The invention concerns an electrical plug-in connector with a housing, in which an insert is accommodated that comprises an accommodation chamber for a first contact element, which gets in contact with a second contact element in the accommodation chamber, when the first contact element is inserted into the accommodation chamber.
The first contact element is, for example, a contact pin, which extends from an electrical arrangement, such as a coil, to which the plug-in connector can be connected. From the German patent document DE 102 16 406 C1 is known an electrical, angle-shaped plug-in connector with an isolation member comprising electrical contacts, the isolation member being arranged and fixed in a first angle leg of the plug-in connector in the working position. In the working position, the first angle leg is fixed to be form-fitting in the axial direction by means of a fixing screw.
It is the task of the invention to provide an electrical plug-in connector in accordance with the preamble of claim 1, which enables a simple and safe fixing of the plug-in connector on an electrical arrangement, such as a coil.
With an electrical plug-in connector with a housing, in which an insert is accommodated that comprises an accommodation chamber for a first contact element, which gets in contact with a second contact element in the accommodation chamber, when the first contact element is inserted into the accommodation chamber, this task is solved in that the accommodation chamber is delimited by a blocking element, which is, when the first contact element is inserted in the accommodation chamber, held by the first contact element in a blocking position, in which the blocking element
blocks the insert in the housing. The blocking element fixes the insert in the housing as long as the first contact element remains inserted in the accommodation chamber. This is a simple way of preventing an unwanted removal of the insert from the housing. When the first contact element is pulled out of the accommodation chamber, the blocking element is released. Then, the blocking element can, for example by means of an appropriate tool, be brought from its blocking position into a release position, in which the insert can be removed from the housing.
A preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that the blocking element is formed by a snap-in catch that extends from the insert. The snap-in catch is preferably prestressed in its blocking position. This prestressing power must be overcome to bring the blocking element from the blocking position into the release position.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that a mounting head is formed on the free end of the snap-in catch, said mounting head being the application surface of a tool. The tool is, for example, a screwdriver, with which the snap-in catch or the blocking element is moved from its blocking position to the release position, in which the insert can be removed from the housing.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that a mounting gap is provided between the mounting head and the housing. The mounting gap facilitates the access to the application surface for the tool. In the connected state of the plug-
in connector, the mounting head and the mounting gap are not accessible.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that the insert and the blocking element are made to be connected to form one piece. The insert is preferably an isolation member. For cost reasons, the insert is preferably made as an injection moulded part.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that on the side facing away from the accommodation chamber the blocking element has a blocking nose, which can engage at least one engagement recess, which is provided in the housing. The engagement recess is preferably a sinking in an inner wall of the housing, which can also be called cover.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that several engagement recesses are made in the housing. This enables different mounting positions of the insert in the housing. Also several blocking elements may be provided at the insert.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that the second contact element can be arranged in the accommodation chamber in such a manner that the first contact element is arranged between the second contact element and the blocking element, when the first contact element is inserted in the accommodation chamber. Preferably, the first contact element is jammed between the second contact element and the blocking element. This will on the one side ensure a stable contact
between the two contact elements. On the other side, the blocking element is reliably held in its blocking position.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that the second contact element comprises a free end with a basis, which will come to rest on the first contact element, when the first contact element is inserted in the accommodation chamber. The second contact element is, for example, an electrically conducting feeder gauge, whose free end is bent so that the basis is slightly prestressed against the first contact element.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that two legs angle off from the basis. One of the legs connects the basis to the second contact element. The other leg is preferably supported on the insert with its free end. The free end with the basis and the legs is substantially made to be U-shaped, the two legs not being perpendicular to the basis, but being arranged in relation to the basis in an angle, which is larger than 90 degrees. The angle between the legs and the basis amounts to approximately 130 to 140 degrees.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that the first contact element comprises an earthing pin, which extends from an electrical device, such as a coil. The invention also concerns an electrical device, such as a coil, with a plug-in connector as described above and in the following.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that the insert comprises two further accommodation chambers for two additional contact elements, which extend from a, or the, electrical device. Via the additional contact elements, the electrical device is provided with electrical energy. The additional contact elements are preferably phase pins.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that the additional contact elements are somewhat shorter than the first contact element. Thus, it is ensured that the blocking element remains in its blocking position, as long as the additional contact elements are inserted. Only when the additional contact elements do no longer have contact, the insert can be removed, as only then the blocking element is released by the first contact element. Thus, an unintentional touching of live parts is safely prevented.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that a connection arm is angled off from the housing. The electrical plug-in connector is preferably made to be angle-shaped. An electrical connection cable extends from the angled connection arm, through which cable electrical energy is supplied to the electrical device via the electrical plug-in connector.
