Contact assembly for connecting an electrical line

Abstract

A contact assembly for connecting an electrical conductor (210) comprises a housing (40) having a plug-in opening (403) into which an electrical conductor (210) can be inserted. A spring element (43) has an elastically deflectable clamping leg (430) that is adjustable between a clamping position and a release position relative to a connection section (420) of a contact element (42). An actuating element (41) is movable relative to the contact element (42) along an actuation direction (B). The actuating element has a user-operated operating section (410) and a pressure section (411) extending from the operating section (410) for acting on the clamping leg (430).The housing (40) has an actuating opening (404) in which the operating section (410) of the actuating element (41) is movable along the actuating direction (B), wherein the actuating opening (404) is separated from the plug-in opening (403) by an intermediate wall (407), wherein the pressure section (411) forms a guide surface (415) for guiding the line (210).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a contact assembly for connecting an electrical line according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a connector part with such a contact assembly.

[0002] Such a contact assembly comprises a housing having a plug-in opening into which an electrical line can be inserted in a plug-in direction for connection to the contact assembly. An electrical contact element has a connection section for making electrical contact with the electrical line. A spring element has a support leg and a clamping leg which can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg and which can be adjusted between a clamping position and a release position relative to the connection section of the contact element. In the clamping position, the clamping leg is designed to act on the electrical line for electrically contacting the line with the connection section and, in the release position, to release the line for detachment from the connection section. An actuating element is movable along an actuating direction relative to the contact element.The actuating element has an operating section operable by a user and a pressure section extending from the operating section for acting on the clamping leg to transfer the clamping leg from the clamping position into the release position.

[0003] Such a contact assembly uses the spring element to create a spring-loaded connection for connecting an electrical line to the contact assembly.

[0004] The contact assembly can, for example, be a component of a connector part that can implement a heavy-duty connector, also referred to as an industrial connector. In such a connector part, a contact insert, for example, has a plurality of contact assemblies for connecting electrical lines to the contact insert. When the connector part is in its properly configured state, the contact insert is enclosed in a connector housing and can be plugged into an associated mating connector part to establish an electrical connection between the connector part and the mating connector part.

[0005] For such a contact assembly, there is a need for a compact design to efficiently utilize the available installation space, while allowing simple and convenient operation by a user for connecting and disconnecting a cable.

[0006] A conductor terminal known from DE 20 2018 006 800 U1 comprises a housing, a current bar, a clamping spring, and an actuating element. The actuating element forms a receiving pocket for accommodating the clamping springs. The actuating element is movable along an actuating direction to act on the clamping spring and adjust the clamping spring between a release position and a clamping position.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a contact assembly for connecting an electrical line, which enables a compact design with small dimensions of the contact assembly, in particular in a plane perpendicular to the actuation direction of the actuating element.

[0008] This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

[0009] Accordingly, the housing has an actuating opening in which the operating section of the actuating element is movable along the actuating direction, wherein the actuating opening is arranged next to the plug-in opening on the housing and is separated from the plug-in opening by an intermediate wall, wherein the pressure section forms a guide surface for guiding the line in a region within the housing following the plug-in direction of the intermediate wall.

[0010] In the contact assembly, the clamping leg of the spring element is movable between the clamping position and the release position via the actuating element. The actuating element can thus be actuated by a user along an actuating direction to act on the clamping leg and move the clamping leg from the clamping position to the release position. When the clamping leg is in the release position, an electrical cable connected to the contact assembly can be removed from the contact assembly in a simple, essentially forceless manner. Likewise, when the clamping leg is in the release position, an electrical cable can be plugged into the contact assembly in an essentially forceless manner in order to connect the electrical cable to the contact assembly.

[0011] The actuating element has an operating section that can be operated by a user to move the actuating element along the actuating direction relative to the contact element. A pressure section extends from the operating section for acting on the clamping leg. The pressure section protrudes from the operating section, viewed along the actuating direction, and is configured and arranged relative to the contact element and the spring element such that, upon movement, the actuating element acts on the clamping leg via the pressure section, thereby adjusting the clamping leg.

[0012] The force required to actuate the actuating element is applied via the operating section, which is located in an actuating opening in the housing and can be adjusted linearly within the actuating opening along the actuating direction. Force is transferred to the clamping leg of the spring element via the pressure section.The pressure section can act on the clamping leg, in particular in the region of the contact element, in order to move the clamping leg relative to the contact element in such a way that the clamping leg is brought closer to the connection section for electrically contacting the line with the connection section in the clamping position, but is removed from the connection section in the release position, so that a connection space in the region of the connection section is released and a connected line can be removed in a substantially forceless manner or an electrical line can be plugged into the contact element in a substantially forceless manner for connection to the contact assembly.

[0013] The actuating opening, in which the operating section of the actuating element is located, is separated from the plug-in opening, into which an electrical cable can be inserted for connection to the contact assembly, by a partition wall. The plug-in opening and the actuating opening are thus separated from each other on the housing, which enables reliable routing of the electrical cable when inserted into the plug-in opening. In particular, the risk of incorrect insertion of the electrical cable is reduced because a circumferential guide for the electrical cable toward the connection section of the contact element can be provided within the plug-in opening.

