WO2018162136A1 - Contact insert for a plug connector part - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a contact insert (2, 4) for a plug connector part (1, 3) comprising a frame part (20), a plug section (200) arranged on the frame part (20) for plugging connection to a further plug connector part (3, 1), at least one electrical contact element (211, 411) arranged on the plug section (200), and an earthing element (22) arranged on the frame part (20), onto which a grounding wire (25) can be connected. In addition, a contacting device (23) arranged on the earthing element (22) is also provided, comprising a spring element (230) which can pivot about a pivot axis (D) in relation to the earthing element (22), and which has a clamping limb (231) for blocking a grounding wire (25) on the earthing element (22) in a clamping position, and an engaging limb (232) for engaging the spring element (230) with the earthing element (22), wherein the spring element (230) can be moved out of the clamping position by releasing the engagement. In this way, a contact insert for a plug connector part is provided, which permits a simple connection of a grounding wire.

Description

 Contact insert for a connector part

The invention relates to a contact insert for a connector part according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a contact insert comprises a frame part, a plug-in section arranged on the frame part for plug-in connection with a further connector part, at least one electrical contact element arranged on the plug-in section and a grounding element arranged on the frame part, to which a protective line can be connected.

Such a contact insert can be used, for example, in a plug housing of a connector part and in this way enables plug housing to be equipped with completely different contact inserts and thus to provide individual plug-in faces adapted to a specific use on the connector part. At the plug-in portion one or more electrical contact elements are arranged, which electrically engage when connecting the connector part with an associated further connector part with contact elements of the other connector part, so that an electrical connection between the connector parts is made.

About the grounding element can generally be done by plugging the connector parts grounding between the connector parts, so that the connector parts are in plugged state at the same grounding potential. By way of example, the frame part can also be earthed via the grounding element, if this is made of an electrically conductive (metal) material.

In one known from DE 295 20 008 U1 connector part, a connector insert has a plurality of rows of contact elements. The contact insert can be used in a mounting housing, which is attached to a mounting wall.

From DE 10 2007 013 536 B3 a grounding element (referred to as PE metal part) is known, which serves for fastening a contact insert, for example in a connector housing and has a so-called PE screw connection for connecting a protective line. From DE 10 2010 017 717 A1, a contact insert with a frame part and a contact module insertable therein is known. On the frame part, a connection device for connecting a protective conductor is arranged, which has a connecting arm with a screw connection.

In a contact insert known from EP 0 882 318 B1, a plurality of contact modules can be inserted into a frame part designated as a receiving frame. Some of the modules can also be used to connect protective cables to the so-called PE contact (PE stands for "protective earth") .These contact modules are designed as screwed connections.

Conventionally, it has been primarily intended to form a connection for connecting a protective line as a screw connection. This allows a reliable, mechanically strong connection of the protective line with the contact insert, but may be subject to restrictions in handling. Thus, under certain circumstances, when the contact insert is inserted into an associated housing of a connector part, a screw connection may no longer be easily accessible, which may necessitate securing a protective line into the housing prior to insertion of the contact insert. In addition, attaching a plurality of protective lines requires the attachment of the protective lines to the (a) screw connection and the simultaneous fixing of the protective lines by tightening a screw.

Object of the present invention is to provide a contact insert for a connector part available that allows easy connection of a protective line.

This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1. Accordingly, the contact insert has a contacting device arranged on the grounding element with a pivotable about a pivot axis to the grounding spring element having a clamping leg for locking a protective line to the grounding element in a clamping position and a locking leg for locking the spring element with the grounding element. The spring element is movable by releasing the latching of the clamping position. The connection of the protective line to the grounding element on the frame part thus takes place via a spring force connection. For connecting the protective line to the earthing element, the protective line can be plugged in a simple, convenient manner with a (stripped) wire end to the spring element of the contacting device and thereby passes in the region of the clamping leg, which locks the protective line to the grounding element and contacting the protective line causes the grounding element. For connecting thus (only) a plugging of the protective line and possibly an actuation of the spring element is required. The locking and contacting the protective line to the grounding element can advantageously be carried out automatically, without further operating steps (such as screwing) for fixing the protective line to the grounding element are required.

