A connector housing with a contact locking element comprising a latching element

Abstract

 The invention relates to a connector housing (1) with a housing body (2) and at least one locking element (3) for securing contact elements. In order to be able to latch the locking element (3) in its securing position (P) with a constant force, the invention provides that at least one latching element (12) is arranged on a side of the locking element (3) that faces away from a fixed end (29) of the locking element (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector housing with a housing body that is formed with at least one contact opening for mounting a contact element therein, and with at least one locking element for securing the contact element in the contact opening, the locking element comprising a locking member with a fixed end that is affixed to the housing body in a swivelling manner, and with a latching element for holding the locking element in its securing position. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a set comprising at least two connector housings. Connector housings with locking elements are known in the art. The locking elements are at least sectionwise inserted into contact openings for securing a contact element in a form- or force-fit manner. In order to protect the locking elements in this securing position, known locking elements have latching elements for establishing a latch connection with the housing body. With the known latching elements, however, insertion or mounting forces necessary for pushing the locking element in its securing position vary with differently shaped locking elements, which influences the ease of utilization of the connector housing.

[0002] In view of this disadvantage of the known connector housing, an object underlying the invention is to provide a connector housing, which can be utilized independent of the shape of its locking element.

[0003] This object is achieved according to the invention for the connector housing mentioned in the beginning in that the latching element is arranged on a side of the locking element that faces away from the fixed end. For the set of connector housings mentioned in the beginning, the object is achieved according to the invention in that the at least two connector housings are formed according to the invention, wherein the at least one locking element of one of the two connector housings differs in width from the at least one locking element of another of the at least two connector housings and in that the type and number of the latching elements of the one connector housing corresponds to or equals the type and number of the latching elements of the other connector housing.

[0004] This simple solution provides that the latching element can be formed independently of the remaining locking element. Hence, it can be optimized with respect to utilization of the connector housing and in particular with respect to insertion or mounting forces that have to be applied for moving the locking element into its securing position and more particularly for establishing the latch connection between the latching element and the housing body.

[0005] The solutions according to the invention can be combined as desired and further improved by the further following embodiments that are advantageous on their own, in each case.

[0006] According to a first possible embodiment, the latching element can have a width, this width being less than half of the width of the locking element. In particular, the latching element can be narrow compared to the locking element and the width of the latching element can be less than or equal to 40%, 30, 20%, 10%, 5% or 3% of the width of the locking element. The width of the latching and of the locking element can be measured parallel to a width direction that extends from one side of the locking element to another side of the locking element, the sides extending away from the fixed end. A predetermined and in particular small width keeps the insertion or mounting forces stable and preferably small.

[0007] The locking element can comprise a predetermined amount of latching elements and in particular at least two, three, four, five or more latching elements per locking element. The predetermined amount of latching elements can be independent of the shape and in particular of the width of the locking element.

[0008] Hence, when moving the locking element into its securing position, the same amount of latching elements have to be brought into the latching connection with the housing body, resulting in a constant mounting force, which is independent of the shape and particularly of the width of the locking element. The latching elements can be formed separate from each other.

[0009] The connection between the locking member and the housing body via the fixed end facilitates a movement of the locking element towards its securing position. An easy way to establish such a connection is, if the fixed end is formed as a film hinge, which may be resiliently deformable in and against the swivelling direction.

[0010] If the locking element is formed with more than one latching element, the latching elements can be arranged spaced apart from each other, either at a constant distance to each other or at constant distances to certain structures of the locking element. In particular, the latching elements can be arranged at constant distances to sides of the locking element. Such arrangements enable the user of the connector housing to always actuate similar sections of the locking element when pushing the locking element into its securing position.

