EP3667832A1 - Contact support for a contact element and contact element - Google Patents

Abstract

Contact carrier (1) with at least one receiving opening (2) for a contact element (3) with a connection for an electrical conductor, the receiving opening (2) having a guide region (4) for the contact element (3), designed in such a way that the contact element (3) can be transferred from an insertion position into a locking position.

Description

The invention relates to a contact carrier for a contact element according to independent claim 1.

Furthermore, the invention is based on a system according to the type of independent claim 16.

Such a contact carrier for receiving contact elements is expedient in order to contact, for example, a cable which has external insulation and an electrically conductive core.

It is equally expedient to use such a contact carrier as a connector module for receiving an electrical contact element. In particular, this is an electrical and / or optical and / or pneumatic contact element, for example a so-called PE contact - or a large number of contact elements for data transmission.

State of the art

The contact carrier is used in so-called industrial connectors, which are also referred to as rectangular connectors or heavy connectors. Such connectors and mating connectors are used to establish an electrical and mechanical connection between two electrical lines or an electrical line and a device or an installation in an industrial environment. Large, heavy-duty connectors, which are protected against environmental influences by the housing, are required in particular for the transmission of large currents.

A large number of different embodiments of contact carriers for contact elements and various embodiments of contact elements are known in the prior art, and depending on the application, the modules are high-pole or low-pole. So goes from the publication DE 10 2014 116 482 A1 a contact element, which has a receiving chamber at its connection-side end for receiving a cable, and wherein the receiving chamber provides for receiving curved spring elements. The spring elements in turn hold the electrical cable mechanically and electrically in a connected position. The contact element has arms which are spread out circumferentially for a catch in the contact carrier when it is inserted (cf. Fig. 3 ). It is disadvantageous with latch arms designed in this way that subsequent removal of the contact element from its contact carrier can only be implemented in a very cumbersome manner and only in combination with a special tool. Such latch arms or latch springs also form weak points in relation to the holding force of the contact elements.

Alternatively, the publication discloses DE 10 2013 108 383 B4 an electrical connector module for receiving an electrical contact element. The contact element is held by means of an electrical contact means, which is at the same time designed as a retaining spring, the contact carrier with the contact element being held in the provided holding frame by means of the retaining spring (cf. Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 ). Here, too, the person skilled in the art is faced with the problem that subsequent replacement of an already installed contact element is very complex and, in particular, a special tool must be used.

It is still out of the EP 0 935 310 B1 known to provide a contact element with a screw connection for an electrical conductor, the contact element having a bore for receiving the electrical Head is trained. So that the electrical conductor is held in the bore, a clamping screw is clamped transversely to the axis of the bore. With such screw connections, a wire protection plate is then provided so as not to damage the conductor to be connected. Such an arrangement is very complex to assemble, since a clamping screw has to be screwed tight for each contact element. A wire protection plate is in turn provided for each clamping screw, so that such connector modules are very costly to produce. If the expert wanted to replace such a contact element, this would involve a great deal of time and technical effort.

It can be seen from the prior art that a separate latching element is provided for the contact element, so that the contact element is held on or in its contact carrier. Subsequent removal and replacement of a defective contact element, for example, is time-consuming and technically very complex and can only be solved with the help of a special tool.

Task

The invention has for its object to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a contact carrier with a contact element, which enables a simple, user-friendly exchange of said contact elements, particularly in the installed state.

This object is achieved by the features of independent claim 1 and by a system according to claim 16.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The contact carrier according to the invention has at least one receiving opening for a contact element, with a connection for an electrical conductor. The receiving opening of the contact carrier has at least one guide area for the contact element, the contact element being able to be transferred from an insertion position into a locking position.

The contact carrier according to the invention is used, for example, in so-called industrial connectors, which are also referred to as rectangular connectors or as heavy connectors. Such connectors and mating connectors are used to establish an electrical and mechanical connection between two electrical lines or an electrical line and a device or an installation in an industrial environment. Large, heavy-duty connectors, which are protected against environmental influences by the housing, are required in particular for the transmission of large currents.

