EP1860742A1 - Contact holder for a plug or socket - Google Patents

Abstract

The holder has a base part with an opening extended in a longitudinal direction in which a contact (3) is inserted. The base part is partially inserted in a protection part (4) so that the contact inserted in the base part in a radial direction is protected by the protection part. The protection part with the base part is inserted into a housing of a plug or a socket, where the protection part is designed as a hollow cylinder. The protection part has a sealing cap (44) at a front side of the protection part. The sealing cap is designed as an insert part for injection molding.

Description

The invention relates to a contact holder for a plug or a socket, in particular for a plug or a socket for a connection between a towing vehicle and a trailer, comprising a base part having at least one longitudinally extending opening into which a contact can be inserted. The invention further relates to a contact unit, comprising a contact holder and at least one contact, as well as a contact or a plurality of contacts for a contact holder.

It is well known to form plugs or sockets for an electrical connection of trailer vehicles with a contact holder, which has a variety of recordings, in which contacts such as pins or sockets can be used. The contact holders are either formed integrally with a housing or as a separate component that can be used after a population with contacts in a housing. The number and / or location of the contacts is defined by ISO standards and / or DIN standards.

From the EP 0 444 478 A1 is a contact holder for a socket or a plug for a plug connection for the electrical connection known from motor vehicles, having a body in which a plurality, in the longitudinal direction of the body and extending therethrough openings for receiving contacts are provided. The contact holder can be inserted with inserted contacts in a hollow cylindrical part of a housing of a socket or a plug and locked with this part.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a contact holder, through which the contacts are better protected from contamination. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a contact unit in which an inserted contact is protected from contamination, and a contact for a contact holder, which is easy to manufacture.

This object is achieved by a contact holder for a plug or a socket, comprising a base part having at least one longitudinally extending opening into which at least one contact can be inserted, wherein the base part is at least partially insertable into a protective part, so that the contact inserted in the base part is protected at least in the radial direction by the protective part and is accessible for use, and the protective part with inserted base part can be inserted into a housing of the plug or socket. By the protective part ensures that the contacts inserted into the openings are better protected at least in the radial direction. By the protective part, a radial bearing of the contacts is further improved. The protective part is formed for example as a hollow cylinder, as a ring or as a cap, in which an associated base part can be used.

In a development of the invention, the protective part has a sealing cap on a front side. Through the sealing cap is an intrusion of dirt particles and / or moisture in a connection area of the Contacts, where they are connected to corresponding conductors, prevents or at least reduced. As materials for the sealing cap ordinary sealing materials are used, which are preferably elastic.

In a further development of the invention, the sealing cap is formed as an insert for injection molding. The sealing cap is thus connected during the molding of the protective part as an injection molded part in a simple manner with this. The connection between the sealing cap and the protective part is strengthened in one embodiment by noses and similar formations. In another embodiment, the sealing cap is locked with the molded protective part.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the sealing cap has at least one passage for the at least one contact against which an inserted contact rests flush. When the sealing cap is formed of elastic material, a diameter of the passage may be selected substantially equal to or slightly smaller than a diameter of the male contact. When inserting, the sealing cap is slightly deformed in the region of the passage and thus lies flush against an inserted contact.

In a further embodiment, the protective part is formed with an ejection unit which comprises a rod element acted upon by a spring and movable in the axial direction relative to the contact holder. Such ejection units are well known. They are preferably provided at a socket to facilitate removal of an inserted plug by the preloaded spring. By forming the ejection unit on the protective part, the shape of the base part can be simplified, so that production of the base part is improved. A housing of the ejection unit is integrally formed in one embodiment with the protective part, for example as Injection molded part. In another embodiment, the ejection unit is formed as a separate component, which is locked to a body of the protective part, glued, screwed, riveted and / or connected in other ways.

In a further development of the invention, the base part and the protective part are locked together. By locking a simple, tool-free detachable connection of the base part with the protective part is possible. As a result, for example, contacts used in the base part for maintenance and / or due to a defect are readily accessible at any time by removal of the protective part.

In a further embodiment, the protective part has on its outer periphery at least one projection and / or a recess, by means of which it can be positioned in the housing of the plug or of the socket. The inserted contact holder can be fixed in the housing, for example, by a closure cap of the housing and / or by rotation, for example by a thread or a bayonet closure.

In another embodiment, the opening has upper and lower stop surfaces for axially positioning a contact with a tapered region. As a result, a secure axial positioning of the contacts in the base part and thus in the plug or the socket is possible.

Preferably, the contacts are radially engageable in the corresponding openings. As a result, a particularly easy assembly and / or disassembly of the contacts is possible.

