WO1983003323A1 - Electric plug connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical plug connector consisting of two contact parts (101, 102) is designed to virtually eliminate the frictional wear of the contact areas (112, 112'/116, 116') caused in conventional connectors plugs when mating and separating contacts. This objective is achieved thanks to a functional separation between the parts making the contact and the parts allowing the coupling of the contacts by an elastic pressure which holds them together.

Description

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Electrical connector

description

The invention relates to an electrical connector according to the preamble of claim 1.

Connectors are to be understood here to mean the conventional electrical connecting elements known under this name. They are connecting elements, their contact surfaces, i.e. the areas over which the current flows in the plugged state from a contact to its mating contact, lie essentially parallel to the plug-in or connection axis direction or direction along which the contacts are connected to one another for their connection. Accordingly, plug connectors are also to be understood here as having, for example, two tongue-like contacts which are biased perpendicular to the connecting axis of the contacts in the inserted state for the purpose of touching the mutual contact surfaces.

Deformation areas are here, as I said, the areas of such surfaces which bring about a deformation by engaging surfaces of the counter contact by transmitting the pressure exerted during the insertion and / or maintaining the pressure generated by the deformation.

The plug-in process here means the overlapping of the contacts from the first touch to the end of the movement of the overlapping under touch.

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Such connectors are used today to a large extent for connecting components of electronic devices and the devices to one another and in similar applications. Of course, and this will generally be the case with the connector having several such contact pairs with at least two contact surfaces. These are mostly as pin and socket contacts, e.g. formed as a knife and feather, which are then arranged in a grid in knife or Fe bar bodies. These bodies can then be plugged together.

The contact parts of an example of a conventional quick connector are shown in side view in FIG. 1. The Sti contact is designed as a knife 1 and the socket as a double spring 2. The knife has a contact zone 12, 12 'and the fork spring 2 also has a two-part contact zone 16, 16' with a variable against the force of the spring 2 opening 18. Hierdurc it is also clear that the "deformability", such it is understood here that the contact zone or in the area of the contact zone is not necessarily a material deformation, but usually a change in position, possibly different areas of the contact zone against one another, in order to allow the penetration or sliding of the or enclosing the mating contact. The actual (elastic) material deformation, however, takes place at 2 in the spring zone.

So it takes place with the deformable of the contacts (both may also be deformable) during the mating process, essentially to planes that contain the thru axis, in order to adapt to the deformation range of the counter-contact under the action of the elastic force.

OM Depending on the application, the contact zone of the pin 1 is one, as shown here: two (12, 12 '), or multi-sided or multi-part, since the contact pin is designed as a knife (ie with a rectangular cross-section) 1.

The great advantage of the connectors is that the electrical connection is easy to connect and detach. Since the contact surfaces should ensure the best possible transition of the electrical current, which requires a certain contact pressure, on the other hand, due to the repeated assembly and disconnection of the connection due to the contact pressure, the contact surfaces are usually subjected to wear, for example by plating or galvanizing a layer of precious metal, often gold, silver or palladium. This layer must be the thicker the more often the separation and re-assembly of the connection can be expected. However, it is subject to inevitable abrasion. In view of the fact that the cost of the precious metal can account for up to 50% of the total cost of such connectors, it is understandable that considerable efforts are being made in the art of technology to improve the coating methods by making the thinnest and at the same time wear-resistant Sc ten . However, this also increases the cost and does not make the precious metal unnecessary in such places, from the point of view of electrical contact alone base metals, e.g. Tin, or a very thin layer of precious metal (corrosion protection) in the contact zones would suffice. The abrasion is particularly a problem because, as I said, a certain contact pressure must be present in the plug connection and a certain plug-in path is also given for purely mechanical reasons, namely safety of the guide when plugged in and mechanical stability when plugged in is.

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The invention therefore provides a connector of the type specified, in which the friction on the electrical contact surfaces when plugging and unplugging the connector is considerably reduced, and yet a sufficient guidance of the contacts against one another when plugged in and a good mechanical connection in the inserted The condition is sufficient, without additional measures being necessary when plugging and unplugging to produce and separate the contact connection.

This is achieved according to the invention by the development according to the characterizing part of claim 1.

The separately formed area is therefore just a part of the deformation area, and therefore also comes into engagement with the deformation area of the opposite side.

The solution according to the invention has the following advantages in particular: With conventional connectors, the deformable area is, in the sense defined above, always the contact area. That is, the opening or more generally: Deformation d of, for example, the fork contact (FIG. 1) always takes place through the contact zone of the knife at the contact zone of the fork contact. The contact zone of the fork contact according to Fi 1 is e.g. relatively long abrasion due to the length of the knife contact, since it is in contact with the contact surface of the knife all the way.

Now it is possible, however, to protect at least one of the contact areas by the specially designed part of the Verfor area, and still ensure sufficient mechanical stability when plugged in and when plugged in. The function of the "friction surface" is, at least for one contact, the function of the con tact area largely separated. This results in the possibility of forming the surface of the rubbing surface without taking contact tasks into account.

