EP2860829B1 - Electrical contact element, connector and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical contact element for a plug connector, a plug connector and a method for producing an electrical contact element.

Electrical contact elements are used in electrical connectors to establish electrical contact between an electrical wire or cable and a mating connector. For this purpose, the contact elements are designed to be rigid, at least in some areas, in order to withstand mechanical stress during the plugging of the connector into the complementary connector.

The quality of the electrical connection between the contact element and corresponding complementary contact elements of the complementary connector is of decisive importance, particularly when transmitting high-frequency electrical signals via such connectors. In particular, the electrical contact resistance between the two should be as low as possible and as constant as possible as a function of the frequency.

For this purpose, the surface of the contact element which is designed to come into contact with the complementary contact element is usually machined, for example turned to a cylindrical shape. In particular, the mechanical processing of the contact element leads to a complex production process.

The pamphlet EP 1 231 675 A2 discloses an electrical contact element and a method for its manufacture, in which a preform is stamped out and its contact area is folded along its longitudinal axis. The goal here is to obtain an approximately square cross-section with side surfaces that are as planar as possible.

The pamphlet WO 2007/009487 A1 relates to another electrical contact element whose contact area is folded along its longitudinal axis into a square cross-section. In order to avoid deteriorated electrical contact properties due to the groove remaining along its longitudinal axis on one side of the contact area, the contact area of the contact element is then rotated by 90 degrees in relation to the rest of the contact element, so that the electrical contact on one side of the contact area without Nut comes about.

The pamphlet U.S. 4,434,552 discusses a method of manufacturing a cylindrical contact element in which an outer shell of the contact element is stamped and rolled by cold forming and an inner part placed in the outer shell from sheet metal.

The pamphlet EP 1 403 975 A2 describes a contact element with a hollow mounting portion having lateral and horizontal windows for inserting a cable.

The pamphlet U.S. 4,969,839 shows a socket having insulation displacement contacts for attaching cables to the female contact elements of the socket.

The pamphlet DE 202 08 436 U1 discloses a one-piece contact element made of stamped and rolled sheet metal material with a mating end and a connecting end, the mating end being designed as a pin and having a square cross-section. Furthermore, the edges of the pen are rounded.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical contact element, a connector and a method for manufacturing the contact element, wherein the

Production of the contact element or the connector can be carried out more easily and quickly.

This object is achieved by an electrical contact element having the features of claim 1, a connector having the features of claim 7 and a method having the features of claim 8. Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

Electrical contact element according to one aspect

• einen Leitungskontaktbereich, an welchen eine elektrische Leitung befestigbar ist,
• einen Steckkontaktbereich, welcher mit einem komplementären Kontaktelement eines komplementären Verbinder elektrisch kontaktierbar ist,
  wobei der Steckkontaktbereich durch Umformen im wesentlichen prismenförmig ausgebildet ist. Erfindungsgemäß ist die Grundfläche des Prismas ein n-Eck mit n ≥ 6, bevorzugt n ≥ 8 und insbesondere n ≥ 12. Vorzugsweise ist n ≤ 24, mehr bevorzugt n ≤ 20, noch bevorzugter n ≤ 16. Beispielsweise ist n = 6, n = 8 oder n = 12.

One aspect relates to an electrical contact element for a connector according to claim 1 having:

• a line contact area to which an electrical line can be attached,
• a plug contact area, which can be electrically contacted with a complementary contact element of a complementary connector,
  the plug-in contact area being essentially prism-shaped by reshaping. According to the invention, the base of the prism is an n-gon with n≧6, preferably n≧8 and in particular n≧12. Preferably n≦24, more preferably n≦20, even more preferably n≦16. For example, n=6, n = 8 or n = 12.

Advantageously, the contact element can be produced easily and quickly, with the plug-in contact area having increased mechanical strength due to the essentially prismatic shape.

The electrical contact element is made of an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal, in which case an electrical current can flow from the plug contact area to the line contact area. The line contact area of the contact element is connected to an associated electrical line electrically contactable or electrically connectable. In order to enable permanent electrical contact between the electrical line and the contact element, the electrical line can be attached to the line contact area in a detachable or non-detachable manner. According to the plug-in contact area with a associated complementary contact element of the complementary connector electrically or mechanically contactable. An electric current can therefore flow from the electric line via the contact element to the complementary contact element.

