EP1458064A2 - Electrical contact device - Google Patents

Abstract

The PCB fork contact (10) comprises two rows of contact strips (20-22). Each includes a central strip (16). To this, fork springs (11) are connected at right angles. The contact strips are assembled with their flat sides resting together. This brings all forks into a mutually-flush arrangement, in which they inter-engage as a comb-like assembly.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical contacting device, especially for the transmission of medium to high currents, with a number of contact springs arranged parallel to one another for Connection of at least one complementary flat knife contact, wherein the contacting device in one-piece Assignment of connection pins to the electrical and / or mechanical Has connection with a circuit board.

Such a contacting device, of which the present Invention is based on a connector known for example from US 6 210 240 B1. It is in one Isolierstoffgehäuse a plurality of mutually identical Contacting devices provided. Any contacting device consists of a one-piece, produced by punching and bending Contact body with individual, each arranged in pairs resilient contact legs. The contact legs form one Insertion gap for a counter contact, e.g. one Flat blade contact of a mating connector or an electrical one Device. Such contacting devices are determined and suitable e.g. in automobile construction in connection with in vehicles housed fuse boxes. Then such serve Contacting devices for inserting the knife contacts from Fuses, relays or the like

The task of such contacting devices is the transmission medium currents (above 16 amps) and high currents (above 50 amps). Important with these contacting devices are high contact forces that the contact springs on the counter contacts exercise and also the highest possible number of contact points. A key feature of achieving this is the The subject of US 6 210 240 B1 therein, the contact springs to give stable hold, which is due to a cage-like design Basis of the contacting device and its permanent embedding and Locking achieved in receiving chambers of the insulating body.

A major disadvantage of the known contacting device is that all the contacts of the connector are identical to each other; so that means that for everyone Use case designed a specific connector and must be manufactured. On the other hand, with many Applications of differently designed contacting devices needed because, for example, relays of different sizes Have flat blade contacts and also deviating from them Fuses do not always have identical connection blades exhibit.

The object of the present invention is essentially a To create contacting device of the type presumed to be known, which are significantly easier to manufacture and can also be used more universally is.

The invention solves this problem with the features of Claim 1 and is accordingly characterized in that the contacting device is assembled from at least two contact strips where each contact strip is a central strip has, on the - aligned transversely to this - fork springs are connected, and that the at least two contact strips in mutual flat contact of their central stripes in such a way are put together that the fork springs of the contact strips under Consideration of their congruent alignment in the essentially intermesh.

In contrast to the prior art, the invention provides a contacting device according to the respective needs embody. In principle, this happens because the invention proposes a modular fork spring contact system. A contacting device according to the invention is the simplest Case selectable from two contact strips joined together Width, with each of the two contact strips a number of Has fork springs with a number of fork springs of second contact strip interact. All fork springs are in place thereby aligned in a row so that there is a continuous Contact gap for a flat knife contact results.

If a contacting device is formed according to this principle by putting together three contact strips, can - same Assumes width - a contacting device with one opposite the first variant with two contact strips by 50% higher number of Result in contact zones. The number of contact zones can be double if four contact strips are joined together accordingly The principle is always that the to the Contact strips formed comb springs into each other like a comb reach for a uniform, continuous insertion and contact channel for the contact section of the counter-contacting device maintain.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one the at least two contact strips on the central strips connected connecting pins. When using two One becomes contact strips to form a contacting device It is advisable to provide connecting pins on both contact strips. This leads to a further simplification, the is achieved according to the invention in that at least two of each Contact strips are identical to each other, however are mirrored together.

With a contacting device assembled from three contact strips it is advantageous if the middle contact strip with Connection pins is provided or if the two outer Contact strips are provided with connecting pins.

With one made up of four contact strips Contacting device are preferably the two outer or the Provide connection pins on both inner contact strips.

A particularly advantageous further feature of the invention is that the contact strips of cut sections endless contact strips are formed. Here is particular thought of cutting sections only after Join the individual endless contact strips together by cutting through the contact strip package.

Free by simply separating contact strip sections selected length can be individually dimensioned Generate contacting devices in the simplest way. No matter how wide the desired contacting device should be, it is always made of the same source material, namely the endless generated contact strips, by punching and bending as well subsequent packaging and cutting to length. The number too The cuts to be put together are within wide limits selectable, preferably two to five strips likely.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the are off a flat contact sheet strip cut out fork springs the one corresponding to the plane of the contact plate strip Level of the central strip crossed out.

