DE102018214207A1 - Basic body for an electrical contact element and electrical contact element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3), the base body (1) having at least one receptacle (5) for a mating contact element, in particular for a flat contact. The invention also relates to an electrical contact element (3). In order to maintain an electrical connection even when the base body or the contact element is exposed to vibrations, the invention provides that the base body (1) or the contact element (3) has at least one chamber (21) for at least one vibration-damping element (23 ) exhibit.

Description

The invention relates to a base body for an electrical contact element, the base body having at least one receptacle for a mating contact element, in particular for a flat contact. The invention further relates to an electrical contact element with at least one receptacle for a mating contact element, in particular for a flat contact.

Basic bodies for electrical contact elements and contact elements are known in the prior art. Base bodies, which can also be referred to as base structures or holding structures, give stability to an electrical contact element and can determine the shape of a contact element. The base bodies often serve to accommodate counter-contact elements, for example for flat contacts. The base body can be provided with guide elements for such a flat contact. The base body can be provided with a receptacle for a contacting device for electrical contacting of the mating contact element. This contacting device can itself be a flat contact, for example. Alternatively, the contacting device can be provided with a contacting plate with elastic deflectable elements which come into contact with the flat contact as soon as it is arranged in the base body. If the base body is made of a sufficiently electrically conductive material, the base body itself can also be used to make electrical contact with the mating contact element. However, since the base body is often intended to have a stabilizing function, it is preferably made of a material in which mechanical stability is paramount, as a result of which the electrical conductivity can be reduced. In this case, the electrical connection to the mating contact element is established by the contacting device.

Regardless of whether the base body itself is used for electrical contacting or is instead provided with a contacting device, the base body can represent a socket for a mating contact element, in particular for a flat contact.

It is the object of the invention to improve the base body for electrical contact elements and electrical contact elements in such a way that an electrical connection can also be maintained when the base body or the contact element are exposed to vibrations or vibrations.

This object is achieved for a base body of the type mentioned above in that the base body has at least one chamber for at least one vibration-damping element.

For an electrical contact element of the type mentioned above, the object according to the invention is achieved in that the contact element has at least one chamber for at least one vibration-damping element. The chamber can in particular be formed by a base body according to the invention. For this purpose, the electrical contact element can be provided with a base body according to the invention.

The chamber according to the invention in the base body or in the electrical contact element can be used to hold a vibration-damping element. The vibration-damping element can absorb vibrations and convert them into heat, for example by internal friction. As a result, the amplitude of the vibrations in the base body or in the contact element can be reduced, as a result of which the electrical connection, in particular to a counter-contact element, is less affected by vibrations. This can improve the security of an electrical connection.

The solution according to the invention can be further improved by various configurations which are each advantageous in themselves and can be combined with one another as desired. These configurations and the advantages associated with them are discussed below.

According to a first advantageous embodiment, at least one vibration-damping element can be enclosed in the chamber. In other words, the chamber can be closed to the outside. At this point, closed means that the chamber is sealed for the at least one vibration-damping element. This can ensure that the at least one vibration-damping element cannot emerge from the chamber. Several vibration-damping elements can also be included in the chamber.

At least one outer wall of the chamber can protrude into the receptacle for the mating contact element. The at least one outer wall of the chamber can thus limit the receptacle for the mating contact element.

In particular, the at least one outer wall can form an abutment for a counter-contact element. For example, a counter-contact element can be supported on the outer wall while it is electrically contacted on a side of the base body opposite the receptacle. This can be particularly advantageous if that Mating contact element or a contacting device in the base body is provided with elastically deflectable elements, for example contact springs. The outer wall can then prevent the mating contact element from escaping when the pressure is exerted by the contact springs.

In order to simplify the production of a base body according to the invention, a conversion of the at least one chamber can be formed in one piece. The conversion of the chamber is to be understood as the entirety of the walls enclosing or delimiting the chamber. In other words, the walls of the chamber can be formed in one piece, that is to say monolithically. The above-mentioned outer wall is preferably part of this conversion. The conversion is also particularly preferably formed in one piece or monolithically with further parts of the base body. In particular, the entire base body can be formed monolithically.

