EP3613110B1 - Assembly for a plug connector part with a contact insert and a grounding element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an assembly for a connector part according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such an assembly comprises a connector housing and a contact insert which can be connected to the connector housing and which has an insulating body made of an electrically insulating material. The insulating body forms a plug-in section which can be plugged along a plug-in direction to a mating connector part. One or more electrical contact elements, for example in the form of contact pins or contact sockets, are also arranged on the insulating body, which are used for electrical contact with associated mating contact elements of the mating connector part and which come into plugging contact with the mating contact elements when the connector part and the mating connector part are connected. Such an assembly further comprises a grounding element arranged on the insulating body, which has a housing contact section and is electrically connected to a grounding contact element arranged on the plug section for grounding contact with the mating connector part, the housing contact section being designed to make electrical contact with the plug housing when the contact insert is connected to the connector housing.

The use of different, modular insulating bodies in a connector housing of a connector part enables the provision of very different connector parts with very different connector faces and very different types of contact elements.

While the connector housing can be made of plastic in the case of simple, light connector parts, it can be advantageous to use connector housings made of metal, particularly in the case of heavy connector parts that are particularly stressed in use. If a connector housing made of metal is used, however, care must be taken that electrical conductivity on the connector housing does not lead to disadvantages and possible safety risks, for example if an overvoltage occurs.

With one of the DE 20 2006 003 204 U1 known connector part, a contact insert is arranged in a connector housing, on which a grounding contact element (so-called PE contact) is also provided.

With one of the DE 10 2010 022 690 A1 known connector part, an insulating body is enclosed in a connector housing. A ground connection contact element, which can be connected to the connector housing via a contact plate, is arranged on the insulating body.

From the DE 10 2012 016 725 A1 a connector part with a contact insert is known which has a module frame for receiving contact modules. A grounding contact element is arranged on the module frame.

From the EP 3 276 755 A1 a connector part for a shielded connector unit is known, which has an insulating body and several electrical plug contacts that are connected to electrical cable ends, an electrical plug contact is designed as a protective conductor contact, and with an electrically conductive shielding jacket that surrounds the insulating body on the outside. According to the invention, the protective conductor contact is arranged centrally inside the insulating body and surrounded on the outside by the other electrical plug contacts, and the protective conductor contact is electrically contacted by means of at least one electrically conductive radial web with the shielding jacket.

In the EP 3 312 940 A1 A contact insert for a connector part is described, which comprises a frame part which has a plug-in section for plugging connection with a further plug-in connector part, at least one electrical contact element arranged on the plug-in section and a grounding element arranged on the frame part to which a protective line can be connected. In addition, a contacting device arranged on the grounding element is provided which has a housing with a plug-in opening for inserting the protective line and a spring element arranged on the housing for locking the protective line in the plug-in opening and for contacting the protective line with the grounding element.

the DE 195 28 678 C1 describes a built-in connector with a protective conductor connection, in which the connector housing consists at least partially of an electrically conductive material and the protective conductor contact pin and the connector housing are formed in one piece.

Next are from the EP 0 475 416 A1 and the U.S. 4,291,930 A Known connector with grounding contact elements.

The object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for a plug connector part which enables a plug housing made of metal to be used in a simple, inexpensive manner.

This object is achieved by an object with the features of claim 1. Accordingly, the housing contact section is arranged in the area of a fastening section of the insulating body which extends transversely to the plug-in direction and can be brought into operative connection with the plug housing in a supporting manner, and the grounding contact element is enclosed by the plug-in section.

Accordingly, when the contact insert is inserted into the connector housing, the connector housing is drawn into the ground. This is done via the grounding element, which on the one hand has a housing contact section for electrically contacting the plug housing and on the other hand is electrically connected to a grounding contact element so that there is an electrical connection between the plug housing and the grounding contact element via the grounding element. The grounding contact element, to which a grounding line can be connected, comes into grounding contact with the mating connector part when the connector part and the mating connector part are connected so that the same ground potential exists on the connector part and the mating connector part.

The insulating body is preferably molded in one piece, for example from a plastic material. The insulating body has an electrically insulating effect and in this way insulates the contact elements arranged on it from the connector housing made of an electrically conductive metal material.

By using the grounding element, grounding contact with the connector housing can be established in a simple manner. For example, the contact can be made automatically when the contact insert is inserted into the connector housing, so that no additional assembly steps are required to make the grounding contact.

In one embodiment, the grounding contact element extends along the plug-in direction and, when the plug-in connector part and the mating plug-in connector part are connected to one another, makes grounding contact along the plug-in direction with one associated mating contact element of the mating connector part. When the connector part and the mating connector part are plugged in, the grounding contact element thus runs onto an associated mating contact and uses it to establish a grounding contact.

In one embodiment, the housing contact section extends flat along a plane extending transversely to the plug-in direction. The housing contact section thus provides a contact surface which, when the contact insert is inserted, rests flat on the connector housing and via it establishes electrical contact between the grounding element and the connector housing.

According to a further embodiment, at least one fastening point for mechanically fastening the contact insert to the connector housing can be arranged on the housing contact section. In this case, the housing contact section serves not only to make electrical contact between the grounding element and the connector housing, but also to mechanically fasten the contact insert to the connector housing.

The housing contact section can for example be designed as a flange and protrude from the insulating body. Thus, on the one hand, the electrical contacting of the grounding element with the connector housing and, on the other hand, the mechanical fastening of the contact insert in the connector housing can take place via the housing contact section.

