Electrical contact element

Abstract

An electrical contact element (1, 2) is shown and described, having a contacting area (11, 21) for contacting a corresponding counter-contact element and a connection area (12, 22) for connecting an electrical conductor, wherein at least the contacting area (11, 21) of the contact element (1, 2) is produced from a material section by means of extrusion and the surface microcontour of the contacting area (11, 21) is oriented in the longitudinal direction (L) of the contact element (1, 2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical contact element with a contacting area for contacting a corresponding counter-contact element and with a connection area for connecting an electrical conductor.

[0002] Electrical contact elements in the form of pin and socket contacts are known in the prior art in various embodiments. They serve to establish an electrical connection with a correspondingly designed mating contact element. The mating contact element is adapted in its shape to the geometry of the contact element or its contact area. The contact element can be designed as a socket contact, in which case the mating contact element is designed as a pin contact that is inserted into the contact area of ​​the socket contact for contacting. The contact area can, in particular, have resilient contact arms or contact lamellae that are elastically deformed when the mating contact element is inserted, so that this elastic deformation generates a restoring force as a contact force and, consequently, a corresponding contact pressure on the mating contact element, i.e., the pin contact.Alternatively, the contact element can be designed as a pin contact, in which case the mating contact element is designed as a socket contact into which the pin contact can be inserted. Regardless of the specific design, the contact element and the mating contact element together form a socket-pin combination, with one of the two elements performing the function of the socket and the other element the function of the pin.

[0003] In addition to the contact area, each contact element has a connection area that allows the end of a conductor to be connected to the contact element. These conductor connection areas can be designed in various ways, for example as crimp terminals, screw terminals, spring-clamp terminals, spring-loaded clamp terminals, or insulation displacement connections.

[0004] Contact elements are typically manufactured from solid wire or bar stock using turning or milling processes. In the case of a pin contact, the different areas of the pin contact, with their varying diameters, particularly the contact area and the connection area, are produced by turning and / or milling. In the case of a socket contact, the contact lamellae of the contact area are produced by removing the material bridges between the individual contact lamellae using a disc milling cutter. Due to the machining of contact elements from wire or bar stock, the production of such contact elements is relatively complex, making this manufacturing method less economical, especially for high production volumes.

[0005] In addition to contact elements made from wire or bar stock, there are also contact elements produced from a flat piece of metal by stamping or cutting and forming. For this process, a basic shape is first stamped out of the metal piece and then bent into the desired shape of the contact element. Especially for high production volumes, stamping and forming contact elements is considerably more economical than machining. However, even with this method, material waste is generated when cutting the basic shape from the metal piece, resulting in suboptimal material utilization. Furthermore, contact elements manufactured using stamping and bending techniques are generally less robust and also exhibit higher electrical resistance than contact elements made from wire or bar stock.

[0006] Contact elements are used particularly in connectors. These contact elements are typically arranged in groups within a contact insert, which has a base body, also known as a contact carrier, containing several continuous receiving chambers, each for a single contact element. Such contact inserts, which usually also include a housing that accommodates or encloses the base body, are used in various designs and forms in industrial connection technology to create detachable, electrically conductive connections between individual conductors. The contact inserts are frequently used in connectors and their corresponding mating connectors, for which purpose the contact carriers are positioned and secured within the housing of a connector.

[0007] From DE 100 41 516 A1, an electrical connection device is known which consists of three parts: a spring-loaded plug contact with several contact lamellae, a sleeve-shaped receptacle that can be connected to an electrical conductor by crimping, and a retaining sleeve for locking the connection device into a corresponding mating plug. The spring-loaded plug contact, stamped and bent from a sheet metal part, is permanently connected to the sleeve-shaped receptacle by means of a rivet. The manufacture of this contact element is also associated with increased effort and therefore higher costs due to the various production steps required.

[0008] DE 10 2010 020 346 A1 discloses electrical contact elements in the form of pin and socket contacts, each having a crimp terminal as the connection area for attaching an electrical conductor. The connection area is shaped as a hollow cylinder with a slot in the axial direction. In the socket contact, which is made of solid material, the contact area is formed by a hollow cylinder with wedge-shaped slots, creating individual spring arms that contact an inserted pin contact. The spring arms are produced by machining processes not described in detail, making the production of these socket contacts time-consuming.

