DE102007006645A1 - Electrical plug connector, has spring element held in partial electrically conductive retainer frame to form spring clamping point for conductor together with frame, where plug contact or bush contact is connected with frame - Google Patents

Abstract

The connector has a plug connector housing (6) accommodating a plug contact or a bush contact (15) and a spring contact as a contact connection for an electrical conductor (7). A spring element (20) is held in a partial electrically conductive retainer frame (21) to form a spring clamping point for the conductor together with the retainer frame. The plug contact or the bush contact is connected with the retainer frame. The frame is made of electrically conductive material. The frame formed as a sheet bent component is designed as a base part.

Description

The The invention relates to an electrical connector according to the preamble of claim 1. Electrical connectors initially have at least a contact terminal to which an electrical conductor connected can be. This contact connection is usually as a crimp connection, Screw connection or spring force connection formed. With help the contact terminal is the belonging to an electrical line electrical Conductor connected to the connector contact moderately. The connector points over it In addition, a male or female contact. With this plug or female contact is the connector with another connector plugged together. The electrical connectors are usually Therefore, in pairs designed such that the plug contact a Connector for the socket contact of a corresponding other Connector is plug compatible. With the help of such Connector pairs it is possible electrical conductors to connect with each other, the connection solvable at any time is. For this must the connector pair are easily decoupled from each other again.

Usually Connectors are designed so that on one end face of the connector housing insertion for one Conductor terminal are formed and on the opposite Front side of the plug contacts or socket contacts are arranged. Here, different designs are possible. So can a single Contact connection for be provided a single conductor. But it can also have multiple contact connections for several Be provided conductor. Likewise, only a single socket contact or plug contact may be provided or according to several Socket or plug contacts. Furthermore, as a special design so-called hermaphroditic connectors known in which the same contact part both as a plug contact and as a socket contact ultimately effective.

In Today's connection technology, it is often desirable, an electrical device from the mains to be able to disconnect. For this Voltage separation is preferably used the aforementioned connector. In this way it is possible, for example, one or more light elements in an office building, the are preferably embedded in a ceiling to temporarily disconnect from the network. Here it is also reasons the installation space or the aesthetics often he wishes, the connector in the housing to bring the lighting element and it out of the housing by a Housing opening again to be able to pull out. To be able to easily insert the connectors into a housing in this way save as much space as possible be designed.

There Connectors this usually very simple and inexpensive too substitute manufacturing screw terminals, should also the connectors accordingly inexpensive be. Therefor It is advantageous if the connector structurally simple and also easy to manufacture.

task The present invention is therefore, such a constructive specify simply held connector. This task is through the Feature combination of claim 1 solved in an inventive manner. The referred back claims included partially for appropriate and partly for himself inventive developments of the inventive connector.

Of the inventive connector points for this the usual casing on which the contact terminal for the electrical conductor and receives the plug contact or socket contact. The contact connection is according to the invention configured as a spring contact. The spring contact exists here from a spring element and a spring element both fixing as well as electrically conductive support frame. That way is one particularly good spring terminal for connecting the electrical conductor educated. Also the electrical properties, especially the electrical line within the connector so all Conditions. To further optimize the Leitei properties of Connector is also the plug contact or the socket contact connected to the support frame.

Because of the importance of the electrical conductivity of the holding frame, is provided in a preferred embodiment, the holding frame in total manufacture electrically conductive material. The positive effects on the electrical conductivity of the Holding frame is evident.

Particularly advantageous is the proposed in claim 3 embodiment of the entire support frame as a sheet metal part. This bent sheet metal part initially has a base plate as the base part. Two opposing narrow sides of this base plate are simple, preferably bent at right angles and thus form a support bearing for the spring element. Particularly well, the proposed in claim 4, V-shaped spring element for combination with the above-mentioned bent sheet metal part. The V-shaped spring element has two mutually springable spring legs. These spring legs are advantageous in their final assembly position with their front sides on the inner sides of the designed as an abutment side cheeks of the sheet metal bending part, so that the side cheeks comprise the spring legs like a clip, resulting in the on Proverbs 5 and 6 is reproduced. To that is proposed in claim 6, in the side cheeks still einzuformen beads, whereby a combined positive and spring-positive connection of sheet metal bending part and spring element is realized. A big advantage of this variant in the fact that on the one hand and the spring element on the other hand beyond the sheet metal bending part no further parts are needed to realize the spring terminal point, so the contact terminal for the electrical conductor. In order to further secure the spring element, a stop configured as a deflection is provided on the base plate in claim 7.

