DE102018106185A1 - Contact element with a contact body and a spring element arranged thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

A contact element (1) comprises an electrical contact section (11) for plug-in connection with an associated mating contact element (3), a contact body (10) connected to the contact section (11), which forms a plug-in space (14) into which an electrical line (14) 2) in an insertion direction (E) for electrical connection to the contact element (1) can be inserted, and on the contact body (10) arranged spring element (12) having a first spring leg (120) for supporting on the contact body (10) and a second spring leg (121) for interacting with a plugged into the plug-in space (14) electrical line (2). The first spring leg (120) can be positively connected to the contact body (10) by the first spring leg (120) with an opening (122) to a fastening means (104) of the contact body (10) can be attached.

Description

The invention relates to a contact element according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for producing a contact element.

Such a contact element comprises an electrical contact portion for plug-in connection with an associated mating contact element, a contact body connected to the contact body, which forms a plug-in space into which an electrical line in a plug-in direction for electrically connecting a contact element can be inserted, and arranged on the contact body spring element comprising a first spring leg for supporting on the contact body and a second spring leg for interacting with a plugged into the plug-in electrical line.

The contact portion may be formed, for example, as a socket contact or as a pin contact and allows a plug-in connection with an associated, complementary mating contact portion. In contrast, the contact body forms a plug-in space, in which an electrical line can be inserted with a stripped conductor end, so that in this way the electrical line can be connected to the contact element. About the spring element inserted into the plug-in electrical line is mechanically fixed to the contact element and also contacted electrically.

It is desirable to provide a contact element having few components, easy to assemble and thus inexpensive to produce.

At one of the DE 198 38 008 A1 known terminal clamp legs are cut free from the wall of a box spring and extend into the box inside.

At one of the DE 202 08 724 U1 known spring terminal is arranged on a clamping cage, a spring element.

Object of the present invention is to provide a contact element and a method for producing a contact element, which allow a simple and inexpensive production of the contact element.

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

Accordingly, the first spring leg can be positively connected to the contact body by the first spring leg can be attached with an opening to a fastening means of the contact body.

Accordingly, the first spring leg and above the spring element to be positively connected to the contact body by the first spring leg is brought into engagement with a fastening means of the contact body. The fastening device engages in an assembly position, an opening of the first spring leg and laying above the first spring leg and thus the spring element fixed to the contact body.

About the fastening means of the first spring leg is thus firmly connected in the mounting position with the contact body. It is thus provided, in the mounting position, a coherent unit, which may optionally be used without a surrounding housing.

In one embodiment, the first spring leg can be attached in a pre-assembled state of the contact element with its opening to the fastening device of the contact body. In the pre-assembly, the first spring leg with its opening thus be brought into engagement with the fastening means of the contact body, to establish the connection of the spring element with the contact body. After attaching the spring leg to the contact body, the fastening device can then be plastically deformed by the fastening device is bent or plastically deformed in any other way, so that a solid, resilient, positive connection between the spring element and the contact body is made.

The fastening device may for example be designed as a fastening tab and protrude from a wall of the contact body. The fastening device can also be shaped as other material projection on the contact body. To produce the positive connection, the fastening device is plastically and thus permanently deformed, so that in this way the first spring leg and above the spring element is firmly and resiliently fixed to the contact body.

In the assembled state, the first spring leg preferably lies flat against a fastening section of the contact body. The fastening device may in this case be formed on the attachment portion and protrude from the attachment portion, so that by attaching the first spring leg to the attachment portion, the attachment means can be brought into engagement with the opening of the first spring leg, then by plastic deformation of the attachment means the connection between the to fix the first spring leg and the contact body.

The contact body may be made, for example, together with the contact portion of a solid body by machining, for example by milling. Alternatively, the contact body can be made with the contact portion as a sheet metal stamping.

In one embodiment, the contact body has a top wall, which extends perpendicular to the plug-in direction into which an electrical conductor can be inserted into the plug-in space, and which limits the plug-in space in the plugging direction. An electrical conductor can thus not be inserted beyond the head wall into the plug-in space, so that the head wall creates a push-through protection, which prevents an electrical line from the plug-in space can be pushed into the region of the contact portion.

