Abstract:
The connector element, in particular SFP connector, contains a locking mechanism for forming a lockable plug-type connection between the connector element and a mating piece. For this purpose, a locking element is formed. The locking element is mounted in rotatably movable fashion, wherein, in the case of actuation of an actuation element, in particular a pull tab, the locking element is rotated out of a locking position into an open position. In order to exert a restoring force for return to the locking position, a spring steel sheet is disposed which is supported on a housing part and which exerts a spring force on the locking element counter to the force brought about by the actuating element. Expediently, a plurality of spring lugs are formed which exert a spring force on the locking element in different directions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. §120, of copending international application No. PCT/EP2014/062468, filed Jun. 13, 2014, which designated the United States; this application also claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of German patent application No. DE 10 2013 211 865.1, filed Jun. 21, 2013; the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a connector element, in particular to a so-called SFP connector element. A connector element of this type may be derived from international patent disclosure WO 2013/030093 A1, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 9,118,149, for example. 
     The connector element is a so-called flat connector having a locking mechanism, as is employed in particular in computer networks as an electrical or optical connector. Connector elements of this type are also known by the terms small form factor pluggable (SFP) or else quad small form factor pluggable (QSMP) and in terms of their geometric dimensions are determined by way of corresponding standards. Both a QSFP connector as well as an SFP connector element (also referred to as a CXP connector element) may be derived from the cited WO 2013/030093 A1. 
     The QSFP connector in principle is distinguished by an unlocking mechanism which is integrated in the side walls of the housing. To this end, a locking element which is of an approximate bracket shape and which in the rearward region of the connector housing is guided so as to be interdisposed between two housing halves is disposed here. Accordingly, the locking element has two locking arms which in the longitudinal direction extend in the side walls and on the end sides of which in each case one latch element which laterally projects beyond the locking arm is disposed. 
     As opposed to QSFP connector types of this sort, the latch element in the SFP connector types is configured on an upper side of the connector housing. In the case of the SFP connector according to international patent disclosure WO 2013/030093 A1, the locking element in its entirety is configured in the manner of a rocker onto which the latch element is molded in at the front end. 
     In order for the locking mechanism to be actuated, an actuating element which by manual pulling or rotating switches the locking element from a locked position to an unlocked position is typically disposed here. 
     In the case of WO 2013/030093 A1 the actuating element is configured as a pull lug which for unlocking is pulled in the longitudinal direction of the connector element. The locking element is configured in the manner of a rocker which has a front rocker arm having the latch element, and a rear rocker arm which interacts with a transverse web of the pull lug. Here, a helical spring for exerting the restoring force is disposed as a loose component in the region of the latch element. In a complementary manner, a helical spring pin which when rotated exerts an additional restoring force is guided as a mounting axle through the locking element. 
     As has already been mentioned, connectors of this type serve for connecting in particular data cables in computer networks to devices or else to distributors. Here, the installation space is often limited and the individual connectors are disposed beside one another in a very tight arrangement. In the interior the connectors have suitable electronics which are usually integrated on a circuit board. The circuit board having corresponding contacts at the same time also forms a contact tongue which at the end side at the front end of the connector housing is freely accessible and by way of which a plug contact to the respective component is configured. 
     The connectors in general are configured for repeated unlocking and locking. In order for reliable locking to be ensured again after unlocking, a restoring force is usually exerted by way of spring elements on the locking element, so as to return the latter back to the initial position or to reliably hold the latter therein, respectively. The initial position here corresponds to the locking position. Configuring and assembling the spring elements is associated with complexity and costs. 
