DE102016004170A1 - Plug connection with clearance compensation in all three spatial axes - Google Patents

Abstract

Connector (1) with at least one contact partner (50) which is arranged in a plug part (3), characterized in that the plug part (3) via play compensating connection means with a base part (2) of the connector (1) and the at least one contact partner (50) is connected to an associated clearance compensating bridge connector (4) disposed in the base part (2).

Description

The invention relates to a connector having at least one contact partner, which is arranged in a plug part, according to the features of the preamble of claim 1.

There are plug connections are known, which consist of a connector and a mating connector mating therewith, wherein in the connector and the mating connector each corresponding contact partner are arranged. In a connector, as well as a mating connector, the contact partner has two end portions. With one end portion in the direction of the plug-in side, it is plugged together with its contact partner on the opposite side. This is, for example, a contact pin of the connector and a contact socket in the mating connector. On the side facing away from the plug side of the contact partner is struck, for example, at the end of an electrical conductor of a line, for example by soldering, crimping or the like. On the electrical line act during operation of the connector high tensile and compressive forces. In addition, in the operation of the connector, that is plugged connector with mating connector, always given a relative movement between the connector and mating connector, alone due to temperature fluctuations, vibration and the same. This means that acting on the area in which the contact partner of the connector with the contact partner of the mating connector, again and again act forces that are undesirable because they affect the proper electrical contact.

In order to absorb the tensile and compressive forces acting on the electrical line has already been thought of corresponding strain reliefs. In this strain reliefs, the cable sheath of the electrical cable is firmly connected to the housing of the connector to allow no relative movement between the electrical conductor of the cable and the contact partner connected thereto. However, these measures for strain relief are very complex and therefore often unsatisfactory, since the material of the cable sheath consists of an elastically deformable material and can not be fixed permanently and fixed to the housing (such as the plug part) of the connector. Therefore, it always comes back to relative movements between the contact partner of the connector and the associated mated contact partner of the mating connector, which can take place in a disadvantageous contact difficulties and thus a non-optimal power transmission or signal processing.

The invention is therefore based on the object to improve a connector to the effect that the disadvantages mentioned are avoided.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, it is provided that the plug part of the connector is connected via play compensating connection means with a base part of the connector as well as the at least one contact partner with an associated play compensating bridge connector, which is arranged in the base part. In mechanical terms, the plug part and the base part are connected to each other via play compensating connection means, thus to effect a decoupling between the contact partner, which is arranged in the plug part, and the base part, which is also part of the connector. Although a positional assignment of these two parts is given to each other between the plug part and the base part due to the play compensating connecting means, it is nevertheless possible that these two parts can move relative to one another in a desired and maximum permissible extent. This dimension is chosen so that, for example, the base part absorbs the tensile and compressive forces of the line to which it is connected and does not transmit it to the plug part. As a result, the contact partner, which is arranged in the plug part, decoupled from this movement of the base part due to the forces acting, so that thereby the contact partner of the connector always remains in its desired position in the contact partner of the mating connector. In addition to this mechanical decoupling, it is also necessary to decouple with respect to the at least one contact partner of the connector from the line or the like at which it is struck. For this purpose, the at least one contact partner is connected to a clearance-compensating bridge connector, which is arranged in the base part. The bridge connector in turn is connected on the side facing away from the contact partner with the electrical conductor of the line, a board or the like. Thus, if forces act on the bridge connector, which is arranged in the base part, and thus also on the base part, these are advantageously decoupled both from the plug part and from the contact partner, which is arranged in the plug part. This means that the plug part with the contact partner arranged therein always remains in its inserted position in the mating connector, even if forces, in particular tensile or compressive forces act on the plug connector because they act via the play compensating connection means between plug part and base part and over the associated game-balancing bridge connectors are decoupled.

For the sake of completeness it should be mentioned that, if so far from a contact partner and a bridge connector of the connector was mentioned, of course, several contact partners and associated bridge connector, which may be arranged several times in a row or several times in several rows to each other, for example could be.

