DE102019101822A1 - Protective conductor contact - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a contacting element for establishing an electrically conductive connection between a protective contact plug and a protective conductor, the contacting element having a crimp contact, so that the protective contact plug can be contacted by the contacting element at its crimping section. Furthermore, the invention relates to a plug-in module for a modular plug-in connection system with at least one protective contact pole and the modular plug-in connector with at least one plug-in module. Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly method for producing a structural unit consisting of a plug-in module with a contacting element.

Description

The invention relates to contacting element for establishing an electrically conductive connection between a protective contact plug and a protective conductor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a plug-in module for a modular plug-in connection system with at least one protective contact pole and the modular plug-in connector with at least one plug-in module. Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly method for producing a structural unit consisting of a plug-in module with a contacting element.

Connectors in a wide variety of designs and variants are used for contacting or producing detachable electrically conductive connections. One possibility for contacting is the use of modular rectangular connectors with a plurality of contacting elements, which can be arranged in one or more modules within the connector. Such connectors can be adapted very flexibly to different contacting tasks, performance ranges, IP protection classes, etc. due to the modular structure due to the use of different modules.

Depending on the embodiment of the modular connector, one or a plurality of modules can be accommodated within module slots in the connector. The modules are constructed in such a way that at least one pole is integrated. Modules with up to 20 poles are also implemented.

An important function of plug connections that can be fulfilled is to achieve protective grounding. For this purpose, a protective conductor contact is often functionally implemented with or on the module frame or housing of the modular connector, rectangular connector.

The DE 100 09 750 B4 presents a connector, in particular a rectangular connector, in which the protective contact attachment or PE contact attachment, that is, the attachment of the contact elements in the insulating body of the connector and in the finished connector is possible in a simple manner, with reliable contacting of the protective conductor (PE) Contact element with the housing and secure mounting of the PE contact in the connector is aimed. For this purpose, holding means and receiving means are proposed, which are formed in one piece or in contact with the plug housing and which receives the protective contact element in a locking manner.

The discloses a protective contact plug connector from assembled individual components DE 20 2017 103 404 U1 . It is proposed that protective contact plug connectors constructed from individual components have a housing collar which is formed from insulation material and receives at least two plug contacts along a longitudinal axis. The protective contact pin is electrically contacted and mechanically coupled by a protective contact clip.

The known earthing contact plug connectors contact the earthing contact bolts at their insertion length and are generally functionally designed as receiving elements in a locking manner. As a result, the geometric designs are complex and require a corresponding dimensioning for the locking function in order to implement the holding forces to be applied.

• - beispielsweise durch Schraubkontakte, Lötverbindungen, Verpressen oder dergleichen. Weiterhin kann sich der Montageprozess aufwändig gestalten durch die Festlegung, Führung oder Anordnung der Kontaktierungsmittel zwischen Schutzleiter und dem Schutzkontaktelement.

A disadvantage of known solutions is also often that additional assembly steps are required to establish contact of the contact partner (s) with the protective contact element

• - For example, by screw contacts, solder connections, pressing or the like. Furthermore, the assembly process can be complex by defining, guiding or arranging the contacting means between the protective conductor and the protective contact element.

It is an object of the invention to further develop modular connector systems with regard to their protective conductor function and to improve them in such a way that the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art are at least partially reduced and / or to support and in particular an improved, simplified assembly of the contacting means for realizing protective conductor arrangements in connectors to provide a solution to connect the connector housing to the protective conductor.

To achieve the object, the invention proposes a modified design of a contacting element between the connector housing and protective contact element. The invention also recognizes that improvements to the aforementioned disadvantages can be achieved by a new module for use in the modular connector.

