DE102017105079A1 - Contact insert for a connector part - Google Patents

Abstract

A contact insert (2, 4) for a connector part (1, 3) comprises a frame part (20), a plug part (200) arranged on the frame part (20) for plug-in connection with a further connector part (3, 1), at least one the electrical contact element (211, 411) arranged on the plug-in section (200) and a grounding element (22) arranged on the frame part (20), to which a protective line (25) can be connected. In addition, a contacting device (23) arranged on the earthing element (22) is provided with a spring element (230) pivotable about a pivot axis (D) to the earth element (22), which has a clamping leg (231) for locking a protective line (25) to the Grounding element (22) in a clamping position and a locking leg (232) for locking the spring element (230) with the grounding element (22), wherein the spring element (230) is movable by releasing the latching of the clamping position. In this way, a contact insert for a connector part is provided, which allows easy connection of a protective line.

Description

The invention relates to a contact insert for a connector part according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a contact insert comprises a frame part, a plug-in section arranged on the frame part for plug-in connection with a further connector part, at least one electrical contact element arranged on the plug-in section and a grounding element arranged on the frame part, to which a protective line can be connected.

Such a contact insert can be used, for example, in a plug housing of a connector part and in this way enables plug housing to be equipped with completely different contact inserts and thus to provide individual plug-in faces adapted to a specific use on the connector part. At the plug-in portion one or more electrical contact elements are arranged, which electrically engage when connecting the connector part with an associated further connector part with contact elements of the other connector part, so that an electrical connection between the connector parts is made.

The grounding element can generally be grounded between the connector parts when the connector parts are plugged in, so that the connector parts are in the plugged state at the same grounding potential. By way of example, the frame part can also be earthed via the grounding element, if this is made of an electrically conductive (metal) material.

At one of the DE 295 20 008 U1 known connector part, a connector insert has a plurality of rows of contact elements. The contact insert can be used in a mounting housing, which is attached to a mounting wall.

From the DE 10 2007 013 536 B3 a grounding element (referred to as PE metal part) is known, which serves for fastening a contact insert, for example in a connector housing and has a so-called PE screw connection for connecting a protective line.

From the DE 10 2010 017 717 A1 is known a contact insert with a frame part and a contact module insertable therein. On the frame part, a connection device for connecting a protective conductor is arranged, which has a connecting arm with a screw connection.

At one of the EP 0 882 318 B1 known contact insert are a variety of contact modules in a designated frame frame part used. Some of the modules can also be used to connect protective cables to the so-called PE contact (PE stands for "protective earth"). These contact modules are designed as screw connections.

Conventionally, it has been primarily intended to form a connection for connecting a protective line as a screw connection. This allows a reliable, mechanically strong connection of the protective line with the contact insert, but may be subject to restrictions in handling. Thus, under certain circumstances, when the contact insert is inserted into an associated housing of a connector part, a screw connection may no longer be easily accessible, which may necessitate securing a protective line into the housing prior to insertion of the contact insert. In addition, attaching a plurality of protective lines requires the attachment of the protective lines to the (a) screw connection and the simultaneous fixing of the protective lines by tightening a screw.

Object of the present invention is to provide a contact insert for a connector part available that allows easy connection of a protective line.

This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, the contact insert has a contacting device arranged on the grounding element with a pivotable about a pivot axis to the grounding spring element having a clamping leg for locking a protective line to the grounding element in a clamping position and a locking leg for locking the spring element with the grounding element. The spring element is movable by releasing the latching of the clamping position.

The connection of the protective line to the grounding element on the frame part thus takes place via a spring force connection. For connecting the protective line to the earthing element, the protective line can be plugged in a simple, convenient manner with a (stripped) wire end to the spring element of the contacting device and thereby passes in the region of the clamping leg, which locks the protective line to the grounding element and contacting the protective line causes the grounding element. To connect is thus (only) a plugging of the protective line and possibly an actuation of the spring element required. The locking and contacting the protective line to the grounding element can advantageously be carried out automatically, without further operating steps (such as screwing) for fixing the protective line to the grounding element are required.

