DE10249683B4 - Contact terminal for the electr. Contacting a mating contact, esp. For use in electrical motor vehicle components, such as. Window lift systems o. The like. - Google Patents

Abstract

contact terminal (10) for electrically contacting a mating contact (12), wherein the contact terminal (10) has a base portion (14) with which the contact terminal (10) with a printed circuit board (16) or otherwise carrier mechanically and / or electrically connectable, with a contact portion (18) for contacting the mating contact (12) and with a connecting portion (20) for connecting base portion (14) and contact portion (18), wherein the connecting portion (20) has resilient properties such that a positional alignment of the contact section (18) relative to the mating contact (12) in the manufacture of the contact preferably longitudinal a mounting direction (22) allows is, characterized in that the contact portion (18) and base portion (14) the contact terminal (10) in the transverse direction (24) to the mounting direction (22) offset one above the other in height are arranged, the contact portion (18) by two in the mounting direction (22) pointing forceps arms (30) formed and the connecting portion (20) is formed as a bow and between base portion (14) and contact section (18) via an angular range of 90 ° to approx. Extends 180 °.

Description

The The invention relates to a contact terminal for electrical contacting a mating contact according to the preamble of claim 1.

Contact terminals of the type mentioned are particularly suitable for use in electrical motor vehicle components, such as power window systems or the like.

Such a contact terminal is for example from the DE 200 04 338 U1 known with a plug-in module for adjusting motors, in particular for electromotive windows for use in a motor vehicle, which is insertable into a transmission housing of the window along a mounting device and having at least one plug. The plug-in module has next to the plug two contact terminals for contacting mating contacts, such as a motor. These contact terminals have exposed terminal portions, which are each provided with an end-side contact portion for contacting with an associated mating contact.

Farther a spring portion is provided which supports the contact portion and for a position alignment of the contact portion on the mating contact ensures when the contact terminals in the mounting direction towards the Mating contacts, such as an engine or other electrical or electronic component to be moved. By the resilient mounting of the contact sections these are transverse to one Mounting direction deflectable, so that tolerances or misalignment Of contact sections and mating contacts are easily compensated can.

However, the known contact terminals after the DE 200 04 338 U1 a fairly large space, which proves to be very disadvantageous in many applications, for example when using such contact terminals for contacting electronic or electrical components within a motor vehicle door.

From the DE 693 24 441 T2 For example, an electrical connector for connecting circuit boards is described, with contact elements, wherein each contact element has a contact-mating portion which is held in an associated receiving chamber to be held together with a mating contact element in a sliding connection. The contact mating section is flat and not designed as a clamp.

Of the Invention is in contrast the task is based, the contact terminal with the features of the preamble of claim 1 to the effect that this one only low installation space on the circuit board or the other carrier claimed, but is still designed to position or alignment tolerances able to balance well from contact terminal and mating contact.

These Task is according to the invention by a contact terminal with the Characteristics of the main claim solved.

Due to this measure, the claimed installation space of the contact terminal on the circuit board or the other carrier is significantly reduced, as for example 4 is apparent. There are with the reference number 44 Contact clamps according to the prior art, comparable to that according to the DE 200 04 338 U1 and contact terminals according to the invention 10 (shown in phantom) in its mounting position on a printed circuit board 16 played. Obvious take the contact terminals of the invention 10 about half the installation space of the contact terminals 44 according to the prior art on the circuit board 16 one. As a result, the size of the printed circuit board in the use of contact terminals according to the invention 10 be significantly reduced, so that the, for example, in a motor vehicle door, available space can be used much better.

According to the invention Contact section formed by two preferably spring-elastic pliers arms. These gun arms clamp after completion of assembly or manufacture contacting the mating contact, optionally resilient, between themselves, making a safe and durable electric Contacting is given.

To A first advantageous embodiment of the invention is intended that the transverse direction at an angle of about 60 ° to about 120 °, preferably about 90 ° with the Mounting direction includes. If the transverse direction encloses an angle of about 90 ° with the mounting direction, are the base portion and the contact portion of the contact terminal directly offset in height one above the other arranged, resulting in the smallest space of the contact terminal the printed circuit board results. It is understood that it is for certain use cases can offer, the contact section and base section not directly above each other, but possibly obliquely offset one above the other to arrange.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the Ver connecting portion has a U-shape or a circular arc shape. Regardless of how the geometric configuration of the connecting portion is selected in detail, the base portion and the contact portion are connected to each other via a connecting portion of relatively large length, so that the contact portion is relatively resiliently deflectable relative to the base portion and over a relatively large pivoting range and thus in the Mounting of contact terminal and mating contact tolerances as well as misalignment can be well balanced.