In the clamping position of the clamping leg pushes the protective line electrically contacting against the grounding element. The clamping leg acts for this purpose on a (stripped) wire end of the protective line and presses it against a wall portion of the grounding element, so that an electrical contact between the protective line and the grounding element is made. The spring element of the contacting device preferably itself consists of an elastic metal material, for example a spring steel, so that an electrical contacting is also produced via the spring element. The spring element is arranged in this case electrically contacting the grounding element, so that the spring element is included in the grounding. The pivotable arrangement of the spring element on the grounding element makes it possible to arrange a protective line in different ways on the grounding element. Thus, first, the spring element can be brought into its clamping position, then to put the protective line between the clamping legs of the spring element and the grounding element and to arrange in this way the protective line to the grounding element. When plugged in the protective line enters into clamping intermediate position between the clamping legs of the spring element and the grounding element and is locked above it to the grounding element. Alternatively, it is also possible to apply the protective line to the earthing element when the spring element is not (yet) in the clamping position. In this case, the spring element is brought into the clamping position after attaching the protective line to the grounding element to a clamping position in the clamping position with a (stripped) wire end of the protective line to act and lock over the protective line to the grounding element.

In the clamping position, the spring element is latched to the grounding element, so that the spring element occupies a defined position to the grounding element and can act arrestingly on an infected to the contacting device protective line. By loosening the latch, the spring element can be moved out of the clamping position, so that the clamping leg is moved and thereby the locking of the protective line is released at the contacting device. When moving out of the clamping position, the clamping leg is moved together with the locking leg, so that the spring element is pivoted as a whole about the pivot axis.

For favorable pivotability, the spring element is preferably mounted pivotably about a physical bearing axis on the grounding element. For this purpose, the spring element can have a bearing section, which, for example, encompasses an associated abutment section of the grounding element and can be pivoted about the pivot axis relative to this abutment section. For example, the spring element can have two parallel bearing sections spaced apart axially from one another along the pivot axis, which are each arranged on an associated abutment section of the grounding element and are pivotable about the pivot axis relative to the respectively assigned abutment section.

In one embodiment, the clamping leg is angled, in particular at an acute angle (equal to or less than 90 °), arranged to the locking legs. The clamping leg and the locking leg thus form together a V-shape. While the clamping leg serves to lock the protective line to the grounding element and to press the protective line clamped against the grounding element, the locking leg extends at an angle to the clamping leg and serves to lock the spring element in the clamping position. By locking the clamping leg on the locking legs a sufficient, elastic holding force is provided on the clamping legs to keep the protective line with compensation of position and size tolerances in cheaper, clamping system with the grounding element. The latching of the locking leg with the grounding element preferably takes place via a detent end remote from the clamping leg. The locking leg can thus be about its detent end, for example by engagement with one of the grounding element provided latching opening are latched, so that thereby the locking leg and about the spring element is secured in the clamping position. By releasing the latching, the spring element can be moved out of the clamping position and thereby the protective line can be removed from the grounding element.

The release of the locking can be done for example by using a tool, for example a screwdriver. For this purpose, an opening may be formed on the locking leg, which serves as a tool engagement and allows to act on the locking leg, that the locking of the locking leg is released with the grounding element.

The earthing element has, for example, a contact lug for grounding contact with the further connector part. The Kontaktierungsfahne, for example along a connecting direction, along which the connector parts are to be connected to each other, be extended to the frame part, so that the Kontaktierungsfahne runs when plugged connecting the connector part with the other connector part on an associated contact portion on the other connector part and thereby an electrical connection between the connector parts for common grounding manufactures.

The contact insert may be modular. For example, it may be provided that one or more modular contact modules can be attached to the frame part, which may be formed, for example, as a rectangular receiving frame, to provide the frame part modular with contact modules and thus to create an individual contact insert for a connector part. Each contact module can in this case have one or more insertion openings for inserting electrical lines and can also have arranged on a plug-in sections contact elements for contacting with an associated further connector part. For example, a plurality of slots (offset from one another transversely to the connecting direction in each case) can be provided on the frame part, into which a plurality of contact modules can be inserted.