The connectors considered here are designed to connect a plurality of electrical conductors, one of which is a protective conductor (PE contact). The protective conductor can also be combined with a neutral conductor as a PEN contact. The protective conductor is advantageously connected to the protective conductor bridge in order to enable a corresponding protective conductor function and to bring the protective conductors of the plug connector and mating connector into contact with one another. The remaining conductors are connected to electrical contacts of a plug insert.

In a preferred embodiment, the connector has at least one contact carrier according to the invention fixed in the connector housing. In the contact carrier, which is also referred to as an insulating body, there is at least one contact element according to the invention arranged. In particular, it is an electrical and / or optical and / or pneumatic contact element. Such a contact element preferably has a plug-in area and a cable connection area. This cable connection area serves to supply the contact elements with corresponding digital and / or analog signals and / or with energy. Furthermore, at least one cable insertion opening for inserting an electrical and / or optical and / or hydraulic cable can be arranged in the connector housing.

On the plug side, the connector is connected, inter alia, by a corresponding plug-in opening and in particular by a corresponding so-called “plug-in face” for plugging in with a corresponding mating connector, for B. for signal and / or energy transmission.

The contact element according to the invention can be transferred from the insertion position into the locking position, wherein the insertion position means the position into which the contact element can be inserted on the plug side in the cable connection area of the contact carrier. In particular, the contact element is inserted into its plug-side receiving opening of the contact carrier and guided into its locking position along its guide region. Locking position means the position in which the contact element is held fixed in the contact carrier. In particular, the contact element is held fixed in its locking position even when the plug is pulled on the connected electrical conductor.

A possible embodiment provides for the contact element to be inserted axially in the insertion direction and to be transferred into its locking position by means of a rotary movement. The rotary movement can take place on the cable, on the contact element or using a tool.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the guide area is designed such that the contact element can be transferred from the locking position into the insertion position. A reversible insertion of the contact element is made possible in this way. The contact element can then be moved into its insertion position by means of a rotary movement, for example on the connected cable. This is particularly advantageous since in this way the assembly of the contact carrier can be assembled in the field, that is to say the contact element can be installed and removed without special tools and can be replaced in a simple manner.

As an alternative or in addition, it is also conceivable to transfer the contact element from the insertion position into the locking position with only slight pressure being exerted in the insertion direction along its guide region. For example, the guide area and the contact element can interact in the form of a bayonet catch.

According to a preferred embodiment, the guide area has a first stop for a first stop of the contact element in the insertion direction. The stop can be, for example, an elevation formed on the contact carrier. In a conceivable embodiment, this increase extends within the circular receiving opening in the circumferential direction. The first stop allows the installer to easily recognize when a desired depth in the direction of insertion has been reached,

Furthermore, the guide area preferably has at least one guide track and / or at least one guide groove for guiding the contact element from the insertion position into the locking position or vice versa. Such a guide area with the respective ash blows and / or the guide groove can be formed on the contact carrier, for example as a one-piece injection molded part. The manufacturing process of a management area according to the invention for a Guiding the contact element can advantageously be integrated into the manufacturing process of the contact carrier. Material costs and manufacturing costs are minimized in this way.

A further possible embodiment provides that the guide area has at least one locking limitation for locking the contact element in the locking position. The locking limitation can be designed in the form of a notch and / or holding groove, in particular a notch and / or holding groove formed on the contact carrier. For example, it is conceivable for the guideway and / or guiding groove to run continuously in a circumferential direction in the insertion direction. The circumferentially extending guideway and / or guide groove can then have a notch and / or recess opposite to the direction of insertion, namely in the form of the holding groove and / or notch. This is particularly advantageous since a securely fixing locking limitation is implemented in a particularly simple manner.

A further and / or additional configuration option can provide that the guide area has a third stop for the contact element to strike when the locking limit is reached. The third stop can also advantageously be formed integrally on the contact carrier, and the third stop is particularly advantageously an increase integrally formed on the contact carrier. The third stop enables the installer to recognize when the limiting locking, for example in the form of the holding groove, has been reached. In this way, a high level of user-friendliness is achieved for the safe insertion of the contact element in its locking limitation.

