DE102020111425A1 - Connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

Connector (1) for producing an electrical plug connection (2) with a mating connector (3), the connector (1) having a connector housing (4) with at least one contact receiving channel (5) and at least one electrically conductive contact spring body arranged in the contact receiving channel (5) (6) with at least two spring arms (9, 10) which are elastically deflectable relative to one another and together delimit an insertion channel (11) for receiving an electrically conductive contact pin (12) of the mating connector (3), the spring arms (9, 10) ) are connected to one another in a bent area (13) of the contact spring body (6) and each spring arm (9, 10) has at least one support area (14, 15) for supporting the respective spring arm (9, 10) on a duct wall (7, 8) of the contact receiving channel (5) and a contact area (16, 17) for contacting the contact pin (12), the contact area (16, 17) of the respective spring arm (9, 10) between ischen the support area (14, 15) of the respective spring arm (9, 10) and the bent area (13) of the contact spring body (6).

Description

The present invention relates to a connector for producing an electrical plug connection with a mating connector, the connector having a connector housing with at least one contact receiving channel and at least one electrically conductive contact spring body and the contact receiving channel is delimited by channel walls of the connector housing and the contact spring body is arranged in the contact receiving channel, the Contact spring body has at least two spring arms which are elastically deflectable relative to one another and jointly delimit an insertion channel for receiving an electrically conductive contact pin of the mating connector. In addition, the invention also relates to an electrical plug connection with such a plug connector.

Connectors of the type mentioned are already available in stores. In the prior art, the spring arms of the contact spring body are designed like a fork. They protrude freely in the direction of an insertion opening for inserting the electrically conductive contact pin of the mating connector and are only connected to one another on the side opposite these freely projecting ends.

Practice shows that, particularly in applications in which the plug connector or the plug connection is mechanically shaken, contact faults occur due to vibration.

The object of the invention is to propose an improvement for plug connectors of the type mentioned above, by means of which contact interruptions are avoided as far as possible, even in the event of vibrations.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a connector according to claim 1.

It is therefore provided that the spring arms are connected to one another in a bent area of the contact spring body and each spring arm has at least one support area for supporting the respective spring arm on one of the channel walls and each spring arm has a contact area for contacting the contact pin, the contact area of the respective spring arm between the support area of the respective spring arm and the bent area of the contact spring body is arranged.

In other words, it is thus provided that the spring arms are connected to one another in a bent area of the contact spring body and the contact areas in which the spring arms each touch the contact pin in an electrically conductive manner are arranged between this bent area and a respective support area of the respective spring arm, the Spring arms are each supported in their support areas on the channel walls of the connector housing.

This prevents the respective contact pin from becoming detached from the spring arms of the respective contact spring body of the connector in the event of vibrations. It follows from this that the electrically conductive contact between contact spring body and contact pin and thus between connector and mating connector is permanently ensured even in the event of vibrations. As a result, there are no longer any interruptions in contact as in the prior art, even in the event of vibrations.

It is preferably provided that each contact spring body of a plug connector according to the invention has exactly two spring arms. Plug connectors according to the invention can in principle have a single-channel design, that is to say have only one contact receiving channel and one contact spring body arranged therein. As a rule, however, plug connectors according to the invention are designed with multiple channels, so that they have two or more electrically conductive contact spring bodies each arranged in a contact receiving channel. The mating connector then usually has a corresponding number of electrically conductive contact pins. The electrically conductive connection of the contact spring body, on the one hand, but also of the contact pins, on the other hand, with electrical lines, conductor tracks and the like can be implemented in a manner known per se. In this context, it can be provided in the connector according to the invention in particular that the contact spring body has a connection area protruding from the connector housing at its end opposite the bent area. In this connection area, the contact spring body can then be electrically connected to a corresponding electrical line, conductor track of a circuit board or the like by known connecting means such as soldering or crimping.

In connectors according to the invention it is conveniently provided that the spring arms of the contact spring body are supported with their respective support areas on one of the channel walls at least in an operating state in which the contact pin is completely inserted into the plug-in channel. As mentioned, the support of the spring arms of the contact spring body on the channel walls ensures a secure, electrically conductive connection between the contact spring body and the contact pin, even in the event of vibrations.