[0014] In order to enable a particularly compact design of the contact assembly, which in particular enables an arrangement of several contact assemblies, for example on a connector part with a high packing density, a guide for the electrical line is provided not only via the intermediate wall or a wall on the housing that circumferentially delimits the plug-in opening, but also via the actuating element. The pressure section thus forms a guide surface for guiding the line in a region within the housing that follows the intermediate wall, viewed along the insertion direction. The pressure section can act on the clamping leg of the spring element, in particular at a location that is offset from the operating section along a transverse direction perpendicular to the actuation direction. The pressure section thus points towards the plug-in opening and preferably into the region of the plug-in opening.In order to provide a reliable guide for inserting an electrical cable in the area of ​​the plug-in opening, a guide surface is formed on the pressure section, which provides an additional guide for the electrical cable within the housing, particularly in an area beyond the intermediate wall.

[0015] In one embodiment, the actuation direction is aligned with the insertion direction. The actuation element can be adjusted along the actuation direction on the housing by moving the operating section in the actuation opening along the actuation direction. An electrical cable can be inserted into the housing along the insertion direction aligned with the actuation direction to connect the electrical power to the contact assembly.

[0016] In one embodiment, the operating section is guided along the intermediate wall in a sliding manner along the actuation direction. The actuation element can, in particular, be linearly adjustable along the actuation direction on the housing, i.e., it is moved (exclusively) linearly along the actuation direction between a non-actuated position and an actuated position without the actuation element tilting relative to the housing. A sliding guide for the operating section is provided via the intermediate wall, so that the operating section can be moved in a sliding manner within the actuation opening of the housing.

[0017] In one embodiment, the intermediate wall has a curved wall section against which the operating section rests with a sliding surface. In particular, the sliding surface can have a curvature complementary to the wall section. For example, the wall section can be convexly curved towards the actuating opening in cross-section transverse to the actuation direction. Complementarily, the sliding surface slidingly resting against the wall section has a concave curve in cross-section transverse to the actuation direction. When the actuating element is adjusted between the non-actuated position and the actuated position in order to adjust the clamping leg of the spring element from the clamping position towards the release position, the sliding surface slides on the wall section of the intermediate wall and is thus guided linearly along the wall section on the intermediate wall.

[0018] In one embodiment, the guide surface on the pressure section, viewed along the insertion direction, is aligned with a tapered section of the intermediate wall. The tapered section can, for example, extend obliquely to the insertion direction and, for example, together with a wall of the housing surrounding the plug-in opening, form a funnel tapered in the insertion direction, into which the electrical cable is inserted upon insertion into the plug-in opening in order to reach the region of the connection section of the contact element. The guide surface on the pressure section of the actuating element is aligned with the tapered section, so that the guide surface beyond the tapered section provides a guide for the cable within the housing.

[0019] In one embodiment, the guide surface has a concave cross-section perpendicular to the insertion direction. The cable can slide along the guide surface on the pressure section of the actuating element to reach the area of ​​the connection section of the contact element and make electrical contact with the connection section via the clamping leg.

[0020] In one embodiment, the plug-in opening is circumferentially closed, viewed in cross-section transverse to the insertion direction. The plug-in opening is thus circumferentially delimited on the housing by a wall of the housing, with the intermediate wall contributing to the circumferential delimitation and separating the plug-in opening from the actuating opening located next to the plug-in opening.

[0021] In one embodiment, the pressure section has two side walls that define an opening between them. The side walls preferably form a receiving chamber between them in which the spring element is at least partially accommodated. The spring element is thus arranged in a space between the side walls, preferably below the operating section of the actuating element, so that the spring element and the actuating element are arranged in a common installation space within the housing.

[0022] In one embodiment, the support leg is connected to the clamping leg via a curved connecting section. The connecting section is received between the side walls of the pressure section. Particularly in the region of the connecting section, the spring element is elastically deformable in order to deflect the clamping leg relative to the support leg. The connecting section thus provides a flexural joint for deflecting the clamping leg. The connecting section is preferably arranged below the operating section within the receiving chamber formed between the side walls.

[0023] In one embodiment, the pressure section has an intermediate section extending between the side cheeks for acting on the clamping leg. The side cheeks extend along the actuation direction starting from the operating section. The intermediate section extends transversely between the side cheeks and is shaped such that the pressure section can act on the clamping leg via the intermediate section, thereby adjusting the clamping leg between the clamping position and the release position.

[0024] The fact that the support leg and the connecting section are arranged below the operating section results in a compact design of the contact assembly as a whole. Thus, the spring element and the actuating element are at least partially accommodated in a common space when projected onto a projection plane perpendicular to the actuation direction. The intermediate section of the pressure section is arranged in this projection plane next to the operating section as well as the support leg and the connecting section of the spring element, so that the pressure section can act via the intermediate section in a force-efficient manner on the clamping leg protruding from the connecting section in order to adjust the clamping leg between the clamping position and the release position.This results in an arrangement in which the connecting portion of the contact element is arranged on a first side of the intermediate portion, and the supporting leg and connecting portion are arranged on a second side of the intermediate portion. The intermediate portion thus occupies an intermediate position between the connecting portion on the one hand and the supporting leg and connecting portion of the spring element on the other.

[0025] The intermediate section can in particular be designed to act on the clamping leg at an edge remote from the operating section.

