DE102019107355A1 - Tool-free contacting of an electrical conductor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical contact element (1, 1 ', 1 ") which has a contact area (4) and a connection area (3), the surface of the connection area (3) of the contact element (1, 1', 1" ) is at least partially covered with nanowires or a reactive substance (5). The invention further relates to an insulating body for a connector, the insulating body (10) having a first area (11) for making electrical contact with an electrical conductor (2) and has at least one second area (12) for making electrical contact with an electrical contact element (1), the first area (11) and the second area (12) being connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner and the first area (11) and the second area ( 12) are each covered with nanowires or a reactive substance (5).

Description

The invention is based on an electrical contact element according to the preamble of independent claim 1. The invention further relates to a system consisting of such a contact element and an electrical conductor according to claim 8. The invention also relates to an insulating body for a connector according to claim 12.

Contact elements are used in particular in electrical connectors. An electrical conductor is electrically conductively contacted or connected to the contact elements.

State of the art

The DE 20 2018 104 958 U1 shows contact elements that are made of solid material and that have a crimp connection for making electrical contact with an electrical conductor. Crimping pliers are required for this. Different crimp connection areas must also be provided for different conductor cross-sectional areas. Therefore, different contact elements must always be stored in a warehouse.

The EP 3 120 420 A1 shows a contact carrier in which the electrical conductors are connected to the respective contact elements with the aid of a screw connection. This type of electrical contact is very reliable, but requires a lot of installation space and requires the use of a tool (screwdriver).

The DE 10 2006 029 075 B4 shows a possibility to connect an electrical conductor to an electrical contact element in an electrically conductive manner with the aid of a crimp sleeve without tools. Such a solution is mechanically complex and requires a lot of installation space.

Task

The object of the invention is to at least reduce the disadvantages known from the prior art and to realize a simple, reliable and inexpensive electrical contact between a conductor and a contact element.

The object is achieved by the respective subject matter of the independent claims.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

The electrical contact element according to the invention has a contact area and a connection area. The contact area is designed as a substantially cylindrical contact pin or as a contact socket with a plurality of contact tongues. The connection area has a surface which is covered at least in some areas with nanowires and / or a reactive substance.

A nanowire is a fine, elongated piece of metal, a semimetal or a compound semiconductor with a diameter of up to 100 nanometers (0.1 micrometers = 0.0001 millimeters). Metallically conductive carbon nanotubes can also be referred to as nanowires. In the sense of the invention, the nanowires have electrically conductive properties.

According to the invention, a reactive substance means a substance that triggers a chemical reaction and physically (firmly) connects or welds or cold-welds two, in particular metallic bodies, for example the contact element and the strands of a conductor.

The reactive substance can in particular be a strongly exothermic reaction which favors the contact partners welding. However, it can also be a conductive adhesive that hardens quickly through contact with air. The protective cap or bladder mentioned above can keep the adhesive fresh or reactive until the flap or bladder is opened or pierced by the conductor or by the contact element.

A combination of nanowires and a reactive substance leads to a particularly stable result.

If the stripped end of an electrical conductor, in particular a stranded conductor, is brought into physical contact with the surface of the connection area of the contact element coated with nanowires, an electrically conductive connection is established between the electrical conductor and the contact element. This direct contact is maintained by the forces prevailing at the interface between the conductor and the contact element. The forces will be discussed in more detail later in the description.

The electrical conductor is advantageously connected in an electrically conductive manner to the connection area of the contact element via an intermediate element. This represents an indirect connection between the conductor and the contact element. In particular for the purpose of cold welding, the materials of the Contact element and the intermediate element be matched to one another.

If the intermediate element and the contact element are brought into touch contact at the surface areas provided for this purpose, the two elements are subsequently firmly connected to one another, possibly after a chemical reaction has taken place. Adhesive forces also act here. However, the main force is usually provided by the cold welding.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connection area of the contact element has a surface contour and / or a surface structure. The intermediate element advantageously also has a surface contour and / or a surface structure. This can be, for example, one or more notches or one or more webs. The surface area is enlarged by the contours or structures, so that a larger reaction surface, in particular for cold welding, is provided. The contours or structures also serve as a guide element that facilitates correct positioning when the components are pushed together / pushed together.

It is particularly advantageous if the surface contour and / or the surface structure of the connection area of the contact element and the surface contour and / or surface structure of the intermediate element directed towards the connection area of the contact element are designed to be complementary to one another. This provides a particularly firm and stable connection between the two elements.

