Connection device

Abstract

The invention is a connection device for connecting a contact terminal, comprising - a socket body (12) having a first and a second branch (12a, 12b), wherein each of the branches (12a, 12b) has an insertion end (13a, 13b) and an inner end, with an insertion direction pointing from the insertion end (13a, 13b) towards the inner end for inserting a contact terminal (10), with a connection space portion between the branches (12a, 12b), being adapted for inserting a contact terminal (10), and with a respective reception space portion in each of the branches (12a, 12b), being open in the direction of the connection space portion and opposite thereto and being delimited by arched side walls, - two rollers (22), each being arranged in a respective reception space portion of the branches (12a, 12b), and a tension element arranged between the rollers to support them from the direction of the connection space portion, and - a respective elastic plate (16) attached to a respective tension element and arranged along the branches (12a, 12b) at the side thereof opposite the connection space portion to extend over the respective reception space portions in the insertion direction and in a direction opposite thereto.

Description

[0001] CONNECTION DEVICE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The invention relates to a connection device for connecting a contact terminal.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] Connecting and testing (high-current) sense terminals, contact elements may be necessary in various fields of industry. Accordingly, a plurality of previous connection devices is known.

[0006] In CN 203690511 U as well as in CN 201238110 Y and CN 105896169 A such connectors are disclosed wherein a terminal is received by the help of rollers (in the former document a plurality of rollers is arranged on each side, while in the case of latter two documents a single roller is arranged on each side). In CN 203690511 U, some type of elasticity is provided for a block of the rollers. However, in the above- mentioned documents such rollers are applied that are rotatable about a connector shaft, the rollers being gripped in the connector by the connector shaft.

[0007] Rollers gripped by their ends are also applied in JP 2000058213 A2 in a device adapted for connecting an IC module, providing spring suspension in a similar manner as in CN 203690511 U. A similar contacting approach is disclosed in CN 107785747 B, which explicitly describes contacting to a plate from one of the sides.

[0008] In view of the known approaches, there is a need for a connection device with the help of which a contact terminal can be connected more effectively compared to the known connection devices.

[0009] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The primary object of the invention is to provide a connection device which is free of the disadvantages of prior art approaches to the greatest possible extent.

[0011] A further object of the invention is to provide a connection device with the help of which contact terminals can be connected more effectively compared to the known connection devices, as well as optionally also allowing for applying the connection device for testing. A still further object of the invention is to provide a connection device which, in an embodiment, becomes capable of repeatedly and safely performing high-current tests, for example in an industrial environment including high-volume automated production lines. This is achieved by fitting the connection device according to the invention to automatically operating work cylinders (i.e., it is operated by the work cylinders), making contact via the terminals (connection members) of given connectors and being pressed against the terminals by the help of the work cylinders for example preferably along a linearly guided forced path. Thereby, accurate contacting with the given product to be tested can be provided by guiding them onto the terminals of the specific high-current connector thereof.

[0012] The invention relates to a connection device for connecting a contact terminal. Within this, the invention is a high-current connection device adapted for operational testing of contact terminals of high-current industrial connectors (of course, generally, the mechanism can be utilised not only for high-current applications).

[0013] The objects of the invention can be achieved by providing the connection device according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0014] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example with reference to the drawings, where

[0016] Fig. 1 is a spatial drawing illustrating an embodiment of the connection device according to the invention together with a connecting element,

[0017] Figs. 2A-2F are side view drawings illustrating the connection of a connecting element in the embodiment of Fig 1 of the connection device according to the invention, with the cover-like portion of the socket body being removed,

[0018] Fig. 3 is an exploded figure illustrating the embodiment of Fig. 1 of the connection device according to the invention,

[0019] Fig. 4 is an exploded drawing of a sense pin applicable with the connection device according to the invention,

[0020] Fig. 5 shows another view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 of the connection device according to the invention showing a sense pin applicable therewith, Figs. 6A-6B show the embodiment of Fig. 1 in another spatial view and an in an underside-spatial view,

[0021] Fig. 7 illustrates in a sectional drawing the portion of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing the branches, with a sense pin extending between the branches, Fig. 8 is a sectional drawing illustrating displacements brought about in the embodiment of Fig. 1 as a result of the insertion of a connecting element, Figs. 9A and 9B are underside and side view drawings specifying a dimensioning according to an example of the embodiment of Fig. 1 , and Fig. 10 is a side view drawing illustrating the path of the electric current in the embodiment of the connection device according to the invention provided with a sense pin, with the cover removed.

[0022] MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0023] The invention is a connection device for connecting a contact terminal. The contact terminal may also be considered a (contact) connecting (connection) element.

[0024] The connection device according to the invention comprises a socket body having a first branch and a second branch arranged beside each other (see a socket body 12 in Fig. 1 ; a first branch 12a and a second branch 12b are shown in Fig. 1 and also in other figures; in other words: the connection device has a socket body having branches; accordingly, the connection device may also be called a socket or socket device, but the socket body could also be called a housing body), wherein

[0025] - the first branch and the second branch each has an insertion end and inner end (see for example in Fig. 2A insertion ends 13a, 13b, and inner ends 13c, 13d), and an insertion direction (see e.g. an insertion direction 25 in Fig. 2A) pointing from the insertion end towards (i.e., in the direction of) the inner end is determined for inserting a contact terminal, and

[0026] - a connection space portion (connecting space portion) is formed (or to put it simply: is) between the first branch and the second branch, the connection space portion is open from the insertion end thereof and is adapted for inserting a contact terminal.

[0027] The branches protrude side by side from the main portion of the socket body; these branches defining the insertion direction pointing between these towards the socket body. The insertion direction is obviously determined by the geometry, starting from the insertion end in the direction of the inner end, this defines a straight direction. In accordance with the geometry there is preferably a symmetry: starting from the insertion end having a certain width, the insertion direction does not deviate laterally but extends along the branch and reaches the inner end.

[0028] Insertion is expediently performed straight, i.e., a basic (theoretical) insertion direction is thus defined as set forth above (in relation to this, reference is made to the discussion below of inserting the terminal with an angular deviation: within an appropriate tolerance range the device tolerates deviation from the basic insertion direction). The insertion direction determines the direction of insertion being a movement, i.e., a vector, which can be parallelly shifted anywhere in space, so it can serve as a reference for other components of the connection device. Insertion is a process that ends by making the connection, i.e., when the contact terminal is connected (cf. the state shown in Fig. 2F).

[0029] Further, the branches are arranged beside each other and the connection space portion is formed between them, i.e., they are spaced apart from each other. The branches can be preferably considered parallel, because - as it can be seen in the figures - their outlines, i.e. , the directions defined by their extensions protruding from the socket body are parallel with each other. The branches (stems) may also be called projections (protrusions), arms, or even gripper jaws. The branches may have elongated extension protruding from the socket body.

[0030] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2A, the contact terminal 10 approaches the connection space portion from its open side. In Fig. 2A a connection space portion 15 is indicated, as well as first and second insertion ends 13a, 13b (which are also shown in Fig. 1 ), first and second inner ends 13c, 13d, and an insertion direction 25. The branches protruding from the socket body - i.e., the main bulk thereof - form parts of the socket body, the space portion between them is opened from the outside (naturally, as they are protrusions of the socket body) such that the contact terminal can be inserted (i.e., in other words, that the connection device can be slid onto the terminal). In this sense, the connection device has a “receiving” character, i.e., it is adapted for receiving the terminal in a space portion bordered by the two branches that is configured therefor. Accordingly, the contact terminal can be connected to the connection device such that the connection device receives the contact terminal in the connection space portion. To put it even more precisely: because the contact terminal typically forms a - protruding or may be encompassed - end (termination) of a device or element, this termination can be connected into the connection device, i.e. , it can be inserted into the connection space portion. Therefore, the device or element of which the contact terminal forms a termination can also be connected therein, with the device or component staying at least predominantly outside the connection space portion where only the contact terminal is inserted.

[0031] The contact terminal to be connected may for example have a flat shape, but this is not necessarily the case. It can essentially be a rod (bar) with such a length that ensures that it can contact the rollers when inserted into the connection space portion along the length of the two branches (i.e., contact them along its length, with its thickness also allowing this; the latter, however, is a question of dimensioning the connection device for a given terminal), i.e., that it can contact them in the illustrated manner.

[0032] The invention can therefore also be applied for cylindrical (circular cross-section) terminals. In such cases, although the contact surface is smaller than in the case of a flat contact terminal, the configuration provides satisfactory operation. It can happen that the connection is able to conduct a slightly lower current in this case.

