Patent Application
20220115791
This application claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) of German Patent Application No. 102020126888.2, filed on Oct. 13, 2020.
The present invention relates to an electric terminal and, more particularly, to a contact device for the automotive sector.
In the electrical sector (electronics, electrical engineering, electrics, electric energy technology, etc.), a large number of electric connector devices; socket, pin and/or hybrid connectors, etc. are known—referred to below as (electrical) connectors (also: mating connectors)—that serve for transmitting electrical currents, voltages, signals and/or data with a wide range of currents, voltages, frequencies and/or data rates. In the range of low, medium or high voltages and/or currents, and in particular in the automotive sector, such connectors must ensure transmission of electrical power, signals and/or data permanently, repeatedly and/or after a comparatively long time of inactivity for a short time in mechanically stressed, warm, possibly hot, contaminated, damp and/or chemically aggressive environments. Due to a wide range of applications, a large number of specially designed connectors are known.
Such a connector and, if applicable, its associated or higher-level housing (e.g. in the case of a connector device), can be attached to an electrical wire, a cable, a cable harness, etc. —referred to below as a pre-assembled (electrical) cable (also: electrical entity)—or at/in an electrical device, such as e.g. at/in a housing, at/on a leadframe, at/on a circuit board, etc., of a (power) electrical, electrooptical or electronic component or a corresponding aggregation, etc. (electrical entity).
If a connector (with/without housing) is situated on a wire, a cable or a cable harness, this is also called a flying (plug) connector or a plug, a socket or a coupling; if it is situated at/in an electrical, electrooptical or electronic component, aggregation, etc., this is also called a connector device, such as e.g. a (built-in/mounted) connector, a (built-in/mounted) plug or a (built-in/mounted) socket. Furthermore, a connector at such a device is often referred to as a (plug) receptacle, pin header, pin strip or header. In the context of electrical power engineering (generating, converting, storing and transporting high-voltage electrical current within electricity grids, optionally with three-phase high-voltage transmission), one speaks here of cable fittings because of their comparatively complex structure.
Such a connector must ensure a proper transmission of electricity, wherein mutually corresponding and partially complementary connectors (connector and mating connector) usually having locking devices and/or fastening devices for permanent but usually releasable locking and/or fastening of the connector at/in the mating connector or vice versa. Furthermore, an electrical connecting device for a connector, e.g. comprising or at least having: a contact device (terminal; usually in one piece having several or two parts, or materially in one piece, e.g. a (crimp) contact device), must be held securely therein.
Efforts are always being made to improve electrical connectors, to make them smaller, and/or to design them in a less expensive manner. The advancing miniaturization is also not stopped here by the cross sections of the cables and/or the involved terminals. Efforts are thus being made to reduce the dimensions of cables and their terminals, in order to reduce an amount of installation space, in order to make it possible for a line cross section to be utilized as satisfactorily as possible in the case of a given maximum current carrying capacity, and in order to save resources, in particular copper. Furthermore, miniaturization results in a desired weight saving.
An electric terminal including a contact section having a locking lance locking the electric terminal in a connector housing of an electric connector and a transition section extending from the contact section and having a secondary latching with a secondary latching device latching the electric terminal in the connector housing. The locking lance is axially additionally secured in the contact section away from an attachment of the locking lance to the contact section and/or a plurality of side walls of the electric terminal are closed by a circumferential connection in the secondary latching device.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures, of which:
The invention is explained in greater detail in the following on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the appended drawings, which are diagrammatic and not to scale. Portions, elements, component parts, units, components and/or patterns which have an identical, unique or analogous configuration and/or function are labelled with the same reference signs in the figures. Furthermore, a possible alternative which is not described, is not shown in the drawings and/or is not definitive, a static and/or kinematic reversal, a combination, etc. with respect to the exemplary embodiments of the invention or a component, a pattern, a unit, a component part, an element or a portion thereof, can be gathered, furthermore, from the figures.
