Socket contact element for an electrically conductive connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a socket contact element for establishing an electrically conductive connection including a crimp section for establishing an electrically conductive connection to a line and a contact box for establishing a detachable electrically conductive connection to a contact box plug, wherein the socket contact element is constructed in one piece and includes a plurality of integrally implemented functions based on geometrical designs. Furthermore, the invention relates to a sheet-shaped semifinished product for producing a socket contact element and the production method by forming.

Claims

1. A socket contact element for establishing an electrically conductive connection comprising: a crimp section for establishing an electrically conductive connection to a line; and a contact box for establishing a detachable electrically conductive connection to a contact box plug, the contact box including a plurality of surfaces defining quadrilateral or rectangular box-like basic structure, wherein the socket contact element is constructed in one piece and includes a plurality of integrally implemented functions based on geometrical designs, and wherein the contact box is supplemented at one or more lateral surfaces among the plurality of surfaces by at least one closure tab that is formed as one piece and is integrally formed with the lateral surface, and wherein the contact box includes at least one detent hook which is configured to assist with locking in a receptacle bore of a contact carrier or multi-contact block, and wherein the at least one detent hook includes a head having wings protruding radially from the head, and wherein the at least one detent hook includes a detent hook end oriented against an insertion direction of the contact box.

2. The socket contact element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the socket contact element is supplemented by a handling section.

3. The socket contact element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the socket contact element includes an insulation section.

4. The socket contact element as claimed in claim 3, wherein the insulation section is arranged relative to the crimp section in such a way that a substantially linear arrangement of the core of the line to be received is assisted.

5. The socket contact element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact box has the quadrilateral or rectangular box-like basic structure, so that the contact box is insertable into a corresponding receptacle bore of a contact carrier or multi-contact block.

6. The socket contact element as claimed in claim 5, wherein the contact box has at least one orientation lip, which extends beyond the box-like structure of the contact box.

7. The socket contact element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one closure tab is supplemented by a closure lug corresponding to at least one side wall of the contact box and/or a contoured closure lug, so that the structural integrity of the contact box is assisted.

8. The socket contact element as claimed in claim 7, wherein the contoured closure lug is formed against the insertion direction of the contact box and engages in a corresponding recess inside the contact box.

9. A socket contact element as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one closure tab includes a first closure tab supplemented by a first contoured closure lug configured to couple with a first side wall of the contact box, and a second closure tab supplemented by a second closure lug configured to couple with a second side wall of the contact box opposite the first side wall.

10. The socket contact element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact box encloses an interior, at least in one region, so that a receptacle space is formed for a contact box plug and/or a contact zone.

11. The socket contact element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one detent hook is formed in one piece with a closure tab.

12. A sheet-shaped semi-finished product for producing a socket contact element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the semi-finished product material is electrically conductive and can be formed, so that the socket contact element is formed by bending and/or folding and/or three-dimensional forming.

13. A sheet-shaped semi-finished product for producing a socket contact element as claimed in claim 12, wherein the boundary and contour of the semi-finished product assist the geometrical design of the socket contact element after the forming thereof.

14. A method for producing a socket contact element as claimed in claim 1, from a semi-finished product by three-dimensional forming and/or folding and/or bending.

Description

(1) The invention is explained in greater detail hereinafter on the basis of a preferred exemplary embodiment in conjunction with the figures. In the figures:

(2) FIGS. 1a, 1b show the first and second perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element;

(3) FIGS. 2a, 2b show the third and fourth perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element;

(4) FIGS. 3a, 3b show the fifth and sixth perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element;

(5) FIGS. 4a, 4b each show a perspective view of the contact box of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element;

(6) FIGS. 5a, 5b show a first side view and a first top view of the exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element;

(7) FIGS. 6a, 6b show a second side view and a second top view of the exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element;

(8) FIGS. 7a, 7b show a first and a second frontal view of the exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element;

(9) FIGS. 8a, 8b each show a sectional illustration of the contact box of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element;

(10) FIGS. 9a, 9b show the first perspective sectional illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element as a whole and its contact box;

(11) FIG. 10a shows the second perspective sectional illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element as a whole and its contact box;

(12) FIG. 10b shows the second perspective sectional illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element comprising the detail of the contact box;

(13) FIG. 11a shows the sectional illustration A-A of the contact box of the socket contact element at the height of the closure tab with stop;

(14) FIG. 11b shows the sectional illustration B-B of the contact box of the socket contact element at the height of the detent hook head of the detent hook;

(15) FIG. 12a shows the sectional illustration C-C of the contact box of the socket contact element at the height of the support lug of the closure tab with detent hook;

(16) FIG. 12b shows the sectional illustration D-D of the contact box of the socket contact element at the height of the closure tab and contact zone;

(17) FIG. 13 shows the sectional illustration E-E of the contact box of the socket contact element at the height of the closure tab with spring lip;

(18) FIG. 14 shows the top view of a first example of the sheet-shaped, one-piece flat material as a semifinished product after a stamping process before the forming by bending, folding;

(19) FIG. 15 shows the top view of a second example of the sheet-shaped, one-piece flat material as a semifinished product.