[0009] The present invention therefore aims to provide an electrical contact element that can be manufactured as simply and thus cost-effectively as possible. Furthermore, the contact element should exhibit minimal wear when mated with a corresponding mating contact element, thus ensuring the highest possible number of mating cycles.

[0010] This problem is solved in the contact element described above with the features of claim 1. In the contact element according to the invention, at least the contacting area of ​​the contact element is produced from a material section by means of extrusion, and the surface microcontour of the contacting area is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the contact element.

[0011] The contact area is therefore not produced by machining processes such as milling or sawing, but by forming during extrusion, which significantly reduces the manufacturing time for a contact element. Because the contact element is manufactured using a chipless process, material utilization is also considerably increased, as up to 100% of the starting material is utilized. In addition to the shorter manufacturing time, this also increases material utilization, allowing the individual contact elements to be produced at lower costs.

[0012] In the machining of contact elements from wire or bar stock, the chips produced during manufacturing can be remelted to improve material utilization; however, this is associated with increased energy consumption. Since such a chip remelting step is not necessary when the contact element is manufactured using a non-machining process, the CO2 balance of the contact element's production can also be improved in the case of the contact element according to the invention.

[0013] Furthermore, manufacturing the contact area by extrusion allows for a more favorable surface microcontour of the contact area than is possible with machining. While machining results in a contact area with small transverse grooves that run perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and thus also perpendicular to the insertion direction of the contact element, the contact area of ​​the contact element according to the invention has a surface microcontour oriented in the longitudinal direction of the contact element. Consequently, the contact area has no transverse grooves running perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the contact element, which could lead to increased wear during insertion, thus enabling a higher number of insertion cycles.

[0014] The contact area, at least, can be manufactured by forward or reverse extrusion, preferably without prior heating of the starting material. The starting material can be, for example, a round bar, although other shapes are also possible. The advantage of cold extrusion lies in the high dimensional accuracy and surface finish of the component produced in this way, so that post-processing of the contact element manufactured by extrusion is generally unnecessary. The contact elements produced in this way can be coated after ejection from the forming press, but otherwise generally require no further processing.In principle, the contact element can also be manufactured using hot extrusion, or a combination of cold forming and hot forming can be used in a multi-stage manufacturing process.

[0015] However, an additional manufacturing step carried out after the production of the contacting area and preferably also the connection area of ​​the contact element by means of extrusion, for example the introduction of a bore or additional processing of, for example, the free end of the contacting area or the connection area, is not excluded in the case of the contact element according to the invention.

[0016] In forward extrusion, the material section is pressed into a die at its first end by pressure applied to the back of the punch. The die, which remains stationary during the forming process, has the negative shape of the desired contact area. In forward extrusion, the punch and the material move in the same direction. In reverse extrusion, a punch, which has the negative shape of the desired contact area, penetrates the material section at its first end. The material is displaced in such a way that it flows into the cavities formed in the punch, in the opposite direction to the direction of the punch's movement.

[0017] The contact element according to the invention preferably uses a non-ferrous metal, in particular copper or a copper-based alloy, for example, forming brass, as the material for the section. Unlike machining brass, this material contains no or virtually no lead, and in any case, no relevant lead content (greater than 0.1%). While lead facilitates the machining of the material section, it impairs its forming properties. Furthermore, the absence of lead improves the conductivity of the brass or brass alloy used. In addition to copper-based alloys, aluminum alloys can also be used as the material for the contact element or the material section from which the contact element is manufactured. These alloys also preferably contain no or virtually no lead.

[0018] It has been previously explained that in the electrical contact element according to the invention, at least the contacting area of ​​the contact element is manufactured from a single piece of material by means of extrusion. According to an advantageous embodiment, the connection area is also manufactured by means of extrusion, which further reduces the manufacturing time for producing the contact element. The connection area can, in particular, be designed as a hollow cylinder, so that it can be implemented as a crimp connection.

[0019] If both the contact area and the connection area of ​​the electrical contact element are manufactured by extrusion, the contact element is formed in one piece. According to a further advantageous embodiment, a solid central section, preferably featuring a collar, is formed between the contact area and the connection area. This solid central section increases the overall stiffness of the contact element, particularly if it is a socket contact. The collar, preferably formed on the central section, then serves to position and secure the contact element within a contact carrier that receives it.For this purpose, locking hooks can be formed in the individual receiving chambers of the contact carrier, which lock into the preferably circumferential collar when the contact element is completely inserted into the receiving chamber.