A further preferred embodiment of the electrical plug-in connector is characterised in that the housing and the insert comprise a common through hole. The through hole serves the insertion of at least one fixing screw, by means of which the electrical plug-in connector can be fixed on an electrical device, such as a coil. The fixing
by means of the fixing screw occurs independently of the fixing of the insert in the housing by means of the blocking element.
Further advantages, features and details of the invention appear from the following description, which is made with reference to the drawings of an embodiment example, showing:
Fig. 1 an electrical plug-in connector according to an embodiment example in section, and connected and fixed to an electrical device;
Fig. 2 an enlarged section of Fig. 1 with a blocking element and
Fig. 3 an exploded view of the electrical plug-in connector of the Figs. 1 and 2.
Fig. 1 shows an electrical plug-in connector 1 in section, and connected to an electrical device 2. The electrical device 2 is the coil 3 of a solenoid valve. The electrical plug-in connector 1 is preferably used for electrical devices, particularly coils, with plug pins, for example according to the standard EN 175301-803. Between the coil 3 and the electrical plug-in connector 1, a sealing 4 is arranged. The electrical plug-in connector 1 serves to ensure a safe way of providing an electrical voltage to the coil 3. In particular, a contact with live parts inside the electrical plug-in connector 1 shall be prevented.
The electrical plug-in connector 1 comprises a housing 5, which is also called cover. The housing 5 comprises a ba-
sic housing member 6, which has a substantially square shape, and from which a connection arm 8 extends. The connection arm 8 is made in one piece with the basic housing member 6. A cable socket element 9 is screwed into the free end of the connection arm 8. A sealing element 10 is arranged in the connection arm 8. A metal ring 14 with a square cross-section is arranged between the sealing element 10 and the cable socket element 9. The cable socket element 9 belongs to an electrical connection cable (not shown).
The basic housing member 6 comprises a hollow 16, which extends into the connection arm 8. The hollow 16 is open in the direction of the coil 3 or the sealing 4, and is surrounded by a housing wall 18 of the basic housing member 6. The housing wall 18 extends around the basic housing member 6 in the circumferential direction. In the area of the opening of the basic member 6 in the direction of the coil 3, two engagement recesses 21, 22 are visible in the inside of the housing wall 18. The engagement recesses 21, 22 are made as sinkings in the housing wall 18.
In the hollow 16 bordered by the housing wall 18 and the basic housing body 6, an insert 24 is accommodated. The insert 24 is an isolation member with a central through hole 26. The central through hole 26 extends into a central through hole 28 in the basic housing body 6. On the other side, the central through hole 26 extends into a through hole 29 in the sealing 4. The through holes 26, 28, 29 form a common through hole, through which a fixing screw 30 extends with its shaft. The fixing screw 30 has a screw head 31, which is accommodated in a recess in the basic housing body 6 via an O-ring 33.