Thus, however, a smaller precious metal layer and / or a higher number of mating cycles is possible for the contact surfaces, which are now less subject to abrasion

The solution according to the invention is therefore particularly advantageous in that the function of the "deformation", in the sense given at the outset, of the contact zone or of the contact zone area can be largely separated from the function of contact formation, and thus the functionally designed areas perform their task better and without Regarding the other function can be adapted.

Is also particularly advantageous in that separate portions of the invention can be produced with the in the art conventional loan ^• manufacturing methods, eg as in the example shown in Fig. 1 and the example explained above in punching and / or bending technology with its rich zahl¬ Possibilities.

The separate area will preferably be formed in one piece with its contact. However, it is also conceivable that as a separate element, albeit due to the intervention in the associated counter contact in close spatial proximity to its contact, e.g. is formed on the insulating body.

In the functional separation, the separate areas can be provided in addition to the contact zones of conventional plugs. This may result in one /

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tighter tolerance, but with the same mechanical stability. Due to the tighter tolerance, however, it is clear that parts that could not act as contact surfaces in conventional plugs can no longer do this, since during part of the plugging process, the separate areas of the deformable area? a contact is currently being prevented, that is to say from the perspective of the prior art, but not subsequently from the point of view of the invention, a "contact zone" is present. In principle, however, the separate areas can either be arranged outside of the areas which would in any case act as contact zones in the case of conventional contacts, or can be arranged in parts which are contact zones in the case of conventional plugs. As said, the "deformation areas" in the sense of this description are designed as contact zones in conventional contact zones.

In a particularly preferred development, both contacts have the separately formed area, and the separately formed area of the other contact, which area is often referred to below as the deforming element, reaches which area with the separately formed area of the ^" deformable contact ^" hereinafter often referred to as an engaging element, engages at the beginning of the plugging process and disengages shortly before the plugging process ends.

This has the particular advantage that greater protection and / or closer tolerance of the contact zones occurs with both contacts and thus the precious metal layer can be dimensioned accordingly lower.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, when the contacts run over one another, the surfaces of the contacts are Parts of the contact which overflows the tactile zone of the contact which is deformable, are arranged perpendicular to the thru axle / in such a way that they do not touch these surfaces, or these parts are, essentially - by the engagement and disengagement of the separate areas. in the direction perpendicular to the thru axis, deflected that they touch these surfaces just before the end of the plugging process. Far away, the surfaces of the contact zone of the deformable contact are arranged in the direction perpendicular to the thru-axis when overflowing surfaces of the other contact in such a way that they do not touch this surface of the other contact. Furthermore, in addition or alternatively, these surfaces of the contact zone of the deformable contact are moved by the engagement and disengagement of the separate regions, essentially in a direction perpendicular to the plug axis, such that they touch these surfaces only shortly before the end of the plugging process .

The overlapping of the contacts means the process before the plugging process and during the plugging process and during the detaching process and after the detachment of the contacts, in which parts of both contacts cut through planes that are perpendicular to the plugging direction together.

The parts of the deformable contact are thus, as is already known, for example in the case of conventional contacts from the front part of the so-called inlet zone, either arranged in such a way that they do not come into frictional contact with the contact surfaces of the mating contact when inserted, or they are caused by the engagement of the deforming element ( of the separate area) of the other contact with its separate area (engagement element) so deflected, for example spread apart, that they do not touch the contact surfaces of the mating contact. It will generally be the case that this, when contacting a book, usually appears as an additional opening. Spreading through additional thickening or bulges, which correspond in each case in parallel to the thru axis with corresponding thickening of the counter-contact, is achieved. However, the thickening, for example, of one of the contacts can also run on a flat surface of the other contact and vice versa, depending on the particular design requirements.

The engagement element on the one contact must correspond to that which naturally carries or forms with the / contact zone ^*

Parts are connected in such a way that they move in a direction upon loading by the deformation element before and during the running-in in one direction or in the other then in which the corresponding, for example, bushes or spring parts move against the spring preload, which can generate the contact pressure or held.

End At the points where the thickenings are against / and at the end of the plugging process, corresponding depressions must then be provided for receiving the thickenings in order to "despread" the deformable contact and thus bring the surfaces closer together, which then Contact areas should be allowed to be allowed under contact pressure until contact. These "depressions" can at least partially be formed by the absence / material, need not be a cavity.

This results in the additional advantage that the interaction of the thickenings with the depressions which engage behind one another, viewed in the plugging direction, creates an additional resistance to the pulling apart of the ste connection, which is a greater mechanical effect 3

Stability of the connector guaranteed. On the other hand, it can be seen that the resistance to loosening must not be too great, since the invention is advantageous particularly in the case of plug connections which frequently have to be loosened. Thus, the thickening in the recess must not be vertical, but a transition must be created. As a result, however, the contact zones or surfaces are slidingly brought together. The resulting low friction is particularly advantageous, if not necessary, for cleaning them.

