Arrangement, method and use of a chain for providing electrical contact parts

Abstract

An arrangement (100) for providing a plurality of electrical contact parts (110) is proposed. The arrangement (100) comprises a chain with a plurality of interconnected chain links (120). Each chain link (120) has at least one first link plate (121) with a first receptacle (122) formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part (110) from the plurality of electrical contact parts (110), and a second link plate (123) with a second receptacle (124) formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part (110) from the plurality of electrical contact parts (110). Furthermore, a method for providing a plurality of electrical contact parts (110) and the use of a chain for providing electrical contact parts (110) are proposed.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement for providing electrical contact parts. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of a chain for providing electrical contact parts. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for providing electrical contact parts. State of the art

[0002] It is known from practice that electrical contact parts manufactured as stamped and / or bent parts and connected, for example, by a common metal strip, can be wound onto a roll to prepare them for a subsequent process. The electrical contact parts can then be transported on the roll or as a roll and, if necessary, unwound from the roll and separated. This allows for orderly provision and feeding of the electrical contact parts for the subsequent process.

[0003] It would be desirable to have a possibility for the orderly provision for a subsequent process or the like, even for electrical contact parts that are manufactured and / or provided as individual parts or in bulk.

[0004] DE 10 2023 104 906 A1 discloses a feeding device for a crimping machine. CN10 992 1256 discloses a cable twisting device. Utility model CN20733885 discloses a feeding machine, and utility model CN211088713 discloses a feeding mechanism for the crimping machine for wire terminals. Description of the invention

[0005] An object of the invention is therefore to create a possibility for the orderly provision of electrical contact parts using means that are as simple as possible in terms of construction.

[0006] The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the description, and the accompanying figures.

[0007] According to a first aspect, an arrangement for providing a plurality of electrical contact parts is proposed. The arrangement comprises a chain with a plurality of interconnectable or connected chain links. Each chain link has at least one first link plate with a first receptacle formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part from the plurality of electrical contact parts. Furthermore, each chain link has a second link plate with a second receptacle formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part from the plurality of electrical contact parts.

[0008] The proposed arrangement makes it possible to provide electrical contact parts, which are manufactured and / or provided as individual parts or in bulk, in an ordered form and / or a coherent, i.e. interconnected, form. By lining up and interconnecting the individual chain links from the plurality of chain links and arranging a plurality of electrical contact parts in the plurality of chain links, a coherent chain can be created which can have an at least largely freely configurable length. The chain can then be disassembled again subsequently, for example for a subsequent downstream process and / or after one or more downstream processes, e.g. during assembly or final assembly of the respective electrical contact part. The electrical contact parts can thus be stored and transported in an ordered form and / or coherently.For example, the chain can also be wound onto a reel and later unwound from it. Furthermore, the electrical contact parts can be further processed in an orderly manner and / or in a continuous manner, e.g., machined, refined, surface-treated, or similarly. By connecting the majority of electrical contact parts via the chain, damage caused by impacts, abrasion, or other quality-reducing issues can be largely avoided in any subsequent process and / or during transport.

[0009] As used herein, the chain, which is at least largely freely configurable by the plurality of chain links and a plurality of electrical contact parts, in particular with regard to its length, can serve for the orderly provision of the plurality of electrical contact parts. The plurality of electrical contact parts can initially be manufactured and / or provided as individual parts, i.e. loosely and / or individually from one another. The configurable juxtaposition and / or joining of the plurality of chain links can then produce the coherent chain with the electrical contact parts accommodated therein in an orderly manner. The chain can be extended, interrupted and / or joined at least largely as desired. The chain can be produced at least partially automatically, for example by means of an automatic production machine or the like. The chain can, if necessary,also serve as a conveyor belt, strapping or the like for the majority of electrical contact parts and / or are designated as such.

[0010] The plurality of chain links can be present as individual parts. These can, for example, be provided and / or collected in a container, a box, or the like. The plurality of chain links can be reusable, so that they can also be used and / or labeled as circulating parts. The plurality of chain links can be identical parts. In at least some embodiments, the arrangement, in particular the plurality of chain links, can have an identification, such as a label or the like, with which the plurality of electrical contact parts can be identified. This can, for example, enable traceability, e.g., including across all manufacturing and / or processing steps up to the finished part. Furthermore, in at least some embodiments, the arrangement can also be rolled. This can be used for transport, handling, or the like.