The top wall may, for example, form the attachment portion to which the first spring leg is to be attached. The attachment portion may be formed, for example, on a flat outer side of the head wall, for example on a side facing away from a bottom wall of the contact body top. The fastening device is in this case preferably formed on the top wall, namely on the attachment portion formed on the top wall, so that the first spring leg of the spring element can be positively connected to the contact body by attachment to the attachment portion of the top wall.

In an alternative embodiment, a push-through protection can also be created by the spring element. In this case, for example, connect a leg portion to the first spring leg, which limits the plug-in space in the direction of insertion. The leg portion is in this case formed at an end remote from the second spring leg end of the first spring leg and bent, for example, to the first spring leg, for example, by an angle of approximately 90 °.

The contact body preferably has at least one fastening device, for example two fastening devices in the form of fastening straps. In the attached position, the fastening means pass through the first spring leg and can be plastically deformed such that after plastic deformation, for example after bending or after a riveting similar deformation, a firm and resilient connection between the first spring leg and the contact body is created.

While the spring element is to be arranged on the contact body of the contact element via the first spring leg and to be connected to the contact body, the second spring leg serves to mechanically lock a plugged into the plug-in space of the contact body electrical line to the contact body and also to contact electrically with the contact body , The first spring leg and the second spring leg can in this case be bent relative to one another so that together they form an acute angle, wherein the second spring leg is elastically adjustable to the first spring leg to allow an electrical line to be plugged into the contact body and plugged in electrical line act under elastic bias on the electrical line to set them on the contact body and to contact electrically with the contact body.

In one embodiment, the contact element additionally has an actuating element for adjusting the second spring leg in the plug-in space. Such an actuator can be operated to adjust the second spring leg, so that an electrical line can be easily attached to the contact body or an attached to the contact body electrical line can be removed again from the contact body. By actuation of the actuating element, the second spring leg can be removed, for example, from a bottom wall of the contact body, so that the space between the second spring leg and the bottom wall of the contact body is increased and inserted an electrical line in a simple manner in the plug-in or an infected line in a simple manner can be removed from the plug-in space again.

The actuating element is displaceably mounted on the contact body, for example, along an actuating direction. The actuating element can thus be moved in a defined manner to the contact body and has, for example, an actuating portion, with which the actuating element acts on the second spring leg of the spring element to adjust this in the plug-in space.

In one embodiment, the actuating element has a head and two legs extending parallel to one another from the head. The legs take the spring element between them and are guided in each case to side walls of the contact body, so that on the legs, the actuating element is movable in a defined manner to the contact body.

On one or both legs latching sections may be formed, over which the Actuator can be connected detent with the spring element. This allows, for example, to set the actuating element before connecting the spring element with the contact body to the spring element, so that the spring element can be connected together with the arranged and captive held actuator with the contact body. For mounting, the spring element is thus attached together with the actuating element to the contact body and connected via the fastening device form-fitting manner with the contact body, which can simplify handling during assembly.

The latching portions are formed, for example, as inwardly projecting from the legs projections and engage behind the first spring leg and / or the second spring leg of the spring element, so that in this way a captive connection between the spring element and the actuating element is created.

The object is also achieved by a method for producing a contact element, in which an electrical contact portion for plug-in connection with an associated mating contact element and a contact portion connected to the contact body, which forms a plug-in space in which an electrical line in a plugging direction for electrical connection can be plugged into the contact element, are provided. A spring element is arranged on the contact body such that the spring element is supported by a first spring leg on the contact body and protrudes with a second spring leg in the plug-in space for interacting with an inserted into the plug-in electrical line. It is provided that the first spring leg is positively connected to the contact body by the first spring leg is attached with an opening to a fastening means of the contact body.

The advantages and advantageous embodiments described above for the contact element are analogously also applied to the method, so that reference should be made to what has been stated above.

For connecting the spring element to the contact body, the first spring leg is attached to the fastening device of the contact body. After attachment, the fastening device, for example in the form of a fastening tab, preferably plastically deformed, so that in this way a positive, firm connection between the first spring leg and the contact body is created.