[0020] According to an alternative embodiment of the electrical contact element, the contact area and the connection area can also be manufactured as two separate components that are positively, force-fit, or material-fitted together in such a way that the contact area and the connection area can no longer be separated from each other without damage. If the contact area and the connection area are manufactured as two separate components, the connection area can also be manufactured other than by extrusion, for example, as a stamped and bent part. A connection area manufactured from a single piece of metal using stamping and bending technology is particularly suitable for forming a spring-clamp connection, a screw connection, a cutting edge connection, or a crimp connection.

[0021] Furthermore, a two-part design of the electrical contact element allows the contact area and the connection area to be made of different materials or have different wall thicknesses and / or different coatings, so that the contact area and the connection area can be optimally adapted to their respective purpose.

[0022] As stated at the outset, the electrical contact element can be, in particular, a socket contact or a pin contact. If the contact element is designed as a socket contact, the contact area of ​​the socket contact is designed to be hollow cylindrical and to have several contact lamellae extending longitudinally along the contact area. The individual contact lamellae are separated from each other circumferentially within the hollow cylindrical contact area by recesses, which, like the contact lamellae themselves, are produced during extrusion.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the individual contact lamellae are designed such that their two inner edges facing the contact area are not sharp, in particular they have a radius or a chamfer. Since the individual contact lamellae do not have sharp inner edges, wear during the mating of the socket contact and pin contact is further reduced. Furthermore, the formation of radii or chamfers on the inner edges of the contact lamellae prevents damage to any coatings that may be applied to the pin contact. The radii or chamfers on the inner edges of the individual lamellae can be produced directly during the manufacturing of the contact lamellae by means of extrusion, for example, by forming corresponding contours on the ribs of the corresponding die that create the recesses between the contact lamellae, thereby breaking the inner edges.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment of an electrical contact element designed as a socket contact, the individual contact lamellae or a front section of the contact lamellae are inclined towards the central axis of the contact element, such that the contact lamellae or the respective front sections of the contact lamellae taper conically towards the free end of the contacting area. The individual contact lamellae or the front sections are thus angled inwards, resulting in a defined, limited section in the longitudinal direction of the contacting area, in which an inserted pin contact makes contact with the contact lamellae. In this section, the contacting area then has a smaller diameter than in the rest of the contacting area.

[0025] To facilitate the insertion of a pin contact, or its contact area, into the hollow cylindrical contact area formed by the contact lamellae, the free ends of the contact lamellae are preferably bent or widened to form a funnel-shaped insertion area. This further simplifies the connection of the socket contact and the pin contact.

[0026] If the electrical contact element is not a socket contact but a pin contact, the contact area of ​​the pin contact is designed as a contact pin. When manufacturing the contact pin by extrusion from a section of material, the diameter of the material section, for example, a round bar, is reduced in the area of ​​the contact pin. A contact element designed as a pin contact thus has a contact pin whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the connection area. Furthermore, a solid central section can be formed between the contact pin and the connection area, which has a collar, the diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the preferably hollow cylindrical connection area.As previously described, the preferably circumferential collar serves in particular to position and secure the contact element in a contact carrier that receives the contact element.

[0027] The contact pin can be either solid or hollow cylindrical. If the contact pin is hollow cylindrical, it can, for example, accommodate a section of a touch guard.

[0028] According to a first embodiment of an electrical contact element designed as a pin contact, the pin-shaped contact area has a contact surface that circumferentially surrounds the pin-shaped contact area. In particular, the pin-shaped contact area has a circular cross-sectional area whose outer diameter is adapted to the inner diameter of the contact area of ​​a corresponding socket contact. The circumferential contact surface is formed by the outer surface of the pin-shaped contact area.

[0029] According to a second embodiment of an electrical contact element designed as a pin contact, the pin-shaped contact area has a contact surface that is interrupted in the circumferential direction of the pin-shaped contact area. Preferably, the pin-shaped contact area has first and second sections extending longitudinally in the contact area, which are arranged alternately next to each other in the circumferential direction of the pin-shaped contact area. The first sections are located at a greater distance from the central axis of the contact pin than the second sections, so that the first sections together form the interrupted contact surface for contacting the hollow cylindrical contact area of ​​a corresponding socket contact.

