Electrical contact element and industrial connector arrangement therefor

Abstract

An electrical contact element for use in an industrial plug-in connector has at least a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, wherein the first region and the second region have an element body, wherein the second region has a fixing device for fixing the electrical contact element in an opening in a printed circuit board. An industrial connector arrangement also has at least one such contact element.

Description

[0001] Title: Electrical contact element and industrial plug arrangement therewith

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to an electrical contact element for use in an industrial connector, wherein the contact element has at least a first region and an adjacent second region, as well as to an industrial connector arrangement with such a contact element.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Contact elements are connected to a matching mating contact element to transmit electrical currents or electrical power. Such contact elements are used, for example, in connectors. Such connectors and mating connectors are used to establish an electrical and mechanical connection between two electrical cables or between an electrical cable and a device, particularly in industrial environments. The contact elements can also be connected to the conductor tracks of printed circuit boards using cables, for example.

[0006] The connection between contact elements and conductor tracks should be particularly reliable. Furthermore, for example, for the transmission of high currents, it is advantageous for the connection to the circuit board to have low resistance. This prevents power losses and excessive heating.

[0007] The assembly and electrical connection of cables is particularly time-consuming and error-prone. The cables used often require a lot of space. Fixed connections of the contact elements often result in the electrical contact elements of an industrial connector being positioned outside the tolerance range of an industrial connector housing. If this is the case, the contact elements must be reworked, and the fixed connection, for example, must be removed and corrected. This results in additional work and poor quality of the resulting connectors.

[0008] Task

[0009] Against this background, the invention solves the problem of developing an electrical contact element of the type mentioned at the outset for use with printed circuit boards in such a way that a compact design can be achieved and the reliability of assembly is improved.

[0010] The object is achieved by a contact element according to patent claim 1 and an industrial plug arrangement according to patent claim 10.

[0011] Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0012] The object is achieved, for example, by an electrical contact element for use in an industrial connector, in which the contact element has at least a first region and an adjacent second region, wherein the second region has a fixing device for fixing the electrical contact element in an opening.

[0013] Because the electrical contact element can be inserted directly into an opening, for example, in a circuit board, and secured there, cable connections are eliminated. This avoids the problems associated with cable connections. The direct electrical connection, which can be established using the circuit board's conductor tracks, eliminates the electrical resistance of a conductor contact. Furthermore, no space is required for the arrangement and processing of the cables, allowing for a particularly compact design.

[0014] In some embodiments, the fixing device has at least one flexible spring device projecting from the first region and / or the second region for generating a pressing force.

[0015] By means of such a spring device, after the electrical contact element has been inserted into the opening, a spring force is applied, in particular radially outwardly, to the edges of the opening, so that the spring device and thus also the remainder of the contact element connected to it is fixed in the opening in a force-fitting manner.

[0016] In some embodiments, the spring device comprises a curved lamella which is supported in end regions on one of the regions and projects away from it.

[0017] By supporting the element body, the slat can easily generate an outward-directed spring force. This type of force-lock connection secures the contact element against being pulled out of the opening, yet it is still movable, allowing, for example, compensation for positioning errors.

[0018] In some embodiments, the spring device is substantially cylindrical and has a plurality of lamellae, which are arranged spaced apart from one another, particularly along a circumferential direction of the cylindrical shape, and substantially parallel to one another. This circumferential arrangement allows the spring device to support the element body on the circuit board in multiple directions. This allows for good contact with a low press-in force. In particular, hole tolerances of the opening can be compensated for.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first region and / or the second region have a positioning groove for determining a position of the fixing device.

[0020] The fixing device can, for example, have an internal projection that engages such a positioning groove. It is also possible for the fixing device to be completely or partially accommodated in the positioning groove. This effectively prevents the fixing device from slipping.

[0021] In some embodiments, at least a first fixing device and a second fixing device are provided.

[0022] If multiple circuit boards are to be connected to the contact element, they can be directly connected via the contact element. This simultaneously determines the relative position of the circuit boards. This results in a particularly compact design.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first region has a fastening region for fastening the electrical contact element to a connector housing.