The shaft of the fixing screw 30 is provided with an outer thread. The free end of the fixing screw 30 is screwed into a through hole 35, which is provided with an inner thread, the through hole 35 being provided in the coil 3. During operation, the electrical plug-in connector 1 is fixed to the coil 3 by means of the fixing screw 30. Thus, the electrical plug-in connector 1 is held reliably on the coil 3. In order to remove the electrical plug-in connector from the coil 3, the fixing screw 30 must be unscrewed. Then, the electrical plug-in connector 1 can be removed from the coil 3 without having to remove the insert 24 from the housing 5.
The insert 24 has an accommodation chamber 40 for a first contact element 41. The first contact element 41 is an earthing pin, which extends from the coil 3. The first contact element 41 is partly accommodated in the accommodation chamber 40, which is open in the direction of the coil 3. In the inserted state of the first contact element 41 shown in Fig. 1, the first contact element 41 is in contact with a second contact element 42, which is arranged in the accommodation chamber 40. The second contact element 42 is, for example, formed by a feeder gauge, which is connected to the electrical connection cable (not shown).
According to an essential aspect of the invention, the insert 24 is fixed in the housing 5 by means of a blocking element 45. The blocking element 45 works independently of the fixing screw 30. Thus, it is for example possible to remove the insert 24, when the fixing screw 30 is still inserted in housing 5 and the insert 24. However, the coil
3 and the sealing 4 must be removed before removing the insert 24 from the housing 5.
The enlarged view in Fig. 2 shows that the free end of the second contact element 42 is substantially U-shaped with a basis 50. A leg 51 extends from the basis 50, said leg 51 connecting the basis 50 to the rest of the second contact element 42. On the other side, a second leg 52 extends from the basis 50, said leg 52 being accommodated in a recess of the insert 24. In a cross-section, the recess has substantially the shape of a triangle.
Each leg 51, 52 is arranged at an angle of approximately 135 degrees in relation to the basis 50. The ends of the legs 51, 52 are supported on the insert 24. The basis 50 rests on the first contact element 41. On the side of the first contact element 41 facing away from the basis 50, the blocking element 45 is arranged. The blocking element 45 can, but must not necessarily, be supported on the first contact element 41. The blocking element 45 and the insert 24 are connected to form one piece, and the blocking element has the function of a snap-in catch. For this purpose, a blocking nose 55 is formed on the blocking element 45, said blocking nose 55 engaging the snap-in recess 22 in the blocking position of the blocking element 45 shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
The blocking nose 55 and the blocking element 45 are made so that the insert 24 cannot be removed from the housing 5, as long as the blocking element 45 is in its blocking position. According to an essential aspect of the invention, the earthing pin 41, which is partly accommodated in the accommodation chamber 40, prevents the blocking ele-
ment 45 from moving from the blocking position shown to a release position. When the earthing pin 41 is pulled out of the accommodation chamber 40, the blocking element 45 can be moved from the blocking position shown in the direction of the insert 24, that is, upwards in Fig. 2, in order to reach its release position. In the release position (not shown) of the blocking element 45, the blocking nose 55 is moved out of the snap-in recess 22, so that the insert 24 can be pulled out of the housing 5.
For the release of the blocking element 45, the blocking element 4 5 is provided with a mounting head 60, which is connected to form one piece with the blocking nose 55. The mounting head 60 comprises an application surface 61 for a mounting tool, for example a screwdriver. Between the application surface 61 and the housing wall 18, a mounting gap 62 is provided, which enables the access to the application surface 61, when the coil 3 and the sealing 4 are no longer connected to the electrical plug-in connector 1.
Fig. 3 shows that a further snap-in recess 63 is provided in the housing wall 18. The various snap-in recesses 21, 22, 63 make it possible to arrange the insert 24 in the housing 5 in different positions. Preferably, four snap-in recesses are provided, namely one on each side of the basic housing body 6. Thus, it is achieved that the insert 24 can be mounted in the housing 5 in steps of 90 degrees. This has the advantage that the cable socket element 9 can point in four different directions, namely upwards, downwards, to the right or to the left, according to what is most expedient.
