Electrical plug and fixing device for fixing a contact element in a housing of the electrical plug

Abstract

A fixing device (100) for fixing a contact element (40) in a housing (20) of a connector (200), comprising the housing (20), wherein the housing (20) has a contact element receptacle (24) configured to receive at least one contact element (40), wherein the fixing device (100) comprises a clamping device (10) configured to clamp the at least one contact element (40) in the contact element receptacle (24) with a clamping force (110) directed in a clamping direction (K), wherein the contact element (40) rests at least partially on a support surface (25) on the side facing away from the clamping device (10), the support surface having a deflection surface (27) oriented obliquely to the clamping force (110), wherein the deflection surface (27) is configured to direct the clamping force (110) acting on the contact element (40) at least component by component transversely to the clamping force. (110) to redirect.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical connector and a fixing device for securing a contact element in the housing of the electrical connector. Such a fixing device is used, for example, in the automotive sector to prevent relative movement of a contact element due to vibrations, as these can wear away existing coatings over time and thus lead to increased contact resistance. At sufficiently high currents, increased contact resistance can lead to damage, such as melting or fire.

[0002] Plugs and connectors with fixing devices known from the prior art, as described in documents DE 10 2017 208 008 B3, DE 10 2013 019 873 A1 and DE 696 21 082 T2, show fixing devices with respective clamping devices designed to receive and clamp at least one contact element in a corresponding receptacle with a clamping force directed in the clamping direction, wherein the contact element rests at least partially on a support surface.

[0003] The solutions known so far therefore only show the directed clamping force in the clamping direction, are mostly complex to operate and difficult to automate.

[0004] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a solution with which a contact element can be fixed in a housing in a simple manner and with which the clamping force acting on the contact element can be deflected at least component-wise transversely to the clamping force.

[0005] According to the invention, this is solved by a fixing device for fixing a contact element in a housing of a connector, comprising the housing, wherein the housing has a contact element receptacle configured to receive at least one contact element, wherein the fixing device comprises a clamping device configured to clamp the at least one contact element in the contact element receptacle with a clamping force directed in a clamping direction, wherein the contact element rests at least partially on a support surface on the side facing away from the clamping device, the support surface having a deflection surface inclined to the clamping force, wherein the deflection surface is configured to deflect the clamping force acting on the contact element at least component-wise transversely to the clamping force.

[0006] The deflection surface provides automatic clamping not only in the direction of the clamping force, but also perpendicular to it, thus enabling simple fixing in two directions.

[0007] The clamping device can comprise a clamping body and a slide that is displaceable relative to the clamping body along a sliding direction. The clamping body and the slide are configured to press the clamping body against the contact element along the clamping direction when the slide is displaced along the sliding direction. The contact element can be pressed against the deflecting surface. Such a configuration can be easy to assemble.

[0008] To create an automatic clamping action, the clamping body and the slide can interact via ramp surfaces that run at an angle to the direction of movement. The ramp surfaces can be located on the clamping body or on the slide. Furthermore, the ramp surfaces can be located on both the clamping body and the slide.

[0009] The deflection surface can run parallel to the direction of displacement. This can prevent or reduce movement of the contact element relative to the housing and the clamping device during the clamping process.

[0010] In a particularly space-saving design, the deflecting surface can connect two perpendicular inner surfaces of the contact element receptacle. The deflecting surface can be arranged in an inner edge of the contact element receptacle.

[0011] The deflection surface can have an angle of 10 to 80 degrees to the clamping direction. In particular, the angle can be 20 to 70 degrees, especially 30 to 60 degrees. The smaller the angle, the more easily the contact element can slide on the deflection surface, but the smaller the resulting force component.

[0012] For easy assembly, the sliding direction can run parallel to an insertion direction along which the contact element is inserted into the contact element receptacle.

[0013] If the deflection surface runs parallel to the insertion direction, relative movement of the contact element in the contact element receptacle can be prevented or reduced.

