EP3503305A1 - Isolator, connector, use of a contact sleeve in an isolator and use of a contact sleeve as a fixing element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an insulator (10) for a connector, in particular a circular connector, comprising: an insulator body (12) with a plurality of insulator recesses (14), each insulator recess (14) extending the insulator body (12) in a longitudinal direction of the insulator (10) penetrates and a plurality of contact sleeves (16), a contact sleeve (16) being arranged in each of the insulator recesses (14), and each of the contact sleeves (16) having at least one inner insertion section (30) which is arranged in the insulator recess (14) , wherein the inner insertion section (30) has an opening (32) with an opening diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the insulator recess (14).

Description

The invention relates to an insulator for a connector, in particular a round plug, a connector comprising such an insulator, a use of a contact sleeve in an insulator, and a use of a contact sleeve as a fastening element of a contact element in an insulator.

Conventional connector systems, in particular comprising a socket, have for electrically separating the contact elements of the socket or the exposed strands of a cable section to an insulator with an insulator body. The insulator body is used regularly for fastening and holding the conductive strands or to be connected to the strands conductive contact elements, wherein the contact elements are electrically separated from each other.

For fixing and holding the contact elements, the insulator body has conventionally a plurality of elongated recesses which extend through the insulator body and in which the conductive contact elements are arranged. Each contact element usually has a contact portion for connecting to an associated wire and a contact portion for connecting to a plug contact element of the complementary plug.

For this purpose, the female contact elements usually have a resilient or elastic portion, which elastically deforms upon insertion of the male contact elements into the female contact elements, so that a contact between the male and female contact elements is formed by means of the resilient region. As a direct result of the elastic function, the female contact elements must be at least in the region of the resilient Sections have a smaller diameter than the recesses of the insulator body, whereby a controllable by the male contact elements cross section of the female contact elements is reduced.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an insulator for a connector, in particular a round plug, and a connector comprising such an insulator, which simplifies the connection and allows a secure connection of two cable sections to be connected.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an insulator for a connector, in particular a circular connector, comprising: an insulator body having a plurality of insulator recesses, each insulator recess penetrating the insulator body in a longitudinal direction of the insulator, and a plurality of contact sleeves, in each of the insulator recesses a contact sleeve is arranged in each case, and wherein each of the contact sleeves has at least one inner insertion section, which is arranged in the Isolatorausnehmung, wherein the inner insertion section has an opening with an opening diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the Isolatorausnehmung.

Thus, the provision of the plurality of contact sleeves in the plurality of isolator recesses allows simplified connection of a connector equipped therewith. For this purpose, the functions of the insulator comprise, in particular when connecting the connector or the socket with a complementary plug, an aligning or guiding function for the male contact elements or the plug contact elements of the plug. Because of this leading function, the plug contact elements can not be guided past contact elements, provided that contact elements are provided in the isolator recesses. This advantageously allows extremely secure contacting of plug contact elements and contact elements.

Under the leading function is in particular a guide to understand a plugging movement when connecting the connector with a complementary plug.

In this guided plug movement, the plug contact elements of the complementary plug by means of the insulator, in particular by means of the inner insertion of the contact sleeves thereof, can be aligned in an optimal position, whereby a much more precise connection of cable sections to be connected is made possible.

The aligning function of the insulator is particularly useful when mating plug and connector to wear, so if the plug contact elements are pushed by a plugging movement initially in or through the inner insertion and finally into the arranged in the Isolatorausnehmungen contact elements.

Each contact sleeve can for this purpose be substantially hollow cylindrical and have a recess arranged in the longitudinal direction of the contact sleeve. This recess may extend along the entire axial length of the contact sleeve. The longitudinal direction of each contact sleeve can in particular extend in the longitudinal direction of the insulator or of the insulator recesses. In other words, the recess may thus be formed as a slot. Each contact sleeve can also have an outer surface with which the contact sleeve rests flat against the Isolatorausnehmung. The diameter of each Isolatorausnehmung may be smaller than the diameter of the respective associated contact sleeve. To insert the contact sleeve in the Isolatorausnehmung the contact sleeve can be elastically deformed or compressed in the radial direction, whereby the diameter of the contact sleeve can be made at least temporarily smaller than the diameter of the Isolatorausnehmung. Such a deformed contact sleeve can be pressed into the Isolatorausnehmung, although the diameter of the Isolatorausnehmung is smaller than the diameter of the contact sleeve in an undeformed state. The pressed-contact sleeve can deform back in the Isolatorausnehmung, so that the outer surface of the contact sleeve rests flat against the Isolatorausnehmung, whereby a frictional engagement or a frictional connection between the contact sleeve and the insulator body may be formed.

Each contact sleeve can be connected there by means of gluing to the insulator body. The contact sleeve may alternatively or additionally also be connected to the insulator body by means of press-fitting. Alternatively, the contact sleeve can also be locked or held in the isolator recess by means of a spring element. In principle, however, other suitable joining methods can also be used.

Each contact sleeve may be formed of a resilient material, such as a spring steel, or other suitable resilient metal alloy.