Consequent the idea of the invention continues by the use of less, in the optimal case of two components by the in claim 8 and / or 9 proposed actions. Here's the thought, if possible few in the best case to use only two components to the effect continued that for the realization of the plug contact or for Realization of the socket contact no further component is necessary. plug Contact and female contact are hereafter designed as a sheet metal tab, from one or both side cheeks of the sheet metal part in turn simply bent out. Claim 10 finally concerns a consistent development of the claimed in claim 9 socket contact. There, two consecutive metal lobes form a receiving mouth for inserting a designed as a sheet metal tab plug contact a plug-compatible connector. The sheet metal flap of the plug is simply pushed between the two metal tabs of the socket. Preferably, the two metal tabs of the sleeve spring apart and thus form a receiving mouth for the plug contact with insertion bevels for the plug contact as a result of the mouth-like training.

Advantageous on the whole invention is the possibility of the support frame produce as a punched-bent part in a single production process. From a metal sheet only has the corresponding sheet metal stamping be punched out. Then the two side cheeks, the stop and the sheet metal tabs bent out. In another production process only has the spring element in the support frame so produced be snapped. The spring element and holding in this way fabricated assembly can then be easily inserted into a housing be and the housing with Help of a snap-on housing cover be closed.

Based an embodiment The invention and the described simple construction described the electrical connector with further advantages. Show it:

1 a fiction, configured as a plug connector on the one hand and a plug-compatible, designed as a female connector connector on the other hand in not plugged state;

2 a plug-socket combination composed of two plug-compatible connectors;

3 the exploded view of a connector designed as a connector;

4 the exploded view of a designed as a plug connector connector;

5 the holding frame of a female connector with inserted spring element;

6 the holding frame of a plug connector with inserted spring element;

7 the sectional view of a connector designed as a connector connector with contacted conductors;

1 shows a female connector 1 , a housing part 2 and a male connector 3 , The housing part 2 may be, for example, the housing wall of a lamp housing. It is only indicated schematically in connection with the local exemplary embodiment. The housing part 2 has a breakthrough 4 on. Through the breakthrough 4 is both the compact connector socket 1 as well as the equally compact plug connector 3 hindurchschiebbar. It is also possible on the socket connector 1 or plug connector 3 Provide elements that the respective connector 1 . 3 on the housing part 2 hold, which then the socket connector 1 or plug connector 3 is designed as a housing plug.

At the socket connector 1 recognizable are the longitudinal direction 5 from the connector housing 6 leading electrical conductor 7 , Further recognizable is a locking pin 8th at the socket connector 1 , From the representation of 2 it can be seen that when plugged socket connector 1 and plug connectors 3 the locking pin 8th in a lock pocket 9 on the plug connector 3 rests and so a snap connection between the connector housings 6 of the socket connector 1 and the plug connector 3 manufactures. This snap connection is used to lock the connector of the female connector 1 with the plug connector 3 , To release the in 2 shown connector is easy with a tool such as the blade of a screwdriver on the longitudinal direction 5 end tap on the locking 8th molded snap hook 10 pressed. Will the catch hook 10 in the to the longitudinal direction 5 right-angled transverse direction 11 procedure, he gives the one with the locking pocket 9 formed rear handle free, so that the connector by pulling apart the connector housing 6 of the socket connector 1 and the plug connector 3 longitudinal 5 let solve each other again. It is clear that both the female connector 1 as well as the plug connector 3 in the same way a connector housing 6 and in each case to one or more conductors 7 are connected. In the embodiment, the connector 3 with two electrical conductors 7 connected, which represent the potential tap to the electrical consumable, such as a lamp, while on the female connector 1 at least two terminal points per potential are present, the one conductor 10 for tapping the consumable, for example, a light is used, and the second existing with the same potential head, is provided for looping through other consumables. The electrical conductors 7 in turn consist of an electrically conductive copper wire 12 and one the copper wire 12 each electrically insulating and sheathing insulating jacket 13 ,