(20) FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b depict a first and a second perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100. The preferably one-piece element extends in the direction of a longitudinal axis L, which is also the axis of symmetry or center axis M in regions of a symmetrical formation. The invention provides that integral functions are implemented through and possibly within regions. In FIG. 1, the socket contact element 100 is shown having a plurality of regions 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, the sequence of which is implemented in a longitudinal extension.

(21) FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b depict a third and fourth and FIGS. 3a and 3b depict a fifth and sixth three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100.

(22) FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b each illustrate a perspective view of the contact box 70 in an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100. The contact box 70 has a plurality of integrally implemented functions in the example shown. In particular guide and spring elements are provided both on the outside and also on the inside.

(23) An orientation lip 71 is provided on the outside of the quadrilateral geometry of the contact box 70, which has a threading bevel, insertion chamfers 71a in the insertion direction of the socket contact element 100 into, for example, a contact carrier or multicontact block. The orientation lip 71 interacts geometrically with a correspondingly designed receptacle bore of a contact carrier or multicontact block in such a way that the installation is forced in only a correctly oriented position. The orientation lip 71 can be supplemented by a lug 71b on the longitudinal end face and against the insertion direction EK of the contact box 70. The lug 71b can functionally interact with the spring element of the contact carrier or multicontact block or can be used as a rear grip, for example. Furthermore, a bore 71c can be provided for receiving a closure lug 72a of the closure tab 72.

(24) Furthermore, at least one closure tab 72 is provided to form the quadrilateral geometry of the contact box 70, which is brought into its position by a forming procedure, which is also called folding or bending, around a folding line parallel to the longitudinal axis L. A rear grip in a corresponding recess of the side wall of the contact box 70 or bore 71c of the orientation lip can assist the defined position fixing of the closure tab 72 by way of a closure lug 72a or a contoured closure lug 72b. The contoured closure lug 72b is preferably formed having its contoured part against the insertion direction EK of the contact box 70, so as not to form edges in the insertion direction which can be the cause of insertion problems of the contact box 70 into contact carriers or multicontact blocks.

(25) Depending on the location and number of the integrated functions, a closure tab 72 can be supplemented by a support lug 72c, which can be formed geometrically comparable to the closure lug 72a and due to its design represents a contact shoulder on a side wall end face of the contact box 70 and comes to rest thereon. In this way, the strength and structural integrity of the overall construction is increased and simple movement limiting is provided during the forming process.

(26) A detent hook 73, formed as a spring element, having its detent hook end oriented against the insertion direction EK of the contact box 70 is used for fixing the contact box 70 in position in the longitudinal direction after the insertion into the contact carrier or multicontact block. The detent hook head 73a can as shown have radially protruding wings, which correspond to a recess in the contact carrier or multicontact block or provide a tool engagement surface in order to assist bending back of the detent hook 73 and thus the removal of the contact box 70 from the contact carrier or multicontact block. Alternatively, the detent hook 73 can run out bluntly at the end if removal ability is not to be assisted. The detent hook tongue can be formed tapering toward the detent hook head for the targeted influencing of the spring property and spring or restoring force.

(27) FIG. 5a depicts a first side view of the exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100.

(28) FIG. 5b shows the first top view of the exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100 similar to FIG. 5a. A handling section 10 is preferably provided at the end, which is formed by a section of the flat material and has a middle region having bore 11 adjoining the longitudinal axis L and at least one flat part 12 in the radial extension direction. In the radial end direction of the handling section 10, a notch 13 can optionally be provided, for example to implement a spring element or as a grip around an adjacent flat in the assembled state.

(29) FIG. 6a depicts a second side view of the exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100. While the contact box 70 and the crimp section 50 are arranged aligned in the longitudinal direction with the center axis L, M, the insulation section 30 and the handling section 10 can have an offset axially parallel thereto. This offset is implemented by the deflection of the second connecting section 40 and/or the third connecting section 60. This offset is advantageous in particular with respect to the line guidance in the crimp section 50 and the insulation section 30, since buckling of the line core is avoided. This is achieved in that the amount of the offset is selected according to the wall thickness of the insulation material surrounding the line core of the line.

