DE102010032313B4 - Housing, plug contact connection and method for electrical contacting - Google Patents

Abstract

Housing (2) for receiving a plug (1) with a pin-shaped electrode (4), the housing (2) having at least one opening (7), an area of the opening (7) being larger by a predetermined amount than a cross-sectional area of the pin-shaped electrode (4), wherein a housing-side electrode (8) is arranged in the housing (2), the housing-side electrode (8) being electrically contactable by means of the pin-shaped electrode (4) if the pin-shaped electrode (4) has a predetermined Length is inserted through any point of the opening (7) with an insertion angle relative to the surface of the opening (7), the insertion angle being greater than or equal to a predetermined insertion angle, with between the opening (7) and the housing-side electrode (8). electrically insulating material (12) is arranged, the electrically insulating material (12) being designed as a self-sealing rubber-like substance and the housing-side electrode (8) being at least partially embedded in the electrically insulating material (12), the housing-side electrode (8) can be pierced by the pin-shaped electrode (4) if the pin-shaped electrode (4) is inserted into the housing (2) with a feed force that is greater than a predetermined feed force, the housing-side electrode (8) being designed as a sheet metal.

Description

The invention relates to a housing for receiving a plug, a plug contact connection and a method for electrical contacting.

In the field of producing electrical connections, it is well known to insert a plug with a pin-shaped electrode into a housing, with an electrode on the housing side being contacted by the pin-shaped, plug-side electrode when the plug is inserted and an electrical connection is thus established.

For this purpose, however, the plug must be inserted into the housing in a predetermined manner, for example in a predetermined direction and at a predetermined location.

However, there are applications in which a tolerance with regard to an insertion position and insertion direction of the plug into the housing is necessary for production reasons. It is desirable to establish electrical contact between the plug-side and the housing-side electrodes even in such applications, i.e. regardless of position and orientation.

Such a problem arises, for example, when assembling headlights in the automotive sector. To put it simply, a headlight consists of a first part that has a transparent outer lens and lighting means, e.g. LED, arranged behind this pane. This first part generally has at least one pin-shaped electrode. On the body side, a second part of the headlight is provided, which includes electronics necessary for controlling the lamps, in particular the LEDs. In order to ensure correct and safe operation of the lamps, an electrical connection between the first and second parts, in particular between the lamps and the electronics for controlling the lamps, is necessary. During the assembly process, the first part is attached to the second part. For this purpose, a housing of the second part has openings through which the pin-shaped electrodes of the first part can be inserted. However, the pin-shaped electrodes must be inserted into openings in the second part in a predefined manner. This requires precise alignment of the first part relative to the second part, which may therefore have to be repeated several times. Manufacturing-related tolerances in the arrangement of one or more pin-shaped electrodes can only be compensated for with difficulty or not at all.

The US 3,158,420 discloses an underwater connector for electrically connecting a pair of insulated conductors. The underwater connector comprises a plug, a needle-shaped, conductive part of the plug, one end of the needle-shaped part being shaped as a tip and the other end being connected to one of the aforementioned electrical conductors. The document further discloses a housing which has a rigid, non-conductive part with a chamber enclosed therein. The housing further has a pair of openings to the chamber. The chamber contains a lot of fibrous, conductive substances. One of the openings is almost completely filled with an elastic, rubber-like substance that has self-sealing properties. Sealing means for the other opening comprises an annular seal with a central opening through which the further insulated conductor can be passed.

The US 3,713,072 discloses an electrical connection between a terminal pin and a flat conductor. The electrical connection here comprises a device for electrical connection which is mounted on the conductor. The device has a web and two side walls at opposite ends of the web. An opening in the web is arranged centrally between the side walls. The side walls are curved inwards, towards each other and towards the web. The side walls are also connected to the conductor.

