DE19704311A1 - Contact spring design e.g. for motor vehicle plug connector power contact - Google Patents

Abstract

A contact spring including a basic spring (10) having a U- shaped spring arm base (16) with two side-walls (e) and a floor plate (a) on which are integrally formed both a terminal part (12,14) for an electric conductor and two spring arms (18,20) for forming a plug-in side insertion funnel for a plug contact. A spring arm (18,20) extends orthogonally away from each side- wall (e) with both the spring arms (18,20) extending mutually parallel to form a slit and spaced away from the floor-plate (a) of the spring arm base (16), each spring arm (18,20) being made double-walled, with each being bent back 180 deg. along a forming edge.

Description

The invention relates to a contact spring with a Grundfe the one that has a U-shaped spring arm base with two side walls gene and has a base plate on which one piece probably a connector for an electrical conductor as well two spring arms to form an insertion on the plug side funnels are molded for a plug contact.

Such a contact spring is, for example, from G 82 09 688.0 known. In this publication, a double flat described spring contact, which has a box-shaped housing a floor, a longitudinally slotted top wall and two Has side walls. On one side of the case is in the longitudinal direction a connector for a conductor wire or Solder legs or the like are provided. On the other side from the bottom of the box-shaped housing, which is also the Forms the base spring of the double flat spring contact two parallel spring arms and from the two side wings of the top wall in the same white se two spring arms away to the front. The pairs of spring arms are in Spaced from each other. In the front end area of the Fe derarme is an insertion funnel for a plug contact educated. With the described double flat spring contact an additional spring is used, which is in the interior of the Use spring arms.

This known contact spring is suitable as a power contact feather, in which due to the relatively large A guide funnel between the four spring arms, for example a 6.3 mm plug contact, as is common in automotive electrics can be found, can be used. Problematic with this well-known contact spring is not only the need maneuverability, in addition a spring element between the Federar  need to use. Even the relatively large Zu cut the sheet metal stamped part from which the known Kontaktfe which is punched is disadvantageous. The relatively big one Cutting the sheet metal stamped part is mainly due to the Design of the four spring arms conditionally, which are significantly above the spring arm base towards the plug side of the contact spring stretch.

Since the contact spring is a mass product, are the slightest material savings with sheet metal stamping of considerable advantage. Particular care must be taken be that between those hanging on a metal strip Sheet metal stampings, which later become the contact spring after a bending operation, only minimal unused sheet metal parts ver stay.

The invention is therefore based on the object, a wide re possibility for a contact spring, which as a power con clock spring can be used to specify, in which ver a particularly inexpensive one, in addition to the known contact springs Utilization of the sheet to be punched results.

This task is in the contact spring mentioned at the beginning solved in that a spring arm from each side wall extends orthogonally that the two spring arms one Forming a slot parallel to one another and spaced apart from Base plate of the spring arm base run, and that each of the Spring arms is double-walled by each spring arm is bent back by 180 °. For example, everyone is Spring arm along an at least approximately orthogonal to Longitudinal extension of the basic spring extending bending line bent back.

The contact spring according to the invention is essentially based on it, opposite the base plate of the spring arm base two spring arms arranged parallel and side by side Bending are designed to be double-walled. The introduction  So the funnel of the contact spring is in contrast to that known double flat spring contact not by two spring arms pairs formed, but either between the bottom plate of the Spring arm base and the two opposite, side by side the arranged spring arms or between the bent feet poor people themselves.

Since according to an advantageous embodiment of the inven the spring arms on the still unbent base spring Extend towards the connecting part of the base spring, results a relatively short length of the entire sheet metal punch part.

In a development of the invention it is provided that the Bending edges of the spring arms bent back to 180 ° closing part of the base spring are facing. Only through this The arrangement of the bending edges makes it possible for the sheet metal stamped part in the direction of the connecting part facing free ends the spring arms in the direction of the plug-in side of the base spring and thus to bend the contact spring and so for the required gerin to worry about sheet metal work.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that he already bent back free ends of the two spring arms to bend back again at the distal end of the Spring arms closer area towards the connector. This can create a funnel with funnel walls be used as a break-in aid for a plug contact that the contact spring is to be inserted.