The invention also relates to a system comprising an electrical contact element described above and an electrical conductor. According to the invention, the electrical conductor has a wire end sleeve on the connection side. The wire end ferrule is mechanically pressed onto the stripped area of the conductor. The ladder is already delivered accordingly.

Preferably, the surface of the end sleeve is also covered at least in some areas with nanowires or a reactive substance. It is also advantageous if the ferrule has a surface contour and / or a surface structure.

The mutually facing surface contours and / or surface structures of the contact element and the intermediate element and the mutually facing surface contours and / or surface structures of the intermediate element and the wire end sleeve are each designed complementary to one another. This configuration of the components creates a particularly high-tensile and long-lasting connection between the individual elements (contact element, intermediate element, wire end sleeve).

An inventive insulating body for a plug connector has at least one surface contour and / or a surface structure for making electrical contact with an electrical conductor and at the same time at least one surface contour and / or a surface structure for making electrical contact with an electrical contact element. The surface contours and / or surface structures can be designed as already described above. It is important that there is a continuous electrically conductive connection between the resulting connection area of the electrical conductor and the resulting connection area of the contact element.

The insulating body preferably has at least two surface contours and / or two surface structures for making electrical contact with an electrical conductor and an electrical contact element, there being an electrically conductive connection between a connection area for a contact element and a connection area for a conductor. A first area of the insulating body is provided for connecting the conductors and a second area is provided for connecting the contact elements.

As a rule, such insulating bodies have several connection areas for conductors (first areas) and associated connection areas for contact elements (second areas). With such an insulating body, the respective connection areas can be marked in color. This quickly shows which connection area of a conductor corresponds to a connection area of a contact element.

In a particularly preferred form of the invention, the areas provided with nanowires or a reactive substance are covered by a protective cap or a protective bubble, which protect the areas from contact and / or air and / or oxidation and / or reaction. The cap or bladder could be filled with a protective gas.

In an advantageous variant of the invention, the aforementioned areas are activated by a pretreatment step. This is particularly advantageous when no cap or bladder is provided. This pretreatment step cleans and / or activates the nanowires and / or reactive substance. In the case of nanowires made of a copper alloy, for example, citric acid can be used to remove the oxidized surface.

Embodiment

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung mehrerer erfindungsgemäßer Kontaktierungsvarianten von einem elektrischen Leiter mit einem elektrischen Kontaktelement und
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Steckverbinders, welcher einen erfindungsgemäßen Isolierkörper verwendet.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and is explained in more detail below. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of several inventive contacting variants of an electrical conductor with an electrical contact element and
• 2 a schematic representation of a connector which uses an insulating body according to the invention.

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference symbols are used for identical, but possibly not identical elements. Different views of the same elements could be scaled differently.

The 1 shows several variants like an electrical conductor 2 according to the invention with an electrical contact element 1 can be connected.

The contact element according to the invention 1 , 1' has a connection area 3 , 3 ' and a contact area 4th on. Via the contact area 4th an electrically conductive connection to a corresponding contact element, for example arranged in a mating connector, is established. The contact element 1 , 1' is shown here as a pin contact. A socket contact is also possible, however.

The surface of the connection area 3 , 3 ' of the contact element 1 , 1' is at least partially with nanowires or a reactive substance 5 is covered, which are shown in the figures as small lines on the surface or is. The connection area 3 ' of the contact element 1' can be a contour or structure 6th exhibit. The contour or structure 6th can take various forms and is in 1 exemplarily shown as a web with a triangular cross-section.

The contact element 1 , 1' is with an intermediate element 7th , 7 ' electrically connected. Also the intermediate element 7th is on the the contact element 1 , 1' facing area with nanowires or a reactive substance 5 covered. In other embodiments, the intermediate element 7th , 7 ''' a contour or structure 6 ' have that are complementary to the contour or structure 6th of the contact element 1' is designed. This allows the contact element 1' precisely fitting on the intermediate element 7 ' be positioned. In addition, the contours 6th , 6 ' the respective surfaces are enlarged, which also the effect of the nanowires or the reactive substance 5 enlarged accordingly.

The stripped end section of the conductor 2 is with a ferrule 8th Mistake. The surface area of the ferrule 8th , which with the intermediate element 7th , 7 ' , 7 " is brought into physical contact with nanowires or with a reactive substance 5 Mistake.

Out 1 it can be seen that the mutually facing surface contours and / or surface structures of the contact element 1 , 1' and the intermediate element 7th , 7th are each designed complementary to one another. The intermediate element 7th , 7 ' can also be used as part of the contact element 1 , 1' , 1" be considered.

