CN111989830B

CN111989830B - Electrical connector

Info

Publication number: CN111989830B
Application number: CN201980026393.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: R·瑙曼; L·威斯奇戈尔
Original assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd
Current assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-09
Filing date: 2019-03-08
Publication date: 2023-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-08
Also published as: DE102018105486A1; CN111989830A; WO2019170294A1; EP3763001A1; SG11202008790RA

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connector (1) having a plug part (2) and a socket part (3), the socket part (3) having at least one outer housing (4) and an inner part (5) which can be rotated relative to the outer housing, wherein the inner part (5) can be rotated by means of the plug part (2) inserted into the socket part (3). The inner part (5) is also designed as an adapter part (6) which has an adapter opening (8) for the rotationally fixed reception of a switching element (9) for connecting/disconnecting a load on an outer side (7) facing away from the plug part (2).

Description

Electrical connector

The invention relates to an electrical connector having a plug part and a socket part, the socket part having at least one outer housing and an inner part which can be rotated relative to the outer housing, wherein the inner part can be rotated by the plug part inserted into the socket part.

Such electrical connectors are known, for example, from EP1344286B1 or EP1208619B 1.

Previously known internal components are carried in the socket component so as to be rotatable between an off position and an on position. A substantially pin-shaped locking member is carried so as to be movable between a recessed blocking position and a release position projecting from the inner member. In the release position of the locking device, the inner part can be rotated between the off position and the on position. This rotation takes place by means of the inserted plug part.

In the aforementioned publication, corresponding to the connector, the plug member is connected so as to be in a current-free state before the detachment, because the removal of the plug member can take place only when the plug member has been rotated to the disconnected position beforehand.

However, in this prior art, the current inside the electrical connector is interrupted without the load associated with the connector being directly connected or disconnected. This means that in the electrical connector the characteristics of insertion and on/off are combined.

The object of the present invention is to improve an electrical connector of the aforementioned type such that a direct deactivation of the associated load can be achieved simply and that different loads can also be connected to other possibilities of connection and disconnection by means of the same connector.

This object is achieved by providing an electrical connector having a plug part and a socket part, the socket part having at least one outer housing and an inner part which is rotatable relative to the outer housing, wherein the inner part is rotatable by means of the plug part inserted into the socket part, characterized in that the inner part is designed as an adapter part which has an adapter opening on an outer side facing away from the plug part for rotationally fixedly receiving a switching element for connecting/disconnecting a load.

According to the invention, the inner part is designed as an adapter part. On the outer side facing away from the plug part, the adapter part has an adapter opening for rotationally fixedly receiving a switching element for connecting/disconnecting a load. This means that with a corresponding relative rotation of the plug part and the socket part, the switching element is also moved by the adapter part in such a way that the load is connected or disconnected, respectively. For this purpose, the adapter part has an adapter opening. This applies to the switching elements of the load. The adapter part can be replaced in a simple manner if other loads with other switching elements are used. The adapter part is of similar design in each case with the exception of the corresponding adapter opening, so that it can always be arranged as an internal part in the outer housing of the socket part.

Thus, there is also the possibility of using the adapter part in an electrical connector as described in EP1344286B1 or EP1208619B 1.

According to the invention, the direct connection and disconnection of the load takes place in such a way, wherein this can take place in addition to the switching of the electrical connector to a current-free state according to the aforementioned european patent document. This may occur, for example, with a time shift such that connection and disconnection of the load occurs, and then the electrical connector is switched to a no-current state.

In order to be able to adapt the switching element and the adapter opening to one another in a simple manner, these can be designed to complement one another. In one exemplary embodiment, for example, the switching element is a switching shaft, in particular having an angular cross section, wherein the adapter opening has a complementary angular opening cross section. Such angular cross-sections may be triangular, rectangular, or polygonal. Likewise, elliptical or oval cross sections are conceivable, which enable a corresponding rotationally fixed reception of the switching element in the adapter opening section.

In order to be able to connect the adapter opening with the switching element in a simple manner during assembly of the connector or during placement of the socket part at or near the load, the switching element as an on/off switch may protrude from the rear switching part in the direction of the adapter part. This also relates in particular to a switch shaft which protrudes as a switching element and engages with the adapter opening when the socket part and the rear switch part are assembled.

For arranging and replacing the adapter part, it can be arranged to be detachable on or in the outer housing of the socket part.

