CN114639981A

CN114639981A - Electrical contact component

Info

Publication number: CN114639981A
Application number: CN202111543209.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 斯蒂凡·利德尔; 克劳斯·维克赛德; 马丁·塞登施万特
Original assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
Current assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
Priority date: 2020-12-16
Filing date: 2021-12-16
Publication date: 2022-06-17
Also published as: EP4016751A1; DE102020133731B3

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical contact part (10) having a box-shaped base body (12) which forms a receiving space (14) for inserting a mating contact in an insertion direction (A), at least one spring element (16) which is arranged on at least one flat side of the base body (12) and which projects at least partially into the receiving space in order to exert a spring force, and at least one material recess (18) which is arranged on at least one narrower side of the base body (12) than the flat side.

Description

Electrical contact component

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an electrical contact component. The electrical contact elements are suitable, for example, for plug connections. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such an electrical contact part and to the use of such a contact part. In particular, the electrical plug contacts are suitable for vehicles, such as motor vehicles or the like.

Background

Electrical contact parts have many applications, for example in automotive engineering, where they can be used as plug connectors or the like. By way of example, plug contacts or receptacles which can be used to receive mating contacts, such as plug-in fuses or the like, can be mentioned. Generally, for plug connections, it is desirable that they have a high contact force with respect to the mating contacts, while having a low insertion force and/or extraction force of the mating contacts. In some applications, this conflict in goals is to be achieved in a relatively small installation space.

It has been shown that the conflict of the above-mentioned objectives leads in particular to high stresses in the contacts concerned and even to plastic deformation of the contacts concerned. This can lead to a reduction in the contact force over the entire service life of the contacts concerned, in particular in the presence of high electrical and/or thermal loads. Therefore, it is desirable to realize an electrical contact member capable of properly coping with the conflict of the object.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an electrical contact element which results in at least low plug connection stresses in a structurally simple manner.

The invention relates to an electrical contact element having a box-shaped base body which forms a receiving space for inserting a mating contact in an insertion direction. Furthermore, the electrical contact part has at least one spring element which is arranged on at least one flat side of the base body and which projects at least partially into the receiving space in order to exert a spring force. Furthermore, the contact element has at least one material recess, which is arranged on at least one narrower side of the base body than the flat side.

The material notches allow for spring back, spring back together with the mating contact, deflection when a force is applied by the mating contact, or generally allow for elastic deformation of the base at least during insertion and/or extraction of the mating contact. In this way, stresses which may occur when the contact part and the mating contact are plugged together can be reduced or avoided. Furthermore, plastic deformation of the contact part and/or the mating contact may be reduced or avoided. This arrangement achieves a stress distribution in the contact part and/or the mating contact that is as uniform as possible and a relatively high contact force with low insertion and withdrawal forces.

The box-shaped base body can also be described, for example, as an at least partially hollow cuboid shape. Furthermore, the box-shaped base body can be described by two mutually parallel, flat or larger sides (faces) and two mutually parallel, narrower or smaller sides (faces). The flat side (face) and the narrower side (face) may be at an angle to each other, for example an angle of 90 ° ± 5 °. The resilient element is arranged and/or formed on at least one of the flat sides. The material recess is arranged and/or formed on at least one narrower side. The substrate can be made of a plate material having electrical conductivity, for example. For this purpose, the sheet material can be punched, bent or punched and bent. The insertion direction or an insertion axis corresponding to the insertion direction may correspond to a longitudinal axis of the plug contact.

In at least some example embodiments, the contact component itself may be designed to be inserted into a carrier, such as a busbar or a printed circuit board, for example, via a contact pin. The contact feet may also be suitable for soldering, i.e. the contact elements are soldering contacts suitable for, for example, circuit boards or busbars. As an alternative to this, the contact part can also be provided pressed into the carrier, without additional welding being necessary.

For example, the mating contacts may be planar contacts. In some applications, the mating contact may be a plug-in fuse or a contact pin thereof, which makes the contact member suitable for use in motor vehicles and the like.

