Contact device

Abstract

Contact device for electrically conductively contacting flat contact partners, in particular flat plugs (2) or flat contacts (22) for sockets, comprising a housing (3, 23) with an electrical contact connection and a receiving area (4, 24) in which a contact carrier (5, 25) protruding from the housing is received in a limitedly displaceable manner, wherein the contact carrier (5, 25) receives a plurality of identical contact elements (14, 34), which are each pivotably mounted in pairs to form contact element pairs in the contact carrier (5, 25) in such a way that the contact elements (14, 34) of each contact element pair can be pivoted towards or away from each other at least in certain areas, wherein a plurality of contact element pairs are arranged next to one another in the contact carrier (5, 25) in adaptation to the width (B) of the respective contact partner, wherein the housing (3, 23) has a wedge-shaped projection (16, 36) in the receiving area (4, 24),which extends between the contact element pairs and bears against convex control edges (15, 35) of the contact elements (14, 34), wherein by an advancing movement of the contact device towards the contact partner, the respective contact element pairs are pivoted towards or away from each other by means of wedge gears in a lateral contact movement towards the flat contact partner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a contact device for electrically conductive contacting of flat contact partners, in particular flat plugs or flat contacts for sockets.

[0002] DE 20 2021 103 693 U1 discloses a contact device for electrically conductive contacting, in particular with flat contact partners. The contact device has a contact head with two contact elements mounted on a common carrier so as to be longitudinally displaceable in a sliding direction for contacting the contact partner. The contact elements are mounted such that they can be moved toward or away from each other, at least in certain areas. The contact elements are designed as individual parts and are guided on the carrier by at least one sliding guide such that when the contact elements are pushed toward the carrier in a sliding direction, the contact elements are moved toward each other, at least in certain areas.

[0003] DE 10 2021 003 933 A1 discloses a contact unit for detachably contacting an electrically conductive contact partner, in particular a flat plug, round post, or the like. The contact unit comprises a base body, a contact device with at least two contact elements for contacting the contact partner, and a clamping device for fastening the contact elements to the base body. The base body has a recess extending at least axially in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the base body and forming a receiving space for receiving the contact partner. The contact elements are arranged opposite one another on the base body and extend at least partially into the receiving space. The contact elements are each held on the base body by means of the clamping device.The contact elements each comprise at least one roller rotatably mounted on the base body, wherein the roller forms a contact surface for contacting the contact partner.

[0004] In the automotive / e-mobility sector, there is a growing demand for high-current contacts for flat plugs or flat contacts for sockets. However, the contact devices described above are only tailored to a single contact partner type, meaning they must be fully adapted to contact partners with different geometric dimensions. As a result, various contact devices must be provided, which is obviously complex.

[0005] The object of the invention is to create a contact device, in particular for high-current contacting, which can be flexibly adapted to many contact partner types without complex structural changes and at the same time provides as many contact points as possible.

[0006] This object is achieved with a contact device for electrically conductive contacting of flat contact partners, in particular flat plugs or flat contacts for sockets, with a housing with an electrical contact connection and with a receiving area in which a contact carrier protruding from the housing is received in a limitedly displaceable manner, wherein the contact carrier receives a plurality of identical contact elements, which are each pivotably mounted in pairs to form contact element pairs in the contact carrier in such a way that the contact elements of each contact element pair can be pivoted towards or away from each other at least in certain areas, wherein a plurality of contact element pairs are arranged next to one another in the contact carrier in adaptation to the width of the respective contact partner, wherein the housing has a wedge-shaped projection in the receiving area,which extends between the contact element pairs and rests against convex control edges of the contact elements, whereby by an advancing movement of the contact device towards the contact partner, the respective contact element pairs are pivoted towards or away from each other by means of wedge gears in a lateral contact movement towards the flat contact partner.

[0007] A contact device is provided that can be flexibly adapted to many installation situations, i.e., to differently designed flat contact partners. The basic structure of the contact device is predetermined: there is a uniform (standard) housing and a uniform (standard) contact carrier as well as a uniform mechanism (wedge gear) for the lifting and pivoting movement. Only the shape and number of contact element pairs or contact elements are tailored to the contact partner to be tested. This means that essentially identical parts can be used. In addition, the plurality of contact element pairs provides a large number of contact points, which is advantageous for high-current applications. Depending on the width of the contact partner, more or fewer contact element pairs are accommodated next to or behind one another in the contact carrier.