As a contacting element between the connector housing and protective contact element, the invention now provides a three-dimensionally extended contacting means that is based on a flat semifinished product and has electrically conductive material properties. The contacting means is designed in such a way that an electrically conductive connection between the protective conductor contact device, for example a PE clamping screw (protective conductor clamping screw) of the connector housing or the module frame and the crimp contact of a protective contact element can be produced. Such a sheet metal bracket uses a novel connection or contacting principle on the crimp area of a protective contact element instead of the contacting in the area of the protective contact bolt or protective contact shoe of the protective contact plug. For this purpose, a slotted sleeve is provided at the end of the contacting element as the contacting geometry for the crimp contact and is designed in such a way that contact closure to the collar of the crimping contact is realized by a permanently acting elastic spring force. The contacting element is also electrically conductively connected to the PE contacting device of the connector housing or the module frame, so that the electrical connection between the crimp contact and the PE contact on the module frame is permanently ensured.

The contacting geometry in the form of a slotted sleeve also has the advantage that when the crimp contact is installed in the contact space of the crimp contacting, no additional assembly steps are required for contacting, but the contacting element automatically carries out the contacting.

The contacting element is constructed in such a way that it is guided through two pressing webs during an assembly process and is held and fixed in its end position.

The invention further provides a plug-in module that is compatible with at least one of the module slots within the modular connector and is geometrically designed to interact with the contacting element and to support an electrically conductive connection between the crimp contact and PE contact on the module frame through its arrangement within the module frame .

The plug-in module according to the invention is at least single-pole. The at least one pole is designed as a protective contact with a crimp section and a protective contact pin in some areas. The protective contact pole integrated in the module can be provided as an alternative or in addition to a protective contact device outside the modules of the modular plug connector. If the plug-in module is designed according to the invention with two or more poles, at least one of the several poles is a protective contact pole.

Furthermore, it can optionally be provided that the protective contact pole projects relative to the further poles within the module according to the invention or the further modules of the modular plug connector, so that a leading protective effect is provided.

The invention makes it possible to use reliable and inexpensive crimp contacts for the protective contact and to simplify assembly.

• 1 ein erstes Beispiel des Kontaktierungselementes, Blechwinkel mit jeweils endseitig vorgesehener Crimpkontaktierung und Schutzleiterkontaktierung in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;
• 2 in einer dreidimensionalen Ansicht beispielhaft ein mögliches Steckmodul für den modularen Steckverbinder mit vormontiertem Kontaktierungselement;
• 3 die Draufsicht sowie Schnittdarstellung des Beispiel-Steckmoduls aus 2 mit vormontiertem Kontaktierungselement;
• 4 die Draufsicht sowie Schnittdarstellung des Beispiel-Steckmoduls aus 2 mit vormontiertem Kontaktierungselement und eingebrachtem Schutzkontaktstecker;
• 5 die perspektivische Ansicht auf den modularen Steckverbinder mit vormontiertem Steckmodul und Kontaktierungselement;
• 6 ein zweites Beispiel des Kontaktierungselementes, Blechwinkel mit jeweils endseitig vorgesehener Crimpkontaktierung und Schutzleiterkontaktierung in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;
• 7 das zweite beispielhafte Kontaktierungselement kontaktiert mit dem Schutzkontaktstecker in einer räumlichen Darstellung und dem dazu korrespondierenden Gegenstecker;
• 8 die Anordnung gemäß 7, eingebracht in jeweils ein Steckmodul und
• 9 die perspektivische Ansicht auf den modularen Steckverbinder mit vormontiertem Steckmodul und Kontaktierungselement gemäß dem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel.

The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the figures. Show:

• 1 a first example of the contacting element, sheet metal angle with crimp contacting provided at each end and protective conductor contact in a perspective view;
• 2nd in a three-dimensional view, as an example, a possible plug-in module for the modular plug connector with a preassembled contacting element;
• 3rd the top view and sectional view of the example plug-in module 2nd with pre-assembled contacting element;
• 4th the top view and sectional view of the example plug-in module 2nd with pre-assembled contacting element and inserted protective contact plug;
• 5 the perspective view of the modular connector with pre-assembled plug-in module and contacting element;
• 6 a perspective view of a second example of the contacting element, sheet metal angle with crimp contacting provided at each end and protective conductor contact;
• 7 the second exemplary contacting element makes contact with the protective contact plug in a spatial representation and the mating plug corresponding thereto;
• 8th the arrangement according to 7 , inserted in a plug-in module and
• 9 the perspective view of the modular connector with pre-assembled plug-in module and contacting element according to the second embodiment.