According to the invention, the housing contact section is arranged in the region of a fastening section of the insulating body which extends transversely to the plug-in direction and can be brought into operative connection in a supporting manner with the plug housing. The fastening section of the insulating body can be formed, for example, as a shoulder (for example in the form of a step) on the insulating body and, when the contact insert is inserted into the connector housing, can be supported on the connector housing, so that the contact insert can be mechanically fastened in the connector housing via the fastening section . The fact that the housing contact section is arranged in the area of the fastening section ensures that when the contact insert is inserted into the connector housing, there is electrical contact between the housing contact section of the grounding element and the connector housing. In this case, the housing contact section can be designed, for example, as a flange and attached to the fastening section of the insulating body. But it is conceivable also that the housing contact section is embedded, for example, in the fastening section of the insulating body.

Very different variants of the grounding element and of the grounding contact element connected to the grounding element are conceivable and possible.

In a first variant, which is not part of the invention, the contact element can, for example, take on the additional function of a coding. A coding is to be understood as a shaped element of the plug-in section of the plug-in connector part which ensures that the plug-in connector part can only be connected to the mating connector part in a plug-in manner in a predetermined position and orientation. Such a coding can be produced, for example, by webs extending longitudinally along the plug-in direction, which are arranged unevenly distributed on the plug-in section and above that force the plug-in connector part to be attached to an associated mating connector part in the correct position and in the correct orientation.

If the grounding contact element takes on an additional function for the coding, then - in the case of a so-called male connector part - the grounding contact element can be extended, for example, on an outside of the plug-in section and protrude from the plug-in section transversely to the plug-in direction to provide the coding. The grounding contact element extends in this case preferably along the plugging direction on the plugging section, so that the grounding contact element forms a protruding web on the outside of the plugging section, which is to be brought into engagement with an associated counter-coding on the mating connector part when the connection is plugged in.

Alternatively, in the case of a so-called female connector part, the grounding contact element can also be arranged on an inside of the plug-in section in the area of a coding element. Again, the grounding contact element is part of the coding and can extend, for example, between radially inwardly protruding webs on the plug-in section.

In this variant, which is also not part of the invention, the grounding contact element is, for example, molded in one piece onto the grounding contact element, so that the grounding contact element extends, for example, in the form of a pin from the grounding element along the plug-in section.

According to the invention, the grounding contact element is enclosed by the plug-in section. In this case, the grounding contact element is arranged, for example, as an element separate from the grounding element within the plug-in section and, for example, held mechanically on the plug-in section, for example latched to the plug-in section. In this case, the grounding contact element can be designed, for example, as a contact pin or as a contact socket and, when the connector part and the mating connector part are plugged together, it comes into electrical contact with an associated mating contact element of the mating connector part.

In this case, the grounding element serves to electrically connect the grounding contact element arranged within the plug-in section and the plug housing surrounding the insulating body. The grounding element can, for example, have a contact section for electrical connection to the grounding contact element, which is connected to the housing contact section via a connecting section. The contact section is in electrical connection with the grounding contact element and can, for example, have an opening through which the grounding contact element engages. The connecting section has, for example, the shape of a current bar which produces an electrically conductive connection between the contact section and the housing contact section of the grounding element.

In one embodiment, the contact section can be angled relative to the connecting section and / or the connecting section can be angled relative to the housing contact section. For example, while the housing contact section extends flat along a plane extending transversely to the plugging direction, the connecting section can for example be extended along a plane that is spanned by the plugging direction and a transverse direction directed transversely to the plugging direction. The connecting section can also be kinked and / or bent several times.

For example, the connecting section can extend between the housing contact section and the contact section and thereby encompass a body section of the insulating body, for example a body section on which one or more contact elements of the contact insert are held. The housing contact section can extend transversely to the plug-in direction, for example in the manner of a flange. The connecting section can, for example, in the manner of a Current bar establish a connection between the housing contact section and the contact section and above with the grounding contact element.

In one embodiment, the contact section via which the grounding element is connected to the grounding contact element is designed to be elastically resilient and rests against the grounding contact element in an electrically contacting manner. The contact section is thus designed in the manner of an elastic spring tongues and is used to establish electrical contact between the grounding contact element and the grounding element.

The grounding element can, for example, have two contact sections lying opposite one another, for example, which accommodate the grounding contact element between them and thus establish electrical contact with the grounding contact element.

In another embodiment, two grounding elements are provided which each have a housing contact section and a contact section connected to the housing contact section via a connecting section and are arranged, for example, on opposite sides of the insulating body. The grounding elements contact the grounding contact element together in that the contact sections of the grounding elements accommodate the grounding contact element between them and in this way establish electrical contact between the grounding contact element and the two grounding elements.

Each grounding element can be arranged with its housing contact section on a fastening section of the insulating body and supported on the associated fastening section.

In one embodiment, the grounding element is attached to the insulating body of the contact insert as an attachment part. In the attached position, the grounding element is held, for example, in a form-fitting manner on the insulating body.

In another embodiment, the grounding element can be encapsulated by the (plastic) material of the insulating body, in which case the housing contact section for contacting the connector housing and also the contact section for contacting the grounding contact element are exposed so that electrical contact can be established. The grounding element is thus placed in an injection molding tool when the insulating body is manufactured and material is overmolded by injection molding.

In yet another embodiment, the grounding element can also be manufactured as a metal injection-molded part on the insulating body. Such a metal injection-molded part can be manufactured directly on the insulating body by injecting a metal alloy into a recess on the insulating body. For this purpose, for example, a eutectic alloy with a low melting temperature can be used. Alternatively, such a metal injection-molded part can be prefabricated and then overmolded or cast around with (plastic) material to form the insulating body.

