EP1548891A1 - Electrical terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The terminal unit has a contact part (14) with a connection section (18) for electrical and mechanical connection of the unit to an electrical lead (24). A reception part (16) surrounds the contact part in a region of a contact section (22) arranged in series in pushing through direction. The reception part has tongues (32, 45) facing toward a dilating section (20) of the contact part and bent over into the reception part. An independent claim is also included for a method of manufacturing of an electrical terminal unit.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connection element for pushing through by a, in particular round, opening in an elastic material along a push-through direction of the connection element and a Process for producing the same.

Such connection elements are known in principle. For sealing an electrical connection point through the connection elements pushed through an opening in an elastic sealing material, wherein the opening cross section of the sealing material is selected such that the Sealing material with pushed through connection element with the Closing element connected electrical line tightly encloses. Problematic is known in connection elements that the elastic Material can easily break if the connection elements against the Pushing pulled through the seal opening through become.

The invention is based on the object, an electrical connection element which does not damage the elastic material when pulled it against the direction of push through the opening becomes. Another object of the invention is to provide a method for To create such a connection element.

The first task is solved by an electrical connection element according to claim 1 and in particular by a connecting element with a contact part arranged one behind the other in the push-through direction a connecting portion for electrical and mechanical connection of the connection element with an electrical line, an expansion section and a contact portion for contacting a another connection element, and with a receiving part, the the contact part in the region of the contact portion at least partially surrounds and adjacent to the expansion section, wherein the cross section the contact part in the expansion section in the direction of feed continuously enlarged.

Characterized in that the cross section of the contact part in the expansion section continuously increases in the direction of feed, the opening in the elastic material when pulling the connection element continuously increasing contrary to the direction of push widened. It does not find a sudden, but a gradually larger expectant displacement of the opening limiting elastic material instead of, i. it will be by discontinuous cross-sectional enlargements caused spikes in the material avoided. These continuous, gradually increasing expansion of the opening allows it the elastic material, when pulling through the connection element through the opening to a larger cross section of the Adjustment element without tearing. A damage the elastic material is avoided in this way.

The push-through direction is preferably parallel to a longitudinal central axis oriented of the connection element. The widening of the opening in The elastic material can be both in one direction and in two, in particular mutually perpendicular, directions transverse to the direction of feed take place, e.g. in the direction of the width and height of the connecting element.

The receiving part is formed as a separate component and fulfills a Protective function for the contact portion of the contact part. Besides it prevents excessive widening of the contact part during insertion a plug contact, so that even after numerous plugging operations a reliable contact is achieved. In addition determined it is the outer dimensions of the connection element in the region of the contact section.

Preferably, furthermore, at least the contact part as a punched / bent part educated. This allows at least the contact part to simple Manner and with little economic and mechanical effort produce the punching / bending method.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subclaims, to take the description and the drawing.

According to one embodiment of the connecting element according to the invention the cross section of the contact part in the expansion section increases in a first section in a first direction transverse to Push-through direction and in a direction of passage to the first subsection subsequent second subsection in one of the first direction deviating second direction transverse to the direction of feed. The two directions preferably define a width and a Height of the connection element fixed. By widening the opening in Two steps, the elastic material is particularly gently displaced, and damage to the material can be avoided even more effectively become. Due to a small number of required bending operations In addition, this embodiment allows a simple and thus cost-effective production of the connection element.

The contact part may extend in the expansion section in one direction at least approximately to a width of the receiving part in this direction broaden. An at least approximate enlargement of the contact part means in this context that the contact part at least so far enlarged that in the transition region from the expansion section to the receiving part substantially no edges are present, the could cause damage to the elastic material. Under the Assume that the height of the receiving part is not much larger than that is the contact part, the cross section of the connecting element can be in the expansion section, starting from a cross section of the Contact part in the connecting section except for the cross section of the receiving part enlarge. The expansion section becomes the opening in the elastic material thus continuously up to the cross-sectional size widened the receiving part, whereby damage to the elastic material is prevented even more effectively.

According to a further embodiment, the contact part in the expansion section at least one wall, preferably an upper and a lower wall, with a curved lateral outer edge. The wall increases the stability of the connection element and does not necessarily have be formed integrally, but it can also be in two parts be, i. composed of two halves of the wall. By use an upper and a lower wall will increase the stability of the Connection element increased. Preferably, each wall has two curved Outer edges on, each on opposite sides of a Longitudinal axis of the connection element lie. The outer edge or the outer edges is / are advantageously convexly curved. This will a particularly effective and gentle displacement of the elastic Materials reached.