In preferred variants it is provided that the contact spring body has an insertion opening for inserting the electrically conductive contact pin of the mating connector into the insertion channel and the insertion opening is arranged in the bent area of the contact spring body. The insertion opening thus forms the entrance through which the contact pin can be inserted into the insertion channel. It is preferably provided that the insertion opening is designed as a circumferentially closed hole in the bent region of the contact spring body. For example, the insertion opening can be designed as a circular but also as an oval hole in the bent area of the contact spring body. Other geometrical shapes of the hole are of course also possible. However, embodiments of the insertion opening that are not circumferentially closed are also conceivable. For example, the insertion opening can also be open on one side, for example in that the bent area of the contact spring body is guided around the insertion opening in a C-shape.

Preferred variants of plug connectors according to the invention provide that the spring arms, at least in an unloaded operating state, have a smaller distance from one another in their contact areas than in their support areas. The unloaded operating state is the state in which no contact pin is inserted into the insertion channel of the contact spring body and thus the spring arms are in their undeflected starting position. It can be provided, for example, that at least one of the spring arms, preferably each spring arm, of the contact spring body is arched in the contact area in the direction of the other spring arm. In preferred variants it is also provided that the spring arms have a smaller distance from one another in their contact areas than in their support areas even in the operating state in which the contact pin is completely inserted into the insertion channel.

At least the spring arms and the bent region of the contact spring body are preferably designed to be elastically deflectable or, in other words, deformable. The entire contact spring body is expediently designed to be elastically deflectable or, in other words, to be elastically deformable. It can e.g. be provided that at least the spring arms of the contact spring body are designed like a leaf spring. The entire contact spring body is particularly preferably designed like a leaf spring. It could also be said that the spring arms and / or the contact spring body are designed as leaf springs. Of course, this does not mean that the leaf spring is flat, but rather that it can be curved or, in other words, curved in the bent area and / or also in the area of the spring arms.

In this context, it is pointed out that the term “bent area” initially only means that the area of the contact spring body has a bend or, in general words, a curvature deviating from the straight line. Instead of the bent area, one could also speak of a curved area of the contact spring body. This can be achieved by a bending process but also by other known types of production.

In any case, preferred embodiments of the invention advantageously provide that the contact spring body is formed in one piece. The contact spring body is particularly preferably formed from a correspondingly electrically conductive material, in particular a metal such as spring steel, copper, copper alloys or the like. In order to avoid corrosion phenomena as far as possible, the contact spring body and the contact pin are advantageously made of the same material. Of course, this also applies if more than one contact spring and more than one contact pin are provided per connector or per mating connector. In principle, connectors according to the invention can also be designed as so-called cable connectors, that is to say as connectors to be mounted on at least one cable, or as adapters. However, preferred embodiments of the invention provide that the plug connector is a chassis socket provided for mounting on a housing of an electrical device. The mating connector can be designed as a cable plug but also as an adapter or even as a chassis socket.

In addition to the connector per se, the invention also relates to an electrical plug connection with a plug connector according to the invention and with the mating connector, with the at least one electrically conductive contact pin of the mating connector being fully inserted into the insertion channel of the at least one electrically conductive contact spring body and electrically in the fully mated state of the plug connection conductively rests against the contact areas of the spring arms of the contact spring body and the spring arms are each supported with their respective support area on one of the channel walls.

According to the invention, this is an electrical plug connection which is particularly reliable in contact even in the event of vibrations. An electrical plug connection is such a plug connection between the connector and the mating connector, in which in each case a contact spring body of the connector with a contact pin of the Mating connector is electrically conductively connected at least in the fully mated state. As already mentioned above, this can be single-channel plug connections in which the plug connector has only one contact spring body and the mating plug connector has only one contact pin. Usually, however, such plug connections are multi-channel with a corresponding number of contact spring bodies of the plug connector and a corresponding number of contact pins of the mating connector.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinders;
• 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines entsprechenden Gegensteckverbinders;
• 3 eine Frontalansicht auf den erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbinder gemäß 1;
• 4 den Längsschnitt durch den Steckverbinder entlang der Schnittlinie AA aus 3;
• 5 einen Kontaktfederkörper des Steckverbinders gemäß 1 in perspektivischer Darstellung;
• 6 eine Frontansicht auf den umgebogenen Bereich dieses Kontaktfederkörpers gemäß 5;
• 7 eine alternative Ausgestaltungsform zu 6;
• 8 die Steckverbindung bestehend aus dem Steckverbinder gemäß 1 und dem Gegensteckverbinder gemäß 2 im vollständig zusammengesteckten Zustand;
• 9 einen Längsschnitt entlang der Schnittlinie BB aus 8 und
• 10 eine alternative Ausgestaltungsform eines Kontaktfederkörpers.

