Contact for connecting an electrical component to a base and method for positioning a fork contact in a contact of a plate-shaped base

Abstract

The present invention relates to a contact for electrically and mechanically connecting at least one electrical component to a base, wherein the base is plate-shaped and has at least one cutout at the contact and has a bracket connected to the base on one side adjacent to the cutout, wherein a fork contact having two contact fingers and a yoke connecting the contact fingers is inserted into the cutout, wherein the contact fingers protrude from the cutout on the front side of the base transversely to the plane of the base and the yoke protrudes from the cutout on the opposite back side of the base, wherein the bracket is bent out of the plane in the direction of the back side and abuts against the end face of the yoke facing away from the back side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a contact for electrically and mechanically connecting at least one electrical component to a substrate and to a method for positioning a fork contact in a contact of a plate-shaped substrate. Background Art

[0002] The invention is described below primarily in conjunction with a pluggable module for a vehicle electrical system. However, the invention can be used in any application in which electrical and mechanical contact with a module is to be made by plugging it in.

[0003] Fork contacts can be used in switchboards of vehicles. They enable electrical and mechanical plug-in contacting of electrical components, such as relays, fuses or external additional modules. In order that the fork contacts are not pushed backwards out of the switchboard when inserted from the front, they require support from the rear. The support can be provided, for example, by the housing of the switchboard. The housing can have a support contour in the area of ​​the fork contacts. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved contact for electrically and mechanically connecting at least one electrical component to a substrate and an improved method for positioning a fork contact in a contact of a plate-shaped substrate, using components that are as simple in design as possible.

[0005] The solution presented here makes it possible to dispense with special housing shapes with supporting contours. As a result, the fork contacts can be placed freely. The components with fork contacts can be designed freely. A special arrangement of the fork contacts in the component can be dispensed with. The fork contacts can be installed in the base before the component is installed and can be protected from loss directly after the setting.

[0006] A contact for electrically and mechanically connecting at least one electrical component to a base is proposed, wherein the base is plate-shaped and has at least one cutout at the contact and has a bracket connected to the base on one side adjacent to the cutout, wherein a fork contact having two contact fingers and a yoke connecting the contact fingers is inserted into the cutout, wherein the contact fingers extend out of the cutout on the front side of the base transversely to the plane of the base and the yoke extends out of the cutout on the opposite back side of the base, wherein the bracket is bent out of the plane of the base in the direction of the back side and abuts against the end face of the yoke facing away from the back side of the base.

[0007] In addition, a method for positioning a fork contact in a contact point of a plate-shaped base is proposed, wherein at least one cut is cut from the base and a bracket connected to the base on one side is cut from the base adjacent to the cut, wherein the fork contact is inserted into the cut from the back side of the base until two contact fingers of the fork contact protrude from the cut on the front side of the base opposite to the back side transversely to the plane of the base and a yoke of the fork contact connecting the contact fingers protrudes from the cut on the back side, wherein the bracket is bent out of the plane of the base in the direction of the back side until the bracket abuts against the end face of the yoke on the back side facing away from the base.

[0008] The base can be, for example, a switchboard or a busbar. The contacts are functionally defined areas of the base. At the contacts, electrical components can be brought into electrical and mechanical contact with the base. The base can be made of a metallic plate-shaped material, such as a metal sheet. The base can extend substantially in one plane, at least in the area of ​​the contacts. The base can be a one-piece structure. In particular, the base can be a punched and bent component.

[0009] The cutout can be a perforation through the base. The cutout can be rectangular in particular. The cutout can be made at right angles to the surface of the base. The cutout can be made at right angles to the plane.

[0010] The bracket can be a tongue separated from the plate-shaped material of the base on three sides in the original state. In the original state, the bracket can be arranged in the plane of the base. On the fourth side, the bracket can be connected to the base in one piece. Thus, the bracket can be formed from the base by a U-shaped cut made in the plate-shaped material.

