WO2013110489A1

WO2013110489A1 - Strip-type contact element, in particular for high-voltage plug-in connections

Info

Publication number: WO2013110489A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/050185
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Saller; Stefan Wimmer; Christian Wimmer
Original assignee: Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH
Priority date: 2012-01-26
Filing date: 2013-01-08
Publication date: 2013-08-01
Also published as: DE102012201124B4; DE102012201124A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a contact element (1) to be arranged in an electric plug-in connection (4), in particular a high-voltage plug-in connection. Said contact element (1) has sgments (11) which extend in the plug-in direction, are separated from one another by slots (12), and are interconnected by at least one integral peripheral web (10) that runs perpendicular to the segments (11). At least two groups (13a, 13i) of multiple contact points are adjacent to and/or on all the segments (11). Said groups (13a, 13i) of contact points extend substantially parallel to the peripheral web (10). The first group (13a) consists of outer contact points (130a) which are adjacent to or on the peripheral web (10), while the second group (13i) consists of inner contact points (130i) which are at a distance from the peripheral web (10). The groups of contact points (13a, 13i) project from the plane defined by all the segments (11).

Description

BAND-CONTACT ELEMENT, ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE

CONNECTORS

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a contact element for producing an electrical contact between a first and a second part of a plug connection, in particular one

High-voltage connector.

STATE OF THE ART

From the prior art, various embodiments of contact elements are known in the art, which are arranged between the parts of a connector, such as a socket and engaging in the socket pin member to clamp the pin member in the socket and at the same time a secure electrical

Contacting bring. In general, these are

Contact elements designed as slotted rings. It is known that the contact elements lamellae, in particular preformed lamellae, which are suitable for contacting the parts of the connector.

In particular, when the plug connection is a high-voltage plug-in connection, it is important that the contact element is designed so that a reliable contact, preferably a multiple

Point contact, and at the same time a mechanical

Tolerance compensation between the pin element and the

enveloping sleeve is ensured.

An example of such a contact element can be found in the German patent DE 10 2004 002 402 B3. The contact element described in this patent consists of a

slotted annular body with vase-shaped

Cross-section, wherein the constriction area, ie after inside pre-bent portions of the vase-shaped cross section or the lamellae forming this cross section, for the electrical contact with the within the

Contact element arranged pin-shaped part of

Plug connection are provided to secure

To ensure contact, the constriction area is additionally surrounded by a spring washer, which is the safe

To ensure contact.

A disadvantage of such a contact element is that the relatively complex body is expensive to produce and only a limited use in specially designed

Plug connections possible. At the same time leads the

Manufacture, assembly and adjustment of the spring ring for additional consumption of valuable time and

Material resources in the manufacture of the contact element.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Object of the present invention is to provide a contact element, in particular for placement in a high-voltage connector that is easy to manufacture and assemble while ensuring secure electrical contact, possibly via a multipoint contact, as well as a mechanical coupling of the elements of a connector and possible can be used with differently designed connectors.

The task is characterized by the combination of the features of

Claim 1 solved. Advantageous embodiments and applications can be found in the subclaims.

According to the invention, a contact element consists of a

Base body made of an electrically conductive material with in the insertion direction and parallel to the insertion direction of the

Connector extending slats, which are separated by slots. For example, the main body has a cylindrical shape, wherein the cylinder axis is parallel to the insertion direction and the cylinder jacket through the

Slats and the slats separating slots is defined.

Running in the direction of insertion means that the lamellae extend approximately in the direction in which the first part of the connector is inserted into the second part of the connector. However, the lamellae can also be arranged at a small angle (less than 45 °, preferably less than 15 °) to this direction.

The lamellae are at least one integral

(one piece or the same material) with the lamellae formed and perpendicular to this edge web connected together. The edge web preferably also runs parallel to the insertion direction and forms

optionally a part of the above-mentioned cylinder jacket, that is, it is aligned with the slats.

The core of the invention is that adjacent and / or on the whole of the slats at least two groups are arranged from a plurality of contact points, wherein the groups of contact points are substantially parallel to the

Extend edge bridge.

By substantially parallel is meant here that the groups of contact points are also at a small angle

(smaller than 45 °, preferably less than 15 °) can extend to the edge web, or the individual contact points of a group can be arranged around an edge to the edge substantially parallel line around (for example, meandering,

Serpentine or zig-zag).

The first group consists of external contact points, which serve for contacting a first part of the plug connection, for example, of the sleeve-shaped part, and is arranged adjacent to or on the edge web of the contact element.

The second group consists of inner contact points, which are provided for contacting a second part of the connector, for example, the pin-shaped part.

