EP2932563B1 - Contact element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a contact element made of an electrically conductive contact material for producing an electrically conductive connection, with a plug-side end for mating with a complementary mating contact element, in particular a socket, and a conductor-side end to which an electrical conductor can be fastened, wherein a plug-side cross section of Contact element is greater than a conductor-side cross-section, wherein at the plug-side end at least one envelope of the contact material is present, wherein at the plug-side end of the contact element by the envelope formed from at least two contact layers multilayer region of the contact material is formed, and wherein the plug-side end at least one projecting latching tongue extends in the direction of the conductor-side end, wherein the latching tongue has a foot at the plug-side end and a free latching tongue end at the ladder-side end, and with a reinforcement region which extends behind the multilayer region in the direction of the conductor-side end, wherein the reinforcing region is formed from at least two reinforcing layers. Contact elements, in particular plugs, have long been known and are used in numerous electrical and electronic devices. Contact elements are usually heavily stressed by repeated attachment to and release from a mating contact element, so that they must have on the plug side a stress sufficient strength. This is usually realized by a sufficiently high material thickness at the plug end. At the conductor end, on the other hand, it is necessary for the contact element to have a small material thickness in order to be connected to a conductor, e.g. To connect by pressing methods such as crimping.

Heretofore, such contact elements have been made by being made from one piece of starting material by means of exciting methods, e.g. Milling be shaped. The resulting surfaces often still have to be smoothed and / or coated. This production method requires many production steps, consumed by the removal of much material and is therefore complicated and expensive.

Another known method is the joining of sections of different thicknesses to a contact element. This method is complicated and therefore expensive, since the sections usually unsolvable must be connected to each other, for example by welding. From the pamphlets EP 1 306 929 A1 . US 3,742,432 A . JP 2007 207501 A . US 2011/124244 A1 . EP 0 692 843 A2 . US 4,235,497 A . US 3,284,758 A . US 3,470,528 A . US 5,795,197 A and JP H 10-3956 A generic contact elements are known in which at the plug-side end at least one envelope of the contact material is present.

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a contact element that can be easily and inexpensively manufactured, and a method for producing such a contact element.

This object is achieved for the above-mentioned contact element in that the reinforcing region has at least one securing element for preventing the bending of the latching tongue in the direction of the contact element.

Due to the simple structure of the contact element this is inexpensive to manufacture. It also has the required strength for repeated bonding and loosening, and can be made in different dimensions using the same starting material. The reinforcing layers in the reinforcing region can provide additional stability to the contact element. By the securing element can be prevented that the latching tongue is bent back into the contact element.

The solution according to the invention can be further improved by various configurations which are advantageous in each case and can be combined with one another as desired. In these embodiments and the advantages associated with you will be discussed below, the design measures and their effects are described only as an example of a contact element with an envelope. Of course, at the contact element, in particular its plug-side end, also several envelopes may be present.

The contact element may have an elongated basic shape. It has a plug-side end for mating with a complementary mating contact element, in particular a socket, and a conductor-side end to which an electrical conductor can be fastened.

Among others, cables or strip conductors can be used as conductors. The conductors can be attached to the conductor-side end of the contact element by common methods. In particular, they can be soldered or pressed by crimping to the conductor end. For crimping, a lower material thickness is required at the conductor-side end than at the plug-side end, therefore the conductor-side end can be formed from only one layer of the contact material.

The contact material may be selected so that the desired type of connection, in particular crimping, can be realized without having to change the material thickness of the contact material in an initial shape by machining processes.

At the plug-side end, the invention provides that at least one envelope of the contact material is present. The envelope may be formed from the contact material by bending, bending or other suitable method.

From the plug-side end in the direction of the conductor-side end of the contact element, a continuous and smooth contact region for the repeatedly detachable connection with a complementary mating contact element can extend on the outer sides of the outer contact layers of the multilayer region.

The plug-side cross section mentioned at the beginning is measured through the multilayer region perpendicular to a surface of the contact region. The plug-side cross-section is larger than the conductor-side cross-section, which is determined by the thickness of the contact material.

The plug-side cross section of the contact element through the multilayer region can be at least twice as large as the conductor-side cross section.

Due to the larger cross-section, the plug-side end is difficult to deform and well suited for repeated loosening and fastening of the contact element.

The continuous and smooth contact area is particularly advantageous since it is free of disturbances such as e.g. Burrs, folds or welds is. The contact element can thus be easily assembled with the complementary mating contact element.

Since the contact area is continuous and contains no constrictions or openings, it can be avoided that damage caused by overheating due to high current densities in narrow areas of the contact area.