In this context, it is further provided that the fork fenders connected to their fork bridge Connection sections are connected to the central strip and the connecting sections asymmetrically or off-center on the Fork web are connected. This allows the abutting each other and therefore inevitable in different Layers of adjacent contact strips are still identical his and her - comb-like - fork springs nevertheless be aligned in a single aligned row.

In principle, the design of the connection pins can be freely selected. It Solder pins are also possible, for example plug-like connecting pins with elastic press-in zones or SMT solder tails. It is advantageous if the from a flat Contact pin strips cut out from the connection pins with the Level of the contact sheet strip corresponding level of the Central strip are cranked out. You can next to the side the central strip. So you can be very simple The desired contact spacing is also set up become.

Especially in connection with connection pins after the SMT technology (connections with SMD solder pins) can be advantageous be to crimp or bend them in such a way that they are between a PCB can contact on both sides.

What the connection of several contact strips to each other concerns, it is proposed that the central strips be cohesive, e.g. by welding, soldering and the like, and / or non-positively, for example by mutual engagement of knobs, slugs, tongues or the like, put together.

Finally, the central stripe can have openings be provided, the so-called relief breakthroughs to Weight loss as well as to facilitate the severing of the Cut sections from continuous material.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten Kontaktiervorrichtung, die aus drei Kontaktreifen zusammengefügt ist und fünf Gabelfederkontakte aufweist,

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung zur Erläuterung der Verfahrensschritte zur Erzeugung der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Kontaktiervorrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 2 zur Erläuterung der Verfahrensschritte zur Erzeugung einer aus vier Kontaktstreifen zusammengesetzten Kontaktiervorrichtung, die in Fig. 6a bis 6c auch in betriebsbereitem Zustand gezeigt ist,

Fig. 4

eine Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 3, jedoch in einem darauf folgenden Herstellungsstadium,

Fig. 5

eine Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 3 und 4, jedoch in einem noch späteren Herstellungsstadium,

Fig. 6a-6c

eine mit den in Fig. 3 und 5 skizzierten Verfahrensschritten erzeugte Kontaktiervorrichtung,

Fig. 7-9

verschiedene weitere Ausführungsformen von Kontaktiervorrichtungen, jeweils in perspektivischer Absicht, und

Fig. 10

und 11 Darstellungen zur Erläuterung der Anwendung der erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktiervorrichtung am Beispiel eines Kfz-Sicherungskastens.

Otherwise, the invention is further illustrated by the following description of some exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

Fig. 1

2 shows a perspective view of a first contacting device which is assembled from three contact tires and has five fork spring contacts,

Fig. 2

2 shows a representation to explain the method steps for producing the contacting device shown in FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

2 to explain the method steps for producing a contacting device composed of four contact strips, which is also shown in FIGS. 6a to 6c in an operational state,

Fig. 4

3, but in a subsequent manufacturing stage,

Fig. 5

3 and 4, but in an even later manufacturing stage,

6a-6c

a contacting device generated with the method steps outlined in FIGS. 3 and 5,

Fig. 7-9

various other embodiments of contacting devices, each with a perspective intention, and

Fig. 10

and 11 representations to explain the application of the contacting device according to the invention using the example of a motor vehicle fuse box.

A total of 10 designated contacting device comprises a number of contact springs 11, which in all Embodiments are designed as fork springs and below also be referred to as such. The fork springs 11 are like this ordered that they are all in alignment and one continuous contact channel 12 for a mating contact, e.g. one Form the blade contact of a fuse or a relay.

The configuration of the contact springs 11 as fork springs is of importance insofar as such springs (in contrast to those in US 6 210 240 B1) used significantly higher contact forces can exercise as the spring legs against their high edge be claimed.

Each fork spring 11 thus has a known design two fork legs 13 and one at the lower ends interconnecting fork web 14. The fork springs 12 are standing via connecting webs 15 with a so-called central strip 16 in a material connection. The connecting webs 15 are in the middle or asymmetrically or off-center in this way on the fork webs 14 ordered that it is always guaranteed that all Fork spring contacts of each 'fork spring contact package' are congruent in an escape, as the drawings illustrate.