[0030] In this type of pin contact design, the pin-shaped contact area has a non-circular cross-sectional area with several contact sections, all equidistant from the central axis of the contact pin. The second sections between the individual contact sections are radially offset from the contact sections themselves, so that they do not make contact with the contact area of ​​a corresponding socket contact into which the pin contact or the pin-shaped contact area is inserted.

[0031] The advantage of a pin contact whose pin-shaped contact area has such a cross-sectional area lies in the fact that the contact area has a plurality of contact sections that contact the hollow cylindrical contact area of ​​a corresponding socket contact. Depending on the design or extent of the first sections, i.e., the contact sections, the contact area formed by the first sections together can be increased.

[0032] The formation of first and second sections results in an increased surface area of ​​the pin-shaped contact area, which improves heat dissipation, especially when transmitting higher currents. Furthermore, the radially offset second sections arranged between the individual first sections improve the contact's shape, thus facilitating better heat dissipation during the transmission of higher currents at the pin contact.

[0033] It has been stated at the outset that contact elements are generally arranged in groups within a contact insert. The invention therefore also relates to such a contact insert for a connector, with a contact carrier having several through-holes, wherein an electrical contact element according to the invention is arranged in each of the individual hole-holding chambers.

[0034] In detail, there are several ways to design and further develop the electrical contact element according to the invention. Reference is made to both the dependent claims and the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. The drawing shows Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a contact element designed as a socket contact, Fig. 2 two longitudinal sections through the socket contact according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a contact element designed as a pin contact, Fig. 4 a longitudinal section through a pin contact, Fig. 5 several schematic representations of cross-sectional areas of the contact area of ​​various pin contacts, Fig. 6 an exploded view of a third embodiment of a contact element designed as a socket contact, Fig. 7 a perspective view of the socket contact according to Fig. 6 in the assembled state, Fig. 8 a perspective view of a two-part socket contact with a connection area designed as a spring clamp connection, Fig. 9 a perspective view of a two-part pin contact with a connection area designed as a spring clamp connection, Fig. 10 multiple two-part socket contacts with a connection area designed as a crimp terminal, and Fig. 11 multiple two-part pin contacts with a connection area designed as a crimp connection.

[0035] The figures show various embodiments of an electrical contact element 1, 2. Here, Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first embodiment of a contact element 1 designed as a socket contact, while Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a contact element 2 designed as a pin contact. Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. Figure 10 shows further embodiments of a contact element 1 designed as a socket contact, while the Fig. 9 and Fig. 11 Two further embodiments of a contact element 2 designed as a pin contact are shown.

[0036] The in Fig. The socket contact 1 shown has a hollow cylindrical contact area 11 and a similarly hollow cylindrical connection area 12 for connecting an electrical conductor. The socket contact 1 is manufactured entirely from a round bar as a material section by means of extrusion, so that the socket contact 1 is formed in one piece. In contrast, the ones in the Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. The socket contacts 1 shown in Figure 10 also consist of a hollow cylindrical contact area 11 and a connection area 12, but the contact area 11 and the connection area 12 are manufactured as two separate components, as shown in the exploded view according to Figure 10. Fig. 6 and also from Fig. 10 is evident.

[0037] In all embodiments of a socket contact 1, the hollow cylindrical contact area 11 has several contact lamellae 13 extending in the longitudinal direction L of the socket contact 1, which are separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the contact area 11 by recesses 14. As can be seen in particular from the sectional views according to Fig. 2a and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2b, the individual contact lamellae 13 each have a radius on their two inner edges 15. The inner edges 15 of the individual contact lamellae 13 are therefore not sharp. When a corresponding contact pin 21 of a contact element 2 designed as a pin contact is inserted into the contacting area 11 between the contact lamellae 13, the surface of the contact pin 21 is not damaged.