"Recording area" is therefore the area which is no longer part of the deformation area in that it should (practically) contact-free the separate area of the mating contact in order to bring about contact with the contact surfaces. In this respect, however, the receiving area "causes" a deformation, because it enables the elastic force of the deformable contact to yield and thus a deformation until the contact surfaces rest against one another.

By means of the specified solution, the deformable contact area becomes the deformable contact through the separate area (deformation or deformation element) of the other contact by means of the separate area (engagement element) of the deformable contact when plugging in just before and during the overlapping of the respective contact zones Contact in the contact zone area is deformed to avoid contact with the contact zones and, at the end of the insertion, makes contact with the contact surfaces of the contact zones possible. When the plug connection is released, the movements occur essentially in the opposite direction.

It is particularly preferred for a connector in which the other contact is a pin contact and the deformable one

__O PI Contact is designed as a socket contact with an expandable spring arrangement, the deforming element is designed as a thickening of the pin contact arranged behind the contact zone in the running-in order and projecting in the direction of the spreading movement, and the engagement element consists of a behind the contact in the plug-in direction of the pin contact Contact zone / supporting parts arranged extension. This extension is arranged behind an extension (opposite to the plug-in direction) of the parts carrying the contact zone, which is expanded to form a receiving area for the thickening. The extension forming the engagement element forms a constriction, the constriction permitting the contact zone of the pin contact to pass through without friction and being expanded during the subsequent passage of the thickening in such a way that this contact zone of the socket contact for frictional contact is made by the connection to the parts carrying the contact zone ^. free passage of the contact zone of the pin contact is opened. The length of the thickening is dimensioned such that it leaves the constriction immediately before reaching the end position by the pin contact for entry into the receiving area.

This design has the particular advantage that the usual shapes of the connector contacts need only be slightly modified and that they can be produced in a simple manner using the conventional manufacturing methods for connectors.

The direction of expansion is the direction in which the spring elements forming the spring arrangement, which, for example, can also be the walls of a slotted cylindrical book, recede against the spring tension. For example, the socket contact is a fork-shaped spring

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so there are two (opposite) directions d spreading movement, while with springs inserted into the slots of a cylindrical bushing or the slotted W there may be more directions of the spreading movement corresponding to a cylindrical bushing. In the latter case, the thickening around a cylindrical pin contact is expediently also designed to be cylindrical coaxially with it.

An important aspect when introducing components with a new function is the compatibility with conventional components. Connectors, and in particular their housings, are / standardized, and it is desirable that the connectors with the inventive function of separating the opening and contact surface, the opening allowing the insertion to take place during and through the insertion, also in conventional housings can be used. It is also desirable that the pin contacts equipped according to the invention, e.g. Knives or socket contacts, e.g. Springs, with conventional socket contacts, e.g. Springs or pin contacts, e.g. Knives that can be used.

According to an alternative, particularly preferred development, this is achieved in that the separately formed area of one of the contacts in the plug-in direction of the mating contact, laterally and essentially at the level of the contact zone, that of one of the contacts and the specially designed area of the mating contact Lich, is arranged in front of or at the beginning of its contact zone and the receiving area for the separately formed area of the counter-contact is arranged laterally in front of or next to the end of the contact zone of one of the contacts in the plugging direction and the receiving area for the separately - II -

trained area of one of the contacts is accordingly arranged laterally next to the contact zone of the mating contact, so that the separately designed areas can be released from each other when the plugging process is nearing its end.

"Essentially" means here that the engagement element, in contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 2A to C, does not result in an extension of the one contact. This is particularly advantageous because the one contacts, which as a rule will be the socket contacts sit in front sealed housings, so that their length is particularly critical. In addition, the contact zone of the socket contacts then need not be moved backwards, so that, with appropriate other training, normal knives can also contact the contact zones of the socket contact adapted according to the invention with their contact zones.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of a plug-in connector, in which one contact is designed as a fork spring contact and the other as a knife contact, results from the fact that "in the plug-in direction of the knife contact, alongside the constriction of the fork contact serving as a contact zone, the springs parallel to Spreading direction, are additionally narrowed so that the knife contact in front of the contact zone has a widening which extends perpendicularly to the plugging direction and is to be arranged parallel to the gap of the fork contact and which comes into engagement with the additional constriction when the contact numbers of the contacts are aligned during the plugging process and that the extension in the direction of insertion in front of the constriction of the spring contact bearing the contact surfaces for receiving the deformation element such that it no longer makes the fork contact - / 3 -

is additionally spread out, is formed and that the rear of the widening free area to the side of the contact zone of the knife contact accommodates the bulges or thickenings forming the additional constriction, so that the contact surfaces touch.

It should be noted that "in front" and "behind" when specifying a direction are always used in such a way that if you think of this direction symbolized by an arrow, "vo means closer to the arrow head and" behind "closer to the arrow end b.