Further preferred features of embodiments according to the invention are explained by way of example in the following description of the figures. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a connector according to the invention;
• 2 a perspective view of a corresponding mating connector;
• 3 a front view of the connector according to the invention according to 1 ;
• 4th the longitudinal section through the connector along the section line AA 3 ;
• 5 a contact spring body of the connector according to 1 in perspective view;
• 6th a front view of the bent area of this contact spring body according to 5 ;
• 7th an alternative embodiment too 6th ;
• 8th the connector consisting of the connector according to 1 and the mating connector according to 2 when fully assembled;
• 9 a longitudinal section along the section line BB 8th and
• 10 an alternative embodiment of a contact spring body.

The in 1 connector shown in perspective 1 for making an electrical plug connection 2 with the in 2 mating connector shown 3 it is an example of a multi-channel connector 1 . This embodiment of the connector 1 is capable of making five electrical contacts, as well as the five housing openings 23 of the connector housing 4th can be seen. Through the openings in the case 23 can each have one of the contact pins 12th of the mating connector 3 be plugged in. In 1 are otherwise only those at the rear end of the connector housing 4th outstanding connection areas 22nd otherwise in the connector housing 4th concealed contact spring body 6th to see. In this embodiment of a connector according to the invention 1 it is a chassis socket intended for mounting on a housing of an electrical device. This is also on the mounting tabs 26th of the connector housing 4th clearly visible. By means of these mounting brackets 26th can the connector housing 4th and with it the connector 1 be attached in a manner known per se, for example by screwing to a corresponding housing of an electrical device.

In 2 is easy to see that the mating connector 3 in the embodiment shown here is designed as a known cable connector. Accordingly, it points in addition to the mating connector housing 24 also a cable grommet 25th at the rear, the contact pins 12th opposite end.

3 shows the front view of the connector 1 and the five case openings that are clearly visible there 23 . The longitudinal section along the section line AA 3 is in 4th shown. This longitudinal section runs through one of the contact receiving channels 5 of the connector housing 4th with an electrically conductive contact spring body arranged therein 6th . Can be seen well in 4th that in this embodiment, too, the contact-making channel 5 from sewer walls 7th and 8th of the connector housing 4th is limited. The contact spring body shown here as an exemplary embodiment 6th has two spring arms 9 and 10 which are elastically deflectable relative to one another and together have an insertion channel 11 for receiving an electrically conductive contact pin 12th of the mating connector 3 limit. According to the invention are the spring arms 9 in the bent area 13th of the contact spring body 6th connected with each other. In addition, each spring arm 9 respectively. 10 at least one support area 14th respectively. 15th to support the respective spring arm 9 respectively. 10 on one of the canal walls 7th respectively. 8th on. In addition, each spring arm has 9 respectively. 10 a contact area 16 respectively. 17th to contact the contact pin 12th on. The contact area 16 respectively. 17th of the respective spring arm 9 respectively. 10 is between the support area 14th respectively. 15th of the respective spring arm 9 respectively. 10 and the bent area 13th of the contact spring body 6th arranged. In the bent area 13th is the contact spring body 6th in the one shown here, but also in other preferred embodiments, advantageously with some play between the channel walls 7th and 8th arranged. The support areas 14th respectively. 15th the spring arms 9 and 10 however, at least in the in 9 operating state shown in which the contact pin 12th completely into the insertion channel 11 is plugged in, but at one of the Channel walls 7th respectively. 8th at. As a result, at least in this inserted operating state, the spring arm is 9 in its support area 14th on the canal wall 7th and the spring arm 10 in its support area 15th on the canal wall 8th supported. In the in 4th shown unloaded operating state in which no contact pin 12th in the insertion channel 11 is inserted, the spring arms can 9 and 10 with their support areas 14th and 15th already on the canal walls 7th and 8th but also from the canal walls 7th or 8th be lifted off. At the latest when inserting the contact pin 12th but then there is a corresponding elastic deflection of the spring arms 9 and 10 relative to one another, so that said support then inevitably occurs. This support on the canal walls 7th and 8th as well as the connection of the spring arms 9 and 10 in the bent area 13th ensures that even if vibrations occur, a penetration into the insertion channel 11 fully inserted contact pin 12th so durable and safe on the contact areas 16 and 17th the spring arms 9 and 10 that there is no undesired interruption of the electrical connection between the contact spring body 6th and inserted contact pin 12th comes.