For example, the contact modules can each form one or more plug-in sections on the frame part.

A contact module to be attached to the frame part may be designed such that a line is inserted into a plug-in direction in a plug-in opening of the contact module is. Preferably, in this case also the protective line along the direction of insertion to the spring element of the Kontaktierungseinnchtung be infected, so that the connection of the protective line to the Kontaktierungsseinnchtung the grounding element in the same direction as the connection of other electrical lines to the insertion openings of the contact module. The connection of the electrical lines to the contact module can also be done via spring connections, so that protection lines as well as other lines (for example, for data transmission or to provide an electrical supply) can be infected in a simple, possibly also automatable manner to the contact insert.

The contact insert can for example be used on a connector part, wherein such a connector part may have a connector housing in which the contact insert is received. Such a connector housing may be connected to an electrical cable having a plurality of lead wires. It is also conceivable and possible, however, to use such a contact insert, for example on a mounting housing on a control cabinet or other electrical equipment.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of two connector parts, which can be connected to each other in a connecting direction along a connecting direction; Fig. 2 is a view of two contact inserts of the connector parts;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment

 Kontaktierungseinnchtung with a pivotable spring element; Fig. 4 Kontaktierungseinnchtung

Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the contacting device on the grounding element; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the Kontaktierungseinnchtung to the grounding element. Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of two connector parts 1, 3, which can be plugged together along a connecting direction E. Each connector part 1, 3 has a connector housing 10, 30, in each of which a contact insert 2, 4 is received with contact elements arranged thereon. Via a cable outlet 1 1, 31 is in each case a cable 12, 32 connected to the connector housing 10, 30 and electrically connected within the connector housing 10, 30 with the contact elements of the respective associated contact insert 2, 4.

It should be noted at this point that the present invention can be used not only in connector parts with manually operated connector housings, but also, for example, in electrical equipment, such as a cabinet, provided connectors can be used in which a contact insert, for example, on a device wall, For example, a control cabinet wall is set.

An exemplary embodiment of two contact inserts 2, 4 to be connected with one another along the connecting direction E is shown in FIG. 2. Each contact insert 2, 4 has a frame part 20, 40 in the form of a rectangular frame, into which a contact module 21, 41 is inserted. On the frame part 20, 40, a plug portion 200, 400 is formed, wherein the plug portion 200 of the one, first contact insert 2 forms a socket into which the plug portion 400 of the frame part 40 of the other contact insert 4 can be inserted.

Each contact module 21, 41 has a plurality of insertion openings 210, 410, into which electrical lines 24, 44 for electrical contacting with contact elements 21 1, 41 1 in the form of contact pins or contact sockets can be inserted. In an interconnected state, the contact elements 21 1 of the one, first contact insert 2 with the associated contact elements 41 1 of the other, second contact insert 4 are engaged, so that an electrical contact between the contact inserts 2, 4 is effected.

In principle, one or more contact modules can be attached to each frame part 20, 40, so that individual contact arrangements for forming an individual mating face can be created on the contact inserts 2, 4. In the illustrated embodiment, (exactly) a contact module 21, 41 is inserted into the frame part 20, 40 in an exact fit and connected in a latching manner to the frame part 20, 40. However, it is also possible to arrange several (smaller) contact modules next to one another in the frame part 20, 40.

On both sides of the frame part 20, 40 grounding elements 22, 42 are arranged, on the one hand via fastening elements 220, 420 allow mechanical fixing of the contact insert 2, 4 on the associated connector housing 10, 30 and on the other hand provide a protective contact between the contact inserts 2, 4. Each earthing element 22, 42 is supported and fastened via fastening sections 223, 423 to its associated frame part 20, 40, in which way (when the frame part 20, 40 is made of an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal material) also the frame part 20, 40 may be included in the grounding.

At the respectively associated plug-in portion 200, 400 Kontaktierungsfahnen 222, 422 of the grounding elements 22, 42 extend in plugged connecting the contact inserts 2, 4 in an anticipatory manner (prior to contacting the contact elements 21 1, 41 1) run each other and thereby an electrical contact between the grounding elements 22, 42 of the two contact inserts 2, 4 produce.