[0038] From the sectional view according to the Fig. 2a and Fig. Figure 2b also shows that a front section 16 of the contact lamellae 13 is inclined towards the central axis M of the socket contact 1. The front section 16 of the contact lamellae 13 is thus conically tapered towards the free end of the contacting area 1 or the contact lamellae 13. This creates a longitudinally limited section in which an inserted pin contact 2 contacts the contact lamellae 13. In this section, the contacting area 11 has an inner diameter d1 that is smaller than the inner diameter d2 at the base of the contact lamellae 13. The free ends of the contact lamellae 13 are also slightly flared, so that the contacting area 11 has a funnel-shaped insertion area 17.

[0039] The one in the Fig. 3 and Fig. The pin contact 2 shown in section 4 also has a contact area 21 and a connection area 22, the connection area 22 being the same as the connection area 12 of the one shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. The socket contact 1 shown in Figure 2 is hollow cylindrical and forms a crimp terminal for a conductor to be connected. In contrast, the contact area 21 of the pin contact 2 is designed as a solid contact pin, with both the contact area 21 and the terminal area 22 being manufactured from a round bar as a material section by means of extrusion.

[0040] In the Fig. Figures 5a to 5e show the cross-sectional areas of five different contact pins 21 of five pin contacts 2. The in Fig. The contact pin 21 shown in Figure 5a has a circular cross-sectional area whose outer diameter D1 is adapted to the inner diameter d1 of the contacting area 11 of a corresponding socket contact 1. The pin-shaped contacting area 21 thus has a contact surface 23 circumferentially, formed by the outer surface of the pin-shaped contacting area 21. Ideally, in this embodiment, the contact surface 23 is maximized when the inner surfaces 18 of the individual contact lamellae 13 are in full contact with the outer surface of the pin-shaped contacting area 21.However, due to manufacturing tolerances, it may happen that the inner surfaces 18 of the individual contact lamellae 13 do not make full contact with the outer surface of the pin-shaped contacting area 21, but only some contact points or contact areas between the inner surfaces 18 of the contact lamellae 13 and the outer surface of the contact pin 21.

[0041] In the Fig. In the cross-sectional areas of various embodiments of contact pins 21 shown in Figures 5b to 5e, the contact pins 21 each have a non-annular cross-sectional area. The pin-shaped contact areas 21 thus each have a contact surface 23 that is interrupted in the circumferential direction of the pin-shaped contact areas 21.

[0042] The contact pins 21 each have several first sections 24 and second sections 25 extending longitudinally along the contact pin 21, which are arranged alternately next to each other in the circumferential direction of the contact pin 21. The first sections 24 are located at a greater distance from the central axis M of the contact pin 21 than the second sections 25. The first sections 24 together form the contact surface 23 for contacting the hollow cylindrical contact area 11 of a corresponding socket contact 1, the contact surface 23 being interrupted in the circumferential direction of the contact pin 21 by the formation of the second sections 25. The first sections 24 can therefore also be referred to as contact sections, since they serve to contact the hollow cylindrical contact area 11 of a corresponding socket contact 1.

[0043] As from Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5b, the first sections 24 lie together on a circle with a diameter D1. The second sections 25, which are set back inwards from the first sections 24, lie on a circle with a diameter D2, where D2 < D1. If the contact pin 21 is inserted into the hollow cylindrical contact area 11 of a corresponding socket contact 1, channels 26 are formed between adjacent first sections 24 through which air can flow, thus allowing the heat generated during the transmission of high currents in the pin contact 2 to be dissipated more effectively.

[0044] The Fig. 5c, Fig. 5d and Fig. Figure 5e shows variations of contact pins 21 with a non-annular cross-sectional area, such that these contact pins 21 also each have a contact surface 23 that is interrupted in the circumferential direction of the contact pin 21. As in the embodiment according to Fig. 5b The contact pins 21 each have several first sections 24 and second sections 25 extending longitudinally along the contact pin 21, which are arranged alternately next to each other in the circumferential direction of the contact pin 21, wherein the first sections 24 are located at a greater distance from the central axis of the contact pin 21 than the second sections 25. It is evident to those skilled in the art that the possible contours of the contact pins 21 are not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