     Proceeding therefrom, the invention is based on the object of ensuring reliable restoring or holding of the locking element to or in the initial position, respectively, in a connector element of this type, such as is known in particular from WO 2013/030093 A1, with low complexity. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object is achieved according to the invention by a connector element having the features of the main claim. The connector element is in particular a so-called SFP connector. In the case of the SFP connector the locking element is rotatably mounted in the connector housing and has a latch element which for locking the connector element in a form-fitting manner is configured with a mating piece. In order for the locking element to be actuated, an actuating element which is configured in particular as a pull lug is provided. When the pull lug is pulled in the longitudinal direction of the connector, the pull lug acts on the locking element, so that the latter performs a rotation movement and switches from a locking position to an open position. In order for a restoring force to be exerted on the locking mechanism, so as to move the latch element back to the locking position after unlocking, or to reliably hold the latch element in the locked position, respectively, a spring steel sheet which is supported at least indirectly on one of the housing parts as a counter bearing is now disposed in the housing. The spring steel sheet exerts a spring force which is counter to the force initiated by the actuating element, that is to say the force initiated by the pull lug, on the locking element. The spring steel sheet here is fixedly connected to the one housing part, for example by way of rivets or screws. Preferably, the spring steel sheet here is the only spring element which acts on the locking mechanism and which exerts the required restoring force. The spring steel sheet is thus interdisposed between the locking mechanism and the housing. The spring steel sheet expediently covers the locking mechanism here, that is to say the locking element and the region of interaction between the actuating element and the locking element, across the majority of the area. The spring steel sheet in its entirety is thus configured in the manner of a covering for the locking mechanism. 
     On account of this design embodiment, manufacturing of the spring steel sheet is simple and cost-effective, on the one hand. Moreover, assembly is also comparatively simple, since the spring steel sheet during assembly may be fastened to a housing part and there are, therefore, no loose parts. 
     Expediently, the spring steel sheet here contains a first spring lug which exerts a first restoring force which is counter to the rotation movement of the locking element, when the pull lug is pulled. The first spring lug bears on the locking element and upon actuation is outwardly deflected together with the latter. The outward deflection here is performed in particular in a vertical direction. The first spring lug here preferably projects from a peripheral side of a base plate of the spring steel sheet, wherein this base plate is configured in particular for fixing to the housing part. 
     The locking element is expediently configured in the manner of a rocker and contains a (rotary) mounting bolt as well as a rocker arm on which the latch element is configured. The first spring lug now is disposed in such a manner so as to act on the rocker arm and specifically on that side that is opposite the latch element, such that restoring acts in the direction toward the locked position. 
     In order for secure guiding of the first spring lug which only bears loosely on the rocker arm to be ensured, in an expedient design embodiment a molded contour as a counter-bearing face for the first spring lug is configured on the rocker arm, in particular at the end thereof. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the spring steel sheet has a second spring lug which exerts a second restoring force which is counter to the actuation direction, that is to say in particular counter to the pulling direction of the pulling lug, of the actuating element. Therefore, the spring steel sheet, in particular in combination with the first spring lug, to this extent offers double action and has two distinct regions with dissimilar spring action. On account of the integration of these two spring lugs on the spring steel sheet, a particularly simple and compact construction and also correspondingly simple assembly are enabled. The second spring lug here in particular exerts a restoring force in the longitudinal direction. The two spring lugs thus exert restoring forces in different directions. Fastening of the spring steel sheet on the housing part so as to prevent displacement of the spring steel sheet is of particular significance in particular for exerting the second restoring force. A particular advantage of integrating the second spring lug on the spring steel sheet is to be seen in that the spring steel sheet in itself forms a counter-bearing for the second spring lug, so to speak, such that a separate spring element which extends in the longitudinal direction may be dispensed with. 
     The actuating element expediently has a transverse bracket which is oriented so as to be transverse to the longitudinal direction and which for exerting the second restoring force is engaged from behind by the second spring lug. The transmission of force from the actuating element to the locking element is usually performed indirectly or directly via the transverse bracket. Since this transverse bracket is engaged from behind by the second spring lug on that side that faces away from the locking element, the pull lug is again pushed in the direction of the initial position, so that the locking element is pushed in to the locking position thereof. On account thereof, the first spring lug which acts directly on the locking element, is thus imparted support. Overall, reliable and secure returning or secure holding of the locking element to or in the locked position, respectively, is thus ensured on account thereof. In order for this engagement from behind of the transverse bracket to be enabled, the second spring lug here is configured as a downwardly elbowed lug on the rear end which is oriented toward the actuating element. 
     The second spring lug here has a bent and resilient vertical leg which extends in the vertical direction and which is adjoined by a likewise preferably bent and resilient transverse leg which for exerting the second restoring force acts on the actuating element, in particular the transverse bracket. 
     In particular, only one centric vertical leg which on either side is adjoined by in each case one transverse leg is configured. On account thereof, resilient support preferably across the entire or almost the entire width of the transverse bracket is achieved. At the same time the peripheral regions of the spring steel sheet which are lateral to the vertical leg remain free and available for further functions. 
