WO2014068038A1

WO2014068038A1 - Electrical connection element

Info

Publication number: WO2014068038A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/072777
Authority: WO
Inventors: Willi Dietrich; Viktor HOLZMANN; Daniel ROSAN
Original assignee: Tyco Electronics Amp Gmbh
Priority date: 2012-11-01
Filing date: 2013-10-31
Publication date: 2014-05-08
Also published as: DE102012220001A1; DE102012220001B4

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connection element (1). An object of the invention is to provide an electrical connection element (1), in which the production complexity during assembly is reduced and which simultaneously allows orientation of contact elements (3) with a very narrow tolerance. This object is achieved according to the invention by an electrical connection element (1) having a housing (2), having a plurality of contact elements (3) which are arranged beside each other in a row direction and so as to be contactable from the outer side of the housing (2) and which are resiliently redirectable in at least one contact direction (K) which extends transversely relative to the row direction, and having an orientation ruler (7) which is constructed so as to be able to be fixed to the housing (2) and by which the contact elements (3) are resiliently redirected in an operating position (B) fixed to the housing (2) and adjoin the orientation ruler (7).

Description

Electrical connection element

The invention relates to an electrical connection element.

Electrical connection elements often have a housing and a plurality of contact elements which are arranged beside each other in a row direction and so as to be contactable from the outer side of the housing and which are resiliently redirectable in at least one contact direction which extends transversely relative to the row direction. The contact elements must often be orientated and/or aligned with a very narrow tolerance relative to each other for connection to other elements, for example, for soldering on a printed circuit board. In many cases, this is carried out by manual orientation or mechanical adjustment of the individual contact elements per se, which involves a high level of production complexity during the assembly.

An object of the invention is to provide an electrical connection element in which the production complexity during the assembly is reduced and which simultaneously allows the contact elements to be orientated with very narrow tolerances.

This object is achieved according to the invention by an electrical connection element having a housing, having a plurality of contact elements which are arranged beside each other in a row direction and so as to be contactable from the outer side of the housing and which are resiliently redirectable in at least one contact direction which extends transversely relative to the row direction, and having an orientation ruler which is constructed so as to be able to be fixed to the housing and by which the contact elements are resiliently redirected in an operating position fixed to the housing and adjoin the orientation ruler.

The orientation ruler resiliently redirects the contact elements in the contact direction so that they adjoin the orientation ruler owing to the resilient force. In the operating position, the contact elements are orientated in the correct position relative to each other by the orientation ruler, for example, relative to the contact direction, particularly at the same height in the contact direction. The orientation ruler is constructed so as to be able to be fixed to the housing so that orientation is also carried out relative to the housing. The orientation ruler may be constructed, for example, so as to be able to be fixed in a connectable manner in the housing or to the housing.

The solution according to the invention may be further improved by means of the following developments which are advantageous per se and which can be freely combined with each other.

The orientation ruler may be of planar form, that is to say, so that its extent in one dimension is far smaller than in the other two dimensions. For example, a thickness in a first direction may correspond to only approximately one-fifth of a width measured in a second direction. In turn, a length measured in a third direction may be greater than the width measured in the second direction. The orientation ruler may have a substantially plate-like or board-like construction.

The orientation ruler may be constructed so as to be able to be fixed to the housing in such a manner that, in the operating position, a side having a small extent, in particular having a small face, resiliently redirects the contact elements in the contact direction. This ensures a well-defined support face and consequently allows very precise orientation. Contact locations of the contact elements to be orientated may be directly beside the support face or in relatively close proximity.

The orientation ruler may be constructed so as to have recesses which are spaced apart from each other in the row direction, each contact element being received in a recess in a laterally fixed manner. Such a recess may laterally fix a contact element in the row direction and particularly ensure orientation of the contact elements relative to each other in the row direction. For example, the contact elements may be arranged with the same spacing from each other. Such recesses may be located, for example, at one end of the orientation ruler, in particular at the end which is directed in the contact direction in the operating position. Such an end may be, for example, a lower side or an upper side.

The recesses may not only laterally fix the contact elements but also, for example, separate them from each other. The recesses may limit the movement play so that the position of the contact elements is limited to a range. The recesses may also completely block the movement of the contact elements so that the contact elements can each take up only a single position. The recesses may further act as guides for the contact elements. The recesses may be in the form of grooves, for example, indentations formed in a material. Alternatively, the recesses may also be formed by separation elements which project from a plane. In order to be able to introduce the contact elements into the recesses as simply as possible, the recesses may be trench-like, that is to say, in addition to an open construction in two opposite directions, they may also be open in a direction perpendicular thereto. The contact elements can thereby readily be introduced into the recesses in that they are inserted therein. In order to make insertion easier, in particular in order to allow automatic insertion, the recesses may extend in a funnel-like manner. Alternatively to the trench-like recesses, projecting or protruding separation elements, for example, wall elements, may also be used for laterally fixing the contact elements.

The housing of the electrical connection element may have at least one side wall element which is arranged beside the contact elements in the row direction and by which the orientation ruler is retained. In particular, the orientation ruler may be retained in the side wall element. A side wall element may limit the movement play of the orientation ruler in one or more directions. Those directions may extend in or counter to the row direction, the contact direction and/or an extent direction of the contact elements.

