EP3485538A1

EP3485538A1 - Connecting element

Info

Publication number: EP3485538A1
Application number: EP17734766.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Mastrovito
Original assignee: Staeubli Electrical Connectors AG
Current assignee: Staeubli Electrical Connectors AG
Priority date: 2016-07-18
Filing date: 2017-07-06
Publication date: 2019-05-22
Also published as: US10770848B2; KR102342616B1; CN109478737A; JP6951413B2; KR20190026915A; CN109478737B; WO2018015170A1; US20190288467A1; JP2019522327A

Abstract

A connecting element (1) serves to establish electrical contact between two busbars. The connecting element (1) comprises a housing (2) with an interior (20) and a contact element (3) which is mounted in the interior (20). The contact element (3) comprises at least one resilient contact web (32) and defines a substantially flat plane (39). The contact element (3) divides the interior (20) along the plane (39) into at least a first receiving space (21) for receiving a first busbar (4) and a second receiving space (22) for receiving a second busbar (5), wherein the contact element (3) establishes electrical contact between the first busbar (4) and the second busbar (5) by way of the at least one contact web (32).

Description

TITLE

connecting member

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a connecting element for receiving a contact element for switching an electrical contact between two busbars according to claim 1.

STATE OF THE ART

Connecting elements for the electrical connection of two conductor elements, such as two mutually parallel busbars, are known from the prior art.

Also, a plurality of said contact elements are known from the prior art. For example, the corresponding products of the applicant may be mentioned here. Bus bars are used, for example, in vehicles as fixed electrical conductor elements, which are then to be electrically connected to busbars of other elements, such as an inverter module. Busbars can be used both in passenger cars, trucks, public transport vehicles or electric bicycles. With the use of hybrid engines, which are powered by fossil fuels and electric power, busbars are widely used in passenger cars. Also such busbars were increasingly used as contacts in connection with the drive of electric bicycles. From the prior art, a variety of connection solutions are known for the connection of busbars. For example, busbars are connected by means of screwing, which must ensure large contact forces, since the contact points are defined insufficiently via a surface contact. For this Reason one has gone over to arrange a contact blade between the two bus bars, which improves the electrical contact.

From the prior art, however, the disadvantage that the connection by means of screws between the two bus bars and the contact blade is very complex, which is not desirable, especially in the automotive industry, where short cycle times are required in the production.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Starting from the prior art, the invention has for its object to provide a connecting element for connecting two busbars, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. Furthermore, it is a further preferred object of the present invention to provide a connecting element which is simple and economical to produce.

Such a problem is solved by the connecting element according to claim 1. Accordingly, a connecting element for imparting an electrical contact between two busbars comprises a housing with an inner space and a contact element which is mounted in the inner space. Each of the two busbars can be inserted along an insertion direction into the housing. The contact element divides the interior along the plane into at least one first receiving space for receiving a first bus bar and a second receiving space for receiving a second bus bar. The contact element provides an electrical contact between the first busbar and the second busbar. The contact element is supported by a plurality of bearings in the interior of the housing. At least one of the bearing points protrudes from a side wall into the interior, wherein the side wall lies in a transverse plane oriented transverse to the plane, and wherein the bearing point for the contact element provides a movement limitation in at least one direction of translation.

Due to the arrangement of the bearing, the advantage that the other walls of the housing remain largely unattenuated, because protrude from there no bearings. In addition, the advantage that the two recording rooms with as few Storage locations are blocked, which could interfere with the insertion process of the busbars under certain circumstances. In addition, there is the advantage that the punching process is easier, which makes the production cheaper. By dividing the interior with the contact element, a structure can be created in which a good and easy insertion of the respective busbar is allowed.

Preferably, said translation direction is substantially perpendicular to said plane. This means that the movement limit for the contact element takes place towards the plane as well as away from the plane. This is advantageous for the load of the bearing, because it can be made more robust due to the projecting from the side wall, which is oriented in the transverse plane. Thus, for example, the number of mating cycles can be increased.

Particularly preferably, all bearing points, which provide a movement boundary in said translation direction perpendicular to said plane, project from said side wall oriented in said transverse plane. The expression "busbar" is understood as meaning a rigid contact element with preferably substantially rectangular cross-section The size of the cross-section and also the length of the busbar are irrelevant for the use of the connecting element provide, which limits the movement of the contact element in the corresponding direction. The limitation may be such that no movement of the contact element is allowed, or that a game is created within which the contact element is movable. Preferably, the contact element is floating, so with game, stored in said bearing.

Preferably, one of said bearings a double bearing point, which starting from a central position of the contact element for the contact element Motion limitation provides in two mutually opposite directions of translation.