Another manufacturing method that can optionally be used to manufacture the grounding element is a metal powder injection molding process (MIM, from Metal Injection Molding), in which a fine metal powder is mixed with an organic binder and shaped. Subsequent sintering compresses the grounding element so that a solid, high-density metal component is obtained, which can then be encapsulated with the material of the insulating body.

In yet another embodiment, the grounding element can be arranged on a cover element connected to the insulating body. The cover element can, for example, be attached to an end of the insulating body that faces away from the plug-in section, and can for example be positively connected to the insulating body, for example via fastening tabs that are connected to the insulating body in a latching manner. For example, contact elements can be held on the insulating body via the cover element and supported with respect to the insulating body.

The grounding element can be held in a form-fitting manner between the cover element and the insulating body. For this purpose, the grounding element can for example be received on the cover element in such a way that when the cover element is attached to the insulating body, the grounding element comes to rest between the cover element and the insulating body and is thus held in a fixed position relative to the insulating body.

Alternatively, the grounding element can, for example, be encapsulated by the material of the cover element. In this case, the cover element is manufactured by injection molding (made of plastic), the grounding element being inserted into an injection molding tool during injection molding and the material of the cover element being overmolded.

The grounding element can, for example, protrude transversely to the plug-in direction to the cover element, so that the housing contact section of the grounding element protrudes laterally and when the contact insert is inserted into the connector housing, it can come into contact with an inner wall of the connector housing in an electrically contacting manner.

In a specific embodiment, the grounding element can, for example, have a connecting section extending transversely to the plug-in direction, on which the housing contact section and a contact tab arranged on the connecting section for electrical connection to the grounding contact element are arranged. In this case, the connecting section realizes a current bar for the electrical connection of the housing contact section and the contact tab. The contact lug is supported in contact with an associated grounding contact element, so that electrical contact is made with the grounding contact element via the contact lug.

In an advantageous embodiment, the housing contact section is elastically resilient transversely to the plug-in direction. This can in particular enable the housing contact section to slide on an inner wall of the connector housing when the contact insert is inserted into the connector housing, with electrical contact between the housing contact section and the connector housing.

The assembly is preferably part of a connector part, in particular a heavy connector part for use in stressed environments. By selecting from very different contact inserts, a plug connector part can be created in a modular manner, which is adapted in a dedicated manner to a specific use and for this purpose has a suitable plug face with an arrangement of contact elements.

Fig. 1

eine Ansicht eines Kontakteinsatzes für ein Steckverbinderteil, welches nicht Teil der Erfindung ist;

Fig. 2

eine Ansicht eines Erdungselements des Kontakteinsatzes, welches nicht Teil der Erfindung ist;

Fig. 3

eine Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines zu dem Kontakteinsatz gemäß Fig. 1 und 2 komplementären Kontakteinsatzes für ein Steckverbinderteil, welches nicht Teil der Erfindung;

Fig. 4

eine Ansicht eines Erdungselements des Kontakteinsatzes, welches nicht Teil der Erfindung ist;

Fig. 5

eine Ansicht eines Kontakteinsatzes für ein Steckverbinderteil, nach einem Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht eines Erdungselements des Kontakteinsatzes;

Fig. 7

eine andere Ansicht des Kontakteinsatzes;

Fig. 8

eine Ansicht eines Kontakteinsatzes für ein Steckverbinderteil, nach einem anderen Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 9

eine Ansicht eines Erdungselements des Kontakteinsatzes;

Fig. 10

eine andere Ansicht des Kontakteinsatzes;

Fig. 11

eine Ansicht eines wiederum anderen Ausführungsbeispiels eines Kontakteinsatzes;

Fig. 12

eine Ansicht eines wiederum anderen Ausführungsbeispiels eines Kontakteinsatzes;

Fig. 13

eine Ansicht eines Erdungselements des Kontakteinsatzes;

Fig. 14

eine schematische Ansicht zweier Steckverbinderteile, die steckend entlang einer Steckrichtung miteinander verbunden werden können:

Fig. 15

eine Ansicht eines wiederum anderen Ausführungsbeispiels eines Kontakteinsatzes;

Fig. 16

eine Ansicht des Kontakteinsatzes gemäß Fig. 15, in zusammengesetztem Zustand;

Fig. 17

eine Ansicht eines wiederum anderen Ausführungsbeispiels eines Kontakteinsatzes;

Fig. 18

eine Ansicht des Kontakteinsatzes gemäß Fig. 17, in zusammengesetztem Zustand;

Fig. 19

eine Ansicht eines wiederum anderen Ausführungsbeispiels eines Kontakteinsatzes;

Fig. 20

eine Ansicht des Kontakteinsatzes gemäß Fig. 19, in zusammengesetztem Zustand;

Fig. 21

eine Ansicht eines wiederum anderen Ausführungsbeispiels eines Kontakteinsatzes;

Fig. 22

eine Ansicht des Kontakteinsatzes gemäß Fig. 21, in zusammengesetztem Zustand; und

Fig. 23

eine gesonderte Ansicht eines Erdungselements des Kontakteinsatzes.