     Indeed, the spring steel sheet at that end thereof that is oriented toward the actuating element expediently has a stop for the actuating element. To this end, the spring steel sheet at the end side is bent in particular in an approximate L-shape. Expediently, two bent-back stops are configured here so as to be lateral to the vertical leg. By way of these stops movement of the actuating element, that is to say in particular of the pull lug and in particular of the transverse bracket of the pull lug, is limited to a minimum. This stop here is placed such that the latch element is located in the unlocked position. The spring steel sheet is thus assigned a further function, namely a stop function. 
     Expediently, the spring steel sheet has at least one, preferably two half-bearings in which the mounting bolt of the rotatably mounted locking element is rotatably mounted. The mounting for the mounting bolt here is preferably configured by interaction of the half-bearings of the spring steel sheet with corresponding half-bearings on the connector housing. This allows particularly simple assembly, since the locking element having the mounting bolt needs only to be inserted into half-bearings and, on account thereof, is pre-fixed in the assembled position. By integrating the half-bearing in the spring steel sheet, at least the one housing part is simplified, and no half-bearings have to be configured thereon. 
     The two half-bearings of the spring steel sheet here are configured on mutually opposite sides by bending back a lateral lug of the spring steel sheet. 
     Expediently, the locking element contains a transverse stop which for transmitting the movement of the actuating element to the locking element is engaged from behind by an unlocking lug of the actuating element. In particular, this unlocking lug, together with the transverse bracket, forms a clearance or a receptacle pocket, the transverse stop reaching thereinto and lying loosely therein. When the pull lug is pulled, the transverse stop by way of this unlocking lug is outwardly deflected in the longitudinal direction, wherein on account of the mounting of the locking element by way of the mounting bolt the rotation movement is performed, such that the transverse stop in the receptacle pocket is slightly tilted away. Conversely, during the corresponding restoring movement the transverse stop is also pressed into the initial position again by the transverse web. 
     Expediently, the transverse stop here is disposed in the vertical direction above the mounting bolt. The transverse stop to this extent configures a rotation lever for exerting the rotation movement for the locking element, this lever arm extending in the vertical direction. The transverse stop, which forms the lever arm, and the rocker arm are in particular thus disposed so as to be at an angle of 90° in relation to one another. 
     Expediently, the spring steel sheet also covers the transverse stop and the unlocking lug, wherein the spring steel sheet to this end has a trough, the transverse stop and the unlocking lug extending thereinto. The trough here in the longitudinal direction is of sufficiently large size so as to enable movement of the unlocking lug and of the transverse stop when actuated. 
     With a view to a design embodiment which in terms of construction is as simple as possible, the spring steel sheet is expediently configured as a punched-and-bent part. Furthermore, the locking element is preferably an integral component, preferably a casting or a die-casting, in particular made from metal. The locking element is preferably an integral zinc die-casting. Therefore, the rocker arm, the mounting bolt, and the transverse stop are a single contiguous molded part. 
     Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a connector element, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. 
     The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a connector element according to the prior art; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective illustration of a locking mechanism for the connector element, having a pull lug, a locking element, and a spring steel sheet according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a further exploded perspective illustration of the locking mechanism according to  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded, side view of the locking mechanism according to  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Parts with identical function are provided with identical reference signs in the figures. 
     The connector element  2  which is known from WO 2013/030093 and which is illustrated in  FIG. 1  is configured as an SFP connector. The connector element  2  has a dual-shell connector housing  4  having an upper part  4 A and a lower part  4 B, and in the longitudinal direction extends between a rear end wall  6  and a front end side  8 . A cable opening  10  for a cable to be introduced is configured on the rear end wall  6 . The front end side  8  has an opening for a plug-contact element which is formed by a circuit board. The connector housing  4  in the rear region has a housing step  16 , on account of which the height but not the width of the connector is restricted. A front region which adjoins the housing step  16  forms a connector region  18  by way of which the connector element  2  in the plugged state is plugged into a corresponding mating piece for contacting. The two housing parts  4 A,  4 B are preferably connected exclusively in the rear region by way of fastening rivets  19 . 