In a further development of the invention is a contact partner of a mating connector, in which the connector is inserted, for receiving an end portion of the bridge connector, in particular its contact partner, is designed as a fork contact. This has the advantage that the fact that the end region of the bridge connector, which is formed flat, for example, between the two forks of the fork contact is arranged and thus with a movement of the end portion of the bridge connector at least in two directions (in particular in the axial direction of the fork contact and across) is possible. Ideally, the fork contact is also designed so that a movement of the end portion of the bridge connector is given perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the fork contact. For this purpose, the fork contact is formed and arranged in the plug part, that its two forked ends are free in their movement and are not limited by the plug part, whereas a contrast end facing away from the fork contact is fixedly disposed in the plug part.

In a further development of the invention, the clearance compensating bridge connector is arc-shaped in a free area between the base part and the plug part. Preferably, the bridge connector has a straight configuration in the longitudinal direction, wherein this straight design at a suitable location, namely exposed between the base part and the plug part, is arcuate. With the arcuate configuration, it is advantageously possible that the elongated bridge connector can be compressed to a desired degree in order not only to realize a clearance compensation, but also to allow the base part and the plug part brought together during assembly can be. Because the plug part and the base part are two separate elements that are mounted together, for example, in a housing of the connector. In this case, preferably, the base part is fixedly arranged in the housing, whereas the plug part is movably arranged in the housing in order to enable a decoupling as already described (or vice versa).

The plug part and the base part are manufactured separately from each other (for example in a plastic injection molding process), wherein at least one contact partner or the associated at least one bridge connector is arranged in its associated part simultaneously with the production of these two parts or afterwards. Alternatively, it is also possible to make the male part and the base part together in a single step (for example, to cast in a mold or to produce in a mold by plastic injection molding). After production, it is still necessary to bring these two parts together to balance the game. For this purpose, it is provided in a particular embodiment of the invention that has the plug part at least one in the direction of the base part latching hook and the base part a corresponding with the latching hook recess as the play compensating connecting means. Particularly preferred are spaced and laterally to each other two latching hooks on the plug part present, which engage in associated recesses of the base part. The latching hook and the corresponding recess are designed so that when the latch hook engages in the recess, the two parts are fixed to each other, either no movement or however still an axial movement of these two parts to each other is possible. In addition, the elongate extent of the recess is greater than the elongated extent of the latching hook, so that perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base part and plug part perpendicular to a movement is possible. It should be noted that when connector part and base part have been connected to each other via latching hook and recess, at the same time the end region, so for example the area-shaped contact partner for receiving the fork contact of the mating connector, the bridge connector in the associated recording area of the plug part Contact partner is used or cast, molded or the like. When plugging the connector with the mating connector of the flat designed end portion of the bridge connector is inserted into the receiving area of the fork contact in a preferred manner. The position of the flat-shaped end portion of the bridge connector is selected in the region of the fork contact that no relative movement in the longitudinal direction is possible, even if the latching hook of the plug part in the recess of the base part has seized, because the arcuate portion of the bridge connector the Play compensation effected in at least two axes or in all three spatial axes. As an alternative, it is conceivable that the plug part has the recess and the base part has the corresponding latching hook. It is likewise conceivable for the plug part to have the latching hook at one point and a recess at another point, what then the base part corresponding to locking hooks or recess has.

In the further subclaims further embodiments of the invention are given, from which there are corresponding advantages.

In addition, these further embodiments are further explained below and are shown in the figures accordingly.

1 shows, as far as shown in detail, a connector 1 , which is a basic part 2 and a plug part 3 having. These two parts are produced separately from one another (in two corresponding forms) or together (in one mold), for example in a plastic injection process, and then connected to one another via play-compensating connecting means, in particular catch hooks and corresponding recesses. With 4 a bridge connector is shown, which will be explained in more detail in the course of the further description and the corresponding figures.

The connector 1 who in 1 is shown is either finished or it is conceivable, for example, the free intermediate area between the base part 2 and plug part 3 (where the exposed part of the bridge connector 4 to fill), for example, also to overmold or to fill with a particular elastic potting compound. In addition, it can be thought of overarching from base part 2 over the exposed part of the bridge connector 4 up to the plug part 3 to provide another outer housing. This outer housing can for example also be encapsulated, wherein it is alternatively conceivable base part 2 and plug part 3 to use in such a separately manufactured outer housing and to fix their position there.