[0014] In a further embodiment, which enables easy assembly, an insertion direction along which the clamping device is inserted into the contact element receptacle can be parallel to the insertion direction.

[0015] To guide the components along a defined path relative to each other, the housing and the clamping body can have cooperating guide elements. These guide elements can include, in particular, projections such as axle cams, ridges, and grooves.

[0016] Similarly, the clamping body and the slide can have interacting guide elements. Here too, this can serve to guide them along a defined path, which can facilitate operation.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the clamping device can be designed to additionally secure the contact element along the insertion direction. This allows, in particular, fixation, specifically clamping, along the insertion direction and further dampens vibrations. To achieve this, the clamping device can have a locking surface for securing along the insertion direction. The locking surface can be perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0018] The clamping element can rotate relative to the housing when the slide is moved relative to the clamping element, at least in one end position of the clamping element within the housing. Rotation can generate less friction during clamping than, for example, translational movement. To achieve such rotation, the clamping element and the housing can have rotary bearings. Furthermore, the clamping element and the slide can also have rotary bearings. Rotary bearings can be, in particular, cylindrical inner or outer surfaces, which may be located, for example, on axle cams or in a cylindrical bore. Rotary bearings can also be formed by guide elements, such as grooves.

[0019] The clamping device can be secured by additional elements within the housing. This can simplify the design of the clamping device, as no further securing elements are then required. Existing elements, such as sealing elements, can be used for securing, thus fulfilling a dual function. In particular, securing can be achieved against the insertion direction to prevent the clamping device from sliding or popping out.

[0020] In one embodiment, the width of the clamping device, measured in a transverse direction, can correspond to the width of the contact element. This allows the contact element to handle a high current while maintaining good clamping action. The width direction can be perpendicular to both the displacement direction and the clamping direction. A similar effect can be achieved if the widths differ from each other by a small amount, for example, by 10 or 20 percent.

[0021] Assembly can be simplified if the insertion direction, along which the plug is connected to a mating plug, runs parallel to the insertion direction.

[0022] An electrical plug can comprise a fixing device according to the invention and a contact element, wherein the contact element surrounds a conductor of a cable on at least three sides in the area of ​​the clamping device.

[0023] In particular, the contact element in the area of ​​the clamping device can have a U-shaped cross-section. Such a design can enable particularly easy installation of the conductor. A U-shaped cross-section can have a base and two legs projecting perpendicularly from it. Advantageously, the conductor is connected to the contact element along the entire U-shaped cross-section, in particular by welding, to ensure a secure connection.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the clamping device, in particular the clamping body, engages only the legs of the U. This can lead to a lower mechanical load on the contact element and to less deformation.

[0025] An edge or border of the contact element can rest on the deflecting surface to allow easy movement of the contact element.

[0026] At least in the area where the contact element rests against the deflecting surface, a rounded edge may be present to allow the contact element to slide easily on the deflecting surface.

[0027] For easy installation, the contact element can form a receptacle for the cable.

[0028] The clamping device can only exert a clamping force on the contact element along the clamping direction. Such a design can be simple to manufacture. The deflecting surface can create a clamping force perpendicular to this direction, particularly automatically.

[0029] The clamping body can have protruding contact elements that extend into a receptacle of the contact element. These can either rest against the contact element in an end position or terminate just before it. Such contact elements can compensate for material fatigue that occurs during long-term use, as they generate an additional clamping effect. Consequently, such a clamping device is safer.

[0030] The contact element receptacle can be asymmetrically designed. Furthermore, the force flow in the clamped state can be asymmetrical. This can lead to higher clamping forces. In particular, there may be only a single deflection surface in the contact element receptacle. This can allow for easy insertion.

[0031] A line connecting a force application point, where the clamping force is introduced into the contact element, to the deflection surface can run parallel to the clamping direction. The force flow can then be linear, and relative movements can be prevented. In particular, the arms of the receptacle can run parallel to the clamping direction.