Such an elastically formed contact sleeve can be elastically deformable, in particular in the radial direction. By means of the recess arranged in the longitudinal direction of the contact sleeve or by means of the slot, a space for the radial deformation can be provided so that the radius of the contact sleeve during deformation can be reduced. By means of this elastic deformation, consequently, the diameter of the contact sleeve can be reduced at least temporarily.

Each contact sleeve also has at least one inner insertion section, which can extend at least partially obliquely radially inwards into the isolator recess, whereby a guide surface for a plug contact element of a complementary plug can be formed. The inner insertion section can each be arranged on a front end of the contact sleeve in the insertion direction of the insulator. With plugging direction of the insulator is meant a direction of the insulator to a complementary plug. The inner insertion section includes an opening with a smallest opening diameter. The opening of the inner insertion section may be tapered against the insertion direction of the insulator. In other words, the opening of the inner insertion section can widen in the insertion direction towards the front. The opening of the inner insertion section allows insertion of a plug contact element of a complementary plug into the corresponding Isolatorausnehmung and thus in a plug contact receiving region of a arranged in this Isolatorausnehmung contact element. The smallest opening diameter of the opening of the inner insertion section is smaller than the diameter of the Isolatorausnehmung, whereby the insulator has an aligning or leading function when inserting a plug contact element of a complementary plug in the Isolatorausnehmung. This aligning function can be described in detail as follows:
To produce the plug connection between the plug and connector or socket, each plug contact element first enters the associated isolator recess of the insulator body. The Isolatorausnehmung has to have a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the plug contact element, whereby the plug contact element has a play in the radial direction within the Isolatorausnehmung. As soon as the plug contact element, during the process of connecting, reaches the inner insertion section of the contact sleeve, the radial play or the available diameter in the isolator cutout decreases, since the inner insertion section of the contact sleeve extends radially into the isolator cutout. The reduction of the game thus aligns the plugging movement of the plug in the radial direction. The plug contact element can not be pushed between a contact sleeve arranged in the isolator recess and the inner surface of the isolator recess.

If the opening of the inner insertion section is arranged concentrically with the isolator recess, each plug contact element can be guided during the plug movement in the direction of the common radial center or the common axis of the associated inner insertion section and the associated Isolatorausnehmung. The radial center means the common center of the opening of the inner insertion section and the Isolatorausnehmung in a cross-sectional view.

The inner insertion can be conical, whereby the opening diameter gradually decreases. The inner insertion section can taper to about 90% to about 40%, or preferably about 80% to about 50% of the diameter of the Isolatorausnehmung. The inner insertion section can be formed by bending over a section, in particular an end section of the contact sleeve. The inner insertion section may further be a crimped section having a substantially V- or U-shaped configuration in an axial sectional view. The crimped section may in particular mean a section of the contact sleeve which extends in the radial direction, in particular obliquely, into the isolator recess and / or which is bent back. The inner insertion section may be formed by means of two or more guide tongues which, in particular obliquely, extend in the radial direction from the outer wall of the contact sleeve inwards. In particular, the inner insertion section is elastically deformable so that the opening of the inner insertion section can resiliently increase upon insertion of a plug contact element.

In order to produce an electrically conductive connection or a conductive plug connection between two cable sections to be connected, one cable section having a connector with the insulator and the other cable section having a connector complementary to the connector, the insulator can be a female contact element in each insulator recess in an assembled state have, each contact element may be at least partially surrounded by the arranged in the Isolatorausnehmung contact sleeve. The contact element may or may not be part of the insulator. Each isolator recess of the insulator body may be formed substantially cylindrical for receiving the contact element and the contact sleeve and penetrate the insulator body in the longitudinal direction of the insulator.

The plug connection is produced by means of a plug movement of the plug in a plug-in direction towards the connector until the plug contact elements of the plug respectively enter the isolator recesses, in which the female contact elements are arranged. After penetrating the smallest opening of the inner insertion section, the plug contact elements contact the contact elements of the connector in a position aligned by the inner insertion section and finally penetrate into the contact elements until the plug is held in the connector. The contact sleeves are designed such that an elastic deformation of the contact elements is permitted radially outward during insertion of the plug contact elements.

By the assembled state of the insulator is meant, in particular, that state in which the insulator is mounted in a connector such that after connecting the contact elements with the exposed strands of the associated cable section only by the mating of the complementary plug, comprising the plug contact elements, and the Connector is a conductive connection between the cable section, which is connected via the strands with the contact elements, and the cable section, which is also connected via its wires conductive to the complementary connector contact elements, can be produced. In other words, the assembled state of the insulator is the plug-in state of the insulator, and by making the connector between the connector and the complementary plug, two cable sections are conductively connected to each other.

In addition to the guiding or aligning function of the insulator or of the contact sleeves, the functions of the insulator or of the contact sleeves can also comprise the fastening and holding of the female contact elements.

The contact sleeve may comprise at least one spring element which extends in such a way in the Isolatorausnehmung that the contact element is held by the spring element in the Isolatorausnehmung. In particular, the contact sleeve may have two, three or more such spring elements. These spring elements can be distributed uniformly on the circumference of the contact sleeve. The spring elements can also be arranged at the same axial height of the contact sleeve. The contact sleeve can be formed in one piece. In other words, the contact sleeve can have the inner insertion section, the recess and / or the slot, and the at least one spring element.