It has been shown that certain applicable standards for the contacts and housings allow a certain spreading of the respective contacts without the necessary safety distances, e.g. Clearances and creepage distances between adjacent contacts in a grid, e.g. DIN 41612. Therefore, with slight widening of the fork contacts to the side of the areas of the constriction that continue to carry the contact surfaces, a laterally even larger constriction or thickening can be provided. The measurement contact is then in an area, the length of which in the direction of insertion is determined by the requirement that this area serving as the deformation element must have released the engagement element again, or must have been released by it, before the plug-in process has ended completely is broadened. The additional constriction due to the bulges or thickenings is of course dimensioned such that the thickness of the widened part of the knife causes the fork contact to expand sufficiently to cover the contact surfaces of the fork.

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contact and the knife contact until shortly before the end of the plugging process. With regard to the length and the distance of individual areas from one another, considerations apply, as will be explained briefly using the exemplary embodiments in FIG. 2.

In the insertion direction in front of the constriction of the spring contact bearing a space must of course be provided that allows the inclusion of the broadening of the knife clock, so that this deformation element can disengage from the engaging element formed by the bulges or thickenings, so that the Spring preload of the fork spring contact can bring the contact surfaces into contact. In the specified embodiment, it is particularly advantageous that this space is generally created by the conventional curvature of fork spring contacts ge, so that there are no deviations from conventional training.

Without changing the essence of this embodiment, it can also be designed such that the thickenings are applied to the widening of the knife contact and the widening of the fork contact lies on a level with its contact zone.

The widenings are preferably arranged laterally symmetrically z the contact surfaces of the contacts. This results in a corresponding symmetrical support of the contacts against one another when plugged in.

The space between the bulges preferably has the width of conventional contacts. This has the advantage that the respective spring cones designed according to the invention - In ¬

cycles can be used with conventional knife contacts. However, if he uses contacts designed according to the invention with counter-contacts not designed according to the invention, the special advantage of protecting the contact surfaces may not occur.

It can be seen that even in the developments described here, a positive connection occurs between the contacts at the end of the plug-in process, which can only be released against the spring which also causes the contact pressure due to at least one contact. This helps to increase the strength of the connector.

It should be pointed out in particular that the small amount of frictional movement remaining between the contact surfaces of the contacts, namely shortly before the plugging process ends or at and shortly after the start of the loosening process, is advantageous because it has the self-cleaning effect that experience has shown exercises the contact surfaces.

The formation of the bulges by bead-like embossing has the advantage of being particularly easy to carry out using conventional manufacturing processes. ^*

In an alternative preferred embodiment, in the case of a plug connector in which the other contact is a pin contact and the deformable contact is a socket contact with an expandable spring arrangement, the pin contact in front of its contact zone has a region with a somewhat thicker cross section than the cross section of the contact zone and the area with a thickened cross-section has a surface made of a low-friction substance, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene.

This solution has the particular advantage that, although the contact zone of a socket contact comes into contact with surfaces of the pin contact over a larger part of the plug-in path, which is advantageous for reasons of guidance when plugging and the stability of the connection, this contact, however, because of the low-friction Surfaces produced a much lower abrasion at the contact zone of the socket contact. Because the cross-section of this front area is somewhat thickened, it follows that the contact zone of the socket contact behind the thickening can come into engagement with the contact zone of the pin contact, which in turn, as already described above with reference to other embodiments, creates a more secure connection .

The pin contact preferably has an overall unchanged length compared to a conventional pin contact for the associated socket contact. In this way, practically the same mechanical conditions as with conventional pin contacts, possibly with the exception of the firmer connection, are created.

The expandable spring arrangement of the bushing is preferred.

OMPI "'? ^" contact spread (pre-opening). The pre-opening reduces the opening path up to the expansion of the contact area of the socket that is finally required by the pin contact. The contact pressure finally achieved does not change compared to a contact that has not been opened. This feature is known per se in plug-in connectors. In connection with the invention it has the particular advantage that, for example, the thickening on the pin contact only needs to spread the constriction a little to achieve a sufficient spreading of the contact area of the socket contact. Accordingly, the thickening can turn out to be less than the usual dimensions of the contact.

The surfaces of the special areas or of the deformation element and of the engagement element are preferably made of a material which is different from the material of the contacts and is preferably low-friction and abrasion-resistant.

Since in the elements causing the deformation according to the invention by the separation of the contact function and the expansion function, consideration of contact properties no longer needs to be taken, one of their functions and their interaction can now be selected in a specially adapted design. A low-friction coating, for example made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), has proven particularly useful. As a result, the plugging and pulling work is reduced, which may allow an increase in the contact pressure.

In the case of a pin contact which is designed as a pin with a rectangular cross section (knife), the knife is preferably thickened by milling. A thickening of the knife by two can alternatively be preferred - l & -

embossed in the transverse direction of the knife, pointing in opposite directions. In a further preferred alternative, the thickening of the knife is produced by three embossments offset in the transverse direction of the knife and pointing in alternating opposite directions. Alternatively, it can preferably be produced by lateral upsetting or by folding two bends of a sheet over each other.

