DE102014116482B4 - Contact element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact element for contacting at least one cable having an outer insulation and an electrically conductive core with the following features: the contact element has a receiving chamber open at least on one side for receiving the cable at the connection end, the receiving chamber has the receiving chamber in it surrounding chamber wall has two window-like openings or breakthroughs and a curved spring element is attached to the receiving chamber, protruding through the two openings, so that it extends into the receiving chamber with one section each, while an intermediate section is arranged outside the receiving chamber, with a further axially displaceable clamping sleeve is provided over the outer jacket of the chamber wall of the receiving chamber, which can be actuated from an assembly position of the cable into a clamping position in which the spring element with its middle section on the outer jacket of the K Ammerwand is held securely in place.

Description

The present invention relates to a contact element for contacting at least one cable having an outer insulation and an electrically conductive core according to the features of claim 1.

The present invention therefore has in particular a contact element suitable for field assembly, in which no special tool for actuating z. B. a screw, a cage tension spring or the like is necessary.

State of the art

Contact elements are known in a large number in different embodiments. For example, consider the EP 0 398 559 A2 pointed out. Usually, cables that are to be connected to a contact are stripped beforehand, see here DE 31 20 551 A1 .

From the pamphlets DE 34 47 135 A1 , DE 102 30 368 A1 , EP 0 052 037 A2 , DE 103 34 077 A1 , DE 102 57 088 A1 and DE 102 30 367 A1 different concepts of contact elements are known; in which the conductors are connected to the contact element via a clamp or a fixing element.

There are also alternative embodiments from the prior art in which insulated cables can be electrically connected to an associated contact with the aid of a suitable device. So was z. B. in the U.S. 1,898,359 A proposed to arrange a cap-like housing screwable on a contact carrier. The contact carrier takes on outwardly directed contact pins and inwardly directed elastic contact springs, which are in electrical connection with the contact pins. The contact springs are angled in the direction of a cable which is passed through the cap and positioned on a corresponding mandrel between the cap and the contact carrier. Only when the cap is screwed onto the contact carrier does the cap press against the angled contact spring, which accordingly penetrates the insulation of the cable and creates the desired contact when it reaches the electrically conductive core of the cable. Such contacts are usually referred to as piercing contacts, which in this respect have a cutting function through the cable sheath.

However, the present invention is intended to provide an alternative embodiment to a piercing contact, since piercing contacts have various disadvantages, such as the problem that the contact force of a contact should not take place via the cable sheath.

From the U.S. 2,739,291 A an alternative solution is proposed in which the cables are, however, pinched off. It is obvious that such a principle, in particular on an industrial scale and in the field assembly, does not have sufficient reliability.

It is also necessary to provide a contact element that can also be used in the field assembly in the field of multi-pole connectors. This means the use in connectors, in which a large number of such contacts are inserted into a contact carrier after they are each connected to a cable.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and of providing a contact element that can be easily assembled, in particular that can be assembled in the field and is, on the whole, easy to use.

This object is achieved with a contact element having the features of claim 1.

The basic idea of the present invention is to provide a contact element in such a way that a specially bent spring and clamping element is advantageously movably arranged on the contact element through two openings and transferred into its clamping position via a clamping and fixing element, preferably a clamping sleeve can. The clamping position is that position of the spring element in which a preferably stripped conductor inserted into the contact element, ie. H. a core of a cable is mechanically and electrically contacted by the spring element.

In this way, it is possible and particularly easy to connect a contact element to a cable in the field. First, the cable is stripped with its plug-side end and pushed into the receiving chamber of the contact element, into which the aforementioned spring element protrudes.

Since the spring element can still move in its non-fixed position, it is actuated into a radially outwardly shifted position in which it only holds the cable in a slightly resilient manner.

If the aforementioned clamping sleeve is then subsequently pushed over the receiving chamber section by actuating the spring element radially inward, the spring element is spring-clamped with one of the spring arms on the stripped end of the cable.

In this fixed position there is a sufficiently high mechanical and electrical connection between the cable and the contact element according to the invention, provided that the spring arm has been designed accordingly.

1. A) Das Kontaktelement weist am anschlussseitigen Ende eine, wenigstens einseitig offene Aufnahmekammer zur Aufnahme eines Kabels auf;
2. B) Die Aufnahmekammer besitzt in ihrer die Aufnahmekammer umgebenden Kammerwand zwei fensterartige Öffnungen bzw. Durchbrüche;
3. C) Ein entsprechend gebogenes Federelement ist durch die beiden Öffnungen hindurchragend so an der Aufnahmekammer montiert, insbesondere beweglich montiert, dass es sich mit je einem Abschnitt in die Aufnahmekammer hinein erstreckt, während ein dazwischenliegender Mittelabschnitt des Federelementes außerhalb der Aufnahmekammer angeordnet ist und in vorteilhafter Weise auf dem Außenmantel der Aufnahmekammer auslagern kann.