Each contact element may have a recess running on the circumference into which the spring element protrudes in the assembled state of the insulator such that the contact element is held by the spring element in the isolator recess, for example by undercutting a region of the recess by the spring element. In other words, the contact element can be held in a form-fitting manner by means of the spring element of the contact sleeve in the Isolatorausnehmung. The peripheral recess of the contact element may be formed in a central portion of the contact element in the axial direction, in particular between the portion which is inserted into the female contact element and the portion which is connected to the strands of the cable. The recess extending on the circumference of the contact element may be formed completely circumferentially. The spring element may be formed integrally with the contact sleeve. The spring element may be formed as a spring tongue, which may be formed by a U-shaped or V-shaped spring recess in the contact sleeve. The spring element may be formed by stamping a sheet, and may extend in the longitudinal direction of the contact sleeve. The spring element is preferably arranged on a rear section in the direction of insertion of the insulator, in particular the rear end, of the contact sleeve. The spring element can be bent in the radial direction such that the spring element extends at least in sections in the radial direction into the isolator recess.

The insulator body may have a plurality of abutment edges, each stop edge extending radially into an associated insulator recess, and wherein in the assembled state of the insulator, each contact element bears against the abutment edge of the insulator recess. The stop edge may be formed by a portion of reduced diameter of the Isolatorausnehmung. Is the contact element provided with a recess extending on the circumference, the Recess having a stop area, wherein in the mounted state, the contact element rests with the stop area at the stop edge. The recess can also be designed such that at the same time an undercut of the spring element area and a stop area is formed, whereby each contact element can be held by both the spring element and by the stop edge form fit in the insulator body.

The opening diameter of the opening of the inner insertion section may be smaller than the outer diameter of the contact element. As a result, each plug contact element can be guided precisely in the direction of the contact element during the plug movement. In a plug movement can thus be prevented that when plugging the plug contact elements into the Isolatorausnehmungen the plug contact elements meet in an unfavorable insertion angle on unfavorable areas of the contact elements and damage them. Under an unfavorable insertion angle are in particular all insertion to understand that differ from the longitudinal axis of the Isolatorausnehmung that when inserting the plug contact elements in the Isolatorausnehmungen one or more plug contact elements can be pushed next to, under or over the contact elements.

Each contact element can have a plug-in contact receiving region arranged radially inwardly for receiving a plug contact element, and the contact element can be designed to be elastic in the region of the plug contact receiving region by means of one or more longitudinal slots. By precisely aligning the plug contact elements during the plug movement can be prevented that the elastic regions of the contact elements are bent and / or the plug contact elements can not be inserted into the contact elements. In particular, it can be prevented that the plug contact elements are pushed under, above or next to the contact elements. Thus, on the one hand the production of an electrically conductive contact reliably possible, on the other hand, a plastic deformation of the contact elements, in particular in the elastic region can be avoided.

Elaborate repair measures or even a replacement of the contact elements is thereby avoided.

The inner insertion section can also be aligned with an associated plug contact receiving area, so that the plug contact element is guided directly into the plug contact receiving area during the plug movement.

The Isolatorausnehmung may be formed substantially cylindrical. Therefore, the Isolatorausnehmung can be easily manufactured and allows easy installation of the contact sleeves, which may also be formed substantially hollow cylindrical. The Isolatorausnehmung can be used both for receiving pin-like, in particular cylinder pin-like connecting elements as well as for receiving sleeve-shaped components. The Isolatorausnehmung may in particular also have sections one or more areas in which the Isolatorausnehmung deviates slightly from the cylindrical shape, such as a depression, an increase or a step, without departing altogether from the substantially cylindrical shape.

In one embodiment, the contact sleeve is substantially hollow cylindrical and has a recess arranged in the longitudinal direction of the contact sleeve and the recess preferably extends along the entire axial length of the contact sleeve.

The contact sleeve can therefore be easily arranged in the associated, substantially cylindrical Isolatorausnehmung. The recess arranged in the longitudinal direction of the contact sleeve can extend along the entire axial length of the contact sleeve, ie the recess can form a longitudinal slot extending in the axial direction in the contact sleeve. The axial direction or the longitudinal direction of the contact sleeve is the longest extent of the contact sleeve. In cross-section, the contact sleeve may have a C-shape.

In one embodiment, the contact sleeve has an outer surface with which the contact sleeve lies flat against an inner surface of the isolator recess.

The contact sleeve can thus advantageously fit precisely on the inner surface of the insulator body, in particular the Isolatorausnehmung thereof, so that preferably no clearance between the outer surface of the contact sleeve and the inner surface of the insulator body is present. The proportion of the voltage applied to the inner surface of the insulator body outer surface of the contact sleeve can be between about 80 and about 90% of the total outer surface of the contact sleeve. In particular, the outer surface of the contact sleeve which bears against the inner surface of the insulator body can have a size of 25 to 40 mm ² , preferably of 30 to 35 mm ² , particularly preferably of 32 to 34 mm ² , for example about 33.8 mm ² . This amount may correspond to a proportion of preferably 82 to 85%, particularly preferably 83 to 84%, for example 83.8% of the total outer surface of the contact sleeve.

In one embodiment, the contact sleeve is made of a resilient, resilient material.

Thus, the contact sleeve thus formed can be elastically deformed in particular for insertion into an isolator, whereby the assembly process is significantly simplified. The inner insertion section may be formed stiffer than the rest of the contact sleeve, such as by a greater material thickness, which despite the otherwise elastic behavior of the contact sleeve, a guiding of a plug contact element by means of the inner insertion is possible. Depending on requirements, other areas of the contact sleeve may be formed stiffened.

Alternatively, the contact sleeve may also be formed of different materials. For example, the inner insertion section may be formed from a rigid material, while other sections of the contact sleeve may be formed from a resilient, elastic material can be formed. The contact sleeve and / or may be formed from a composite material or composite material.

In one embodiment, the contact sleeve is connected to the insulator body by means of press-fitting or gluing.

The press connection ensures a secure fit of the contact sleeve in the Isolatorausnehmung, whereby the insulator advantageously retains its position even after frequent loading of the press connection or after frequent insertion and removal of a complementary plug. In addition, the insulator can be inexpensively produced by means of press-joining.

When bonding the contact sleeve with the insulator body, the components do not heat, which in particular a thermal load of the respective materials of insulator body and contact sleeve can be avoided.

In one embodiment, the inner insertion section is conical and preferably comprises a bent sheet metal part.

In the conical configuration of the inner insertion section, the inner diameter of the inner insertion section tapers gradually against the plugging direction of the insulator, thereby centering a complementary plug contact element upon connection of the plug and insulator.

In particular, the inner insertion section can be bent back by about 180 ° portion of a sheet metal part and either substantially parallel to the rest of the contact sleeve, or the inner insertion extends in a conical shape in the radial direction obliquely into an area surrounded by the contact sleeve inner region, in which case the bending angle is less than 180 °. However, the inner insertion section may in principle also have a region running parallel to the remaining contact sleeve and a conically extending region thereafter. Also the reverse variant with one on a conical one extending area following parallel area is basically conceivable. By way of example, the entire contact sleeve can be formed as a bent or formed sheet metal part.

In one embodiment, the inner insertion section tapers to about 90% to about 40%, preferably about 80% to about 50% of the diameter of the insulator recess.

It may be particularly preferred if the diameter of each inner insertion section tapers to about 52 to 58% of the diameter of the associated Isolatorausnehmung, for example to about 55%. If the diameter of the isolator recess is from 1 to 2 mm, preferably from 1.2 to 1.8 mm, particularly preferably from 1.4 to 1.6 mm, for example approximately 1.45 mm, the diameter of the inner insertion section can be taper to a value of 0.5 to 1.1 mm, preferably from 0.6 to 1 mm, more preferably from 0.7 to 0.9 mm, for example about 0.8 mm.

In one embodiment, in each Isolatorausnehmung a contact element can be arranged, so that each contact element is at least partially surrounded by the contact sleeve, and wherein the contact sleeve has at least one spring element which extends into the Isolatorausnehmung in such a way that the contact element of the spring element is durable.

The spring element may be formed from a radially inwardly bent portion of the contact sleeve. The inwardly bent portion of the contact sleeve or the spring element may be formed by the provision of an approximately U- or V-shaped recess on the circumference of the contact sleeve. At the contact sleeve a plurality of such spring elements may be provided, wherein the spring elements may be arranged at an axial height of the contact sleeve. If a plurality of spring elements provided on the contact sleeve, the spring elements may be evenly spaced from each other.

In one embodiment, each contact sleeve is integrally formed, comprising the inner insertion section, the recess, and the at least one spring element.

In one embodiment, each contact element has a recess extending in the circumferential direction into which projects in the mounted state of the insulator, the spring element, so that the contact element of the spring element is durable.

The recess can extend along the entire circumference of each contact element, whereby advantageously also a plurality of spring elements can engage or protrude into a depression. By means of such a positive connection formed in the assembled state of the insulator other joining methods for attaching the contact element in the Isolatorausnehmung be dispensed with. In principle, a plurality of depressions may also be provided on each contact element, into which either a plurality of spring elements can protrude in each case or in which only exactly one spring element projects in each case.

To mount the contact elements in the insulator, each contact element can be introduced or inserted into an end face of the insulator, in particular on a rear end side in the insertion direction of the insulator, into the isolator recess assigned to it. In this case, during the insertion movement, the contact element can push apart the or the spring elements of the contact sleeve or elastically deform elastically. As soon as the contact element is pushed into the isolator recess so far that the depression of the contact element is at the height of a region of the contact sleeve on which the spring elements are arranged, the spring elements can deform back. The spring elements now protrude into the depression and can undercut a region of the depression in such a way that the contact element is held by the spring element. The contact element is now in a mounted state and can no longer be removed accidentally against the insertion direction of the Isolatorausnehmung.

In one embodiment, the insulator body has a plurality of stop edges, wherein each stop edge extends into an associated Isolatorausnehmung, and wherein each contact element is inserted into the Isolatorausnehmung such that the contact element bears against the stop edge of the Isolatorausnehmung.

Each contact element may have a region or a stop region with which the contact element abuts against the stop edge of the associated isolator recess such that a positive connection is formed between the insulator body and the contact element. The abutment region of the contact element may in particular be a region of the recess extending in the circumferential direction, whereby in the assembled state of the insulator by means of the recess advantageously both a positive connection with the spring elements and the abutment region may be formed. The contact element can thereby be held in the assembled state of the insulator in two axial directions in the Isolatorausnehmung. In other words, the contact element is held in the axial direction on the one hand by means of the just described positive engagement of the stop edge and the stopper area and on the other hand held by means of the positive connection of spring element and undercut portion of the recess. The contact element can thus not be removed unintentionally from the Isolatorausnehmung.

In one embodiment, the smallest opening diameter of the opening of the inner insertion section is smaller than the outer diameter of the contact element.

Thus, when inserting a plug contact element of a complementary plug into the associated isolator recess, the plug contact element is aligned or guided in such a way by means of the inner insert section that the plug contact element can be inserted precisely into the plug contact receiving area of the contact element. The contact element may have a smallest and a larger outer diameter, wherein the smallest outer diameter may be dimensioned such that the contact element during assembly of the Contact element does not abut the stop edge of the insulator body. The largest outer diameter of the contact element may be dimensioned such that a stop region is formed, with which the contact element in the mounted state rests against the stop edge in a form-fitting manner. The smallest opening diameter of the opening of the inner insertion section may be smaller than the smallest outer diameter of the contact element. The smallest opening diameter of the opening of the inner insertion section may be smaller than the largest diameter of the plug contact receiving area.

In one embodiment, each contact element for receiving a complementary plug contact element has a plug contact receiving area disposed radially inward, and the contact element is elastic in the area of the plug contact receiving area, and the inner inserting section is aligned with an associated plug contact receiving area.

Thus, when connecting a connector having a plurality of connector contact members with the insulator or with a connector comprising the insulator, each connector contact member can be precisely inserted into the connector contact receiving portion of the contact member by means of the inner insertion portion. This prevents the plug contact element from hitting the elastic region of the contact element at an unfavorable insertion angle. The inner insertion section may be aligned concentrically with the associated male contact receiving area. As a result, it can be prevented that the elastic regions of the contact element are bent and / or the plug contact element is not inserted into the contact element. In particular, it can be prevented that the plug contact element is pushed under, over or next to the contact element. Thus, on the one hand the production of an electrically conductive contact reliably possible, on the other hand, a plastic deformation of the elastic region of the contact element can be avoided. Consequently, complex repair measures or even a replacement of the contact elements of the insulator can be avoided.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a connector comprising an insulator as described above.

The connector may include a connector housing in which the insulator is received. The connector may further include a plurality of contact elements each disposed in the insulator recesses. The contact elements can be connected to strands of a cable.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a use of a contact sleeve described above is provided in an insulator, preferably as a fastening element of a contact element in an insulator.

The contact sleeve can also be used as a guide element for a plug contact element.

In the following, an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures will be described in more detail. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and that individual features of the embodiment can be combined within the scope of the appended claims to form further embodiments.

Fig. 1

einen Isolator in einer Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 2

einen Isolator gemäß dem Stand der Technik in einer Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 3

eine Kontakthülse in einer Schnittdarstellung;

Fig. 4

einen Kontakthülse in einer perspektivischen Ansicht.

Show it:

Fig. 1

an insulator in a sectional view;

Fig. 2

an insulator according to the prior art in a sectional view;

Fig. 3

a contact sleeve in a sectional view;

Fig. 4

a contact sleeve in a perspective view.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the insulator 10 according to the invention in a sectional view. The insulator 10 comprises an insulator body 12, a plurality of insulator recesses 14 and a plurality of contact sleeves 16.

The insulator body 12 is intended for mounting in a connector (not shown), the connector being provided for connecting two live and / or signal carrying cable sections (not shown). The insulator body 12 mounted in the connector serves in particular for fastening and holding conductive strands of the cable section or of conductive contact elements 18, with which the strands of the cable section are fastened in or on the insulator body. The insulator body 12 is made to electrically separate the strands or the contact elements 18 from a non-conductive material, in the present case a plastic. The insulator body further has at its periphery present two projections 20 which serve in the assembly of the insulator body 12 of the correct positioning and the attachment of the insulator body 12 in the connector.

The insulator body 12 is formed substantially cylindrical and has the Isolatorausnehmungen 14, each penetrating the insulator body 12 from one end face 20 to the other in the axial direction 22. Each Isolatorausnehmung 14 is in turn formed substantially cylindrical. The insulator body 12 has a plurality of annular projections, each with a stop edge 24, in a region arranged approximately centrally in the axial direction, wherein the annular projection or each stop edge 24 extends in the radial direction 26 into an isolator recess 14.

In each Isolatorausnehmung 14, a contact sleeve 16 is arranged, wherein the contact sleeve 16 has an outer surface with which the contact sleeve 16 abuts flat against an inner surface of the insulator body 12 in the Isolatorausnehmung 14. In the present case, the contact sleeve 16 is inserted into the isolator recess 14 by means of press-fitting, so that a frictional connection is formed between the insulator body 12 and the contact sleeve 16. In principle, the contact sleeve 16 can also be fastened by means of gluing in the insulator recess 14. Other suitable joining methods may also be used, in particular in other embodiments.