Prefers has the base portion, which is advantageous substantially rectangular shape has, one, in particular two pins on which in openings, Holes or the like of the carrier are pluggable. in this respect can the contact terminal over the base portion and the pins securely with the carrier or connected to the circuit board, for example soldered.

Prefers the forceps arms have end-side thickening directed towards each other or bulges on or it is the pliers arms in particular as blade contacts educated.

Farther It makes sense that the pliers arms a substantially V-shaped receptacle for the Form counter contact, so that this also in misalignment over the V-shaped Recording and the elastic arrangement of the contact section guided between the gun arms can be, if contact terminal and mating contact in mounting direction be moved towards each other.

From Advantage it is provided according to another embodiment of the invention, that the connecting portion is at an end face of the base portion followed.

A Another advantageous alternative of the invention is that the connecting portion is at an upper side of the base portion followed and preferably has an extension portion. Because of these measures it is possible, the height offset between the base sections and contact sections of a first and second contact terminal to make different sizes. It can a possibly existing extension section also slightly curved be formed, with the curvature from extension section and connecting portion is preferably opposite.

Farther It is according to another advantageous embodiment of the invention provided that the connecting portion is at a front side connects the contact section. The contact section essentially has an elongated, approximately rectangular in shape, with much of the front free end is formed by the two gun arms. In the rear connection area the two pliers arms closes then the substantially arcuate trained connecting section on.

Mach another advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the contact terminal is a one-piece Part is, which preferably as sheet metal stamping or the like. Stamped part is trained.

Farther comes the contact terminal preferably in the contacting of electrical Controls, devices, motors, sensors, power supplies or the like in motor vehicles, in particular for electrical Windows, controls or anti-trap devices are used.

Further Objectives, advantages, features and applications of the present Invention will become apparent from the following description of two embodiments based on the drawings. In this case, all described and / or depicted features on their own or in any meaningful Combination the subject of the present invention, also independent of their summary in the claims or their dependency.

It demonstrate:

1 a first embodiment of a contact terminal according to the invention in side view, wherein the contact portion and the base portion are arranged one above the other with a slight height offset,

2 a further embodiment of a contact terminal according to the invention in side view, wherein base portion and contact portion with a compared to 1 greater height offset are arranged one above the other,

3 the staggered arrangement of the contact terminals of 1 and 2 as well as the positioning of the corresponding mating contacts in side view and

4 in a schematic, simplified representation in side view of a comparison of the installation positions of the contact terminals according to the invention and including compared the contact terminal according to the prior art with reference to the embodiment of an electric power window control.

In the 1 to 4 are contact terminals 10 for electrical contacting of associated mating contacts 12 shown.

The contact terminals 10 own a base section 14 with which the contact terminal 10 with a circuit board 16 or another carrier is mechanically and / or electrically connectable. Furthermore, a contact section 18 for contacting the respective mating contact 12 intended. The contact section 18 as well as the base section 14 are over a connecting section 20 connected to each other, which has resilient properties, so that a position alignment of the contact portion 18 relative to the mating contact 12 in the manufacture of the contact along a mounting direction 22 is possible.

The contact section 18 and base section 14 the contact terminal 10 are in the transverse direction 24 to the mounting direction 22 offset in height, arranged substantially one above the other. How out 4 can be seen, closes the transverse direction 24 an angle of 60 ° to 120 °, preferably about 90 ° with the mounting direction 22 one. The connecting sections 20 have in the embodiments a U-shape, an arc shape 26 , eg circular arc shape, wherein the arc can extend over an angular range of about 90 ° to about 180 °. In a modification of the embodiments shown, the connecting portion may also have a rectangular shape.

The base portion, which has a substantially rectangular shape, has one, preferably two pins 28 on, which in openings, holes or the like of the carrier or the circuit board 16 are pluggable. The contact section 18 is by two essentially in the mounting direction 22 pointing, preferably spring-elastic pliers arms 30 educated. The pliers arms 30 are with end, aufheinderzu directed thickening 32 or beads provided. Furthermore, there is the possibility that the pliers arms 30 are also designed as blade contacts. The pliers arms 30 form a substantially V-shaped receptacle 34 for the mating contact 12 , so that the positional tolerances between mating contact 12 and contact section 18 or pliers arm 30 can be compensated in a wide range. This is the counter contact 12 , For example, in edge regions of the V-shaped receptacle 34 , caught, causing the contact section 18 due to the elastic properties of the connection section 20 with respect to the mating contact 12 automatically centered.