[0033] The contact terminal is a terminal to be connected by means of the connection device according to the invention, as well as preferably, to be tested with the help of it, and is preferably made of metal, i.e., it is a metallic component suitable for making a connection. The term “contact” is included into its name because the term “terminal” is a relatively generic term - it could nevertheless be called simply a “terminal” - and it clearly has a contacting role, the term “contact terminal” being also used in the jargon of the field for this.

[0034] Therefore, contact terminals having shapes other than a flat shape can also be applied; the configuration of the end of the terminal can be simply rectangular (terminating at right angles), tapered (see in further figures), rounded, or bevelled. In many cases, the contact terminal to be connected by means of the connection device according to the invention is incorporated or is applicable in (protrudes from them for test) such (larger) connectors - so-called jigs - which may have a plurality of contact terminals.

[0035] In Fig. 1 protruding branches 12a, 12b of the socket body 12 are shown in the corresponding embodiment. In Fig. 1 , the contact terminal 10 is arranged in front of the entrance - open - portion of the connection space portion between the branches 12a, 12b; the process of connecting the contact term inal 10 to the connection device according to the corresponding embodiment will be described in relation to Figs. 2A- 2F. Accordingly, the branches, and the connection space portion located between them, are configured for placing (or in other words, inserting or arranging therebetween) the contact terminal therebetween.

[0036] Further, according to the invention a first reception space portion and a second reception space portion each being open in the direction of the connection space portion and opposite thereto are formed in the first branch and in the second branch, respectively (that is, these space portions are open in both directions, i.e. , towards the connection space portion and in a direction opposite to it). A first reception space portion 26a and a second reception space portion 26b (with the rollers 22 not being removed from the latter) are shown in Fig. 3 that depicts the embodiment of Fig. 1 in an exploded view. The connection space portion and the reception space portion are empty spatial regions or volumes, the former is adapted for receiving (connecting) the contact terminal, while the latter has rollers and a tension element arranged in it, see below.

[0037] The connection device according to the invention comprises, arranged along the insertion direction in the first reception space portion of the first branch and in the second reception space portion of the second branch, respectively, o two rollers having a cylinder mantle (cylinder cloak; it may be a regular cylinder, or even a cylinder that has the cylinder mantle - as this is a requirement - but for example the base sheets of the cylinder are indented; accordingly, the roller radius is the radius of the cylinder mantle, that is, of a circular section thereof, however, from the aspect of electrical conductivity it is preferable if the rollers are solid (compact)) being characterizable (can be characterized) by a roller radius and having a roller axis defined by the cylinder mantle, the roller axes being arranged transversely to the insertion direction (see rollers 22 in the figures; the roller axis of which - i.e. , an imaginary axis defined by their cylinder mantle that is preferably an axis of symmetry - extending transversely (for example, perpendicular) to the insertion direction), and o a tension element (tensioning element, tension member, tighten / tightening element / member) between the two rollers (i.e., according to the above, between the two rollers located in the branches), the tension element supports the two rollers from the direction of the connection space portion (see for example tension elements 24 in Fig. 3; they support and / or support from below the rollers in both branches from the direction of the connection space portion; the rollers are located in the reception space portion between the tension element and the elastic plates, i.e., they are positioned accordingly, see below for related considerations), wherein, in the first branch and in the second branch, the first reception space portion and the second reception space portion, respectively, are delimited (bordered) by arched (arcuated) side walls at the cylinder mantles of the rollers, opposite the tension element (arched side walls 28 of the reception space portions 26a, 26b are shown in Fig. 3), wherein a circle with a wall radius corresponds to each arched side wall, and the wall radius of the arched side walls is greater than a roller radius of the rollers.

[0038] In accordance with that, the arched side walls - there are four of them - have an identical wall radius, with the roller radius of the rollers being also identical; and the circle corresponding to - i.e., fitting to - the arched side wall can also be determined together with its radius in a straightforward manner. If the rollers arranged in the connection device were not identical, the tension element would get tilted and would not press on the contact terminal with a uniform force, so the latter could get burned, which in this way can be avoided. In a certain regard, this advantage is also related to self-adjustment.

[0039] As it is also shown in the figures, the various components are arranged in the reception space portion of each branch in the following order: roller, tension element, roller. As it has been specified, the reception space portions have a arched side wall at the cylinder mantle of the rollers (i.e. , not at their base), i.e. , obviously at those portions where the reception space portion delimits the rollers. The order of the components (i.e., roller, tension element, roller) also reflects that the arched side walls and the tension element are arranged oppositely with respect to the rollers. It may be added to this that the arrangement along the insertion direction is therefore the following: arched side wall, roller, tension element, roller, arched side wall. The arched side walls are thus also located transversely to the insertion direction.

[0040] In accordance with the above, two rollers are arranged in each branch, with the tension element supporting the rollers from the direction of the connection space portion, i.e., preventing the rollers from falling out from the reception space portion in that direction (i.e. from leaving the reception space portion with their entire extent, see also below), being located between the two rollers in each branch. The reception space portion is open towards the connection space portion and also at its opposite side (see also below in connection with the elastic plates).

[0041] The connection device according to the invention further comprises a respective elastic plate attached to a portion of each of the respective tension elements being opposite the connection space portion, and are arranged along the first branch and the second branch, respectively, at the side thereof being opposite the connection space portion to extend over the first reception space portion and the second reception space portion, respectively, in the insertion direction and in a direction opposite thereto (and accordingly, to delimit (border) the rollers arranged in the given reception space portion; see the elastic plates 16 in the figures, e.g. in Fig. 1 ; thus, one elastic plate is prescribed at each side, but by including the term “comprising” the requirement is essentially that at least one such plate is arranged per side, see also below where it is given optionally including two of them per side). In relation to further details shown in Fig. 1 , for example screws 14 and a connector flap 20 (connector loop) attached to the socket body 12 reference is made to further description parts, especially to the discussion related to Fig. 3. The high-current wire, more precisely, the stripped section (where the plastic or other coating has been removed) of the wire made of copper or other metal, has to be placed in this connector flap from the direction of the free end of the connector flap, i.e., from the direction of the end that is not attached to the socket body. The wire is either soldered or secured therein (thereto) with a clamp.

[0042] The reception space portion (receiving / accommodating / accommodation space portion) is “receiving (accommodating)” in the sense that it receives (accommodates) the rollers and the tension element (into itself), which undergo movement in the reception space portion during the use of the connection device and protrude from the reception space portion both out of use and in use.

[0043] The reception space portion is related to the branch because it is formed therein (as a shortage of material, for example by milling), but in relation to the rollers and the tension element we can say that they are arranged in the reception space portion (that is, they are placed therein; the term “arranged” is used here instead of “being” therein) because they cannot leave it (i.e., with their entire extent; see also elsewhere where they are mentioned). These could also be called simply - without the adjective “reception” - first and second space portions, or space portions (being / formed) in the branches.

[0044] The relative arrangement and, in certain cases, the mode of their interconnection, can be read from the figures illustrating the assembled state.

[0045] Furthermore, in the embodiment of Fig. 1 , two elastic plates arranged side by side are fixed to each tension element (as it has been required above, the elastic plates extend over / from the corresponding reception space portions, so for the arrangement of the two elastic plates it is sufficient to specify that they are arranged beside each other, as it is illustrated in the figures; the elastic plates located beside each other are preferably arranged parallel to each other). Arranging two elastic plates per side makes the behaviour of the rollers more stable, because the elastic plate - on which the rollers might get tilted - is not located centrally with respect to the rollers in the connected state of the contact terminal, but they are able to better control the movement of the rollers along the length of their mantle (with two rollers the chance of getting tilted is reduced to minimum).

[0046] As regards the reception space portions, the interconnected elastic plates and tension element therefore also facilitate that the rollers cannot leave the reception space portion with their entire extent in a direction opposite the connection space portion, either (i.e., they only protrude therefrom, as illustrated in the figures). In relation to the movement of the rollers a detailed explanation is provided below referring to Figs. 2A-2F. It can also be established that the elastic plates extending over the reception space portion in specific direction (see above) prevent the tension element fixed to them from “falling off”, and thereby also prevent the rollers from leaving the reception space portion with their entire extent, and, due to the presence of the tension element, as a result of this interconnectedness the rollers are not able to “leave” the reception space portion in the direction of the elastic plates, either, because they cannot pass through the opening thereof facing there.