In 4th it is also easy to see that in preferred embodiments, the spring arms 9 and 10 at least in the unloaded operating state in their contact areas 16 and 17th have a smaller distance from one another than in their support areas 14th and 15th , compare distance 19th between the support areas 14th and 15th and distance 20th between the contact areas 16 and 17th . Conveniently, this also applies in the operating state in which the contact pin 12th in the insertion channel 11 of the contact spring body 6th is fully inserted. As in the embodiment variant shown here, this can be achieved, for example, in that the respective spring arm 9 respectively. 10 in its respective contact area 16 respectively. 17th towards the opposite spring arm 9 respectively. 10 is arched.

In the bent area 13th of the contact spring body 6th In preferred embodiments, such as the one shown here, there is an insertion opening 18th through which the electrically conductive contact pin 12th of the mating connector 3 in the insertion channel 11 can be introduced or plugged in. The respective insertion opening 18th of the contact spring body 6th is conveniently in congruence with the respective housing opening 23 of the connector housing 4th so that the respective contact pin 12th of the mating connector 3 through the respective housing opening 23 and the respective insertion opening 18th through into the insertion channel 11 of the contact spring body 6th can be plugged in.

The connection area 22nd of the respective contact spring body 6th is located in this, as well as in other preferred embodiments of the invention, on the bent area 13th opposite end 21 of the contact spring body 6th . The connection area 22nd is conveniently, as also shown here, from the connector housing 4th out. At the connection area 22nd of the respective contact spring body 6th Corresponding electrical lines and / or conductor tracks of circuit boards and / or the like can be electrically connected in a manner known per se.

The connection areas 22nd of the contact spring body 6th can, as implemented in the embodiment shown here, parallel to the insertion direction 27 from the connector housing 4th stick out. Depending on the space available, these connection areas 22nd but of course also at an angle to the direction of insertion 27 be trained. The direction of insertion 27 is the direction in which the mating connector 3 in the connector 1 is inserted to the connector 2 to train.

5 shows one of the contact spring bodies 6th of the connector 1 of the embodiment shown here detached from the connector housing 4th . It can also be clearly seen here that the insertion opening in this exemplary embodiment 18th as a circumferentially closed hole in the bent area 13th of the contact spring body 6th is trained. It is also easy to see that in this example the entire contact spring body 6th , so especially the spring arms 9 and 10 , are designed like a leaf spring.

6th shows a front view of the bent area 13th of the contact spring body 6th of this embodiment. It is easy to see here that the insertion opening 18th is oval in this embodiment. However, depending on the space available, it can also be a circular design or a differently shaped insertion opening 18th Act.

Using the variant in 7th is shown as an example that the insertion opening 18th also does not necessarily have to be designed as a circumferentially closed hole. In the variant according to 7th is the contact spring body 6th in the bent area 13th C-shaped, so that the insertion opening 18th is open on one side.

8th now shows a representation in which the connector 1 the end 1 and the mating connector 3 the end 2 a plug connection when fully plugged together 2 form. 9 shows the section along the section line BB. In the cutting plane according to 9 is shown as one of the electrically conductive contact pins 12th of the mating connector 3 in the insertion channel 11 one of the electrically conductive contact spring bodies 6th is fully inserted and electrically conductive at the contact areas 16 and 17th the spring arms 9 and 10 rests while the spring arms 9 and 10 with their respective support areas 14th and 15th on each of the channel walls 7th respectively. 8th are supported. Through this support of the spring arms 9 and 10 on the canal walls 7th and 8th and the connection of the spring arms 9 and 10 in the bent area 13th is the contact pin 12th so secure between the spring arms 9 and 10 held or clamped so that there is no unwanted disruption of the electrical contact between the contact spring body even in the event of vibrations 6th and contact pin 12th comes. Even if this is only for one of the contact spring bodies 6th and the contact pins 12th is shown, this is beneficial in an analogous manner for all contact spring bodies 6th and contact pins 12th the respective connector 2 so designed.