[0032] The angle of the deflection surface can be designed to allow lateral sliding of the contact element. This angle can be selected depending on the material pairing, surface finish, coefficient of adhesion, and geometry. In particular, the angle can be chosen to be smaller than an angle of adhesion where no sliding occurs due to static friction, or smaller than an angle for self-locking, where the clamping element is pressed into the deflection surface.

[0033] The contact surface can be formed by spaced-apart ribs. This allows the contact area to be smaller and the associated friction minimized. Sliding can therefore be simplified.

[0034] For easy contacting, the deflecting surface can extend beyond the support surface in the direction of the contact element.

[0035] The clamping device serves to prevent or reduce vibrations by clamping. It can therefore also be referred to as a vibration damper or clamping arrangement.

[0036] The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to advantageous embodiments and the drawings. The advantageous developments and embodiments shown are independent of each other and can be combined as required in any application.

[0037] The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a fixing device; Fig. 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of the embodiment made of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a schematic, partially cut-away perspective view of a second embodiment of a fixing device; Fig. 4 a schematic perspective view of a clamping body and a slider of the second embodiment; Fig. 5 a schematic perspective view of the fixing device Fig. 3; Fig. 6 a schematic perspective view of the clamping body and the slider made of Fig. 4 from a different perspective; Fig. 7 a schematic perspective view of a contact element recording.

[0038] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a fixing device 100 for fixing a contact element 40 in a housing 20 of a connector 200. In the Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. Figure 6 shows a second embodiment, which differs only slightly from the first embodiment. The general principle is therefore explained for both together.

[0039] The fixing device 100 comprises the housing 20, wherein the housing 20 has a contact element receptacle 24 which is configured to receive at least one contact element 40.

[0040] The contact element 40 has a plug-in section 44 at which it can be connected to a mating contact element of a mating plug (not shown). The plug-in section 44 shown is equipped as a socket into which a flat contact can be inserted.

[0041] Furthermore, the contact element 40 has a connecting section 42 where it is connected to a conductor 78 of a cable 79. For this purpose, the contact element 40 has a receptacle 45 for the conductor 78. In the case shown, the receptacle 45 has a U-shaped cross-section, comprising a base 46 and two legs 48 connected to the base 46 via edges 47, which extend perpendicular to the base 46. The receptacle 45 thus forms a right-angled receiving channel that surrounds the conductor 78 on three sides.

[0042] The contact element 40 is made of a sheet metal part. The base 46 and the legs 48 are each flat. The edges 47 are rounded to allow for easy sliding.

[0043] The conductor 78 is welded to the contact element 40. This can occur, for example, through an electric current flow which, due to increased resistance between the conductor 78 and the contact element 40, leads to melting and thus welding. In particular, the contact element 40 can be connected to the conductor 78 along its entire U-shaped cross-section.

[0044] The connector 200 further comprises a locking mechanism 230 designed to lock the connector 200 to the mating connector (not shown). Sealing elements 210 are also provided on a front side for sealing purposes. Sealing elements (not shown) on a rear side also serve for sealing, particularly against the cable 79.

[0045] The fixing device 100 further comprises a clamping device 10, which is designed to clamp at least one contact element 40 in the contact element receptacle 24 with a clamping force 110 directed in a clamping direction K.

[0046] In a clamped state, the contact element 40 rests, at least partially, on a support surface 25 in the housing 20 on the side facing away from the clamping device 10. This support surface 25 has a deflecting surface 27 oriented obliquely to the clamping force 110. The deflecting surface 27 is designed to deflect the clamping force 110 acting on the contact element 40, at least partially, transversely to the clamping force 110 and the clamping direction K. This clamps the contact element 40 in the contact element receptacle 24 in two spatial directions and secures it against vibration.

[0047] The clamping device 10 has a clamping body 11 and a slide 12 which is displaceable relative to the clamping body 11 along a displacement direction V. The clamping body 11 and the slide 12 are designed to press the clamping body 11 against the contact element 40 along the clamping direction K when the slide 12 is displaced along the displacement direction V.

