EP3793034B1 - Plug contact and connector system - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION AND PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a plug-in contact device and a plug-in system with such a plug-in contact device.

the EP 3 104 665 A1 discloses such a plug contact device for electrically connecting an induction heating device of an induction hob. The plug-in contact device is arranged on a printed circuit board and the plug is arranged on the underside of a carrier. Insertion during connection can be facilitated by a type of floating mounting of the plug with mobility to the side.

From the DE 37 84 889 T2 a corresponding plug-in contact device is known which has a contact socket with two clamping legs, each of which has a clamping projection. A clamping frame is provided with which plug-in connections can be clamped on a large number of such plug-in contact devices by moving the clamping frame relative to the contact sockets by means of a clamping actuator.

From the DE 43 26 091 A1 a very similar plug-in contact device is known. Here, too, a large number of plug connections are clamped by moving a single clamping frame by means of a clamping actuator. In this case, clamping legs are provided which are designed as described above.

From the US 4,422,703A yet another plug-in contact device is known, many of which are distributed in a flat field. They have two opposing resilient clamping legs, each with a clamping projection, which are open at the top. A plug with a large number of plug-in contacts can then be brought in from above, so that the plug-in contacts move in between the clamping legs. An additional jamming of the contact sockets does not take place. Their springy training is sufficient for this.

From the US 9,735,486 B1 it is known to provide several plug contact devices in one housing. Each plug-in contact device has a contact socket with two opposing clamping legs into which a contact can be plugged. A plug housing of the plug contact has a beveled widening that protrudes over End regions of the clamping legs engages and presses them against each other or against a plug-in contact located in between when plugged in.

From the U.S. 6,350,138 B1 yet another plug-in contact device is known with a multiplicity of contact sockets arranged in a two-dimensional field, each of which has two opposite clamping legs. After plugging in a mating connector with a large number of plug-in contacts that can engage in a contact socket, the contact sockets can be pressed together again, or a previously performed widening by means of a clamping frame is canceled. In this way, a secure and solid electrical contact is achieved.

From the DE 10 2015 203 518 A1 a plug-in contact device with a sleeve-like contact socket with clamping legs is known. Here, after inserting a plug into the contact socket, the contact socket is pressed together by moving a clamping actuator. As a result, the plug is reliably held in the contact socket.

TASK AND SOLUTION

The invention is based on the object of providing a plug-in contact device for the electrical connection of a plug as mentioned at the outset and a corresponding plug-in system which are intended to avoid problems of the prior art and in particular to simplify the establishment of the electrical connection and at the same time to establish an electrical connection which is designed as securely as possible.

This problem is solved by a plug-in contact device with the features of claim 1 and by a plug-in system with the features of claim 14. Advantageous and preferred configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the other claims and are explained in more detail below. Some features are only described for the plug-in contact device or only for the plug-in system. However, independently of this, the features should be able to apply independently both to the plug-in contact device and to the plug-in system. The wording of the claims is made part of the content of the description by express reference.

The plug-in contact device according to the invention for electrically connecting a plug to a contact socket has the printed circuit board, the contact socket, a clamping frame and a clamping actuator. The contact socket, which is mounted on a printed circuit board, has a first clamping leg with a first clamping projection and a second clamping leg a second clamping projection. The first clamping limb is arranged opposite the second clamping limb and the two clamping limbs delimit, in particular between them, a plug receiving space for accommodating the plug. The clamp frame surrounds the contact socket. The clamping actuator is designed to move the clamping frame relative to the printed circuit board in a predetermined clamping direction when it is actuated. During this movement, the clamping frame interacts with the first clamping projection and the second clamping projection in such a way that the connector receiving space is narrowed when the clamping frame moves relative to the printed circuit board in the clamping direction or along the clamping direction. The clamping actuator thus causes clamping, in particular when an electrical device is installed with the plug-in contact device or with the plug-in system.

The contact socket can be detachably or non-detachably attached to the printed circuit board. The contact socket can advantageously be fastened to the printed circuit board by means of a materially bonded connection, with the materially bonded connection preferably being a soldered connection or a welded connection.

The contact socket can consist of an electrically conductive material, advantageously of appropriate sheet metal, in particular the contact socket can have an alloy of copper, iron or aluminum.

