CN104466481A - A contact fitting used for a plug connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact fitting (8) for a plug connector (7), wherein the contact fitting can be fixed to one end of an electrical conductor (6) and inserted into a housing (3) with at least two contact Element (80) for electrically conductive contacting a mating contact fitting (11) insertable between the contact elements upon application of at least one first contact force (F3) and having at least one element for the application of at least one additional contact force In the case of (F1, F2), an element (83) that increases the force flow between the contact fitting and the mating contact fitting. The invention proposes that the contact force ( F1 , F2 ) which can be generated by the at least one element on the mating contact fitting and the contact force ( F3 ) which can be generated by the contact element on the mating contact fitting are decoupled from each other. By separating the contact force flow, a significant degree of structural design freedom is obtained, thus enabling optimization of the mechanical and electrical contact of the contact fittings with the mating contact fittings.

Description

Contact fittings for plug connectors

technical field

The invention relates to a contact fitting for a plug-in connector, wherein the contact fitting can be fastened to one end of an electrical conductor and inserted into a housing, has at least two contact elements for applying at least one first contact The mating contact fitting is insertable between the contact elements under force and has at least one element for increasing the force flow between the contact fitting and mating contact fitting when at least one additional contact force is applied. the

Background technique

Such plug-in connectors have long been known from the prior art and are briefly described in FIG. 1 for a better understanding of the invention. the

Plug connectors are used to transfer current reliably across components. Especially in automobile construction, the use of sensors and actuators with higher requirements is increasing. Sensors and actuators are and increasingly are located in devices such as engines, transmissions, etc. the

The requirements placed on the plug-in connection with regard to the stability of the electrical connection and the resistance of the contacts are thus increased, especially due to very high vibration loads and ambient temperatures. Furthermore, the sought-after mass reduction also requires the smallest possible plug-in connections. the

Mounting and plugging of plug connections is usually carried out manually. Attention must therefore also be paid to the ergonomics and mounting of the plug connectors as well as the forces required for mating. the

However, there is a conflict of objectives between the desire to achieve the lowest possible plug-in force and the desire to achieve the highest possible contact force due to the stability of the electrically conductive connection. On the one hand, higher contact forces result in a stable electrically conductive connection (less tendency for relative movement between the plug connector contacts), and on the other hand, higher contact forces lead to plugging forces which may no longer be manageable. the

In the plug connector described in FIG. 1, which also has the features described in the "Technical field" section, the electrical contacts of the socket are designed as spring-like tongues, which due to their spring force directed towards the insertable plug contacts ( contact normal force) to ensure conductive contact. Additional tongue-shaped elastic elements ( ), which presses the electrical contact from the outside and generates an additional contact normal force acting in the same direction. However, the resulting increased force flow also leads to an undesirably increased required plugging force.

DE 10 2006 014 156 A1 proposes an additional pressing element acting on the electrical contacts of a contact fitting, by means of which element the contact normal force acting on the mating contact fitting is increased. the

Finally, so-called zero-force plug connectors (Nullkraft-Steckverbinder) are known from EP 0 036 264 B1 and DE 10 2004 015 344 A1. However, such plug-in connectors have a higher installation space requirement and are relatively complex in construction. the

It is common in the prior art that the resulting contact forces for an electrically conductive contact and for a more stable mechanical connection add up. the

This leads to design constraints with regard to the configuration of the contact fittings for the plug-in connectors. the

Contents of the invention

The problem underlying the invention is to expand the design of a contact fitting for a plug-in connector of the type according to the invention in such a way that improvements can be made with respect to the disadvantages mentioned. the

This technical problem is solved according to the invention by a contact fitting for a plug-in connector. the

The invention starts from a contact fitting for a plug-in connector, wherein the contact fitting can be fastened to one end of an electrical conductor and inserted into a housing, and has at least two contact elements for exerting at least one first contact force A mating contact fitting that can be inserted between the contact elements in the case of an electrically conductive contact, and has at least one element for increasing the force flow between the contact fitting and the mating contact fitting when at least one additional contact force is applied. the

According to the invention it is provided that the contact force which can be generated by the at least one element on the mating contact fitting and the contact force which can be generated by the contact element on the mating contact fitting are decoupled from one another. the

In contrast to the usual "simple force flow" in the prior art, a "separated force flow" is implemented in the present invention. the

The “primary force flow”, which suppresses dynamic forces acting from the outside and prevents a relative movement between the contact parts, is thus separated from the “secondary force flow”, which establishes the actual electrically conductive contact independently of the main force flow. the

Important advantages can be achieved by the proposed separation (decoupling):