The curvature of the lateral outer edge can in the direction of push lose weight. In this way, the opening in the elastic material when pulling the connection element against the push-through direction initially, i. at the transition from the connecting section to the stretch section, more expanded than at the end, i. near the Transition from the expansion section to the receiving part. This course of the Widening of the opening helps to tear the elastic Material is avoided even more effectively.

Preferably, the angle, the one at the curved outer edge created tangent with the push direction forms, in an in Push direction seen rear area of the outer edge in the Range of about 20 ° to 60 ° and in a front area of the outer edge in the range of about 0 ° to 20 °. At these angles becomes a achieved particularly gentle expansion of the opening.

The lateral outer edge may be at least in the region of the receiving part run approximately tangentially to an outer side of the receiving part. In this way, the transition from the expansion section to the receiving part Essentially free of edges, causing damage to the elastic material is prevented even more effective.

Preferably, the upper and lower walls define an opening of the Contact part, in particular an opening for a secondary locking of the Connection element. In this way, the expansion section meets a Dual function: First, it expands the opening in the elastic material when pulling out the connecting element, and on the other comprises he an opening, the e.g. can be used for a secondary locking.

Alternatively, or in addition to using a wall with a curved lateral outer edge, it is preferred that the expansion section has at least one guide area, at least partially arched so as to be transverse to the direction of feed and parallel to the Push-through direction with respect to this inclined and / or so arched, in that the cross section of the expansion section is in the push-through direction continuously enlarged. Preferably, the guide area is like this formed such that when pulling out of the connection element an opening in an elastic sealing material the edge of the opening not on a sharp edge of the expansion section, in particular a formed by punching edge of sheet material, rests. By the curvature or curvature of the guide area in one direction transverse to the direction of the passage, the occurrence of sharp edges avoided when pulling out of the connection element the Could injure the edge of the opening. Furthermore, there is a gain the guide area opposite to the direction of feed occurring forces. The curvature parallel to the direction of push or the inclination to the push-through direction allows a uniform Elongation of an opening edge in the elastic sealing material. Thereby Voltage peaks and possibly caused by them Cracks avoided. The arched transversely to the direction of push Sections of the guide area are preferably also parallel to Passage direction with respect to this inclined or curved, however this does not necessarily need to be the case.

Particularly preferred is the guide area or the guide areas so formed and in particular arched, that along the outer circumference of the stretch section no sharp edges or corners occur.

It is particularly preferred that the curvature of the guide area in the direction of feed and / or the inclination of the guide area decreases with respect to the direction of feed. Similar to the use a wall with a curved lateral outer edge can in this way, at constant speed, with the connecting element pulled out of an opening in elastic sealing material is, with small elongation of the opening edge far below an elongation at break a fast widening, while at already large Stretch the opening only slowly and therefore gently widened becomes. Preferably, the guide region extends near the receiving part essentially parallel to the push-through direction.

Also in this embodiment of the expansion section it is preferred in that the guide region has an opening into which a second locking element a connection element receptacle for receiving the Connection element is at least partially inserted. The stretch section thus fulfills a double function, namely the extension of a Opening in an elastic sealing material through which the connecting element is pulled through, and providing a way to Second locking of the connection element in a connection element receptacle. The guide area can in this case in particular bow-like be shaped.

The contact portion of the contact part can contact spring arms for contacting having a plug contact. The contact spring arms allow a reliable contacting of a plug contact. The recording part can be provided with spring arms over which the receiving part with the Contact spring arms of the contact part cooperates.

To ensure a good contact with long service life of the contact part allow, it is preferable that at a base portion of the contact portion at least one holding arm and a contact spring are held, both extend in a plug-in direction in which a plug contact and the connection element can be plugged together, and that the contact spring at one end with the support arm and the other end with the Base section is connected. Preferably, the holding arm is resilient, but designed so stiff that on the one hand, the contact spring is softer and on the other hand it resists deformation for a long life.

To a good deformability of the contact spring upon insertion of a complementary It is preferred that the Contact spring at least a round or V-shaped bend in the insertion direction having.

In order to increase the rigidity of the support arm as a whole, it is preferable that at least a portion of the support arm has a rectangular cross-section and that the longer side of the cross section is approximately parallel to a direction in which the contact spring at Mating with a plug contact is resiliently deformable. at an insertion of a plug contact behaves the holding arm in this Area relatively stiff, so that deformed primarily the contact spring becomes.