The contact socket can advantageously be designed in one piece. The contact socket is preferably in the form of a hollow cylinder, in particular with a round or rounded-off internal cross section. The female contact may have a free end on one face and a fixed end on another face, with the free end opposite the fixed end. The contact socket can be fixed with the fixed end on the circuit board as described above. The free end can have the first clamping projection and the second clamping projection or all of the clamping projections. The contact socket is preferably designed so that the plug is inserted into its free end, in particular is pushed or inserted between the first clamping projection and the second clamping projection in order to arrange the plug within the plug receiving space, ie to plug it in.

A diameter or outer diameter of the plug is advantageously smaller than a diameter or inner diameter of the plug receiving space of the contact socket. The plug and/or the contact socket can be designed in such a way that the plug is accommodated in the plug receiving space with a loose fit when the plug receiving space is not narrowed, ie when plugged in. As a result, the plug can advantageously be inserted into the plug receiving space without force. In other words, no insertion force is required to insert the plug into the contact socket. This facilitates assembly and prevents damage from incorrect assembly if too much force is used. The clamping actuator can be arranged partially or completely between the circuit board and the clamping frame. In this way, it can support itself well on the printed circuit board if necessary. For example, the clamping actuator can be designed in one piece, in particular the clamping actuator can be a one-piece plastic component. The clamping actuator can be fastened or held on the printed circuit board or on the clamping frame. For example, there can be a form fit between the clamping actuator and the clamping frame and/or the printed circuit board. The clamping actuator can be designed to be rotatable or rotatable and fastened or arranged, with the rotation of the clamping actuator moving the clamping frame relative to the printed circuit board in the clamping direction. It can be provided that the clamping actuator converts its rotational movement into a linear movement of the clamping frame by a fitter. The rotation of the clamping actuator is preferably initiated by the actuation. It can be actuated by the fitter. By actuating the clamping actuator, a clamping force can preferably be set, with which the plug is clamped between the clamping legs after the plug has been arranged or inserted in the plug receiving space.

The clamping frame can partially or advantageously completely surround a lateral surface of the contact socket. Preferably the clamping frame surrounds at least the first clamping projection and the second clamping projection, in particular all clamping projections if there are more, preferably four contact sockets.

The interaction between the clamping frame and the first clamping projection and the second clamping projection can mean that the clamping frame slides along the first clamping projection and the second clamping projection when the clamping actuator moves the clamping frame relative to the printed circuit board in the clamping direction. A narrowing of the connector receiving space can mean that the clamping frame engages on the first clamping projection and on the second clamping projection of a contact socket and moves the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg towards one another or presses them together when the clamping actuator moves the clamping frame relative to the printed circuit board in the clamping direction. By compressing the first clamping limb and the second clamping limb, they can be prestressed and compressed, in particular resiliently prestressed. If the clamping frame moves in the opposite clamping direction, the pretension of the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg can be released and the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg move away from each other, in particular the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg spring back. Therefore, the first clamping limb and the second clamping limb can be reset by the prestressing and thus an opening of the connector receiving space. In other words: the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg bent by the clamping frame, in particular not bent, when it moves relative to the printed circuit board in the clamping direction, and/or advantageously springs back when the clamping frame moves relative to the printed circuit board in the opposite direction to the clamping direction.

The electrical connection of a plug with the contact socket can be established by inserting or plugging the plug into the non-narrowed or widened plug receiving space of the contact socket without force and then actuating the clamping actuator. By actuating the clamping actuator, the clamping frame can press the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg against the connector, preferably laterally against the connector. In other words: the plug is then clamped between the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg. An electrical connection can be made between the two clamping legs and the plug by pressing on or clamping the plug at the side. The connector can be clamped between the two clamping legs in such a way that it can only be pulled out of the connector receiving space with a specific connector removal force. This connector pull-off force can depend on the clamping force of the first clamping leg and the second clamping leg, which in each case acts on the connector when the connector is clamped between the clamping legs. Typically, the plug pull-off force is greater than forces acting on the plug contact device during normal use of the same.

The invention thus solves the problem of providing a plug-in contact device for the electrical connection of a plug, which simplifies the production of the electrical connection and at the same time produces an electrical connection that is configured as securely as possible.

In a further development of the invention, the clamping actuator is designed to move the clamping frame relative to the printed circuit board in the opposite direction to the clamping direction when the clamping actuator is actuated in another way. The clamping frame interacts with the first clamping projection and the second clamping projection in such a way that the connector receiving space is expanded when the clamping actuator moves the clamping frame relative to the printed circuit board in the opposite direction to the clamping direction. In particular, the clamping actuator can act on the clamping frame in order to move the clamping frame in the opposite direction to the clamping direction. The clamping actuator is preferably attached to the clamping frame or forms a structural unit with it.

