ELECTRICAL PLUG CONNECTOR

Abstract

A plug connector suitable for use as an airbag squib connector is presented. The plug connector includes a connector housing, having a plug-in portion and at least one female contact terminal that is arranged at least partially in the plug-in portion. The plug connector further includes a grounding contact, having an intermediate section and a contact section formed from sheet metal. The sections have respective main surfaces and circumferential edges. The contact section is configured to electrically contact a corresponding grounding contact of a counter-connector. The intermediate section branches off from the contact section. The main surfaces of the intermediate section and the contact section are parallel to the mating direction.

Claims

1. A plug connector, comprising: a connector housing having a plug-in portion; at least one female contact terminal arranged at least partially in the plug-in portion, and a grounding contact, comprising an intermediate section and a contact section formed from sheet metal, wherein the intermediate section and the contact section have respective main surfaces and circumferential edges, wherein the contact section is configured to electrically contact a corresponding grounding contact of a counter-connector and the intermediate section branches off from the contact section, and wherein the main surfaces of the intermediate section and the contact section are oriented parallel to a mating direction.

2. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the contact section extends in a direction parallel to the mating direction, wherein the intermediate section branches off perpendicular to the contact section, and wherein the main surfaces of the intermediate section and the contact section are arranged in the same plane.

3. The plug connector according to claim 2, and wherein the main surfaces of the intermediate section and the contact section are arranged in the same plane.

4. The plug connector according to claim 2, wherein the main surfaces of the intermediate section and the contact section are arranged in the same plane.

5. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the grounding contact further comprises a connecting section which extends through the connector housing and is configured to be connected to a grounding cable and wherein the connecting section is connected to the contact section via the intermediate section.

6. The plug connector according to claim 5, wherein the at least one female contact terminal is provided with an electrical signal line that extends through the connector housing, wherein the connecting section extends essentially parallel to the electrical signal line.

7. The plug connector according to claim 6, wherein the connecting section extends in a plane that is perpendicular to the mating direction and wherein the intermediate section extends essentially in the same plane.

8. The plug connector according to claim 6, wherein the intermediate section and the contact section are formed from a single piece of metal sheet.

9. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the plug connector comprises at least two female contact terminals which are arranged at least partially in the plug-in portion and wherein the contact section of the grounding contact is arranged at least partially in the plug-in portion of the connector housing.

10. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the contact section of the grounding contact comprises a distal end that does not protrude over a mating face of the plug-in portion in the mating direction.

11. The plug connector according to claim 10, wherein the distal end of the contact section is flush with the mating face of the plug-in portion.

12. The plug connector according to claim 10, wherein the connector housing comprises a longitudinal guiding groove that is configured to receive the contact section of the grounding contact.

13. The plug connector according to claim 12, wherein the guiding groove surrounds at least three sides of the contact section.

14. The plug connector according to claim 12, wherein the connector housing comprises a blocking means in proximity to the mating face of the plug-in portion and wherein the contact section comprises a corresponding blocking portion that is configured to be in blocking contact with the blocking means, so that the distal end of the contact section is prevented form protruding over the mating face of the plug-in portion in the mating direction.

15. The plug connector according to claim 14, wherein the distal end of the contact section of the grounding contact has a reduced width to form the corresponding blocking portion and wherein protrusions are provided in proximity to the distal end of the contact section to form the corresponding blocking portion.

16. The plug connector according to claim 12, wherein the connector housing comprises a positioning recess that is configured to receive the contact section of the grounding contact at least partially and wherein the positioning recess surrounds three sides of the contact section entirely, and a fourth side of the contact section at least partially.

17. The plug connector according to claim 16, wherein the positioning recess extends in the mating direction and has an essentially c-shaped cross-sectional form in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction.

18. The plug connector according to claim 17, wherein the positioning recess has a length that is at most half the length of the contact section as measured from the distal end of the contact section to the branch-off of the intermediate section.

19. The plug connector according to claim 16, wherein the longitudinal guiding groove, the blocking means, and the positioning recess are integrally formed.

20. The plug connector according to claim 19, wherein the longitudinal guiding groove, the blocking means, and the positioning recess are formed in a sidewall of the plug-in portion.

21. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector housing comprises an engaging means that is configured to engage with the intermediate section of the grounding contact and wherein the engaging means is configured to urge the intermediate section into the mating direction.

22. The plug connector according to claim 21, wherein an engaging section is aligned with the contact section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0038] The present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a plug connector;

[0040] FIG. 2A shows a detailed schematic view of a distal end of a contact section;

[0041] FIG. 2B shows a detailed cut-view of a positioning recess;

[0042] FIG. 2C shows a detailed cut-view of a distal end of a contact section being received in a positioning recess;

[0043] FIG. 3A shows a schematic cut-view of a grounding contact, being arranged in a connector housing;

[0044] FIG. 3B shows a further view of a grounding contact being arranged in a connector housing;

[0045] FIG. 4A shows a schematic perspective view of a grounding contact;

[0046] FIG. 4B shows a schematic view of a pre-form of a grounding contact; and

[0047] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a counter-connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] In particular, FIG. 1 shows a plug connector 10 having a connector housing 11 that is formed form at least two parts. The connector housing 11 comprises a plug-in portion 12. Two female contact terminals 20, 20′ are provided centered in the plug-in portion 12. The plug-in portion 12 is provided with a distal front face, which is a mating face 14. In a peripheral side wall of the plug-in portion 12, a contact section 33 of a grounding contact 30 is received.

[0049] As can be best seen in FIGS. 2A and 2C, the contact section 33 of the grounding contact 30 comprises a distal end 35 that is provided flush with the mating face 14 of the plug-in portion 12. The plug-in portion 12 is provided with a guiding groove 13 that guides the contact section 33 on at least three sides. In particular, the guiding groove 13 is provided in an inner peripheral side of the side wall of the plug-in portion 12 and guides the contact section 33 on a main surface side and two circumferential edges.

[0050] In proximity to the mating face 14, a blocking means 18 is provided that is in blocking contact with a blocking portion 38 of the contact section 33. The blocking portion 38 is provided as two protrusions. Alternatively, the distal end 35 of the contact section 33 could be provided with a reduced width, in order to provide a blocking portion 38. Still further, the forth side of the contact section 33 is at least partially covered by a positioning recess 15.

[0051] As best can be seen in the partial cut-view of FIG. 2B, the positioning recess 15 guides the contact section 33 on three sides entirely and on the fourth side partially. Further, the length x of the positioning recess 15 is shorter than the length d of the contact section 33. In the present embodiment, the length x is at most half as long as the length d of the contact section 33.

[0052] In FIG. 2B, blocking means 18 are shown that protrude into the guiding groove 13, in order to provide a blocking contact with the blocking portion 38 of the contact section 33. Due to the blocking contact, the distal end 35 of the contact section 33 can be arranged flush or essentially flush with the mating face 14 of the plug-in portion 12.

[0053] FIG. 3A shows a cut view of the plug connector 10, wherein the plug connector 10 is cut in a plane of the contact section 33. As can be seen, the main surface of the contact section 33 and the main surface of the intermediate section 32 are oriented parallel to the mating direction A. The connecting section 31, which is best shown in FIG. 3B, extends into the plane of projection of FIG. 3A. Thus the main surface of the connecting section 31 is substantially perpendicular to the mating direction A. The intermediate section 32 is engaged with the engaging means 17 of the connector housing 11. The engaging means 17 is aligned with the contact section 33 of the grounding contact 30. The engaging means 17 urges the intermediate section 32 in mating direction A, against an inner surface of the connector housing 11. Thereby, the distal end 35 of the contact section 33 is also urged into mating direction A and can be arranged flush with the mating face 14 of the plug-in portion 12.

[0054] In particular, the length d of the contact section 33 defines the final position of the distal end 35 of the contact section 33 in mating direction A. Since the length d of the contact section 33 (measured from the distal end 35 to the branch-off of the intermediate section 32) is not dependent on a bending radius or on the sheet thickness, the axial position of the distal end 35 can be defined very precisely.

[0055] By providing additional blocking means 18 that protrude into the guiding groove 13, the exact axial positioning of the distal end 35 of the contact section 33 is further facilitated. This is achieved by a blocking contact between the blocking means 18 and the corresponding blocking portion 38 of the contact section 33. Still further, the engaging means 17 urges the contact section 33, and in particular the blocking portion 38, in blocking contact with the blocking means 18.

[0056] FIG. 3B shows a partial cut view of the plug connector 10, wherein the plug connector 10 is cut in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction A. The plug connector 10 comprises two female contact terminals 20, 20′, which are arranged at least partially in the plug-in portion 12. The two female contact terminals 20, 20′ are provided with respective electrical signal lines 21, 21′ that extend through the connector housing 11 and that can be connected with respective signal cables or wires (not shown). Further, the grounding contact 30 comprises a connecting section 31 that extends essentially parallel to the electrical signal lines 21, 21′ and preferably in a plane that is perpendicular to the mating direction A. Further, the connecting section 31 of the grounding contact 30 comprises a main surface, which is preferably in the same plane as the electrical signal lines 21, 21′ of the two female contact terminals 20, 20′. Particularly, the connecting section 31 is configured to be connected to a grounding cable/wire, preferably by means of welding, soldering crimping and/or the like.

[0057] FIG. 4A shows a schematic perspective view of a grounding contact 30. The grounding contact 30 comprises a connecting section 31, an intermediate section 32 and a contact section 33. Preferably, the grounding contact 30 is formed as an integral part from a single metal sheet as best seen in FIG. 4B.

[0058] When mounted to a plug connector 10, the contact section 33 will extend into the mating direction A. The contact section 33 and the intermediate section 32 comprise a main surface and circumferential edges, wherein the main surfaces are arranged parallel to that mating direction A, if the grounding contact 30 is mounted to a plug connector 10. In the embodiment shown, the main surfaces of the contact section 33 and the intermediate section 32 are arranged in the same plane. Further, at a distal end 35 of the contact section 33, protrusions are provided to form a blocking portion 38.

[0059] FIG. 4B shows a pre-form of the grounding contact 30. The pre-form is cut out form a single metal sheet, and is preferably stamped. By bending the pre-form at the bending lines 39, indicated as lines perpendicular to the circumferential edge, the grounding contact 30 as shown in FIG. 4A can be formed. Further, the grounding contact 30 comprises a contact section 33 having a length d (measured from the distal end 35 to the branch-off of the intermediate section 32). In proximity to the distal end 35 of the contact section 33, a blocking portion 38 is provided by means of protrusion. The intermediate section 32 interconnects the connecting section 31 with the contact section 33.

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a corresponding counter-connector 40, for example an airbag squib retainer. The counter-connector 40 is provided with an electrical grounding contact 43 that is configured to be in contact with the grounding contact 30 of the plug connector 10, if the plug connector 10 is mated with the counter-connector 40. Still further, a lateral grounding contact 45 is provided to electrically connect the grounding contact 43 of the counter-connector 40 with a connector housing 11, such as a socket of an airbag squib (not shown).

[0061] While this invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to be so limited, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, primary secondary, etc. does not denote any order of importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items.