[0011] For example, the plurality of electrical contact parts can be manufactured by means of one or more preceding manufacturing processes. For example, the manufacture and / or production of the plurality of electrical contact parts can comprise at least one of extrusion, turning, or the like. The plurality of electrical contact parts are then present as individual parts. These can be introduced individually, e.g. directly after manufacture, into a chain link, e.g. pressed or the like. Depending on the design of the plurality of chain links, either the chain link can connect two electrical contact parts to one another or one electrical contact part can connect two adjacent chain links to one another. Two chain links can also be connected to one another by means of a further connecting element, which can also be formed on the chain link.The majority of electrical contact parts can also be subjected to a finishing process, a surface treatment, e.g., a galvanic process. This can be done either before or after chain formation. In the latter case, the chain links are excluded from the process or treatment to save raw materials and enable reuse of the majority of chain links. The majority of electrical contact parts can also be designed as identical parts.

[0012] In a further development, the chain can be designed such that the first receptacle of a first chain link and the second receptacle of a second chain link of two chain links arranged adjacent to one another and / or following one another in the chain overlap one another. The electrical contact part received in the overlapping first and second receptacles can serve as a connecting element between the first chain link and the second chain link. For example, the first chain link and the second chain link can be arranged such that their complementary receptacles overlap. In this case, the at least one first link plate and the second link plate can be aligned with one another. The respective electrical contact part can then be introduced into the overlapping receptacles, e.g. pressed in or the like.The electrical contact part can be inserted, for example, in a direction transverse to the direction of the chain's extension. This allows the plurality of electrical contact parts to be brought into an orderly shape with simple movement sequences.

[0013] According to a further development, the respective chain link can have a first section with two first plates that are spaced apart from one another in a direction transverse to a chain extension direction. Furthermore, the respective chain link can have a second section with a single, second plate. The first section and the second section can be arranged adjacent to one another along the chain extension direction. The first section and the second section and / or the first plates and the second plate can be designed to complement one another.

[0014] In a further development, the first section of a first chain link of two chain links arranged adjacent to one another and / or consecutive in the chain and the second section of a second chain link can be interlocked. In other words, the first section and the second section and / or the first link plates and the second link plate can be designed to complement one another and, for example, can be guided into one another, inserted into one another, or the like.

[0015] According to a further development, the first receptacle and / or the second receptacle can be partially open in a direction transverse to a chain extension direction. The first and / or second receptacle can be designed to be crescent-shaped, sickle-shaped, or crescent-like in a direction transverse to a chain extension direction. This is easily achieved in terms of construction. As a result, the majority of electrical contact parts can be easily inserted, e.g., pressed, into the respective receptacle.

[0016] In a further development, the respective chain link can have a fixing element for fixing the electrical contact part received in the first receptacle and / or second receptacle in a first direction transverse to a chain extension direction. The fixing element can be configured to insert the electrical contact part into the first receptacle and / or the second receptacle from a direction transverse to the chain extension direction. The fixing element can also serve and / or be designated as an axial fixation, e.g., relative to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of electrical contact parts. The fixing element can be formed integrally with the respective chain link or formed thereon.For example, the plurality of electrical contact parts can have a radially extending collar that forms an undercut or the like with the fixing element when the respective electrical contact part is arranged and / or received in the respective receptacle. The fixing element can protrude from the respective link plate of the chain link and have a counter-collar for the collar of the electrical contact part. The collar of the electrical contact part can be inserted, e.g., pushed or pressed, into a free space formed between the counter-collar and the link plate of the chain link.

[0017] According to a further development, the respective chain link can have a handling element that protrudes at least partially in a direction transverse to a chain extension direction. The handling element can serve, for example, for gripping, as a guide for a rail system, for feeding, or the like. One or more parts could also be removed from the threading, for example, to improve logistics and / or accessibility for further processing. For example, the handling element can be bolt-shaped, pin-shaped, or the like. The handling element can extend parallel to an insertion direction of the electrical contact part into the receptacle of the chain link.

[0018] In a further development, the plurality of chain links can be made of a plastic material. For example, the plastic material can be or be based on polyphthalamide (PPA) or polyoxymethylene (POM), although the plastic material need not be limited to these. This allows the plurality of chain links to be easily manufactured. For this purpose, a suitable injection molding process can be provided, for example, which can be implemented as a single-component or multi-component injection molding. The plastic material can also at least largely prevent damage to the plurality of electrical contact parts, e.g., due to rubbing, scratching, or the like.

