DE19816418A1 - Screwless electrical plug connector with flexible line for pluggable device - Google Patents

Abstract

The coupling for use with flexible cables has a housing 2 that acts as socket unit and into this are set metal contact bushes 5b within a separate sleeve 1 of insulating material that latches into position. The ends of the contact bushes are formed with latching features 18 and have spring contacts 8 to grip the ends of cable cores inserted through a locking element 25. A cover 3 protects the contact bushes when not coupled to a plug.

Description

The invention relates to a flexible line connectable plug-in unit for a plug-in device according to the standards ICE 309-1, ICE 309-2 and EN 60309 1 + 2 the preamble of claim 1.

Plug devices of this type are known in essential for industrial use in rooms or in Free uses, the above being international Standards Plug devices with a nominal operating voltage up to 690 V direct or alternating current, a frequency up to 500 Hz and rated currents up to 250 A.

Such connectors are used for connection a flexible line to a facility or a Fixed installation or for connecting two flexible ones Cables. For this purpose, each plug device comprises two Plug-in units, at least one plug-in unit, namely a plug or a connector to a flexible cable can be connected. The plug is the plug-in unit, to those with a device or a clutch connected flexible line is connected. The coupling is the plug-in unit that connects to one with a power source connected flexible line is connected.

These plug-in units, i.e. H. the plug and the Coupling, have a housing in which terminals are arranged for the line to be connected.  

Reconnectable plug devices must be included Terminals should be provided, so far the connection was accomplished by means of screws. Furthermore, the a flexible cable connectable plugs and couplings have a strain relief device so that the Terminals connected line wires from the train and the Rotation on the connection terminals are relieved. Doing so the protective covering of the line is protected against abrasion. Plug devices usually consist of two parts, the housing part and the contact carrier part, which are screwed together.

All plug-in units available today Generic type is common that the individual, for a standard-compliant operation of the connectors or couplings necessary components at least partially used of screws must be installed, in particular that respective contact carrier part screwed to the housing becomes. The disadvantage here is that when using Screw additional, varied, in the international Standards ICE 309-1, ICE 309-2 and EN 60309 1 + 2 reproduced Regulations must be followed. Furthermore, with the Use of screws a time and therefore also costly assembly or disassembly of the individual plugs or couplings connected.

The invention is therefore based on the object an improved plug-in unit of the generic type to provide, in which a standardized assembly of the Plug or the coupling essentially without the use of screws is guaranteed to be more efficient and less expensive assembly of the plug or the coupling to reach. The object of the invention is achieved in Claim 1 characterized, and advantageous and preferred Refinements are listed in the subclaims.  

The new, connectable to a flexible line Plug-in unit comes with an inner, essentially cylindrical contact carrier for receiving Contact elements provided, each one Have contact plate against which to be clamped Cable core is pressed. There is a on the contact plate Clamping plate arranged so that it with the contact plate a window opening formed on the clamping plate, which has an operating edge and a free edge, encompasses, one connected to the clamping plate, as Tension spring effective bow spring against the operating edge Contact plate pulls. The contact plates as well as the Clamping plates are with their bow springs in one Holding plate held in which a protective conductor contact a smaller distance from the other contacts a strain relief device. The holding plate has access openings to the ends of the wires to the screwless clamp connection. Furthermore, the respective bow spring z. B. with a tool or Sliders are compressed to the operating edge of remove the clamping plate so that the relevant Line wire through the window opening into the space between Contact plate and operating edge is insertable. By a plug-in unit that realizes the measures above international standards and protective regulations is enough and a screwless clamping device for with the connector or the connector to be connected guaranteed.

Another advantage is that the clamping force is automatic adapts to the cross-section of the wire. The operating edge can the wire must be adapted to a flat system ensure what protects the cable core (none Risk of damage) and self-loosening prevented is, so that even with fine-wire conductors End sleeves are not required for gentle purposes.  

Due to the special design of the holding plate is above also ensured that the protective contact as a whole against protected from mechanical damage and a unintentional connection with other contact and Clamping elements is avoided. All clamping devices are reliably held on the contact elements.

On the contact plate on the opposite side Bow spring is provided to support too with increased clamping forces always a firmly defined fit the clamping devices in the holding plate.

