Patent Publication Number: US-11387600-B2

Title: Plug part of a plug-in connection

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a plug connector part of a plug connection, wherein the plug connector part has a plug connector part housing and one or more electrical and/or optical contacts and at least one locking spring and, in the plug connector part housing, at least one receiving space for plugging-in a plug-in part of a mating plug connector part of the plug connection, wherein the mating plug connector part, in the plugged-in state in which the plug-in part is plugged into the receiving space completely in a plug-in direction, can be locked by a longitudinal stop surface of the locking spring in a locking position of the locking spring to prevent the plug-in part from being pulled out of the receiving space contrary to the plug-in direction. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Plug connector parts of the said type for producing plug connections are known in various configurations in the prior art. They serve to connect electrical and/or optical cables to devices such as amplifiers, mixing consoles and the like, or to connect electrical and/or optical cables to other electrical and/or optical cables. So that the plug connection cannot be inadvertently disconnected, for example due to a pull on the cable, the plug connector part and the mating plug connector part of the respective plug connection are locked to one another by means of the generic locking spring. Only when this locking spring is brought from its locking position into an unlocked state as a result of a deliberate intervention, can the plug connection be disconnected by pulling the plug-in part of the mating plug connector part out of the receiving space of the plug connector part. The locking springs known from the prior art act to prevent the plug-in part from being pulled out of the receiving space exclusively by their longitudinal stop surface when the locking spring is in its locking position. 
     SUMMARY 
     The object of the invention is to improve a generic plug connector part such that, in the plugged-together state, the plug connector part and the mating plug connector part are connected to one another without play in order to prevent wobbling and therefore, in particular, a loose contact of these plug connections in the plugged-together and locked state. 
     To achieve this object, the invention provides that the locking spring, in addition to the longitudinal stop surface, has at least one transverse stop face for pressing the plug-in part against the plug connector part housing in a direction transverse, preferably orthogonal, to the plug-in direction. 
     By use of the transverse stop face, the locking spring, in the locking position of the locking spring, can press against the plug-in part in a direction transverse, preferably orthogonal, to the plug-in direction, so that this plug-in part is pressed without play against the plug connector part housing of the plug connector part. The desired lack of play of the plug connection consisting of the plug connector part and mating plug connector part in the plugged-together and locked state is thus achieved so that unwanted wobbling in this plug connection, and in particular loose contacts, can no longer occur. The invention can be used for purely electrical plug connections, for purely optical plug connections and also for hybrid plug connections, which have both electrical and optical contacts. In all these cases, the achieved inventive play-free position between the plug connector part and the mating plug connector part in the plugged-together state ensures reliable contacting between the electrical and/or optical contacts of the plug connector part, which can be configured in a manner known per se, and the electrical and/or optical mating contacts of the mating plug connector part, which can likewise be configured in a manner known per se. 
     In this case, the term “transverse” means an acute angle or a right angle or an obtuse angle, i.e. not parallel. The pressing of the plug-in part against the plug connector part housing can therefore take place at an acute or obtuse angle. However, the plug-in part is particularly preferably pressed against the plug connector part housing orthogonally to the plug-in direction by the locking spring, by use of the inventive transverse stop face thereof. For pressing directions which are transverse to the plug-in direction, these angles favorably deviate from the orthogonal angle by a maximum of 45°. 
     The plug-in part of the mating plug connector part has, in preferred configurations, an arresting notch in which the locking spring engages by its longitudinal stop surface in the locking position, in order to thereby prevent the plug-in part from being pulled out of the receiving space contrary to the plug-in direction. In this case, the arresting notch can, in this case, be designed as a type of blind hole, i.e. not continuously, but also as a continuous hole or, in other words, a window in the plug-in part. The invention also particularly preferably relates to plug connections having an inventive plug-connector part and a mating plug connector part, wherein the plug-in part of the mating plug connector part has an arresting notch for the engagement of the locking spring, wherein the arresting notch is designed as a continuous hole in the plug-in part, preferably in a wall of the plug-in part. 
     It is preferably provided that the locking spring, in addition to the longitudinal stop surface and to the transverse stop face, has at least one sloping face for the automatic deflection of the locking spring when the plug-in part is plugged into the receiving space. In this case, the sloping face is favorably configured such that the plug-in part necessarily comes into contact with the sloping face when it is inserted into the receiving space in the plug-in direction, so that the locking spring is deflected itself, i.e. automatically, due to the plug-in part sliding along the sloping face of the locking spring. This has the advantage that the locking spring does not have to be actuated separately, manually or otherwise, during the plugging-together of the plug connection. 
