EP1560303A2 - Contact element for electrical connecting of a head light to a lamp socket - Google Patents

Abstract

A housing (2) has two longitudinally-extending accommodating chambers (3) arranged one on top of the other. Each chamber has an opening (7) towards the front end face of the housing and a slot that extends from the side face of the housing into the chamber and through an end wall (4) forming the end face into the opening. The chamber receives a corresponding contact element (9).

Description

The invention relates to a connecting element for electrically conductive connection with Flat contact tongues on a lamp base of a lamp, by a pivoting movement about an axis with the socket of a lamp, in particular the one Headlight of a motor vehicle, is connectable.

In a motor vehicle many types of lamps are in use, too by the shape of its lamp cap and the arrangement and formation of the contacts (see, for example, the book "Autoelektrik, Autoelektronik / Bosch", third updated Edition 1998, Verlag Vieweg, pages 222 to 227, as well as 234 and 235).

US 2003/0045151 A1 describes a connection arrangement for a luminaire with a reflector and with a fixable on this via a bayonet lock Lamp insertable along a first axis in an opening of the reflector and is connectable with this. The lamp is equipped with flat contact pins, which are arranged in a common plane, on which the axis to which the Lamp is pivotable, standing at right angles. After the lamp with the reflector is firmly connected by a pivoting movement about the first axis, the corresponding mating contacts to the flat contact pins by a shift be effected of an element which receives the corresponding mating contacts. In this case, the electrical connection can be done by the mating contact elements thereby being brought into contact with the flat contact pins, that the receiving element about a first axis by a distance at right angles pivoting second axis is pivoted or this along an axis, the parallel to the axis of the flat contact pins extends to this moved into contact or this is pivoted about the axis to the fixed lamp is pivoted becomes.

The disadvantage of this is that initially always the lamp firmly connected to the reflector must be before an electrical contact by movement of the corresponding Mating contacts receiving element can be generated. Only this two-stage connection is possible because first the mechanical connection between the lamp and the reflector and then the electrical connection must be made.

The object of the invention is to provide a connecting element for electrically conductive connection to provide with the flat contact tongues of a lamp cap, which radially protrude from the lamp base, this by a pivoting movement a socket can be fixed, which optionally the achievement of an electrically conductive Connection simultaneously with the pivoting movement of the lamp base or regardless of attaching the connecting element, which with the Flat contact tongues in contact passing elements contains enabled.

• mindestens zwei aus einem elektrisch leitenden Material bestehende Kontaktelemente, die jeweils
  • zwei Kontaktarme aufweisen, die an einem Ende miteinander einstückig verbunden und gabelartig geformt sind, so dass ihre unverbundenen Endabschnitte einander gegenüberstehen und Kontaktabschnitte bilden, die dazu dienen, eine Flachkontaktzunge beidseitig an ihren Breitseiten zu kontaktieren,
  • einen Anschlusskontaktabschnitt aufweisen, der mit einem Kontaktarm einstückig verbunden ist und von den Kontaktabschnitten weg vom verbundenen Ende vorsteht,
• ein Gehäuse, das
  • eine vordere Stirnfläche und eine winklig dazu angeordnete Seitenfläche aufweist,
  • je Kontaktelement eine Aufnahmekammer aufweist, welche eine Öffnung zur Stirnfläche und einen Schlitz aufweist, der von der Seitenfläche bis in die Aufnahmekammer und durch eine die Stirnfläche bildende Stirnwand bis in die Öffnung verläuft, wobei die Aufnahmekammern entsprechend der versetzten Anordnung der Flachkontaktzungen entlang der Achse übereinander angeordnet sind.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a connecting element for electrically conductive connection with at least two radially from a lamp base, which is connected by a pivoting movement about an axis with the version of a lamp, in particular a headlight of a motor vehicle, exiting and offset along the axis flat contact tongues whose Broad sides are transverse to the axis, comprising

• at least two of an electrically conductive material contact elements, each
  • two contact arms integrally connected and fork-shaped at one end so that their unconnected end portions face each other and form contact portions which serve to contact a flat contact tongue on both sides of their broad sides,
  • a terminal contact portion integrally connected to a contact arm and projecting from the contact portions away from the connected end,
• a case that
  • has a front end face and a side face arranged at an angle thereto,
  • each contact element has a receiving chamber which has an opening to the end face and a slot which extends from the side surface into the receiving chamber and through an end wall forming the end face into the opening, wherein the receiving chambers according to the staggered arrangement of the flat contact tongues along the axis one above the other are arranged.