[0047] As shown for example in Figs. 2A-2F, in a direction perpendicular to the receiving direction and to the surface of the elastic plates the rollers 22 have an extension (this is the diameter of the rollers 22) that is greater than the extension of the reception space portion 26a, 26b in this direction, i.e., the rollers protrude from the reception space portion in this direction. Also, the radius of a roller is smaller than the radius corresponding to the arched side wall of the reception space portion. These are generally fulfilled by the invention, i.e., not only by the illustrated embodiment. Of course, this also plays a role in that thereby the rollers contact the terminal to be connected, which pushes the rollers in a direction pointing away from the connection space portion.

[0048] Referring also to the above, it can be maintained that self-adjustment is provided for the rollers by the described configuration and by the arrangement formed with the tension element and the elastic plates (we refer to the latter arrangement as “triple unit”), making the connection of the contact terminal especially preferable as described below.

[0049] When a contact terminal is connected, the tension element strains (stresses) the rollers against the arched side wall of the reception space portion, ensuring that a contact surface is established between the rollers and the arched side walls. In this case, therefore, the tension element and the two rollers become squeezed together in the reception space portion. As set forth above, this configuration also prevents the rollers from leaving the reception space portion with their entire extent. In accordance with that, in the loose state prior to making the connection, proper contacting is provided by itself, i.e. , it has a self-adjusting configuration. For more details on the role of the triple unit and on the displacements and events occurring during the connection see also below.

[0050] Another related relevant aspect is that the thickness of the terminal and the path of the roller is to be dimensioned in line with each other, i.e., the connection device is typically dimensioned for a given terminal to be tested and is applied for testing a large number of such terminals. Saying within these frames it is necessary to dimension the connection device in such a way that when the terminal is connected, i.e., is inserted into the connection space portion, it contacts the rollers of both branches, pressing them against a portion of the arched side wall of the reception space portion that is located further from the connection space portion.

[0051] Figs. 2A-2F illustrate the operation of the connection device, that is, the process of insertion of the contact terminal 10, i.e., the connection thereof to the connection device.

[0052] In the initial state shown in Fig. 2A, the contact terminal 10 has not yet been inserted between the two branches 12a, 12b of the socket body 12. In this state, the triple units formed by the rollers 22, the tension element 24, and the elastic plates 16 (which due to their arrangement behave as plate springs) located in each branch 12a, 12b are in a loose state prior to connecting the contact terminal 10. The following is meant by this state.

[0053] Let us consider one reception space portion, for example the reception space portion 26a of the upper branch 12a that can be observed in Fig. 3 (as there its content has been removed according to the “exploded” view). Accordingly, in Fig. 3 arched side walls 28 of the reception space portion 26a are also shown; in this view the left one is visible, while the right one is obstructed from view. In Fig. 3, the reception space portion 26b of the bottom branch 12b is also marked, however, the rollers 22 have not been removed from it in the exploded view.

[0054] In the state according to Fig. 2A, therefore, the “triple unit” is investigated considering the reception space portion of the upper branch 12a (not marked in the figure). The radius corresponding to the arched side walls of the reception space portion is larger than the radius of the rollers 22, and thus the rollers are able to roll along the arched side wall and can lend a “waggling” character to the movement of the “triple unit”.

[0055] Of the triple unit, the tension element 24 and the elastic plates 16 are connected (secured) together, in the illustrated example by a respective screw 18 (the screws 18 are preferably always tightened such that the expediently applied self-locking condition is fulfilled for them). In accordance with the figures, a respective tension element 24 and two elastic plates 16 correspond to each branch 12a, 12b. The spatial shape of the tension element 24 can be observed in Fig. 3; in Fig. 2A it is shown from the front.

[0056] In the illustration taken on the left of Fig. 3, the shape of the tension element 24 can be described as follows, also considering the front face of the tension element 24 that can also be observed in Fig. 2A. This front face has an upward-converging trapezoidal portion - in this case - at the bottom, from which a rectangular portion extends at the top. As shown in Fig. 3, this front face defines a prism body.

[0057] Within the above regularity it is to be noted that the bottom edges of the prism body for the tension element 24 on the left as shown in Fig. 3, i.e. , the longitudinal edges of the wider portion thereof (i.e., the edges extending along the height of the prism) are preferably rounded (cf. also the tension element 24 shown on the right of Fig. 3). This affects the shape of this face of the tension element 24 (this lateral face is not completely flat; this is indicated in Fig. 8: supporting surface portions 27), however, when it is arranged, this essentially does not affect the action of the tension element 24 on the rollers 22 (see also below).

[0058] In an embodiment, therefore, each tension element has

[0059] - supporting surface portions supporting the rollers from the connection space portion and converging from the direction of the connection space portion (therefore, this portion of the tension element performs the supporting function required above, these are the supporting surface portions 27 indicated in Fig. 8; these surface portions converge from the direction of the connection space portion (they extend obliquely), i.e., the tension element is wider than farther from it; as follows from the wording, this is the portion of the tension element that faces the rollers (see the figures); it can also be called a (supporting) tilted face), and

[0060] - a fixing (fastening, securing) surface portion being opposite the connection space portion, wherein for each tension element the elastic plate is fixed to the fixing surface portion of the tension element (the fixing surface portion 17 is shown in Fig. 3).

[0061] These two requirements further specify, for the present embodiment, the features of the invention specified above. In relation to the invention, it has been stipulated above that the respective elastic plates are to be secured to portions of the tension elements located opposite the connection space portion (i.e., are to be secured to the tension element at these portions). These features are specified further here; however, in this embodiment the tension element must meet only the above requirements, i.e., the illustrated tension element is even more specific than that (according to the above, the converging surface portions may even extend across the entire side of the tension element).

[0062] Thus, the surface portions required above can be found also on the tension element 24 in the illustrated embodiment which has the supporting surface portions 27 and the fixing surface portion 17. In line with the above, the tension element 24 is a prism body, so it can be determined with the help of its base face (or a cross-section taken parallel to it) how these are arranged. As it has been disclosed above, the base face of the prism body comprises a trapezoidal portion and a rectangular portion (i.e., it consists of these portions). In the illustrated embodiment, the supporting surface portions 27 extend starting from the inclined sides of the trapezoidal portion of the base face, with the fixing surface portion 17 extending starting from the side of the rectangular portion located opposite the base of the trapezoid. It is noted that the illustrated embodiment is accordingly more specific than what has been laid down in relation to the embodiment described in the foregoing paragraph.

[0063] In this embodiment, therefore, in the triple unit the elastic plates 16 are connected (fixed) to a portion of the tension element 24 which has a rectangular end face protruding from the trapezoidal end face thereof (i.e., to the fixing surface portion 17). Screw holes 19 and 23 applicable for fixing the plates are shown on the left of Fig. 3. Other ways of fixing the plates can also be contemplated. In line with the above, and also as a result of the interconnection of the elastic plates 16 and the tension element 24, in the initial state shown in Fig. 2A the following can be maintained about the triple unit (with the arrangement and interconnection aspect of the elements of the triple unit also having an effect on the further states shown in Figs. 2B-2F).

[0064] In Fig. 2A, in the upper branch 12a the rollers 22 are supported by the trapezoidal end face of the tension element 24 slightly from below, at the same time, the rollers 22 are delimited at the top by the elastic plates 16. As the tension element 24 and the elastic plates 16 are connected together, the triple unit has special moveability, however, the above-mentioned “looseness” of the triple unit is also present. In relation to the latter, it is noted that, due to the radius of the arched side wall of the reception space portion being larger than that of the rollers 22, the entire triple unit located in the branch 12a can be moved further upward - as the rollers 22 roll along the arched side wall of the reception space portion - from the state of seating on the bottom edge of the arched side walls of the reception space portion shown in Fig. 2A.

[0065] In relation to this, attention is called to two aspects.

[0066] In Fig. 2A, the triple units depicted in the upper branch 12a and in the bottom branch 12b are shown in a “no-gravity” manner, i.e., the upper rollers 22 and the bottom rollers 22 are equally supported on the edge of the arched side wall of their respective reception space portion that faces the connection space portion adapted for receiving the terminal, i.e., they are located symmetrically with respect to the connection space portion. The bottom triple unit may extend lower in the reception space portion if the depiction is considered “gravitational,” and the connection device is positioned vertically, according to Fig. 2A.

[0067] Another aspect that can be observed in Fig. 7 (e.g. on the left of the figure) is that tolerances can be expediently applied in the triple unit in respect of whether in the base state the elastic plates 16 also contact the rollers 22 in case the tension element 24 supporting the rollers 22 from one side make contact with the rollers 22 or they are slightly lifted therefrom (expediently, they are elevated therefrom slightly, as it is shown on the left of Fig. 7). The elastic plates 16 are therefore arranged along the rollers 22; they are however preferably arranged such that in lack of a connected terminal they are “loose” relative to each other, i.e., there can be gap between them.

