Plate connector for electrical connection of two components

Abstract

The invention relates to a plate connector (1) for electrically connecting two, in particular plate-shaped, components (A, B), each of which has at least one through-opening (2). The plate connector (1) comprises a tension element (10) having a longitudinal axis (I), an expander portion with a sectionally conical and / or curved outer surface, and at least one coupler (11, 51, 81), and an electrically conductive, plastically deformable ring (20) with a longitudinal axis (II), a sleeve section (25) surrounding the longitudinal axis (II) and having a through-opening for receiving the tension element (10), and an abutment collar (23). The ring (20) is made of a softer material compared to the tension element (10), and the length of the expander portion in the direction of its longitudinal axis (I) is less than or equal to the length of the ring (20) in the direction of its longitudinal axis (II). The outer surface of the expander portion has a first section (13) and a second section (14) spaced from the first section (13) by a groove (15) wherein the outer diameter (D1) of the first section (13) adjacent the groove (15) is smaller than the outer diameter (D2) of the second section (14) adjacent the groove (15). The outer diameter of the second section (14) expands in the direction away from the groove (15).

Description

[0001] Plate connector for electrical connection of two components

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] The invention relates to a plate connector for electrically connecting two, in particular plate-shaped, components, each of which has at least one through-opening.

[0004] In order to establish an electrically conductive connection between plate-shaped components for current transmission with the lowest possible electrical resistance, it is known to connect the plates mechanically by means of an electrically conductive component in such a way that the plates are both in contact with the electrically conductive component. Such electrically conductive connections require a particularly good mechanical connection if, for example, components of different thicknesses and / or components made of different conductive materials are to be connected.

[0005] Such a plate connector is known from DE 20 2018 101 364 U1 , in which a bolt and an electrically conductive, plastically deformable ring are provided. The bolt has a head extending along a first longitudinal axis and a shank provided with at least one engagement means for a tool, in particular a blind rivet setting tool. The plastically deformable ring has a sleeve portion having a through-opening with a second longitudinal axis for receiving the bolt, and an abutment collar. A predetermined breaking point is provided in the shank between the head and the at least one engagement means. Thus, the head is pressable into the collar as an expander under plastic deformation of the sleeve portion when a tensile force is applied to the bolt relative to the collar, thereby clamping the components to be connected between the deformed sleeve portion and the abutment collar. The requirement to cut off and dispose of the shaft of the bolt may be perceived as disadvantageous in some cases due to the material consumption. In addition, the press connection between the bolt head and the ring can loosen under unfavorable conditions, for example in the event of strong vibration, which can have a detrimental effect on the quality of the electrical connection.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention provides a plate connector that enables an electrically conductive connection for current transmission with low electrical resistance of two components even under unfavorable operating conditions.

[0008] A plate connector according to the invention has a tension element and an electrically conductive, plastically deformable ring for the electrical connection of two, in particular plate-shaped, components. The tension element may have a longitudinal axis, an expander portion with a sectionally conical and / or curved outer surface, and at least one coupler. The ring may have a sleeve portion having a through-opening for receiving the tension element, and an abutment collar for abutting the ring against one of the components to be joined. If the ring is made of a softer material compared to the tension element, the ring may be plastically expanded by means of the tension element when the expander portion of the tension element is pulled into the ring. During assembly of the connector, tension may be applied to the tension element in order to pull or draw it into the ring. This presses the ring in electrically conductive contact against the inner walls of the through-openings of the components to be connected.

[0009] The length of the expander portion of the tension element in the direction of its longitudinal axis can be less than or equal to the length of the ring in the direction of its longitudinal axis. In this context, the expander portion may be understood to be the section of the tension element that is pressed into the ring to expand it. In the plate connector known from DE 20 2018 101 364 U1 , the head of the bolt is thus the expander portion and the break-off stem is not part of the expander portion. In principle, the length of the tension element can be identical to the length of the expander portion if the at least one coupler is provided, for example, within the expander portion.

[0010] In accordance with the invention, the outer surface of the expander portion of the tension element may have a first section and a second section spaced from the first section by a groove, wherein the outer diameter of the first section adjacent the groove may be smaller than the outer diameter of the second section adjacent the groove. This allows material of the sleeve section to be deformed to fill the groove when the expander portion of the tension nut is pressed into place. This may be done without tearing the material of the ring from it. In this way, a positive connection may be created between the ring and the expander portion of the tensile element, so that the tension element does not come loose from the ring even in the event of vibrations.

