Crimp adapter, crimp arrangement and plug connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a crimp adapter (100) to be arranged on a crimp contact element (300), having a base body (110), which can be plugged onto the crimp contact element (300) in a radial direction (R), an actuation portion (111) movable relative to the base body (110), and a latching element (114) arranged on the actuation portion (111).

Description

[0001] Crimp adapter, crimp assembly and connector

[0002] The invention relates to a crimp adapter for mounting on a crimp contact element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a crimp assembly comprising a crimp contact element and a crimp adapter. Furthermore, the invention relates to a connector comprising at least one corresponding crimp assembly.

[0003] Screw contact elements are often used in connectors. The connector housing then has an insertion opening for each screw contact element, through which the screw contact element is inserted into the connector housing, and a tool insertion opening through which a tool, such as a screwdriver, can be inserted into the housing to actuate the screw connection of the corresponding screw contact element.

[0004] However, crimp contact elements are also often used, as they allow a conductor to be quickly and securely positioned and connected to the crimp contact element. However, if such crimp contact elements are to be used, the entire housing of the connector usually has to be modified to accommodate them.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a crimp adapter, a crimp arrangement and a connector which can replace a screw contact element without redesigning the housing of a connector.

[0006] The object is achieved according to the invention with the features of the independent claims. Expedient embodiments and advantageous further developments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

[0007] According to the invention, a crimp adapter is provided for arrangement on a crimp contact element, which has a base body which can be plugged onto the crimp contact element in a radial direction, an actuating section which is movable relative to the base body and a locking element arranged on the actuating section. The crimp adapter can be detachably fastened to the crimp contact element by plugging the crimp adapter onto the crimp contact element. Plugging takes place in the radial direction of the crimp contact element, so that axial plugging, i.e. plugging along the longitudinal axis of the crimp contact element, is preferably not necessary. The crimp adapter is preferably made of a non-conductive material, in particular a plastic material. The crimp adapter essentially has a base body, an actuating section and a locking element.The crimp adapter can be fastened and held on the crimp contact element by means of the base body. The crimp adapter can be fastened, in particular locked, in a housing of a connector via the actuating section and the locking element formed on the actuating section. The actuating section is movable, in particular pivotable, relative to the base body. The actuating section can preferably be spring-loaded relative to the base body. Due to the mobility of the actuating section, the locking element arranged on the actuating section can be transferred into a locked state and into an unlocked state. Using the crimp adapter, a screw contact element can thus be replaced with a crimp contact element with the least possible effort, without the need for new tools to convert the screw connection to a crimp connection in a connector.

[0008] To attach the base body of the crimp adapter to the crimp contact element, the base body can have a first gripping arm and a second gripping arm arranged opposite the first gripping arm, which can be movable relative to one another and which, when attached, can radially encompass the crimp contact element at least in part. With the two oppositely arranged gripping arms, the base body and thus the crimp adapter can be pushed onto the crimp contact element in the radial direction of the crimp contact element. When attached, the two gripping arms can grip the crimp contact element like pliers. The two gripping arms each have a first end, via which the two gripping arms are connected to one another, and a second, free end. At their second end, the gripping arms do not touch each other even when attached, so that the second ends of the gripping arms are spaced apart from one another in every position.The two gripper arms can be resilient due to their possible relative movement to one another, so that they spring up when plugged onto the crimp contact element and then spring back again. Because the gripper arms can move relative to one another, the gripper arms can be pushed onto crimp contact elements of different diameters. The gripper arms and thus the base body and the crimp adapter can therefore be plugged onto crimp contact elements of different sizes. The gripper arms can have a shape adapted to the outer surface of the crimp contact element on their inner surfaces facing one another, with which they rest against the crimp contact element when plugged in. For example, the inner surfaces can have a rounded area or an indentation in the area where they rest against the outer surface of the crimp contact element.

