EP1783868A1 - Stamped and bent contact pin - Google Patents

Abstract

The contact pin (1) has a cylindrical pin extension (3) that is connected with a connection head (2), where the free end of the extension is opened or closed. The cylindrical pin extension and the head are formed from a metallic flat material. A flexible tongue (7) is arranged in the connection head and produces a clamping connection with a terminal lead (8). The flexible tongue is formed with a free side opposite to an inner wall of the connection head.

Description

The invention relates to a connector pin, which is formed from a flat material, and a power connector device with at least one such connector pin.

From the US 3,853,377 is known a pin, whose pin extension consists of a cylindrical metal shell with an elastic filling. At one end of the pin extension is a connection head with which an electrical connection conductor can be mechanically and electrically connected by crimping.

Against this background, it was an object of the present invention to provide a cost-effective to manufacture and mount pin.

This object is achieved by a pin with the features of claim 1 and by a power connector with the features of claim 13. Advantageous embodiments are contained in the subclaims.

The plug pin according to the invention comprises a pin extension, which is typically cylindrical in shape and can be inserted in a complementary shaped contact socket when using the plug pin. At one end of the pin extension is a connection head to which at least one electrical connection conductor can be attached. Both the pin extension and the connection head are formed from a metallic sheet. This may in particular be the same piece of material, so that the pin extension and connection head are integrally formed. The plug pin is characterized in that a spring element is arranged in the connection head, which can produce a clamping connection of the plug pin to an electrical connection conductor. Typically, the spring element is subject During and / or after the installation of a connection conductor, at most reversible (elastic) deformations, but not permanent (plastic). It therefore has the same "resting form" when using a connecting conductor as without such a conductor or a shape that results from elastic deformation of the resting form.

Preferably, the spring element is a separate part which is inserted into the connection head. However, it may also be formed integrally with the connection head.

In the described pin, the spring element allows a quick and easy connection of a cable by the conductor is simply clamped in the connection head by the elastic force of the spring element. Complex bending of material such as crimping is not required. In addition, the clamping connection with the spring element has the advantage of being reversible, so that connecting conductors can in principle be connected as often as desired to the pin and then released therefrom.

The free end of the pin extension may be open or preferably closed. The latter has the advantage that no foreign material or dirt can penetrate into the hollow interior of the pin extension. Advantageously, the free end is further tapered or rounded to facilitate the insertion of the pin extension in a socket.

There are various possibilities for the design of the spring element. Preferably, the spring element is formed by at least one angularly bent and with a free leg obliquely against an inner wall of the connection head stationary spring tongue. Between the spring tongue and the connection head then a connection conductor can be inserted, being pressed firmly against the connection head by the receding spring tongue. The free leg of the spring tongue preferably extends in the insertion direction of a connecting conductor to be fastened to the inner wall of the connection head, so that the connecting conductor easily between spring tongue and Squeeze the connection head, but the opposite extension direction is blocked.

Optionally, the above-mentioned spring tongue may have two free legs which extend parallel to each other and in which in each case (at least) one connection conductor can be clamped.

According to a development of the above embodiments, the (at least one) free leg of the spring tongue is accessible from the outside through a window of the connection head (if no connecting conductor is connected to the plug pin). Through the window then the spring tongue for purposes of (dis) assembly can be moved with a tool.

In another embodiment of the invention, the spring element is designed as a cutting-Klemmmesser. A slitting knife has the advantage that connecting cables are "automatically stripped" during insertion.

There are various possibilities for the design of the cutting-blade knife. For example, it may be like a cutting-blade according to the DE 100 04 248 C2 (which is incorporated by reference into the present application) may be formed. The cutting-clamping knife preferably has two parallel extending cutting, with which an inserted cable is stripped on two sides.

The pin extension (or its axis or plug-in direction into a complementary socket) and the insertion direction in which a conductor is inserted into the connection head, preferably form an angle between approximately 80 ° and 180 ° with each other, wherein the angle of 180 ° a parallel or aligned arrangement corresponds. In particular, the pin extension and the insertion direction of the connection head can be at a right angle of 90 ° to each other.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the plug pin and / or the connection head have at least one radially projecting latching wing. This runs preferably - in the direction of the connector pin to the connection head seen - ramp shaped. With the help of latching wings, the plug pin can easily be locked in corresponding undercut recesses of a (plastic) housing.