This in 3 illustrated connector housing 6 of the socket connector 1 has at its end face with the locking pin 8th two more contact protection sleeves 14 on. Each of these contact protection sleeves 14 takes in the final assembly state each a socket contact 15 on. The longitudinal direction 5 the contact protection sleeves 14 opposite end face of the connector housing 6 is by means of a sealing plug 16 closed in the final assembled state. The sealing plug 16 in turn points in the longitudinal direction 5 running passage openings 17 for the passage of the ladder 7 on. For locking the sealing plugs 16 on the connector housing 6 each has plugs 16 one or more, in the embodiment of 3 and 4 four locking cams 18 on. The locking cams 18 grip in the final assembly in locking openings 19 , which in turn the respective connector housing 6 break through on its upper and lower walls.

In the connector housing 6 between the actual connector housing 6 and the stopper 16 lies out of the spring element 20 and the support frame 21 formed assembly.

From the above with reference to the exploded view in 3 described socket connector 1 is different in the 4 illustrated connector 3 in that he in the inserted state, the contact protection sleeves 14 receiving contact protection chamber 22 and that instead of the socket contacts 15 the plug contact 23 on the frame 21 are formed.

Based on 5 and 6 are the from holding frame 21 and spring element 20 existing modules with socket contact 15 on the one hand and plug contact 23 on the other hand explained in detail. On the support frame 21 forms a base plate 24 the base part of the holding frame 21 , Out of each other in the transverse direction 11 opposite sides of the base plate 24 are each about right-angled sidewalls 25 bent in the same direction. The side cheeks 25 and the base plate 24 form an approximately C-shaped cross-section. Longitudinal 5 are the side cheeks 25 over the base plate 24 extended out and out of them are metal flaps 26 bent. In the case of in 5 illustrated socket contact 15 is from each side cheek 25 a sheet metal flap 26 bent. The sheet metal tabs 26 are in the longitudinal direction 5 arranged converging so that they have a receiving mouth 27 for a plug contact 23 a corresponding connector plug 3 form. The sheet metal tabs 26 run in the longitudinal direction 5 obliquely towards each other, touching each other with their contact areas 28 , to which in the longitudinal direction 5 the recording mouth 27 followed.

From the longitudinal direction 5 the receiving mouth 27 opposite end of the base plate 24 is in the same direction as the sidewalls 25 another stop 29 for the spring element 20 bent. The stop 29 secures the spring element 20 against displacement in the longitudinal direction 5 The spring element 20 is designed approximately V-shaped and thus has two mutually divergent spring legs 30 on. The spring legs 30 lie with their front ends 31 on the inside of the sidewalls 25 at. In the side cheeks 25 are further beading 32 molded, which the front ends 31 the spring leg 30 engage positively behind. The spring elements 20 are with the front ends 31 the spring leg 30 as it were in the area of the beads 32 positively secured.

From the in 5 illustrated assembly for the female connector 1 is different in the 6 illustrated assembly for the male connector 3 essentially by the modified design of the plug contact 23 opposite to the recording mouth 27 designed socket contact 15 at the socket connector 1 , When plug connector 3 is just a side wall 25 , in the embodiment of 6 the upper side cheek 25 longitudinal 5 over the base plate 24 extended beyond. From the extended side wall 25 is again a sheet metal flap 26 bent. This sheet metal flap 26 forms at the plug connector 3 the plug contact 23 , The plug contact 23 So it is designed as a flat plug. From the common consideration of 5 and the 6 is easily and clearly seen that designed as a flat plug connector contact 23 just into the receiving mouth 27 of the socket contact 15 is insertable and so an effective connector and also electrical connection between the female connector 1 and the male connector 3 formed.