The said double-bearing unit thus provides, in isolation, a movement limitation in two mutually opposing directions of translation. That is, with a single bearing point, the movement of the contact element, which is in communication with the bearing point, be limited in two translation directions.

Due to the formation of at least one double bearing point, which provides the corresponding movement limitation, a corresponding bearing can be achieved very easily by a double bearing point. That is, the double bearing assumes the storage in two degrees of freedom, which is an advantageous dual function.

The double bearing also has the advantage in manufacturing, but also in operation, when a single bearing provides the said movement limit. This does not require two different elements to be aligned.

The expression "two mutually opposite directions of translation" is understood to mean that the two directions of translation run in directions opposite to each other, thus providing a movement limitation starting from a central position of the contact element in the positive as well as the negative direction of translation the negative translation direction in the same axial direction but opposite to each other.

Alternatively or additionally, one of the bearing points is a single bearing point which, starting from a central position of the contact element for the contact element, provides a movement limitation in a direction of translation. On the same housing can be arranged both double bearings as well as single bearings or exclusively double bearings or exclusively single bearings. In a first embodiment, at least three, preferably four, double bearing locations are arranged. Two double bays protrude from the same side into the interior. A double bearing point or two double bearing points protrude from one of the said side wall opposite side wall into the interior.

Preferably, all double bearing points in the first embodiment are similar to one another and in such a way that they provide starting from a central position of the contact element for the contact element a movement limitation in two mutually opposite directions of translation.

In a second embodiment, at least one double bearing point and at least two single bearing points are present. From a first side wall protrudes at least one double bearing point in the interior. From one of the first side wall opposite side wall protrude at least two simple bearing points in the interior. One of the two simple bearing positions limits the movement in one of the translation directions and the other of the two simple bearing positions limits the movement in the opposite direction of translation.

In a third embodiment, there are four single bearings. From a first side wall project at least two simple bearing points in the interior, wherein one of the two simple bearing points limits the movement in one of the translation directions and wherein the other of the two simple bearing points limits the movement in the opposite direction of translation. From one of the first side wall opposite side wall project at least two simple bearing points in the interior, wherein one of the two simple bearing positions limits the movement in one of the translation directions and wherein the other of the two simple bearing positions limits the movement in the opposite direction of translation.

Preferably, in all embodiments, two bearing points are arranged relative to one another with respect to the inner space, wherein these two oppositely arranged bearing points provide a movement limit for the contact element in two mutually opposite second translation directions, starting from a central position of the contact element, wherein the second translation direction in Substantially transverse to the insertion direction and parallel to the plane. That is, the bearings provide a movement limit for the contact element with respect to the first translation direction, which is preferably oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane, and with respect to the second translation direction, which is oriented substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis or to the insertion direction and parallel to the plane.

The two groups of bearings are arranged in the case of double-bearing bodies in such a way that they jointly provide the movement limitation in the corresponding first and second directions. With respect to the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, the one group provides a movement limit from a starting position in the positive direction and the opposite negative direction.

Preferably, the double bearing point has a slot for receiving parts of a carrier tape of the contact element. In particular, edge regions of the contact element, in particular the carrier tape or the complete carrier tape, protrude into the slot of the bearing and are stored there accordingly.

The slot provides the movement limit in both directions. Preferably, the slot is formed in a direction perpendicular to said plane wider than the thickness of the contact element, in particular the carrier tape, such that clearance is provided between the slot and the contact element. This means that the contact element is mounted in the direction of the second direction with clearance in the slot. The slot provides, as mentioned, the movement limit and the contact element can be moved within this movement limitation in the context of said game.

The single bearing location is preferably provided by a bearing surface. The contact element rests on the bearing surface.

Preferably, the slots or the bearing surfaces within a group of bearing points with respect to the plane offset from each other. Due to the staggered arrangement can be achieved that the contact element with a small inclination in Interior is located, which facilitates the insertion process of the busbars.

Particularly preferably, the slots or bearing surfaces are arranged such that when viewed in the insertion direction closer to an access opening lying slots or bearing surfaces at a greater distance from the wall, which comes into contact with the busbar, lie as lying further away from the access opening slots or storage areas.

Preferably, the bearings are in all embodiments of the housing outwardly bent webs which protrude into the interior, the webs projecting from a side wall of the housing. The webs are in one piece with the housing in connection and are plastically deformed, so that the webs come into position.