     To then enable the disconnection of the plug connection by pulling the plug-in part out of the receiving space, a separately present actuating element must be deliberately, preferably manually, actuated in preferred configurations. To this end, it is favorably provided that the plug connector part has an actuating element, movably mounted on the plug connector part housing and, preferably manually, actuable, for deflecting the locking spring out of the locking position. The actuating element can preferably be designed as a slider, although this is not compulsory. It would essentially also be conceivable to design the actuating element as a pivotable lever or as a combination of a slider and a pivotable lever. It is particularly preferably provided that the locking spring is deflected out of the locking position when the actuating element is manually actuated, preferably displaced, in the plug-in direction. Particularly preferred variants of the invention provide that, at least in the locking position of the locking spring, the longitudinal stop surface is arranged orthogonally to the plug-in direction and/or the transverse stop face is arranged parallel to the plug-in direction and/or the sloping face is arranged at an acute angle to the plug-in direction. For the purpose of a compact construction, it can be provided that the transverse stop face and the longitudinal stop surface and preferably also the sloping face are formed in direction succession on the locking spring. It is also preferred if the transverse stop face and the longitudinal stop surface and preferably also the sloping face are formed in the said sequence, as seen in a direction contrary to the plug-in direction, on the locking spring. If a sloping face is present, it is preferably provided that the longitudinal stop surface is arranged between the sloping face and the transverse stop face. The transverse stop face is favorably designed to be elongated in the direction parallel to the plug-in direction, at least as seen in the locking position. The transverse stop face is favorably also designed to be inherently planar or level. The transverse stop face, at least as seen in the locking position, is preferably arranged closer to a center axis of the plug connector part than the longitudinal stop surface, which center axis extends parallel to the plug-in direction. The longitudinal stop surface and the sloping face can together be designed as a type of outwardly protruding tooth on the locking spring. In any case, it is favorably provided that the locking spring is resiliently pre-tensioned in the direction towards the locking position. 
     The locking spring can be designed as a type of leaf spring. Preferred configurations provide that the locking spring has a region which is bent in a U-shape and from which at least two spring legs of the locking spring protrude, wherein a first of the spring legs is fastened on the plug connector part housing and a second of the spring legs is resiliently pivotable relative to the first of the spring legs. The transverse stop face and the longitudinal stop surface are then favorably formed on the second of the spring legs. In preferred variants, the above-mentioned sloping face and/or an actuating face of the locking spring, on which the above-mentioned actuating element presses against the locking spring, can also be formed on the second of the spring legs, i.e. on the spring leg which is pivotable relative to the first spring leg. 
     The plug connector part and also the mating plug connector part can essentially be formed very differently and have different numbers of contacts and mating contacts, irrespective of whether these are electrical and/or optical contacts and mating contacts. The same naturally also applies to the forms of the plug-in part and accordingly also to the forms of the receiving space. In any case, it is generally provided that the form of the plug-in part is matched to the form of the receiving space. Particularly preferred variants provide that the receiving space is designed to be annular, at least in certain regions. The receiving space particularly preferably has the form of a circular cylindrical annulus, at least in certain regions. The form of the plug-in part is then favorably designed to be correspondingly compatible therewith. 
     The plug connector part with the inventive locking spring can essentially be a cable plug part, which is mounted on a cable. However, preferred configurations provide that the inventive plug connector part is a chassis socket for mounting on a housing of a device. Such a device can be, for example, a mixing console, an amplifier and the like. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and details of preferred configurations of the inventive plug connector part and the associated plug connection are explained by way of example with the aid of the following description of the figures, which show: 
         FIG. 1  an external view of an inventive plug connector part; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  views of mating plug connector parts which are connectable thereto; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  views of the locking spring of the inventive plug connector part according to  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  the plugged-together plug connection in an illustration which is cut away in certain regions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The plug connector part  1  illustrated in a perspective view in  FIG. 1  is designed, by way of example, as a chassis socket, which is provided for mounting on a housing of a device, for example a mixing console or an amplifier. In the example shown, this is a so-called combo socket into which various mating plug connector parts  8  with different mating contacts  23  can be plugged. Specifically, in the present case according to the example of  FIG. 1 , the mating plug connector parts  8  can be of the type which are illustrated by way of example in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and can each have three electrical mating contacts  23 . These types of mating plug connector parts  8  are also commercially known as so-called XLR connectors. However, in the embodiment variant shown here, a so-called jack can also be plugged into the plug connector part  1  designed as a combo socket. This is all known per se and does not need to be explained further. It should be established in any case that, as already explained at the outset, inventive plug connector parts  1  are very different and can also be designed with a widely varying number of electrical and/or optical contacts  4 . The same then also applies to the corresponding mating plug connector parts  8 . 