In the case of the invention, a feature (portion, element, component part, unit, component, function, variable, etc.) can be of positive configuration (that is to say, present) or of negative configuration (that is to say, absent). In this specification, a negative feature is not explained explicitly as a feature if value is not placed on it being absent according to the invention; that is to say, the invention which is actually made and is not constructed by way of the prior art consists in omitting the feature.
A feature of this specification can be used not only in a specified manner and/or way, but rather also in another manner and/or way (isolation, combination, replacement, addition, on its own, omission, etc.). It is possible, in particular, to replace, add or omit a feature in the patent claims and/or the description on the basis of a reference sign and a feature which is assigned to it or vice versa. Moreover, a feature in a patent claim can be interpreted and/or specified in greater detail as a result.
The features of the description can also be interpreted as optional features (in view of the (initially mostly unknown) prior art); that is to say, each feature can be considered to be an optional or arbitrary feature, that is to say a feature which is not mandatory. Therefore, a separation of a feature, possibly including its periphery, from an exemplary embodiment is possible, it then being possible for the said feature to be transferred to a generalized inventive concept. The absence of a feature (negative feature) in an exemplary embodiment shows that the feature is optional in relation to the invention. Furthermore, in the case of a type term for a feature, a generic term for the feature can also be implicitly understood (possibly further hierarchical breakdown into subgenus, etc.), as a result of which a generalization of the feature is possible, for example with consideration of equivalent effect and/or equivalence.
The invention is explained in greater detail in the following text on the basis of exemplary embodiments of the one embodiment of one variant of an electric terminal 1, configured as a contact device 1, of the next generation, in particular of a NanoMQS terminal 1 (MQS: Micro Quadlok System) for the automotive sector. NanoMQS terminals 1, in various embodiments, are suitable for cables with line cross sections of less than 0.35 mm2, in an embodiment of less than 0.30 mm2 or 0.25 mm2. Although the invention is described and illustrated further in greater detail by way of exemplary embodiments, the invention is not restricted by way of the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but rather is of more fundamental nature.
Other variations can be derived herefrom without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. The invention can be used in general in the electrical sector in the case of an electrical entity. One exception is formed here by terrestrial electrical power engineering.
The drawing shows only those spatial portions of the subject matter of the invention which are necessary for understanding of the invention. Designations such as connector and mating connector, terminal and mating terminal, etc. are to be interpreted synonymously, that is to say can optionally be swapped in each case among one another.
In the following text, a construction of the terminal 1 is described in greater detail with reference to the drawing, it being possible for the terminal 1 to be provided in a connector housing (electrical connector 0). Here, the terminal 1 can be latched or locked in a primary and secondary manner in the connector housing of the connector 0, which is shown in
In the axial direction Ar ((mating) plug-in direction) of the terminal 1 from the front (on the left in
In the case of a non-socket terminal, that is to say, for example, a pin, prong or tab terminal, the function of the socket contact section 10 as a socket is dispensed with; instead, an alternative contacting device is provided, such as, for example, a pin, prong or tab. The construction of a terminal of this type is analogous with respect to the socket terminal, a polarization 100 (explained in the following) of the terminal 1 being established not at a front free end of the terminal 1, but behind an actual contacting device (here, an actual socket) of the terminal 1 in the axial direction Ar.
A polarization 100 of the terminal 1 is understood to mean, for example, an entire axial portion of the terminal 1 which, in addition to other tasks, such as, for example, primary latching, rigidities, etc., serves for polarization or encoding, that is to say correctly oriented plugging of the terminal 1 into a connector housing. In the case of a terminal 1 which is configured, for example, as a socket terminal, the polarization can be a plug-in face-side free longitudinal end portion of the terminal and, in the case of a terminal which is configured, for example, as a pin terminal, can be a longitudinal center portion of said terminal.
