Contact Rings and Contact Systems

Abstract

To provide a connecting member having conductive connection between contact elements having a surface formed from an electrically insulating layer and an efficient electromagnetic shield.SOLUTION: A contact ring 10 that connects at least a first conductive contact element 1 and a second conductive contact element 2 includes a strip made of a conductive material, the strip includes a plurality of protrusions 14 on at least one longitudinal side. The protrusions contact the conductive material of the contact elements and establish conductive connection between the contact elements.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact ring for electrically conductively connecting a plurality of contact elements, and to a contact system comprising a grounding cylinder, a shielding cylinder, and a contact ring for electrically conductively connecting the two cylinders. [Background technology]

[0002] Contact rings in the form of compression spring contacts are known that are made of a conductive material and are thus able to establish a conductive connection between contact elements. These contact rings are typically flat and, for example, have corrugations so that they alternately contact the surfaces of the contact elements.

[0003] 1A and 1B show conventional configurations, where FIG. 1A shows two contact elements 1 and 2 without a connecting member, and FIG. 1B shows two contact elements with a connecting member 3. The connecting member 3 in FIG. 1B is a typical contact ring 3 known from the prior art. The contact ring 3 is flat and corrugated and is typically made of spring steel. Spring steel has good mechanical properties but poor electrothermal properties, which can hardly be compensated for even with a thick silver plating. The contact portions of known contact rings also cannot reliably penetrate electrically insulating surface layers, such as aluminum oxide, with typical contact forces. These contact portions are also susceptible to corrosion. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although the contact elements include a conductive material, their surfaces are formed from an electrically insulating layer, such as a native oxide film, and the contact elements described in the prior art do not provide a sufficient conductive connection. Additionally, such contact elements are not configured to avoid air gaps between the contact elements. Therefore, the electromagnetic shielding of such connections is ineffective at high frequencies. Therefore, there is a need for a connection member that provides a conductive connection and efficient electromagnetic shielding between contact elements having surfaces formed from an electrically insulating layer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are presented in the dependent claims.

[0006] To connect contact elements having a conductive core and an electrically insulating surface layer, the present invention is based on the concept of using contact members made of a conductive material and respectively penetrating the electrically insulating surface layer of the contact elements.

[0007] The contact element according to the present invention has a ring shape, and the term "ring" in this application refers to a circular ring structure as well as a structure that is geometrically equivalent to a circular ring structure, including, for example, non-overlapping polygonal structures. To ensure a better understanding, hereinafter, unless further specified, only the term "ring" will be used. The figures show a circular ring structure as an example, but also include a structure that is geometrically equivalent to a circular ring structure.

[0008] The ring shape of the contact element allows for particularly efficient connection of a cylindrical contact element with a corresponding base region, since such a base region has a suitable structure for use in a limited ring-shaped installation space. This is achieved by closing a strip of conductive material, such as a copper alloy, which can be plated with silver, to form a ring-shaped structure. The use of a copper alloy which can be plated with silver is advantageous because it offers a good compromise between mechanical and electrothermal properties.

[0009] The strip includes protrusions on at least one longitudinal side. These protrusions have points or sharp edges that penetrate the electrically insulating surface layers of the contact elements, thereby establishing conductive connections between the conductive cores of the contact elements. By using a large number of short protrusions, the contact member according to the present invention benefits from the physical properties of multiple contacts and has favorable electrothermal properties. Each protrusion establishes a conductive contact, thereby forming multiple conductive connections between the contact elements, resulting in many short current flows and redundant contacts.

[0010] In contrast to known contact rings which have flat contact sections for contacting the contact elements, the contact ring according to the invention has very limited contact sections, thereby reducing the occurrence of corrosion.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment, the strips of the contact ring are arranged in the shape of a cylinder and can therefore be well adapted to cylindrical contact elements.

[0012] The projections in this embodiment are tapered to a tip and have an S-shaped cross section so that the tip strikes the surface of the contact element at an obtuse angle, which avoids greater lateral or surface contact of the projection with the surface of the contact element, thereby reducing the occurrence of fretting corrosion.