[0011] As the outer diameter of the second section expands in the direction away from the groove, the material of the ring may be pressed more strongly against the inner walls of the through-holes of the components to be connected as the depth of penetration of the tension element into the ring increases. This creates an electrically conductive connection between the plate-shaped components for current transmission with low electrical resistance.

[0012] For the formation of a bead of the material of the ring, which is placed in the groove of the tension element in order to connect the ring positively to the tension element, the transition of the groove to the second section of the outer surface of the expander portion of the tension element may be designed with a sharp edge. Such a sharp-edged transition may be understood to mean a transition in which the tangents at the groove and at the second section of the outer surface of the expander portion of the tension nut form an angle of between about 20° and about 90° with respect to one another, in particular an angle of between 30° and 60°. Rounding of this transition, if provided at all, may be limited to small radii of no more than 1 mm.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the plate connector, the first section of the outer surface of the expander portion of the tension element may be cylindrical. The cylindrical first portion may serve to reliably and reproducibly retain the tension element in a pre-assembled state in the ring.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the outer surface in the second section of the expander portion of the tension element can be produced at least in some areas by rotation about this longitudinal axis of a line curved with a first radius and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the tension element. This curved configuration may be better than a frustoconical configuration in order to achieve good deformation of the ring with the most uniform tensile forces possible.

[0015] Furthermore, the plate connector may be designed in such a way that the tension element has a third section on the side of the first section facing away from the groove, which third section is also produced, for example at least in some areas, by rotation about this longitudinal axis of a line curved with a second radius and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the tension element. This section may have a small outer diameter compared to the rest of the tension element in order to be able to pull the tension element into the ring without unnecessarily high friction.

[0016] If the tension element has a fourth section on the side of the second section facing away from the groove, the outer diameter of which widens conically away from the second section, the ring can also be widened at its end opposite the contact collar in order to clamp the components to be connected by means of the ring. If the tension element is designed as a tension nut, the coupler may be an internal thread. This allows the tension nut to be actuated by means of a cordless screwdriver using an installation tool with an external threaded section. In other words, the tension nut may have an internal thread into which the tension bolt of the installation tool engages by being screwed in. After positive locking, a pulling movement takes place by which the tension element is pulled into the contacting ring and thus expands the outer contour and is pressed against the hole wall.

[0017] In an alternative variant, the tension element need not have an internal thread, but only a cylindrical bore with an undercut that forms the coupler. The tool then has, for example, a slotted draw sleeve with resilient sections which taper towards the front. The resilient sections may have an outwardly projecting contour at their ends. The draw sleeve has, for example, an internally threaded section in sections into which an expanding mandrel engages. When a threaded spindle of the tool is rotated, it is screwed into the internal thread and thus expands the draw sleeve so that it can engage in the undercut.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the tension nut may have a bolt, e.g. a break- off pull stem, that can be separated from the expander portion via a predetermined break point and forms the coupler. The coupler is consequently designed, for example, similarly to that described in DE 20 2018 101 364 U1.

[0019] The tension nut may be designed as a substantially closed body, as a sleeve open on both sides or as a tension nut closed on one side with a base. The tension nut may be made of steel, for example.

[0020] In the plate connector according to the invention, the through-opening of the ring may define a first inner wall portion having a first inner diameter at least in some areas, and a second inner wall portion having a second inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter at least at the end of the ring opposite the first inner wall portion. This allows the tension element to be clamped in the ring so that they are connected to each other in a pre-assembled state without the ring being appreciably flared. Here, the first inner wall portion may be cylindrical. Further, the second inner wall portion may be generated at least in part by rotation about a line curved with a third radius and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the ring.

[0021] To support the ring on the components to be connected during assembly of the plate connector, the contact collar may have a larger outer diameter relative to the rest of the ring. The contact collar may be radially spaced from the sleeve section of the ring by a groove. This facilitates deformation of the ring in this area.

[0022] For good electrical contact with low resistance, the ring can be made of copper or aluminum, for example.

[0023] If the outer diameter of the second section adjacent to the groove is larger than the first inner diameter, plastic deformation (expansion) sufficient for electrical contact can occur along the entire length of the ring. The outer diameter of the first section adjacent to the groove may be larger than the second inner diameter. Further, the first radius may be larger than the third radius and / or the third radius may be larger than the second radius.