From the DE 198 44 862 A1 a device for electrically connecting a sensor integrated in a first housing to a device integrated in a second housing is known, the sensor having a connection element with at least one electrically conductive contact surface, onto which a rubber-elastic layer is applied, which is on the outside of the first Housing is arranged. Furthermore, the electronic device has, as a connection element, at least one electrically conductive contact tip protruding beyond the outer wall of the second housing, the contact tip being pressed against the contact surface with a predetermined contact pressure to produce the electrical connection, the rubber-elastic layer being pierced by the contact tip.

From the US 3,522,576 A a waterproof electrical connector is known, wherein a housing has an electrically conductive honeycomb structure which is contacted by a pointed mating contact.

From the DE 199 18 378 A1 a coupling connector is known, with different connection housings being coupled by groove dovetail connections.

The technical problem arises of creating a housing, a plug contact connection and a method for electrical contacting, which enable electrical contacting that is more tolerant of a housing-side insertion position and an insertion direction.

The solution to the technical problem results from the objects with the features of claims 1, 4 and 5. Further advantageous refinements result from the subclaims.

A housing is proposed to accommodate a plug, the plug having a pin-shaped electrode. The housing here has at least one opening, an area of the opening being larger by a predetermined amount than a cross-sectional area of the pin-shaped electrode. For electrical contact, the pin-shaped electrode is inserted through the opening into the housing. The cross-sectional area of a pin-shaped electrode here refers to a cross section perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the pin-shaped electrode. For example, the pin-shaped electrode can have a circular or rectangular cross section. The opening can also be circular or rectangular, for example. For example, if the pin-shaped electrode has a circular cross-section and the opening is also circular, a radius of the circular opening is larger by a predetermined amount than a radius of the circular cross-section of the pin-shaped electrode. Preferably, the predetermined dimension is to be selected depending on a maximum permissible assembly tolerance or manufacturing tolerance of the plug and/or the housing. The tolerance refers in particular to an arrangement of the pin-shaped electrode on the plug and the opening on the housing. For example, if a plug-side arrangement of the pin-shaped electrode has a tolerance of +/- 1 mm, a radius of the opening can be at least 1 mm larger than a radius of the circular cross-sectional area of the pin-shaped electrode. Here, the tolerance of the arrangement of the plug-side electrode with respect to the plug refers to an originally desired arrangement of the pin-shaped electrode on the plug. If the opening is rectangular, then in an analogous manner, distances between opposite side edges of the rectangular opening can be larger by a predetermined amount than a radius of a circular cross-sectional area of the pin-shaped electrode or can be larger by a predetermined amount than distances between side edges of a rectangular cross-section of a pin-shaped electrode.

If a Cartesian coordinate system with an x and a y axis is defined in the plane of the opening, the housing according to the invention enables insertion tolerance in the x and y directions.

Furthermore, a housing-side electrode is arranged in the housing.

According to the invention, the housing-side electrode can be electrically contacted by means of the pin-shaped electrode if the pin-shaped electrode with a predetermined length of the pin-shaped electrode is or is inserted into the housing through any point in the opening with or at an insertion angle relative to the surface of the opening. The insertion angle is greater than or equal to a predetermined insertion angle. For example, the predetermined insertion angle can be 45 degrees. The predetermined insertion angle can also be 90 degrees, whereby the pin-shaped electrode is inserted into the opening perpendicular to the surface of the opening. In this case, the insertion angle is equal to the predetermined insertion angle.

The housing-side electrode is arranged in the housing in such a way that a straight line intersecting the surface of the opening at the insertion angle intersects a surface of the housing-side electrode, with a distance between an intersection of the straight line with the surface of the opening and an intersection of the straight line with the surface the housing-side electrode corresponds to the predetermined length or at least the predetermined length and the insertion angle is greater than or equal to the predetermined insertion angle.