2 shows a contact partner 5 a mating connector, not shown, in which the connector 1 can be inserted, which is formed in this particular embodiment as a fork contact. The designed as a fork contact contact partner takes a flat shaped end portion of the bridge connector 4 , in particular its contact partner 50 , Between its two end portions of the free legs, to allow electrical contact there. The fork contact has the advantage that the end portion of the bridge connector 4 , ie the contact partner 50 , at least in two directions, namely with respect to the X and Z axes (see the coordinate system in FIG 1 ).

In the embodiment shown so far, the two free ends of the trained as a fork contact contact partner 5 firmly arranged in the mating connector, so that in this case a clearance compensation up and down (ie in the direction of the Y-axis) is not possible to advantageously an inclination of the contact partner 5 (ie, a movement in the direction of the Y-axis) to avoid, as this would lead to contact problems. However, the end of the contact partner facing away from the free forks 5 (considering the 2 on the left, the end region, in which two free forks are brought together) is fixedly arranged in the mating connector, but the free end region is designed to be freely movable by a surrounding recess in the housing of the mating connector, a clearance compensation in the direction of the Y-axis can be made possible ,

3 shows the connector 1 with its base part 2 and its plug part 3 before fixing the position of the plug part 3 on the base part 2 over the lash adjusters. Because designed as a play compensating connecting means locking means (latching hook and recess) are in the in 3 state not yet connected. It is recognizable, however, that so many bridge connectors 4 are present, such as contact partners, not shown in the plug part 3 are arranged.

4 shows the clearance compensating connecting means between the base part 2 and the plug part 3 in detail D. Starting from the plug part 3 is at least one latching hook 6 arranged projecting, with the latch hook 6 a recess 7 on the base part 2 corresponds. Before their bringing together are base part 2 and plug part 3 not connected via these clearance compensating connecting means and also the end portion of the respective bridge connector 4 not yet brought into the contact receiving area of the associated mating connector.

In 4 is shown that base part 2 and plug part 3 are fixed in position to each other, since the latching hook 6 in the associated recess 7 is engaged. In this case, the width of the recess 7 in the axial direction of the connector 1 (formed by base part 2 and plug part 3 ) greater than the axial extent of the latching hook 6 so that the latch hook 6 axially within the recess 7 for the purpose of clearance compensation and thus decoupling can move from acting on the base part forces.

However, it is not only an axial clearance compensation possible, as the detail D in 5 and the states shown there can be removed. Also in 5 it can be seen that the connector 1 by the mating of base part 2 and plug part 3 either already finished or already the construction shown still surrounded with an outer casing or inserted into such can be. In any case, it can be seen that the latching hook 6 inside the recess 7 not only allows axial clearance compensation (that is, the two parts 2 . 3 to a certain extent moved towards each other or can be moved away from each other) but that when considering the 5 the two parts 2 . 3 can also be moved up or down relative to each other. Looking at the coordinate system of 1 This means that a displacement of the plug part 4 in the Y direction up or down with respect to the base part 2 can be done. This is a mechanical decoupling between plug part 3 and base part 2 possible, which is also possible because of the bridge connector 4 (or the multiple bridge connectors 4 ) in its free area between base part 2 and plug part 3 arcuate designed. In addition to the shown arcuate design of the bridge connector 4 in this free area, other geometric shapes are possible, which allow the necessary clearance compensation.

For the realization of the connector 1 as described so far and in the 1 to 5 is shown in is 6 a first particular design is shown and will be described below.

In this particular embodiment, a corresponding number (number equal to 1 or greater than 1) bridge connectors 4 and corresponding contact partners 50 available. The contact partners 50 are flat in the exposed area shown.

In a particularly advantageous manner, in each case a bridge connector 4 and associated contact partners 5 as preferably one-piece or alternatively multi-part stamped part or stamped and bent part formed.

