Connector

Abstract

Connector (1) for making an electrical plug connection (2) with a mating connector (3), wherein the connector (1) has a connector housing (4) with at least one contact receiving channel (5) and at least one electrically conductive contact spring body (6) arranged in the contact receiving channel (5) with at least two spring arms (9, 10) which are elastically deflectable relative to each other and together define an insertion channel (11) for receiving an electrically conductive contact pin (12) of the mating connector (3), wherein the spring arms (9, 10) are connected to each other in a bent area (13) of the contact spring body (6) and each spring arm (9, 10) has at least one support area (14, 15) for supporting the respective spring arm (9, 10) on a channel wall (7, 8) of the contact receiving channel (5) and a contact area (16, 17) for contacting the contact pin (12), wherein the Contact area (16, 17) of the respective spring arm (9,10) is arranged between the support area (14, 15) of the respective spring arm (9, 10) and the bent area (13) of the contact spring body (6). (Fig. 4)

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Connectors with at least two spring arms are already commercially available. In the current state of the art, the spring arms of the contact spring body are fork-shaped. They protrude freely toward an insertion opening for inserting the electrically conductive contact pin of the mating connector and are only connected to each other on the side opposite these freely projecting ends.

[0003] Practice shows that vibration can lead to contact failures, particularly in applications where the connector or plug connection is subjected to mechanical shock.

[0004] DE 1 187 323 discloses a connector of this type. US 2009 / 186503 A1 discloses a connector according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] The object of the invention is to propose an improvement for connectors of the above-mentioned type by which contact interruptions are avoided as far as possible, even in the event of vibrations.

[0006] For this purpose, the invention proposes a connector according to claim 1.

[0007] It is therefore provided that the spring arms are connected to one another in a bent region of the contact spring body and that each spring arm has at least one support region for supporting the respective spring arm on one of the channel walls and that each spring arm has a contact region for contacting the contact pin, wherein the contact region of the respective spring arm is arranged between the support region of the respective spring arm and the bent region of the contact spring body.

[0008] In other words, it is thus provided that the spring arms are connected to one another in a bent region of the contact spring body and the contact regions in which the spring arms each electrically contact the contact pin are arranged between this bent region and a respective support region of the respective spring arm, wherein the spring arms are each supported in their support regions on the channel walls of the connector housing.

[0009] This prevents the respective contact pin from becoming detached from the spring arms of the respective contact spring body of the connector in the event of vibrations. This ensures that even during vibrations, the electrically conductive contact between the contact spring body and the contact pin, and thus between the connector and the mating connector, is permanently maintained. This eliminates contact interruptions, as was the case with state-of-the-art technology, even during vibrations.

[0010] In this sense, it is particularly advantageous if the contact area of ​​the respective spring arm is arranged between the support area of ​​the respective spring arm and the respective connection of the respective spring arm with the bent area of ​​the contact spring body.

[0011] Preferably, each contact spring body of a connector according to the invention has exactly two spring arms. Connectors according to the invention can, in principle, be designed with a single channel, i.e., have only one contact-receiving channel and one contact spring body arranged therein. However, connectors according to the invention are generally designed with multiple channels, so that they have two or more electrically conductive contact spring bodies, each arranged in a contact-receiving channel. The mating connector then generally has a corresponding number of electrically conductive contact pins. The electrically conductive connection of the contact spring bodies on the one hand, and also of the contact pins on the other, to electrical lines, conductor tracks, and the like can be implemented in a manner known per se.In this context, connectors according to the invention can, in particular, be provided with a contact spring body having a connection area protruding from the connector housing at its end opposite the bent area. In this connection area, the contact spring body can then be electrically connected to a corresponding electrical line, circuit board conductor, or the like using conventional connection means, such as soldering or crimping.

[0012] In connectors according to the invention, it is advantageously provided that the spring arms of the contact spring body are supported by their respective support areas on one of the channel walls, at least in an operating state in which the contact pin is fully inserted into the insertion channel. As mentioned, the support of the spring arms of the contact spring body on the channel walls ensures a secure electrically conductive connection between the contact spring body and the contact pin, even in the presence of vibrations.