The idea on which the invention is based will be explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a view of a contact insert for a connector part, which is not part of the invention;

Fig. 2

a view of a grounding element of the contact insert, which is not part of the invention;

Fig. 3

a view of an embodiment of a to the contact insert according to FIG Figs. 1 and 2 complementary contact insert for a connector part, which is not part of the invention;

Fig. 4

a view of a grounding element of the contact insert, which is not part of the invention;

Fig. 5

a view of a contact insert for a connector part, according to an embodiment;

Fig. 6

a view of a grounding element of the contact insert;

Fig. 7

another view of the contact insert;

Fig. 8

a view of a contact insert for a connector part, according to another embodiment;

Fig. 9

a view of a grounding element of the contact insert;

Fig. 10

another view of the contact insert;

Fig. 11

a view of yet another embodiment of a contact insert;

Fig. 12

a view of yet another embodiment of a contact insert;

Fig. 13

a view of a grounding element of the contact insert;

Fig. 14

a schematic view of two connector parts that can be plugged together along a plugging direction:

Fig. 15

a view of yet another embodiment of a contact insert;

Fig. 16

a view of the contact insert according to Fig. 15 , in assembled condition;

Fig. 17

a view of yet another embodiment of a contact insert;

Fig. 18

a view of the contact insert according to Fig. 17 , in assembled condition;

Fig. 19

a view of yet another embodiment of a contact insert;

Fig. 20

a view of the contact insert according to Fig. 19 , in assembled condition;

Fig. 21

a view of yet another embodiment of a contact insert;

Fig. 22

a view of the contact insert according to Fig. 21 , in assembled condition; and

Fig. 23

a separate view of a grounding element of the contact insert.

Fig. 14 shows a schematic view of two connector parts 1, 3, which can be connected to one another in a plugging direction E.

Each connector part 1, 3 has a connector housing 10, 30, in each of which a contact insert 2, 4 with contact elements arranged thereon is received. A cable 12, 32 is connected to the connector housing 10, 30 via a cable outlet 11, 31 and is electrically connected within the connector housing 10, 30 to the contact elements of the respectively assigned contact insert 2, 4.

It should be noted at this point that the present invention can be used not only with connector parts with manually operated connector housings, but can also be used, for example, with connectors provided on electrical systems, for example a switch cabinet, in which a Contact insert, for example, on a device wall, such as a control cabinet wall, is to be set.

Figs. 1 and 2 show an example, not belonging to the invention, of a contact insert 2 which is used to form a connector part 1 in a connector housing 10 (see FIG Fig. 14 ) is to be used.

The contact insert 2 has an insulating body 20 which is made of an electrically insulating (plastic) material. The insulating body 20 forms a plug-in section 206 which is used to connect two mutually associated plug connector parts 1, 3 with a plug-in section 406 of a complementary, in Figs. 3 and 4 Contact insert 4 shown can be connected and for this purpose can be inserted in the plugging direction E into a plug-in opening 400 of the plug-in section 406 of the contact insert 4.

Plug openings 200 are formed on plug section 206, in which contact elements 22 are arranged, which are designed as contact pins and serve for electrical contact with contact elements 42 in the form of contact sockets within plug opening 400 of plug section 406 of contact insert 4.

A cover element 21 is arranged on a lower section 203 of the insulating body 20, which surrounds the lower section 203 with a wraparound section 210 and via fastening tabs 211 - by engagement of locking elements 204 on the lower section 203 in openings 212 in the fastening tabs 211 - in a form-fitting manner on the lower section 23 is specified (in Fig. 1 only one fastening tab 211 is visible; opposite the cover element 21 has a further fastening tab 211).

A fastening section 202 for fastening the contact insert 2 within the associated plug housing 10 projects on one side transversely to the plug-in section 206.

A grounding element 23 is arranged on the opposite side of the insulating body 20 and is shown in a separate illustration in FIG Fig. 2 is shown and is supported on a contact web 205 protruding from the plug-in section 206 with respect to the insulating body 20.

The grounding element 23 has housing contact sections 231 which protrude as flange sections transversely from the plug-in section 206 (when the grounding element 23 is attached to the insulating body 20) and have fastening openings 232 via which the contact insert 2 can be fastened to the associated connector housing 10.

A surface section 233 adjoins the housing contact sections 231, in which a fastening opening 235 for fastening the grounding element 23 to the insulating body 20 by means of a fastening element 236 designed as a screw is arranged and from which to the insulating body 20 form-locking elements 234 for engagement in the insulating body 20 and opposite directed protrusion elements 238 protrude. The grounding element 23 is fixed in the correct position relative to the insulating body 20 via the form-fit elements 234. The form-fit elements 238, on the other hand, serve to ensure that a washer 239 (see FIG Fig. 1 ) to prevent.

A grounding line can be connected to the grounding element 23, for example by means of crimping, via a contact section 237 adjoining the surface section 233.

Alternatively, a grounding line can be fixed to the grounding element 23 via the fastening element 236, which is designed as a screw.

In one piece on the grounding element 23, a grounding contact element 230 is formed, which, as from Fig. 1 can be seen, extends longitudinally along the plug-in section 206 and comes to lie on the outside of the plug-in section 206 when the grounding element 23 is arranged on the insulating body 20.

The ground contact element 230 has a dual function. On the one hand, the grounding contact element 230 serves to connect the plug connector part 1 assigned to the contact insert 2 to the contact insert 4 (see FIG Figs. 3 and 4 ) associated connector part 3 an electrical contact to a Establish grounding contact element 430 of a grounding element 43 of contact insert 4. A ground is thus established between the contact inserts 2, 4 via the ground contact element 230. Secondly, the grounding contact element 230, in cooperation with a coding element 201 (formed on a side of the plug-in section 206 facing away from the grounding element 23), is used to provide a coding for the contact insert 2, which enables the contact insert 2 to be connected to the associated contact insert 4 only in one Location and orientation made possible. The coding is provided by the fact that the coding element 201 and the grounding contact element 230 have different widths and thus an insertion of the plug-in section 206 into the plug-in opening 400 only when the coding element 201 is pushed into the assigned coding element 407 of the plug-in section 406 and the grounding contact element 230, which is formed by webs into the opposite coding element 401, in the area of which the grounding contact element 430 of the grounding element 43 of the contact insert 4 is arranged.