[0008] It is advantageously provided that at least one spacer is accommodated in the contact carrier adjacent to the two outer contact element pairs, adapting to the width of the respective contact partner. If the contact carrier is not fully equipped with contact elements, the spacers serve as lateral support elements.

[0009] Preferably, the respective spacer is designed as a centering element for the contact partner. The spacers also serve as centering elements during the feed movement of the contact device toward the contact partner.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the contact carrier is spring-loaded and guided in the receiving area of ​​the housing. The contact device is thus designed as a spring contact.

[0011] In a further embodiment, it is provided that a sense contact for voltage measurement, which is galvanically separated from the contact elements, is accommodated in the contact carrier adjacent to an outer contact element pair.

[0012] Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that a temperature sensor which is galvanically separated from the contact elements is accommodated in the contact carrier adjacent to an outer contact element pair.

[0013] Advantageously, at least one cooling medium channel is also provided in the housing, through which a cooling medium, e.g., air, can be supplied. The arrangement of the cooling medium channel depends on the installation situation.

[0014] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing, which shows Fig. 1 a perspective view of a first contact device, Fig. 2 a side view of the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a section along the line A - A in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 the first contact device before contacting in section, Fig. 5 the first contact device during contacting in section, Fig. 6 an enlarged detail of the Fig. 4, Fig. 7 a perspective view of a contact carrier of the first contact device, Fig. 8 an enlarged detail of the first contact device, Fig. 9 a perspective view of a second contact device, Fig. 10 a side view of the Fig. 9, Fig. 11 a section along the line B - B in Fig. 10, Fig. 12 the second contact device before contacting in section, Fig. 13 the second contact device during contacting in section, Fig. 14 a perspective view of a third contact device, Fig. 15 an enlarged detail of a contact device with a sense contact, Fig. 16 a sense contact and in Fig. 17 a temperature sensor.

[0015] In the Fig. 1 to 8, a first contact device 1 is shown for electrically conductive contacting of a contact partner, which has a Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 indicated flat plug 2 is.

[0016] The first contact device 1 comprises a housing 3 with an electrical contact connection (not shown) and with a receiving area 4. In this receiving area 4, a contact carrier 5 protruding from the housing 3 is slidably received. The contact carrier 5 has two parallel longitudinal walls 6, which are guided in guide grooves 7 of the housing 3 in the stroke direction H (double arrow in Fig. 5) are slidably received. The two longitudinal walls 6 are connected at one end to a first T-shaped side wall 8, preferably non-detachably, and at the other end to a second T-shaped side wall 9, detachably (e.g., fastening screw 10). A narrow lower region of the side walls 8, 9 is located partially within the receiving region 4 of the housing 3, while a wide upper region of the side walls 8, 9 extends outside the housing 3, the vertical outer edges of the upper regions being aligned with the parallel outer edges of the cuboid-shaped housing 3.

[0017] The contact carrier 5 is spring-loaded (compression springs 11) and mounted in the receiving area 4 of the housing 3, with the maximum displacement in the stroke direction H being limited by two lateral stops 8a, 9a on the side walls 8, 9 and pins 12 bridging the receiving area 4 in the transverse direction. The two side walls 8, 9 are connected to each other in their upper area via two parallel pivot axes 13.

[0018] The contact carrier 5 accommodates a plurality of identical contact elements 14, which are pivotally mounted in pairs on a pivot axis 13, forming contact element pairs in the contact carrier 5, such that the contact elements 14 of each contact element pair can be pivoted toward one another at least in certain areas. Each contact element 14 has a base region 14a and a contact region 14b offset in a stepped manner. The base region 14a is arranged on the respective pivot axis 13 and has a convex control edge 15 on its side facing the other contact element 14 of a contact element pair.

[0019] The housing 3 has a wedge-shaped projection 16 in the receiving area 4, which is best Fig. 6. This extends between the contact element pairs and rests against the convex control edges 15 of the contact elements 14. The width of the wedge-shaped projection 16 (transverse to the plane of the drawing of the Fig. 6) the distance between the two side parts 8, 9.

[0020] In adaptation to the width B of the flat plug 2, a plurality of contact element pairs formed from identical contact elements 14 are arranged next to one another in the contact carrier 5. If the width B of the flat plug 2 is less than the distance between the two side parts 8, 9 of the contact carrier 5, at least one spacer 17 is accommodated in the contact carrier 5 adjacent to the two outer contact element pairs, in adaptation to the width B of the flat plug 2. The respective spacer 17 is preferably designed as a centering element for the flat plug 2 and can, for example, have two prong-shaped projections 17a. If spacers 17 are provided, their edges 17b form a contact surface 18 for the flat plug 2. Without spacers 17, upper edges 8b, 9b of the side walls 8, 9 form a contact surface 18 for the flat plug 2. Alternatively, pins (not shown) inserted into bores 19 can also serve as the contact surface 18.