     The longitudinal direction is generally defined as the direction of extent from the rear end wall  6  to the front-side end side  8 ; a transverse direction is defined as the direction of extent which is perpendicular thereto from a left to a right side wall (width), and the vertical direction is defined as the direction of extent which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and to the transverse direction, from the lower side of the housing to the upper side of the housing (height). 
     A pull lug  24  which may only be actuated in the longitudinal direction without rotation being possible adjoins the rear end wall  6 . The pull lug  24  serves for manually actuating a locking element  22  which has a latch element  26  which is configured in the manner of a projecting nose. The latch element  22  is disposed on an upper side of the connector housing  4  in the connector region  18 . Moreover, the connector housing  4 , for shielding purposes, is surrounded by an EMI cage in the region of the latch element  26 . 
     When the pull lug  24  is manually pulled, the longitudinal movement of the pull lug  24  is converted into a rotation movement of the locking element  22 , so that the latch element  26  is moved downward from a locking position to an unlocked position in which removal of the connector element  2  from a corresponding interface connector in a device is enabled. The locking element  22  and in particular the latch element  26  are pushed by a spring force into the locking position. To this end, the locking mechanism displays the construction illustrated in  FIGS. 2 to 4 . 
     The locking mechanism  22  contains the pull lug  24 , the locking element  22 , and a spring steel sheet  30 . In particular, the locking mechanism is formed by these three components in interaction with the two housing parts  4 A,  4 B. The locking element  22  is configured in the manner of a rocker as an integral and in particular as a zinc die-cast component, and contains a mounting bolt  32  which in the longitudinal direction is adjoined by a rocker arm  34 , the latch element  26  being molded onto the upper side thereof. Opposite the latch element  32  the rocker arm  34  has a molded contour  36  which is configured as an approximately U-shaped clearance and is open toward the end side of the rocker arm  34 . 
     A transverse stop  38  which for exerting the rotation movement interacts with the pull lug  24  is configured so as to be oriented in the vertical direction to the mounting bolt  32 . A central web  40  which likewise extends approximately in the vertical direction is molded in the manner of an L-shaped elbow on the opposite upper side. As can be derived in particular from the side view of  FIG. 4 , the central web  40  and the transverse stop  38  are disposed so as to be somewhat mutually offset in the longitudinal direction, wherein a flat side of these two elements in each case at least substantially lies within a vertical plane which extends through a rotation axis which is formed by the mounting bolt  32 . 
     The mounting bolt  32  has two mutually opposite bolt parts by way of which the actual rotatable mounting is performed. The mounting bolt  32  in the exemplary embodiment in the center has a thickening on which the further elements, namely the rocker arm  34 , the transverse stop  38 , and the central web  40  are molded. 
     The pull lug  24  in the exemplary embodiment has two vertical arms  44  which in the initial position (locking position) by way of front flat sides bear on the rear end wall  6 . The pull lug  24  by way of a front frame-like part-region extends into the connector housing  4 . In this front part-region the pull lug configures a transverse bracket  46  which extends in the transverse direction and which is adjoined by an unlocking lug  48 . The unlocking lug  48  here has two side arms which are laterally guided past the transverse stop  38  and are interconnected by way of a transverse arm. A receptacle pocket  52  formed by a cut-out in which the transverse stop  38  loosely lies is configured between the transverse arm and the transverse bracket  46 . 
     In order for the restoring force to be exerted, the spring steel sheet  30  which in principle is configured so as to be plate-shaped, having an approximately plate-shaped base part, is disposed on the locking mechanism. The spring steel sheet  30  in the longitudinal direction toward the front on the one side thereof has a first spring lug  56  which is bent in the direction toward the rocker arm  34  and which in the vertical direction exerts a spring force on the rocker arm  34 , as is illustrated by the arrow P 1 . The first spring lug  56  here is molded so as to be centric on the plate-shaped base part, and in the assembled final position by way of the end side thereof lies in the molded contour  36 , such that the first spring lug  56  is held so as to be form-fitting in the transverse direction. 
