkontur 19 corresponding shape.

0033Here, the Kodierkontur 23 is therefore designed as a cross-section arrow-shaped pin, which is shaped such that it is preferably in the receiving contour 19 of the first Kodierelements easily clamped plugged. For this purpose, one or more ribs 29 may be provided on the pin 23.

0034During the initial assembly of the coding device 9, the orientations of the two Kodierkonturen 19, 23 at the male and female parts 1, 4 must match.

0035In order to ensure that from the outset the coding elements 7, 8 are in each case easy to assemble on the plug and socket parts 1, 4 in the appropriate orientation, the two coding elements 7, 8 of each coding device 9 are here designed such that they together on one of two connector parts are pre-assembled.

0036This is in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> and <figref idref="f0015">15</figref> shown.

0037For assembly, the two coding elements 7, 8 are preferably already plugged together during production into a pre-assembled coding device 9 (FIG.<figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>). In this position, the Kodierkonturen 19, 23 engage each other and the heads 14, 20 preferably lie against each other.

0038In this pre-assembled position of the second coding element 8 on the first coding element 7, the preassembled coding device 9 of FIG <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> on the connector part - in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> on the plug part 1 -, to be pre-assembled (<figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6c</figref>) by the coding device 9 is inserted with the coding element 7 on the front of the plug part 1 in the receiving contour 11.

0039In order to facilitate alignment, it is provided that, on the side of the head 15 of the second coding element 8 facing away from the coding contours,<figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref>) an actuating contour is formed, which is here designed as a slot, which in turn has an arrow-like shape, wherein the alignment of this arrow contour corresponds to the orientation of the Kodierkontur. At this actuation contour, the coding device 9 can be rotated on the plug part 1 in the preassembled position.

0040In the preassembled state, the plug contours 22 are from the head 15. The plug part is provided with a corresponding mounting contour, here with holes (eg blind holes or holes) 25, which are designed and arranged such that with any orientation of the coding device in one of the possible - here four - coding positions each of the pins form- / / or positively engage in the holes 25. Here, four of the holes 25 are arranged on the corners of an imaginary square, so that for each of the four orientations of the coding element 7 on the plug part a corresponding Montagekonturmusteranordnung, here hole pattern arrangement, on the socket part is present. This is particularly advantageous and structurally simple. The holes 25 are arranged here on a square projection 26, but this is not mandatory. The projection 26 provides a bearing surface for the head 20 of the coding element 8 (see <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>).

0041The head 20 could also in a correspondingly shaped in the housing 5, preferably not rotationally symmetrical recording, in particular catch contour, engage (not provided here, but in the embodiment of <figref idref="f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020">Fig. 10 to 17</figref> realized analogously).

0042In order to complete the coding or the first coding with the assembly of the coding device 9, it is only necessary, the corresponding connector part - in <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref> the female part 2 - on the first connector part 1 - in <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref> the plug part 1 - put on. In this case, the second coding element 8 on the housing 5 of the second connector part - in<figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref> the socket part 2 - fixed (eg latched), so that it when separating the two connector parts 1, 2 from each other on the second connector part - in <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7c</figref> at the socket part 2 - remains.

0043The force for releasing the coding element 8 from the second connector part 2 must therefore be greater than the force which is necessary to separate the two coding elements 7, 8 from each other.

0044In this way, the coding process is simple and quick to carry out.

0045With the two coding devices 9, 9 'of the <figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref> Sixteen different codes can already be realized in a small space. For example, with a pin header of three or four, the number of encodings in a confined space could easily be increased without the encoding system itself becoming more complicated.

0046<figref idref="f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020">Fig. 10 to 17</figref> show a kind of reverse variant, in which the coding devices 109 are preassembled with coding elements 107, 108 respectively as a preassembled unit on the socket part 104 and in which the plug part 101 is formed such that when first mating with the socket part "his" coding element 108 from the socket part 104 takes over. Otherwise, the male and female parts have the functions and elements of the embodiment of<figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Fig. 1 to 10</figref> on.

0047Here is at the socket part 104 - <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 11</figref> - Provided a receiving contour 111, in which a preassembled coding device 109 can be inserted.

0048In this recording contour 111, the coding device 109 is inserted, in which case a coding element 107 functionally analog coding element 107 in the receiving contour 111 with the receiving portions 112 and 113 can be inserted and latched in different positions.

0049The receiving contour 111 is axial (direction x in FIG <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>) longer than in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Fig. 1 to 10</figref>so that the shape of the spring legs 115, 116 with the lugs 116, 117 is different than in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Fig. 1 to 10</figref>, They are shorter because they are formed on a partially hollow cylindrical portion 130, which adjoins the head 114.

0050The coding element 108 is functionally analogous to the coding element 8 of FIG <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010">Fig. 1 to 10</figref>but is "absorbed" after joint pre-assembly with the coding element 107 on the socket part 104 from the plug part 101 at its first mating with the socket part 104.

0051The here stepped head 120 - here without pins 22 - is at least partially inserted into a corresponding, formed in the housing 102, preferably not rotationally symmetrical receptacle, in particular latching contour 125, and thus serves as the plug contour 122. The head is in four positions in the locking contour 125 locked.<tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><table frame="none"><title><b>reference numeral</b></title><tgroup cols="2" colsep="0" rowsep="0"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="36mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="23mm" /><tbody><row><entry>plug part</entry><entry>1</entry></row><row><entry>casing</entry><entry>2</entry></row><row><entry>plug contacts</entry><entry>3</entry></row><row><entry>female connector</entry><entry>4</entry></row><row><entry>casing</entry><entry>5</entry></row><row><entry>contacts</entry><entry>6</entry></row><row><entry>Coding</entry><entry>7, 8</entry></row><row><entry>coding</entry><entry>9a, 9b</entry></row><row><entry>housing extension</entry><entry>10</entry></row><row><entry>Up Silhouette</entry><entry>11</entry></row><row><entry>receiving portion</entry><entry>12, 13</entry></row><row><entry>head</entry><entry>14</entry></row><row><entry>Suspensions</entry><entry>15, 16</entry></row><row><entry>approaches</entry><entry>17, 18</entry></row><row><entry>Kodierkontur</entry><entry>19</entry></row><row><entry>head</entry><entry>20</entry></row><row><entry>housing extension</entry><entry>21</entry></row><row><entry>plug contours</entry><entry>22</entry></row><row><entry>Kodierkontur</entry><entry>23</entry></row><row><entry>actuating contour</entry><entry>24</entry></row><row><entry>arrowhead</entry><entry>25</entry></row><row><entry>head Start</entry><entry>26</entry></row><row><entry>openings</entry><entry>27</entry></row><row><entry>collar</entry><entry>28</entry></row><row><entry>ribs</entry><entry>29</entry></row><row><entry>plug part</entry><entry>101</entry></row><row><entry>female connector</entry><entry>104</entry></row><row><entry>coding</entry><entry>107, 108</entry></row><row><entry>coding</entry><entry>109</entry></row><row><entry>Up Silhouette</entry><entry>111</entry></row><row><entry>receiving portions</entry><entry>112 and 113</entry></row><row><entry>head</entry><entry>114</entry></row><row><entry>Suspensions</entry><entry>115, 116</entry></row><row><entry>approaches</entry><entry>117, 118</entry></row><row><entry>male profile</entry><entry>122</entry></row><row><entry>catch contour</entry><entry>125</entry></row><row><entry>cylindrical section</entry><entry>130</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>