(30) The insulation section 30 integrates a mechanical relief function for the crimp section into the socket contact element 100 in that mechanical loads—in particular tension—acting on an attached line (not shown) can be absorbed by the insulation section 30 and thus do not act on the crimp section 50. The insulation section can therefore also be referred to as a tension relief section.

(31) FIG. 6b shows the second top view of the exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100 similar to FIG. 6a. While the insulated line is arrangeable in the receptacle space 31 of the insulation section 30, the line core (stripped line) will come to rest in the receptacle space 51 of the crimp section 50. As a result, the line (not shown) to be crimped with the socket contact element 100 is fixable both aligned with the longitudinal axis L, M and also substantially reduced in buckling.

(32) FIG. 7a shows the first frontal view of the exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100 on the end of the contact box 70 with its receptacle space 70a for a contact box plug. The quadrilateral space can have a square shape as shown, side edges of unequal length are also possible.

(33) FIG. 7b shows the second frontal view of the exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100 on the end of the handling section 10.

(34) FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b each comprise a sectional illustration of the contact box 70 of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100. The interior of the contact box 70 formed as a receptacle space 70a for a contact box plug discloses further integrally implemented functions of the invention.

(35) FIG. 8a shows the sectional illustration of the contact box 70 with its side facing away from the orientation lip 71. Inside the contact box 70, the receptacle space 70a is formed for an insertable contact box plug, which is physically and in particular electrically contactable with the contact box 70 at least in a contact zone 70b. While the side walls of the contact box 70 functionally effectuate the linear lateral guide for the contact box plug (not shown) to be introduced in the insertion direction ES, the contact zone 70b is formed or spatially delimited by a spring lip 74 and a contact arch 75.

(36) In the present exemplary embodiment, the contact zone 70b is embodied symmetrically or axially symmetrically to the center axis L, M in the state of the inserted contact box plug.

(37) The clearance of the contact zone 70b is, without inserted contact box plug, undersized relative thereto, so that a deflection of the spring lip 74 against its spring force takes place due to the insertion of the contact box plug and a clearance required for the contact box plug is released. The restoring force of the spring lip 74 presses the contact box plug at its contact surface 74a on the contact surface 75a of the contact arch 75.

(38) The contact surfaces 74a, 75a are formed in regions as cylinder lateral surfaces, so that the following functional properties are assisted: The contact surfaces 74a, 75a each form a linear contact surface in relation to a planar contact box plug, The amounts of the linear contact surfaces are comparatively, so that an increased surface pressure is achievable, the increased surface pressure results in reliably keeping the contact partners in contact with one another, the formation of the contact surfaces 74a, 75a as cylinder lateral surfaces assists facilitated threading and insertion of the contact box plug into the receptacle space 70a and reduces the linear breaking loose force in the event of decontacting by pushing out the contact box plug against the direction ES.

(39) FIG. 8b shows the sectional illustration of the contact box 70 with its side facing toward the orientation lip 71. To mechanically limit the insertion depth of the contact box plug into the receptacle space 70a of the contact box 70, the invention provides a stop 76 in the insertion direction ES on the front and end sides of the contact box 70. The stop can be formed as a bead or lug, so that a physical stopping element is formed for the contact box plug.

(40) FIG. 9a comprises the first perspective sectional illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100. The sectional plane arranged vertically at the height of the longitudinal or center axis L, M shows further functions or geometrical designs, which are preferably implemented integrally in one piece.

(41) FIG. 9b illustrates the contact box 70 in the perspective sectional illustration as a detail from FIG. 9a. In the embodiment, integral functions are implemented in the closure tabs 72. The first closure tab 72 arranged in the insertion direction of the contact box plug ES is supplemented in one piece around the spring lip 74 with its contact surface 74a in the region of the cylindrical-section-shaped end region. The amounts of the spring lip 74 and its contact surface 74a are selected as less than the clearance of the receptacle space 70a for the contact box plug (not shown). This also applies for the width of the contact arch 75 with its contact surface 75a.

(42) The second closure tab 72 arranged in the insertion direction of the contact box plug ES is supplemented in one piece and in the direction ES around the detent hook 73 with its detent hook head 73a.

(43) The third closure tab 72 arranged in the insertion direction of the contact box plug ES is supplemented in one piece and in the direction ES around the stop 76.

(44) FIG. 10a comprises the second perspective sectional illustration of an exemplary embodiment of the socket contact element 100 and FIG. 10b comprises the contact box 70 in the perspective sectional illustration as a detail from FIG. 10a.