In a further embodiment it is provided that Enclosure housing from a cable entry part and form a housing front part such that both parts can be connected to one another by a latching device. As A front part of the housing has been found to be advantageous Arranged locking clip ring proven to solve the two housing parts can be pressed together using a tool is. To reduce the individual components, the Contact carrier and the housing front part from one piece shaped, in a further embodiment to avoid Screws to be inserted into the holding housing with the Contact carrier can be locked.

A preferred embodiment of the invention The plug-in unit also provides that the Enclosure housing has a cable entry end that with an internal thread and an adjoining one Collar is formed with an annular inclined surface. A flexible chuck is on this inclined surface Passage arranged for the line to be connected, wherein a gag nut that can be screwed into the internal thread Clamping chuck when the line is installed in such a way that the Bevel presses that by the Cable entry end of the guided cable is clamped. It is advantageous if the cable entry end additionally has a safety device that a prevents unintentional loosening of the gag nut.  

The line entry end expediently comprises also a cable entry seal on the collar is attached so that a clamped line one in essentially firmly defined press fit with the Cable entry seal arrives to the inside of the Surrounding housing arranged parts against to protect penetrating splash water. The line insertion seal is advantageously within the Surrounding housing molded onto the collar.

The invention is described below with reference to the drawings described. Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a clutch,

Fig. 2 shows a contact element with a bow spring as a clamp, and

Fig. 3 shows a modified coupling in longitudinal section.

In Fig. 1 is a clutch which can be connected to a current source connected to a flexible conduit, 309-1, 309-2 and EN ICE 6D309 1 + 2 adequate embodiment of the invention shown as an international standards ICE. The coupling has a two-part housing, consisting of a housing front part 1 and a cable entry part 2 , each with a connecting end 1 a or 2 a for mutual connection. The housing front part 1 further comprises a plug end 1 b for plugging together with a complementary plug unit. The cable entry part 2 has a cable entry end 2 b for inserting a flexible cable.

Since the coupling must be fully completed in accordance with international standards if it is connected to a flexible line and a complementary plug-in unit is not inserted, the coupling shown comprises a cover 3 that is hinged at the plug end 1 a of the front housing part 1 .

The housing front part 1, which is produced essentially cylindrically in an injection molding process, forms in its interior a contact carrier 4 which, in the coupling shown, is designed for receiving contact sockets 5 a, 5 b with individual receiving chambers 6 . The contact socket 5 a forms an extended protective conductor contact, and the contact socket 5 b forms a phase contact. Even if only a protective conductor contact socket 5 a and a phase contact socket 5 b are visible due to the sectional view, the contact carrier 4 is, depending on the type of plug device, depending on the nominal operating voltage of the frequency and the rated current, for receiving either two phase contacts and one protective conductor contact, three phase contacts and a protective conductor contact or three phase contacts, a neutral contact and a protective conductor contact. It is also possible to design the contact carrier in addition to accepting a pilot contact.

The contact sockets 5 a and 5 b shown in the coupling are produced in a known manner, but better contact alloys can be used in a chip-free production as a stamped and bent part, in particular according to utility model G 93 05 881, in order to result in less contact heating during operation.

It should be noted that in the case of a Plug of the contact carrier instead of for receiving Contact sockets designed to hold contact pins is, so that in the following generally the term contact element is used.  

The contact elements 5 a, 5 b each have a contact plate 7 integrally formed on the contact elements 5 a, 5 b for connecting a wire of a flexible line, to which the respective line wire is connected by means of a terminal 8 described below.

As can be seen in the enlarged sectional view of FIG. 2, the clamp 8 , which is preferably made of sheet metal, is essentially designed as a loop-shaped bow spring which bears on the contact plate 7 with a first leg 9 . A clamping plate 10 connected to the first leg 9 via a second leg 8 a surrounds the first leg 9 and the contact plate 7 with a window opening 11 formed on the clamping plate 10 , which has an actuating edge 12 and a free edge 13 . Due to the tension spring force of the clamp 8 designed as a bow spring, the actuating edge 12 is pulled against the contact plate 7 , so that the clamp 8 is arranged as a non-positive, self-supporting component on the contact plate 7 .

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the contact plates 7 with the clamps 8 arranged thereon are each insulated in individual chambers 14 of a holding plate 15 which closes the contact carrier 4 at the top in FIG. 1. The holding plate 15 can be latched to the contact carrier 4 and is designed such that the extended protective conductor projects beyond the phase conductor as a whole, thereby preventing an unintentionally produced connection of the protective conductor to other contact and clamping elements.