The terminal 1, as shown in
The terminal 1 comprises a resilient locking lance 110 which is attached to the polarization 100 or is incorporated partially into the polarization 100, as shown in
Starting from a root laterally (remote side of the terminal 1 on the left in
Here, the first portion runs in the upward direction Hr, and then in the upward direction Hr and transverse direction Qr (circumferential direction Ur) of the terminal 1. A width (averaged over the upward direction Hr) of the first portion in the axial direction Ar can be greater than the width (averaged over the axial direction Ar) of the second portion in the transverse direction. The axial direction Ar ((mating) plug direction), the transverse direction Qr and the upward direction Hr of the terminal 1 all lie substantially perpendicularly to one another. Here, the axial direction Ar is that direction in which the terminal 1 runs with its main direction of extent. The cross sections of the terminal 1 lie in the transverse direction Qr and upward direction Hr, the crimp flanks of the terminal 1 running substantially in the upward direction Hr in a non-crimped state of said terminal 1 as a crimp terminal.
The free, second portion of the locking lance 110 lies eccentrically as a (cover) wall on the outside and at the top on/in the terminal 1, the second portion adjoining the first portion integrally. Starting from the first portion, the second portion runs first of all substantially in the axial direction Ar and, subsequent to this, in the axial direction Ar and upward direction Hr of the terminal 1. At least one holding device 116, in particular a holding tab 116, is provided at a free end of the second portion, by which holding device 116 the locking lance 110 can be locked on a primary latching in the connector housing 0.
The terminal 1 can be configured in such a way that, when a compressive force is applied to the locking lance 110, e.g. from above, a/the first portion of the terminal is substantially subjected to bending in the axial direction Ar (axial direction as bending axis) and a/the second portion of the terminal 1 is substantially subjected to bending in a transverse direction Qr (transverse direction as bending axis) of the terminal 1. Furthermore, the terminal 1 can be configured in such a way that, when a tensile force is applied in the axial direction Ar to the terminal 1 which is established here e.g. actually or ideally in a connector housing, a/the first portion of the terminal 1 is substantially subjected to torsion in the upward direction (upward direction as torsion axis) and a/the second portion of the terminal 1 is substantially subjected to bending in the transverse direction (transverse direction as bending axis).
In an embodiment, the locking lance 110 can be configured as follows. Once again starting from the root laterally on/in the polarization 100, the locking lance 110 extends with a first upward portion 111 substantially exclusively in the upward direction Hr. Said upward portion 111 partially forms a (first) (side) wall 11, 101; 111 of the terminal 1 and of the polarization 100.
Directly subsequent thereto, the locking lance 110 has a second upward portion 112 shown in
Once again directly subsequent thereto, the locking lance 110 has a first or bound axial portion 113 shown in
A reinforcement region 115 can be established integrally in the locking lance 110 between the second upward portion 112 and the bound axial portion 113. The locking lance 110 itself can have at least one or two (side) walls 117, 118 (extent in the axial direction Ar and the upward direction Hr) (U-shaped cross section). Here, at least one or precisely one (side) wall 117, 118 can be cut out at least partially (not reference sign 120).
According to the invention, as shown in
The mechanical connection can be configured as an exclusively mechanical connection. A single-piece connection in material terms is, for example, a weld (welded point), a soldered connection or an adhesive bond. The additional axial securing can be effective in precisely one, at least one or the two axial directions of the terminal 1. The additional axial securing can be established in the contact section 10 in a manner which lies opposite the attachment of the locking lance 110 to the contact section 10. The additional axial securing lies opposite in the transverse direction Qr of the terminal 1 with regard to the attachment of the locking lance 110. An axial offset of the two axial lockings (attachment of the locking lance 110 to the contact section 10, and additional axial securing) of the locking lance 110 can of course be used.