As a rule, in the connector pin formed of a sheet, there are areas in which edges of the sheet abut each other. Preferably, such areas are interlinked. This can be done for example by mushroom-shaped extensions on one edge, which engage in complementary recesses of the other edge. In this way, a firm, positive connection of the abutting edges of the sheet is achieved.

The pin extension and the connection head of the described plug pin are preferably produced in a punch-bending method from a flat material, which enables a particularly cost-effective production with essentially a single work step. In particular, the pin extension and the connection head can consist of the same strip of material.

The pin extension of the plug pin may optionally be filled with a foreign material (i.e., a different material than that of the pin extension). The foreign material may for example have particular elastic or electrical properties and / or be a particularly inexpensive material.

The invention further relates to power connectors, in particular those according to DIN VDE 0623, EN 60309-2, which contain a pin of the type described above.

Figur 1

drei um je 90° zueinander versetzte Seitenansichten eines erfindungsgemäßen Steckerstiftes mit Federklemme;

Figur 2

eine Aufsicht auf den Steckerstift von Figur 1;

Figur 3

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A von Figur 1;

Figur 4

eine alternative Ausgestaltung eines erfindungsgemäßen Steckerstiftes mit Federklemme und mit einem rechtwinklig orientierten Anschlusskopf in zwei um 90° zueinander versetzten Ansichten;

Figur 5

einen Schnitt entlang der Linie A-A von Figur 4;

Figur 6

eine Aufsicht auf den Steckerstift von Figur 4;

Figur 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Steckerstiftes von Figur 4;

Figur 8

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Steckerstiftes mit abgewinkeltem Schneid-Klemmmesser;

Figur 9

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Steckerstiftes von Figur 8 aus einer Gegenrichtung;

Figur 10

zwei um 90° versetzte Seitenansichten (oben) und eine Aufsicht (unten) des Steckerstiftes von Figur 8 ;

Figur 11

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Steckerstiftes mit geradem Schneid-Klemmmesser;

Figur 12

zwei um 90° versetzte Seitenansichten (oben) und eine Aufsicht (unten) des Steckerstiftes von Figur 11.

In the following, the invention will be explained by way of example with the aid of the figures. It shows:

FIG. 1

three mutually offset by 90 ° to each other side views of a plug pin according to the invention with spring clip;

FIG. 2

a plan view of the pin of Figure 1;

FIG. 3

a section along the line AA of Figure 1;

FIG. 4

an alternative embodiment of a connector pin according to the invention with spring clip and a right-angled connection head in two mutually offset by 90 ° views;

FIG. 5

a section along the line AA of Figure 4;

FIG. 6

a plan view of the pin of Figure 4;

FIG. 7

a perspective view of the connector pin of Figure 4;

FIG. 8

a perspective view of a connector pin according to the invention with angled cutting-blade diameter;

FIG. 9

a perspective view of the connector pin of Figure 8 from an opposite direction;

FIG. 10

two 90 ° offset side views (top) and a top view (bottom) of the connector pin of Figure 8;

FIG. 11

a perspective view of a plug pin according to the invention with a straight cutting-Klemmmesser;

FIG. 12

two side views offset by 90 ° (top) and a top view (bottom) of the connector pin of Figure 11.

• einem zylindrischen Stiftfortsatz 3, dessen freies Ende in Form einer Halbkugel zusammengebogen und damit geschlossen ist (der Stiftfortsatz könnte alternativ auch andere - z. B. polygonale - Querschnittsformen haben);
• einem einstückig mit dem Stiftfortsatz 3 verbundenen Anschlusskopf 2;
• einer Federzunge 7, die als ein separates Teil in den Anschlusskopf 2 eingesetzt ist.

