Modular high-current plug connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular high-current plug connector (1) having a first housing part (7) and a second housing part (8) connected thereto, wherein the second housing part (8) has an open housing wall (10). The open housing wall (10) can be arbitrarily extended by means of additional housing parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a modular high-current plug connector according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] Such a high-current plug connector is applied to high-current applications and is particularly used for powering transformers. Background Art

[0003] WO 2019 / 219126 A1 shows a plug connector for high-current applications. In order to transmit higher energy, two contact elements can be bridged with each other.

[0004] The structural dimensions of such a plug connector are matched to the corresponding application fields. Different structural dimensions are usually also used for different application fields.

[0005] The German Patent and Trademark Office cited the following prior art in the priority application of this application: DE 10 2018127 720 B3 and WO 2019 / 219 126 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a high-current plug connector that can be modularly adapted to the corresponding application fields.

[0007] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims.

[0008] Advantageous design solutions of the present invention are provided in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0009] The high-current plug connector according to the present invention has a first housing part and a second housing part connected thereto. The connection of the two housing parts can be realized via a screw connection.

[0010] Pin contacts are arranged in the first housing part. The first housing part forms the plugging area or the plugging side of the high-current plug connector. The contact pins thus form the contacts for sockets, such as transformer sockets.

[0011] Connection contact elements for electrically connecting to the wires to be connected are arranged in the second housing part. The second housing part has an open housing wall. The open housing side can be closed via a housing cover. However, the housing wall simultaneously forms a connection site for fixing the other housing part.

[0012] Preferably, the modular high-current plug connector can be provided with a third housing part. The third housing part is fixed to the second housing part. For this purpose, a screw connection is preferably used. Another connection contact element for electrically connecting to another wire to be connected is arranged in the third housing part similarly to the second housing part.

[0013] Additional housing parts, namely fourth, fifth and / or sixth housing parts, can be provided for a modular high-current plug connector. In each of these housing parts, connection contact elements for electrical connection to another line to be connected are respectively arranged. The housing parts are arranged in sequence and fixed to each other. Then the third housing part is fixed to the second housing part, the fourth housing part is fixed to the third housing part, and so on. The corresponding last housing part is enclosed by the above-mentioned housing cover, so that the high-current plug connector or its housing as a whole is enclosed and is dielectrically sealed. Thus, the high-current plug connector can be arbitrarily extended. For this purpose, the same components can be used. It is also conceivable to connect multiple housing parts through a common connection element: two housing parts -> medium-length screws, three housing parts -> longer screws, etc.

[0014] Wires are respectively connected to the respective connection contact elements. Preferably, the corresponding connection contact elements are conductively connected to pin contacts. High current can be transmitted via the pin contacts through multiple parallel lines. The high-current plug connector can transmit, for example, 400 A in one line, 800 A in two lines, and 1200 A correspondingly in three lines. The high-current plug connector according to the present invention can be arbitrarily extended and thus can be adapted to different application fields.

[0015] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the connection contact elements respectively have a connection area and a contact area. Wires are connected to the connection area. This is achieved through a crimp connection. For this purpose, the connection area has a cylindrical opening. The crimp connection provides a high level of vibration resistance. Therefore, this connection technology is highly recognized especially in the rail field. The contact area of the connection contact element has a cylindrical through-hole. In order to make electrical contact with the connection contact element, a pin contact is inserted into the through-hole of the connection contact element. The diameter of the pin contact and each through-hole are matched to each other for this purpose.

[0016] Preferably, the opening or the crimping opening and the through-hole of the corresponding connection contact element are orthogonal to each other. Thus, the connection direction of the line and the plugging direction of the high-current plug connector also extend orthogonally to each other. The line extends flatly away from the connected device, which is particularly advantageous in the rail field because the line can extend flatly against the carriage wall and thus can be laid in a space-saving manner.

[0017] In order to ensure the best electrical contact between the connection contact element and the pin contact, preferably, a surrounding contact strip is arranged in the cylindrical through-hole of the corresponding connection contact element.

[0018] Preferably, the pin contact is basically designed to be cylindrical and has a connection area and a contact area. The connection area forms the above-mentioned electrical contact between the pin contact and the connection contact element. The contact area forms the electrical contact with the device socket or the connection socket.

[0019] Advantageously, the contact area of the pin contact has a circumferential thread. The contact area of the pin contact preferably also has a circumferential ring. The circumferential thread extends from the contact tip of the pin contact up to the circumferential ring. Thereby, the pin contact can be brought into contact with a so-called cable terminal, which is clamped onto the circumferential ring by a nut screwed onto the thread. It has been found that this contact is particularly durable and very vibration-resistant. Therefore, this contact technology is particularly suitable for use in the railway field.