[0013] At least one pair of adjacent projections has a flat section disposed between the two projections, which serves to protect the projections from overstretching during pre-assembly and final assembly between the contact elements. Optionally, the contact ring on the cylindrical contact element can be further stabilized by a coil spring engaging around the cylindrically disposed strip.

[0014] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the strips are closed and arranged in a flat manner so as to form a ring-shaped structure.

[0015] The contact ring according to the second embodiment can be used as part of a contact system, which, in addition to the contact ring according to the invention, comprises a grounding cylinder and a shielding cylinder shaped to allow gap-free assembly with the flat contact ring, thereby forming a complete electromagnetic shield. The connection is established by a double press fit and is therefore particularly robust. In addition, relative movements and vibrations are reduced. Due to this connection, the contact system according to the invention provides efficient electromagnetic shielding, especially at high frequencies, and can be advantageously used in multi-position connectors.

[0016] The shielding cylinder according to the present invention also has three centering protrusions, which allow for efficient centering of the shielding cylinder relative to the grounding cylinder, preventing relative movement and vibration between them, thereby further stabilizing the connection.

[0017] The cylindrical body of the contact system is preferably made of the electrically conductive material aluminum, although other materials are also conceivable.

[0018] According to a third advantageous embodiment, the strip is also closed to form a ring-shaped structure, is arranged in a flat manner, but further has a serpentine structure with alternating inward and outward portions, the inward portions bending upward or downward from the flat surface of the ring and forming protrusions for the conductive contact of the contact elements.

[0019] All embodiments of the contact ring are highly adaptable with respect to projection orientation, placement, number and configuration.

[0020] For a better understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail by the embodiments shown in the following figures, in which the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals and the same component names. Furthermore, some features or combinations of features from the various embodiments shown and described may also be independently inventive solutions or may be solutions according to the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 illustrates first and second contact elements. [Figure 1B] 1B shows the two contact elements shown in FIG. 1A connected by a contact ring in a known embodiment; [Figure 2A] 1 shows a strip according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 shows an optional closure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] 1A and 1B show a contact ring according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B show an arrangement of two contact elements and a contact ring according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 10A and 10B show a contact ring according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5]3 shows a contact system according to a second embodiment of the invention comprising a contact ring, a ground cylinder and a shielding cylinder according to the second embodiment; FIG. [Figure 6A] 10A and 10B show a contact ring and a ground cylinder of a contact system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the contact ring and ground cylinder of the contact system of the second embodiment. [Figure 7A] 10 shows a contact system comprising a shielding cylinder with centering projections according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. [Figure 7B] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a contact system including a shielding cylinder with centering projections according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7C] 10 is an enlarged detailed view of a contact system comprising a shielding cylinder with centering projections according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 8] 10 shows a contact ring according to a second embodiment having teeth instead of inner projections; FIG. [Figure 9A] 10 shows a ring-shaped closed strip having a serpentine structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 9B] 10A and 10B show a contact ring according to a third embodiment of the invention with protrusions pointing in the same direction. [Figure 9C] 10A and 10B show a contact ring according to a third embodiment of the invention with protrusions pointing in different directions. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C show possible applications of the contact ring according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11A] 10A and 10B show a contact ring according to a third embodiment with mounting projections having a flat shape; [Figure 11B] 10A and 10B show a contact ring according to a third embodiment with mounting projections having folded projections. [Figure 11C]10 shows a contact ring according to a third embodiment with mounting projections having a flat shape in a second variant. FIG. [Figure 11D] 10 shows a contact ring according to a third embodiment having mounting projections with folded projections in a second variant. FIG. [Figure 11E] 10 shows a contact ring according to a third embodiment with mounting projections having a flat shape in a third variant; FIG. [Figure 11F] 10 shows a contact ring according to a third embodiment having mounting projections with folded projections in a third variant. FIG. [Figure 12A] 10 shows a contact ring according to a third embodiment in an exemplary variant having a flat shape; FIG. [Figure 12B] 10A and 10B show a contact ring according to a third embodiment in an exemplary variant having folded protrusions. [Figure 12C] 10 shows a contact ring according to the third embodiment in a further exemplary variant having a flat shape. FIG. [Figure 12D] 10 shows a contact ring according to the third embodiment in a further exemplary variant with folded protrusions. FIG. [Figure 13A] 10 shows a contact ring according to a third embodiment as part of a contact system in a first variant. FIG. [Figure 13B] 10 shows a contact ring according to a third embodiment as part of a contact system in a second variant. FIG. [Figure 13C] 10 shows a contact ring according to a third embodiment as part of a contact system in a third variant. FIG. [Figure 13D] 10 shows a contact ring according to a third embodiment as part of a contact system in a fourth variant. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2A to 13D.

[0023] 2A-2C illustrate a contact ring 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2A, the contact ring 10 includes a strip 12 formed from a conductive material. The strip 12 includes a protrusion 14 on at least one longitudinal side. The protrusion 14 tapers to form a point at its end. FIG. 2B illustrates that the strip 12 can end in a closure 16, which allows the strip 12 to be closed to form a cylindrically arranged ring-shaped structure, as can be seen in FIG. 2C. This structure allows for simple and inexpensive formation of the contact ring 10 by stamping and bending. As shown in FIG. 2C, the protrusion 14 is bent outward to form an S-shaped cross section.

[0024] Optionally, a coil spring (not shown) can concentrically surround the contact ring 10 so that the connection between the contact ring 10 and the cylindrical contact element 2 is more stable.

[0025] Additionally, it is possible to leave the strips open at the ends without closures, in which case a coil spring can optionally hold the strips together. Another possibility is to make the strips slightly longer without closures and include overlaps at the ends.

[0026] The material of the contact ring 10 is preferably made of a copper alloy which can be plated with silver. In contrast to spring steel, this material has good mechanical properties as well as good electrical and thermal properties.

[0027] 3 shows an application example of contact ring 10. Contact ring 10 is positioned between two contact elements 1 and 2, and thus contacts the oppositely disposed surfaces of contact elements 1 and 2 with the tips of S-shaped protrusions 14. When contact elements 1 and 2 are pressed together, the tips of protrusions 14 penetrate an electrically insulating surface layer, such as an aluminum oxide layer, that naturally forms on the surface of contact elements made from conductive aluminum.

[0028] Thus, even if the contact elements 1 and 2 include insulating surfaces that electrically isolate them from each other, with the aid of the contact ring 10 it is possible to establish a conductive connection between the conductive core of the first contact element 1 and the conductive core of the second contact element 2. The large number of protrusions 14 on both sides of the contact ring 10, for example 24 protrusions as shown in FIG. 2C, have a favorable physical effect on the electrothermal properties of the connection between the two contact elements 1 and 2.

[0029] Furthermore, the structure of the contact ring 10, which has the pointed protrusions 14 for contacting the contact elements 1 and 2, minimizes the area of ​​the contact portion where the protective surfaces of the contact elements 1 and 2 are damaged, thereby suppressing corrosion of the contact elements 1 and 2.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a contact ring 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The contact ring 100 comprises a flat ring formed from a conductive material. The flat ring has protrusions 104 on two narrow sides. The protrusions 104 are tapered toward the ends. The protrusions 104 are bent outward from the plane of the ring 100, with the outer protrusions 104 of the ring 100 and the inner protrusions 104 of the ring 100 facing in opposite directions. The protrusions 104 are preferably, but not necessarily, spaced at regular intervals; the inner protrusions 104 can also be spaced more widely apart.

[0031] The outer projections 104 of the ring 100 have an S-shaped cross section. The outer projections 104 are oriented to surround a common inscribed circle that meets at one flat surface. The inner projections 104 of the ring 100 are oriented to meet the common inscribed circle at an edge, which is sharp and therefore capable of penetrating an insulating surface. The outer projections 104 of the ring can also optionally be oriented to meet the common inscribed circle at a sharp edge, which allows them to penetrate an insulating surface.

[0032] Like the contact ring 10 according to the first embodiment, the material of the contact ring 100 according to the second embodiment is preferably a copper alloy that can be plated with silver. Such a copper alloy has good mechanical properties as well as good electrical and thermal properties.

[0033] The contact ring 100 structure can be easily and inexpensively formed as a reel-to-reel strip by stamping and forming.

[0034] 5 shows how the contact ring 100 according to the second embodiment can be arranged in a contact system 400 together with the ground cylinder 200 and the shielding cylinder 300. The outer projections 104 of the ring engage around the shielding cylinder 300. The inner projections 104 of the ring extend from the inside towards the ground cylinder 200. The connection is established by a press fit, so that the contact ring 100, the ground cylinder 200, and the shielding cylinder 300 contact each other without any gaps between them.

[0035] 6A and 6B, the contact ring 100 contacts the ground cylinder 200 with the sharp edge of the ring's inner protrusion 104. As a result of the press-fit pressure, the sharp edge penetrates into the surface of the ground cylinder 200. As described in relation to the first embodiment of the contact ring 10, this forms a conductive connection between the contact ring 100 and the conductive core of the ground cylinder 200. The enlarged contact area between the contact ring 100 and the ground cylinder 200 further reduces corrosion.

[0036] 7A-7C, the shielding cylinder 300 includes three centering protrusions 302. The shielding cylinder 300 is connected to the contact ring 100 such that the centering protrusions 302 are each positioned where the contact ring 100 includes the internal protrusions 104 spaced at greater intervals. As a result, the centering protrusions 302 can bend around the contact ring 100, and thus the centering protrusions 302 contact the grounding cylinder 200 from the inside without being obstructed by the protrusions 104 of the contact ring 100.

[0037] The centering lugs 302 hold the shielding cylinder 300 firmly on the grounding cylinder 200, facilitating centering of the shielding cylinder 300 relative to the grounding cylinder 200 and stabilizing the contact system 400. The centering lugs 302 and the resulting press-fit of the contact system 400 ensure that the connection made up of the contact ring 100, the grounding cylinder 200, and the shielding cylinder 300 is free of any air gaps and any relative movement and vibration of the components, thereby ensuring efficient electromagnetic shielding, especially at high frequencies.

[0038] 8, the contact ring 100 according to the second embodiment can alternatively include teeth 106 instead of the internal projections 104. This alternative contact ring 100 according to the second embodiment can be easily and inexpensively formed by deep drawing, stamping, and bending.

[0039] FIG. 9 shows a contact ring 1000 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Like the contact ring 100 of the second embodiment, the contact ring 1000 is composed of a strip that is closed to form a flat, ring-shaped structure. In addition, the contact ring 1000 of the third embodiment has a serpentine structure with alternating inwardly directed portions 1008 and outwardly directed portions 1009. This results from the strip having cutouts 1010 and 1011 that alternately originate from the inner and outer edges of the strip and extend into the interior of the strip (see FIG. 9A). The inwardly directed serpentine portions are bent out of the plane of the ring, thus forming protrusions 1004 for conductive contact of the contact elements. The protrusions 1004 can face in the same direction, as shown in FIG. 9B, or in different directions, as shown in FIG. 9C.

[0040] FIG. 10 illustrates a possible application of the contact ring 1000 according to the third embodiment for connecting two contact elements 1 and 2. Due to its structure, the contact ring 1000 is elastic in several directions of expansion. On the one hand, by moving the contact elements 1 and 2 toward or away from each other, the angle between the outer portion 1009 and the folded inner portion 1008, and thus the expansion of the contact ring 1000 from the plane of the ring, can be changed. On the other hand, by expanding or compressing the serpentine structure, the radius of the contact ring 1000 can be changed, thereby increasing or decreasing the circumference of the contact ring 1000. In the example of the contact element 1 shown in FIG. 10, this property allows the radially elastic contact ring 1000 to be pulled onto a latch shoulder 1012 with a bevel 1014 on one side. In the target position, the contact ring 1000 rests on the retaining ring 1015 and is prevented from sliding off the contact element 1 by the latch shoulder 1012 .