[0013] The invention provides that the contact spring body has an insertion opening for inserting the electrically conductive contact pin of the mating connector into the insertion channel, and that the insertion opening is arranged in the bent region of the contact spring body. The insertion opening thus forms the entrance through which the contact pin can be inserted into the insertion channel. It is preferably provided that the insertion opening is designed as a circumferentially closed hole in the bent region of the contact spring body. For example, the insertion opening can be designed as a circular or oval hole in the bent region of the contact spring body. Other geometric shapes of the hole are of course also possible. However, non-circumferentially closed designs of the insertion opening are also conceivable. For example, the insertion opening can also be open on one side, e.g.by guiding the bent area of ​​the contact spring body in a C-shape around the insertion opening.

[0014] Preferred variants of plug connectors according to the invention provide that the spring arms are spaced apart from one another in their contact regions at least in an unloaded operating state than in their support regions. The unloaded operating state is the state in which no contact pin is inserted into the insertion channel of the contact spring body and the spring arms are therefore in their undeflected initial position. For example, it can be provided that at least one of the spring arms, preferably each spring arm, of the contact spring body is curved in the contact region in the direction of the other spring arm. In preferred variants, it is further provided that the spring arms are spaced apart from one another in their contact regions at a smaller distance than in their support regions, even in the operating state in which the contact pin is fully inserted into the insertion channel.

[0015] Preferably, at least the spring arms and the bent region of the contact spring body are designed so as to be elastically deflectable or, in other words, deformable. Advantageously, the entire contact spring body is designed so as to be elastically deflectable or, in other words, elastically deformable. For example, it can be provided that at least the spring arms of the contact spring body are designed like a leaf spring. Particularly preferably, the entire contact spring body is designed like a leaf spring. One could also say that the spring arms and / or the contact spring body are designed as a leaf spring. This does not, of course, mean that the leaf spring is flat, but can certainly be curved or, in other words, bent, for example, in the bent region and / or in the region of the spring arms.

[0016] In this context, it should be noted that the term "bent area" initially simply means that the area of ​​the contact spring body exhibits a bend, or, in general terms, a curvature that deviates from a straight line. Instead of "bent area," one could also speak of a "curved area" of the contact spring body. This can be achieved through a bending process, but also through other, conventional manufacturing methods.

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the invention advantageously provide for the contact spring body to be formed in one piece. The contact spring body is particularly preferably formed from a correspondingly electrically conductive material, in particular a metal such as spring steel, copper, copper alloys or the like. In order to avoid corrosion phenomena as far as possible, the contact spring body and the contact pin are advantageously made of the same material. This naturally also applies if more than one contact spring and more than one contact pin are provided per connector or per mating connector. In principle, connectors according to the invention can also be designed as so-called cable connectors, i.e. as connectors to be mounted on at least one cable, or as adapters. According to the invention, the connector is a chassis socket provided for mounting on a housing of an electrical device.The mating connector can be designed as a cable plug but also as an adapter or even as a chassis socket.

[0018] In addition to the plug connector itself, the invention also relates to an electrical plug connection with a plug connector according to the invention and with the mating plug connector, wherein in the fully plugged-together state of the plug connection, the at least one electrically conductive contact pin of the mating plug connector is fully plugged into the plug-in channel of the at least one electrically conductive contact spring body and lies in electrically conductive contact with the contact regions of the spring arms of the contact spring body, and the spring arms are each supported with their respective support region on one of the channel walls.

[0019] According to the invention, this is an electrical plug connection which is particularly contact-safe, even under vibrations. An electrical plug connection is a plug connection between a plug connector and a mating connector, in which a contact spring body of the plug connector is electrically connected to a contact pin of the mating connector, at least when fully mated. As already mentioned above, these can be single-channel plug connections, in which the plug connector has only one contact spring body and the mating connector only one contact pin. Typically, however, such plug connections are designed as multi-channel connections with a corresponding number of contact spring bodies of the plug connector and a corresponding number of contact pins of the mating connector.

[0020] Further preferred features of embodiments according to the invention are explained by way of example in the following description of the figures. They show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a corresponding mating connector; Fig. 3 is a front view of the connector according to the invention according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 the longitudinal section through the connector along the section line AA from Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 a contact spring body of the connector according to Fig. 1 in perspective view; Fig. 6 a front view of the bent area of ​​this contact spring body according to Fig. 5 ; Fig. 7 an alternative embodiment to Fig. 6 ; Fig. 8 the plug connection consisting of the connector according to Fig. 1 and the mating connector according to Fig. 2 in the fully assembled state; Fig. 9 a longitudinal section along the section line BB of Fig. 8 and Fig. 10 an alternative embodiment of a contact spring body.

