Holding tool, method for producing a plug, plug and method for cleaning a holding tool

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding tool for holding one or more contact pins during an injection molding process, wherein the holding tool has one or more clamping channels that are designed without undercuts. The invention further relates to a corresponding method for producing a connector, a corresponding connector, and a corresponding method for cleaning a holding tool.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a holding tool for holding one or more contact pins during an injection molding process, a method for producing a connector, a connector and a method for cleaning a holding tool.

[0002] Plugs are used, for example, to connect cables to sockets. For this purpose, plugs typically have contact pins that protrude from a material such as a plastic. To manufacture such a plug, a holding tool can be used, for example, to hold the plug's contact pins. The plug is then manufactured, in particular, by overmolding the contact pins in a suitable manner.

[0003] JP 2 557 727 Y2 relates to a clamping device for an injection molding process, wherein an electrical conductor is inserted into the clamping device and fixed by means of a fixing device arranged in the clamping device, wherein the electrical conductor has a hole into which the fixing device engages.

[0004] JP H10 - 125 440 A deals with the production of a plug integrated in a housing, wherein the plugs are fixed in a holding device, wherein the holding device comprises a cavity with a fixing device which fixes the plugs in the holding device.

[0005] US 4 411 181 A deals with a device for cutting and holding an electrical conductor to which a plug is arranged by means of injection molding.

[0006] US 2019 / 0 157 826 A1 deals with a clamping device for fixing a plug during an injection molding process, wherein the plug elements of the plug are inserted into the clamping device and are fixed by spring elements which are pressed by the first injection mold half against the second injection mold half.

[0007] DE 10 2010 031 771 A1 deals with a method for producing a connector, wherein a terminal contact of the connector is placed in a two-part injection mold and surrounded by an injection molding compound, wherein the terminal contact has a taper on one side for better hold.

[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a holding tool for holding such contact pins during an injection molding process, which is alternative to or better than known designs. Furthermore, the invention aims to provide an associated method for producing a connector, a connector, and a method for cleaning a holding tool.

[0009] This is achieved according to the invention by a holding tool, method, and connector according to the respective main claims. Advantageous embodiments can be found, for example, in the respective subclaims. The content of the claims is incorporated into the content of the description by express reference.

[0010] The invention relates to a holding tool for holding one or more contact pins during an injection molding process. The holding tool has a clamping channel for each contact pin to be held, which has an entry point for inserting the contact pin and a stop for the contact pin. Each clamping channel is designed to be undercut-free from the entry point to the stop.

[0011] This design ensures, in particular, that no undercuts form in the clamping channels. This prevents plastic material that penetrates the clamping channel from becoming caught in an undercut, thus eliminating the need for a complex process to replace or clean the holding tool. This significantly increases reliability.

[0012] A holding tool serves in particular to hold one or more contact pins. While the contact pins are held by the holding tool, they can be overmolded in an injection molding process. This means, in particular, that plastic material is applied in such a way that the contact pins partially protrude into the plastic material and, after curing, are held by the plastic material. They can then also be released from the holding tool. An injection molding process is understood in particular to mean that liquid plastic material is applied and hardens upon cooling. This can be shaped into a desired form, for example, by suitable application and / or by using a mold.

[0013] A clamping channel is understood, in particular, to be a channel into which a contact pin to be held is inserted. The entry point is typically an opening, which typically has at least approximately the dimensions of the contact pin. The contact pin can then be pushed in as far as it will go, limiting its movement into the clamping channel. The contact pin is clamped in the clamping channel in such a way that it cannot slip out of the clamping channel without a certain amount of force.

[0014] An undercut-free design is understood, in particular, to mean that there is no undercut in the clamping channel. In particular, this can mean that there is no widening in the cross-section of the clamping channel from the entry point to the stop. This can refer, in particular, to the cross-sectional area and / or to one or two dimensions of the cross-section.

[0015] The holding tool has a first clamping channel and a second clamping channel, with a central web being located between the two clamping channels. This allows for a simple design for the production of a connector with two contact pins. According to an advantageous embodiment, exactly two clamping channels are provided.

[0016] The holding tool comprises a first spring element and a second spring element. The first spring element applies a holding force directed toward the first clamping channel, and the second spring element applies a holding force directed toward the second clamping channel. This allows, in particular, a simple application of a holding force to the clamping channels.

[0017] The first spring element and the second spring element are connected to form a common spring unit. This enables simple production and handling. The spring unit can, in particular, have a U-shaped base structure. A spring element can, in particular, be attached to each free end of the U-shaped base structure. This enables a simple design, with the base structure defining the outer shape of the spring unit and the spring elements arranged on the inside to define the clamping channels.

[0018] The holding tool preferably has a spring element for each clamping channel, which exerts a holding force directed toward the clamping channel. Such a spring element can, in particular, be designed such that when a contact pin is inserted into the clamping channel, it is pushed slightly outward, thereby exerting a holding force. When the contact pin is removed from the clamping channel, the spring element returns to its original position.