[0019] According to a further development, the electrical contact part can be designed as a contact pin, contact bolt, contact socket, or the like. For example, it can be an electrical contact part for a charging socket or the like, although this is not limited here. For example, the plurality of electrical contact parts can have a radially extending collar, which can be formed at or near a longitudinal end of the electrical contact part. The electrical contact part can be manufactured from a metal material, for example, by extrusion, turning, or the like. The electrical contact part can be designed or intended, among other things, for use in a motor vehicle, although this is not limited here.

[0020] According to a further aspect, the use of a chain for providing electrical contact parts is proposed. The chain has a configurable plurality of interconnectable or connected chain links. Each chain link has at least one first link with a first receptacle formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part and a second link with a second receptacle formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part.

[0021] The chain used can be designed and / or further developed according to the first aspect.

[0022] According to a further aspect, a method for providing electrical contact parts is proposed. The method comprises providing a plurality of electrical contact parts as individual parts. The method further comprises arranging the plurality of electrical contact parts in a plurality of interconnectable chain links. A respective chain link has at least one first link plate with a first receptacle formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part and a second link plate with a second receptacle formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part. The plurality of chain links are connected to form a coherent chain during the arranging and / or by the arranging.

[0023] The procedure can be further developed according to the first aspect.

[0024] The aspects, embodiments, variants, and examples described above can, of course, be combined without this being explicitly described. Each of the described developments and each example is therefore optional for each of the aspects, embodiments, variants, and examples, or even combinations thereof. The present disclosure is therefore not limited to the individual embodiments and embodiment variants in the described order or to a specific combination of the aspects and embodiment variants. Short character description

[0025] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an arrangement for providing a plurality of electrical contact parts according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a chain link for an arrangement for providing a plurality of electrical contact parts according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a chain link for an arrangement for providing a plurality of electrical contact parts according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 shows a perspective side view of an arrangement for providing a plurality of electrical contact parts according to an embodiment. Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a method for providing a plurality of electrical contact parts according to an embodiment.

[0026] The figures are merely schematic representations and serve only to illustrate the invention. Identical or equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals throughout. Detailed description of implementation examples

[0027] Fig. 1 shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary arrangement 100 for providing a plurality of electrical contact parts 110.

[0028] The plurality of electrical contact parts 110 are manufactured and / or provided as individual parts or in bulk. For example, the plurality of electrical contact parts 110 can be designed as contact pins, contact bolts, or the like. It can serve, for example, as an electrical contact part for a charging socket or the like, although this is not limited here. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the plurality of electrical contact parts 110 can have a radially extending collar, which can be formed at or near a longitudinal end of the electrical contact part. The plurality of electrical contact parts 110 can be manufactured from a metal material, for example, by extrusion, turning, or the like. In at least some embodiments, the plurality of electrical contact parts 110 can be refined, surface-treated, e.g., in a galvanic process, or the like, at least in sections, and / or can have, for example, contact protection or the like, as generally indicated by reference numeral 111.

[0029] The assembly 100 comprises a chain with a plurality of interconnectable or connected chain links 120. Each chain link 120 has at least one first link 121 with a first receptacle 122 formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part from the plurality of electrical contact parts 110. Furthermore, each chain link 120 has a second link 123 with a second receptacle 124 formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part from the plurality of electrical contact parts 110.

[0030] The plurality of chain links 120 may be present as individual parts. These may, for example, be provided and / or collected in a container, a box, or the like. The plurality of chain links may be reusable, so that they may also be used and / or designated as circulating parts. The plurality of chain links may be identical parts. For example, the plurality of chain links may be made of a plastic material, which may be, for example, a polyphthalamide (PPA), a polyoxymethylene (POM), or the like.

[0031] The arrangement 100 and / or the chain can be at least largely freely configurable by the selected number of chain links and number of electrical contact parts, in particular with regard to their length.

[0032] As in Fig. 1, the chain can be designed in at least some embodiments in that the first receptacle 122 of a first chain link 120 and the second receptacle 124 of a second chain link 120 of two chain links 120 arranged adjacent to one another and / or successive in the chain overlap each other. In Fig. 1, the receptacles 122, 124 overlap each other in a direction transverse to a chain extension direction, which in Fig. 1 runs from left to right or vice versa. Generally, the chain extension direction is the direction in which the individual chain links 120 are joined together.