[0009] Furthermore, the base body can have a first web element and a second web element arranged opposite the first web element, which can extend along a longitudinal axis of the crimp contact element when plugged in. The two web elements can serve to stabilize the position of the base body and thus of the crimp adapter on the crimp contact element by preventing the crimp adapter from tilting relative to the crimp contact element when plugged in. The two web elements are each elongated and extend along the longitudinal axis of the crimp contact element. Preferably, the two web elements encompass the crimp contact element in the radial direction over a smaller area than the two gripping arms. Each web element can, for example, encompass approximately a quarter of the outer circumference of the crimp contact element.The two oppositely arranged web elements are preferably symmetrical to each other. The two web elements are preferably of equal length in the longitudinal direction of the crimp contact element.

[0010] The first web element is preferably formed integrally with the first gripping arm and the second web element is preferably formed integrally with the second gripping arm, wherein the first web element can extend at a right angle away from the first gripping arm and wherein the second web element can extend at a right angle away from the second gripping arm. The two web elements are thus preferably connected integrally to the gripping arm assigned to it. The two web elements are therefore preferably formed at a distance from one another so that the two web elements do not touch one another. By arranging the web elements at a right angle to the gripping arms, the web elements extend laterally away from the gripping arms.

[0011] The actuating section is preferably integrally connected to the base body. The actuating section is preferably elongated. The actuating section can have a first end section and an oppositely arranged second end section along its length. The actuating section can be integrally connected to the base body with its first end section. The second end section is preferably designed as a free end section. The locking element can be arranged in the region of the second end section.

[0012] The actuating section can extend in the same direction as the two web elements. The actuating section can be of the same length as the two web elements.

[0013] A first slot-shaped opening can be formed between the first web element and the actuating section, and a second slot-shaped opening can be formed between the second web element and the actuating section. Due to the slot-shaped openings, the actuating section is preferably spaced from the two web elements over its entire length, so that the actuating section does not touch the two web elements, at least in a non-actuated state. Due to the two slot-shaped openings, the actuating section can be moved, in particular pivoted, relative to the two web elements during actuation. The two slot-shaped openings are preferably of equal length. The two slot-shaped openings preferably extend parallel to one another.

[0014] In a non-actuated state, the actuating section can extend parallel to the two web elements. The angle a between the actuating section and the web elements is then preferably 0°.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the actuating section can extend at an angle of 3° < a < 8° to the two web elements in an unactuated state. The slot-shaped openings between the actuating section and the two web elements can then each have a wedge shape in the unactuated state. This angular spreading of the actuating section relative to the web elements in the unactuated state can improve the spring action of the actuating section. On the one hand, an improved acoustic signal is possible when the locking element engages the housing of the connector. On the other hand, axial tolerances can be minimized. It can be particularly advantageous if the actuating section extends at an angle of a = 5° to the two web elements in an unactuated state.

[0016] The locking element is preferably arranged on an upper side of the actuating section facing away from the base body. This allows the locking element to interact unhindered with the connector housing.

[0017] The locking element can be arranged at an end section of the actuating section remote from the connection of the actuating section to the base body. The locking element can thus be arranged at the second end section and thus at the free end of the actuating section. This allows the locking element to utilize the greatest possible spring force or the longest possible lever arm and thus the spring travel of the actuating section to interact with the connector housing.

[0018] To facilitate insertion of the locking element and thus the crimp adapter into the connector housing, the locking element can have an inclined surface. This inclined surface can form an insertion bevel. The inclined surface can be designed such that the locking element tapers in a direction away from the actuating section. Due to the inclined surface, the locking element can have a nose shape in cross-section.

[0019] The object according to the invention is further achieved by means of a crimping arrangement which has a crimp contact element and a crimp adapter designed as described above, wherein the crimp adapter is plugged onto the crimp contact element in a radial direction.