[0045] In the embodiment according to Fig. 5c the first sections 24 and the second sections 25 each have a radius R, such that the first and second sections 24, 25 in comparison to the embodiment according to Fig. 5b are not sharp-edged. The radii R of the first and second sections 24, 25 can be the same or, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 5c, they differ from each other. In the circumferential direction, the contact pin 21 thus has a wave shape, with the first sections 24 forming the wave crests and the second sections 24 forming the wave troughs.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiments according to Fig. 5d and Fig. 5e the first sections 24 have a greater extent than in the embodiment according to Fig. 5c, so that the contact surface 23 formed by the sections 24 together is, in comparison to the embodiment according to Fig. 5c is enlarged. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5d the second sections 25 are designed as undercuts, whereas the sections 25 in the embodiment according to Fig. 5e are groove-shaped. In both embodiments according to Fig. 5d and Fig. 5e The edges of sections 24 each have radii, so that the edges are not sharp. Since the contact pins 21 thus have no sharp edges on their outer surface, wear during the mating of the socket contact and pin contact is further reduced.

[0047] Both the in Fig. 1 shown socket contact 1 as well as the pin contact 2 according to Fig. 3 has a solid central section 3, which is arranged between the respective contacting areas 11, 21 and the respective connection areas 12, 22. The central section 3 has a collar 31 whose outer diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the contacting areas 11, 21 and larger than the outer diameter of the connection areas 12, 22. The circumferential collar 31 of the contact element 1, 2 serves to fix the contact element 1, 2 when it is inserted into a receiving chamber of a contact insert. Locking hooks can then be formed in the receiving chamber, which engage with the circumferential collar 31, thus fixing the contact element 1, 2 in a defined position.

[0048] In the Fig. 6 and Fig. In the illustrated embodiment of a socket contact 1, the contact area 11 and the connection area 12 are designed as separate components which, after their respective manufacture, are joined together in such a way that the two components can no longer be separated from each other without destruction. In the illustrated embodiment, a fastening pin 19 is provided on the rear side of the contact area 11 facing the connection area 12, which can be inserted into an opening 27 in the connection area 12 and pressed in place.

[0049] While the hollow cylindrical contact area 11 is manufactured by extrusion, the connection area 12 is a stamped and bent part, which in the illustrated embodiment is part of a spring-clamp connection. The L-shaped connection area 12 functions as a busbar against which a conductor to be connected can be clamped by means of a torsion spring.

[0050] Such a socket contact 1, in which the contacting area 11 and the connection area 12 are designed as separate components and the connection area 12 forms part of a spring-clamp connection, is in Fig. Figure 8 shows the spring-loaded clamping connection. The spring-loaded clamping connection is formed by the L-shaped connection area 12 and a leg spring 4, whereby a conductor to be connected is pressed by the clamping leg 41 of the leg spring 4 against the longitudinally extending part of the L-shaped connection area 12.

[0051] Fig. Figure 9 shows an embodiment of a pin contact 2 in which the contact area 21 and the connection area 22 are designed as separate components which, after their respective manufacture, are connected to each other in such a form-fit and force-fit manner that the two components can no longer be separated from each other without damage. In the illustrated embodiment, a fastening pin 28 is provided on the rear side of the contact area 21 facing the connection area 22, which can be inserted into an opening 27 in the connection area 22 and pressed in place.

[0052] As with the one in Fig. The socket contact 1 shown in section 8 also forms the same connection in the diagram. Fig. The pin contact 2 shown in Figure 9, the L-shaped connection area 22 together with a torsion spring 4, forms a spring-loaded clamping connection. Here too, the connection area 22 is a stamped and bent part, while the contacting area 21 is manufactured by extrusion.

[0053] Fig. Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of a two-part socket contact 1, in which the contacting area 11 and the connection area 12 are designed as separate components. While the contacting area 11 is very similar to those in Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. In the 8 illustrated contact areas 11, the connection area 12 is designed as a crimp connection in this embodiment. The crimp connection area 12 is a stamped and bent part that is additionally rolled. In the illustration according to Fig. Figure 10 shows several terminal areas 12 designed as crimp terminals, which are further connected to each other via a connecting bridge 5. The fastening pin 19 of the contact area 11 is held by a receiving section 29 formed on the terminal area 12, which can be connected to the fastening pin 19 in a form-fit and force-fit manner.