An advantage of this embodiment over a known embodiment of Lamps, by a pivoting movement of their lamp cap around an axis with the socket of a lamp are connected and in which the electrically conductive Connection with a connection element Flat contact tongues parallel to the axis protruding from the lamp base is that with the pivotal movement of the lamp cap simultaneously with the mechanical connection of the same with the socket electrically conductive connection of the flat contact tongues to the contact elements of the connecting element is produced. Such a type of mounting becomes predominantly selected when replacing a mounted luminaire. In the production of a Motor vehicle lamps are often delivered pre-assembled to the socket, to transport the lamp protected and its function before assembly to be able to check. When mounting the motor vehicle, for example then the headlight first with the located in the lamp socket Lamp mounted on the body. In the solution according to the invention is then a radial or tangential connection of the connecting element with the Flat contact tongues on the lamp base possible.

In an embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the opening, starting from the Side surface corresponding to the entry length of the flat contact tongue in the receiving chamber is measured.

The solution according to the invention allows for different variants. So it is possible the terminal contact portion for crimping with an electrical conductor to form a cable. For this purpose, for example, a crimping section with Crimplaschen be provided. This means that a cable directly to the terminal contact section and thus also connected to the contact elements, which are then housed in the housing.

However, it is also possible to form the terminal contact portion as a plug pin, so that at this already provided on the cable connector with as sockets designed contact elements can be connected. Preferably, in designed in this case, the pin as a flat pin. As a rule, two Contact elements are provided, it is advantageous if the flat pin with his Broad sides transverse to the broad side of the contact arms, leaving only one sort of contact elements with flat plug pins for different arrangement variants needs to be made.

In the case of the equipment of the connecting element with contact elements, the are provided with flat pins, it is provided that the housing a Socket portion, in which protrude the pins protected.

The housing may be formed in several parts, wherein the end face having End wall is formed by a lid. As a result, the assembly of the contact elements simplified in the housing.

In order to set the connection element close to the socket, the housing is provided with holding means for connection to a holder, which for example Part of the version can be.

In order to facilitate the insertion of the flat contact tongues in the contact elements provided that the contact portions of the contact arms laterally to the slot and towards the opening, starting from their contact with the flat contact blades Striving for areas apart.

Preferably, however, it is provided that the contact portions of the contact arms starting from their contact with the areas both side to Slit out as well as stride away from this.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are schematic in the drawing shown.

Figur 1

einen Längsschnitt durch ein erfindungsgemäßes Verbindungselement,

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht des Verbindungselementes,

Figur 3

eine Ansicht auf die Stirnfläche des Verbindungselementes in Pfeilrichtung X von Figur 2,

Figur 4

einen Längsschnitt durch eine zweite Ausführungsform eines Verbindungselementes gemäß der Erfindung,

Figur 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Zuordnung eines Verbindungselementes gemäß Figuren 1 bis 3 zu einer Lampenfassung und einer diese aufnehmenden Lampe,

Figur 6

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Kontaktelementes in einer ersten Ausführungsform gemäß der Erfindung passend zu dem Verbindungselement gemäß Figuren 1 bis 3,

Figur 7

die gegenseitige Zuordnung zweier Verbindungselemente in einer Ausführungsform, die zu dem Verbindungselement gemäß Figur 4 passt,

Figur 8

die gegenseitige Zuordnung zweier Kontaktelemente gemäß Figur 7 in einer gegenüber der Figur 7 abgewandelten Blickrichtung.