[0011] The fork contact can have a substantially U-shaped profile. The fork contact can also be made of a metallic plate-shaped material. The fork contact can have two contact teeth or tines separated by a gap, which are connected to each other at one end by a yoke. In the relaxed state, the contact fingers can extend substantially parallel to each other. The yoke can be oriented substantially transversely to the contact fingers and bridge the gap. The contact fingers and the yoke can be connected to each other in one piece.

[0012] The electrical component can be, for example, a fuse or a relay. The electrical component can be contacted using a blade contact of the component that is clamped in the gap of the fork contact. During contact, the blade contact presses the contact fingers apart from one another and thereby deforms them elastically. By means of the deformation, the contact fingers can be pressed against the blade contact with a restoring force.

[0013] The contact finger or the yoke can have a stop surface, which abuts against the base when the fork contact is inserted into the cutout as required. The stop surface can determine the position of the fork contact in the base. The slot can extend through the cutout and the yoke can be arranged spaced apart from the back side of the base.

[0014] The cutout can be slightly smaller than the outer dimensions, in particular the width, of the fork contact formed by the two contact fingers. The contact fingers can be slightly pressed together or prestressed when the fork contact is inserted into the cutout. In this case, the contact fingers and / or the yoke can be elastically deformed. If the contact fingers protrude from the cutout at the front, the deformation can be relaxed again at least in part. As a result, the fork contact can be placed tightly in the cutout.

[0015] The end face of the yoke can be oriented substantially parallel and offset relative to the back side of the base. The bracket can be bent into a U-shape. In order to bring the bracket into contact with the end face, at least one bending point of the bracket can be bent after the fork contact has been inserted into the cutout. The bracket can be bent onto the end face with a prestress during the bending. The bracket can thereby exert a retaining force on the end face.

[0016] The bracket can be punched out of the base using a punching and bending process and bent out of the plane. The base can be referred to as a punching grid or a punched and bent part. The cutout and the bracket can be incorporated into the base in a common punching process.

[0017] The bracket can be connected to the base on the side facing the cutout. The side of the bracket connected to the base can be oriented parallel to one side of the cutout. A spacer of the base can be arranged between one side of the bracket and the cutout. The bracket can be narrower than the cutout.

[0018] The bracket can have two bending points. The bracket can be bent transversely at each bending point. The bracket can be bent by 90° at each bending point. The bracket can be bent by 180° in total. The bending points can be spaced apart from each other. A straight section of the bracket can be arranged between the bending points. The straight section can be shorter than the part of the fork contact that protrudes from the cutout.

[0019] Before the fork contact is inserted, the first bend of the bracket can be bent out of the plane transversely. After the fork contact is inserted, the second bend of the bracket can be bent out of the plane transversely. For example, the first bend can be bent directly when the bracket is cut out of the sheet material. When the second bend is bent, the first bend can be arranged at a distance from the back. The second bend can be arranged essentially in the plane of the base.

[0020] The base can have a plurality of cutouts, in each of which a fork contact is inserted. The cutouts can each have an adjacent bracket. As an alternative or in addition, the bracket can rest against the end faces of a plurality of fork contacts. The switchboard can have a plurality of fork contacts, which are electrically conductively connected to one another.

[0021] The contact fingers and the yoke of the fork contact can consist of at least two sheets. The fork contact can be produced in a laminated manner. Different conductor cross sections can be set by a different number of sheets. The sheets can have the same contour. The sheets can be punched out from one another. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] An advantageous embodiment of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Figure 1 and 2 shows a perspective view of a contact according to an embodiment;

[0024] Figures 3 to 5 A cross-sectional view of the contacts is shown.