     The plug connector part  1  illustrated here in any case has a plug connector part housing  3  having a receiving space  6  which is in the form of a circular cylindrical annulus, at least in certain regions. Visible on the rear of the plug connector part housing  3  are the connections  19  to which cables can be connected, as is known per se, in order to thereby connect the electrical contacts  4  of the plug connector part  1  shown here. 
     Moreover visible in  FIG. 1  is the actuating element  17  with which the locking spring  5  can be deflected out of its locking position (which locking spring, concealed in the plug connector part housing  3 , cannot be seen in  FIG. 1 ). In the exemplary embodiment shown, the actuating element  17  is designed as a slider. It has the presser face  20 . If the presser face  20  is pressed parallel to the plug-in direction  9 , the actuating element  17  in the exemplary embodiment shown here is pushed a short distance into the plug part housing  3 , whereby the locking spring  5  is deflected out of its locking position. In a preferred exemplary embodiment such as that illustrated here, for example, the return of the actuating element  17  after the presser face  20  is released takes place as a result of the pre-tensioning of the locking spring  5  in the direction towards the locking position. This is all shown particularly clearly in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , which are explained in further detail below. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  now show two different configurations of mating plug connector parts  8 , which can form a plug connection  2  by being plugged into the plug connector part  1  according to  FIG. 1 . Common to both mating plug connector parts  8  of  FIGS. 2 and 3  is that they each have a mating plug connector part housing  21  and a cable sleeve  22 . The cable, which is connected to the mating plug connector part  8  in a manner known per se and is not shown here, exits the mating plug connector part  8  through the respectively illustrated cable sleeve  22  in a manner known per se. In this example, the respective mating plug connector part housing  21  has, in each case, a plug-in part  7  which is in the form of a circular cylindrical annulus, at least in certain regions, and which can be plugged into the receiving space  6  of the plug connector part housing  3  of the plug connector part  1  of  FIG. 1  in the plug-in direction  9  to form the plug connection  2 . When the plug-in part  7  is plugged into the receiving space  6 , contacting between the contacts  4  (formed as electrical contacts  4  in the example shown here) of the plug connector part  1  and the mating contacts  23  of the mating plug connector part  8  then also occurs in a manner known per se. The difference between the two mating plug connector parts  8  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , which is worth mentioning in connection with the invention, consists in the configuration of the arresting notch  26  in the respective plug-in part  7 . In the variant according to  FIG. 2 , this arresting notch is designed as a notch in the form of a blind hole, i.e. it does penetrate the wall of the plug-in part  7  completely. In the variant according to  FIG. 3 , on the other hand, the latching notch  26  is a continuous opening which penetrates the wall of the plug-in part  7  completely, i.e. it forms a type of window. Irrespective of the configuration of the arresting notch  26 , this is provided for the engagement of the locking spring  5 , at least with its longitudinal stop surface  10 , in the locking position, in order to thereby lock the plug-in part  7  against being pulled out of the receiving space  6  contrary to the plug-in direction  9 . This is also explained in further detail below with the aid of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     Reference should also be made here to the indexed groove  25 , formed here on the plug-in part  7  in this example, and the indexed rib  24 , corresponding to said indexed groove, in the receiving space  6  of the plug connector part  1 . Such indexations can essentially be designed very differently. This is also known per se in the prior art. In any case, the indexations can serve so that, to prevent faulty contacting, the plug-in part  7  can only be plugged into the receiving space  6  in one position, namely the correct position, in the plug-in direction  9 . 
       FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  now show, detached from the other components of the plug connector part  1  according to  FIG. 1 , the locking spring  5  thereof, which is concealed within the plug connector part housing  3  in the plugged-together state;  FIG. 4  in a perspective illustration and  FIG. 5  in a side view. 