The adapter part can be arranged in the socket part independently of the corresponding plug contacts of the plug part, so that the adapter part is for example only a part of the inner part, wherein the inner part also has corresponding receivers for the plug contacts. Thus, when the plug is rotated relative to the socket part, a co-rotation of the inner part as well as the adapter part is possible. However, for the sake of simplicity of design, the adapter part may have through openings for the substantially pin-shaped plug contacts of the plug part. These through openings receive the plug contacts when the plug member is mounted on the socket member, and the adapter member is also rotated directly when the plug member is rotated relative to the socket member.

In this case, it is also possible for the adapter part to have insertion openings for electrical contacting of the plug contacts. These insertion openings are aligned with the through openings, wherein the through openings can also be the ends of the insertion openings. Arranging a corresponding number of insertion openings according to the connector used; see, for example, two, three, five or more pole connectors. This means that an insertion opening with a through opening in the adapter part is correspondingly designed for each plug contact.

In view of such an embodiment, no further electrical contacts are necessary for contacting the plug contacts, since such contacting already takes place through the insertion openings of the adapter part.

The rear switch member is associated with a corresponding load and is used to connect and disconnect the load. For this purpose, the rear switching part can have a switching device, wherein the switching device can be associated with a switching element for moving the switching device between an on position and an off position.

The relative rotation of the plug part and the socket part for switching on and off may have different rotation angles as required. For example, rotation angles of 0 ° to 120 °, preferably 0 ° to 100 °, particularly preferably 0 ° to 60 °, or 0 ° to 90 °, are preferred for moving the switching element. This means that the connection or disconnection of the load takes place via the switching shaft or the switching element, respectively, and thus via the switching means of the rear switching part, if the plug part is rotated by a corresponding rotational angle relative to the socket part.

At least in the disconnected position of the plug part relative to the socket part, the locking of both should preferably take place, which may take place, for example, by means of corresponding locking means. One example of such a locking arrangement between the plug part and the socket part is a bayonet catch.

Furthermore, in order to be able to identify the corresponding position of the plug part relative to the socket part and, if applicable, also to be able to indicate the connection or disconnection of a load, the plug part and/or the socket part may have rotation adjustment markings. For example, these indicate that the plug component is still loosely inserted into the socket component without a load connection having occurred. In another position of the plug part and the socket part, the corresponding locking of the plug part relative to the socket part and the connection of the load are indicated by rotating the adjustment marking.

Additional rotational adjustment markers may be used. For example, such a rotation adjustment flag may indicate on the one hand the connection/disconnection of a load and on the other hand the switching of the connector to a no-current state; in this respect reference is again made to EP1344286B1 or EP1344286B1.

In order to determine in a simple manner in which relative rotational position of the plug part and the socket part the connection of the load takes place, at least one rotation adjustment marking can be designed as an end stop. It is of course also possible that the disconnected position is characterized by such an end stop, wherein the plug part can be removed from the socket part in the disconnected position.

It has already been indicated above that the adapter part has corresponding insertion openings for electrically contacting the plug contacts. Since the adapter part is rotated relative to the rear switch part and thus relative to the switching element, it has proven to be advantageous in this case if the electrical connection lines for length compensation are formed between the insertion opening and the switching device while the plug part and the socket part are rotated relative to one another. This can be achieved, for example, by compensating a corresponding length of the electrical connection line for a corresponding rotational movement. The electrical connection line can be a flexible cable consisting of thin wires, wherein the corresponding connection technology between the electrical connection line and the switching element on the one hand and the insertion opening on the other hand ensure a permanent connection with the corresponding function.

The corresponding socket part may be constituted by a plurality of separate parts. For example, a spacer may be provided, in particular, extending substantially between the mounting flange and the rear switching member. An adapter is at least partially inserted into the spacer. The spacer may in particular be used for detachable fastening of the rear switch member. For this purpose, corresponding fastening channels, for example for unscrewing the rear switching element and the spacer, can be provided along the periphery of the spacer or also in the material of the spacer. This means that the spacer fixes the adapter on the one hand in the direction of the rear switch component and at the same time serves as a connector between the attachment flange and the rear switch component. Further, at a front end opposite the rear switch member, the spacer may have a guide sleeve guiding the rotation of the adapter member.

Furthermore, there is also the possibility of arranging a fixing at the rear end of the adapter part, said rear end facing the rear switching part. This serves to fix the plug-in socket introduced therein and the corresponding wires in the adapter part. In order to hold the fastening element in the adapter part accordingly, the fastening element can have spacers extending radially outward. In order to correspondingly allow the insertion of the switch shaft into the adapter part, the holder can have a longitudinal switch shaft opening through which the switch shaft can be introduced into the corresponding adapter opening.

It is likewise conceivable for the longitudinal switching shaft opening to have at least two different cross-sectional areas. This can be used, for example, to adapt the fixing at the front and back to different shaft geometries.