[0021] As best seen from a comparison of the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, by an advancing movement of the contact device 1 towards the flat plug 2 in the stroke direction H, the respective contact element pairs are pivoted towards one another by means of a wedge gear (control edges 15 of the contact elements 14 and wedge-shaped projection 16) in a lateral contact movement towards the flat plug 2 and thereby contact the flat plug 2 with a plurality of contact points.

[0022] In each configuration, the contact device 1 has a uniform housing 3 and a uniform contact carrier 5, as well as a matching pivoting mechanism (wedge gear). Only the shape and number of contact elements 14 are tailored to the respective flat plug 2 to be tested. The contact width B determines the number of contact elements 14 and any spacers 17, while the contact thickness D and the contact depth T determine the geometric shape of the individual contact elements 14.

[0023] In the Fig. 9 to 13, a second contact device 21 is shown for electrically conductive contacting of a contact partner, which is a Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 indicated flat contact 22 for sockets.

[0024] The second contact device 21 has a housing 23 with an electrical contact connection (not shown) and with a receiving area 24. In this receiving area 24, a contact carrier 25 protruding from the housing 23 is slidably received. The contact carrier 25 has two parallel longitudinal walls 26, which are guided in guide grooves 27 of the housing 23 in the stroke direction H (double arrow in Fig. 13). The two longitudinal walls 26 are connected at one end, preferably non-detachably, to a first T-shaped side wall 28 and at the other end, detachably (by fastening screws 30) to a second T-shaped side wall 29. A narrow lower region of each of the side walls 28, 29 is located partially within the receiving region 24 of the housing 23, while a wide upper region of each of the side walls 28, 29 extends outside the housing 23, the vertical outer edges of the upper regions being aligned with the parallel outer edges of the cuboid-shaped housing 23.

[0025] The contact carrier 25 is spring-loaded (compression springs 31) and mounted in the receiving area 24 of the housing 23, with the maximum displacement in the stroke direction H being limited by two lateral stops 28a, 29a on the side walls 28, 29 and pins 32 bridging the receiving area 24 in the transverse direction. The two side walls 28, 29 are connected to each other in their upper area via two parallel pivot axes 33.

[0026] The contact carrier 25 accommodates a plurality of identical contact elements 34, which are pivotally mounted in pairs on a pivot axis 33, forming contact element pairs in the contact carrier 25, such that the contact elements 34 of each contact element pair can be pivoted away from each other, at least in certain areas. Each contact element 34 has a base region 34a and a contact region 34b. The base region 34a is arranged on the respective pivot axis 33 and has a convex control edge 35 on its side facing the other contact element 34 of a contact element pair.

[0027] The housing 23 has a wedge-shaped projection 36 in the receiving area 24, which corresponds to the wedge-shaped projection 16. This projection extends between the contact element pairs and rests against the convex control edges 35 of the contact elements 34. The width of the wedge-shaped projection 36 corresponds to the distance between the two side parts 28, 29.

[0028] In adaptation to the width B of the flat contact 22, a plurality of contact element pairs formed from identical contact elements 34 are arranged next to one another in the contact carrier 25. If the width B of the flat contact 22 is less than the distance between the two side parts 28, 29 of the contact carrier 25, at least one spacer 37 is accommodated in the contact carrier 25 adjacent to the two outer contact element pairs, in adaptation to the width B of the flat contact 22. The respective spacer 37 is preferably designed as a centering element for the flat contact 22 and can, for example, have a prong-shaped projection 37a. If spacers 37 are provided, their edges 37b form a contact surface 38 for the flat contact 22. Without spacers 37, upper edges 28b, 29b of the side walls 28, 29 form a contact surface 38 for the flat contact 22. Alternatively, pins (not shown) inserted into bores 39 can also serve as a contact surface 38.

[0029] As best seen from a comparison of the Fig. 12 and Fig. 13, by an advancing movement of the contact device 21 towards the flat contact 22 in the stroke direction, the respective contact element pairs are pivoted away from each other by means of a wedge gear (control edges 35 of the contact elements 34 and wedge-shaped projection 36) in a lateral contact movement towards the flat plug 22 and thereby contact the flat plug 22 with a plurality of contact points.

