ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND CONNECTOR PLUG SYSTEM

Abstract

An electrical connector includes a base body having a contact portion and a connection portion. The base body has a plug receptacle in the contact portion and a latching arm for fastening the connector. The latching arm is formed at least partially from a first layer of material and a second layer of material. The latching arm is pivotable out of a latching position counter to a spring force at least in the direction of a release position. Thus, reliable fastening of the electrical connector is ensured with low assembly force because the first layer and the second layer are at least partially separated from each other when the latching arm is pivoted in the direction of the release position.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising: at least one base body with at least one contact portion and at least one connection portion, wherein the base body is formed from a sheet metal material, wherein the base body has at least one plug receptacle in the contact portion, wherein the base body has at least one latching arm for fastening the connector, wherein the latching arm is formed at least partially from a first layer of the sheet metal material and a second layer of the sheet metal material, and wherein the latching arm can be pivoted out of a latching position against a spring force at least in the direction of a release position, characterized in that the first layer and the second layer are at least partially separated from each other when the latching arm is pivoted in the direction of the release position.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the connector is made by folding a blank, and that the first layer and the second layer are folded over each other from opposite end sides of the blank.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the first layer and the second layer are formed and arranged in such a way that a resistance force of the latching arm starting from the latching position against a deformation in the direction of the release position is lower than against a deformation in the opposite direction.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the first layer and the second layer have a curvature over at least part of their extension, in particular that the first layer and the second layer have a curvature over their entire extension.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the first layer extends over part of the length of the latching arm, and in that the second layer extends over the entire length of the latching arm.

6. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the second layer has at least one projection, and that the first layer extends approximately up to the projection on the second layer, in particular in that the projection is formed by embossing.

7. The electrical connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the projection of the second layer is braced against the first layer, in particular an end edge of the first layer, when the second layer is pivoted away from the release position.

8. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that when the latching arm is pivoted in the direction of the release position, the second layer is elastically deformed to a greater extent than the first layer, in particular that when the latching arm is pivoted in the direction of the release position, only the second layer is elastically deformed.

9. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the first layer and the second layer are connected to one another, in particular by a material bond, at least one connecting point, in particular in that the degree of separation and thus the degree of resistance of the latching arm is set with the position of the connecting point in relation to the length of the latching arm.

10. The electrical connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the plug receptacle has at least one contact element, in particular inserted into at least one receiving slot, preferably in that the contact element is welded to the base body.

11. The electrical connector according to claim 10, characterized in that the contact element has at least one contact arm, and that the contact arm is deflectable against a spring force.

12. The electrical connector according to claim 11, characterized in that the contact arm has a coating on at least part of its surface, in particular that the coating is applied by roll plating, galvanizing or an additive manufacturing process, preferably that the contact element is completely coated.

13. The electrical connector according to claim 12, characterized in that the plug receptacle has a protrusion opposite the contact arm, in particular that the protrusion has a coating on at least part of its surface, preferably that the coating is applied by roll plating, galvanizing or an additive manufacturing process.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 10, characterized in that the contact element is made of a different material than the base body, in particular of a stainless steel.

15. A connector plug system with at least one receptacle housing and at least one electrical connector, in particular a plurality of electrical connectors, wherein the electrical connector is at least partially inserted into the receptacle housing, characterized in that the electrical connector is formed according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electrical connector in accordance with this invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevational of the electrical connector illustrated in FIG. 1 during insertion into a terminal housing.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a sectional side elevational view similar to FIG. 1 showing the electrical connector in a latching position within the terminal housing.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a blank that can be used to manufacture the electrical connector shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

[0037] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 shown partially assembled.

[0038] FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the fully assembled electrical connector shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0039] Regarding the following description, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated and described herein and, thus, not limited to all or several features of described feature combinations. Rather, each individual partial feature of the/each embodiment example is also of importance for the subject matter of the invention detached from all other partial features described in connection therewith for itself and also in combination with any features of another embodiment example.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an electrical connector 1 in accordance with this invention. The electrical connector 1 has a base body 2. The base body 2 has at least one contact portion 3 and at least one connection portion 4. The illustrated connection portion 4 is intended for connection to an electrical conductor, in particular the strands of a cable, by means of crimping. A plug receptacle 5 is formed in the contact portion 3 that serves to receive at least one plug blade (not shown). Furthermore, the base body 2 has at least one latching arm 6 for fastening the electrical connector 1. The illustrated latching arm 6 is formed at least partially from a first layer 7 and a second layer 8 of the sheet metal material of the base body 2. The latching arm 6 can be pivoted from its latching position (shown in FIG. 1) against a spring force at least in the direction of a release position (shown in FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 1, the illustrated latching arm 6 protrudes outwardly from the contact portion 3.