The envelope may be tapered in a plugging direction. The rejuvenation can be pointed or rounded. The rounded taper is particularly advantageous for a contact element because it has no burrs, welds or similar imperfections. It is essentially smooth and can therefore be inserted particularly easily into a mating contact element, such as e.g. a socket are inserted. The envelope may form a head of the contact element.

If the envelope is formed by a manufacturing process that results in edges, the taper may be formed from a sequence of multiple edges. The sequence of edges can be designed so that the tip is well suited for easy insertion into a mating contact element.

There may be at least one spacer, by which the at least two contact layers of the multilayer region are held spaced from one another. Due to the size of the spacers, the number of contact layers and the thickness of the contact material, the cross section of the contact element may be determined at the plug end.

The at least one spacer may be formed from at least one deformed region of the contact material. This is particularly advantageous because in the manufacture of the contact element no additional components must be added, but the spacer can be formed directly from the contact material by suitable techniques such as bending or other forming processes.

The at least one spacer may be formed from at least one deformed edge of a contact layer of the multilayered region, wherein the deformed edge may be adjacent to an adjacent contact layer. This shape of the spacer is particularly advantageous since it is located at the edge of the multi-layer area, whereby the largest possible continuous contact area is formed.

At least one of the contact layers may have at least one closure element which, in an assembled state, is positively accommodated in at least one associated complementary recess on another layer of the multilayer region, in particular on an adjacent contact layer. The closure elements can prevent bending of the contact element after manufacture. This is particularly advantageous because it allows a long life and frequent use of the contact element.

The at least one closure element can be pressed by friction with an associated recess. A frictional pressing of a closure element with an associated recess is particularly advantageous because it can be dispensed with complex connection techniques such as soldering or welding.

At least one closure element and / or its associated recess may be tapered in the direction of the associated recess. This embodiment facilitates the frictional pressing of the closure element with the associated recess in the manufacturing process.

The latching tongue can be formed from a contact layer of the multilayered area. The latching tongue can be arranged in particular at an angle between 0 ° and 90 ° to a surface of the single-layer area at the conductor-side end.

The contact element may have at least one support element which extends from the plug-side end in the direction of the conductor-side end and bears against the surface of another contact layer, in particular an adjacent one. The support element can in particular Keep an open end of a contact layer of the multi-layered area at a distance from the adjacent contact layer. It therefore contributes to the stability of the plug end.

The at least one support element can abut with its conductor-side end in an area between the foot and the free latching tongue end of the latching tongue on the surface of the single-layer area. This is particularly advantageous since the support elements maintain the spacing of the contact layers in the multilayer region even when a pressure is exerted on the latching tongue.

The reinforcing region may comprise at least one further envelope of the contact material, wherein the further envelope may be formed by folding the contact material in a direction other than the envelope of the multilayer region, and the at least two reinforcing layers may be joined by the at least one further envelope. This at least one envelope additionally increases the stability. The production of the reinforcing layers by folding can be easily and therefore incorporated inexpensively in the manufacturing process of the contact element.

At least one of the reinforcing layers may comprise at least one spacer by which at least two of the reinforcing layers are spaced from each other. These spacers can prevent compression of the two reinforcing layers and thereby give the contact element dimensional stability in the reinforcing region.

At least one of the reinforcing layers may be directly or indirectly positively and / or frictionally connected with at least one of the contact layers of the multilayer region. The combination of reinforcing layers with contact layers produces a particularly dimensionally stable contact element.

The interconnected reinforcing layers and contact layers may have interlocking elements which automatically engage in the manufacture of the contact element by folding into each other and produce the positive and frictional connection.

In this case, the area of the contact material. which forms the envelope of the multi-layer area at the plug-side end, have a widening, in particular an undercut widening.

During production, a region of the contact material which forms a reinforcing layer as an envelope in the mounted state may have a head-shaped region which, when folded over, can be pressed into the undercut widening of a contact layer and thereby connect reinforcing layer and contact layer.

The head-shaped region can have a deformation region, in particular an opening or an incision, which allows an elastic deformation of the head region. If the head area is pressed into the expansion, the head can be deformed elastically, since the head is compressed in the direction of the deformation area. The head can then exert pressure on the expansion. As a result, contact and reinforcement layer can also be connected to each other by friction.

Alternatively, the expansion in the reinforcing ply and the head-shaped region may be present in the contact ply.

In order to obtain a particularly stable contact element, the contact element may comprise at least one spacer which extends from a contact position in the direction of the reinforcing layers, wherein a support region of the spacer is arranged between the reinforcing layers of the reinforcing region. In order to further increase the stability of a contact element, the support region of the spacer may extend at least partially parallel to the reinforcing layers.