The plug pins shown in the figures can be used in particular in plugs of power plug devices according to DIN VDE 0623, EN 60309-2, wherein the associated plastic housing is known per se and not shown in detail in the figures (see catalog 2004 of the company Mennekes Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co. KG, Kirchhundem). The plug pin 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 consists of

• a cylindrical pin extension 3 whose free end is bent together in the form of a hemisphere and thus closed (the pin extension could alternatively have other cross-sectional shapes, for example polygonal);
• an integrally connected to the pin extension 3 connection head 2;
• a spring tongue 7, which is inserted as a separate part in the connection head 2.

The pin extension 3 and the connection head 2 are made of a flat material (for example, a piece of brass), which has been punched out of a plate and brought into the required spatial shape by bending. Adjacent edges of the sheet are connected by a toothing, wherein on one edge mushroom-shaped projections 5 are formed, which engage in complementary recesses of the other edge.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 also has two optional latching wings 4, which are arranged on opposite sides of the pin extension 3. The rectangular latching wings 4 are cut free on three sides of the flat material of the pin extension 3 and bent around the fourth, connected to the pin extension 3 side radially outward. When inserting the pin extension in a plastic housing (not shown), the latching wings 4 can engage behind prepared recesses and thus fix the pin 1 in the housing.

The connection head 2 is formed substantially box-shaped with open top. In the connection head 2 is the spring tongue 7, which is preferably formed of a separate material with a high elasticity and is fixed by snap fit in the connection head 2. The spring tongue 7 is bent angularly, so that a free leg 7a is formed which extends from the break point on one side of the connection head 2 obliquely to the opposite side and there engages with its free end in a window 6 of the connection head.

Through the window 6 access to the spring tongue 7 is possible to bend back this example, during the (dis) assembly of a connecting conductor 8 with a tool. As shown in Figure 2, the spring tongue may be partially slotted in its longitudinal direction, so that two independent free legs 7a, 7b are formed, which allow the parallel clamping of each (at least) a connecting conductor.

As best seen in Figure 3, an electrical connection conductor 8 can be inserted from above into the connection head 2, wherein it is clamped between a receding leg 7a (or 7b) of the spring tongue 7 and the wall of the connection head 2. Although the inclination of the free leg 7a, 7b relative to the insertion direction of the conductor 8, while it is easily possible to insert the conductor, the extract in the opposite direction is blocked.

FIGS. 4 to 7 show an alternative embodiment of a plug pin 1 'according to the invention in a front and side view (FIG. 4), a section along the line AA (FIG. 5), a plan view (FIG. 6) and a perspective view (FIG. 7). , The same components as in Figures 1 to 3 bear the same, provided with a prime reference numerals and therefore need not be explained again. In the connector pin 1 'is the connection head 2' in the direction of insertion of a conductor to be connected 8 seen at a right angle α = 90 ° to the axis of the pin extension 3 'oriented. In principle, the angle α can also assume any other value, with FIGS. 1 to 3 showing the important variant with α = 180 °.

In Figures 8 to 12 alternative embodiments of a connector pin are shown with a cutting-blade. The same or similar components as in FIGS. 1 to 7 carry thereby by 100 increased reference numerals.

• einem zylindrischen Stiftfortsatz 103, 103', dessen freies Ende in Form einer Halbkugel zusammengebogen und damit geschlossen ist (der Stiftfortsatz könnte alternativ auch andere - z. B. polygonale - Querschnittsformen haben);
• einem einstückig mit dem Stiftfortsatz 103, 103' verbundenen Anschlusskopf 102, 102', welcher in den dargestellten Beispielen im Wesentlichen durch ein Schneid-Klemmmesser 107, 107' gebildet wird.

The plug pin 101, 101 'consists of

• a cylindrical pin extension 103, 103 ', whose free end is bent together in the form of a hemisphere and thus closed (the pin extension could alternatively also other - eg polygonal - cross-sectional shapes to have);
• an integral with the pin extension 103, 103 'connection head 102, 102', which is formed in the illustrated examples essentially by a cutting-blade 107, 107 '.