[0068] From the above it can be understood that the triple units located in the branches 12a, 12b wait in an essentially “loose” state for the insertion of the contact terminal 10. Starting from the above, let us turn to discussing Figs. 2B-2F that depict the further course of the process of inserting the terminal 10.

[0069] Fig. 2B illustrates the state in which the terminal 10 has reached the right-side (as shown in the figure) pair (i.e., a bottom and an upper one) of the rollers 22. In the illustrated state, the rollers 22 - and consequently the elastic plates 16 - have not yet been moved by the terminal 10. As illustrated in Fig. 2B, in this state a tapering end portion 11 of the terminal 10 extends between the rollers 22 (the tapering end portion 11 tapers to an edge that is preferably relatively blunt, see in the figures), but the bottom and upper faces of the terminal 10 also reach the rollers 22.

[0070] Compared to Fig. 2B, in Fig. 2C the terminal 10 is pushed further inward such that it pushes the right-side bottom and upper rollers 22 further apart, i.e., further outward in the reception space portion relative to itself (i.e., the terminal 10). As shown in the figure, the two rollers 22 on the right have been moved further outward along the curve of the arched side wall of the reception space portion with respect to the state shown in Figs. 2A and 2B. The rollers 22 have been moved further upward also along the inclined side of the tension element 24 (supporting surface portions 27, see Fig. 8), pressing outward the portion of the elastic plates 16 that are in contact with the moving rollers 22 (this affects the corresponding side of the two-two upper and bottom elastic plates 16 included in this embodiment). In this state, the “feeling” provided to the user is that of elastically connecting the terminal 10 into the connection device.

[0071] In Fig. 2C, therefore, the front rollers 22 begin to “open up”, and they lean against the elastic plates 16 (plate springs). The elastic plates 16 begin to press the rear rollers 22 inward. The tension elements 24 (intermediate pieces) still allow the movement of the two roller 22 pairs, so the elastic plates 16 are not yet tensioned. In Fig. 2D, the terminal 10 has already been pressed further inward with respect to the state of Fig. 2C. In this state, the two rollers 22 on the right of the figure have been pressed fully outward (i.e., to the extent a terminal 10 with a thickness illustrated in the drawing is able to press them) and the elastic plates 16 has also been bent (tensioned), also “toggling” the elastic plates 16 to some extent with respect to the screw 18 (considered as a fixed point). In this case the rollers 22 on the right are pressed yet more outward along the arched side wall of the reception space portion such that they contact it along an outer arc (arch) section thereof.

[0072] In Fig. 2D, therefore, the terminal 10 (contact) has fully ran into the region between the front (first) rollers 22 (i.e., into the connection space 15), pushing apart the rollers 22. The elastic plate 16 is tensioned by the front rollers 22, as a result of which it depresses the rear rollers 22 (into the connection space 15). After that, in a preferable manner the terminal 10 proceeds in the contact space (in the connection space portion 15) under low resistance, as it is rolling caught by the rollers 22.

[0073] In Fig. 2E, the terminal 10 has reached the two rollers 22 on the left of the figure, slightly pressing them outward in a similar manner as the right-side rollers 22 were pressed outward in Fig. 2C (the rollers 22 that have now been reached are also pressed further outward in the direction of the elastic plate 16 than in Fig. 2D). In Fig. 2E, therefore, the terminal 10 (contact) surface reaches the second roller 22. The spring force originating from the elastic plate 16 and acting on the roller 22 keeps the roller 22 inside. The prior motion with low resistance terminates.

[0074] In Fig. 2F, the terminal 10 is brought into a fully connected state, i.e., the contact terminal 10 has been pushed further inward into the connection space portion 15 than in Fig. 2E. Accordingly, the terminal 10 presses each roller 22 outward in their respective reception space portion such that they contact the arched side wall at the outer portion thereof and deform (tension) the elastic plates 16 at both sides of the screw 18 (fixing). In respect of this insertion state of the terminal 10 reference is made also to Fig. 10, in which it can be seen that the tapering end portion 11 of the also fully connected terminal 10 is connected to a sense pin 30 (sensing pin; for its role, see below). The whole connection device may be called a high-current (test) probe, or a “high current, high voltage test probe”. If more than one contact terminals are to be connected, then a plurality of probes are unified, which is called in summary form a “jig” by a term also used in relation to connectors. This term can be used in conjunction with the adjectives included above (“high current,” etc.).

[0075] In Fig. 2F, therefore, the second pair of rollers 22 have also been opened up by the contact surface (i.e., by the terminal 10). The rollers 22 having been displaced, as a result of which, the other side of the elastic plate 16 is also opened. As a result of this, the clamping force acting on the first roller 22 increases. In this state, the two pairs of rollers 22 are pressed by the elastic plate 16onto the contact surface (i.e. on the terminal 10), and, with the help of the tension element 24, to the socket body 12.

[0076] When the terminal is connected, the rollers are pressed outward from the connection space portion to the extent they are pushed apart by the terminal. The tension element is to be dimensioned such that it does not reach the terminal even when the rollers are in their most extended position. This can be achieved by appropriately choosing the height of and adjusting the tension element.

[0077] The tightness of the spring (of the elastic plates) can be adjusted by appropriately choosing the height of the tension element. If the height of the tension element were reduced, the elastic plates would be bent more (pressing back against the rollers with a greater force), while increasing the height causes the elastic plates to remain further loose (until a greater roller displacement). If it is of high importance to prevent damage to the coating of the terminal to be tested, then the height of the tension element is to be adjusted in this direction.

[0078] The spring force can be adjusted most easily by changing the thickness of the elastic plates (plate springs), or, for smaller-scale modifications of the spring force, by changing the height of the tension element.

[0079] The spring force is need for pressing the more the rollers onto the product (terminal), in order to reduce surface resistance. This spring force is limited by the material of the product (the terminal) and its coating. The function of test probes and test contacts (such as the present connection device) in the industry is to provide contact without damaging the product.

[0080] The rollers are therefore retained in the connection device according to the foregoing and subsequent descriptions, i.e., they are connected to other components of the connection device with a retaining connection described herein. At the side of the branches lying opposite the connection space portion, the rollers are kept inside by the one or more elastic plates.

[0081] In the direction of the connection space portion it is important that the portion of the tension element against which the rollers are supported is located sufficiently close to the arched side wall of the reception space portion. More precisely, in the illustrated embodiments the distance between the edges of the tension element lying adjacent to the connection space portion and the edges of the arched side wall lying adjacent thereto cannot be greater than the diameter of the rollers (thus, the rollers cannot pass through the gap being here). Preferably, these are arranged much closer to each other than that, because otherwise the rollers would protrude too much and could waggle to a greater extent in its space than desired. For example, in Fig. 2A there can be seen that in such an arrangement the rollers are seated against the edges of the arched side wall being here, while contacting the inclined side wall of the tension element (the supporting surface portion 27, see Fig. 8).

[0082] In line with the above, the rollers are allowed to only partially protrude from the reception space portion.

[0083] In Fig. 3, therefore, the embodiment illustrated also in Fig. 1 is shown in an exploded figure. Hence, Fig. 3 much more details of the present embodiment of the invention can be observed, especially in relation to the components located inside the socket body 12.

[0084] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the socket body 12 can preferably be separated into a first socket body portion 12’ and a second socket body portion 12”. The second socket body portion 12” can be placed on the first socket body portion 12’ like a lid (cover element, see below) to retain the rollers 22 and the tension elements 24 in the reception space portions 26a, 26b (that is, the socket body 12 is preferably assembled therefrom with these being placed into the reception space portions 26a, 26b, expediently such that the elastic plates 16 have already been secured to the tension elements 24).

[0085] In the present embodiment, therefore, the socket body preferably has a first socket body portion (see the first socket body portion 12’ in Fig. 3) and a second socket body portion (see the second socket body portion 12” in Fig. 3) fixed to each other, wherein the first reception space portion and the second reception space portion is formed in the first socket body portion in more than 90% (such that - extremely preferably from the aspect of assembly - the reception space portion with the arched side walls can be milled laterally), and the second socket body portion is formed as a cover element closing (preferably, delimiting) the first reception space portion and the second reception space portion.

[0086] According to the above, more than 90% of the reception space portions is located in the first socket body portion (in the first and second branches). Preferably, they are located therein in their entirety, because in such a case it is sufficient to machine lesser the second socket body portion 12”, that is, it is not necessary to form therein a structure corresponding to a reception space portion, but it can be a simple flat cover. It can also be an advantage by the assembly that the rollers and the tension element can be placed into one of the socket body portions, followed by screwing on it - for example after turning the assembly on its side - the other socket body portion placed thereon as a cover.