Particularly preferably, the slot is arranged at the free end of the web and extends into a free end terminating end face in the web. The slot is open in the front side. This means that the contact element can be inserted over the front side into the slot. The bearing surface is preferably also arranged at the free end of the web. Preferably, the webs are angled at an angle to the longitudinal axis, wherein the angle between 10 ° and 170 °, in particular between 30 ° to 150 °, is.

Preferably, the contact element in two oppositely extending third translational directions, which are parallel to the insertion direction, floatingly mounted in the interior, so that the contact element in this third direction of translation is movable within defined limits, wherein limits are provided by a stop.

Preferably, the housing is provided by a wall, two side walls integrally formed by the wall at opposite edges and projecting substantially perpendicularly from the wall, and by side edges formed on the side walls. Preferably, the bearing points or the webs, as described above, integrally formed on the housing and protrude from the side walls in the interior, wherein the bearing points are preferably bent out of the side walls. Preferably, the housing has one or more mounting openings, which are preferably arranged such that an access for a tool on the carrier tapes can be created. The one or more mounting holes penetrate the housing such that a tool can engage from the outside into the interior.

Preferably, the contact element, in particular the carrier tape, one or more mounting openings, in which a tool can engage. About this engagement can then be placed in the interior of the contact element. Preferably, the housing is made of a metallic material and is preferably produced by a stamping and forming process. The housing is preferably formed in one piece.

As a consequence, further optional features or advantages are described.

Preferably, the resilient contact web exerts a restoring force against the respective busbar, if this mediates the electrical contact between the busbars. As a result, a permanent and defined electrical contact is created. Preferably, the contact element is arranged such that it comes to lie between the first busbar and the second busbar, when the busbars protrude into the respective receiving space.

The contact element is preferably mounted floating in the interior so that it is movable or displaceable perpendicular to the plane to the first receiving space or the second receiving space within defined limits, which are provided by the bearing point or the bearing points. Under defined limits, for example, the compensation of tolerances can be understood. The floating one Storage has the advantage that tolerances are compensated automatically.

The contact element can be designed in various ways. It is important that the contact element has resilient contact points, so that a permanent contact between the busbars can be produced.

In a particularly preferred variant, the contact element is formed as follows. The contact element comprises two parallel to each other and in the direction of a longitudinal axis extending carrier bands and at least one resilient contact bar which connects the two carrier bands. The carrier tapes define a substantially flat plane which divides the interior into the two receiving spaces.

The particularly preferred contact element preferably comprises a plurality of contact webs, which are in communication with at least one carrier tape, which is in the plane, wherein the contact webs are so in communication with the at least one carrier tape that this relative to the band resiliently movable, in particular rotatable or swiveling, are. Preferably, the contact webs are at an angle to the plane, wherein the contact element is located in the interior, that the angle during the insertion of the bus bar in the respective receiving space is reduced, wherein the contact webs are preferably parallel to each other. Furthermore, the contact webs extend as seen from the plane on both sides of the plane and stand out on the respective side of the plane. Preferably, the contact webs via torsion spring joints with the at least one carrier tape in connection.

A preferred further development of the connecting element is characterized in that the two receiving spaces each have at least one access opening into which the respective busbar projects into the corresponding receiving space, wherein the first receiving space via a first access opening from a first side and the second receiving space via a second access opening is accessible from a second side, wherein the first side is preferably arranged opposite to the second side. A further preferred development of the connecting element is characterized in that each receiving space has at least one stop element, which is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the contact element spaced from the contact element, wherein the stop element, the respective busbar is present and wherein the resilient contact webs a force from Contact element goes out, which presses the busbar to the respective stop element.

Preferably, the stop member has the shape of said wall or said side edge.

A further preferred development of the connecting element is characterized in that the housing further comprises at least one stop element for busbars, wherein the at least one stop element projects into the access opening in such a way that the busbar does not strike against the stop element through the respective access opening.

A further preferred development of the connecting element is characterized in that the housing has guide elements in the region of the access openings, which facilitate the insertion of the busbar.

A further preferred development of the connecting element is characterized in that the distance between the contact element and the housing in the first receiving space is equal to the distance between the contact element and housing in the second receiving space, or that the distance between the contact element and housing in the first receiving space smaller or larger than the distance between contact element and housing in the second receiving space.

An arrangement comprises a connecting element as described above, a first busbar and a second busbar arranged parallel to the first busbar, the first busbar projecting into the first receiving space and the second busbar projecting into the second receiving space, wherein an electrical contact between the two busbars between the first receiving space and the second receiving space arranged contact element is mediated. Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be interpreted as limiting. In the drawings: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a connecting element according to FIG

Embodiment according to the present invention without busbars from above;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the connecting element according to FIG. 1 from below; FIG.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the connecting element of Figure 1 without

Busbars;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the connecting element of Figure 1 with

Busbars;

Figure 5a is a partial sectional view through the connecting element of Figure 1 with a storage location designed as a double bearing.