Furthermore, according to a preferred embodiment, the guide area for the contact element is designed such that the contact element strikes a first stop in the insertion direction, and / or is guided to a second guideway by means of a first guideway and / or guiding groove, and / or is guided to the locking limitation by means of the second guideway, and / or is held in the locking position in the locking position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and the second guideway, in an intended axial depth of the receiving opening in the insertion direction, is a circumferentially continuously increasing elevation. The contact element introduced in the insertion direction has a stop segment corresponding to the stops and / or to the guideway. In this way, the installer can safely transfer the contact element from its insertion position into its locking position without any problems.

In particular, a secure transfer of the contact element according to the invention from its locking position or from its installed state into its insertion position is also ensured in this way. For this purpose, the installer can, for example, by carrying out a rotary movement in a correspondingly opposite direction to the insertion direction, transfer the contact element, guided in an analog manner, from its fixed locking position to its free insertion position at the respective stops and the guideway and / or guide groove. The replacement of a contact element according to the invention is ensured in a user-friendly, safe and quick manner.

Alternatively and / or in addition, the first stop and / or the second stop and / or a further stop is a component which is integrally formed on the contact carrier. It is particularly advantageous to form the component from a plastic material, in particular a rubber material.

In a further particularly alternative or additional embodiment, the first stop for the contact element is a spring, in particular a wave spring. In addition, the first stop for the contact element has a holding force opposite to the insertion direction, the holding force corresponding to at least one connecting force in the insertion direction of the electrical conductor connected to the contact element. The first stop, for example in the form of a wave spring, exerts a tensile force counter to the direction of insertion on the contact element in its installed state, so that the contact element is held securely in its locking limitation. In particular, the first stop can be deformable in the direction of insertion and at the same time a tensile force can be built up opposite to the direction of insertion. The tensile force building up against the direction of insertion then acts on the contact element in such a way that it is securely held in its locking limitation. A particularly inexpensive and simple embodiment is realized in this way, since the first stop serves as a recognition feature when a desired depth is reached in the insertion direction and at the same time serves as a fixing aid for the contact element in the installed state.

The force for reaching and being held in the locking position can be applied via the spring, but also via a soft component or another conceivable construction.

Alternatively or additionally, the guide area for the contact element is at least one guide groove running perpendicular and / or inclining to an insertion plane, and / or the guide area for the contact element is at least one guide track running parallel to the insertion plane. In particular, the guideway and / or guiding groove extends circumferentially at an intended depth in the insertion direction of the receiving opening of the contact carrier. Thus, the first stop can be provided as a first circumference parallel to the insertion plane to design the running guideway. A guide groove then preferably extends from such a stop and inclines and / or perpendicular to the insertion plane in the insertion direction. At an intended depth in the direction of insertion, the guide area can then be delimited by a further second guide track that runs circumferentially and parallel to the insertion plane. Furthermore, it is advantageous to form a notch in the opposite insertion direction in a second guideway configured in this way for the contact element. The contact element is then securely guided in the guide area by means of its stop segment and held securely and fixed in the notch by means of the holding force of the first stop.

As an alternative or in addition, it is conceivable to increase the holding force of the contact element by forming a locking limitation in the form of a material undercut or a material bulge in the contact carrier for receiving or locking a corresponding latching element on the contact element. This makes it possible to hold it in a secure locking position regardless of the locking elements.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the contact element is an integrally formed stamped part. According to a further advantageous embodiment, the contact element has at least one guide lug, preferably two guide lugs, for being guided in the guide area. The at least one guide lug can thus be integrated in the stamping process of the contact element and is very simple to manufacture in this way. However, it is also conceivable to provide a rotated contact element.

Advantageously, the at least one guide lug interacts with the guide area in such a way that the guide lug strikes the first stop in the insertion direction, and / or by means of at least one Guide path and / or guide groove is guided to at least one second guide path, and / or is guided by means of the second guide path to the at least one locking limitation, and / or is held in the locking position in the locking position. A simple and reversible assembly of the contact element in its contact carrier is realized in this way.