In the clamping position of the clamping leg pushes the protective line electrically contacting against the grounding element. The clamping leg acts for this purpose on a (stripped) wire end of the protective line and presses it against a wall portion of the grounding element, so that an electrical contact between the protective line and the grounding element is made. The spring element of the contacting device preferably itself consists of an elastic metal material, for example a spring steel, so that an electrical contacting is also produced via the spring element. The spring element is arranged in this case electrically contacting the grounding element, so that the spring element is included in the grounding.

The pivotable arrangement of the spring element on the grounding element makes it possible to arrange a protective line in different ways on the grounding element. Thus, first, the spring element can be brought into its clamping position, then to put the protective line between the clamping legs of the spring element and the grounding element and to arrange in this way the protective line to the grounding element. When plugged in the protective line enters into clamping intermediate position between the clamping legs of the spring element and the grounding element and is locked above it to the grounding element. Alternatively, it is also possible to apply the protective line to the earthing element when the spring element is not (yet) in the clamping position. In this case, the spring element is brought into the clamping position after attaching the protective line to the grounding element to act in the clamping position with the clamping leg on a (stripped) wire end of the protective line and about to lock the protective line to the grounding element.

In the clamping position, the spring element is latched to the grounding element, so that the spring element occupies a defined position to the grounding element and can act arrestingly on an infected to the contacting device protective line. By loosening the latch, the spring element can be moved out of the clamping position, so that the clamping leg is moved and thereby the locking of the protective line is released at the contacting device. When moving out of the clamping position, the clamping leg is moved together with the locking leg, so that the spring element is pivoted as a whole about the pivot axis.

For favorable pivotability, the spring element is preferably mounted pivotably about a physical bearing axis on the grounding element. For this purpose, the spring element can have a bearing section, which, for example, encompasses an associated abutment section of the grounding element and can be pivoted about the pivot axis relative to this abutment section. For example, the spring element can have two parallel bearing sections spaced apart axially from one another along the pivot axis, which are each arranged on an associated abutment section of the grounding element and are pivotable about the pivot axis relative to the respectively assigned abutment section.

In one embodiment, the clamping leg is angled, in particular at an acute angle (equal to or less than 90 °), arranged to the locking legs. The clamping leg and the locking leg thus form together a V-shape. While the clamping leg serves to lock the protective line to the grounding element and to press the protective line clamped against the grounding element, the locking leg extends at an angle to the clamping leg and serves to lock the spring element in the clamping position. By locking the clamping leg on the locking legs a sufficient, elastic holding force is provided on the clamping legs to keep the protective line with compensation of position and size tolerances in cheaper, clamping system with the grounding element.

The latching of the locking leg with the grounding element preferably takes place via a detent end remote from the clamping leg. The locking leg can thus be latched over its detent end, for example, by engagement in a provided on the grounding element detent opening, so that thereby the locking leg and about the spring element is secured in the clamping position. By releasing the latching, the spring element can be moved out of the clamping position and thereby the protective line can be removed from the grounding element.

The release of the locking can be done for example by using a tool, for example a screwdriver. For this purpose, an opening may be formed on the locking leg, which serves as a tool engagement and allows to act on the locking leg, that the locking of the locking leg is released with the grounding element.

The earthing element has, for example, a contact lug for grounding contact with the further connector part. The Kontaktierungsfahne, for example along a connecting direction, along which the connector parts are to be connected to each other, be extended to the frame part, so that the Kontaktierungsfahne runs when plugged connecting the connector part with the other connector part on an associated contact portion on the other connector part and thereby an electrical connection between the Connector parts for common ground manufactures.

The contact insert may be modular. For example, it may be provided that one or more modular contact modules can be attached to the frame part, which may be formed, for example, as a rectangular receiving frame, to provide the frame part modular with contact modules and thus to create an individual contact insert for a connector part. Each contact module can in this case have one or more insertion openings for inserting electrical lines and can also have arranged on a plug-in sections contact elements for contacting with an associated further connector part. For example, a plurality of slots (offset from one another transversely to the connecting direction in each case) can be provided on the frame part, into which a plurality of contact modules can be inserted.

For example, the contact modules can each form one or more plug-in sections on the frame part.