In the embodiment according to 6 is the base part 2 formed by the at least one bridge connector 4 (here exactly 6 bridge connectors 4 which have no electrical contact with each other) wherein the at least one bridge connector 4 in at least one receiving element 8th (conceivable in principle, in this form in 6 not shown), preferably in two spaced-apart receiving elements 8th . 9 (as in 6 shown) is arranged.

About the same is the plug part 3 formed by the at least one contact partner 5 (in total 6 contact partners 5 in the embodiment), in at least one receiving element 10 , preferably as in 6 shown in a single receiving element 10 is arranged.

The recording elements 8th . 9 . 10 are preferably produced in an injection molding process, wherein the associated bridge connectors 4 or contact partner 5 either after the production of the receiving elements 8th to 10 used there or at the same time in the plastic injection molding process with the recording elements 8th to 10 to be overmoulded.

In this way, an insert ET1 is formed as shown in FIG 6 is shown. In a first embodiment it is popular with the in 6 illustrated insert ET1, either the finished connector 1 forms or in an outer housing of the connector 1 (not shown here) is used.

For the sake of completeness, it should be mentioned that the end region of the insert part ET1, which is in 6 is shown on the right, is shown by way of example and is basically suitable and designed to, for example, with a mating connector, not shown (as well as in the field of contact partners 5 ) or connected to the end of an electrical line or to be inserted into a circuit board, for example, a control unit.

The insert ET1, as it is in 6 is shown, has in the receiving elements 8th to 10 latch hook 11 to 13 and recesses 14 to 16 at the designated places. This locking means (namely latching hook 11 to 13 and corresponding recesses 14 to 16 ) are required when the connector 1 not just from an insert 1 is formed, but when two inserts are used. As a result, multipole connectors can be realized in an advantageous manner, which are the contact partners not only in a row, but also in at least two rows, which are spaced from each other, are available.

The structure, the production and the final result of a multi-row connector is in 7 shown.

For this purpose, two inserts ET1, as in 6 are shown prepared. In 7 is shown that two inserts ET1 and ET2 on the locking means 11 to 16 connected to each other. It is in 7 the insert ET1 according to 6 recognizable, wherein the insert ET2 is designed in a particularly preferred manner identical to the insert ET1, only in 7 is shown rotated 180 degrees. Due to the design of the insert ET1 according to 6 It is possible that by the corresponding arrangement of latching hooks 11 to 13 of one insert ET1 this in the recesses 14 to 16 can engage the second identical insert ET2 and vice versa.

After the two inserts ET1 and ET2 (either identical, as in 7 represented, or formed differently from each other) are brought together, results in a finished insert FET, which in 7 , right, is shown.

The connection of the two inserts ET1 and ET2 via locking means has the advantage of a particularly fast assembly, as an alternative or in addition to such locking means, other connecting means or connection methods (such as gluing, welding or the like) are conceivable.

The exact position positioning of the two inserts ET1 and ET2 to each other, for example, via positioning aids 17 (please refer 6 ), which are formed, for example, as a continuous openings, which must be made congruent to each other during assembly of the two inserts ET1 and ET2.

While it is basically conceivable that the finished insert FET according to 7 Realized the finished connector, this part is surrounded in practice with an outer housing to ensure even isolation of the electrically conductive areas.

In 8th is shown that the finished insert FET according to 7 is surrounded with an outer casing such that the outer casing is formed by the base part 2 and the plug part 3 that about the locking means 6 . 7 be connected with each other, as already with respect to the 1 to 5 was explained.

9 shows, as well as 8th in that either a single-row insert ET1 or the finished insert FET with the base part 2 and the plug part 3 are surrounded at the location shown (preferably in an injection molding process), but the play compensating connecting means (latching hook 6 and recess 7 ) have not yet been brought together.