The housing-side electrode has at least one surface, wherein the housing-side electrode can be contacted by a pin-shaped electrode if at least part of the pin-shaped electrode penetrates through the surface into the housing-side electrode. The housing-side electrode is contacted by the pin-shaped electrode in that it penetrates into the housing-side electrode at a predetermined position on the surface and emerges from the housing-side electrode at a further position on the surface or a further surface.

The housing according to the invention can advantageously compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the arrangement of the pin-shaped electrode on the plug side. This is particularly important if several pin-shaped electrodes are arranged on the plug side can each deviate from their target arrangement to a predetermined extent. Furthermore, it is advantageously possible that no precise alignment of the pin-shaped electrode with respect to the housing or the opening is necessary in order to ensure electrical contact. This simplifies the installation of a headlight, for example.

In particular, tolerances in an orientation of the pin-shaped electrode can also be compensated for in an advantageous manner. If, for example, for manufacturing reasons, a first pin-shaped electrode of a plug has a different orientation than a second pin-shaped electrode of the plug, both pin-shaped electrodes can easily be brought into electrical contact with two different housing-side electrodes, which are designed according to the invention. It is also possible here to no longer insert the plug exclusively perpendicular to the surface of the opening, but also to insert it slightly tilted or inclined.

The housing-side electrode is preferably designed in such a way that when the pin-shaped electrode is inserted, a movement of this electrode in the axial direction of the pin-shaped electrode (central longitudinal direction of the pin-shaped electrode) is possible without electrical contact between the housing-side electrode and the pin-shaped electrode being interrupted . This advantageously achieves an insertion tolerance in the axial direction of the pin-shaped electrode, which, based on the previously defined Cartesian coordinate system, at least partially ensures an insertion tolerance in the z direction, depending on the z component of the axial movement.

Furthermore, an electrically insulating material is arranged at least between the opening and the housing-side electrode. The electrically insulating material is a self-sealing rubber-like substance. Preferably the material is ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). The housing-side electrode is at least partially embedded in the electrically insulating material, i.e. surrounded on both sides. Further preferably, the insulating material seals the second electrode from dirt or liquid outside the housing. When plugging in, the pin-shaped electrode can first be pushed through the insulating material before electrical contact is made with the electrode on the housing side. This advantageously also ensures that the pin-shaped electrode and thus the plug are mechanically supported. Furthermore, the arrangement of an insulating material ensures that the axial movement of the pin-shaped electrode is inhibited more by sliding and static friction than if the pin-shaped electrode is inserted into the housing-side electrode without insulating material.

Furthermore, the housing-side electrode can be pierced by the pin-shaped electrode if the pin-shaped electrode is inserted into the housing with a predetermined feed force. Here, the housing-side electrode is pierced by the pin-shaped, plug-side electrode, with electrical contact being established between the two electrodes. In the punctured state, an electrical connection is established between the housing-side electrode and outer surfaces of the pin-shaped electrode. Piercing here means that parts of the pin-shaped electrode are arranged on opposite sides of the housing-side electrode in the axial direction of the pin-shaped electrode (central longitudinal direction of the pin-shaped electrode). The electrode on the housing side is made of sheet metal.

This advantageously enables a simple and cost-effective design of the housing-side electrode. The sheet metal can have a predetermined thickness. The sheet metal can be pierced by means of the pin-shaped electrode when the pin-shaped electrode is pressed against the sheet metal with a predetermined feed force. When piercing, the sheet protrudes at the puncture point, which advantageously creates a larger contact area between the sheet and the outside of the pin-shaped electrode. This advantageously provides greater contact security. Preferably the sheet is a soft copper alloy.

It is conceivable that a higher feed force is necessary for inserting the pin-shaped electrode into the electrically insulating material than for piercing the electrode on the housing side. This advantageously ensures that the housing-side electrode is pierced in any case with the feed force required for insertion into the housing. In order to enable the aforementioned piercing, the housing-side electrode and/or the electrically insulating material have a predetermined hardness or predetermined strength that is lower than a hardness or strength of the pin-shaped electrode.