Fig. 3 further shows that the insert 24 has two additional accommodation chambers 71, 72, whose openings are arranged next to the central through hole 26 in the front surface of the insert 24 facing away from the coil. The additional accommodation chambers 71, 72 serve to accommodate further contact elements, particularly phase pins. The phase pins (not shown) extend from the coil and are connected to further contact elements inside the insert 24.
During the assembly of the electrical plug-in connector 1, the insert 24 is pushed into the housing 5. The blocking nose 55 of the blocking element 45 engages one of the snap-in recesses 21, 22, 63. In order to remove the insert 24, the blocking element 45 can be lifted out of the snap-in recess in question, for example by means of a screwdriver. In order to connect cables to the contact elements in the insert 24, it is necessary to remove the insert 24 from the housing 5.
According to an essential aspect of the invention, a removal of the insert 24 is prevented by the blocking element, when the first contact element 41 is accommodated in the accommodation chamber 40, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, it is reliably prevented that the insert 24 is removed from the housing 5 by mistake, before the current connection is interrupted. As the first contact element 41 is somewhat longer, that is, approximately 2 mm, than the two additional contact elements, the insert 24 is fixed in the housing by means of the blocking element 45, until the additional contact elements no longer have contact with their belonging contact elements. The blocking element 45 prevents unintentional touching of live parts.

We Claim:
1. Electrical plug-in connector with a housing (5), in
which an insert (24) is accommodated that comprises an
accommodation chamber (40) for a first contact element
(41), which gets in contact with a second contact element (42) in the accommodation chamber (40), when the first contact element (41) is inserted into the accommodation chamber (40), characterised in that the accommodation chamber (40) is delimited by a blocking element (45), which is, when the first contact element
(41) is inserted in the accommodation chamber (40), held by the first contact element (41) in a blocking position, in which the blocking element (45) blocks the insert (24) in the housing (5).
2. Electrical plug-in connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the blocking element (45) is formed by a snap-in catch that extends from the insert (24) .
3. Electrical plug-in connector according to claim 2, characterised in that a mounting head (60) is formed on the free end of the snap-in catch, said mounting head (60) being the application surface (61) of a tool.
4. Electrical plug-in connector according to claim 3, characterised in that a mounting gap (62) is provided between the mounting head (60) and the housing (5).
5. Electrical plug-in connector according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the insert (24)
and the blocking element (45) are made to be connected to form one piece.
6. Electrical plug-in connector according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that on the side facing away from the accommodation chamber (40) the blocking element (45) has a blocking nose (55), which can engage at least one engagement recess (21, 22, 63), which is provided in the housing (5).
7. Electrical plug-in connector according to claim 6, characterised in that several engagement recesses (21, 22, 63) are made in the housing (5).
8. Electrical plug-in connector according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the second contact element (42) can be arranged in the accommodation chamber (40) in such a manner that the first contact element (41) is arranged between the second contact element (42) and the blocking element (45), when the first contact element (41) is inserted in the accommodation chamber (40).
9. Electrical plug-in connector according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the second contact element (42) comprises a free end with a basis (50), which will come to rest on the first contact element (41), when the first contact element (41) is inserted in the accommodation chamber (40).
10. Electrical plug-in connector according to claim 9, characterised in that two legs (51, 52) angle off from the basis (50) .
11. Electrical plug-in connector according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the first contact element (41) comprises an earthing pin, which extends from an electrical device (2), such as a coil (3) .
12. Electrical plug-in connector according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the insert (24) comprises two further accommodation chambers (71, 72) for two additional contact elements, which extend from a, or the, electrical device (2).
13. Electrical plug-in connector according claim 12, characterised in that the additional contact elements are somewhat shorter than the first contact element (41).
14. Electrical plug-in connector according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that a connection arm (8) is angled off from the housing (5).
15. Electrical plug-in connector according to claim 14, characterised in that the housing (5) and the insert (24) comprise at least one common through hole (26, 28).
16. Electrical plug-in connector with a housing, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.