Electrical connector device with spring-loaded connecting element and with compact actuating device, and multi-pole connector with several such spring contacts

Abstract

Electrical connector device (10) with an electrical insulating body (20) having at least one pair of longitudinally extending parallel seats (23, 24) capable of receiving a connector element (30) with a spring-loaded terminal (31) and an actuating pin (40) having a cam profile oriented towards a spring (32) of the terminal to effect the opening and closing of the terminal by sliding into the corresponding seat, wherein the spring (32) is an annular spring having a curved first section (34), a rising second section in the form of a leg (35) which can be brought into engagement with a projecting section (41) of the cam profile of the actuating pin (40), and a third section (36) with a slot (37) for receiving at least one electrical conductor (60), characterized in thatthat the actuating pin (40) is provided with a hollow seat (42) bounded by two side walls (45), which is capable of receiving the protruding leg (35) of the annular spring (32) when the spring is in the state of its maximum protrusion, i.e., when the port is closed and empty, and that the protruding leg (35) of the spring (32) has tapered sides (39) for receiving in the hollow seat (42) of the actuating pin (40).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrical connector device with a spring-loaded connecting element, in particular an electrical connection terminal for connecting one or more electrical conductors, which is provided with a compact actuating device. In particular – without thereby excluding other embodiments of the invention – the electrical connector element is provided in the form of an electrical contact element, which is either a male (plug) or a female (socket) contact element.

[0002] In particular, the electrical connector device may also be suitable for placement in the insulating body of a multipole connector device, such as an electrical connector, in order to connect an electrical conductor, which may be of the multi-strand type (flexible conductor) or of the single-wire type (rigid or flexible, but provided with a crimped terminal sleeve end). State of the art

[0003] Electrical plug-in elements and electrical plug-in connectors suitable for connecting one or more electrical conductors by the action of a tension spring are known.

[0004] One of the most widespread forms of a tension spring for the aforementioned elements is the tension spring described in DE 27 06 482 C2 (Wago), which consists in particular of a strip of elastic material that is ring-shaped.

[0005] German patent DE 10 2007 009 082 A1 (ILME) describes a further development of such plug-in connectors with spring contacts, in which each terminal is provided with an actuating device in the form of a sliding pin. This pin can be actuated to close or open the tension spring and consequently to connect or disconnect the conductor to / from the terminal without the use of a tool (e.g., a screwdriver with a slotted end) to close the plug-in terminal and thereby establish the electrical connection between the conductor and the contact. The tool is only required for subsequent reopening. This earlier invention made it possible to perform the wiring operation independently of the user, i.e., regardless of the user's level of training or skill.

[0006] In the subsequently published DE 10 2013 223 694 A1 (ILME) a ​​further development of the above-mentioned invention is described, in which the actuating devices of the spring connecting elements are provided with a longitudinal groove which, for example, enables the insertion of a metal probe for carrying out electrical measurements. State of the art problems

[0007] Prior art electrical connectors with spring contacts and actuating pins, based on the typical ring shape of the spring according to DE 27 06 482 C2, suffer from the fact that they impractically have a considerable transverse dimension: the actuating pin, which is designed with a cam profile at the front to cause the opening and closing of the spring connection by acting on the so-called "leg" of the spring, necessarily has a transverse dimension behind the spring itself when the connecting element is in the "open" position, which limits the possibility of a denser arrangement of the spring connecting elements equipped with the actuating device, which can be implemented in adjacent parallel rows, such as in multi-pole compact terminal blocks or multi-pole electrical connectors.

[0008] For the relevant slots in the insulating body of the multipole terminal block or the multipole connector, consistent transverse dimensions are therefore required, so that in multipole devices with high contact density - especially if, for example, the multipole connector insert is limited in its maximum size by the usable internal size of the respective protective housing - the use of such electrical spring connecting elements equipped with an actuating device is prevented.

[0009] According to an alternative embodiment of the actuating pin of the prior art, which is free of the transverse dimensions behind the spring, while the shape of the spring remains unchanged compared to the classical spring of the prior art, a larger overall width of the actuating pin itself is provided, which engages laterally with the spring; however, in a connection device that has such a spring-type electrical connector element equipped with an actuating device, a larger width dimension is present due to the necessarily increased lateral dimension of the actuating pin. This makes the use of such a connector element impractical in existing multi-pole connector devices, which is due to the increased distance that would be required between such connector elements arranged side by side.