The final assembly is carried out in accordance with 10 the plug part 3 in the direction of a travel path 18 in the direction of the base part 2 is moved, causing not only the two latching hooks 6 in the corresponding recesses 7 engage, but also the arcuate part of the respective bridge connector 4 is slightly upset and also possibly the area-shaped end portions of the bridge connector 4 be further inserted into the open contact areas of the fork contacts. Depending on the size of the connector 1 as he is in 10 Almost finished, the travel path can be 18 a few millimeters. For example, depending on the geometry of the connector 1, it is 1 mm to 10 mm, preferably 2 mm to 5 mm, more preferably approximately 3 mm (± 10%).

To clarify the application of the connector 1 as he is in 3 (there also by inserts or otherwise realized) or in 10 is shown, it should be noted that the plug part 3 with the in 10 unrecognizable contact partners a mating face for the connector 1 forms, with which it is plugged into a mating connector, not shown, to form a connector. The plug part 3 opposite end portion of the connector is in 10 formed in the form of contact pins with which this area can be plugged into another mating connector. Once this is done, pins will 19 of the connector 1 inserted in corresponding contact partner of the other mating connector and this other mating connector, for example by means of latching hook 20 from the base part 2 stand by, secured in their position. In this embodiment, the connector forms 1 thus an adapter plug that can be used between two mating connector. But it is also conceivable that the contact pins 19 For example, be inserted into corresponding openings in a circuit board and associated with associated conductor tracks around the contact pins 19 around (in particular soldered) are. The board may for example be part of a sensor, actuator, control unit or the like. Also alternatively, it is conceivable that the plug part 3 remote end region of the bridge connector 4 not as contact pins, but to train him so that an electrical conductor of a line can be struck him. As an example, a crimp connection, a solder connection or the like may be mentioned.

In summary, it should be noted once again that with the inventive design of the connector 1 (or an adapter plug) a mechanical decoupling of the electrical areas in the base part 2 from the contact partners in the plug part 3 in at least two directions, but preferably in three dimensions (ie in the X, Y and Z directions), the contact area of the contact partners 5 in the plug part 3 relieve of relative movements when these contact partners 5 are plugged into corresponding contact partner of a mating connector.

In the previous general description and also in the description of the 1 to 10 it has been assumed that the connector 1 with its end bridge connector 4 , in particular the contact pins 19, is connected at the end of a cable with its electrical conductors. In addition, the connector should 1 with the plug part 3 be plugged into a corresponding mating connector.

The following is based on the 11 an equivalent alternative for the application of the connector according to the invention 1 described.

The Indian 11 illustrated connector 1 is carried out as the previous in relation to the 1 to 10 illustrated connector 1 , so one-piece, two-piece or even multi-part, with the bridge connector 4 having the respective elements for the two- or three-dimensional clearance compensation. That means that then, after the plug part 3 on the base part 2 has been fastened, in the region of the bridge connector still a clearance compensation in at least two, preferably three spatial axes between the contact partners in the plug part 3 and the continuing electrical connections, in particular a stamped grid, in the base part 2 allows. This essential principle of play compensation has both the connector 1 according to 11 as well as in the previous figures.

The embodiment of the connector 1 as they are in 11 is shown, characterized in that this connector 1 , Just as the previously described connector, a first side S1 and a second side S2 has and is not used at the end of a cable, but between two fixed components. Although these two components arranged at a predeterminable distance from one another after their final assembly have the predeterminable distance, this is subject to tolerances. In order to compensate for these tolerances, the bridge connector according to the invention 4 present, which compensates for a tolerance compensation (distance compensation) between the two fixed components on the one hand on the plug side S1 and on the other hand on the plug side S2. The bridge connector 4 this allows not only a distance compensation due to tolerances of the two components themselves or tolerances resulting from their installation, but alternatively or additionally also a clearance compensation as a result of vibration, temperature fluctuations and the like during operation of the components. For example, the two components, which may be mounted on a fixed base (such as a housing or the like), are, on the one hand, a circuit board (for example, an electronic control unit) having openings through which the contact pins 19 can be performed on the second plug side S2. These pins 19 can then be suitably electrically connected to the board (e.g., by soldering, crimping, crimping, or the like) to the associated trace. After this determination of the connector 1 as he is in 11 is shown, via its plug side S2 on the board (first component), the second component can be mounted on the base part, wherein at the same time in this assembly, a mating connector, which is arranged on the second component, with the plug part 3 is associated. This means that this mating connector has a mating connector housing into which a socket 21 of the plug part 3 is used or encloses this. In the process, the contact partners of the plug part become 3 contacted with the corresponding contact partners of the mating connector. After assembly and mating with the second component are the first component (in this example, the circuit board) and the second component at a predetermined distance. Since this distance is not constant due to tolerances (due to manufacturing tolerances or installation tolerances) and / or application-dependent (for example due to temperature fluctuations), but may change in certain areas (for example in the mm range, preferably in the single-digit mm range), the invention bridge connector 4 the necessary clearance compensation, which is necessary, on the one hand, the contact of the connector 1 with the first component (for example, their contact pins 19 , which are connected to the conductor tracks of the circuit board) and on the other hand, the contact partners on the plug side S1 in the plug part 3 and the corresponding mating connector away. This means in this application in an advantageous manner that the contact areas of the connector 1 on its two sides S1 and S2 are free of any tensile, pressure and other forces and over the lifetime of the connector used 1 allow optimal contact, whereas the required clearance compensation of the bridge connector according to the invention 4 takes over.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Connectors