[0041] The serpentine structure according to the third embodiment allows the contact elements to be virtually decoupled, thereby providing a mechanically advantageous connection of the contact elements and thus reducing vibrations. This configuration is also highly adaptable and can be easily adapted to given spatial conditions. For example, FIGS. 11A-11F show a variant of the contact ring 1000 according to the third embodiment, which includes an additional portion 1016 of the outer serpentine that faces outward from the plane of the ring and is therefore suitable for attachment to cylindrical contact elements. The length and shape of the inward and outward cutouts can then be varied, thereby adapting the spatial elastic properties of the contact ring 1000 to the respective conditions. FIGS. 12A-12D also show variants of attachment projections that can be connected to the contact elements, for example, by welding.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 13A-13D, the contact ring 1000 according to the third embodiment can also be used as part of a contact system for connecting the ground cylinder 200 and the shielding cylinder 300. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1, 2 Contact elements 3 Contact ring in known embodiment 10, 100, 1000 contact rings 12 Strip 14, 104, 1004 protrusions 15 Flat Section 16 Closing part 18 Coil spring 102 Increased Spacing 106 teeth 200 Grounded Cylinder 300 Shielding cylinder 302 Centering protrusion 400 Contact System 1007 Mounting protrusion 1008 Inward-facing part 1009 Outward-facing part 1010 Inward Cutout 1011 Outward Cutout 1012 Latch step 1013 Inner slope 1014 Outer slope 1015 Retaining ring 1016 The outer part of the ring that faces outward from the plane of the ring

Claims

1. A contact system, - Contact rings (10, 100, 1000) and a grounded cylinder (200), - a shielding cylinder (300), The contact ring is disposed between the grounding cylinder (200) and the shielding cylinder (300), and the grounding cylinder (200) and the shielding cylinder (300) are connected to each other by press-fitting. It is a contact system, The contact ring (10, 100, 1000) connects at least a first conductive contact element (1) which is the grounding cylinder (200) and a second conductive contact element (2) which is the shielding cylinder (300), The contact ring (10, 100, 1000) comprises a strip (12) made of a conductive material; The strip (12) comprises a plurality of protrusions (14, 104, 1004) on at least one longitudinal side; the protrusions (14, 104, 1004) are configured to contact the conductive material of the first and second conductive contact elements (1, 2) and establish a conductive connection between the first and second conductive contact elements (1, 2); the protrusions (14, 104, 1004) are configured to penetrate the electrically insulating surface layers of the first and second conductive contact elements (1, 2); The protrusions (14, 104, 1004) are bent to form spring contacts. Contact system.

2. The shielding cylinder (300) has three centering protrusions (302) for centering the shielding cylinder (300) relative to the grounding cylinder (200). The contact system of claim 1 .

3. At least one of the grounding cylinder (200) and the shielding cylinder (300) is made of a conductive material, aluminum. The contact system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. each of said protrusions (14, 104) having a tapered end connectable to said first conductive contact element (1) and said second conductive contact element (2); A contact system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the strip (12) is closed to form a circular ring structure or a structure geometrically equivalent to said circular ring structure; A contact system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The material of the contact ring (10, 100, 1000) is a copper alloy. A contact system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. the strips (12) are arranged in a cylindrical shape and are closed to form a circular ring structure or a structure geometrically equivalent to said circular ring structure; A contact system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The contact ring (10) has 24 projections on each side. The contact system according to claim 7 .

9. The protrusion (14) of the contact ring (10) has an S-shaped cross section. The contact system according to claim 7 or 8.

10. The contact ring (10) further comprises a coil spring (18) engaging around the strip. A contact system according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

11. In the contact ring (100, 1000), the strips are closed to form a circular ring structure or a structure geometrically equivalent to the circular ring structure and are arranged at least partially flat. A contact system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

12. In the contact ring (100, 1000), the protrusion (104, 1004) has an edge with a sharp edge. The contact system of claim 11.

13. The contact ring (100) has 15 protrusions (104) with sharp edges on one side.

13. The contact system according to claim 11 or 12.

14. In the contact ring (1000), the strips have a serpentine structure with alternating inward and outward portions, the inwardly facing portion is bent upwardly or downwardly from the plane of the contact ring (1000) to form the protrusion (1004); 13. The contact system according to claim 11 or 12.

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