EP1643598B1 - Electrical terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

Free ends of the contact spring arms (32, 34) are each arranged near the entry opening (18) of the connector component (10) which accepts the plug pin. A widened part (60) stops the inserted component (14) against the base section (12). The base section has recesses (30) in which the widened parts engage. Each contact spring arms include a constriction (62) in the transition zone to the widened part. An independent claim is included for the corresponding method of manufacture.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connection element having a socket portion for receiving a plug-in contact base part and a arranged in the socket portion insert part, which comprises two contact spring arms for contacting a plug-in contact inserted into the socket portion.

Such a connection element is for example from the EP-A-1 215 763 known, which is considered as the closest prior art.

In a further known connection element of the aforementioned type, the base part and the insert part are separate components, different materials being used for the base part and the insert part. The base part can be formed, for example, from a particularly highly electrically conductive material, while the insert part may comprise a material which has particularly good spring properties in order to ensure reliable contact of the plug-in contact permanently.

A problem with this connection element proves that the insert can be moved relative to the base part when inserting a plug contact in the connection element or when pulling out the plug contact from the connection element, whereby the function of the connection element affected and the insert may even be damaged.

The invention has for its object to provide an electrical connection element whose function is permanently guaranteed and which can be produced with reduced economic effort.

To achieve the object, an electrical connection element with the features of claim 1 is provided.

According to the invention, the free ends of the contact spring arms each have a widening for locking the insert part on the base part. Due to the widening of the contact spring arms, the insert part is fixed to the base part and in particular secured against displacement relative to the base part.

In other words, when inserting a plug contact into the connection element, the insert part can not be displaced within the base part. Likewise, it can not be pulled out of the base part together with the plug contact when pulling out the plug contact from the connection part. As a result, the insert is always in an optimal for contacting the plug contact position within the base part. At the same time damage to the insert is avoided by the plug contact. A reliable function of the connection element is thus permanently ensured.

The insert part and the base part can each be formed in one piece. In particular, the insert part and / or the base part may be stamped / bent parts. As a result, the connecting element can be produced with a reduced economic outlay.

Furthermore, the insert part and the base part may be formed of different materials, wherein the base part preferably consists of a Bronze material and in particular of CuSn _0.1 and the insert preferably made of a spring material, in particular of a copper alloy, for example CuNiSi, is formed. To improve the electrical conductivity, the base part may additionally, in particular over the entire surface, be coated with tin.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the base part recesses, in which engage the widenings of the contact spring arms. The insert is thereby secured to the base part according to the spring / groove principle.

It is particularly advantageous if the contact spring arms emerge from an insertion part base which is arranged asymmetrically in a rear end region of the bushing section arranged in the insertion direction.

The asymmetry of the insert base preferably results from an asymmetric design of the contact spring arms in the stamped but not yet bent state of the insert part. In particular Kontaktfederarmabschnitte are punched with different lengths. By a corresponding bending of the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte it is achieved that the contact spring arms in the bent state of the insert part are substantially the same length. The difference in length of Kontaktfederarmabschnitte is thus compensated by the asymmetry of the insert base.

The training differently long Kontaktfederarmabschnitte allows overlapping of the widenings of the contact spring arms of an insert in the non-bent state. As a result, the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte can be punched with a smaller distance from each other. This leads to a further reduction of the material losses during the punching of the insert part and thus to a more cost-effective production of the connection element.

Preferably, at least one of the contact spring arms in a transition region to the broadening on a constriction. If the spacers during punching of the insert part are arranged in such a way that they overlap one another, the constriction during punching creates space for the broadening of the respective other contact spring arm. As a result, the contact spring arms can be punched out with an even smaller distance from each other. This in turn leads to an even further reduction of the material losses during the punching out of the insert part, so that the connection element can be produced more economically.

The insert base may comprise two, each extending approximately at right angles to the direction of insertion, different lengths continuations of the contact spring arms. Due to the different length of these continuations, the different length of the punched Kontaktfederarmabschnitte is compensated, i. achieved a substantially equal length of the contact spring arms in the bent state of the insert part.

The continuations of the contact spring arms may be connected to each other by a connecting portion which is arranged approximately at right angles to the continuations of the contact spring arms and in the region of a recess of the base part for a secondary locking. The connecting portion increases the stability of the insert part.