[0087] In the present embodiment, the socket body portions 12’, 12” can be secured to each other with screws 14, by driving the screws 14 in screw threads 31 (the heads of the screws 14 can be preferably sunk into screw holes 33 shown in the second socket body portion 12”). This division of the socket body 12 is “lateral” with respect to the insertion, i.e. , the second socket body portion 12” is placed on the first socket body portion 12’ (as an enclosing cover element) in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction (i.e., of the directions perpendicular to the insertion direction, in a direction pointing towards the portion of the connection space portion that is open to the side of the branches, that is, parallel to the direction of the roller axes of the rollers). The rollers 22 (in this depiction they are shifted towards the second socket body portion 12”) and the tension element 24 are removed from the first reception space portion 26a located at the top in Fig. 3, such that the arched side walls 28 of the first reception space portion 26a, the shape of the reception space portion 26a, and a sense pin 30 protruding between the branches 12a and 12b become visible. The removed tension element 24 is shown shifted to the left of the drawing.

[0088] The two elastic plates 16 to be connected to this tension element 24 are shown above the latter. The screws needed forthat - insertable into screw holes 23 through screw holes 19 for securing together the elastic plates 16 and the tension element 24 - are not shown in Fig. 3; however, screws 18 associated with the tension element 24 to be arranged in the branch 12b are shown these can be well observed because this tension element 24 is shown shifted to the right.

[0089] In Fig. 3 the converging supporting surface portions 27 of the tension elements 24 can be observed (a contact with the rollers 22 is produced across a large surface area thanks to these “conical” - i.e., converging towards the elastic plates 16 - support surface portions 27), and the fixing surface portions 17 thereof adapted for attaching the elastic plates 16 are also shown (these are important also from the aspect of self-adjustment). This has been already referred to above in relation to the description of the trapezoidal and rectangular portions of the end portion of the tension element 24 shown in Figs. 2A-2F (this is an end portion in accordance with Fig. 3, see also below), and of the shape of the tension element 24.

[0090] In the illustration of Fig. 3, the corresponding rollers 22 are seated in the second reception space portion 26b, illustrating the position thereof in the assembled connection device along the arched side walls of the reception space portion 26b. Because in this illustration the tension element 24 has been removed from between these rollers 22, the arrangement of the rollers 22 can be observed more clearly.

[0091] Fig. 3 also illustrates the mode of connecting the connector flap 20. It can be observed that by securing the screw 21 in a screw thread 35 being on the socket body 12, the connector flap 20 can be attached to the socket body 12. Figs. 2A-2F can be considered to depict the portion 12’ according to Fig. 3 in side view (this is also supported by Fig. 3), and thus in Figs. 2A-2F also the socket body portion 12’ could be denoted; however, we have decided to denote the socket body 12 which it forms a part of.

[0092] Fig. 4 shows the sense pin 30 together with the supplementary pieces required for its installation. The sense pin 30 has a head portion 32 and a pin body 34. The contact terminal 10 is brought in a sensing connection with the end of the head portion 32 located furthest from the pin body 34 (i.e. , its free end) when the proper connection thereof is desired to be detected (the sensing connection is illustrated in Fig. 10).

[0093] The head portion 32 preferably moves elastically inside the pin body 34 such that the head portion 32 protrudes as much as possible when waiting for the connection of a subsequent contact terminal 10, and such that it is pressed against a connected contact terminal 10 (in relation to this latter state, reference is made to Fig. 10, where the head portion of the sense pin 30 is pushed in as a result of connecting the contact terminal 10). In other words, the head portion 32, head of the sense pin 30 hangs into the connection space portion 15. The head portion 32 is preferably configured with spring, i.e., a spring counteracting the head portion at the end of the head portion arranged in the sense pin 30 from the pushing-in of the head portion 32 is arranged (for example, the spring is supported against the head portion and the end of the pin body of the sense pin located opposite the head portion from inside, being inserted therebetween in a biased state).

[0094] The sense pin 30 is typically a measurement pin having a very weak spring (the spring force is for e.g. 1.5 N - 3.0 N), one of the functions of which being (see below) to convey a signal from the sense terminal to a test equipment (machine) when it is contacted by the metal terminal (terminal 10). In this case, the function of the test equipment is that, when detects the electric signal since it has been conveyed to it by the sense pin, it starts to allow high current through the structure (assembly), i.e., through the connection device according to the invention and the terminal (the terminal 10) only after that. Thus, the aim of applying the sense pin is the safety, i.e., to prevent high current from being started when the product to be tested (terminal 10) has not yet been brought into its final position required for testing. It accordingly prevents high current (e.g., 500A; see also below) from being directed to it while it is being placed in (i.e., is being inserted, pushed into the connection device). However, high current is not necessarily switched on in response to the detection of the sense pin applying a search voltage (see below).

[0095] The sense pin may have several different configurations, for example may have one or two springs and different dimensions depending on the terminal it is utilised with, and on the current to be fed to the terminal during testing (for such purposes a plurality of sense pins can be applied simultaneously, see below).

[0096] The sense pin 30 is preferably connected to the socket body 12 inserted into a casing 36 (by common denomination a “sense pin sleeve” that a sleeve opened at both ends). The casing 36 (sense pin sleeve) is for example made of plastic (in general: of an electrically insulating material). Expediently, such an insulation material is applied that withstands the high heat generated by high-strength current and insulates also the current, i.e. insulates the sense pin 30 from the socket body 12. Expediently, the material of the casing 36 can be: PEEK (poly(ether-ether- ketone)), PAI (polyamide-imide), PEI (polyether-imide), industrial ceramics or other similar plastics suitable for this use (expediently industrial, preferably machinable plastics) with favourable insulation properties and good heat resistance (i.e. it is able to withstand multiple hundreds °C temperatures).

[0097] The casing 36 is preferably inserted from the direction of the connection space portion, with the sense pin 30 being pushed in from the same direction. The casing 36 comprises a rim 41 at the end facing the sense pin 30 that is adapted for retaining it in the socket body 12 in this direction, and against which a rim 43 of the pin body 34 of the sense pin 30 is abutted.

[0098] By inserting the sense pin 30 into the casing 36, a connecting end 38 can be attached to the end of the sense pin 30 located opposite the head portion 32, with a wire for operating the sense pin 30 (this wire preferably leads to the voltmeter, see below) being at the free end of the connecting end 38 (i.e. to the end opposite the end connected to the sense pin 30). The wire can be preferably connected by inserting and clamping it applying a threaded twisting (winding) element (for example, it can be connected to the connecting end 38 in such a manner). Of course, the plastic protective coating of the wire is to be stripped off from this portion before inserting the wire into the connecting end 38. In Fig. 5, the embodiment of the connection device shown in Fig. 1 is shown in a further view, with the sense pin 30 arranged in it (accordingly, Fig. 5 is a new embodiment with respect to the embodiment of Fig. 1 ). It can be observed that the sense pin 30 essentially extends in the bisecting plane of the connection space portion 15 with respect to the branches 12a 12b, as the peaked end of the terminal 10 will also be located there. However, relative to such a bisecting plane of the connection space portion 15 that bisects the rollers 22, the sense pin 30 extends in slightly sideways. It is also able to contact the - typically flat - contact terminal in this position.

[0099] In this embodiment, therefore, the connection device comprises a sense pin arranged to extend through the socket body into the connection space portion, adapted for sensing a connection of a contact terminal (typically, the head portion of the sense pin extends into the connection space portion, moving under the effect of a spring, i.e. , always being urged outward by the spring but retained by the pin body; see also the related descriptions).

[0100] Optionally, a plurality of sense pins may be arranged in a connection device (each sense pin extending into the connection space portion, preferably to an identical extent, or corresponding to the shape of the front end portion, which is inserted first in the connection space portion) of the terminal to be inserted therein. This can be advantageous in case the current applied for testing is very high, or the voltage to be transmitted is high.

[0101] The sense pin information can be obtained on the presence of the product (for example the contact terminal 10), allowing that the high test current can be directed onto the connection device and the contact terminal connected theteto only after receiving the signal from the sense pin indicating the presence of the product. One of the functions of the sense pin is to detect the arrival of the workpiece.