In one embodiment, the housing has latching elements on the housing side, wherein the housing can be latched to the plug by means of the latching elements on the housing side. The latching elements are designed in such a way that latching is achieved regardless of an insertion position of the pin-shaped electrode into the opening can. The locking connection can be designed to be detachable or non-detachable. The latching connection advantageously results in movement of the pin-shaped electrode being prevented when inserted. The housing-side latching elements can also be designed in such a way that a predetermined movement of the electrode in the axial direction of the pin-shaped electrode is still possible when a latching connection has been made. This can advantageously ensure that any axial displacements of the plug relative to the housing that may be necessary in later manufacturing or assembly steps are possible even after electrical contacting has been made.

Of course, the plug can have corresponding locking elements. Alternatively or cumulatively, other detachable and non-detachable connection types, e.g. clamping, gluing, screwing, riveting, can also be used. For this purpose, the housing and/or the plug can have the necessary connecting surfaces.

In a further embodiment, the housing has at least one coupling element, wherein the housing can be coupled to another housing by means of the coupling element. For example, the housing can have a so-called dovetail guide, which is designed, for example, as a dovetail-shaped web. The housing can also have a groove for receiving the aforementioned dovetail guide. This enables a mechanical connection between several housings and thus a modular structure of an electrical plug connection. For example, the housing can be cube-shaped or cuboid-shaped. Dovetail-shaped webs can be arranged on at least one, but preferably two or three, outer surfaces, which are preferably adjacent outer surfaces. Furthermore, different outer sides of these outer sides, in particular the three remaining outer sides, can have dovetail-shaped grooves into which the aforementioned dovetail-shaped webs can be inserted.

A plug contact connection is also proposed, wherein the plug contact connection comprises a housing and a plug with a pin-shaped electrode, the housing having at least one opening. The area of the opening is larger by a predetermined amount than a cross-sectional area of the pin-shaped electrode. A housing-side electrode is arranged in the housing. According to the invention, the housing-side electrode can be electrically contacted by means of the pin-shaped electrode if the pin-shaped electrode with a predetermined length of the pin-shaped electrode is inserted into the housing through any point in the opening with an insertion angle relative to the surface of the opening, the insertion angle being greater than or equal to one predetermined insertion angle.

A method for electrical contacting is also proposed, wherein a housing has at least one opening. Furthermore, a housing-side electrode is arranged in the housing. A plug also has a pin-shaped electrode. Furthermore, an area of the opening is larger by a predetermined amount than a cross-sectional area of a pin-shaped electrode. According to the invention, the housing-side electrode is electrically contacted by means of the pin-shaped electrode if the pin-shaped electrode with a predetermined length of the pin-shaped electrode is inserted into the housing through any point in the opening with an insertion angle relative to the surface of the opening, the insertion angle being greater than or equal to one predetermined insertion angle.

• 1 eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Steckers und eines Gehäuses,
• 2a eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Steckers und eines Gehäuses vor einem Einsteckvorgang,
• 2b eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Steckers und eines Gehäuses nach einem Einsteckvorgang,
• 3a einen Querschnitt eines Gehäuses,
• 3b eine erste Draufsicht auf ein Gehäuse,
• 3c eine zweite Draufsicht auf ein Gehäuse,
• 4a eine schematische Darstellung einer Ein-Pin-Anordnung und
• 4b eine schematische Darstellung einer Drei-Pin-Anordnung.

The invention is explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. The figures show:

• 1 a schematic side view of a plug and a housing,
• 2a a schematic side view of a plug and a housing before an insertion process,
• 2 B a schematic side view of a plug and a housing after an insertion process,
• 3a a cross section of a housing,
• 3b a first top view of a housing,
• 3c a second top view of a housing,
• 4a a schematic representation of a one-pin arrangement and
• 4b a schematic representation of a three-pin arrangement.

Below, the same reference numbers designate elements with the same or similar technical properties.