[0024] As a result, the contact element allows the circuit boards and the connector housing to be secured relative to each other in a particularly compact and simple manner. In some embodiments, the first region is provided for electrical contact with a mating contact element, and the second region is provided for electrical contact with an electrical conductor track.

[0025] In some embodiments, the electrical contact element has an element body which forms at least the first region and the second region and which is formed in one piece except for the separately formed spring device.

[0026] For example, the element body comprises all parts of the contact element except for the spring device. This allows the element body to be made of a material suitable for contact elements. The spring device, on the other hand, can be made of a more flexible material, for example, to allow for particularly easy formation of lamellae.

[0027] The object is further achieved by an industrial plug arrangement which has at least one of the contact elements described above.

[0028] Such industrial connector arrangements are particularly quick and easy to set up.

[0029] In some embodiments, the industrial connector assembly comprises a connector housing that can be fastened to a first side of a mounting wall by means of at least one fastening means and by a printed circuit board arranged on a second side of the mounting wall, wherein an arrangement of the printed circuit board is fixed by inserting the fixing devices into openings of the printed circuit board.

[0030] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show:

[0031] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a contact element according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a contact element designed as a socket according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Fig. 3 is a schematic view of a spring device for use with a contact element according to an embodiment of the invention and

[0034] Fig. 4 shows a section through an industrial plug arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0035] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0036] An electrical contact element 10 shown in Fig. 1 for use in an industrial connector has a first region 12 and a second region 14. The first region 12 is provided for electrical contact with a mating contact element. The second region 14 of the contact element 10 is provided in particular for electrical contact with a conductor track of a printed circuit board 30. The first region 12 and the second region 14 have a common element body 28. In the first region 12, a

[0037] Marking 36 is arranged, the arrangement and / or shape of which contains information about the contact element 10, for example a diameter, a series and / or electrical properties.

[0038] The second region 14 has a positioning groove 18 that defines a position of a fixing device 16. The fixing device 16 has a spring device 20. The spring device 20 is substantially cylindrical and has cylindrical end regions 22, 24. Extending between the end regions 22, 24 are a plurality of resilient lamellae 26, which are supported in the end regions 22, 24 and form spring sections therebetween, which protrude away from the element body 28.

[0039] A printed circuit board 30 has an opening 32 through which the second region 14 with the fixing device 16 can be passed. The opening 32 has, for example, a slightly smaller diameter than the spring device 20 in the region of the lamellae 26, so that the lamellae 26 are deformed and, due to the pressure exerted on an inner side of the opening 32, achieve a force-locking connection between the spring device 20 and the opening 32. Because the spring device 20 is secured in the positioning groove 18, the remainder of the electrical contact element 10 is also secured to the printed circuit board 30.

[0040] At least one conductor track is provided in or on the opening 32 of the circuit board 30, which is to be connected to the contact element 10. In the present embodiment, the conductor track is contacted directly by the lamellae 26. Additional electrical connection means may be provided.

[0041] In some embodiments, multiple circuit boards 30 may be provided. In this case, the second region 14 comprises, for example, multiple fixing devices 16, whose spring devices 20 are each arranged in an opening 32 of a circuit board 30 and fix the contact element 10.

[0042] The first region 12 has a circumferential projection or flange 34 which forms a fastening region for fastening the contact element 10 to a plug housing.

[0043] In some embodiments, the element body 28 can be rotationally symmetrical to allow rotation along an axis. In some embodiments, the element body 28 can further comprise elements that can prevent or restrict rotation of the element body 28. In some embodiments, the first region 12 can be cylindrical or prismatic.

[0044] In Fig. 2, a counter contact element 10 is shown, the first region 12 of which is designed to receive the first region 10 of the contact element 10 shown in Fig. 1.

[0045] A spring device 20 is shown in Fig. 3. In addition to the end regions 22, 24 and the slats 26, the spring device 20 has a recess 38 at which the spring device 20 can be elastically expanded for sliding, in particular over the second region 14.

[0046] The contact elements 10 can, as shown in Fig. 4, be used to construct an industrial plug 42. Such industrial plugs 42 can be mounted, for example, on a mounting wall, in particular on a device housing 44.