The term "forming" describes manufacturing processes in which the material of the contact element, in particular a metal, is plastically brought into a different shape. In this case, an originally shaped, for example a cast, rolled or punched starting material, ie the preform, is formed into the final contact element. The material retains its mass and cohesion during forming. As a result, forming within the meaning of the invention differs from a general deformation of the material in that the change in shape is brought about in a targeted manner, while deformation represents an untargeted elastic or plastic change in shape, for example when Bending during insertion of the contact element. Furthermore, neither material is added nor removed from the contact element during the forming process. Thus, forming in particular does not include machining, such as turning, milling, grinding, drilling, etc., or machining to add material, such as casting, soldering, welding, coating, anodic or cathodic deposition of material on the surface.

The plug contact area can in particular have been formed by pressure forming. In other words, the forming of the preform takes place with prevailing compressive stress. The plug contact area can preferably be formed by pressing between two dies or by embossing between embossing dies. Further alternatively, the plug-in contact area could be formed by rolling.

The contact element is formed in one piece from electrically conductive material. For example, the contact element can be formed from a metal stamped part (the preform), which has been shaped in the plug-in area. Due to the one-piece design, the electrical conductivity within the contact element is advantageously particularly low-resistance, since there are no joints at which a contact resistance occurs. High-frequency electrical signals are also conducted through the contact element with little distortion. The contact element can in particular consist of a copper alloy, for example a copper-tin alloy or a copper-nickel alloy. To reduce the electrical contact resistance in the line contact area and/or in the plug contact area, the line contact area and/or the plug contact area can be coated or plated or galvanized with gold, silver or an alloy thereof.

The plug-in contact area of the contact element is preferably designed to be free of cavities. In other words, the formed plug-in contact area can be solid. This advantageously results in increased mechanical strength in the plug-in contact area compared to other areas of the contact element. In particular, the plug contact area is not designed as a hollow prism but as a solid prism.

The plug-in contact area of the contact element can preferably be inserted linearly, at least in areas, along an insertion direction E into the complementary connector. Advantageously, the electrical contact between the contact element and a complementary contact element of the complementary connector can be made by plugging the plug-in contact area of the contact element along the insertion direction E into the complementary contact element. The insertion direction E is in particular oriented parallel to the cylinder axis of the essentially cylindrical plug contact area. The plug-in contact area has sufficient rigidity along the insertion direction E, as a result of which insertion into the associated complementary contact element is made possible. The plug contact area can have a diameter of about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm, preferably about 0.6 mm or about 1 to about 2 mm. The length of the plug contact area can be approximately 3 mm to approximately 10 mm, preferably approximately 4 mm to approximately 6 mm.

The line contact area is designed as an insulation displacement contact. As a result, an electrical line can advantageously be electrically contacted with the contact element in a simple and reliable manner. For example, the electrical line can be connected without tools to the line contact area designed as an insulation displacement contact.

The contact element preferably also has at least one fastening area, with which the contact element can be fastened to an associated, complementary fastening area of the plug connector. For example, the fastening area can be designed to be resilient or springy. As a result, after insertion into a contact element receptacle of the connector, the contact element can latch or lock there or with the contact element receptacle engage in such a way that the contact element is fixed in the contact element receptacle. The fastening area can be formed in one piece with the contact element, for example by stamping a latching element or a projection.

The term "resiliently deformable" as it is understood in the context of this invention describes that the at least one fastening area essentially returns to its original shape and/or position after mechanical stress or elastic or plastic deformation by a force in a stress direction returns. The mechanical loading or deformation of the at least one fastening area takes place, for example, during the insertion of the contact element into an associated contact element receptacle, as a result of which a force in the loading direction is applied to the at least one fastening area by means of the wall of the contact element receptacle.

Electrical connector according to one aspect

One aspect relates to a connector with at least one contact element according to the invention. The connector can have a contact element holder for receiving at least one contact element. For this purpose, the contact element holder can have an associated contact element receptacle for each contact element, in which the contact element is accommodated and fixed at least in regions. It goes without saying that the connector can have two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more contact elements.

The connector can have a housing in which the contact element holder is arranged. The housing can be made of metal or plastic, for example. In particular, the housing can be made of die-cast zinc, die-cast aluminum or impact-resistant polyamide or ABS. A single contact element or a multiplicity of contact elements can be held by the contact element holder, so that each of the contact elements can be inserted into an associated contact element of a complementary plug connector. For this purpose, the contact elements can be aligned parallel to one another. In particular, the longitudinal extensions of the plug-in contact areas of all contact elements are aligned parallel to one another.