Due to the asymmetry of the insert part base of the connecting portion is not arranged in a longitudinal center plane of the insert part, but offset. In particular, it may be arranged below the recess of the base part for the secondary locking, so that obstruction of the secondary locking of the connecting element by the connecting section is avoided.

According to a further embodiment, the contact spring arms each have a longitudinal recess extending in the plug-in direction in a contact region provided for contacting a plug-in contact inserted in the socket section. Through the longitudinal recesses two separate contact points for contacting the plug contact are created on each contact spring arm. The insert thus has a total of four contact points for contacting the plug contact, which contributes to a plug contact is still reliably contacted even after a variety of mating operations.

The contact spring arms preferably each have a stiffening bulge in the region of their end facing the insert part base. These bulges increase the stability of the insert part and the reliability of the connection element even further.

It is particularly advantageous if the insert part, in particular exclusively, is provided with a coating of a noble metal material, eg gold, silver or platinum, in a contact region provided for contacting a plug-in contact inserted in the socket section. The insert is therefore not over the entire surface of the precious metal coated, but only where it is absolutely necessary, namely in the intended for contacting the plug contact area. In this way, while maintaining a good electrical conductivity of the insert part, the manufacturing costs of the connection element are further reduced.

Another object of the invention is also a method for producing an electrical connection element having a socket portion for receiving a plug-in contact, in particular designed as a punching / bending part, base part and arranged in the socket portion and formed as a punching / bending part insert part, which comprises two contact spring arms for contacting a plug-in contact inserted into the socket portion.

In the method, the insert part is punched from a sheet-like starting material such that two mutually parallel, differently long strip-shaped Kontaktfederarmabschnitte are connected at their one end by a base portion and each have a widening in the region of its other end, wherein the distance of Kontaktfederarmabschnitte to each other and the length of the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte be chosen so that the broadening of the longer Kontaktfederarmabschnitts and the broadening of the shorter Kontaktfederarmabschnitts in the flat, non-bent state of the insert overlap each other.

The widenings of the contact spring arm sections enable the insert part to be locked to the base part in such a way that the insert part arranged in the base part is always in an optimum position for contacting a plug contact inserted in the connection element. As a result, the function of the connection element is permanently ensured.

Due to the different length of the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte and thus allowing overlap of the widenings of the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte can be punched with a reduced distance from each other. This reduces the material losses occurring during the punching out of the insert part, so that the connection element can be produced overall more cost-effectively.

Advantageously, at least the longer Kontaktfederarmabschnitt can be provided with a constriction for the broadening of the shorter Kontaktfederarmabschnitts. As a result, the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte punched with an even closer distance from each other and the material losses are further reduced.

The contact spring arm sections are preferably, in particular exclusively, in a contact area provided for contacting a plug contact with a coating of a noble metal material, e.g. Gold, silver or platinum. Due to the fact that the noble metal material is applied to the insert part only where it is required, namely in the contact area provided for contacting the plug contact, the precious metal consumption is reduced and the connection element can be produced even less expensively.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Anschlusselements mit Basisteil und Einsatzteil;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Basisteils des Anschlusselements von Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Einsatzteils des Anschlusselements von Fig. 1 im umgebogenen Zustand;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Anschlusselements von Fig. 1, bei dem Teile des Basisteils weggebrochen sind;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Anschlusselements von Fig. 1, bei dem Teile des Basisteils weggebrochen sind;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Einsatzteils von Fig. 3 im flächigen, nicht umgebogenen Zustand;

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf zwei ausgestanzte aber noch nicht umgebogene Einsatzteile;

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

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a connecting element according to the invention with the base part and insert part;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the base part of the connection element of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the insert part of the connection element of Figure 1 in the bent state.

Fig. 4

a perspective view of the connection element of Figure 1, in which parts of the base part are broken away.

Fig. 5

a perspective view of the connection element of Figure 1, in which parts of the base part are broken away.

Fig. 6

a perspective view of the insert part of Figure 3 in the flat, non-bent state.

Fig. 7

a plan view of two punched but not yet bent inserts;

In Fig. 1, an inventive connecting element 10 is shown. The connection element 10 comprises a base part 12 and a separate insert part 14 arranged in the base part 12. Both the base part 12 and the insert part 14 are each formed as a one-piece punched / bent part.