To a greater mobility of the contact spring relative to the support arm To achieve, it is preferred that a free end of the support arm with the contact spring connecting connecting portion is angled. This is especially advantageous if the contact part in one piece as Stamped bent part is formed.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention Connection element is the contact part of a first material and the Receiving part formed of a second material, wherein the first material has a higher electrical conductivity than the second material and the second material has better elasticity properties than the first one Material has. By using different materials let the contact part and the receiving part separated from each other optimize for their respective purposes. For the contact part can Material to be selected, which has a particularly high electrical conductivity has, for example, a copper sheet. In contrast, for example a provided with spring arms receiving part of a material be formed, the particularly good and especially long-term stable spring properties has, e.g. a steel sheet. Ensures the connection element in this way a particularly low-loss electrical contact another connection element while allowing one permanently reliable mechanical contacting of the other connection element.

Furthermore, the receiving part may have at least one latching opening which allows a locking of the connection element in a housing.

To the simplest possible by pushing through the connection element an opening in an elastic material and easy pulling out to allow through the opening, it is preferable that a section the outer surface of the receiving part, which is substantially parallel extends to the direction of feed, is smooth and no after Having outside of the outer surface protruding area. Especially is then on the outer surface no resilient arm for Erstverriegelung the Provided connecting element.

When inserting the connecting element into an opening in a elastic material reduces the risk of the material tearing, it is preferred that the receiving part at least two substantially Having parallel to the direction of feed extending outer edges, the delimiting a wall section, and that the wall section over the ends of the outer edges continue into a tongue whose lateral, from the edges of the outer edges of the outgoing edges at least partially inclined to each other with respect to the push-through direction. On This way, the edge of the opening when inserting evenly be stretched, leaving the outer edges due to the curvature occurring voltage peaks are greatly reduced.

In order to further facilitate the insertion into the opening, it is preferable that the tongue bent at its free end transversely to the direction of push is. When inserting the edge of the opening does not hit so a transverse to the direction of travel extending sharp edge, the Pushing harder and could lead to a tearing of the edge.

To solve the second object is a method for producing a electrical connection element, in particular an electrical connection element according to one of the above-described types, provided, wherein a contact part with a contact portion, a connecting portion and an intermediate stretch section is punched out of a metal sheet such that the expansion section has at least one opening with a concave lateral edge, the together with a bending line of the contact part a metal tongue limited, or that the expansion section has a lateral outer edge that starts in a section where he is in a blunt Angle is inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the contact section, smoothly merges into the outer edge of the contact portion, wherein an in the area of the curved outer edge and one outside of this Area extending bending line are provided parallel to the longitudinal axis. A receiving part is punched out of a sheet metal, the contact part and the receiving part along the bending line or the bending lines and if necessary, further predetermined bending lines are bent over, and the parts become assembled in such a way that the receiving part, the contact part in the area the contact portion at least partially surrounds.

By the method can be an inventive connecting element in a simple way and with low economic and mechanical Create effort according to the punching / bending method. By punching the opening with a concave side edge is after bending of the contact part a wall with a convex, preferably convex curved lateral outer edge formed. The bending over of the contact part according to the bending lines used run in Essentially parallel to the push-through direction:

Preferably, two openings are punched, each two opposite have concave edges such that after bending of the Contact part of an upper and a lower wall, each convex curved Outside edges are formed in the expansion section, through the a limited by an elastic material opening when pulling of the connecting element can be widened through the opening.

Alternatively, when using the expansion section with the curved extending outer edge by the double bend a guide area formed, both transversely and parallel to the longitudinal axis is arched of the contact portion or the push-through direction.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Anschlusselements;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht des Anschlusselements von Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine Draufsicht auf eine Unterseite des Anschlusselements von Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Anschlusselements;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht auf ein ausgestanztes Blech, aus dem ein Kontaktteil für das Anschlusselement von Fig. 4 gebildet wird;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer dritten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Anschlusselements;

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Kontaktteils des Anschlusselements in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf einen Kontaktabschnitt und einen Teil eines Dehnungsabschnitts des Kontaktteils in Fig. 7; und

Fig. 9

eine Draufsicht auf einen Abschnitt eines Blechstreifens mit einem ausgestanzten Abschnitt, aus dem ein Kontaktteil für das Anschlusselement in Fig. 7 gebildet wird.

The invention will now be described purely by way of example with reference to an advantageous embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electrical connection element according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a side view of the connection element of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

a plan view of an underside of the connection element of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

a side view of a second embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention;

Fig. 5

a plan view of a punched sheet metal, from which a contact part for the connection element of Fig. 4 is formed;

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a third embodiment of an electrical connection element according to the invention;

Fig. 7

a perspective view of a contact part of the connection element in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

a perspective view of a contact portion and a portion of a stretch portion of the contact part in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 9

a plan view of a portion of a metal strip with a punched-out portion from which a contact part for the connection element in Fig. 7 is formed.