[0021] In the Fig. 1 perspectively shown connector 1 for establishing an electrical connection 2 with the Fig. 2 The mating connector 3 shown is an example of a multi-channel connector 1. This embodiment of the connector 1 is suitable for establishing five electrical contacts, as can be clearly seen from the five housing openings 23 of the connector housing 4. One of the contact pins 12 of the mating connector 3 can be inserted through the housing openings 23. In Fig. 1Otherwise, only the connection areas 22 of the contact spring bodies 6, which otherwise are concealed in the connector housing 4 and protrude from the rear end of the connector housing 4, are visible. This exemplary embodiment of a connector 1 according to the invention is a chassis socket intended for mounting on a housing of an electrical device. This is also clearly visible from the mounting tabs 26 of the connector housing 4. By means of these mounting tabs 26, the connector housing 4 and thus the connector 1 can be fastened in a manner known per se, e.g., by screwing, to a corresponding housing of an electrical device.

[0022] In Fig. 2It is clearly visible that the mating connector 3 in the embodiment shown here is designed as a conventional cable connector. Accordingly, in addition to the mating connector housing 24, it also has a cable grommet 25 at the rear end opposite the contact pins 12.

[0023] Fig. 3 shows the front view of the connector 1 and the five housing openings 23 clearly visible there. The longitudinal section along the section line AA from Fig. 3 is in Fig. 4 This longitudinal section runs through one of the contact channels 5 of the connector housing 4 with an electrically conductive contact spring body 6 arranged therein. Fig. 4that in this exemplary embodiment too, the contact-receiving channel 5 is delimited by channel walls 7 and 8 of the connector housing 4. The contact spring body 6 shown here as an exemplary embodiment has two spring arms 9 and 10, which are elastically deflectable relative to one another and together delimit an insertion channel 11 for receiving an electrically conductive contact pin 12 of the mating connector 3. According to the invention, the spring arms 9 are connected to one another in the bent-over region 13 of the contact spring body 6. In addition, each spring arm 9 or 10 has at least one support region 14 or 15 for supporting the respective spring arm 9 or 10 on one of the channel walls 7 or 8. In addition, each spring arm 9 or 10 has a contact region 16 or 17 for contacting the contact pin 12. The contact area 16 or 17 of the respective spring arm 9 or 10 is between the support area 14 or 15 of the respective spring arm 9 or.10 and the bent region 13 of the contact spring body 6. In the bent region 13, the contact spring body 6 is advantageously arranged with some play between the channel walls 7 and 8 in the embodiment shown here, but also in other preferred embodiments. The support regions 14 and 15 of the spring arms 9 and 10, however, are located at least in the region shown in . Fig. 9 In the operating state shown, in which the contact pin 12 is fully inserted into the insertion channel 11, however, each contact pin rests on one of the channel walls 7 and 8, respectively. As a result, at least in this inserted operating state, the spring arm 9 is supported in its support area 14 on the channel wall 7 and the spring arm 10 is supported in its support area 15 on the channel wall 8. In the Fig. 4In the unloaded operating state shown, in which no contact pin 12 is inserted into the insertion channel 11, the spring arms 9 and 10 with their support areas 14 and 15 can already be in contact with the channel walls 7 and 8 or can still be lifted off the channel walls 7 or 8. At the latest when the contact pin 12 is inserted, however, a corresponding elastic deflection of the spring arms 9 and 10 relative to one another occurs, so that the aforementioned support then inevitably occurs. This support on the channel walls 7 and 8, as well as the connection of the spring arms 9 and 10 in the bent area 13, ensures that even when vibrations occur, a contact pin 12 fully inserted into the insertion channel 11 rests so permanently and securely on the contact areas 16 and 17 of the spring arms 9 and 10 that there is no unwanted interruption of the electrical connection between the contact spring body 6 and the contact pin 12 inserted therein.