5b is a partial sectional view through the connecting element of Figure 1 with a designed as a single bearing bearing point.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the connecting element of Figure 1 with not yet inserted busbars.

FIG. 7 shows the view according to FIG. 6 with inserted busbars; FIG.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention; and

9 is another perspective view of Figure 8.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In Figures 1 and 2, a connecting element 1 is shown, with which an electrical contact between two busbars can be mediated. The Connecting element essentially comprises a housing 2 and a housing 2 arranged in the contact element 3, via which the electrical contact between the busbars can be produced. Figures 3 and 4 show the cross section of the connecting element 1. The housing 2 comprises substantially accessible from outside the interior 20, which is divided by the contact element 3 into a first receiving space 21 and a second receiving space 22. The interior space 20 is delimited by a wall 240, two side walls 242 formed by the wall 240 at opposite edges and projecting substantially perpendicularly from the wall 240, and by side edges 241 integrally formed on the side walls 242. In other words, it can also be said that the wall 240, the side walls 242 and the side edges 241 provide a tunnel-like interior space 20 which is accessible via opposing openings 28, 29. The tunnel-like interior 20 may also be completely enclosed by a circumferential side wall, in which case the side edges 241 are also formed as a wall or communicate with each other and wherein also the openings 28, 29 provide access to the interior. The wall 240 and the side edges 241 each extend in a flat plane and are spaced from each other, wherein the distance defines the inside width L of the interior. Preferably, the interior is cuboid.

The two receiving spaces 21, 22 serve essentially to receive the respective busbar 4, 5. The first receiving space 21 is accessible through a first access opening 28 and the second receiving space 22 is accessible through a second access opening 29. The busbars 4, 5 are guided via these access openings 28, 29 in the respective receiving space.

The contact element 3 lies in a plane or defines a plane 39 which extends at least partially through the inner space 20. The plane 39 is preferably located centrally between the two busbars and extends parallel or substantially parallel or slightly angled inclined thereto. In other words, the plane 39 preferably extends centrally through the contact element 3. The contact element 3 shown in the figures is a possible example of a particularly preferred contact element. But it is also conceivable that other contact elements are used, which also extend in a plane and comprises sprung contact areas.

Reference to the figures 3 to 5, the storage of the contact element in the interior will now be explained in more detail.

The contact element 3 is held by bearings 23 in the interior 20. The bearings 23 are preferably formed integrally with the housing and protrude into the interior 20 a. In the illustrated embodiment, dual bearing locations are shown.

In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing points 23 are formed such that they provide, starting from a central position of the contact element 3 for the contact element 3, a movement limitation in two mutually opposite directions of translation Rl, Rl '. That is, the contact element 3 is mounted in the bearings 23 such that it is held within the movement limit either fixed or within a provided by the bearing 23 game.

By such a configuration, the contact element 3 is mounted in the bearing 23 in two mutually opposite directions.

The translation directions Rl, Rl 'are designed to run against one another and in this case run essentially at right angles to the plane 39.

In the present embodiment, two bearing points 23 are arranged with respect to the interior two times, wherein these two oppositely disposed bearings 23, starting from a central position of the contact element 3 provides a movement limit for the contact element in two mutually opposite second translation directions R2, R2 '. The second direction of translation R2, R2 'extends substantially transversely to the direction of insertion and parallel to the plane 39. With regard to the number of bearing points 23, a total of four bearing points 23 are arranged here, wherein in each case a group of two bearing points 23 protrude from the same side into the inner space 20. Two groups of two bearing points 23 are arranged opposite each other with respect to the inner space 20.

The bearing 23 has in the embodiment shown a slot 230 which is designed to receive parts of the carrier tape 31. In FIG. 5 a, it can be well recognized how an edge region of the carrier tape 31 protrudes into the slot 230. FIG. 5b shows an alternative variant of the bearing, wherein the alternative variant of the bearing comprises a bearing surface 236 which provides the movement limitation.

In the variant shown, the slot 230 is formed wider in a direction perpendicular to said plane than the thickness of the carrier tape. The width is such that play is provided between the slot and the carrier tape. That is, carrier tape 31, and thus also the contact element 3 as such, can move within slot 230 in the game. The game has the advantage that the contact element 3 is slightly pushed away during insertion of the first busbar of this and is pushed back against the first busbar when inserting the further busbar. This has the advantage that tolerances in the thickness of the busbars 4, 5 or in the light width of the receiving spaces can be compensated, thus it can be ensured that the contact element 3 is always in the middle between the two busbars 4, 5 during the contacting.