[0024] Further features, advantages and possible applications of the present inventions will also be apparent from the following description of embodiments and with reference to the drawings.

[0025] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In the drawings Figure 1 shows a partially cut perspective view of a plate connector including a tension nut and a ring according to the invention and two components to be electrically connected before the panel connector is assembled,

[0027] Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the plate connector according to Figure 1 after assembly,

[0028] Figure 3 is a partially enlarged representation of the individual components of the plate connector according to Figure 1 ,

[0029] Figure 4 shows a sectional view of the plate connector according to Figure 1 before assembly,

[0030] Figure 5 shows a partially enlarged sectional view of the plate connector according to Figure 1 after assembly,

[0031] Figure 6 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a plate connector according to a second embodiment of the invention,

[0032] Figure 7 shows in sectional view a plate connector according to a third embodiment of the invention,

[0033] Figure 8 shows the plate connector according to Figure 7 with an assembly tool, and

[0034] Figure 9 shows a schematic of the installation process whereby: in Figure 9(A) the ring and the tension nut are positioned on an installation side of the two components; in Figure 9(B) the ring and the tension nut are inserted through the bores in the two components such that the ring abuts the installation side of one of the two components and the tension nut extends beyond the blind side of the second of the two components; and in Figure 9(C) the tension nut is pulled back into the ring, thereby expanding the ring against the bores in the two components.

[0035] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The plate connector 1 shown in Figures 1 to 8 has a tension element (tension nut) 10 and a ring 20, wherein the tension element 10 can be inserted into the ring 20 to make an electrically conductive connection between two, for example, platelike components A, B.

[0037] Figure 1 shows two such plate-like components A, B, which are made of conductive materials such as steel or aluminum and are to be electrically contacted. For this purpose, both components A, B each have a hole 2 which must be arranged concentrically and in alignment with each other. In order to align the two components A, B and their holes 2 concentrically with each other, the two components A, B can first be fixed to each other by means of a blind rivet joint 3 as shown, before the hole 2 is then made in both components A, B together.

[0038] The plate connector 1 does not have to meet any mechanical requirements with regard to the connection of the components A, B, even if the plate connector 1 additionally fixes the components A, B to each other after its assembly. Electrical contact is made exclusively via the bore wall, i.e. the inner wall surface of the bore 2. Here, the ring 20 as a contacting element should be able to contact each component A, B reliably despite different thickness configurations. The contacting is established by the contact pressure of the ring 20 in the bore wall. During operation, the contact pressure should be maintained even in environments subject to vibration. Figure 1 shows the plate connector 1 in a pre-assembled state, i.e., before assembly into the components A, B. To begin assembly, an expander portion of the tension nut 10 is inserted into the ring 20 in sections and is clamped there in a loss-proof manner, but without being inserted into the ring 20 over substantially its entire length. This pre-assembled state of the plate connector 1 is shown in Figure 4. Figure 2 shows the plate connector 1 in a fully assembled state, i.e., the plate connector 1 is inserted into the bore 2 of the components A, B and the tension nut 10 or its expander portion is drawn nearly completely into the ring 20.

[0039] As can also be seen from Figures 3 and 5, according to a first embodiment the tension element 10 is designed as a tension nut, i.e. as a sleeve with an internal thread 11. In the embodiment shown, the tension nut 10 is closed on the upper side in the Figures by a bottom 12. This bottom 12 may optionally be provided if the plate connector 1 is to be of closed design. However, this is not necessary for the function of the plate connector 1 for contacting the components A, B and the bottom 12 can consequently be omitted in an alternative embodiment.

[0040] The tension element 10 has the function of an expander with which the ring 20 can be expanded when the tension element 10 is pressed or pulled into the ring 20. For this purpose, the tension element 10 has an expander portion with a profiled outer circumferential surface which causes the tension element 10 to clamp firmly in the ring 20 in the preassembled state, can expand the ring 20 in a defined manner by plastic deformation of the ring 20 and can fix the tension element 10 in the ring 20 in a loss-proof manner. Further, the tension element 10 is made of a harder material compared to the ring 20, for example steel.