According to an alternative or supplementary embodiment, the at least one guide lug interacts with the guide area in such a way that the guide lug strikes the first stop and / or is guided to the second stop by means of a guide track and / or guide groove, and / or by means of the guide track and / or guide groove is guided to the third stop, and / or is held in the locking position in the locking position. A simple and reversible assembly of the contact element in its contact carrier is realized in this way.

In the case of a desired disassembly, guiding the guide lug along the guide area can be removed in a correspondingly simple manner. To this end, the person skilled in the art would first detach the contact element from its locking position by pressing in the direction of insertion. In a subsequent rotary movement and / or by means of the spring force that acts on the contact element, the contact element is guided with its guide nose along the guide area opposite to the insertion direction and can then be removed.

System of a contact carrier and a contact element, the contact carrier having a receiving opening for the contact element, the receiving opening having a guide area for the contact element, and the guide area being designed such that the contact element moves from an insertion position into a Locking position is transferable.

This embodiment of the guideway with its recesses and depressions for the corresponding contact element with its protruding contours allows a user-friendly, stable and at the same time reversible connection, so that a subsequent exchange of the contact element is possible without any problems.

Embodiment

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Schnittdarstellung eines erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktträgers;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Schnittdarstellung einer Aufnahmeöffnung des erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktträgers;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktträger mit Kontaktelement, und

Fig. 4

eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktträger mit Kontaktelement, und

Fig. 5

eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktträger mit Kontaktelement, und

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische kabelanschlussseitige Darstellung eines Kontaktträgers mit Aufnahmeöffnungen, und

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht auf eine Aufnahmeöffnung des erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktträgers, sowie

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische steckseitige Draufsicht auf eine Aufnahmeöffnung des erfindungsgemäßen Kontaktträgers

Various embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the Figures 1 to 3 explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective sectional view of a contact carrier according to the invention;

Fig. 2

is a schematic plan view of a sectional view of a receiving opening of the contact carrier according to the invention;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the contact carrier according to the invention with contact element, and

Fig. 4

another perspective view of the contact carrier according to the invention with contact element, and

Fig. 5

another perspective view of the contact carrier according to the invention with contact element, and

Fig. 6

a perspective cable connection-side representation of a contact carrier with receiving openings, and

Fig. 7

a plan view of a receiving opening of the contact carrier according to the invention, and

Fig. 8

a perspective plug-in top view of a receiving opening of the contact carrier according to the invention

The figures contain partially simplified, schematic representations. In some cases, identical reference numerals are used for identical but possibly not identical elements. Different views the same elements could be scaled differently.

The Fig. 1 shows a perspective sectional view of a contact carrier 1 according to the invention with a receiving opening 2 for a received contact element 3. The contact element 3 shown is a contact element 3 which is preferably stamped out of bronze and a contact element 3 which is bent in the form of a pin.

The contact elements 3 accommodated in the contact carrier 1 have a connection side and a plug side, the connection side serving for contacting an electrical cable / a mating plug connection. The plug side can be designed as a pin contact or as a socket contact. Other designs of plug-in sides for electrical contact elements known from the prior art are also conceivable and applicable.

The receiving opening 2 of the contact carrier 1 has an integrally formed, radially extending, wood-cylindrical contour in the axial direction, a so-called guide region 4 for two locking lugs 3.1 on the contact element 3 (cf. Fig. 3 ). The guide area 4 each has an assembly opening 4.1 (cf. Fig. 2 ) and in each case a locking limitation 4.2, which is offset to the mounting opening 4.1, each for a locking lug 3.1.

The at least one assembly opening 4.1 is designed as a guide groove 4.1 extending in the axial direction. The at least one locking limitation 4.2 is formed as a material notch from the contact carrier material along a guide contour of the guide area 4.