According to the invention, a contact element for contacting at least one cable having an outer insulation and an electrically conductive core with the following features is therefore proposed:

1. A) At the connection-side end, the contact element has a receiving chamber, which is open at least on one side, for receiving a cable;
2. B) The receiving chamber has two window-like openings or breakthroughs in its chamber wall surrounding the receiving chamber;
3. C) A correspondingly curved spring element is mounted on the receiving chamber, in particular movably mounted, protruding through the two openings, so that it extends into the receiving chamber with one section each, while an intermediate section of the spring element is arranged outside the receiving chamber and advantageously can outsource on the outer jacket of the receiving chamber.

In one embodiment of the present invention according to the invention, a sleeve (clamping sleeve) which can be axially displaced over the outer jacket of the chamber wall of the receiving chamber is provided, which can be actuated from the assembly position of the cable into a clamping position that clamps the cable, in which the spring element with its central section on the outer jacket the chamber wall is held in a fixating manner, while at least one section of the spring element protruding into the receiving chamber makes mechanical and electrical contact with the cable in a clamping manner.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the spring element protrudes with a first U-shaped bent section through the first opening in the chamber wall at least partially into the receiving chamber.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the spring element is characterized in that it protrudes with a second U-shaped bent section through the second opening in the chamber wall at least partially into the receiving chamber.

It is furthermore advantageously provided that the shape of the spring element is designed in such a way that the spring element has a loop-like or ring-like shape, at least circumferentially closed in its contour, with only one interruption or separation point.

In this way it is ensured that the spring element is easy to manufacture and easy to assemble. It can be inserted with the one U-shaped bent section into one opening and with the other U-shaped bent section into the other opening and, if necessary, assembled by machine.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the loop-like shape of the spring element is achieved in that one end of the U-shaped bent section is in contact with one side of the second U-shaped section. The second U-shaped section is advantageously designed with an end section which protrudes further into the receiving chamber.

Overall, it is advantageously provided that the spring element dips into the receiving chamber with at least one section at least 30% to 60% of the possible penetration depth in the penetration direction.

According to the invention, it can also be provided that the penetration depth of the spring element is designed accordingly as a function of the cable cross section. In particular, it can be provided that the contact can be equipped with different spring elements so that, depending on the cable to be connected, the suitable spring element can be mounted in the two openings in the chamber wall of the receiving chamber.

It is furthermore advantageously provided that the distance between the two openings corresponds approximately to the length of the middle section of the spring element, whereby the middle section of the spring element can be designed as a space-saving, essentially linear, flat section.

It is further provided that the two openings are arranged on an aligned arrangement at a distance from one another when viewed in the direction of extent of the receiving chamber of the contact element. By arranging the two openings one behind the other, a particularly simple shape of the spring element can be used and a particularly simple assembly of the spring element in the openings can be achieved.

It is provided in a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention that the sleeve is designed as a cylindrical sleeve with a cylindrical receiving section, on the inner wall of which there is also a recess for Receipt of the middle section is provided in the fixed state.

In other words, this means that the cylindrical sleeve has a recess on its sleeve inner wall in such a way that when the sleeve is axially displaced from the assembly position into the fixing position, it can be pushed over the middle section of the spring element so that it is received in the recess or at least partially protrudes into the recess.

Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are shown in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktelementes mit einem montierten Federelement;
• 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht ähnlich der 1, bei der eine Klemmhülse über den Anschlussabschnitt bzw. die Aufnahmekammer geschoben ist;
• 3 eine Seiten- und perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Federelementes;
• 4 eine Schnittansicht durch ein Kontaktelement ähnlich zur 2;
• 5 eine Schnittansicht durch ein schematisches Funktionsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktelementes.

Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a contact element according to the invention with a mounted spring element;
• 2 a perspective view similar to FIG 1 , in which a clamping sleeve is pushed over the connection section or the receiving chamber;
• 3 a side and perspective view of a spring element according to the invention;
• 4th a sectional view through a contact element similar to 2 ;
• 5 a sectional view through a schematic functional example of a contact element according to the invention.

The figures are described jointly below, with the same reference symbols indicating the same functional or structural features.

In the 1 , 2 and FIGS. 4 and 5 are each an exemplary embodiment of a contact element according to the invention 1 shown. The contact element 1 is used for electrical contacting and fastening of a cable 40 with an insulation 41 , one stripped end of the cable 40 in the receiving space, ie in the receiving chamber 10 of the contact element 1 is introduced. The contact element 1 has a plug-side contacting section 2 for plugging into a mating contact, a middle section 3 and one to the middle section 3 subsequent receiving section with a receiving chamber 10 .

In the present exemplary embodiments, the receiving chamber is 10 as a substantially cylindrical receiving chamber for receiving the cable 40 educated. The receiving chamber 10 has in the chamber wall surrounding the receiving chamber 11 two window-like openings 12a , 12b . In the present exemplary embodiment, the window-like openings are designed as chamber openings.