As a result, the main flow of force can be closed via the "non-contact surface". These "non-contact surfaces" are not used (at least not primarily) for conductive contact (even if they could do so). To this end, for example, the side edges of the plug-in contacts of which the mating contact fitting has a rectangular cross-section can be stamped. Wear on the "non-contact surfaces" caused by the main contact forces has no effect on the electrical conductivity of the actual contact surfaces. the

The secondary contact forces need only be designed corresponding to the required surface pressure and the mass forces of the contact elements themselves. the

This gains design freedom. Higher surface pressures are therefore desirable for electrically conductive contacts, which can be represented by spherical contact surfaces at lower forces. In order to absorb external forces, in particular torques, however, it is advantageous to have a linear contact surface with as large a section width as possible. the

By means of the proposed separation force flow it is possible to implement shapes which are advantageous for the primary and secondary contacts respectively. Primary and secondary contact forces are separated, ie designed independently of each other. A change in one contact force does not affect the other. the

A refinement of the invention proposes that the line of action of the contact force that can be generated by the at least one element and the line of action of the contact force that can be generated by the contact element form an angle with one another. In this way a relatively compact configuration of the contact fitting can be achieved. the

According to a further refinement, the lines of action of the contact force that can be generated by the at least one element and the lines of action of the contact force that can be generated by the contact element are in particular approximately perpendicular to each other, preferably perpendicular to each other. A particularly simple and compact configuration of the contact fitting can thus be achieved. the

A further very suitable embodiment of the inventive idea provides that the contact fitting has at least two first walls and at least two second walls, from which an element is in each case directed inwards towards the pluggable mating A contact element extends in the direction of the contact fitting, and from the second wall each a contact element extends inwardly in the direction of the mating contact fitting that can be inserted, wherein the first wall and the second wall are approximately perpendicular to each other, preferably perpendicular to each other. the

In this way, the effect according to the invention can be achieved by appropriately modifying the structure of the known plug-in connector. the

It is advantageous here if the at least one inwardly extending element is designed as a tongue spring. the

The desired contact force can thus be achieved in a simple manner. the

If the free ends of the tongue springs in this case point in the insertion direction of the mating contact fitting, the tongue spring acts as a barb which, although it facilitates the insertion of the mating contact fitting, may strongly inhibit Mechanical disassembly of connections. the

Alternatively, however, it may also be advantageous if the at least one inwardly extending element is designed as a protrusion connected on both sides. A stability advantage can thus be achieved. the

It is particularly expedient if there are at least two inwardly extending elements which are arranged one behind the other at a distance as viewed in the insertion direction of the mating contact fitting. the

This makes it possible to absorb torque particularly well. the

According to a most advantageous alternative design of the contact fitting according to the invention, the at least one element is formed by a profile extending in the wall of the contact fitting transversely to the insertion direction of the mating contact fitting. the

In this way the support length between the contact fitting and the counter contact fitting can be maximized. the

Finally, the invention relates to a female part of a plug connector (socket) having at least one contact fitting according to the invention. the

Such a female part enables an optimal design of the mechanical contact (primary force flow) as well as the electrical contact (secondary force flow). the

Thus, a single plug-in connector can be realized by the female part when only one contact fitting is used, wherein a multiple (multipole) plug-in connector can be realized when a plurality of contact fittings according to the invention are used. the

However, the invention should also support plug-in connectors having at least one contact fitting according to the invention and at least one mating contact fitting. This plug connector meets high electrical and mechanical requirements. the

Here, the electrical and mechanical properties are also improved if the cross-section of the mating contact fitting has a rectangular shape. the

Plug contacts with such a cross-sectional shape are also known as so-called "blade contacts". The "knife contacts" are designed to be flat. the

It is very expedient here if the cross-section of the mating contact fitting has a rectangular shape with a first side which is spaced apart from one another and a second side which is further spaced apart from one another, wherein the first side is used for The primary force flow is generated and the second surface is used to generate the secondary force flow. the

Such blade contacts are usually produced by stamping, wherein the lateral stamping edges of the plug are preferably used for the main flow of force. However, in contrast to the significantly larger and closer-spaced surfaces that are usually used for electrically conductive contact, the punched edges have a greater distance from one another, so that when these surfaces are used for the main force flow, torques can be absorbed with minimal force. the

Since the detachability of the plug-in connector according to the invention is only advantageous to a limited extent (for example in the case of maintenance), the plug-in connector is usually designed as a non-detachable plug-in connection. If detachability is required, it is proposed to provide a rated breaking point in the housing of the plug-in connector, as disclosed in DE 101 50 975 A1, the disclosure of which can be referred to in detail here. the

Description of drawings

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. Here, the same reference numerals designate identical, similar or functionally identical components, wherein corresponding or similar properties and advantages can be achieved even if the description is not repeated. Schematically in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a plug connector according to the prior art with a side exploded view;