[0026] In one embodiment, the intermediate section rests against the partition wall in a non-actuated position of the actuating element associated with the clamping position of the spring element (from below against the actuating direction). The partition wall can thus provide an end stop for the actuating element in the non-actuated position. By resting against the partition wall, the actuating element cannot slide out of the actuating opening against the actuating direction and is thus held captively on the housing. In the actuating direction, the intermediate section can be removed from the stop on the partition wall in order to act on the clamping leg and transfer the clamping leg from the clamping position to the release position.

[0027] In one embodiment, the pressure section has two guide sections that protrude from the intermediate section along the actuation direction and are slidably guided on the contact element. The guide sections preferably protrude from the intermediate section along the actuation direction in the manner of pins. The guide sections provide guidance for the actuation element on the contact element, so that the actuation element is slidably guided relative to the contact element and can be adjusted linearly along the actuation direction relative to the contact element, thereby acting on the clamping leg to transfer it from the clamping position to the release position.

[0028] The guide sections are preferably spaced apart from one another along a depth direction perpendicular to the actuation direction and the transverse direction and accommodate the clamping leg between them. The clamping leg thus extends between the guide sections, so that the clamping leg, with a free end remote from the support leg, can act on an electrical line for clamping to the connecting section.

[0029] The guide sections can also limit the adjustment path of the actuating element in the actuating direction. For example, the guide sections are designed to engage the contact element when the actuating element is adjusted in the actuating direction, preventing further movement in the actuating direction. The guide sections thus provide an end stop for adjusting the actuating element from a non-actuated position to an actuated position.

[0030] In one embodiment, the connection section forms a connection chamber which is delimited by a rear wall and side walls. In the clamping position, the clamping leg is designed to act on a line inserted into the connection chamber to make electrical contact between the line and the rear wall of the connection section. An electrical line is inserted into the connection chamber for connection to the contact assembly. When the clamping leg is in the clamping position, the electrical line in the connection chamber is clamped to the connection section so that the electrical line is pressed into electrical contact with the rear wall of the connection chamber, in particular via the clamping leg, and is thus electrically contacted with the connection section and is also mechanically locked to the connection section.

[0031] The connection chamber preferably has a U-shape in cross-section transverse to the actuation direction and is open towards the pressure section of the actuating element. A guide for the electrical cable is provided via the pressure section on the open side of the connection chamber, so that an electrical cable can be reliably inserted into the connection chamber. When the actuating element is actuated, the clamping leg of the spring element is adjusted relative to the connection chamber via the pressure section. In the clamped position, the clamping leg projects beyond the open side of the connection chamber into the connection chamber to clamp an inserted cable within the connection chamber.By actuating the actuating element, the clamping leg can be moved from the clamping position to the release position in order to move the clamping leg out of the area of ​​the connection chamber, for example to release an inserted electrical cable.

[0032] In one embodiment, the pressure section is guided displaceably along the actuation direction by sliding edges formed on the edges of the side walls remote from the rear wall. For example, the guide sections of the pressure section rest against the sliding edges of the side walls of the connecting section, thus providing a linear guide for the actuating element along the actuation direction.

[0033] In one embodiment, the contact element is manufactured as a solid part from a metal material by turning and / or milling.

[0034] The contact assembly can, for example, be part of a connector part that is designed as a so-called heavy-duty connector, also referred to as an industrial connector, and is to be connected to an associated mating connector part. Using a combination of a connector part and an associated mating connector part, for example, two electrical cables can be connected to one another or a cable can be connected to an electrical system, for example in or on a control cabinet, in order to establish an electrical connection between assemblies. Such a connector part can, for example, be designed to be resilient and resistant, in particular also moisture-proof, so that such a connector part can be used in stressful environments, for example industrial environments, in combination with an associated mating connector part to establish an electrical connection.

[0035] For example, in such a connector part, a contact element serves to transmit large currents during operation. The contact element is manufactured, for example, as a solid part from a metal material by turning and / or milling and thus made from a single piece, allowing the contact element to have a comparatively high current-carrying capacity. Such a contact element can, for example, be connected by plugging to an associated mating contact element of a mating connector part and, thanks to its solid construction, can be insensitive to loads.

[0036] In one embodiment, the spring element is operatively connected to the contact element. For example, the support leg is supported on the contact element, for example, by firmly connecting the support leg to the contact element, thus securing the spring element to the contact element. In particular, this can create a pre-assembled contact assembly that can be mounted in a pre-assembled state, for example, on a housing, such as a housing of a connector part.

[0037] In one embodiment, the contact element has a form-locking element, via which the spring element is attached to the contact element. The spring element is thus positively connected to the contact element and thus directly supported on the contact element. The form-locking element can, for example, engage in an associated fastening opening on the support leg and thereby secure the support leg to the contact element. The clamping leg can be deflected relative to the support leg in order to connect an electrical line to the connection section of the contact element.

[0038] In one embodiment, the contact element has a plug-in contact section for plugging in a plug-in direction with a mating contact of a mating connector part. Such a plug-in contact section can be formed, for example, by a solid contact pin that can be plugged into a contact socket of the mating connector part, or by a contact socket into which a contact pin of the mating connector part can be plugged. A plug-in connection with a mating contact of a mating connector part can thus be established via the plug-in contact section, thereby establishing an electrical connection between connected electrical lines.

[0039] In one embodiment, the electrical line can be inserted into the plug-in opening along an axis for connection to the contact element, wherein the plug-in contact section extends longitudinally along the axis. The insertion direction points along the axis. The plug-in contact section, which can in particular be arranged concentrically to the axis, is aligned with the axis along which the electrical line is to be inserted into the plug-in opening of the housing. The plug-in contact section is formed, for example, by a contact pin or a contact socket, extends longitudinally along the axis, and can be connected to an associated mating contact along the insertion direction pointing along the axis.