Both parts 12, 14 each have an electrically conductive material. The base part 12 is made of a bronze material, for example of CuSn _0.1 , formed and completely coated with tin to improve the electrical conductivity. The insert 14 is formed of a spring material and preferably of a copper alloy, eg CuNiSi.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the base part 12 comprises a socket section 16 for receiving the insert part 14 and a plug-in contact insertable through an insertion opening 18 into the connection element 10. The socket portion 16 has a cuboid basic shape.

Close to the socket portion 16, seen in the insertion direction, a first crimping portion 20 and a second crimping portion 22, which serve to connect the connecting element 10 with an electrical line, not shown. In the region of the first crimping section 20, the base part 12 is tapered in comparison to the bushing section 16 and the second crimping section 22.

In a transition region between the socket section 16 and the first crimping section 20, a recess 24 is provided for a secondary locking of the connection element, for example for securing the connection element 10 in a housing.

The insertion opening 18 is bounded by two lateral tongues 26, as well as by an upper tongue 28 and a lower tongue 29 of the base part 12, which form continuations of the respective side wall of the socket portion 16. Between adjacent tongues 26, 28, 29 is formed in each case a recess 30 of the base part 12, whose purpose will be explained in more detail below.

The upper and the lower tongue 28, 29 are towards each other, ie in the direction of the insertion opening 18, bent and form with the corresponding side wall of the female portion 16 each an angle of about 30 ° to 60 °.

As shown in FIG. 3, the insert member 14 includes a first contact spring arm 32 and a second contact spring arm 34. The contact spring arms 32, 34 are formed substantially identically and interconnected via an insert base 36.

The insert base 36 includes a continuation 38 of the first contact spring arm 32 and a continuation 40 of the second Kontaktfederarms 34. The continuations 38, 40 are interconnected by a connecting portion 42 which is substantially perpendicular to the continuations 38, 40 of the contact spring arms 32, 34th extends away.

The continuation 38 of the first contact spring arm 32 is shorter than the continuation 40 of the second contact spring arm 34, so that the connecting portion 42 is not located in a longitudinal center plane of the insert 14, but is offset in the direction of the first Kontaktfederarms 32. The insert base 36 is thus asymmetrical.

A respectively adjacent to the insert base 36 first portion 44 of the contact spring arms 32, 34 extends approximately at right angles to the insert base 36 and is provided with an elongated bulge 46 which points to each other Kontaktfederarm 32, 34. The bulges 46 serve to stiffen the insert 14.

Starting from the insert part base 36, a second partial section 48 adjoins the first partial sections 44 in each case. In the area of these second sections 48, the contact spring arms are bent towards each other. The region in which the contact spring arms have a minimum distance from one another forms a contact region 50 for contacting a plug-type contact introduced into the connection element.

In the region of the contact region 50, the contact spring arms 32, 34 are provided with a coating 52 of a noble metal material (FIG. 7). This coating may include, for example, gold, silver or platinum.

Each second subsection 48 also has a longitudinal recess 54 extending in the longitudinal direction of the contact spring arms 32, 34, which extends over almost the entire length of the second subsection 48. The longitudinal recesses 54 on the one hand increase the flexibility of the contact spring arms 32, 34 in the contact region 50 and, on the other hand, result in each contact spring arm 32, 34 having two separate contact points 56 for making contact with a plug contact inserted in the connection element 10. An inserted plug contact is thus contacted at a total of four points 56, whereby the contact of the plug contact is improved.

An end section 58 of the contact spring arms 32, 34 adjoins the second sections 48, the end sections 58 being at a distance from one another which corresponds approximately to the spacing of the first sections 44 relative to each other.

A widening 60 of the contact spring arms 32, 34 is provided in the region of the end sections 58, while the contact spring arms 32, 34 each have a constriction 62 in a transition region from the second section 48 to the end section 58.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insert member 14 is mounted in the base member 12 such that the end portions 58 of the contact spring arms 32, 34 are disposed in the region of the insertion opening 18 and behind the bent upper and lower tongue 28, 29 on the Base part 12 issue. In this case, the widenings 60 of the contact spring arms 32, 34 engage in the recesses 30 of the base part 12 in order to lock the insert part 14 to the base part 12.