In a development of the invention, the clamping direction is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector receiving space. The longitudinal axis of the connector receiving space can correspond to the plug-in direction or can specify the plug-in direction. The clamping direction is preferably perpendicular to the printed circuit board, in particular perpendicular to a surface of the printed circuit board.

In a development of the invention, the clamping actuator is designed to change a distance between the clamping frame and the printed circuit board when the clamping actuator is actuated. The clamping frame cooperates with the first clamping projection and the second clamping projection such that the connector receiving space is narrowed when the clamping actuator increases the distance between the clamping frame and the circuit board, and that the connector receiving space is expanded when the distance between the clamping frame and the circuit board decreases becomes.

Alternatively, the clamping frame can interact with the first clamping projection and the second clamping projection in such a way that the connector receiving space is narrowed when the clamping actuator reduces the distance between the clamping frame and the circuit board, and that the connector receiving space is expanded when the distance between the clamping frame and the circuit board is increased.

In a development of the invention, the clamping frame has a first state and a second state. The clamping actuator is then designed to transfer the clamping frame between the first state and the second state. The distance between the printed circuit board and the clamping frame is greater in the second state of the clamping frame than in the first state of the clamping frame. The connector receiving space is smaller in the second state of the clamping frame than in the first state of the clamping frame.

In a further development of the invention, the clamping frame has clamping bevels which interact with the first clamping projection and the second clamping projection in such a way that the connector receiving space is narrowed when the clamping actuator moves the clamping frame relative to the printed circuit board in the clamping direction. This can generally form a gear. As a result of the movement of the clamping frame in the clamping direction, the clamping projections slide along the clamping bevels and are pressed towards one another, narrowing the plug receiving space. Furthermore, the clamping frame interacts with the first clamping projection and the second clamping projection in such a way that the connector receiving space is expanded when the clamping frame is moved relative to the printed circuit board in the opposite direction to the clamping direction. Due to the movement of the clamping frame in the opposite direction to the clamping direction, the clamping projections slide along the clamping bevels and move away from one another, with the plug receiving space being expanded again. A number of clamping bevels can advantageously correspond to the number of clamping projections. Alternatively, the clamping bevels can be arranged next to one another and form a single cohesive surface. The clamping bevels can be a backdrop for the clamping projections, in particular a link guide as the aforementioned gear.

In a development of the invention, the first clamping projection has a first lead-in bevel and the second clamping projection has a second lead-in bevel, or they form these lead-in bevels. The first insertion slope and the second insertion slope face the connector receiving space. The first insertion slope and the second insertion slope are configured to position the connector within the connector receiving space when it is inserted or plugged into the connector receiving space. The clamping projections are preferably arranged in such a way that the insertion bevels widen the connector receiving space, in particular widen upwards.

In a further development of the invention, the first clamping projection is arranged on an upper edge of the first clamping leg and is bent up or bent outwards in such a way that it enlarges the plug receiving space, in particular bent outwards in the radial direction from the longitudinal axis of the plug receiving space. The second clamping projection is arranged on an upper edge of the second clamping leg and is also bent up in such a way that it enlarges the connector receiving space, in particular bent outwards in the radial direction from the longitudinal axis of the connector receiving space.

In a development of the invention, the contact socket has a number of fastening elements for through-hole mounting of the contact socket on the printed circuit board. It is fastened to the circuit board with the fastening elements, these fastening elements preferably being protruding pins which advantageously protrude downwards. The fastening elements are preferably arranged at the fastened end of the contact socket. The fastening elements can advantageously be designed to be plugged into corresponding through-holes in the printed circuit board. In other words, the printed circuit board can have a number of through holes corresponding to the number of fasteners. In particular, the contact socket can have two to twelve fastening elements.

In a further development of the invention, the contact socket is a stamped and bent part made from sheet metal. This can be a metal sheet commonly used for such contact sockets. Its thickness can be between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

In the invention, the contact socket has a third clamping limb with a third clamping projection, in particular on the free end, and a fourth clamping limb with a fourth clamping projection, in particular on the free end. The third clamping leg is arranged opposite the fourth clamping leg. These four first clamping legs delimit the connector receiving space for receiving the connector. Advantageously, the clamping legs can be evenly distributed and at the same angle to one another be arranged. According to the invention, the clamping frame interacts with the clamping projections in such a way that the connector receiving space between them is narrowed when the clamping actuator moves the clamping frame in the clamping direction relative to the printed circuit board and thus relative to the contact socket. The contact socket can also have more than four clamping legs.