In the operating position, the orientation ruler may be restricted to a greater extent in terms of its movement, in particular in terms of its movement play, than outside the operating position. For example, the orientation ruler may be retained so as to be non-movable in the row direction in the operating position whereas it is movable in the row direction if it is outside the operating position. Thus, for example, the orientation ruler can be fitted into the at least one side wall element in the row direction outside the operating position. In the operating position, it can then be retained in this row direction.

In particular, a plurality of side wall elements arranged beside the contact elements in the row direction may be provided. In particular, there may be provided two side wall elements which adjoin the contact elements in the row direction at different ends of the row of contact elements. The two side wall elements can therefore surround that row of contact elements in the row direction. A plurality of side wall elements may allow better orientation. The orientation ruler may extend, for example, between the side wall elements so that the side wall elements retain the orientation ruler in a well-defined manner at two opposite ends.

The at least one side wall element may engage with the orientation ruler, in particular in the operating position. Engagement may be caused or promoted by the contact elements, in particular the resilient force of the contact elements. The contact elements may be catch springs for the engaging action. When viewed in the row direction, the at least one side wall element may overlap the contact elements; in particular it may completely cover the contact elements when viewed in the row direction. A mechanical and/or electrical protective effect may thereby be produced.

A mechanical tensile relief may be achieved by the at least one side wall element. The electrical connection element or portions of the electrical connection element, such as the housing and/or the contact elements, may be decoupled from mechanical tensile loads as may be introduced, for example, from the exterior. Such loads may also be taken up only partially by the side wall element. The at least one side wall element may take up internal and/or external forces and/or transmit them. Such forces may in particular be directed past sensitive components.

The at least one side wall element may be produced from metal. Such a construction produces a high level of mechanical stability and may further achieve an electrical shielding effect. A use as a conductor, for example, for earthing, may also be possible for such a side wall element. The at least one side wall element may also be used electrically. It may be used, for example, as a voltage source and/or current source.

The at least one side wall element may particularly be constructed so as to be flat or planar. It may be a punched member which has been punched, for example, from a metal sheet.

The side wall element may extend directly and/or linearly from the orientation ruler to the housing. Alternatively, it may extend from the orientation ruler to the housing over an indirect path. For example, it may have bends or curves. The side wall element may also particularly be constructed not so as to be planar but instead to be voluminous.

The housing and/or the orientation ruler may be produced at least partially from plastics material. It may involve, for example, injection-moulded components.

The orientation ruler may be retained in a linear manner and/or so as to be rotationally movable. The orientation ruler may be able to be fixed to the housing in such a manner that it can be moved at least in regions in one or more directions and/or about one or more axes. It may be retained in particular in a non- releasable manner. The orientation ruler may be able to be fixed in such a manner that it cannot be released from the housing independently. For example, it may be necessary to remove or redirect specific elements in order to remove and/or to fix the orientation ruler.

The orientation ruler may be retained in particular in such a manner that contact locations of the contact elements move in one or more directions when the orientation ruler is introduced into the operating position or leaves the operating position. In particular, such a direction may be the contact direction of the contact elements.

The movement play of the orientation ruler in and/or counter to a direction or about an axis may be limited to a specific range. At the end of such a range, the movement may be limited by an element stopping against another element. In one or more directions, therefore, a stop may be provided. Thus, for example, a movement counter to the contact direction may be limited by a stop, which the orientation ruler strikes. Such a stop may orientate the orientation ruler or also only individual faces of the orientation ruler. If a rotational movement is limited, individual portions of the orientation ruler or the entire orientation ruler may also be orientated. In particular, the operating position may be distinguished by the orientation ruler stopping against a stop. An operating position stop may be provided. Similarly, for example, there may be provided a redirection position stop which blocks a potentially disadvantageous redirection beyond a specific value.

The orientation ruler may be supported in a linear and/or rotational manner. To that end, bearing elements such as rails or centres of rotation may be provided. These may be on the orientation ruler or cooperate therewith, for example, engage in the orientation ruler. For example, pins or studs may be considered as rotary bearings. For example, faces, rails or edges may act as linear bearing faces.

During a supported movement, the resilient force of the resiliently redirected contact elements acting on the orientation ruler may change, in particular increase.

Contact locations which are, for example, at the lower sides of the contact elements may be orientated in a state arranged in a plane by means of the orientation ruler. The contact locations may thereby be brought into connection with a planar counter-contact element, for example, a printed circuit board.

In addition to the arrangement in a plane, the contact locations may also further be aligned with each other, at least in the operating position.

The housing may have at least one side wall element which is arranged beside the contact elements in the row direction and one side of which is aligned with a contact plane which is defined by the lower sides of the contact elements. One side, for example, a lower side, of such a side wall element may also be aligned with a contact plane which is defined by the contact locations. This may particularly be the case in the operating position. In these two embodiments, it is no longer necessary to adjust the at least one side wall element relative to the contact elements. Consequently, simple assembly is possible.

At least one side wall element may have a fixing element of the electrical connection element for mechanical fixing. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one side wall element may be a fixing element of the electrical connection element for mechanical fixing. As a result of these embodiments, the side wall elements may take on a fixing function. For example, the contact elements may thereby be mechanically unloaded.