In 1 a schematic side view of a plug 1 and a housing 2 is shown. The plug 1 has a plug housing 3 and a pin-shaped electrode 4. It is shown here that the pin-shaped electrode 4 is designed to be pointed at a free end. The pin-shaped electrode 4 is electrically connected to a first electrical conductor 5 in the plug housing 3. The housing 2 has a cavity 6. The housing 2 also has an opening 7. There is an electrode 8 on the housing side in the housing arranges, which is designed as a sheet metal. The sheet metal has a U-shaped profile in cross section, with a first side wall 9 of the U-shaped profile being designed to be shorter than a second side wall 10 of the U-shaped profile. The housing-side electrode 8 is electrically connected to a second electrical conductor 11. An electrically insulating material 12 is also arranged in the housing. In particular, the second side wall 10 of the housing-side electrode 8 is embedded in the electrically insulating material 12. The electrically insulating material 12 seals the housing-side electrode from the opening 7 and thus an area outside the housing 2 with regard to moisture and dirt. Grooves 18 are also shown, the function of which is shown in 3a until 3c is explained in more detail.

In 2a A side view of a plug 1 and a housing 2 is shown schematically. This represents 2a represents an unplugged state of the plug 1. Starting from this state, the plug 1 and the pin-shaped electrode 4 are inserted into the housing 2 through the opening 7 in the axial direction, ie in the direction of a central longitudinal axis 14 of the pin-shaped electrode 4.

In 2 B the plug 1 and the housing 2 are shown in an inserted state of the plug 1. It is shown here that the pin-shaped electrode 4 first pierces the insulating material 12, which is arranged between the opening 7 and the housing-side electrode 8. When inserted, the pin-shaped electrode 4 also pierces the housing-side electrode 8, which is designed as a sheet metal, namely the one in 1 side wall of the housing-side electrode 8 shown as the first side wall 10. In 2 B is shown that when it is pierced, the sheet metal protrudes, so that an enlarged contact area is advantageously created between the pin-shaped electrode 4 and the housing-side electrode 8.

In 2a and 2 B an electrical connection of the housing-side electrode 8 to the second electrical conductor 11 is not shown.

In 3a a schematic cross section of the housing 2 is shown. Here, the housing 2 and the electrically insulating material 12 arranged in the housing 2 are shown. Furthermore, dovetail-shaped webs 17 of the housing 2 are arranged on a top side 15 of the housing 2 and on a side surface 16 of the housing 2. The dovetail-shaped webs 17 serve to couple the housing 2 with other housings 2, which have the necessary dovetail-shaped grooves 18, which are also in 3a are shown.

3b shows a first schematic top view of a housing 2, again showing the dovetail-shaped groove 18 and the dovetail-shaped web 17.

Also in 3c , a second schematic top view of the housing 2, a dovetail-shaped groove 18 is shown, which is arranged in a housing wall.

In 4a A so-called one-pin configuration is shown, the one-pin configuration essentially consisting of a housing 2 according to the invention. Here, the dovetail-shaped webs 17 and the dovetail-shaped grooves 18 are shown schematically.

In 4b A so-called three-pin configuration is shown, whereby it is also only shown schematically that dovetail-shaped webs 17 are in engagement with dovetail-shaped grooves 18 of further housings 2. Any pin configuration can be built in this way. For example, if a first part of a headlight, which includes a transparent outer lens and lamps, in particular LED, has six pins, ie pin-shaped electrodes 4, the housing part can be constructed as a six-pin configuration. The design of the housing 2 according to the invention allows the pins to be easily assembled, ie simply inserted, into the housing 2 in an advantageous manner. In particular, tolerances in the arrangement of the pins relative to one another can be compensated for by the design of the housing according to the invention.