Fig. 1 to 3 show a connection element 10 for pushing through an opening in an elastic material (not shown) along a

Push-through direction 12 of the connecting element 10. The push-through direction 12 is substantially parallel to a longitudinal central axis of the connection element 10 oriented.

The connection element 10 comprises a contact part 14 and a plugged Receiving part 16. The contact part 14 has in the push-through 12th arranged one behind the other a connecting portion 18, an expansion section 20 and a contact portion 22.

The connecting portion 18 serves for electrical and mechanical Connecting the connection element 10 with an electrical line 24th For this purpose, the contact part 14 in the connecting portion 18th both tongues 26, through which the electrical line 24 at the connecting portion 18 is fixable, as well as tongues 28, through which stripped electrical conductor 30 of the electrical line 24 mechanically and are electrically contactable. By bending the tongues become 26, 28 brought in the state shown in Fig. 1 and 2.

The contact portion 22 of the contact part 14 is in the illustrated embodiment formed as a socket portion and forms a receiving space for receiving a plug-in contact, not shown.

However, according to the invention it is also possible in principle to use the contact section 22 form as a plug contact.

The receiving part 16 has a cuboidal basic shape and surrounds the contact part 14 in the region of the contact portion 22. The receiving part Although 16 is often referred to as the overspring, it needs it have no spring properties.

The receiving part 16 has tongues 32 which are made of the walls of the receiving part 16 emerge and in the region of the insertion opening 38 for the Plug contact in the receiving part 14 are bent in to a Guidance for the plug contact to form, the insertion of the plug contact facilitates in the contact part 14 and damage of Contact arms of the contact portion 22 in an improper insertion a plug contact prevented.

To a mechanical contacting of a in the socket section trained contact portion 22 of the contact part 14 introduced To support plug contact or to an excessive expansion of the Contact section 22 by an inserted plug contact to prevent are on an upper wall 34 of the receiving part 16 two in the Receptacle for the plug in bent support tabs 40 formed upon insertion of a plug contact in the contact portion 22 a deflection of a contact arm of the contact portion 22nd limit.

In a seen in the direction of feed 12 rear portion of the upper and lower wall 34, 36 of the receiving part 16 are also each two locking tabs 42 provided in the receiving space of the Contact portion 22 are bent into it and into corresponding securing openings 44 of the contact part 14 engage. By in the Locking holes 44 engaging securing tabs 42 is the Receiving part 16 secured to the contact part 14, so that the receiving part 16 can not be unintentionally removed from the contact part 14.

In each side wall 58 of the receiving part 16 is also a detent opening 43 is provided, which is a locking of the connecting element 10 in one Housing allows.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the receiving part 16 has a larger cross section than the contact part 14. In particular, the Width of the receiving part 16 is greater than the width of the contact part 14 in Connecting portion 18. In between the connecting portion 18 and the expansion portion 20 located at the contact portion 22 increases the width of the contact part 14 approximately to the width of the receiving part 16th

At its end pointing to the expansion portion 20 has the receiving part 16 tongues 45 on, consisting of side walls 58 of the receiving part 16 emerge and are bent into the receiving part 16 inside. The as guides for the opening edge serving tongues 45 contribute at, damage to the elastic material when pulling to avoid the connection element through the opening.

Between the running parallel to the direction of feed, smooth Outside surfaces of the side walls 58 of the receiving part 16 are outer edges formed, the increased bending radius of a violation of the opening edge Prevents passage through this. The side, from the ends of the outer edges of the outgoing edges of the tongues 45 extend at least partially inclined with respect to the push-through direction 12 towards each other.

The expansion portion 20 is defined by an upper wall 46 and a lower Wall 48 of the contact part 14 is formed, wherein the upper wall 46th due to the formation of the contact part 14 as a punched / bent part of two Wall halves 50 composed.

The walls 46, 48 each have two lateral opposing, convexly curved outer edges 52, wherein the curvature of the lateral Outer edges 52 in the direction of feed 12 each decreases (see. Fig. 3). The between the lateral outer edges 52 of a wall 46, 48th maximum existing distance defined in this context the Width of the contact part 14 in the expansion section 20th

The angle that an applied to the curved lateral outer edge 52 Tangent forms with the push-12, is in an in Push-through direction 12 seen rear portion 54 of the lateral outer edge 52 about 33 ° and in a front portion 56 of the lateral Outer edge 52 about 0 °, i. the lateral outer edges 52 extend in Area 56 of the receiving part 16 is substantially tangential to outer sides 58 of the receiving part 16.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper and lower walls 46, 48 oriented parallel to each other and define an opening 60 of the Contact part 14, in the illustrated embodiment, a cross-passage, for a second locking of the connecting element 10.

