Crimp Contacts

Abstract

To provide a crimp contact which reduces the possibility that an upper edge part slips from an inner surface of a crimp flank.SOLUTION: A crimp contact 100 includes: a crimp flank 110 capable of being crimped to seal a conductor after crimping; and a receptacle 120 for the conductor which extends in the longitudinal direction of the crimp contact to an acceptance end part 121. The crimp flank extends longitudinally beyond the acceptance end part to a forward end part 111, and a front region 112 of the crimp contact is disposed between the acceptance end part and the forward end part. The crimp contact has at least one structured region 130 in the front region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a crimp contact for crimping conductors, to a method for manufacturing such a crimp contact, and to a crimp connection. [Background technology]

[0002] Crimp contacts are known from the prior art. They usually have two crimp flanks arranged on either side of a crimp back. When a conductor end is contacted with the crimp contact, said conductor end is positioned between the crimp flanks and on the crimp back. The crimp flanks are then bent around the conductor end, for example using crimping pliers or a crimping tool. In this crimping operation, the conductor is mechanically and electrically connected to the crimp contact. Such a crimp contact is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2015 224 219 A1.

[0003] During crimping, the upper edge of the crimp flank can hit the inner surface of the crimp flank, which can then roll up and thus become spiral after crimping. However, the upper edge can slip on the inner surface of the crimp flank, resulting in an insufficient crimp connection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] DE102015224219A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to modify a crimp contact so as to reduce the possibility of the upper edge slipping off the inner surface of the crimp flank or to avoid such slipping altogether.It is a further object of the present invention to identify a method for manufacturing such a crimp contact.It is a further object of the present invention to identify a crimp connection formed from such a crimp contact and a conductor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] These objectives are achieved by using a crimp contact, a manufacturing method and a crimp connection according to the independent claims. Advantageous configurations are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] A crimp contact for crimping a conductor comprises crimpable crimp flanks for enclosing the conductor after crimping and a receptacle for the conductor extending longitudinally of the crimp contact to a receiving end, the crimp flanks extending longitudinally beyond the receiving end to a front end, a front region of the crimp contact being disposed between the receiving end and the front end, the crimp contact having at least one structured region in the front region.

[0008] In this case, it is assumed that the crimp flanks can improve encapsulation of the conductor because, when the crimp flanks are crimped, the structured areas create a frictional and / or form-fitting connection.

[0009] The conductor in this specification may in particular be a multi-core conductor. It may be assumed that the crimp contact is made of metal. It may further be assumed that the conductor is also made of metal, the metal of the conductor and the metal of the crimp contact being different from each other. It may be assumed that the receiving end is set to match one end of the conductor.

[0010] In one embodiment, the crimp contact is formed from a metal sheet. In this case, the sheet thickness is a maximum of 3 millimeters. Preferably, the sheet thickness may be between 150 micrometers and 2 millimeters. Particularly preferred embodiments have a sheet thickness of 200 to 400 micrometers.

[0011] In this case, the term metal sheet includes metals whose sheet thickness is small compared to the other dimensions of the metal sheet. In this embodiment, the crimp contact is therefore made of metal, which is a metal sheet. A certain sheet thickness makes it possible in particular to form crimpable crimp flanks, since above a certain sheet thickness, which may be more than 3 millimeters, a corresponding bending of the metal sheet is not possible during the crimping operation and during the manufacture of the crimp contact, for example.

[0012] In one embodiment, the structured area is arranged on the inner surface of the crimp flank. In this case, the inner surface of the crimp flank may be the surface of the crimp flank that faces the conductor after the conductor is inserted into the crimp contact. During crimping, the upper edge of the crimp flank can then come against the structured area and thus make a frictional and / or form-fit connection with the inner surface of the crimp flank. Thus, the possibility of the upper edge slipping off the inner surface of the crimp flank during the crimping operation is reduced or such slipping is completely avoided.

[0013] In one embodiment, the structured area can be formed in the form of one or more elevation(s) on the inner surface of the crimped flank. In an alternative embodiment, the structured area can be formed by one or more depressions on the inner surface of the crimped flank. In this case, the elevations can be up to 200 micrometers high and the depressions can be up to 200 micrometers deep. When the upper edge of the crimped flank hits the elevation or depression, the elevation can better hold the upper edge in the space provided during the crimping operation, and thus correspondingly improve the rolling up of the crimped flank. In an alternative embodiment with a depression, the upper edge can hit the depression, which can hold the upper edge in place, thus improving the rolling up as well.