[0033] When joining, connecting, or the like the plurality of chain links 120, depending on the design of the plurality of chain links, either the chain link 120 can connect two electrical contact parts 110 to each other or one electrical contact part 110 can connect two adjacent chain links 120 to each other. Two chain links 120 can also be connected to each other by means of a further connecting element, which can also be formed on the chain link 120. In at least some embodiments, the electrical contact part 110 received in the overlapping first and second receptacles 122, 124 can serve as a connecting element between the above-mentioned first chain link 120 and the above-mentioned second chain link 120. For example, the first chain link 120 and the second chain link 120 can be arranged such that their complementary receptacles 122, 124 overlap.The respective electrical contact part 110 can then be inserted, e.g. pressed in or the like, into the overlapping receptacles 122, 124.

[0034] In at least some embodiments, the first receptacle 122 and / or the second receptacle 124 may be partially open in a direction transverse to the chain extension direction. For example, the first receptacle 122 and / or the second receptacle 124 may be crescent-shaped, sickle-shaped, or crescent-like. The corresponding opening may be oriented in a direction transverse to a chain extension direction. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the respective electrical contact part 110 would be inserted, e.g. pressed, into the first receptacle 122 and / or the second receptacle 124 in a direction directed into the plane of the sheet.

[0035] As in Fig. 1, in at least some embodiments, the respective chain link 120 can have a first section with two first plates 121 that are spaced apart from one another in a direction transverse to the chain extension direction. In addition, the respective chain link 120 can have a second section with a single, second plate 123. The first section and the second section can be arranged adjacent to one another along the chain extension direction. The first section and the second section and / or the first plates 121 and the second plate 123 can be designed to be complementary to one another. The first section of a first chain link 120 of two chain links arranged adjacent to one another and / or consecutive in the chain and the second section of a second chain link 120 can be joined together.In other words, the first section and the second section and / or the first tabs 121 and the second tab 123 can be designed to be complementary to one another and can, for example, be guided into one another, inserted into one another, or the like.

[0036] Furthermore, in at least some embodiments, the respective chain link 120 can have a fixing element 125 for fixing the electrical contact part 110 received in the first receptacle 121 and / or second receptacle 124 in a first direction transverse to a chain extension direction. The fixing element 125 can also serve and / or be referred to as an axial fixation, e.g., relative to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of electrical contact parts. The fixing element 125 can be formed integrally with the respective chain link or molded thereon. The fixing element 125 can be configured such that the electrical contact part 110 can be inserted into the first receptacle 122 and / or the second receptacle 124 from a direction transverse to the chain extension direction.For example, the plurality of electrical contact parts 110 may have a radially extending collar that forms an undercut or the like with the fixing element 125 when the respective electrical contact part 110 is arranged and / or received in the respective receptacle 122, 124. According to . Fig. 1, the fixing element 125 can protrude from the respective tab 121, 123 of the chain link 120 and have a counter collar for the collar of the electrical contact part 110. As in Fig. 1, the collar of the electrical contact part 110 can be inserted, e.g. pushed or pressed, into a free space formed between the counter-collar and the respective tab 121, 123 of the chain link. As shown in Fig. 1, the respective electrical contact part 110 can be fixed by two fixing elements 125 of two consecutive chain links 120 by bringing the collar of the electrical contact part 110 into contact and / or undercut with both counter collars.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a schematic plan view of an exemplary chain link 120 for the arrangement 100.

[0038] As mentioned above, the chain link 120 has a first section with two first plates 121, which are spaced apart from each other in a direction transverse to the chain extension direction. Furthermore, the chain link 120 has a second section with a single, second plate 123. The first section and the second section are arranged adjacent to each other along the chain extension direction. Fig. 2, it can be seen that the first section and the second section and / or the first link plates 121 and the second link plate 123 are complementary to one another. Accordingly, the first section of a first chain link 120 of two chain links arranged adjacent to one another and / or consecutive in the chain and the second section of a second chain link 120 can be joined together by arranging the second link plate 123 between the two first link plates 121.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of an exemplary chain link 120 for the arrangement 100.

[0040] The respective chain link 120 can have a handling element 126 that protrudes at least partially in a direction transverse to a chain extension direction. The handling element 126 can serve, for example, for gripping, for advancing, or the like. For example, the handling element 126 can be designed, at least in sections, as a bolt, pin, or the like. The handling element 126 can extend parallel to an insertion direction of the electrical contact part 110 into the receptacle of the chain link.

[0041] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary use of the arrangement 100.

[0042] According to Fig. 4, the assembly 100 can also be rolled up at least in sections, for example, for transport, storage, or the like. Furthermore, the assembly can be fed to a rail system 130, a rail guide, or the like. In this case, the handling element 126 can serve as a guide, for feeding, or the like.

