Plug-and-socket connector having a movable closure element

• US 9,748,688 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2016
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): HYEON, HAE M
• Application Number:
  US15/214,279
• Publication Number:
  US 20170025786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 406 Days
• Field of Search: 439140, 439141
• 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 is movably supported inside the female contact.

Claims

1. A plug-and-socket connector comprising:

an electrically conductive female contact shaped to receive a contact pin, comprising a contact section at a distal end, 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, wherein a distal section of the closure element increases in diameter in a plugging direction, and wherein the distal section engages the contact section, and wherein the contact section opens upon an advancing motion of the distal section during a plugging procedure of the contact pin.

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 of the female contact, wherein the first pretensioning device presses the closure element in the direction of the opening.

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

4. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 3, wherein the 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 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.

6. 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.

7. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 1, 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 7, wherein the female contact is arranged inside an insulating body in a stationary manner 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 8, wherein a material defining the opening, including the insulating body and the closure element, is constructed to be electrically insulating.

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

11. The plug-and-socket connector according to claim 1, wherein a material, defining the opening of an insulating body of the plug-and-socket connector and the closure element, is constructed to be electrically insulating.