[0014] In one embodiment, the crimping flank has a structured upper edge in the front region. The structured region can be formed as well by structuring the upper edge. Alternatively, it can be envisaged that the structured upper edge forms a further structured region in the front region. For example, the upper edge can be roughened in the front region to increase friction while the upper edge is bearing against the inner surface of the crimping flank, thereby improving the rolling up of the crimping flank.

[0015] In one embodiment, the crimp flank has wings in the front region that protrude from the crimp flank. In this case, the wings can provide the crimp flank with additional material and serve to seal the conductor in front of the conductor during the crimping operation. This is particularly useful when the metals of the crimp contact and the conductor are different from each other and therefore it is advantageous to seal the contact area between the crimp contact and the conductor, since otherwise the difference in metals could allow penetration of water and / or oxygen and corresponding corrosion. This is particularly true when the two metals are significantly different in terms of electrochemical potential, for example when the crimp contact is made of copper and the conductor is made of aluminum.

[0016] In this case, the upper edge can extend beyond the wings and the structuring of the upper edge can be achieved by roughening the wing tips. Furthermore, in embodiments in which the upper edge engages in a ridge / indentation on the inner surface, it can be envisaged that the dimensions of the wing tips and the ridge or indentation correspond to each other. This allows for an improved rolling up of the wings and therefore an improved sealing of the contact surface between the conductor and the crimp contact.

[0017] In one embodiment, the structured area is formed in such a way that when the crimp contact is crimped, the friction between the two sub-areas of the crimping flank is increased, for example by roughening the inner surface or the upper edge of the crimping flank, which increases the friction with respect to the non-roughened crimping flank.

[0018] In one embodiment, the crimp contact further comprises a sealing agent repository in the front region, in which a sealing agent is made available. If gaps occur during crimping when rolling up the crimp flanks, such gaps can be closed by the sealing means. This allows for an improved seal, which is advantageous especially when the crimp contact and the conductor are made of different metals. This allows for reduced corrosion, since the sealant seal reduces the exposure of the overlap between the different metals to air or water, reducing the possibility of corrosion.

[0019] Common to all embodiments, the crimp contact can be configured symmetrically with two crimp flanks and all features of one crimp flank can be envisaged for the further crimp flank, for example such that a corresponding structuring is envisaged for both inner faces of the crimp flanks or both upper edges of the crimp flanks are roughened.

[0020] The crimp contact further comprises a contact body with which a plug contact can be produced, such that after crimping a total connection is made between the contact body and the conductor.

[0021] In a method for producing a crimp contact, first a crimp contact is provided with crimpable crimp flanks for encapsulating the conductor after crimping and a receptacle for the conductor. In this case, the receptacle extends in the longitudinal direction of the crimp contact to a receiving end. The crimp flanks extend longitudinally beyond the receiving end to a front end, with a front region of the crimp contact being arranged between the receiving end and the front end. In a second method step, a structured region is structured in the front region of the crimp contact. In this case, this structuring can take place on the upper edge of the crimp flank and / or on the inner surface of the crimp flank. It can be envisaged that the structuring comprises roughening and / or the formation of bumps and / or depressions.

[0022] In one embodiment of the method, the step of first providing the crimp contact comprises the steps of providing a metal sheet having a sheet thickness of up to 3 millimeters, then cutting the metal sheet to size, and then bending the cut-to-size metal sheet to form the crimp contact, where the sheet thickness may preferably be between 150 micrometers and 2 millimeters, particularly preferably between 200 micrometers and 400 micrometers.

[0023] In one embodiment, the step of cutting the metal sheet to size can be performed by an embossing process, which can be configured as a cutting structuring step. The embossing tool used for embossing can comprise a stamping die, which can thereby function as a combined cutting structuring tool, with the structuring of the surface being performed by the stamping die. Thus, the cutting structuring tool can, for example, cut the metal sheet to size and at the same time emboss corresponding depressions or ridges in the metal sheet at the envisaged locations for one or more inner faces of the crimping flanks.

[0024] This allows for an advantageous production method in which the production of the crimp contact and the structuring of the structured area or areas can be carried out in one work step.

[0025] The invention further comprises a crimp connection of a crimp contact according to the invention with a conductor extending in the longitudinal direction of the crimp contact, where the crimp flank is crimped around the conductor, where the front region of the crimp contact covers the conductor, where in one embodiment the crimp contact and the conductor have different metals, where the crimp contact is made of, for example, copper and the conductor is made of, for example, aluminum.

[0026] The problem of the invention, the technical implementation of the solution, as well as the advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the exemplary embodiments described below with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a crimp contact. [Diagram 3] 11 is a cross-sectional view of a further crimp contact; [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a crimp contact in a crimping tool during a crimping operation; FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further crimp contact; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further crimp contact; [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further crimp contact; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 shows a crimp contact in a crimping tool during a crimping operation. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 shows the crimped contacts in the crimping tool after the crimping operation is completed. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart of a manufacturing method. [Figure 11] 4 is a flow chart of a further manufacturing method. [Figure 12] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embossing tool during a manufacturing method. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a further cross-sectional view of the embossing tool after embossing. [Figure 14] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a crimp contact 100 suitable for crimping a conductor (not shown in FIG. 1). The crimp contact 100 comprises at least one crimpable crimp flank 110. Two such crimp flanks 110 are shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the crimp flank 110 serves to encapsulate the conductor after crimping. The crimp contact 100 further comprises a receptacle 120 for the conductor, which extends in the longitudinal direction 101 of the crimp contact 100 to a receiving end 121. The crimp flank 110 is led beyond the receiving end 121 in the longitudinal direction 101 to a front end 111. A front region 112 of the crimp contact 100 is arranged between the receiving end 121 and the front end 111. The crimp contact 100 has a structured region 130 in the front region 112.

[0029] 1 shows that two crimp flanks 110 form a crimp sleeve 102 into which a conductor can be inserted before crimping. Furthermore, the crimp contact 100 has a contact body 108 for forming a plug connection. The crimp contact 100 further has a carrier strip 109. By means of the carrier strip 109 several crimp contacts can be connected to one another during the manufacturing method, and the carrier strip 109 can be removed before use of the crimp contact 100, i.e. before crimping the crimp contact 100. It can be envisaged that the receiving end 121 is set to match one end of a conductor.

[0030] It may be envisaged that the crimp contact 100 is formed from a metal sheet. In this case, the metal sheet is a metal material having a rather large extent in the two directions of extension compared to the thickness of the material and thus the sheet thickness. In this case, the sheet thickness may be up to 3 millimetres. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the sheet thickness is between 150 micrometres and 2 millimetres. In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the sheet thickness is between 200 and 400 micrometres. The crimp contact 100 shown in FIG. 1 is formed from a suitable metal sheet.

[0031] 1 shows that the structured area 130 is disposed on the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110. Due to the perspective view of FIG. 1, the structured area 130 is only visible on one of the two crimp flanks 110. However, a corresponding structured area, hidden from the perspective view, may be disposed on the opposing crimp flank 110.

[0032] The structured area 130 is formed from several structural elements 131 arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction 101. In this case, the structural elements 131 do not necessarily have to be arranged strictly parallel to the longitudinal direction 101. However, the structural elements 131 cannot be arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 101. When the crimp contact 100 is crimped, the upper edge 114 of the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110 can be guided by a suitable crimping tool so that the upper edge 114 of the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110 rests against the structured area 130. The structural elements 131 enable the upper edge 114 to engage with the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110 during the crimping operation, which makes it possible to avoid and / or reduce the possibility of slipping of the upper edge 114 on the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110. An improved crimped connection can therefore be formed.

[0033] 1, four structural elements 131 are arranged in the structured area 130. A different number of structural elements 131 can also be envisaged, in particular only one structural element 131 in each structured area 130 and thus one structural element 131 respectively for each crimping flank 110.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the crimp contact 100 of Figure 1 in the front region 112. Two crimp flanks 110 stand symmetrically opposite one another. The crimp flanks 110 are connected to one another via a crimp back surface 116. Adjacent to the crimp back surface 116, both crimp flanks 110 have a structured region 130 designed in the form of a structural element 131. In this case, the structural element 131 is configured as a bump 132.

[0035] The structural elements 131 , here ridges 132 , are respectively arranged on the inner surface 113 of the crimping flank 110 .

[0036] In one exemplary embodiment, the ridges 132 have a height of up to 200 micrometers, where the height indicates how far the ridges 132 protrude above the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110 .

[0037] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the front region of a further crimp contact 100, which corresponds to the crimp contact 100 of Figure 1 unless differences are explained below. In contrast to the bump 132 of Figure 2, the structural element 131 of Figure 3 is configured as a recess 133.

[0038] In one exemplary embodiment, the indentations 133 have a depth of up to 200 micrometers, where the depth is defined as the depth of the indentations 133 relative to the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110 .

[0039] 2 and 3, when the crimp contact 100 is inserted into an appropriate crimping tool, the upper edge 114 of each crimp flank 110 is guided over the inner surface 113 of the respective crimp flank 110 and abuts the inner surface 113 at the structured region 130. In this case, the structural element 131 reduces or completely prevents slippage of the upper edge 114 from the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110. This is independent of whether the structural element 131 is configured as a ridge 132 or a recess 133.

[0040] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the crimp contact 100 of Fig. 2 during the crimping operation. For this purpose, the crimp contact 100 is inserted into a crimping tool 200, which is composed of a lower part 201 and an upper part 202. Fig. 4 shows the cross-sectional view at the moment when the upper edge 114 of the crimp flank 110 just hits the structured area 130. The upper edge 114 catches on the ridge 132, which prevents or reduces the possibility of the upper edge 114 slipping downwards. If the crimping tool 200 closes further, i.e. the upper part 202 moves further towards the lower part 201, this causes the crimp flank 110 to roll up further, forming a sealed area in the front area 112 of the crimp contact 100, so that the conductor inserted in the crimp contact 100 cannot be contacted via the front area 112. In this case, the crimping tool 200 can be configured as described in US Pat. No. 9,331,446 (B2). However, alternative configurations of the crimping tool 200 are possible.

[0041] Instead of the structural elements 131, it may also be envisaged to roughen the inner surface 113 in the structured region 130, thereby likewise avoiding and reducing the likelihood of slippage of the upper edge 114 when hitting the roughened structured region 130. In this case, the roughening may increase the friction between the upper edge 114 and the structured region 130 of the inner surface 113 of the crimping flank 110 compared to the smooth inner surface 113 of the crimping flank 110.

[0042] 5 is a perspective view of a further crimp contact 100, which corresponds to the crimp contact 100 of FIG. 1 unless differences are explained below. No structured area is arranged on the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110. Instead, the structured area 130 is formed on the upper edge 114 by a roughened area 134 on the upper edge 114. The roughening of the upper edge 114 reduces the possibility of slippage, or even completely prevents slippage, when the upper edge 114 hits the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110 during crimping.

[0043] It may be envisaged to form both a structured region 130 having the structural elements 131 of FIG. 1 and a structured region 130 having a roughened region 134 at the upper edge 114, thereby taking advantage of the favourable effects of the crimp contact 100 of FIG. 1 in addition to the favourable effects of the crimp contact 100 of FIG. 5.

[0044] 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the crimp contact 100, which corresponds to the crimp contact 100 of FIG. 1 unless differences are described below. In the front region 112, the crimp flank 110 has wings 115 protruding from the crimp flank 110. Both the structured region 130 and the wings 115 are located in the front region 112 of the crimp flank 110 such that the upper edge 114 of the crimp flank 110, which extends beyond the wings 115, engages the structural element 131 of the structured region 130 during crimping, i.e., the crimping operation. The wings 115 allow additional material of the crimp contact 100 to be available in the front region 112, which can improve sealing of the crimp contact 100 in the front region 112 after crimping. Additionally or alternatively, it may be envisaged that the crimping action of the crimp contact 100 is further improved by structuring, for example roughening, the upper edge 114 of the crimping flank 110 in the region of the wings 115 .

[0045] Figure 7 is a further perspective view of the crimp contact 100 of Figure 6, in which the crimp contact 100 has an additional sealant reservoir 140 in the region of the wings 115. The sealant reservoir 140 makes available a sealant that can be used to further improve the sealing of the crimp contact 100 in the front region 112 during the crimping operation.

[0046] The crimp contact 100 of Figures 6 and 7 is in this case constructed symmetrically, in that both crimp flanks 110 each have a wing 115. The structural elements 131 may be constructed as bumps or depressions, as in Figures 2 and 3. In addition, as an alternative to the structural elements 131 of the structured region 130, roughening may be envisaged, as described above for the crimp contact 100 without wings 115. In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, it may be envisaged that the dimensions of the wings 115 and the dimensions of the structural elements 131 correspond to one another. For example, it may be envisaged that the extent of the structural elements 131 in the longitudinal direction 101 corresponds to the width of the wings 115 in the longitudinal direction 101, or that the deviation of the extent of the structural elements 131 in the longitudinal direction 101 and the width of the wings 115 in the longitudinal direction 101 with respect to one another is at most 20 percent. It can likewise be envisaged that the spacing of the structural elements 131 corresponds to the sheet thickness in the region of the wings 115, in particular when the structural elements 131 are configured as bumps 132. If the structural elements 131 are configured as recesses 133, the dimension of the recesses 133 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 101 can correspond to the sheet thickness in the region of the wings 115.

[0047] Figure 8 shows the crimped contact 100 of Figure 7 in a crimping tool 200 that is configured similarly to the crimping tool 200 of Figure 4. The upper edge 114 of the crimp flank 110 is guided over the wings 115. During the crimping operation, the upper edge 114 abuts against a structured region 130 of the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110, which, similar to Figure 4, can prevent or reduce the possibility of slippage of the upper edge 114 or wings 115 from the inner surface 113 of the crimp flank 110.

[0048] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the crimp contact 100 shown in Figure 8 after the crimping tool 200 has been fully closed. The wings 115 allow more material to be used, allowing the crimp contact 100 to completely seal the crimp connection from the front. The sealant reservoir 140 shown in Figure 8 serves in this case to provide additional sealant, which can be used to further seal the intermediate space inside the rolled up crimp flanks 110.

[0049] 10 shows a flow chart 210 of a method for manufacturing a crimp contact 100, which can produce one of the crimp contacts 100 described above. In this case, in a first preparation step 211, a crimp contact 100 is prepared. This crimp contact 100 comprises a crimpable crimp flank 110 for encapsulating a conductor after crimping and a receptacle 120 for the conductor, which extends in the longitudinal direction 101 of the crimp contact 100 to a receiving end 121. In this case, the crimp flank 110 extends in the longitudinal direction 101 beyond the receiving end 121 to a front end 111. In this case, a front region 112 of the crimp contact 100 is arranged between the receiving end 121 and the front end 111. Then, in a first structuring step 212, a structured region 130 is structured in the front region 112 of the crimp contact 100. This may include roughening the structured region 130 , forming indentations 133 on the inner surface 113 of the crimping flank 110 , or forming ridges 132 on the inner surface 113 of the crimping flank 110 .

[0050] FIG. 11 shows a flow chart 210 of a preferred method for manufacturing the crimp contact 100. In a second providing step 221, a metal sheet is first provided with a sheet thickness of up to 3 millimeters. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the sheet thickness is between 150 micrometers and 2 millimeters. In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the sheet thickness is between 200 and 400 micrometers. The second providing step 221 is followed by a cutting-to-size step 222, in which the metal sheet is cut to size. This is then followed by a second structuring step 223, which may correspond to the first structuring step 212 of FIG. 10. In a final bending step 224, the cut-to-size metal sheet is bent to form the crimp contact 100. This means that the structuring of the structured area 130 can be carried out during the manufacture of the crimp contact 100, in particular while the crimp contact 100 has not yet taken its final shape. This allows an efficient and inexpensive manufacture of the crimp contact 100. FIG. 11 also illustrates that the cut to size step 222 and the second structuring step 223 may be performed in a parallel cutting and structuring step 225 .

[0051] 12 shows the metal sheet 300 in a cutting structuring tool 310. The cutting structuring tool 310 has an upper portion 311 and a lower portion 312. In this case, the upper portion 311 has two cutting blades 313 and two dies 314. The lower portion 312 is configured to guide the cutting blades 313 past the lower portion 312 of the cutting structuring tool 310 as the upper portion 311 moves towards the lower portion 312, a process that can replace cutting the metal sheet 300 to size. The dies 314 are configured to be used to stamp indentations in the metal sheet 300 that can correspond to the indentations 133 in FIG.

[0052] FIG. 13 shows the metal sheet 300 after the cutting structuring tool 310 has been closed. The cutting blades 313 give the metal sheet 300 a predetermined shape and the die 314 is pressed into the metal sheet 300. This creates recesses 133 in the metal sheet 300. The metal sheet 300 is then bent so that the crimp back surface 116 is located between the recesses 133, thereby forming the crimp contact 100 configured similarly to FIG. 3. In this case, it does not matter whether the crimp contact 100 is to have wings 115 or not. In this case, the cutting blades 313 can be configured such that the shape of the crimp flanks 110 of the crimp contact 100 described above is formed by the cutting blades 313.

[0053] As an alternative to die 314 forming depression 133, upper portion 311 may have a depression and lower portion 312 may have a corresponding ridge, thereby forming ridge 132 of FIG.

[0054] Figure 14 shows a crimp connection 105 in which a conductor 150 is enclosed by the two crimp flanks 110 of the crimp contact 100. In this case, the cross section of Figure 14 passes through the receptacle 120 of each of Figures 1, 5, 6 and 7. The conductor 150 is configured in particular as a multi-core conductor having several cores 151. Alternatively, the conductor 150 may be a single-core conductor (not shown in Figure 14).

[0055] As shown in FIG. 14, the crimp contact 100 encapsulates the conductor 150, the crimp flanks 110 come into contact with each other and cover the conductor 150, and in particular when the crimp contact 100 has wings as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the conductor 150 can be completely covered by the crimp contact 100 by covering it in the front area 112. This means in particular that the contact area where the conductor 150 and the crimp contact 100 come into contact with each other is not exposed to gases and / or liquids from the outside. This is particularly advantageous when the crimp contact 100 and the conductor 150 are made of different materials, since otherwise oxygen could reach the connection between the crimp contact 100 and the conductor 150 and cause oxidation. In particular in the automotive industry, where a conductor 150 made of aluminum is used for weight reasons, such a conductor 150 may be combined with a crimp contact 100 made of copper. Copper is preferably more suitable for the crimp contact 100 than aluminum since it has very good bendability and therefore allows for improved properties during the crimping operation. Furthermore, the opening in the front region 112 can be sealed by an additional sealant reservoir 140. This is particularly practical since copper and aluminum therefore have significantly different potentials in the electrochemical series, making the copper to aluminum material overlap particularly susceptible to corrosion.

[0056] Although the invention has been described and illustrated in more detail using preferred exemplary embodiments, the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, other variations can be derived from these embodiments and the description of the invention without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 100 Crimp Contacts 101 Longitudinal 102 Crimp sleeve 105 Crimp Connection 108 Contact body 109 Carrier Strip 110 Crimped Flank 111 Front end 112 Anterior area 113 Inside 114 Upper edge 115 Wings 116 Crimp back 120 Receptacle 121 Receiving end 130 Structured Area 131 Structural Elements 132 Prominence 133 Dent 134 Roughening area 140 Sealant storage unit 150 Conductor 151 cores 200 Crimping tool 201 Lower 202 Top 210 Flowchart 211 First Preparation Step 212 First Structuring Step 221 Second Preparation Step 222 Cutting to size 223 Second structuring step 224 Bending Step 225 Cutting Structuring Step 300 metal plate 310 Cutting Structure Tool 311 Top 312 Lower 313 Cutting edge 314 Press Mold

Claims

1. A crimp contact (100) for crimping a conductor (150), comprising: two crimpable crimp flanks (110) for encapsulating said conductor (150) after crimping; a receptacle (120) for the conductor (150), the receptacle (120) extending in the longitudinal direction (101) of the crimp contact (100) to a receiving end (121); The two crimping flanks (110) each extend beyond the receiving end (121) in the longitudinal direction (101) to a front end (111); a front region (112) of the crimp contact (100) is disposed between the receiving end (121) and the front end (111); The crimp contact (100) has at least one structured region (130) in the front region (112); the crimp contact (100) having the two crimp flanks (110), i.e., a first crimp flank (110) and a second crimp flank (110), is configured symmetrically, the structured area (130) is arranged on an inner surface (113) of the first crimping flank (110) and on an inner surface (113) of the second crimping flank (110); the structured area (130) is formed by at least one ridge (132) or at least one recess (133) on the inner surface (113) of the first crimping flank (110) and the second crimping flank (110), the structured region (130) is not formed on the outer surface of the first crimping flank (110) and on the outer surface of the second crimping flank (110); the first crimping flank (110) is configured such that a first upper edge (114) of the first crimping flank (110) can come into contact with the structured area (130) formed on the inner surface (113) of the first crimping flank (110) during crimping, and the second crimping flank (110) is configured such that a second upper edge (114) of the second crimping flank (110) can come into contact with the structured area (130) formed on the inner surface (113) of the second crimping flank (110) during crimping. Characterized in that A crimp contact (100).