The orientation ruler may be arranged in the assembled state at a free end of the contact elements.

In particular, it may be arranged in the operating position at the free end of the contact elements. A free end of the contact elements may be able to be redirected more readily than the remainder and be used for connection to additional elements, for example, for soldering to a printed circuit board.

A free end of a contact element may extend in an L-shaped manner with two members and the orientation ruler in the assembled state may abut, in particular in the operating position, against the member located at the end of the contact element. This may be, for example, the shorter member. An L-shaped construction may allow redirection in a contact direction which is not perpendicular relative to the direction of the limb which is nearer the housing. In addition to the two members of the L-shaped member, other members may further be provided. For example, a Z-shaped or S-shaped construction of a contact element is possible. The two opposite end members of the Z or S may extend parallel. One end member may extend out of the housing and the other end member may constitute the free end, at which the contact element has a contact location. In such a Z-shaped construction, therefore, it is possible to contact and/or to redirect the free end with spacing from the plane of the other end member. In the case of a redirection as would be necessary at the linearly extending member in order to achieve such spacing, is thereby avoided. In the case of an L, Z or S-shaped construction, an additional member may further be orientated by the orientation ruler. This may be carried out by another element of the orientation ruler which is, for example, opposite a portion of the orientation ruler orientating the free ends of a member.

The orientation ruler may fix the contact elements in the contact direction. In addition, the orientation ruler may also fix the contact elements in one or more other directions. For example, the orientation ruler may also fix the contact elements in the row direction at least in the operating position. Fixing may also be possible in a third direction at least in the operating position. Such a third direction may be brought about, for example, in a direction in which the contact elements extend. The third direction may extend, for example, perpendicularly relative to the row direction and perpendicularly relative to the contact direction.

In the operating position, the orientation ruler may be fixed completely in its position. Alternatively, the orientation ruler may be fixed in its position only at the locations at which it fixes the contact elements. Another portion of the orientation ruler may be rotatably supported, for example, about a support face between the contact element and the orientation ruler.

The orientation ruler may be fixed by means of at least one side wall element. The orientation ruler may be fixed at least in the operating position relative to a side wall element and therefore be orientated relative thereto. The fixing or orientation of the two elements relative to each other may be carried out in a single direction or in several directions. In particular, the fixing may be carried out in the contact direction. For example, the two elements may be fixed at a specific height, for example, in such a manner that specific portions are located at the same height in the contact direction. This may make it easier, for example, to solder portions of the electrical connection element, in particular the contact elements. Such orientation or fixing may be carried out in particular by connection elements which connect the orientation ruler to the side wall element and which may be fitted or arranged, for example, on one of the two members.

The orientation ruler may be releasable from the housing. For release, it may be necessary to remove or redirect portions of the orientation ruler or the housing.

The orientation ruler may have gripping holes for gripping the orientation ruler in particular during mechanical processing. Those gripping holes may extend through the orientation ruler. They may be arranged laterally, that is to say, near an edge. Such gripping holes may particularly be arranged symmetrically. They may be encoded so that only gripping in a specific orientation of the orientation ruler is possible. In the assembled state, in particular in the operating position, the gripping holes may be arranged near side wall elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the orientation ruler is symmetrical. It may be mirror-symmetrical, in particular it may be mirror-symmetrical in relation to three mutually perpendicular planes. A point- symmetrical construction is also conceivable. With such symmetry, it may be possible to fix the orientation ruler in or on the housing without having to ensure an orientation of the orientation ruler. Rotational symmetry, for example, an order two, three or four rotational symmetry may also allow assembly in different rotational positions about the rotation axis.

A side wall element may also be constructed to be symmetrical, for example, mirror- symmetrical relative to one or more planes. This may make it easier to produce the side wall elements because only a single type has to be produced. Assembly may also thereby be facilitated because fitting is possible in different positions or orientations and an incorrect fitting is thereby prevented.

The orientation ruler may have a lower side and an upper side and a recess located between the lower side and the upper side. Such a recess may be bridged by struts. A plurality of recesses may be provided. Such recesses may attenuate thermal transport and reduce the thermal capacity of the orientation ruler, which may be advantageous in particular during soldering operations which take place near the lower side or upper side. For example, the contact elements may be soldered to a printed circuit board in the operating position by a reflow method. In order to prevent the orientation ruler from constituting a heat sink which would make such a soldering operation more difficult, the orientation ruler has recesses. The struts ensure mechanical stability. At the same time, the recesses may act as gripping holes.

In order to allow and/or to facilitate inspection, for example, for quality control of soldering locations, the orientation ruler may have a viewing aperture which extends through the orientation ruler and opens up a viewing axis. The viewing aperture may be constructed in such a manner that it allows an inspection operation only in the operating position. For example, a rotationally supported orientation ruler may open up a viewing axis with respect to a soldering location as a result of the movement into the operating position. A linearly supported orientation ruler may also have a viewing aperture which allows visual control of a specific component or a specific function only in the operating position. Nevertheless, an inspection operation through a viewing aperture may also be possible in a position outside the operating position.

A viewing aperture may also open up a plurality of visual axes. Naturally, a plurality of viewing apertures which free up one or more viewing axes may also be provided.