1 forms the first example of the contacting element, sheet metal angle 100 with crimp contacts provided at the ends 110 and protective conductor contact 120 in a perspective view. The structure of the contacting element can be in one or more parts, in the exemplary embodiment shown a flat semifinished product serves as the basis 101 made of an electrically conductive, formable material. A defining section 102 is provided to the contacting element 100 on a receiving section 132 of the plug-in module 130 to be able to assemble and fix. By jumping the breadth of the flat semifinished product 101 can end of the fixing section 102 an investment shoulder, end stop 103 be formed so that the assembly line of the contacting element 100 relative to the receiving section 132 of the plug-in module 130 limited and the defined end position is supported to each other. In this way, the axial position of the crimp contact is still 110 in the receiving space for the safety plug 131 given.

The contacting element 100 extends in three spatial directions. This means that the geometric configuration is selected such that an electrically conductive connection between a protective contact plug 140 and the protective conductor holder 11 beyond the part limits of connector housings 10th and receiving space for safety plug 131 can be realized without component collisions. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the crimp contacts are 110 and the protective conductor contact 120 realized in planes that are not plane-parallel to each other. Depending on the geometric situation of the connector module frame 10th and / or the plug-in module 130 or the location of the sections to be contacted 11 , 141 any other level positions may be required.

A possible configuration of the protective conductor contact 120 of the contacting element 100 shows 1 such that at an end face of the flat semifinished product 101 a U-shaped slot opening that is open on one side 121 is provided, which together with the optional threading aid in the form of rounded ends 122 forms the protective conductor contact.

The crimp contact 110 end of the flat semifinished product 101 the contacting element 100 is formed by a slotted sleeve section 111 to enclose the crimp section 141 and / or the crimp collar 141 ' the safety plug 140 . The sleeve section 111 is realized and tolerated in terms of its wall thickness and section height as well as its inside diameter in such a way that the expansion of the sleeve section that results during assembly 111 A permanent spring force acts in the elastic and / or elastic-plastic area, which permanently establishes electrical contact between the inside of the sleeve and the outside area of the crimp section.

The sleeve section 111 can be realized as a separate component that on the flat semifinished product 101 is fixed or in one piece with the flat semifinished product 101 can be realized, for example as a result of a massive forming process. Regardless of the one-part or multi-part implementation, the connecting section 113 towards the insertion side of the safety plug 140 be rounded to facilitate the threading process and to "hang up" or snag the protective contact plug 140 when inserted into the sleeve section 111 to prevent.

The sleeve section can be supplemented 111 by at least one cantilever 114 , which can also be rounded off to facilitate the threading process. The over the outer diameter of the sleeve section 111 protruding axial surface section of the at least one projecting element 114 can be used as an abutment shoulder for the safety plug 140 on its waistband, crimp collar 141 ' (Jump in diameter, concentric ring shoulder in sections) between the crimp section 141 and shoe section 142 and on the underside as a system within the receiving space for the safety plug 131 of the plug-in module 130 be used.

2nd shows an example of a possible plug-in module in a three-dimensional view 130 for the modular connector 1 with pre-assembled contacting element 100 . The plug-in module 130 In this exemplary embodiment, it is designed as a two-pole module, ie a second contacting device is formed in addition to the protective contact function.
The contacting element 100 forms in the pre-assembly shown together with the plug-in module 130 a unit that is suitable in the connector housing 10th of the modular connector 1 used and via at least one latching corresponding to the connector housing 133 (In the example here there are two catches 133 provided) to be determined.