The invention also relates to a socket part of an electrical connector according to the previous embodiment; see, for example, socket parts with an outer housing, adapter parts as inner parts, adapter openings, etc.

In the following, advantageous exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector according to the present invention, angled from the front;

fig. 2 shows a socket part as part of the electrical connector according to fig. 1, with a rear switch part separated therefrom;

fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of the electrical connector according to fig. 1 without the rear switching member;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the adapter member;

FIG. 5 is a view of the receptacle component with the rear switch component tilted from the rear;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective oblique view of the receptacle component and the adapter component;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the spacer inclined from the front, and

fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the fixing member inclined from the side.

In fig. 1 a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector 1 is shown, which is tilted from the front. The electrical connector comprises a plug part 2 and a socket part 3. These are shown in an interconnected arrangement in fig. 1. The plug part 2 has an opening for a cable (not shown) at its front end. Which is inserted into the plug part 2 and is connected there to corresponding, in particular pin-shaped, plug contacts 13; see also fig. 3 in this regard. The locking of the plug part 2 and the socket part 3 takes place by means of corresponding fastening parts, which in the exemplary embodiment shown are embodied as bayonet catches 17; see again fig. 3.

Relative rotation of the plug part and the socket part by a rotation angle 16 occurs to secure the plug part 2 to the socket part 3 and for a corresponding switching of the rear switch part 11 visible at the rear end of the socket part 3. For example, the angle of rotation is between 20 ° and 120 °, preferably between 40 ° and 100 °, and particularly preferably between 60 ° and 90 °. The rotation adjustment mark 18 may be formed at the front end of the socket part 3 or may also be formed at the plug part 2 to establish the rotation angle 16 accordingly. The rotation adjustment marking can in particular have an end stop 19 which for example fixes the locking position and the connection position of the plug part 2 relative to the socket part 3. A corresponding additional end stop may be formed at the other end of the rotational angle 16.

According to fig. 1, the socket part 3 is open at its front end, wherein a corresponding cover 21 is arranged laterally next to the socket part 3. For fastening the socket part 3 to a switch box, a device or the like, the socket part has a fastening flange 22 projecting radially between the socket part 3 and the rear switch part 11. The rear switch member 11 is basically part of a switch box, a device or the like and is here shown together with the electrical connector 1. The rear switch member 11 includes a corresponding switch device 15 that is turned on/off by rotation of the plug member 2, thereby activating/deactivating a corresponding device in a switch box, a device, or the like. An example of such a device is a motor which is not only powered through the electrical connector 1 but which can also be switched on and off through the electrical connector 1.

In fig. 2, the socket part 3 and the rear switch part 11 of fig. 1 are shown separately and separated from each other. In this case, the receptacle part 3 is closed at its front end by the fitted and locked cover 21. Which is mounted on the socket part 3 so as to be able to pivot laterally. In particular, the socket part 3 has an outer housing 4, the rear end of which is formed with a corresponding fastening flange 22. Arranged inside the outer housing 4 is an inner part 5 (see fig. 3) which is mounted in the outer housing 4 so as to be rotatable. The rear switch member 11 has corresponding electrical connections for the electrical connection lines of the socket member 3 and a switch shaft 10 as a switching element 9 directed in the direction of the socket member 3 at its front end. The switch shaft 10 protrudes in the direction of the socket part 3; see also fig. 3, where the switch shaft 10 is depicted as being separate and without the rear switch member 11.

The switching shaft 11 according to fig. 2 has a rectangular cross section. In the assembled state according to fig. 1, the switch shaft is received so as to be rotationally fixed in a corresponding opening in the socket part 3. Other cross sections of the switching shaft 10 or the switching element 9 are also possible, such as a triangular cross section, a pentagonal cross section, a polygonal cross section, or other cross sections, wherein a rotationally fixed arrangement in corresponding complementary openings in the socket part 3 is also possible.

The activation/deactivation of the switching means 15 inside the rear switching member 11 takes place by rotating the switching element 9 clockwise or counterclockwise.

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal cross section through the electrical connector 1 according to fig. 1, wherein for the sake of simplicity the rear switching member 11 (see fig. 1 and 2) is not shown and only the switching shaft 10 thereof is visible as switching element 9.