In the embodiment of conventional contact inserts 2, 4 shown in FIG. 2, contacting devices 23 ', 43' in the form of screw terminals for connecting protective lines are provided on the grounding elements 22, 42. In contrast, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 of a grounding element 22, as it is to be used on the contact inserts 2, 4, a contacting device 23 is arranged, which allows a connection of a protective line 25 by plugging contact. The contacting device 23 has a spring element 230, which is made for example of spring steel, thus electrically conductive and elastic in itself. The spring element 230 has a clamping leg 231 which serves for the clamping locking of a protective line 25 connected to a wire end 250 to the contacting device 23 on the earthing element 22. At the clamping leg 231 includes, angled at an acute angle α, a locking leg 232, which has a remote from the clamping leg 231 detent end 233 with a back Wall portion 224 of the grounding element 22 can be latched and to engage in a latching opening 226 at this wall portion 224.

The spring element 230 is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis D on the grounding element 22. For this purpose, the spring element 230 has two bearing sections 234 projecting transversely to the pivot axis D from the locking leg 232, which engage around associated abutment sections 225 of the grounding element 22 (see, for example, FIG. about a (physical) pivot pin are pivotally mounted on the abutment portions 225. The abutment portions 225 project transversely to the pivot axis D of the Wandungsabschnitt 224 and take the clamping leg 231 of the spring element 230 between them.

The protective line 25 can be attached to the contacting device 23 with the (stripped) conductor end 250 such that the protective line 25 is held between the clamping leg 231 of the spring element 230 and the wall section 224 of the grounding element 22 when the protective line 25 is in place and the spring element 230 is in its clamping position , By elastic clamping action of the clamping leg 231, the wire end 250 is pressed electrically contacting in contact with the Wandungsabschnitt 224 and is also electrically contacted with the spring member 230, so that a grounding contact of the protective line 25 is made with the grounding element 22.

For attaching the protective line 25 to the grounding element 22, the spring element 230 of the contacting device 23 may be in its clamping position. In this case, the protective line 25 is pressed with the (stripped) wire end 250 between the clamping leg 231 and the wall portion 224 of the grounding element 22 and thereby passes under elastic deflection of the clamping leg 231 in clamping grip on the grounding element 22. Alternatively, the protective line 25 to the Grounding element 42 are recognized when the spring element 230 is not in the clamping position. The clamping locking is made in this case with already set protective line 25 in that the spring element 230 is brought into the clamping position and locked by the locking leg 232 with the grounding element 22, so that the clamping leg 231 comes into clamping engagement with the wire end 250 of the protective line 25 , The spring element 230 can be pivoted out of the clamping position in order to release the protective line 25 from the earthing element 22 again. For this purpose, for example, using a tool in the form of a screwdriver or the like, the locking of the locking leg 232 can be solved with the wall portion 224 by intervening in an opening 235 on the locking leg 232 and thereby acted on the locking end 233 of the locking leg 232 to to bring the locking end 233 from its latching engagement with the latching opening 226 on the wall portion 224 of the grounding element 22. If the latching is released, the spring element 230 can be pivoted, so that the clamping leg 231 is moved and thus the clamping system with the protective line 25 is released.

About the contacting device 23 is a connection of a protective line 25 to the associated grounding element 22 in a simple manner possible by plugging. The plug-in direction S into which the protective line 25 is to be connected to the contacting device 23, corresponds to the plug-in direction S, in which the other electrical lines 24, 44 in the insertion openings 210, 410 of the contact module 21, 41 of the associated contact insert 2, 4 are inserted , The connection of the protective line 25 can thus be rectified as for the other electrical lines 24, 44. The grounding element 22 is made of a metal material, for example as a stamped and bent part. About a mounting portion 223, the grounding element 22 to the associated frame part 20, 40 of a contact insert 2, 4 set.

Of the rear wall portion 224 of the grounding element 22 projects into a flange portion 221, are formed at the attachment points to set about the grounding element 22 and thus also connected to the grounding element 42 frame part 20, 40 in a housing of a connector part.