A contact module to be attached to the frame part can be configured such that a line is to be inserted in a plug-in direction into a plug-in opening of the contact module. Preferably, in this case also the protective line along the direction of insertion to the spring element of the contacting device to be infected, so that the connection of the protective line to the contacting device of the grounding element in the same direction as the connection of other electrical lines to the insertion openings of the contact module. The connection of the electrical lines to the contact module can also be done via spring connections, so that protection lines as well as other lines (for example, for data transmission or to provide an electrical supply) can be infected in a simple, possibly also automatable manner to the contact insert.

The contact insert can for example be used on a connector part, wherein such a connector part may have a connector housing in which the contact insert is received. Such a connector housing may be connected to an electrical cable having a plurality of lead wires. It is also conceivable and possible, however, to use such a contact insert, for example on a mounting housing on a control cabinet or other electrical equipment.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht zweier Steckverbinderteile, die steckend entlang einer Verbindungsrichtung miteinander verbunden werden können;
• 2 eine Ansicht zweier Kontakteinsätze der Steckverbinderteile;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Kontaktierungseinrichtung mit einem schwenkbaren Federelement;
• 4 eine Frontalansicht der Kontaktierungseinrichtung an einem Erdungselement;
• 5 eine schematische, perspektivische Ansicht der Kontaktierungseinrichtung an dem Erdungselement; und
• 6 eine Draufsicht auf die Kontaktierungseinrichtung an dem Erdungselement.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

• 1 a schematic view of two connector parts, which can be connected to each other in a connecting direction along a connecting direction;
• 2 a view of two contact inserts of the connector parts;
• 3 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a contacting device with a pivotable spring element;
• 4 a front view of the contacting device to a grounding element;
• 5 a schematic, perspective view of the contacting device on the grounding element; and
• 6 a plan view of the contacting device to the grounding element.

1 shows a schematic view of two connector parts 1 . 3 running along a connection direction e can be connected with each other in a sticky manner. Each connector part 1 . 3 has a connector housing 10 . 30 on, in each case a contact insert 2 . 4 taken with arranged thereon contact elements. Via a cable outlet 11 . 31 is each a cable 12 . 32 to the connector housing 10 . 30 connected and inside the connector housing 10 . 30 with the contact elements of the respective associated contact insert 2 . 4 electrically connected.

It should be noted at this point that the present invention can be used not only in connector parts with manually operated connector housings, but also, for example, in electrical equipment, such as a cabinet, provided connectors can be used in which a contact insert, for example, on a device wall, For example, a control cabinet wall is set.

An embodiment of two along the connecting direction e plugged together to be connected contact inserts 2 . 4 shows 2 , Each contact insert 2 . 4 has a frame part 20 . 40 in the form of a rectangular frame into which a contact module 21 , 41 is inserted. To the frame part 20 . 40 is a plug-in section 200 . 400 formed, wherein the plug portion 200 the one, first contact insert 2 forms a socket into which the plug-in section 400 of the frame part 40 of the other contact insert 4 can be inserted.

Each contact module 21 . 41 has a plurality of insertion openings 210 . 410 on, in the electrical lines 24 , 44 for electrical contact with contact elements 211 , 411 in the form of contact pins or contact sockets can be inserted. In an interconnected state are the contact elements 211 the one, first contact insert 2 with the associated contact elements 411 the other, second contact insert 4 engaged, so that an electrical contact between the contact inserts 2 . 4 is effected.

To every frame part 20 . 40 In principle, one or more contact modules can be used, so that at the contact inserts 2 . 4 individual contact arrangements for the formation of an individual mating face can be created. In the illustrated embodiment, (exactly) is a contact module 21 . 41 fit into the frame part 20 . 40 inserted and latching with the frame part 20 . 40 connected. It is also possible, however, several (smaller) contact modules side by side in the frame part 20 . 40 to arrange.

On both sides of the frame part 20 . 40 are grounding elements 22 . 42 arranged, on the one hand, via fastening elements 220 . 420 a mechanical definition of the contact insert 2 . 4 on the associated connector housing 10 . 30 allow and on the other a protective contact between the contact inserts 2 . 4 provide. Each earthing element 22 . 42 is about attachment sections 223 . 423 on its associated frame part 20 . 40 supported and secured, in this way (if the frame part 20 . 40 made of an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal material) is also the frame part 20 . 40 may be involved in the grounding.