However, it is not necessarily envisaged that the di stalen ends of the two spring arms again to form a Introductory funnel are bent back. Rather, there is ge according to another development of the invention speed, the free ends of the two spring arms each with one inward pointing towards the base plate of the spring arm base exercise. The plug contact is used for such  Contact spring between the bent walls of the spring arms plugged in.

Another development of the invention provides that the order Spring arm sections bent back 180 ° flat lie. Such a flat abutment of the spring arm cuts increases the stability of the entire introduction stroke ters of the basic spring.

In addition, it is possible in the bottom plate of the spring a bead, a dome-shaped bulge or similar to provide polarization on the outside to ensure the base plate of the spring arm base of the base spring Afford. Instead of a bead or dome-shaped bulge Exercise can also tear a rag out of the base plate be.

The contact spring according to the invention is preferably at least approximately symmetrical along its length forms.

The basic spring according to the invention is suitable for mass remote by placing the individual base parts on a sheet metal strip who are separated out by a suitable punching tool the. It is possible to use the already punched Grundfe the connecting webs to a metal strip of the sheet to have the stamped part molded on, in order to have several with ground electrically connected to each other via the metal strip to provide springs. At the separation points, however Separation is required at any time.

In a development of the invention, the contact spring is with provided with a box-shaped locking sleeve. This box-shaped Locking sleeve is on the spring arm base and the curved spring arms of the contact spring according to the invention put on and in front preferably with the base spring via clamping tabs clings.  

The box-shaped locking sleeve can also under power have support flaps that are arranged so that these Press on the spring arms from above, so the contacts force to increase further. The box-shaped locking sleeve is expediently with a primary latching hook and a so-called named secondary locking edge. The primary snap hook and the secondary locking edge serve to open the contact spring inserted locking sleeve securely in an opening of a housing to keep.

The contact spring according to the invention is below in Zu connection with two exemplary embodiments and several figures explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a plan view derhängenden to a sheet metal stamping with aneinan, yet unbent basic springs for con tact springs according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a top view, side view and a aufgebro chene detail view of the completed curved base spring of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a top and side view of the completed curved base spring of FIG. 2 with attached locking sleeve,

FIGS. 4a to 4d show various perspective views of a two-th embodiment of a base spring for a contact spring according to the invention, each after a completed bending operation the sheet metal part,

Fig. 5, the base spring of Fig. 4a to 4d in the finished ge bent state, and

Fig. 6, the base spring of Fig. 5 in longitudinal sectional view.

Designate in the following figures, unless otherwise indicated, same reference numerals, same parts with the same Meaning.

In Fig. 1, the plan view is displayed on a stamped already to form a plurality of adjacent base springs 10 sheet-metal strip 1. The base springs 10 , one of which is shown in full in FIG. 1, are connected in one piece via connecting webs 3 to a metal strip 5 . The metal strip 5 is hen with circular openings 7 verses, which serve as a transport aid in production. If necessary, the connecting webs 3 can be severed along the dividing line G shown in broken lines.

As shown in FIG. 1, 10, the base spring in a per se known ter manner a range for an insulation claw 12 projecting away from each other insulation claws flaps 12 a, 12 b and ei NEN area for a conductor wire claw 14 with two conductor wire claw overlap 14 a, 14 b on . Facing away from the area of the insulation claw 12 , an area for a spring arm base 16 adjoins the area of the conductor wire claw 14 in one piece.