[0024] In Fig. 4 It can also be clearly seen that in preferred embodiments the spring arms 9 and 10, at least in the unloaded operating state, are spaced a shorter distance apart in their contact regions 16 and 17 than in their support regions 14 and 15, compare distance 19 between the support regions 14 and 15 and distance 20 between the contact regions 16 and 17. This advantageously also applies in the operating state in which the contact pin 12 is fully inserted into the insertion channel 11 of the contact spring body 6. This can be achieved, for example, as in the embodiment shown here, in that the respective spring arm 9 or 10 is curved in its respective contact region 16 or 17 in the direction towards the respective opposite spring arm 9 or 10.

[0025] In the bent region 13 of the contact spring body 6, there is an insertion opening 18 through which the electrically conductive contact pin 12 of the mating connector 3 can be inserted or plugged into the insertion channel 11. The respective insertion opening 18 of the contact spring body 6 advantageously coincides with the respective housing opening 23 of the connector housing 4, so that the respective contact pin 12 of the mating connector 3 can be inserted through the respective housing opening 23 and the respective insertion opening 18 into the insertion channel 11 of the contact spring body 6.

[0026] In this, as well as in other preferred embodiments of the invention, the connection area 22 of the respective contact spring body 6 is located at the end 21 of the contact spring body 6 opposite the bent area 13. The connection area 22 advantageously protrudes from the connector housing 4, as also shown here. Corresponding electrical lines and / or conductor tracks of circuit boards and / or the like can be electrically connected to the connection area 22 of the respective contact spring body 6 in a manner known per se.

[0027] The connection areas 22 of the contact spring body 6 can, as realized in the embodiment shown here, protrude from the connector housing 4 parallel to the insertion direction 27. Depending on the available space, these connection areas 22 can, of course, also be designed at an angle to the insertion direction 27. The insertion direction 27 is the direction in which the mating connector 3 is inserted into the connector 1 to form the plug connection 2.

[0028] Fig. 5shows one of the contact spring bodies 6 of the connector 1 of the embodiment shown here, detached from the connector housing 4. Here, it is also clearly visible that in this embodiment, the insertion opening 18 is designed as a circumferentially closed hole in the bent region 13 of the contact spring body 6. Furthermore, it is clearly visible that in this example, the entire contact spring body 6, i.e., in particular, the spring arms 9 and 10, are designed like a leaf spring.

[0029] Fig. 6 shows a frontal view of the bent portion 13 of the contact spring body 6 of this exemplary embodiment. It is clearly visible that the insertion opening 18 is oval in this exemplary embodiment. Depending on the available space, however, it can also be circular or have a different shape.

[0030] Based on the variant in Fig. 7It is shown by way of example that the insertion opening 18 does not necessarily have to be designed as a circumferentially closed hole. In the variant according to Fig. 7 the contact spring body 6 is C-shaped in the bent area 13, so that the insertion opening 18 is open to one side.

[0031] Fig. 8 now shows a diagram in which the connector 1 is made of Fig. 1 and the mating connector 3 from Fig. 2 When fully assembled, form a plug connection 2. Fig. 9 shows the section along the section line BB. In the section plane according to Fig. 9shows how one of the electrically conductive contact pins 12 of the mating connector 3 is fully inserted into the insertion channel 11 of one of the electrically conductive contact spring bodies 6 and lies in electrically conductive contact with the contact areas 16 and 17 of the spring arms 9 and 10, while the spring arms 9 and 10 are supported with their respective support areas 14 and 15 on one of the channel walls 7 and 8 respectively. Due to this support of the spring arms 9 and 10 on the channel walls 7 and 8 and the connection of the spring arms 9 and 10 in the bent area 13, the contact pin 12 is held or clamped so securely between the spring arms 9 and 10 that even vibrations do not lead to unwanted disruption of the electrical contact between the contact spring body 6 and the contact pin 12.Even if this is shown here only for one of the contact spring bodies 6 and the contact pins 12, this is advantageously designed in an analogous manner for all contact spring bodies 6 and contact pins 12 of the respective plug connection 2.

[0032] For the sake of completeness, it should be noted that in the section according to Fig. 9 only the rear terminals 28 of the contact pins 12 are shown. The connection of the electrical wires of the cable (not shown here) inserted through the cable grommet 25 to these terminals 28 can be carried out in a conventional manner.

