DE102016007621A1 - Spring contact pin - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spring contact pin (100; 200; 300; 500) having a spring (106; 208) of electrically conductive or insulating material which is deformable between a relaxed state and a compressed state, a contact element (102) for electrical contacting a mating contact element (402), the contact element (102) being displaceable by the spring (106; 208), a sleeve (108) contacting the contact element (102) when the spring (106; 208) is in the compressed state and which is galvanically isolated from the contact element when the spring (106; 208) is in the relaxed state.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a spring contact pin, in particular for use in a magnetic resonance tomograph.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Spring contact pins, spring contacts or spring pins are contacting elements used for testing electronic components. Spring contact pins are also used in detachable electrical connectors.

The contact is generated by probing by means of a spring-assisted pin. Other designations in the jargon include test pin, probe, spring-loaded contact, test pin or Pogo ^® pin.

The US 2013/0330983 A1 shows a spring contact pin with a sleeve, a spring, an insulating ball and a piston.

In known spring contact pins, there is occasionally a tilting of the piston in the sleeve. This is a cause of passive intermodulation (PIM).

Against this background shows the PCT / EP2016 / 054932 a spring contact pin with improved PIM characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Against this background, the present invention seeks to provide a spring contact pin with a contact element, which is galvanically isolated in a non-plugged state of a carrier.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by an assembly having the features of patent claim 1 and / or by a method having the features of patent claim 10.

Accordingly, it is provided:
a spring contact pin having a spring of electrically conductive or insulating material which is deformable between a relaxed state and a compressed state, a contact element for electrically contacting a mating contact element, wherein the contact element is displaceable by the spring, a sleeve which contacts the contact element when the spring is in the compressed state and which is galvanically isolated from the contact element when the spring is in the relaxed state.

The idea underlying the present invention is to protect a user against electric shocks by accidental contact of the contact element. This is accomplished by galvanically isolating the contact element in an unplugged state of conductive devices that may carry electrical charges or conduct electrical charge from a voltage source in a device to which the spring pin is connected.

This electrical isolation is ensured by a compressible spacer or spring which spaces the contact element from other conductive components when the spring is relaxed.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments will become apparent from the other dependent claims and from the description with reference to the figures of the drawing.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination indicated, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring, the sleeve and the contact element are arranged in a contact carrier. The contact carrier gives the spring contact pin improved stability. The contact carrier is preferably made of plastic, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, polyamides or the like.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring is made of an electrically conductive material and an insulating part is formed between the spring and the contact element. The insulating part separates the contact element galvanically from the spring. Consequently, the spring can also comprise electrically conductive material, which has a particularly positive effect on relaxation properties and stability properties of the spring.

Alternatively, it is conceivable to manufacture the spring from an electrically insulating material. In this case, an insulating part is not necessary.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the sleeve has resilient contact tongues. Thus, a comprehensive, homogeneous contact between the sleeve and the contact element is ensured even with lateral force effects when the spring is in a compressed state.

In addition, the resilient contact tongues ensure a certain tolerance compensation by the contact tongues hold the contact element centered in the sleeve.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the contact element is cone-shaped in an end region. In this way, for example, forms a contact carrier or, if no contact carrier is set, another component with a housing function of a device having the spring contact pin according to the invention, a stop for the contact element. In this way, the interior of the spring contact pin is protected from dirt and / or spray.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the contact carrier has a contact-element-side end and a device-side end, wherein the contact carrier has a bore at its contact element-side end and a sealing element in the region of the bore. In this way, the tightness of the spring contact pin according to the invention can be further improved.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the spring is designed as a spiral spring, as a leaf spring, as a plate spring or the like.

A galvanic separation of the contact element of further conductive components of the spring contact pin, for example the sleeve, is preferably carried out by a spacing of at least 2 mm, in particular from 3 to 7 mm, more particularly from 4.5 to 5.5 mm.

The spring contact pin according to the invention can be manufactured from non-magnetic or low-magnetic materials. Thus, the spring contact pin according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in an MRI bed due to its galvanic isolation.

The above embodiments and developments can, if appropriate, combine with each other as desired. Further possible refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments. In particular, the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspects as improvements or additions to the respective basic form of the present invention.

CONTENT OF THE DRAWING

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments indicated in the schematic figures of the drawing. It shows:

1 shows an embodiment of a spring contact pin according to the invention;

2 shows a further embodiment of a spring contact pin according to the invention;

3 shows a further embodiment of a spring contact pin according to the invention;

4 shows the embodiment according to 3 ;

5 shows a further embodiment of a spring contact pin according to the invention;

The accompanying figures of the drawing are intended to convey a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the stated advantages will become apparent with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale to each other.

In the figures of the drawing are the same, functionally identical and same-acting elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - each provided with the same reference numerals.

In the following the figures are described coherently and comprehensively.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Although the present invention has been fully described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto but is modifiable in a variety of ways.

The 1 - 3 each show a spring contact pin according to the invention 100 . 200 respectively. 300 in a galvanically isolated state.

1 shows a spring contact pin according to the invention 100 with a contact element or piston 102 , an insulating part 104 , a spring 106 , a sleeve 108 and a fastener 110 , The feather 106 is in a recess 114 of the fastener 110 arranged and is in its further course of the sleeve 108 further stabilized.

It is conceivable that the fastener 110 and the sleeve 108 are formed in one piece. The sleeve 108 has several resilient contact tongues. In a piston-side end region of the contact tongues, these narrow to a narrowed region 118 to provide a homogeneous contact from the sleeve to the piston 102 ensure when the spring 106 is compressed.

The feather 106 is made of so-called spring steel. To the spring 106 galvanic from the piston 102 to disconnect is between the spring 106 and the piston 102 an insulating part 104 educated.

The feather 106 is designed as a spiral spring. In the spiral spring is a thorn 112 of the insulating part 104 used. In this way, the insulating part 104 on the thorn 112 in the spring 106 held.

Alternatively, an end portion of the spring 106 in a bore (not shown) of the insulating part 104 be included. In this case, it is particularly advantageous if the insulating part 104 in the area of the hole for the spring 104 also the sleeve 108 partially covered. This alternative embodiment is compatible with the embodiments according to any one of 2 - 5 combined.

The piston 102 is with the insulating part 104 connected. The piston 102 has a cone-shaped region in one end region 116 on. In this way, a seal against dirt and spray can be ensured when the cone-shaped area 116 strikes against a corresponding housing.

2 shows a spring contact pin according to the invention 200 according to a further embodiment. The spring contact pin 200 differs from the spring contact pin 100 through the contact carrier 202 as well as by the spring 208 , which is made of electrically insulating material. Thus, the piston needs 102 not galvanic from the spring 208 be disconnected so that the spring contact pin 200 has no insulating part. The contact carrier 202 is hollow cylindrical and has a stop on its inner surface 204 as well as a stop 206 on.

The attacks 204 and 206 form steps inside the contact carrier 202 , so that the inner diameter of the contact carrier 202 gradually reduced. The stop 204 serves to secure the sleeve 108 , Behind the stop 204 reduces the inner diameter of the contact carrier 202 on the diameter of the spring 208 or of the piston 102 plus a tolerance range. In this way, the stability of the spring contact pin 200 guaranteed in a piston-side end.

When an end portion of the spring is received in a bore of the insulating member as above with respect to the alternative embodiment 1 described, the inner geometry of the contact carrier may differ.

The stop 206 serves as a stop for the piston, in particular the cone-shaped end region 116 of the piston 102 , In this way, the splash-proofness of the spring contact pin 200 ensured at the same time a relatively large tolerance compensation.

3 shows a spring contact pin according to the invention 300 , The spring contact pin 300 indicates by analogy 1 a feather 106 made of spring steel and an insulating part 104 on. Furthermore, the spring contact pin 300 analogous to 2 a contact carrier 202 on.

4 shows the spring contact pin 300 in the compressed state of the spring 106 , so in mated condition. Although the spring contact pins 100 and 200 are not shown in plugged state, change the spring contact pins 100 . 200 when compressing the spring analogous to the spring contact pin 300 in 4 ,

In 4 is shown that a mating contact element 402 a device to be contacted by the spring contact pin a compressive force in the direction of the fastener 110 of the spring contact pin 300 exercises. Due to this pressure force, the piston shift 102 as well as the insulating part 104 in the direction of the fastener 110 , This is the spring 106 compressed.

In 5 is a spring contact pin according to the invention 500 shown. The spring contact pin 500 differs from the spring contact pin 300 in 3 respectively. 4 by its additional sealing element 502 , The spring contact pin 500 points in an area at the stop 206 a sealing ring 502 on which surrounds the bore for the piston. In this way, the end portion of the piston 102 waterproof sealed. The sealing ring may be made of silicone, for example.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

Spring contact pin

102

contact element

104

Insulation

106

feather

108

shell

110

fastener

112

mandrel

114

recess

116

cone-shaped end region

118

curved area

200

Spring contact pin

202

contact support

204

attack

206

attack

208

feather

300

Spring contact pin

402

Contact element

500

Spring contact pin

502

sealing element

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 2013/0330983 A1 [0004]
• EP 2016/054932 [0006]

Claims (10)

Spring contact pin ( 100 ; 200 ; 300 ; 500 ) with - a spring ( 106 ; 208 ) made of electrically conductive or insulating material, which is deformable between a relaxed state and a compressed state, - a contact element ( 102 ) for electrically contacting a mating contact element ( 402 ), wherein the contact element ( 102 ) of the spring ( 106 ; 208 ) is displaceable, - a sleeve ( 108 ), which the contact element ( 102 ) when the spring ( 106 ; 208 ) is in the compressed state, and which is galvanically isolated from the contact element when the spring ( 106 ; 208 ) is in the relaxed state. Spring contact pin ( 100 ; 200 ; 300 ; 500 ) according to claim 1, wherein the spring ( 106 ; 208 ), the sleeve ( 108 ) and the contact element in a contact carrier ( 202 ) are arranged. Spring contact pin ( 200 ; 300 ; 500 ) according to claim 2, wherein the contact carrier ( 202 ), In particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyamides or the like. Spring contact pin ( 100 ; 300 ; 500 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring ( 106 ) comprises electrically conductive material and between the spring ( 106 ) and the contact element ( 102 ) an insulating part ( 104 ) is trained. Spring contact pin ( 100 ; 200 ; 300 ; 500 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve ( 108 ) has resilient contact tongues. Spring contact pin ( 100 ; 200 ; 300 ; 500 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact element ( 102 ) is cone-shaped in an end region. Spring contact pin ( 100 ; 200 ; 300 ; 500 ) according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, wherein the contact carrier ( 202 ) has a contact-side end and a device-side end, wherein the contact carrier ( 202 ) at its contactelementseitigem end a bore and in the region of the bore a sealing element ( 502 ) having. Spring contact pin ( 100 ; 200 ; 300 ; 500 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring ( 106 ; 208 ) is designed as a spiral spring, a leaf spring, a plate spring or the like. Spring contact pin ( 100 ; 200 ; 300 ; 500 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring ( 106 ; 208 ) is arranged such that in a relaxed state of the spring ( 106 ; 208 ) the contact element ( 102 ) of the sleeve ( 108 ) is spaced at least 2 mm, in particular from 3 to 7 mm, more particularly from 4.5 to 5.5 mm. Couch for use in the medical field, in particular an MRI couch, with at least one spring contact pin ( 100 ; 200 ; 300 ; 500 ) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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