[0011] In another advantageous embodiment, the connector housing can comprise more than one and e.g. two, three, four, five or more locking elements. For enabling several of even all of the locking elements to be swivelled into and latched in the securing position with essentially the same force, each of the locking elements can be equipped with the same amount, e.g. two, of latching elements. The latching elements of each of the locking elements can be similarly arranged, e.g. at selected distances to each other or to chosen structures of the connector housing. Hence, the amount and the arrangement of the latching elements of one of the locking elements can correspond to or equal the amount and the arrangement of the latching elements of another one of the locking elements.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment, the latching element can be formed as a latching protrusion. A latching protrusion can easily be detected by the user, who can therefore identify the actuating sections of the locking element, which he has to actuate for pressing the locking element into the securing position. If a visual or tactile detection of the latching elements is not necessary for handling the connector housing, the latching element can of another shape and can i.e. be formed as a latching recess in the alternative.

[0013] In order to further simplify the handling of the connector housing, the latching protrusion can project away from the fixed end of the latching member. Such an embodiment of the latching protrusion avoids that it unintentionally interferes with one of the contact openings or the contact elements arranged in such openings.

[0014] In particular, the latching element can be formed as latching nose, the bridge of said nose facing away from the fixed end. Furthermore, a width of the latching nose, that is to be measured between wings of the latching nose, is preferably less than the width of the locking element and in particular less than or equal to 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5% or 3% of the width of the locking element. Hence, the width of the latching element can be less than and particularly a fraction of the width of the locking element, even reduced by the width of the latching element.

[0015] In order to further functionally separate the locking or securing from the latching function of the locking element, the locking element can be formed with the securing protrusion that projects from the locking member. The latching element can be arranged between a base end of the securing protrusion, which base end is affixed to the locking member, and a free end of the securing protrusion. On the one hand, the latching element does not protrude from the connector housing in the securing position of the locking element, preventing the creation of additional interference structures of the connector housing. On the other hand, the locking element can plunge into the housing body without unintentional interference with one of the contact openings or the contact element arranged therein. This results in a compact design of the contact housing.

[0016] For further enhancing the compact design of the connector housing, the securing protrusion can project from the locking member in a swivelling direction, in which the locking member can be swivelled towards its securing position. Besides the improvement of the compactness of the connector housing, such a design with the securing protrusion projecting in the swivelling direction further improves the utilization of the connector housing, as the securing protrusion is not arranged in any of the actuating areas for the user. Hence, the actuating areas can be shaped for ease of use and can in particular be flat, such that unpleasant pressure peaks to the user's fingers are avoided.

[0017] In order to be able to simultaneously latch more than one latching element of the locking element, the latching elements can be aligned with each other, e.g. perpendicular to one of the contact openings. In particular, in the swivelling direction, the latching elements can be arranged at the same distance to the actuating area of each of the locking elements.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment, the housing body can be formed with the locking opening for at least sectionwise receiving a locking end of the locking element. In particular, the locking protrusion of the locking element can be part of the locking end and can at least sectionwise or even fully be received in the locking opening in the securing position.

[0019] The locking end can comprise the latching element and the locking opening can be formed with a counter latching element for the latching element. Thus, the securing and latching function of the connector housing according to the invention can easily be achieved by simply swivelling the locking element in the swivelling direction towards the securing position and by pressing the locking end at least sectionwise into the locking opening.

[0020] For interacting with the latching element, the counter latching element can be arranged on a side of the locking opening that faces the latching element in the securing position and that in particular faces the fixed end of the locking member.

[0021] In order to enable the user to easily detect the counter latching element, the counter latching element can be shaped as a latching projection that protrudes towards the fixed end. If a visual or tactile detection of the counter latching element is not necessary, the counter latching element can be of another shape, for instance a latching recess.

[0022] If the connector housing only comprises a small amount of contact openings that are arranged side by side, e.g. two, three, four or five contact openings, the locking member can have a length between its fixed and its locking end that is larger than its width perpendicular to its length and to the swivelling direction. Hence, the locking member may be a locking arm. If, however, the connector housing comprises a larger amount of contact openings, e.g. up to seven, up to ten, up to sixteen or more contact openings, the width of the locking member can exceed its length. In this case, the locking member can be shaped as a locking cover covering upper and/or lower sides of the housing body at least sectionwise or even fully and in particular the locking opening. The locking arm may, however, cover one side the housing body at least sectionwise, too. Independent of the amount of contact openings, the securing protrusion can have a width which at least facilitates that a certain subset or amount of contact elements can be secured in their contact openings. Thus, the securing protrusion may be designated as a securing beam or securing bar that essentially extends perpendicular to the one contact opening. If the securing protrusion is formed with a security lug, this lug can be a security bead extending perpendicular to the contact openings instead.