This area of the spring arm base 16 is formed in the still ungebo gene base spring 10 as a plate-shaped part, which initially extends from the connection to the area of the conductor wire claw 14 V-shaped downward to continue rectangular in et wa. From this plate-shaped part of the base spring 10 is formed a U-shaped spring arm base 16 when properly bending operation, the dung a Bodenwan 16 a and 16 a of this bottom wall is 16 e has in the direction orthogonal Be Trachter extending away side walls. To form the U-shaped spring arm base 16 , the side walls 16 e mentioned must be bent at right angles in the direction of the viewer along the bending lines E extending parallel to the longitudinal extension or to the central axis X of the base spring 10 . On the side of the two side walls 16 e facing away from the base plate 16 a, an L-shaped sheet metal part is formed in one piece, which forms the left spring arm 18 or right spring arm 20 of the base spring 10 .

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, 18, the left arm an L-shaped tab 18 a on which, starting extending from the side wall 16 e first orthogonal to the center axis D of the base spring 10, and then rechtwink lig spring back in the direction of metal strips 5. There is an elongated flap 18 b. This tab 18 b can spring back parallel to the central axis X or, as shown in Fig. 1, at a small angle he stretch outward. Similarly, the right arm 20 having L-shaped tabs 20 a and there then further elongated tabs 20 d designed. The distal ends of the spring arms 18 , 20 extend approximately to the transition insulation claw 12 / wire claw 14th

As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 1, the spring arm 18 and spring arm 20 probably have further bending lines A, B, C and F. The bending lines F run pa parallel to the bending lines E and coincide with the upper edge of the side walls 16 e of the spring arm base 16 . The parallel to each other bending lines A, B and C are hen on the elongated lobe 18 b and 20 b of the spring arms 18 and 20 vorgese. The bending lines A run directly at the end of the L-shaped tab 18 a or 20 a. From this bending line A he stretches the main part of the elongated flap 18 b or 20 b. At about half the height of the area of the conductor wire claw 14 , the bending lines B and just before the distal ends of the spring arms 18 and 20 are the bending lines C. The bending lines will be explained in more detail in connection with FIGS . 4a to 5. The areas between the bending lines B and C of the two spring arms 18 , 20 are designated by the reference numerals 18 d and 20 d.

Fig. 2 shows a top view of the base spring 10 with a view into the U-shaped opening of the conductor wire claw 14 or insulation claw 12 (see FIG. 2 on the left) on how the finished bent contact spring looks after the bending process or the bending processes have taken place the side view of the base spring 10 (see. Fig. 2 middle) and the partially broken side view of the base spring 10 in the area of the introductory ters, that is, the plug-in side of the base spring 10 (see. Fig. 2 right).

In FIG. 2, the left parallel to each other ver current elongated tabs 18 20 er are clearly b, 20 b of the spring arms 18, recognizable. The bending lines A on the left spring arm 18 and right spring arm 20 are also clearly visible.

The double-walled design of the spring arms 18 , 20 shows the side view as well as the broken Seitenan view of Fig. 2. The along the bending lines A by 180 ° to bent back spring arms 18 , 20 lie flat against each other to increase the stability of the base spring 10 . The bending lines A are the conductor wire claw 14 or insulation claw 12 facing. This means that the free ends of the spring arms 18, 20, that is, the elongate flap 18 b, 20 b side toward plug are folded back along the bending lines A. To form a funnel for a plug-in contact to be inserted into the plug-in side of the Grundfe 10 , the front free end of the spring arm 18 or 20 is bent back obliquely, as shown in FIG. 2 on the right. The bending line B already mentioned in connection with FIG. 1 serves as the bending line. The bent-back region is identified by the reference symbol 18 d. In order to avoid getting caught when pulling out a plug-in contact introduced into the guide funnel of the base spring 10 , a slight bend can again be provided at the front short end along the bending line C on the spring arm 18 or 20 . As shown in Fig. 2, the bottom plate of the spring arm base 16 can also be provided with a polarization 22 , here a pressed-out sheet metal strip.

The basic spring 10 already explained is shown again in FIG. 3. In addition, a box-shaped locking sleeve 40 is now placed on the spring arm base 16 of the base spring 10 . This box-shaped locking sleeve 40 fulfills two tasks. On the one hand, the locking sleeve 40 should offer the possibility of increasing the contact force. For this purpose, on the upper side of the box-shaped locking sleeve 40 facing the viewer, two opposing force support tabs 41 are provided, which press on the spring arms 18 , 20 of the base spring 10 underneath. On the other hand, the locking sleeve 40 is used for locking in an opening of a housing into which the contact spring together with the locking sleeve 40 is to be inserted.