[0041] The electrical connector 1 according to FIG. 1 may be manufactured by folding a blank 9 (such as shown in FIG. 4 for example) for an electrical connector 1. According to FIG. 4, the first layer 7 may be arranged at a first end side 10 of the blank 9, and the second layer 8 may be arranged at a second end side 11 of the blank 9. During manufacture, the first and second end sides 10, 11 are folded over each other so that the first layer 7 and the second layer 8 are arranged one above the other in the area of the plug receptacle 5, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show an embodiment of a connector 1, in particular according to FIG. 1, in a terminal housing 12. FIG. 2 shows the connector 1 during insertion, while FIG. 3 shows the connector 1 in the latching position in the terminal housing 12. As shown in FIG. 2, at least a part of the latching arm 6 (namely, the second layer 8) is pivoted from its latching position against a spring force in the direction of a release position during insertion into a receptacle opening 13 of the terminal housing 12. In this embodiment, the first layer 7 is not pivoted during insertion. For this purpose, the receptacle opening 13 is designed in such a way that only the second layer 8 is pivoted. In the release position of the latching arm 6, the connector 1 can be inserted into the receptacle opening 13 along its longitudinal direction (the X direction according to FIG. 2). According to FIG. 2, the first layer 7 and the second layer 8 are separated from each other in that only the second layer 8 is elastically deformed.

[0043] In FIG. 3, the connector 1 is shown in a position fixed in the receptacle opening 13 of the terminal housing 12. The latching arm 6, in particular the second layer 8 of the latching arm 6, rests against a latching edge 14 of a recess 15. If an attempt were made in this position to pull the electrical connector 1 back out of the terminal housing 12 against its insertion direction (see arrow in FIG. 2), this would be prevented by interaction of the latching arm 6 with the latching edge 14.

[0044] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, the second layer 8 has a projection 16 arranged at its free end. In the latching position of the latching arm 6 (for example, according to FIG. 1), the first layer 7 extends up to the projection 16. According to FIG. 3, during an attempt to pull out, the first layer 7 (in particular, an end edge 17 of the first layer 7) braces itself on the projection 16 so that the first layer 7 and the second layer 8 would be jointly loaded when pivoted in a pivoting direction away from the release position. The first layer 7 thereby supports the second layer 8, increasing the force applied by the latch arm 6 and increasing the stability of the latch arm 6.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the first layer 7 and the second layer 8 are connected together at a connecting point 18, such as by spot welding, for example. The connecting point 18 ensures that separation of the first layer 7 from the second layer 8 occurs at maximum up to the connecting point 18. In this way, the degree of separation (and, thus, the strength of the spring force of the latching arm 6) can be adjusted via the position of the connecting point 18. If the connecting point 18 would be shifted in the direction of the free end of the latching arm 6, the spring force would increase when pivoting in the direction of the release position.

[0046] FIG. 4 shows the blank 9 for the electrical connector 1 according, for example, to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. The blank 9 is folded essentially around an axis X to produce the electrical connector 1. In this process, the opposite end sides 10, 11 are moved towards each other, and the first layer 7 is folded over the second layer 8. The first layer 7 is formed shorter than the second layer 8.

[0047] FIGS. 1 through 3 show the electrical connector 1 in a fully assembled state. FIG. 5 shows the electrical connector 1 in a partially assembled state. According to FIGS. 1 through 3 and 5, a receiving slot 19 is formed respectively in both a first side wall 20 and an opposite second side wall 21 in the area of the plug receptacle 5. A contact element 22 is inserted into the receiving slots 19 and is connected to the base body 2. The illustrated contact element 22 is connected to the side walls 20, 21 by a spot weld 23 in a material fitting manner. The contact element 22 bounds the plug receptacle 5 on one side. The contact element 22 has a contact arm 24, the free end of which extends in the direction of the connection portion 4. The contact arm 24 has at least one coating 25 that is oriented in the direction of the plug receptacle 5 and, in the case of an inserted plug blade (not shown), is connected to the plug blade.

[0048] FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of the fully assembled electrical connector shown in FIG. 1. It can be clearly seen therein how the contact arm 24 extends into the plug receptacle 5. Furthermore, it can be seen that the base body 2 has a protrusion 26 disposed in the connector receptacle 5 opposite the contact arm 24. When inserted within the plug receptacle, the plug blade (not shown) is clamped between the protrusion 26 and the contact arm 24. In this embodiment, the plug receptacle 5 has a substantially square cross-section. The latching arm 6 extends outwardly. The connector portion 4 is still uncrimped. The first layer 7 and the second layer 8 are arranged one above the other, as viewed in the pivoting direction V of the latching arm 6 or in a Y axis arranged orthogonally to the X axis.

[0049] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown and described, but also includes all embodiments having the same effect in the sense of the invention. It is expressly emphasized that the embodiments are not limited to all features in combination. Rather, each individual sub-feature may also have inventive significance in isolation from all other sub-features. Furthermore, the invention has not yet been limited to the combination of features described and illustrated herein, but can also be defined by any other combination of certain features of all the individual features disclosed as a whole. This means that, in principle, virtually any individual feature can be omitted or replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere in the application.