[0020] This crimp arrangement enables a screw contact element to be replaced by a crimp contact element in a connector housing without the connector housing having to be modified. The crimp adapter can be detachably attached to the crimp contact element. Existing crimp contact elements can be equipped with such a crimp adapter and thus modified. The crimp contact element preferably has a sleeve body into which a conductor to be connected can be inserted and crimped. The crimp adapter can be arranged on the crimp contact element in such a way that the crimp adapter is plugged onto the outer circumferential surface of the sleeve body, so that the sleeve body is at least partially enclosed by the crimp adapter. A pin contact can be formed on the sleeve body, which can interact with a mating contact element in the form of a socket contact arranged in the connector housing.

[0021] To enable the crimp adapter to be positioned securely on the crimp contact element, the crimp contact element can have a radially circumferential recess into which the crimp adapter can engage with its two gripping arms. The recess can be formed on the sleeve body of the crimp contact element. The recess can be in the form of a groove or a channel.

[0022] Furthermore, the object according to the invention is achieved by means of a plug-in connector which has a housing and at least one counter-contact element arranged in the housing, wherein the housing has at least one insertion opening into which a crimping arrangement designed and further developed as described above is inserted, and wherein the housing has at least one tool insertion opening, wherein the crimp adapter of the crimping arrangement is arranged with its locking element in alignment with the tool insertion opening.

[0023] The crimp assembly can be inserted through the insertion opening, through which a screw contact element is otherwise inserted into the housing. The crimp assembly can engage with its locking element in the transition area between the insertion opening and the tool insertion opening in the housing. The locking element can then be arranged in the position in the housing where the screw terminal would otherwise be located. This allows the locking element of the crimp adapter or crimp assembly to be actuated using a tool inserted through the tool insertion opening, such as a screwdriver, to release the locking connection between the locking element and the housing.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings using preferred embodiments.

[0025] It shows

[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a crimping arrangement with a conductor to be connected,

[0027] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a crimp contact element of the crimping arrangement shown in Fig. 1 with a connected conductor,

[0028] Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the crimping arrangement shown in Fig. 1 along the line AA,

[0029] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a connector with several crimp arrangements,

[0030] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a sectional view of the connector shown in Fig. 4,

[0031] Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of another crimp adapter,

[0032] Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of another crimping arrangement with a crimp adapter as shown in Fig. 6

[0033] Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of another crimping arrangement in a perspective view,

[0034] Fig. 9 is a plan view of one side of the crimping assembly shown in Fig. 8, and Fig. 10 is a schematic sectional view of the crimping assembly shown in Fig. 1 along the line AA.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a crimping arrangement 200 and a conductor L to be connected to the crimping arrangement 200.

[0036] The crimping assembly 200 comprises a crimp adapter 100 and a crimp contact element 300. The crimp adapter 100 is releasably attached to the crimp contact element 300. The crimp adapter 100 is attached to the crimp contact element 300 in the radial direction R.

[0037] The crimp adapter 100 can be formed from an insulating material, in particular a plastic material.

[0038] The crimp adapter 100 has a base body 110 and an actuating section 111 movable relative to the base body 110.

[0039] The actuating section 111 is elongated and has a first end section 112 and an oppositely arranged second end section 113. The actuating section 111 is integrally connected to the base body 110 by the first end section 112. A locking element 114 is arranged on the actuating section 111 in the region of the second end section 112. The locking element 114 is thus arranged on a second end section 113 of the actuating section 111, which is remote from the connection of the actuating section 111 to the base body 110.

[0040] The base body 110 has a first gripping arm 115 and a second gripping arm 116 arranged opposite one another. The crimp adapter 100 is plugged onto the crimp contact element 300 and held in the plugged-on state by means of the two gripping arms 115, 116, as can also be seen in the sectional view of Fig. 3. To enable plugging in the radial direction R, the two gripping arms 115, 116 are movable relative to one another so that they can spring open and closed when plugging on and releasing from the crimp contact element 300. The two gripping arms 115, 116 each have a first end 115a, 116a, via which the two gripping arms are connected to one another, and a second, free end 115b, 116b. At their second end 115b, 116b, the gripping arms 115, 116 do not touch each other even when plugged in.