The contact sleeve 16 is formed substantially hollow cylindrical and has in the longitudinal direction of the contact sleeve 16 and in the axial direction 22 has a recess 28 and a slot (see Fig. 4 ). The contact sleeve 16 is also presently formed of an elastic material, so that for pressing the contact sleeve 16 into the Isolatorausnehmung 14, the contact sleeve 16 can be elastically deformed such that the diameter of the contact sleeve 16 is reduced. By means of this elastic deformation, the contact sleeve 16 can be easily pressed into the Isolatorausnehmung 14. The recess 28 thereby provides a free space into which the contact sleeve 16 can extend during the elastic deformation, so that the substantially hollow cylindrical shape can be maintained during the deformation. The elastic deformation takes place in particular in the radial direction 26.

To insert the contact sleeve 16 in the Isolatorausnehmung 14, the contact sleeve 16 in the radial direction 26 elastically deformable or compressible, whereby the diameter of the contact sleeve 16 at least transitionally smaller than the diameter of the Isolatorausnehmung 14 is.

The thus deformed contact sleeve 16 is easily pressed into the Isolatorausnehmung 14, although the diameter of the Isolatorausnehmung 14 is smaller than the diameter of the contact sleeve 16 in a non-deformed state. Once the contact sleeve 16 is pressed into the Isolatorausnehmung 14, the contact sleeve 16 in the Isolatorausnehmung 14 can deform back so far that the outer surface of the contact sleeve 16 rests flat against the Isolatorausnehmung 14, whereby a frictional connection or a frictional connection between the contact sleeve 16 and the insulator body 12 is formed.

Each contact sleeve 16 also has at least one inner insertion section 30 which extends into the Isolatorausnehmung 14, wherein the inner insertion section 30 has an opening 32 with a smallest opening diameter.

This smallest opening diameter is smaller than the diameter of the Isolatorausnehmung 14, whereby the insulator 10 receives an aligning function in the mating of a complementary connector and the connector.

To produce the plug connection between the complementary plug and the connector, each plug contact element 34 is first inserted into the associated isolator recess 14 of the insulator body 12. The Isolatorausnehmung 14 has for this purpose a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the plug contact element 34, whereby the plug contact element 34 has a clearance 36 in the radial direction 26 within the Isolatorausnehmung 14. A trouble plugging the plug contact element 34 in the Isolatorausnehmung 14 is ensured.

As soon as the plug contact element 34 reaches the inner insertion section 30 of the contact sleeve 16, the radial clearance 36 or the available diameter of the isolator recess 14 decreases because the inner insertion section 30 of the contact sleeve 16 extends into the isolator recess 14 in the radial direction 26. The reduction of the clearance 36 thus aligns the plugging movement of the plug or the individual plug contact elements 34 in the radial direction 26. In the present case, the opening 32 of the inner insertion section 30 is also arranged concentrically with the isolator recess 14, so that each plug contact element 34 is guided during the insertion movement in the direction of the common radial center point of the inner insertion section 30 and the isolator recess 14. The radial center is the common center of the opening 32 of the inner insertion section 30 and the Isolatorausnehmung 14th

The inner insertion portion 30 is conically formed in the present case, whereby the opening diameter of the opening 32 is gradually reduced. The inner insertion section 30 can taper to about 90% to about 40%, preferably to about 80% to about 50% of the diameter of the Isolatorausnehmung 14. In the present case, the diameter of the inner insertion section 30 tapers a value of about 0.5 to 1.1 mm, preferably from 0.6 to 1 mm, more preferably from 0.7 to 0.9 mm, for example, to 0.8 mm. This corresponds to a diameter of Isolatorausnehmung 14 of particularly preferably about 52 to 58%, for example 55%, wherein the diameter of the Isolatorausnehmung 14 has a value of about 1 to 2 mm, preferably from 1.2 to 1.8 mm, particularly preferably from 1 , 4 to 1.6 mm, by way of example of about 1.45 mm.

The inner insertion section 30 is presently formed by bending an end portion 38 of the contact sleeve 16. In the present case, the inner insertion section 30 is a crimped section of the contact sleeve 16, which has a substantially V-shaped cross-section. The crimped portion extends gradually in the radial direction 26 in the Isolatorausnehmung 14th

In order to produce an electrically conductive connection or a conductive plug connection between two cable sections (not shown), a contact element 18 is arranged in the isolator 10 in each insulator recess 14 in an assembled state, wherein each contact element 18 is arranged at least in regions from that in the isolator recess 14 Contact sleeve 16 is surrounded. Each insulator recess 14 of the insulator body 12 is formed substantially cylindrical for receiving the contact element 18 and penetrates the insulator body 12 in the longitudinal direction of the insulator 10 and in the axial direction 22, respectively.

Each contact element 18 has for receiving the complementary plug contact element 34 on a radially inwardly disposed plug contact receiving area 40 and the contact element 18 is elastically formed in the region of the plug contact receiving area 40 by means of two longitudinal slots. The plug contact receiving area 40 is substantially hollow cylindrical. By precisely aligning the plug contact elements 34 during insertion of the plug into the connector, it is possible to prevent the elastic regions of the contact elements 18 from being bent and / or the plug contact elements 34 from being inserted into the contact elements 18 can. In particular, it can be prevented that the plug contact elements 34 are pushed under, over or next to the contact elements 18 or between the contact element and the inner surface of the insulator body. Thus, on the one hand the production of an electrically conductive contact reliably possible, on the other hand, a plastic deformation of the contact elements 18, in particular in the elastic region can be avoided. Elaborate repair measures or even a replacement of the contact elements 18 is thereby avoided.

The inner insertion portion 30 is further aligned with an associated male contact receiving portion 40 so that when the male is inserted into the connector, the male contact member 34 is guided directly into the male contact receiving portion 40.

To illustrate the mode of action of the insulator 10 and the contact sleeve 16 is in Fig. 1 the plug contact element 34 shown in duplicate, wherein in a first representation 44, the plug contact element 34 is pushed in the axial direction 22 in the Isolatorausnehmung 14 and the contact sleeve 16 and in a second representation 46, the plug contact element 34 with a deviating from the axial direction angle á in the Isolatorausnehmung 14 and the contact sleeve 16 is pushed. Despite the different angle á, the male contact member 34 can be inserted precisely into the male contact receiving portion 40 of the contact member 18 because the male movement is guided by the inner insertion portion 30. Thus, there is no danger that the elastic portions of the contact member 18 are contacted in an unfavorable manner.

Fig. 1 FIG. 2 also shows two spring elements 42 formed on the contact sleeve 16. Each spring element 42 extends into the isolator recess 14 such that the contact element 18 is held by the spring element 42. The two spring elements are arranged at an axial height, opposite each other on the circumference of the contact sleeve 16 and project in the radial direction 26 in the Isolatorausnehmung 14th

Each contact element 18 has a circumferential depression 48 into which, in the assembled state of the insulator 10, each spring element 42 projects such that the contact element 18 is held by the spring elements 42, in this case by undercutting a region of the depression 48 Consequently, by means of the spring elements 42 is positively held by the contact sleeve 16 in the Isolatorausnehmung 14.

The assembled state of the insulator 10 means in particular that state in which the insulator 10 is mounted in a connector such that after connecting the contact elements 18 with the exposed strands of the associated cable section (not shown) only by the mating of the complementary Plug (not shown) and the connector is a conductive connection between the cable section, which is connected via the strands with the contact elements 18, and the cable section, which is also connected via its leads in a conductive manner with the complementary plug, can be produced. In other words, the assembled state of the insulator 10 is thus the plug-in state of the insulator 10. In this case, by making the plug connection between the connector and the complementary plug, two cable sections can be conductively connected to one another. In the assembled state, the connector, comprising the insulator 10, can be assembled with the associated cable section.

The insulator body 12 has, as mentioned above, a plurality of stop edges 24, wherein each stop edge 24 extends into an associated Isolatorausnehmung 14, and wherein in the assembled state of the insulator 10, each contact element 18 abuts against the stop edge 24 of the Isolatorausnehmung 14. More precisely, the contact element 18 on the recess 48 has a stop region 50, with which the contact element 18 rests against the stop edge 24. The recess 48 is thus designed such that at the same time a hinterschneidbarer of the spring element 42 and an abutment portion 50 is formed, whereby each contact element 18, in the assembled state of the insulator 10 both of the Spring element 42 and by the stop edge 24 is positively held in the insulator body 12.

Fig. 2 shows an insulator 52 and a contact element 54 according to the prior art. In addition, a complementary to the contact element 54 plug contact element 34 is shown. As in Fig. 1 the plug contact element 34 is shown in a first illustration 44 and a second representation 46. The two illustrations shown illustrate how the plug contact element 34 when plugged into the Isolatorausnehmung 58 of the insulator 52 can meet unfavorable, in particular elastic regions of the contact element 54, whereby these areas can be bent. In particular, upon insertion of the plug contact element 34 in an unfavorable angle deviating from the axial direction, the plug contact element 34 can be pushed under, above or beside the contact element 54 or between the contact element 54 and the inner surface of the insulator body 12. As a result, there is a risk of plastic deformation of the elastic regions of the contact element 54 and / or incorrect contacting between the plug contact element 34 and the contact element 54.

Further shows Fig. 2 a provided on the contact element 54 spring device 56 according to the prior art. By means of the spring device 56, the contact element 54 is clipped or latched in the Isolatorausnehmung 58. The filigree spring device 56 is expensive to manufacture and must be attached to the contact element 54 by means of an additional manufacturing step.

Fig. 3 shows in the sectional view of the contact sleeve 16 in detail the inner insertion section 30 and the spring element 42. The spring element 42 is formed by means of a spring recess 60 of the contact sleeve 16. The spring recess 60 is in the present case approximately U-shaped, and the spring element 42 extends in the longitudinal direction of the contact sleeve 16. The spring element 42 is bent inward in the radial direction 26, so that the spring element 42 additionally in the radial direction 26 in the Isolatorausnehmung 14th extends. The spring element 42 can Furthermore bent back in a contact region 62 in the radial direction 26 and be bent outward in the radial direction 26 again, so that the contact portion 62 does not protrude with only one edge of the spring element 42 in the recess 48 of the associated contact element 18, but flat in the Recess 48 may rest against the contact element 18. In the Fig. 3 shown contact sleeve 16 is also integrally formed.