By the bent upper or lower tongue 28, 29, the contact spring arms 32, 34 are protected against damage from an inappropriate or incorrectly inserted plug contact. On the other hand, the bent-over tongues 28, 29 limit the recesses 30 of the base part 12 and thus prevent the insert part 14 from being pulled out of the socket section 16 together with the plug contact when extracting a plug contact from the connection element 10.

At the same time the insert member 14 is secured by the engagement of the spacers 60 in the recesses 30 on the base member 12 that the insert member 14 is not displaced in the insertion direction in the connector member 10 in the insertion direction within the socket portion 16 or pushed back out of this when inserting a plug contact can.

The interaction of the bent tabs 28, 29, the spacers 60 and the recesses 30 thus not only protects the insert 14 from damage, but also ensures reliable operation of the terminal permanently.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, the insert part 14 can be arranged in the base part 12 due to the different lengths of the continuations 38, 40 of the contact spring arm sections 32, 34 such that the connecting section 42 extends below the recess 24 for the secondary locking in the drawing , As a result of the asymmetry of the insert part base 36, it is thus achieved that the connecting section 58 does not stand in the way of a secondary lock.

As already mentioned, the insert 14 is a punched / bent part. Fig. 6 shows the insert 14 in a punched but not yet bent state in which the stiffening bulges 46 of the first sections 44 of the contact spring arms 32, 34 are already impressed.

The punched-out of a sheet-like sheet material insert 14 comprises two parallel to each other, different lengths strip-shaped Kontaktfederarmabschnitte 64, 66, which - apart from their different lengths - are identical.

In the region of their one end, the contact spring arm sections 64, 66 each have the widening 60 and the constriction 62. At its other end, the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte 64, 66 are connected to each other by a base portion 68 which forms the connecting portion 42 in the bent state of the insert part 14.

The different lengths of the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte 64, 66 resulting from different lengths of continuation sections 70, 72 which form in the bent state of the insert part 14 of the insert part base 36 encompassed continuations 38, 40 of the contact spring arms 32, 34.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the spacing of the contact spring arm portions 64, 66 from each other and the length of the contact spring arm portions 64, 66 are just chosen such that the widening 60 of the longer contact spring arm portion 66 and the widening 60 of the shorter contact spring arm portion 64 are in the un-bent condition of the insert 14 overlap each other.

In addition, the constriction 62 of the longer Kontaktfederarmabschnitts 66 and the widening 60 of the shorter Kontaktfederarmabschnitts 64 are arranged approximately at the same height. This allows formation of the widening 60 of the shorter contact spring arm portion 64 such that the widening 60 of the shorter contact spring arm portion 64 extends over substantially the entire width of the distance between the contact spring arm portions 64, 66.

The widenings 60 of the contact spring arm sections 64, 66 are dimensioned, in particular so wide, that they can engage sufficiently deep in the recesses 30 of the base part 12 to ensure a reliable locking of the insert 14 on the base part 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the widening 60 of the longer Kontaktfederarmabschnitts 66 has the same shape as the widening 60 of the shorter Kontaktfederarmabschnitts 66. In principle, the widening 60 of the longer Kontaktfederarmabschnitts 66 but also have a different, in particular greater, width than the widening 60 of the shorter Kontaktfederarmabschnitts 66.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the shorter Kontaktfederarmabschnitt 46 has a constriction 62. However, this constriction 62 is not absolutely necessary, so it can also be dispensed with.

As indicated in FIG. 7, in the production of connection elements 10, a multiplicity of insert parts 14 are punched out of a sheet metal material.

The different lengths of the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte 64, 66 and the constriction 62 of the longer Kontaktfederarmabschnitts 66 cause the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte 64, 66 while maintaining a required for locking the insert 14 on the base part 12 width of the widenings 60 of the contact spring arms 32, 34 with a smaller Distance from each other can be punched out.

This not only reduces the feed rate of the sheet material required to punch out multiple inserts 14, e.g. by about 10%, but also the material losses 74 occurring during punching, which are shown hatched in Fig. 7, minimized. Both contribute to a reduction in material costs in the production of the connection element 10.

