EP4231464A1 - Electrical connector, contact insert and method for producing an electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical connector with a locking unit (1) and a contact insert (11) at least partially surrounded by the locking unit (1), wherein at least one contact (9) is arranged in and/or on the contact insert (11) and wherein the contact insert (11 ) is formed from a contact body (12) and a contact sleeve (13) connected to the contact body (12). Furthermore, a contact insert (11) and a method for producing an electrical connector are described.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connector with a locking unit and a contact insert that is at least partially surrounded by the locking unit

Furthermore, the invention relates to a contact insert for an electrical connector.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing an electrical connector.

Electrical connectors of the type in question are known from practice and are used, for example, in SPE-specific (single pair Ethernet) interfaces and in various screw connections, for example M8 or M12, with K coding or L coding, in particular with a mating connector tied together.

For use in automation technology, the amounts of data to be transmitted by such a connector are relatively small; the essential factors are rather a low price, a small space requirement and simple installation. The above criteria are not met or only partially met by the known electrical connectors.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of designing and developing an electrical connector of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that an electrical connection that is inexpensive to produce and requires only a small amount of space can be implemented using structurally simple means. Furthermore, a contact insert and a method for producing an electrical connector are to be specified.

According to the invention, the above object is achieved by the features of claim 1. An electrical connector is thus claimed, with a locking unit and a contact insert at least partially surrounded by the locking unit, with at least one contact being arranged in and/or on the contact insert and with the contact insert being formed from a contact body and a contact sleeve connected to the contact body.

With regard to the contact body, the object is achieved by the independent claim 14. This claims a contact insert for an electrical connector, in particular for an electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 13, with a contact body and a contact sleeve connected to the contact body.

• Bereitstellen einer Kontakthülse, insbesondere Einlegen der Kontakthülse in ein Montagewerkzeug,
• Aufschieben einer Verriegelungseinheit auf die Kontakthülse, insbesondere bis an einen Anschlag der Kontakthülse,
• Einschieben eines Kontaktkörpers in die Verriegelungseinheit bis zu der Kontakthülse, insbesondere Einschieben eines Sondenbereichs des Kontaktkörpers in einen Aufnahmebereich der Kontakthülse,
• Einbringen mindestens eines Kontakts in den Kontaktkörper.

With regard to the method, the task is solved by the features of independent claim 15 . This claims a method for producing an electrical connector, in particular according to one of Claims 1 to 13, with the following method steps:

• Providing a contact sleeve, in particular inserting the contact sleeve into an assembly tool,
• Sliding a locking unit onto the contact sleeve, in particular up to a stop of the contact sleeve,
• Inserting a contact body into the locking unit up to the contact sleeve, in particular inserting a probe area of the contact body into a receiving area of the contact sleeve,
• Introducing at least one contact into the contact body.

In a manner according to the invention, it was initially recognized that the underlying object can be achieved in an amazingly simple manner by the contact insert being designed in several parts. In contrast to a one-piece contact insert, there is therefore no problem that this has to be pressed through an opening in the locking unit, with the necessary undercuts being regularly damaged. There is also no problem that the peripheral stop of the contact insert on the plug-in side has to be strongly compressed, as a result of which a coding that may be located at this point is damaged. Rather, it is possible in a manner according to the invention that the contact body and the contact sleeve are introduced into the locking unit on the connection side and plug-in side and are connected to one another there directly or indirectly, for example positively and/or non-positively. As a result, an extremely compact electrical connector that is easy to manufacture is realized. Furthermore, the contact insert can be of modular design, so that depending on the desired connection type, for example only the connection type-specific contact body can be selected must. Different types of connection, such as crimping, soldering, a screw clamp connection or a cage clamp, can be implemented with little effort. It is conceivable that the plug-side contact sleeve can be used universally. The contact can be a contact pin or a socket contact, for example

The contact body can advantageously have a probe area which can be introduced into a receiving area of the contact sleeve. Alternatively, the contact sleeve can have a probe area that can be introduced into a receiving area of the contact body. As a result, a particularly good connection between the contact body and the contact sleeve can be achieved. Another advantage is that the material thickness of the probe area and recording area is thinner in relation to criteria such as compliance with the contact forces, dielectric strength due to thicker walls, UL requirements, and in relation to manufacturability, for example dimensional accuracy, minimization of distortion of plastic parts, injection molding Wall thicknesses etc. can be optimized. In this way, the manufacturing technology and the electrical or mechanical product requirements of the electrical connector can be met overall. In other words, it is conceivable that the contact body and contact insert can be slid into one another at least partially.