Such a compound produced by plastic deformation can be designed, for example, in the manner of a riveted joint. About the connection of the first spring leg is thus firmly and permanently connected to the contact body.

• 1 eine Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Kontaktelements;
• 2 eine andere Ansicht des Kontaktelements;
• 3 eine wiederum andere Ansicht des Kontaktelements;
• 4 eine wiederum andere Ansicht des Kontaktelements;
• 5 eine frontale Ansicht des Kontaktelements;
• 6 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A gemäß 5;
• 7 eine Seitenansicht des Kontaktelements;
• 8 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie B-B gemäß 7;
• 9 eine Draufsicht auf das Kontaktelement;
• 10 eine Seitenansicht des Kontaktelements in einer Vormontagestellung;
• 11 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie C-C gemäß 10;
• 12 eine Draufsicht auf das Kontaktelement in der Vormontagestellung;
• 13 eine Schnittansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Kontaktelements, in einer Vormontagestellung;
• 14 eine Schnittansicht des Kontaktelements, in einer Montagestellung;
• 15 eine andere Schnittansicht des Kontaktelements in der Montagestellung;
• 16 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie D-D gemäß 13; und
• 17 eine Schnittansicht entlang der Linie E-E gemäß 14.
• 1 bis 12 zeigen Ansichten eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Kontaktelements 1, das einen Kontaktkörper 10 und einen daran geformten Kontaktabschnitt 11 in Form einer Kontaktbuchse aufweist und zum steckenden Verbinden mit einem Gegenkontaktelement 3 (siehe 1) dient.

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

• 1 a view of an embodiment of a contact element;
• 2 another view of the contact element;
• 3 another view of the contact element;
• 4 another view of the contact element;
• 5 a frontal view of the contact element;
• 6 a sectional view along the line AA according to 5 ;
• 7 a side view of the contact element;
• 8th a sectional view along the line BB according to 7 ;
• 9 a plan view of the contact element;
• 10 a side view of the contact element in a pre-assembly;
• 11 a sectional view along the line CC according to 10 ;
• 12 a plan view of the contact element in the pre-assembly;
• 13 a sectional view of another embodiment of a contact element, in a pre-assembly;
• 14 a sectional view of the contact element, in a mounting position;
• 15 another sectional view of the contact element in the mounting position;
• 16 a sectional view along the line DD according to 13 ; and
• 17 a sectional view along the line EE according to 14 ,
• 1 to 12 show views of a first embodiment of a contact element 1 that has a contact body 10 and a contact portion formed thereon 11 has in the form of a contact socket and plug-in connection with a mating contact element 3 (please refer 1 ) serves.

The contact element 1 For example, it is made from a solid body by machining.

The contact body 10 has, for example, from the sectional view according to 6 visible, a bottom wall 100 and on both sides of the bottom wall 100 shaped side walls 102 on, sharing a plug-in 14 train in which an electric wire 2 with a stripped conductor end 20 in a plug-in direction e can be plugged in order in this way the electrical line 2 to the contact element 1 to join. The plug-in space 14 is in the plugging direction e through a head wall 101 limited, perpendicular to the direction of insertion e extends and the plug-in space 14 inside towards the contact section 11 completes, so the electrical line 2 not over the plug-in space 14 out into the area of the contact section 11 can be pushed.
At the contact body 10 is a spring element 12 arranged in the form of a leg spring, which has a first spring leg 120 at a mounting portion 105 upper side of the head wall 101 is arranged and with a to the first spring leg 120 bent, second spring leg 121 in the area of the plug-in space 14 protrudes. The second spring leg 121 is elastic to the first spring leg 120 adjustable and serves one in the plug-in space 14 plugged in electrical line 2 mechanically on the contact body 10 to lock and also electrically to the contact body 10 to contact, so one in the plug-in 14 plugged in electrical line 2 mechanically fixed to the contact element 1 held and also electrically to the contact element 1 connected.