[0048] In order to cause the clamping device 10 to spread apart against each other and thus to clamp together with the contact element 40 in the contact element receptacle 24, the clamping body 11 and the slide 12 interact via ramp surfaces 13 on the clamping body 11 and on the slide 12 which run at an angle to the direction of movement V.

[0049] The application of the fixing device 100 proceeds as follows: First, the contact element 40 is inserted into the contact element receptacle 24 along an insertion direction E.

[0050] The clamping device 10 is then inserted into the contact element receptacle 24 along an insertion direction F, which in this case runs parallel to the insertion direction E. During this step, the clamping body 11 is pushed through the slide 12. A sliding surface 59 on the clamping body 11 is in contact with a counter-sliding surface 69 on the slide. Once the clamping device 10 has reached a suitable position in the housing 20, the sliding surface 59 and the counter-sliding surface 69 are automatically separated and disengaged by interacting guide elements in the housing 20 and in the clamping body 11.

[0051] The slide 12 is then moved relative to the clamping body 11 along a displacement direction V. In the example shown, the displacement direction is parallel to the insertion direction E and the insertion direction F to facilitate easy assembly. Due to the ramp surfaces 13 on the clamping body 11 and the slide 12, the clamping device 10 widens in a clamping direction K, which is perpendicular to the displacement direction V, and clamps the contact element 40 along the clamping direction K with a clamping force 110 against the support surface 25. The support surface 25 is formed by spaced-apart ribs 26.

[0052] Due to the deflection surface 27, which runs at an angle to the clamping direction K, the contact element 40 is clamped in a second direction in the contact element receptacle 24 in a transverse direction Q, which runs perpendicular to the clamping direction K and perpendicular to the displacement direction V. The angle 127, see Fig. The angle 7, which the deflection surface 27 exhibits relative to the clamping direction K, is chosen such that no self-locking occurs, but rather simple sliding of the contact element 40 along the deflection surface 27 is possible. In the example shown, the angle 127 is approximately 20-30 degrees.

[0053] A force application point, at which the clamping device 10 transmits the clamping force 110 to the contact element 40, is located directly above the deflection surface 27 along the clamping direction K. The legs 48 of the contact element 40 run parallel to the clamping direction K from the force application point to the deflection surface 27.

[0054] The sliding direction V is parallel to the insertion direction S. This allows for easy assembly.

[0055] To prevent movement of the contact element 40 along the displacement direction V during clamping, the deflection surface 27 runs parallel to the displacement direction V.

[0056] The deflection surface 27 connects two perpendicular inner surfaces 29 of the contact element receptacle 24. It extends along an inner edge in the contact element receptacle 24.

[0057] In the example shown, there is only a single deflection surface 27, so the contact element receptacle 24 is asymmetrical. The corresponding force flow is also asymmetrical.

[0058] The clamping device 10 has a locking surface 56 on the clamping body 11, which additionally secures the contact element 40 along the insertion direction E in the contact element receptacle 24. The locking surface 56 engages behind the insertion section 44 of the contact element 40.

[0059] The clamping body 11 rotates when the slide 12 is displaced relative to the clamping body 11 and relative to the housing 20. Rotary bearings 34 are provided on the clamping body 11 and on the slide 12 for this purpose. On the clamping body 11, the rotary bearings 34 are, for example, formed as part of axle cams 51, 53.

[0060] For example, in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, a width 310 of the clamping device 10 measured in the transverse direction Q, which is defined here by the width 311 of the clamping body 11, corresponds to a width 340 of the contact element 40. This allows the use of a wide contact element 40 with good clamping effect.

[0061] The embodiment according to the Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. 6 differs from the one according to the Fig. 1 and Fig.2 in particular by the fact that the clamping body 11 has pressure elements 54 projecting into a receptacle 45 of the contact element 40. During prolonged use, for example over several years, these pressure elements 54 can ensure that sufficient clamping force 110 is still transmitted even if the clamping body 11 experiences material fatigue. For this purpose, the contact surface 58 on the pressure elements 54 is, in its new state, either in contact with the conductor 78 or slightly above it.