It shows

FIG. 1

a longitudinal section through a connecting element according to the invention,

FIG. 2

a side view of the connecting element,

FIG. 3

a view of the end face of the connecting element in the direction of arrow X of Figure 2,

FIG. 4

a longitudinal section through a second embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention,

FIG. 5

a perspective view of the assignment of a connecting element according to Figures 1 to 3 to a lamp holder and a lamp receiving this,

FIG. 6

3 is a perspective view of a contact element in a first embodiment according to the invention, suitable for the connecting element according to FIGS. 1 to 3,

FIG. 7

the mutual association of two connecting elements in an embodiment that matches the connecting element according to FIG. 4,

FIG. 8

the mutual association of two contact elements according to Figure 7 in a comparison with the figure 7 modified viewing direction.

First, a first embodiment of a connecting element 1 is based on of Figures 1 to 3 described. The connecting element 1 comprises a housing 2, extending in the longitudinal direction of the same two receiving chambers 3, the are arranged one above the other according to FIG. The housing 2 is forward through an end wall 4 closed, in the corresponding to the receiving chambers 3, an opening 7 is provided in each case. Parallel to the receiving chambers 3 extend in the side surface 6 in the longitudinal direction slots 8, which extend into the end face 5 and thus also communicate with the openings 7. It revealed Thus, two opening areas, which extend in the transverse direction from the side surface 6 extend through the end wall 4 over a length L. In the reception rooms 3 is in each case a contact element 9, each with a Cable 10 is connected, which from the end face 5 remote end of the housing 2 exit. The two cables 10 are used for power supply, for example Lamp of a headlight. The connecting element 1 serves to electrically conductive connection between the contact elements 9 to flat contact tongues to produce the lamp base of a lamp. This will be in connection later described in more detail with FIG.

To fix the connecting element 1 are at this attachment approaches 11 provided, which can be inserted into guides of a holder, the part of Version is mounted or near the same.

While in the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 3, the cable 10 directly are connected to the contact elements 9, sees the formation of the connecting element 101 according to Figure 4 an interface with terminal contact portions 117 in the form of plug pins 117 before, each with a contact element 109th are connected. The terminal contact portions 118 are provided with a mating connector G connectable. In the connection element 101 according to FIG. 4, a housing 102 is provided provided, which has a housing portion, which corresponds substantially the housing 2 according to Figures 1 to 3 is formed, but wherein End wall with the end face 105 is shown by a separate cover 104. At this housing portion, however, a female portion 23 is connected, the for receiving the mating connector G forms a receiving chamber 24, in which the with the contact elements 109 connected terminal contact portions 117 in shape protrude from flat pins. The structure of the contact elements 109 receiving Housing section corresponds to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, to which reference is made to the description according to Figures 1 to 3. In the figure 4, however, reference numerals are used for comparable elements in the figures 1 to 3 are provided with reference numerals, which increases by the numerical value 100 are. The views according to FIGS. 2 and 3 apply with regard to the contact elements 109 receiving housing portion and the housing 102nd

With regard to the description of these parts, reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Figure 5 shows an assignment of the connecting element 1 according to Figures 1 to 3 a socket 26, a holder 25 is formed. In the socket 26, a lamp 27 are introduced along the axis 29. The lamp 27 is with a pedestal 28 provided, protrude from the radially with respect to the axis 29 flat contact tongues 30. The flat contact tongues 30 are arranged offset along the axis 29, wherein their broad sides 31 form parallel planes on which the axis 29 perpendicular stands. The lamp 27 can with its lamp base 28 in an opening of the socket 26 are introduced and for mechanical fixing to this about the axis 29th be pivoted, with the flat contact tongues 30 through the opening 7 also move into the slot 8 and with the contact elements 9 in the housing 2 in Contact us. In order to ensure this, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the length L the slot-shaped opening 7 along the end face 5, starting from the side surface 6 sized according to the entrance length of the flat contact tongues 30.