     According to the invention, this locking spring  5  has, in addition to the longitudinal stop surface  10 , at least one transverse stop face  11  for pressing the plug-in part  7  against the plug connector part housing  3  in a direction  12  transverse, preferably orthogonal, to the plug-in direction  9 . In addition, the locking spring  5  also has at least one sloping face  13  for the automatic deflection of the locking spring  5  when the plug-in part  7  is plugged into the receiving space  6 . In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the transverse stop faces  11  and the longitudinal stop surfaces  10  and also the sloping faces  13  are formed in direct succession on the locking spring  5 . Furthermore, in this example, the transverse stop faces  11  and the longitudinal stop surfaces  10  and the sloping faces  13  are, in each case, present in pairs, as can be clearly seen in  FIG. 4 . Moreover, they are formed in the said sequence, contrary to the plug-in direction  9 , on the locking spring  5 . In this variant, the longitudinal stop surface  10  is arranged between the sloping face  13  and the transverse stop face  11 . This can also be seen in  FIG. 5 . The transverse stop face  11  is favorably designed to be elongated in the direction parallel to the plug-in direction  9 , at least as seen in the locking position according to  FIG. 6 , and, in this example, is also designed to be inherently planar or level here. The locking spring  5  is resiliently pre-tensioned in the direction towards the locking position. It has a region  14  which is bent in a U-shape and from which at least two spring legs  15  and  16  of the locking spring  5  protrude. The locking spring  5  is fastened on the plug connector part housing  3  by the first of the spring legs  15 . The second of the spring legs  16  is resiliently pivotable relative to the first spring leg  15 . The actuating face  18  of the locking spring  5  shown here is also located on the second of the spring legs  16 . The actuating element  17  presses against this actuating face  18  when the presser face  20  is pressed in the plug-in direction  9 , in order to thereby deflect the locking spring  5  out of its locking position. 
     The plug connection  2  is now shown in the plugged-together state in  FIGS. 6 and 7  in each case. Specifically, this relates to the connection of the plug connector part  1  of  FIG. 1  to the mating plug connector part  8  of  FIG. 3 , i.e. the type of plug connection  2  mentioned at the outset to a mating plug connector part  8  having an arresting notch  26  designed as a continuous hole in the plug-in part  7 . This is clearly visible in the partially cut-away illustrations according to  FIGS. 6 and 7  based on the configurations of the latching notch  26  in the form of a continuous open window or hole. The cut-away regions illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  show the locking spring  5  in the interior of the plug connector part housing  3  in each case. In this case,  FIG. 6  shows the locking position of the locking spring  5 , in which the locking spring  5 , by means of the longitudinal stop surface  10 , prevents the plug-in part  7  from being pulled out of the receiving space  6  contrary to the plug-in direction  9 .  FIG. 7 , on the other hand, shows the unlocked position in which, by pressing on the presser face  20 , the actuating element  17 , designed here as a slider, is pressed in the plug-in direction  9  until, as a result of its contact with the actuating face  18 , it brings the locking spring  5  into the unlocked position. In this unlocked position, the longitudinal stop surfaces  10  are lifted out of the arresting notch  26  due to a corresponding pivoting of the second spring leg  16  so that, in this unlocked position, the plug-in part  7  and therefore the mating plug connector part  8  can be pulled out of the plug connector part  1  contrary to the plug-in direction  9 . 
     In the locked position according to  FIG. 6 , the transverse stop faces  11  of the locking spring  5  press the plug-in part  7  against the plug connector part housing  3  in a direction transverse, here even orthogonal, to the plug-in direction  9 . As an effect of this, the mating plug connector part  8  is secured without play on the plug connector part  1  so that wobbling within the plug connection  2 , and, in particular, resultant loose contacts between the contacts  4  and the mating contacts  23 , cannot occur. 
     The transverse stop faces  11 , at least as seen in the locking position according to  FIG. 6 , are preferably arranged closer to the center axis  27  of the plug connector part  1  than the longitudinal stop surfaces  10 , which center axis extends parallel to the plug-in direction  9 . 
     KEY TO THE REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               1  Plug connector part 
               2  Plug connection 
               3  Plug connector part housing 
               4  Contact 
               5  Locking spring 
               6  Receiving space 
               7  Plug-in part 
               8  Mating plug connector part 
               9  Plug-in direction 
               10  Longitudinal stop surface 
               11  Transverse stop face 
               12  Direction 
               13  Sloping face 
               14  Region 
               15  First of the spring legs 
               16  Second of the spring legs 
               17  Actuating element 
               18  Actuating element 
               19  Connections 
               20  Presser face 
               21  Mating plug connector part housing 
               22  Cable sleeve 
               23  Mating contact 
               24  Indexed rib 
               25  Indexed groove 
               26  Arresting notch 
               27  Center axis