• Bereitstellen eines Vorformlings aus einem elektrisch leitfähigen Material mit einem als Schneidklemmkontakt ausgebildeten Leitungskontaktbereich und einem umzuformenden Bereich;
• Umformen des umzuformenden Bereichs des Vorformlings zu einem im wesentlichen zylindrischen oder prismatischen Steckkontaktbereich.

Method for producing an electrical contact element according to one aspect One aspect relates to a method for forming a one-piece contact element according to claim 6, the following steps:

• Providing a preform made of an electrically conductive material with a line contact area designed as an insulation displacement contact and an area to be reshaped;
• Forming the area of the preform to be formed into an essentially cylindrical or prismatic plug-in contact area.

According to the invention, the area of the preform to be formed is formed into an essentially prismatic plug contact area in such a way that the plug contact area has an n-cornered cross section with n≧6 or n≧8 or n≧12. Preferably n ≤ 24, more preferably n < 20, even more preferably n ≤ 16. For example, n = 6, n = 8 or n = 12.

Advantageously, the contact element can be formed in a simple manner using two processing steps. A metal sheet is generally provided as the blank, from which a preform is punched. The provision of the preform can in particular include stamping the preform from a metal sheet. This stamping step enables easy mass production of the preforms. Depending on the electrical conductivity requirements, different metal sheets can be provided as raw material in a simple manner. After punching, this is done in sections Reshaping the preform to form the plug contact area of the contact element.

The forming is preferably carried out by cold forming or hot forming. Advantageously, the cold forming can be carried out in an efficient manner without heating the preform.

In hot forming, the preform is heated to a temperature above the recrystallization temperature of the raw material before forming. As a result, recrystallization regularly occurs during forming, which counteracts hardening of the raw material, so that the plug-in contact area advantageously remains flexible or deformable. Cold forming refers to a forming in which the preform is formed in the cold state, for example at room temperature, so that the material in the plug-in contact area is solidified.

The method preferably includes the step of forming at least one fastening area, with which the contact element can be fastened to a complementary fastening area of the plug connector. The fastening area can be formed in one piece with the contact element, for example by stamping a latching element or a projection.

character description

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform des Kontaktelements;

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht eines Kontaktelementhalters eines Verbinders mit einer Vielzahl der in Figur 1 gezeigten Kontaktelemente;

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines ersten Teils eines Verbinders;

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines zweiten Teils des in der Figur 3 gezeigten Verbinders.

A preferred embodiment is explained below by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. It shows:

Figure 1:

a perspective view of an embodiment of the contact element;

Figure 2:

a perspective sectional view of a contact element holder of a connector with a plurality of in figure 1 shown contact elements;

Figure 3:

a perspective view of a first part of a connector;

Figure 4:

a perspective view of a second part of in the figure 3 connector shown.

the figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a contact element 1 with a line contact area 3, a plug-in contact area 5 and a fastening area 7. The line contact area 3 is designed as an insulation displacement contact in order to connect an electrical line of a cable 29 (in figure 4 shown) electrically closed to contact.

The line contact area 3 designed as an insulation displacement contact advantageously allows simple and reliable electrical contacting of the electrical line. As a result, the electrical line can be electrically contacted with the contact element 1 in particular without tools, as a result of which the contact element 1 can advantageously be used in connectors that can be assembled in the field.

The plug-in contact area 5 is essentially prism-shaped, with the base of the in the figure 1 the prism shown represents an octagon. It goes without saying that prisms can also be provided which have a hexagon, a decagon, a dodecagon or a polygon with a number of corners greater than twelve. The longitudinal axis A of the prism, which forms the plug-in contact area 5, is oriented parallel to an insertion direction E, along which the contact element 1 can be inserted at least in some areas into a complementary connector (not shown) in order to electrically connect the contact element 1 to a complementary contact element of the complementary connector associate.

The term "substantially prismatic" describes that the plug contact area 5 can have slight deviations from the prism shape, such as a rounded end face 5a, which can taper conically or pointedly in the direction of insertion E in order to facilitate insertion of the contact element 1 into the to facilitate complementary contact element. Furthermore, the plug contact area 5 can deviate from a target thickness or a target width of up to about 10% along a thickness direction D, which is essentially perpendicular to the insertion direction E, or along a width direction B, which is also essentially perpendicular to the insertion direction E. preferably about 5% exhibit. The contact element 1 can preferably have a greater width extension in the width direction B in some areas than the thickness extension in the thickness direction D, in particular in the area of the line contact area 3.