The contact element 3 is first in the direction of the arrow (cf. Fig. 1 ) or direction of insertion into the receiving opening 2. The two Latches 3.1 slide along the assembly opening or guide groove 4.1 into a lower level in the direction of insertion. In this lower level, the preferably two locking limits 4.2 are provided in the circumferential direction. A subsequent rotary movement of the contact element 3 rotates its locking lugs 3.1 clockwise in the direction of the locking limits 4.2, so that the contact element 3 can be moved to its locking position in a safe and user-friendly manner. By turning the contact element 3 in a counterclockwise direction, the contact element 3 can be transferred from its locking position into its insertion position, with the detents 3.1 being brought out of the locking limits 4.2 by pressing in the insertion direction. A very simple insertion into the locking position and removal from the locking position is achieved by simply axially pressing and / or rotating clockwise or counterclockwise and / or axially pulling the contact element.

In addition, the hollow cylindrical guide region 4 has guideways 4.3, 4.3 'formed parallel to one another, the two guideways 4.3, 4.3' being aligned parallel to one another at different depths and each being interrupted by the two mounting openings 4.1. The assembly openings 4.1 serve at the same time as a connection between the first and second guideways 4.3, 4.3 '.

The first guideway 4.3 in the insertion direction can also be provided as the first stop 4.3. The first stop 4.3 can be an elastic soft component molded onto the contact carrier. An additional locking means, such as a spring, can then be dispensed with.

At least one axial offset opposite the insertion direction is formed on the second guideway 4.3 ', which exactly forms the at least one locking limitation 4.2.

The contact element 3 is in the Fig. 1 in a locked and captive state, the two locking tabs 3.1 being received in the corresponding locking limits 4.2.

A spring 5 integrated or molded onto the contact carrier 1, for example a wave spring 5, is particularly preferably provided on the guide area 4 of the receiving opening 2. The spring 5 in particular applies a force for a secure positioning and / or holding of the contact element 3 in the provided guide area 4, the force acting against the insertion direction, so that the spring 5 exerts a holding force on the contact element 3 against the insertion direction.

The two locking lugs 3.1 are arranged offset from one another in the circumferential direction by 180 °. Correspondingly, the two corresponding mounting openings 4.1 for guiding or holding the locking lugs 3.1 are arranged offset by 180 ° in the circumferential direction, and the two locking limits 4.2 for holding the locking lugs 3.1 in the locking position are offset in the peripheral direction by 180 °.

The Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a sectional view of the receiving opening 2 of the contact carrier 1 according to the invention, the axially extending mounting openings 4.1 being clearly visible, and the second guideway 4.3 '. The second guideway 4.3 'is integrally formed on the circular receiving opening 2, the guideway 4.3' being interrupted by the two assembly openings 4.1. In the circumferential direction offset from the mounting openings 4.1, the two locking limits 4.2 are arranged, the two locking limits 4.2 being formed as groove-shaped depressions in the axial direction and opposite to the direction of insertion.

As in Fig. 3 , 4th and 5 Shown in perspective, the contact element 3 is reversibly received in the contact carrier. The locking lugs 3.1 cooperate with the locking limitations 4.2 in such a way that the contact element 3 is held captively in its locking position.

Furthermore, a stop bellies 3.2 is provided on the contact element 3, the stop bellies 3.2 being provided for a stop on the first stop or the first guideway 4.3. However, it is also conceivable that the spring 5 takes over a function of the first stop, so that the stop bellies 3.2 can be corresponding to the spring 5 (cf. Fig. 1 ).

The stamped contact element 5 has openings which form when, for example, its locking lugs 3.1 are bent out, so that material is saved and the contact element 3 is simply kept in its manufacture.

In Fig. 6 A contact carrier 1 according to the invention with receiving openings 2 is shown in perspective, the top view showing the cable connection area. The axially extending mounting openings 4.1, which have a groove-shaped configuration, are shown. The axial offsets or locking limits 4.2, starting from the circumferential guideways 4.3 ', are also clearly recognizable as locking limits.