[0047] The industrial plug 42 has a plug housing 40, which is attached to a first side of the device housing 44 by means of fastening means 46, for example, screws or rivets. Furthermore, the industrial plug 42 has contact elements 10 that extend through openings in the device housing 44 to a second side of the device housing. The contact elements 10 are connected on the second side, for example, to a printed circuit board 30 or other conductive devices, for example, busbars. This connection is achieved by pressing the fixing devices 16 into openings in the printed circuit board 30.

[0048] Because the contact elements 10 have the fixing device 16 or the spring device 20, they can be connected to the printed circuit board 30 particularly easily after being arranged in the connector housing 40. The contact elements 10 are inserted into openings in the printed circuit board 30, and the printed circuit board 30 is pushed onto the fixing device 16 or the spring device 20. A significant advantage of using spring devices 20 with flexible lamellae 26 is that no great force is required to assemble the industrial connector 42, as is the case with various other methods. In many cases, the industrial connector 42 can be assembled by hand.

[0049] In press-fitting processes, in which, for example, a rigid second region 14 is press-fitted into the circuit board 30, special tools are required for positioning and / or sufficient force development.

[0050] Because the fixing device 16 and the spring device 20 allow axial movement—in other words, in the drawing, a movement from top to bottom and vice versa—inaccuracies and differences in the installation situation can be largely compensated for. In particular, the axial alignment of the contact elements 10 can be corrected. The direct connection between the printed circuit board 30 and the contact element 10 enables an industrial connector to be attached to the printed circuit board 30 in a particularly compact manner. This makes such industrial connectors particularly easy to assemble and manufacture, and requires little space.

[0051] Applicant: HARTING AG

[0052] Title: Electrical contact element and industrial plug arrangement therewith

[0053] List of reference symbols

[0054] 10 Contact element

[0055] 12 First area

[0056] 14 Second area

[0057] 16 Fixing device

[0058] 18 Positioning groove

[0059] 20 Spring device

[0060] 22 End area

[0061] 24 End area

[0062] 26 spring section / lamella

[0063] 28 element bodies

[0064] 30 circuit board

[0065] 32 Opening

[0066] 34 Flange / Mounting area

[0067] 36 Marking

[0068] 38 recess

[0069] 40 connector housings

[0070] 42 industrial plugs

[0071] 44 device housings

[0072] 46 fasteners

Claims

Applicant: HARTING AG Title: Electrical contact element and industrial plug arrangement therewith Claims 1 . Electrical contact element (10) for use in an industrial connector, wherein the contact element (10) has at least a first region (12) and an adjacent second region (14), characterized in that the second region (14) has a fixing device (16) for fixing the electrical contact element (10) in an opening (32).

2. Electrical contact element according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing device (16) has at least one flexible spring device (20) projecting from the first region (12) and / or the second region (14) for generating a pressing force.

3. Electrical contact element according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring device (20) has a curved lamella (26) which is supported in end regions (22, 24) on one of the regions (12, 14) and projects away from this.

4. Electrical contact element according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the spring device (20) is substantially cylindrical and has a plurality of lamellae (26) which are arranged spaced apart from one another and substantially parallel to one another, in particular along a circumferential direction of the cylindrical shape. Electrical contact element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first region (12) and / or the second region (14) have a positioning groove (18) for determining a position of the fixing device (16). Electrical contact element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one first fixing device (16) and one second fixing device (16) are provided. Electrical contact element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first region (12) has a fastening region (34) for fastening the electrical contact element (10) to a connector housing (40).Electrical contact element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first region (12) is provided for electrical contact with a mating contact element, and that the second region (14) is provided for electrical contact with an electrical conductor track. Electrical contact element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical contact element (10) has an element body (28) which forms at least the first region (12) and the second region (14) and which is formed in one piece except for the separately formed spring device (20). Industrial plug arrangement, characterized by at least one contact element (10) according to one of the preceding claims. Industrial plug arrangement according to claim 10, characterized by a plug housing (40) that can be fastened to a first side of a mounting wall (44) by means of at least one fastening means (46), and by a printed circuit board (30) that is arranged on a second side of the mounting wall (44), wherein an arrangement of the printed circuit board (30) is fixed by inserting the fixing devices (16) into openings (32) of the printed circuit board (30).

Images