[0040] In one embodiment, the contact element has a base. Viewed axially along a plug-in direction along which the plug-in contact section can be connected to an associated mating contact, the connection section is formed on a first side of the base, and the plug-in contact section is formed on a second side of the base facing away from the first side, so that the base—viewed axially along the plug-in direction—is located between the connection section and the plug-in contact section. The base thus occupies an axial intermediate position between the plug-in contact section on the one hand and the connection section on the other.

[0041] A connector part comprising a contact assembly of the type described above can, for example, comprise a connector housing and a contact insert received in the connector housing. The contact assembly is arranged on the contact insert, with an arrangement of contact elements of one or more contact assemblies providing a mating face on the contact insert and, above that, on the connector part. The contact insert can, in particular, be of modular design, so that the connector part can be adapted for its intended use by being equipped with a contact insert from a plurality of available modular contact inserts.

[0042] In one embodiment, the contact insert comprises a holding frame and at least one contact module held on the holding frame. The contact assembly is preferably arranged on the at least one contact module. The holding frame can, in particular, enclose a holding opening in a frame-like manner, wherein one or more contact modules can be arranged and accommodated in the holding opening. By combining modular contact modules on a holding frame, a variably adaptable contact insert can be created in a modular manner, which can be accommodated in the connector housing of the connector part in order to provide a mating face on the connector part for connection to an associated mating connector part.

[0043] The housing of the contact assembly can in particular be created by a housing of the associated contact module.

[0044] The at least one contact module preferably has a plug-in section for plugging into a mating connector part. Plug-in contact sections of contact elements of one or more contact assemblies are located in the region of the plug-in section in order to establish electrical contact with a mating contact of the mating connector part upon plugging into a mating connector part.

[0045] In one embodiment, the at least one contact module has a plurality of contact assemblies, each of which can be connected to an electrical line. The contact assemblies each have a contact element with an associated spring element and an actuating element. The actuating elements of the contact assemblies are preferably actuated along a common actuating direction on a uniform, common actuating side of the contact module. Plug-in openings for inserting electrical lines for connection to the contact assemblies are also arranged on this side.

[0046] The contact assemblies are arranged together on the contact module. A housing for the contact assemblies can be created, in particular, by a housing of the contact module. The contact assemblies can thus be assigned a common housing, which forms a plug-in opening for inserting an electrical cable for each contact assembly and an actuation opening in which the operating section of the actuation element of the respective contact assembly is received.

[0047] In one embodiment, a plug-in opening and an actuating opening of a first of the contact assemblies are arranged next to one another along a first spatial direction, while a plug-in opening and an actuating opening of a second of the contact assemblies are arranged next to one another along a second spatial direction perpendicular to the first spatial direction. A plug-in opening and an actuating opening of a third of the contact assemblies can, for example, be arranged next to one another opposite to the first spatial direction. A plug-in opening and an actuating opening of a fourth of the contact assemblies can, in contrast, be arranged next to one another opposite to the second spatial direction. The plug-in openings and the actuating openings of the contact assemblies are accordingly oriented relative to one another along different spatial directions.This results in an arrangement of contact assemblies with differently aligned plug-in openings and actuation openings. This allows for efficient use of the available installation space on one actuation side of the contact module.

[0048] The concept underlying the invention will be explained in more detail below using the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a connector arrangement consisting of a connector part and an associated mating connector part; Fig. 2 a schematic view of a connector part; Fig. 3 a view of an embodiment of a contact module of a contact insert of a connector part; Fig. 4 a view of the contact module together with a holding frame for realizing a contact insert; Fig. 5 an exploded view of the contact module according to Fig. 3; Fig. 6 a side view of the exploded view according to Fig. 5; Fig. 7 a sectional view along the line AA according to Fig. 3; Fig. 8 a separate view of a contact assembly; Fig. 9 a side view of the contact assembly; Fig. 10 a separate view of an actuating element of the contact assembly; and Fig. 11 a side view of the actuating element.

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a connector assembly 1 comprising a connector part 2 and an associated mating connector part 3. The connector part 2 and the mating connector part 3 can be connected to one another in a plugging direction E in order to connect the connector part 2 and the mating connector part 3 via plug faces 22, 32 and to establish electrical contact between contact elements of the connector part 2 and the mating connector part 3.

[0050] In the illustrated embodiment, the connector part 2 is connected to an electrical cable 21, which is inserted into a connector housing 20 of the connector part 2 via a cable outlet 200. The mating connector part 3, in contrast, is arranged on an assembly 31, for example, a control cabinet wall, so that the cable 21 can be connected to the assembly 31 via the connector arrangement 1.

[0051] In another embodiment, the connector part 2 and an associated mating connector part can, for example, each be connected to an associated cable, so that electrical cables can be connected to one another via the connector arrangement 1.

[0052] The connector part 2 and the associated mating connector part 3 can in particular be a so-called heavy-duty connector, also referred to as an industrial connector, which can be used in stressful environments, in particular industrial environments, and is designed to be correspondingly stable and resilient.

