Electric plug and socket assembly

• US 6,464,526 B1
• Filed: 06/19/2000
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wieland Electric GmbH (Wieland Holding GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Wieland Electric GmbH (Wieland Holding GmbH)
• Inventors: Seufert, Ralf, Tluczykont, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEON, EDWIN A
• Application Number:
  US09/508,332
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 439/352, 439/372, 439/345, 439/350, 439/567, 439/571, 439/572, 439/357, 439/358
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6273 comprising two latching arms
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap

Abstract

In order to reliably lock an electric plug and socket assembly (1) including an outer part (2) and inner part (3) which can be coupled to the outer part, the inner part is provided with a recess (17,17′) into which, when the two parts are coupled, a snap-on hook means (14,14′) is engaged and maintained so as to act as a spring. When the plug and socket assembly (1) is in a locked position, the snap-on hook means (14) or each snap-on hook means is locked against radial excursion since it rests on a bushing (7) which is axially displaceable on the outer part (2). In the locked position, the backward pulled bush (7) releases the snap-on hook means (14,14′) thereby allowing for disengagement of the outer and inner parts (2,3). In order to enable the plugging of the parts (2,3) when the bushing (7) is in the locked position, the snap-on hook means (14′) is provided with two spring legs (14c) whose end cam (14′a) and an inner contour (41) running into the recess (17′) of the inner part (3) form a guide for the two leg snap-on hook means (14′).

Claims

1. An electrical plug and socket assembly, comprising:

an outside part having a barb;

an inside part to be coupled to the outside part, the inside part defining a recess; and

a sleeve positioned on the outside part and arranged to be axially displaced on the outside part, the sleeve having a locked position and an unlocked position, an annular chamber being defined between the sleeve and the outside part,

wherein the barb extends into the recess during a coupled state, the barb being secured against a radial deflection by the sleeve in the locked position, the barb having a spring shaft with two spring legs being positioned in a first plane, each of the spring legs supporting a cam, the cams extending radially into a second plane, perpendicular and transverse to the first plane,

wherein the inside part has an inside contour for guiding the cams into the recess, the outside part having a first stop for stopping the sleeve in the locked position and a second stop for stopping the sleeve in an unlocked position, the first stop being formed by a retaining collar of the outside part at an insertion opening of the recess, and the sleeve having a sleeve collar that abuts the retaining collar when the sleeve is in the locked position; and

a spring positioned in the annular chamber for restoring the sleeve to the locked position.

2. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the barb is integral with the outside part.

3. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein barb extends into the recess in an insertion direction, and wherein the inside contour tapers in the insertion direction toward the recess.

4. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the barb is deflected radially outward when the outside part is uncoupled from the inside part and the sleeve is in the unlocked position.

5. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the annular chamber is defined by a step in the outside part and a web formed onto an inside wall of the sleeve.

6. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inside part has an insertion end facing the outside part during coupling, the inside part having at least two steps that decrease toward the insertion end, one step of the at least two steps being adjacent the insertion end and supporting a sealing ring, the outside part having an inside surface that accommodates the at least two steps.

7. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inside part has a first plurality of axially-extending throughgoing openings for receiving contact inserts, and the outside parts has a second plurality of axially-extending throughgoing openings aligned with the first openings for receiving counter-contact inserts.

8. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a guide sleeve for an electrical line, the guide sleeve being coupled to and bent at an oblique angle to the outside part.

9. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve has a circumferential recessed grip.

10. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is multi-pole and is one of an electrical line connection and a device connection, and wherein the outside part is a coupler connection and the inside part is a portable socket outlet.

11. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 10, wherein the multi-pole assembly is a nine-pole assembly.

12. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is multi-pole and is one of an electrical line connection and a device connection, and wherein the inside part is a coupler connection and the outside part is a portable socket outlet.

13. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 12, wherein the multi-pole assembly is a nine-pole assembly.

14. An electrical plug and socket assembly, comprising:

an outside part having first and second barbs and having oppositely located openings, the barbs being located in the respective openings;

an inside part to be coupled to the outside part, the inside part defining a recess;

a sleeve positioned on the outside part and arranged to be axially displaced on the outside part, the sleeve having a locked position and an unlocked position;

wherein the barbs extend into the recess during a coupled state, the barbs being secured against a radial deflection by the sleeve in the locked position, the barbs having a spring shaft with two spring legs being positioned in a first plane, each of the spring legs supporting a cam, the cams extending radially into a second plane, perpendicular and transverse to the first plane,

wherein the inside part has an inside contour for guiding the cams into the recess, the outside part having a first stop for stopping the sleeve in the locked position and a second stop for stopping the sleeve in an unlocked position, and

wherein the inside part and the outside part deviate from a circular shape.

15. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 14, wherein the barbs are integral with the outside part.

16. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 14, wherein the barbs extend into the recess in an insertion direction, and wherein the inside contour tapers in the insertion direction toward the recess.

17. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 14, wherein the barbs are deflected radially outward when the outside part is uncoupled from the inside part and the sleeve is in the unlocked position.

18. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 14, wherein the inside part has an insertion end facing the outside part during coupling, the inside part having at least two steps that decrease toward the insertion end, one step of the at least two steps being adjacent the insertion end and supporting a sealing ring, the outside part having an inside surface that accommodates the at least two steps.

19. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 14, wherein the inside part has a first plurality of axially-extending throughgoing openings for receiving contact inserts, and the outside parts has a second plurality of axially-extending throughgoing openings aligned with the first openings for receiving counter-contact inserts.

20. The electrical plug and socket assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a guide sleeve for an electrical line, the guide sleeve being coupled to and bent at an oblique angle to the outside part.