Like in the 1 and also in Fig: 4 as well 5 can be seen, protrudes a curved spring element 20th through the two openings 12a , 12b through and is so on the receiving chamber 10 attached that the spring element 20th with one section each 22a , 22b into the receiving chamber 10 extends into it, while the intermediate middle section 22c outside the receiving chamber 10 namely is arranged on the outer jacket.

Regarding 3 it can be seen that the spring element 20th with a first U-shaped bent section 22a is formed through the first opening 12a in the chamber wall 11 at least partially into the receiving chamber 10 protrudes and the spring element 20th with a second U-shaped bent section 22b is formed, which through the second opening 12b in the chamber wall 11 at least partially into the receiving chamber 10 protrudes, as clearly shown in the 4th can be seen. The spring element thus forms 20th a substantially loop-like shape with an interruption 13th on.

The loop-like shape is achieved in that one end of the U-shaped bent section 22a touching on the inside, namely the side 23b of the second U-shaped section 22b is present.

It is also in the 1 easy to see that the two openings 12a , 12b on a common line, ie an aligned arrangement in the direction of extent of the receiving chamber 10 of the contact element viewed are arranged spaced apart from one another.

From the 4th it results that the spring element with its second U-shaped bent section 22b in about 80% of the possible penetration depth into the receiving chamber 10 has into it.

In the 5 a somewhat simplified schematic view shows a smaller penetration depth, which in any case, unlike shown, is preferably between 30% and 60% of the possible penetration depth.

In the 2 and 4th is a clamping sleeve 30th over the outer jacket of the chamber wall 11 the receiving chamber 10 pushed, which basically from a mounting position of the cable 40 , how 5 can be seen in a clamping position, as in the lower view of the in 5 can be seen, can be actuated in which the spring element 20th with its middle section 22c on the outer jacket of the chamber wall 11 is held fixating and the spring element 20th the stripped area of the cable 40 mechanically and electrically in the receiving chamber 10 fixed. It can also be seen that the distance between the two openings 12a , 12b roughly the length of the middle section 22c of the spring element 20th is equivalent to.

The implementation of the invention is not restricted to the preferred exemplary embodiments specified above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution shown even in the case of fundamentally different designs. So z. B. not closed in a loop-like manner on the spring element, but rather be designed differently, in order, if necessary, to pass through the openings in a suitable manner in a machine assembly process 12a , 12b to be stocked.

List of reference symbols

1

Contact element

2

Contacting section

3

Middle section

10

Receiving chamber

11

Chamber wall

12a, 12b

Openings / breakthroughs

13th

Interruption

20th

Spring element

22a, 22b

section

22c

Middle section

23b

page

30th

Clamping sleeve

40

cable

41

insulation

Claims (9)

Contact element (1) for making contact with at least one cable (40) having an outer insulation (41) and an electrically conductive core and having the following features: a. the contact element (1) has at the connection-side end a receiving chamber (10) open at least on one side for receiving the cable (40); b. the receiving chamber (10) has two window-like openings (12a, 12b) or openings (12a, 12b) in its chamber wall (11) surrounding the receiving chamber (10); c. a curved spring element (20) is attached to the receiving chamber (10) protruding through the two openings (12a, 12b) in such a way that it extends into the receiving chamber (10) with one section (22a, 22b) each, while an intermediate Central section (22c) is arranged outside of the receiving chamber (10), characterized in that a clamping sleeve (30) which can be axially displaced over the outer jacket of the chamber wall (11) of the receiving chamber (10) is provided, which can be moved from an assembly position of the cable (40). can be actuated into a clamping position in which the spring element (20) is held in a fixed manner with its central section (22c) on the outer jacket of the chamber wall (11). Contact element (1) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the spring element (20) with a first U-shaped bent section (22a) protrudes at least partially into the receiving chamber (10) through the first opening (12a) in the chamber wall (11). Contact element (1) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the spring element (20) with a second U-shaped bent section (22b) protrudes through the second opening (12b) in the chamber wall (11) at least partially into the receiving chamber (10). Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (20) has a loop-like or ring-like shape with an interruption (13). Contact element (1) according to Claim 3 or 4th , characterized in that the loop-like shape of the spring element (20) is achieved in that one end of the U-shaped bent section (22a) is in contact with one side (23b) of the second U-shaped section (22b). Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two openings (12a, 12b) on an aligned arrangement viewed in the direction of extension of the receiving chamber (10) of the contact element (1) are arranged at a distance from one another. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (10) dips into the receiving chamber (10) with at least one section (22a, 22b) at least 30% to 60% of the possible depth in the penetration direction. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between the two openings (12a, 12b) corresponds to the length of the central section (22c) of the spring element (20). Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the clamping sleeve (30) is designed as a cylindrical sleeve, on the inner wall of which a recess is provided for receiving the central section (22c) in the fixed state.

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