[0010] An alternative embodiment of a spring-type connector element, comprising an actuating device based on a different spring design, wherein a spring element with a sleeve shape is provided, is described in DE 101 45 324 A1 (Harting). Although this technique is more compact, it is nevertheless hampered by significant disadvantages: (1) Due to the small size of the actuating pin, a tool (e.g., a screwdriver with a slotted end) is still required to close the connection, and (2) this technique is only suitable for flexible stranded conductors and thus not for conductors fitted with an insulated crimp terminal (a solution widely preferred by manufacturers of cable harnesses for electrical switchboards) or for single-core conductors, solid or bundled, whose use for wiring fixed electrical installations is still widespread in numerous countries.

[0011] From DE 198 16 418 A1, a plug-in unit with contact elements, a retaining plate, and a strain relief is known. The plug-in unit is provided with an inner, essentially cylindrical contact carrier for receiving contact elements against which a conductor to be clamped is pressed. For this purpose, screwless conductor clamping devices are provided, which are referred to here as spring clips and each have a window opening into which the conductor end to be clamped is inserted. The terminal end of the respective contact element is housed in a chamber of a retaining plate.

[0012] DE 20 2009 005 366 U1 discloses an industrial plug device. This device comprises an electrical cable with several electrical conductors, a contact holder insert in which electrical contacts are connected to corresponding spring clamp terminals, which are provided for securing the cores of electrical conductors of a cable, and in which actuating pins for the spring clamp terminals are arranged, and a housing for accommodating the contact holder insert.

[0013] The contact holder insert contains actuating pins which have a front end that points towards the outside of the contact holder insert so that it can be pressed in by the user to actuate the relevant spring clamps and secure the conductor cores.

[0014] DE 197 15 971 C1 relates to a tension spring clamp with a clamping spring bent from a spring leaf. The clamping spring serves to clamp an electrical conductor against a busbar. The clamping spring runs with continuous curves from a support or fastening point to a force distribution point, where it has a clamping element that clamps the electrical conductor against the busbar. To ensure a more uniform distribution of spring tension over the entire length of the clamping spring, the clamping spring is reinforced in its areas of higher spring tension and / or weakened in its areas of lower spring tension. Purpose of the invention

[0015] Thus, one object of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art described above and, in particular, to create an electrical connector device with a spring-type connector element as described in DE 27 06 482 C2, which is provided with an actuating device according to DE 10 2007 009 082 A1, wherein this connector device is to have a compact form such that the transverse dimensions of the device are reduced, and wherein, in the case of use of the connector device with multi-pole connectors, the density of the connector elements is to be increased, while retaining all the advantages offered by a spring-type connector element with an annular spring.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to create such an electrical connector device that is suitable for both flexible and rigid conductors and is able to accommodate more than just a single conductor.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to create such an electrical connector device that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. Description of the invention

[0018] The electrical connector device according to the invention has the features specified in independent claim 1.

[0019] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are listed in the dependent claims.

[0020] In the electrical connector device according to the invention, which has a body in which the spring-type connector element and the actuating device are arranged, a deformation of the tension spring of the connector element is provided; this deformation takes place in particular in a limited section of the so-called "leg" of the ring-shaped spring (also known as a cage), which serves as a lever arm for closing the section that functions as the actual spring and is formed by a semicircularly curved lower section.

[0021] The section of the aforementioned “leg” is suitably tapered symmetrically at the sides, and the corresponding profile of the actuating pin is hollow in such a way as to completely enclose the aforementioned tapered rear section of the tension spring when the spring-type plug-in element is in the fully closed position of the connector (and the cage spring assumes its maximum extension).

[0022] Thus, in comparison to the known technique, in the closed position of the connection (the position of maximum transverse dimensioning), the total transverse dimensions of the actuating pin are expediently reduced to zero.

[0023] This makes it possible to accommodate a spring-type electrical connector element equipped with an actuating device, such as this element, in compact multipole terminal blocks or in high-density multipole connectors where there are several rows of adjacent and closely spaced contacts.

[0024] In particular, for use in multi-pole connectors, the maximum transverse footprint of the spring-type connector element with an actuating device is obtained, which is the same as that required for similar multi-pole spring-type connectors without an actuating device. Thus, the same interlocking interface (and therefore the same contact density) as that found in existing multi-pole spring-type connectors without an actuating device can also be maintained in the spring-type versions equipped with an actuating device. Brief description of the characters