[0053] As shown in the schematic view according to Fig. 2, a contact insert 23 is accommodated in the connector housing 20 of the connector part 2, which contact insert forms the plug face 22 and on which an arrangement of contact elements for plugging into associated mating contact elements of the mating connector part 3 is arranged.

[0054] The contact insert 23 may be a so-called fixed-pole contact insert, which has a fixed arrangement of contact elements.

[0055] However, the contact insert 23 can also be a modular contact insert that can be equipped in a modular manner and thus can be configured in a modular manner in order to provide different plug faces 22 that are adapted to the intended use.

[0056] In the schematically shown Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the contact insert 23 has a holding frame 230, on the end faces of which a grounding element 231, 232 (also referred to as a grounding plate) is arranged. A protective line 211 guided in the cable 21 is connected to one or both of the grounding elements 231, 232, which serves to transmit a protective conductor potential (grounding potential). The grounding elements 231, 232 have grounding contacts 233, 234, which are designed to plug into contact with associated grounding contacts of the mating connector part 3 in order to transfer a protective conductor potential between the connector part 2 and the mating connector part 3.

[0057] The holding frame 230 forms a frame-shaped holding opening in which slots are formed, in which contact modules 4 can be accommodated in order to modularly equip the contact insert 23 with a desired combination of contact modules 4. A plug-in face 22 is thus created via the contact modules 4, on which contact elements are arranged, which can be plugged into a correspondingly adapted, complementary plug-in face 32 of the mating connector part 3.

[0058] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a contact module 4 that can be arranged on a holding frame 230 and can be connected to locking points 235 on the holding frame 230 via locking elements 402 on a module housing 40. Such a contact module 4 can be combined with other (similar or different) contact modules 4 on the holding frame 230 in order to form the contact insert 23 by combining such contact modules 4.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 40 is formed by housing parts 400, 401, which can be plugged together to complete the module housing and are connected to one another in a snap-fit ​​manner in the assembled position. Snap-fit ​​elements 402 are formed on both sides of the housing part 400 on side surfaces facing away from one another, so that the contact module 4 can be connected to the holding frame 230 of the contact insert 23 via the module housing 40.

[0060] The exploded view in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 and in a sectional view (along the line AA according to Fig. 3) in Fig. The contact module 4 shown in Fig. 7 has, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of contact assemblies, each comprising a contact element 42 and arranged together on the housing 40 of the contact module 4.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the contact elements 42 each have a connection section 420, a plug contact section 421 and a base 422, as can be seen from the separate views of a contact assembly according to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 can be seen.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, each contact element 42 carries a spring element 43, which is connected via a support leg 431 to a form-locking element 425 on the base 422 and thus fixed to the contact element 42. A clamping leg 430, which is connected to the support leg 431 via a connecting section 432, is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg 431 and projects into the area of ​​the connection section 420 of the associated contact element 42 in such a way that an electrical line 210 (see Fig. 2) clamped to the contact element 42 and can thus be mechanically and electrically connected to the contact element 42.

[0063] To release the cable 210, the clamping leg 430 can be elastically deflected relative to the support leg 431 via a respective associated actuating element 41, so that the clamping leg 430 is transferred from a clamped position into a release position in which the electrical cable 210 is no longer clamped to the connection section 420. The clamping leg 430 can also be deflected into the release position via the actuating element 41 to enable an essentially forceless insertion of an electrical cable 210 for connection to the respective contact element 42.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, the contact elements 42 of the contact assemblies of the contact module 4 each enable the connection of an electrical line 210, so that a plurality of electrical lines 210 can be connected to the contact module 4.

[0065] Via the plug-in contact section 421 of the contact element 42, the contact element 42 can be connected to an associated mating contact when plugged into the mating connector part 3.

[0066] In the illustrated embodiment, the individual contact elements 42 of the contact assemblies with the spring elements 43 arranged thereon are accommodated in chambers 406 of the housing part 401 and protrude with the plug contact sections 421 into the area of ​​a plug section 405 on the housing part 401, so that when the plug connector part 2 is plugged into the associated mating plug connector part 3, the plug contact sections 421 of the contact elements 42 can be plugged into the associated mating contact elements.

[0067] In the illustrated embodiment, the contact elements 42 are each formed as solid parts made from a single piece of metal material by turning and / or milling. The contact elements 42 are thus each manufactured from a single piece by a machining process through material removal. Sections such as the base 422 and the plug-in contact section 421 are thus solid. Recesses in the connection section 420 and non-rotationally symmetrical sections such as the base 422 are formed, for example, by milling. The plug-in contact section 421 can be formed, for example, by turning.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, the connection section 420 of the contact element 42 forms a connection chamber 426, which is delimited by a rear wall 423 and side walls 424 arranged at a right angle to the rear wall 423. An electrical line 210 for connection to the contact element 42 can be inserted into the connection chamber 426 along an insertion direction S, so that the electrical line 210, once inserted into the connection section 420, extends along an axis A into the receiving chamber 426.

[0069] The connection chamber 426 of the connection section 420 is U-shaped in cross-section transverse to the insertion direction S and is open on a side facing the spring element 43, so that the clamping leg 430 of the spring element 43 can be moved relative to the connection chamber 426. In the clamping position, the clamping leg 430 projects into the connection chamber 426 in order to clamp a plugged-in electrical line 210 to the connection section 420, in particular to press it against the rear wall 423 of the connection section 420 and thus to electrically contact it with the connection section 420. By actuating the associated actuating element 41, the clamping leg 430 can be moved from the clamping position into the release position in order to release a plugged-in electrical line 210 or to enable the insertion of an electrical line 210 in a substantially forceless manner.