The groups of contact points protrude from that of the

Entity of the slats clamped plane, for example, the cylinder jacket, out. This can be done by the

The contact element according to the invention in a simple manner an electrical multipoint contact between the first and second part of the connector are provided in which the first group of contact points the electrical contact with the first part of the connector and the second group of contact points make electrical contact with the second part of the Ensures plug connection. At the same time, the first and the second part of the plug-in connection are mechanically clamped together by the excellent contact points and possibly become tolerances

balanced, so the first and the second part

are positively connected with each other.

By this surprisingly simple measure can

for example, in the state of the art frequently

encountered preforming or interleaving the slats for the production of multipoint contacts with the parts of

Plug connection are omitted and the manufacture and assembly of a contact element according to the invention designed in the episode significantly easier.

The totality of contact points or a group of

Contact points can project on one or both sides of the contact element from the plane spanned by the slats. It is also conceivable that the

Protruding contact points of a group on different sides of the plane. It has to be advantageous exposed when the contact points of the first group protrude on the opposite side of the plane defined by the slats compared to the adjacent contact points of the second group.

In a preferred embodiment, all contact points within the first group protrude in the same direction, but

in the opposite direction to the second group of contact points from the plane spanned by the slats. In such an arrangement of the contact points, the groups of

Contact points as a support and the contact element causes, for example, during insertion of the pin-shaped part in the sleeve-shaped part a bracing of the two parts of the connector with each other, which in addition a very good electrical contact between the parts is achieved.

A further preferred embodiment variant has

Contact element on which exists on both sides of the slats connected integrally with these slats edge web. This increases the mechanical robustness of the component and a fanning of the slats by a

erroneous insertion of a part of the connector can thereby be effectively avoided. At the same time the assembly of the contact element according to the invention is simplified.

In a very preferred embodiment, the second group is maximally spaced from inner contact points to one or both edge webs. This has the advantage that the deformation of the slats in the manufacture of the connector is facilitated by the maximized lever arm, and in particular the insertion of the pin-shaped part of the

Plug connection is simplified without the quality of the electrical contact perceptibly deteriorates.

Alternatively, it may also be advantageous if the

Contact points of the second group of inner contact points on adjacent lamellae differ widely from each other Edge webs are spaced. In this way, the pressure can be adjusted specifically, which is necessary to insert the pin-shaped part of the connector in the socket-shaped part of the connector, since only the number of slats must be deformed in each case

Insertion position of the pin-shaped part have a contact point of the second inner group of contact points.

During insertion, the contact points of the second inner group prevent the further insertion of the

pin-shaped part, as they protrude into the insertion region of the pin-shaped part. By a deformation of the respective slats, to which an additional force is required, the pin-shaped part can be further inserted into the bush-shaped part.

A very favorable embodiment of the invention has, as described above, two distal edge webs, between which the lamellae are arranged. On the edge webs or immediately adjacent to the edge webs, two first groups of contact points are arranged. In the middle of

Slats, d. H. maximally spaced from the edge webs, a second group of contact points is arranged. The first group of contact points and the second group of

Contact points protrude on opposite sides of the

Slats out of the plane spanned by the slats. Such an arrangement allows a simple insertion of the first part of a connector in the second part of a connector until the second group of

Contact points is reached. To the first part of

Plug connection further into the second part of

To introduce plug connection, the pressure

be overcome, which is used to deform or rebound the

Slat is necessary. After the deformation or rebounding of the lamella, the first part of the plug connection can pass through the second group of contact points and, if desired, can be completely taken up by the second part of the plug connection become. The rebated or deformed blade braces the two parts of the connector and via the groups of contact points of the contact element an advantageous electrical multipoint contact between the two parts is achieved.

It has proven to be advantageous that the

individual contact points of the first group of contact points and the individual contact points of the second group of

Contact points are arranged in the insertion direction in alignment with each other on the slats.

The from the plane spanned by the slats

Outstanding contact points can be created in a variety of ways. So it is for example conceivable on the material of the lamella at the positions at which

Contact points are provided by means of a well-known to those skilled in the art order or

Construction process an electrically conductive material

applied. Preferably, the material is the material from which the lamellae are made. However, it may also be advantageous to use a material with lack of surface corrosion tendency under normal conditions of use, such as a noble metal, but with good electrical conductivity. However, the material may be used to reduce surface corrosion tendency

Providing a contact with low

Transition resistance with a coating, preferably tin, silver or gold, be provided. This can be a particularly good and durable electrical contact

be ensured.

In a preferred embodiment, the

Contact points imprinted in the material of the lamella. In this case, in the simplest Pall a pin-like die is used, which displaces the material of the blade at the position at which a contact point is to be displaced, that the deformed area protrudes as a contact point from the plane defined by the slats.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the geometry of the contact points is not limited and also otherwise from the plane spanned by the lamellae excellent localized contact areas as contact points in the

meaning of the invention. So are

For example, lines, circles, pyramids and many other forms conceivable. It is also obvious that multiple localized and closely spaced contact areas can be understood as a point of contact. It is crucial that only a fraction of the lamella surface as

Contact point is used and this serves as a support point when joining the parts of the connector, so that in the episode the previously almost undeformed slats are mechanically clamped between the parts of the connector.