At the respectively assigned plug-in section 200 . 400 extend contact flags 222 . 422 the earthing elements 22 . 42 when plugging the contact inserts 2 . 4 in an anticipatory manner (before contacting the contact elements 211 . 411 ) accumulate on each other and thereby an electrical contact between the grounding elements 22 . 42 the two contact inserts 2 . 4 produce.

At the in 2 illustrated embodiment of conventional contact inserts 2 . 4 are at the grounding elements 22 . 42 contacting devices 23 ' . 43 ' provided in the form of screw terminals for connecting protective lines.

In contrast, in the in 3 to 6 illustrated embodiment of a grounding element 22 as it is at the contact inserts 2 . 4 is to be used, a contacting device 23 arranged, which is a connection of a protective line 25 by plugging contact allows.

The contacting device 23 has a spring element 230 on, for example, made of spring steel, thus electrically conductive and is elastic in itself. The spring element 230 has a clamping leg 231 on, which is used to clamp one with a wire end 250 to the contacting device 23 attached protective line 25 at the grounding element 22 serves. To the clamping leg 231 closes, at an acute angle α angled, a locking leg 232 on, over one of the clamping legs 231 remote resting 233 with a back wall section 224 of the grounding element 22 can be locked and in a latching opening 226 on this wall section 224 can intervene.

The spring element 230 is about a pivot axis D pivotable on the grounding element 22 stored. The spring element 230 has two transverse to the pivot axis D from the locking leg 232 protruding bearing sections 234 on, the associated abutment sections 225 of the grounding element 22 (see for example 6 ) and, for example, pivot about a (physical) pivot pin on the abutment sections 225 are stored. The counter bearing sections 225 are transverse to the pivot axis D from the wall section 224 before and take the clamping leg 231 of the spring element 230 between themselves.

The protective line 25 is with the (stripped) wire end 250 in such a way to the contacting device 23 attachable, that with attached protective line 25 and at befindlichem in its clamping position spring element 230 the protective line 25 between the clamping leg 231 of the spring element 230 and the wall section 224 of the grounding element 22 is held. By elastic clamping action of the clamping leg 231 is the wire end 250 electrically contacting in contact with the wall section 224 pressed and is also electrically with the spring element 230 contacted so that a grounding contact the protective line 25 with the earthing element 22 is made.

For attaching the protective cable 25 to the grounding element 22 can the spring element 230 the contacting device 23 are in its clamping position. In this case the protection line becomes 25 with the (stripped) wire end 250 between the clamping legs 231 and the wall section 224 of the grounding element 22 pressed and thereby passes under elastic deflection of the clamping leg 231 in clamping stop on the earthing element 22 ,

Alternatively, the protective line 25 to the grounding element 42 be set when the spring element 230 not in the clamping position. The clamping locking is in this case with already set protection line 25 manufactured by that the spring element 230 brought into the clamping position and the locking leg 232 with the earthing element 22 is latched, so that the clamping leg 231 in clamping attachment with the wire end 250 the protective line 25 arrives.

The spring element 230 can be pivoted out of the clamping position to the protective line 25 again from the grounding element 22 to solve. For this purpose, for example by using a tool in the form of a screwdriver or the like, the locking of the locking leg 232 be solved with the Wandungsabschnitt 224 by placing in an opening 235 on the locking leg 232 intervened and thus on the detent 233 of the locking leg 232 is acted to the detent 233 from its latching engagement with the detent opening 226 on the wall section 224 of the grounding element 22 bring to. When the catch is released, the spring element can 230 be pivoted so that the clamping leg 231 moves and thus the clamping system with the protective line 25 will be annulled.

About the contacting device 23 is a connection of a protective line 25 to the assigned grounding element 22 in a simple manner possible by plugging. The plug-in direction S into which the protective line 25 to the contacting device 23 is to be plugged in, corresponds to the plug-in direction S , in which also the other electrical lines 24 , 44 in the plug-in openings 210 . 410 of the contact module 21 . 41 the assigned contact insert 2 . 4 are to be inserted. The connection of the protective line 25 can thus rectified as for the other electrical lines 24 , 44 take place.

The earthing element 22 is made of a metal material, for example as a stamped and bent part. About a mounting section 223 is the grounding element 22 on the associated frame part 20 . 40 a contact insert 2 . 4 set.