[0020] Preferably, the pin contact has an axial opening in the contact area, which serves, for example, as a receptacle for a screwdriver or a nut wrench, in particular an Allen key. Thereby, the contact pin can be fixed when tightening the lock nut on the cable terminal. The polygonal outer contour can also advantageously be designed such that a nut wrench can be placed thereon. However, this outer contour can be designed to be within the inner diameter of the thread. Description of the Drawings

[0021] Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and described in detail below. Shown therein are:

[0022] Figure 1 A perspective view of two high-current plug connectors according to the invention is shown,

[0023] Figure 2 A side sectional view of a high-current plug connector according to the invention is shown,

[0024] Figure 3 A sectional view of a pin contact in electrical contact with two connection contact elements is shown,

[0025] Figure 4 A perspective view of a pin contact in electrical contact with two connection contact elements is shown,

[0026] Figure 5 A sectional view of a connection contact element is shown,

[0027] Figure 6 An exploded view of a high-current plug connector according to the invention is shown,

[0028] Figure 7 A perspective sectional view of a first housing part of a high-current plug connector according to the invention is shown.

[0029] The drawings contain partially simplified schematic views. In part, the same reference numerals are used for the same, but not necessarily identical, elements. Different views of the same element may have different scale ratios.

[0030] Directional indications, such as for example "left", "right", "up" and "down", can be understood with reference to the respective drawings and can vary relative to the objects shown in the individual schematic views. Detailed implementation modes

[0031] Figure 1 FIGS. show perspective views of two high-current plug connectors 1, 1' according to the present invention. A wire (not shown) is connected to the smaller high-current plug connector 1. Two wires are connected to the larger high-current plug connector 1'. Thus, the larger high-current plug connector 1' can transmit a higher current intensity. In Figure 2 a cross-sectional view of the larger high-current plug connector 1' is shown. The wires connected to the high-current plug connectors 1, 1' are fixed via cable connectors 6, 6'.

[0032] The high-current plug connectors 1, 1' have a first housing part 7 in which pin contacts 9 are arranged. The pin contacts 9 can be seen in detail in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The pin contacts 9 have a contact area K' and a connection area A'. The contact area K' of the pin contacts 9 projects from the first housing part 7 on the plugging side and forms an electrical contact with a device socket (not shown) in the plugged state.

[0033] The pin contacts 9 extend with their connection areas A' into a second housing part 8 of the high-current plug connectors 1, 1'. Here, the pin contacts 9 are in conductive contact with at least one connection contact element 5. Wires (not shown) are respectively connected to the connection contact elements 5 by means of a crimping technique. The contact pins 9 and the connection contact elements 5 or their main symmetry axes are orthogonal to each other. Thus, the plugging direction and the cable connection direction of the high-current plug connector are perpendicular to each other.

[0034] In Figure 6 it can be seen that the second housing part 8 has an open housing wall 10. A surrounding groove 11 is provided on the periphery of the open housing wall 10, and a seal (not shown) is placed in the groove to provide a media seal for the high-current plug connectors 1, 1'. The open housing wall 10 can be closed via a housing cover 12. In order to modularly expand the high-current plug connector 1', another housing part, namely a third housing part 13, can be placed on the open housing wall 10.

[0035] In Figure 2 it can be seen that the third housing part 13 is also provided with connection contact elements 5, and the connection contact elements can be provided with another connected line (not shown) on the connection side and are in electrical contact with the pin contacts 9 on the contact side.

[0036] Figure 5The connection contact element 5 according to the invention is shown in a sectional view. The connection contact element has grooves 16 on both sides. A web 17 formed in the second housing part 8 engages into the grooves 16, thereby ensuring prevention of twisting of the connection contact element. The connection contact element 5 is fixed in the second housing part 8 via a fixing element 14. The same fixing element 14 can naturally also be used for additional housing parts, such as the third housing part 13.

[0037] The connection contact element 5 has a connection area A and a contact area K. The connection area A has a cylindrical opening 2 for a crimp connection with the wire to be connected. The contact area K of the connection contact element 5 has a cylindrical through-hole 3. For an electrical connection between the connection contact element 5 and the pin contact 9, the pin contact 9 is inserted into the through-hole 3. A contact strip 4 is arranged within the through-hole 3, which ensures a reliable electrical contact between the connection contact element 5 and the pin contact 9.

[0038] The main symmetry axes of the crimp opening 2 and the through-hole 3 are oriented orthogonally to each other. Thereby, the insertion direction SR and the cable connection direction KA of the high-current plug connectors 1, 1' are perpendicular to each other. Thereby, the line extends flatly away from the device, whereby the line can be simply routed or laid.

[0039] The contact area K' of the pin contact 9 is terminated by a surrounding ring 15. The contact pin 9 has a surrounding thread 20 in the direction towards its contact tip starting from the surrounding ring 15. When the high-current plug connectors 1, 1' are connected to, for example, a transformer, an annular cable terminal (not shown) is guided around the contact tip of the contact pin 9. The cable terminal is fixed via at least one screw (not shown) and simultaneously pressed onto the annular surface of the surrounding ring 15. Here, a second screw or a locking nut is preferably also used to ensure optimal vibration protection.