Fig. 4 shows the contact sleeve 16, comprising the recess 28, the inner insertion section 30, and in the present case two spring elements 42 in a perspective view. The inner insertion section 30 is formed in cross-section approximately V-shaped and extends as a cone radially inwardly. The spring elements 42 are each formed by the spring recess 60 of the contact sleeve 16 itself and also extend radially inwardly. In the present case, the contact sleeve 16 has a length of approximately 4 to 14 mm, preferably 6 to 12 mm, particularly preferably 8 to 10 mm, by way of example 9 mm and a diameter of approximately 1 to 2 mm, preferably 1.2 to 1 , 8 mm, more preferably from 1.4 to 1.6, by way of example of 1.45 mm. The slot 28 extends over the entire length of the contact sleeve 16 and has a width along the circumference of about 0.1 to 0.4 mm, preferably from about 0.15 to 0.3 mm, more preferably from about 0.18 to 0.22 mm, by way of example of 0.2 mm. The inner insertion portion 30 has a length of about 0.2 to 0.8 mm, preferably from 0.3 to 0.7 mm, more preferably from 0.4 to 0.6 mm, for example, of 0.5 mm, wherein the smallest opening diameter is a value of about 0.5 to 1.1 mm, preferably from 0.6 to 1 mm, particularly preferably from 0.7 to 0.9 mm, for example by 0.8 mm. The length of a spring element 42 is a value of about 1.4 to 2 mm, preferably 1.5 to 1.9 mm, more preferably 1.4 to 2 mm, for example 1.7 mm.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

insulator

12

insulator body

14

Isolatorausnehmung

16

contact sleeve

18

contact element

20

front

22

axial direction

24

Stop edge of the insulator body

26

radial direction

28

Recess, slot

30

inner introduction section

32

opening

34

Plug contact element

36

radial play

38

End portion of the contact sleeve

40

Plug contact receiving area

42

spring element

44

first representation of the plug contact element

46

second illustration of the plug contact element

48

deepening

50

Stop area of the contact element

52

Isolator, St. d. T.

54

Contact element, St. d. T.

56

Spring device, St. d. T.

58

Isolatorausnehmung

60

spring recess

62

contact area

Claims (15)

Insulator (10) for a connector, in particular a circular connector, comprising: an insulator body (12) having a plurality of insulator recesses (14), each insulator recess (14) penetrating the insulator body (12) in a longitudinal direction of the insulator (10), and a plurality of contact sleeves (16), wherein in each of the Isolatorausnehmungen (14) each have a contact sleeve (16) is arranged, and wherein each of the contact sleeves (16) has at least one inner insertion portion (30) disposed in the insulator recess (14), the inner insertion portion (30) having an opening (32) with an opening diameter smaller than the diameter of the Isolator recess (14). Insulator (10) according to claim 1, wherein the contact sleeve (16) is substantially hollow cylindrical and has a in the longitudinal direction of the contact sleeve (16) arranged recess (28)
and the recess (28) preferably extends along the entire axial length of the contact sleeve (16). Insulator (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the contact sleeve (16) has an outer surface with which the contact sleeve (16) flat against an inner surface of the Isolatorausnehmung (14). An insulator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the contact sleeve (16) is made of a resilient elastic material. Insulator (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the contact sleeve (16) by means of press-joining or by gluing with the insulator body (12) is connected. Insulator (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner insertion portion (30) is conical and preferably comprises a bent sheet metal part. The insulator (10) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner insertion portion (30) tapers to about 90% to about 40%, preferably about 80% to about 50% of the diameter of the insulator recess (14). Insulator (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in each Isolatorausnehmung (14) a contact element (18) can be arranged, so that each contact element (18) at least partially surrounded by the contact sleeve (16), and
wherein the contact sleeve (16) has at least one spring element (42) which extends into the isolator recess (14) such that the contact element (18) can be retained by the spring element (42). An insulator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each contact sleeve (16) is integrally formed, comprising the inner insertion section (30), the recess (28), and the at least one spring element (42). Insulator (10) according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein each contact element (18) has a circumferentially extending recess (48) into which in the mounted state of the insulator (10) the spring element (42) protrudes, so that the contact element (18) of the spring element (42) is durable. The insulator (10) of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the insulator body (12) has a plurality of stop edges (24), each stop edge (24) extending into an associated insulator recess (14), and each contact element (18) into the Isolatorausnehmung (14) insertable is that the contact element (18) against the stop edge (24) of the Isolatorausnehmung (14). The insulator (10) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the smallest opening diameter of the opening (32) of the inner insertion portion (30) is smaller than the outer diameter of the contact member (18). Insulator (10) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein each contact element (18) for receiving a complementary plug contact element (34) has a radially inwardly disposed plug contact receiving area (40) and the contact element (18) in the region of the plug contact receiving area (40) elastic and wherein the inner insertion portion (30) is aligned with an associated male contact receiving area (40). A connector comprising an insulator (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13. Use of a contact sleeve (16) in an insulator (10), preferably as a fastening element of a contact element (18) in an insulator (10) according to one of claims 1 to 16.

Images