Alternatively, the slot 230 could also have the same thickness as the carrier tape 31, so that no play arises.

It can be clearly seen from FIG. 3 that the slots 230 within a group of bearing points 23 are arranged offset relative to each other with respect to the plane 39. The slot 230 left hand is higher than the slot 230 right hand.

Preferably, in the insertion direction El, E2 are closer to one Access opening 28, 29 lying slots 230 at a greater distance AI, A2 to the wall 240, which comes into contact with the busbar 4, 5, as lying further away from the access opening 28, 29 slots. Such an arrangement simplifies the insertion of the busbars 4, 5, because the contact element is slightly inclined in the interior 20.

The bearings 23 are formed here as webs, which are bent into the interior 20. In the present embodiment, the bearings 23 are provided as parts of the sidewall 242 and protrude from the sidewall 242.

Said slot 230 is arranged at the free end 231 of the web and extends into a free end 231 terminating end face 232 into the web. In the end face 232 of the slot is open. The webs are inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis L, wherein the angle between 10 ° and 170 °, in particular 30 ° to 150 °, is.

Next, the contact element 3 in two mutually opposite third translation directions R3, R3 ', which extend parallel to the insertion direction El, E2 or to the longitudinal direction L, floatingly supported in the interior 20, so that the contact element 3 in this third translation direction R3, R3' within limits, limits being provided by a stop 234. The stopper 234 is provided in the embodiment shown by the insertion aid 281 and 291, respectively.

The housing 2 has, as shown in particular in Figures 2 and 5, a plurality of mounting holes 233, which are preferably arranged such that an access for a tool on the carrier tapes 31 can be created. Next, preferably, the carrier tape 31 mounting holes level, in which a tool can engage. The mounting holes 235 are shown in FIG.

Figures 4, 6 and 7 show the connecting element 1, which with a first Busbar 4 and a second busbar 5 comes into connection or stands. Both busbars 4, 5 have a rectangular cross section here and extend along a longitudinal axis AI or A2. In the present embodiment, the respective longitudinal axes AI and A2 are parallel and offset from each other. In addition, the axes AI and A2 are arranged here parallel to the above-mentioned plane 39. The busbars may be dimensioned identical to each other, or have different thicknesses or widths. Each of the two bus bars has an end face 40, 50, two side walls 41, 51, a contact surface 42, 52 facing the contact element 3, and a surface 43, 53 facing the housing 2. The contact surfaces 42, 52 are formed here as stepped surfaces.

The contact element 3 is illustrated in the present embodiments as a contact blade, which comprises two support bands 31 extending along a longitudinal axis and a multiplicity of contact webs 32 arranged one behind the other. The contact webs 32 are connected to the Trägerbändera 31 on both sides. The carrier bands 31 essentially define the abovementioned plane 39. The contact webs 32 are resilient in this case, in this case via a torsion portion in the region of the connection to the carrier band 31. The torsion portion can be referred to, for example, as a torsion-spring joint 34. The formation of the contact element 3 may also be different. In other embodiments, the contact element 3 should have resilient elements which can apply a spring force perpendicular to the carrier tape 31 or to the longitudinal direction A or plane 39, so that the two bus bars are pressed away from one another by the resilient elements to a respective stop, as described below. However, it should be ensured that the contact webs 32 always communicate with both busbars 4, 5, so that a large number of defined contact points can be provided.

The two busbars 4, 5 extend at least in the region in which they protrude into the housing 2, parallel and offset from one another, so that between the two busbars, a gap is created in which the contact element 3 comes to rest. This means that the contact surfaces 42, 52 extend substantially parallel to the plane 39. The contact surfaces 42, 52 of the busbars 4, 5 are involved the contact webs 32 in conjunction, that is, the contact webs 32 rest both on the contact surface 42 of the first busbar 4 and the contact surface 52 of the second busbar 5 and so convey the electrical contact between the two busbars 4, 5.

By the term busbar, any element extending along a central axis that conducts the electrical current can be understood. Such bus bars are used, for example, to transfer energy in vehicles such as hybrid passenger cars or public transport vehicles. In this case, currents in the range of 100 to 1000 amps are transmitted. Lower currents are also conceivable in the field of electric bicycles.

By the expression resilient, the action of a spring force or restoring force can be understood. The restoring force acts on the contact bar when it is brought from its original position to a working position or contact position. That is, the restoring force acts as a contact force when contacting the contact webs with the busbars.