(45) FIG. 11a shows the sectional illustration A-A of the contact box of the socket contact element 100 at the height of the closure lug 72a of the closure tab 72 with stop 76. The closure lug 72a engages in the bore 71c of the orientation lip 71 and practically functions as a buttress to the bending, bending hinge 72d, so that increased structural stability is supported.

(46) FIG. 11b comprises the sectional illustration B-B of the contact box 70 of the socket contact element 100 at the height of the detent hook head 73a of the detent hook 73.

(47) FIG. 12a shows the sectional illustration C-C of the contact box 70 of the socket contact element 100 at the height of the support lug 72c of the closure tab 72 with detent hook 73. The invention again uses the stability-increasing effect of the buttress formed by the support lug 72c with respect to the bending, bending hinge 72d. At this sectional height, the spring lip 74 and the contact arch 75 extend inside the receptacle space for the contact box plug 70a.

(48) FIG. 12b depicts the sectional illustration D-D of the contact box 70 of the socket contact element 100 at the height of the closure tab 72 with contact zone 70b. The contact zone 70b is located in the region of the smallest clearance formed by the contact surfaces 74a, 75a of spring lip 74 and contact arch 75. The respective crowned contour of the contact surfaces 74a, 75a is shown here. This geometrically caused functional integration results in a shrunken contact area to the contact box plug (not shown), so that an increased surface pressure is produced with otherwise equal spring force of the spring lip 74.

(49) FIG. 13 shows the sectional illustration E-E of the contact box 70 of the socket contact element 100 at the height of the closure tab 72 with spring lip 74. A left-side bend 72d of this closure tab 72 is shown, which is thus located opposite to the bend 72d of the closure tab 72 with detent hook 73 from FIGS. 12a and 12b. The invention recognizes that arranging opposing bends 72d is capable of assisting the one-piece production by forming from a semifinished product flat.

(50) FIG. 14 shows the top view of a first example of the sheet-shaped, one-piece flat material 100′ as a semifinished product after a stamping process before the forming by bending, folding. The contoured flat 100′ is used after its preassembly as a starting material for the introduction of the crimp contour in the crimp section 50 and formation of the contact arch 75 in the later contact zone 70b. Massive forming measures are typically carried out for this purpose.

(51) The deformation processes to form the socket contact element 100 can be roughly divided into three zones of the semifinished product flat 100′: The middle region MB in between and the two outer regions adjoining thereon.

(52) The middle region MB is not or is only marginally deformed in the handling region 10 and in the region of the contact box 70, so that an essentially planar structure is obtained. In the other regions, a spherical or three-dimensional deformation takes place in different amounts, for example like a cylindrical section.

(53) The respective outer regions can be the subject matter of bending measures, folding processes, or free deformations. In particular in the region of the contact box 70, bending and folding sequences can be provided in order to produce the locationally-correct positions of the detent hook 73 outside the later receptacle space 70a for the contact box plug and the spring lip 74 inside the later receptacle space 70a for the contact box plug. In the present exemplary embodiment, this means specifically that firstly the closure tab 72 with spring lip 74 is shaped into its final position by a first folding or bending process, followed by the forming process for the closure tab 72 with detent hook 73. The closure tab 72 with stop 76 is not subject to any required sequence and can be formed at any time out of the semifinished product sheet plane into the final position to form the contact box 70 of the socket contact element 100.

(54) FIG. 15 illustrates the top view of a second example of the sheet-shaped, one-piece flat material 100′. While the geometrical formations of the contact box 70 are comparable to the situation depicted by FIG. 14, FIG. 15 shows a flat with a changed geometry in the first connecting section 20, insulation section 30, second connecting section 40, crimp section 50, and third connecting section 60.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(55) 10 handling section 11 bore, eye 12 flat part in radial extension direction 13 notch 20 first connecting section 30 insulation section 31 receptacle space for line 40 second connecting section 50 crimp section 51 receptacle space for stripped line, core 60 third connecting section 70 contact box 70a receptacle space for contact box plug 70b contact zone 71 orientation lip 71a threading bevel, insertion chamfer 71b lug 71c bore 72 closure tab 72a closure lug 72b contoured closure lug 72c support lug 72d bend, bending hinge 73 detent hook 73a detent hook head 74 spring lip 74a contact surface 75 contact arch 75a contact surface 76 stop 100 socket contact element 100′ semifinished product, flat EK insertion direction of the contact box ES insertion direction of the contact box plug L longitudinal axis M center axis MB middle region