For locking, the box-shaped locking sleeve 40 has on the side on which the force-supporting tabs 41 are arranged, via a primary locking hook 44 , which is surrounded by a U-shaped slot 46 and obliquely in the direction of insulation claw 12 or conductor wire claw 14 from the Detent sleeve 40 protrudes. The edge of the locking sleeve 40 facing the insulation claw 12 or the conductor wire claw 14 serves as the secondary locking edge 48 . In addition, a clamping tab 52 is arranged on the locking sleeve 40 in FIG. 3. This clamping tab 52 is used to clamp the base spring 10 and locking sleeve 40 and thus for a secure mutual attachment.

So that the entire contact spring, that is, the base spring 10 with the snap-on sleeve 40 plugged in, can be inserted without canting into an opening of an associated housing, on the side facing the plug-in side of the snap-in sleeve 40 is in each case a short tab bent by approximately 45 ° inwards on all four sides the locking sleeve 40 provided.

In the following FIGS. 4a to 4d and FIG. 5, the operations required for the contact spring according to the invention are described. The already known reference symbols continue to be used for the same parts with the same meaning.

The base spring 10 shown in FIGS . 4a to 5 differs somewhat from the embodiment shown in FIGS . 1 to 3 Darge. The most important difference is how the perspective view of the base spring 10 of Fig. 4a shows that the distal ends of the two Fe derarme 18 , 20 are not bent back, but only have bulges 18 e, 20 e. This means that the spring arms 18 , 20 bulge slightly from the bending lines B in the direction of their di stal ends, in order to then run down again towards the end.

In contrast to the basic spring of the previous figures, the spring arm base 16 now has on the plug-in side one of two recesses 16 c limited rectangular tab 16 b. In this tab 16 b a bead 16 d is pressed to form a polarization of the base spring 10 . Pointing in the opposite direction are two in the spring arms 18 and 20 pressed beads 18 c and 20 c.

After, as Fig. 4a shows, the above-mentioned vaulting 18 e and 20 e are introduced into the spring arms 18 , 20 , the spring arms 18 , 20 are bent along the bending lines A to the next by 90 ° upwards.

In the next step, these spring arms 18 , 20 are bent back again by 90 °, so that the curved base spring 10 shown in FIG. 4c results, in which the two vaults 18 e and 20 e with their front end approximately with the front edge of the Align spring arm base 16 . In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4c, the spring arms 18 , 20 are thus U-shaped, that is to say bent over by 180 °. This can be done so that the bent wall sections of the spring arms 18 , 20 are spaced apart. However, it is also possible, as shown in FIG. 2 on the right, that the bent wall sections of the spring arms 18 , 20 lie directly on one another. With a spaced arrangement of the bent spring arm sections, instead of a single bending line A, the two bending lines A 'and A''shown in FIG. 4c are necessary.

In the next step, as FIG. 4d makes clear, the base spring 10 along the center line X, which also represents a bending line, is bent into a U-shape in the region of the insulation claw 12 and conductor wire claw 14 . In the field of Federarmba sis 16 is a right-angled bending is performed along the in Fig. 4c shown bending lines E, so that the dung Bodenwan 16 a of the spring arm 16 now has two side walls 16 perpendicular e extend away upwards. This bend takes place, as indicated schematically in Fig. 4d, by a suitable bending punch 30th

In the last step, the base spring 10 is shown bending lines F dashed bent along the in Fig. 4c and Fig. 4d. These bending lines F run on the upper side of the side walls 16 e of the spring arm base 16 . The spring arms 18 , 20 bent back by 180 ° are thus double-walled parallel in one plane next to each other. There is a slot 24 between these two double-walled spring arms 18 , 20 . The two double-walled spring arms 18 , 20 are spaced apart from the base plate 16 a of the spring arm base 16 .