Since the contact element 3 comes to rest centrally between the two busbars 4 and 5, it can also be said that the carrier tapes 31 lie in the plane 39 or define this plane 39. In this case, the contact webs 32 extend from the plane 39 or from the carrier tape 31 as seen both over the plane 39, and under the plane 39. That is, in other words, that the contact webs 32 at least in the non-contacting state on both sides the plane 39 and the carrier tape 31 extend or protrude.

The contact webs 32 are at an angle α to the plane 39 and the carrier tape 31. Preferably, the angle α between 20 ° and 70 °, more preferably between 30 ° and 60 °. Preferably, all contact webs 32 are at the same angle to the carrier tape. This means that all contact webs 32 run parallel to one another at least in the non-contacting state.

The contact element 2 is made of an electric current conducting material, such as for example, made of a spring bronze or a copper alloy.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional illustration of the connecting element 1 with inserted busbars 4, 5, and FIG. 3 shows a sectional view of the connecting element 1 without busbars.

Each of the receiving spaces 21, 22 of the housing has at least one stop element 24, which is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the plane 39 spaced from the contact element 3. At the stop element 24 is the respective busbar, which are pushed away by a provided by the resilient contact webs 32 force from the contact element 3. In this case, the respective busbar is pressed against the corresponding stop element 24.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the stop element 24 on the one hand has the shape of a wall 240 and on the other hand the shape of a side edge 241. The wall

240 serves as a stop element for the second busbar 5 and the two side edges

241 serve as a stop element for the first busbar. 4

The wall 240 may also be referred to as a housing wall, wherein two sidewalls 242 of the wall project substantially perpendicularly at two opposite edges, wherein at the free end of the sidewall 242 a respective side edge 241 is formed.

Each of the two receiving spaces 21, 22 has a clear width LI, L2, which is smaller than the thickness of the respective busbar 4, 5. The clear width defines itself as the distance between the upper edge 33 and lower edge 35 of the contact web 32 to towards the stop element 24. By choosing the smaller clear width, the compression of the contact webs 32 can be ensured when establishing the connection. The clear width is therefore defined by the thickness of the inserted busbar. When inserting the first busbar 4, the contact element 3 is slightly raised due to the floating bearing, wherein the contact webs 32 are not yet or only in a small mass compress. If then subsequently the second busbar 5 is inserted, the contact webs 32 are twisted, since the busbar 5 each of the Contact webs over the top edge 33 twisted. Due to the arrangement of the Torsionsfedergelenkes 34 acts as described above, a constant force on the first busbar 4 and the second busbar 5, since the contact blades due to the biasing force of the torsion spring joints 34th endeavoring to return to their original position. In other words, this means that the first busbar 4 is pressed against the stop 24 when the second busbar 5 is inserted via a force provided by the torsion-spring joints 34. Depending on the dimension, it may also be that when inserting the first busbar 4, the contact webs 32 are rotated because the busbar 4 shifts each of the contact webs on the lower edge 35.

When inserting the second busbar 5, when the first busbar 4 is already in the first receiving space 21, so contacts the second busbar 5, the contact webs 32 on the upper edge 33. The dimension of the busbars 4, 5 is chosen such that always one by the torsion spring joints 34 provided force on both busbars 4, 5 act and these always to the outside, so press against the stop elements 24.

Regardless of the name of the two busbars, it is also possible that the second busbar 5 is inserted in front of the first busbar 4, wherein the processes described above apply equally. The contact element 3 is arranged here in the interior such that upon insertion of the busbars the angle α between the contact webs 32 and the carrier tape is reduced. The contact webs 32 lie in such a way to the busbar that the busbar presses the respective contact web 32 via a pivoting movement to the carrier tape 31 and to the plane 39. During insertion, the busbar 4, 5 contacted with the edge, which are formed by the end face 40 and the contact surface 42, the edge facing surface of the contact web 32 and then pushes this against the carrier tape, the contact web 32 on the corresponding upper edge 33rd or lower edge 35 at the contact surface 42 is present. In other words, it can also be said that the two busbars 4, 5 are pushed away from each other by the torsion spring joints 34 and the contact webs 32, the busbars 4, 5 abutting against the respective stop elements 24. The dimensions of the busbars 4, 5, the receiving spaces 21, 22 and the contact element 3 are chosen such that substantially at any time a force from the contact element 3 acts on the busbars 4, 5. This is achieved in that the distance between the two bus bars in the state lying in the housing is smaller than the distance between the upper edge 33 and the lower edge 35 of the contact webs perpendicular to the busbars seen.