[0054] Fig. Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of a pin contact 2, in which the contacting area 21 and the connection area 22 are designed as separate components. As in the one described in Fig. In the socket contact 10 shown, the connection area 12 is designed as a crimp connection. The fastening pin 28 of the contact area 21 is held by a receiving section 29 formed on the connection area 22, which can be positively and force-fit connected to the fastening pin 28. Also in the illustration according to Fig.Figure 11 shows several terminal areas 22 designed as crimp terminals, which are further connected to each other via a connecting bridge 5. After the contact area 21 is firmly connected to the terminal area 22, the connection between the terminal area 22 and the connecting bridge 5 can be easily disconnected, so that individual pin contacts 2 are then available. Reference sign 1. Contact element (socket contact) 11. Contact area 12. Connection area 13. Contact lamellae 14. Cutouts 15. Inner edges 16. front section 17. Introductory Judge 18. Interior surfaces 19. Fastening pin 2. Contact element (pin contact) 21. Contact area (contact pin) 22. Connection area 23. Contact surface 24. First sections (contact points) 25. second sections 26th opening 27. Fastening pin 28th recording section 3. Middle area 31. Collar 4. Leg spring 41. Clamping leg 5. Connecting bridge L Longitudinal direction M Central axis d1 Inner diameter contact area d2 inner diameter contact area D1 Outer diameter contact pin D2 outer diameter contact pin QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 100 41 516 A1

[0007] DE 10 2010 020 346 A1

[0008]

Claims

[1] Electrical contact element (1, 2) with a contacting area (11, 21) for contacting a corresponding counter-contact element and with a connection area (12, 22) for connecting an electrical conductor, characterized by , that at least the contacting area (11, 21) of the contact element (1, 2) is produced from a section of material by means of extrusion and the surface microcontour of the contacting area (11, 21) is oriented in the longitudinal direction (L) of the contact element (1, 2). [2] Electrical contact element (1, 2) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the connection area (12, 22) is also manufactured by means of extrusion. [3] Electrical contact element (1, 2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that between the contacting area (11, 21) and the connection area (12, 22) a solid central area (3) is formed which has a circumferential collar (31). [4] Electrical contact element (1, 2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the contacting area (11, 21) and the connection area (12, 22) are manufactured as two separate components that are connected to each other by positive locking, force locking or material locking. [5] Electrical contact element (1, 2) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the contacting area (11, 21) and the connection area (12, 22) are made of different materials and / or different coatings. [6] Electrical contact element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact element (1) is designed as a socket contact, characterized by, that the contacting area (11) is hollow cylindrical and has contact lamellae (13) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the contacting area (11), which are separated from each other in the circumferential direction of the hollow cylindrical contacting area (11) by recesses (14), and that the individual contact lamellae (13) are not sharp-edged at their two inner edges (15), in particular having a radius or a chamfer. [7] Electrical contact element (1) according to claim 6, characterized by , that the contact lamellae (13) or a front section (16) of the contact lamellae (13) are inclined in the direction of the central axis (M) of the contact element (1), such that the contact lamellae (13) or the front section (16) of the contact lamellae (13) taper conically towards the free end of the contacting area (11). [8] Electrical contact element (1) according to claim 7, characterized by, that the free ends of the contact lamellae (13) form a funnel-shaped insertion area (17). [9] Electrical contact element (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact element (2) is designed as a pin contact, characterized by , that the contacting area (21) is designed as a contact pin. [10] Electrical contact element (2) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the pin-shaped contact area (21) has a contact surface (23) circumferentially around the pin-shaped contact area (21). [11] Electrical contact element (2) according to claim 9, characterized by , that the pin-shaped contact area (21) has a contact surface (23) that is interrupted in the circumferential direction of the pin-shaped contact area (21). [12] Electrical contact element (2) according to claim 11, characterized by, that the pin-shaped contacting area (21) has first sections (24) and second sections (25) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the contacting area (21), which are arranged alternately next to each other in the circumferential direction of the pin-shaped contacting area (21), wherein the first sections (24) have a greater distance from the central axis (M) of the contact pin than the second sections (25), so that the first sections (24) together form the contact surface (23) for contacting the hollow cylindrical contacting area (11) of a corresponding socket contact (1). [13] Contact insert for a connector with a contact carrier having several through-hole receiving chambers, wherein an electrical contact element (1, 2) according to one of claims 1 to 12 is arranged in each of the receiving chambers.

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