[0041] For this purpose, this outer surface of the expander portion of the tension element 10 has a first section 13 which, in the embodiment shown, is cylindrical in shape and has a first outer diameter D1 . A second section 14 of the outer surface of the expander portion is spaced from the first section 13 by a circumferential groove 15 in the illustrated embodiment. In a region of the second section 14 adjacent the groove 15, its outer diameter D2 is greater than that of the first outer diameter D1. In a direction away from the groove 15 (upwards in Figure 3), the second section 14 widens out so that its outer diameter D3 on the side facing away from the groove 15 is larger than the outer diameter D2. In the embodiment example shown in the Figures, the outer lateral surface of the second section 14 is described by rotation about the longitudinal axis I of a line spaced from the longitudinal axis I and curved with a first radius R1. Alternatively, it is also possible to create the second section 14 by rotating a straight line oblique to the longitudinal axis I, i.e. to form the second section 14 as a conical frustum.

[0042] A third section 16 of the outer surface of the expander portion of the tension nut 10 joins the first section 13 on the side away from the groove 15. This third section

[0043] 16 tapers in diameter from the first section 13 toward the lower end of the tension element 10 in the Figures. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the outer peripheral surface of the third section 16 is described by rotation about the longitudinal axis I of a line spaced from the longitudinal axis I and curved with a second radius R2. Here, too, another conical design is alternatively possible.

[0044] A fourth section 17 of the outer surface of the expander portion of the tension nut 10 joins the second section 14 on the side away from the groove 15. This fourth section 17 expands in diameter from the second section 14 toward the top end of the tension nut 10 in the Figures, where the bottom 12 is provided. The outer diameter D4 at the upper end of the tension nut 10 is thus larger than the outer diameter D3 at the upper end of the second section 14.

[0045] As can be seen in particular from the enlarged detail in Figure 3, the transition of the groove 15 to the second section 14 is sharp-edged. In other words, the tangent at the second section 14 and the tangent at the groove 15 form an angle a which can be between about 20° and about 90°, in particular between 30° and 60°, and in the example shown is about 45°.

[0046] The (contact) ring 20 is made of a softer and more conductive material, such as copper or aluminum, compared to the tension element 10. The ring 20 has the task of electrically contacting the two components A, B and conducting current from one body to the other with as little resistance as possible.

[0047] Here the ring 20 in the hole wall of the bore 2 of both components A, B ensures a sufficient contact pressure in the bore 2. This contact pressure is achieved by expansion of the ring 20 by the tension nut 10 acting as an expander. The expansion is produced by drawing the tension nut 10 into the ring 20 with a nearly conical outer contour. It must be ensured that not only the upper area of component A in the Figures is pressed, but that the tension element 10 can be drawn as far as possible into the ring 20 with the lowest possible tensile force so that component B can also be pressed with sufficient contact pressure.

[0048] In the embodiment example shown in the Figures, the through-opening of the ring 20 is formed for this purpose with a first inner wall section 21 , which is cylindrical, for example, and has a first inner diameter D6. Further, the through-opening of the ring 20 is formed with a second inner wall portion 22, which has a second inner diameter D5, which is larger than the first inner diameter D6, at least at the end of the ring 20 opposite the first inner wall portion 21 (upper end in the Figures). In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the second inner wall portion 22 is described by rotation about said longitudinal axis II of a line spaced from the longitudinal axis II of the ring 20 and curved with a third radius R3. Again, another conical design is alternatively possible.

[0049] The ring 20 further has an abutment collar 23 with a larger outer diameter relative to the rest of the ring 20. With the contact collar 23, the ring 20 is supported on the edge of the bore 2. The contact collar 23 is radially spaced from the sleeve section 25 of the ring 20 by a groove 24. As a result, the wall thickness of the sleeve section 25 remains approximately the same in a partial area of the contact collar, so that the sleeve section 25 remains readily deformable.

[0050] In order to achieve sufficient contact pressure for both components A, B with the lowest possible press-in forces, the cutting geometry of both components 10, 20 is matched to each other by means of different radii. Thus, in one example, the outer diameter D2 of the second section 14 adjacent to the groove 15 can be larger than the first inner diameter D6. Further, the outer diameter D1 of the first section 13 adjacent the groove 15 may be larger than the second inner diameter D5. Additionally, the first radius R1 may be larger than the third radius R3 and / or the third radius R3 may be larger than the second radius R2.

[0051] A particular advantage of the illustrated embodiment of the plate connector 1 is the one-sided installation process. For example, it is possible for the hole 2 in the Figures to be made from the bottom up through the components A, B, for the plate connector 1 to be inserted into the hole 2 from the bottom up, for a tool, for example a threaded bolt that can be driven by a cordless screwdriver, to be screwed into the tension nut 10 from below, and then for this to be pulled into the ring 20 and finally also screwed out of the tension nut 10 from below. Thus, it is not necessary to have access to the upper side in the Figures for the assembly of the plate connector 1 .