Due to the stability of the housing 2, this force remains constant during the entire service life, which is with respect to the defined contact between contact lands 32 and the respective contact surface 42, 52 of the busbars 4, 5 of great advantage. A defined contact is a prerequisite to achieve a good and constant transmission of electrical energy over the entire service life.

In the direction of the respective longitudinal axis AI or A2, the respective receiving space is bounded by a corresponding limiting element 27. The limiting element 27 extends from the respective stop elements 24 substantially perpendicular or at an angle, so that the respective receiving space 21, 22 is limited by the limiting element 27. The limiting element 27 has essentially two functions. On the one hand, the limiting elements 27 constitute a stop for the busbars 4, 5.

In addition, insertion aids 280 and 290 can be provided in the region of the access openings 28, 29. Both insertion aids 280, 290 are at an angle to the longitudinal axis A so that the inside width of the access openings 28, 29 increases from the interior 20 to the end of the access opening 28, 29, so that when inserting the respective busbar, the cross-section, ie the inside width continuously decreases. Lateral insertion guides 281, 291 in the form of tabs may be located to the left and right of the interior 20. In the embodiment shown, the respective insertion aids 280, 281, 290, 291 are connected to the corresponding limiting element 27. Preferably, the housing 2 is made of a metallic material, so that the stability of the housing remains constant over the entire period of use. The choice of a metallic material also has the advantage that the heat from the contact area between the two busbars can be led away. In this respect, the housing also acts as a cooling element. The housing can be made for example of a sheet by punching, bending and / or forming.

However, corresponding plastics can also be used, paying attention to the dimensional stability, since a deformation of the housing over time can have negative effects on the quality of the electrical contact.

The housing 2 serves not only to provide the stop elements in the direction perpendicular to the plane, but also ensures the guidance and positioning of the two busbars. Preferably, the compound is prepared as follows. In a first step, the connecting element is pushed over the first busbar 4, so that it can protrude into the first receiving space 21. The contact webs 32 are moved by a pivoting movement from the original position. In a second step, the second busbar 5 can be pushed into the second receiving space, wherein the second busbar 5 also enters into contact with the contact webs.

Alternatively, a reverse production of the connection is also possible, in which case the connecting element is first pushed over the second busbar 5, so that it protrudes into the second receiving space 22, and then the first busbar 4 is inserted into the first receiving space 21. When inserting the first busbar 4, the contact webs 32 are then rotated or pivoted about the pivoting movement from the original position, as described above. Figures 8 and 9 show a further embodiment of the present invention. The same parts are provided with the same reference numerals and reference is made to the above description. In addition, the further embodiment comprises a protruding from the housing 2 positioning tab 300. The positioning tab 300 serves as an element, the positioning of the housing 2 in a parent system, so that the housing 2 assumes the correct position. Furthermore, the contact element 3 is inserted into the housing 2 according to another method. As a result, the housing 2 and also the contact element 3 comes out without mounting holes. The contact element 3 is drawn by means of a tool in the interior 20 and comes in the interior 20 then with the already formed bearings 23 in contact. The retraction of the contact element 3 takes place in direction R3 or R3 \

As soon as the contact element 3 lies in the inner space 20, the stops 234 and funnel tabs 237 formed thereon are bent, so that the connecting element 1 in the inner space 20 is likewise secured with respect to a movement in the direction of R3 or R3 '. The funnel tabs 237 are optional, that is, even in the second embodiment could also be dispensed with.

REFERENCE LIST Connection element

Housing 230 slot

Contact element 231 free end

first busbar 232 front side

second busbar 233 mounting holes

234 stop

Interior 235 Mounting openings first receiving space 236 Storage area

second receiving space 237 funnel straps

bearings

Stop element 240 wall

Limiting element 241 side edge

first access opening 242 side wall

second access opening

280 insertion aids

Carrier tape 290 insertion aids

Contact bars 281 Lateral insertion guides Upper edge 291 Lateral insertion guides Torsion spring joint

Lower edge 300 positioning tab level

L Clear width Interior Front side LI Clear width of first side walls Reception area

Contact area L2 Clear width Second surface Reception area

front

Side walls El Insertion direction Contact surface E2 Insertion direction Surface

Claims

1. connecting element (1) for mediating an electrical contact between two busbars, wherein the connecting element (1) comprises a housing (2) with an interior (20) and a contact element (3), which is mounted in the interior (20) comprises wherein each of the two busbars along an insertion direction (El, E2) in the housing (2) can be inserted;

wherein the contact element (3) divides the inner space (20) along a plane (39) into at least one first receiving space (21) for receiving a first busbar (4) and a second receiving space (22) for receiving a second busbar (5),

wherein with the contact element (3) an electrical contact between the first busbar (4) and the second busbar (5) can be mediated,

wherein the contact element (3) by a plurality of bearing points (23) in the interior (20) of the housing (2) is mounted, characterized

in that at least one of the bearing points (23) projects from a side wall (242) into the interior space (20), wherein the side wall (242) lies in a transverse plane (Q) oriented transversely to the plane (39) and wherein the bearing point for the contact element ( 3) provides a movement limitation in at least one direction of translation (Rl, Rl ').