The assembly of the contacting element 100 into the plug-in module 130 is carried out by a lateral assembly movement such that the contacting element 100 with its crimp contact 110 radially through a side opening 134 in the recording room 131 of the plug-in module 130 is introduced. This is followed by a force-displacement application in the axial direction of the plug-in module 130 compression of the fixing section 102 the contacting element 100 with the receiving section 132 of the plug-in module 130 and / or the crimp contact 110 with the recording room 131 reached. As an alternative to pressing the fixing section 102 the contacting element 100 with the receiving section 132 of the plug-in module 130 this connection can also be used as a guide with a degree of freedom of movement in the axial direction of the plug-in module 130 serve.

3rd illustrates the top view and sectional view of the example plug-in module 130 out 2nd with pre-assembled contacting element 100 . Due to the offset, here plane-parallel position of the protective conductor contact 120 and crimp contact 110 is the contacting element 100 with appropriate overlap 104 constructed.

The crimp contact 110 the contacting element 100 is positioned vertically within the recording room 131 of the plug-in module and in regions in the axial direction with the at least one projecting element 114 attached to the ledge 135 . The electrically conductive connection of the crimp contact 110 is through the here as an outrigger 101 ' constructed section and in the further extension by the flat semifinished product 101 with protective conductor contact 120 formed contacting element 100 realized.

4th includes the top view and sectional view of the example plug-in module 130 out 2nd and 3rd with pre-assembled contacting element 100 and inserted protective plug 140 . In this assembly situation, the contacting task is on the crimp side of the contact element 100 fully manufactured and an assembly unit for further use in the modular connector 1 educated.

The safety plug 140 is on his waistband, crimp collar 141 ' between crimp section 141 and shoe section 142 from the crimp contact 110 of the contact element 100 at least in sections comprises and provides the permanent contact through the permanently acting spring force of the sleeve section 111 between the inside of the sleeve and the outside of the crimp section.

The axial position of the projection 135 inside the recording room 131 of the plug-in module 130 can be chosen so that the position of the safety plug 140 is modified so that it is opposite the at least one further pole of the plug-in module 130 or the poles of further plug-in modules within the modular plug connector 1 A leading protective effect results from the fact that the safety plug 140 contacted with its connection partner, mating connector when plugging together first and before all other poles and when disconnecting the connector disconnects the contact to all other poles.

5 forms the perspective view of the modular connector 1 with pre-assembled plug-in module 130 and contacting element 100 from. That in the module frame 10th of the modular connector 1 recorded plug-in module 130 is about at least one latch 133 and the corresponding module frame latching 12th in the connector 1 fixed. The example shown here uses one plug-in module 130 two preferably opposite latches 12th , 133 , because the pair of lockable rocker switches support easy handling.

The contacting element 100 is the end of its protective conductor contact 120 with the protective conductor holder 11 contacted, which is designed here, for example, as a clamping screw with a screwing plate and whose thread area in sections is in contact with the elongated hole recess 121 is enclosed.

6 includes a second example of the contacting element, sheet metal angle 100 with crimp contacts provided at the ends 110 and protective conductor contact 120 in a perspective view The assault 104 is spatially wound in this second embodiment such that the protective conductor contact 120 and the boom 101 ' different than in the exemplary embodiment according to 1 not in largely plane-parallel planes, but deviating from them in mutually inclined planes. In this way, practically any overlap distances can be realized.

7 illustrates the second exemplary contacting element 100 makes contact with the safety plug 140 in a spatial representation and the corresponding mating connector 140 ' .

8th shows the arrangement according to 7 inserted in a plug-in module 130 or mating module 130 ' , so that there is a preassembled unit that is formed by itself.

9 forms the perspective view of the modular connector 1 with pre-assembled plug-in module 130 and contacting element 100 according to the second embodiment 6 from. A modular mating connector is used to clarify the contacting situation 1' pictured, the practically a corresponding, otherwise identical design of the modular connector 1 corresponds.