From the back wall section 224 of the grounding element 22 is a flange portion 221 before, are formed at the attachment points to about the grounding element 22 and therefore also with the earthing element 42 connected frame part 20 . 40 set in a housing of a connector part.

From the earthing element 22 is a contact flag 222 before, which as described above for grounding contact with an associated mating connector part is used.

The counter bearing sections 225 For example, are integrally formed on the grounding element 22, for example, as bent portions. In addition, the spring element 230 the contacting device 23 preferably made in one piece, for example, from a spring steel.

For mounting the grounding element 22 and the contacting device 23 becomes the spring element 230 to the grounding element 22 attached and pivotable about the pivot axis D, for example via a pivot pin with the abutment sections 225 connected.

earth elements 22 with contact means arranged thereon 23 The described type can be on both sides of the frame part 20 . 40 the assigned contact insert 2 . 4 be provided.

The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can in principle also be realized in a completely different kind of way.

A grounding element may have one or more contacting devices of the type described here for connecting one or more protective lines.

Contact inserts of the type described here can be used in different applications on connector parts. Such contact inserts can in particular form contacts for heavy industrial connectors.

The contacting device described requires for clamping, contacting locking a protective line to a grounding element only a pivotally connected to the grounding element spring element. Other components are not required, so that a simple contacting device can be created under advantageous minimization of the number of components.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

connector part

10

plug housing

11

cable outlet

12

electric wire

2

contact insert

20

Frame part (module frame)

200

plug-in section

21

contact module

210

plug openings

211

contact elements

22

Earthing element (PE sheet)

220

fastener

221

flange

222

Kontaktierungsfahne

223

attachment section

224

wall section

225

Against bearing section

226

latching opening

23, 23 '

contacting

230

spring element

231

clamping leg

232

latching leg

233

Resting

234

bearing section

235

opening

24

cables

25

protection line

250

core end

3

connector part

30

plug housing

31

cable outlet

32

electric wire

4

contact insert

40

module frame

400

plug-in section

41

contact module

410

plug openings

411

contact elements

42

Earthing element (PE sheet)

420

fastener

421

flange

422

Kontaktierungsfahne

423

attachment section

43 '

contacting

α

angle

D

swivel axis

e

connection direction

S

plug-in direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 29520008 U1 [0005]
• DE 102007013536 B3 [0006]
• DE 102010017717 A1 [0007]
• EP 0882318 B1 [0008]

Claims (11)

Contact insert (2, 4) for a connector part (1, 3), with a frame part (20), one on the frame part (20) arranged plug portion (200) for plug-in connection with another connector part (3, 1), at least one on the electrical contact element (211, 411) arranged on the plug-in section (200) and a grounding element (22) arranged on the frame section (20), to which a protective line (25) can be connected, characterized by a contacting device (23) arranged on the grounding element (22) ) having a about a pivot axis (D) to the grounding element (22) pivotable spring element (230) having a clamping leg (231) for locking a protective line (25) on the grounding element (22) in a clamping position and a locking leg (232) Locking of the spring element (230) with the grounding element (22), wherein the spring element (230) is movable by releasing the latching of the clamping position. Contact insert (2, 4) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the clamping leg (260) is adapted to press the protective line (25) in electrical contact against the grounding element (22). Contact insert (2, 4) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the spring element (230) has a bearing portion (234) via which the spring element (230) about the pivot axis (D) is pivotally mounted on the grounding element (22). Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the clamping leg (231) is arranged at an angle, in particular at an acute angle (a) to the locking leg (232). Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching leg (232) has a detent end (233) remote from the clamping leg (231) which can be latched to the grounding element (22). Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grounding element (22) has a latching opening (226) into which the latching limb (231) engages in the clamping position. Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (235) on the latching leg (231) has an opening (235) which forms a tool engagement for releasing the latching. Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grounding element (22) has a contact lug (222, 422) for grounding contact with the further connector part (3, 1). Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a contact module (21) arranged on the frame part (20), which has at least one plug-in opening (210) for inserting at least one electrical line (24) in a plug-in direction (S) , Contact insert (2, 4) according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the protective line (25) in the plugging direction (S) to the contacting device (23) can be plugged. Connector part (1, 3) with a contact insert (2, 4) according to one of the preceding claims.

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