Title of Invention	PLUG CONNECTOR
Abstract	The invention relates to a plug connector (10) for the detachable connection of a number of cable pairs (97, 98) with a conductor cross-section of more than 10 mm2 in particular, for the supply of the welding current in welding robots, wherein individual contact elements (52, 60), with a conducting connection to the cables (97, 98), may be plugged into an insulated plug housing (11) with a clipping action and are detachably held in the plug housing (11) or terminal housing (12), the clipping action of the contact elements (52, 60) in the housings (11, 12) being achieved by an elastic deformation of the housings (11, 12). Manipulation is facilitated in that the housing (11, 12) is made from a material of such a hardness that the plugging in and exchange of contact elements can be achieved without the use of tools.

Title of Invention

PLUG CONNECTOR

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector (10) for the detachable connection of a number of cable pairs (97, 98) with a conductor cross-section of more than 10 mm2 in particular, for the supply of the welding current in welding robots, wherein individual contact elements (52, 60), with a conducting connection to the cables (97, 98), may be plugged into an insulated plug housing (11) with a clipping action and are detachably held in the plug housing (11) or terminal housing (12), the clipping action of the contact elements (52, 60) in the housings (11, 12) being achieved by an elastic deformation of the housings (11, 12). Manipulation is facilitated in that the housing (11, 12) is made from a material of such a hardness that the plugging in and exchange of contact elements can be achieved without the use of tools.

