AU2008340915A1

AU2008340915A1 - Electrical contact element

Info

Publication number: AU2008340915A1
Application number: AU2008340915A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Wolfgang Gorlich; Richard Vicktorius
Original assignee: Merten GmbH
Current assignee: Merten GmbH
Priority date: 2007-12-21
Filing date: 2008-12-17
Publication date: 2009-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-17
Also published as: DE102007063592A1; EP2223391A1; CN101926056A; ES2706609T3; BRPI0821774B1; RU2010130491A; AU2008340915B2; RU2490764C2; CN101926056B; WO2009079999A1; EP2223391B1; BRPI0821774A2

Description

WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 ELECTRICAL CONTACT ELEMENT Description 5 The invention relates to a contact element in accordance with the precharacterizing clause of patent claim 1. Socket outlets with contact elements in the form of 10 jacks for accommodating contact pins of device plugs are known in electrical domestic installations and are used in the initial installation phase and in the refitting sector. It is often important to be able to functionally modify such electrical service devices. 15 For this reason, it has proven to be advantageous to provide corresponding assemblies which can be fitted additionally to the existing service device, if required. 20 The prior art, for example EP 0 281 969 Bl, has disclosed an electrical service device in which a device plug is plugged removably into corresponding contact elements at the front, while an optional assembly can be arranged at the rear. One disadvantage 25 with this is that the electrical contact between the rear-side module and the contact elements provided in the service device is made by virtue of an unreleasable connection. Such arrangements and methods entail increased complexity in terms of fitting and are not 30 particularly practicable. The object of the present invention therefore consists in eliminating the abovementioned disadvantages and providing a contact element which makes it possible to 35 make contact between at least two elements in a manner which is safe and friendly in terms of fitting.

WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 -2 This object is achieved by the features specified in patent claim 1. Advantageous configurations result from the dependent claims. 5 The invention according to patent claim 1 has the advantage that releasable contact-making for a device plug and a further assembly is provided, with mechanically and functionally independent contact points being formed in an integral contact region of a 10 contact element. The contact element comprises a connection region for connecting supply lines and, opposite this, the integral contact region for at least two elements. 15 The mechanical operations involved during plugging of the respective contact pins are not transferred from one contact point to the other contact point, with the result that the clamping forces are not subject to any interaction and uninterrupted and therefore safe 20 contact-making is ensured. The plugging forces and movements of the jacks are absorbed independently of one another by the spring arms, with the result that by virtue of plugging different assemblies into one and the same contact element, the connection properties 25 such as clamping or contact forces which are essential in the case of releasable contact connections are not influenced. Such an advantageous effect is made possible by pairs of spring arms being formed separately from a common base on the contact element, 30 with each pair of spring arms forming a jack for accommodating a contact pin. In this case, the pairs of spring arms run parallel to one another from the base and are separated from one another by a slot. 35 By virtue of the pairs of spring arms being formed differently and the respective jacks being positioned differently, module locations for two elements which can be plugged parallel to one another, for example a WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 -3 device plug and a module, are provided. Thus, it is still possible to use the conventional and practical plugging operation from the front side and/or the rear side. 5 Mutually opposing spring limbs, which are divided into the two pairs of spring arms, extend from the base. The upper spring arms are bent inwards towards the rear and form between them a jack for a contact pin. The height 10 of the spring arms increases on both sides up to the bending point and decreases on one side towards the jack. As a result, the jack becomes intrinsically stable, and mechanical loads are intercepted primarily at the bend where the material is thick and are not 15 transmitted to the base. The lower spring arms protrude beyond the upper spring arms in the longitudinal extent and are bent inwards in stepped fashion in the longitudinal extent and come to bear against one another directly in front of the jack which terminates 20 at the front. The height of the spring arms is constant. The different formation of the pairs of spring arms makes it possible to achieve different clamping forces 25 at the respective jacks. Since clamping forces which decrease as the length of the pairs of spring arms increases can be realized, in practice contact is made with the circumferentially larger contact pins in the shorter spring arms, while contact is made with the 30 thin contact pins, with a lower contact force, in the longer spring arms. Conical formations of the jack facilitate the plugging in operation. Furthermore, the upper region of the jack 35 of the upper pair of spring arms is not tied to the spring arms, with the result that the plugging-in operation of a contact pin is further facilitated. The contact pin widens the jack initially only at the top WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 -4 and then slides along a slope which is produced into the socket, with further widening. When the contact pin is withdrawn, the torsion effect likewise takes effect, with the result that the contact pin or the plug is 5 "thrown out" at the end. In addition, when the withdrawal force is applied even before the limit for the sliding friction is reached, the jack is elastically deformed slightly. As a result, the force ratios within the jack are changed and the plug can be 10 released more easily. Additional reinforcement and protection against excessive widening of the jack and the spring arms is provided by the contact element being positioned in 15 corresponding chambers of the device cap in an interlocking manner. The contact element according to the invention provides the possibility of a universally usable service device 20 which can be equipped with a suitable modular assembly if required, whilst maintaining simple fitting and dismantling. Advantageously, electrical contact is made with the assembly at the same time as said assembly is fitted mechanically. Separate connection work, such as 25 soldering, for example, is no longer necessary. The contact element is suitable both for contact pins which have been plugged from the front side and/or contact pins which have been plugged from the rear side. 30 The modules can perform a wide variety of functions and form functionally self-enclosed assemblies, with the result that it is not necessary for any changes to be made to the device cap. In particular, there are modules which are used depending on the application 35 case, for example surge protection modules, indicator and lighting modules or mechanical function modules. Furthermore, an incoming system voltage can be converted in the modules into any desired lower voltage WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 - 5 or another form of energy. In addition to conventional installation technology, the use of bus technologies is also possible here. In addition to wired components, wireless components are also conceivable here for data 5 transmission by means of radio or infrared signals, for example. The modules contain in particular optical, mechanical and/or electrical components. A particularly advantageous arrangement of component 10 parts makes it possible to provide an accommodating area for an optional assembly within the existing structure of the device cap. In a preferred embodiment, the accommodating area is formed in interlocking fashion with the module body and therefore has a space 15 saving design. No additional space is required in front of or behind the device cap for arranging the module. The module can be fitted at the front and can be integrated flush with the surface in the device cap. It is essential here that, in order to modify the service 20 device, only the function-specific front element needs to be removed in order to be able to insert or replace the module. It is not necessary for the device cap or the supporting frame to be dismantled from the stationary installation enclosure, which results in a 25 considerable advantage in terms of installation. The generally provided structure of device caps, in particular of the dimensions thereof and the fastening and contact points thereof, remains unchanged. Thus, the function-specific front elements, for example, can 30 continue to be used within a production line when replacing an existing service device. One possible embodiment of the electrical service device is a socket outlet with a surge protection 35 module which can be optionally installed. Further details, features and advantages of the invention are given in the description below relating WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 -6 to a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a contact 5 element. Figure 2 shows a plan view of the contact element. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a service device 10 with a front element and a cover. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a module. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the service 15 device and the module prior to fitting. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the service device shown in figure 5 without a release element. 20 Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of figure 6. Figure 8 shows an enlarged view as shown in figure 7 with the contact pins inserted. 25 Identical or functionally identical component parts have been provided with the same reference symbols in the description below. 30 The design of the contact element according to the invention will be described in more detail with reference to figures 1 and 2. The contact element 8 comprises, for example, a copper 35 sheet which has been processed, preferably bent, a plurality of times and has a box-shaped basic structure. Opposite one another, a connection terminal 10 for connecting supply lines and an integral contact WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 -7 region 51 with separated contact points 52 and 53 for different contact pins 32, 33 and 54, preferably of a device plug (not illustrated) and of a module 2, protrude from a centrally arranged base 50. In the 5 contact region 51, mutually opposite spring limbs 55 and 56, which slope slightly inwards and merge with an upper pair of spring arms 58, 59, which is separated by a slot 57, and a lower pair of spring arms 60, 61 to form one piece, extend from the base 50. The dimensions 10 of the upper spring arms 58 and 59 and lower spring arms 60 and 61 are based on the mechanical loads to which the contact pins 32, 33 and 54 of different -thicknesses are subjected. 15 The upper spring arms 58 and 59 each run initially as a continuation of the spring limbs 55 and 56, also with a slight slope, and are then bent inwards through virtually 1800 and form a jack 62. At the upper end, the jack 62 has an outwardly bent collar 63 in order to 20 facilitate the plugging-in operation of a contact pin 54. Beginning at the spring limbs 55 and 56, the height H1 of the spring arms 58 and 59 increases uniformly on the upper side up to the bending point 64 to a maximum and decreases again to the original height up to the 25 jack 62. As a result, the contact point 52 becomes intrinsically stable, and mechanical loads are intercepted primarily at the bending point 64 where the material is thick and are not transmitted to the base 50. The contact point 52 is preferably designed for 30 accommodating, in clamping fashion, contact pins 54 in the range of 4-5 mm, for example of a device plug. The lower pair of spring arms 60, 61 protrudes beyond the upper pair of spring arms 58, 59 in the 35 longitudinal extent. The spring arms 60 and 61 are each bent inwards in stepped fashion and come to bear against one another directly in front of a jack 65 terminating at the front. The height H2 of the spring WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 -8 arms 60 and 61 is constant and is less than the height HI of the upper spring arms 58 and 59. The jack 65 is preferably designed for accommodating, in clamping fashion, contact pins 32, 33 in the region of 1 mm, the 5 slight widening of the jack 65 in relation to the length and the height H2 of the spring arms 60, 61 resulting in a self-supporting contact point 53, which does not transmit any forces to the base 50. 10 An electrical service device 1 in the form of a socket outlet which is populated with contact elements 8, 9 according to the invention will be illustrated by way of example below. The service device 1 is firstly equipped with an optional module 2 for surge protection 15 and is secondly provided with a device plug. The service device 1 has a device cap 3, which is in principle circular and in the form of a block and is made from insulating materials. An annular supporting 20 frame 4, which is preferably fastened in latching fashion, surrounds the device cap 3 on the outside. The supporting frame 4 is manufactured either from metallic or from nonmetallic materials, preferably plastic. Radially opposite this, claw-like fastening means (not 25 illustrated in any more detail) are provided on the device cap 3 or on the supporting frame 4, said claw like fastening means making it possible to fasten the service device 1 in a stationary installation enclosure (not illustrated). Preferably, the device cap 3 and the 30 supporting frame 4 form an assembly unit. A function specific front element 5 is fastened at the front and can be in one or more parts, depending on the application. (Figure 3) 35 The metallic contact elements 8 and 9, into which plug pins of a device plug (not illustrated) are plugged at the front and which are connected to supply lines at the rear via connection terminals 10 and 11, are WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 -9 arranged in the device cap 3 under so-called release elements 6 and 7. Furthermore, a grounding clip 12, which is bent a plurality of times, is arranged in the device cap 3, said grounding clip serving the purpose 5 of making contact with a grounding contact of the device plug at the front and of connecting a grounding conductor to a connection terminal 13 at the rear. The two contact elements 8 and 9 are fastened in 10 correspondingly shaped chambers 14 and 15 in the center of the device cap 3. The connection terminals 10, 11 are arranged uniformly in a connection region 16 of the device cap 3. On the radially opposite side, an accommodating area 19, which extends in cylindrical 15 fashion and has a base surface 20 in the form of a segment of a circle formed by a rear-side bottom plate 21, is formed within the integral device cap 3 by a radial outer wall 17 and a straight inner wall 18. (Figures 5 and 6) 20 As shown in figure 3, in the unpopulated state, a removable cover 22 closes off this accommodating area 19, with the cover 22 being arranged flush with the surface with respect to the release elements 6 and 7. 25 Latching tabs 23, which serve the purpose of fixing the module 2, are located on the bottom plate 21 within the accommodating area 19. In the accommodating area 19, the chambers 14 and 15 of the contact elements 8 and 9 extend on the bottom side. The grounding clip 12 is 30 arranged between the two contact elements 8 and 9 and runs initially on the bottom side and then bent back perpendicularly along the outer wall 17 in the accommodating area 19. A module 2 can be inserted into this accommodating area 19 in interlocking fashion. 