[0043] Fig. 5 illustrates in a flowchart an exemplary method 200 for providing a plurality of electrical contact parts 110.

[0044] The method 200 comprises providing 210 a plurality of electrical contact parts 110 as individual parts. The method 200 further comprises arranging 210 the plurality of electrical contact parts 110 in a plurality of interconnectable chain links 120. A respective chain link 120 has at least one first link 121 with a first receptacle 122 formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part 110 and a second link 123 with a second receptacle 124 formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part 110. The plurality of chain links 120 are connected to form a coherent chain during the arranging and / or by the arranging.

[0045] For example, the manufacture and / or production of the plurality of electrical contact parts can comprise at least one of extrusion, turning, or the like. The plurality of electrical contact parts then exists as individual parts. These can be introduced individually, e.g. directly after manufacture, into a chain link, e.g. by pressing or the like. Depending on the design of the plurality of chain links, either the chain link can connect two electrical contact parts to one another or one electrical contact part can connect two adjacent chain links to one another. Two chain links can also be connected to one another by means of a further connecting element, which can also be formed on the chain link. The plurality of electrical contact parts can also be subjected to a finishing process, a surface treatment, e.g. a galvanic process.This can be done either before or after chain formation, with the latter excluding the chain links from the process or treatment to save raw materials and enable reuse of the majority of chain links. The majority of electrical contact parts can also be designed as identical parts. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 100 arrangement 110 electrical contact part 111 section-by-section finishing, surface treatment, contact protection, etc. 120 chain links 121 (first) tab(s) 122 (first) recording(s) 123 (second) tab 124 (second) recording 125 Fixing element 126 Handling element 130 rail system 200 procedures 210 Process step 220 process steps

Claims

[1] Arrangement (100) for providing a plurality of electrical contact parts (110), comprising a chain with a plurality of interconnected chain links (120), wherein a respective chain link (120) has at least one first tab (121) with a first receptacle (122) formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part (110) from the plurality of electrical contact parts (110) and a second tab (123) with a second receptacle (124) formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part (110) from the plurality of electrical contact parts (110), characterized by , (i) that the chain (120) is formed in that the at least one first receptacle (122) of a first chain link (120) and the second receptacle (124) of a second chain link (120) of two chain links (120) arranged adjacent to one another and / or successive in the chain overlap one another, and the electrical contact part (110) received in the overlapping first and second receptacles (122, 124) serves as a connecting element between the first chain link (120) and the second chain link (120); and / or (ii) that the respective chain link (120) has a first section with two first plates (121) spaced apart from one another in a direction transverse to a chain extension direction, and a second section with a single, second plate (123), the first section and the second section being arranged adjacent to one another along the chain extension direction [2] Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first section of a first chain link (120) of two chain links (120) arranged adjacent to one another and / or successive in the chain and the second section of a second chain link (120) can be joined together. [3] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first receptacle (122) and / or the second receptacle (124) is partially open in a direction transverse to a chain extension direction. [4] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective chain link (120) has a fixing element (125) for fixing the electrical contact part (110) received in the first receptacle (122) and / or second receptacle (124) in a first direction transverse to a chain extension direction, and the fixing element (125) is configured to insert the electrical contact part (110) into the first receptacle (122) and / or the second receptacle (124) from a direction transverse to the chain extension direction. [5] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective chain link (120) has a handling element (126) which protrudes at least in sections in a direction transverse to a chain extension direction. [6] An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of chain links (120) are made of a plastic material. [7] Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical contact part (110) is designed as a contact pin, contact bolt or contact socket. [8] Use of a chain for providing electrical contact parts according to claim 1, wherein the chain (110) has a configurable plurality of interconnectable or connected chain links (120), a respective chain link (120) has at least a first tab (122) with a first receptacle (124) formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part and a second tab (124, 126) with a second receptacle (128) formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part. [9] A method (200) for providing electrical contact parts (110) according to claim 1, comprising: Providing (210) a plurality of electrical contact parts (110) as individual parts, and Arranging (220) the plurality of electrical contact parts in a plurality of interconnectable chain links (120), wherein a respective chain link (120) has at least one first tab (121) with a first receptacle (122) formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part (110) and a second tab (123) with a second receptacle (124) formed therein for receiving an electrical contact part (110), wherein the plurality of chain links (120) are connected during or by the arrangement to form a continuous chain.

Images