Contact pin and plug

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact pin (1) for establishing an electrical connection, characterized in that the contact pin (1) comprises at least a first contact pin longitudinal portion (3), a second contact pin longitudinal portion (2) and a third contact pin longitudinal portion (4), and in that the second contact pin longitudinal portion (2) is arranged between the first contact pin longitudinal portion (3) and the third contact pin longitudinal portion (4), and in that the second contact pin longitudinal portion (2) has round edges.

Description

[0001] Contact pin and plug

[0002] The invention relates to a contact pin for establishing an electrical connection and to a plug with at least one contact pin.

[0003] Particularly in the automotive industry, there is often a need for safe, easy-to-handle, cost-effective, lightweight and material-saving contact pins to establish an electrical connection.

[0004] Furthermore, particularly in the automotive industry, it is often necessary to make connectors impervious to liquids, moisture, gases, contamination, and the like. This means, for example, that the contact pins of connectors must be encapsulated or overmolded. However, if the contact pins have a rectangular cross-section, their sharp, rectangular edges lead to stress peaks in the encapsulating compound due to the notch effect, which can cause cracks in the cured encapsulating compound and thus leaks.

[0005] Currently, a round contact pin is used for potted connectors that must be sealed, but this is disadvantageous, particularly in the automotive industry, for reasons of cost, standardization and contact resistance.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of specifying a contact pin and plug which is further developed compared to the prior art.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved with a contact pin of the type mentioned at the outset, which comprises at least a first contact pin longitudinal section, a second contact pin longitudinal section and a third contact pin longitudinal section, and the second contact pin longitudinal section is arranged between the first contact pin longitudinal section and the third contact pin longitudinal section, and the second contact pin longitudinal section has rounded edges.

[0008] The rounded edges in the second longitudinal section of the contact pin reduce the material required for the contact pin, making it lighter and more cost-effective to manufacture. The contact pin also has a defined longitudinal section by which it can be precisely gripped in an automated production step, making it easier to handle and a less error-prone production process. The rounded edges also reduce the risk of sharp edges damaging other components in this longitudinal section of the contact pin.

[0009] It is advantageous if the first contact pin longitudinal section is at least partially designed with a rectangular cross-section.

[0010] This means that the contact resistance of the contact pin is low when making an electrical connection due to a wide contact surface and at the same time the contact pin remains compatible with its corresponding socket.

[0011] An advantageous embodiment is obtained if the third contact pin longitudinal section is designed with at least one press-in contact, in particular for connection to a printed circuit board.

[0012] This allows the contact pin to be easily attached to a circuit board and an electrical connection to be made directly on the circuit board.

[0013] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a shoulder is formed between the first contact pin longitudinal section and the second contact pin longitudinal section and / or between the second contact pin longitudinal section and the third contact pin longitudinal section.

[0014] Thanks to at least one shoulder, the contact pin has a further improved, defined longitudinal section by which it can be precisely gripped in an automated production step, making a production process, such as circuit board assembly, less prone to errors. Furthermore, a tensile or compressive force can be transferred to the contact pin via the shoulder. The contact pin can therefore also be manufactured using a simple machining process.

[0015] It is advantageous if the at least one shoulder is designed in such a way that at least one side surface of the first contact pin longitudinal section and / or the third contact pin longitudinal section adjacent to the second contact pin longitudinal section projects in the transverse direction over at least one side surface of the second contact pin longitudinal section.

[0016] This further improves the usability of the contact pin in an automated production process, since gripping tools cannot slip due to at least one protruding shoulder. This also makes the contact pin easier and more cost-effective to manufacture from a contact pin blank with a rectangular cross-section.

[0017] The object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by a plug with at least one contact pin according to the invention, wherein the at least one contact pin is arranged with its second contact pin longitudinal section in a receptacle of the plug.

[0018] The arrangement of at least one contact pin in a holder ensures that the plug is leak-tight. The rounded edges of the second longitudinal section of the contact pin ensure that the contact pin is securely held in the holder. Forces that occur when the at least one contact pin is loaded are distributed over a larger area in the holder, and the rounded edges prevent stress maxima in the holder. A holder that fits tightly around the contact pin, for example made of plastic or a potting compound, remains leak-tight even under load or after extended use of the plug because the rounded edges minimize stress maxima.

[0019] An advantageous embodiment results when the at least one contact pin is arranged in the receptacle exclusively with its second contact pin longitudinal section.

[0020] This measure prevents forces, especially transverse forces, from being directly transferred from the other longitudinal sections of the contact pins, which do not necessarily have rounded edges, to the holder. This allows stress peaks in the holder to be avoided in an improved manner and ensures the tightness of the connector, especially after loads.

[0021] A particularly advantageous embodiment results when the receptacle is formed from a casting compound.

[0022] A potting compound can be used to create a tight seal around at least one contact pin, thus making the connector impervious to liquids, moisture, gases, contaminants, and the like. The interaction of the rounded edges of the at least one contact pin with the potting compound is particularly advantageous, as the rounded edges prevent stress peaks from occurring in the potting compound, particularly under load.

[0023] It is advantageous if the receptacle is designed as a single piece with a connector housing. This measure allows at least one contact pin, including the receptacle, to be integrated directly into a connector housing in a compact and material-saving manner. This also further increases the tightness and load-bearing capacity of the connector.

[0024] A further advantageous embodiment results if the receptacle is designed as one piece with a component housing, in particular for a printed circuit board.

[0025] This measure allows the connector to be integrated into a component housing in a compact and material-saving manner, thus minimizing material consumption. Furthermore, the connector's tightness and load-bearing capacity are further increased.

[0026] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments.