In the case of a pin contact designed as a round pin, it is preferred to produce the thickenings by turning or rolling.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, to which reference is expressly made with regard to the disclosure because of its great clarity and clarity.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic, partial side view of electrical Kontakttei.len a conventional connector;

2A to C is a schematic side view of the essential union parts of an embodiment of a plug connector according to the invention in three stages of plugging;

3A to E a second embodiment of a fastex binder according to the invention; (Best embodiment)

4 shows a connector according to a further embodiment of the invention; - 13 -

Fig. 5 shows a socket contact of an inventive

Connector of the first embodiment as a spring which is formed in stamping and bending technology with welded rectangular pin;

Fig. 6 shows a socket contact of an inventive

Connector of the first embodiment, which is designed as a stamped spring;

Fig. 7 shows a socket contact of an inventive

• Connector of the first embodiment, which is formed as a circular socket with inserted wire springs au;

Fig. 8 shows a socket contact of an inventive

Connector of the first embodiment, de formed as a circular socket with longitudinal slots, a segment being shown unfolded;

Fig. 9 shows a pin contact of a connector according to the invention, the first embodiment, which is designed as a milled knife;

Figure 10 shows a pin contact of a connector according to the invention according to the first embodiment, which is designed as a knife with double, offset embossing. •

11 shows a pin contact of a connector according to the invention according to the first embodiment, which is designed as a knife with triple, offset embossing;

12 shows a pin contact of a plug according to the invention - 0 -

connector according to the first embodiment, which is designed as a laterally upset knife;

13 shows a pin contact of a connector according to the invention according to the first embodiment, which is designed as a knife made of bent double sheet metal; and

14 shows a pin contact of a connector according to the invention in accordance with the first embodiment, which is designed as a rotated or rolled round pin.

The same reference numerals in FIGS. 1 to 14 designate other corresponding parts.

FIG. 2 shows a connector according to the invention, in which, as in the conventional connector of FIG. 1, the pin contact is designed as a knife and the socket contact as a fork spring.

However, the knife 1 has a thickening 20 in the insertion directiona behind the contact zone area determined by the contact zone 12, 12 ', which can be produced in various ways, as will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13. The thickening extends over a certain length 1 in the insertion direction over the knife and is located on the broad sides of the knife carrying the contact zone.

At the front, the contact zone 16, 16 * bearing, veren th contact area of the fork spring 2 is a chamber-like extension is formed in the spreading plane of the spring, the si - SU -

after a length in the direction of insertion, which, as will be explained below, also narrows again at least and approximately 1 amount to a (gap) opening 24.

As is open in front of this Einführreihenf _^ r aperture 24 in turn an insertion and possible he leichternde Hintersteckung E avoided furtherance arranged as inlet zone 26 in conventional fork springs. The introductory axis is shown in dash-dotted lines and labeled 36.

The opening (gap height) 24 is now dimensioned such that s allows the contact zones 12, 12 'to pass through without friction, so that it can enter the chamber-like extension 22. The opening 24, however, is dimensioned relative to the thickening -20 such that it is spread open when the thickening 20 occurs. The opening with its boundaries / thus forms the engagement element which, by means of its sufficiently rigid connection, deforms the contact zone region 16, 16 ', 18, i.e. here: opens. at the respective dimensions are chosen so that the contact zone 12, 12 'can run smoothly through the contact zone 16, 16'.

The length of the "chamber" 22 formed by the bracket

30..30 ', which is the engagement element 2 / with the contact zone

16, 16 'must in the exemplary embodiment be somewhat larger than the length of the thickening so that when the movement is completed the contact zone 16, 16' can come into contact with the contact zone 12, 12 'under spring pressure of the spring 2 . A stop pair limiting the depth of penetration of the pin contact into the socket contact is, as usual, usually created by the holders for the pin contact and the socket, for example through the insulating body of the male connector and female connector. This also ensures that the thickening 20 cannot enter the contact zone 18. It is otherwise evident that the brackets 28, 28 'need not be bulged in the plane of the drawing in FIG. 2, but may also lie, for example, in the plane perpendicular to the drawing plane in FIG. 2 and containing the direction of insertion a NEN, where a corresponding space must then be provided for the passage of the knife width. This does not result in a "chamber" in the above sense. From FIG. 5 it can be seen that a shape according to FIGS. 2 and 5 is particularly easy to form by the conventional method of manufacture, the stamping and bending technique, for spring contacts.

(Best embodiment / best way) FIG. 3 / shows a further embodiment of a connector according to the invention, FIG. 3A showing a socket contact designed as a fork spring contact and FIG. 3B showing a knife contact according to the invention, each in perspective. 3C is a top view of a schematic representation of the fork spring and knife contacts of FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIGS. 3D, 3E and 3F schematically show the connector from FIGS. 3A and B before or during two phases of the plug operation

The fork spring contact from FIG. 3A carries at its front constriction, which then widens again into an inlet zone 126, the contact zone from the surfaces 116 and 116 'with the space 118. However, the fork spring contact 102 is perpendicular to the insertion direction compared to conventional fork spring contacts / and somewhat widened to the direction of expansion, and the lateral areas, which are additionally present in addition to the constriction carrying the contact zones 116, 116 ', are further bulged in the direction of the constriction by a type of embossing process, so that sic

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laterally, there is a larger narrowing of the gap than in the middle. These protrusions are, as seen in the direction of insertion, to the side of the contact zone 116, 116 *. The width of the (not additionally narrowed) gap 118 between the partial surfaces 116 and 116 'of the contact zone is chosen so that a conventional knife contact between the bulges 130 to 133 can be accommodated. The Pδhe or thickness de tes is also formed as in conventional fork spring contacts.