The pin extension 103, 103 'and the connection head 102, 102' consist of a flat material (for example a piece of brass) which has been punched out of a plate and brought into the required spatial form by bending. Adjacent edges of the sheet are connected by a toothing, wherein on one edge mushroom-shaped projections 105 are formed, which engage in complementary recesses of the other edge.

The embodiment shown in the figures also has two optional latching wings 104, which are arranged on opposite sides of the pin extension 103. The rectangular latching wings 104 are cut open on three sides by the flat material of the pin extension 103 and are bent radially outward about the fourth side connected to the pin extension 103. When inserting the pin extension in a plastic housing (not shown), the latching wings 104 can engage behind prepared recesses and fix the pin 101 so that in the housing.

The cutting-clamping knife 107, 107 'has two mutually parallel elastic cutting legs 100a, 100b, 100a', 100b ', which form between them a broadened in the middle receiving slot 109, 109'. When an electrical cable in the insertion direction (arrow in Figure 8) is inserted into the receiving slot, the cutting legs intersect by its insulation and thus make the electrical contact to the conductor 108 ago, which is simultaneously clamped mechanically between the slightly auseinanderpredernden cutting legs.

In the figures 8-10, the angle α between the pin extension 103 and the cutting blade 107 and the conductor insertion direction is approximately 90 °.

In contrast, Figures 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of a connector pin 101 '(like components in Figures 8 through 10 bear the same dashed reference numerals) in which the pin extension 103' and the cutting blade 107 'are shown in Figs Are arranged substantially in alignment, the corresponding angle α is therefore 180 °.

Claims (13)

Plug pin (1, 1 ', 101, 101'), comprising a pin extension (3, 3 ', 103, 103') and an associated connection head (2, 2 ', 102, 102'), both of a metallic sheet are shaped,
characterized in that in the connection head (2, 2 ', 102, 102'), a spring element (7, 7 ', 107, 107') is arranged, which a clamping connection of the plug pin (1, 1 ', 101, 101') at least one connection conductor (8, 108) can produce. Plug pin according to claim 1,
characterized in that the free end of the pin extension (3, 3 ', 103, 103') is open or closed, in particular tapered or hemispherical closed. Plug pin according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the spring element by at least one angularly bent, with a free leg (7a, 7b, 7a ', 7b') obliquely against an inner wall of the connection head (2, 2 ') stationary spring tongue (7, 7') is formed. Plug pin according to claim 3,
characterized in that the spring tongue (7, 7 ') has two parallel extending free legs (7a, 7b, 7a', 7b '). Plug pin according to claim 3 or 4,
characterized in that the free leg (7a, 7b, 7a ', 7b') of the Spring tongue (7, 7 ') through a window (6) of the connection head (2, 2') is accessible from the outside. Plug pin according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that the spring element is designed as a cutting-Klemmmesser (107, 107 '). Plug pin according to claim 6,
characterized in that the cutting-blade (107, 107 ') has two parallel extending blades (100a, 100b, 100a', 100b '). Plug pin according to at least one of claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the pin extension (3, 3 ', 103, 103') and the conductor insertion direction of the connection head (2, 2 ', 102, 102') an angle (α) between about 80 ° and 180 °, preferably form an angle (α) of about 90 ° with each other. Plug pin according to at least one of claims 1 to 8,
characterized in that the pin extension (3, 103) and / or the connection head (2, 102) has at least one protruding latching wing (4, 104) which preferably extends in the direction of the pin extension (3, 103) to the connection head (2, 102). runs ramp-shaped. Plug pin according to at least one of claims 1 to 9,
characterized in that abutting edges of the sheet are interlinked. Plug pin according to at least one of claims 1 to 10,
characterized in that the pin extension (3, 3 ', 103, 103') and the connection head (2, 2 ', 102, 102') are made in a stamping-bending process of a preferably one-piece sheet. Plug pin according to at least one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized in that the pin extension is filled with a foreign material. Power plug device, in particular according to DIN VDE 0623, EN 60309-2, characterized by a plug pin (1, 1 ', 101, 101') according to at least one of claims 1 to 12.

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