Electrical connector having additional locking

Abstract: This invention relates to a connector having a two-part casing (1, 2) whose parts are adapted to be plugged together, the first casing part (1) engaging at least to some extent by way of a collar (3) around the second casing part (2) in the plugged-together position; and an additional latchable locking means (4, 5) disposed on the two casing parts (1, 2). The additional locking means comprises: a catch projection (4) disposed on the collar surface (3); a locking arm (5) secured to the second casing part (2) and co-operating with the catch projection (4), and a slide (7) as a means for securing the locking arm, the slide (7) being movable on the locking arm (5) lengthwise thereof and prolonging the locking arm (5) into an advanced position until the locking arm engages in a stirrup (6) disposed on the collar (3) after the catch projection (4) as seen from the locking arm (5).

Description: This invention relates to a connector having additional locking according to the preamble of claim 1. Connectors of this kind are used, for example, in cases in which the pluggable connection experiences along the plugging axis a pull which may cause the accidental disengagement of the connector parts, something which must be prevented. Fig. 4 shows a prior art connector having a plug part 1 and a complementary second part 2, the part 1 having a collar near the plug pins. A catch projection 4 is disposed on the outside surface of the collar and its ramp-like surface slopes down towards the pins. The second part of the prior art connector has a locking arm 5 which is formed with a slot and which is secured by way of foot on the casing of the second part of the connector. The foot is disposed at a place between the ends of the locking arm so that when the connection end of the locking arm is pushed down the front part thereof is raised so that it can be raised far enough for the slot, which is in the front part of the arm 5 and in which the catch projection 4 has engaged in the latched position, can disengage from the catch projection so that the plug-in connection can be released. A similar connector is disclosed by US-A-4 449 776. A catch projection is arranged on a collar surface. A disadvantage of an additional locking of this kind is that it can be released accidentally, for example, when the sleeve part is pulled in a downwards inclination so that the locking arm is raised and simultaneously a force component releases the connection. It is the object of this invention so to improve a connector of the kind described in the preamble of claim 1 that the additional locking is protected against accidental release. This problem is solved in accordance with claim 1. The subclaims relate to features of preferred embodiments of the invention. The aim of the steps according to the invention is to secure the locking arm in the position in which it is latched by the catch projection, by an additional feature, viz. pushing the lockable catch arm securing means forward. This is achieved by the locking arm securing means engaging in a stirrup in this position. In its end position the locking arm securing means projects beyond the hoop so that an optical indication is given that the additional locking means cannot be released in this position. The invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the description of an embodiment, reference being made to the drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the main components of the connector according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a detail view of the slide; Fig. 3 shows the connector according to the invention in the plugged-together and latched position, and Fig. 4 shows a prior art connector which has additional locking. The connector shown in Fig. 1 has a first casing member 1, the same having a collar 3 to protect the plug pins. A ramp-like catch projection 4 is disposed on the collar surface with the ramp surface sloping shallowly down in the plugging direction. Opposite the catch shoulder of the projection 4 is a stirrup 6 which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The second casing member has in its front region the second plug part which is complementary to the first plug part and which, with the connector in the closed position, engages completely in the collar 3 which extends around the pins of the first casing part 1. The foot of a locking arm 5 is disposed on the second casing member behind the second connector part, the locking arm extending substantially parallel to the surface of the collar 3 and above the same until it is raised at the front by the ramp surface of the projection 4 during the plugging-in operation, in order to snap resiliently into the latched position when the projection 4 is fully engaged in a corresponding aperture in the front part of the arm 5. In this position the connector is secured against accidental release. The geometry of the ramp 4 and arm 5 is such that if the plugging-in operation is not completed, the plug-in connection releases automatically inter alia because the end-face part of the arm 5 slides back down the ramp of the projection 4. No electrical connection exists between the contact pairs in the released position. A short-circuit bridge 15 is installed in the part 1 and consists of two metal tongues which are interconnected by way of a web and which are pressed resiliently against the contact pins, the tongues being released by the entry of the second plug part from the contact pins of the first plug part. The tongues extend inclinedly rearwards from an inner wall of the collar 3 into the plug interior towards the pins. A resilient ramp is thus formed which, in the event of plugging-in being incomplete, also resiliently pushes back and, therefore, separates, the second plug part from the first plug part. The locking arm 5 has on its top a locking arm receiving means, in the form of a slide 7, which is slidable in the plugging direction. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the slide 7 is formed on its longitudinal edges with grooves 8 open towards the interior and engageable by projections on the arm 5, so that the slide 7 is guided in its longitudinal movement. When in the front end position the front end 12 of the slide 7 engages below the stirrup 6 and projects therefrom at its other end, as will be clearly apparent from Fig. 3, so that the secured position of the connection is readily perceptible visually. In the release movement of the slide from the stirrup the slide is secured captive by a catch projection 9 on the arm and on the inside of the slide 7 by a corresponding abutment projection 10. The slide 7 and the stirrup 8 are so constructed that in the event of the slide 7 already being in its end position before the plugging operation, the slide is blocked during the closing of the plug parts 1 and 2 by the stirrup 6 on the plug part 1 and closure is prevented. If the plugging operation continues, the blocked slide 7 returns to its initial position in the opposite direction and the connection is closed by the dynamic movement of the plugging operation. A grip edge 14 is disposed on the plug part 2 and simplifies manipulation during the opening and closing of the connection. In the withdrawn position the slide 7 projects to the rear beyond the foot of the arm 5 so that a vertical pressure applied to the slide end 11 raises the slide front end 12 together with the locking arm 5 secured thereon, whereafter the arm 5 disengages from the projection 4 so that the connection between the two connector parts can be released. Consequently, the connector according to the invention can be released as required just as readily as the prior art connectors but there is no risk of the additional locking accidentally opening. The additional security is achieved by simple means which are simple to devise and which do not greatly increase the cost of production. The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described but comprises all variants falling under the wording of the claims.