The plug part 2 is usually designed such that reference is only made to parts required in the context of the actuation of the socket part 3 and the corresponding switching element 9. This involves, for example, a rotating sleeve 23 which is mounted on the rear end of the plug part 2 so as to be rotatable and can be fastened to the socket part 3 by closure means, in particular bayonet catches 17, so as to be detachable. This is possible in the inserted position of the plug part 2 in the socket part 3; see fig. 3. In this position, the corresponding pin-shaped plug contacts 13 of the plug part are inserted into the insertion openings 14 in the inner part 5 of the socket part 3. The insertion opening 14 has a through-opening 12 on its side facing the plug part 2. The inner part 5 is designed as an adapter part 6, which is selected according to the switching element 9 used. The adapter part 6 is fastened so as to be detachable as the inner part 5 in the outer housing 4 of the socket part 3. Corresponding insertion openings 14 and through openings 12 are likewise formed in the adapter part 6. Furthermore, this has an adapter opening 8 on its outer part 7, which faces away from the plug part 2, into which adapter opening the switch shaft 10 is inserted in order to be rotationally fixed.

Other possibilities for a rotationally fixed connection between the adapter part 6 and the switching element 9 are conceivable, such as a projection on the outer side 7 of the socket part which engages in a corresponding recess on the front end of the rear switching part 11, the driver or the like, which recess upon rotation of the adapter part 6 produces a corresponding rotation of the switching element 9 of the rear switching part 11.

The adapter part 6 is in particular used for such a rotationally fixed connection between the adapter part 6 and the corresponding switching element 9 of the rear switching part 11, wherein it is however also used for the electrical connection of the electrical connector 1 and the rear switching part 11; in this regard, see the through opening 12 and the insertion opening 14. The insertion hole 14 is connected to the rear switch member 11 through an electrical connection wire 20. If the adapter part 6 is rotated relative to the rear switch part 11 to switch the switching device 15 on and off, the electrical connection lines are designed such that a corresponding length compensation is possible. For example, the electrical connection line can be designed as a flexible cable made of thin wires, which cable ensures a stable connection and function between the socket part 3 and the switching device 15 by means of a corresponding connection technology. The driving of the adapter part 6 upon rotation of the plug part 2 substantially follows the pin-shaped plug contacts 13 and their contact with the insertion openings 14.

However, it is also conceivable to arrange a further drive between the plug part 2 and the adapter part 6, which drives the adapter part 6 in both rotational directions in the event of a rotation of the plug part 2.

Fig. 4 shows a front view of the adapter part 6 according to fig. 3. In particular, the insertion opening 14 with the through opening 12 is visible at its open end. In the example shown, five such insertion holes 14 are visible, so that in this case a five-pole connection can be established between the plug part and the socket part. Other numbers of poles are also possible, such as two poles, three poles, or even another number. An adapter opening 8 is arranged substantially centrally in the adapter part 6, which adapter opening is designed to receive a complementarily shaped switching element 9; see the switch shaft 10 according to fig. 3.

As already further described above, additional cross sections of the adapter openings 8 are possible, as long as these are adapted to rotationally fixedly receive the corresponding switching elements 9.

In fig. 5 is shown a perspective view of the socket part 3 with the rear switch part 11 tilted from the rear. In this case, the socket part 3 is fastened to the rear switch part so as to be detachable. Further, the closing cover 21 is fitted to the socket part 3. In this way, the socket part 3 is fastened, for example, on a corresponding switch box, device or the like and, after insertion of the corresponding plug part 2, is used both for supplying the device with electricity and for switching on/off by the interaction of the adapter part 6 and the switching element 9.

The corresponding fastening flange 22 is used to fasten the plug part 2 to the outside of a housing or the like of a corresponding device.

The electrical contact takes place directly from the plug part 2 to the rear switch part 11 and is not visible in fig. 5, since this takes place in the interior between the socket part and the rear switch part 11. On the rear side of the rear switching part 11, only the corresponding terminal contacts are visible, which may, for example, establish an electrical connection with other devices of the apparatus (e.g. a motor, etc.).

Furthermore, a spacer 24 as part of the socket part 3 is visible in fig. 5. Which extends substantially between the mounting flange 22 and the rear switch member 11. The spacer 24 has a laterally protruding fastening channel 26 for fastening the rear switch member 11 to the socket member 3 in a releasable manner; see also fig. 7. At its front end opposite the rear switch part, the spacer 24 has a guide sleeve 27 which has a smaller diameter than the rest of the spacer and serves to support the adapter part 6 during its rotation.

The corresponding part of the spacer 24 is shown enlarged in fig. 7 and in a side view inclined from the front.

Fig. 6 shows the socket part 3 without the rear switch part in an exploded view. In particular, the inner part 5 or the adapter part 6 is removed from the spacer 24 and the corresponding plug-in socket 3 with the connected electrical connection line 20 is shown separately also at the rear end of the adapter part 6.

In fig. 7, it can also be seen that the spacer 24 has a rotation groove 31 which extends partially in the circumferential direction of the spacer 24. The bearing elements of the socket part can be inserted into this rotary slot 31.