2. The crimp contact (100) is formed from a metal sheet (300) and has a thickness of up to 3 mm. The crimp contact (100) of claim 1.

3. the structured area (130) is formed by a plurality of ridges (132) or a plurality of recesses (133) arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction (101) of the crimp contact (100); A crimp contact (100) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the structured area (130) is formed by the at least one ridge (132) or by a plurality of ridges (132) arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction (101) of the crimp contact (100), A crimp contact (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The ridges (132) have a height of up to 200 micrometers. The crimp contact (100) of claim 4.

6. the structured area (130) is formed by the at least one recess (133) or by a plurality of recesses (133) arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction (101) of the crimp contact (100), A crimp contact (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The recess (133) has a depth of up to 200 micrometers. The crimp contact (100) of claim 6.

8. The first upper edge (114) and the second upper edge (114) are roughened in the front region (112). A crimp contact (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. The first crimping flank (110) has, in the front region (112), a wing (115) protruding from the first crimping flank (110); the second crimping flank (110) has, in the front region (112), wings (115) protruding from the second crimping flank (110); A crimp contact (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. the structured area (130) is shaped to increase friction between two sub-areas of the crimping flank (110) when the crimp contact (100) is crimped. A crimp contact (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

11. a sealant reservoir (140) disposed in the front region (112) and providing access to the sealant; A crimp contact (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. A method for manufacturing a crimp contact (100), comprising the steps of: providing (211) a crimp contact (100) comprising two crimpable crimp flanks (110) for enclosing a conductor (150) after crimping and a receptacle (120) for said conductor (150) extending in a longitudinal direction (101) of said crimp contact (100) to a receiving end (121), said two crimp flanks (110) each extending beyond said receiving end (121) in said longitudinal direction (101) to a front end (111), a front region (112) of said crimp contact (100) being located between said receiving end (121) and said front end (111); Structuring (212, 223) a structured area (130) in the front area (112) of the crimp contact (100); Including, the crimp contact (100) having the two crimp flanks (110), i.e., a first crimp flank (110) and a second crimp flank (110), is configured symmetrically, the structured area (130) is arranged on an inner surface (113) of the first crimping flank (110) and on an inner surface (113) of the second crimping flank (110); the structured area (130) is formed by at least one ridge (132) or at least one recess (133) on the inner surface (113) of the first crimping flank (110) and the second crimping flank (110), the structured region (130) is not formed on the outer surface of the first crimping flank (110) and on the outer surface of the second crimping flank (110); the first crimping flank (110) is configured such that a first upper edge (114) of the first crimping flank (110) can come into contact with the structured area (130) formed on the inner surface (113) of the first crimping flank (110) during crimping, and the second crimping flank (110) is configured such that a second upper edge (114) of the second crimping flank (110) can come into contact with the structured area (130) formed on the inner surface (113) of the second crimping flank (110) during crimping. method.

13. The step of preparing the crimp contact (100) comprises: Providing (221) a metal plate (300) having a thickness of up to 3 millimeters; cutting (222) the metal plate (300) to size; and bending (224) the cut-to-size metal sheet (300) to form the crimp contact (100). The method of claim 12.

14. The step (222) of cutting the metal plate (300) to size is carried out by a cutting and structuring step (225); A cutting and structuring tool (310) used for stamping includes a stamp (314), The structuring of the surface is carried out by the die (314), The method of claim 13.

15. The first crimped flank (110) is configured such that the first upper edge portion (114) of the first crimped flank (110) can be frictionally connected and / or form-fitted to the inner surface (113) of the first crimped flank (110), and the second crimped flank (110) is configured such that the second upper edge portion (114) of the second crimped flank (110) can be frictionally connected and / or form-fitted to the inner surface (113) of the second crimped flank (110). A crimp contact (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. A crimp connection (105) between a crimp contact (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 and 15 and a conductor (150) extending in a longitudinal direction (101) of the crimp contact (100), A crimp flank (110) is crimped around the conductor (150); The front region (112) of the crimp contact (100) covers the conductor (150); Crimp connection (105).

17. The first crimped flank (110) is configured such that the first upper edge portion (114) of the first crimped flank (110) can be frictionally connected and / or form-fitted to the inner surface (113) of the first crimped flank (110), and the second crimped flank (110) is configured such that the second upper edge portion (114) of the second crimped flank (110) can be frictionally connected and / or form-fitted to the inner surface (113) of the second crimped flank (110).

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14.

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