The fastening area 7 of the contact element 1 can have a resiliently deformable latching element 7a, with which the contact element 1 can be locked in a contact element receptacle of a connector (in the figure 2 shown) can be attached. Due to the resilient deformability of the latching element 7a, a mechanical load on the latching element 7a along a loading direction B′ leads to a deformation or displacement of the latching element 7a. As soon as the mechanical stress along the stress direction B' ceases, the latching element 7a essentially returns to its original shape and/or position. In particular, resilient deformability includes elastic deformability. In addition, the fastening area 7 can have an engagement element 7b, which is designed to engage with a complementary engagement element of the contact element receptacle (in figure 2 shown) to engage to inhibit displacement of the contact element 1 within the contact element receptacle. At the in the figure 1 The embodiment shown has the engagement element 7b along the direction of insertion E tapering section on which opposite to the direction of insertion E is an undercut. Material of the contact element receptacle, for example, can penetrate into the undercut by plastic and/or elastic displacement in order to frictionally or positively engage with the engagement element 7b.

The one in the figure 1 shown embodiment of the contact element 1 is integrally formed. In an exemplary manufacturing method, a metal sheet is provided, from which a preform is stamped. In this case, the punching tool is moved along the thickness direction D to remove the preform from the punching out sheet metal. Consequently, the punched edge 9 produced during punching is oriented parallel to the thickness direction. The insulation displacement contact 3 and the engagement element 7d can be formed during the stamping. Optionally, the preform can be bent in certain areas, for example in order to form the latching element 7a of the fastening area 7 . Furthermore, the preform can have further bending areas 9a, in which case the bending can be carried out simultaneously with or after the stamping.

The plug contact area 5 is shaped or formed by area-wise reshaping of the preform. The forming takes place in a production step in which the material of the preform is plastically brought into a different shape in some areas. As a result, the stamped edge 9 is generally formed in the formed plug contact area 5 in such a way that the stamped edge 9 can no longer be recognized as such. While the cross section of the preform is essentially rectangular in a surface that is perpendicular to the insertion direction E, the cross section of the formed plug contact area 5 of the contact element 1 is essentially a polygon or n-corner with n greater than five. For example, the plug contact area 5 can have a hexagonal, an octagonal or a dodecagonal cross section. The contact element 1 is formed by forming the preform.

The plastic forming is material-preserving, so that the preform and the contact element 1 have an identical mass. The forming can be carried out in a simple manner by means of embossing tools or dies (upper die and lower die), a negative form of the plug contact area 5 to be formed being formed between the embossing tools or dies. To shape the preform, it is inserted at least in certain areas into the forming tools, i.e. the embossing tools or dies, and then pressure is applied by means of the forming tools, as a result of which the material of the preform is shaped in order to fill the negative mold formed in the forming tools and thereby assume the desired shape . This distinguishes the forming in particular from a machining, such as turning, in which material is removed from the preform to achieve the desired cylindrical shape. Since, in contrast to machining, the material of the preform remains in the area of the plug contact area 5, the preform can have less material in this area in order to achieve a desired final thickness of the plug contact area 5 of the contact element 1. It goes without saying that the plastic forming of the preform can be carried out both as cold forming and as hot forming. Advantageously, the cold forming of the preform allows faster processing since it is not necessary to heat the preform. At the same time, cold forming increases the strength in the formed area, ie in plug contact area 5 of the contact element. As a result, the contact element 1 has greater strength in the area of the plug-in contact area 5, so that the plug-in contact area 5 can withstand greater mechanical loads during plugging. On the other hand, toughness is reduced by cold forming. If a reduction in toughness is not desired, forming can alternatively be carried out as hot forming.

In order to achieve good electrical conduction properties of the contact element 1, the contact element 1 can be formed in particular from a metal sheet which consists of a copper alloy, for example a copper-tin alloy or a copper-nickel alloy. The alloy of the contact element 1 is selected on the basis of the necessary mechanical and electrical properties of the contact element 1. To improve the electrical contact resistance, the contact element 1 can be plated or galvanized at least in areas with gold, silver or a gold-silver alloy. This advantageously also prevents corrosion of the contact element 1 on the plated or galvanized areas.

the figure 2 shows a perspective sectional view of a contact element holder 11, which has a plurality of contact element receptacles 13, in each of which an associated contact element 1 is arranged and fastened. the Contact element holder 11 is formed from an electrically insulating material, preferably a plastic such as polyamide, ABS, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polycarbonate. In order to equip the contact element holder 11 with the contact elements in the figure 2 embodiment shown, eight contact elements 1 are held by the contact element holder 11, two options are available.