[0041] In the embodiment shown here, the gripping arms 115, 116 have a shape adapted to the outer surface 313 of the crimp contact element 300 on their facing inner surfaces 115c, 116c, with which they rest against the crimp contact element 300 in the plugged-on state. For this purpose, the inner surfaces 115c, 116c have a rounded portion 115d, 116d or an indentation in the area where they rest against the outer surface 313 of the crimp contact element 300.

[0042] The base body 110 further comprises a first web element 117 and a second web element 118 arranged opposite the first web element 117. In the plugged-on state, the crimp contact element 300 extends between the two web elements 117, 118. The two web elements 117, 118 are elongated and extend along the longitudinal axis A of the crimp contact element 300. The two web elements 117, 118 extend parallel to one another.

[0043] The first web element 117 is formed integrally with the first gripping arm 115, and the second web element 118 is formed integrally with the second gripping arm 116. The two gripping arms 115, 116 each extend transversely to the longitudinal axis A of the crimp contact element 300. In contrast, since the web elements 117, 118 extend along the longitudinal axis A of the crimp contact element 300, the first web element 117 extends at a right angle away from the first gripping arm 115, and the second web element 118 extends at a right angle away from the second gripping arm 116.

[0044] The actuating section 111 extends along the longitudinal axis A of the crimp contact element 300 in the same way as the two web elements 117, 118. As a result, the actuating section 111 extends in the same direction as the two web elements 117, 118.

[0045] The actuating section 111 is essentially arranged between the two web elements 117, 118, so that the actuating section 111, together with the two web elements 117, 118, forms a U-shape in cross-section. However, there is no contact or no touching between the actuating section 111 and the two web elements 117, 118. For this purpose, a first slot-shaped opening 119 is formed between the first web element 117 and the actuating section 111, and a second slot-shaped opening 120 is formed between the second web element 118 and the actuating section 111. The two slot-shaped openings 119, 120 each extend along the longitudinal axis A of the crimp contact element 300. The two slot-shaped openings 119, 120 end where the actuating section 111 is connected to the base body 110, in particular to the two gripping arms 115, 116 of the base body 110.Through the slot-shaped openings 119, 120, the actuating section 111 is separated from the two web elements over its entire length.

[0046] 117, 118. Through the two slot-shaped openings 119, 120, the actuating section 111 is movable, in particular pivotable, relative to the two web elements 117, 118 during actuation.

[0047] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the actuating section 111 extends at an angle a = 0° to the two web elements 117,

[0048] 118.

[0049] To facilitate insertion of the locking element 114 and thus of the crimp adapter 100 into the housing 410 of the connector 400 shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the locking element 114 has an inclined surface 121. This inclined surface 121 thus forms an insertion bevel. The inclined surface 121 is designed such that the locking element 114 tapers in a direction away from the actuating portion 111. Due to the inclined surface 121, the locking element 114 has a nose shape in cross-section.

[0050] Fig. 2 shows the crimp contact element 300 with the connected or crimped conductor L. The crimp adapter 100 is not yet plugged onto the crimp contact element 300.

[0051] The crimp contact element 300 has a sleeve body 310 into which the conductor L to be connected is inserted and crimped. A pin contact 311 is formed on the sleeve body 310 and can interact with a mating contact element 413 in the form of a socket contact arranged in the housing 410 of the plug-in connector 400, as can be seen in the sectional view of Fig. 5. As can be seen in Fig. 2, but also in Fig. 3, the crimp contact element 300 has a radially circumferential recess 312 into which the crimp adapter 100 engages with its two gripping arms 115, 116 when plugged in. The recess 312 is in the form of a groove or a notch. The recess 312 is formed on the outer circumferential surface 313 of the sleeve body 310.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows a connector 400 which, in the embodiment shown here, has three insertion openings 411 formed on the housing 410. A crimping assembly 300, as shown in Fig. 1, with connected conductor L is already inserted into two of the three insertion openings 411. A crimping assembly 300 is currently being inserted or plugged into one of the two insertion openings 411 in the insertion direction E.