Either before or after the punching process, the inserts 14 are provided with the noble metal coating 52. The noble metal is strip-shaped in the region of the second sections 48 of the contact spring arms 32, 34 applied to the Kontaktfederarmabschnitte 64, 66, e.g. plated. Because the noble metal is applied only in a spatially limited area, namely in the contact area 50, the material costs and thus the costs for the production of the connecting element 10 can be further reduced.

After application of the noble metal coating 52, the inserts 14 are singulated and - as well as their respective base parts 12 - bent, whereupon by inserting or inserting the inserts 14 into the base parts 12 finished connection elements 10 are formed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

connecting element

12

base

14

insert

16

bushing section

18

insertion

20

first crimping section

22

second crimping section

24

recess

26

lateral tongue

28

upper tongue

29

lower tongue

30

recess

32

first contact spring arm

34

second contact spring arm

36

Insert base

38

short sequel

40

long continuation

42

connecting portion

44

first section

46

bulge

48

second subsection

50

contact area

52

coating

54

longitudinal recess

56

contact point

58

end

60

widening

62

constriction

64

short contact spring arm section

66

long contact spring arm section

68

base section

70

continued section

72

continued section

74

wastage

Claims (13)

1. An electrical connector element (10) comprising a base part (12) having a socket section (16) for the reception of a plug contact and an insert part (14) which is arranged in the socket section (16) and which includes two contact spring arms (32, 34) for contacting a plug contact inserted into the socket section (16),
   characterized in that the free ends of the contact spring arms (32, 34) are each arranged in the region of an insertion opening (18) of the connector element (10) for the plug contact and have a widened section (60) for the locking of the insert part (14) to the base part (12).
2. A connector element (10) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the base part (12) has cut-outs (30) into which the widened sections (60) of the contact spring arms (32, 34) engage.
3. A connector element (10) in accordance with claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the contact spring arms (32, 34) has a restriction (62) in a transition region to the widened section (60).
4. A connector element (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact spring arms (32, 34) protrude from an insert part base (36) which is arranged in a rear end region of the socket section (16), when considered in the plug-in direction, and which is asymmetric.
5. A connector element (10) in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the insert base part (36) includes two continuations (38, 40) of the contact spring arms (32, 34) which are of different length and each extend approximately at right angles to the plug-in direction.
6. A connector element (10) in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the said continuations (38, 40) of the contact spring arms (32, 34) are connected to one another by a connection section (42) which is arranged approximately at right angles to the said continuations (38, 40) of the contact spring arms (32, 34) and in the region of a cut-out (24) of the base part (12) for a second latching connection.
7. A connector element (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact spring arms (32, 34) each have a longitudinal cut-out (54) extending in the plug-in direction in a contact region (50) provided for the contacting of a plug contact introduced into the socket section (16).
8. A connector element (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact spring arms (32, 34) each have a stiffening arch (46) in the region of their end facing the insert part base (36).
9. A connector element (10) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert part (14) is provided with a coating (52) of a precious metal material, e.g. gold, silver or platinum, in particular exclusively, in a contact region (50) provided to contact a plug contact introduced into the socket section (16).
10. A method for the manufacture of an electrical connector element (10) in accordance with claim 1, in which method
    the insert part (14) is stamped out of an areal starting material such that two strip-like contact spring arm sections (64, 66) extending parallel to one another and having different lengths are connected to one another by a base section (68) at their one end and each have a widened section (60) in the region of their other end,
    wherein the spacing of the contact spring arm sections (64, 66) from one another and the length of the contact spring arm sections (64, 66) are selected such that the widened section (60) of the longer contact spring arm section (66) and the widened section (60) of the shorter contact spring arm section (64) overlap one another in the areal state of the insert part (14).
11. A method in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that at least the longer contact spring arm section (66) is provided with a constriction (62) for the widened section (60) of the shorter contact spring arm section (64).
12. A method in accordance with claim 10 or claim 11, characterized in that the contact spring arm sections (64, 66) are made identical with the exception of their lengths.
13. A method in accordance with any one of the claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the contact spring arm sections (64, 66) are provided with a coating (52) of a precious metal material, e.g. gold, silver or platinum, in particular exclusively, in a contact region (50) provided to contact a plug contact.

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