In one embodiment, the material recess can cut through at least one edge of the base body, which should be circumferential, at the end face in the insertion direction of the mating contact, in a portion of the narrower side and/or cut off the material of the base body. The respective end face may preferably correspond to the insertion side of the mating contact, that is to say it may be the first end face in the insertion direction of the mating contact. It should be noted that the insertion side preferably also denotes the extraction side of the mating contact. The receiving space or the base can thereby be retracted, spring back, etc. during insertion and/or extraction of the mating contact, so that at least a stress reduction occurs.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the material recess may have the shape of a slot, wherein the material recess extends a length in the insertion direction from an edge of the base body which is on the end side in the insertion direction of the mating contact. In other words, the base may be partially slotted, the slot extending away from the end face into which the mating contact is introduced. Thereby, during insertion and/or extraction of the mating contact, the receiving space or the base body can be retracted, spring back, etc., so that at least a stress reduction occurs.

In one embodiment, at least two material recesses can be arranged on a common narrower side, wherein a first material recess cuts through an end-side edge of the first end face and a second material recess cuts through a second edge of the second end face and/or cuts off material of the base body, wherein the first end face and the second end face are spaced apart from one another in the insertion direction of the mating contact. In other words, the base body can have at least one material recess, for example a slot, on the end face into which the mating contact is inserted and on the opposite end face. This results in a resilient rocker which produces a particularly uniform stress distribution.

According to one embodiment, the first material recess may extend a first length in an insertion direction of the mating contact and the second material recess extends a second length, wherein the first length may be greater than the second length. Higher stresses may occur on the end face of the plug-in mating contact than on the end face located opposite. This embodiment variant takes such a stress distribution into account.

In one embodiment, at least one material recess is arranged on a first narrower side and at least one material recess is arranged on a second narrower side opposite the first narrower side, respectively. In other words, the base body has at least one material recess on both sides, respectively, in the insertion direction of the mating contact or viewed along the longitudinal axis of the contact part. A more uniform stress distribution can thereby be achieved.

According to a refinement, the elastic element can have a wave shape. High contact forces and a long service life can thereby be achieved.

In a further refinement, the spring element can be hinged at its two longitudinal ends to the base body and project between the two longitudinal ends into the receiving space. The elastic element can be cut, for example stamped, in the form of a strip or tongue from the material of the base body, wherein the elastic element remains connected at both longitudinal ends to the material of the base body. High contact forces and a long service life can thereby be achieved.

According to a further refinement, the spring element can be formed integrally with the base body. Thereby, the contact part can be manufactured particularly easily and with a robust design.

In a further refinement, the base body can have a locking mechanism for connecting the first end and the second end of its development to one another, wherein the locking mechanism can be arranged adjacent to the at least one material recess on the narrower side. If the two material recesses are arranged on the same side, the locking mechanism can be arranged between the material recesses in the insertion direction or viewed along the longitudinal axis. This enables simple production and a high degree of robustness.

A method for manufacturing an electrical contact part is also proposed, which comprises the following steps:

providing a plate material, and making said plate material be formed into plate material,

at least one resilient element is formed in the sheet material,

at least one material recess is formed in the sheet material,

the sheet material is bent into a box-shaped base body with an inner receiving space, such that at least one spring element is arranged on a flat side of the base body and at least partially protrudes into the receiving space for applying a spring force and such that at least one material recess is arranged on at least one side of the base body which is narrower than the flat side.

The steps of the method do not necessarily have to be performed in the order of the technical features mentioned. Furthermore, the method may be modified to manufacture the contact component in one or more of the above-described embodiment variants. Furthermore, the use of electrical contact elements is described in one or more design variants. The use provides that the mating contact is inserted into the contact part in the insertion direction, the spring element exerts a contact force and/or a clamping force on the mating contact, and the base of the contact part can be deformed at least during insertion and/or extraction of the mating contact in a receiving space formed by the base by means of at least one material recess arranged on the base.

Such use may result in a particularly long service life of the contact member and/or the mating contact.

Further features, advantages and possible applications of the invention result from the following description of advantageous embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

Advantageous exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical contact part according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an electrical contact part according to an embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an electrical contact part according to an embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an electrical contact part according to an embodiment.

Fig. 5 shows a method for producing an electrical contact component according to an embodiment in a flow chart.

The drawings are merely schematic representations and are intended to illustrate the present invention. Elements that are the same or have the same effect have the same reference numerals throughout.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an electrical contact part 10 according to an embodiment. The contact element 10 is particularly suitable for a plug connection, in which it can accommodate mating contacts (not shown). The plug connection can be used, for example, in motor vehicles and the like.