Fig. 7 and 8th show further perspectives on the contact carrier with receiving openings 2, wherein the guide region 4 is provided in the receiving openings 2 for guiding the contact element 2. According to a further and / or complementary embodiment, a further stop 4.4 is provided, the further stop 4.4 interacting with a further stop belly. The further stop 4.4 is integrally formed on the contact carrier.

The cutouts and depressions in the receiving opening 2, in particular in the guide area 4 of the receiving opening 2, are connected to protruding contours on the contact element 3, so that the two components can be combined in a simple, inexpensive manner.

Even if different aspects or features of the invention are shown in each case in combination in the figures, unless otherwise stated, it is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the combinations shown and discussed are not the only possible ones. In particular, units or feature complexes corresponding to one another can be exchanged with one another from different exemplary embodiments.

Reference symbol list

1

Contact carrier

2nd

Receiving opening

3rd

Contact element

3.1

Latches

3.2

Bump

4th

Leadership area

4.1

Assembly opening or guide groove

4.2

Locking limit

4.3

First guideway or first stop

4.3 '

Second guideway

4.4

Another stop

Claims (16)

Contact carrier (1) with at least one receiving opening (2) for a contact element (3) with a connection for an electrical conductor, the receiving opening (2) having a guide area (4) for the contact element (3), the contact element (3) can be transferred from an insertion position into a locking position. Contact carrier according to claim 1, wherein the guide area (4) is designed such that the contact element (3) can be transferred from the locking position into the insertion position. Contact carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide region (4) has a first stop (4.3) for a first stop of the contact element (3) in an insertion direction. Contact carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide region (4) has at least one guide track (4.3, 4.3 ') and / or at least one guide groove (4.1) for guiding the contact element (3) from the insertion position into the locking position. Contact carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide region (4) has a locking limitation for locking the contact element (3) in the locking position. Contact carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide region (4) for the contact element (3) is designed such that the contact element (3) strikes a first stop (4.3) in the insertion direction, and / or by means of a first guide track (4.3) and / or guide groove (4.1) is guided to a second guide path (4.3 '), and / or is guided by means of the second guide path (4.3') to the locking limitation (4.2), and / or in the locking limitation (4.2) in the locking position is held. Contact carrier according to claim 6, wherein the first and the second guideway (4.3, 4.3 ') in an intended axial depth of the receiving opening (2) in the insertion direction is a circumferentially continuously increasing elevation. Contact carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first stop (4.3) and / or a second stop and / or a further stop is a component which is integrally formed on the contact carrier (1). Contact carrier according to claim 8, wherein the component is formed from a plastic material, in particular a rubber material. Contact carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first stop (4.3) for the contact element (3) is a spring (5), in particular a wave spring. Contact carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first stop (4.3) for the contact element (3) has a holding force opposite to a direction of insertion, the Holding force corresponds to at least one connecting force in the direction of insertion of an electrical conductor connected to the contact element (3). Contact carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the guide area (4) for the contact element (3) is at least one guide groove (4.1) running perpendicular and / or inclining to an insertion plane, and / or the guide area (4) for the contact element (3) is at least one guideway (4.3, 4.3 ') running parallel to the insertion plane. Contact carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (3) is an integrally formed stamped part. Contact carrier according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element (3) has at least one guide lug (3.1), preferably two guide lugs (3.1) for being guided in the guide region (4). Contact carrier according to claim 14, wherein the at least one guide lug (3.1) interacts with the guide region (4) in such a way that the guide lug (3.1) strikes a first stop (4.3) in the insertion direction, and / or by means of at least one first guide track (4.3) and / or guide groove (4.1) is guided to at least one second guide track (4.3 '), and / or is guided by means of the second guide track (4.3') to the at least one locking limitation (4.2), and / or in the locking limitation (4.2) is held in the locking position. System comprising a contact carrier (1) and a contact element (3), the contact carrier (1) having a receiving opening (2) for the contact element (3), the receiving opening (3) having a guide region (4) for the contact element (3) The contact element (3) can be transferred from an insertion position into a locking position.

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