     In the longitudinal direction, at the opposite end, the spring steel sheet  30  has a second spring lug  58  which is initially configured in the vertical direction by way of an elbow, specifically likewise again in the direction toward the locking element  22 . As can be derived in particular from  FIG. 3  in combination with  FIG. 4 , the second spring lug  58  is configured by a vertical leg  60 , which is configured so as to be angled and bent, and by a transverse leg  62  adjoining thereto, which extends laterally to both sides of the vertical leg  60  in the transverse direction. The transverse leg  62  in a final assembled position bears on a rear side of the transverse bracket  46  that faces away from the locking element  22 , and exerts a restoring force in the direction of the arrow P 2  on the transverse bracket  46 . 
     At the end that faces away from the locking element  22 , the spring steel sheet  30  furthermore has a two-part stop  64  which is formed by an elbow and which delimits movement of the pull lug in the longitudinal direction. The stop  64  thus overlaps the transverse bracket  46  in the vertical direction. 
     Furthermore, on the side parts two opposite lugs are bent in the direction of the mounting bolt  32 , the lugs displaying semicircular-shaped clearances and on account thereof configuring half-bearings  66  for mounting the mounting bolt  32 . 
     Finally, the spring steel sheet  30  in the central region thereof has a trough  68  molded in the plate-shaped base part. The trough  68  forms a receptacle space, the transverse stop  38  of the locking element  22  together with the transverse arm  50  of the unlocking lug  48  extending thereinto and being received there in a space-saving manner. 
     Finally, the spring steel sheet  30  in the exemplary embodiment also has a plurality of fastening holes  70  by way of which the former is fastened to one of the housing parts  4 A,  4 B, namely in particular to the lower part  4 B which is disposed so as to be opposite the locking element  22 . Fastening here is performed by rivets or screws, for example. Alternatively, to this end also only bolts, which in the assembled position are push-fitted into the fastening holes and thereby cause form-fitting in the longitudinal direction, are molded on the housing part  4 B. In the vertical direction, the spring steel sheet  30  is clamped between the two housing parts  4 A,  4 B and the intermediate layer of the locking element  22 . On account thereof, the spring steel sheet  30  is altogether held on the housing  4  in a reliable and locationally fixed manner. 
     The locking mechanism functions as now described. Proceeding from the basic initial position in which the locking mechanism is in the locked position, the pull lug  24  is manually pulled in the pulling direction  72 , the latter corresponding to the longitudinal direction. On account thereof, the transverse stop  38  is conjointly moved by way of the transverse arm of the unlocking lug  48 . On account of the rotatable mounting of the locking element  22 , rotation in the rotation direction  74  of the locking element is initiated, such that the latch element  26  is drawn into the interior of the housing in the vertical direction and thus releases the connector element  2 . During this movement of the rocker arm  34 , the first spring lug  56  is outwardly deflected counter to the direction of the arrow P 1 . At the same time, the second spring lug  58  is likewise outwardly deflected counter to the direction of the arrow P 2 . Therefore, the two spring lugs  56 ,  58  exert a spring force on the rocker arm  34  in the vertical direction and on the transverse bracket  46  in the longitudinal direction, and thus subjected to alternating support push the locking element  22  back to the initial position as soon as the pull lug  24  is released. In this restoring movement, the transverse bracket  46  here pushes on the transverse stop  38  so as to actuate the locking element  22  again counter to the rotation direction  74 . 
     The particular advantage of the spring steel sheet  30  is in particular to be seen in the multi-functional design embodiment thereof, in which a plurality of spring functions as well as an integrated mounting function have been implemented by way of only a single component. On account thereof, a simple and cost-effective construction has been achieved. Moreover, by way of the design embodiment of a component which is to be connected to the housing in a locationally fixed manner, simple assembly is also enabled. On account thereof, the overall diversity of parts is reduced. 
     The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention:
       2  Connector element     4  Connector housing     4 A Upper part     4 B Lower part     6  Rear end wall     8  Front end side     10  Cable     12  Housing step     18  Connector region     19  Fastening rivet     22  Locking element     24  Pull lug     26  Latch element     30  Spring steel sheet     32  Mounting bolt     34  Rocker arm     36  Molded contour     38  Transverse stop     40  Central web     44  Vertical arm     46  Transverse bracket     48  Unlocking lug     52  Receptacle pocket     56  First spring lug     58  Second spring lug     60  Vertical leg     62  Transverse leg     64  Stop     66  Half-bearing     68  Trough     70  Fastening hole     72  Pulling direction     74  Rotation direction   P 1  Arrow   P 2  Arrow