[0033] Fig. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of a contact spring body 6. This contact spring body 6 according to Fig. 10 could, for example, in the already described embodiment according to the Fig. 1 to 6 , 8 and 9 the contact spring body 6 according to Fig. 5or can also be used in other connectors 1 or connectors 2 according to the invention. The only significant difference between the variants according to Fig. 5 and 10 consists in the bead 29, which is arranged in the area of ​​the contact spring body 6 facing the end 21 or the terminal 22 according to Fig. 10 is arranged to reinforce this. Legend to the reference numbers

[0034] 1 connectors 29 bead 2 Plug connection 3 Mating connector 4 Connector housing 5 Contact channel 6 Contact spring body 7 Canal wall 8 Canal wall 9 spring arm 10 spring arm 11 Insertion channel 12 contact pin 13 bent area 14 Support area 15 Support area 16 Contact area 17 Contact area 18 Insertion opening 19 Distance 20 Distance 21 End 22 Connection area 23 Housing opening 24 Mating connector housing 25 cable grommet 26 Mounting tab 27 Insertion direction 28 Connection

Claims

1. A plug connector for (1) establishing an electrical plug connection (2) with a mating connector (3), wherein the plug connector (1) is a chassis socket provided for assembly to a housing of an electric device, wherein the plug connector (1) has a plug connector housing (4) with at least one contact channel (5) and at least one electrically conductive contact spring body (6), and the contact channel (5) is bordered by channel walls (7, 8) of the plug connector housing (4) and the contact spring body (6) is arranged in the contact channel (5), wherein the plug connector housing (4) has mounting brackets (26), wherein the mounting brackets (26) can be used to fasten the plug connector housing (4) by screwing, and hence the plug connector (1), to the housing of the electric device, characterized in that the contact spring body (6) has at least two spring arms (9, 10), which can be elastically deflected relative to each other and together border an insertion channel (11) for holding an electrically conductive contact pin (12) of the mating connector (3), wherein the spring arms (9, 10) are connected with each other in a bent area (13) of the contact spring body (6), and each spring arm (9, 10) has at least one support area (14, 15) for supporting the respective spring arm (9, 10) against one of the channel walls (7, 8), and each spring arm (9, 10) has a contact area (16, 17) for contacting the contact pin (12), wherein the contact area (16, 17) of the respective spring arm (9, 10) is arranged between the support area (14, 15) of the respective spring arm (9,10) and the bent area (13) of the contact spring body (6), wherein the contact spring body (6) has an insertion opening (18) for inserting the electrically conductive contact pin (12) of the mating connector (3) into the insertion channel (11), wherein the insertion opening (18) is arranged in the bent area (13) of the contact spring body (6).

2. The plug connector (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the respective support areas (14, 15) of the spring arms (9, 10) of the contact spring body (6) are supported against a respective one of the channel walls (7, 8), at least in an operating condition where the contact pin (12) is completely inserted into the insertion channel (11).

3. The plug connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the insertion opening (18) is designed as a circumferentially closed hole in the bent area (13) of the contact spring body (6).

4. The plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spring arms (9, 10) have less of a distance (19, 20) from each other in their contact areas (16, 17) than in their support areas (14, 15), at least in an unloaded operating condition.

5. The plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least the spring arms (9, 10) of the contact spring body (6) are designed like leaf springs.

6. The plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the end (21) of the contact spring body (6) lying opposite the bent area (13) has a connection area (22) that protrudes from the plug connector housing (4).

7. The plug connector (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that a bead (29) is arranged in an area of the contact spring body (6) facing the connection area (22).

8. The plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the contact spring body (6) is designed as a single piece.

9. The plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the contact area (16, 17) of the respective spring arm (9, 10) is arranged between the support area (14, 15) of the respective spring arm (9, 10) and the respective connection of the respective spring arm (9, 10) with the bent area (13) of the contact spring body (6).

10. The plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the contact spring body (6) is arranged in the bent area (13) with a clearance between the channel walls (7, 8).

11. An electrical plug connection (2) with a plug connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and with the mating connector (3), wherein, with the plug connection (2) fully assembled, the at least one electrically conductive contact pin (12) of the mating connector (3) is completely inserted into the insertion channel (11) of the at least one electrically conductive contact spring body (6) and in electrical contact with the contact areas (16, 17) of the spring arms (9, 10) of the contact spring body (6), and the spring arms (9, 10) are supported with their respective support area (14, 15) against a respective channel wall (7, 8).

Images