An actuator 13 in the form of a slider is on guideways 103 on the side walls 102 of the contact body 10 along a direction parallel to the direction of insertion e directed actuation direction B slidably on the contact body 10 guided. The actuator 13 has a head 130 and parallel to each other from the head 130 extended thighs 131 on, on both sides of the spring element 12 are arranged and at the guideways 103 the side walls 102 of the contact body 10 are guided displaceably.

Cross between the thighs 131 is an operating section 134 extends (see for example 4 in synopsis with 6 ), over which the actuator 13 with the second spring leg 121 is operatively connected in such a way that when moving the actuating element 13 in the direction of actuation B to the contact body 10 a force on the second spring leg 21 exercised and this from the bottom wall 100 is lifted so that an electrical line 2 in a simple way in the plug-in space 14 inserted or one to the contact body 10 attached electrical line 2 in a simple way from the plug-in space 14 can be removed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spring element 12 with his first spring leg 120 to the attachment section 105 upper side of the head wall 101 of the contact body 10 attached and via a fastening device 104 positive fit with the attachment portion 105 connected.

In a pre-assembly state, shown in 10 to 12 , is the fastening device formed by a material projection 104 in this case shaped such that the first spring leg 120 with an opening 122 to the fastening device 104 can be set such that the fastening device 104 the opening 122 engages, as for example, from the sectional view according to 11 is apparent.

After attachment, the fastening device 104 plastically deformed, so that a solid connection in the manner of a riveted joint between the first spring leg 120 and the contact body 10 is created, as in 7 to 9 is shown. The spring element 12 is thus in an assembly position on its first spring leg 120 firmly and permanently with the contact body 10 , namely with the head wall 101 of the contact body 10 connected so that a resilient connection between the spring element 12 and the contact body 10 is created.

The spring element 12 can in this case together with the actuator 13 to the contact body 10 be used for the purpose of assembly. For this purpose, the inside are the thighs 131 of the actuating element 13 latching sections 132 . 133 shaped in the form of latching projections, as shown in the sectional view according to 6 is apparent. About the resting sections 132 . 133 is before connecting the spring element 12 with the contact body 10 the actuator 13 on the spring element 12 held, so that the actuator 13 together with the spring element 12 to the contact body 10 can be recognized and by fixing the first spring leg 120 on the contact body 10 is mounted.

Alternatively, it is also possible, first the spring element 12 - Without arranged actuator 13 - with the contact body 10 to connect, then the actuator 13 to the already on the contact body 10 arranged spring element 12 to be set.

At another in 13 to 17 illustrated embodiment is the contact body 10 together with the contact section 11 shaped as sheet metal stamping. The spring element 12 In this case, it may be in the manner of tabs inward from the side walls 102 of the contact body 10 bent attachment sections 105 (please refer 16 ) are set such that fasteners 104 in the form of at the attachment sections 105 shaped tabs an opening 122 on the first spring leg 120 like this, for example 16 is apparent.

In a pre-assembly are the fasteners 104 in the form of the tabs on the attachment sections 105 extends straight up, so that attachment of the first spring leg 120 to the fastening devices 104 from above is possible. After fitting, the fastening devices 104 bent in the form of tabs, like this 14 . 15 and 17 it can be seen that in this way a firm, permanent connection between the mounting portions 105 of the contact body 10 and the first spring leg 120 is created.

Again, on the contact body 10 an actuator 13 along an actuating direction B guided and stands over an actuating arm 134 with the second spring leg 21 of the spring element 12 in operative connection such that by adjusting the actuating element 13 the second spring leg 121 in the inside of the contact body 10 formed plug-in space 14 can be adjusted.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first spring leg closes 120 a leg section 123 on, as a push-through protection for the plug-in space 14 serves. The leg section 123 is at a second spring leg 121 opposite end of the first spring leg 120 shaped and 90 ° to the first spring leg 120 bent so that the leg section 123 perpendicular to the plug-in direction e extends and the plug-in space 14 at its the contact section 11 facing end so limited that an electrical line 2 not in the plugging direction e over the leg section 123 out into the area of the contact section 11 can be pushed.

Otherwise, the embodiment is according to 13 to 17 functionally identical to the previous one with reference to 1 to 12 explained embodiment, so that reference should also be made to the preceding embodiments.