2

base

3

plug part

4

bridge connector

5

Contact partner (of the mating connector)

50

Contact partner (of the plug part)

6

latch hook

7

recess

8th

receiving element

9

receiving element

10

receiving element

11

latch hook

12

latch hook

13

latch hook

14

recess

15

recess

16

recess

17

positioning

18

traverse

19

contact pins

20

latch hook

21

socket

D

detailed view

ET1

insert

ET2

insert

FET

finished insert

S1

first plug-in page

S2

second plug-in page

Claims (10)

Connector ( 1 ) with at least one contact partner ( 50 ), which in a plug part ( 3 ), characterized in that the plug part ( 3 ) via play compensating connecting means with a base part ( 2 ) of the connector ( 1 ) and the at least one contact partner ( 50 ) with an associated clearance compensating bridge connector ( 4 ), which in the base part ( 2 ) is connected. Connector ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that a contact partner ( 5 ) of a mating connector into which the connector ( 1 ) is inserted, for receiving an end portion of the bridge connector ( 4 ), in particular its contact partner ( 50 ), is designed as a fork contact. Connector ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clearance compensating bridge connector ( 4 ) in a free area between the base part ( 2 ) and the plug part ( 3 ) is arcuate. Connector ( 1 ) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that as the play compensating connecting means the plug part ( 3 ) at least one in the direction of the base part ( 2 ) pointing latch hooks ( 6 ) and the base part ( 2 ) one with the latching hook ( 6 ) corresponding recess ( 7 ) having. Connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base part ( 2 ) is formed by the at least one bridge connector ( 4 ), which in at least one receiving element ( 8th ), preferably in two spaced-apart receiving elements ( 8th . 9 ) is arranged. Connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug part ( 3 ) is formed by the at least one contact partner ( 50 ), which in at least one receiving element ( 10 ), preferably in a single receiving element ( 10 ) is arranged. Connector ( 1 ) according to claim, characterized in that at least one insert part (ET1, ET2) is provided, wherein the insert part (ET1, ET2) is formed by the fact that the base part ( 2 ) is formed by the at least one bridge connector ( 4 ), which in at least one receiving element ( 8th ), preferably in two spaced-apart receiving elements ( 8th . 9 ), and that the plug part ( 3 ) is formed by the at least one contact partner ( 50 ), which in at least one receiving element ( 10 ), preferably in a single receiving element ( 10 ) is arranged. Connector ( 1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that two inserts (ET1, ET2) are provided, wherein the two inserts (ET1, ET2) designed the same or different from each other and can be connected to a Fertigeinlegeteil (FET). Connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the receiving elements ( 8th . 9 . 10 ) and the at least one contact partner ( 50 ) and / or the respectively associated bridge connector ( 4 ) are at least partially encapsulated. Connector ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one contact partner ( 50 ) and / or the bridge connector ( 4 ) are formed as stampings or stamped and bent parts.

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