Fig. 2 shows a plug connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a partial sectional view and a top view of the mating contact fitting surface for conductive contact;

Figure 3 shows a view from perspective III in Figure 2, strongly simplified and rotated by 90°;

Figure 4 shows a plug connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a half-sectional view perpendicular to the insertion direction; and

FIG. 5 shows a view from viewing angle V in FIG. 4 . the

Detailed ways

Refer first to Figure 1. FIG. 1 shows a plug-in connector 1 consisting of a socket 2 and a plug 4 , as is known in the prior art. the

The socket 2 has a crimping region 20 for crimping the socket 2 with the electrical conductor 6 indicated by the dashed lines. the

Adjoining the crimping area 20 is a contact area 21 , which has socket contacts 211 elastically prestressed toward one another, which transition into cap-shaped spring elements 213 . The cap-shaped elastic element 213 transitions into two tongue-shaped elastic elements 212, which are pressed against the socket contacts 211 by pretensioning and serve to raise the plug inserted into the socket 2 via the socket contacts 211. Contact normal force generated on the plug contacts 40 of 4 (see insertion direction E). the

The plug contact 40 is designed as a so-called blade contact and has a flat rectangular cross section, wherein the flat side, which is horizontal in the drawing, is used both to form an electrically conductive contact and to form a stable mechanical connection. the

Furthermore, extending from the cap-like spring element 213 is a detent element 210 for locking the socket 2 with the socket housing 3 shown. the

The plug 4 also has similar latching elements for fastening to the plug housing 5 shown. the

A first embodiment of the plug connector 7 according to the invention or the socket 8 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . the

Here, the plug connector 7 can be seen from a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction E of the plug contacts 11 . the

Here too, the plug contact 11 is designed as a so-called blade contact and has two contact surfaces 111 lying in the drawing plane in the drawing and two surfaces 110 (stamping edges) perpendicular thereto. the

The socket 8 has a contact body 82 on which a tongue-shaped socket contact 80 is molded for making an electrically conductive contact. A total of four socket contacts 80 are provided which contact the contact surface 111 from above and below. The contact body 82 is again at least partially surrounded by the spring element 81 . the

The socket contacts 80 are spherically crowned at their ends, so that a punctiform contact area K1 is formed. the

The secondary contact force F3 (secondary force flow) acts on the contact area K1. the

The tongue-shaped spring element 83 extends from the wall of the contact body 82 towards the surface 110 , wherein the spring element 83 bears against the surface 110 by pretensioning and thus exerts the laterally acting main contact forces F1 and F2 (main force flow) on the surface 110 . on the plug contact 11. the

Seen in the direction of insertion E, the spring tongue elements 83 are arranged one behind the other at a distance a. Torques can thus be supported very well. the

It can also be seen from FIG. 2 that the spring element 83 has a free end 84 which points in the insertion direction E and thus has the effect of a barb. the

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown, it is also conceivable to provide, instead of the tongue-shaped spring element 83 , a spring-like projection 83 ′ (see extension shown by dashed lines) which adjoins on both sides to the wall of the contact body 82 . the

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown, it is also conceivable to design the spring element 83 or the projection 83 ′ in one piece with the spring element 81 . the

Both the spring element 83 and the cam 83' are designed in such a way that a linear contact region K2 is formed. the

As shown in particular in FIG. 3 , the line of action of the secondary contact force F3 and the line of action of the main contact force F1 (or F2 ) form an angle α of approximately 90°, preferably 90°, with one another. the

The socket 8 and the plug contacts 11 are in turn held in the socket housing 3 or the plug housing 5 in a manner not shown in detail (see FIG. 2 ). the

The socket 8 is preferably produced by a stamping/bending method. the

It is very advantageous here if the spring element 81 is made of refined steel and the contact body 82 is made of copper. the

Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is also shown in FIG. 4 . the

Here, a plug-in connector 12 is shown, which has a shroud-shaped socket 13 into which a plug contact 140 (blade contact) with a rectangular cross-section is inserted. The plug contact 140 has a contact surface 141 extending horizontally and a surface 142 extending perpendicularly thereto. the

On the contact surface 141 of the plug contact 140 in turn acts a socket contact 130 designed as a spherical crown, which generates a secondary contact force F3. As a result, point-shaped contact regions K1 are formed. The elastic element 131 of the socket 13 is equipped with a serpentine linear profile P adapted to the plug contact 140 on its side wall, and the serpentine linear profile under the action of elastic pretension (P') accepts the described surface 142 so that a linear contact region K2 is formed between the edge of the surface 142 and the profile P. the