[0027] Examples include:

[0028] Fig. 1: An oblique view of an exemplary first embodiment of a contact pin according to the invention,

[0029] Fig. 2: A side view of an exemplary second embodiment of a contact pin according to the invention in a receptacle with a plug housing and a component housing, and

[0030] Fig. 3: An oblique view of an exemplary third embodiment of a contact pin according to the invention in a receptacle with a plug housing and a component housing.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows an oblique view of an exemplary first embodiment of a contact pin according to the invention.

[0032] Shown is a contact pin 1 which comprises a first contact pin longitudinal section 3, a second contact pin longitudinal section 2 and a third contact pin longitudinal section 4. The second contact pin longitudinal section 2 is arranged between the first contact pin longitudinal section 3 and the third contact pin longitudinal section 4. The second contact pin longitudinal section 2 has rounded edges. The first contact pin longitudinal section 3 of the contact pin 1 has a rectangular cross-section. In this exemplary embodiment, the third contact pin longitudinal section 4 of the contact pin 1 has two press-in contacts 5 which are designed for connection to a printed circuit board 11.Also shown are a plurality of shoulders 6 which are designed in such a way that at least one side surface of the first contact pin longitudinal section 3 and / or the third contact pin longitudinal section 4 adjacent to the second contact pin longitudinal section 2 protrudes in the transverse direction over at least one side surface of the second contact pin longitudinal section 2.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows a side view of an exemplary second embodiment of a contact pin according to the invention in a receptacle with a plug housing and a component housing.

[0034] Shown as an example are two contact pins 1 with a first contact pin longitudinal section 3, a second contact pin longitudinal section 2 and a third contact pin longitudinal section 4. The contact pins are arranged with their second contact pin longitudinal section 2 in a receptacle 7 or a potting compound 8. The receptacle 7 is arranged in a plug housing 9. The plug housing 9 is arranged in or on a component housing 10. The receptacle 7, the plug housing 9 and the component housing 10 can be produced together in a single work step from a potting compound 8, the contact pins 1 being arranged in the receptacle 7 formed by the potting compound 8. The contact pins 1 are mechanically and / or electrically connected to a circuit board 11 with their press-in contacts 5 formed on the third contact pin longitudinal section 4. Fig.3 shows an oblique view of an exemplary third embodiment of a contact pin according to the invention in a receptacle with a plug housing and a component housing.

[0035] Shown as an example is a plug with a plug housing 9 with ten contact pins 1. The respective second contact pin longitudinal section 2 of the contact pins 1 is arranged in a receptacle 7 or a potting compound 8. The plug is thus sealed in the area of ​​the contact pins 1 and penetration of, for example, moisture or impurities is prevented. In this exemplary embodiment, the potting compound 8 of the plug forms a plug housing 9 in one piece with the receptacle 7, thus providing contact and touch protection. The plug housing 9 also serves to mechanically connect the plug to a socket (not shown), for example the socket of a connecting cable. In this exemplary embodiment, the potting compound 8 further forms a component housing 10 for a printed circuit board 11 in one piece with the receptacle 7 and the plug housing 9.The receptacle 7, the connector housing 9, and the component housing 10 can be manufactured together in a single work step from a potting compound 8, the contact pins 1 being arranged in the receptacle 7 formed by the potting compound 8. Alternatively, the receptacle 7, the connector housing 9, and the component housing 10 can also consist of individual parts, so that only one receptacle 7 is arranged in a connector housing 9, or a connector housing 9 is arranged on or in a component housing 10.

[0036] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples. Variations may be derived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0037] 1 contact pin

[0038] 2 Second contact pin longitudinal section 3 First contact pin longitudinal section

[0039] 4 Third contact pin longitudinal section

[0040] 5 press-in contact

[0041] 6 Shoulder

[0042] 7 Holder 8 Casting compound

[0043] 9 connector housing

[0044] 10 component housings

[0045] 11 Circuit board

Claims

Patent claims 1. Contact pin (1) for establishing an electrical connection, characterized in that the contact pin (I) comprises at least a first contact pin longitudinal section (3), a second contact pin longitudinal section (2) and a third contact pin longitudinal section (4), and that the second contact pin longitudinal section (2) is arranged between the first contact pin longitudinal section (3) and the third contact pin longitudinal section (4), and that the second contact pin longitudinal section (2) has rounded edges.

2. Contact pin according to claim 1, characterized in that the first contact pin longitudinal section (3) is at least partially designed with a rectangular cross-section.

3. Contact pin according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the third contact pin longitudinal section (4) is provided with at least one press-in contact (5), in particular for connection to a printed circuit board (II) , is carried out.

4. Contact pin according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a shoulder (6) is formed between the first contact pin longitudinal section (3) and the second contact pin longitudinal section (2) and / or between the second contact pin longitudinal section (2) and the third contact pin longitudinal section (4).

5. Contact pin according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one shoulder (6) is designed in such a way that at least one side surface of the first contact pin longitudinal section (3) and / or the third contact pin longitudinal section (4) adjacent to the second contact pin longitudinal section (2) protrudes in the transverse direction over at least one side surface of the second contact pin longitudinal section (2).

6. Plug with at least one contact pin according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one contact pin (1) with its second contact pin longitudinal section (2) is arranged in a receptacle (7) of the plug.

7. Plug according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one contact pin (1) is arranged exclusively with its second contact pin longitudinal section (2) in the receptacle (7).

8. Plug according to one of claims 6 to 7, characterized in that the receptacle (7) is formed from a casting compound (8).

9. Plug according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the receptacle (7) is designed in one piece with a plug housing (9).

10. Plug according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the receptacle (7) is designed in one piece with a component housing (10), in particular for a printed circuit board (11).

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