The central strips 16 are on the lower longitudinal sides Cut out connection pins 17 and, if necessary, bent them out. As from Fig. 1 can be seen, they engage in the illustrated embodiment in Bores 18 of a circuit board 29 for mechanical attachment and electrical connection with this. With 19 are so-called. Relief breakthroughs referred to in the respective Central strips 16 are provided. You have the purpose of Weight loss and ease of severing the Central strip 16, if - as described below - from Endless strips cut sections are separated.

The contacting device 10 in FIG. 1 is composed of three Contact strips 20, 21 and 22 put together in such a way that the central strips 16 lie flat against each other, which the Drawing well illustrated.

With 23 positions or areas are indicated, the connections or to indicate fasteners with which the contact strips 20, 21 and 22 attached to each other in the area of their central strips 16 are. This attachment can be cohesive, e.g. by Welding, soldering, gluing or the like. and / or non-positively through Interlocking of pins, tongues, lobes and openings or Knobs and slugs.

The structure of the contacting device 10 is still further 2 to 5, which also describes the manufacturing process should explain.

Fig. 2 shows the formation of the three contact strips 20, 21 and 22 for the construction of the contacting device according to Fig. 1. (Correspondingly has the layered structure of the contacting device according to FIG. 1 you look at the contact strip 21 between the Contact strips 20 and 22).

From a sheet of rectangular cross-section, in particular from Contact spring bronze, first a central strip 16 as well Stamped fork contact springs 11. In the case of the contact strips 20 and 22 are on the opposite of the contact springs 11 Longitudinal edges also punched out the connection pins 17. This Stage show the figures in Fig. 2 in their areas that are each designated A.

In the further course of the manufacturing process, the Fork springs 11 relative to the central strip 16 around their respective Longitudinal axis crossed. This manifests itself in a twist of the Connecting webs 15. In the case of contact strips 20 and 22 also cranks the connector pins 17 so that they from the Step out of the plane of the contact strip laterally, as shown in Fig. 2 can be seen. This stage is in each Section area B of the strips shown in FIG. 2.

Endless belts of the respective shown in section B. Configuration then serve as the starting products for the Packing a contacting device 10. These strips are - in flat contact of their central strips 16 to each other - such put together that all fork contact springs 11 - one forming a single, continuous insertion gap - parallel to the surface lie side by side, as already illustrated in FIG. 1. Now the strip-like package along in FIG. 2 becomes arbitrary entered lines 24 severed so that the individual Package strips are available as cut sections 25.

With reference to FIG. 2, it should also be mentioned that the Contact strips 20 and 22 can be identical and are only arranged in mirror image to each other, the third contact strip 21 as a median strip between the two contact strips 20 and 22 is inserted.

Fig. 3 illustrates in an analogous manner to Fig. 2 Generation and arrangement of the individual elements of a Contacting device with four contact strips 20, 21, 21 'and 22. Bei In this exemplary embodiment, a contacting device 10 is therefore made put together four contact strips. The two can outer contact strips 20 and 22 are identical to each other as also the two contact strips 21 and 21 'to be arranged in the middle can be identical. As with the previous one Exemplary embodiment are the external connecting pins Contact strips 20 and 22 are then mirrored against each other. This now also applies to the two middle contact strips 21 and 21 'to.

3 in the left section of the four The contact strip also shows the raw condition in the original plane punched fork contact springs, Fig. 4 shows the areas of later cut sections that are already fully worked out are and only need to be attached or nested. Fig. 5 shows the same arrangement in a state closer together of the four contact strips 20, 21, 21 'and 22. In particular from this Fig. Is the comb-like mesh already highlighted individual fork contact springs 11 can be clearly seen.

From the above it is clear that, depending on the number and Width of the design of a contacting device 10 to be provided contact strips 20, 21, possibly 21 ', 22 numerous different types of contacting devices in a simple manner can generate. There are differences - the same starting materials provided - on the one hand in the variable width dimension as well on the other hand in the number and spacing of the individual fork contact springs 11 to each other. In extreme cases, the stratification can be such that all contact springs 11 touch each other. In this Trap results in the greatest possible contact zone density.

6a to 6c illustrate a contacting device 10, the four from the four contact strips explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 20, 21, 21 'and 22 is joined together.