[0062] In order to generate high pressure, the clamping surfaces 55 are supported on the rest of the clamping body 11 by flat, vertical stiffening elements 57. The plane of these stiffening elements 57 runs parallel to the clamping direction K and parallel to the transverse direction Q.

[0063] Guide elements 31, 33 are provided to guide the clamping body 11 and the slide 12 relative to each other and relative to the housing 20, enabling guided, defined movements along a path.

[0064] The clamping device 10 can be secured in the housing 90 against the insertion direction F by means of further elements, in particular rear sealing elements. Reference sign 10 clamping device 11 clamping bodies 12 sliders 13 ramp areas 20 cases 24 Contact element holder 25 support surface 26th rib 27 Deflection area 29 interior surface 31 Guide element 33 Guide element 34 swivel bearings 40 contact elements 41 Clamping section 42 Connecting section 44 Plug section 45 recording 46 base 47 edge 48 thighs 51 axle cams 53 axle cams 54 Pressure element 55 clamping surfaces 56 Securing area 57 Stiffening element 58 Contact surface 59 sliding surface 69 Counter-sliding surface 78 ladders 79 cables 100 fixing device 110 clamping force 127 angles 200 plugs 210 front sealing element 230 locking mechanism 310 mm wide clamping device 311 Wide clamping bodies 340 mm wide contact element K clamping direction E Insertion direction S Plug direction Q transverse direction V Direction of movement

Claims

[1] Fixing device (100) for fixing a contact element (40) in a housing (20) of a connector (200), comprising the housing (20), wherein the housing (20) has a contact element receptacle (24) configured to receive at least one contact element (40), wherein the fixing device (100) comprises a clamping device (10) configured to clamp the at least one contact element (40) in the contact element receptacle (24) with a clamping force (110) directed in a clamping direction (K), wherein the contact element (40) rests at least partially on a support surface (25) on the side facing away from the clamping device (10), the support surface having a deflection surface (27) oriented obliquely to the clamping force (110), wherein the deflection surface (27) is configured to direct the clamping force (110) acting on the contact element (40) at least component by component transversely to the clamping force (110) to redirect. [2] Fixing device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the clamping device (10) has a clamping body (11) and a slider (12) which is movable relative to the clamping body (11) along a displacement direction (V), wherein the clamping body (11) and the slider (12) are configured to press the clamping body (11) against the contact element (40) along the clamping direction (K) when the slider (12) is moved along the displacement direction (V). [3] Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the clamping body (11) and the slider (12) interact via ramp surfaces (13) extending obliquely to the direction of displacement (V). [4] Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the deflecting surface (27) runs parallel to the displacement direction (V). [5] Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the deflecting surface (27) connects two perpendicular inner surfaces (29) of the contact element receptacle (24) together. [6] Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the deflecting surface (27) has an angle (127) of 10 to 80 degrees to the clamping direction (K). [7] Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the displacement direction (V) runs parallel to an insertion direction (E) along which the contact element (40) is inserted into the contact element receptacle (24). [8] Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the deflecting surface (27) runs parallel to the insertion direction (E). [9] Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the insertion direction (F) along which the clamping device (10) is inserted into the contact element receptacle (24) is parallel to the insertion direction (E). [10] Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the clamping device (10) is designed to additionally secure the contact element (40) along the insertion direction (E). [11] Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the clamping body (11) rotates relative to the housing (20) when the slider (12) is moved relative to the clamping body (11). [12] Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a width (310) of the clamping device (10) measured in a transverse direction (Q) corresponds to a width (340) of the contact element (40). [13] Fixing device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a plugging direction (S), along which the plug (200) is plugged together with a mating plug, runs parallel to the insertion direction (E). [14] Electrical plug comprising a fixing device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 13 and a contact element (40), wherein the contact element (40) surrounds a conductor (78) of a cable (79) on at least three sides in the area of ​​the clamping device (10). [15] Electrical plug according to claim 14, wherein a clamping body (11) has pressure elements (54) projecting into a receptacle (45) of the contact element (40).

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