[0040] Figure 7 A sectional perspective view of the first housing part 7 of the high-current plug connector 1 is shown. The contact pin 9 is oriented such that the contact pin projects from the insulator 19 with its contact area K' in the insertion direction SR. The insulator 19 extends above the surrounding ring in the direction opposite to the insertion direction SR up to the first housing part 7 of the high-current plug connector 1. Here, the insulator 19 projects from the first housing part 7 and is only held by the first housing part 7 in its upper region. The freely extending part of the insulator 19 then extends into the device wall or the transformer housing.

[0041] The contact pin 9 has two surrounding grooves 20, 20' in the region where it extends within the insulator 19. Sealing rings 21, 21' are respectively placed in the grooves 20, 20'. Thereby, the high-current plug connector 1 is sealed in a media-tight manner on the insertion side.

[0042] The contact pin 9 projects from the first housing part 7 into at least one second housing part 8 in a direction opposite to the insertion direction SR and, if necessary, also into a third housing part 13. In this region, the above-mentioned connection contact element 5 is connected to the pin contact 9.

[0043] The contact pin 9 has a shoulder 22 in the connection direction. The pin contact 9 can be fixed or clamped into the first housing part 7 via this shoulder 22 by means of a fixing element 23.

[0044] The pin contact 9 is preferably made of copper to ensure the corresponding electrical conductivity. Pure copper means that the material has at least 99 weight percent copper content. One connection contact element or a plurality of connection contact elements can also be made of this pure copper.

[0045] Even if different embodiments or features of the present invention are shown separately combined in the drawings, those skilled in the art understand, without further indication, that the shown and discussed combinations are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes in different embodiments can be exchanged with each other.

[0046] List of reference numerals

[0047] 1 High-current plug connector

[0048] 2 Opening

[0049] 3 Through hole

[0050] 4 Contact strip

[0051] 5 Connection contact element

[0052] 6 Cable joint

[0053] 7 First housing part

[0054] 8 Second housing part

[0055] 9 Pin contact

[0056] 10 Open housing wall

[0057] 11 Groove

[0058] 12 Housing cover

[0059] 13 Third housing part

[0060] 14 Fixing element

[0061] 15 Surrounding ring

[0062] 16 Groove

[0063] 17 Web

[0064] 18 Thread

[0065] 19 Insulator

[0066] 20 Groove

[0067] 21 Sealing Ring

[0068] 22 Shoulder

[0069] 23 Fastener

[0070] A, A’ Connection Area

[0071] K, K’ Contact Area

[0072] KA Cable Connection Direction

[0073] SR Plugging Direction

Claims

1. A modular high-current plug connector (1), the high-current plug connector having a first housing part (7) and a second housing part (8) connected thereto, wherein the second housing part (8) has an open housing wall (10) on which another housing part can be fixed; the high-current plug connector further having a third housing part (13) which is placed on the second housing part (8); pin contacts (9) which have a connection region (A') and a contact region (K'), wherein the connection region (A') of the pin contacts (9) extends through the first housing part (7), through the second housing part (8) into the third housing part (13); a first connection contact element (5) arranged in the second housing part (8), the first connection contact element (5) having a connection region (A) for connecting an electric wire and a contact region (K) with a cylindrical through-hole (3) for receiving the pin contacts (9); and a second connection contact element (5) arranged in the third housing part (13), the second connection contact element (5) having another connection region (A) for connecting another electric wire and another contact region (K) with another cylindrical through-hole (3) for receiving the pin contacts (9), wherein the first connection contact element (5) includes a groove (16) into which a web (17) of the second housing part (8) engages, thereby preventing the first connection contact element (5) from twisting in the second housing part (8).

2. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to the previous claim, characterized in that, The modular high-current plug connector (1) has another housing part, and the another housing part is implemented similarly to the third housing part (13).

3. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The modular high-current plug connector (1) has fourth, fifth and sixth housing parts.

4. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The high-current plug connector (1) has at least one connection contact element (5) for electrically connecting to a line to be connected and pin contacts (9) for electrically contacting a device socket or a mating plug connector, and the connection contact element (5) or connection contact elements (5) are respectively conductively connected to the pin contacts (9).

5. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connection contact element (5) is arranged in the fourth housing part and / or in the fifth housing part and / or in the sixth housing part.

6. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The connection region (A) of the connection contact element (5) has a cylindrical opening (2).

7. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The opening (2) and the through-hole (3) are orthogonal to each other.

8. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, A surrounding contact strip (4) is arranged in the cylindrical through-hole (3).

9. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The pin contacts (9) are substantially designed as cylindrical.

10. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, The contact region (K') of the pin contacts (9) has a surrounding ring.

11. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The contact region (K') of the pin contacts (9) has a surrounding thread.

12. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The surrounding thread extends from the contact tip to the surrounding ring (15).

13. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The pin contacts (9) have an axial opening in the contact region.

14. The modular high-current plug connector (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first housing part (7) and the second housing part (8) connected thereto are implemented integrally.

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