7 to 9 illustrate contacting devices 10 with differently designed connection pins 17. The Contacting device 10 of FIG. 7 has straight lines Solder contact pins as connection pins 17. The one shown in Fig. 8 Contacting device 10, the connection pins 17 are also in the essentially pin-shaped, but here have so-called Press-in zones 26 with an elastic deformation of these zones enabling slots 27. Such contacts are on known.

In the contacting device 10 of FIG. 9, the Connection pins 17 designed as SMD solder pins and in essentially perpendicular from the central plane of the central webs 16 bent out or cranked. The shape could also be like this be carried out that the solder legs 17 of the contact strip 20 a Side of a circuit board and the solder pins 17 of the contact strip 22 could contact the other side of the same circuit board.

10 and 11 show the contacting device according to the invention in a practical application. At 28 there is a box referred to as part of the fuse box of a motor vehicle. In this Box 28 is a circuit board 29 arranged on which several Contacting devices 10 according to the invention are mounted. The Printed circuit board 29, but also the individual contacting devices 10 are inaccessible from an upper cover wall 30 of the box 26. However, the top wall 30 has openings 31 for engagement and Passage of flat knife contacts 32 electrical components such as in the example shown a fuse 33 and a relay 34.

10 and 11 also illustrate that a fuse 33 with two flat knife contacts 30 two adapted contacting devices 10 are assigned. The relay 34 has three flat knife contacts 32, which are also differently oriented. Accordingly, there are three contacting devices 10 for the Relay 34, based on the location and size of the corresponding relay blade contacts 32 are matched.

In summary, it should be noted that the invention has a new modular system to be manufactured with little effort Varied design of compact contacting devices imagines. It is not insignificant that in the first place is intended, the contacting devices without their own customized Insulating housing to use.

Claims (14)

Electrical contacting device (10), in particular for the transmission of medium to high currents, with a number of contact springs (11) arranged parallel to one another for connecting at least one complementary flat blade contact, the contacting device (10) in one-piece, materially cohesive assignment, connecting pins (17) for electrical and / or has a mechanical connection to a printed circuit board (29), characterized in that the contacting device (10) is composed of at least two contact strips (20, 21, 22), each contact strip (20, 21, 22) having a central strip (16) to which fork springs (11) aligned transversely to the latter are connected, and that the at least two contact strips (20, 21, 22) are joined together in flat contact with their central strips (16) in such a way that the fork springs (11) of the contact strips (20, 21, 22) taking into account their congruent alignment essentially n intermesh like a comb. Contacting device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the at least two contact strips (20, 22) is provided with connecting pins (17) connected to the central strip (16). Contacting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least two of the contact strips (20, 22; 21, 21 ') each have an identical design, but are joined together in mirror image. Contacting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the case of a contacting device (10) assembled from three contact strips (20, 21, 22), the central contact strip (21) is provided with connecting pins (17). Contacting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the case of a contacting device (10) assembled from three contact strips (20, 21, 22), the two outer contact strips (20, 22) are provided with connecting pins (17). Contacting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the case of a contacting device (10) assembled from four contact strips (20, 21, 21 ', 22), the two outer contact strips (20, 22) or the two inner contact strips (21, 21 ') are provided with connecting pins (17). Contacting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact strips (20, 21, 21 ', 22) are formed by shortening sections (25) of continuously produced contact strips. Contacting device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the shortening sections (25) are produced after the individual endless contact strips have been joined together by severing the contact strip package. Contacting device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the fork springs (11) cut out from a flat contact sheet strip are crossed out of the plane of the central strip (16) which corresponds to the plane of the contact sheet strip. Contacting device according to one of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 8, characterized in that the fork fenders (11) are connected to the central strip (16) via connecting sections (15) connected to their fork web (14) and the connecting sections (15) are asymmetrical or are connected off-center to the fork web (14). Contacting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting pins (17) cut out from a flat contact sheet strip are cranked out of the plane of the central strip (16) which corresponds to the plane of the contact sheet strip. Contacting device according to claim 11, characterized in that the connecting pins (17) of two contact strips of the contacting device (10) are bent or bent such that they can contact a circuit board on both sides between them. Contacting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central strips (16) are integrally joined, for example by welding, soldering and the like, and / or non-positively, for example by mutual engagement of knobs, slugs or the like. Contacting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central strips (16) are provided with relief openings (19).

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