Full Text	DESCRIPTION PLUG-TYPE CONNECTION TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the field of electrical plug-type connections. It relates to a plug- type connection in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. PRIOR ART In robot technology, in particular in industrial welding robots, comparatively high currents in the region of 100 A or more need to be guided from the base of the robots along the robot arm to the apparatuses fitted at the end of the robot arm (welding tools etc.) For this purpose, wiring with the corresponding conductor cross sections (typically 10-50 mm2) are used which are guided along the robot arm and are equipped with corresponding plug-type connections at the joints (in particular at the base and at the end of the arm). For the application with welding robots, the applicant already markets plug-type connections from the TSB/TSS series (primary circuit plug-type connectors for welding transformers), in which individual contacts in the form of sockets and corresponding pins are electrically connected to the cable ends, from which the insulation has been stripped, by means of a screw- type or crimping connection and are then introduced into corresponding (cylindrical) insulating housings (see in this regard the catalog MC Roboticline 07.2001 (ex Ho7b) , 2001; pages 18, 19 and 31). In accordance with the assembly instructions MA 200, special tools are required for this purpose in order to press the individual contacts, which are resting on the cable ends, into the bores provided for this purpose in the insulating housings and to press them out again, if necessary, in the event of repair work (pages 41-44 of the abovementioned catalog). The known plug-type connections for the primary circuit of welding transformers in the welding robots sector have proven to be successful in practice. However, special tools (pin introduction tool, pin removal tool, socket introduction tool, socket removal tool etc.) are required for introducing and removing the individual contacts, and these tools not only need to be kept at the assembly/dismantling location, but also require special handling of the insulating housings when they are used. Since, in the case of welding robots, the associated cables are subject to pulse-like mechanical loads owing to the pulse-like welding currents and the associated magnetic fields, the cables need to be replaced more often during continuous operation of the robots in an industrial environment. In this case it is desirable for such a replacement to be capable of being carried out simply and quickly and also under restricted space conditions. Furthermore, in the case of new robot types it is now practice to lay the supply and control cables or cable harnesses, which until now have been guided on the outside along the robot arms, in the interior of the arms in order to prevent possible collisions between the cable harnesses and objects arranged in the vicinity of the swiveling range of the robot and therefore also to simplify programming. By laying the cables in the interior of the robot arm, simplified assembly/dismantling of the plug-type connections becomes even more important under restricted conditions as well. Furthermore, the plug-type connections should be as tight against one another as possible in a simple manner, both in the region of contact-making in the plugged-in state and in the region of the cable entry point (protection rating IP67) . Furthermore it is desirable to be able to secure the plug-type connection in the plugged-in state against unintentionally becoming unplugged in a simple manner and to be able to fix the plug-type connection at the use location in a simple manner. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to specify a plug-type connection for the described use which avoids the disadvantages of previous plug-type connections and can be assembled and dismantled simply and quickly without special aids and also under restricted spatial conditions. The object is achieved by the entirety of the features of claim 1. The essence of the invention consists in, in the case of the plug-type connection according to the invention, individual contact elements, which are conductively connected to the cables, being plugged into an insulating plug housing and/or an insulating socket housing so as to latch in and being held replaceably in the plug housing and socket housing, respectively, wherein the latching-in of the contact elements in the housings is achieved by elastic deformation of the housings, and wherein the housings are made from a material with a hardness which makes it possible for the contact elements to be plugged in and replaced without the aid of tools. The material of the housings is therefore "soft" enough for the individual contacts, which are located at the cable ends and are equipped with latching apparatuses, to be capable of being pressed into the bores provided for this purpose in the housings and possibly also withdrawn again without the use of special tools, i.e. only by hand, counter to a certain resistance. The "softness" of the material in this case depends on the design of the latching mechanism which also determines the level of elastic deformation required. In accordance with a configuration of the invention, the plug housing and/or the socket housing are designed to be integral and are made from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). A further configuration of the invention is characterized by the fact that the contact elements are arranged in the plug housing and/or the socket housing parallel next to one another in one plane, and in that in each case three contact elements are arranged next to one another in the housings. With respect to the mechanical stability and sealtightness, it is particularly advantageous if cable sleeves for accommodating the ends of the cables connected to the contact elements are arranged on the plug housing and/or socket housing, and if releasable fastening means are provided, by means of which the cables can be fixed in the cable sleeves. Preferably, the fastening means each comprise a cable strain-relief clamp, which fixedly clamps the cables in the cable sleeves as a result of external pressure on the cable sleeves, wherein the cable strain-relief clamps each comprise an upper part and a lower part, which surround the cable sleeves on opposite sides and can be connected to one another, and wherein the cable sleeves are in the form of hollow cylinders which are arranged next to one another parallel at a distance, and the upper part and the lower part of the cable strain-relief clamps are each in the form of a bar, which extends transversely over the cable sleeves and is equipped, on the side facing the cable sleeves, with cutouts so as to conform to the cable sleeves. In particular, the upper and lower parts of the cable strain-relief clamps have mutually aligned bores in order for them to be connected to one another, wherein the upper and lower parts of the cable strain-relief clamps are connected to one another by means of fastening screws, which extend through the bores, and exert external pressure on the cable sleeves. Another configuration is characterized by the fact that the cable strain-relief clamps and therefore the entire plug-type connection is fixedly screwed by means of the fastening screws on a base. A further configuration of the invention is characterized by the fact that the plug housing and the socket housing can be secured against the plug-type connection being pulled apart from one another by means of a securing clip, which, in the plugged-together state of the plug-type connection, can be inserted into the housings, wherein the securing clip preferably comprises an elongate base plate, from which pins protrude in perpendicular fashion in one direction at the ends, and through-bores, into which the securing clip with the pins can be plugged, are provided in the housings. It is particularly favorable for the application if the pins are provided with slots at the free ends and have latching heads, with which they latch in at the outlet of the through-bores, and if recessed grips are integrally formed on the securing clip, by means of which recessed grips the securing clip can be drawn out of the housings without the use of a tool. In particular, the securing clip is designed to be integral and is produced as an injection molded part from a plastic. The cable strain-relief clamps are preferably produced from a plastic, in particular a fiber-reinforced polyamide. In order to achieve sealing and clamping which is improved further still, it is advantageous if the cable sleeves taper slightly conically inwards towards the outlet, and if the cutouts are likewise slightly conical. In accordance with a further configuration of the invention, slightly conical socket receptacle sections, which are positioned next to one another at a distance and parallel and receive the contact sockets of the female contact elements, are arranged on the socket housing; corresponding contact protection means are arranged on the plug housing which receives the socket receptacle sections if the plug-type connection has been plugged together. Preferably in this case sealing beads are formed on the outside on the socket receptacle sections in order to increase the sealtightness. Another configuration is characterized by the fact that the housings each have connection chambers for receiving the contact elements, that in each case one latching tab with a latching groove, which is positioned behind the latter in the plug-in direction, is formed in the connection chambers, and that in each case one holding groove and a latching collar is provided on the contact elements so as to interact with the latching tab and the latching groove. In order to facilitate the insertion process, in this case the latching collar has a sloping flank on the plug-in side. In order to further improve handling, recessed grips for drawing the housings apart from one another can be formed on the housings. In order to make it possible to use the plug-type connection in cables with different outer diameters, it is advantageous if the cable sleeves are split into two sections, which are arranged one behind the other in the plug-in direction, wherein the inner diameter of the section which is positioned further towards the outside is greater than the inner diameter of the other section. In accordance with another configuration, the upper part and the lower part of the cable strain-relief clamps are guided with respect to one another by means of guide pins, wherein, preferably, the guide pins are coded for the purpose of clear orientation of the parts with respect to one another. Furthermore, it is advantageous if mutually fitting coding elements are provided on the strain-relief clamp and on the associated plug or socket housing and ensure a clear orientation of the strain-relief clamp with respect to the associated plug or socket housing. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments in connection with the drawing, in which: figure 1 shows a perspective illustration of a plugged-together plug-type connection (without cables) in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention; figure 2 shows the plug-type connection from figure 1 in a plan view from above; figure 3 shows a perspective illustration of the socket housing of the plug-type connection from figure 1; figure 4 shows a perspective illustration of the longitudinal section through the socket housing from figure 3; figure 5 shows a perspective illustration of the plug housing of the plug-type connection from figure 1; figure 6 shows a perspective illustration of the longitudinal section through the plug housing from figure 5; figure 7 shows the longitudinal section through a female contact element, which can be inserted removably into the socket housing from figure 3; figure 8 shows the longitudinal section through a male contact element, which can be inserted removably into the plug housing from figure 5; figure 9 shows a perspective illustration, viewed from above, of the securing clip from figure 1 for securing the plugged-together plug-type connection from figure 1; figure 10 shows the securing clip from . figure 9 in a perspective illustration, viewed from below; figure 11 shows, in two subfigures (a) and (b) , the side view of the securing clip from figure 9 and the section in a sectional plane passing through two pins; figure 12 shows, in two subfigures (a) and (b) , a perspective front and rear view of the upper part of the cable strain-relief clamp from figure 1; figure 13 shows, in two subfigures (a) and (b), a perspective front and rear view of the lower part of the cable strain-relief clamp from figure 1; figure 14 shows the upper and lower part of a strain- relief clamp similar to figures 12 and 13 with coded guide pins and coding elements for interaction with the plug housing from figure 15; figure 15 shows a perspective illustration of a plug housing similar to that in figure 5 with additional coding elements for interaction with the strain-relief clamp from figure 14; and figure 16 shows a longitudinal section through a completely assembled and plugged-together plug-type connection in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention. APPROACHES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION Figure 1 reproduces a perspective illustration of a plugged-together plug-type