In a further advantageous manner, the contact body can be positively and/or non-positively connected to the contact sleeve. Alternatively or additionally, the contact can be positively and/or non-positively connected to the contact body and/or to the contact sleeve. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the connection between the contact body and the contact sleeve is made by the contact that is introduced into the contact body. The contact can either be connected exclusively to the contact body, e.g. positively and/or non-positively, and press the contact body or the probe area outwards against the contact sleeve or the receiving area, or additionally with the contact sleeve, e.g / or positively connected.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is conceivable that at least one protruding holding element, for example a holding claw, is located on an inside of the contact sleeve and/or on an outside of the contact body. is designed to realize a positive and / or non-positive connection between the contact sleeve and contact body. Alternatively or additionally, at least one protruding retaining element, for example a retaining claw, could be formed on an outside of the contact and/or on an inside of the contact body or contact sleeve in order to create a positive and/or non-positive connection between the contact body or contact sleeve and contact realize. If the contact is also connected to the contact sleeve, corresponding holding elements could alternatively or additionally be formed on the contact and/or the contact sleeve. The formation of latching elements on the contact insert can thus be dispensed with. This has the advantage that when the parts are made of plastic, the tools for producing the contact body and the contact sleeve can be made simpler and more cost-effective. Instead of a slide tool, a so-called open-close tool can be designed, which leads to inexpensive products, especially in the case of multiple tools. In a further advantageous manner, no latching elements for connecting the contact body and contact sleeve and/or contact insert and locking unit could be arranged, as a result of which the actual assembly of the contact insert, in particular with regard to possible automation solutions, is particularly easy to carry out and the device as a whole has a simple design and is small. A further advantage of the connection between the contact body and the contact sleeve via the contact or via the contact is that the contact (retaining element) and contact sleeve only have to be adjusted once without necessarily having to change the entire electrical connector. Depending on the desired type of connection, the contact body can be structurally modified without further revisions being necessary.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the contact insert can be positively and/or non-positively connected to the locking unit. In particular, a stop can be formed on the contact body, with which the contact body acts on the locking unit in order to realize a form-fitting connection. Alternatively or additionally, the contact body can be connected to the locking unit via a fastening element, for example a screw.

In a particularly preferred manner, a stop can be formed on the contact sleeve, with which the contact sleeve acts on the locking unit. Thus, with simple means, a positioning aid and possibly an additional form-fitting connection is created.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the contact is connected to the contact body and/or to the locking unit via a fastening element, for example a screw.

In a further advantageous manner, the locking unit can have a union nut and a threaded ring, with the union nut being connected to the threaded ring via a grounding ring or a shielding ring. A stop could also be formed on the grounding ring or the shielding ring and on the union nut in order to implement a form-fitting connection.

In a particularly advantageous manner, a recess can be formed on the threaded ring and on the grounding ring or the shielding ring. A securing ring can engage in these recesses of the threaded ring and the grounding ring or the shielding ring in order to connect the threaded ring to the grounding ring or the shielding ring. Alternatively or additionally, at least one snap-in element can be formed on the grounding ring or on the shielding ring, which engages behind a projection of the threaded ring.

Furthermore, it should be pointed out that the features discussed above for the method according to the invention can also have an embodiment in terms of the device. A combination of these features with the features relating to the electrical connector is not only possible, but also advantageous.

There are now various possibilities for embodying and developing the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous manner. On the one hand, reference is made to the claims subordinate to claim 1 and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, on the basis of which the method according to the invention is also explained. In connection with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the

Fig. 1

in einer schematischen, geschnittenen Darstellung ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer Verriegelungseinheit eines erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Verbinders,

Fig. 2

in einer schematischen, geschnittenen Darstellung ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Verbinders mit der Verriegelungseinheit gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

in einer schematischen, geschnittenen Darstellung ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Verriegelungseinheit eines erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Verbinders,

Fig. 4

in einer schematischen, geschnittenen Darstellung ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Verbinders mit der Verriegelungseinheit gemäß Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

in einer schematischen, geschnittenen Darstellung ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Verbinders mit der Verriegelungseinheit gemäß Fig. 3,

Fig. 6

in einer schematischen, perspektivischen Darstellung ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Verbinders mit einem Gehäuse, und

Fig. 7

in einer schematischen, perspektivischen Darstellung ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen elektrischen Verbinders mit einem Gehäuse.

Invention preferred embodiments and developments of the teaching are also explained in general with reference to the drawing. Show in the drawing

1

in a schematic, sectional view, an embodiment of a locking unit of an electrical connector according to the invention,

2

in a schematic, sectional view, an embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention with the locking unit according to 1 ,

3

in a schematic, sectional representation of a further exemplary embodiment of a locking unit of an electrical connector according to the invention,

4

in a schematic, sectional view, an embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention with the locking unit according to 3 ,

figure 5

in a schematic, sectional representation of a further exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention with the locking unit according to FIG 3 ,

6

in a schematic, perspective view an embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention with a housing, and

Figure 7

in a schematic perspective view, another embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention with a housing.

1 shows a schematic, sectional representation of an exemplary embodiment of a locking unit 1 with a PE connection electrical connector according to the invention. This pre-assembled assembly has a grounding ring 2, a union nut 3 and the threaded ring 4.

A recess 5, 6 or a groove is formed on the threaded ring 4 and the grounding ring 2, in which a retaining ring 7 engages and connects these components to one another. Other constructions for connecting the threaded ring 4 and the grounding ring 2 are also conceivable.

The union nut 3 can be pushed onto the grounding ring 2 for pre-assembly of this assembly. A corrugated spring washer 8 can then be inserted and the threaded ring 4 pressed onto the grounding ring 2. The retaining ring 7 connects these two components. The interposed corrugated spring washer 8 creates a permanent electrical contact between the union nut 3 and the threaded ring 4 and thus ensures EMC shielding.

According to 2 the connection between the grounding ring 2 and the contact 9 can be in the form of a screw terminal contact and can be realized by means of a screw 10 . This screw 10 can be tightened using a screwdriver that could be inserted through an optional opening in the union nut 3 .

Thus, the components of the locking unit 1 can also be mounted directly on the contact insert 11. When the user assembles the electrical connector, the exposed stranded wire is inserted into the contact 9 and fastened with another screw.

Furthermore, it is also possible to pull the locking ring 7 onto the grounding ring 2 for assembly. Then the O-ring 24 can be pulled onto the grounding ring 2 and the O-ring 24' can be inserted into the grounding ring 2. The contact body 12 is inserted into the grounding ring 2 and then the contact 9 is inserted and fastened to the grounding ring 2 via a screw 10 . Then the union nut 3 can be put on and the threaded ring 4 can be pressed on over the locking ring 7 . In a next step, the contact sleeve 13 can be inserted and the remaining contacts 9 are pressed in, so that the connection-side and plug-side parts of the Contact insert 11 are connected to each other. Furthermore, the screws 21 for the wire clamp can be screwed in.

In 2 it can be clearly seen that the contact insert 11 is formed from a contact body 12 and a contact sleeve 13 . The contact body 12 has a probe area 14 which is introduced into a receiving area 15 of the contact sleeve 13 . The contact body 12 and the contact sleeve 13 are connected to one another by the retaining elements 16 of the contacts 9, which are formed as circumferential retaining claws in this exemplary embodiment. Furthermore, the contact body 12 and the contact sleeve 13 each have a stop 17 , 18 .

3 FIG. 1 shows another exemplary embodiment of a locking unit 1, which does not have a PE connection. This pre-assembled assembly includes the grounding ring 2, the union nut 3 and the threaded ring 4.

To assemble the locking unit 1, the union nut 3 is pushed onto the shielding ring 19. The threaded ring 4 is then pressed onto the umbrella ring 19, which in turn has a plurality of flexible snap-on elements 20.

The threaded ring 4 can therefore no longer be detached when the contact insert 11 is fully assembled, because the inserted contact insert 11 blocks the snap elements 20 of the shielding ring 19 . The customer assembles the electrical connector in the same way as in 1 described. It is pointed out that at the in 1 shown embodiment, the grounding ring 2 can be designed as a shielding ring 19 and that in the in 3 shown embodiment of the shielding ring 19 can be designed as a grounding ring 2.

4 FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention with the locking unit 1 according to FIG 3 . The contact insert 11 is formed from the contact body 12 and the contact sleeve 13, each of which has a stop 17, 18. The contact insert 11 and the contact body 12 are fixed to one another via the contacts 9, for which purpose holding elements 16 are formed. Since the material of the contact insert 2 flows around the holding elements 16 during assembly, a form fit is achieved. In addition, holding elements 16' are formed on an inside of the contact sleeve 13.

The shielding of is essentially transmitted through the screw connections 21 . The threaded ring 4 in turn is mechanically and electrically connected to the shielding ring 2 and this to the union nut 3 . Optionally, however, a corrugated spring washer can also be provided between the union nut 3 and the threaded ring 4 in order to improve the shielding.

figure 5 FIG. 1 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention with the locking unit 1 according to FIG 3 .

The contact insert 11 is designed in two parts, namely has the contact body 12 and the contact sleeve 13 . These are fixed by the holding elements 16 of the contact 9, which are designed as circumferential holding claws. The two parts of the contact insert 11 are thus connected via the contact 9, so that the locking unit 1 is captively fixed between the stops 17, 18.

It can be clearly seen that the probe area 14 and the receiving area 15, in contrast to the 4 shown embodiment are relatively short. The entire inner diameter is therefore available for structural design. This allows greater wall thicknesses, which benefits both the production of the components, for example made of plastic, and the product requirements. The shielding is analogous to the description of 4 .