[0023] If the contact housing comprises more than one contact opening, each contact opening may comprise one locking opening. Alternatively, the locking opening may extend continuously perpendicular to the contact openings and intersect several contact openings. In this case, the locking opening can be designated as a locking groove. The counter latching element may also extend continuously perpendicular to the contact openings and may therefore be designated a counter latching rail. If, however, the counter latching element does not protrude towards the fixed end but away from the fixed end, it may be designated as a counter latching groove.

[0024] In the set, the type of latching elements may correspond to the size, form or cross-section and/or to the arrangement of the latching elements. Hence, at least one of the locking elements of one connector housing can comprise latching elements that are essentially identical to the latching elements of the at least one of the locking elements of the other connector housing. Furthermore, the at least one latching element of the connector housing can be arranged in a position on the locking element that is essentially identical to a position of the at least one latching element at the other connector housing. The position can be determined with respect to another latching element of the respective locking element or to a predetermined feature of the respect connector housing.

[0025] The invention will be described hereinafter in greater detail and in an exemplary manner using advantageous embodiments and with reference to the drawings. The described embodiments are only possible configurations in which, however, the individual features as described above can be provided independently of one another, or can be omitted in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of an connector housing according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1.

[0026] First, a connector housing 1 with a housing body 2 and a locking element 3 for securing contact elements in the connector housing 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows only a part of the connector housing 1 in an enlarged cross-sectional view. In particular, a locking opening 4 of the housing body 2 and a locking end 5 of the locking element 3 are illustrated. The locking end 5 may comprise a securing protrusion 6, which protrudes from a locking member 7 of the locking element 3 in a swivelling direction D. Against the swivelling direction D, the locking opening 4 may open such that the securing protrusion 6 can be inserted into the locking opening 4 in the swivelling direction D. The locking opening 4 may intersect a contact opening of the connector housing 1, into which a contact element can be arranged. The contact opening, however, is not visible in Fig. 1.

[0027] The locking end 5 may be arranged opposite of a fixed end of the locking element 3, which is not shown in Fig. 1. The locking member 7 can extend from the fixed end towards the locking end 5 in a length direction L, in which the length of the locking member 7 can be measured and which can extend parallel to the at least one contact opening. The securing protrusion 6 may comprise a securing lug 8, which extends against the length direction L and towards the fixed end. Hence, the securing protrusion 6 may essentially be hook-shaped. Alternatively, the securing lug 8 can furthermore extend perpendicular to the length direction L, such that the securing lug 8 or even the complete securing protrusion 6 is bead-shaped, thereby possibly increasing the mechanical stiffness of the locking end 5. In particular, the securing protrusion 6 may be adapted to create a force- or form-fit with a contact element arranged in the contact opening for securing the position of the contact element. The securing protrusion 6 may be formed with a necking 9, in which the dimension of the securing protrusion 6 is reduced in and/or against the length direction L. The necking 9 may be arranged between a base end 10 of the securing protrusion 6 and a free end 11 of the securing protrusion 6, the free end 11 being arranged opposite to the base end 10. Via the base end 10, the securing protrusion 6 may be affixed to the locking member 7. Due to the necking 9, the free end 11 may be elastically deflectable in and/or against the length direction 11.

[0028] For holding the locking element 3 in its depicted securing position P, in which the securing protrusion 6 is arranged such that it can be secure the position the contact element, the locking element 3 can be formed with a latching element 12. The latching element 12 is preferably arranged on a side 13 of the locking element 3, which faces away from the fixed end, i.e. in the length direction L. If the locking element 3 comprises a securing lug 8, the securing lug 8 and the latching element 12 can extend away from each other, i.e. in opposing directions.