[0052] A further advantage of the plate connector 1 according to the invention is that it reliably retains its function of electrical contacting even in the event of strong vibrations. This is achieved in particular by the groove 15, which is designed in such a way that the transition to the second section 14 displaces material from the inside of the ring 20 into the groove 15 when the tension element 10 is pulled into the ring 20. In other words, a bead is formed on the inside of the ring 20 that positively engages the groove 15 and thereby securely locks the tension element 10 in place within the ring 20.

[0053] The groove 15 is designed in such a way that material of the ring 20 is deformed during pressing in without tearing off. This is shown in particular in the enlarged detail in Figure 5. In this illustration, the tension element 10 and the ring 20 are inserted into one another but are shown in their undeformed state with respect to the ring 20. It can be seen that the outer surface of the tension element 10 and the inner wall of the ring 20 overlap each other, in particular in the region of the first and second portions 13, 14 and the second inner wall portion 22 (areas shown hatched). In practice, this material of the ring 20 is displaced outwardly by the tension nut 10 in order to achieve a good contact in the bores 2 of the components A, B. In addition, the material is displaced into the groove 15 in order to positively fix the tension element 10 in the ring 20.

[0054] In this first embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, the expander portion of the tension nut 10 extends over the entire length of the tension nut 10 in the direction of the longitudinal axis I. In the example shown, the expander portion is shorter than the ring 20 in the direction of its longitudinal axis II.

[0055] A second embodiment is shown in Figure 6, where the ring 20 may be identical to the first embodiment. However, the tension nut 10 is not formed as a sleeve or traction nut, but as a head which is connected to a shank (break-off pull stem) via a predetermined breaking point 19. The shank is provided with a profiling forming the coupler 81 for an installation tool, for example concentric grooves adapted to a corresponding installation tool. The head has the expander portion with at least the first section 13, the second section 14 and the groove 15 as described above regarding the first embodiment. After the installation force required for expansion of the ring 20 has been reached, the shank can be tom off at the end of the setting process. A well-known principle of blind riveting technology can be used for this purpose. Here, the gripper contour of the setting tool engages behind the grooves in order to exert a tensile force on the shank. The corresponding tensile force must be so great that both plates A, B are contacted equally via the expansion of the ring 20. After this force has been reached, the installation force continues to increase until the shank breaks away from the expander portion of the tension element 10 in the defined section 19.

[0056] A third embodiment is shown in Figures 7 and 8. Here, the ring 20 is again designed as in the previous embodiments. As in the first embodiment, the tension element 10 is formed as a sleeve which can be closed on one side by a bottom 12 or can be open on both sides. Further, the tension element 10 has the expander portion with at least the first section 13, the second section 14 and the groove 15 as described above with respect to the first embodiment.

[0057] Unlike in the first embodiment, however, the tension element 10 need not have an internal thread, but merely a cylindrical bore with an undercut 18, which together form a shoulder as an coupler 51 . In principle, however, it is also possible in this embodiment to provide an internal thread in the tension element in order to fasten further components (e.g. electrical conductors).

[0058] In this third embodiment, installation is accomplished by means of an installation tool 30 partially shown in Figure 8. The installation tool 30 has a slotted draw sleeve with a plurality of resilient sections 31 that taper forward. These resilient sections 31 have an outwardly projecting contour at their ends, which can be inserted through the cylindrical bore in a radially contracted state and can engage behind the undercut 18 in a radially expanded state. During assembly, a rotary movement engages a thread of an expanding mandrel 32 and spreads the resilient sections 31 apart. The outwardly projecting contour of the spring arms engages behind the undercut 18 to form a positive fit. The subsequent pulling motion pulls the expander portion into the ring 20, with a sup- port sleeve 33 of the installation tool 30 bearing against the ring 20. A final unscrewing motion of the expanding mandrel 32 allows the resilient sections 31 to be released and spring back together to remove the installation tool 30 from the panel connector 1 .