The holding plate is provided with first access openings 16 in order to insert a depressing tool, for example a screwdriver, into the chambers 14 of the holding plate 15 and to compress the respective bow spring 8 in such a way that the actuating edge 12 moves away from the contact plate 7 .

Through further second access openings 17 formed in the holding housing 15 , the respective line wires to be connected can then be inserted through the window openings 11 into the space between the contact plate 7 and the actuating edge 12 . After insertion of the line wire, the tool is removed again, the actuating edge 12 pressing due to the tension spring force of the bow spring against the inserted line wire and clamping it between the actuating edge 12 and the contact plate 7 .

In order to ensure a defined fit of the clamp 8, in particular when inserting stronger cable cores that require an increased tension spring force of the bow spring 8 , the contact plate 7 has an angled end section 7 b, which from one side has the first leg 9 of the clamp 8 spreads.

Furthermore, at least one support leg 18 , which is preferably formed in one piece thereon, is arranged on the contact plate 7 and extends in the opposite direction to the clamp 8 and supports the retaining plate 15 when the bow spring 8 is compressed. The support leg 18 is arranged laterally on the contact plate in order not to hinder the line wire to be clamped, and has an upper edge on which the clamping plate 10 partially rests, whereby in connection with the end section 7 b slipping out of the defined seat essentially completely is excluded.

The front housing part also has an annular groove 19 at the connection end 1 a, which serves to receive a locking clip ring 20 . The locking clip ring 20 represents a clasp which can be compressed against its spring force to form a closed ring in order to assume a smaller diameter.

To the front housing 1 to connect with the cable insertion portion 2, the cable entry portion 2 with its connection end 2 is placed from above on the locking clip ring 20 a in FIG. 1. In order to facilitate the compression of the locking clip ring 20 , it is formed with a circumferential inclined edge 21 . The connecting end 2a of the cable entry portion 2, for latching a peripheral undercut 22, into which the locking clip ring 20 engages after the pulling over of the line upper portion 2, that is, when the locking clip ring 20 is not compressed, it assumes its original clip form back and connects the housing front 1 and the cable entry part 2 with each other.

For releasable latching of the two housing parts, the latching clip ring 20 can, for example, have an outwardly directed extension at its open location, which is located at a defined area of the undercut 22 provided with an access opening, so that the latching clip ring 20 can be used from the outside by means of a tool is compressible through this access opening. A circumferential sealing ring is then expediently arranged at point 23 in the event of an increased degree of protection of the plug-in unit.

The cable entry end 2 b of the cable entry part 2 is formed with an internal thread 24 for screwing in a toggle nut 25 . The thread 24 is adjoined by a collar 26 , which is formed in one piece at the cable insertion end 2 b and has a through opening 27 and is essentially in the form of an ring. The collar 26 weeps with its side directed towards the internal thread 24 onto an inclined surface 28 on which the internal diameter defined by the internal thread 24 tapers conically. The inclined surface 28 serves as a contact surface for a clamping chuck 29 which can be inserted between the inclined surface 28 and the toggle nut 25 .

A particularly suitable clamping chuck 29 is one which, as shown, has flexible tabs 31 which extend from a ring insert 30 and which, when the tommy nut 25 is screwed in, abuts the inclined surface 28 and is pushed inwards as a result of the inclined surface 28 . A line guided by the toggle nut 25 , the clamping chuck 29 and the line insertion end 2 b can be clamped and easily fixed in this way. In order to prevent inadvertent loosening of the gag nut 25 and thus a release of the inserted line, in particular when using thermoplastic materials, a securing device 34 for the gag nut 23 is provided at the line insertion end 2 b.

For this purpose, for example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 comprises a ratchet ring 34 at the cable entry end 2 b. In order to prevent the gag nut from loosening itself, the gag nut is designed with tongues 35 , which come into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet ring when the gag nut 25 is screwed in. The tongues 35 are designed sufficiently stiff that the ring gear of the ratchet ring 34 blocks the direction of rotation for unscrewing the gag nut 25 against self-loosening, but is flexible enough to unscrew the gag nut 25 under the action of force.