35 As shown in figure 4, the module 2 is made from an insulating material and has a cylindrical three dimensional extent, beginning with a base surface 24 in WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 - 10 the form of a segment of a circle from which a straight wall 25 and a bent wall 26 extend, which walls are closed off by a cover 27. Various cutouts, recesses and shoulders are formed in or on the walls 25 and 26. 5 Various component parts, for example varistors 28, gas discharge arresters, a printed circuit board, resistors, light elements and contact elements, are arranged in the module 2. As a result, it is possible to realize a surge protection unit, for example. 10 Free spaces 30 and 31 are formed on the base surface 24 of the module 2, with contact pins 32 and 33 being guided in protected fashion out of the module 2 in said free spaces 30 and 31, it being possible for electrical 15 contact to be made between said contact pins 32 and 33 and the contact elements 8 and 9 of the device cap 3. A groove 34 is formed between the free spaces 30 and 31, with a contact pin 35 protruding into said groove, said contact pin 35 making contact with the grounding clip 20 12 running in the device cap 3. Furthermore, a through bore 36 is arranged in the module 2, with the result that it is also possible to realize a socket outlet variant with a grounding pin, with the arrangement of the contact pin 35 and the manner in which contact is 25 made with the contact pin 35 remaining the same. Notches 37 for latching engagement with the latching tabs 23 of the bottom plates 21 are formed within the groove 34. 30 On the upper side of the module 2, preferably on the cover 27, protrusions 38 are formed which facilitate the process of plugging in and possibly removing the module 2. Furthermore, a pin-shaped shoulder 39 is located at the edge on the upper side of the module 2 35 in order to be able to conduct light signals from the module 2 in a targeted manner to indicator elements in the front element 5. For this purpose, at least the shoulder 39 is made from a light-conducting material, WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 -11 such as PC or PMMA, for example. A light element in the form of an LED 40 is arranged in a cutout 41. The fitting and operation of the service device 1 will 5 be described briefly below. A basic version of a service device 1 comprises a device cap 3 equipped with the contact elements 8 and 9 and the grounding clip 12, and the supporting frame 10 fastened thereto. The accommodating area 19 is closed off by a cover 22 and there is no module 2 located therein. Such a unit is conventionally connected to supply lines in a flush-mounted box by means of the connection terminals 10, 11, 13 and fixed by the claw 15 like fastening means. Finally, the front element 5 is fastened. If required, the electrical service device 1 is subsequently modified, for example in order to 20 integrate surge protection. For this purpose, the front element 5 and then the cover 22 of the device cap 3 are removed. As a result of the interlocking connection, it is possible for a module 2 to be pushed linearly into the accommodating area 19 in the form of a segment of a 25 circle until it comes to a stop, without becoming jammed. In the process, automatically said module 2 is both mechanically latched and electrical contact is made therewith, without it being necessary for the service unit 1 to be removed or without any additional 30 connection work being required. At the front, the module 2 is arranged so as to be flush with the surface with respect to the release elements 6 and 7 after fitting. Only the protrusions 38 protrude, but terminate with the supporting frame 4. 35 During the fitting operation, the latching tabs 23 protruding from the bottom plate 21 of the accommodating area 19 latch in the notches 37 in the WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 - 12 module 2. The contact pins 32 and 33 slide into the contact elements 8 and 9 by virtue of the interlocking interaction between the chambers 14 and 15 and the free spaces 30 and 31. The contact pin 35 slides into a 5 module location 45 in the grounding clip 12, the grounding clip 12 being surrounded by the groove 34. Figures 7 and 8 show, on an enlarged scale, the contact made between in each case one contact pin 32, 54 of the 10 module 2 and the device plug (not illustrated). Both the module 2 and the device plug are inserted at the front and parallel to one another. The contact pin 32 of the module 2 is plugged into the jack 65 of the lower pair of spring arms 60, 61 at the contact point 15 53 of the contact element 8, the interlocking connection between the module 2 and the accommodating area 19 producing sufficient centering for the contact pin 32 to be capable of being plugged without any centering. In the process, the contact pin 32 widens 20 the jack 65 and is pushed as far as into its end position. In the end position, the spring arms 60 and 61 are widened slightly and surround the contact pin 32 in clamping fashion. The spring arms 60 and 61 in the process come into contact with the chamber 14 and 25 increase the contact pressure. The contact pin 54 of the device plug is plugged into the jack 62 of the upper pair of spring arms 58, 59 at the contact point 52 of the contact element 8, with 30 first of all centering taking place in the collar 63 of the jack 62. Then, the contact pin 54 widens the jack 62 at the top and then slides along the slope of the spring arms 58 and 59 which is produced into the jack 62, with further widening, until it reaches its end 35 position. In the end position, the spring arms 58 and 59 are widened slightly and surround the contact pin 54 in clamping fashion, with sufficiently high contact pressure owing to the shortness of the spring arms 58 WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 - 13 and 59 causing reliable contact to be made with the contact pin 54. The contact made with the contact pin 32 of the module 2 in the contact element 8 remains when contact is made with the contact pin 54 of the 5 device plug in the same contact element 8 as a result of the separation of the contact points 52 and 53 without any mechanical interaction. When the device plug is withdrawn, the described 10 torsion effect likewise takes effect, which results in the device plug being "thrown out" at the end. In addition, when the withdrawal force is applied even before the limit for the sliding friction is reached, the jack 62 is elastically deformed slightly. As a 15 result, the force ratios within the jack 62 are changed and the device plug can be released more easily. The description above relating to the exemplary embodiment is only used for illustrative purposes and 20 not for the purposes of restricting the invention. Various changes and modifications are possible in the context of the invention without leaving the scope of the invention and equivalents thereof.

WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 - 14 List of reference symbols 1 Service device 2 Module 3 Device cap 4 Supporting frame 5 Front element 6 Release element 7 Release element 8 Contact element 9 Contact element 10 Connection terminal 11 Connection terminal 12 Grounding clip 13 Connection terminal 14 Chamber 15 Chamber 16 Connection region 17 Outer wall 18 Inner wall 19 Accommodating area 20 Base surface of 19 21 Bottom plate 22 Cover 23 Latching tab 24 Base surface of module 25 Wall 26 Wall 27 Cover 28 Varistor 29 30 Free space 31 Free space 32 Contact pin 33 Contact pin 34 Groove 35 Contact pin 36 Through-bore WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 - 15 37 Notch 38 Protrusions 39 Shoulder 40 LED 41 Cutout 45 Module location 50 Base 51 Contact region 52 Contact point 53 Contact point 54 Contact pin 55 Spring limb 56 Spring limb 57 Slot 58 Spring arm 59 Spring arm 60 Spring arm 61 Spring arm 62 Jack 63 Collar 64 Bending point 65 Jack HI Height H2 Height

Claims

1. A contact element for transmitting electrical current comprising a connection terminal (10) and 5 a contact region (51), two functionally independent contact points (52, 53) being formed in the contact region (51), said contact points each having a pair of spring arms (58, 59, 60, 61) extending from a base (50), said pair of spring 10 arms forming a jack (62, 65) for accommodating a contact pin (32, 33, 54).

2. The contact element as claimed in patent claim 1, characterized in that the contact region (51) is 15 formed in one piece.

3. The contact element as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the pairs of spring arms (58, 59, 60, 61) are aligned 20 parallel to one another and are separated by a slot (57).

4. The contact element as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the 25 jacks (62, 65) are oriented parallel to one another.

5. The contact element as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that 30 differing contact pressures can be generated in the jacks (62, 65).

6. The contact element as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the 35 jacks (62, 65) are at different distances from the base (50). WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 - 17

7. The contact element as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the diameter of the jacks (62, 65) is different. 5

8. The contact element as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that at least one jack (62) has an extended collar (63).

9. The contact element as claimed in one of the 10 preceding patent claims, characterized in that the spring arms (58, 59) of a pair of spring arms are bent inwards towards the rear.

10. The contact element as claimed in one of the 15 preceding patent claims, characterized in that the height (H1) of the pair of spring arms (58, 59) increases from the base (50) and decreases towards the jack (62). 20

11. The contact element as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the spring arms (58, 59) are formed so as to be capable of widening conically. 25

12. The contact element as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the spring arms (60, 61) of a pair of spring arms run in such a way as to be bent inwards in stepped fashion. 30

13. The contact element as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the height (H2) of the pair of spring arms (60, 61) is constant. 35

14. An electrical service device (1) comprising a device cap (3), a supporting frame (4), which is fastened on the device cap (3), a function- WO 2009/079999 PCT/DE2008/002106 - 18 specific front element (5), which can be fastened on a front side of the device cap (3) and a module (2), which can be fastened on the device cap (3), contact elements (8, 9) as claimed in one of 5 patent claims 1 to 13 being arranged in the device cap (3).

15. The electrical service device as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that 10 the device cap (3) has an accommodating area (19) for a module (2) which can be plugged in in an interlocking manner.

16. The electrical service device as claimed in one of 15 the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the module (2) is arranged in the device cap (3) at the front and flush with the surface.

17. The electrical service device as claimed in one of 20 the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the accommodating area (19) and the module (2) are formed to be cylindrical and each have a base surface in the form of a segment of a circle. 25

18. The electrical service device as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that electrical contact is automatically made when the module (2) is positioned mechanically in the accommodating area (19). 30

19. The electrical service device as claimed in one of the preceding patent claims, characterized in that the electrical service device (1) is in the form of an electrical socket outlet with a surge 35 protection module.