Firstly, the contact element holder 11 can be provided, for example in the form of an injection molded part made of a thermoplastic material. A number of contact element receptacles 13 corresponding to the contact elements 1 to be received are formed in the body of the contact element holder 11 . An associated contact element 1 can be inserted into each of the contact element receptacles 13 along the second insertion direction E′ in order to arrange the contact element 1 in the contact element holder 11 . By inserting the contact element 1 into the contact element receptacle 13, the engagement element 7b of the contact element 1 can engage or frictionally engage with the wall of the contact element receptacle. This prevents the contact element 1 from being displaced relative to the contact element holder 11 counter to the second insertion direction E′. Furthermore, by inserting the contact element 1 into the contact element receptacle 13, the wall of the contact element receptacle 13 can come into mechanical contact with the resiliently deformable latching element 7a, with the latching element 7a being deformed along the loading direction B′. The wall of the contact element receptacle 13 can have a recess in the wall 13a as a preferred complementary latching element 13a, so that the latching element 7a can engage in the complementary latching element 13a when the contact element 1 is inserted into the contact element receptacle 13 along the second insertion direction E' in such a way that that a predetermined arranging position is reached. In the arrangement position, the latching element 7a is displaced against the loading direction B' due to the resilient deformability of the latching element 7a, so that the latching element 7a engages or locks with the complementary latching element 13a. With others In other words, the contact element 1 is fixed in the arrangement position within the contact element receptacle 13 .

As a second option, the contact element holder 11 can be formed around a plurality of contact elements 1 provided. For example, the contact element holder 11 can be formed as an injection molded part from a thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic polymer if a plurality of contact elements 1 are held in position by means of a holding device (not shown), so that there is an intimate connection between the contact element holder 11 and the contact elements 1 results. As a result, the contact elements 1 are permanently connected to the contact element holder 11 . The contact element receptacles 13 then correspond to the gaps in the material of the contact element holder 11, which are caused by the presence of the contact elements 1.

Like in the figure 2 shown, the contact elements 1 can be arranged along a circular line in the contact element holder 11 . The contact elements 1 and in particular the latching elements 7a can be arranged in such a way that the loading direction B' for all contact elements 1 is oriented radially outwards or inwards. In other words, the contact element holder 11 can be designed to be axially symmetrical about an axis of symmetry, with the axis of symmetry preferably being oriented parallel to the insertion direction E.

the figure 3 shows a perspective view of a first part 15 of a connector with a in the figure 2 shown contact element holder 11. The contact element holder 11 is arranged in a housing 17, which is preferably made of metal or impact-resistant plastic. The housing 17 of the first part of the connector 15 has a connection configuration 17a, which enables a second part 19 of the connector to be inserted at least in regions along a third insertion direction E" into the housing 17 of the first part 15 of the connector.

the figure 4 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the second part 19 of the connector with a housing 21 having a complementary terminal configuration 21a engageable with the terminal configuration 17a. In particular, the connection configuration 17a and the complementary connection configuration 21a can be screwed together. The housing 21 can also be made of metal or impact-resistant plastic.

The second part 19 of the connector also has a line holder 23 in which a multiplicity of line receptacles 25 are formed. The line receptacles 25 are designed to each accommodate an associated electrical line 27 at least in certain areas. The electrical lines 27 are part of a cable 29, which is guided along a fourth insertion direction E‴ through a passage opening in the housing 21 of the second part 19 of the connector, the sheathing of the cable 29 being removed at least in the area of the line holder 23 in order to allow the electrical Lines 27 along a spreading direction S, which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the fourth insertion direction E‴, to spread or bend radially outwards, so that the electrical lines can each be accommodated in an associated line receptacle 25 . The cable 29 can be attached to the housing 21 by means of the strain relief 31 . In particular, the strain relief 31 can be designed as a PG screw connection.

By inserting the second part 19 of the connector with the cable 29 arranged thereon along the third insertion direction Eʺ into the first part 15 of the connector, the connection configuration 17a engages with the complementary connection configuration 21a, so that both connector parts 15, 19 can be connected to one another . At the same time, the insulation displacement contacts 3 of the first part 15 of the connector are received in the associated insulation displacement contact receptacles 25a of the line receptacle 25 counter to the third insertion direction Eʺ, as a result of which the electrical lines 27, which are in the line receptacles 25, are cut through the associated insulation displacement contacts 3 and electrically contacted . With others In other words, the electrical and mechanical connection of the two parts 15, 19 of the connector takes place by plugging the second part 19 and the first part 15 of the connector together along the third insertion direction E". After the two parts 15, 19 of the connector have been joined together, the cable 29 and the connector are electrically and mechanically connected to each other, thus assembling the cable 29. The connector can be designed in particular as a plug connector, which can be plugged into a complementary connector (not shown) along an insertion direction E in order to connect the cable 29 to a further electrical In particular, the connector can be an M12 connector, which is designed to establish an Ethernet connection according to category 6 _A (CAT 6 _A ).The connector shown in the figures can advantageously be assembled in the field a cable 29 in the field, ie at the site without Spezia oil tool, to be assembled. Consequently, only a knife or stripping pliers is required to remove the insulating jacket of the cable 29 in certain areas and to cut off the protruding parts of the electrical lines 27 arranged in the line receptacles 25 . The subsequent electrical contacting and attachment of the connector to the electrical lines 27 of the cable 29 then takes place without tools.

The second insertion direction E′ is preferably oriented parallel to the insertion direction E. The third insertion direction E" is more preferably oriented parallel to the second insertion direction E', particularly preferably also to the insertion direction E. More preferably, the fourth insertion direction E'" is oriented parallel to the third insertion direction E", particularly preferably also to the second insertion direction E' In particular, the four insertion directions E, E′, E″ and E‴ can be oriented parallel to one another or be identical.

Reference List

1

contact element

3

Line contact area / insulation displacement contact

5

plug contact area

5a

face

7

mounting area

7a

locking element

7b

engagement element

9

punching edge

9a

bending range

11

contact element holder

13

contact element recording

15

first part of a connector

17

housing

17a

port configuration

19

second part of the connector

21

housing

21a

complementary port configuration

23

line holder

25

line pickup

25a

Insulation displacement contact recording

27

electrical line

29

cable

31

strain relief

A

longitudinal axis

B

latitude direction

B'

load direction

D

thickness direction

E

insertion direction

E'

second insertion direction

Eʺ

third direction of insertion

E‴

fourth direction of insertion

S

spreading direction

Claims (8)

1. An electrical contact element (1) for a plug-in connector, having:

   - a line contact region (3) to which an electrical line (27) can be fastened,

   - a plug-in contact region (5) that can be electrically contacted with a complementary contact element of a complementary connector,
   wherein the contact element (1) is formed as a single part of an electrically conductive material; and the line contact region (3) is formed as an insulation displacement contact,
   characterized in that:
   the plug-in contact region (5) is formed by being formed into a substantially prismatic shape and has an n-corner cross-section with n ≥ 6 or n ≥ 8 or n ≥ 12, wherein the forming is a production method in which a change in shape of a preform is brought about in a targeted manner while retaining its mass.
2. The contact element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plug-in contact region (5) of the contact element (1) is formed free of cavities.
3. The contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug-in contact region (5) of the contact element (1) can be inserted at least regionally in a linear manner along an insertion direction (E) into the complementary connector.
4. The contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, moreover having at least one fastening region (7), by means of which the contact element (1) can be fastened to an associated complementary fastening region (13) of the plug-connector.
5. A plug-in connector having:
   at least one contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims.
6. A method for forming a single-part contact element (1), comprising:

   - providing a preform consisting of an electrically conductive material with a line contact region (3) formed as an insulation displacement contact and a region to be formed, wherein
   the region of the preform to be formed is formed by being formed into a substantially prismatic plug-in contact region (5) such that the plug-in contact region (5) has an n-corner cross-section with n ≥ 6 or n ≥ 8 or n ≥ 12, wherein the forming is a production method in which a change in shape of the preform is brought about in a targeted manner while retaining its mass.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the forming comprises cold forming or hot forming.
8. The method according to one of claims 6 or 7, further comprising the step:

   - forming at least one fastening region (7), by means of which the contact element (1) can be fastened to a complementary fastening region (13) of the plug-connector.

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