[0025] The drawings are merely schematic and serve only to explain the invention. Identical or identically acting elements are consistently provided with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a contact 100 according to an embodiment is shown. The contact 100 is arranged in the end region of a switchboard, which is called a base 102. The base 102 is a punched and bent part made of a metal sheet. The base 102 is made of an electrically conductive material, such as copper, aluminum or a metal alloy. The base 102 has at least one cutout 104 and a bracket 106. The cutout 104 is rectangular. The bracket 106 is arranged adjacent to the cutout 104. The bracket 106 is punched out of the plane of the base 102 on three sides. The bracket 106 is tongue-shaped. The bracket 106 is bent out of the plane 108 of the base 102.

[0027] A fork contact 110 is arranged in the cutout 104. The fork contact 110 has two contact fingers 112 and a yoke 114 connecting the contact fingers 112. The fork contact 110 is oriented transversely to the plane 108. The contact fingers 112 protrude from the cutout 104 on the front side 116 of the base 102. The yoke 114 protrudes from the cutout 104 on the back side 118 of the base.

[0028] The fork contact 110 consists here of three stacked sheets. The sheets are connected to one another by coining in the region of the yoke 114. The contact fingers 112 are separated from one another by gaps and have a thickening at their ends facing away from the base 102, which narrows the gap.

[0029] The bracket 106 is connected to the base 102 on the side facing the cutout 104. A spacer bar is present between the bracket 106 and the cutout 104. The spacer bar extends along the long side of the cutout 104. The bracket 106 is bent in a U shape toward the cutout 104 and abuts against the end face 120 of the yoke 114.

[0030] The bracket 106 has two bending points 122, 124. The bracket 106 is bent at approximately right angles at the bending points 122, 124. The first bending point 122 is arranged between an end region of the bracket 106 and a middle region of the bracket 106. The end region is bent at approximately right angles to the middle region at the first bending point 122. The second bending point 124 is arranged between the middle region and the web. The middle region is bent at approximately right angles to the web at the second bending point 124.

[0031] The first bending portion 122 can be bent before or, as an alternative, after the fork contact 110 is installed. When the first bending portion 122 is bent, the first bending portion 122 is arranged in the plane 108 of the base 102 and the end region is bent out of the plane 108. The second bending portion 124 is bent after the fork contact 110 is installed. Here, the first bending portion 122 is deflected out of the plane 108 of the base 102 and the previously bent end region is deflected under the end face 120 of the yoke 114 and the fork contact 110 is thus fixed to prevent it from falling out and being squeezed out.

[0032] In one embodiment, the contact has three cutouts 104, three brackets 106 and three fork contacts 110. The fork contacts 110 are arranged in a row and spaced apart from each other. The cutouts 104 and brackets 106 are of the same pattern.

[0033] Figure 2 FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a contact 100 according to another exemplary embodiment. The contact 100 corresponds substantially to the Figure 1 In contrast to the previous embodiment, the bracket 106 is arranged on the opposite side of the cutout 104. The bracket 106 is here formed as a projection from the outer edge 200 of the base 102. The webs here extend between the outer edge 200 and the cutout 104. The bracket 10 can be bent in a similar manner to the previously described embodiment, that is to say in particular at two bending locations.

[0034] Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows an alternative contact 100. On the contact 100, Figure 1 and 2 The fork contact 110 is arranged in the cutout 104 of the base 102 such that its contact fingers 112 protrude from the cutout 104 on a front side 116 of the base 102 and its yoke 114 protrudes from the cutout 104 on a rear side 118 of the base 102 .

[0035] and Figure 1 and 2 Compared with the illustration in , here a separate plate 300 is connected to the base 102 as a bracket 106. The plate 300 is structured and has a high protrusion. In the area of ​​the contact 100, the plate 300 is separated from the back 118. Next to the contact 100, the plate 300 abuts on the base 102. The separated area is used as a bracket 106 and abuts on the end face 120 of the yoke 114. The separated area thus supports the fork contact 110 from behind. Through the plate 300, the conductor cross section of the switchboard is enlarged. The base 102 can thus be designed for the mechanical load caused by the inserted fork contact 110. The necessary current carrying capacity of the switchboard can be adjusted by the material strength of the plate 300.

[0036] In one embodiment, the base 102 has a plurality of contacts 100. At each contact 100, at least one fork contact 100 is inserted into a cutout 104 of the base 102. The plate 300 extends along the back side 118 from contact 100 to contact 100. In the region of the contacts 100, the plate 300 is spaced apart from the base 102. Between the contacts 100, the plate 300 rests on the base 102.

[0037] Figure 4 FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a contact 100 according to another embodiment. The contact 100 corresponds substantially to Figure 3 The diagram in Figure 3 In contrast, here the base 102 is interrupted between the contacts 100. The contacts 100 are electrically and mechanically connected to one another via the plate 300. The sections of the base 102 can be identical parts, ie can be made in the same manner. By means of identical parts, simplified production can be achieved.

[0038] Figure 5 FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a contact 100 according to another embodiment. The contact 100 corresponds substantially to Figure 3 The diagram in Figure 3 In contrast, here the plate 300 is interrupted between the contacts 100. The contacts 100 are electrically and mechanically connected to one another via a base 102. The sections of the plate 300 can be identical parts, ie can be made in the same manner. Identical parts can enable simplified production.

[0039] In other words, possible embodiments and configurations of the contacts introduced in this respect are described below.

[0040] Electrical components, such as relays, fuses or external additional modules, are to be contacted or connected electrically and mechanically. The components are to be connected in a replaceable manner via plug contacts.

[0041] Such a contact can be realized with a fork contact or a laminated fork contact (dLam). The fork contact requires a “bracket” in order not to be pushed out of the punched grid during contact.

[0042] Conventionally, such brackets can be attached to the housing in the form of plastic profiles, which are taken into account and considered during the design, are accordingly built into the switchboard and require corresponding installation space. Design restrictions are imposed by these profiles.

[0043] As an alternative, it is conventionally possible to use additional components, such as a spring or a clip, which necessitate an additional plugging process.

[0044] Conventionally, the fork contacts may also be supported by additional plastic parts, which are made in the form of additional cover plates or base parts. Such plastic parts cause additional mold requirements, additional material costs and additional storage costs.

[0045] By integrating the bracket into the punched sheet metal as described here, additional components such as clips or other plastic parts and additional contours in the plastic can be omitted.

[0046] Furthermore, by integrating the bracket into the plate, optimal rear ventilation of the contact system can be achieved by convection, since no additional plastic parts "insulate" the system.

[0047] In the solution presented here, the functionality of the punching grid is extended. The punching grid serves as a receiving portion and electrical contact for fork contacts as before. The punching grid additionally assumes the function of clamping or fixing the fork contacts in the punching grid. The fixing is carried out in the following way, namely: a connecting plate is punched out in the punching grid and the connecting plate is bent after the fork contacts are set in the punching grid. As a result, the fork contacts are clamped in the punching grid and cannot be pushed out or squeezed out of their receiving portion when making contact or when the plug contacts the counterpart. The integrated bracket provides anti-loss protection for the fork contacts.

[0048] This connecting plate can be molded from the front. The connecting plate can also be molded from the material from the back. The connecting plate can also be guided from the side under the fork contact. The corresponding design of the connecting plate can be selected according to the application, as long as it allows the geometry or expansion of the plate and is optimal from a process point of view.

[0049] The fork contact can be integrated directly into the punching grid during production. The fork contact can be used in a fuse terminal box. The fork contact is fixed in this way or in a similar way by positioning the fork contact in a receiving contour and then bending the connecting plate with the aid of a press.

[0050] Due to the simple geometry and the one-piece nature of the punching grid, the contacts can be produced very cost-effectively.

[0051] The production sequence is the punching out of the punching grid including the support structure for the fork contacts, the insertion of the fork contacts and the bending of the support structure.

[0052] As an alternative, the solution presented here can be realized by connecting two busbars.