Basically, in another embodiment, the upper and lower wall 46, 48 but also tilted to each other and, for example Run apart in the direction 12. In this case lead the walls 46, 48 adjacent to a widening of the opening through the convex lateral outer edges 52 in addition to a widening of Opening in a second direction.

In the illustrated embodiment, the walls 46, 48 of the expansion section 20 with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the connection element 10 symmetrically formed, i. the lateral outer edges 52 Each wall 46, 48 each have the same curvature. Further Also, the upper and lower walls 46, 48 are both equally curved lateral outer edges 52 on, i. the walls 46, 48 have an im Essentially congruent contour.

However, according to the invention it is also conceivable that at least one of Walls 46, 48 is asymmetrical, i. differently curved has lateral outer edges 52, and / or that the upper Wall 46 and the lower wall 48 each have different outer contours exhibit.

Fig. 4 shows a second preferred embodiment of an inventive Connecting element 10. The tongues 26, 28 for mechanical and electrically connecting the connection element 10 with an electrical Line are not yet bent in this embodiment.

In contrast to the embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3 has the contact part 14 of the connection element shown in Fig. 4 10 in its stretch section 20 additionally two lateral, in the Substantially orthogonal to the walls 46, 48 extending ramps 72nd on, seen in the direction of feed 12 behind the opening 60 or behind the walls 46, 48, i. between the walls 46, 48 and the Connecting portion 18 are arranged. Through the ramps 72 is for one increases the stability of the contact part 14, on the other hand takes the Height of the expansion portion 20 in the direction of feed 12 to. The Ramps 72 merge into the upper and lower walls 46, 48.

The expansion section 20 thus has two in the push-through 12th successive sections on, on the one hand by a the ramps 72 formed part section and on the other hand one through the Walls 46, 48 formed part section. When pulling the connection element 10 through an opening, the expansion thus takes place in two Phases: Through the ramps 72, the opening limiting elastic Material initially in a first direction transverse to the direction of feed 12 displaced, namely in the direction of the height of the connecting element 10, i. the opening is widened to the distance of the walls 46, 48. Subsequently, the material is further enhanced by the convex lateral outer edges 52 of the walls 46, 48 in a second direction displaced transversely to the direction of feed 12 and the opening to the width of the receiving part 16 expanded. This expansion process in two Steps proves to be particularly gentle on the elastic material.

An inventive connecting element 10 is by punching the Contact part 14 and the receiving part 16 of corresponding sheets, By bending the respective sheet metal parts and by subsequent Merging of contact part 14 and receiving part 16 made.

Fig. 5 shows a punched sheet metal part 61 of a contact part 14 for the Connection element of Fig. 4. The contact member 14 is in plan State, i. it is not bent yet. To recognize is the contact section 22, the expansion section 20 and an adjoining Part of the connecting portion 18.

In order to achieve that the width of the expansion portion 20 in the bent state of the contact part 14 at least approximately up to the width of the receiving part 16 is increased, i. e. around the top and bottom Wall 46, 48 of the expansion section 20 are made of the Contact part 14 two openings 62 punched out.

The openings 62 each have a substantially rectangular basic shape and are each with respect to an axis of symmetry 64 which are parallel to a longitudinal center axis or push-through direction 12 of the contact part 14 extends, mirror-symmetrical design. The openings 62 have Further, on both sides of the axis of symmetry 64 a concave Edge 66 on, i. on both sides of the axis of symmetry 64 protrude sheet metal tongues 68 with convex outer edges in the openings 62 inside. The Sheet metal tongues 68 are each through the concave edge 66 of the respective Opening 62 and a bending line 70 of the contact part 14 limited.

A total of four bending lines 70 are provided, each parallel to the Push-through direction 12 and longitudinal center axis of the contact part 14th extend. The bending lines 70 each extend tangentially to the openings 62nd

When bending the contact part 14 along the bending lines 70 are the Sheet metal tongues 68 not bent over. In this way, the intermediate forms The two openings 62 located area of the sheet metal part 61 in the bent State of the contact part 14, the lower wall 48, while the Areas of the sheet metal part 61, which are facing away from each other Sides of the openings 62 are located, respectively, the wall halves 50 of the upper Form wall 46 of the contact part 14. The curved edges of the sheet metal tongues 68 thus simultaneously form the lateral outer edges 52 of the upper and lower walls 46, 48 of the expansion section 20 in the bent Condition of the contact part 14.

Two ramps 62 extend obliquely to the longitudinal center axis of the contact part 14 each from the inner to the outer bending line 70, that the expansion portion 20 of the sheet metal part 61 in the planned state of Broadened connecting portion 18, starting in the direction of feed 12. When bending the contact part 14, the ramps 72 along the inner bending lines 70 approximately at right angles to the plane of the flat sheet metal part 62 bent over.