[0025] Further features of the invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of a merely exemplary and therefore non-limiting embodiment, which is shown in the accompanying drawings; these show in detail the following: Fig. Figure 1 shows an axonometric exploded view of an electrical connector device according to the invention; Fig. Figure 2 shows an exploded view along plane II-II according to Fig. 1 attached cross-sectional view; Fig. Figure 3a shows an isometric exploded view of the spring-type electrical connector element and the actuating pin of the connector device according to the invention; Fig. 3b shows the elements according to Fig. 3a in the assembled state in the closed position of the connection, namely in the empty state without a conductor, with the actuating pin shown partially cut away (hatched area); Fig. 3c shows an isometric view of only the actuating pin relative to Fig. 3a opposite direction of view; Fig. 4a shows a Fig. 2. Similar cross-sectional view of the assembled electrical connector device in the closed position of the connection, in the empty state without a conductor, as shown in Fig. 3b; Fig. 4b shows an isometric representation of the sectional view according to Fig. 4a; Fig. 5 - 9 a, b show views similar to those according to Fig. 4 a,b, wherein the electrical connector device is shown in various configurations corresponding to the sequence of the different wiring steps and possible reopening, the connector device being shown in the following positions: - in Fig. 5 in the open terminal position, with the actuating pin fully extended, - in Fig. 6 in the open terminal position, with the actuating pin fully extended and the conductor inserted into the corresponding housing seat, - in Fig. 7 in the closed terminal position, with the wire and actuating pin inserted into their seats, - in Fig. 8 in the position of the closed connection as in Fig. 7, wherein the end of a screwdriver is inserted into a lateral seat of the actuating pin, - in Fig. 9 in the open terminal position, with the actuating pin lifted using the end of the screwdriver and the conductor pulled out, Fig. 10 shows a Fig. 4a Similar cross-sectional view of an example of a multipole connector, which is provided with the plug-in elements and actuating pins as shown in the previous figures. Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0026] In Fig. Figures 1 to 9 show an embodiment of an electrical connector device according to the invention, generally designated by 10. The connector device 10 has an electrical insulating body 20, which consists of a base 21 and a cover 22, which in the assembled state ( Fig. 4 - 9) form two longitudinally extending, parallel seats 23, 24, which are capable of receiving an electrical connector element 30 or an actuating pin 40, which are designed as described in the aforementioned document DE 10 2007 009 082 A1 and with the modifications to be described below.

[0027] The connector element 30 has a terminal 31 with an annular tension spring 32 (also known as a cage) and – according to the embodiment described here – a pin-shaped male electrical contact element 33 that projects downwards from the insulating body 20. Alternatively, the electrical contact element 33 can also be of the socket-shaped female type.

[0028] The tension spring 32, known per se, is, as described in DE 27 06 482 C2, a leaf spring which is simply formed in the form of a closed ring and has a lower section curved essentially in a semicircle 34, which acts as the actual spring, a rear projecting section which is called the "leg" 35, and an upper section 36 with a slot 37 which is formed in an upper projection 38 of the plug-in connector element 30 or of a section of the spring opposite the leg 35, in order to allow the spring to bend in response to an external load and thus to open and close the connection.

[0029] The actuating pin 40 has a prismatic shape with a vertical longitudinal orientation and can slide in the respective seat 24 to actuate the spring 32 and open or close the connection. In particular, the actuating pin 40 has at its lower end a cam-like front profile with a projecting section 41, which can interact with the spring 32 to open or close the connection, and with a recess 42, which is able to receive the leg 35 of the spring 32 when the connection is closed and the conductor is not present.

[0030] The actuating pin 40 also has an upper lateral seat 43 for a handheld tool such as a screwdriver with a slotted end 50 (see in particular Fig. 7 and Fig. 8) to allow the connection to be reopened, as described in the aforementioned DE 10 2007 009 082 A1.

[0031] The actuating pin 40 has a longitudinal opening 44 pointing towards the spring 32, which allows the insertion of the probe of a test device for carrying out electrical measurements, as described in the aforementioned unpublished patent application DE 10 2013 223 694 A1.

[0032] The essential difference between the plug connection device according to the present invention and the plug connection device described in DE 10 2007 009 082 A1, which enables a reduction of the internal transverse dimensions of the device and thus the achievement of a higher density of the plug connection elements in the case of multipole terminal blocks or connectors, is that the aforementioned recess 42, which is formed in the actuating pin 40, is a trough-like seat having the thickness dimension of the pin, which is defined by two opposing vertical walls 45 (which in Fig. 3c are most clearly visible) and that the protruding leg 35 of the spring 32 has the relevant tapered or grooved sides 39 so that, when the connection is closed in the rest state and no conductor is present, it fits into the corresponding hollow seat 42 of the actuating pin 40, as shown in Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b is shown. In order to enable a complete fit of the leg 35 of the spring 32 in the hollow seat 42 of the actuating pin 40 in this resting state, a window 46 is provided at the lower end of the pin to allow the spring to fully bulge.