[0053] The fork contact is to be inserted into the (punched) sheet, which is limited in thickness. Thick sheets cannot be used, even if this is necessary based on the cross section. The fork contact can be supported by the second sheet. This automatically results in an enlarged cross section for carrying high currents. The sheet arranged below can be produced more easily because it is not mechanically subjected to the same strong loads as the punching grid into which the fork contact is inserted.

[0054] It is also possible to use a continuous, easily produced busbar and to place (punched) sheets in which the fork contacts are integrated only in the areas where the fork contacts are required. The sheet with the fork contacts is fixed to the busbar, which can be easily produced from a relatively small (punched) sheet.

[0055] Since the above described devices and methods are exemplary embodiments, they can be modified in a conventional manner by a person skilled in the art within a wide range without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, the mechanical arrangement and size ratios of the individual elements relative to one another are selected here only as examples.

[0056] List of reference numerals:

[0057] 100 contacts

[0058] 102 base

[0059] 104 incision

[0060] 106 bracket

[0061] 108 Plane

[0062] 110 fork contact

[0063] 112 contact finger

[0064] 114 yoke

[0065] 116 Front

[0066] 118 Back

[0067] 120 end face

[0068] 122 First bend

[0069] 124 Second bend

[0070] 200 outer edge

[0071] 300 plates

Claims

1. A contact piece for electrically and mechanically connecting at least one electrical component to a base, wherein the base is plate-shaped, and the contact piece has at least one cutout and, adjacent to the cutout, has a bracket connected to the base on one side, and the bracket is connected to the base in one piece, wherein a fork contact having two contact fingers and a yoke connecting the contact fingers is inserted into the cutout, wherein the contact fingers extend from the cutout on the front side of the base transversely to the plane of the base, and the yoke extends from the cutout on the back side of the base opposite to the front side, wherein the bracket is bent out of the plane in the direction of the back side and abuts against the end face of the yoke facing away from the back side, wherein The bracket is bent into a U-shape and has two bending parts, the bracket is bent transversely at the two bending parts, and a straight section of the bracket is arranged between the two bending parts, and the straight section is shorter than the part of the fork contact protruding from the cutout toward the back side. in, After the fork contact is inserted into the cutout, at least one of the two bending portions of the bracket is bent so that the bracket is bent onto the end face of the yoke of the fork contact and contacts the end face. 2 . The contact according to claim 1 , wherein the bracket is connected to the base on a side facing the cutout.

3. The contact piece according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact piece has a plurality of cutouts each having adjacent brackets.

4. The contact piece according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact piece has a plurality of cutouts, each of which has a fork-shaped contact inserted therein, wherein the bracket abuts against end faces of the plurality of fork-shaped contacts.

5. The contact piece according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact finger and the yoke are composed of at least two thin sheets.

6. A method for fixing a fork contact in a contact piece of a plate-shaped base, wherein at least one notch is cut from the contact piece of the base and a bracket connected to the base on one side is cut from the base adjacent to the notch, and the bracket is connected to the base in one piece, wherein the fork contact is inserted into the notch from the back side of the base until two contact fingers of the fork contact protrude from the notch on the front side of the base opposite to the back side, transversely to the plane of the base, and a yoke of the fork contact connecting the contact fingers protrudes from the notch on the back side, wherein the bracket is bent out of the plane in the direction of the back side until the bracket abuts against the end face of the yoke facing away from the back side, wherein The bracket is bent into a U-shape and has two bending parts, the bracket is bent transversely at the two bending parts, and a straight section of the bracket is arranged between the two bending parts, and the straight section is shorter than the part of the fork contact protruding from the cutout toward the back side. in, After the fork contact is inserted into the cutout, at least one of the two bending portions of the bracket is bent so that the bracket is bent onto the end face of the yoke of the fork contact and contacts the end face.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a first bend of the bracket is bent out of the plane laterally before the fork contact is inserted, and a second bend of the bracket is bent out of the plane laterally after the fork contact is inserted. 8 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein the bracket is punched out of the base using a punching and bending process and is bent out of the plane.

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