[0102] Another function of the sense pin can be (if needed) to allow for the implementation of the four-wire measurement to be discussed below. This is in fact (also) a voltage measurement. The sense pin thus implements voltage measurement in both cases. With the help of the test equipment receiving the signal from it, the sense pin may effectively provide a switching functionality, i.e. , it may provide a signal indicating whether the high-current test current can be directed to the unit under test (see the description below on applying a search voltage). Accordingly, to allow the current to flow, the socket body and the rollers are preferably made (formed) of metal. The applied metal can be for example copper, bronze, brass, steel, or other - preferably high- conductivity - metal or metal alloy. The material of the inserted contact terminal (this is the term that has been finally chosen) is also a metal and - as it is a contact terminal - it can be freely chosen depending on the terminal to be tested. The material of the terminal can be freely chosen from the materials listed here.

[0103] Thus, the role of the sense pin is important also because it can be ensured this way that the connection device is passed on in an intact state for testing the next contact terminal. This also provides a more general safety advantage because the configuration of the connection device according to the invention also protects the customer’s product (i.e., the contact terminal under test), in certain cases also protecting the personnel working at the machines. The connection device is of course capable of operating without a sense pin; however, its inclusion provides the advantage of the controllability of testing.

[0104] For the case of switching high current to the socket body, the sense pin is preferably electrically insulated by means of the casing in which it is clamped in the socket body (preferably, the casing 36 is also made of an insulating material).

[0105] Figs. 6A-6B illustrate in spatial drawings the embodiment of Fig. 1 in two different views. The view shown in Fig. 6A is slightly different from the one shown in Fig. 1 , so further details are also visible therein. Fig. 6A offers a better view between the branches 12a, 12b into the connection space portion 15 where the side of the tension element 24 facing the connection spacing and the rollers 22 can be observed in the branch 12b (as can be seen in the lower such element, through holes for screws 18 are formed in the tension element 24; the size of the screw 18 can of course be chosen such that it does not stick out from the hole; however, applying through holes has some advantages, for example for removing cuttings when making the holes). At the upper branch 12a, the elastic plates 16 arranged along the rollers 22 are visible.

[0106] Fig. 6B is a spatial drawing showing the embodiment of Fig. 1 in underside view. This also gives a view between the branches 12a, 12b. As shown by this and the arrangement of the elastic plates 16 being at the top in this view, the branches 12a, 12b have similar configuration, i.e. , they are roughly symmetrical to the connection space portion 15 enclosed by them (only the branches 12a, 12b are configured symmetrically, the entire socket body 12 is not).

[0107] In Fig. 6B there can be seen the portion of the sense pin 30 that sticks out from the socket body 12 at the back, i.e., essentially the connecting end 38 can be observed in Fig. 6B. As also observable in Fig. 6B, the sense pin 30 is not located in the middle, but in this embodiment, it is shifted in the direction of the opposite side of the socket body 12. In this regard, this embodiment is different from the one shown in Fig. 5, because therein the sense pin 30 is shifted towards the second body portion 12”; the sense pin can be located anywhere provided that it protrudes into the connecting space 15 (expediently, in the bisecting plane thereof relative to the bottom and upper rollers). In Fig. 6B it is not in a central position, but alternatively it can be centrally located, in case for example a rounded cylindrical surface is to be contacted. Thus, if the product to be tested has a rounded cylindrical surface, the sense pin must be located centrally. In Fig. 6B there can be seen the end of the screw thread 35 of the screw 21 opening to the bottom of the socket body 12.

[0108] In Fig. 7, the branches 12a, 12b, the connection space portion 15 between them, and the sense pin 30 protruding therein are shown in a sectional drawing (in Figs. 7 and 9B this protrudes more with respect to the rollers than, e.g. in Fig. 10; the reason for this is that as the terminal is connected, the head portion 32 of the sense pin 30 is pushed further inward with respect to the base state shown in Figs. 7 and 9B). In Fig. 7, the above-mentioned “triple unit”, i.e., the rollers 22 in the branches 12a, 12b, the respective tension elements 24 arranged with each of the branches 12a, 12b, and the elastic plates 16 attached thereto, are arranged “loosely”. Fig. 8 shows a similar section, but in this figure the sense pin 30 is not arranged. In Fig. 8, the arrows shown on the rollers 22, the elastic plates 16, and the tension element 24 illustrate the displacement of the components of the triple unit.

[0109] These displacements can be considered to be caused by a displacement - resulting for example from the connection of the contact terminal 10 - as a result of which the rollers 22 are pushed inward in the direction of the connection space portion 15 (see arrows 51 ). The rollers 22 are then displaced along the arched side walls of the reception space portions towards the elastic plates 16 (see arrows 53). In this situation, the rollers 22 press the trapezoidal cross-section portion of the tension element 24 bordered by supporting surface portions 27 towards the connection space portion 15 (see arrows 55), resulting in a displacement of the tension element 24 towards the connection space portion 15 (see arrows 57, and besides that they also push the elastic plates 16 away from the connection direction 15, causing their elastic deformation (see arrows 59). In Figs. 7 and 8 the portions 29 of the tension elements 24 adapted for attaching the elastic plates 16 (which terminate in fixing surface portions 17 as indicated in Fig. 3) can be observed, and that how the elastic plates 16 are secured to the tension elements 24 by the screws 18.

[0110] Figs. 9A-9B provide an exemplary dimensioning of the connection device according to the invention, indicating characteristic sizes in an example. The sizes according to the example thus cannot be considered limiting, on the contrary, it is hereby explicitly stated that the connection device according to the invention can be made (can be configured) with other sizes (over a wide scale of dimensions); the sizes are typically adapted to the thickness of the contact terminal (connection member) that needs to be connected.

[0111] In Fig. 9A, the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is depicted in underside view. In Fig. 9A, size A gives the width of the elastic plate 16 (which can also be termed a plate spring), which in the example is A=5 mm (0.197 inch). In Fig. 9A, the width of the socket body 12 is also indicated; in the example it is B=19 mm (0.748 inch). The length of the elastic plate 16 along the length direction of the branches 12a, 12b is J=30 mm (1.181 inches). In Fig. 9B, further exemplary sizes are indicated in a side view drawing. Accordingly, the diameter of the rollers 22 in the example is C=8 mm (0.315 inch), their radius being 4 mm (roller radius) accordingly, while in the example the length of the roller (the height of the cylinder) is 12 mm. In accordance also with the figures, all of the rollers 22 have identical dimensions (sizes; although all the rollers have identical diameter, they may have largely different dimensions depending on the dimensions of the terminal to be tested; i.e. , they may be of quite small size, with a diameter of a few mm-s, and their diameter may also be much larger depending on the type of the task and the current to be directed through the terminal). In case of this size, the arched side walls of the reception space portion can be characterised with a diameter of 9 mm (a radius of 4.5 mm, the wall radius). In the example, the opening that is covered by the elastic plates 16 (see Fig. 9A) has a width of 13 mm and a length of 23.5 mm (due to the arched side walls, the largest dimension of the reception space portion inside the branches is greater than that).

[0112] According to Fig. 9B, in the example the thickness of the elastic plate 16 is D=0.5 mm (0.020 inch).

[0113] Some more general considerations related to this are the following: The elastic plate (or in an alternative term reflecting its application: the plate spring) is thin, typically having a thickness between 0.1 -1 mm, preferably between 0.2-0.6 mm, particularly preferably a thickness of 0.5 mm. The dimension of this is needed to be chosen for the other dimensions of the connection device; of course, it can also be much smaller and much larger. With contact terminals of very small sizes very small elastic plates are applied, for example because there is not enough space due to the configuration required for the given application. The spring force is dependent on the thickness of the plate spring, so the clamping force can be adjusted by modifying it. The material of the plate spring is for example spring steel (preferably cold-rolled, high-carbon spring steel).

[0114] In Fig. 9B there is indicated the height of the socket body 12, i.e., the distance between the outside edges of the branches 12a, 12b, which in the example is E=18 mm (0.709 inch). The distance in the base state between the rollers 22 located in opposite-lying branches (i.e., in the branches 12a and 12b) is also indicated (this is the state illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8: the rollers 22 are oriented outwardly in the reception space portion); in the example, this distance is F=4.33 mm (0.171 inch). In this example, the distance between the branches 12a, 12b is K=6 mm (0.236 inch).

[0115] In the base state, therefore, in this example the distance between the rollers is 4.33 mm. This allows for clamping a terminal with a thickness of 4.7-5.4 mm. The lower limit for this example is set by the requirement of ensuring the appropriately tight contact of the rollers. In turn, the upper limit is chosen to still allow the convenient movement of the contact terminal 10 in the connection space portion 15.