The object is further achieved by a contact unit comprising a contact holder described above and at least one inserted contact.

Further, the object is achieved by a contact for a contact holder described above, wherein the contact is formed in two parts, comprising a contact piece and a connection piece. The contact piece is used to make contact with a corresponding second contact. It is formed, for example, as a contact pin or as a socket. The connection piece is used to connect to a conductor. The connector has, for example, elements for a crimp connection with a conductor. Such a two-part contact is particularly easy to manufacture, with particular demands on the two pieces by the two-part design are particularly well considered. Such a two-part contact is also advantageous for use in other contact holders.

In a further embodiment, the contact piece of the contact is formed as a deep-drawn part. The formation as a deep-drawn part allows cost-effective production with high accuracy.

In a further embodiment, the connecting piece is formed as a stamped part. As a result, a particularly cost-effective production of the connection piece is possible. For connection of the contact piece with the connection piece, for example, the connection piece can be inserted into an opening at a rear end of a deep-drawn or turned contact piece and can be connected thereto, for example by deformation. In addition, it is also possible to glue the two pieces together, to solder or otherwise connect.

In a further development of the invention, the connecting piece has a stop which is formed by bending the stamped part. This is inexpensive contact with a tapered region produced, which is axially secured positionable in a corresponding opening of the contact holder.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are illustrated in the drawings. Uniform reference numbers are used for the same components. Features shown for one embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments to provide further embodiments. All features shown in the figures can be essential to the invention both individually and in combination.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Kontakteinheit, umfassend einen Kontakthalter und einen eingesetzten Kontakt;

Fig. 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Kontakteinheit gemäß Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

einen Schnitt durch die Kontakteinheit gemäß Fig. 2 entlang der Ebene III-III;

Fig. 4

eine vergrößerte Darstellung des Bereichs IV gemäß Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Basisteils eines erfindungsgemäßen Kontakthalters;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Schutzteils eines erfindungsgemäßen Kontakthalters;

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Basisteils eines Kontakthalters gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 8

eine teilweise freigeschnittene Seitenansicht des Basisteils gemäß Fig. 7 mit eingesetzten Kontakten;

Fig. 9

eine teilweise freigeschnittene Seitenansicht des Basisteils gemäß Fig. 7 mit eingesetzten Kontakten gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform;

Fig. 10

eine teilweise freigeschnittene Seitenansicht des Basisteils gemäß Fig. 7 mit eingesetzten Kontakten und einem Sicherungsring gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform und

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung des Basisteils gemäß Fig. 10.

In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a contact unit, comprising a contact holder and a contact inserted;

Fig. 2

a plan view of the contact unit of FIG. 1;

Fig. 3

a section through the contact unit of Figure 2 along the plane III-III.

Fig. 4

an enlarged view of the area IV of FIG. 3;

Fig. 5

a perspective view of a base part of a contact holder according to the invention;

Fig. 6

a perspective view of a protective part of a contact holder according to the invention;

Fig. 7

a perspective view of a base part of a contact holder according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 8

a partially cutaway side view of the base part of Figure 7 with inserted contacts ..;

Fig. 9

a partially cutaway side view of the base part of Figure 7 with inserted contacts according to another embodiment.

Fig. 10

a partially cutaway side view of the base part of FIG. 7 with inserted contacts and a locking ring according to another embodiment and

Fig. 11

an exploded perspective view of the base part of FIG .. 10

1 and 2 show schematically a perspective view of a contact unit 1 and a plan view of the contact unit 1, comprising a contact holder 2 and a contact inserted therein 3. In the illustrated contact unit 1 are regularly distributed over the circumference of the contact unit 1 seven contacts 3 can be used , However, embodiments are also conceivable which have a deviating arrangement and / or number of contacts 3. For example, fifteen receptacles are provided for contacts in a 15-pole embodiment, not shown. The number and / or arrangement of contacts is determined for example for certain plugs and sockets by appropriate ISO standards or DIN standards. The illustrated contact unit 1 is suitable, for example, for use in a socket according to DIN ISO 7638. However, the invention is not limited to contact units for such sockets.

The contact holder 2 comprises a protective part 4 and a base part not visible in FIG. 1, which is inserted into the protective part 4. The base part and the protective part 4 have in the illustrated embodiment complementary locking lugs 50 and recesses 40, via which they can be locked together.

The protective part 4 shown further has projections 42, by means of which the contact holder 2 can be positioned in a housing, not shown, in a specific orientation.

The protective part 4 is formed on its front side with a sealing cap 44, by means of which a connection region of the contacts 3, not visible in FIG. 1, can be protected against moisture and / or dirt. The sealing cap 44 has passages 45 for the contacts 3, wherein the sealing cap 44 bears flush against the contact 3.