[0019] In particular, each clamping channel can taper from the entry point to the stop. This makes it easy to ensure that no undercut is formed. The taper can be continuous, in particular along the entire clamping channel, or just along a section of the clamping channel or several sections. The taper can relate in particular to the cross-sectional area and / or to one or two dimensions of the clamping channel. Outside of those sections in which the clamping channel tapers, the clamping channel can have a constant cross-section or a constant cross-sectional area. Widenings are typically not provided, as this would lead to an undercut.

[0020] The central web can, in particular, have a first edge facing the first clamping channel and a second edge facing the second clamping channel. This can, in particular, ensure that the central web is clearly demarcated from the clamping channels and, in particular, directly borders the clamping channels. In other words, the central web forms an inner boundary of the two clamping channels. The first edge can, in particular, be completely or partially parallel to the second edge. This also enables, in particular, a parallel design of the clamping channels, so that the two contact pins are held parallel to one another. This corresponds to an advantageous connector configuration with parallel contact pins.

[0021] The central web can be arranged, in particular, between the first spring element and the second spring element. The central web and spring elements together typically form the two clamping channels, which corresponds to a particularly simple design.

[0022] The spring unit can, in particular, be arranged entirely or partially in a recess of the holding tool. Such a recess can, in particular, accommodate the spring unit and, in particular, also fix its position. This typically also allows for easy replacement of the spring unit.

[0023] The holding tool can advantageously comprise a base body and a cover detachably connected thereto. The clamping channels can, in particular, be formed entirely or partially in the base body and / or in the cover. This allows easy access to the clamping channels, so that access to the clamping channels is possible by simply removing the detachable cover. This can facilitate cleaning, for example. Furthermore, replacing the spring unit or other elements is easy.

[0024] The invention further relates to a method for producing a plug, the method comprising the following steps: - Providing a holding tool as described herein, - Inserting one or more contact pins into one clamping channel each, and - Overmolding of the contact pins outside the holding tool.

[0025] Using such a method, a connector can be manufactured in a simple manner, with reference to the advantages already mentioned above. With regard to the holding tool, all designs and variants described here can be used. Typically, exactly one contact pin is assigned to each clamping channel. In particular, in the event that there is no contact pin in a clamping channel due to a malfunction, it is not to be expected that plastic material in the clamping channel will harden to such an extent that it can only be removed by disassembling the holding tool. The undercut-free design described above ensures that the plastic material can be easily removed in this case too. In particular, intentionally filling the clamping channel with plastic material can also be used for cleaning purposes, as will be described in more detail below.

[0026] The invention further relates to a connector manufactured using a method for manufacturing a connector described herein. With regard to the method and in particular with regard to the holding tool used therein, all embodiments and variants described herein can be used.

[0027] The invention further relates to a method for cleaning a holding tool as described herein. With regard to the holding tool, all embodiments and variants described herein can be used. The method comprises the following steps: - Injection of the clamping channels with a plastic material, and then - Removing the plastic material from the clamping channels.

[0028] Such a method can be advantageously used to clean a holding tool. Any contaminants that may be present in the clamping channels fuse with the plastic material and are also removed when the plastic material is removed. The plastic material can harden completely or at least to a certain extent in the clamping channels before removal.

[0029] In particular, a new clamping system or a new holding tool for holding contact pins in exact position in connector cores of injection molds during transport or during overmolding with plastic material can achieve a significant advantage over other clamping systems. In particular, it can avoid the need to disassemble the entire connector core in the event of a missing contact pin in order to clean it of the overmolded plastic. Thanks to the procedure described here, the connector core is virtually maintenance-free and has a very long service life. Likewise, overmolded plastic material can be easily demolded together with the molded connector without the contact pin. This has an additional positive cleaning effect, for example with regard to copper flakes, for the cavity for the contact pin in the tool connector core.

[0030] Further features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiment described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1: a holding tool in an exploded view, Fig. 2: a holding tool in a partially assembled state, Fig. 3: a holding tool in a fully assembled state, and Fig. 4: the spring unit and the center bar separately.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a holding tool 10 according to an embodiment in an exploded view. The holding tool 10 has a base body 20 and a cover 25 arranged above it. The cover 25 is connected to the base body 20 in an assembled state, but is detachably attached thereto. A recess 22 for a spring unit 30 is formed in the base body 20. The recess 22 is designed as a depression in the base body 20. Furthermore, a central web 23 protrudes from this depression. Its function will be discussed in more detail below.

[0032] The holding tool 10 further comprises the aforementioned spring unit 30. This comprises a U-shaped base structure 40. A first spring element 41 and a second spring element 42 are arranged at the ends of the legs of the U-shaped base structure 40. The two spring elements 41, 42 are designed such that they can be elastically pressed outward, i.e., toward the base structure 40 or its legs, and can then exert an inward force.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a further assembled state, but not yet the final assembled state of the holding tool 10. The spring unit 30 is received in the recess 22, i.e. de facto inserted into the recess. A first clamping channel 51 and a second clamping channel 52 are formed between the spring elements 41, 42 and the central web 23. Contact pins can be inserted into these for holding. The first clamping channel 51 extends from an entry point 53 to a stop 55. The second clamping channel 52 extends from an entry point 54 to a stop 56. The two clamping channels 51, 52 are designed without undercuts, i.e. there is no area in which they would widen from the entry point 53, 54 to the stop 55, 56. Rather, they are even designed to be slightly tapered.