In the embodiment of the 1 closes the connection section 20 the contact terminal 10 on a front side 36 of the base section 14 at. In this case, the contact section 18 only a slight height offset with respect to the base section 14 on.

According to the embodiment of the 2 closes the connecting section 20 a top 38 of the base section 14 , in particular in a border area.

Furthermore, it can be provided that between connection section 20 and base section 14 an extension section 40 is provided. This embodiment of the contact terminal 10 makes for one over the 1 significantly increased height offset between contact section 18 and base section 14 , It may offer, the connection section 40 also arcuate form, the curvature of the extension portion 40 preferably the curvature of the connecting portion 20 is opposite. The connecting section 20 closes in both embodiments of the 1 and 2 an end face of the contact portion 18 at. This end face is in the V-shaped receptacle 34 the pliers arms 30 facing away from the rear portion of the contact portion 18 ,

The contact terminal 10 is preferably formed as a one-piece component and is made in particular by punching from a metal plate or other metal plate and thus forms a sheet metal stamping. The contact terminals 10 are preferably used in the contacting of electrical controls, devices, motors, sensors, power supplies or the like, especially in motor vehicles, especially in power windows, controls or anti-trap devices for motor vehicles.

The advantages of the contact terminals according to the invention 10 in terms of the from the carrier or the circuit board 16 taken in construction space are in 4 clarified. In the lower part figure are contact terminals 44 reproduced according to the prior art. It can be seen that the contact terminals of the invention 10 in only about half the space of conventional contact terminals 44 on the carrier or the circuit board 16 taking. Nevertheless, the resilient deflection of the contact sections 18 relative to the mating contacts 12 to compensate for position tolerances or misalignments equal to or better than the contact terminals 44 According to the state of the art.

10

- contact terminal

12

- countercontact

14

- base section

16

- circuit board

18

- Contact section

20

- connecting portion

22

- mounting direction

24

- transversely

26

- arc shape

28

- pen

30

- tong

32

- thickening

34

- admission

36

- front

38

- top

40

- extension section

42

- front

44

- Contact terminal according to the prior art

Claims (12)

Contact terminal ( 10 ) for electrically contacting a mating contact ( 12 ), wherein the contact terminal ( 10 ) a base section ( 14 ), with which the contact terminal ( 10 ) with a printed circuit board ( 16 ) or other carrier is mechanically and / or electrically connectable, with a contact portion ( 18 ) for contacting the mating contact ( 12 ) and with a connecting section ( 20 ) for connecting base section ( 14 ) and contact section ( 18 ), wherein the connecting section ( 20 ) has spring-elastic properties, so that a positional alignment of the contact section ( 18 ) relative to the mating contact ( 12 ) in the production of the contacting preferably along a mounting direction ( 22 ), characterized in that the contact section ( 18 ) and base section ( 14 ) of the contact terminal ( 10 ) in the transverse direction ( 24 ) to the mounting direction ( 22 ) are arranged offset in height one above the other, the contact section ( 18 ) by two in mounting direction ( 22 ) pointing pliers arms ( 30 ) and the connecting section ( 20 ) is formed as an arc and between base section ( 14 ) and contact section ( 18 ) extends over an angular range of 90 ° to about 180 °. Contact terminal according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse direction ( 24 ) an angle of about 60 ° to about 120 °, preferably about 90 °, with the mounting direction ( 22 ). Contact terminal according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the connecting portion ( 20 ) has a U-shape or circular arc shape. Contact terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base section ( 14 ), which preferably has a substantially rectangular shape, one, preferably two pins ( 28 ), which in openings, holes or the like of the carrier or the circuit board ( 16 ) are pluggable. Contact terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pliers arms ( 30 ) are resilient. Contact terminal according to claim 5, characterized in that the pliers arms ( 30 ) end, facing each other thickenings ( 32 ) or bulges, or in particular are designed as blade contacts. Contact terminal according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the tong arms ( 30 ) a substantially V-shaped receptacle ( 34 ) for the counter contact ( 12 ) form. Contact terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting portion ( 20 ) to a front side ( 36 ) of the base section ( 44 ). Contact terminal according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the connecting portion ( 20 ) to an upper side ( 38 ) of the base section ( 14 ) and prefers an extension section ( 40 ) owns. Contact terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting portion ( 20 ) to a front side ( 42 ) of the contact section ( 18 ). Contact terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that it is a one-piece component, which is preferably formed as a sheet metal stamping. Contact terminal according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by contacting electrical controls, devices, Motors, sensors, power supplies or the like in motor vehicles, especially for electric windows, controls or anti-trap devices.