Advantageously, a viewing aperture is constructed at the same time as a gripping hole and/or as a recess which attenuates the thermal transport.

A lower side and/or an upper side of the orientation ruler may have a greater thickness or width than a central portion.

The orientation ruler may be pressed into the operating position by the resilient force of the contact elements. In the operating position, the contact elements may press the orientation ruler against a stop, for example, an operating position stop. In that manner, the orientation ruler may automatically be pressed into the operating position and remain there.

An electrical connection element may have a plurality of rows of contact elements. Such rows may be arranged in a state offset relative to each other, for example, in the contact direction. The free ends of the contact elements of the plurality of rows may simultaneously be redirected resiliently by the orientation ruler at least in the operating position and adjoin the orientation ruler. Therefore, the orientation ruler may simultaneously fix in particular contact elements of a plurality of rows, for example, in a contact direction.

Electrical connection elements having a housing and a plurality of contact elements arranged beside each other in a row direction are often present in different variants, in which differently constructed contact elements are fitted to a housing and are resiliently redirectable in a different contact direction, respectively. In order to be able to use the orientation ruler according to the invention in a plurality of variants of such electrical connection elements, the orientation ruler may be able to be fixed to the housing in such a manner that an independent operating position, in which the contact elements are resiliently redirected and adjoin the orientation ruler, is provided for each of the variants. The orientation ruler may be pressed into the operating position by the contact elements, respectively. The orientation ruler may be able to be fixed to the housing in different contact directions. The contact directions of the different variants may extend, for example, perpendicularly to each other so that the operating positions are reached by mutually perpendicular movements. For example, a side wall element in which the orientation ruler is retained may allow movements in several directions in accordance with how the orientation ruler is retained and/or fixed in or on the side wall element. When the orientation ruler is fixed to the side wall element, for example, by introducing the orientation ruler into the side wall element, the possible movement play and the operating position may be fixed.

If it is provided, the at least one side wall element may allow different movements of the orientation ruler for different contact elements which can be resiliently redirected in different contact directions. In the case of a different fixing action, for example, if the orientation ruler is inserted differently, the movement play thereof may be constructed completely differently. The orientation ruler may be able to be fixed to the at least one side wall element in different operating positions.

For example, two slots, for instance, mutually perpendicular guide slots in which the orientation ruler can be introduced, may be provided in the side wall element. Such slots may be independent of each other or partially overlap each other. It is also possible for a plurality of differently constructed guide elements, for example, linear or rotational guide elements, to be provided.

Any connection elements which may be present for connecting the orientation ruler to the housing or the at least one side wall element may be constructed in such a manner that they allow movements to different operating positions. This may be possible by means of a single, suitably constructed connection element or owing to the presence of a plurality of connection elements.

The invention is explained below in greater detail by way of example with reference to advantageous embodiments and the drawings. The embodiments described merely constitute possible constructions in which, however, the individual features may be combined independently of each other or omitted as described above. Identical reference numerals stand for identical objects in the various drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an electrical connection element according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective cross-section of the first embodiment of an electrical connection element according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective cross-section of a second embodiment of an electrical connection element according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective cross-section of the second embodiment of an electrical connection element;

Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of an electrical connection element according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an electrical connection element according to the invention in a state not yet completely assembled; Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the fourth embodiment of an electrical connection element in the operating position;

Figures 8A, B, C are schematic perspective views of the lateral ends of additional variants of orientation rulers according to the invention;

Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a modified embodiment of the first embodiment of an electrical connection element according to the invention;

Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an electrical connection element;

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an electrical connection element according to the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates an electrical connection element 1 according to the invention having a housing 2 and a plurality of contact elements 3 which are arranged beside each other in a row direction R and so as to be contactable from the outer side of the housing 2. For contacting, for example, with respect to a printed circuit board, the contact elements 3 have contact locations 5 at the lower side 4. The contact locations 5 are located at a free end 6 of the contact elements 3 which is directed away from the housing 2 in an extent direction E. The extent direction E is in this instance perpendicular to the row direction R and to a contact direction K in which the contact elements 3 can be resiliently redirected. The contact direction K is again perpendicular to the row direction R.

In order to orientate the free ends 6 of the contact elements 3, an orientation ruler 7 is fitted to the electrical connection element 1. In this instance, the orientation ruler 7 is illustrated in a state broken at the centre in order to show the operation of the orientation ruler 7. The left-hand portion of the orientation ruler 7 in the drawing is shown in a redirection position A in which the contact elements 3 are greatly redirected in the contact direction K by the orientation ruler 7. The right-hand portion of the orientation ruler 7 in the drawing is shown in an operating position B in which the contact elements 3, in particular the free ends 6 of the contact elements 3 are still resiliently redirected by the orientation ruler 7 and adjoin the orientation ruler 7. In comparison with the redirection position A, however, the contact elements 3 have rotated the orientation ruler 7 as a result of the resilient force thereof acting counter to the contact direction K and have consequently displaced the lower side 7A of the orientation ruler 7 counter to the contact direction K. Since the contact elements 3 in the operating position B are still resiliently redirected, they adjoin the orientation ruler 7 and are orientated by the orientation ruler in the contact direction K. Therefore, their position in the contact direction K is fixed by the orientation ruler 7.