When the contact insert 2 is inserted into the connector housing 10, the housing contact sections 231 of the grounding element 23 rest on the inside of the connector housing 10 in an electrically contacting manner, so that in the case of a connector housing 10 made of metal, the connector housing 10 is grounded and the connector housing 10 is thus at an earth potential is located. By directly fastening the housing contact sections 231 via the fastening openings 232 on the connector housing 10, a flat contact with the connector housing 10 is ensured, so that electrical contact is ensured.

The grounding contact with the complementary contact insert 4 takes place via the grounding element 230, which, when the connector parts 1, 3 are plugged into the grounding contact element 430, slides on the inside of the plug opening 400 of the plug section 406 of the contact insert 4 and makes electrical contact via it.

The in Figs. 3 and 4 shown, according to the contact insert 2 Figs. 1 and 2 has complementary contact insert 4, analogously to the contact insert 2 according to FIG Figs. 1 and 2 , a lower section 403, which connects to the plug-in section 406 and on which a cover element 41 is arranged. The cover element 41 engages around the lower section 403 with a wrap-around section 410 and is connected to the lower section 403 in a latching manner via fastening tabs 411 by engagement of latching elements 404 on the section 403 in latching openings 412 in the fastening tabs 411.

This in Fig. 4 grounding element 43 shown separately is functionally identical to grounding element 23 according to FIG Fig. 2 and in particular has housing contact sections 431 with fastening openings 432 formed therein and a surface section 433 adjoining the fastening sections 431 with a fastening opening 435 formed therein. Form-fitting elements 434 and projection elements 438 protrude from the surface section 433. A grounding line can be connected to the grounding element 43 via a contact section 437 adjoining the surface section 433, for example by means of crimping, wherein a grounding line can alternatively also be screwed to the grounding element 43 via a fastening element 436.

When the grounding element 43 is arranged on the insulating body 40, the grounding contact element 430, which is integrally formed on the grounding element 43, lies on the inside of the plug-in opening 400 in the area of the coding element 401, namely between webs of the coding element 401 extending longitudinally along the plug-in direction E, and is therefore part of the Coding element 401. When the contact insert 4 is plugged into the contact insert 2, the grounding contact element 230 of the contact insert 2 slides onto the grounding contact element 430 of the contact insert 4 and uses it to establish a grounding electrical connection between the contact inserts 2, 4.

With an in Fig. 5-7 The illustrated embodiment of a contact insert 2 are formed on a plug-in section 206 of an insulating body 20 plug-in openings 200 which are used to receive contact elements. Coding elements 201 protrude laterally from the plug-in section 206.

A lower section 203 adjoins the plug-in section 206, from which, transversely to the plug-in direction E, fastening sections 202 in the form of flanges protrude transversely to the plug-in direction E in the transition area to the plug-in section 206. Fastening openings 207, via which the contact insert 2 can be fastened within the associated connector housing 10, are formed on the fastening sections 202.

The insulating body 20 consists of an electrically insulating (plastic) material and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is manufactured by means of injection molding. A grounding element 24, as shown in a separate illustration in Fig. 6 is shown, is in this case encapsulated by the material of the insulating body 20 in such a way that a housing contact section 242 lies in the region of a fastening section 202 comes and is exposed on a side of the fastening portion 202 facing away from the plug-in portion 206, as shown in FIG Fig. 7 can be seen. With the contact insert 2 arranged in the associated connector housing 10, electrical contact with the connector housing 10 can thus take place via the housing contact section 242.

The grounding element 24 has a connecting section 240 in the manner of a current bar, on which the housing contact section 242 on the one hand and a contact section 245 for making contact with an associated grounding contact element 220 are arranged on the other hand. The housing contact section 242 connected to the connecting section 240 via an angled section 241 has an opening 243, which is aligned with an associated fastening opening 207 of the associated fastening section 202 of the insulating body 20, as is the case Figures 5 and 7 can be seen. The contact section 245 connected to the connecting section 240 via a section 244, on the other hand, has an opening 246 through which the grounding contact element 220 located in a plug-in opening 200 of the plug-in section 206 engages so that electrical contact is established with the grounding element 24.

If the contact insert 2 is inserted into the associated plug housing 10, the plug housing 10 is electrically connected to the grounding contact element 220 via the electrically contacting system of the housing contact section 242 on the plug housing 10 and the electrical connection of the contact section 245 to the grounding contact element 220, whereby to the grounding contact element 220 a ground wire can be connected. When the contact insert 2 is plugged into an associated, complementary contact insert of a mating connector part, the grounding contact element 220 also makes contact with an associated mating contact element, so that a grounding is established with the mating connector part.

The grounding element 24 can be produced with its sections 240-242, 244, 245, for example, as a one-piece bent sheet metal part. To produce the insulating body 20, the grounding element 24 is inserted into an injection molding tool for producing the insulating body 20 and, during the injection molding of the insulating body 20, the material of the insulating body 20 is overmolded.

In another embodiment of a contact insert 4, as shown in FIG Fig. 8-10 is shown, a grounding element 44 is formed as a metal injection molded part on a plug-in section 406 of an insulating body 40 such that a housing contact section 442 comes to lie in the area of a fastening section 402 on the underside of the plug-in section 406 and is accessible from the outside in such a way that when inserted into an associated plug housing 30 Contact insert 4 of the housing contact section 442 rests flat against the connector housing 30 and makes electrical contact with the connector housing 30.