[0053] The housing 410 further has a tool insertion opening 412 for each insertion opening 411, through which a tool W, for example a screwdriver, can be inserted into the housing 410. The tool insertion opening 412 extends at a right angle to the associated insertion opening 411, as can be seen particularly in Fig. 5. The tool insertion opening 412 opens into the insertion opening 411.

[0054] The crimp arrangement 300 can thus be inserted via the insertion opening 411, through which a screw contact element is otherwise inserted into the housing 410.

[0055] As can be seen in Fig. 5, in the inserted state, the crimp assembly 300 engages with its locking element 114 in the region of the transition between the insertion opening 411 and the tool insertion opening 412 in the housing 410, in that the crimp adapter 100 inserted via the insertion opening 411 with the locking element 114 enters the tool insertion opening 412. The locking element 114 can thus be arranged at the position in the housing 410 where the screw connection would otherwise be positioned.

[0056] In order to release the locking connection between the locking element 114 and the housing 410 and thus to be able to pull the crimping arrangement 300 out of the insertion opening 411 again, the locking element 114 and thus the actuating section 111 of the crimp adapter 100 or the crimping arrangement 300 can be actuated by means of a tool W inserted via the tool insertion opening 412, as shown in Fig. 5. By actuating it by means of the tool W, the actuating section 111 can be deflected or pivoted in the direction of the base body 110 or in the direction of the crimp contact element 300 in order to unlock the locking element 114 and thus to be able to pull the crimping arrangement 300 out of the insertion opening against the insertion direction E.

[0057] Fig. 6 and 7 show a further embodiment of a crimp adapter 100. This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 only in the arrangement of the actuating section 111 relative to the base body

[0058] 110 or relative to the web elements 117, 118.

[0059] The actuating section 111 extends in an unactuated state, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, at an angle α = 5° to the two web elements 117, 118. The slot-shaped openings 119, 120 between the actuating section 111 and the two web elements 117, 118 thus each have a wedge shape in the unactuated state. Due to this angular spreading of the actuating section

[0060] 111 relative to the web elements 117, 118 in the unactuated state, the spring action of the actuating section 111 can be improved. On the one hand, an improved acoustic signal is possible when the locking element 114 engages the housing 410 of the connector 400. On the other hand, axial tolerances can be minimized.

[0061] Figs. 8 to 10 show another crimping assembly 200, which includes a crimp adapter 100 and a crimp contact element 300. The crimp adapter 100 is releasably attached to the crimp contact element 300. The crimp adapter 100 is attached to the crimp contact element 300 in the radial direction R.

[0062] In contrast to the crimping arrangement 200 shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the crimping arrangement shown in Figs. 8 to 10 does not have any web elements on its base body 110. The base body 110 therefore only has a first gripping arm 115 and a second gripping arm 116 arranged opposite. By means of the two gripping arms 115, 116, the crimp adapter 100 is plugged onto the crimp contact element 300 and held in the plugged-on state, as can also be seen in the sectional view of Fig. 10. To enable plugging in the radial direction R, the two gripping arms 115, 116 are movable relative to one another so that they can spring open and closed when plugging on and when releasing from the crimp contact element 300. The two gripping arms 115, 116 each have a first end 115a, 116a, via which the two gripping arms are connected to each other, and a second, free end 115b, 116b.At their second end 115b, 116b, the gripping arms 115, 116 do not touch each other even when plugged in.

[0063] In the embodiment shown here, the gripping arms 115, 116 have a shape adapted to the outer surface 313 of the crimp contact element 300 on their facing inner surfaces 115c, 116c, with which they rest against the crimp contact element 300 in the plugged-on state. For this purpose, the inner surfaces 115c, 116c have a rounded portion 115d, 116d or an indentation in the area where they rest against the outer surface 313 of the crimp contact element 300.