connection (without the cables connected to the contact elements) in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the example, the plug-type connection 10 is designed for connecting three cable pairs, with the connection of two cable pairs or more than three cable pairs likewise being conceivable. In the example, the plug- type connection 10 comprises an insulating plug housing 11 (illustrated individually in figures 5 and 6) , an insulating socket housing 12 (illustrated individually in figures 3 and 4), two cable strain-relief clamps 13 and 14, and a securing clip 15, which secures the plugged-together housings 11, 12 against unintentionally becoming unplugged. All of parts 11, . . , 15 of the plug-type connection 10 are made from a plastic. The housings 11, 12 are preferably produced from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), whose hardness is set such that the contact elements shown in figures 7 and 8 can be pressed into the housings 11, 12, but also withdrawn again (on the cables) without special aids (tools). Figure 2 shows the plugged-together plug-type connection 10 in a plan view from above. The cable strain-relief clamps 13, 14 each comprise an upper part (figure 12) and a lower part (figure 13), which can be connected to one another by means of fastening screws 18, 19 in order to exert the necessary external pressure on the parts of the housing lying therebetween (cable sleeves 27 and 45, respectively). The cable strain-relief clamps 13, 14 are preferably produced from a fiber-reinforced polyamide in order to achieve the required mechanical strength. The socket housing 12 illustrated in figures 3 and 4 is designed to be integral. It comprises a central part 20, which extends transversely with respect to the plug-in direction and through which two vertical through-bores 24 and 25 run next to one another, into which bores the securing clip 15 can be plugged with two of its four pins (69, 70, 75, 76 in figure 10) . Three socket chambers 21, .., 23, which extend parallel to one another in the plug-in direction and lie in one plane, are integrally formed on the central part 20, wherein in each case one connection chamber 32, which ends at the front in a socket receptacle section 30 and at the rear in a cable sleeve 27, runs through said socket chambers 21, .., 23. Recessed grips 28 are integrally formed at the lateral ends of the central part 20, on which recessed grips 28 the hand can be placed when unplugging the plug-type connection 10. The arrangement of the individual plug-type connections in one plane means a particularly flat design of the plug- type connection, which is advantageous when integrating the associated cables in the robots. The individually shaped cable sleeves 27, which are spaced apart from one other, are designed to be cylindrical on the outside. On the inside, they are split into two sections 33, 34, which are arranged behind one another in the plug-in direction, wherein the outer section 34 has a greater inner diameter than the section 33 lying further inwards. The two sections 33, 34 with the different inner diameters make it possible to receive cables with different outer diameters (different sheath designs) given the same conductor cross section. It is thus conceivable, for example, to connect cables with a conductor cross section of 35 mm2 which have an outer diameter of between 11 and 17 mm. The same metal parts (contact elements 52, 60 from figures 7 and 8) are used for all of these cables. In the sections 33, 34, the cable sleeves 27 are each tapered slightly conically towards the outside in terms of their inner diameter and have concentric ribbing on the inner wall, which ribbing assists both the mechanical fixing and the sealing of the cable in the cable sleeve 27. In each case one peripheral bead 26 is integrally formed at the outer ends of the cable sleeves 27, which peripheral bead 26 ensures the fit of the cable strain-relief clamp 14 on the cable sleeves 27. The individually shaped socket receptacle sections 30, which are spaced apart from one another, taper slightly conically towards the front on the outside. When the plug-type connection 10 is plugged together, they are plugged into corresponding contact protection means 67 in the plug housing 11 (figure 5) . The socket receptacle sections 30 receive the contact sockets (53) of the female contact elements 52 (figure 7). Two sealing beads 29, 31, which are used for sealing the plug-type connection between the two housings 11 and 12, are formed on the socket receptacle sections 30 in such a way that they are spaced apart axially on the outside. The connection chambers 32 in the socket housing 12 are provided for receiving the female contact elements 52 shown in figure 7. For this purpose, in each case one inwardly projecting latching tab 35 with a latching groove 36, which lies behind said latching tab 35 in the plug-in direction, is formed in the connection chambers 32, which latching tabs interact with a matching holding groove 58 and a matching latching collar 57 on the contact element 52. In order to make it easier to plug the contact element 52 into the connection chamber 32 of the socket housing 12, the latching collar 57 of the contact element 52 has a sloping flank on the plug-in side. In order to make it easier for the contact element 52 to be withdrawn from the connection chamber 32, the side walls of the holding groove 58 can be designed to be slightly sloping. If the contact element 52 with the contact socket 53 leading is introduced into the connection chamber 32 from the rear through the cable sleeve 27, it can initially be pushed in, without any considerable resistance, until it hits the rear rim of the latching tab 35 with the latching collar 57. When it is pushed in further assisted by the sloping flank on the latching collar 57, the latching tab 35 is pressed elastically radially outwards until it snaps back completely into the holding groove 58 behind the latching collar 57 if, at the same time, the latching collar 57 latches into the latching groove 36. The contact socket 53 of the contact element 52 is then resting in the socket area 37 provided for this purpose of the socket housing 12 and is covered at the front by a contact protection means 47 so as to prevent unintentional contact being made. If the contact element 52 has reached this end position, the cable reaches with its sheath into the cable sleeve 27 and can be fixed there by means of the cable strain-relief clamp 14 (cables 97, 98 in figure 16). Similar conditions prevail in the case of the plug housing 11 shown in figures 5 and 6. The plug housing 11 is designed to be integral. It comprises three plug chambers 39, .., 41, which extend parallel to one another in the plug-in direction and lie in one plane and through which in each case one connection chamber 48 runs, which ends at the front in a common plug receptacle section 38 and at the rear in each case in a cable sleeve 45. Likewise recessed grips 46 are integrally formed at the lateral ends of the plug housing 11, with it being possible for the hand to be placed on said recessed grips 46 when the plug-type connection 10 is unplugged. The individually shaped cable sleeves 45, which are spaced apart from one another, are designed to be cylindrical on the outside on the socket housing 12 in the same way as the cable sleeves 27 and on the inside are split into two sections 33, 34, which are arranged behind one another in the plug-in direction, with concentric ribbing. Likewise, a peripheral bead 44, which secures the fit of the cable strain-relief clamp 13 on the cable sleeve 45, is integrally formed on the outer ends of the cable sleeves 45. The connection chambers 48 in the plug housing 11 are provided for receiving the male contact elements 60 shown in figure 8. For this purpose, in each case one inwardly projecting latching tab 4 9 with a latching groove 50 lying behind it in the plug-in direction is formed in the connection chambers 48, which latching tabs interact with a matching holding groove 65 and a matching latching collar 64 on the contact element 60. In order to make it easier to plug the contact element 60 into the connection chamber 48 of the plug housing 11, the latching collar 64 of the contact element 60 also has a sloping flank on the plug-in side. In order to make it easier to withdraw the contact element 60 from the connection chamber 48, the side walls of the holding groove 65 can also be designed to be slightly sloping here. If the contact element 60 with the pin 63 leading is inserted into the connection chamber 4 8 from the rear through the cable sleeve 45, initially it can be pushed in, without any considerable resistance, until it hits the rear rim of the latching tab 49 with the latching collar 64. When it is pushed in further assisted by the sloping flank on the latching collar 64, the latching tab 49 is pressed elastically radially outwards until it snaps back completely into the holding groove 65 behind the latching collar 64 if, at the same time, the latching collar 64 latches into the latching groove 50. The pin 63 of the contact element 60 then protrudes into the plug area 51 of the plug housing 11 provided for this purpose and is surrounded by the socket receptacle section 30 of the socket housing 12 if the plug-type connection 10 has been plugged together. If the contact element 60 has reached this end position, the cable reaches with its sheath in the cable sleeve 4 5 and can be fixed there by means of the cable strain- relief clamp 13. The slightly conical embodiment of the plug area 51 and the socket receptacle section 30 and the sealing beads 29, 31 ensures that, in the plugged- in state, a sealtightness in accordance with IP67 is achieved at this point (see figure 16). The preferred female contact element 52 shown in figure 7 comprises, in a manner known per se, a contact socket 53 with a blind bore 55 and a shoulder 59, onto which a press bush 54 is pushed and fixedly soldered. The cable end with the exposed conductor is pushed into the press bush 54 and compressed. An annular groove 56 for receiving a multi-contact contact lamination, which is bent in annular fashion, is provided in the blind bore 55, wherein the multi-contact contact lamination makes the electrical contact with the inserted pin 63 of the male contact element 60 from figure 8. The male contact element 60 preferably comprises a contact plug 61 with a shoulder 66 arranged at the rear, onto which a press bush 62 is pushed and fixedly soldered. The cable is in this case fitted in the same way as in the case of the contact element 52 in figure 7. As has already been mentioned further above, the cable strain-relief clamps 13, 14 each comprise an upper part 16 (figure 12) and a lower part 17 (figure 13), which surround the cable sleeves 27 and 45, respectively, on opposite sides and can be connected to one another. The upper part 16 and the lower part 17 of the cable strain-relief clamps 13, 14 are each in the form of a bar, which extends transversely over the cable sleeves 27, 45 and is equipped, on the side facing the cable sleeves 27, 45, with approximately semicylindrical cutouts 77, .., 79 and 84, .., 86, respectively, so as to conform to the cable sleeves 27, 45. The cutouts 77, .., 79 and 84, .., 86, respectively, are preferably designed to be slightly conical in order to achieve improved clamping and sealtightness in accordance with IP67 in interaction with the slightly conical sections 33, 34 in the cable sleeves 27, 45. The upper and lower parts 16, 17 of the cable strain- relief clamps 13, 14 have mutually aligned bores 82, 83 and 89, 90, respectively, so as to connect them to one another. Fastening screws 18, 19 are plugged through these bores 82, 83 and 89, 90, respectively, in order to connect the two parts 16, 17 to one another and to exert external pressure on the cable sleeves 27, 45. For this purpose, corresponding nuts can be arranged on the opposite side. However, it is also possible to fixedly screw the cable strain-relief clamps 13, 14 and therefore the entire plug-type connection 10 on a base (mounting plate or the like) by means of the fastening screws 18, 19. In addition, in order to align the clamp parts, guide pins 80, 81 can be provided on the upper part 16 and/or lower part 17, which guide pins 80, 81 enter, in guiding fashion, corresponding bores 87, 88 on the lower part 17 and/or upper part 16. It is furthermore possible to secure the plug housing 11 and the socket housing 12 by means of a securing clip 15 which can be plugged in so as to prevent the plug-type connection 10 from being drawn apart. The securing clip suitable for this purpose (figures 9-11) comprises an elongate base plate 68, from which pins 69, 70 and 75, 76 protrude perpendicularly at the ends in one direction in pairs. Corresponding vertical through-bores 24, 25 and 42, 43, respectively, are provided in the housings 11, 12, into which through- bores the securing clip 15 can be plugged with the pins 69, 70 and 75, 76, respectively. The pins 69, 70, 75, 76 are provided with slots at their free ends and have latching heads, with which they latch in at the outlet of the through-bores 24, 25 and 42, 43, respectively. Advantageously, recessed grips 73, 74 are integrally formed laterally on the securing clip 15, by means of which recessed grips 73, 74 the securing clip 15 can be withdrawn from the housings 11, 12 without the use of a tool. The securing clip 15 is preferably designed to be integral and is produced as an injection-molded part from a plastic. In order to ensure clear assignment of the two parts of the strain-relief clamps with respect to one another and furthermore to make it possible to clearly orientate the strain-relief clamps relative to the plug housing or socket housing, coding means can be arranged on the parts. Examples of such coding means are illustrated in figures 14 and 15. The cable strain- relief clamp from figure 14 has, similarly to figures 12 and 13, an upper part 16' and a lower part 17', which together form the clamp. Two hexagonal openings 95, 96 can be seen on the upper side of the lower part 17', which hexagonal openings 95, 96 receive corresponding nuts if the two parts are screwed to one another. The two parts 16', 17' are guided with respect to one another by guide pins 80', 81', which in this example are coded: the guide pin 80' on the upper part 16' has a rectangular cross section, which corresponds to that of a bore in the lower part 17' with a rectangular cross section. The guide pin 81' on the upper part 16', in contrast, has a circular cross section, which corresponds to that of a bore in the lower part 17' with a circular cross section. Other codings are also conceivable. Furthermore, laterally protruding, tab-shaped coding elements 91, 92 are integrally formed on the lower part 17' of the strain-relief clamp, which coding elements 91, 92 enter corresponding recesses (coding elements 93, 94) in the plug housing 11' in figure 15 if the strain-relief clamp is fastened on the plug housing 11' in the correct orientation. This ensures that the strain-relief clamps clamp the cables ending in the plug-type connection in the desired manner. Furthermore, it can be seen on the plug housing 11' in figure 15 that the contact protection means 67 can have different opening diameters, which make it possible for there to be clear assignment between the two plug-type connectors during the insertion process. Overall, the functional principle of the plug-type connection according to the invention can be summarized as follows: The plug-type connection is designed, for example, for a cable cross section of 35 mm2. The cables may be three fixed cable types, whose outer diameter may vary from approximately 11 mm to approximately 17 mm. The cables are pressed against one and the same metal part (contact element). Then the cables together with the metal part (contact element) are plugged into the insulating housing from the rear through the cable sleeve without the use of a tool until they noticeably latch into it. If all of the three contacts have been latched in, the cable strain-relief clamp can be plugged onto the cable sleeves. Now the cable strain-relief clamp can be screwed against a mounting plate with the corresponding threads by means of two (M5) screws. With this strain relief, the required holding force of the cables in the insulation is achieved. Furthermore, the protection rating IP67 on the cable sleeve is achieved thereby. Furthermore, the entire plug-type connection is held and locked on the mounting plate via the screws in the cable strain relief. For dismantling the device, the complete sequence is conducted in reverse order. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10 Plug-type connection 11, 11' Plug housing 12 Socket housing 13, 14 Cable strain-relief clamp 15 Securing clip 16, 16' Upper part (cable strain-relief clamp) 17, 17' Lower part (cable strain-relief clamp) 18, 19 Fastening screw 20 Central part (socket housing) 21, .., 23 Socket chamber (socket housing) 24, 25 Through-bore (for securing clip) 26, 44 Peripheral bead 27, 45 Cable sleeve 28, 46 Recessed grip 29, 31 Sealing bead 30 Socket receptacle section 32, 48 Connection chamber 33, 34 Section (cable receptacle) 35, 49 Latching tab 36, 50 Latching groove 37 Socket area 38 Plug receptacle section 39, .., 41 Plug chamber (plug housing) 42, 43 Through-bore (for securing clip) 47, 67 Contact protection means 51 Plug area 52 Contact element (female) 53 Contact socket 54, 62 Press bush 55 Blind bore 56 Groove (contact lamination) 57, 64 Latching collar 58, 65 Holding groove 59, 66 Shoulder 60 Contact element (male) 61 Contact plug PATENT CLAIMS 1. A plug- type connection (10) for releasably connecting a plurality of cable pairs (97, 98) with a conductor cross section of more than 10 mm2, in particular for supplying the welding current for welding robots, in the case of which plug-type connection (10) individual contact elements (52 and 60, respectively) , which are conductively connected to the cables, can be plugged into an insulating plug housing (11, 11') and/or an insulating socket housing (12) so as to latch in and are held replaceably in the plug housing (11, 11') and socket housing (12), respectively, wherein the latching-in of the contact elements (52 and 60, respectively) in the housings (11, 11', 12) is achieved by elastic deformation of the housings (11, 11', 12), characterized in that the housings (11, 11', 12) are made from a material with a hardness which makes it possible for the contact elements (52 and 60, respectively) to be plugged in and replaced without the aid of tools. 2. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the housings (11, 11', 12) are made from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). 3. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plug housing (11, 11') and/or the socket housing (12) are designed to be integral. 4. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact elements (52 and 60, respectively) are arranged in the plug housing (11, 11') and/or the socket housing (12) parallel next to one another in one plane. 5. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that in each case three contact elements (52, 60) are arranged next to one another in the housings (11, 11', 12). 6. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that cable sleeves (27 and 45, respectively) for accommodating the ends of the cables (97, 98) connected to the contact elements (52 and 60, respectively) are arranged on the plug housing (11, 11') and/or socket housing (12), and in that releasable fastening means (13 and 14, respectively) are provided, by means of which the cables (97, 98) can be fixed in the cable sleeves (27 and 45, respectively). 7. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the fastening means each comprise a cable strain-relief clamp (13, 14), which fixedly clamps the cables in the cable sleeves (27, 45) as a result of external pressure on the cable sleeves (27, 45) . 8. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the cable strain-relief clamps (13, 14) each comprise an upper part (16, 16') and a lower part (17, 17'), which surround the cable sleeves (27, 45) on opposite sides and can be connected to one another. 9. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the cable sleeves (27, 45) are in the form of hollow cylinders which are arranged next to one another parallel at a distance, and in that the upper part (16, 16') and the lower part (17, 17') of the cable strain-relief clamps (13, 14) are each in the form of a bar, which extends transversely over the cable sleeves (27, 45) and is eguipped, on the side facing the cable sleeves (27, 45) , with cutouts (77, .., 79 and 84, .., 86 respectively) so as to conform to the cable sleeves (27, 45). 10. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the upper and lower parts (16, 16', 17, 17') of the cable strain-relief clamps (13, 14) have mutually aligned bores (82, 83 and 89, 90, respectively) in order for them to be connected to one another. 11. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the upper and lower parts (16, 16', 17, 17') of the cable strain-relief clamps (13, 14) are connected to one another by means of fastening screws (18, 19), which extend through the bores (82, 83 and 89, 90, respectively), and exert external pressure on the cable sleeves (27, 45). 12. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the cable strain-relief clamps (13, 14) and therefore the entire plug-type connection (10) is fixedly screwed by means of the fastening screws (18, 19) on a base. 13. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the plug housing (11, 11') and the socket housing (12) can be secured against the plug-type connection (10) being pulled apart from one another by means of a securing clip (15), which, in the plugged-together state of the plug- type connection (10), can be inserted into the housings (11, 11', 12) . 14. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the securing clip (15) comprises an elongate base plate (68), from which pins (69, 70, 75, 76) protrude in perpendicular fashion in one direction at the ends, and in that through-bores (24, 25; 42, 43), into which the securing clip (15) with the pins (69, 70, 75, 76) can be plugged, are provided in the housings (11, 11', 12). 15. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the pins (69, 70, 75, 76) are provided with slots at the free ends and have latching heads (72), with which they latch in at the outlet of the through-bores (24, 25; 42, 43). 16. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that recessed grips (73, 74) are integrally formed on the securing clip (15), by means of which recessed grips (73, 74) the securing clip (15) can be drawn out of the housings (11, 12) without the use of a tool. 17. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the securing clip (15) is designed to be integral and is produced as an injection molded part from a plastic. 18. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the cable strain- relief clamps (13, 14) are produced from a plastic, in particular a fiber-reinforced polyamide. 19. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the cable sleeves (27, 45) taper slightly conically inwards towards the outlet, and in that the cutouts (77, .., 79 and 84, .., 86, respectively) are likewise slightly conical. 20. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that slightly conical socket receptacle sections (30), which are positioned next to one another at a distance and parallel and receive the contact sockets (53) of the female contact elements (52), are arranged on the socket housing (12), and in that corresponding contact protection means (67) are arranged on the plug housing (11) which receive the socket receptacle sections (30) if the plug-type connection (10) has been plugged together. 21. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that sealing beads (29, 31) are formed on the outside on the socket receptacle sections (30). 22. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the housings (11, 12) each have connection chambers (32, 48) for receiving the contact elements (52, 60), in that in each case one latching tab (35, 49) with a latching groove (36, 50) , which is positioned behind the latter in the plug-in direction, is formed in the connection chambers (32, 48), and in that in each case one holding groove (58, 65) and a latching collar (57, 64) is provided on the contact elements (52, 60) so as to interact with the latching tab (35, 49) and the latching groove (36, 50) . 23. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 22, characterized in that the latching collar (57, 64) has a sloping flank on the plug-in side. 24. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that recessed grips (28, 46) for drawing the housings (11, 11', 12) apart from one another are formed on the housings (11, 11', 12) . 25. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the cable sleeves (27, 45) are split into two sections (33, 34), which are arranged one behind the other in the plug-in direction, wherein the inner diameter of the section (34) which is positioned further towards the outside is greater than the inner diameter of the other section (33). 26. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the upper part (16, 16') and the lower part (17, 17') of the cable strain-relief clamps (13, 14) are guided with respect to one another by means of guide pins (80, 80', 81, 81' ) . 27. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that the guide pins (80', 81') are coded for the purpose of clear orientation of the parts (16', 17') with respect to one another. 28. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that mutually fitting coding elements (91, 92 and 93, 94, respectively) are provided on the strain-relief clamp (13, 14) and on the associated plug or socket housing (11') and ensure a clear orientation of the strain-relief clamp (13, 14) with respect to the associated plug or socket housing (11'). The invention relates to a plug connector (10) for the detachable connection of a number of cable pairs (97, 98) with a conductor cross-section of more than 10 mm2 in particular, for the supply of the welding current in welding robots, wherein individual contact elements (52, 60), with a conducting connection to the cables (97, 98), may be plugged into an insulated plug housing (11) with a clipping action and are detachably held in the plug housing (11) or terminal housing (12), the clipping action of the contact elements (52, 60) in the housings (11, 12) being achieved by an elastic deformation of the housings (11, 12). Manipulation is facilitated in that the housing (11, 12) is made from a material of such a hardness that the plugging in and exchange of contact elements can be achieved without the use of tools.

Full Text

DESCRIPTION
PLUG-TYPE CONNECTION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of
electrical plug-type connections. It relates to a plug-
type connection in accordance with the preamble of
claim 1.
PRIOR ART
In robot technology, in particular in industrial
welding robots, comparatively high currents in the
region of 100 A or more need to be guided from the base
of the robots along the robot arm to the apparatuses
fitted at the end of the robot arm (welding tools
etc.) For this purpose, wiring with the corresponding
conductor cross sections (typically 10-50 mm2) are used
which are guided along the robot arm and are equipped
with corresponding plug-type connections at the joints
(in particular at the base and at the end of the arm).
For the application with welding robots, the applicant
already markets plug-type connections from the TSB/TSS
series (primary circuit plug-type connectors for
welding transformers), in which individual contacts in
the form of sockets and corresponding pins are
electrically connected to the cable ends, from which
the insulation has been stripped, by means of a screw-
type or crimping connection and are then introduced
into corresponding (cylindrical) insulating housings
(see in this regard the catalog MC Roboticline 07.2001
(ex Ho7b) , 2001; pages 18, 19 and 31). In accordance
with the assembly instructions MA 200, special tools
are required for this purpose in order to press the
individual contacts, which are resting on the cable

ends, into the bores provided for this purpose in the
insulating housings and to press them out again, if
necessary, in the event of repair work (pages 41-44 of
the abovementioned catalog).
The known plug-type connections for the primary circuit
of welding transformers in the welding robots sector
have proven to be successful in practice. However,
special tools (pin introduction tool, pin removal tool,
socket introduction tool, socket removal tool etc.) are
required for introducing and removing the individual
contacts, and these tools not only need to be kept at
the assembly/dismantling location, but also require
special handling of the insulating housings when they
are used. Since, in the case of welding robots, the
associated cables are subject to pulse-like mechanical
loads owing to the pulse-like welding currents and the
associated magnetic fields, the cables need to be
replaced more often during continuous operation of the
robots in an industrial environment. In this case it is
desirable for such a replacement to be capable of being
carried out simply and quickly and also under
restricted space conditions.
Furthermore, in the case of new robot types it is now
practice to lay the supply and control cables or cable
harnesses, which until now have been guided on the
outside along the robot arms, in the interior of the
arms in order to prevent possible collisions between
the cable harnesses and objects arranged in the
vicinity of the swiveling range of the robot and
therefore also to simplify programming. By laying the
cables in the interior of the robot arm, simplified
assembly/dismantling of the plug-type connections
becomes even more important under restricted conditions
as well.

Furthermore, the plug-type connections should be as
tight against one another as possible in a simple
manner, both in the region of contact-making in the
plugged-in state and in the region of the cable entry
point (protection rating IP67) .
Furthermore it is desirable to be able to secure the
plug-type connection in the plugged-in state against
unintentionally becoming unplugged in a simple manner
and to be able to fix the plug-type connection at the
use location in a simple manner.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to specify a plug-type
connection for the described use which avoids the
disadvantages of previous plug-type connections and can
be assembled and dismantled simply and quickly without
special aids and also under restricted spatial
conditions.
The object is achieved by the entirety of the features
of claim 1. The essence of the invention consists in,
in the case of the plug-type connection according to
the invention, individual contact elements, which are
conductively connected to the cables, being plugged
into an insulating plug housing and/or an insulating
socket housing so as to latch in and being held
replaceably in the plug housing and socket housing,
respectively, wherein the latching-in of the contact
elements in the housings is achieved by elastic
deformation of the housings, and wherein the housings
are made from a material with a hardness which makes it
possible for the contact elements to be plugged in and
replaced without the aid of tools. The material of the
housings is therefore "soft" enough for the individual
contacts, which are located at the cable ends and are
equipped with latching apparatuses, to be capable of

being pressed into the bores provided for this purpose
in the housings and possibly also withdrawn again
without the use of special tools, i.e. only by hand,
counter to a certain resistance. The "softness" of the
material in this case depends on the design of the
latching mechanism which also determines the level of
elastic deformation required.
In accordance with a configuration of the invention,
the plug housing and/or the socket housing are designed
to be integral and are made from a thermoplastic
elastomer (TPE).
A further configuration of the invention is
characterized by the fact that the contact elements
are arranged in the plug housing and/or the socket
housing parallel next to one another in one plane, and
in that in each case three contact elements are
arranged next to one another in the housings.
With respect to the mechanical stability and
sealtightness, it is particularly advantageous if cable
sleeves for accommodating the ends of the cables
connected to the contact elements are arranged on the
plug housing and/or socket housing, and if releasable
fastening means are provided, by means of which the
cables can be fixed in the cable sleeves.
Preferably, the fastening means each comprise a cable
strain-relief clamp, which fixedly clamps the cables in
the cable sleeves as a result of external pressure on
the cable sleeves, wherein the cable strain-relief
clamps each comprise an upper part and a lower part,
which surround the cable sleeves on opposite sides and
can be connected to one another, and wherein the cable
sleeves are in the form of hollow cylinders which are
arranged next to one another parallel at a distance,
and the upper part and the lower part of the cable

strain-relief clamps are each in the form of a bar,
which extends transversely over the cable sleeves and
is equipped, on the side facing the cable sleeves, with
cutouts so as to conform to the cable sleeves.
In particular, the upper and lower parts of the cable
strain-relief clamps have mutually aligned bores in
order for them to be connected to one another, wherein
the upper and lower parts of the cable strain-relief
clamps are connected to one another by means of
fastening screws, which extend through the bores, and
exert external pressure on the cable sleeves.
Another configuration is characterized by the fact that
the cable strain-relief clamps and therefore the entire
plug-type connection is fixedly screwed by means of the
fastening screws on a base.
A further configuration of the invention is
characterized by the fact that the plug housing and the
socket housing can be secured against the plug-type
connection being pulled apart from one another by means
of a securing clip, which, in the plugged-together
state of the plug-type connection, can be inserted into
the housings, wherein the securing clip preferably
comprises an elongate base plate, from which pins
protrude in perpendicular fashion in one direction at
the ends, and through-bores, into which the securing
clip with the pins can be plugged, are provided in the
housings.
It is particularly favorable for the application if the
pins are provided with slots at the free ends and have
latching heads, with which they latch in at the outlet
of the through-bores, and if recessed grips are
integrally formed on the securing clip, by means of
which recessed grips the securing clip can be drawn out
of the housings without the use of a tool. In

particular, the securing clip is designed to be
integral and is produced as an injection molded part
from a plastic.
The cable strain-relief clamps are preferably produced
from a plastic, in particular a fiber-reinforced
polyamide.
In order to achieve sealing and clamping which is
improved further still, it is advantageous if the cable
sleeves taper slightly conically inwards towards the
outlet, and if the cutouts are likewise slightly
conical.
In accordance with a further configuration of the
invention, slightly conical socket receptacle sections,
which are positioned next to one another at a distance
and parallel and receive the contact sockets of the
female contact elements, are arranged on the socket
housing; corresponding contact protection means are
arranged on the plug housing which receives the socket
receptacle sections if the plug-type connection has
been plugged together. Preferably in this case sealing
beads are formed on the outside on the socket
receptacle sections in order to increase the
sealtightness.
Another configuration is characterized by the fact that
the housings each have connection chambers for
receiving the contact elements, that in each case one
latching tab with a latching groove, which is
positioned behind the latter in the plug-in direction,
is formed in the connection chambers, and that in each
case one holding groove and a latching collar is
provided on the contact elements so as to interact with
the latching tab and the latching groove. In order to
facilitate the insertion process, in this case the

latching collar has a sloping flank on the plug-in
side.
In order to further improve handling, recessed grips
for drawing the housings apart from one another can be
formed on the housings.
In order to make it possible to use the plug-type
connection in cables with different outer diameters, it
is advantageous if the cable sleeves are split into two
sections, which are arranged one behind the other in
the plug-in direction, wherein the inner diameter of
the section which is positioned further towards the
outside is greater than the inner diameter of the other
section.
In accordance with another configuration, the upper
part and the lower part of the cable strain-relief
clamps are guided with respect to one another by means
of guide pins, wherein, preferably, the guide pins are
coded for the purpose of clear orientation of the parts
with respect to one another.
Furthermore, it is advantageous if mutually fitting
coding elements are provided on the strain-relief clamp
and on the associated plug or socket housing and ensure
a clear orientation of the strain-relief clamp with
respect to the associated plug or socket housing.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES
The invention will be explained in more detail below
with reference to exemplary embodiments in connection
with the drawing, in which:
figure 1 shows a perspective illustration of a
plugged-together plug-type connection
(without cables) in accordance with a

preferred exemplary embodiment of the
invention;
figure 2 shows the plug-type connection from figure 1
in a plan view from above;
figure 3 shows a perspective illustration of the
socket housing of the plug-type connection
from figure 1;
figure 4 shows a perspective illustration of the
longitudinal section through the socket
housing from figure 3;
figure 5 shows a perspective illustration of the plug
housing of the plug-type connection from
figure 1;
figure 6 shows a perspective illustration of the
longitudinal section through the plug housing
from figure 5;
figure 7 shows the longitudinal section through a
female contact element, which can be inserted
removably into the socket housing from figure
3;
figure 8 shows the longitudinal section through a male
contact element, which can be inserted
removably into the plug housing from figure
5;
figure 9 shows a perspective illustration, viewed from
above, of the securing clip from figure 1 for
securing the plugged-together plug-type
connection from figure 1;

figure 10 shows the securing clip from . figure 9 in a
perspective illustration, viewed from below;
figure 11 shows, in two subfigures (a) and (b) , the
side view of the securing clip from figure 9
and the section in a sectional plane passing
through two pins;
figure 12 shows, in two subfigures (a) and (b) , a
perspective front and rear view of the upper
part of the cable strain-relief clamp from
figure 1;
figure 13 shows, in two subfigures (a) and (b), a
perspective front and rear view of the lower
part of the cable strain-relief clamp from
figure 1;
figure 14 shows the upper and lower part of a strain-
relief clamp similar to figures 12 and 13
with coded guide pins and coding elements for
interaction with the plug housing from figure
15;
figure 15 shows a perspective illustration of a plug
housing similar to that in figure 5 with
additional coding elements for interaction
with the strain-relief clamp from figure 14;
and
figure 16 shows a longitudinal section through a
completely assembled and plugged-together
plug-type connection in accordance with a
preferred exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
APPROACHES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

Figure 1 reproduces a perspective illustration of a
plugged-together plug-type connection (without the
cables connected to the contact elements) in accordance
with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention.
In the example, the plug-type connection 10 is designed
for connecting three cable pairs, with the connection
of two cable pairs or more than three cable pairs
likewise being conceivable. In the example, the plug-
type connection 10 comprises an insulating plug housing
11 (illustrated individually in figures 5 and 6) , an
insulating socket housing 12 (illustrated individually
in figures 3 and 4), two cable strain-relief clamps 13
and 14, and a securing clip 15, which secures the
plugged-together housings 11, 12 against
unintentionally becoming unplugged. All of parts 11,
. . , 15 of the plug-type connection 10 are made from a
plastic. The housings 11, 12 are preferably produced
from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), whose hardness is
set such that the contact elements shown in figures 7
and 8 can be pressed into the housings 11, 12, but also
withdrawn again (on the cables) without special aids
(tools). Figure 2 shows the plugged-together plug-type
connection 10 in a plan view from above.
The cable strain-relief clamps 13, 14 each comprise an
upper part (figure 12) and a lower part (figure 13),
which can be connected to one another by means of
fastening screws 18, 19 in order to exert the necessary
external pressure on the parts of the housing lying
therebetween (cable sleeves 27 and 45, respectively).
The cable strain-relief clamps 13, 14 are preferably
produced from a fiber-reinforced polyamide in order to
achieve the required mechanical strength.
The socket housing 12 illustrated in figures 3 and 4 is
designed to be integral. It comprises a central part
20, which extends transversely with respect to the
plug-in direction and through which two vertical

through-bores 24 and 25 run next to one another, into
which bores the securing clip 15 can be plugged with
two of its four pins (69, 70, 75, 76 in figure 10) .
Three socket chambers 21, .., 23, which extend parallel
to one another in the plug-in direction and lie in one
plane, are integrally formed on the central part 20,
wherein in each case one connection chamber 32, which
ends at the front in a socket receptacle section 30 and
at the rear in a cable sleeve 27, runs through said
socket chambers 21, .., 23. Recessed grips 28 are
integrally formed at the lateral ends of the central
part 20, on which recessed grips 28 the hand can be
placed when unplugging the plug-type connection 10. The
arrangement of the individual plug-type connections in
one plane means a particularly flat design of the plug-
type connection, which is advantageous when integrating
the associated cables in the robots.
The individually shaped cable sleeves 27, which are
spaced apart from one other, are designed to be
cylindrical on the outside. On the inside, they are
split into two sections 33, 34, which are arranged
behind one another in the plug-in direction, wherein
the outer section 34 has a greater inner diameter than
the section 33 lying further inwards. The two sections
33, 34 with the different inner diameters make it
possible to receive cables with different outer
diameters (different sheath designs) given the same
conductor cross section. It is thus conceivable, for
example, to connect cables with a conductor cross
section of 35 mm2 which have an outer diameter of
between 11 and 17 mm. The same metal parts (contact
elements 52, 60 from figures 7 and 8) are used for all
of these cables. In the sections 33, 34, the cable
sleeves 27 are each tapered slightly conically towards
the outside in terms of their inner diameter and have
concentric ribbing on the inner wall, which ribbing
assists both the mechanical fixing and the sealing of

the cable in the cable sleeve 27. In each case one
peripheral bead 26 is integrally formed at the outer
ends of the cable sleeves 27, which peripheral bead 26
ensures the fit of the cable strain-relief clamp 14 on
the cable sleeves 27.
The individually shaped socket receptacle sections 30,
which are spaced apart from one another, taper slightly
conically towards the front on the outside. When the
plug-type connection 10 is plugged together, they are
plugged into corresponding contact protection means 67
in the plug housing 11 (figure 5) . The socket
receptacle sections 30 receive the contact sockets (53)
of the female contact elements 52 (figure 7). Two
sealing beads 29, 31, which are used for sealing the
plug-type connection between the two housings 11 and
12, are formed on the socket receptacle sections 30 in
such a way that they are spaced apart axially on the
outside.
The connection chambers 32 in the socket housing 12 are
provided for receiving the female contact elements 52
shown in figure 7. For this purpose, in each case one
inwardly projecting latching tab 35 with a latching
groove 36, which lies behind said latching tab 35 in
the plug-in direction, is formed in the connection
chambers 32, which latching tabs interact with a
matching holding groove 58 and a matching latching
collar 57 on the contact element 52. In order to make
it easier to plug the contact element 52 into the
connection chamber 32 of the socket housing 12, the
latching collar 57 of the contact element 52 has a
sloping flank on the plug-in side. In order to make it
easier for the contact element 52 to be withdrawn from
the connection chamber 32, the side walls of the
holding groove 58 can be designed to be slightly
sloping.

If the contact element 52 with the contact socket 53
leading is introduced into the connection chamber 32
from the rear through the cable sleeve 27, it can
initially be pushed in, without any considerable
resistance, until it hits the rear rim of the latching
tab 35 with the latching collar 57. When it is pushed
in further assisted by the sloping flank on the
latching collar 57, the latching tab 35 is pressed
elastically radially outwards until it snaps back
completely into the holding groove 58 behind the
latching collar 57 if, at the same time, the latching
collar 57 latches into the latching groove 36. The
contact socket 53 of the contact element 52 is then
resting in the socket area 37 provided for this purpose
of the socket housing 12 and is covered at the front by
a contact protection means 47 so as to prevent
unintentional contact being made. If the contact
element 52 has reached this end position, the cable
reaches with its sheath into the cable sleeve 27 and
can be fixed there by means of the cable strain-relief
clamp 14 (cables 97, 98 in figure 16).
Similar conditions prevail in the case of the plug
housing 11 shown in figures 5 and 6. The plug housing
11 is designed to be integral. It comprises three plug
chambers 39, .., 41, which extend parallel to one
another in the plug-in direction and lie in one plane
and through which in each case one connection chamber
48 runs, which ends at the front in a common plug
receptacle section 38 and at the rear in each case in a
cable sleeve 45. Likewise recessed grips 46 are
integrally formed at the lateral ends of the plug
housing 11, with it being possible for the hand to be
placed on said recessed grips 46 when the plug-type
connection 10 is unplugged.
The individually shaped cable sleeves 45, which are
spaced apart from one another, are designed to be

cylindrical on the outside on the socket housing 12 in
the same way as the cable sleeves 27 and on the inside
are split into two sections 33, 34, which are arranged
behind one another in the plug-in direction, with
concentric ribbing. Likewise, a peripheral bead 44,
which secures the fit of the cable strain-relief clamp
13 on the cable sleeve 45, is integrally formed on the
outer ends of the cable sleeves 45.
The connection chambers 48 in the plug housing 11 are
provided for receiving the male contact elements 60
shown in figure 8. For this purpose, in each case one
inwardly projecting latching tab 4 9 with a latching
groove 50 lying behind it in the plug-in direction is
formed in the connection chambers 48, which latching
tabs interact with a matching holding groove 65 and a
matching latching collar 64 on the contact element 60.
In order to make it easier to plug the contact element
60 into the connection chamber 48 of the plug housing
11, the latching collar 64 of the contact element 60
also has a sloping flank on the plug-in side. In order
to make it easier to withdraw the contact element 60
from the connection chamber 48, the side walls of the
holding groove 65 can also be designed to be slightly
sloping here.
If the contact element 60 with the pin 63 leading is
inserted into the connection chamber 4 8 from the rear
through the cable sleeve 45, initially it can be pushed
in, without any considerable resistance, until it hits
the rear rim of the latching tab 49 with the latching
collar 64. When it is pushed in further assisted by the
sloping flank on the latching collar 64, the latching
tab 49 is pressed elastically radially outwards until
it snaps back completely into the holding groove 65
behind the latching collar 64 if, at the same time, the
latching collar 64 latches into the latching groove 50.
The pin 63 of the contact element 60 then protrudes

into the plug area 51 of the plug housing 11 provided
for this purpose and is surrounded by the socket
receptacle section 30 of the socket housing 12 if the
plug-type connection 10 has been plugged together. If
the contact element 60 has reached this end position,
the cable reaches with its sheath in the cable sleeve
4 5 and can be fixed there by means of the cable strain-
relief clamp 13. The slightly conical embodiment of the
plug area 51 and the socket receptacle section 30 and
the sealing beads 29, 31 ensures that, in the plugged-
in state, a sealtightness in accordance with IP67 is
achieved at this point (see figure 16).
The preferred female contact element 52 shown in
figure 7 comprises, in a manner known per se, a contact
socket 53 with a blind bore 55 and a shoulder 59, onto
which a press bush 54 is pushed and fixedly soldered.
The cable end with the exposed conductor is pushed into
the press bush 54 and compressed. An annular groove 56
for receiving a multi-contact contact lamination, which
is bent in annular fashion, is provided in the blind
bore 55, wherein the multi-contact contact lamination
makes the electrical contact with the inserted pin 63
of the male contact element 60 from figure 8. The male
contact element 60 preferably comprises a contact plug
61 with a shoulder 66 arranged at the rear, onto which
a press bush 62 is pushed and fixedly soldered. The
cable is in this case fitted in the same way as in the
case of the contact element 52 in figure 7.
As has already been mentioned further above, the cable
strain-relief clamps 13, 14 each comprise an upper part
16 (figure 12) and a lower part 17 (figure 13), which
surround the cable sleeves 27 and 45, respectively, on
opposite sides and can be connected to one another. The
upper part 16 and the lower part 17 of the cable
strain-relief clamps 13, 14 are each in the form of a
bar, which extends transversely over the cable sleeves

27, 45 and is equipped, on the side facing the cable
sleeves 27, 45, with approximately semicylindrical
cutouts 77, .., 79 and 84, .., 86, respectively, so as
to conform to the cable sleeves 27, 45. The cutouts
77, .., 79 and 84, .., 86, respectively, are preferably
designed to be slightly conical in order to achieve
improved clamping and sealtightness in accordance with
IP67 in interaction with the slightly conical sections
33, 34 in the cable sleeves 27, 45.
The upper and lower parts 16, 17 of the cable strain-
relief clamps 13, 14 have mutually aligned bores 82, 83
and 89, 90, respectively, so as to connect them to one
another. Fastening screws 18, 19 are plugged through
these bores 82, 83 and 89, 90, respectively, in order
to connect the two parts 16, 17 to one another and to
exert external pressure on the cable sleeves 27, 45.
For this purpose, corresponding nuts can be arranged on
the opposite side. However, it is also possible to
fixedly screw the cable strain-relief clamps 13, 14 and
therefore the entire plug-type connection 10 on a base
(mounting plate or the like) by means of the fastening
screws 18, 19. In addition, in order to align the clamp
parts, guide pins 80, 81 can be provided on the upper
part 16 and/or lower part 17, which guide pins 80, 81
enter, in guiding fashion, corresponding bores 87, 88
on the lower part 17 and/or upper part 16.
It is furthermore possible to secure the plug housing
11 and the socket housing 12 by means of a securing
clip 15 which can be plugged in so as to prevent the
plug-type connection 10 from being drawn apart. The
securing clip suitable for this purpose (figures 9-11)
comprises an elongate base plate 68, from which pins
69, 70 and 75, 76 protrude perpendicularly at the ends
in one direction in pairs. Corresponding vertical
through-bores 24, 25 and 42, 43, respectively, are
provided in the housings 11, 12, into which through-

bores the securing clip 15 can be plugged with the pins
69, 70 and 75, 76, respectively.
The pins 69, 70, 75, 76 are provided with slots at
their free ends and have latching heads, with which
they latch in at the outlet of the through-bores 24, 25
and 42, 43, respectively. Advantageously, recessed
grips 73, 74 are integrally formed laterally on the
securing clip 15, by means of which recessed grips 73,
74 the securing clip 15 can be withdrawn from the
housings 11, 12 without the use of a tool. The securing
clip 15 is preferably designed to be integral and is
produced as an injection-molded part from a plastic.
In order to ensure clear assignment of the two parts of
the strain-relief clamps with respect to one another
and furthermore to make it possible to clearly
orientate the strain-relief clamps relative to the plug
housing or socket housing, coding means can be arranged
on the parts. Examples of such coding means are
illustrated in figures 14 and 15. The cable strain-
relief clamp from figure 14 has, similarly to
figures 12 and 13, an upper part 16' and a lower part
17', which together form the clamp. Two hexagonal
openings 95, 96 can be seen on the upper side of the
lower part 17', which hexagonal openings 95, 96 receive
corresponding nuts if the two parts are screwed to one
another. The two parts 16', 17' are guided with respect
to one another by guide pins 80', 81', which in this
example are coded: the guide pin 80' on the upper part
16' has a rectangular cross section, which corresponds
to that of a bore in the lower part 17' with a
rectangular cross section. The guide pin 81' on the
upper part 16', in contrast, has a circular cross
section, which corresponds to that of a bore in the
lower part 17' with a circular cross section. Other
codings are also conceivable.

Furthermore, laterally protruding, tab-shaped coding
elements 91, 92 are integrally formed on the lower part
17' of the strain-relief clamp, which coding elements
91, 92 enter corresponding recesses (coding elements
93, 94) in the plug housing 11' in figure 15 if the
strain-relief clamp is fastened on the plug housing 11'
in the correct orientation. This ensures that the
strain-relief clamps clamp the cables ending in the
plug-type connection in the desired manner.
Furthermore, it can be seen on the plug housing 11' in
figure 15 that the contact protection means 67 can have
different opening diameters, which make it possible for
there to be clear assignment between the two plug-type
connectors during the insertion process.
Overall, the functional principle of the plug-type
connection according to the invention can be summarized
as follows:
The plug-type connection is designed, for example, for
a cable cross section of 35 mm2. The cables may be
three fixed cable types, whose outer diameter may vary
from approximately 11 mm to approximately 17 mm. The
cables are pressed against one and the same metal part
(contact element). Then the cables together with the
metal part (contact element) are plugged into the
insulating housing from the rear through the cable
sleeve without the use of a tool until they noticeably
latch into it.
If all of the three contacts have been latched in, the
cable strain-relief clamp can be plugged onto the cable
sleeves. Now the cable strain-relief clamp can be
screwed against a mounting plate with the corresponding
threads by means of two (M5) screws. With this strain
relief, the required holding force of the cables in the
insulation is achieved. Furthermore, the protection
rating IP67 on the cable sleeve is achieved thereby.

Furthermore, the entire plug-type connection is held
and locked on the mounting plate via the screws in the
cable strain relief.
For dismantling the device, the complete sequence is
conducted in reverse order.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
10 Plug-type connection
11, 11' Plug housing
12 Socket housing
13, 14 Cable strain-relief clamp
15 Securing clip
16, 16' Upper part (cable strain-relief clamp)
17, 17' Lower part (cable strain-relief clamp)
18, 19 Fastening screw
20 Central part (socket housing)
21, .., 23 Socket chamber (socket housing)
24, 25 Through-bore (for securing clip)
26, 44 Peripheral bead
27, 45 Cable sleeve
28, 46 Recessed grip
29, 31 Sealing bead
30 Socket receptacle section
32, 48 Connection chamber
33, 34 Section (cable receptacle)
35, 49 Latching tab
36, 50 Latching groove
37 Socket area
38 Plug receptacle section
39, .., 41 Plug chamber (plug housing)
42, 43 Through-bore (for securing clip)
47, 67 Contact protection means
51 Plug area
52 Contact element (female)
53 Contact socket
54, 62 Press bush
55 Blind bore
56 Groove (contact lamination)
57, 64 Latching collar
58, 65 Holding groove
59, 66 Shoulder
60 Contact element (male)
61 Contact plug

PATENT CLAIMS
1. A plug- type connection (10) for releasably
connecting a plurality of cable pairs (97, 98) with a
conductor cross section of more than 10 mm2, in
particular for supplying the welding current for
welding robots, in the case of which plug-type
connection (10) individual contact elements (52 and 60,
respectively) , which are conductively connected to the
cables, can be plugged into an insulating plug housing
(11, 11') and/or an insulating socket housing (12) so
as to latch in and are held replaceably in the plug
housing (11, 11') and socket housing (12),
respectively, wherein the latching-in of the contact
elements (52 and 60, respectively) in the housings (11,
11', 12) is achieved by elastic deformation of the
housings (11, 11', 12), characterized in that the
housings (11, 11', 12) are made from a material with a
hardness which makes it possible for the contact
elements (52 and 60, respectively) to be plugged in and
replaced without the aid of tools.
2. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 1,
characterized in that the housings (11, 11', 12) are
made from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).
3. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 1 or
2, characterized in that the plug housing (11, 11')
and/or the socket housing (12) are designed to be
integral.
4. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of
claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the contact
elements (52 and 60, respectively) are arranged in the
plug housing (11, 11') and/or the socket housing (12)
parallel next to one another in one plane.

5. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 4,
characterized in that in each case three contact
elements (52, 60) are arranged next to one another in
the housings (11, 11', 12).
6. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 4 or
5, characterized in that cable sleeves (27 and 45,
respectively) for accommodating the ends of the cables
(97, 98) connected to the contact elements (52 and 60,
respectively) are arranged on the plug housing (11,
11') and/or socket housing (12), and in that releasable
fastening means (13 and 14, respectively) are provided,
by means of which the cables (97, 98) can be fixed in
the cable sleeves (27 and 45, respectively).
7. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 6,
characterized in that the fastening means each comprise
a cable strain-relief clamp (13, 14), which fixedly
clamps the cables in the cable sleeves (27, 45) as a
result of external pressure on the cable sleeves (27,
45) .
8. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 7,
characterized in that the cable strain-relief clamps
(13, 14) each comprise an upper part (16, 16') and a
lower part (17, 17'), which surround the cable sleeves
(27, 45) on opposite sides and can be connected to one
another.
9. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 8,
characterized in that the cable sleeves (27, 45) are in
the form of hollow cylinders which are arranged next to
one another parallel at a distance, and in that the
upper part (16, 16') and the lower part (17, 17') of
the cable strain-relief clamps (13, 14) are each in the
form of a bar, which extends transversely over the
cable sleeves (27, 45) and is eguipped, on the side
facing the cable sleeves (27, 45) , with cutouts (77,

.., 79 and 84, .., 86 respectively) so as to conform to
the cable sleeves (27, 45).
10. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 8 or
9, characterized in that the upper and lower parts (16,
16', 17, 17') of the cable strain-relief clamps (13,
14) have mutually aligned bores (82, 83 and 89, 90,
respectively) in order for them to be connected to one
another.

11. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 10,
characterized in that the upper and lower parts (16,
16', 17, 17') of the cable strain-relief clamps (13,
14) are connected to one another by means of fastening
screws (18, 19), which extend through the bores (82, 83
and 89, 90, respectively), and exert external pressure
on the cable sleeves (27, 45).
12. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 11,
characterized in that the cable strain-relief clamps
(13, 14) and therefore the entire plug-type connection
(10) is fixedly screwed by means of the fastening
screws (18, 19) on a base.
13. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of
claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the plug housing
(11, 11') and the socket housing (12) can be secured
against the plug-type connection (10) being pulled
apart from one another by means of a securing clip
(15), which, in the plugged-together state of the plug-
type connection (10), can be inserted into the housings
(11, 11', 12) .
14. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 13,
characterized in that the securing clip (15) comprises
an elongate base plate (68), from which pins (69, 70,
75, 76) protrude in perpendicular fashion in one
direction at the ends, and in that through-bores (24,

25; 42, 43), into which the securing clip (15) with the
pins (69, 70, 75, 76) can be plugged, are provided in
the housings (11, 11', 12).
15. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 14,
characterized in that the pins (69, 70, 75, 76) are
provided with slots at the free ends and have latching
heads (72), with which they latch in at the outlet of
the through-bores (24, 25; 42, 43).
16. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 15,
characterized in that recessed grips (73, 74) are
integrally formed on the securing clip (15), by means
of which recessed grips (73, 74) the securing clip (15)
can be drawn out of the housings (11, 12) without the
use of a tool.
17. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of
claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the securing
clip (15) is designed to be integral and is produced as
an injection molded part from a plastic.
18. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of
claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the cable strain-
relief clamps (13, 14) are produced from a plastic, in
particular a fiber-reinforced polyamide.
19. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 9,
characterized in that the cable sleeves (27, 45) taper
slightly conically inwards towards the outlet, and in
that the cutouts (77, .., 79 and 84, .., 86,
respectively) are likewise slightly conical.
20. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of
claims 1 to 19, characterized in that slightly conical
socket receptacle sections (30), which are positioned
next to one another at a distance and parallel and
receive the contact sockets (53) of the female contact

elements (52), are arranged on the socket housing (12),
and in that corresponding contact protection means (67)
are arranged on the plug housing (11) which receive the
socket receptacle sections (30) if the plug-type
connection (10) has been plugged together.
21. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 20,
characterized in that sealing beads (29, 31) are formed
on the outside on the socket receptacle sections (30).
22. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of
claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the housings (11,
12) each have connection chambers (32, 48) for
receiving the contact elements (52, 60), in that in
each case one latching tab (35, 49) with a latching
groove (36, 50) , which is positioned behind the latter
in the plug-in direction, is formed in the connection
chambers (32, 48), and in that in each case one holding
groove (58, 65) and a latching collar (57, 64) is
provided on the contact elements (52, 60) so as to
interact with the latching tab (35, 49) and the
latching groove (36, 50) .
23. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 22,
characterized in that the latching collar (57, 64) has
a sloping flank on the plug-in side.
24. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of
claims 1 to 23, characterized in that recessed grips
(28, 46) for drawing the housings (11, 11', 12) apart
from one another are formed on the housings (11, 11',
12) .
25. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 19,
characterized in that the cable sleeves (27, 45) are
split into two sections (33, 34), which are arranged
one behind the other in the plug-in direction, wherein
the inner diameter of the section (34) which is

positioned further towards the outside is greater than
the inner diameter of the other section (33).
26. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of
claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the upper part
(16, 16') and the lower part (17, 17') of the cable
strain-relief clamps (13, 14) are guided with respect
to one another by means of guide pins (80, 80', 81,
81' ) .
27. The plug-type connection as claimed in claim 26,
characterized in that the guide pins (80', 81') are
coded for the purpose of clear orientation of the parts
(16', 17') with respect to one another.
28. The plug-type connection as claimed in one of
claims 7 to 12, characterized in that mutually fitting
coding elements (91, 92 and 93, 94, respectively) are
provided on the strain-relief clamp (13, 14) and on the
associated plug or socket housing (11') and ensure a
clear orientation of the strain-relief clamp (13, 14)
with respect to the associated plug or socket housing
(11').

The invention relates to a plug connector
(10) for the detachable connection of a number of cable pairs (97, 98) with a conductor cross-section of more than 10 mm2 in particular, for the supply of the welding current in welding robots, wherein individual contact elements
(52, 60), with a conducting connection to the cables (97, 98), may be plugged into an insulated plug housing (11) with a clipping action and are detachably held in the
plug housing (11) or terminal housing (12), the clipping action of the contact elements (52, 60) in the housings (11, 12) being achieved by an elastic deformation of the housings (11, 12). Manipulation is facilitated in that the housing
(11, 12) is made from a material of such a hardness that the plugging in and exchange of contact elements can be achieved without the use of tools.

Documents:

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Patent Number

270109

Indian Patent Application Number

4292/KOLNP/2008

PG Journal Number

49/2015

Publication Date

04-Dec-2015

Grant Date

27-Nov-2015

Date of Filing

22-Oct-2008

Name of Patentee

MULTI-HOLDING AG

Applicant Address

STOCKBRUNNENRAIN 8, CH-4123 ALLSCHWIL, SWITZERLAND

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	SCHLEITH, RALF	ROMERSTRASSE 44, 79576 WEIL AM RHEIN, GERMANY

PCT International Classification Number

H01R 13/42

PCT International Application Number

PCT/CH2007/000215

PCT International Filing date

2007-05-02

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	740/06	2006-05-08	Switzerland