In 2 a connector can be seen in which an inventive insulating body 10 is used. The insulating body 10 is in a connector housing 9 arranged. On the insulator 10 are first areas 11 for connecting electrical conductors 2 intended. The first areas 11 are each with nanowires or the reactive substance 5 Mistake. The ladder 2 can be connected on the connection side with a wire end ferrule 8th be provided, which for reasons of presentation in 2 is not shown. The first areas 11 can also have the surface contours or surface structures mentioned above.

The insulating body 10 has second areas 12th for electrical contacting of contact elements 1 on. These second areas 12th are with nanowires or the reactive substance 5 Mistake. The second areas 12th can also have the surface contours or surface structures mentioned above. The contact elements 1 can also be made with nanowires or a reactive substance on the connection side 5 be provided.

A first area 11 for contacting a conductor 2 is associated with a second area 2 for contacting a contact element 1 electrically connected. The electrical connection runs inside the insulating body 10 .

The insulating body consists essentially of a non-conductive plastic. Conductive connections between the above-mentioned areas for the conductors and the contact elements are introduced within the non-conductive material. As a result, several conductors or contact elements can be connected to the insulating body.

In an alternative variant, the insulating body can also consist entirely of metal. In this case the conductive connections between the areas would be superfluous. Of course you could Due to the short circuit problem, there is only one area for a conductor and one area for a contact element.

Even if various aspects or features of the invention are each shown in combination in the figures, it is clear to the person skilled in the art - unless otherwise stated - that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different exemplary embodiments can be exchanged with one another.

List of reference symbols

1

Contact element

2

ladder

3

Connection area

4th

Contact area

5

Nanowires or reactive substance

6th

Contour of the contact element

7th

Intermediate element

8th

Ferrule

9

Connector housing

10

Insulating body

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• DE 202018104958 U1 [0003]
• EP 3120420 A1 [0004]
• DE 102006029075 B4 [0005]

Claims (13)

Electrical contact element (1, 1 ') which has a contact area (4) and a connection area (3), characterized in that the surface of the connection area (3) of the contact element (1, 1') is at least partially covered with nanowires and / or a reactive substance (5) is covered. Electrical contact element according to Claim 1 characterized in that the electrical contact element (1, 1 ') has an intermediate element (7, 7', 7 ") and that an electrical conductor (2) via the intermediate element (7, 7 ', 7") with the connection area (3 ) of the contact element (1, 1 ') can be connected in an electrically conductive manner. Electrical contact element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the surface of the intermediate element (7, 7 ', 7 ") is covered at least in some areas with nanowires and / or a reactive substance (5). Electrical contact element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection area (3, 3 ') of the contact element (1, 1') has a surface contour and / or a surface structure (6). Electrical contact element according to one of the preceding Claims 2 - 3 characterized in that the intermediate element (7, 7 ', 7 ") has a surface contour and / or a surface structure (6'). Electrical contact element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the surface contour and / or the surface structure (6) of the connection area (3, 3 ') of the contact element (1, 1') and that to the connection area (3, 3 ') of the contact element (1, 1 ') directed surface contour and / or surface structure (6') of the intermediate element (7) are designed complementary to one another. Electrical contact element according to one of the preceding Claims 2 - 6th characterized in that the contact element (1, 1 ') and the intermediate element (7, 7', 7 ") are cold-welded to one another. System of an electrical contact element (1, 1 ') according to one of the preceding claims and an electrical conductor (2), characterized in that the electrical conductor (2) has a wire end sleeve (8) on the connection side. System according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the surface of the end sleeve (8) is covered at least in some areas with nanowires and / or a reactive substance (5). System according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the wire end sleeve (8) has a surface contour and / or a surface structure. System according to one of the two above Claims 4 - 7th and 10 characterized in that the mutually facing surface contours and / or surface structures (6, 6 ') of the contact element (1, 1') and the intermediate element (7) and the mutually facing surface contours and / or surface structures of the intermediate element (7) and the Wire end ferrules (8) are each designed to be complementary to one another. Insulating body for a connector, - wherein the insulating body (10) has a first area (11) for making electrical contact with an electrical conductor (2) and has at least one second area (12) for making electrical contact with an electrical contact element (1), - wherein the first area (11) and the second area (12) are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner and - wherein the first area (11) and the second area (12) are each covered with nanowires and / or a reactive substance (5). Insulating body for a connector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the insulating body (10) has at least two first areas (11) and two second areas (12) and - that in each case a first area (11) is electrically conductive with an associated second area ( 12) is connected.

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