[0116] In this example, contact is made with a so-called “blade contact” (such as the contact terminal 10; in this case the end portion 11 is of the “blade” type) with the dimensions of 55(lenght)x30(width)x5(thickness) mm. Variability of the range of dimensions depends most on the thickness of the contact terminal (e.g., blade terminal) to be connected. By means of the solution according to the invention enables contacting terminals essentially without a lower or upper size limit.

[0117] There is also indicated the distance in the base state between the rollers 22 located in a given branch, which in the example is G=17.4 mm (0.684 inch).

[0118] The length of each branch is also indicated (this dimension is identical to the length of the connection space portion 15), which in this example is H=39 mm (1.535 inches), the length of the entire socket body 12 being l=50 mm (1.969 inches).

[0119] Figs. 9A-9B are to scale, so further dimensions of the example can be established from them.

[0120] Fig. 10 illustrates a (possible) path of the electric current flowing through the connection device, the contact terminal 10, and the sense pin 30. The path of the (high) current flowing through the connection device and the contact terminal 10 is indicated by arrows 40 (this current may be for example between 20 A-1000 A, or even higher): it leads through the connector flap 20 and the socket body 12 (the rollers 22 are encompassed by the socket body 12 - being at a given voltage level - so the current may flow through both rollers 22 in each branch 12a, 12b), running through the rollers 22 adapted to provide good contact, and finally driven away on the contact terminal 10. In line with this, as it has been mentioned above, the socket body 12 and the rollers 22 are preferably made of metal.

[0121] The current does not pass through the elastic plate (plate spring) and it does not get deformed; because the encompassing body (the socket body 12) is on equipotential, the plate springs would also be in case they should abut on it. The plate springs are preferably configured such that they cannot come into contact with the socket body (in the illustrated configuration, the rollers 22 and the tension element 24 are preferably dimensioned such that the elastic plates 16 do not contact the socket body 12 even in their closest position - i.e., when the rollers 22 are sunk to the greatest extent towards the connection space portion 15 and the elastic plates 16 have already abutted against the rollers 22), so the plate springs, preferably implemented as a thin metal plate, do not increase electrical resistance. A current may flow through the tension element 24, but because the tension element 24 is not in contact with the contact terminal 10, the contact terminal 10 rather receives electric current through the rollers 22.

[0122] A suitable wire (not shown in Fig. 10) can be connected to the sense pin 30. The path of the current arising when the sense pin 30 is in use is illustrated by arrows 45 (this is typically for example between 2-10 A), the path of the current leading from the contact terminal 10 towards the sense pin 30 (and its wire connection).

[0123] As it has been mentioned above, the sense pin 30 is expediently applied for sensing the insertion of the contact terminal 10 with the help of detecting the (small) current indicated by the arrow 45, and the (high) current indicated by the arrows 40 is switched onto the arrangement made by the connector flap 20, the connection device, and the contact terminal 10 (i.e., an electric circuit is made in an appropriate manner, see below) only after the signal indicating the insertion has been received (switching to applying the high current indicated by the arrows 40 based on monitoring the current indicated by the arrows 45 may preferably be performed by a test equipment, i.e., the “tester” circuit thereof, see below). The signal indicating the insertion (presence) of the contact terminal is sensed by a test equipment configured for this purpose. This test equipment is also adapted for controlling switching on the high current. The applied arrangement provides the possibility for effectively using it (in relation to the expediently applicable four-wire measurement principle and on how the task detailed in this paragraph can be implemented with its application, see below).

[0124] In addition to other alternatives, testing (the quality of) the connection between the connection device and the contact terminal can be implemented by applying four- wire measurement principle as described below.

[0125] The path of the current can be specified as follows (this specification relates to the first two of the four wires). Having been connected to the connection device, the contact terminal becomes a part of an electric circuit with the help of which electric current can be switched onto it. The first two wires will be applied for carrying the current. Accordingly, one of the wires should be attached (connected) to the connection device, and the other to the contact terminal. Subsequently, first the contact terminal is contacted with the connection device, and then the current can be switched on (for measurement / testing, operation, etc.). The circuit is brought into the “contacted” state when the connection device (high-current pin) according to the invention contacts (slides fully onto) the contact terminal. A current can be started through the two components (connection device - contact terminal) that have thus been brought into good contact and are in rest only after this, for example applying a current generator (on starting the current see also further below).

[0126] The third of the four wires provides one of the connection points for voltage measurement: according to the four-wire measurement principle, a sense pin installed in the connection device in an insulated manner (e.g. the sense pin 30 in Fig. 7) should be connected to the circuit connected in series with a voltmeter (generally, with an electric input suitable for voltage measurement; in the following, shortly, a “voltage measurement instrument”), the (input) resistance of the latter (which can be considered infinite) ensuring that no considerable current can flow in the direction of the sense pin.

[0127] Because no considerable current is able to flow towards the sense pin, no current is able to flow through the wires adapted for connecting it. In line with Ohm’s law, the formula of which related to this application is: II = I * R, where II stands for voltage, I for current and R for resistance, no significant voltage drop is either on the sense pin, or on the wires applied for connecting, so the voltage sensed by the sense pin on the sense terminal will also appear (with a negligible measurement error) at the input of the voltage measurement instrument. An appropriate contact location for the sense pin is the front face of the contact terminal (more particularly, its edge, see Fig. 10), i.e., its front surface according to the connection direction, because the internal resistance of the material of the contact terminal is typically much lower than the transition resistance of the connection between the contact terminal and the connection device. Therefore, to a good approximation, an identical voltage will be measured at both ends of (the bulk of) the contact terminal.

[0128] The fourth wire applied in the four-wire measurement provides the second point for voltage measurement. According to the four-wire measurement principle, to accurately measure the voltage drop occurring on the entirety of the contact assembly (contact terminal + connection device) it is expedient to connect the other input point of the voltage measurement instrument (i.e., the above-mentioned fourth wire) to the U-shaped socket body of the connection device. This can be performed by touching the socket body with another measurement pin and directing the voltage in series to the other input of the voltage measurement instrument, or by connecting this voltage measurement wire to the socket body (expediently by means of a screw). The most appropriate point of the U-shaped socket body to be touched (or contacted with a screw) is a point near the inner rollers.

[0129] As it is touched upon elsewhere, the implementation of the four-wire measurement principle also requires that the sense pin is to be electrically insulated (with a casing made of insulating material) from the socket body of the connection device through which latter high current is directed during testing. The insulation can be dimensioned based on the maximum possible voltage difference between the sense pin and the socket body. If the measurement is performed exclusively in the contacted state of the connection device and the contact terminal, the maximum voltage difference is small between the sense pin and the socket body, i.e., even in the case of a faulty connection it can only be maximum a few multiples of 10 V. The exact value can be established from the no-load (idle) parameters of the electric circuit supplying the current. Knowing this voltage value expectedly allows the application of low-voltage insulation solutions. However, the connection between the voltage measurement wire and the sense pin, as well as the surroundings thereof at the other end of the sense pin must also be carefully insulated for high voltage.

[0130] The four-wire measurement principle is based on directing the current through the device under measurement (contact terminal + connection device) with the help of one of the wire pairs, while the voltage difference occurring at the same location is measured on the other wire pair. The latter two wires, adapted for voltage measurement, must not carry a significant current. This is ensured by the high internal resistance of the voltage measurement inputs. If a parameter other than the quality, resistance of the contact is to be tested, the connection device and the contacted contact terminal in it will still be connected to some kind of circuit.

[0131] A sense pin arranged in a connection device can be applied, on the one hand - in case it is applied as a sensor - for accurately measuring the voltage of a contact terminal located therein in a contacted position, and, on the other hand, for supplying other voltages (e.g. high voltages for insulation testing) to the contact terminal for testing purposes.

[0132] It is emphasized also that the sense pin can also be applied such that a search voltage is supplied to it prior to inserting the contact terminal into the connection device; this allows for implementing the solution that is directed at detecting the arrival (insertion) of the contact terminal. This can be performed applying a test equipment (tester) monitoring the changes of the search voltage (and / or of the small current being produced by it) caused by connecting (contacting) the sense terminal. Thus, it will be the task of the test equipment to output the search voltage (search signal) and to be able to recognize the expected presence of the contact terminal with the help of appropriate switching technology, wiring and logical operation. This is expected to be a method based either on voltage measurement or current measurement.

[0133] Since this branch - which also includes the voltmeter and terminates in a sense pin - carries a very low current, the ability to detect small changes is needed. Based on detecting this change - for example, a change exceeding a predefined threshold value - the test equipment determines that, because the sense terminal has been connected, high current can be directed to the connection device-sense terminal assembly. The above-described steps are preferably performed by testing programme implemented in a test equipment; that is, the test equipment detects the signal of the voltmeter connected in series with the sense pin and is also able to direct the high-strength current to the unit described above.