Reference symbol list

1

Plug

2

Housing

3

Connector housing

4

pen-shaped electrode

5

first leader

6

cavity

7

opening

8th

housing-side electrode

9

first side wall of the housing-side electrode

10

second side wall of the housing-side electrode

11

second leader

12

electrically insulating material

14

central longitudinal axis

15

Top

16

Side wall

17

dovetail-shaped bridge

18

dovetail-shaped groove

Claims (5)

Housing (2) for receiving a plug (1) with a pin-shaped electrode (4), the housing (2) having at least one opening (7), an area of the opening (7) being larger by a predetermined amount than a cross-sectional area of the pin-shaped electrode (4), wherein a housing-side electrode (8) is arranged in the housing (2), the housing-side electrode (8) being electrically contactable by means of the pin-shaped electrode (4) if the pin-shaped electrode (4) has a predetermined Length is inserted through any point of the opening (7) with an insertion angle relative to the surface of the opening (7), the insertion angle being greater than or equal to a predetermined insertion angle, wherein an electrically insulating material (12) is arranged between the opening (7) and the housing-side electrode (8), wherein the electrically insulating material (12) is designed as a self-sealing rubber-like substance and the housing-side electrode (8) is at least partially embedded in the electrically insulating material (12), wherein the housing-side electrode (8) can be pierced by the pin-shaped electrode (4) if the pin-shaped electrode (4) is inserted into the housing (2) with a feed force that is greater than a predetermined feed force, wherein the housing-side electrode (8) is designed as a sheet metal. Housing after Claim 1 , characterized in that the housing (2) has latching elements on the housing side, the housing (2) being latched to the plug (1) by means of the latching elements on the housing side. Housing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing has at least one coupling element, wherein the housing can be coupled to a further housing (2) by means of the coupling element. Plug contact connection, wherein the plug contact connection comprises a housing (2) and a plug (1) with a pin-shaped electrode (4), the housing (2) having at least one opening (7), wherein an area of the opening (7) is a predetermined Dimension is larger than a cross-sectional area of the pin-shaped electrode (4), a housing-side electrode (8) being arranged in the housing (2), wherein the housing-side electrode (8) is electrically contacted by means of the pin-shaped electrode (4) if the pin-shaped electrode (4) with a predetermined length passes through any point in the opening (7) with an insertion angle relative to the surface of the opening (7). the housing (2) is inserted, the insertion angle being greater than or equal to a predetermined insertion angle, wherein an electrically insulating material (12) is arranged between the opening (7) and the housing-side electrode (8), wherein the electrically insulating material (12) is designed as a self-sealing rubber-like substance and the housing-side electrode (8) is at least partially embedded in the electrically insulating material (12), wherein the housing-side electrode (8) is pierced by the pin-shaped electrode (4) if the pin-shaped electrode (4) is inserted into the housing (2) with a feed force that is greater than a predetermined feed force, wherein the housing-side electrode (8) is designed as a sheet metal. Method for electrical contacting, wherein a housing (2) has at least one opening (7), a housing-side electrode (8) being arranged in the housing (2), wherein a plug (1) has a pin-shaped electrode (4), wherein an area of the opening (7) is larger by a predetermined amount than a cross-sectional area of the pin-shaped electrode (4), wherein the housing-side electrode (8) is electrically contacted by means of the pin-shaped electrode (4) if the pin-shaped electrode (4) with a predetermined length passes through any point in the opening (7) with an insertion angle relative to the surface of the opening (7). the housing (2) is inserted, the insertion angle being greater than or equal to a predetermined insertion angle, wherein an electrically insulating material (12) is arranged between the opening (7) and the housing-side electrode (8), wherein the electrically insulating material (12) is designed as a self-sealing rubber-like substance and the housing-side electrode (8) is at least partially embedded in the electrically insulating material (12), wherein the housing-side electrode (8) is pierced by the pin-shaped electrode (4) if the pin-shaped electrode (4) is inserted into the housing (2) with a feed force that is greater than a predetermined feed force, wherein the housing-side electrode (8) is designed as a sheet metal.

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