In fig. 8 is shown a perspective view of the fixing member 25 inclined from the front. This can be used in the adapter part 6, which on its back side faces the rear switch part 11. The fixing element 25 serves to fix a corresponding plug-in socket 30 with the connected electrical connection line 20 in the adapter part 6. The fixture has a spacer 28 projecting radially outward and a centrally located longitudinal switch shaft opening 29. The switch shaft 10 can be guided through this switch shaft opening and can be inserted into the corresponding adapter opening 8.

As mentioned above, the spacer 24 is in particular used for fixing the corresponding rear part in the longitudinal direction by means of a detachable connection between the spacer and the rear switching part. When the plug part 2 (see fig. 1) is rotated, the pins of the plug part (see plug contacts 13 according to fig. 3) transmit a corresponding force via the adapter part 6 to the switching shaft 10 of the rear switching part 11.

According to the invention, by using the adapter part, the activation/deactivation of the corresponding device can be carried out in a simple manner by rotation of the plug part relative to the socket part. In particular, this is illustrated in fig. 1 by the associated rotation angle 16. In the first position of the plug part 2, the plug contacts 13 are inserted into the socket part by engagement in the corresponding insertion openings 14. Subsequently, the plug part 2 is rotated relative to the socket part 3, whereby a co-rotation of the adapter part 6 takes place. The adapter part 6 is in rotationally fixed engagement with the switching element 9 of the rear switching part 11, so that this is likewise co-rotating and can be adjusted by rotation of the plug part 2 or the adapter part 6 between the on position and the off position. This means that the corresponding electrical device, such as a motor or the like, is directly activated and deactivated by the electrical connector according to the invention via the switching shaft or the switching element and the switching means of the rear switching member.

Claims

1. An electrical connector (1) having a plug part (2) and a socket part (3), the socket part (3) having at least one outer housing (4) and an inner part (5) which is rotatable relative to the outer housing, wherein the inner part (5) is rotatable by means of the plug part (2) inserted into the socket part (3), characterized in that the inner part (5) is designed as an adapter part (6) which has an adapter opening (8) on an outer side (7) facing away from the plug part (2) for the rotationally fixed reception of a switching element (9) for connecting/disconnecting a load; and the switching element (9) as an on/off switch protrudes from the rear switching part (11) in the direction of the adapter part (6), and the adapter opening (8) and the switching element (9) are designed to complement each other.

2. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the switching element (9) is a switching shaft (10), in particular having an angular cross section.

3. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter part (6) is arranged on or in the outer housing (4) so as to be detachable.

4. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter part (6) has a through opening (12) for a pin-shaped plug contact (13) of the plug part (2).

5. Electrical connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the adapter part (6) has an insertion opening (14) for electrically contacting the plug contact (13).

6. Electrical connector according to claim 5, characterized in that a switching device (15) of the rear switching member (11) for adjustment between an on position and an off position is associated with the switching element (9).

7. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of rotation (16) for the relative adjustment of the plug part (2) and the socket part (3) is 20 ° to 120 °.

8. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that locking means are formed between the plug part (2) and the socket part (3).

9. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the adapter part (6) is arranged in a spacer (24) at the rear end of the socket part (3).

10. Electrical connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the spacer (24) is arranged between a fastening flange (22) and the rear switch member (11), and is in particular designed for fastening the rear switch member (11) so as to be detachable.

11. Electrical connector according to claim 10, characterized in that the spacer (24) has a guide sleeve (27) on its side facing away from the rear switching part (11).

12. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the holder (25) in the adapter part (6) is used for fixing a plug-in socket (30).

13. Electrical connector according to claim 12, characterized in that the fixing member (25) has a radially outwardly protruding spacer (28) and a central longitudinal switch shaft opening (29).

14. Electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug part (2) and/or the socket part (3) are provided with rotation adjustment markings (18).

15. Electrical connector according to claim 14, characterized in that the at least one rotation adjustment marking (18) is formed as an end stop (19).

16. Electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that an electrical connection line (20) is formed between the insertion opening (14) and the switching device (15) for length compensation during rotation of the plug part (2) and the socket part (3) relative to each other.

17. Electrical connector according to claim 13, characterized in that the longitudinal switch axis opening (29) has at least two different cross-sectional areas.

18. Electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the rotation angle (16) is 40 ° to 100 °.

19. Electrical connector according to claim 7, characterized in that the rotation angle (16) is 60 ° to 90 °.

20. Electrical connector according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking means are bayonet catches (17).

21. The socket part (3) of an electrical connector (1) according to any of the preceding claims.