The base body is preferably a stamped and bent part. The base body, including the wall of the chamber, can be formed from a single piece of sheet metal or other suitable starting material. This makes it particularly easy to achieve a monolithic structure.

In order to obtain a stable base body, it is preferably made of stainless steel or spring steel. As a result, the base body can be stiffer than a material for producing the electrical contact, for which purpose copper-containing, ie soft, materials are generally used.

In order to obtain a base body with the desired vibration-damping properties, at least one vibration-damping element is preferably accommodated in the chamber. The at least one vibration-damping element can be inserted into the chamber during manufacture of the base body. If, for example, the base body is manufactured as a stamped and bent part, the at least one vibration-damping element can be arranged in the chamber before it is closed, for example by folding over the starting material.

The at least one vibration-damping element is preferably highly viscous. On the one hand, vibrations can be well damped and on the other hand, the element can be prevented from escaping from the chamber. For example, it is not necessary to make the chamber gas-tight or liquid-tight. High viscosity is meant in the sense of at least viscous or gel-like. Alternatively, the element can also be rubber or foam. The at least one vibration-damping element preferably has at least a viscosity of 10 ^-4 millipascal seconds.

The at least one vibration-damping element can be formed, for example, by a substance filled in the chamber. Alternatively, the element can also be an insert or insert that can be inserted into the chamber. It is also possible for the element to have an outer shell which is filled with a liquid. This can also prevent the liquid from escaping from the chamber.

The at least one vibration-damping element is preferably made of fat, elastomer, gel and / or plastic. Combinations of these or other materials can also be used. In particular, the at least one vibration-damping element accommodated in the chamber can consist of a plurality of elements and / or substances of different viscosity. As a result, the internal friction in the element can be increased and, in turn, the vibration damping can thereby be improved. Such an effect is known, for example, from a raw egg during rotation.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one vibration-damping element can consist of a combination of completely different materials. For example, a solid material and a viscous material can be combined. The materials can also have different densities.

For example, a solid core can be embedded in a viscous material. The solid core can be made of metal, for example, and can have a disk shape, pill shape, rod shape or any other suitable shape. The viscous material surrounding the core can be formed from one of the materials mentioned above, for example an elastomer. Of course, the core can also be formed from another solid material, for example from ceramic or from a mineral.

The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example using various embodiments with reference to the drawings. The combinations of features shown by way of example in the embodiments can be supplemented by further features in accordance with the above statements in accordance with the properties of the base body according to the invention and the contact element according to the invention necessary for a specific application. Also, also in accordance with the above, individual features can be omitted from the described embodiments if it affects the effect this feature does not arrive in a specific application. The same reference numerals are always used in the drawings for elements with the same function and / or the same structure.

• 1 ein elektrisches Kontaktelement mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Grundkörper in einer perspektivischen Darstellung;
• 2 das elektrische Kontaktelement aus 1 in einem Querschnitt entlang einer Einstteckrichtung; und
• 3 schematisch ein schwingungsdämpfendes Element aus verschiedenen Materialien.

Show it:

• 1 an electrical contact element with a base body according to the invention in a perspective view;
• 2 the electrical contact element 1 in a cross section along an insertion direction; and
• 3 schematically a vibration-damping element made of different materials.

The following are a basic body according to the invention and a contact element according to the invention with reference to FIG 1 and 2 described.

The basic body according to the invention 1 can be part of a contact element 3 his. The basic body 1 can the structure of the contact element 3 essentially define. In other words, the main body 1 a basic structure or a framework for the contact element 3 form. The basic body 1 points to a recording 5 for a mating contact element (not shown). The mating contact element can in particular be a flat contact. Consequently, the main body 1 a socket for the contact element 3 form. The basic body can do this 1 itself be electrically conductive or instead with a contacting device 7 be provided by the one in the recording 5 arranged counter contact element is electrically contactable. The basic body 1 and / or the contacting device 7 can with an electrical conductor 9 be electrically connected.