In this instance, there is shown a first variant 71 of an orientation ruler 7, in which the orientation ruler 7 can be rotated about a centrally located axis X and thereby moves from the redirection position A into the operating position B. This movement is automatically brought about by the resilient force of the contact elements 3 which presses the lower side 7A of the orientation ruler 7 counter to the contact direction K and consequently brings about a rotation about the axis X. The redirection of the lower side 7 A occurs in a direction away from the housing 2 in the extent direction E. At the same time, the upper side 7B is moved in the contact direction K and in a direction towards the housing 2.

The contact elements 3 are fixed laterally by recesses 8, that is to say, in the row direction R. The recesses 8 are laterally delimited by separation members 9. Owing to the recesses 8 and the separation members 9, the lower side 7A and the upper side 7B are thicker in a thickness direction D than the central portion 7C. The central portion 7C is kept flat. Overall the orientation ruler 7 has a board-like shape.

The thickness D is smaller than the width and the length of the orientation ruler 7.

The lower side 7A redirects the contact elements 3 in the contact direction K. The lower side 7A has a small extent, in particular a small face, whereby a well-defined support region with respect to the contact elements is ensured.

The electrical connection element 1 further has side wall elements 10 which are arranged laterally beside the contact elements 3 so as to engage round the contact elements 3. The side wall elements 10 are in this instance of metal and are fixed to side wall retention members 11 on the plastics remainder of the housing 2. The side wall elements 10 are part of the housing 2.

The side wall elements 10 are punched components 10A which have been punched out of a metal sheet. Therefore, the side wall elements 10, 10A are substantially flat.

The orientation ruler 7 is fitted to the side wall elements 10. It is retained by the side wall elements 10. A central pin 12 of the orientation ruler 7 projects at two sides through a hole 13 in a side wall element 10, respectively. Furthermore, the side wall element 10 has two slots 14 which extend in a circular-arc -like manner around the hole 13 and which receive two guide pins 15 which are arranged laterally on the orientation ruler 7. The movement of the guide pins 15 in the slots 14 is limited by a redirecting stop 16A and an operating position stop 16B so that the orientation ruler 7, 71 can rotate about the axis X and the central pin 12 only within a limited range. In particular, a position of the lower side 7 A in the contact direction K is fixed by the operating position stop 16B.

A lower side 17 of the side wall elements 10, 10A is in a plane having a contact plane I defined by the lower sides of the contact elements 3. Therefore, the contact locations 5 of the contact elements 3 are located in the same contact plane I as the lower sides 17 of the side wall elements 10, at least in the operating position B. In the redirection position A, the contact locations 5 are redirected beyond the contact plane I and spring back into the contact plane I owing to the resilient force thereof.

Figure 2 is a cross-section of the first embodiment 1 A of an electrical connection element 1. An inner space 2A of the housing 2 provides space for a plug (not shown) which can be brought into connection with the electrical connection element 1.

The electrical connection element 1, 1A has an upper row 31 and a lower row 32 of contact elements 3. Both the upper row 31 and the lower row 32 of contact elements extend in the row direction R. The free ends 6 of the contact elements 3 of the two rows of contact elements 31, 32 are simultaneously orientated by the orientation ruler 7. In particular, the position thereof in the contact direction K is orientated by the orientation ruler 7 to an identical height in the contact direction K. The contact elements 3 adjoin the orientation ruler 7 at a support face 20.

The individual contact elements 3 are contact pins 3' having an S or Z-shaped configuration. A long housing-side end 3A adjoins an L-shaped member 3B which comprises a central portion 3C and a contact-side end 3D. A contact location 5 which is used, for example, for soldering to a printed circuit board is provided at the lower side of the contact-side end 3D. The contact-side end 3D extends parallel with the housing-side end 3A. In the operating position B shown here, the lower side 7A of the orientation ruler 7 is not directly above the contact location 5 so that a visual inspection is possible.

The lower side 7A and the upper side 7B are thicker in the thickness direction D than the central portion 7C of the orientation ruler 7. In a side view, in which a cross-section extends through a recess 8, the cross-section of the orientation ruler approximates to a spanner. In the case of a section through a separation member 9 which separates the recesses 8 from each other, the lower side 7A or the upper side 7B instead approximates to a hammer.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment IB of an electrical connection element 1. A second embodiment 72 of an orientation ruler 7 is rotationally retained in the side wall elements 10. In this instance, the lower side 7 A rotates towards the housing 2 when it is pressed into the operating position B by the resilient force of the contact elements 3. The rotation takes place about an axis X, in this instance about one of two lateral pins 120 of the orientation ruler 7. The upper lateral pin 120A acts as an axis for the rotation. The identically constructed, lower lateral pin 120B serves to guide the orientation ruler 7, 72 in a guide slot 140 which extends around the axis X in a circular-arc-like manner. The guide slot 140 is delimited by a redirection position stop 16A and an operating position stop 16B. In comparison with the first variant 71, although the second variant 72 of the orientation ruler 7 has a greater moment of inertia, its production is simpler because only two pins are provided on the orientation ruler 7 at the side and only two openings are provided in the corresponding side wall element 10.

Figure 4 is a cross-section through the second embodiment IB of an electrical connection element 1. On the one hand, the H-shaped cross-section of the orientation ruler 7 can be seen in a section through a separation member 9. It is also possible to see that the contact locations 5 of the contact elements 3 which are arranged at the lower side 4 are located in a contact plane I with the lower side 17 of the side wall element 10.

The relative position between the orientation ruler 7, 72 and the side wall elements 10 is delimited by the lateral pins 120 acting as connection elements 131. In the operating position B shown here, the relative position is fixed between the two members; in particular, the relative position is fixed at a height in the contact direction K. The lower side 17 of the side wall element 10 is located in the same contact plane I as the contact locations 5 of the contact elements 3. Therefore, it is readily possible to fix the lower side 17 together with the contact locations 5, for example, to a surface by soldering.

The side wall element 10 may further take on an electrical function. For example, it may act as a current or voltage source. For example, it may be used as earthing owing to the large cross-section of the side wall element 10 relative to the contact elements 3.

The two side wall elements 10 shown are identical, which makes production simpler because only a single shape has to be produced. In order to further simplify assembly, the side wall elements 10 could also be symmetrical, for example, mirror- symmetrical in the contact direction K.

The orientation ruler 7, 72 is, similarly to the first variant 71, rotationally symmetrical and mirror- symmetrical in three dimensions. When the electrical connection element 1 is assembled, therefore, it is unnecessary to ensure an orientation of the orientation ruler 7. The orientation ruler 7 may be brought into connection with the housing 2 in four possible and equivalent orientations. In the variant 72 shown here, the orientation ruler 72 orientates the free ends 6 of the contact elements 3 and, at the same time, separates the contact elements 3 in the central portion 3C from each other by means of the recesses 8 arranged at the housing side. Furthermore, the central portions 3C are fixed in the extent direction E. In this embodiment, the orientation ruler 72 orientates the contact elements 3, in particular the contact locations 5 of the contact elements 3, in all three spatial directions. On the one hand, an orientation is brought about in the contact direction K and, on the other hand, an orientation is brought about in the extent direction E by fixing the central portions 3C and fixing in the row direction R by means of the recesses 8 and the separation members 9.

The contact elements 3 adjoin the support faces 20 at the lower side 7 A of the orientation ruler 7 between the separation members 9 and in the recesses 8.

The side wall elements 10 extend as far as a location below the contact plane I and laterally cover the contact elements 3. Therefore, they have a mechanical protective effect and further shield the contact elements 3 from electromagnetic disruptions.

Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment 1C of an electrical connection element 1. In some aspects, it is identical to the second embodiment IB. Thus, for example, the third variant 73 of the orientation ruler 7 is identical to the second variant 72 from Figures 3 and 4. However, the third embodiment 1C differs from the second embodiment IB in that the orientation ruler 73 pivots at the lower side 7 A away from the housing in order to reach the operating position B. Furthermore, the side wall elements 10 do not have slots but instead an open configuration of the rotational guide elements 150 which guide the lower lateral pins 120B of the orientation ruler 7. The guide elements 150 are again delimited by an operating position stop 16B and a redirection position stop 16 A. The side wall elements 10 shown in this variant have slots 10B which, on the one hand, make the side wall elements 10 lighter. On the other hand, assembly on the remainder of the housing 2 can thereby be made easier because the slots 10B allow the side wall elements 10 to be compressed. Mechanical or manual handling may also be possible owing to the slots 10B.

Figure 6 and Figure 7 show a fourth embodiment ID of an electrical connection element 1 which differs from the three previous embodiments. In contrast to the three previous embodiments 1A, B, C, in which the orientation ruler is rotated, the orientation ruler 7 moves linearly in this fourth embodiment ID. Figure 6 shows the electrical connection element in a state which is not yet completely assembled and in which the orientation ruler 7, 74 is not yet fixed to the electrical connection element ID. In order to bring it into the position shown in Figure 7, the side wall elements 10 must be bent outwards and the orientation ruler 7, 74 must be pressed in the contact direction K against the free ends 6 of the contact elements 3. It is possible to introduce the orientation ruler 7, 74 into the lateral guide slots 141 which extend in a contact direction K only in such a redirected position of the contact elements 3. As a result of the resilient force of the redirected contact elements, the orientation ruler 7, 74 is pressed linearly counter to the contact direction K into the operating position B shown in Figure 7. In this operating position B, lateral slipping is prevented, that is to say, slipping in the row direction R by the inner stop faces 161 and the outer stop faces 162 which are located on a projection 160 which projects into the guide slot 140. Those inner and outer stop faces 161, 162 cooperate with corresponding counter-stop faces 171, 172 on the orientation ruler 7, 74. The embodiment 74 of an orientation ruler 7 shown here has such counter-stop faces 171, 172 only at a single lateral end 7D. In another embodiment, such counter-stop faces 171, 172 may also be provided at both lateral ends 7D of the orientation ruler 7, 74. The counter-stop faces 171, 172 do not extend over the complete length of the orientation ruler 7 in the contact direction K but are instead interrupted by recesses 173 which allow the orientation ruler 7, 74 to be introduced into the guide slots 141. The counter-stop faces 171, 172 having the projections 160 are arranged in an overlapping manner owing to the resilient force of the contact elements 6.

The guide slots 141 act as linear guide elements 142. The guide slot 141 is delimited at the upper end by the operating position stop 16B and at the lower end by the redirection position stop 16A. Both the operating position stop 16B and the redirection position stop 16A extend linearly and cooperate with linearly extending counter-stops 173, 174 on the orientation ruler 7, 74.

The position of the orientation ruler 7, 74, that is to say, also the position of the lower side 7A and therefore the position of the contact elements 3, is also fixed in a third direction, the extent direction E. This is brought about by cooperation of the front stop faces 175 and rear stop faces 176 of the orientation ruler 7, 74 with the front counter-stop faces 152 and rear counter-stop faces 153 of the guide slots 141 acting as guides 151.

Figure 7 shows the electrical connection element ID in the operating position IB. In this operating position B, the contact locations 5 of the contact elements 3 are in the contact plane I in which the lower sides 17 of the side wall elements 10 are also located. In a redirection position A which is not shown here, the contact locations 5 are located below that contact plane I and are pressed backwards counter to the contact direction K by the resilient force of the contact elements 3, wherein they also carry the orientation ruler 7, 74 and adjoin the orientation ruler 7, 74 in the operating position B. Therefore, the orientation, that is to say, the adjustment of the contact locations 5 and therefore of the contact elements 3, is automatically carried out by the resilient force of the contact elements 3.

Figure 7 also shows two laterally arranged gripping holes 18 of the orientation ruler 7, 74. In this instance, the gripping holes 18 are circular. The gripping holes 18 are used for manually or mechanically gripping the orientation ruler 7, 74 and may make assembly easier. They extend through the orientation ruler 7, 74.

Figures 8 A, 8B, 8C show different variants of lateral ends 7D of the orientation rulers 7. In Figure 8A, the counter-stop face 173 is constructed to be round; in Figure 8B, the counter-stop face 173 is constructed to be linear and corresponds to the counter-stop face 173 from Figures 6 and 7. In Figure 8C, there are a plurality of counter-stop faces 173, a counter-stop face 173A is arranged on a wedge-like projection 173B which also limits, in addition to a movement in the contact direction K, a movement in the extent direction E in the operating position B. With respect to the different embodiments of the lateral ends 7D from Figures 8A, 8B, 8C, the corresponding stop faces 174 may be constructed on the side wall elements 10 so as to correspond accordingly.

Figure 9 shows a slightly modified variant 1A' of the first embodiment 1A of an electrical connection element 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. It differs from the first embodiment 1A owing to the configuration of the orientation ruler 7. The orientation ruler 7Γ shown here has recesses 110 in the central portion 7C of the orientation ruler 7. Those recesses 110 are bridged by struts 111 which ensure mechanical stability. The recesses 110 are intended to make it more difficult for heat to be transmitted from the lower side 7A in order to keep the heat at the contact locations 5 at the lower side 7A. Furthermore, the thermal capacity of the orientation ruler 7, 7Γ is reduced by the recesses 110, which may facilitate, for example, a soldering operation at the contact locations 5.

The orientation ruler 7, 7Γ shown in Figure 9 has viewing apertures 130 which allow an inspection of the contact locations 5 arranged at the lower side 4 in an inspection direction V at least in the operating position B. The viewing axis V is released by rotating the orientation ruler 7, 7Γ about the axis X into the operating position B. The viewing apertures 130 simultaneously act as recesses 110 and consequently perform a dual function.

The side wall elements 10 of the electrical connection elements 1 shown may act as fixing elements 180 which allow fixing, for example, on a surface. At the same time, the side wall elements 10 may act as tensile relief elements 181 which take up internal and/or external forces and consequently protect the electrical connection element 1.

Figures 10 and 11 show a fifth embodiment IE and a sixth embodiment IF of an electrical connection element 1, respectively. The two embodiments IE, IF have the same housing 2 and the same side wall elements 10, 10E. However, they differ from each other in terms of the contact elements 3. The embodiment 3E of the contact elements 3 shown in Figure 10 can be redirected in a first contact direction Kl which is perpendicular to the row direction R and perpendicular to the exit direction C in which the contact elements 3 emerge from the housing 2. Although the contact direction K2 of the second embodiment 3F of the contact elements 3 of the embodiment shown in Figure 11 also extends perpendicularly relative to the row direction R of the contact elements 3, it extends parallel with the exit direction C in which the contact elements 3 emerge from the housing 2.

The side wall elements 10E have two mutually perpendicular, linear guide elements 142 in the form of guide slots 141E, 141F, in which the orientation ruler 7 can be introduced by laterally bending open the side wall elements 10. Each of the guide elements 142, 121E, 121F has an independent operating position stop 16B. The operating position stop 16B' defines the operating position B' of the embodiment shown in Figure 10 and the operating position stop 16B" fixes the operating position B" of the embodiment shown in Figure 11. This applies accordingly to the redirection position stops 16A' and 16A". The orientation ruler 7 is pressed by the resilient force of the contact elements 3, 3E, 3F into the operating position B, B', B" in which the contact elements 3, 3E, 3F adjoin the orientation ruler 7. Owing to the advantageous configuration of the side wall elements 10, 10E and the connection elements 131 arranged at the ends of the side wall elements 10, 10E, the side wall elements 10E and the orientation ruler 7 may be used both in the fifth embodiment IE shown in Figure 10 and in the sixth embodiment IF shown in Figure 11 in respect of an electrical connection element 1. Therefore, the orientation ruler 7 can be fixed to the housing 2 in different contact directions Kl, K2. Reference numerals

1 Electrical connection element

1A First embodiment of an electrical connection element

IB Second embodiment of an electrical connection element

1C Third embodiment of an electrical connection element

ID Fourth embodiment of an electrical connection element

IE Fifth embodiment of an electrical connection element

IF Sixth embodiment of an electrical connection element

1A' Modified embodiment of the first embodiment of an electrical connection element

2 Housing

2A Inner space of the housing

3 Contact element

3' Contact pins

3A Housing-side end

3B L-shaped member

3C Central portion

3D Contact-side end

3E Contact element

3F Contact element

4 Lower side

5 Contact locations

6 Free end

7 Orientation ruler

7A Lower side

7B Upper side

7C Central portion

7D Lateral end

8 Recesses

9 Separation members

10 Side wall element

10A Punched member

10E Side wall element

11 Side wall element retention members

12 Central pin

13 Hole

14 Slots

15 Guiding pins 16A Redirection position stop

16 A' Redirection position stop

16 A" Redirection position stop

16B Operating position stop

16B' Operating position stop

16B" Operating position stop

17 Lower-side side wall element

20 Support face contact element/orientation ruler

31 Upper row of contact elements

32 Lower row of contact elements

71 First variant of an orientation ruler

7Γ Modified embodiment of the first variant of an orientation ruler

72 Second valiant of an orientation ruler

73 Third variant of an orientation ruler

74 Fourth variant of an orientation ruler

1 10 Recess in the central portion of the orientation ruler

1 1 1 Stmts

120 Lateral pin

120A Upper lateral pin

120B Lower lateral pin

130 Viewing aperture

131 Connection element

140 Guide slot

141 Guide slot

141E Guide slot

141F Guide slot

142 Linear guide elements

150 Guide element

151 Guides

152 Front counter-stop face

153 Rear counter-stop face

160 Projection

161 Inner stop face

162 Outer stop face

171 Counter-stop face

172 Counter-stop face

173 Counter-stop 173A Wedge-like projection

174 Counter-stop

175 Front stop face

176 Rear stop face

180 Fixing element

181 Tensile relief element

A Redirection position

B Operating position

B' Operating position

B" Operating position

C Exit direction

D Thickness direction

E Extent direction

I Contact plane

K Contact direction

R Row direction

V Viewing axis

X Axis

Claims

Patent Claims

1. Electrical connection element (1) having a housing (2), having a plurality of contact elements (3) which are arranged beside each other in a row direction (R) and so as to be contactable from the outer side of the housing (2) and which are resiliently redirectable in at least one contact direction (K) which extends transversely relative to the row direction (R), and having an orientation ruler (7) which is constructed so as to be able to be fixed to the housing (2) and by which the contact elements (3) are resiliently redirected in an operating position (B) fixed to the housing (2) and adjoin the orientation ruler (7).

2. Electrical connection element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the orientation ruler (7) is constructed so as to have recesses (8) which are spaced apart from each other in the row direction

(R) and wherein each contact element (3) is received in a recess (8) in a laterally fixed manner in the operating position (B).

3. Electrical connection element (1) according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the housing (2) has at least one side wall element (10) which is arranged beside the contact elements (3) in the row direction (R) and in which the orientation ruler (7) is retained.

4. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the orientation ruler (7) is retained in a linear manner and/or so as to be rotationally movable.

5. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing (2) has at least one side wall element (10) which is arranged in the row direction (R) beside the contact locations (3) and one side (17) of which is aligned with a contact plane (I) which is defined by the lower sides (4) of the contact elements (3).

6. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein a side wall element (10) is arranged at each side of the contact elements (3).

7. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the side wall element (10) has a fixing element of the electrical connection element (1) for mechanical fixing.

8. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the orientation ruler (7) is arranged in the operating position (B) at a free end (6) of the contact elements (3).

9. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a free end (6) of a contact element (3) extends in an L-shaped manner with two members (3C, 3D) and the contact element (3) in the assembled state abuts in the operating position (B) against the member (3D) located at the end of the contact element (3).

10. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the contact elements (3) in the operating position (B) are fixed in and/or counter to a direction (E) directed away from the housing (2).

11. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the orientation ruler (7) has gripping holes (18) for gripping the orientation ruler (7) in particular during mechanical processing.

12. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the orientation ruler (7) has recesses (110) bridged by struts (111) between a lower side (7 A) and an upper side

(7B).

13. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the orientation ruler has at least one viewing aperture (130) for inspecting components located behind it.

14. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the orientation ruler (7) can be fixed to the housing (2) in different contact directions (Kl, K2).

15. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 14, wherein the orientation ruler (7) can be fixed to the at least one side wall element (10) in different operating positions (B, B', B").

16. Electrical connection element (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 15, wherein the side wall element (10) has two mutually perpendicular guide slots (141 E, 141 F).