In order to further improve the stability of the multilayer region, the at least one spacer may have a securing section which projects at least partially into at least one positive-locking opening in at least one of the reinforcing layers.

At least one of the reinforcing layers may be penetrated by a latching tongue extending from another reinforcing layer. Thus, a latching tongue can also be used when using reinforcing layers.

The contact element may have a head portion which is disposed at the plug-side end of the multi-layered portion and include the envelope of the contact material and thus the head of the contact element. The head width can be determined by the width of the head at the plug-side end and the connector width by the width of the plug in the multi-layer area outside the head area. The head width can be smaller than the connector width. If the head width is smaller than the connector width, then the head region can represent a narrowing of the width of the contact element, which can facilitate a mating of the contact element with a mating contact element.

At least two contact elements can be formed with spacers of different dimensions. These contact elements can together form a sentence. The contact elements may have different cross-sections at their plug-side end.

The contact element can be produced by turning the contact material at least once from the plug-side end in the direction of the conductor-side end.

When turning over the contact material, it is possible to use e.g. Punching prefabricated interlocking elements engage each other and thereby form-locking connection with each other when turning different layers of the contact element.

This method is particularly advantageous because no machining processes are needed. The contact material may be in its original form as a stampable material e.g. present as a sheet. The thickness of the sheet may preferably determine the cross-section of the contact material at the conductor-side end of the contact element.

The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to two exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitendarstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktelements;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung eines Teils des steckerseitigen Endes des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung des steckerseitigen Endes des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels in einer vergrößerten Darstellung;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung des Bereichs um die Rastzunge des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 6

eine schematische rückseitige Ansicht des zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktelements;

Fig. 8

einen Längsschnitt durch das dritte Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 9

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Bereichs des Längsschnitts des dritten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 10

ein Schnitt durch einen Bereich um einen Abstandhalter des dritten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines vierten Ausführungsbeispiels des erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktelements;

Fig. 12

einen Längsschnitt durch ein Kontaktelement gemäß des vierten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 13

eine vergrößerte Darstellung eines Bereichs des Längsschnitts des vierten Ausführungsbeispiels;

Fig. 14

einen Schnitt durch einen Abstandhalter gemäß des vierten Ausführungsbeispiels; und

Fig. 15

einen Querschnitt durch einen Bereich um die Rastzunge des vierten Ausführungsbeispiels.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic side view of a first embodiment of the contact element according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a portion of the plug-side end of the first embodiment;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of the plug-side end of the first embodiment in an enlarged view;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of the area around the latching tongue of the first embodiment;

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of a second embodiment;

Fig. 6

a schematic rear view of the second embodiment;

Fig. 7

a perspective view of a third embodiment of the contact element according to the invention;

Fig. 8

a longitudinal section through the third embodiment;

Fig. 9

an enlarged view of a portion of the longitudinal section of the third embodiment;

Fig. 10

a section through an area around a spacer of the third embodiment;

Fig. 11

a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the contact element according to the invention;

Fig. 12

a longitudinal section through a contact element according to the fourth embodiment;

Fig. 13

an enlarged view of a portion of the longitudinal section of the fourth embodiment;

Fig. 14

a section through a spacer according to the fourth embodiment; and

Fig. 15

a cross section through an area around the latching tongue of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a contact element according to the invention 1. The contact element 1 consists of the contact material 4 and has a plug-side end 3 for mating with a mating contact element, and a conductor-side end 5 for connection to an electrical conductor.

The contact element 1 has two contact layers 11: one of the conductor-side end 5 to the plug-side end 3 continuous plug layer 11b and a shorter, extending over the plug-side end 3 envelope layer 11a. The two contact layers 11a and 11b together form the multi-layer region 9. The turn-over layer 11a has an open end 12 pointing in the direction of the conductor-side end 5.

The plug-side end 3 is essentially formed from the multilayer region 9. The multilayer region 9 is formed by folding over the contact material 4. The two contact layers 11a and 11b are substantially parallel to each other and spaced from each other. The envelope 7 of the contact material 4 is tapered in the insertion direction 2 and forms the head 21 of the contact element. The plug-side cross section 17 is larger than the conductor-side cross section 19.

Spacers 23 hold the two contact layers 11a and 11b of the multilayer region 9 at a defined distance from one another. The spacer 23 is formed from a deformed portion 24 of the turnup layer 11a. An edge 30 of the turnup layer 11a is formed as a spacer 23 in the direction of the plug layer 11b. The spacer 23 abuts against the plug layer 11b, which in this case is the contact layer 11 adjacent to the turnup layer 11a.