The difference between the sheet metal part 61 of the second shown in FIG Embodiment and the (not shown) punched out accordingly Sheet metal part of the illustrated in Fig. 1 to 3 first embodiment in that the sheet metal part of the first embodiment instead of the ramps approximately parallelogram-shaped or rectangular side wall sections 74, which in the bent state a lower height have as the expansion portion 20 and the tongues 28 of the connecting portion.

A connection element 76 according to a third preferred embodiment The invention is shown in FIGS. 6 to 8.

The connection element 76, similar to the connection element 10, is made a contact part 78 and a receiving part 80 constructed on the Contact member 78 is pushed and secured or secured there.

The contact part 78 is basically similar to the contact part 14 of the first embodiment and points along a push-through direction 82 arranged one behind the other a connecting portion 84, a stretch portion 86 and a contact portion 88.

The connecting portion 84 is constructed like the connecting portion 18 and has the tongues 26 and 28 corresponding tongues 90 and 92, respectively on. The tongues 92 differ from the tongues 28 in that they have slots. The explanations regarding the function of the Connecting portion 18 also apply to the connecting portion 84th

The expansion portion 86, the expansion portion 20 in the first Embodiment corresponds and exercises a same function has two guide portions 94, 94 ', which are partially transverse and parallel to the Push-through direction 82 are curved or curved so that the Cross section of the expansion section 86 in the direction of feed 82 continuously increased. The guide portions 94 and 94 'are opposite a bottom portion 96 bent so that no sharp edges.

In the guide portions 94, 94 'are recesses 98 and 98' for Second locking elements of a connection element receptacle for receiving of the connection element 76 is formed.

The guide portions 94 and 94 'are curved so that they after a section of strong curvature or curvature parallel to the direction of push 82 increasingly flattening in the contact portion 88th pass over and in this area substantially parallel to the direction of push 82 are lost. Through the recesses 98 and 98 'take the guide portions 94 and 94 'in the upper part in Figs. 6 to 8 the shape of a bracket with outwardly rounded edges.

The curvature or curvature of the guide regions 94 and 94 'in the area the contact portion 88 transverse to the direction of passage 82 corresponds essentially the curvature of corresponding walls of the contact section 88. As can be seen in Fig. 8, pass through these bulges along the circumference of the expansion portion 86 no sharp Edges on which the withdrawal of the connection element 76 of a Opening in an elastic sealing material to a violation of the edge could lead to the opening.

The contact portion 88 includes a base portion 100 substantially rectangular cross section, which is divided into four support arms 102 and four contact springs 104 continues. Each one of the support arms 102 is with one of the contact springs 104 at a free end by a through Bending resulting formed with a 90 ° bend holding section 106 connected. The holding arms 102 and the contact springs 104 and the holding portions 106 are each formed the same.

In the base portion 100 securing recesses are formed, of which in Figs. 6 to 8, only the recesses 108 are visible and for securing the mounting part 80 to the Contact part 78 serve.

The contact springs 104 each have a direction of passage 82, which is at the same time a plug-in direction in which a flat plug contact in the Contact portion 88 is insertable, V-shaped bent portion 110th near the respective holding portion 106, which has a waisted Section 112 is connected to the base section 100. By the Sidecut results in a high flexibility of the contact spring 104th

The support arms 102 are also resilient, but have a substantial higher stiffness than the contact springs 104. To achieve this, are the cross sections of sections 114 that are at the base section 100 are held at right angles, with a longer side across Push-through direction or plug-in direction 82 and parallel to a deflection the contact springs 104 runs.

By a decrease in the cross section in the direction of the holding sections 106 towards the flexibility of the support arms 102 increases in the area of Ends of these support arms.

The receiving part 80 is formed similar to the receiving part 16 in first embodiment and in particular has a substantially rectangular in cross section, which is the cross section of the base section 100 corresponds. Between outer edges 116 are each Walls 118 extending in the push direction over the ends of the outer edges 116 continue in tongues 120, which are transverse to the direction of insertion are bent inwards. The from the ends of the outer edges 116 outgoing lateral edges 121 of the tongues 120 extend at least partly inclined relative to the push-through direction 82 towards each other, so that the receiving part in the forehead area substantially flattened Having corners on the edge of an opening of an elastic material light and without the appearance of excessive voltage surges is deferrable.

The walls 118 as well as the outer edges 116 are formed so that these parallel to the direction of feed 82 extending portions of the Receiving part 80 have no outwardly projecting portions. In one of the walls 118 only securing tabs 122 are provided, after pushing the receiving part 80 on the contact part 78th into the corresponding securing holes 108 in the base portion 100 are bent into it. In this way, the receiving part 80 easy to push through an opening in an elastic material, without it having a protruding area behind the edge of the Could catch the opening.

Both the receiving part 80 and the contact part 78 can as Punching and bending parts are produced.

Fig. 9 shows a portion of a metal strip 124 with an after Bending the contact part 78 to be separated stamped sheet metal part 126th Das Stamped sheet metal part has in a connecting portion 84, the tongues 90 and 92 on. This is followed by the expansion section 86, which approximately Quarter-circular outer edges 128 has the continuously pass into the outer edges of the contact portion 88. Between the outer edges 128 and the bottom portion 96 are the Ausnehmüngen 98 and 98 'formed for secondary locking.

The contact portion 88 includes the base portion 100, which is in four mirror-symmetrical to a central longitudinal axis formed U-shaped Loops continues, from which the retaining arms 102, the contact springs 104 and the holding portions 106 are formed by bending. In the base section 100 are the above-mentioned securing recesses 108 punched out.

The contact part 78 is then in the region of the connecting portion 84 simply with a large radius and in the expansion section 86 and the Contact portion 88 along the bending lines 130 shown in FIG. 9 bent.

Accordingly, the receiving part 80 by making a corresponding Punching and bending along appropriate bending lines produced.

Finally, the receiving part 80 is pushed onto the contact part 78 and secured there by bending the securing tabs 122.

In the illustrated embodiments, the connection elements 10 and 76 each formed as stamped / bent parts. This show that Contact part 14 or 78 and the receiving part 16 or 80 different Materials on. Thus, the contact part 14 or 78 made of a material with particularly high electrical conductivity formed, for example a copper sheet, while the receiving part 16 and 80, a material having particularly good and long-term stable spring properties and is formed for example of a steel sheet. In this way has the connection element 10 and 76 at the same time particularly good electrical and mechanical contact properties.

Basically, it is also possible according to the invention, the contact part 14th or 76 and the receiving part 16 or 80 of the same materials finished. According to the invention, the connection element 10 or 76 must also not necessarily be designed as a stamped / bent part, but it may also be otherwise, for example by soldering or gluing, getting produced.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

connecting element

12

By pushing direction

14

contact part

16

receiving part

18

connecting portion

20

expansion portion

22

Contact section

24

electrical line

26

tongue

28

tongue

30

electrical conductor

32

tongue

34

upper wall

36

bottom wall

38

insertion

40

Abstützlasche

42

securing tab

43

latching opening

44

securing aperture

45

tongue

46

upper wall

48

bottom wall

50

wall half

52

outer edge

54

the backstage area

56

front area

58

outside

60

opening

61

sheet metal part

62

opening

64

axis of symmetry

66

edge

68

sheet metal tongue

70

elastic line

72

ramp

74

Sidewall portion

76

connecting element

78

contact part

80

receiving part

82

By pushing direction

84

connecting portion

86

expansion portion

88

Contact section

90

tongues

92

tongues

94, 94 '

management areas

96

floor area

98, 98 '

recesses

100

base section

102

holding arms

104

contact springs

106

holding portions

108

securing recesses

110

V-shaped section

112

waisted section

114

sections

116

outer edge

118

walls

120

tongues

122

securing tabs

124

metal strip

126

Stamped sheet

128

outer edges

130

bending lines

Claims (21)