[0033] The following will be based on Fig. 5 to 9 briefly describe the operation of the electrical plug connection device according to the invention, which is completely identical to the operation described and shown in DE 10 2007 009 082 A1.

[0034] In Fig. 5 the device is in the open position of the connection without a conductor, the actuating pin 40 being fully extended in its housing seat 24 and the annular spring 32 being compressed by means of the projection 41 of the cam profile of the actuating device, so that the upper slot 37 of the spring is ready to receive an electrical conductor 60, as Fig. 6 shows. In Fig. Figure 6 and the following figures show a rigid conductor 60, but it is evident that the electrical connector element 30 can also accommodate a flexible conductor or even several conductors.

[0035] Fig. Figure 7 shows the electrical plug connection device in the closed state of the connection, wherein the actuating pin 40 is retractably inserted into its seat 24 and the conductor 60 is clamped in the spring connection.

[0036] Fig. 8 is a Fig. Figure 7 shows a similar view and shows the end area of ​​a screwdriver 50 with a slotted end, which is inserted into the lateral slot 43 of the actuating pin 40.

[0037] By applying leverage to the upper edge of the cover 22 of the body 30, which is provided with a suitable projection, a downward rotation of the screwdriver 50 is carried out, which causes an upward movement of the actuating pin 40, so that the forward section 41 of its cam profile causes the spring 32 to be compressed with the corresponding opening of the connection and the release of the conductor 60, which can then be pulled out, as Fig. 9 shows.

[0038] Fig. Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a multipole connector 100 with three rows of contacts and actuating pins 40, which are retractably inserted into the respective seats of the connector's insulating body, and with closed spring terminals (empty, without wires), in the position of maximum protrusion of the rear leg section 35 of the annular springs 32. The overall width of the actuating pin 40 has no effect, due to the tapered shape of the rear leg of the springs 32 and the corresponding hollow seat 42 in the actuating pin 40, and due to the window 46 arranged in the lower region of these seats, so that, viewed in cross-section, the actuating pins have zero thickness from the plane to the point of maximum protrusion of the springs.In this way, in the rest position (empty closed connections), the fully pre-curved springs are inserted into the corresponding cavities of the actuating pins 40, thus minimizing the transverse dimension of the device and creating the possibility of arranging such spring-type plug-in elements with actuating pins in high-density plug-in devices or equipping the spring-type plug-in elements of existing devices with actuating devices without this resulting in an increase in the transverse dimension.

[0039] In particular, it would be in the case of the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 10, in the case of the use of spring-like contacts and actuating pins of the prior art, such as those according to DE 10 2007 009 082 A1, it is not possible to accommodate three rows of electrical contacts with the same transverse dimension of the connector body.

Claims

[1] Electrical connector device (10) with an electrical insulating body (20) having at least one pair of longitudinal parallel seats (23, 24) capable of receiving a connector element (30) with a spring terminal (31) and an actuating pin (40) having a cam profile oriented towards a spring (32) of the terminal to cause the opening and closing of the terminal by sliding into the corresponding seat, wherein the spring (32) is an annular spring having a curved first section (34), a rising second section in the form of a leg (35) which can be brought into engagement with a projecting section (41) of the cam profile of the actuating pin (40), and a third section (36) with a slot (37) for receiving at least one electrical conductor (60), characterized by, that the actuating pin (40) is provided with a hollow seat (42) bounded by two side walls (45) which is able to receive the protruding leg (35) of the annular spring (32) when the spring is in the state of its maximum protrusion, i.e. when the port is closed and empty, and that the protruding leg (35) of the spring (32) has tapered sides (39) for receiving in the hollow seat (42) of the actuating pin (40). [2] Electrical connector device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the actuating pin (40) has a width that is no greater than that of the spring connection (31). [3] Electrical connector device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that an area of ​​the hollow seat (42) of the actuating pin (40) is provided with a window (46). [4] Electrical connector device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the actuating pin (40) has a lateral seat (43) for the insertion of the end of a tool such as a screwdriver. [5] Electrical connector device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the actuating pin (40) has a longitudinally extending opening (44) aligned along the direction of the spring (32), into which the probe of a test device for carrying out electrical measurements can be inserted. [6] Electrical connector device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the electrical insulating body (20) has a base (21) and a cover (22). [7] Electrical connector device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one of the conductors (60) is flexible or rigid. [8] Multipole electrical connector device (100) with several electrical connector elements (30) having a spring connection (31) and actuating pins (40) which are slidably inserted into respective housing seats (23, 24) of the non-conductive insulating body (20) of a connector device (10) having the features according to one of the preceding claims.

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