Reference list

1

modular connector, modular connector system

1'

Mating connector

10th

Connector housing, connector module frame

11

Protective conductor holder

12th

Module frame locking

13

Connector housing screw connection

100

Contacting element, sheet metal angle

101

Flat semifinished product

101 '

boom

102

Definition section

103

Contact shoulder, end stop

104

Assault

110

Crimp contact

111

Sleeve section, cylinder section

112

Slot, recess

113

Connecting section

114

cantilevered element

120

Protective conductor contact

121

Elongated hole

122

Threading aid, rounding off

130

Plug-in module

130 '

Mating module

131

Recording space for safety plug

132

Receiving section, grouting bar

133

Latching

134

opening

135

head Start

140

Safety plug

140 '

Mating connector

141

Crimp section of the safety plug

141 '

Crimp collar of the safety plug

142

Shoe section of the safety plug

SL

Protective conductor connection

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 10009750 B4 [0005]
• DE 202017103404 U1 [0006]

Claims (16)

Contacting element (100) for establishing an electrically conductive connection between a protective contact plug (140) with a crimp section (141) and a protective conductor, characterized in that the contacting element (100) has a crimp contact (110), so that the protective contact plug (140) through the Contacting element (100) on its crimp section (141) can be contacted. Contacting element (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the crimp contact (110) is formed by a sleeve section (111) with a slot (112) and is configured such that a crimp section (141) of a protective contact plug (140) can be received on the inside of the sleeve section. Contacting element (100) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that a permanently acting spring force of the sleeve section (111) creates a permanent electrically conductive connection with the crimp section (141) of the receptacle plug (140). Contacting element (100) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that an electrically conductive connection between the protective conductor contact (120) with the protective conductor connection can be established. Contacting element (100) according to Claim 2 , characterized in that the sleeve section (111) has at least one projecting element (114). Contacting element (100) according to Claim 5 , characterized in that the at least one projecting element (114) has a contact shoulder for the protective contact plug (140) and / or a contact shoulder for support on a projection (135) in the receiving space (131) of a plug-in module (130). Contacting element (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that its three-dimensional extension is based on a flat semifinished product (101) and is formed by at least one arm (101 ') and one fixing section (102) and one overlap (104). Contacting element (100) according to Claim 1 , characterized in that a protective conductor contact (120) having an elongated hole recess (121) is provided. Plug-in module (130) for a modular plug-in connection system (1) having at least one pole for realizing a protective contact function, characterized in that a receiving space for a protective contact plug (131) has an opening (134) through which a contacting element (100) with its crimp contact ( 110) according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th can be introduced. Plug-in module (130) according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the plug-in module (130) has a receiving section (132) corresponding to the fixing section (102) of the contacting element (100), so that the contacting element (100) can be fixed. Plug-in module (130) according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the receiving space for a protective contact plug (131) is designed in such a way that a protective contact plug (140) which is to be received supports the leading protective action. Modular connector (1) for realizing multiple electrically conductive contacts comprising a connector housing (10) and at least one protective conductor receptacle (11), characterized in that at least one plug-in module (130) according to one of the Claims 9 to 11 with a contacting element (100) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7 can be inserted into the connector housing (10). Modular connector (1) according to Claim 12 , characterized in that the protective conductor receptacle (11) is designed to correspond to the protective conductor contact (120) of the contacting element (100) and its contacting with the introduction of a preassembled structural unit consisting of plug module (130) with contacting element (100) into the connector housing (10) supported. Modular connector (1) according to Claim 12 , characterized in that the connector comprises a metallic housing and in which a connector module frame (10) with an insulating property is introduced. Modular connector (1) according to Claim 14 , characterized in that the connector module frame (10) has a protective conductor connection (SL) of a protective conductor for contacting the metallic housing. Assembly method for producing a structural unit consisting of a plug-in module (130) with a contacting element (100) comprising the assembly steps a. Introducing the contacting element (100) with its contacting section (110) into a contact carrier module; b. Insert a protective contact (140) with crimped protective conductor into the contact carrier so that the protective contact is gripped by the crimp contact (110).

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