For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that in the section according to 9 only the rear connections 28 the contact pins 12th are shown. The connection of the electrical lines of the not shown here, through the cable grommet 25th imported cable to these connectors 28 can be done in a manner known per se.

10 shows an alternative embodiment of a contact spring body 6th . This contact spring body 6th according to 10 could, for example, in the embodiment already described according to FIG 1 until 6th , 8th and 9 the contact spring body 6th according to 5 replace or in other connectors according to the invention 1 or plug connections 2 can be used. The only major difference between the variants according to 5 and 10 consists in the bead 29 which im to the end 21 or for connection 22nd pointing area of the contact spring body 6th according to 10 is arranged to reinforce this.

List of reference symbols

1

Connectors

2

Connector

3

Mating connector

4th

Connector housing

5

Contact channel

6th

Contact spring body

7th

Canal wall

8th

Canal wall

9

Spring arm

10

Spring arm

11

Insertion channel

12th

Contact pin

13th

bent area

14th

Support area

15th

Support area

16

Contact area

17th

Contact area

18th

Insertion opening

19th

distance

20th

distance

21

end

22nd

Connection area

23

Housing opening

24

Mating connector housing

25th

Cable grommet

26th

Mounting bracket

27

Insertion direction

28

connection

29

Bead

Claims (10)

Connector (1) for producing an electrical plug connection (2) with a mating connector (3), the connector (1) having a connector housing (4) with at least one contact receiving channel (5) and at least one electrically conductive contact spring body (6) and the contact receiving channel (5) is delimited by channel walls (7, 8) of the connector housing (4) and the contact spring body (6) is arranged in the contact receiving channel (5), the contact spring body (6) having at least two spring arms (9, 10) which relative to one another are elastically deflectable and jointly delimit an insertion channel (11) for receiving an electrically conductive contact pin (12) of the mating connector (3), characterized in that the spring arms (9, 10) in a bent region (13) of the contact spring body (6) with one another are connected and each spring arm (9, 10) has at least one support area (14, 15) for supporting the respective spring arm (9, 10) on one of the K anal walls (7, 8) and each spring arm (9, 10) has a contact area (16, 17) for contacting the contact pin (12), the contact area (16, 17) of the respective spring arm (9, 10) between the support area ( 14, 15) of the respective spring arm (9, 10) and the bent area (13) of the contact spring body (6) is arranged. Connector (1) Claim 1 , characterized in that the spring arms (9, 10) of the contact spring body (6) at least in one Operating state in which the contact pin (12) is completely inserted into the insertion channel (11), with their respective support areas (14, 15) being supported on each of the channel walls (7, 8). Connector (1) Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the contact spring body (6) has an insertion opening (18) for inserting the electrically conductive contact pin (12) of the mating connector (3) into the insertion channel (11) and the insertion opening (18) in the bent area (13) of the contact spring body (6) is arranged. Connector (1) Claim 3 , characterized in that the insertion opening (18) is designed as a circumferentially closed hole in the bent region (13) of the contact spring body (6). Connector (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th , characterized in that the spring arms (9, 10) at least in an unloaded operating state have a smaller distance (19, 20) from one another in their contact areas (16, 17) than in their support areas (14, 15). Connector (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that at least the spring arms (9, 10) of the contact spring body (6) are designed like a leaf spring. Connector (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 6th , characterized in that the contact spring body (6) has a connection area (22) protruding from the connector housing (4) at its end (21) opposite the bent area (13). Connector (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7th , characterized in that the contact spring body (6) is formed in one piece. Connector (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the plug connector (1) is a chassis socket provided for mounting on a housing of an electrical device. Electrical plug connection (2) with a plug connector (1) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 and with the mating connector (3), the at least one electrically conductive contact pin (12) of the mating connector (3) being fully inserted into the insertion channel (11) of the at least one electrically conductive contact spring body (6) when the connector (2) is fully plugged together and rests in an electrically conductive manner on the contact areas (16, 17) of the spring arms (9, 10) of the contact spring body (6) and the spring arms (9, 10) with their respective support area (14, 15) each on one of the channel walls (7, 8) ) are supported.

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