Patent Abstract:
The invention proposes a metallic push-pull connector for use in harsh and moist industrial environments that is provided with a sliding sleeve and features an interlocking device that causes the connector to be interlocked with a mating connector during the installation process, wherein the interlocking hooks of the interlocking device are levered out of snap-in depressions in the mating connector by means of a wedge-shaped slope when the sliding sleeve is pulled back.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention pertains to a metallic push-pull connector that is composed of a base body for accommodating the connector insert and a displaceable sleeve that encompasses the base body and can be interlocked with a mating connector. 
         [0003]    A connector of this type is required for providing a plug-type connection that is subjected to high mechanical stresses and intended for use under harsh environmental conditions with a device that can be easily connected and interlocked. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    DE 102 36 275 B3 describes an interlocking device for a plug-type connection, in which integral locking means arranged on the connector housing engage into corresponding snap-in depressions in the mating connector, wherein the interlocked connection can be disengaged by means of the axially displaceable sliding sleeve. 
         [0006]    However, known push-pull connectors of this type are not suitable for use in harsh industrial environments. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The invention therefore is based in objective of designing a metallic push-pull connector of the initially cited type in such a way that it features an interlocking and disengaging device in the form of a simple axial sliding means that simultaneously ensures a very tight seal against harsher environmental conditions. 
         [0008]    This objective is attained in that at least one locking plate with an angled bar is arranged on the base body of the connector, in that an integral wedge pointing into the sleeve is arranged on the mating side of the sleeve, in that the angled bar of the locking plate lies on a slope of the wedge, and in that the bar runs on the slope of the wedge when the sleeve is pulled back, with an interlocking hook provided on the locking plate of a connector that is connected to a mating connector being levered out of a depression in the mating connector during this process. 
         [0009]    The advantages attained with the invention can be seen, in particular, in that a plug-type connection according to the push-pull principle can be rendered suitable for use under harsher environmental conditions with a relatively simple axially acting interlocking device. 
         [0010]    In this respect, it should be noted that known interlockable push-pull connectors frequently feature openings, outwardly acting interlocking means and the like and therefore are unacceptable for use in industrial environments. 
         [0011]    One particular advantage is that a metallic push-pull connector of small dimensions up to IP 67 which is able to withstand high mechanical stresses can be realized in a “submersible” fashion and separated from a mating connector with a short axial displacement (approximately 2 mm). 
         [0012]    To this end, a connector insert is fixed in a rectangularly shaped housing, e.g., a die cast zinc housing that is encompassed by a corresponding sliding sleeve. 
         [0013]    Two locking plates featuring interlocking hooks are respectively held opposite of one another between the sliding sleeve and the base body. 
         [0014]    A ring seal held on the base body in a corresponding groove is pushed into a socket of the mating connector during the mating process and seals the arrangement against moisture. The sliding sleeve is simultaneously pushed onto the outer side of the mating connector socket with the interlocking device of the connector. 
         [0015]    It is also advantageous that the connector socket is provided with snap-in depressions, into which the interlocking hooks engage. 
         [0016]    When the sliding sleeve is pulled back, the interlocking hooks are advantageously lifted out of the snap-in depressions and the connector can be separated from the mating connector 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the figures and described in greater detail below. The figures show: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  a partially sectioned isometric representation of a connector and a mating connector; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2   a  a perspective representation of the base housing of a connector with locking plates that are spaced apart from one another; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2   b  a perspective representation in which the locking plates are mounted on the base housing; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  a sectioned perspective representation of a sliding sleeve; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  a significantly enlarged representation of the interlocking mechanism, and 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  a partially sectioned perspective representation of the interlocking mechanism between the connector and a mating connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a so-called push-pull connector  1  that can be connected to a mating connector  3  in the separated state. In this case, the mating connector  3  is provided with a housing that can be flanged onto a housing wall and features a socket  4 , onto which the connector  1  can be pushed. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2   a  shows part of the metallic connector  1  with a base body  10  and two locking plates  30  in the separated state. 
         [0026]    The base body  10  is essentially realized in the form of a sleeve-shaped die cast part with a cable connection side  12  and a mating side  11  that serves for accommodating the not-shown connector insert. 
         [0027]    An integral locking tab  13  is arranged on the mating side  11  of the base body  10 , wherein this locking tab serves for interlocking the not-shown connector insert in the base body  10  and releases the connector insert when it is bent away from the base body. 
         [0028]    The cable connection side  12  features a rear wall with an opening for a corresponding electric cable, as well as two transverse ribs  14 , on which a sliding sleeve  20  is guided in a displaceable fashion such that it is uniformly spaced apart from the base body  10 . 
         [0029]    Locking plates  30  made of steel sheets are arranged above and underneath the base body and essentially realized in the form of flat sheets that feature two oppositely arranged locking elements  34 ,  34 ′ that are angled by approximately 90° and contain snap-in openings  35 . 
         [0030]    The locking plate  30  furthermore features a longitudinal slit  33  that extends toward the displacement axis of the connector. 
         [0031]    In addition, the locking plate  30  is provided with two interlocking hooks  32  that are relieved on three sides longitudinally to the base body axis and bent opposite to the direction of displacement, namely underneath and parallel to the sheet disk. 
         [0032]    On its front side, the locking plate features a bar  31  that is bent outward by approximately 30° and the function of which is discussed further below. 
         [0033]    One respective web  15  that engages into the longitudinal slit  33  is respectively provided on the base body  10  in order to hold the two identical locking plates  30 , wherein two locking tabs  16  are provided on the lateral surfaces of the base body and engage into the snap-in openings  35  provided in the angled locking elements  34 ,  34 ′. 
         [0034]    Furthermore, integral spacers  19  are provided on the base body transverse to the web  15 , namely in the direction of the transverse ribs  14 , wherein said spacers hold the locking plate  30  at a certain minimum distance from the base body. 
         [0035]    The sliding sleeve  20  that is illustrated in the form of a longitudinal section in  FIG. 3  represents a nearly square sleeve body and features a collar  22  on the mating side, wherein said collar is realized in the form of an elevated structure  23  of the sleeve body on two opposite side walls. 
         [0036]    A wedge  24  pointing into the interior of the sliding sleeve is arranged about centrally on or in the collar  22 , namely such that the tip of the wedge points into the sleeve and the slope  25  of the wedge extends toward the outer wall in the direction of the collar—i.e., opposite to the mating direction. 
         [0037]    In addition, several ribs  21  are provided on the outer surface of the sleeve transverse to the direction of displacement in order to simplify the displacement of the sleeve  20  on the base body  10 . 
         [0038]    During the installation of the connector, the two locking plates  38  are initially interlocked on the base body  10  as shown in  FIG. 2   b.  The sliding sleeve  20  is subsequently pushed onto the base body from the mating direction  11 . According to the sectional representation shown in  FIG. 3 , an interlocking hook  17  is integrally arranged in the interior of the sleeve  20  such that the springable interlocking hook  36  that laterally protrudes from the angled locking elements  34 ,  34 ′ engages thereon. 
         [0039]    Consequently, the sliding sleeve  20  is held on the base body  10  in a captive fashion and can still be axially displaced by a certain distance. 
         [0040]    During the installation process, the respective inwardly pointing wedge  24  is simultaneously displaced on the collar  22  of the sliding sleeve  20  such that the slope  25  moves underneath the bar  31  of the locking plate  30  and the angled bar  31  lies on the slope  25  in any sliding position of the sliding sleeve. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows a significantly enlarged and axially sectioned representation of the two connectors  1 ,  3  in the interlocked state, wherein the bar  31  obviously lies on the slope  25  of the wedge  24 . 
         [0042]    When the sliding sleeve  20  is pulled back opposite to the mating direction in order to disengage the two connectors, the slope  25  of the wedge  24  is pushed further and further underneath the angled bar  31  such that the interlocking hook  32  is levered out of the recess  5  in the socket  4  and the connector  1  can be separated from the mating connector  3 . 
         [0043]    It is advantageous to arrange a ring seal  8  near the recess  5  of the mating connector  3  such that the radially acting force of the ring seal  8  tends to press the socket  4  outward while the interlocking hook  32  safely engages into the recess  5 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  shows a detail of the interlocking mechanism between the connector  1  and the mating connector  3  in the form of a partially sectioned perspective representation. 
         [0045]    This figure clearly shows how the base body  10  of the connector  1  is inserted into the socket  4  of the mating connector  3  such that the ring seal  8  on the base body  10  presses against the inner wall of the socket  4  and definitively seals the arrangement against environmental influences while the collar  22  on the mating side fulfills an initial filtering function, e.g., as a dust filter, due to the covering effect of the sliding sleeve  20  that tightly adjoins the outer wall of the socket  4 .

Technology Classification (CPC): 7