The grounding element 44 has a connecting section 440 which connects the housing contact section 442 to a contact section 445, via which the grounding element 44 is electrically connected to an associated grounding contact element 420. An electrical connection is thus established between the plug housing 30 and the grounding contact element 420 via the grounding element 44, whereby a grounding line can in turn be connected to the grounding contact element 420 and, when connected to an associated mating connector part, electrical contact is made with the mating connector part and thus a common grounding takes place .

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the fastening sections 402 on the underside of the plug-in section 406 are designed as shoulders at the transition to a lower section 403. The housing contact section 442 of the grounding element 44 comes to lie in the area of one of these fastening sections 402, as is the case Fig. 10 can be seen.

In the illustrated embodiment, the grounding element 44 is manufactured as a metal injection-molded part. The grounding element 44 can be manufactured with the insulating body 40 already present, for example by injecting a liquid tin alloy or another metal alloy with a low melting temperature into an opening provided on the insulating body 40.

With an in Fig. 11 In the illustrated embodiment of a contact insert 2, a grounding element 25 is attached to a cover element 21 and, when the cover element 21 is connected to a lower section 203 of an insulating body 20, is held between the cover element 21 and the insulating body 20.

The cover element 21 has a bottom section 213 with openings 214 formed therein for receiving contact elements 22. Support sections 215 are formed on the openings 214, which protrude from the base section 213 in the manner of pins and serve to support the contact elements 22.

The cover element 21 has a wrap-around section 210 which, in the attached position, engages around the lower section 203, as is also the case in FIG Fig. 1 is shown. Fastening tabs 210 protruding from the wraparound section 210 have latching openings 212 which, when the cover element 21 is attached, engage latching elements 204 on the lower section 203 and thereby establish a positive connection between the cover element 21 and the lower section 203.

The grounding element 25 has a transversely extending, bar-shaped connecting section 250, from which a contact tab 251 protrudes upwards in the direction of a plug-in section 206 and on which housing contact sections 252 are arranged laterally. The grounding element 25 is inserted with its connecting sections 250 into a groove 217 in the bottom section 213 and lies with the housing contact sections 252 in openings 216 in the encompassing section 210 such that the housing contact sections 252 protrude laterally from the cover element 21 in the direction of the surrounding connector housing 10.

The grounding contact element 220 is inserted into an opening 214 in the bottom section 213 of the cover element 21 and is in contact with the contact lug 251 of the grounding element 25 in an electrically contacting manner. When the contact insert 2 is inserted into the connector housing 10, the grounding element 25 is also in contact with the connector housing 10 via the housing contact sections 252, so that the connector housing 10 is electrically connected to the grounding contact element 220.

A grounding line can in turn be connected to the grounding contact element 220, and in addition, the grounding contact element 220 makes contact with an associated mating connector part with a mating contact element of the mating connector part so that there is a common ground potential between the connector parts.

The embodiment according to Figures 12 and 13 is essentially - unless otherwise explained below - functionally identical to the one above with reference to FIG Fig. 11 described embodiment.

In contrast to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Fig. 11 is in the embodiment according to Figures 12 and 13 however, the grounding element 25 is not attached to the cover element 21 in a form-fitting manner, but is encapsulated with the material of the cover element 21. The grounding element 25 is thus held integrally on the cover element 21 such that the grounding element 25 protrudes laterally with its housing contact sections 252 relative to the cover element 21, as shown in FIG Fig. 12 It can be seen that electrical contact is made between the grounding element 25 and the connector housing 10 when the contact insert 2 is inserted into the connector housing 10.

For production, the grounding element 25 is inserted into the injection molding tool for producing the cover element 21 and, during the injection molding of the cover element 21, the material of the cover element 21 is overmolded.

For the rest, reference should be made in full to the preceding statements on the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 11 to get expelled.

In the embodiments according to Fig. 11 and Figures 12 and 13 The housing contact sections 252 are elastically resilient transversely to the plug-in direction E, which enables the contact insert 2 to be easily inserted into an associated connector housing 10 and also means that when the contact insert 2 is inserted, the housing contact sections 252 are in contact with the connector housing 10 under elastic pretension.

Figures 15 and 16 show yet another exemplary embodiment of a contact insert 2, which has an insulating body 20 and a cover element 21 to be attached thereto. Contact elements 22 and a grounding contact element 220 are arranged on the insulating body 20. The insulating body 20 forms a plug-in section 206 via which the contact insert 2 can be plugged into an associated mating connector part along a plug-in direction E in order to make electrical contact with the mating connector part in this way, both of the contact elements 22 and the grounding contact element 220.

Electrical lines can be connected to the contact elements 22 and a ground line can be connected to the ground contact element 220 via openings 214 in the cover element 21.

A grounding element 26 is arranged on the insulating body 20, which is attached with a housing contact section 261 in the form of a flange to a fastening section 202 in the form of a step on the insulating body 20 and has fastening points in the form of fastening openings 262 via which the contact insert 2 within a connector housing 10 (see Fig. 14 ) can be set so that the housing contact section 261 makes electrical contact with the connector housing 10 and thus the connector housing 10 is included in the grounding.

The housing contact section 261 is connected to contact sections 263 in the form of spring tongues via a connecting section 260 which has been bent over several times. Fig. 16 ) rest against the grounding contact element 220 in an electrically contacting manner. In this exemplary embodiment, the contact sections 263 are designed to be elastically resilient and therefore, when the contact insert 2 is assembled, rest against an outer surface of the grounding contact element 220 under spring preload and thus with reliable electrical contact.