[0029] The latching element 12 can in the swivelling direction D be arranged between the base end 10 and the free end 11 of the securing protrusion 6. In particular, the latching element 12 can be arranged between the free end 11 and the necking 9. Thus, when forming the latching connection, which holds the locking element 3 in its securing position P, the latching element 11 may elastically move with the free end 11 due to the inferior stiffness of the securing protrusion 6 in the area of its necking 9.

[0030] The latching element 12 is shown as a latching protrusion or latching nose, which projects from the securing protrusion 6 away from the fixed end, hence in the length direction L. The latching protrusion may be shaped as a right-angled triangle having two legs 14, 15, one of the legs, namely leg 14, essentially facing in the swivelling direction D and the other leg 15 being connected to the securing protrusion 6. The hypotenuse 16 of the latching protrusion may face out of the locking opening 4 and essentially against the swivelling direction D.

[0031] If the latching protrusion is shaped as a latching nose, the latching nose can have any triangular form or cross-section and one side of the triangle and especially its hypotenuse 16 may be designated as the bridge of the latching nose. The bridge may face away from the fixed end. In the alternative, the latching protrusion can have any polygonal form or cross-section, the cross-sectional plane extending away from the fixed end in the length direction, the form or cross-section providing for the latching function.

[0032] When removing the locking element 3 out of its securing position P, a latch connection between the latching element 12 and a counter latching element has to be disengaged. In order to facilitate the disengagement, the locking element 3 may comprise a gripping section 17. The gripping section 17 is preferably formed as an overhanging part of the locking end 5, which is formed with a gripping surface 18 that has a surface normal at least partially extending in the length direction L and the swivelling direction D. Hence, the gripping section 17 can easily be gripped or grasped by a finger or fingernail or a tool.

[0033] For holding the locking element 3 in its securing position P, the connector housing 1 may be formed with a counter latching element 19. The counter latching element 19 is preferably formed in order to create the latching connection with the latching element 12. Hence, the counter latching element 19 may be arranged essentially opposite of the latching element 12, when the locking element 3 is in its securing position P. In particular, the counter latching element 19 can be arranged on a side 20 of the housing body 2, which confines the locking opening 4 in the length direction L and which essentially faces against the length direction L. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the counter latching element 19 is formed as a latching projection that protrudes against the length direction L. Alternatively, the counter latching element 19 can be shaped as a latching recess, which extends in the length direction L and opens towards the length direction L. The side 20 may extend tilted with respect to the swivelling direction D in the length direction L, such that the securing protrusion 6 can be inserted into the locking opening 4 without colliding with the side 20 or the counter latching element 19.

[0034] For protecting the locking element 3 from unintentional movement out of its securing position P, the connector housing 1 may be formed with a block element 21. The block element 21 may be arranged behind the locking end 5 in the length direction L and can at least sectionwise overlap the locking element 5 in the length direction L. In particular, the block element 21 can extend against the swivelling direction D, such that it covers the locking element 3 at least sectionwise. The block element 21 can even surmount the locking element 3 against the swivelling direction D in the securing position P. In particular, a top surface 22, which faces against the swivelling direction D of the block element 21 and a top surface 23 of the locking element 3, which extends parallel to the top surface 22 in the shown embodiment, may be aligned with each other. By this design, interfering edges are at least reduced.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows the connector housing 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1 in a schematic perspective view. The connector housing 1 is formed with several contact openings 24, which extend side by side along the length direction L through the housing body 2 of the connector housing 1. The locking opening 4 may intersect more than one of the contact openings 24 and extend in a width direction W of the connector housing 1, the width direction W extending perpendicular to the swivelling direction D and the length direction L. In the width direction D, at least some of the contact openings 24 may be arranged after each other. In particular, at least a subset of the contact openings 24 may be aligned with each other in the width direction W.