However, the use of non-metric threads is also suitable, in particular according to utility model G 87 02 728, in which the flanks of the internal thread 24 and the external thread of the toggle nut 25 lying on one another are formed radially to the axis of the toggle nut 25 . When the gag nut 25 is firmly screwed in, this results in a high coefficient of friction which protects the gag nut against self-loosening.

On the side of the collar 26 facing away from the inclined surface 28, a line entry seal 32 made of a rubber-elastic material is arranged for sufficient protection against water or dust penetrating into the interior of the surrounding housing. This cable entry seal 32 is molded onto the collar 26 of the cable entry end 2 b as a universal seal for the cable diameter specified in the standards. For this purpose, the cable entry part 2 in the region of the collar 26 has pouring channels 33 , in which the seal 32 is anchored during its manufacture.

For assembly of the plug-in unit according to the invention, the contact elements 5 a, 5 b with the clamps 8 attached to them are first inserted into the receiving chambers 6 provided for this purpose of the contact carrier 4 , which is then locked with the holding housing 15 by latching. The line to be connected to the contact elements 5 a, 5 b is guided through the toggle nut 25 , the clamping chuck 29 and the line insertion end 2 b, so that the ends of the line wires are freely movable inside the line insertion part 2 . These line wires are then, as described above, clamped by means of the terminals 8 on the contact plates 7 of the contact elements 5 a, 5 b, whereupon the connecting end 2 a of the cable insertion part 2 is slipped over the locking clip ring 20 until it locks into the front housing part 1 .

Finally, the cable connected to the plug-in unit is clamped with the toggle nut 25 and the clamping chuck 29 . The plug-in unit according to the invention can thus be assembled without the use of screws, which leads to time savings, in particular during assembly or disassembly.

FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a coupling which largely corresponds to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, with the exception of the design of the holding plate 15 . The first access opening 16 is somewhat wider and designed as a guide to receive a locking slide 36 which has a recess 37 in which the curved part of the leg 8 a of the bow spring 8 can be accommodated. The locking slide 36 has the function of the depressing tool, as discussed in connection with FIG. 1, and has two positions, which are determined by stops 38 and 39 , respectively. In the depressed position shown on the left in FIG. 3, the bow spring 8 is compressed and the window opening 11 is opened wide so that the wire 40 can be easily pushed in between the actuating edge 12 and the contact plate 7 . The release position of the bow spring 8 is shown on the right in FIG. 3, the actuating edge 12 pressing the wire 40 against the contact plate 7 and thus establishing the electrical connection to the contact elements.

The two positions of the locking slide 36 shown in Fig. 3 can with an elongated object, for. B. screwdriver. The contact elements 5 each have a longitudinal channel, via which access to the underside of the slide 36 is gained in order to push it up and thus open the clamp 8 (left position in FIG. 3). By acting on the stop 38, for example by means of a screwdriver, the second position of the locking slide 36 is obtained, as shown on the right in FIG. 3. In this the bow spring 8 can close the window 11 with the wire 40 being clamped in between.

The embodiment according to FIG. 3 has the advantage that the two locking positions are retained even if the operating tool has been removed.

The plug device can therefore be supplied with the window open, after which the cable is connected by pushing the free ends of the wires 40 into the corresponding open windows and shifting the locking slide 36 into the lower position (on the right in FIG. 3).

Reference list

1

Front part of the housing

1

a connection end

1

b plug end

2nd

Cable entry part

2nd

a connection end

2nd

b Cable entry end

3rd

cover

4th

Contact carrier

5

a,

5

b contact elements

6

Reception chamber

7

Contact plate

7

b end section

8th

Clamp, bow spring

9

leg

10th

Clamping plate

11

Window opening

12th

Operating margin

13

free margin

14

chamber

15

Retaining plate

16

,

17th

Access opening

18th

Support leg

19th

Groove

20th

Snap ring

21

Bevel edge

22

Undercut

23

Sealing point

24th

inner thread

25th

Gag nut

26

collar

27

Through opening

28

Sloping surface

29

Chuck

30th

Ring insert

31

Rag

32

Cable entry seal

33

channels

34

Security device

35

Tongues

36

Locking slide

37

Recess

38

attack

39

attack

40

Vein

Claims (15)