Electrical connection element (10; 76) for pushing through a, in particular round, opening in an elastic material along a push-through direction (12; 82) of the connection element (10; 76), with a contact part (14, 78) in the direction of feed (12; 82) arranged one behind the other a connecting portion (18; 84) for electrically and mechanically connecting the connection element (10; 76) with an electrical lead (24), an expansion section (20; 86) and a contact portion (22; 88) for contacting another connection element, and with a Receiving part (16; 80), the contact part (14; 78) in the region of Contact portion (22; 88) at least partially surrounds and to the Expansion section (20, 86) adjacent, wherein the cross section of the Contact part (14; 78) in the expansion section (20; 86) in the direction of feed (12; 82) continuously increased. Connection element (10) according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the cross-section of the contact part (14) in the expansion section (20) in a first section in a first direction transverse to the feed-through direction (12) and in a second section adjoining the first section in the push-through direction (12) in a direction deviating from the first direction second direction increases transversely to the direction of feed (12). Connection element (10; 76) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized
characterized in that
the contact part (14; 78) widens in this direction in the expansion section (20; 86) in one direction at least approximately to a width of the receiving part (16; 80). Connection element (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the contact part (14) in the expansion section (20) has at least one wall, preferably an upper and a lower wall (46, 48), with a curved lateral outer edge (52). Connection element (10) according to claim 4,
characterized in that
the curvature of the lateral outer edge (52) decreases in the push-through direction (12). Connection element (10) according to claim 4 or 5,
characterized in that
the angle which forms a tangent to the direction of passage (12), which is applied to the curved lateral outer edge (52), in a rear region (54) of the outer edge (52) viewed in the push-through direction (12) in the range of approximately 20 ° to 60 ° and in a front portion (56) of the outer edge (52) is in the range of about 0 ° to 20 °. Connection element (10) according to one of claims 4 to 6,
characterized in that
the lateral outer edge (52) extends in the region of the receiving part (16) at least approximately tangentially to an outer side (58) of the receiving part (16). Connection element (10) according to one of claims 4 to 7,
characterized in that
the upper and the lower wall (46, 48) define an opening (60) of the contact part (14), in particular for a second locking of the connection element (10). Connection element (76) according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
the expansion section (86) has at least one guide region (94, 94 ') which is arched at least partially transversely to the push - through direction (82) and is inclined and / or arched parallel to the push - through direction (82) relative to the push - through direction (82) Cross-section of the expansion section (86) in the direction of feed (82) continuously increased. Connection element (76) according to claim 9,
characterized in that
the curvature of the guide region (94, 94 ') in the push-through direction (82) and / or the inclination of the guide region (94, 94') with respect to the push-through direction (82) decreases. Connection element (76) according to claim 9 or 10,
characterized in that
the guide region (94, 94 ') has an opening (98, 98') into which a second locking element of a connection element receptacle for receiving the connection element can be inserted at least partially. Connection element (10) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the contact portion (22) of the contact part (14) contact spring arms for contacting a plug contact. Connection element (76) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
on a base portion (100) of the contact portion (88) at least one holding arm (102) and a contact spring (104) are held, both in a plugging direction (82) in which a plug contact and the connection element (76) are plugged together, and
the contact spring (104) is connected at one end to the support arm (102) and at the other end to the base portion (100). Connection element (10) according to claim 13,
characterized in that
the contact spring (104) has at least one round or V-shaped bend (110) in the insertion direction (82). Connection element (76) according to claim 13 or 14,
characterized in that
at least a portion (114) of the support arm (102) has a rectangular cross-section, and
in that the longer side of the cross section extends approximately parallel to a direction in which the contact spring (102) is resiliently deformable when mated with a plug contact. Connection element (76) according to one of Claims 13 to 15, characterized
characterized in that
a retaining portion (106) connecting a free end of the support arm (102) with the contact spring (104) is angled. Connecting element (10; 76) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the contact part (14; 78) is made of a first material and the receiving part (16; 80) is made of a second material, wherein the first material has a higher electrical conductivity than the second material and the second material has better elasticity properties than the first material , Connecting element (10; 76) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
a portion of the outer surface of the receiving part (16; 80), which runs substantially parallel to the direction of pushing (12; 82), is smooth and has no region projecting outwardly from the outer surface. Connection element (10; 76) according to claim 18,
characterized in that
the receiving part (16; 80) has at least two outer edges (116) extending essentially parallel to the direction of advance (12, 82) and delimiting a wall section (118), and
in that the wall section (118) continues beyond the ends of the outer edges (116) into a tongue (120) whose lateral edges (121) emanating from the ends of the outer edges (116) are inclined towards each other at least partially relative to the push-through direction (82) run. Connection element (10; 76) according to claim 19,
characterized in that
the tongue (120) at its free end is bent transversely to the direction of feed (82). Method for producing an electrical connection element (10; 76), in particular an electrical connection element (10; 76) according to one of the preceding claims, in which
a contact part (14; 78) having a contact section (22; 88), a connecting section (18; 84) and an expansion section (20; 86) located therebetween is punched from a sheet of material such that the expansion section (20) has at least one opening (20). 62) having a concave lateral outer edge (66) which, together with a bending line (70) of the contact part (14) delimits a sheet metal tongue (68), or in that the expansion portion (20) has a lateral outer edge (128) starting in a portion in which it is inclined at an obtuse angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the contact portion (88) smoothly merges into the outer edge of the contact portion (88), wherein in the region of the curved outer edge (128) and a bending line extending outside this range (130) are provided parallel to the longitudinal axis,
a receiving part (16; 80) is punched out of a sheet of material,
the contact part (14; 78) and the receiving part (16; 80) are bent along the bending line (70) or the bending lines (130) and possibly further predetermined bending lines, and
the parts (14, 16, 78, 80) are joined together such that the receiving part (16, 80) at least partially surrounds the contact part (14, 78) in the region of the contact section (22, 88).

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