6 shows the perspective view of the SPE connector, which has a pre-assembled electrical connector and a housing 22 with a cable gland. The screwed cable connection has a pressure screw 23 and an internal clamping cage that is not visible in this illustration.

The user assembles the connector as follows: First, the housing 22 with the cable clamp is threaded onto the cable that has already been cut to length. Then the strands are exposed according to assembly instructions and attached to the contacts 9, for example screwed. The housing is then attached to locking unit 1 attached, especially screwed. Finally, the pressure screw 23 is tightened so that the inner cable clamp is activated.

7 shows another embodiment of an electrical connector according to the invention with a housing 22, which is designed as an angle housing.

It can be clearly seen that the locking unit 1 can be used with both a straight and an angled connector variant. The assembly takes place analogously to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG 6

With regard to further advantageous configurations of the devices according to the invention and the method according to the invention, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the general part of the description and to the appended claims.

Finally, it should be expressly pointed out that the above-described exemplary embodiments of the devices according to the invention and the method according to the invention only serve to explain the claimed teaching, but do not restrict it to the exemplary embodiments.

Reference List

1

locking unit

2

ground ring

3

union nut

4

threaded ring

5

recess (threaded ring)

6

recess (grounding ring)

7

locking ring

8th

wave spring washer

9

Contact

10

screw

11

contact insert

12

contact body

13

contact sleeve

14

probe area

15

recording area

16, 16'

holding element

17

stop (contact body)

18

stop (contact sleeve)

19

umbrella ring

20

snap element

21

screw connection

22

Housing

23

pressure screw

24, 24'

o ring

Claims (15)

Electrical connector with a locking unit (1) and a contact insert (11) at least partially surrounded by the locking unit (1), wherein at least one contact (9) is arranged in and/or on the contact insert (11) and wherein the contact insert (11) is formed from a contact body (12) and a contact sleeve (13) connected to the contact body (12). Electrical connector according to Claim 1, characterized in that the contact body (12) has a probe area (14) which can be introduced into a receiving area (15) of the contact sleeve (13).
or that the contact sleeve (13) has a probe area (14) which can be introduced into a receiving area (15) of the contact body (12). Electrical connector according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact body (12) is connected to the contact sleeve (13) in a positive and/or non-positive manner,
and/or that the contact (9) is positively and/or non-positively connected to the contact body (12) and/or to the contact sleeve. Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one projecting holding element (16`), for example a holding claw, is formed on an inside of the contact sleeve (13) and/or on an outside of the contact body (12) in order to to realize a positive and/or non-positive connection between the contact sleeve (13) and the contact body (12). Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one projecting holding element (16), for example a holding claw, is formed on an outside of the contact (9) and/or on an inside of the contact insert (11) in order to to realize positive and / or non-positive connection between the individual components (contact body 12 and contact sleeve 13) of the contact insert (11) and the contact (9). Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact insert (11) is connected to the locking unit (1) in a positive and/or non-positive manner. Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the contact body (12) is connected to the locking unit (1) via a fastening element, for example a screw. Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a stop (18) is formed on the contact sleeve (13) as a positioning aid. Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the contact (9) is connected to the contact body (12) and/or to the locking unit (1) via a fastening element, for example a screw. Electrical connector according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the locking unit (1) has a union nut (3) and a threaded ring (4), the union nut (3) being connected via a grounding ring (2) or a shielding ring (19) connected to the threaded ring (4). Electrical connector according to Claim 10, characterized in that a stop is formed both on the grounding ring (2) or the shielding ring (19) and on the union nut (3) in order to implement a form-fitting connection. Electrical connector according to Claim 10 or 11, characterized in that a recess (5, 6) is formed both on the threaded ring (4) and on the earthing ring (2) or the shielding ring (19) and that a securing ring (7) into these recesses (5, 6) in order to connect the threaded ring (4) to the grounding ring (2) or the shielding ring (19). Electrical connector according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that at least one snap-in element (20) is formed on the grounding ring (2) or the shielding ring (19) and engages behind a projection of the threaded ring (4). Contact insert (11) for an electrical connector, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, with a contact body (12) and a contact sleeve (13) connected to the contact body (12). Method for producing an electrical connector, in particular according to one of Claims 1 to 13, having the following method steps: - Providing a contact sleeve (13), in particular inserting the contact sleeve (13) into an assembly tool, - Sliding a locking unit (1) onto the contact sleeve (13), in particular up to a stop of the contact sleeve (13), - Insertion of a contact body (12) into the locking unit (1) up to the contact sleeve (13), in particular insertion of a probe area of the contact body (12) into a receiving area of the contact sleeve (13), - Introducing at least one contact (9) into the contact body (12).

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