[0036] The connector housing 1 may comprise at least one further locking opening 4' and even a third locking opening 4". The locking openings 4, 4', 4" may each continuously extend through different amounts of contact openings 24, thereby forming locking grooves. For instance, according to the embodiment of Fig. 2, the connector housing 1 comprises two locking openings 4, 4' that are arranged on one side 25 of the connector housing 1 and a third locking opening 4" that is arranged on another side 26 of the connector housing 1, which is arranged opposite of the one side 25. In the example of Fig. 2, the locking openings 4, 4' are aligned with each other in the width direction W and with the locking opening 4" in the swivelling direction D. The locking openings 4, 4' may each intersect a certain amount and for example the same amount of contact openings 24. The locking opening 4", however, can extend through a different amount of contact openings 24 and for example through a double amount of contact openings 24. In particular, if the connector housing 1 comprises two rows 27, 28 of contact openings 24, the locking opening 4" can extend through the complete row 28 and the locking openings 4, 4' each extend through only a part of the contact openings 24 in row 27.

[0037] Each of the locking openings 4, 4', 4" can border at least one counter latching element 19. The counter latching element 19 for example protrudes into the locking openings 4, 4', 4". In the shown embodiment, the counter latching element 19 is shaped as a counter latching bar or rib, which extends parallel to the width direction W. The counter latching element 19 is for instance arranged on the side 20 of each of the locking openings 4, 4', 4", which continues on the block element 21. On the block element 21, the side 20 may, however, be tilted with respect to the part of the side 20 bordering the locking opening 4, 4', 4". In order to secure more than one contact element in the respective contact opening 24, the locking element 3 can extend in the width direction W over more than one contact opening 24. Furthermore, the contact housing 1 may comprise more than one locking element 3 and as shown in the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, for instance three locking elements 3, 3', 3". The width of the locking elements 3, 3', 3" in the width direction W may be adapted to the length of the locking openings 4, 4', 4" in the same direction. In order to secure contact elements in the contact openings 24, the locking ends 5, 5', 5" can be pushed towards the respective locking openings 4, 4', 4".

[0038] Independent from its width in the width direction W, each of the locking elements 3, 3', 3" can comprise the same amount of latching elements 12. In the shown exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, each of the locking elements 3, 3', 3" is equipped with two latching elements 12. In the alternative, one, three, four, five or more latching elements 12 can be provided on each of the locking elements 3. Due to this constant amount of latching elements 12, it is not necessary to apply different actuating forces when pushing the securing protrusion 6 into the locking opening 4, 4', 4". Even with the locking element 3", which essentially extends over the complete width of the housing body 2 in the width direction W, the force that is sufficient for moving one of the opposite locking elements 3, 3' into the securing position P is enough for closing and latching the locking element 3" into its securing position P.

[0039] The only difference in the necessary insertion, mounting or closing force may be caused by the different sizes of fixed ends 29 of the locking elements 3, 3', 3". The fixed end 29 can namely be formed to create an elastic force, which tends to keep the locking elements in their mounting positions M, which is spaced from the securing position P in or against the swivelling direction D. In the mounting position M, no contact element may be affixed by the respective locking elements 3, 3', 3". For instance, the fixed ends 29 can be formed as film hinges. For influencing the elastic forces caused by the fixed end 29, the locking element may be formed with at least one weakening channel 30, which extends from the fixed end 29 towards the locking end 5, 5', 5" when the weakening channel 30 terminates in a closed end. In the shown embodiment, the locking end 5" of the locking element 3" has to be moved against the swivelling direction D for being moved into the securing position P.

[0040] The latching element 12 can have a width in the width direction W that is considerably smaller than the width of the respective locking element 3 the latching element 12 is part of. In particular, the width of the latching element 12 can be less than or equal to 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5% or 3% of the width of the locking element 3. According to the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 2, the width of the latching element 12 is approximately 4% of the width of the locking element 3. Hence, the width of the latching element 12 can be less than and in particular a fraction of the width of the locking element.