The spacers 23 are bounded by the closure elements 27. The closure elements 27 are formed by forming a portion of the plug layer 11b. They are received positively in the assembled state 28 in recesses 29 of the envelope layer 11a. The closure elements 27 are pressed into the recesses 29. The shutter members 27 connect the two contact layers 11a and 11b of the multilayer portion 9 with each other, so that the contact sheets 11a and 11b can not be separated from each other. The closure elements 27 and the spacers 23 therefore ensure the dimensional stability of the contact elements.

The closure elements 27 may be tapered in the direction of the recesses 29. Likewise, the recesses 29 may be widened in the direction of the closure elements 27. As a result, the compression is facilitated in the production.

The outer sides 14 of the outer contact layers 16 of the multilayer region 9 form the contact region 13 of the contact element 1. This contact region 13 is substantially smooth and continuous and therefore particularly advantageous for the mating of the contact element 1 with a mating contact element such as a socket.

If the envelope 7 is formed by bending the contact material 4, the head 21 may be rounded. This facilitates the insertion of the contact element 1 in a mating contact element. If, on the other hand, the envelope 7 is formed by edge-forming methods, such as folding, then the head 21 can have edges which also ensure a smooth insertion of the contact element 1 into a mating contact element when a tapering of the envelope 7 in the insertion direction 2 is maintained.

From the open end 12 of the envelope layer 11 a, a latching tongue 31 extends in the direction of the conductor-side end 5. Your free latching tongue end 35 is from the Umschlaglageebene 32 of the contact element 1 and has substantially in the direction of the conductor end 5. The latching tongue 31 can be used to attach the Contact element 1 serve in a contact housing.

From the open end 12 support members 37 extend in the direction of the conductor-side end 5. The support members 37 abut against a surface 39 on the inside of the plug layer 11b. The support elements 37 hold in the region of the latching tongue 31, the two contact layers 11a and 11b of the multilayer region 9 spaced from each other.

If a force is exerted on the latching tongue 31 in the direction of the adjacent plug layer 11b as a result of a stress on the contact element 1, then the support elements 37 prevent the two plies 11a and 11b from being compressed. As a result, the cross section 17 of the multi-layer area 9 is maintained, which ensures the secure fit of the contact element 1 in a mating contact element.

The conductor-side end 5 of the contact element 1 is used for connection to an electrical conductor, such as e.g. a cable. Since the conductor-side end 5 is essentially formed from a single-layer region 15, it is particularly suitable for pressing with a conductor, in particular for crimping.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a part of the plug-side end 3 of the embodiment Fig. 1 , A pair of closure elements 27 is shown here in section. The contact region 13 is essentially formed from the outer contact layers 16 of the multilayer region 9. The surface 41 of the contact region 13 is substantially smooth and extends continuously from the plug-side end 3 in the direction of the conductor-side end 5.

The contact area 13 is free of disturbances such as burrs, seams, welds or openings. It ensures a particularly smooth contact of the contact element 1 with a Counter contact element and a trouble-free electrical connection with the mating contact element.

The closure elements 27 are formed by forming a portion of the plug layer 11b. They are positively received in recesses 29 in the turnup 11 a. The spacers 23 are delimited in the longitudinal direction 43 by the closure elements 27.

Fig. 3 shows the plug-side end 3 of the first embodiment of a contact element 1 according to the invention in an enlarged view, wherein a region with spacers 23 is shown in section.

The spacers 23 are formed from deformed regions 24 of the turnup layer 11a in the multilayer region 9. The edges 30 of the turnup layer 11a are formed along the longitudinal direction 43 of the contact element 1 in the direction of the plug layer 11b. In the Fig. 3 shown spacers 23 are formed by bending the edges 30. They can also be formed by folding or other forming methods.

The deformed edges 30 form the spacers 23 and abut against the plug layer 11b. The spacers 23 keep the two contact layers 11a and 11b of the multi-layered region 9 at a distance from one another. The spacers 23 are bounded in the longitudinal direction by the closure elements 27.

The spacers 23 are formed continuously between the delimiting closure elements 27 and lie continuously against the plug layer 11b. Alternatively, they can also be formed from several transformations. Instead of bending methods, other methods such as stamping or embossing may also be used to make the spacers.

Fig. 4 shows the area around the latching tongue 31 of the first embodiment in a schematic representation.

The latching tongue 31 extends from the turnup layer 11a in the direction of the conductor-side end 5 of the contact element 1. The latching tongue 31 points away from the contact element 1. The foot 33 of the latching tongue 31 is connected to the turnup 11a. When mounting the contact element 1 in a suitable receptacle such as a plug housing, the latching tongue end 35 can be in direct contact with this and serves for the secure attachment of the contact element. 1

The support members 37 extend from the turnup ply 11a toward the ladder side end 5. The support members 37 are formed from deformed portions of the turnup ply 11a. In the Fig. 4 shown supporting elements 37 are formed by bending. Alternatively, support elements may also be formed by other suitable methods, such as embossing.

The support elements 37 abut against a surface 39 of an inner side of the adjacent plug layer 11b. In the longitudinal direction 43, the support elements 37 are located between the foot 33 and the locking tongue end 35 of the latching tongue 31 on the surface 39 of the connector layer 11b.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of a contact element 1 according to the invention.

For components that in function and / or structure of the components of the embodiment described above from the Fig. 1 to 4 correspond, the same reference numerals are used. For the sake of brevity, only the differences from the previously described embodiment will be discussed.

The contact element 1 has a reinforcement region V, which extends from the end of the multilayer region 9 in the direction of the conductor-side end 5. The turnup 11a is shortened at its open end 12 compared to the previous embodiment.

The reinforcement region V has two envelopes 45 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction 43, which are formed by folding over the edges 47 of the connector layer 11b running parallel to the longitudinal direction 43 in an envelope direction 46 towards the contact element 1.

In the production of the contact element, the plug layer 11b may initially be formed wider than in the previously described embodiment in order to provide contact material 4 for the longitudinal envelopes 45 of the edges 47.

The longitudinal envelopes 45 form a fold-over layer 20a, which is essentially parallel to the plug layer 11b and adjoins the turn-up layer 11a of the multilayer region 9 at its end 49 pointing in the insertion direction 2.

The folded-over layer 20 a and the connector layer 11 b represent the reinforcing layers 20 in the reinforcement region V.

In this exemplary embodiment, the folded-over layer 20a is formed from two turned-over edges 47 of the plug layer 11b. Alternatively, the Umfaltlage 20a may be formed from the envelope of a single edge 47 of the connector layer 11b.

The reinforcing layers 20 give the contact element 1 additional stability.

In order to prevent compression of the reinforcing layers 20 of the contact element 1 in the reinforcing region V, the plug layer 11b has spacers 51. These can be formed by suitable forming techniques such as i.a. Punching, punching or bending in the connector layer 11b be formed.

For dimensionally stable connection with the turnup layer 11a of the multilayer region 9, the foldover layer 20a has connection extensions 53. The connection extensions 53 are inserted in a form-fit manner into a complementary receiving opening 55 in the turnup layer 11a.

The receiving opening 55 is keyhole-shaped and extends to the conductor-side end 57 of the turn-up layer 11 a, so that the connection extensions 53, which extend from the fold-over 20 a, can engage in the receiving openings 55.

The connection extensions 53 have neck portions 53a and head portions 53b. The receiving opening 55 has an undercut 55a. The undercut 55 a engages in the neck areas 53 a of the connection extensions 53.

Between the head areas 53b there is a deformation area 53c. When the connecting extensions 53 are pressed into the receiving opening 55, the head regions 53b are pressed elastically in the direction of the deformation region 53c and exert a pressure on the receiving opening 55. As a result, the turn-up layer 11a is frictionally and positively connected to the reinforcing layer 20a.

This ensures the connection of the turn-up ply 11a with the fold-over ply 20a against tensile and compressive forces along the longitudinal direction 43 and transversely thereto.

The latching tongue 31 extends in this embodiment of the connector layer 11b. The folded-over layer 20a has a latching tongue opening 59, through which the latching tongue 31 projects from the plug-in layer 11b. The latching tongue opening 59 is essentially rectangular, with its longitudinal sides 61 running parallel to the longitudinal direction 43 of the contact element 1.

The latching tongue opening 59 is dimensioned and arranged such that the latching tongue 31 protrudes unhindered through it and can therefore be used.

At the conductor-side end 63 of the latching tongue opening 59 there are two securing elements 65 which prevent the latching tongue 31 from bending back in the direction of the plug-in position 11b. The Securing elements 65 are formed from deformed areas of the fold-over layer 20a and extend in the direction of the plug-side end 3 into the latching tongue opening 59.

At the plug-side end 3 of the contact element 1 there is a head region S. In this, the multilayer region 9 is tapered in the insertion direction 2 such that a head width 67 is smaller than a connector width 69.

The head width 67 indicates the width of the head 21 along an axis 71 perpendicular to the insertion direction 2 and parallel to the Umschlaglagenebene 32.

The connector width 69 indicates the width of the contact element 1 in the multi-layer area 9 outside the head area S. The connector width 69 is measured parallel to the axis 71.

The single-layer region 15 adjoins the reinforcement region V at the conductor-side end 5.

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment Fig. 5 in a rear view.

The plug layer 11b has the spacers 51, which keeps the folded-over layer 20a at a distance from the plug layer 11b and prevents undesired compression of the layers 11b and 20a. The spacers 51 are formed by punching or other suitable forming techniques in the plug layer 11b. Both folded edges 47 abut against these spacers 51.

The securing elements 65 are hook-shaped. They are connected to the Umfaltlage 20a, or extend from this.

The securing elements 65 are first bent in the direction of the plug position 11b and then point in the direction of the latching tongue 31. The securing elements 65 prevent the latching tongue 31 from bending back into the contact element 1, so that the function of the latching tongue 31 is retained.

The FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of a contact element 1 according to the invention Fig. 7 the embodiment in a perspective view and the Fig. 8 the embodiment in a longitudinal section along in Fig. 7 Plotted sectional plane AA. Like the second embodiment, the third embodiment has a multi-layered region 9 pointing in the plugging direction 2 and a reinforcing region V. Against the plugging direction 2, a crimping region C adjoins the reinforcing region V. The crimping area C points transverse to the longitudinal direction 43 standing crimping teeth 73, which serve for connection to foil conductors (not shown) or a cable (not shown). Between the crimping region C and the reinforcing region V, a bending portion B is disposed. The bending section B has bending regions 75, which can serve to align the plug-side part 3, when the contact element 1 is connected at its crimping region C to an electrical line.

As in the previously described embodiments, the multilayer region 9 consists of two contact layers 11, which are parallel to each other with the exception of the head region S.

The contact element 1 has a spacer 23 which extends from the turnup layer 11a in the direction of the reinforcing region V. The spacer 23 is formed from a deformed edge 30 of the turnup 11a. The edge 30 extends transversely to the plug-in direction 2 and is arranged at an end of the turn-up layer 11a adjacent to the reinforcement region V. The spacer 23 is with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10 described in more detail.

The contact element 1 has a latching tongue 31, which extends from the plug layer 11b, starting against the insertion direction 2. The latching tongue 31 projects through the fold-over layer 20a, which, like the plug-in layer 11b, has a latching tongue opening 59.

Fig. 9 shows an enlargement of the in Fig. 8 K marked circle around the spacer 23 and Fig. 10 a cut along in Fig. 9 with BB marked cutting plane.

The spacer 23 extends from the turnup layer 11a against the insertion direction 2 in the direction of the conductor end 5. The spacer 23 has a support portion 77 and an offset portion 79. In the offset portion 79, the contact material 4 from the turnup layer 11a toward the connector position 11b added. The support region 77 is arranged at its end facing the conductor end 5 between the fold-over layer 20a and the plug layer 11b. The support region 77 of the spacer 23 supports the fold-over layer 20a and the plug layer 11b in the reinforcement region V from each other. Since the support region 77 bears against the plug layer 11b, the turnup layer 11a in the multilayer region 9 is also supported against the plug layer 11b.

The gap 81 extends between the plug layer 11b and the fold-over layer 20a. The width 83 of the intermediate space 81 is smaller than a thickness 85 of the contact material 4. The support region 77 is at a predetermined plug-side cross section 17 between the fold over layer 20a and the connector layer 11b, the fold-over layer 20a has two recesses 87 triangular in the sectional plane BB. The recesses 87 can be made, for example, by pressing the corresponding portions of the fold over layer 20a. Alternatively, instead of the recesses 87 in the fold-over layer 20a, a recess may be located on the support region 77 so that it can be inserted between the fold-over layer 20a and the plug layer 11b. The recesses 87 extend substantially parallel to the fold-over layer 20a. They do not necessarily have to be triangular. The shape depends on the shape of the support portion 77. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the support region 77 is trapezoidal in the sectional plane BB, with the tip of the trapezoid pointing in the direction of the conductor-side end. The triangular recesses 87 are optimized for receiving the trapezoidal support region 77.

The FIGS. 11 and 12 show a fourth embodiment of a contact element according to the invention 1. It shows Fig. 11 a perspective view and Fig. 12 a longitudinal section along in Fig. 11 with AA marked cutting plane.

The fourth embodiment substantially corresponds to the third embodiment described above. Therefore, at this point, only the differences between the two embodiments are discussed.

The contact element 1 has a spacer 23 which, as in the third exemplary embodiment, extends from the turn-over layer 11a in the direction of the conductor-side end 5. However, the spacer 23 of the fourth embodiment has a securing portion 89 at its end facing the conductor end 5. The spacer 23 and the securing portion 89 are with reference to FIGS Fig. 13 and 14 described in more detail. The contact element 1 has a latching tongue 31, which corresponds to the latching tongue 31 of the second and the third embodiment. In order to avoid bending back of the latching tongue 31 in the direction of the plug layer 11b or by the latching tongue opening 59 in the plug layer 11b and the fold-over layer 20a, two latching elements 59 extend from the plug layer 11b and are located opposite securing elements 65. The securing elements 65 are with respect to the Fig. 15 described in more detail.

The Fig. 13 and 14 show the details of a spacer 23 according to the invention of the fourth embodiment. It shows the Fig. 13 an enlargement of the in the Fig. 12 marked circle section K and the Fig. 14 a cut along in Fig. 13 marked section plane BB.

The spacer 23 extends from the turnup layer 11a against the insertion direction 2 toward the conductor end 5. The offset portion 79 displaces the contact material 4 from the turnup layer 11a between the connector layer 11b and the turndown layer 20a. The support region 77 abuts against the plug layer 11b. As a result, the plug layer 11b is supported against the turnup layer 11a. Likewise, the folded-over layer 20a bears against the support region 77 and is thereby supported against the plug layer 11b.

At the opposite end of the spacer 23 facing the plug-in direction 23 is the securing portion 89. The securing portion 89 has securing wings 91 which extend outwardly away from the plug-in position 11b. The folded-over layer 20a has a form-fitting opening 93 into which the securing wings 91 extend. The securing wings 91 thus form a positive connection with the fold-over layer 20a in the longitudinal direction 43. As a result, slippage of the turnup layer 11a in the longitudinal direction 43 can be prevented. This is particularly advantageous when the contact element 1 (not shown) is inserted into a counter contact element or is released from it and between the contact element 1 and the mating contact element has a large force on the turnup 11a and the connector layer 11b acts.

To perform the spacer 23 with its support region 77 under the Umfaltlage 20a to the positive closure opening 93, the Umfaltlage 20a has a recess 87. The recess 87 can be made for example by pressing the contact material 4 of the Umfaltlage 20a in the area above the spacer 23. In order to facilitate the manufacture of the contact element 1 and to obtain some clearance between the edges of the securing wings 91 and the Umfaltlage 20a, the edges 95 and 97 are rounded. In this case, the curves of the leading edges 95 preferably have a smaller radius than the curves of the trailing edges 97. The leading edges 95 are less strongly rounded in order to increase the positive connection of the securing section 89 in the insertion direction 2 with the fold-over layer 20a. As a result, slipping out of the spacer 23 from the intermediate space 81 is made more difficult. The trailing edges 97 are less rounded, as against the insertion direction in addition to the positive connection between the securing portion 89 and the edge 99 of the form-locking opening 93 is a positive connection between the turnup 11a and the Umfaltlage 20a. The curves facilitate the assembly of the contact element 1 and prevent protruding sharp edges or tips of the contact element 1, in particular because the fuse wings 91 can protrude slightly from the positive connection opening 93, for example, after a load on the contact element 1. To bend the securing wings 91 during manufacturing in one direction from the connector layer 11b away, seen in the longitudinal direction 43 between the securing wings 91 and the remaining spacer 23 are two recesses 101st

Fig. 15 shows a section through an inventive contact element 1 according to the fourth embodiment along in Fig. 11 with CC marked cutting plane. The latching tongue 31 extends through the latching tongue opening 59 in the fold-over layer 20a and the plug-in layer 11b away from the plug-in layer 11b. The securing elements 65 close the latching tongue opening 59 in the plug-in position 11b against undesired bending of the latching tongue 31 through the plug-in layer 11b. In a manufacturing step (not shown), the latching tongue 31 is, before it is bent, in a plane with the plug layer 11b. In this case, it is connected to the securing elements 65. After a release of the latching tongue 31 and bending away from the plug layer 11b, the securing elements 65 are formed by pressing so that their distance 103 is smaller than the width 105 of the latching tongue 31st

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contact element

2

plug-in direction

3

plug-side end

4

Contact material

5

ladder end

7

envelope

9

multilayered area

11

Contact Location

11a

envelope ply

11b

connector position

12

open end

13

contact area

14

outside

15

single-layer area

16

outer contact layers

17

plug-side cross-section

19

conductor-side cross-section

20

reinforcing layer

20a

Umfaltlage

21

head

23

spacer

24

reshaped area

27

closure element

28

assembled state

29

recess

30

reshaped edge

31

catch tongue

32

Envelope lying plane

33

foot

35

Catch tongue end

37

support element

39

surface

41

Surface of the contact area

43

longitudinal direction

45

envelope

46

envelope direction

47

Edges of the connector layer

49

plug-side end of the folding layer

51

spacer

53

Connecting extensions

53a

neck

53b

head area

53c

deformation zone

55

receiving opening

57

ladder-side end of the cover layer

59

Locking tongue opening

61

long side

63

ladder-side end of the latching tongue opening

65

fuse elements

67

head width

69

plug width

71

axis

73

Crimpzähne

75

bending area

77

support area

79

offset portion

81

gap

83

Width of the gap

85

Thickness of the contact material

87

recess

89

safety section

91

safety catch

93

Form-fitting opening

95

leading edge

97

Bute

99

edge

101

recess

103

distance

105

Catch tongue width

B

bending section

C

Crimping range

S

head area

V

gain range

Claims (16)

1. Contact element (1) made of an electrically conductive contact material (4) for producing an electrically conductive connection, with a plug-side end (3) for plugging together with a complementary mating-contact element, in particular a socket, and a conductor-side end (5) on which an electrical conductor can be fastened, wherein a plug-side cross-width (17) of the contact element (1) is greater than a conductor-side cross-width (19), wherein at least one fold-over layer (7) of the contact material (4) is present at the plug-side end (3), and a multilayer region (9) of the contact material (4) which is made from at least two contact layers (11) is formed at the plug-side end (3) by way of the fold-over layer (7), and wherein at least one projecting locking arm (31) extends from the plug-side end (3) in the direction of the conductor-side end (5), wherein the locking arm (31) has a base (33) at its plug-side end and a free locking arm end (35) at the conductor-side end, and with a reinforcement region (V) which extends behind the multilayer region (9) in the direction of the conductor-side end (5), wherein the reinforcement region (V) is formed from at least two reinforcement layers (20), characterized in that the reinforcement region (V) comprises at least one securing element (65) for preventing the locking arm (31) from bending towards the contact element (1).
2. Contact element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one spacer (23) is present, by which the at least two contact layers (11) are kept spaced apart from each other.
3. Contact element (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one spacer (23) is formed from at least one reshaped region (24) of the contact material (4).
4. Contact element (1) according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the at least one spacer (23) is formed from at least one reshaped edge (30) of a contact layer (11) of the multilayer region (9), wherein the reshaped edge (30) abuts on an adjacent contact layer (11).
5. Contact element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein outer contact layers (16) of the multilayer region (9) are formed by contact layers (11), characterized in that a continuous and smooth contact region (13) extends from the plug-side end (3) in the direction of the conductor-side end (5) on the outer sides (14) of the outer contact layers (16) of the multilayer region (9) for repeatedly releasable connection with a complementary mating-contact element.
6. Contact element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the contact layers (11) has at least one fastener (27) which in an assembled state is received in a form-fitting manner in at least one complementary recess (29) on another contact layer (11) of the multilayer region (9), in particular on a contact layer (11) provided with spacers (23).
7. Contact element (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one fastener (27) is pressed in a frictionally engaging manner with an associated recess (29).
8. Contact element (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that at least one fastener (27) and / or its associated recess (29) is tapered in the direction of the associated recess (29).
9. Contact element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by at least one support (37) which extends from the plug-side end (3) in the direction of the conductor-side end (5) and abuts on the surface of an adjacent contact layer (11).
10. Contact element (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one support (37) with its conductor-side end abuts in a region between the base (33) and the free locking arm end (35) of the locking arm (31) on the surface of an adjacent contact layer (11).
11. Contact element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the reinforcement region (V) has a further fold-over layer (45) of the contact material (4), wherein the further fold-over layer (45) is formed by folding over the contact material (4) in another fold-over direction (46) than the fold-over layer (7) of the multilayer region (9) and the at least two reinforcement layers (20) are connected by the at least one further fold-over layer (45).
12. Contact element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one of the reinforcement layers (20) has at least one spacer (51) by which at least two of the reinforcement layers (20) are spaced apart from each other.
13. Contact element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one of the reinforcement layers (20) is connected directly or indirectly in a form-fitting and/or frictionally engaging manner to at least one of the contact layers (11) of the multilayer region (9).
14. Contact element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that at least one of the reinforcement layers (20) is penetrated by a locking arm (31) extending from another reinforcement layer (20).
15. Contact element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a head width (67) is smaller than a plug width (69).
16. Set comprising at least two contact elements (1) according to one of claims 2 to 15, characterized by spacers (23) of different dimensions.

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