Electric plug connector

• US 7,537,472 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2000
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cooper Crouse-Hinds GmbH, (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Cooper Crouse-Hinds GmbH, (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Hofmann, Gerd, Schwarz, Gerhard, Deschner, Helmut, Grimm, Theo, Naumann, Reiner, Sauer, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams; Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUONGCHI T
• Application Number:
  US10/069,760
• Time in Patent Office: 3,290 Days
• Field of Search: 439/333, 439/332, 439/318, 439/188
• US Class Current: 439/188
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/527 Flameproof cases H01R13/70 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/533 Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure H01R13/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/645 by exchangeable elements on case or base
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7035 comprising a separated limit switch

Abstract

The electric plug connector is intended to be used especially for explosion-proof areas. It comprises a plug and a socket. The latter includes in a housing a socket insert which, in the inserted condition of the plugs, is supported such that it is rotatable between an off position and an on position. In said socket a locking means is supported such that it is adjustable between a locking position and a release position, said locking means being provided with at least one coding projection which, in the condition in which the plug is inserted in the socket, projects into a complementary coding aperture and releases the locking means, whereupon the socket can be switched from said off position to said on position.

Claims

1. An electric plug connector, in particular for explosion-proof areas, comprising:

a plug,

a socket including at least a housing and a socket insert supported in said housing such that the socket insert is rotatable between first and second positions, said socket insert being rotated between its positions by means of the plug inserted in the socket, and

a locking element supported in the socket insert such that the locking element is displaceable between a locking position and a release position, said locking element being provided with at least one coding projection which, in the condition in which the plug is inserted in the socket insert, is arranged in a complementary coding aperture in the plug thus arranging the locking element at its release position, wherein the socket insert is rotatable between the first and second positions when the locking element is in the release position;

wherein the locking element is implemented as a locking pin which is supported in the socket insert such that it is longitudinally displaceable between the locking and release positions essentially in the plug-in direction of the plug.

2. An electric plug connector according to claim 1 wherein, when occupying the release position, the locking pin projects with one of its ends as a coding projection beyond the socket insert in the direction of the plug.

3. An electric plug connector according to claim 1 wherein the locking pin has a force applied thereto in the direction of the release position.

4. An electric plug connector according to claim 1 wherein the locking pin is arranged essentially centrally in the socket insert.

5. An electric plug connector according to claim 1 wherein the coding projection is implemented such that its cross-section is complementary to the cross-section of the coding aperture.

6. An electric plug connector according to claim 1 wherein the coding projection has a semicircular, divided circular, circular, bident, trident or multident or an angular cross-section.

7. An electric plug connector according to claim 1 wherein the socket insert is provided with a longitudinal guide means for the locking pin, the cross-section of said longitudinal guide means being substantially equal to the cross-section of the coding projection.

8. An electric plug connector according to claim 7 wherein the locking pin projects beyond said longitudinal guide means with its lower end located opposite the plug and is provided with a stop which is adapted to be brought into contact with a lower end of the longitudinal guide means.

9. An electric plug connector according to claim 8 wherein the stop is implemented as an upper end of an end sleeve of the locking pin which is open at the bottom, said end sleeve being adapted to accommodate at least part of a spring for applying a force to the locking pin in the direction of the locking-pin release position.

10. An electric plug connector according to claim 9 wherein a centering pin is arranged centrally in the end sleeve, at least part of the spring being adapted to be pushed onto said centering pin.

11. An electric plug connector according to claim 7 wherein reception holes for electric contact pin bushings are arranged around said longitudinal guide means in the socket insert.

12. An electric plug connector according to claim 11 wherein the socket insert is supported in an annular element at least in the lower end section thereof, the socket insert being adapted to be inserted together with said annular element in a plug housing which is releasably secured to the housing.

13. An electric plug connector according to claim 12 wherein the annular element, the socket insert and the plug housing are flush with one another at their respective lower ends facing the housing and project partially into a housing aperture in said housing.

14. An electric plug connector according to claim 13 wherein the plug housing is provided with a circumferentially extending edge flange which is releasably secured to an edge of said housing aperture.

15. An electric plug connector according to claim 13 wherein the plug housing is adapted to be connected to a diskshaped switching means within the housing, said switching means supporting the contact pin bushings and comprising at least one fastening disk and one switching disk which are rotatable relative to one another and disposable at two locking positions.

16. An electric plug connector according to claim 15 wherein the fastening disk is provided with a locking aperture on its front face facing the socket insert, the lower end of the locking pin being insertable into said locking aperture, whereby the socket insert and the fastening disk are coupled such that they are secured against rotation relative to one another.

17. An electric plug connector according to claim 15 wherein the fastening disk is provided with a guide wall projecting in the direction of the socket insert and engaging an annular groove in the lower end of the socket insert so as to rotatably support the same.

18. An electric plug connector according to claim 15 wherein the annular element is provided with a dog projecting towards the switching means, said dog extending through a slot guide means in the fastening disk and engaging a dog reception means arranged on the switching disk.

19. An electric plug connector according to claim 18 wherein the switching-disk back which is located opposite the fastening disk has provided thereon at least one trip cam, which, in response to a rotational displacement of the switching disk by means of the dog, adjusts a switching means of an interrupter switch to a connection position or to an interrupt position, said interrupter switch being arranged in the housing.

20. An electric plug connector according to claim 15 wherein the annular element has a substantially L-shaped guide slot for an arresting insert which is supported on the outer circumference of the socket insert in a longitudinally displaceable manner, said arresting insert being adapted to be moved along the vertical L-leg by a plug collar of the plug, when the plug is being inserted in the socket insert, and subsequently along the horizontal L-leg by rotating the socket insert relative to the annular element.

21. An electric plug connector according to claim 20 wherein the arresting insert is provided with an arresting projection which projects radially outwards relative to the socket insert and which is adapted to be brought into contact with edges of the guide slot.

22. An electric plug connector according to claim 20 wherein the arresting insert is supported in at least one support pocket such that it is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the socket insert, said support pocket being arranged on the lower end section of the socket insert.

23. An electric plug connector according to claim 22 wherein a spring for applying a force to the arresting insert in the direction of the plug is arranged between said arresting insert and the base of the support pocket.

24. An electric plug connector according to claim 22 wherein support pockets are arranged along the circumference of the socket insert, said support pockets being especially arranged in juxtaposition.