Claims: A connector having: a two-part casing (1, 2) whose parts are adapted to be plugged together, the first casing part (1) engaging at least to some extent by way of a collar (3) around the second casing part (2) in the plugged-together position; and an additional latchable locking means (4, 5) disposed on the two casing parts (1, 2), whereby the additional locking means comprises: a catch projection (4) disposed on the collar surface (3); characterised in that the additional locking means further comprises a locking arm (5) secured to the second casing part (2) and co-operating with the locking projection (4), and a slide (7) as a means for securing the locking arm, the slide (7) being movable on the locking arm (5) lengthwise thereof and prolonging the locking arm (5) into an advanced position until the locking arm engages in a stirrup (6) disposed on the collar (3) after the catch projection (4) as seen from the locking arm (5). A connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the slide (7) and the locking arm (5) are interconnected by way of slideways (8), and catch projections (9, 10) which are disposed on the locking arm (5) and on the slide (7) and are adapted to be moved into abutment with one another define a front and/or a rear end position of the slide (7). A connector according to claim 2, characterised in that the rear end of the slide (7) when in its drawn-back position projects so far beyond the rear end of the locking arm (5) that depressing the rear slide end (11) causes the locking arm (5) to release from the catch projection (4) on the surface (3). A connector according to claim 3, characterised in that a blocking element (13) for the slide (7) and locking arm can be positioned on the second casing part (2) below the rear end of the slide (7) and prevents the locking arm (5) from releasing from the catch projection (4). A connector according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the slide (7) is of a length such that when in its forward position it projects by way of its tip beyond the stirrup (6) so that its tip (12) is visible. A connector according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that in the event of incomplete latching the catch projection (4) and the locking arm (5) slide off one another and release the plug connection. A connector according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that a short-circuit bridge (15) is provided having resilient tongues which extend inclinedly and like a ramp from the front of the first plug part (1) towards the plug pins and short-circuits the same in the event of an incomplete latching of the additional locking means.

Inventors: HOSCHEK WOLFGANG, STABROTH WALDEMAR, HOSCHEK, WOLFGANG, STABROTH, WALDEMAR
Applicants: FRAMATOME CONNECTORS INT, FRAMATOME CONNECTORS INTERNATIONAL
Application year: 1997
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R13