Via the contact area K2 a force is transmitted to the plug contact 140 which additively forms the main contact force F1, wherein the line of action of the main contact force F1 and the line of action of the secondary contact force F3 form approximately 90 degrees, preferably Angle α of 90 degrees. the

The profile line PL is formed by the profile P, which protrudes slightly beyond the vertical side 142 (punched edge, see also FIG. 5 ). the

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The described examples serve only to briefly illustrate the core idea of the invention. The invention may also include, within its scope of protection, alternatives to the preceding embodiments or clear examples. In particular, the invention can also have features in combination of the individual features of the individual claims. the

List of reference signs

1 plug connector

2 sockets

20 crimping area

21 contact area

210 Locking element

211 Socket contact

212 tongue elastic element

213 cover elastic element

3 socket housing

4 plugs

40 plug contacts

5 Plug housing

6 electric wires

7 plug connector

8 sockets

80 socket contacts

81 Elastic elements

82 Wall of contact body

83 Tongue spring element

83′ spring-like lugs

84 Free end of tongue spring element

11 Plug contacts

110 vertical plane

111 Horizontal contact surface

12 plug connector

13 jacks

130 socket contacts

131 elastic element

140 plug contacts

141 horizontal contact surface

142 vertical plane

a The distance of the contact area

Insertion direction of E plug

F1, F2 main contact force

F3 secondary contact force

K1 point contact area

K2 linear contact area

P serpentine profile

PL profile wire

α is the angle between the lines of action of the primary and secondary contact forces. the

Claims (12)

1. A contact fitting (8; 13) for a plug connector (7; 12), wherein the contact fitting (8; 13) can be fixed to one end of an electrical lead (6) and inserted into a housing In (3), there are at least two contact elements (80; 130) for a fit between which an electrically conductive contact can be inserted between said contact elements (80; 130) under application of at least one first contact force (F3) Contact fitting (11; 140) and having at least one device for increasing the force between the contact fitting (8; 13) and the mating contact fitting (11; 140) when at least one additional contact force (F1, F2) is applied A flow element (83; P), characterized in that the contact force (F1, F2) generated by the at least one element (83; P) on the mating contact fitting (11; 140) and the The contact forces (F3) generated by the elements (80; 130) on said mating contact fittings (11; 140) are decoupled from each other. 2. The contact fitting (8; 13) for a plug-in connector (7; 12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact force ( The line of action of F1, F2) and the line of action of the contact force (F3) that can be generated by the contact element (80; 130) form an angle (α) with one another. 3. The contact fitting (8; 13) for a plug-in connector (7; 12) according to claim 2, characterized in that the contact force ( The lines of action F1, F2) and the lines of action of the contact force (F3) that can be generated by the contact element (80; 130) are approximately perpendicular to each other. 4. The contact fitting (8; 13) for a plug-in connector (7; 12) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact fitting has at least two first walls (82) and at least two second walls, from said first wall respectively at least one element (83; P) extending inwardly towards the insertable mating contact fitting (11; 140), from said second wall respectively at least A contact element (80; 130) extends inwardly in the direction of an insertable mating contact fitting (11; 140), wherein the first wall (82) and the second wall are substantially perpendicular to each other. 5. The contact fitting (8) for a plug-in connector (7) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one inwardly extending element (83) is designed as a tongue spring. 6. The contact fitting (8) for a plug-in connector (7) according to claim 5, characterized in that the free end (84) of the tongue spring (83) points toward the mating contact fitting (11 ) in the insertion direction (E). 7. The contact fitting (8) for a plug-in connector (7) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one inwardly extending element (83') is designed as a male connection on both sides rise. 8. The contact fitting (8) for a plug-in connector (7) according to one of the preceding claims 4 to 7, characterized in that there are at least two inwardly extending elements (83, 83'), The elements are arranged one behind the other at a distance (a) as viewed in the insertion direction (E) of the mating contact fitting (11). 9. The contact fitting (13) for a plug-in connector (12) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one element (P) is formed in the wall transversely to Formed with a profile (P) extending in the direction of insertion of the mating contact fitting (140). 10. A female part (3, 8; 13) of a plug-in connector (7; 12) having at least one contact fitting (8; 13) according to one of the preceding claims. 11. A plug connector (7; 12) having at least one contact fitting (8; 13) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one mating contact fitting (11; 140). 12. The plug-in connector (7; 12) according to claim 11, characterized in that the mating contact fitting (11; 140) has a rectangular cross-section with first mutually spaced A face (111; 141) and a second face (110; 142) spaced farther from each other, wherein said first face (111; 141) is used to generate a secondary force flow (F1, F2) and said second face Two faces (110; 142) are used to generate the main force flow (F3).