The associated knife 101 (FIG. 3B) has the width of a conventional knife in its rear area, or may even be somewhat narrower, while it is widened (120) in its area in front. The width of the widening is such that it at least reaches the bulges 1 to 133 if the widening, as shown in FIGS. 3C to 3F, is arranged parallel to the gap. The thickness of the widening does not need to be greater than that of conventional knives his. During the plugging process, the side areas of the part 120 now engage with the bulges 130 to 133 and thereby spread the fork spring 102 open. As a result, the free space 118 between the surfaces 116 and 116 * of the contact zone - which is otherwise narrower than the thickness of the knife 101. To ensure the contact pressure - by the difference between the bulges 130 to 133 and the surfaces 116 and 116 " additionally spread apart, so that the central region of the measurement at the height of the widening 120 (the thus now also may act as a contact zone not what he broadening without Ver¬ would have done for a conventional diameter) ^■ u the narrow rear portion, which faces the 112 and 112 * first carries the contact zone of the knife / to the

Can pass surfaces 116 and 116 '. Th at the progression it ^d plugging process reaches the widened section 12 -% -

of the knife into the usual widening of the fork contact acting as the receiving area 122, the bulges 130 to 133 being gradually brought together again (the widened area 120 is at the rear,

150). Direction a, as well as beveled at the front, / As a result, the surfaces 116 and 116 'approach the surfaces 112 and 112' of the contact zone of the knife. This approach also takes place more gently than in the case of conventional knife and spring contacts, since in conventional contacts the surfaces 116 and 116 * are exposed to particular stresses when the knife enters, while an oblique sliding takes place here. At the end of the plug-in process, the widened area 120 of the knife is completely received in the receiving area 122 of the fork contact and the respective contact surfaces 116/112 and 116 '/ 112' are in contact with one another. It can be seen that by the process described The surfaces 116 and 116 * were kept free of friction over a large part of the plug-in process, and nevertheless a secure contact at the end and a secure mechanical guidance and a secure connection in the plugged-in state are achieved by the mutual engagement of the bulges 130 to 134 on the one hand and the back of the sides of the wide area 120 of the knife, the pull-out resistance is increased and thus the mechanical strength of the plug connection is increased.

3C to 3F show the process just described once schematically. From Fig. 3E and Fig. 3F it can be seen that the surfaces of the contact zone of the fork spring contact, 116 and 116 'are kept free of friction during most of the plugging process and the contact zone of the knife contact overflows smoothly almost to the end . It can also be seen that the free areas next to the rear area of the knife serve as receiving area 140, 14 for the bulges 130, 132 and 131, 133, respectively.

4 shows an embodiment of the invention in which only the one contact, here the knife 201, is modified. In its front region 220, the knife is somewhat thickened by a polytetrafluoroethylene coating. The Me ser otherwise has conventional dimensions to match fork contact 202. The length of the thickening should be measured so that when the stops belonging to the contacts are touched, e.g. of the knife and female connectors, the contact zone 216, 216 ', 218 of the fork spring contact 202 has just left the area 220 and can come into contact with the area 212, 212' of the knife, which now acts as a contact zone. The contact zone of the fork spring contact is spared more despite the same plug-in path, since the stressful first opening takes place through the region 22, which is of course correspondingly beveled or rounded at the front and coated with low-friction material, and also a large part of the plug-in path through the contact zone 216. 216 'is placed on this low-friction material and, furthermore, due to the transition from the thickening of the area 220 to the narrower part, the contact zones can slide over one another without contact and rest on one another without strong abrasion. The contact zone 212, 212 'serves here as the receiving area at the same time, since the running in of the (not separate!) Deformation area of the fork spring contact into them enables the contact zones to be approached.

FIG. 5 shows a socket contact, similar to that shown in FIG. 2, produced by stamping and bending technology, to which a rectangular pin for winding or clamp technology is welded for further connection. Of course, this connection zone can be used for crimping, soldering or press-fit - 16 -

be trained in technology.

FIG. 6 shows a stamped spring 2 which corresponds to the design of FIGS. 2 and 5.

From FIG. 7 it can be seen that the principle of the invention explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2 can advantageously also be applied to a round bushing with inserted wire springs, for example. In the illustration, as an example, three wire springs 32 in three slots 3 34 * and 34 "are radially elastically movable through their free front ends (at 30), corresponding to the front ends of the springs from FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. The space 18 corresponding Space is delimited in a circle by the constrictions 16, which also form the contact zone, as is the space corresponding to the space 24 by the constriction 30. The spreading apart of the springs at 30 is then carried out by the appropriately dimensioned thickening 20 of an in Fig. 14 schematically shown pin 11, so that the contact zone 12 of the pin of Fig. 14 can run in without friction between the contact zones 16 of the socket. The thickening 20 then takes place in the "formed by the respective bracket 28 of the springs 32" Chamber "space, so that by the release of the projection 30 this can return to the axis of the circular bushing and thereby the spring can press the contact zones 16 against the contact zone 12 from FIG. 14.