The contact element 10 has a box-shaped base body 12 which forms a receiving space 14 for inserting the mating contact in an insertion direction a which at the same time corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the contact element 10 or of its base body 12. The box shape is similar to or corresponds to a tall cuboid. The base 12 has an insertion opening on a first end surface, and a plurality of contact pins on a second end surface opposite to the first end surface. The contact feet are for example used for fixing to a carrier (not shown) and/or for electrical connection to a carrier (not shown), such as a busbar, a printed circuit board or the like.

The contact part 10 also has at least one spring element 16 which is arranged on at least one flat side of the base body and which projects at least partially into the receiving space 14 in order to exert a spring force. According to fig. 1, the contact part can also be described as a rather flat and/or wide box, so that the arrangement of the elastic element 16 on at least one flat side of the box can be described.

According to fig. 1, the elastic element 16 has an undulating shape. Furthermore, the contact part 10 can have two spring elements 16 arranged opposite one another, which act in opposite directions in the direction of action of the respective spring force.

Furthermore, the spring element 16 according to fig. 1 is hinged at its two longitudinal ends to the base body 12 and projects into the receiving space 14 between the two longitudinal ends. According to fig. 1, the spring element 16 is designed in one piece with the main body 12.

Furthermore, the contact element 10 has at least one material recess 18, which is arranged on at least one narrower side of the base body 12 than the flat side. According to fig. 1, the contact part can also be described as a rather flat and/or wide box, so that the arrangement of the material recesses can be described as being arranged on at least one narrow side of the box, or if the box is viewed lying on top, the arrangement of the material recesses can be described as being arranged laterally.

According to fig. 1, the material recess 18 is designed such that it cuts through at least one edge of the base body 12, which edge is intended to be circumferential and is located at the end in the insertion direction a of the mating contact, in a portion of the narrower side and/or cuts the material of the base body 12 off there. According to fig. 1, the mating contact is inserted from above into the base body 12 or the receiving space 14, so that the material recess 18 preferably cuts through the edge there, as shown in fig. 2.

Furthermore, the material recess 18 according to fig. 1 has a slot shape, wherein the material recess 18 extends over a length in the plug-in direction from an edge of the base body 12 which is on the end side in the plug-in direction a of the mating contact. Thus, material recesses 18 extend as slots from the end face along the longitudinal axis of substrate 12. Preferably, the material recess 18 is arranged approximately or exactly centrally in the thickness direction of the base body 12, which extends perpendicular to the insertion direction.

According to fig. 1, the contact section 10 has at least two material recesses 18, which are arranged on a common narrower side, wherein a first material recess cuts through an end-side edge of the first end face and a second material recess cuts through a second edge of the second end face and/or cuts off material of the base body 12, and wherein the first end face and the second end face are spaced apart from one another in the insertion direction a of the mating contact. Referring to fig. 1, the base body 12 is provided with corresponding material recesses 18 at the end faces, both at the top and at the bottom. This results in a kind of seesaw, in particular a resilient seesaw, which can be correspondingly retracted, deflected, sprung together, etc. when the mating contact is inserted and/or extracted. According to fig. 1, the first material recess 18 extends a first length in the plug-in direction of the mating contact and the second material recess extends a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length. Accordingly, the material recesses 18 do not necessarily have to be designed symmetrically (with respect to the transverse axis of the base body 12), but can be designed with different lengths and possibly also with different widths.

Fig. 1 furthermore shows that, in each case, at least one material recess 18 is arranged on a first narrow side and at least one material recess is arranged on a second narrow side opposite the first narrow side. In other words, the base body can have one material recess 18 on each side or two material recesses 18 on each side in the horizontal direction, i.e. a total of four material recesses 18, if viewed in a lying manner.

According to fig. 1, the base body has a locking mechanism 20 for connecting the first and second ends of its development to each other, wherein the locking mechanism 20 is arranged adjacent to the at least one material recess 18 on the narrower side. In the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 1, two material recesses 18 are formed on a common narrower side, wherein the locking mechanism 20 is then preferably arranged between the two material recesses 18. If desired, the locking mechanism 20 can function in a form-fitting manner, as here in a jigsaw manner, and/or in a material-fitting manner by means of additional welding points.

Fig. 2 shows the contact part 10 of fig. 1 from the other side (rotated about 180 ° about the longitudinal axis). Accordingly, it can be seen that in at least some embodiments, at least two resilient elements 16 and/or at least two material recesses 18 are provided. However, according to fig. 2, a total of four material recesses 18 are provided as an example.