The grounding contact element 220 is latched to the insulating body 20, so that one end of the grounding contact element 220 protrudes into the area of the plug-in section 206 of the insulating body 20 and can thus be connected to an associated mating connector part. The grounding element 26 is arranged on the insulating body 20 and, with a connecting section 260, engages around a body section 208 of the insulating body 20, on which contact elements 22 are arranged, so that the grounding contact element 220 is contacted in a central position on the insulating body 20 via the contact sections 263.

With an in Figures 17 and 18 The illustrated embodiment of a contact insert 2, two grounding elements 27 are arranged on both sides of an insulating body 20 on fastening sections 202 of the insulating body 20 and supported above them on the insulating body 20. Each grounding element 27 has a housing contact section 271 in the form of a flange which rests against the associated fastening section 202 of the insulating body 20 and fastening points in the form of fastening openings 272 for fixing the contact insert 2 in a connector housing 10 (see FIG Fig. 14 ) having. Each housing contact portion 271 is thus, when the contact insert 2 is arranged in a connector housing 10, electrical contact is made with the connector housing 10.

From each housing contact section 271, two connecting sections 270 extend, which are angled to the assigned housing contact section 271 and bent several times and have contact sections 273 in the form of contact lugs, via which a grounding contact element 220 arranged centrally on the insulating body 20 is electrically contacted. The connecting sections 270 encompass body sections 208 of the insulating body 20 on which contact elements 22 are arranged.

With assembled contact insert 2 ( Fig. 18 ) the contact sections 273 of the grounding elements 27 accommodate the grounding contact element 220 between them and thus jointly contact the grounding contact element 220 reliable electrical contacting of the grounding contact element 220 is provided.

The insulating body 20 in turn forms a plug-in section 206 via which the contact insert 2 can be connected to an associated mating connector part along a plug-in direction E in order to make electrical contact with the contact elements 22 and the grounding contact element 220. The grounding elements 27 are here arranged on a lower section 203 on a side of the insulating body 20 facing away from the plug-in section 106.

When the contact insert 2 is assembled, a cover element 21 is attached to the insulating body 20 (see FIG Fig. 18 ). Electrical lines can be connected to the contact elements 22 and a ground line can be connected to the ground contact element 220 via openings 214 in the cover element 21.

With an in Figures 19 and 20 In the illustrated embodiment of a contact insert 2, two grounding elements 28 are again arranged on both sides of an insulating body 20 in order to make electrical contact via contact sections 283 to a grounding contact element 22 arranged centrally on the insulating body 20. The grounding elements 28 each have a housing contact section 281 in the form of a flange with fastening points formed thereon in the form of fastening openings 282. The housing contact sections 281 lie on fastening sections 202 of the insulating body 20 and enable the contact insert 2 to be fixed in an associated connector housing 10, including the connector housing 10 in the electrical grounding.

Each grounding element 28 has two connecting sections 280 which are bent over several times and are angled to the housing contact section 281, each of which carries a contact section 283 in the form of a curved contact nose. When the contact insert 2 is assembled, the contact sections 283 of the grounding elements 28 accommodate the grounding contact element 220 between them and thus contact the grounding contact element 220.

The connecting sections 280 each encompass an assigned body section 208 of the insulating body 22 in order to make electrical contact with the grounding contact element 220 arranged centrally on the insulating body 20.

When the contact insert 2 is assembled, a cover element 21 is attached to the insulating body 20, as shown in FIG Fig. 20 is shown. The cover element 21 has openings 214 via which electrical lines can be connected to the contact elements 22 and a ground line can be connected to the ground contact element 220.

With an in Figures 21 to 23 In the illustrated embodiment of a contact insert 2, a grounding element 29 is arranged on an insulating body 20. The grounding element 29 has a housing contact section 291, which rests against a fastening section 202 in the form of a step on the insulating body 20 and carries fastening points in the form of fastening openings 292 via which the contact insert 2 can be fixed within a plug housing 10 such that the grounding element 29 electrically contacted with the connector housing 10 and thus the connector housing 10 is included in the grounding.

A C-shaped connecting section 290 extends from the housing contact section 291 and is firmly connected to an earth contact element 220 at angled ends 293 remote from the housing contact section 291, for example via a clamp connection, a screw or rivet connection or a soldered or welded connection.

In this exemplary embodiment, the grounding contact element 220 is thus firmly connected to the grounding element 29, so that by attaching the grounding element 29 to the Insulating body 20, the grounding contact element 220 is also placed on the insulating body 20.

In the attached position, the grounding element 29 with its C-shaped connecting section 290 engages around a body section 208 of the insulating body 20, on which contact elements 22 are arranged.

On the connecting section 290, on a side facing the housing contact section 291, a fastening element 296 in the form of a screw is arranged, which is screwed into a threaded opening 295 of the connecting section 290. A nut 297 is threadedly engaged with the fastening element 296 in the form of the screw and is also supported by stop elements 294 against the connecting section 290 so that the nut 297 cannot be moved when the fastening element 296 in the form of the screw is rotated.

A grounding line can be connected to the grounding element 29 via the fastening element 296, in order in this way to provide grounding to the grounding element 29 and, above this, also to a connector housing 10 in which the contact insert 2 is mounted.

A cover element 21, which has openings 214 via which electrical lines can be connected to the contact elements 22, is attached to the insulating body 20.

The idea on which the invention is based is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described above, but can in principle also be implemented in a completely different manner.

A connector part of the type described here can be fitted with different contact inserts in a modular manner, with electrical contacting and grounding of an (electrically conductive) connector housing of the connector part taking place via a grounding element.

Such a connector part can be manually connected to an assigned mating connector part, but it can also be part of an electrical system, for example a switch cabinet.