From the grounding element 22 is a Kontaktierungsfahne 222 before, which serves as described above for grounding contact with an associated mating connector part.

The abutment portions 225 are integrally formed on the grounding member 22, for example, as bent portions. In addition, the spring element 230 of the contacting device 23 is preferably made in one piece, for example, from a spring steel. For mounting the grounding element 22 and the contacting device 23, the spring element 230 is attached to the grounding element 22 and, for this purpose, is connected pivotably about the pivot axis D, eg via a pivot pin with the abutment sections 225.

Earthing elements 22 with contact means 23 of the type described arranged thereon can be provided on both sides of the frame part 20, 40 of the associated contact insert 2, 4. The idea underlying the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can in principle also be realized in a completely different kind of way.

A grounding element may have one or more contacting devices of the type described here for connecting one or more protective lines.

Contact inserts of the type described here can be used in different applications on connector parts. Such contact inserts can in particular form contacts for heavy industrial connectors.

The Kontaktierungseinnchtung described requires for clamping, contacting locking a protective line to a grounding element only a pivotally connected to the grounding element spring element. Other components are not required, so that a simple Kontaktierungsseinnchtung can be created with advantageous minimization of the number of components.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 connector part

 10 connector housing

 1 1 cable outlet

 12 cables

 2 contact insert

 20 frame part (module frame)

200 plug-in section

 21 contact module

 210 plug-in openings

 21 1 contact elements

 22 earthing element (PE sheet)

220 fastener

221 flange section

 222 contact flag

223 attachment section

224 wall section

225 abutment section

226 detent opening

 23, 23 'contacting device

230 spring element

 231 clamping legs

 232 locking legs

 233 detent

 234 bearing section

 235 opening

 24 lines

 25 protective line

 250 wire end

 3 connector part

 30 connector housing

 31 cable outlet

 32 cables

 4 contact insert

 40 module frames

400 plug-in section 41 contact module

 410 plug-in openings

 41 1 contact elements

 42 earthing element (PE sheet)

420 fastener

421 flange section

 422 contact flag

423 attachment section

43 'contacting device α angle

 D pivot axis

 E connection direction

S plug-in direction

Claims

claims Contact insert (2, 4) for a connector part (1, 3), with a frame part (20), one on the frame part (20) arranged plug portion (200) for plug-in connection with another connector part (3, 1), at least one on the electrical contact element (21 1, 41 1) arranged on the plug-in section (200) and a grounding element (22) arranged on the frame part (20), to which a protective line (25) can be connected, characterized by a contacting device arranged on the grounding element (22) (23) having a spring element (230) pivotable about a pivot axis (D) to the earthing element (22) and having a clamping leg (231) for locking a protective line (25) to the grounding element (22) in a clamping position and a locking leg (232 ) for latching the spring element (230) with the grounding element (22), wherein the spring element (230) is movable by releasing the latching of the clamping position. Contact insert (2, 4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping leg (260) is adapted to press the protective line (25) in electrical contact against the grounding element (22). Contact insert (2, 4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring element (230) has a bearing portion (234) via which the spring element (230) about the pivot axis (D) is pivotally mounted on the grounding element (22) , Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the clamping leg (231) is arranged at an angle, in particular at an acute angle (a) to the locking leg (232). Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching leg (232) has a detent end (233) remote from the clamping leg (231) which can be latched to the grounding element (22). Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grounding element (22) has a latching opening (226) into which the latching limb (231) engages in the clamping position. 7. Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (235) on the latching leg (231) has an opening (235) which forms a tool engagement for releasing the latching. 8. Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grounding element (22) has a Kontaktierungsfahne (222, 422) for grounding contact with the further connector part (3, 1). 9. Contact insert (2, 4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a on the frame part (20) arranged contact module (21), the at least one insertion opening (210) for inserting at least one electrical line (24) in a plugging direction (S ) having. 10. Contact insert (2, 4) according to claim 9, characterized in that the protective line (25) in the plugging direction (S) to the Kontaktierungseinnchtung (23) is attachable. 1 1. Connector part (1, 3) with a contact insert (2, 4) after a  preceding claims.