PLUG-AND-SOCKET CONNECTOR

• US 20170025786A1
• Filed: 07/19/2016
• Published: 01/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: HAGMANN, Bernd, SINGER, Helmut, LITTEK, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 9,748,688 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/111 co-operating with pins having a circular transverse section
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/187 with spring member in the socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2421 using coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4538 Covers sliding or withdrawing in the direction of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers

Abstract

A plug-and-socket connector with an electrically conductive female contact for receiving a contact pin and for establishing an electrically conductive connection to the contact pin is described. According to implementations here, the female contact is accessible by an opening in the plug-and-socket connector. Further, a closure element for closing the opening may be movably supported inside the female contact.

Claims

1. The plug-and-socket connector comprising:

an electrically conductive female contact shaped to receive a contact pin and having structure that establishes an electrical connection to the contact pin, wherein the female contact is accessible by an opening in the plug-and-socket connector; and

a closure element for closing the opening, wherein the closure element is movably supported inside the female contact.

2. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 1, wherein the closure element is supported by a first pretensioning device on an opposing section, wherein the first pretensioning device presses the closure element in the direction of the opening.

3. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 1, wherein a second pretensioning device encompasses a contact section of the female contact at least in sections to radially compress the contact section.

4. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 3, wherein a distal section of the closure element is constructed as an outer support for the second pretensioning device.

5. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 3, wherein the distal section of the closure element has an outside diameter which substantially corresponds to an outside diameter of the contact pin to be received and/or to an inside diameter of the opening.

6. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 1, wherein the distal section of the closure element increases in diameter in the plugging direction, and wherein the increase in diameter of the distal section corresponds to a shaped portion of the contact section such that the distal section engages the contact section in a manner wherein the contact section opens upon an advancing motion of the distal section during a plugging procedure.

7. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 6, wherein the distal section decreases in diameter in the plugging direction after the increase in diameter.

8. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 1, wherein the female contact is arranged in an insulating body and wherein the opening is constructed in a sealing element comprising silicone and different from the insulating body.

9. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 1, wherein a material defining the opening including one or both of the insulating body and/or the closure element are constructed to be electrically insulating.

10. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 2, wherein a second pretensioning device encompasses a contact section of the female contact at least in sections to radially compress the contact section.

11. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 10, wherein a distal section of the closure element is constructed as an outer support for the second pretensioning device.

12. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 11, wherein the distal section of the closure element has an outside diameter which substantially corresponds to an outside diameter of the contact pin to be received and/or to an inside diameter of the opening.

13. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 4, wherein the distal section of the closure element has an outside diameter which substantially corresponds to an outside diameter of the contact pin to be received and/or to an inside diameter of the opening.

14. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 13, wherein the distal section of the closure element increases in diameter in the plugging direction, and wherein the increase in diameter of the distal section corresponds to a shaped portion of the contact section such that the distal section engages the contact section in a manner wherein the contact section opens upon an advancing motion of the distal section during a plugging procedure.

15. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 14, wherein the distal section decreases in diameter in the plugging direction after the increase in diameter.

16. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 15, wherein the female contact is arranged in an insulating body and wherein the opening is constructed in a sealing element comprising silicone and different from the insulating body.

17. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 16, wherein a material defining the opening, including the insulating body and the closure element, is constructed to be electrically insulating.

18. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 10, wherein the distal section of the closure element increases in diameter in the plugging direction, and wherein the increase in diameter of the distal section corresponds to a shaped portion of the contact section such that the distal section engages the contact section in a manner wherein the contact section opens upon an advancing motion of the distal section during a plugging procedure.

19. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 18, wherein the distal section decreases in diameter in the plugging direction after the increase in diameter.

20. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 19, wherein the female contact is arranged in an insulating body and wherein the opening is constructed in a sealing element comprising silicone and different from the insulating body.