[0134] A great advantage of the four-wire measurement principle is that it allows for monitoring the instantaneous voltage drop on the connection device-sense terminal assembly, so the transition resistance of the latter can also be monitored. In such a manner it is possible to detect if the transition resistance enters an undesirable range (for example due to the overheating of the connection device-sense terminal assembly) and based on this monitoring the test process may be stopped. This may be necessary for safety and documentation reasons.

[0135] The sense pin is a low-current pin with small sizes, so it has a small contact surface toward the contact terminal. Further, it (e.g., especially its spring that is even more sensitive due to its dimensions) is made of such a material - for example stainless steel - that can withstand high heat. The high-strength current will flow across the larger surfaces available to it rather than through the sense pin that will expectedly be affected only minimally, so the sense pin will not be damaged even as it cannot be removed before directing high current to the arrangement.

[0136] In relation to the invention, we now return to the prior art approaches, emphasizing on important delimiting aspects.

[0137] In the connector disclosed in CN 203690511 II, such plates are arranged in a connector body which have on one of their sides respective rows of rollers arranged opposite each other, with a spring being arranged on their side facing the inside wall of the body. These springs provide some elasticity to the rollers, but, according to the configuration, the rollers located in the same block may only be provided with such elasticity together, individually not.

[0138] In the connectors according to CN 201238110 Y and CN 105896169 A the rollers are retained at their ends with the help of their shafts. In accordance with the configuration of the connector, a contact between the terminal inserted therein and the connector body can be established only at the ends of the rollers where they are gripped.

[0139] The elastic behaviour implemented by the invention applying rollers not gripped at their ends and elastic plates (plate springs) cannot be realised by applying the prior art approaches. Because the prior art approaches do not comprise tension element - i.e. , in the case of applying multiple rollers, a component with such functionality is not arranged between the rollers - and the rollers are not located in appropriately shaped reception space portions with arched walls, the self-adjusting functionality implemented according to the invention, and the resulting effective contacting across appropriate contact surfaces are not provided by the prior art approaches. Accordingly, we consider the present solution to be more effective than the approaches detailed in the prior art documents.

[0140] The rollers illustrated in the invention have a regular cylinder shape. Because the rollers applied in the invention have no (physical) shafts, it is not possible to grip them by shafts in the socket body or to attach them to the socket body in any other way. Accordingly - within the limits set by the reception space portion - they can move freely in the reception space portion, i.e., their cylinder mantles may also get tilted (as it has been referred above, a roller is arranged loosely). In the invention, therefore, the roller has a configuration without physical shaft (in principle, its shape may differ from the cylinder, but it is preferable if it is a solid cylinder) and is simply inserted into the reception space portion.

[0141] The above also holds true for the technical approaches disclosed in JP 2000058213 A2 and CN 107785747 B, wherein, accordingly, tension element is not applied, and which are illustrated in relation to single-side contacting, or which are explicitly of single-side contacting ones.

[0142] Using alternative nomenclature and approaches, the following can be ascertained for the invention.

[0143] The rollers are the contact (contacting) bodies, the plate spring (elastic plate) is a component adapted for tensioning the surfaces against each other, the tension element is the fixing element of the plate spring and the component providing a tensioning path for the rollers, while the body (socket body) is a carrier element and the component which transfers current.

[0144] The rollers are retained in place by the plate spring and the tension element. In the free state no tension occurs between these components. Once the terminal starts entering between the rollers, it pushes them apart. Initially, it pushes apart the first pair of rollers, which results in a small spring force. When the second pair of rollers is being pushed apart, an increased pressing force occurs on all rollers thanks to the arrangement of the elastic plate.

[0145] The collective movement of the tension element and the plate springs tensions the rollers against the socket body during the whole contacting, so the surface resistance between them cannot rise sharply.

[0146] The plate spring tensions the rollers with a uniform force even when the terminal enters between the rollers along a non-straight direction (i.e. , at an angular deviation with respect to the theoretical plane of symmetry of the connection space portion), because the tension element is not constrained to the body, so it can absorb the non-uniform displacement of the rollers.

[0147] This advantage is also related to self-adjusting (for example, the contact terminal may be pulled on by a wire connected to it), so it is especially preferable that slight angular deviations do not affect the operation of the connection device according to the invention. In the case of known approaches, even a slight angular deviation or tilting could lead to damaging or burning the contact terminal (in the tilted state, the tension element “follows” the insertion direction of the terminal - i.e., its side facing it extends beside it - while the theoretical axes of rotation of the rollers lie, either to a good approximation or completely, in a single plane that is parallel to the terminal surface). The connection device according to the invention - also in relation to its self-adjusting feature - is therefore able to extremely preferably adapt to this real- world situation.

[0148] The optionally applicable sense pin has a task of detecting the presence of the product (terminal) and of checking internal resistance during a high-current test, thereby protecting against damage resulting from potentially occurring rise of resistance and monitoring the progress of tests. The sense pin is arranged such that it contacts the workpiece when the workpiece (terminal) and the connection device are fully contacted.

[0149] The mode of industrial application of the invention follows from the features of the invention according to the disclosure above. As can be seen from the description above, the invention reaches its appointed task in an extremely advantageous manner compared to the prior art. The invention is of course not limited to the preferred embodiments described in detail, but further variants, modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A connection device for connecting a contact terminal, the connection device comprising a socket body (12) having a first branch (12a) and a second branch (12b) arranged beside each other, wherein- the first branch (12a) and the second branch (12b) each has an insertion end (13a, 13b) and an inner end (13c, 13d), and an insertion direction (25) pointing from the insertion end (13a, 13b) towards the inner end (13c, 13d) is determined for inserting a contact terminal (10), and- a connection space portion (15) is formed between the first branch (12a) and the second branch (12b), the connection space portion (15) being open from the insertion end (13a, 13b) thereof and being adapted for inserting a contact terminal (10), c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that a first reception space portion (26a) and a second reception space portion (26b) each being open in the direction of the connection space portion (15) and opposite thereto are formed in the first branch (12a) and in the second branch (12b), respectively, and the connection device further comprising- arranged along the insertion direction (25) in the first reception space portion (26a) of the first branch (12a) and in the second reception space portion (26b) of the second branch (12b), respectively, o two rollers (22) having a cylinder mantle being characterizable by a roller radius and having a roller axis determined by the cylinder mantle, the roller axes being arranged transversely to the insertion direction (25), and o a tension element (24) between the two rollers (22), the tension element (24) supporting the two rollers (22) from the connection space portion (15), wherein, in the first branch (12a) and in the second branch (12b), the first reception space portion (26a) and the second reception space portion (26b), respectively, are delimited by arched side walls (28) at the cylinder mantles of the rollers (22), opposite the tension element (24), wherein a circle with a wall radius corresponds to each arched side wall (28), andthe wall radius of the arched side walls (28) is larger than a roller radius of the rollers (22),- a respective elastic plate (16) attached to a portion of each of the respective tension elements (24) being opposite the connection space portion (15), and arranged along the first branch (12a) and the second branch (12b), respectively, at the side thereof being opposite the connection space portion (15) to extend over the first reception space portion (26a) and the second reception space portion (26b), respectively, in the insertion direction (25) and in a direction opposite thereto.

2. The connection device according to claim 1 , characterised in that each tension element (24) has- supporting surface portions (27) supporting the rollers (22) from the connection space portion (15) and converging from the direction of the connection space portion (15), and- a fixing surface portion (17) being opposite the connection space portion (15), wherein for each tension element (24) the elastic plate (16) is fixed to the fixing surface portion (17) of the tension element (24).

3. The connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that two elastic plates (16) arranged side by side are fixed to each tension element (24).

4. The connection device according to any of claims 1 -3, characterised in that the socket body (12) has a first socket body portion (12’) and a second socket body portion (12”) fixed to each other, wherein the first reception space portion (26a) and the second reception space portion (26b) is formed in the first socket body portion (12’) in more than 90%, and the second socket body portion (12”) is formed as a cover element closing the first reception space portion (26a) and the second reception space portion (26b).

5. The connection device according to any of claims 1 -4, characterised in that the socket body (12) and the rollers (22) are made of metal.

6. The connection device according to any of claims 1 -5, characterised by comprising a sense pin (30) arranged to extend through the socket body (12) into the connection space portion (15), adapted for sensing a connection of a contact terminal (10).

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