[0064] The actuating element 111 and the locking element 114 in the embodiment shown in Figs. 8 to 10 are designed in the same way as the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

[0065] List of reference symbols

[0066] 100 crimp adapters

[0067] 110 basic bodies

[0068] 111 Operating section

[0069] 112 First final section

[0070] 113 Second final section

[0071] 114 locking element

[0072] 115, 116 gripper arm

[0073] 115a, 116a First End

[0074] 115b, 116b Second ending

[0075] 115c, 116c inner surface

[0076] 115d, 116d rounding

[0077] 117 web element

[0078] 118 web element

[0079] 119 Slit-shaped opening

[0080] 120 Slit-shaped opening

[0081] 121 Inclined surface

[0082] 200 crimp arrangement

[0083] 300 crimp contact element

[0084] 310 case body

[0085] 311 pin contact

[0086] 312 recess

[0087] 313 exterior area

[0088] 400 connectors

[0089] 410 housing

[0090] 411 insertion opening

[0091] 412 Tool insertion opening

[0092] 413 Counter contact element

[0093] A Longitudinal axis

[0094] E Insertion direction L Conductor

[0095] R Radial direction

[0096] W tool a angle

Claims

Claims 1 . Crimp adapter (100) for arrangement on a crimp contact element (300), with a base body (110) which can be plugged onto the crimp contact element (300) in a radial direction (R), an actuating section (111) movable relative to the base body (110), and a locking element (114) arranged on the actuating section (111).

2. Crimp adapter (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that for plugging on the base body (110), the base body (110) has a first gripping arm (115) and a second gripping arm (116) arranged opposite the first gripping arm (115), which are movable relative to one another and which, in the plugged-on state, radially encompass the crimp contact element (300) at least in regions.

3. Crimp adapter (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base body (110) has a first web element (117) and a second web element (118) arranged opposite the first web element (117), which extend along a longitudinal axis (A) of the crimp contact element (300) in the plugged-on state.

4. Crimp adapter (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first web element (117) is formed integrally with the first gripping arm (115) and that the second web element (118) is formed integrally with the second gripping arm (116), wherein the first web element (117) extends at a right angle away from the first gripping arm (115) and wherein the second web element (118) extends at a right angle away from the second gripping arm (116).

5. Crimp adapter (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the actuating section (111) is integrally connected to the base body (110).

6. Crimp adapter (100) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the actuating section (111) extends in the same direction as the two web elements (117, 118).

7. Crimp adapter (100) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that a first slot-shaped opening (119) is formed between the first web element (117) and the actuating section (111) and that a second slot-shaped opening (120) is formed between the second web element (118) and the actuating section (111).

8. Crimp adapter (100) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the actuating section (111) extends parallel to the two web elements (117, 118) in an unactuated state.

9. Crimp adapter (100) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the actuating section (111) extends in an unactuated state at an angle of 3° < 0 < 8° to the two web elements (117, 118).

10. Crimp adapter (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the locking element (114) is arranged on an upper side of the actuating section (111) directed away from the base body (110).

11. Crimp adapter (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the locking element (114) is arranged on an end section (113) of the actuating section (111) remote from the connection of the actuating section (111) to the base body (110).

12. Crimp adapter (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the locking element (114) has an inclined surface (121).

13. Crimping arrangement (200) with a crimp contact element (300) and a crimp adapter (100) designed according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the crimp adapter (100) is plugged onto the crimp contact element (300) in a radial direction (R). Crimping arrangement (200) according to claim 13, characterized in that the crimp contact element (300) has a radially circumferential recess (312) into which the crimp adapter (100) engages with its two gripping arms (115, 116). A plug-in connector (400) comprising a housing (410) and at least one mating contact element (413) arranged in the housing (410), wherein the housing (410) has at least one insertion opening (411) into which a crimping arrangement (200) according to claim 13 or 14 is inserted, and wherein the housing (410) has at least one tool insertion opening (412), wherein the crimp adapter (100) of the crimp arrangement (200) is arranged with its locking element (114) in alignment with the tool insertion opening (412).

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