Particularly preferred is a cross section of the

Contact points, which has a steady transition from the lamella. Steady means that there are no sharp edges that could hinder the connection of parts of the connector.

It has proven to be advantageous if at the positions where contact points are arranged, or where the groups of contact points are, the

Slats have a greater width DL, as the width b _L in the areas where there are no contact points. As a result, it can be ensured in particular during stamping processes that no unwanted material deformations

occur. At the same time, it is ensured that the lamellae do not unintentionally deform during the production of the plug connection, in particular they do not twist.

It is particularly advantageous if the embossing of

Contact points is coupled with the punching process for Production of the semifinished product from which the contact elements are manufactured in a subsequent step. Ideally, it is a combined stamping-stamping process that runs in a tool. From a sheet metal or a sheet metal strip or sheet metal strip can (for example in an endless process) a strip and / or the lamellar structure

punched out and at the same time or immediately following the contact points can be imprinted.

In a subsequent step, the contact element is produced by one of the geometry of the

Connector dependent length is disconnected.

In one embodiment, it is advantageous if the

Slats are bent in addition. This creates a

cambered lamellar structure, which can also compensate for larger tolerances between the elements of the connector.

If the plug connection consists of a pin-shaped element and a receptacle-shaped element designed to correspond correspondingly to the receptacle, the contact element is advantageously formed into an annular component.

It is preferred that the contact element consists of a current-conducting, resilient material. Suitable here are metals such as copper or copper alloys, which may additionally be complete or partial, for example in the

Area of the contact points are coated with another material, such as tin, silver or gold.

Particularly preferably, the contact element made of resilient material is a slotted annular component, that is part of the circumference consists of a perpendicular or at an angle to the edge webs extending slot so that the contact part can be temporarily compressed or expanded and so on a prepared part the connector can be mounted. For this, the part the connector, for example, have a simple puncture in which the contact element is arranged.

Preferably, the contact element according to the invention is used in plug-in connections, preferably high-voltage plug-in connection. High-voltage connectors are often found in electric or hybrid vehicles. Due to the simple structure of the connector according to the invention with a designed according to the concept of the invention

Contact element, this advantageously in large quantities and different designs (such as diameters) can be manufactured with consistent quality and provides a secure electrical contact with the mechanically coupled parts of the connector permanent contact ensures even in adverse conditions, such as when used in motor vehicles and the vibrations occurring and vibrations safely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 illustrates a plan view of a semifinished product

Production of two contact elements according to the invention before the arrangement of the contact points.

FIG. 2 a shows a plan view of a contact element according to the invention with two first groups of contact points and a second group of contact points.

Fig. 2b shows a sectional view through the plane A-A of Fig. 2a.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of an inventive

Contact element in a slotted ring shape.

Fig. 4 shows in a perspective view of the

Contact element of FIG. 3. Fig. 5a is a schematic representation of a connector according to the invention at a first time of the connection of the first part and the second part of

Plug connection.

Fig. 5b is a schematic representation of a

inventive connector at a second time to the first part and the second part of the connector are electrically and mechanically coupled.

WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 shows in a first Aueführungsbeispiel two

Semi-finished 1 'for the production of an inventive

Contact element 1 after a punching process in which two strip-shaped semi-finished 1 'were produced with a lamellar structure of a tinned copper sheet metal strip. The fins 11 are separated by slots 12 from each other. At their distal ends, the slats 11 are each connected to one another via a perpendicular to the course of the slats 11 and integrally formed with these edge web 10. The fins 11 have a width bi, on. Only in the

Regions 11i, IIa in which contact points (not shown) are to be arranged on the lamellae 11, the lamellae 11 have a width b _LK which is greater here than the width in the remaining regions b _L. The height h ₁ , the

Semi-finished products 1 'results in the embodiment shown from the sum of the height of the slats h _L and the height hu of the two adjacently arranged edge webs 10th

In Fig. 2a is another inventive contact element 1 with a similar structure, as one of the in Fig. 1st

shown in the additionally provided in the designated areas IIa, III of the slats 11, two first groups of contact points 13a and a second group of contact points 13i by a

Embossing process were introduced. The contact element 1 was deformed annular in a process step subsequent to the punching process, wherein the ring shape is interrupted by a slot 14.