The contacting device 7 can be used with elastically deflectable contact springs 11 be provided which in the recording 5 protrude. These contact springs 11 can when inserting a mating contact element into the receptacle 5 elastic from the recording 5 are deflected away and press against the counter-contact element by their spring force.

A mating contact element can be inserted through an insertion 13 along an insertion direction 15 in the recording 5 be introduced. The contact spring mentioned above 11 is preferably transverse to the direction of insertion 15 deflectable.

A width 17 the recording 5 is preferably greater than a height 19 the recording 5 , width 17 and height 19 are transverse to each other and transverse to the direction of insertion 15 measured. The contact spring mentioned above is preferred 11 along the direction of the height 19 deflectable. Along the height 19 a normal force can be exerted on a counter-contact element. The recording 5 has essentially a flat shape due to the preferred dimensions described above, so that it is complementary to a flat contact.

The basic body 1 has a chamber 21 on. In this chamber 21 can at least one vibration-damping element 23 (in 2 shown in dashed lines).

Through the at least one vibration-damping element 23 can vibrate in the body 1 or in the contact element 3 be dampened. This can improve the security of an electrical connection to a mating contact element.

The at least one vibration-damping element is preferred 23 made from a highly viscous material. In particular, the item 23 be made of rubber, fat or elastomer. It is also possible to use a combination of substances of different viscosities. In this way, an effect like that of a raw egg can arise, whereby kinetic energy is converted into heat by a strong internal friction.

The element 23 can in the manufacture of the base body 1 into the chamber 21 be filled. Alternatively, the item 23 also be formed as an insert or an insert which is in the chamber 21 can be used. The element 23 can also be formed as a solid shell with a liquid filling. In this way it is also possible to use substances whose viscosity is so low that they leave the chamber without the casing 21 would leak.

At least one element 23 in the chamber 21 to hold is the chamber 21 preferably formed so that the element 23 in the chamber 21 is included. The chamber should 21 be sufficiently dense around the element 23 depending on the viscosity. In other words, the chamber 21 the denser the more viscous the element 23 is.

An example of a vibration damping element according to the invention 23 is below with reference to the 3 described.

The chamber 21 is through a transformation 25 limited. The transformation 25 is by the sum of the chamber 21 bounding walls formed. At least one outside wall 27 the chamber 21 which is also part of the conversion 25 preferably protrudes into the receptacle 5 into it. The outer wall 27 preferably runs parallel to the direction of insertion 15 and parallel to the width 17 the recording 5 , This allows the outer wall 27 flat on one in the recording 5 applied flat contact. Consequently, the outer wall 27 thereby the admission 5 at least in one direction, especially in the direction of height 19 , limit.

The outer wall 27 can be an abutment 29 form for a mating contact element, in particular for a flat contact. In other words, the at least one contact spring 11 press against a mating contact element with a spring force. The force then acts towards the chamber 21 , Through the outside wall 27 however, the counter-contact element cannot be removed from the contact spring 11 be moved away and is thereby prevented from moving.

The conversion is preferred 25 formed in one piece, i.e. monolithically. The entire base body is particularly preferred 1 made monolithically by stamping and bending from a sheet metal. During production, for example, the one in the receptacle 5 protruding part of the chamber 21 be shaped. In other words, the outer wall first 27 and which is in the direction of insertion 15 opposite walls 31 and 32 as well as possible (not shown) side walls are formed. Then the still open chamber 21 with the element 23 be provided. The next step is to fold a material over a lid 33 be formed of the chamber 21 on the outside wall 27 closes opposite side. Consequently, both the lid 33 as well as the outer wall 27 made from one piece and together by a material bridge 35 connected.

The closer to the insertion opening 13 located wall 31 is preferably aligned obliquely, so that a counter-contact element through the wall 31 to record 5 is feasible. In other words, the wall 31 an insertion slope 34 represents.