The contact holder 2 shown is preferably used as already described in the housing of a socket according to DIN ISO 7638. For a simplified removal of a plug inserted into the socket, the contact holder 2 has an ejection unit 46.

3 shows a sectional view of the contact unit 1 along the sectional plane III-III according to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment a housing 460 of the ejection unit 46 is formed on the protective part 4. The ejection unit 46 comprises a rod element 6, which is acted upon by a spring 7 and is movable in the axial direction relative to the contact unit 1. The rod member 6 and the spring 7 are inserted into the housing 460 of the ejection unit and secured by an end cap 8.

As further shown in Fig. 3, the illustrated contact 3 is in two parts with a contact piece 30 and a connector 32 ausformt, which are crimped together in the illustrated embodiment. The connecting piece 32 is formed in the illustrated embodiment as a stamped part and has a stop 34 which is formed by bending of the stamped part. At the connector 32, a conductor, not shown, can be fastened in the usual way. The attachment of the conductor can advantageously take place before insertion of the contact 3 into an opening 52 of the base part 5 or by removal from the opening 52. This allows easy handling. The illustrated contact piece 30 can be manufactured, for example, by deep drawing and is shaped as a hollow body.

4 is an enlarged view of the connecting portion IV of the contact piece 30 with the connector 32 shown in FIG. 3. As seen in Fig. 4, the connector 32 is inserted for connection with the contact piece 30 in this and the contact piece 30 for a connection bent into corresponding recesses on the connector.

The sealing cap 44 is preferably connected in the manufacture of the protective part by injection molding with this. As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a connection of the sealing cap 44 to the protective part 4 is improved by lugs 47.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the base member 5 with a contact 3 inserted. As seen in Fig. 5, the base member 5 has longitudinally extending openings 52 into which contacts 3 are insertable. The contacts are 3 for this radially into the openings 52 latched. The openings 52 have clamping region 53 with an upper and a lower stop surface 54, 55 for the axial positioning of the contact 3. The illustrated contact 3 has for this purpose a corresponding tapered region between the contact piece 30 and the stop 34. The upper abutment surface 54 is adjoined by an edge 56, which improves a guidance of the contact in the opening 52. At a rear end of the base part 5 webs 57 are provided. The base part 5 is further formed with locking lugs 50 already described for latching with the protective part shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the protective part 4 without inserted base part. The illustrated protective part 4 is formed as a hollow cylinder with a closed front side 4A. At the front side 4A, the housing 460 of the ejection unit 46 already described extends. In a shaping of the protective part 4 without ejection unit 46, it is conceivable that the protective part 4 does not have a closed front side 4A. On the front side 4A, a sealing cap 44 is arranged, which seals the interior of the protective part 4. The sealing cap 44 and the front side 4A of the protective part 4 are formed with passages 45, through which the contacts 3 shown in FIG. 5, for example, can be carried out. The base part 5 shown in FIG. 5 can thus be inserted from a rear side 4B of the protective part 4 into the latter, wherein the latching noses 50 of the base part 5 engage in the recesses 40 of the protective part 4. For manufacturing reasons, the scope of the illustrated protective part 4 has a peripheral edge 48, by which a sealing surface of the protective part 4 is limited. About the sealing surface takes place in the illustrated embodiment, the sealing of the protective part 4 to a housing, not shown.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a base part 105 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The base part 105 essentially corresponds to the base part 5 according to FIGS. 1 to 6, and identical reference symbols are used for the same components. The base part 105 is, for example, with that shown in Fig. 3 Protective part 4 by means of the locking lugs 50 latched. For receiving contacts not shown in FIG. 7, for example contacts 3 according to FIGS. 3 and 5, the base part 105 has recesses 152, wherein the recesses 152 are designed as grooves arranged on the outer circumference and having a clamping region 53 in the axial direction. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 5, however, no webs 57 are present. By such recesses 152 a simple engagement of the male contacts 3 in the base part 105 by moving the contacts 3 in the radial direction is possible. In order for a handling of a corresponding contact holder is particularly simple and mechanical stress on the contacts and / or on the associated conductor during insertion can be minimized. The recesses 152 are connected to chambers 153, the function of which will be explained below with reference to FIG. 9. The base part 105 has a circumferential groove or step 154, on which a locking ring, not shown in FIG. 7, can be latched.