The connecting element 1 is attached to the holder 25 by means of the fastening lugs 11 established. There are two mounting variants possible. In the first variant, usually also used when first assembling a motor vehicle is, is the lamp 27 with its base 28 already mounted on the socket 26. The electrical connection is after mounting, for example, the Headlight made on the bodywork of the motor vehicle by the Connecting element 1, which is connected to the cables 10, on the holder 25 radially or is attached tangentially, wherein the lamp cap 28 of the lamp 27 in the mounted position to the socket 26 remains. Is such a motor vehicle equipped and in use and a lamp 27 must be replaced, this can by pivoting the lamp cap 28 in the socket 26 about the axis 29th both of the socket 26 and in terms of the electrical connection of the Flat contact tongues 30 are released, since these during pivoting of the lamp cap 28 also disengaged from the connecting element 1 and the therein Contact elements 9 get. The installation of a new lamp is done accordingly conversely, i. the lamp cap 28 a new lamp 27 is in the Inserted lamp holder 26 along the axis 29 and then pivoted so the flat contact tongues 30 engage the openings 7 or the slots 8 arrive and thus contact the non-visible contact elements 9 in contact can, whereby also an electrical connection is made. The embodiment thus allows both simultaneously by the pivoting movement the lamp cap 28 a mechanical connection with the lamp holder 26th and also an electrical connection with the contact elements of the connecting element 1 are produced.

In the same way as described in connection with FIG Connection are produced in the connecting element 101 according to Figure 4, wherein for already provided with mating connectors cable with the embodiment of the invention a connecting element can be connected.

The one with the two different embodiments according to figures 1 to 3 and Figure 4, on the other hand, used contact elements 9, 109 will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 6 to 8, wherein Figure 6 is a perspective view of a contact element 9 for the embodiment a connecting element 1 according to Figures 1 to 3 is determined.

From Figure 6, a contact element 9 can be seen, the first contact arm 12 and a second contact arm 13 extending from a connected end 14 and at their free ends a first contact portion 15 and second contact portion 16 form, wherein the contact portions 15, 16 of the two contact arms 12 and 13 face each other and are intended to each have a flat contact tongue 30 to take in accordance with Figure 5 between them and to contact electrically. With the first contact arm 12, an intermediate piece 18 is connected bent, to a terminal contact portion 17 in the form of a crimp connection terminal (Crimp) is connected, which serves an electrical make conductive connection with the conductor of the cable 10, including a pair forming and opposing Leitercrimplaschen 19 are provided, the be crimped with the conductor of the cable 10. In addition, two opposite insulating crimping lugs 20 at the terminal contact portion 17, which is U-shaped, arranged. These take the isolation between them of the cable 10 and are pressed against this to hold the cable 10.

Toward the free end, i. from the connected end 14 of the two contact arms 12, 13 away, the two contact portions 15, 16 strive apart. same for in a direction transverse to it, so that an approximately centrally arranged, concentrated Contact area results. The diverging areas form feed funnels, the connecting or pivoting of the flat contact tongues between to facilitate the first contact arm 12 and the second contact arm 13 so that these are moved apart with progressive pivoting and on the Broad sides 31 of the flat contact tongues 30 according to Figure 5 can slide on.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of contact elements 109, which are intended for use in connection elements 101 according to FIG. there are the first contact arm 112 and the second contact arm 113 as well as in the Embodiment according to Figure 6 connected at one end 114 and each form a first contact portion 115 and second contact portion 116. To the with the first contact arm 112 integrally connected adapter 118 closes a terminal contact portion 117 in the form of a flat pin, whose broad sides 22 parallel to the broad side 21, for example of the second contact arm 113, is aligned. Otherwise, the design of the contact arms 112, 113 corresponds to the the first embodiment according to Figure 6, including the description of Figure 6 is referenced, with parts corresponding to those of Figure 6, with reference numerals are provided, which are increased to those of Figure 6 by the numerical value 100.