7 shows an example of a sectional view of the female connector 1 in the assembled state. An appropriate representation of a plug connector is omitted here, because they only in the area of the plug contact 23 from the variant shown here with the socket contact 15 differs. Out 7 is the connection of the conductors 7 at the of the holding frame 21 and the spring element 20 visible formed clamping point. The insulation jacket 13 freed copper strand 12 lies between a side wall 25 and spring legs 30 of the spring element 20 positively secured. Especially good is the edition of the copper strand 12 against those in the side wall 25 trained bead 32 , With a turn-pull motion is the conductor 7 to release from this spring clamp again. The spring clamp is very suitable for a rated cross section of the conductor 7 greater than or equal to 4 mm ² . Furthermore, it can be seen the fixation of the spring element 20 longitudinal 5 , The spring element 20 namely lies between the stop 29 on the one hand and by means of the locking cams 18 in the detent openings 19 of the connector housing 6 fixed stopper 16 location assured. Based on the presentation of the 7 also becomes immediately clear that for the production of both the socket connector 1 as well as the plug connector 3 a high proportion of identical parts can be used. For both connectors 1 . 3 can be identical spring elements 20 and identical plugs 16 use. The support frame 21 differ only by the design of the sheet metal tabs 26 or the contacts 15 . 23 , Only the connector housing 6 differ from each other. From the convergent view of the 1 to 7 also becomes clear that the spring element 20 and support frame 21 existing assembly both as a single module with a support frame 21 and a spring element 20 may be formed as well as a twin assembly, where on a support frame 21 two spring elements on both sides 20 are adapted. Because of the two on the spring element 20 trained spring legs 30 can with the same spring element 20 both a leader 7 as well as two conductors 7 be connected.

1

Female connector

2

housing part

3

plug connector

4

breakthrough

5

longitudinal direction

6

connector housing

7

ladder

8th

locking pin

9

locking pocket

10

latch hook

11

transversely

12

copper wire

13

insulating

14

Shock sleeve

15

female contact

16

sealing plug

17

Transit opening

18

locking cams

19

latching opening

20

spring element

21

holding frame

22

Contact protection chamber

23

plug Contact

24

baseplate

25

side cheek

26

sheet metal tabs

27

receiving mouth

28

contact area

29

attack

30

spring leg

31

front

32

Beading

33

Interior The End

Claims (10)

Electrical connector with a male contact ( 23 ) or a socket contact ( 15 ) and at least one spring contact as a contact terminal for an electrical conductor ( 7 ) receiving connector housing ( 6 ) characterized by - an at least partially electrically conductive support frame ( 21 ), - in the holding frame ( 21 ) held spring element ( 20 ) to form a spring terminal for the conductor ( 7 ) together with the holding frame ( 21 ) and - one with the holding frame ( 21 ) connected plug contact ( 23 ) or socket contact ( 15 ). Connector according to claim 1 characterized by a holding frame ( 21 ) made of electrically conductive material. Connector according to claim 1 or 2 characterized by a formed as a sheet metal bent part holding frame ( 21 ) with a base plate ( 24 ) as the base part and with two side panels (FIG. 25 ) as an abutment for the spring element ( 20 ). Connector according to claim 3 characterized by a substantially V-shaped spring element ( 20 ) with two mutually reversibly deformable spring legs ( 30 ). Connector according to claim 4 characterized ge indicates that the side cheeks ( 25 ) the spring legs ( 30 ) in a clamp-like manner. Connector according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the spring legs ( 30 ) with their front ends ( 31 ) on the inner surfaces of the side cheeks ( 25 ) and that in the side cheeks ( 25 ) the front ends ( 31 ) positively engaging behind beads ( 32 ) are formed. Connector according to one of claims 3 to 6 characterized by at least one of the base plate ( 24 ) curved stop ( 29 ) for locking the spring element ( 20 ) on the support frame ( 21 ). Connector according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized by a side cheek ( 25 ) bent sheet metal tabs ( 26 ) as a plug contact ( 23 ). Connector according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by a respective one of each of the two side cheeks ( 25 ) bent sheet metal tabs ( 26 ) such that the sheet metal tabs ( 26 ) with their side cheeks ( 25 ) facing away from each other at least partially and form a receiving slot between them as a socket contact ( 15 ). Connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the two adjacent ends of the sheet metal tabs ( 26 ) a receiving mouth ( 27 ) for one as a plug contact ( 23 ) formed sheet metal tabs ( 26 ) form.