[0070] The housing 40 of the connection module 4 forms plug-in openings 403 on the upper housing part 400, which are aligned with the connection chamber 426 of the associated contact assembly, so that electrical lines 210 can be plugged into the contact elements 42 via the plug-in openings 403 and can be inserted into the connection chambers 426 of the contact elements 42.

[0071] In particular, each plug-in opening 403 is arranged longitudinally and concentrically to the axis A, along which the plug-in contact section 421 of the contact element 42 assigned to the respective contact assembly also extends, as can be seen from the sectional view according to Fig. 7. The plug-in contact section 421 is thus aligned along the axis A with the plug-in opening 3 on the housing 40. The plug-in contact section 421, via which the contact element 42 can be plugged into an associated mating contact, is thus axially aligned along the axis A with the plug-in opening 403 and the connection section 420 of the contact element 42.

[0072] The actuating element 41 has in the illustrated embodiment of the contact assembly according to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 an operating section 410 and a pressure section 411 extending from the operating section 410 along an actuation direction B. The operating section 410 enables operation of the actuating element 41 by a user from outside the housing 40, for example manually or using a tool, for example a screwdriver, so that the actuating element 41 can be adjusted along the actuation direction B relative to the contact element 42 and, upon adjustment, acts on the clamping leg 430 of the spring element 43 via the pressure section 411 in order to transfer the clamping leg 430 from the clamped position into the release position.

[0073] The operating section 410 of the actuating element 41 of each contact assembly of the connection module 4 is located in an associated actuating opening 404 on the upper housing part 400 of the housing 40 of the contact module 4, as can be seen from Fig. 3. The actuating opening 404 is arranged along a transverse direction Q next to a respective associated plug-in opening 403 and is separated from the associated plug-in opening 403 by an intermediate wall 407, so that the actuating opening 404 and plug-in opening 403 are spatially and functionally separated from each other.

[0074] The intermediate wall 407 forms a curved wall section 408 that protrudes convexly into the actuation opening 404. On a side facing the intermediate wall 407, the operating section 410 forms a sliding surface 417 that is concavely curved, complementary to the wall section 408 of the intermediate wall 407, and that slides against the wall section 408. The operating section 410 is thus guided in a sliding manner along the actuation direction B within the actuation opening 404, so that the actuation element 41 can be adjusted (exclusively) linearly relative to the housing 40.

[0075] The pressure section 411 has side walls 418 that extend axially along the actuation direction B from the operating section 410 and define an opening 416. The side walls 418 form a receiving chamber 414 between them, in which the spring element 43 is received, so that the actuation element 41 at least partially encloses the spring element 43. In particular, the support leg 431 and the connecting section 432 are arranged below the operating section 410 (viewed along the actuation direction B) and are received in the receiving chamber 414 formed between the side walls 418.

[0076] The side walls 418 carry an intermediate section 412 which, as can be seen from the sectional view according to Fig. 7, extends transversely between the side cheeks 418 and is designed to act on the clamping leg 430.

[0077] Guide sections 413 in the form of pins pointing along the actuation direction B protrude from the intermediate section 412, which pins rest on sliding edges 427 formed on the side walls 424 of the connecting section 420 and are slidably guided on the sliding edges 427, so that the actuation element 41 is linearly adjustable along the actuation direction B relative to the contact element 42.

[0078] The guide sections 413 provide an end stop for an actuating movement of the actuating element 41 in the actuating direction B. In an actuated position, the guide sections 413 abut the base 422 of the contact element 42, so that further movement of the actuating element 41 relative to the contact element 42 in the actuating direction B is prevented.

[0079] The clamping leg 430 extends between the guide sections 413, as shown for example in Fig. 8. In the clamping position, the clamping leg 430 extends below the intermediate section 412 between the guide sections 413 into the region of the connection chamber 426 inside the connection section 420 in order to interact with an inserted cable 210 inside the connection chamber 426.

[0080] In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portion 420 of the contact element 42 is arranged on a first side of the intermediate portion 412, while the supporting leg 431 and the connecting portion 432 of the spring element 43 are arranged on a second side of the intermediate portion 412 facing away from the first side. The pressure portion 411 slides over the guide portions 413 on the side walls 424 of the connecting portion 420 of the contact element 42 and can thus act directly on the clamping leg 430 in the region of the contact element 42 in order to move it relative to the contact element 42 between the clamping position and the release position.

[0081] The intermediate section 412 is provided with a guide surface 415 facing an insertion space aligned with the associated plug-in opening 403 of the housing 40, into which an electrical cable 210 can be inserted for connection to the contact assembly. The guide surface 415 has a concave curvature, as can be seen from Fig. 10, so that an electrical line 210 can be guided on the guide surface 415 of the intermediate section 412 along the insertion direction S.

[0082] The guide surface 415 on the intermediate section 412 provides guidance for an electrical line 210 when inserted into the plug-in opening 403 in an area which, viewed along the insertion direction S, is located behind the intermediate wall 407. The intermediate section 412 is arranged in an area within the housing 40 that is aligned with the intermediate wall 407 and faces the open side of the connection section 420 of the contact element 42, which is U-shaped in cross section, so that an electrical line 210, when inserted into the plug-in opening 403, can slide along the intermediate section 412 and the guide surface 415 formed thereon and is thus guided into the area of ​​the connection section 420 of the contact element 42.