The basic body 1 can have at least one holding element 37 for the contacting device 7 exhibit. The holding device 37 can, for example, by a receptacle for part of the contacting device 7 be educated. As a result, the contacting device can move transversely to the insertion direction 15 be prevented. Also the holding device 37 is preferably formed monolithically with the rest of the base body. Furthermore, the basic body 1 locking elements 39 have, which can also be formed monolithically with the rest of the base body. Through the locking elements 39 , which is preferably essentially in the direction of insertion 15 diagonally from the rest of the body 1 extend away, the base body 1 in one housing 41 be locked. The housing 41 can be part of the contact element 3 his.

The basic body 1 is preferably made of stainless steel or spring steel. Alternatively, the base body 1 also consist of another material that has a higher electrical conductivity than steel. In this case, the contacting device can also 7 be formed monolithically with the rest of the base body.

The following is briefly an embodiment for a vibration-damping element 23 with respect to the 3 described. The vibration damping element 23 can in the chamber 21 the embodiment of the base body described above 1 be included.

The vibration damping element 23 has a core 43 which consists of a solid material. For example, the core 43 be made of a metal. In the 3 The form shown is only an example. The core 43 can also have any other shape. For example, the core can be disc-shaped, pill-shaped, spherical or rod-shaped. The core 43 is surrounded by a pillow 45 made of material 47 , which is preferably viscous. The material 47 can in particular be an elastomer, fat, gel or foamed plastic. The vibration damping element 23 can before inserting into the chamber 21 manufactured and then as an insert in the chamber 21 be used.

At the core 43 it can also be a viscous material whose viscosity is different from that of the outer material 47 differs. It is also possible to use the pillow 45 from a solid material and the core 43 to form from a viscous material. The compositions and the choice of materials depend on the intended use of the base body 1 or the contact element 3 from.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

body

3

contact element

5

admission

7

contacting

9

Electrical conductor

11

contact spring

13

insertion

15

insertion

17

width

19

height

21

chamber

23

Vibration damping element

25

walling

27

outer wall

29

abutment

31, 32

walls

33

cover

34

chamfer

35

material bridge

37

holder

39

locking elements

41

casing

43

core

45

pillow

47

material

Claims (14)

Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3), the base body (1) having at least one receptacle (5) for a mating contact element, in particular for a flat contact, characterized in that the base body (1) has at least one chamber (21) for at least one vibration-damping element (23). Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3) Claim 1 , characterized in that at least one vibration-damping element (23) can be enclosed in the chamber (21). Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3) Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that at least one outer wall (27) of the chamber (21) projects into the receptacle (5) for the mating contact element. Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3) Claim 3 , characterized in that the at least one outer wall (27) forms an abutment (29) for a mating contact element. Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that a conversion (25) of the at least one chamber (21) is formed in one piece. Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the base body (1) is a stamped and bent part. Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the base body (1) is made of stainless steel or spring steel. Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that at least one vibration-damping element (23) is accommodated in the chamber (21). Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3) Claim 8 , characterized in that the at least one vibration-damping element (23) is highly viscous. Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3) Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the at least one vibration-damping element (23) made of fat, elastomer, gel and / or plastic. Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3) according to one of the Claims 8 to 10 , characterized in that the at least one vibration-damping element (23) accommodated in the chamber (21) consists of a plurality of elements and / or substances of different viscosity. Base body (1) for an electrical contact element (3) according to one of the Claims 8 to 11 , characterized in that the at least one vibration-damping element (23) accommodated in the chamber (21) consists of a plurality of elements and / or substances of different densities. Electrical contact element (3) with at least one receptacle (5) for a mating contact element, in particular for a flat contact, characterized in that the contact element (3) has at least one chamber (21) for at least one vibration-damping element (23). Electrical contact element (3) after Claim 12 , characterized in that the contact element (3) with at least one base body (1) according to one of the Claims 1 to 12 is provided which has the at least one chamber (21).

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