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of the contact element 10. In contrast to the exemplary embodiment described above, the contact part 10 according to fig. 3 has two spring elements 16 on a common flat side of the base body 12. The resilient elements 16 are spaced apart from each other along the transverse axis of the base 12 and form connecting tabs therebetween. In the case of a symmetrical design, the contact part 10 accordingly has a total of at least four spring elements 16, since more than two spring elements can also be provided per flat side of the base body 12.

Fig. 4 shows the contact part 10 from fig. 3 from the other side (rotated about 180 ° about the longitudinal axis). Accordingly, it can be seen that in at least some embodiments, at least four resilient elements 16 and/or at least four material recesses 18 are provided. However, according to fig. 2, a total of four material recesses 18 and a total of four spring elements 16 are provided as an example.

Fig. 5 shows a method for producing the contact component 10 in a flow chart.

In step S1, a sheet material is provided. In step S2, at least one elastic element 16 is integrally formed in sheet material, for example by stamping and/or bending. In step S3, at least one material recess 18 is formed in the sheet material. It should be noted that the steps S2 and S3 are not necessarily performed sequentially, and may be performed simultaneously or in reverse order. In step S4, the plate material is bent to achieve the configuration of the contact member 10 described above.

List of reference numerals

10 electric contact part

12 base body

14 accommodating space

16 elastic element

18 material recess

20 locking mechanism

A insertion direction/longitudinal axis

Claims

1. An electrical contact element (10) with an electrical contact element

A box-shaped base body (12) which forms a receiving space (14) for inserting a mating contact in an insertion direction (A),

at least one spring element (16) which is arranged on at least one flat side of the base body (12) and at least partially protrudes into the receiving space (14) for applying a spring force, and

at least one material recess (18) arranged on at least one narrower side of the base body (12) than the flat side.

2. The electrical contact element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the material recess cuts through at least one edge of the base body (12) which is intended to be circumferentially circumferential and which is located at the end in the insertion direction (A) of the mating contact, in a portion of the narrower side, and/or cuts off the material of the base body (12).

3. Electrical contact component (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the material recess has a slot shape and the material recess (18) extends over a length in the insertion direction (a) from an edge of the base body (12) which is on the end side in the insertion direction (a) of the mating contact.

4. The electrical contact component (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two material recesses (18) are arranged on a common one narrower side, wherein a first material recess (18) cuts through an end-side edge of a first end face and a second material recess cuts through a second edge of a second end face and/or cuts out the material of the base body (12), and wherein the first end face and the second end face are spaced apart from one another in the insertion direction (a) of the mating contact.

5. Electrical contact component (10) according to claim 4, wherein, in the insertion direction (A) of the mating contact, the first material indentation (18) extends a first length, the second material indentation (18) extends a second length, and the first length is greater than the second length.

6. The electrical contact component (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one material recess (18) is arranged on a first narrower side and at least one material recess (18) is arranged on a second narrower side located opposite the first narrower side, respectively.

7. The electrical contact component (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient element (16) has a wave shape.

8. The electrical contact component (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring element is hinged on the base body (12) at both longitudinal ends of the spring element and protrudes into the receiving space (14) between the two longitudinal ends.

9. The electrical contact component (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resilient element (16) is integrally formed with the base body (12).

10. The electrical contact element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body has a locking mechanism (20) for connecting a first end and a second end of its development to each other, and wherein the locking mechanism (20) is arranged adjacent to the at least one material indentation (18) on the narrower side.

11. A method of making an electrical contact component (10), comprising the steps of:

providing (S1) a sheet of material,

forming (S2) at least one elastic element in the sheet material,

forming (S3) at least one material recess in the sheet material,

-bending (S4) the sheet material to form a box-shaped base body (12) with an inner receiving space (14) such that at least one resilient element (16) is arranged on a flat side of the base body (12) and at least partly protrudes into the receiving space to exert a resilient force, and at least one material indentation (18) is arranged on at least one narrower side of the base body (12) than the flat side.

12. Use of an electrical contact component (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a mating contact is inserted into the contact component (10) in an insertion direction (a), a spring element (16) exerts a clamping force on the mating contact, and the base body (12) of the contact component (10) can be deformed at least during insertion of the mating contact by means of at least one material indentation (18) provided on the base body (12).