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

The fact that the spring element is firmly connected via its first spring leg by plastic deformation of a fastening device, for example in the manner of a riveted joint with the contact body, results in ease of manufacture, in addition easy handling after assembly.

The fact that the spring element is firmly connected to the contact body, can basically be dispensed with an einhausendes housing. In particular, such einhausendes housing is not required for connecting the spring element with the contact body.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contact element

10

Contact body

100

bottom wall

101

headwall

102

sidewall

103

guideway

104

fastening device

105

attachment section

11

Contact section (contact socket)

12

spring element

120

spring leg

121

spring leg

122

opening

123

leg portion

13

jig

130

head

131

leg

132, 133

detent portion

134

actuating section

14

plug space

2

management

20

conductor end

3

Contact element

B

operating direction

e

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 19838008 A1 [0005]
• DE 20208724 U1 [0006]

Claims (15)

Contact element (1), having an electrical contact section (11) for plug-in connection with an associated mating contact element (3), a contact body (10) connected to the contact section (11), which forms a plug-in space (14) into which an electrical line (14) 2) in an insertion direction (E) for electrical connection to the contact element (1) can be inserted, and one on the contact body (10) arranged spring element (12) having a first spring leg (120) for supporting on the contact body (10) and a second spring leg (121) for interacting with an inserted into the plug-in space (14) electrical line (2), characterized in that the first spring leg (120) is positively connected to the contact body (10) by the first spring leg (120 ) with an opening (122) to a fastening means (104) of the contact body (10) can be attached. Contact element (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the first spring leg (120) in a pre-assembled state of the contact element (1) with its opening (122) to the fastening means (104) can be attached and in an assembled state, the fastening means (104) for producing the positive connection with respect to the pre-assembly is plastically deformed. Contact element (1) after Claim 2 , characterized in that the first spring leg (120) in the assembled state flat against a mounting portion (105) of the contact body (10), wherein the fastening means (104) on the mounting portion (105) is formed. Contact element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the plug-in space (14) in the plugging direction (E) by a perpendicular to the plugging direction (E) extending head wall (101) of the contact body (10) is limited. Contact element (1) after Claim 4 , characterized in that the fastening device (104) is formed on the top wall (101). Contact element (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that at the first spring leg (120) at one of the second spring leg (121) distal end of a leg portion (123) connects, which limits the plug-in space (14) in the plugging direction (E). Contact element (1) after Claim 6 , characterized in that the leg portion (123) is bent to the first spring leg (120). Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact body (10) has two fastening devices (104) and the first spring leg (120) has two openings (122) for producing the positive connection. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first spring leg (120) and the second spring leg (121) are bent over each other. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an actuating element (13) for adjusting the second spring leg (121) in the plug-in space (14). Contact element (1) after Claim 10 , characterized in that the actuating element (13) along an actuating direction (B) is displaceably guided on the contact body (10). Contact element (1) after Claim 10 or 11 , characterized in that the actuating element (13) has a head (130) and two parallel to each other of the head (130) extended leg (131), wherein the legs (131) at least partially enclose the spring element (12) between them. Contact element (1) after Claim 12 , characterized in that the actuating element (13) on at least one leg (131) has at least one latching portion (132, 133) for latching connection with the spring element (12). Method for producing a contact element (1), in which an electrical contact section (11) for plug-in connection with an associated mating contact element (3) and a contact section (10) which is connected to the contact section (11) and forms a plug-in space (14) an electrical line (2) in an insertion direction (E) for electrical connection to the contact element (1) can be inserted, are provided and a spring element (12) on the contact body (10) is arranged such that the spring element (12) a first spring leg (120) on the contact body (10) is supported and with a second spring leg (121) in the plug-in space (14) for interacting with a plugged into the plug-in space (14) electrical line (2) protrudes, characterized in that the first spring leg (120) is positively connected to the contact body (10) by the first spring leg (120) having an opening (122) to a fastening device (104 ) of the contact body (10) is attached. Method according to Claim 14 , characterized in that after attachment, the fastening device (104) is plastically deformed.

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