[0083] In a non-actuated position, shown in the sectional view according to Fig. 7, the intermediate section 412, which forms a step on the pressure section 411, rests against the tapered section 408 of the intermediate wall 407, so that a movement of the actuating element 41 counter to the actuating direction B is blocked by the contact of the intermediate section 412 with the intermediate wall 407. By adjusting the actuating element 42 in the actuating direction B, the intermediate section 412 is moved away from the tapered section 408 and, in the process, also moved relative to the connecting section 420, wherein the guide sections 413 slide on the sliding edges 427 and the intermediate section 412 is thus moved linearly relative to the connecting section 420.

[0084] A guide for an electrical cable 210 when inserted into the plug-in opening 403 is thus created, on the one hand, by a wall that circumferentially surrounds the plug-in opening 403. Particularly in the area of ​​the operating section 410, the plug-in opening 403 is circumferentially closed, thus reducing the risk of incorrect insertion, particularly in the entrance area of ​​the plug-in opening 403.

[0085] On the other hand, an electrical line 210 is also guided along the intermediate section 412 and thus along the pressure section 411 of the actuating element 41 upon insertion if the electrical line 210 is inserted with a stripped conductor end into the region of the connection section 420. This results in reliable guidance of the line 210 toward the contact element 42. Furthermore, a contact assembly is produced that can have a narrow, compact design, particularly along the transverse direction Q.

[0086] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating openings 404 and plug-in openings 403 assigned to the individual contact assemblies are oriented along different spatial directions Y1-Y4. The operating sections 410 can be operated along a common actuating direction B. The spatial directions Y1-Y4 each point along a plane perpendicular to the actuating direction B. For a first contact assembly, the actuating opening 404 and the plug-in opening 403 are oriented along a first spatial direction Y1 (in Fig. 3 on the far left). For a second contact assembly, the actuating opening 404 and the associated plug-in opening 403 are oriented along a spatial direction Y2 perpendicular to the first spatial direction Y1. For a third contact assembly, the actuating opening 404 and the associated plug-in opening 403 are oriented along a third spatial direction Y3 opposite the first spatial direction Y1 (in Fig. 3 (far right). For a fourth contact assembly, the actuating opening 404 and the associated plug-in opening 403 are oriented relative to each other along a fourth spatial direction Y4 opposite the second spatial direction Y2. This results in a space-efficient utilization of the available space on a common actuating side for operating the individual actuating elements 41 of the contact assemblies, as can be seen from Fig. 3 is evident.

[0087] The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the preceding embodiments, but can also be implemented in other ways.

[0088] A contact arrangement of the type described can in principle be used for very different purposes.