Second connecting element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said translation direction (Rl, Rl ') extends substantially perpendicular to the plane (39), wherein the contact element is preferably mounted floating in said bearing point.

3. Connecting element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized

that one of said bearing points (23) is a double bearing point which, starting from a central position of the contact element (3) for the contact element (3), provides a movement limitation in two mutually opposite directions of translation (R1, R1 '); and or

in that one of said bearing points (23) is a single bearing point which, starting from a middle position of the contact element (3) for the contact element (3), has a Motion limitation in a translation directions (Rl, Rl ') provides.

4. connecting element (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized

in that at least three, preferably four, double bearing points (23) are arranged, wherein two double bearing points (23) protrude from a first side wall into the interior space (20), and one double bearing point (23) or two double bearing points (23) of one of the first side wall (242) opposite side wall into the interior (20) protrude;

or that protrudes from a first side wall (242) at least one double bearing point in the interior (20) and that protrude from one of the first side wall (242) opposite side wall at least two single bearing points in the interior (20), wherein one of the two simple bearing points movement in one of the translation directions (Rl) limited and wherein the other of the two simple bearing positions limits the movement in the opposite direction of translation (Rl ');

or that from a first side wall (242) at least two single bearing points protrude into the interior (20), wherein one of the two simple bearing points limits the movement in one of the translation directions (Rl) and wherein the other of the two simple bearing points movement in the opposite direction of translation (Rl ') and in that from one of the first side wall (242) opposite side wall at least two single bearing points protrude into the interior (20), wherein one of the two simple bearing points limited movement in one of the translation directions (Rl) and wherein the other of the two simple bearing points movement limited in the opposite direction of translation (Rl ').

5. Connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two with respect to the interior with respect to each other bearing points (23) are provided, said two oppositely disposed bearing points (23) starting from a central position of the contact element (3) a movement limit for the contact element in two mutually opposite second translation directions (R2, R2 ') provides, wherein the second translation direction is substantially transverse to the insertion direction and parallel to the plane (39).

6. Connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the double bearing point (23) has a slot (230) for receiving the contact element (3).

The connector (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the slot (230) is formed wider in a direction perpendicular to said plane than the thickness of the contact element such that clearance is provided between the slot and the contact element.

8. Connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the single bearing point is provided by a bearing surface.

9. Connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims 6 or 8, characterized in that the slots (230) or the bearing surface within a group of bearing points (23) with respect to the plane (39) are arranged offset to one another.

10. Connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 9, characterized in that in the insertion direction (El, E2) seen closer to an access opening (28, 29) lying slots (230) or the bearing surfaces at a greater distance (AI, A2) to the wall (240), which comes into contact with the busbar (4,5) lie as lying further away from the access opening (28, 29) slots or bearing surfaces.

1 1. connecting element (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing points (23) out of the housing (2) outwardly bent webs which protrude into the interior space (20), wherein the webs preferably inclined at an angle angle to the longitudinal axis (L), wherein the angle between 10 ° and 170 °.

12. Connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the slot (230) at the free end (231) of the web is arranged and in a free end final end face (232) into the web extends, wherein the slot (230) in the end face (232) is open and / or that the bearing surface is arranged at the free end (231) of the web.

13. Connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (3) in two mutually opposite third translation directions (R3, R3 '), which are parallel to the insertion direction (El, E2), floating in the interior ( 20) is mounted, so that the contact element in this third direction of translation (R3, R3 ') is movable within defined limits, wherein limits are provided by a stop (234).

14. Connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) by a wall (240), two of the wall (240) formed on opposite edges and substantially perpendicular from the wall (240) projecting Side walls (242) and provided on the side walls (242) side edges (241) is provided.

15. Connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) has one or more mounting openings (233), which are preferably arranged such that an access for a tool on the contact element (3) are created can and / or that the contact element (3) has one or more mounting openings (235), in which a tool can engage.

16. Connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (2) in the region of the access openings guide elements (280, 281, 290, 291), which facilitate the insertion of the busbar and / or that the stopper part the guide element (280, 281, 290, 291).