Fig. 8 also shows a round bushing, in which, however, ke separate springs are provided, but the segments generated by Län spring back themselves to the axis after radial deflection. One of the four segments shown is shown folded down in the drawing in order to show the contact zone 16 and the part 30 of the engagement element. A pin contact according to FIG. 14 is again suitable for the embodiment of the socket contact according to FIG. 6. - 2? -

9 to 13 illustrate that knives with a V-forming element according to the invention can be produced without great additional effort by methods common in making contacts.

9 is produced by milling, with the thickening 20 being left as a deforming element

In FIG. 10, the thickening was produced by two embossings carried out in the opposite direction and offset from one another transversely to the knife, as indicated by the arrows. With sufficient torsional rigidity of the contact springs and sufficient width and / or according to the arrangement of the parts of the engagement element, one of the embossing was sufficient as a deformation element.

FIG. 11 shows a thickening produced by embossing as in FIG. 10, but three embossings offset transversely to the knife were carried out in different directions, as indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 12 shows a thickening caused by lateral upsetting of the knife and Fig. 13 a knife in which the V thickening are produced by bending on a sheet subsequently bent as indicated by the arrow.

The invention thus creates a connector with a pair of contacts, in which the abrasion occurring when mating and disconnecting the contacts in conventional connectors at the contact zones is almost completely avoided. This is achieved by a functional separation of the parts producing the contact and the parts on the respective contacts, which allow the contacts to be plugged against the spring pressure which then holds them together - 2. ' -

The arrangement of the different zones or areas, although they can be adapted to a large extent to the design of the specific connector, must meet certain conditions. Thus, the receiving area of a contact for the separate area of its mating contact must always lie in the plug-in direction of the mating contact in front of the separate area of this one contact and connect directly to it. The location of the contact zone, e.g. shown in FIG. 2, in the case of a contact 2 in the plug-in direction a of the mating contact 1, lie in front of the separate region 30 and the receiving region 22. Then it lies in this water direction also before the combination of special area and receiving area of the mating contact. Their sequence, seen in the plug-in direction a of only one contact, is exactly the opposite (because corresponding) to the position of the combination of the separate area and the receiving area of the one contact 2.

However, socket contacts are also conceivable, the contact zones of which are arranged at the very beginning of the socket contact (ie in the plug-in direction of the counter contact at the rear). The contact zone of the mating contact is then also at the rear, and the receiving area and separate area of the mating contact must be such (eg provided with a smaller 0) or so far to the side of the position of the contact zone of the one contact relative to the plug-in axis that they lie do not touch this contact zone when plugging in.

The contact zones, ie also shown in FIG. 3, can lie next to the separate and / or the receiving area of the one 10 (and then correspondingly next to the areas of the mating contact 101).

End of description

Claims

- ~ 3-Electrical connector patent claims 1.Electric connector with two contacts with corresponding contact zones, contacts, of which at least one, for the production and release of the plug connection and for maintaining the contact pressure, is deformable in the contact zone area by elastic deformation, and with two, with the deformable or the other of the contacts connected, deformation areas which cause the elastic deformability during the plugging process and by means of the plugging process,