List of reference symbols

1

Connector part

10

Connector housing

11th

Cable outlet

12th

cable

2

Contact insert

20th

Insulating body

200

Plug-in opening

201

Coding element

202

Fastening section

203

Lower section

204

Locking element

205

Contact bridge

206

Plug-in section

207

Attachment point

208

Body section (main body)

21

Cover element

210

Wrap-around section

211

Fastening tab

212

Locking opening

213

Floor section

214

opening

215

Support section

216

opening

217

Groove

22nd

Contact element

220

Earthing contact element

23

Grounding element

230

Earthing contact element

231

Housing contact section

232

Mounting hole

233

Area segment

234

Form-fit element

235

Mounting hole

236

Fastening element (screw)

237

Contact section

238

Protruding elements

239

Washer

24

Grounding element

240

Connection section

241

Angled section

242

Housing contact section

243

Mounting hole

244

Section above

245

Contact section

246

opening

25th

Grounding element

250

Connection section

251

Contact flag

252

Housing contact section

26th

Grounding element

260

Connection section

261

Housing contact section

262

Mounting hole

263

Contact section

27

Grounding element

270

Connection section

271

Housing contact section

272

Mounting hole

273

Contact section

28

Grounding element

280

Connection section

281

Housing contact section

282

Mounting hole

283

Contact section

29

Grounding element

290

Connection section

291

Housing contact section

292

Mounting hole

293

Contact section

294

Stop element

295

Mounting hole

296

Fastener

297

mother

3

Connector part

30th

Connector housing

31

Cable outlet

32

cable

4th

Contact insert

40

Insulating body

400

Plug-in opening

401

Coding element

402

Fastening section

403

Lower section

404

Locking element

406

Plug-in section

407

Coding element

41

Cover element

410

Wrap-around section

411

Fastening tab

412

Locking opening

42

Contact element

420

Earthing contact element

43

Grounding element

430

Earthing contact element

431

Housing contact section

432

Mounting hole

433

Area segment

434

Form-fit element

435

Mounting hole

436

Fastening element (screw)

437

Contact section

438

Protruding elements

439

Washer

44

Grounding element

440

Connection section

442

Housing contact section

443

Mounting hole

445

Contact section

E.

Mating direction

Claims (11)

1. Assembly for a plug-in connector part (1, 3), with a plug housing (10, 30) made from metal, and with a contact insert (2, 4) which is connectable to the plug housing (10, 30) and has an insulating body (20, 40) which is composed of an electrically insulating material and which forms a plug-in portion (206, 406), which is connectable in a plug-in manner along a plug-in direction (E) to a mating plug-in connector part (3, 1), and is arranged on the at least one electric contact element (22, 42) for making electrical contact with an associated mating contact element (42, 22) of the mating plug-in connector part (3, 1), and with an earthing element (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 43, 44) which is arranged on the insulating body (20, 40) and which has a housing contact portion (231, 242, 252, 261, 271, 281, 291, 431, 442) and is electrically connected to an earthing contact element (220, 230, 420, 430), which is arranged on the plug-in portion (206, 406), for making earthing contact with the mating plug-in connector part (4, 2), wherein the housing contact portion (231, 242, 252, 261, 271, 281, 291, 431, 442) is designed to make electrical contact with the plug housing (10, 30) when the contact insert (2, 4) is connected to the plug housing (10, 30), characterized in that the housing contact portion (242, 261, 271, 281, 291, 442) is arranged in the region of a fastening portion (202, 402) of the insulating body (20, 40), said fastening portion extending transversely with respect to the plug-in direction (E) and being able to be brought into operative contact with the plug housing (10, 30) in a supporting manner, and in that the earthing contact element (220, 420) is surrounded by the plug-in portion (206, 406).
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the insulating body (20, 40) is formed integrally.
3. Assembly according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the earthing contact element (220, 230, 420, 430) extends along the plug-in direction (E) and, upon plugging-in connection along the plug-in direction (E), makes contact in an earthing manner with the mating plug-in connector part (3, 1).
4. Assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the housing contact portion (231, 242, 261, 271, 281, 291, 431, 442) extends flat along a plane extending transversely with respect to the plug-in direction (E).
5. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing contact portion (231, 242, 261, 271, 281, 291, 431, 442) has at least one fastening point (232, 243, 262, 272, 282, 292, 432, 443) for mechanically fastening the contact insert (2, 4) to the plug housing (10, 30).
6. Assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the earthing contact element (220, 420) is arranged as an element which is separate from the earthing element (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 44) within the plug-in portion (206, 406).
7. Assembly according to Claim 6, characterized in that the earthing element (220, 420) has a contact portion (245, 263, 273, 283, 293, 445) for electrical connection to the earthing contact element (220, 420), which contact portion is connected to the housing contact portion (242, 261, 271, 281, 291, 442) via a connecting portion (240, 260, 270, 280, 290, 440).
8. Assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that the contact portion (245, 263, 273, 283, 293, 445) is angled in relation to the connection portion (240, 260, 270, 280, 290, 440) and/or the connecting portion (240, 260, 270, 280, 290, 440) is angled in relation to the housing contact portion (242, 261, 271, 281, 291, 443).
9. Assembly according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the connecting portion (260, 270, 280, 290) engages around a body portion (208) of the insulating body (20).
10. Assembly according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the contact portion (263, 273, 283, 293) is formed in an elastically resilient manner and lies in an electrically contacting manner against the earthing contact element (220).
11. Assembly according to one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that two earthing elements (27, 28) are arranged on the insulating body (20) with a respective housing contact portion (271, 281) and a contact portion (273, 283), which is connected to the housing contact portion (271, 281) via a connecting portion (270, 280), said earthing elements together making contact with the earthing element (220).

Images