FIG. 8 shows the base part 105 according to FIG. 7 in a partially cut-free representation, into which contacts 3 according to FIGS. 3 and 5 are inserted, each with a contact piece 30 and a connecting piece 32, four contacts 3 being visible in FIG , At the connecting pieces 32 of the contacts 3, not shown conductors by means of the locking means of the connecting piece 32 can be fastened. For additional securing of the contacts 3 in the radial direction, a securing ring 9 is latched onto the step 154 of the base part 105 shown in FIG. 7 as secondary locking. The circlip 9 rests with its inner circumference on the contacts 3 and prevents skewing of the contacts 3. The circlip 9 shown has lugs 90 which engage in the contacts 3. For secure engagement, the illustrated circlip 9 in the axial direction slots 91 through which the retaining ring 9 is resiliently designed for applying a clamping force in the radial direction. The circlip 9 also ensures that all contacts 3 are properly latched in the recesses 152, since without a sufficient locking of the contacts 3 in the recesses 152 of the retaining ring 9 is not attached to the base member 105. The retaining ring 9 further has at its periphery a plurality, in the illustrated embodiment, four, axially extending latching arms 92 for latching with the base part 105 on.

FIG. 9 shows the base part 105 according to FIG. 7 in a partially cutaway view, into which contacts 203 according to another exemplary embodiment are inserted, wherein in FIG. 9 four contacts 203 are visible. The contacts 203 are integrally formed, for example, as a rotating part. For latching with the base part 105, the contacts 203 grooves 231 in the circumferential direction. The lugs 90 of the attached securing ring 9 also engage in the grooves 231. At connection ends of the contacts 203 bores 232 are provided, in which conductors not shown by means of screws 236 are fastened. The screws 236 can be arranged in the chambers 153.

FIG. 10 shows a structural unit similar to FIG. 9 with a base part 105 and contacts 203 latched therein. A securing ring 309 which essentially corresponds to the securing ring 9 according to FIG. 9 and also essentially fulfills the same functions is latched to the base part 105. In contrast to the securing ring 9 according to FIG. 9, however, the securing ring 309 has no noses and no slots in the axial direction.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective, partially exploded view of the assembly of FIG. 10 with the locking ring 309 and inserted contacts 203. As seen in Fig. 11, the locking ring 309 at its periphery a plurality, in the illustrated embodiment three, in Axially extending latching arms 92, via which the locking ring 309 can be latched to the base part 105. As shown in FIG. 11 is further recognizable, contact surfaces 93 for the contacts 3, 203 are provided on the inner circumference of the illustrated securing ring 309.

The illustrated embodiments are merely exemplary. Features shown for one embodiment may be combined with features of other embodiments to provide further embodiments.

Claims (15)

A contact holder for a plug or a socket, in particular for a plug or a socket for a connection between a towing vehicle and a trailer, comprising a base part (5, 105) having at least one, longitudinally extending opening (52, 152), in which at least one contact (3, 203) can be inserted, and a protective part (4),
characterized in that
the base part (5, 105) is insertable at least partially into the protective part (4), so that the contact (3, 203) inserted in the base part (4) is protected at least in the radial direction by the protective part (4) and is accessible for use is and
the protective part (4) with inserted base part (5, 105) can be inserted into a housing of the plug or socket. Contact holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective part (4) on a front side (4A) has a sealing cap (44). Contact holder according to claim 2, characterized in that the sealing cap (44) is formed as an insert part for injection molding. Contact holder according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the sealing cap (44) has at least one passage (45) for the at least one contact (3, 203) which bears flush against an inserted contact (3, 203). Contact holder according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the protective part (4) with an ejection unit (46) is formed, which by a spring (7) acted upon and in the axial direction relative to the contact holder (2) movable bar element (6 ). Contact holder according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the base part (5, 105) and the protective part (4) can be locked together. Contact holder according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the protective part (4) has at least one projection (42) and / or a recess on its outer periphery, by means of which it can be positioned in the housing. Contact holder according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the opening (52, 152) has a clamping region (53) with an upper (54) and / or a lower (55) abutment surface for the axial positioning of a contact (3, 203). having a tapered region. Contact holder according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the contact (3, 203) radially into the opening (52, 152) can be latched. Contact holder according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized by a securing ring which can be attached to an outer circumference of the base part (5, 105) so that the at least one contact (3, 203) inserted into the opening (52, 152) in the radial direction is secure. Contact unit comprising a contact holder (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and at least one contact (3, 203). Contact for a contact holder according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the contact (3) is formed in two parts, comprising a contact piece (30) and a connecting piece (32). Contact according to claim 12, characterized in that the contact piece (30) is formed as a deep-drawn part. Contact according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the connecting piece (32) is formed as a stamped part. Contact according to claim 14, characterized in that the connecting piece (32) has a stop (34) which is formed by bending of the stamped part.

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