OMPI characterized in that on at least one of the contacts (1; 2/101; 102/201) there is a separate area (20. from its contact zone (12, 12 '; 16, 16' / 112, 112 '; 116, 116V212, 212') ; 30, 30 '/ 120; 130 131, 132, 133/220) of the deformation area is designed such that it, by engaging with the, if necessary. Specially designed and adapted (30, 30'; 20/130, 131, 132, 133; 120) deformation area (216, 216 ') of the countercontact (2 1/102; 101/202), at the beginning and until shortly before the end of the plugging process, at least its contact zone is prevented by the countercontact, and towards the end of the Plug-in operation, by running into a (22), possibly specially trained and adapted (22) receiving area (40, 40- / 140, 140 122/222) of the mating contact (2; 1/102; 101/202) Allows contact areas. 2. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that both contacts (1; 2/101; 102) have the separately ausgebil th area, and that the separately formed area (deforming element) (20/120) of the other contact (1 101) with the separately formed area (engagement element) (30, 30 ', 24/130, 131, 132, 133, 124, 124 ^" ) of the deformable contact (2, 102) comes into engagement at the beginning of the plugging process and shortly before the end of the Mating process disengaged from it. 3. Connector according to claim 2, characterized in that when the contacts (1; 2/101; 102) overlap the surfaces (12, 12 '/ 112, 112') of the contact zone of the other contact (1/101) overflowing parts of the deformed in such a way, in the direction thereof ren contact (2/102) / perpendicular to the thru axle (36), / arranged that they do not touch these surfaces (12, 12- / 112, 112 '), and / or by the engagement and disengagement of the separate areas (20; 30, 30 '/ 120; 130, 131, 132, 133) are deflected, essentially in the direction perpendicular to the plug axis (36), such that they only touch these surfaces shortly before the end of the plugging process and that the surfaces (16, 16 '/ 116, 116') the contact zone (16, 16 ', 18/116, 116', 118) of the deformable contact (2nd 102) when overlapping surfaces of the other contact of the type spaced in the direction thereof / perpendicular to the plug axis (36), / are arranged such that they do not touch these surfaces of the other contact, and / or by the engagement and disengagement Come the geso derten areas (20; 30, 30 '/ 120; 130, 131, 132, 133) so, essentially in the direction perpendicular to the plug axis (36), are deflected that they touch these surfaces only shortly before the end of the plugging process . 4. Connector according to claim 3, wherein the other con tact as a pin contact and the one contact as a Buchsenkon clock is formed with an expandable spring arrangement, characterized in that the Verfor element as in a running order behind its contact zone (12, 12 ') angeo Nete , protrusion (20) of the pin contact (1) protruding in the direction of the spreading movement, and that Engagement element from an extension (opposite to the direction of insertion) of the parts carrying the contact zone (16, 16 ') arranged in the plug-in direction of the pin contact behind an extension (counter to the plug-in direction) which forms a constriction (24) and forms a receiving area (22) for thickening there is a further extension, the constriction (24) allowing the contact zone of the pin contact to pass through without friction and being expanded during the subsequent passage of the thickening in such a way that the connection to the parts carrying it (16, 16 ') causes the con ¬ tact zone (16, 16 ', 18) of the socket contact for frictionless passage of the contact zone (12, 12 *) of the pin contact is opened, and the length of the thickening (20) is such that it (20) leaves the constriction (24) immediately before reaching the end position by the pin contact (1) for entry into the receiving area (22). 5. Connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the separately formed area (130, 131, 132, 133, 12 124 ') one of the contacts (102), in the plug-in direction (a) of the mating contact (101), laterally and essentially at the level of. Contact zone (116, 116 ', 118) that one of the contacts (102) and the specially designed area (120) of the counter contact, correspondingly arranged laterally, before or at the beginning of its contact zone (112, 112 *), and the receiving area (122) for the separately designed area (120) of the counter-contact (101) in the plug-in direction (a) is arranged in front of or next to the end of the contact zone (116, 116 ', 11 of one of the contacts (102) and the Receiving area (140, 140 ') for the separately formed area of one of the contacts (102) is accordingly arranged laterally next to the contact zone of the mating contact (101), so that the separately trained areas free from each other when the plugging process is nearing its end. 6. Connector according to claim 5, in which one contact is designed as a fork spring contact (102) and the other as a knife contact (101), characterized in that in the plugging direction (a) of the knife contact laterally next to the constriction (180 ) of the fork contact (102), the springs, parallel to the direction of expansion, are additionally narrowed (130, 131, 132, 133) so that the knife contact (101) in front of the contact zone (112, 112) is perpendicular to the direction of insertion (a) extending, z gap of the fork contact to be arranged in parallel, widener (120) which, when aligning the contact zones (116, 116 ', 118; 112, 112') of the contacts during the mating process, comes into engagement with additional narrowing, and that in the mating direction (a) Before the constriction of the spring contact (102) carrying the contact surface (116, 116 '), the extension (122) for receiving the deformation element (120) in such a way that it no longer spreads apart the fork contact t and that the free area behind the widening (140, 140 to the side of the contact zone of the knife contact (101) takes up the bulges or thickening forming the additional constriction, so that the contact surfaces touch (Fig. 3A u. B). 7. Connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the thickenings on the sides of the respective springs of the fork symmetrical to the contact surfaces (116, 116 '; 112, 112') of the contacts (101, 102) are arranged a ^' . OMPI -3 * - 8. Connector according to one of claims 6 or η, da¬ characterized in that the width of the springs between bulges or thickenings attached to them laterally has the width of conventional fork springs. 9. Connector according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the bulges (130, 131, 132, 133) are formed by bead-like embossments. or 2, 10.Connector according to claim 1 / in which the other Kon ver o mbare tact as pin contact (201) and the / contact as a book lower contact (202) is formed with an expandable spring arrangement, characterized in that the pin contact in front of its contact zone (212 , 212 ') has a region (220) mi somewhat thickened in cross section compared to the cross section of the contact zone, and in that the region with a thickened cross section has a surface made of a low-friction substance, preferably polytetrafluoroethylene. 11. Connector according to claim 10, characterized in that the pin contact (201) has an overall length unchanged compared to a conventional contact pin for the associated socket contact (202). 12. Connector according to claim 4 or one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the expandable spring arrangement of the socket contact is pre-expanded (pre-opening). 13. ^' Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surfaces of the special areas or the deformation element and the intervention element are made of a material which is different from the material of the contacts, preferably low-friction and abrasion-resistant