In this exemplary embodiment shown in
In the exemplary embodiment which is shown of the terminal 1 in
In the case of a mechanical axial locking 120, 121 which is established in the terminal 1, the locking devices 120, 121 engage into one another, for which purpose the locking lug 121 is bent out of its plane into the locking recess 120. A reinforcement device 124 can be established adjacently with respect to the locking recess 120, which reinforcement device 124 can form an edge of the locking recess 120; that is to say, the reinforcement device 124 “extends” into the locking recess 120. The reinforcement device 124 is established between the locking recess 120 and a free end of the locking lance 110 at/in the locking lance 110 or the first, bound axial portion 113 or the second (side) wall 118. The reinforcement device 124 can be set up in front of the locking recess 120 in the pull-out direction of the terminal 1. Here, the pull-out direction (pull-off direction) is that direction, in which a pulling action is exerted on an electrical wire which is connected to the terminal 1, in order to pull the terminal 1 out of the connector housing (unintentionally). The reinforcement device 124 can be a reinforcement bead or a reinforcement stamped portion.
The at least one additional axial securing is possibly active only from a certain mechanical force in the axial direction Ar on the above-described locking lance 110; that is to say, for example, the locking lug 121 is established with play in the locking recess 120. That is to say, the terminal 1 is designed for this case in such a way that the additional axial securing is active only in the case of a defined pull-out force on the locking lance 110 being exceeded, for example in a manner which emanates from a cable which is connected electromechanically to the terminal 1. In the case of rearwardly directed tensile forces on the terminal 1 which are smaller than the said pull-out force, the additional axial securing is not yet active then.
An axial movement of the entire locking lance 110 can be stopped by the additional axial securing, as a result of which a durability of the terminal 1 is increased. Here, the locking lance 110 can of course still be deformed elastically and possibly plastically. According to the invention, a considerable increase in the durability of the terminal 1 is shown in comparison with an identical terminal 1 without the additional axial securing or without the additional mechanical axial locking 120, 121.
The terminal 1 can comprise a secondary latching 200, shown in
A rigid secondary latching device 302 shown in
In the layout of the terminal 1, shown in
In a ready-for-use state of the terminal 1, shown in
Instead of a mechanical circumferential connection, in addition or as an alternative a circumferential connection which is single-piece in material terms can also be established between the circumferential sections 310, 330. A connection which is single-piece in material terms is, for example, a weld (welded point), a soldered connection or an adhesive bond.
The latching box 302 or the circumferential connection of the circumferential sections 310, 330 can be established in the transverse direction Qr of the terminal 1 in a side region in the contact section 10 or in the transition section 40. The circumferential connection can be effective in precisely one, at least one or the two circumferential directions of the terminal 1. Establishing in a relevant central portion (possibly centrally divided (intermediate cover) wall 14)) can of course be used. Furthermore, the latching box 302 can have a reinforcement device 334, in particular a reinforcement bead 334 or a reinforcement stamped recess, as shown in
The latching box 302 can be established in the terminal 1 in such a way that the second circumferential section 330 extends substantially rectilinearly in the upward direction Hr out of the (second) (side) wall 13 and is bent over at approximately a right angle on its longitudinal end portion. In a manner which lies opposite in the transverse direction Qr, the first circumferential section 310 extends substantially rectilinearly in the upward direction Hr out of the (intermediate cover) wall 14, and is likewise bent over in an approximately right angle on its longitudinal end portion. This can of course also be of reversed configuration. Furthermore, it is possible for the first circumferential section 310 to be of analogous configuration with respect to the second circumferential section 330, or for the second circumferential section 330 to be of analogous configuration with respect to the first circumferential section 310.
Those longitudinal end portions of the circumferential section 330 which lie opposite one another are arranged so as to bear against one another in the upward direction Hr, the lug 332 or the key engaging into the (passage) recess 312 or the lock. The (second) (side) wall 13 has at least one reinforcement stamped recess or reinforcement bead 334 which runs, in particular, in the upward direction Hr.
In the embodiment shown in
The contact spring 210 is established such that it can be supported on its free longitudinal end portion by a supporting lug 240 in the terminal 1, shown in
The fixed anvil 212 may be established as a depression in the bottom wall 12, which depression is stamped into the bottom wall 12. At least one or precisely one fixed anvil 212 can be established for a/the mating terminal in the contact spring 210. Precisely one stamped seating recess or seating bead can be established in the supporting lug 240. The stamped seating recess or seating bead defines a plain bearing point or a small plain bearing region of the free longitudinal end portion of the contact spring 210 on the inside in the terminal 1 with respect to the supporting lug 240.