The embodiment according to FIG. 7 leaves a mutual one as shown in FIG Assignment of two contact elements 109 to, in which the terminal contact sections 117 are arranged side by side in the form of flat pin pins.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 101

connecting element

2, 102

casing

3, 103

receiving chamber

4, 104

End wall / lid

5, 105

face

6, 106

side surface

7, 107

opening

8, 108

slot

9, 109

contact element

10

electric wire

11, 111

Fastening attachment / holding means

12, 112

first contact arm

13, 113

second contact arm

14, 114

connected end

15, 115

first contact section

16, 116

second contact section

17, 117

Terminal contact portion

18, 118

connecting piece

19

Leitercrimplasche

20

Isolierungscrimplasche

21

Broadside contact arm

22

Broadside connector pin

23

bushing section

24

receiving chamber

25

holder

26

version

27

lamp

28

lamp base

29

axis

30

Flat contact tongue

31

Broad side of the flat contact tongue

G

Mating connector

L

length

Claims (11)

Connecting element (1, 101) for electrically conductive connection with at least two radially from a lamp base (28), which is connected by a pivoting movement about an axis (29) with the socket (26) of a lamp, in particular a headlight of a motor vehicle, exiting and along the axis (29) offset flat contact tongues (30) whose broad sides (31) extend transversely to the axis (29) comprising at least two of an electrically conductive material contact elements (9, 109), each two contact arms (12, 112; 13, 113) integrally connected and forked at one end (14, 144) so that their unconnected end portions face each other and form contact portions (15, 115, 16, 116), which serve to contact a flat contact tongue (30) on both sides of their broad sides (31), a terminal contact portion (17, 117) integrally connected to one of the two contact arms (12, 112) and projecting from the contact portions (15, 115; 16, 116) away from the connected end (14, 114), a housing (2, 102), the a front end face (5, 105) and a side face (6, 106) arranged at an angle thereto, each contact element (9, 109) has a receiving chamber (3, 103) which has an opening (7, 107) to the end face (5, 105) and a slot (8, 108) extending from the side face (6, 106) into the receiving chamber (3, 103) and through an end face (5, 105) forming the end wall (4, 104) extends into the opening (7, 107), wherein the receiving chamber (3, 103) corresponding to the staggered arrangement of Flat contact tongues (30) along the axis (29) are arranged one above the other. Connecting element according to claim 1,
characterized in that the opening (7, 107), starting from the side surface (6, 106) corresponding to the entry length of the flat contact tongue (30) in the receiving chamber (3, 103) is dimensioned. Connecting element according to claim 1,
characterized in that the terminal contact portion (17) is formed for crimping with an electrical conductor of a cable (10). Connecting element according to claim 1,
characterized in that the terminal contact portion (117) is designed as a plug pin. Connecting element according to claim 4,
characterized in that the plug pin (117) is a tab pin. Connecting element according to claim 5,
characterized in that the flat pin (117) extends with its broad sides (22) transversely to the broad side (21) of the contact arms (112, 113) Connecting element according to claim 4,
characterized in that the housing (102) has a bushing portion (23) into which the plug pins (117) protrude Connecting element according to claim 1,
characterized in that the housing (102) is formed in several parts and the end face (105) having end wall (104) by a cover (104) is formed Connecting element according to claim 1,
characterized in that the housing (2, 102) holding means (11, 111) for connection to a holder (25). Connecting element according to claim 1,
characterized in that the contact portions (15, 115, 16, 116) of the contact arms (12, 112, 13, 113) extend laterally toward the slot (8, 108) and towards the opening (7, 107), starting from their contact with the flat contact tongues (30) diverge in contacting areas. Connecting element according to claim 9,
characterized in that the contact portions (15, 115, 16, 116) of the contact arms (12, 112, 13, 113) both from the side in contact with the contact areas both laterally to the slot (8, 108) and away diverge.

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