FIG. 2b shows a section through the line A-A of FIG. 2a. It can be seen how by the

Embossing process in areas IIa, IIb the material of

Slats 11 is deformed so that form locally localized point-shaped contacts 130a of the two first groups of contact points 13a and point-shaped contacts 1301 of the second group of contact points 13i. In this case, the contact points 130a of the two first groups of

Contact points 13a compared to the contact points 130i of the second group of contact points 13i on the

opposite side of the plane defined by the slats 11 plane. In cross section, the transition from the lamella 11 to the contact points 130i, 130a is made continuous, which simplifies the plugging process for producing the plug connection.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a contact element 1 according to the invention in a slotted ring shape corresponding to FIG. 2. It becomes clear that the edge webs 10 do not occupy the entire circumference of the ring shape but are interrupted by the slot 14. This can do that

inventive contact element for mounting on a part of a connector temporarily either compressed or expanded. From Fig. 3 it is also clear that the contact points 130a of the first two groups of

Contact points 13a and the contact points 1301 of the second group of contact points 13i in the insertion direction (here

perpendicular to the leaf surface) aligned with each other on the

Slats 11 are arranged.

FIG. 4 shows the contact element 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. 3 in a perspective view. Reference is therefore made to the description of FIG. 3 for the elements described above. From Fig. 4 but in particular it can be seen that no deformation of the lamellae 11 as a whole is required, but only locally limited contact points 130a, 130i are introduced. This leads to the simple construction of the contact element 1 according to the invention.

A connector 4 consisting of a pin-shaped first part 3 and a sleeve-shaped second part 3 and arranged in a recess 21 of the sleeve-shaped second part 3 contact element 1 according to the invention show the Fig. 5a and 5b at two different times of the connection.

FIG. 5a illustrates a time when the first

pin-shaped part 3 is only partially inserted into the receptacle provided for the recess 23 of the second bush-shaped part 2 of the connector 4. The contact element 1 according to the invention is arranged in a suitable recess 21 in the sleeve-shaped part 2. Here protrude from the

Contact element 1 shows two first groups of contact points 13a in the direction of the sleeve-shaped part 2 from the plane of the contact element spanned by the slats. These two first groups 13a define two supports for the fins made of a resilient material. The pin-shaped part 3 of the connector 4 is prevented by the second group of contact points 13i, which projects into the recess provided for receiving the pin-shaped part 3 recess 23, completely penetrate into this recess 23. It is, depending on the nature of the blade 11 a slight pressure

required to deform the contact blades 11 and produce the state shown in Fig. 5b at a second time of connection. As can be seen from FIG. 5b, the further or complete insertion of the pin-shaped part 3 into the recess 23 has led to the lamellae 11, on which the second group of FIG

Contact points 13i are arranged, in the direction of

sleeve-shaped part 2 of the connector 4 were deformed. This will both an intimate multipoint contact the two first groups of contact points 13a with the sleeve-shaped part 2 as well as an intimate multipoint contact of the second group of contact points 13i with the

made stif shaped part 3 and thereby the pin-shaped part 3 mechanically clamped in the sleeve-shaped part 2 and also made a very good electrical contact, which ensures a permanent contact especially in high-voltage connectors, even with adverse

Operating conditions, for example when used in

Vehicles and the vibrations and vibrations that occur as well as temperature fluctuations can be ensured.

Claims

1. contact element (1) for arrangement in an electrical connector (4), in particular a high-voltage connector, wherein

the contact element (1) in the insertion direction extending lamellae (11), which are separated by slots (12) from each other, the lamellae (11) via at least one

integrally formed, perpendicular to these extending edge web (10) are interconnected,

adjacent and / or on the entirety of the slats (11) at least two groups (13a, 13i), formed from a plurality of contact points, are arranged,

wherein the groups of contact points (13a, 13i) extend substantially parallel to the edge web (10)

and the first group (13a) consists of outer contact points (130a) which are arranged adjacent to or on the edge web (10) and the second group (13i) of inner

Contact points (130i), which are arranged spaced from the edge web (10),

characterized, dase

the groups of contact points (13a, 13i) from the plane spanned by the entirety of the slats (11)

protrude.

2. Contact element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the

Slats extend parallel to the direction of insertion.

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

characterized, daee

all contact points (130a) of the first group (13a) protrude in the same direction but opposite to the second group (13i) of contact points (130i) from the plane defined by the entirety of the lamellae (11).

4. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized dene the lamellae (11) are integrally connected at their two ends to an edge web (10).

5. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the group of internal contact points (13i) is maximally spaced from the one or more edge lands (10).

6. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the groups of contact points (13a, 13i) in the

Slats (11) are embossed.

7. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the slats (11) in the areas where

Contact points (130a, 1301) are located, have a greater width bm than the width bt, in the remaining areas.

8. contact element (1) according to claim 7,

characterized in that

the contact element (1) in a combined

Punching / stamping process is made.

9. contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the contact element (1) consists of a current-conducting, resilient material, preferably a metal such as copper or a copper alloy.

10. contact element (1) according to claim 9,

characterized in that

the contact element (1) is designed as a slotted annular component.

11. Electrical connector (4), in particular high-voltage connector _« with a contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims.