EP2081261A1 - Coupling element - Google Patents

Abstract

The coupling element (10) has a front side (14) extending perpendicular to a rotary lock axis of the coupling element. The front side is formed point symmmetric to axes running perpendicular to each other. A negative section (18) e.g. socket-like accommodating section is formed complementary to a positive section (16) e.g. pin-like insertion section and formed at the front side. The positive section is directly merged in the negative section and is arranged in a rotary direction adjacent to the negative section. The sections are arranged rotation symmetric to the front side.

Description

The present invention relates to a coupling element with which a mechanical and electrical connection with another coupling element can be produced.

To produce an electrical connection between two elements to be electrically connected to one another, for example two conductor pieces or two electrical modules, plug-in socket systems are usually used in which the plug is designed as a component that is complementary to the socket. The plug has a fundamentally deviating from the socket shape, so that an electrical connection can only be established between two electrical elements to be connected to each other, if one has a socket and the other has a matching plug.

However, especially if several electrical modules are to be coupled together, it is therefore necessary to maintain the individual modules in different variants in order to be able to combine and couple them with one another at will. In order to be able to couple, for example, a first electrical module with a plug to a second and / or a third electrical module, the second or the third module must be held in accordance with a first variant, each with a corresponding socket. However, in order to be able to couple the second and the third module with one another, it is additionally necessary to include at least the second and / or the third module according to a further variant to hold a corresponding plug. Conventional plug socket systems are thus relatively inflexible.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a coupling element for producing an electrical and mechanical connection, which can be coupled with an identical coupling element.

This object is achieved with a coupling element having the features of claim 1 and in particular in that the coupling element has two preferably pointing away from each other, perpendicular to a rotary closure axis of the coupling element extending end faces symmetrically about three axes perpendicular to each other, preferably rotationally symmetrical are formed, wherein at each end face at least two positive portions and at least two complementarily shaped to the positive portions formed negative portions, each positive portion passes directly into a negative portion and is arranged in the rotational direction adjacent to the associated negative portion.

In the rotational closure axis of the coupling element, which is perpendicular to the end faces on which the positive and negative sections are formed, there is an axis about which the coupling element must be rotated in order to couple it with an identical coupling element and thereby tensile strength connect. If it is mentioned here that the two end faces are rotationally symmetrical around three mutually perpendicular axes, this is not strictly understood in the mathematical sense. In other words, the rotational symmetry of the end faces thus relates only to their geometric-mechanical configuration, which is required in order to be able to connect two identical coupling elements with one another in a form-fitting manner. Provided the geometrical-mechanical design of the end faces allows a positive coupling of two coupling elements, thus the end faces can thus have smaller geometric deviations, which are not rotationally symmetrical to each other.

Since the negative sections are formed complementary to the positive sections and arranged in the direction of rotation adjacent to the positive sections, it is possible to couple two identical coupling elements end to end, since due to the triple rotational symmetry of the end faces, two coupling elements are aligned relative to one another with their respective end faces let the respective positive sections of the one coupling element lie opposite the negative sections of the respective other coupling element and can be brought into engagement therewith. In other words, with two end faces on end face aligned coupling elements respectively where the one coupling element has its negative sections, the positive sections of the other coupling element and vice versa, so that these complementary complementary sections can be engaged with each other.

The engagement of the positive sections with the negative sections can be effected, for example, by forming the positive sections as pin-shaped plug-in sections and the negative sections as socket-shaped receiving sections corresponding thereto, so that the pin-shaped plug sections, with appropriate dimensioning, frictionally engage the bush-shaped receiving sections by plugging together two coupling elements can be added. However, since such a frictional connection is only able to absorb low tensile forces in a position, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment, that the positive sections and the negative portions are formed so as to positively engage with each other. However, this will be discussed in detail later.

Due to the triple rotationally symmetrical or point-symmetrical design of the end faces, it is possible to connect two coupling elements approximately arbitrarily with each other, since there are at least four positions for each of the coupling elements, in which it can be connected to an identical coupling element. However, the coupling element according to the invention proves to be particularly advantageous in that the two opposite end faces are rotationally symmetrical to each other, as this an identical coupling element can be connected to each end face. Since these coupling elements in turn each have two rotationally symmetrical end faces, thus any number of identical coupling elements can be coupled in series one behind the other.

Although it would be possible, for example, to provide on each of the end faces a plurality of positive and negative sections (for example, three, four or more), which are arranged rotationally symmetrical about the rotational closure axis. Such a design of the coupling element may prove to be advantageous, for example, if the end faces has a substantially circular shape or the shape of an equilateral polygon.

In the event that the end faces, however, for example, should have the shape of a rectangle, it is provided according to a preferred embodiment that only two positive sections and two negative sections are formed on each end face, which are arranged with respect to the rotational closure axis 180 ° rotationally symmetrical to each other.

In order to be able to positively engage the positive sections of a coupling element with the negative sections of a second coupling element in the manner described above, the positive sections and the respective associated negative sections of a coupling element can each be delimited by a continuous surface pointing in the direction of rotation of the coupling element. If it is mentioned here that the surface in question points in the direction of rotation, this means that at least one component of the surface normal points in the direction of rotation.

According to a preferred embodiment, the surface defining the positive sections and the respectively associated negative sections in the direction of rotation may be inclined such that the positive sections thereby form or form an overhang or an undercut. Since the negative portions are arranged directly adjacent in the direction of rotation to the positive portions, this means that the negative portions at least partially form the undercut area of the associated positive portion. If two coupling elements to be connected to one another are aligned end-to-end relative to one another, a portion of each positive section can thus penetrate into the thus defined undercut area of the positive sections of the other coupling element as a result of a rotation of at least one of the two coupling elements, whereby the two coupling elements are connected to one another in a form-fitting and tension-resistant manner , During this rotational movement, moreover, the inclined surfaces in question ride on each other, so that, when the rotational movement continues, the two coupling elements are moved towards one another and clamped together.

In order to provide an additional assurance of two coupling elements to be connected to each other, each of the positive sections a radially inwardly facing boundary surface which is shaped or aligned so that thereby the positive sections have a further undercut; In a corresponding manner, each of the negative sections may have a radially outwardly facing boundary surface, which is shaped or aligned in such a way that thereby also the negative sections have an undercut. Since, in the connected state of two coupling elements, the positive sections of one coupling element come to rest in the region of the negative sections of the respective other coupling element, this embodiment thus makes it possible for the undercuts facing radially inward to intersect with the radially outwardly pointing undercuts, thereby providing an additional form of engagement. and zugkraftschlüssige backup is generated.

If the end faces of the coupling element have a substantially rectangular shape, both the positive sections and the negative sections can be located in areas of diagonally opposite corners of the respective end face. As a result of this external arrangement of the positive and negative sections, the middle region of the respective end face is thus available for other purposes, for example for the placement of electrical connection contacts, so that an electrical connection with an identical coupling element can be produced via the latter in the desired manner , Thus, for example, a central contact surface can be formed on each end face, by which both the positive sections and the negative sections of each end face are spaced apart from each other and receive the corresponding connection contacts. Preferably, an electrical connection contact can be provided in the center of the contact surface. Due to its central location on the contact surface of this terminal contact be formed relatively large, so that over this connection contact large currents can be transmitted.

In order not to impair the symmetrical configuration of the coupling element according to the invention by this central contact surface, this contact surface with respect to the positive and negative sections can be arranged or located at such a level that the positive sections survive over the contact surface, whereas the negative sections with respect to the contact surface are offset back. The contact surface is thus to a certain extent at "half height" between the positive and negative sections. Because of this position of the contact surface at "half height" between the positive and negative sections can thus contact the contact surfaces of two interconnected coupling elements directly into contact, so that via the recorded from the contact pads terminal in the desired manner an electrical connection to an identical coupling element can be produced.

According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the coupling element is formed as a housing having an interior formed for receiving electrical components. The coupling element can thus be used as a module housing for different electrical modules, which can be arbitrarily combined and connected to each other via the coupling mechanism described above.

Fig. 1

die Grundzüge des erfindungsgemäßen Koppelelements in einer perspektivischen Darstellung veranschaulicht; und

Fig. 2

ein konkretes exemplarisches Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Koppelelements zeigt.

Wie der Fig. 1 entnommen werden kann, die zwei erfindungsgemäße Koppelelemente 10 zeigt, weisen die Koppelelemente 10 eine im Wesentlichen quaderförmige Gestalt auf. Zur Kopplung der beiden Koppelelemente 10 weisen die beiden Koppelelemente 10 zwei sich an gegenüberliegenden Seiten befindliche Stirnseiten 14 auf, deren Kontur geometrisch derart aufeinander abgestimmt und ausgebildet ist, dass sich zwei identische Koppelelemente 10 über ihre Stirnseiten 14 miteinander form- und/oder reibschlüssig verbinden lassen.In the following, the invention will now be described purely by way of example with reference to two exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

the basic features of the coupling element according to the invention illustrated in a perspective view; and

Fig. 2

a concrete exemplary embodiment of a coupling element according to the invention shows.

Again Fig. 1 can be removed, showing two coupling elements 10 according to the invention, the coupling elements 10 have a substantially cuboid shape. For coupling the two coupling elements 10, the two coupling elements 10 have two end faces 14 located on opposite sides, the contour of which is geometrically coordinated and designed so that two identical coupling elements 10 can be positively and / or frictionally connected with one another via their end faces 14 ,

For this purpose, two pedestal-like positive sections 16 and two negative sections 18 each forming a recess are formed on or in the body of the coupling element 10 on each end face 14. In this case, the negative sections 18 have a shape which is complementary to the positive sections 16 and thus to a certain extent constitute a negative impression of the positive sections 16.

The positive and negative sections 16, 18 are arranged on the one hand with respect to the rotational closure axis Z perpendicular to the end faces 14 by 180 ° rotationally symmetrical to one another. On the other hand, however, the positive and negative sections 16, 18 are also arranged with respect to the other two spatial axes X, Y by 180 ° rotationally symmetrical on the end faces 14, which in turn are perpendicular to the axis Z. The end faces 14 and the positive and negative sections 16, 18 formed thereon are thus point-symmetrical with respect to the origin aligned by the axes X, Y, Z coordinate system, which means that the end faces 14 and in particular their positive and negative sections 16, 18 each map to itself when the coupling element 10 about one of the axes X, Y, Z rotated by 180 °.

Since the end faces 14 and in particular their positive and negative sections 16, 18 are formed completely rotationally symmetrical to each other, the following geometric description of the end faces 14 and in particular the positive and negative sections 16, 18 refers to each of these sections, even if the following description partially refers only to a specific section 16, 18.

How best of the in the Fig. 1 shown, the positive portions 16 and the negative portions 18 are in areas of diagonally opposite corners on the respective end face 14 of the coupling element 10. The positive sections 16 and the respectively associated negative sections 18 adjacent to each other directly and go along a continuous, in the direction of rotation of the coupling element 10 facing end face 20 into each other. If in the context of the present invention, a direction of rotation of the coupling element is mentioned, this is the direction of movement of the positive and negative sections 16, 18 to be understood upon rotation of the coupling element 10 about the axis Z. This axis is also referred to as a rotary closure axis, since the coupling element 10 must be rotated about this axis in order to couple it with an identical coupling element 10. The pointing in the direction of rotation faces 20 are inclined so that thereby the positive portions 16 each have an undercut 22.

In the radial direction, that is to say in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction of rotation just described, the positive sections 16 likewise have an inclined boundary surface 24 such that the positive sections 16 also have an undercut 30 in the radial direction.

Complementary to the boundary surfaces 24 of the positive sections 16, the negative sections 18 also have a radial boundary surface 26, which is inclined in such a way that an undercut 31 is likewise formed thereby. Between the opposing sides of an end face 14 located positive and negative sections 16, 18 extends at each end face 14, a contact surface 28 which is bounded by the boundary surfaces 24, 26 of the positive and negative sections 16, 18 in the radial direction. The contact surface 28 is to some extent at "half height" with respect to the positive and negative sections 16, 18, which means that the negative sections 18 starting from the level of the contact surface 28 have the same height dimension in the direction Z as the positive sections 16.

In order to connect two identical coupling elements 10 with each other, the two coupling elements 10, starting from in the Fig. 1 illustrated initial position in which the coupling elements 10 end face 14 are aligned on the end face 14, first to rotate each other by a small angular extent about the axis Z, whereupon they can then be moved toward each other in the direction of the axis Z until the contact surfaces 28 together Arrive plant. Then then the two coupling elements 10 are mutually about the axis Z to rotate each other, that the inclined end faces 20 to move toward each other.

As soon as the positive sections 16 of the one coupling element 10 penetrate into the associated negative sections 18 of the other coupling element 10, the radial boundary surfaces 24 of the positive sections 16 engage with the radial boundary surfaces 26 of the negative sections 18, so that the two coupling elements 10 due to the inclination of Boundary surfaces 24, 26 interleaved and braced against each other. As with further continuous rotation of the coupling elements 10 and pointing in the direction of rotation inclined end faces 20 of mutually moving positive sections 16 engage each other and ride on each other, the coupling elements 10 are additionally clamped on these inclined faces 20 with each other.

In order to ensure that the two coupling elements 10 do not detach from one another on their own from the engagement position thus produced, recesses and elevations arranged rotationally symmetrically relative to one another can be formed, for example, on the contact surfaces 28, which engage with each other as a result of the described rotation of the coupling elements 10, to latch together.

Since the coupling elements 10 may, for example, be housings for electrical modules that are to be electrically coupled to one another, suitable terminal contacts (not shown), for example, on the contact surface 28 of the coupling elements 10 in the region around the axis Z of the contact surface 28th be recorded. However, it would also be possible, corresponding terminal contacts eccentrically on the end faces 14, for example in the in the Fig. 1 to arrange with B designated area. Such connection contacts received in the region B from the front side 14 can be applied to any desired surface areas the contact surface 28, the positive portions 16 or the negative portions 18 are taken, since each of these surface areas comes into contact with a corresponding surface area when coupled with an identical coupling element 10.

The following will now be with reference to the Fig. 2 a concrete embodiment of a coupling element 10 is described, which in its basic structure with the reference to the Fig. 1 described coupling element 10 is comparable. So also in the Fig. 2 shown coupling element 10 has a substantially cuboid shape and comprises two mutually opposite end faces 14, on each of which two positive and negative sections 16, 18 are formed. Also in this embodiment, the positive and negative sections 16, 18 of each end face 14 are separated from each other by a centrally disposed contact surface 28, which in the in the Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment has a circular shape.

Furthermore, also in the in the Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment, the positive portions 16 and the respective associated negative portions 18 each bounded by a continuous, pointing in the direction of rotation of the coupling element 10 end face 20 which is inclined so that thereby form the positive portions 16 each have an undercut 22 or.

Unlike the one in the Fig. 1 Contact element 10 shown are the radial boundary surfaces 24, 26 of the positive and negative sections 16, 18 of the in Fig. 2 illustrated coupling element 10 is not inclined. Nevertheless, the radial boundary surfaces 24, 26 of the positive and negative sections 16, 18 have corresponding undercuts 30, 31, which by radially inwardly or outwardly projecting Flanges 32, 34 are formed, which are formed on the respective boundaries 24, 26 of the positive and negative sections 16, 18. Thus, from the radially inwardly facing boundary surface 24 of the positive sections 16 in each case a flange 32 inwardly, whereas starting from the outwardly facing boundary surfaces 26 of the negative sections 18 respectively a corresponding flange 34 cantilever outwardly. The radially outwardly projecting from the contact surface 28 flanges 34 extend over a quarter circle and thus from the negative sections 18 and beyond the side wall of the coupling element also.

To the in the Fig. 2 Coupling elements 10 shown to connect with each other, they are first in the in the Fig. 2 shown starting position 14 on the end face 14 spaced from each other to arrange so that the flanges 32 and the flanges 34 can move past each other until the contact surfaces 28 of the two coupling elements 10 come into contact with each other. Then, the coupling elements 10 are rotated relative to each other so that the projecting from the boundary surfaces 24 of the positive portions 16 radially inwardly projecting flanges 32 in the radially defined by the boundary surfaces 26 of the negative sections 28 outwardly projecting flanges 34 undercuts 31, whereby the two coupling elements 10 are secured against each other tensile strength.

Since the surfaces of the flanges 34 facing away from the contact surface 28 have a ramp which increases in the circumferential direction, the coupling elements 10 are braced against one another as a result of the mutual twisting. The flanges 32, 34 thus effectively represent sections of threads which can be screwed together. This mutual bracing and screwing the two coupling elements 10 is at sustained rotational movement of the two coupling elements 10 as in with reference to the Fig. 1 described embodiment additionally supported by the fact that when the positive portions 16 penetrate into the negative portions 18, the inclined end faces 20 of mutually moving positive sections 16 also engage each other and ride on each other, whereby the coupling elements 10 are additionally braced against each other.

As a result of the mutual clamping of the two coupling elements 10, the connection contacts 36 located, for example, in the undercuts 22 of the positive sections 16 and the connection contacts 38 of the two coupling elements 10 arranged on the surface of the positive sections 16 then come into contact with one another, thereby producing the two coupling elements in the desired manner 10 are not only mechanically but also electrically coupled together.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

coupling element

12

casing

14

front sides

16

positive sections

18

negatives

20

inclined faces

22

Undercut of 16

24

radial boundary surface of 16

26

radial boundary surface of 18

28

contact area

30

radial undercuts

31

radial undercuts

32

radially projecting flanges of 24

34

radially projecting flanges of 26

36

terminals

38

terminals

A

Contact receiving area

B

Contact receiving area

X

Rotational symmetry axis

Y

Rotational symmetry axis

Z

Rotational symmetry axis and rotary closure axis

Claims (14)

Coupling element (10) for producing an electrical and mechanical connection with at least one identical coupling element (10), wherein the coupling element (10) perpendicular to a rotational closure axis of the coupling element (10) extending end faces (14) which comprises three mutually perpendicular axes are formed symmetrically, wherein at each end face (14) at least two positive portions (16) and at least two complementary to the positive portions (16) formed negative portions (18) are formed, wherein each positive portion (16) passes directly into a negative portion (18) and disposed in the rotational direction adjacent to the associated negative portion (18). Coupling element according to claim 1,
characterized in that
the two end faces (14) of the coupling element (10) are formed point-symmetrical to each other. Coupling element according to Claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
both the positive sections (16) and the negative sections (18) of each end face (14) are rotationally symmetrical about 180 ° with respect to the rotational closure axis and are formed. Coupling element according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the positive sections (16) and the respective associated negative sections (18) are each bounded by a continuous surface (20) facing in the direction of rotation of the coupling element (10). Coupling element according to claim 4,
characterized in that
the positive sections (16) and the respective associated negative sections (18) in the direction of rotation limiting surface (20) is inclined so that thereby the positive sections (16) have an overhang or an undercut (22). Coupling element according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
each of the positive sections (16) has a radially inwardly facing boundary (24) which is shaped such that thereby the positive sections (16) have an undercut (30). Coupling element according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
each of the negative sections (18) has a radially outwardly facing boundary (26) shaped such that the negative sections (18) thereby have an undercut (31). Coupling element according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the coupling element (10) has a substantially cuboidal shape, wherein on two opposite sides (14) of the coupling element (10) in each case two positive sections (16) and respectively two negative sections (18) are formed. Coupling element according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
both the positive sections (16) and the negative sections (18) are arranged in areas of diagonally opposite corners on the respective sides (14) of the coupling element (10). Coupling element according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
on each end face (14) a central contact surface (28) is formed, by which both the positive portions (16) and the negative portions (18) of each end face (14) are spaced from each other. Coupling element according to claim 10,
characterized in that
the positive portions (16) protrude beyond the contact surface (28) whereas the negative portions (18) are recessed with respect to the contact surface (28). Coupling element according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
at least one electrical connection contact (36, 38) is provided on each end face (14) of the coupling element. Coupling element according to at least one of claims 10 to 12,
characterized in that
in the center of the contact surface (28) an electrical connection contact is provided. Coupling element according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that
the coupling element (10) is a housing having an interior formed for receiving electrical components.

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