[0041] The latching elements 12 of each of the locking elements 3, 3', 3" may be aligned with each other in the width direction W and may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the same direction. For instance, the latching elements 12 of each of the locking elements 3, 3', 3" can all have the same distance to each other. In the alternative, the latching elements 12 can be arranged in a constant distance to sides 31, 32 of the respective locking element 3, 3', 3", that is closest to the respective latching element 12 in or against the width direction W. Areas on top surfaces 23 of the locking elements 3, 3', 3" close to each of the latching elements 12 may be designated as actuating areas 33, 34, which can be pushed towards the respective locking openings 4, 4', 4" by the user or a tool when transferring the locking elements 3, 3', 3" into their securing positions P.

[0042] The connector housing 1 of Figs. 1 and 2 can be part of a set of connector housings 1 comprising at least a first and a second connector housing 1 according to the advantageous embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2, wherein each of the first and second connector housings 1 comprises at least one locking element 3 or 3", the width in the width direction W of the locking element 3 of the first connector housing 1 differing from the width in the width direction W of the locking element 3" of the second connector housing 1 and wherein the number and/or the arrangement of the latching elements 12 of the first connector housing 1 corresponds to or even equals the number and/or the arrangement of the latching elements 12 of the second connector housing 1. Furthermore, the latching elements 12 of the locking elements 3, 3" can be of the same type, i.e. can have the same size, shape, form and/or cross-section.

[0043] The at least two locking elements 3, 3', 3" of one single connector housing 1 all have preferably the same type and number of latching elements 12 in identical arrangements.

Claims

1. A connector housing (1) with a housing body (2) that is formed with at least one contact opening (24) for mounting a contact element therein, and with at least one locking element (3) for securing the contact element in the contact opening (24), the locking element (3) comprising a locking member (7) with a fixed end (29) that is affixed to the housing body (2) in a swivelling manner, and with a latching element (12) for holding the locking element (3) in its securing position (P), characterized in that the latching element (12) is arranged on a side (13) of the locking element (3) that faces away from the fixed end (29).

2. The connector housing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a width of the latching element (12) is less than half of the width of the locking element (3).

3. The connector housing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (3) comprises at least two latching elements (12).

4. The connector housing (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the latching elements (12) are spaced apart from each other.

5. The connector housing (1) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connector housing (1) is formed with at least two locking elements (3, 3"), wherein the amount and the arrangement of the latching elements (12) of one of the locking elements (3, 3") correspond to the amount and the arrangement of the latching elements (12) of another of the locking elements (3, 3").

6. The connector housing (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the latching element (12) is formed as a latching protrusion.

7. The connector housing (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the latching protrusion projects away from the fixed end (29).

8. The connector housing (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the latching element (12) is formed as a latching nose.

9. The connector housing (1) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the locking element (3) is formed with a securing protrusion (6) that projects from the locking member (7), the latching element (12) being arranged between a base end (10) of the securing protrusion (6), which base end (10) is affixed to the locking member (7), and a free end (11) of the securing protrusion (6).

10. The connector housing (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the securing protrusion (6) projects from the locking member (7) in a swivelling direction (D), in which the locking member (7) can be swivelled towards its securing position (P).

11. The connector housing (1) according to any of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the latching elements (12) are aligned with each other perpendicular to the contact opening (24).

12. The connector housing (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the housing body (2) is formed with a locking opening (4) for at least sectionwise receiving a locking end (5) of the locking element (3), the locking end (5) comprising the latching element (12), the locking opening (4) being formed with a counter latching element (19) for the latching element (12).

13. The connector housing (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the counter latching element (19) is arranged on a side (20) of the locking opening (4) that faces the fixed end (29).

14. The connector housing (1) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the counter latching element (19) is a latching projection that protrudes towards the fixed end (29).

15. A set comprising at least two connector housings (1), characterized in that the at least two connector housings (1) are connector housings (1) according to any of claims 1 to 14, and in that the at least one locking element (3) of one of the at least two connector housings (1) differs in width from the at least one locking element (3") of another of the at least two connector housings (1), wherein the type and number of the latching elements (12) of the one connector housing (1) corresponds to the type and number of the latching elements (12) of the other connector housing (1).

Drawing