[0059] List of reference signs

[0060] 1 plate connector I longitudinal axis of tension nut

[0061] 2 bore II longitudinal axis of ring

[0062] 3 rivet

[0063] 10 tension element (nut) A first component

[0064] 11 coupler (thread) B second component

[0065] 12 bottom

[0066] 13 first section D1 outer diameter of first section

[0067] 14 second section 13

[0068] 15 groove D2 outer diameter of second sec¬

[0069] 16 third section tion 14 adjacent the groove 15

[0070] 17 fourth section D3 outer diameter of second sec¬

[0071] 18 undercut tion 14

[0072] 19 predefined breaking point D4 outer diameter of fourth sec¬

[0073] 20 ring tion 17

[0074] 21 first inner wall section D5 second inner diameter

[0075] 22 second inner wall section D6 first inner diameter

[0076] 23 abutment collar

[0077] 24 groove R1 first radius

[0078] 25 sleeve section R2 second radius

[0079] 30 installation tool R3 third radius

[0080] 31 resilient section

[0081] 32 mandrel

[0082] 33 support sleeve

[0083] 51 coupler (shoulder)

[0084] 81 coupler (grooves)

Claims

Claims1 . A plate connector for electrically connecting two components (A, B), each of which has at least one through-opening, comprising: a tension element (10) having a longitudinal axis (I), an expander portion with a sectionally conical and / or curved outer surface, and at least one coupler (11 , 51 , 81 ), and an electrically conductive, plastically deformable ring (20) with a longitudinal axis (II), a sleeve section (25) surrounding the longitudinal axis (II) and having a through-opening for receiving the tension element (10), and an abutment collar (23), wherein the ring (20) is made of a softer material compared to the tension element (10), and wherein the length of the expander portion in the direction of its longitudinal axis (I) is less than or equal to the length of the ring (20) in the direction of its longitudinal axis (II), characterized in that: the outer surface of the expander portion has a first section (13) and a second section (14) spaced from the first section (13) by a groove (15), the outer diameter (D1 ) of the first section (13) adjacent the groove (15) being smaller than the outer diameter (D2) of the second section (14) adjacent the groove (15), and the outer diameter of the second section (14) expands in the direction away from the groove (15).

2. A plate connector according to claim 1 , characterized in that the transition of the groove (15) to the second section (14) is sharp-edged.

3. A plate connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first section (13) of the outer surface of the expander portion is cylindrical and / or in that the outer surface in the second section (14) of the expander portion is produced, at least in regions, by rotation about said longitudinal axis (I) of a line curved with a first radius (R1 ) and spaced from the longitudinal axis (I) of the tension element (10).

4. A plate connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tension element (10) has, on the side of the first section (13) facing away from the groove (15), a third section (16) which is produced, at least in regions, by rotation about this longitudinal axis (I) of a line which is curved with a second radius (R2) and is spaced apart from the longitudinal axis (I) of the tension element (10), and / or in that the tension element (10) has, on the side of the second section (14) facing away from the groove (15), a fourth section (17) whose outer diameter (D4) widens conically away from the second section (14).

5. A plate connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tension element (10) is designed as a tension nut, the coupler (11 ) being an internal thread.

6. A plate connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tension element (10) is provided with an opening with an undercut (18) forming the coupler (51 ).

7. A plate connector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tension element (10) has a bolt which can be separated from the expander portion via a predetermined breaking point (19) and which forms the coupler (81 ).

8. A plate connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tension element (10) is designed as a tension nut closed on one side and having a bottom (12).

9. A plate connector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the through-opening of the ring (20) defines a first inner wall portion (21 ) having, at least regionally, a first inner diameter (D6), and a second inner wall portion (22) having, at least at the end of the ring (20) opposite to the first inner wall portion (21 ), a second inner diameter (D5) larger than the first inner diameter (D6).

10. A plate connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the first inner wall portion (21 ) is cylindrical and / or in that the second inner wall portion (22) is produced, at least in regions, by rotation about said longitudinal axis (II) of a line curved with a third radius (R3) and spaced from the longitudinal axis (II) of the ring (20).

11. A plate connector according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the abutment collar (23) has a larger outer diameter relative to the rest of the ring (20).

12. A plate connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the abutment collar (23) is radially spaced from the sleeve portion (25) of the ring (20) by a groove (24).

13. A plate connector according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the outer diameter (D2) of the second section (14) adjacent to the groove (15) is larger than the first inner diameter (D6).

14. A plate connector according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the outer diameter (D1 ) of the first section (13) adjacent to the groove (15) is larger than the second inner diameter (D5).

15. A plate connector according to claims 3, 4 and 10, characterized in that the first radius (R1 ) is larger than the third radius (R3) and / or that the third radius (R3) is larger than the second radius (R2).

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