[0030] In Fig. 14 shows a third contact device 41 which corresponds to the first contact device 1, but is additionally connected laterally to the housing 3 with an insulating plate 42 by means of rivets 43 or the like.

[0031] In the Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 shows a sense contact 44, which is adjacent to an outer contact element pair and is galvanically separated from the contact elements 14 in the contact carrier 5 of the first contact device 1 by a driver plate 45. The sense contact 44 is secured against lifting by a plastic screw 46. The plastic screw 46 is screwed into the driver plate 45, with the screw end located outside the driver plate 45 and therefore requiring free space, which is provided by bores 20 and 40 in the contact elements 14 and 34, respectively. The insulating driver plate 45 is positively connected to the subsequent contact element 15. The sense contact 44 can be pulled out and replaced by loosening the plastic screw 46.

[0032] In Fig.17 shows an additional temperature sensor 47, which, analogous to the sense contact 44, is housed in the contact carrier 5, electrically separated from the contact elements 14. This can, of course, also be provided in the second contact device 21.

[0033] The housing 3, 23, the contact carrier 5, 25, the contact elements 14, 34 and the pivot axes 13, 33 are made of electrically conductive material. List of reference symbols: 1 first contact device 2 flat plugs 3 housings 4 Recording area 5 contact carriers 6 longitudinal walls 7 guide grooves 8 first side wall 8a stop 8b upper edge 9 second side wall 9a stop 9b upper edge 10 fixing screws 11 compression springs 12 pens 13 swivel axes 14 Contact element 14a Basic area 14b Contact area 15 Control edge 16 wedge-shaped approach 17 spacers 17a prong-shaped attachments 17b edges 18 contact surface 19 holes 20 holes 21 second contact device 22 flat contact for sockets 23 housings 24 recording area 25 contact carriers 26 longitudinal walls 27 guide grooves 28 first side wall 28a stop 28b upper edge 29 second side wall 29a stop 29b upper edge 30 fixing screw 31 compression springs 32 pens 33 swivel axes 34 Contact element 34a Basic area 34b Contact area 35 Control edge 36 wedge-shaped approach 37 spacers 37a prong-shaped attachment 37b edges 38 contact surface 39 holes 40 holes 41 third contact device 42 Insulation plate 43 rivets 44 Sense contact 45 Driver plate 46 plastic screw 47 Temperature sensor H stroke direction B Contact width D Contact thickness T Contact depth 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 2021 103 693 U1

[0002] DE 10 2021 003 933 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Contact device for electrically conductive contacting of flat contact partners, in particular flat plugs (2) or flat contacts (22) for sockets, comprising a housing (3, 23) with an electrical contact connection and a receiving area (4, 24) in which a contact carrier (5, 25) projecting from the housing is received in a limitedly displaceable manner, wherein the contact carrier (5, 25) receives a plurality of identical contact elements (14, 34), which are each pivotably mounted in pairs to form contact element pairs in the contact carrier (5, 25) in such a way that the contact elements (14, 34) of each contact element pair can be pivoted towards or away from each other at least in certain areas, wherein a plurality of contact element pairs are arranged next to one another in the contact carrier (5, 25) in adaptation to the width (B) of the respective contact partner, wherein the housing (3, 23) has a wedge-shaped projection (16, 36) in the receiving area (4, 24),which extends between the contact element pairs and bears against convex control edges (15, 35) of the contact elements (14, 34), wherein by an advancing movement of the contact device towards the contact partner, the respective contact element pairs are pivoted towards or away from each other by means of wedge gears in a lateral contact movement towards the flat contact partner. [2] Contact device according to claim 1, characterized by that in adaptation to the width (B) of the respective contact partner, at least one spacer (17,37) is accommodated in the contact carrier (5,25) adjacent to the two outer contact element pairs. [3] Contact device according to claim 2, characterized by that the respective spacer (17,37) is designed as a centering element for the contact partner. [4] Contact device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the contact carrier (5,25) is spring-loaded (11,31) and guided in the receiving area (4,24) of the housing (3,23). [5] Contact device according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that adjacent to an outer contact element pair, a sense contact (44) which is galvanically separated from the contact elements (14,34) is accommodated in the contact carrier (5,25). [6] Contact device according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that adjacent to an outer contact element pair, a temperature sensor (47) which is galvanically separated from the contact elements (14,34) is accommodated in the contact carrier (5,25). [7] Contact device according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that at least one cooling medium channel is provided in the housing (3,23).

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