1. A plug-in unit that can be connected to a flexible cable for a plug-in device according to the standards ICE 309-1, ICE 309-2 and EN 60309 1 + 2 with the following features:
an inner, essentially cylindrical contact carrier ( 4 ) for receiving contact elements ( 5 a, 5 b) and a holding plate ( 15 ) are provided in an outer, essentially tubular, surrounding housing ( 1 , 2 );
a strain relief device ( 24 , 25 , 26 , 29 ) is designed for clamping the line and for free movement of the ends of the wires ( 40 ) which are to be connected to the contact elements ( 5 a, 5 b);
the contact elements ( 5 a, 5 b) have clamping devices ( 8 ) for the ends of the wires ( 40 ); the surrounding housing ( 1 , 2 ) surrounds the strain relief device ( 24 , 25 , 26 , 29 ) and the inner contact carrier ( 4 );
characterized by the following training:
the clamping devices ( 8 ) are screwless and each comprise a bow spring with a support leg ( 9 ) and a clamping plate ( 10 );
the contact elements ( 5 a, 5 b) each have a contact plate ( 7 ) on which the support leg ( 9 ) rests;
the clamping plate ( 10 ) surrounds the contact plate ( 7 ) with a window opening ( 11 ) which has an actuating edge ( 12 ) near the contact plate and a free edge ( 13 ) near the bow spring,
the bow spring acts as a tension spring on the clamping plate ( 10 ) and pulls the actuating edge ( 12 ) against the contact plate ( 7 ). 2. Plug-in unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the access opening ( 16 ) for compressing the respective bow spring ( 8 ) houses a locking slide ( 36 ) and a position for compressing the bow spring ( 8 ) and a position for releasing the bow spring ( 8 ) having. 3. Plug-in unit according to claim 2, characterized in that the latching slide ( 36 ) has a recess ( 37 ) in which the belly of the bow spring ( 8 ) finds space when the bow spring is released. 4. Plug-in unit according to claim 2, 3, characterized in that the latching slide ( 36 ) has stops ( 38 , 39 ) to define its position for compressing and its position for releasing the bow spring. 5. Plug-in unit according to one of claims 1-4, characterized in that on the contact plate ( 7 ) a support device ( 18 ) is arranged which extends on the opposite side to the bow spring ( 8 ). 6. Plug-in unit according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the contact plates ( 7 ) and the clamping plates ( 10 ) are arranged with their clip springs in the paint plate ( 15 ) such that a protective conductor contact ( 5 a) with respect to the other contacts ( 5 b) is arranged closer to the strain relief device ( 24 , 25 , 26 , 29 ), 7. Plug-in unit according to one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the surrounding housing ( 1 , 2 ) has a cable entry part ( 2 ) and a housing front part ( 1 ) which are connected to one another by a latching device ( 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ) are. 8. Plug-in unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the latching device comprises a latching clip ring ( 20 ). 9. Plug-in unit according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the contact carrier ( 4 ) and the housing front part ( 1 ) are formed from one piece. 10. Plug unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding plate ( 15 ) with the contact carrier ( 4 ) can be locked. 11. Plug-in unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
that the surrounding housing ( 1 , 2 ) has a cable entry end ( 2 b) which is formed with an internal thread ( 24 ) and an adjoining collar ( 26 ) with an annular inclined surface ( 28 ),
that in the cable entry end ( 2 b) on the inclined surface ( 28 ) sits a flexible clamping chuck ( 29 ) with passage for the line to be connected, and
that a toggle nut ( 25 ) which can be screwed into the internal thread ( 24 ) presses the clamping chuck ( 29 ) into the inclined surface ( 28 ) when the line is mounted such that the line guided through the line insertion end ( 2 b) is clamped. 12. Plug-in unit according to claim 11, characterized in that the cable entry end ( 2 b) has a securing device ( 34 ) to prevent unintentional loosening of the gag nut ( 25 ). 13. Plug-in unit according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the cable entry end ( 2 b) has a collar ( 26 ) on which a cable entry seal ( 32 ) is fastened which, when the line is inserted, the parts arranged inside the surrounding housing sufficiently against penetration Media, especially against dust, dirt and / or splash water, protects. 14. Plug unit according to claim 13, characterized in that the cable entry seal ( 32 ) on the collar ( 26 ) is injection molded. 15. plug-in unit according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug-in unit is none Includes screws.