To form a connector, unlike in the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 2, a contact knife 60 in this embodiment (cf. the schematic sectional view of FIG. 6) between the tabs 18 a, 18 b and 20 a, 20 b pushed.

Reference list

1

Sheet metal stamping

5

Metal strips

7

openings

10th

Basic spring

12th

Isolation claw

14

Conductor wire claw

16

Spring arm base

18th

Spring arm

20th

Spring arm

22

polarization

24th

slot

30th

Bending punch

12th

a,

12th

b Isolation claw lobes

14

a,

14

b Wire claw lobes

16

a base plate

16

b rectangular rag

16

c recesses

16

d surround

16

e side walls

18th

a L-shaped rag

18th

b elongated rag

18th

c surround

18th

d rag bent back

18th

e arching

20th

a L-shaped rag

20th

b elongated rag

20th

c surround

20th

d rag bent back

20th

e arching

40

Locking sleeve

41

Power support rag

44

Primary snap hook

46

slot

48

Secondary locking edge

50

Rag

52

Interlocking tabs

60

Flat contact
A.. .F bending lines
A ', A''bend lines
G dividing line
X center axis

Claims (12)

1. Contact spring with a base spring ( 10 ), which has a U-shaped spring arm base ( 16 ) with two side walls ( 16 e) and a base plate ( 16 a), on which one piece as well as a connecting part ( 12 , 14 ) for an electrical Conductor and two spring arms ( 18 , 20 ) are formed to form a stecksei insertion funnel for a plug contact, characterized in that from each side wall ( 16 e) a spring arm ( 18 , 20 ) extends orthogonally that the two spring arms ( 18 , 20 ) forming a slot ( 24 ) parallel to each other and spaced apart from the Bo denplatte ( 16 a) of the spring arm base ( 16 ), and that each of the spring arms ( 18 , 20 ) is double-walled, in which each spring arm ( 18 , 20 ) is bent back by 180 ° along a bending edge (A). 2. Contact spring according to claim 1, characterized in that each Fe derarm ( 18 , 20 ) by 180 ° along a bending edge (A) is bent back, and that the bending edge (A) with the bent contact spring the connecting part ( 12 , 14 ) the base spring ( 10 ) faces. 3. Contact spring according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the free ends of the two spring arms ( 18 , 20 ) in the direction of the connecting part ( 12 , 14 ) are bent back. 4. Contact spring according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the free ends of the two spring arms ( 18 , 20 ) each have a bulge ( 18 e, 20 e) pointing in the direction of the base plate ( 16 a) of the spring arm base ( 16 ). 5. Contact spring according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the 180 ° bent spring arm sections lie flat against each other. 6. Contact spring according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bottom plate ( 16 a) of the spring arm base ( 16 ) with a bead ( 16 d), a dome-shaped bulge or a polarizing rag is provided. 7. Contact spring according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the basic spring ( 10 ) before the bending process is integrally formed on a Me tallstreifen ( 5 ) as a sheet metal part and a separable metallic connecting web ( 3 ) with this Me tallstreifen ( 5 ) communicates. 8. Contact spring according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that on the base spring ( 10 ) a box-shaped locking sleeve ( 40 ) can be plugged in, and that this locking sleeve ( 40 ) has at least two force support tabs ( 41 ) on the spring arms Press ( 18 , 20 ) the base spring ( 10 ). 9. Contact spring according to claim 8, characterized in that the box-shaped locking sleeve ( 40 ) has at least one primary locking hook ( 44 ). 10. Contact spring according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the box-shaped locking sleeve ( 40 ) via clamping tabs ( 52 ) sits on the base spring ( 10 ). 11. Contact spring according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the still unbent sheet metal part of the base spring ( 10 ) is at least approximately symmetrical. 12. Contact spring according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that each Fe derarm ( 18 , 20 ) 180 ° along an at least approximately orthogonal to the longitudinal extension of the base spring ( 10 ) duri fenden bending line (A) is bent back.