This results in an improved electric contact region with an improved ratio of a highest plug-in force to a normal force which is active for a mating terminal. Furthermore, a general customer request can be met for a downwardly directed contact force (direction of gravity) and an upwardly directed normal force. Furthermore, a possible, simple construction of the contact chamber results in a flexible design in accordance with technical requirements (modifications) of a customer and/or its product. A leaf spring attached on one side as a contact spring 210 in conjunction with a supporting lug for a free longitudinal end portion of the leaf spring results in a trajectory which is improved in terms of plug-in force.
For relevant loading directions on the miniaturized terminal 1, there is a high stability of the terminal 1 in relation to a retaining force of the locking lance 110 (first contact securing) and a high stability of the terminal 1 in the region of the secondary latching 200 (plug-in directions of a second contact securing: from the right, the top or the left). The resistance forces of the terminal 1 are increased considerably by the additional axial securing according to the invention of the locking lance 110 in the contact section 10 and the circumferential connection according to the invention of the side walls of the secondary latching device 302. The terminal 1 and said two regions according to the invention of the terminal 1 can be manufactured rapidly and reliably in relation to manufacturing requirements. It is of course possible according to the invention for only one of the two regions to be set up on/in a terminal 1.
The extension of the locking lance 110 into a side wall of the terminal 1 or its polarization 100 results in an increased spring length of the locking lance 110 and a smaller relaxation of the locking lance 110, in particular in the case of first-time locking of the terminal 1 in a connector housing 0. Furthermore, as a result, an inner mutual displacement movement of the locking lance 110, for example in the case of a presence of a holding force or a pull-out force, is defined in an improved manner. For example, in the case of a presence of a high pull-out force or even a rip-out force on the terminal 1, a greater influence can be made as a result on a failure behavior of the locking lance 110 and therefore of the terminal 1 than in the prior art. Moreover, higher holding forces of the locking lance 110 result in comparison with comparable terminals in the prior art.
In embodiments, the terminal 1 can be configured in one part (in one piece and in two/several parts). That is to say, the terminal 1 can be separated by hand or by a tool and without damage to its two or more individual parts. A cohesiveness of the terminal 1 takes place by a non-positive and/or positively locking connection. Furthermore, the terminal 1 can be configured in one piece. That is to say, the terminal 1 cannot be separated into its individual parts simply by hand or by a tool and possibly not without damage. A cohesiveness takes place by a non-positive and/or positively locking connection and possibly an integrally joined connection.
Furthermore, the terminal 1 can be configured in one piece in material or adhesive terms. That is to say, its individual parts are fixed to one another in an integrally joined manner (welding, soldering, adhesive bonding), it not being possible for the terminal 1 to be separated into its individual parts without damage. Furthermore, there can be a cohesiveness by a non-positive and/or positively locking connection. Moreover, the terminal 1 can be of single or integral configuration. That is to say, there is only one single component (the terminal 1) which can be separated only with destruction thereof. The terminal 1 is manufactured from a single piece which for its part should necessarily be integral, etc. An inner cohesiveness takes place by means of adhesion and/or cohesion, and the material of the terminal is of homogeneous, amorphous and/or isotropic configuration here.
The entity according to the invention has a terminal 1 according to the invention. Here, for example in addition to an entity housing, the entity can have, furthermore, at least one mechanical, electrical, electronic, optical and/or fluidic apparatus or device. An entity of this type can (also) be configured, for example, as an electrical connector, a device (electrical connector device), a (pre-)assembled cable, an assembly, a printed circuit board, a component, a module, a unit, an instrument, an appliance, a system, etc.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102020126888.2 | Oct 2020 | DE | national |