[0034] Fig. Figure 3 shows the holding tool 10 in an assembled state. The cover 25 is placed on the base body 20, so that ultimately nothing of the internal components is visible. From the outside, only the two entry points 53, 54 are visible, which represent openings into which contact pins can be inserted. Such contact pins can be held in the clamping channels 51, 52 and easily removed again by applying a certain amount of force.

[0035] The design without undercut also makes it possible to intentionally inject plastic material into the clamping channels 51, 52, which can harden completely or at least partially therein, and then remove it again. This allows the clamping channels 51, 52 to be cleaned, especially of any copper splinters, which experience has shown can occur in the relevant process.

[0036] Fig. 4 shows the spring tool 30 and the central web 23 separately in a top view. It can be seen that the first spring element 41 is attached to a first free end 43 of the U-shaped base structure 40 and the second spring element 42 is attached to a second free end 44 of the U-shaped base structure 40. It can also be seen that the central web 23 has a first edge 26, which represents the transition to the first clamping channel 51, and a second edge 27, which represents the transition to the second clamping channel 52. The two edges 26, 27 are parallel to each other. The tapering of the clamping channels 51, 52 is as in Fig. 4 can be seen by the design of the spring elements 41, 42.

[0037] The steps mentioned in the method according to the invention can be carried out in the specified order. However, they can also be carried out in a different order, provided this is technically reasonable. The method according to the invention can be carried out in one of its embodiments, for example, with a specific combination of steps, in such a way that no further steps are carried out. However, in principle, further steps can also be carried out, even those not mentioned.

[0038] It should be noted that features may be described in combination in the claims and the description, for example, to facilitate understanding, although they may also be used separately. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such features may also be combined independently with other features or combinations of features.

[0039] References in subclaims may indicate preferred combinations of the respective features, but do not exclude other combinations of features. List of reference symbols 10 Holding tool 20 basic bodies 22 Recess 23 Central bridge 25 lids 26 first edge 27 second edge 30 spring unit 40 Basic structure 41 first spring element 42 second spring element 43 first free end 44 second free end 51 first clamping channel 52 second clamping channel 53 Entry point 54 Entry point 55 stop 56 stop

Claims

[1] Holding tool (10) for holding one or more contact pins during an injection molding process, - wherein the holding tool (10) has a clamping channel (51, 52) for each contact pin to be held, which has an entry point (53, 54) for inserting the contact pin and a stop (55, 56) for the contact pin, and - which has a first clamping channel (51) and a second clamping channel (52), between which there is a central web (23), - wherein each clamping channel (51, 52) is designed without undercuts from the entry point (53, 54) to the stop (55, 56), and - which has a first spring element (41) and a second spring element (42), - wherein the first spring element (41) applies a holding force directed towards the first clamping channel (51), and - wherein the second spring element (42) applies a holding force directed towards the second clamping channel (52), - wherein the first spring element (41) and the second spring element (42) are connected to form a common spring unit (30). [2] Holding tool (10) according to claim 1, - which has a spring element (41, 42) for each clamping channel (51, 52) which applies a holding force directed towards the clamping channel (51, 52). [3] Holding tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein each clamping channel (51, 52) tapers from the entry point (53, 54) to the stop (55, 56). [4] Holding tool (10) according to claim 4, - wherein the central web (23) has a first edge (26) towards the first clamping channel (51) and a second edge (27) towards the second clamping channel (52). [5] Holding tool (10) according to claim 5, - wherein the first edge (26) is wholly or partly parallel to the second edge (27). [6] Holding tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the central web (23) is arranged between the first spring element (41) and the second spring element (42). [7] Holding tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the spring unit (30) has a U-shaped basic structure (40), - wherein a spring element (41, 42) is attached to each free end (43, 44) of the U-shaped basic structure (40). [8] Holding tool (10) according to one of the claims one of the preceding claims, - wherein the spring unit (30) is arranged wholly or partially in a recess (22) of the holding tool (10). [9] Holding tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - wherein the holding tool (10) has a base body (20) and a cover (25) detachably connected thereto, - wherein the clamping channels (51, 52) are formed wholly or partially in the base body (20) and / or in the cover (25). [10] A method for manufacturing a connector, the method comprising the following steps: - Providing a holding tool (10) according to one of the preceding claims, - Inserting one or more contact pins into a respective clamping channel (51, 52), and - Overmolding of the contact pins outside the holding tool (10). [11] A connector manufactured by a method according to claim 10. [12] A method for cleaning a holding tool (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the following steps: - Injection molding the clamping channels (51, 52) with a plastic material, and then - Remove the plastic material from the clamping channels (51, 52).

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