[0089] Although a contact assembly has been described here in an application on a contact module of a connector part, this is not limiting. A contact assembly of the type described can be used in any type of terminal block, for example, a rail-mounted terminal block, a printed circuit board terminal block, or the like. List of reference symbols 1 Connector arrangement 2 connector part 20 connector housings 200 cable outlet 21 cables 210 lines 211 protective line 22 Mating face 23 Contact insert 230 holding frames 231, 232 Earthing element 233, 234 Earth contact 235 rest stops 3 Connector part 30 connector housings 31 assembly 32 mating face 4 Contact module 40 module housings 400, 401 housing part 402 locking elements 403 plug-in openings 404 Actuating opening 405 plug-in section 406 recording chambers 407 Partition wall 408 tapering section 409 Curved wall section 41 Actuating element 410 Operating section 411 Print Section 412 Intermediate section 413 Guide section (pin) 414 Recording Chamber 415 Concave curvature 416 Opening 417 sliding surface 418 side panels 42 Contact element 420 connecting section 421 Plug contact section (contact pin, contact socket) 422 Base 423 rear wall 424 side wall 425 Form-locking element 426 Connection chamber 427 sliding edges 43 Spring element 430 clamping legs 431 Support leg 432 connecting section A axis B Actuating direction E Plug-in direction Q transverse direction S Insertion direction Y1-Y4 spatial direction QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2018 006 800 U1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Contact assembly for connecting an electrical line (210), with a housing (40) having a plug-in opening (403) into which an electrical line (210) can be inserted in a plug-in direction (S) for connection to the contact assembly, an electrical contact element (42) having a connection section (420) for electrical contact with the electrical line (210), a spring element (43) having a support leg (431) and a clamping leg (430) which is elastically deflectable relative to the support leg (431) and which is adjustable between a clamping position and a release position relative to the connecting section (420) of the contact element (42), wherein the clamping leg (430) is designed to act on the electrical line (210) in the clamping position for electrically contacting the line (210) with the connecting section (420) and to release the line (210) in the release position for detachment from the connecting section (420), and an actuating element (41) movable along an actuating direction (B) relative to the contact element (42), which has an operating section (410) operable by a user and a pressure section (411) extending from the operating section (410) for acting on the clamping leg (430) to transfer the clamping leg (430) from the clamping position into the release position, characterized by in that the housing (40) has an actuating opening (404) in which the operating section (410) of the actuating element (41) is movable along the actuating direction (B), wherein the actuating opening (404) is arranged next to the plug-in opening (403) on the housing (40) and is separated from the plug-in opening (403) by an intermediate wall (407), wherein the pressure section (411) forms a guide surface (415) for guiding the line (210) in a region within the housing (40) which follows the plug-in direction (S) of the intermediate wall (407). [2] Contact assembly according to claim 1, characterized by that the actuation direction (B) is the same as the insertion direction (S). [3] Contact assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the operating section (410) is guided linearly along the actuation direction (B) sliding on the intermediate wall (407). [4] Contact assembly according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the intermediate wall (407) has a curved wall section (409) against which the operating section (410) rests with a sliding surface (417), wherein the sliding surface (417) has a curvature complementary to the wall section (409). [5] Contact assembly according to claim 4, characterized by that the sliding surface is concavely curved in cross-section transverse to the actuation direction (B). [6] Contact assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the guide surface (415), viewed along the insertion direction (S), is aligned with a tapered section (408) of the intermediate wall (407). [7] Contact assembly according to claim 6, characterized by that the tapered section (408) of the intermediate wall (407) extends obliquely to the insertion direction (S). [8] Contact assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the guide surface (415) is concavely curved in cross-section transverse to the insertion direction (S). [9] Contact assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the plug-in opening (403), viewed in cross-section transverse to the insertion direction (S), is circumferentially closed. [10] Contact assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pressure section (411) has two side cheeks (418) which define an opening (416) between them. [11] Contact assembly according to claim 10, characterized by that the spring element (43) is at least partially accommodated in a receiving chamber (414) formed between the side cheeks (418). [12] Contact assembly according to claim 10 or 11, characterized bythat the support leg (431) is connected to the clamping leg (430) via a curved connecting section (432), wherein the connecting section (432) is received between the side cheeks (418) of the pressure section (411). [13] Contact assembly according to claim 12, characterized by that the connecting section (432), viewed along the actuation direction (B), is arranged below the operating section (410). [14] Contact assembly according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by that the pressure section (411) has an intermediate section (412) extending between the side cheeks (418) for acting on the clamping leg (430). [15] Contact assembly according to claim 14, characterized by that the guide surface (415) is formed on the intermediate portion (412). [16] Contact assembly according to claim 14 or 15, characterized bythat the intermediate section (412) rests against the intermediate wall (407) in a non-actuated position associated with the clamping position of the spring element (43). [17] Contact assembly according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized by that the pressure section (411) has two guide sections (413) projecting from the intermediate section (412) along the actuating direction (B) and which are slidably guided on the contact element (42). [18] Contact assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the connection section (420) forms a connection chamber (426) delimited by a rear wall (423) and side walls (424), wherein the clamping leg (430) is designed, in the clamping position, to act on a line (210) inserted into the connection chamber (426) for electrically contacting the line (210) with the rear wall (423) of the connection section (420). [19] Contact assembly according to claim 18, characterized bythat the connection chamber (426) is U-shaped in cross section transverse to the actuating direction (B) and is open towards the pressure section (411) of the actuating element (41). [20] Contact assembly according to claim 18 or 19, characterized by that the pressure section (411) is guided displaceably along the actuating direction (B) on sliding edges (427) which are formed on edges of the side walls (424) remote from the rear wall (423). [21] Contact assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the contact element (42) is manufactured as a solid part from a metal material by turning and / or milling. [22] Contact assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the spring element (43) is operatively connected to the contact element (42). [23] Contact assembly according to claim 22, characterized by that the support leg (431) is supported on the contact element (42). [24] Contact assembly according to claim 22 or 23, characterized by that the contact element (42) has a form-locking element (425) via which the support leg (431) is fastened to the contact element (42). [25] Contact assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the contact element (42) has a plug-in contact section (421) for plugging in a plug-in direction (E) with a mating contact of a mating connector part (3). [26] Contact assembly according to claim 25, characterized by that the plug contact section (421) is formed by a contact pin or a contact socket. [27] Contact assembly according to claim 25 or 26, characterized by that the electrical line (210) can be inserted into the plug-in opening (403) along an axis (A) for connection to the contact element (42), wherein the plug-in contact section (421) extends longitudinally along the axis (A). [28] Contact assembly according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterized by in that the contact element (42) has a base (422), wherein the connection section (420) is arranged on a first side of the base (422) and the plug contact section (421) is arranged on a second side of the base (422) facing away from the first side. [29] Connector part (2) with a contact assembly according to one of the preceding claims. [30] Connector part (2) according to claim 29, characterized by that the connector part (2) has a connector housing (20) and a contact insert (23) received in the connector housing (20), wherein the contact assembly is arranged on the contact insert (23). [31] Connector part (2) according to claim 30, characterized bythat the contact insert (23) has a holding frame (230) and at least one contact module (4) held on the holding frame (230), wherein the contact assembly is arranged on the at least one contact module (4). [32] Connector part (2) according to claim 31, characterized by that the at least one contact module (4) has a plug-in section (405) for plugging into a mating connector part (3). [33] Connector part (2) according to claim 31 or 32, characterized by that the at least one contact module (4) has a plurality of contact assemblies, to each of which an electrical line (210) can be connected. [34] Connector part (2) according to claim 33, characterized bythat the plug-in opening (403) and the actuating opening (404) of a first of the contact assemblies are arranged next to one another along a first spatial direction and the plug-in opening (403) and the actuating opening (404) of a second of the contact assemblies are arranged next to one another along a second spatial direction perpendicular to the first spatial direction.

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