In a further development of the invention, the clamping actuator has a screw, an eccentric or an inclined surface coupling or link guide. The clamping frame preferably covers the clamping actuator partially or completely, or is arranged above it. The clamping frame can have an opening through which the clamping actuator can be actuated, in particular with a screw.

In a first development of the invention, the clamping actuator has a screw and a thread that corresponds to the screw and in which the screw is accommodated. A longitudinal axis of the screw is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the connector receiving space. The screw is designed to engage the clamping frame or to be fastened to the clamping frame and to move the clamping frame relative to the circuit board in or along the clamping direction by rotating the screw. The clamping actuator can preferably have a thread device with the thread, which is fastened to the printed circuit board, in particular is soldered to the printed circuit board. The threaded device with the screw screwed in can be arranged between the printed circuit board and the clamping frame. The screw can cooperate with the threading device in such a way that it pushes the clamping frame away from the circuit board when it is screwed out of the threading device.

In a second development of the invention, the clamping actuator is an eccentric. The eccentric is rotatably arranged between the printed circuit board and the clamping frame; in particular, the eccentric can be rotated through 180°. The eccentric has an actuating device in order to actuate it, in particular to rotate it, in which case the actuating device can preferably be a lever. The eccentric is designed to move the clamping frame in the clamping direction relative to the printed circuit board when it is rotated. The eccentric is preferably partially covered by the clamping frame, but in particular the actuating device is not covered by the clamping frame. The eccentric can be rotatably attached to the printed circuit board or to the clamping frame. An axis of rotation of the eccentric can be parallel to the printed circuit board or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector receiving space.

In a third development of the invention, the clamping actuator is an inclined surface coupling. The clamp frame has a first inclined surface of the inclined surface coupling, and an actuator of the clamp actuator has a second inclined surface of the inclined surface coupling on. The actuating device is rotatably arranged between the printed circuit board and the clamping frame; in particular, the actuating device can be rotated between 10° and 180°, advantageously by 45°, 30° or 20°. The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface cooperate in such a way, in particular with each other, that the clamping frame is moved relative to the circuit board in the clamping direction when the actuating device is rotated. Preferably, the first inclined surface can slide on the second inclined surface. Preferably, the slant surface coupling comprises a plurality of first slant surfaces and a plurality of second slant surfaces, the plurality of first slant surfaces corresponding to the plurality of second slant surfaces.

The actuating device is preferably partially covered by the clamping frame. The actuating device can be rotatably fastened to the circuit board or to the clamping frame or can be arranged rotatably between the circuit board and the clamping frame. An axis of rotation of the inclined surface coupling can be perpendicular to the printed circuit board or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connector receiving space.

In an embodiment of the invention, the plug-in contact device has a plurality of contact sockets, preferably a plurality of identical contact sockets. In particular, the plug-in contact device has an even number of contact sockets, advantageously four, eight or sixteen contact sockets. The majority of contact sockets can be identical in their construction, advantageously all of them. Preferably, the clamping frame can narrow all connector receiving spaces of the plurality of contact sockets at the same time or expand them at the same time when the clamping frame moves relative to the circuit board in the clamping direction or in the opposite direction to the clamping direction.

In a further development of the invention, the contact sockets are evenly distributed around the clamping actuator and are arranged at the same angle to one another. In particular, the contact sockets can be arranged with point symmetry or mirror symmetry.

In an embodiment of the invention, the clamping frame electrically insulates the contact sockets from one another, in particular at least in the direction of a direct connection between them. The clamping frame preferably insulates the clamping projections from one another. The direct connection can be in a direction radial to the longitudinal axis of the connector receiving space.

The object on which the invention is based is also achieved by a plug-in system. This plug-in system has a plug-in contact device as described above and a plug holder with the plug on. The plug holder preferably has a number of plugs that corresponds to the number of contact sockets of the plug-in contact device.

In a development of the invention, the plug holder has an opening through which the clamping actuator can be actuated when the plug is accommodated in the plug receiving space. The opening is preferably arranged centrally. In particular, the opening of the connector holder is arranged concentrically to the opening of the clamping frame when the connector is accommodated in the connector receiving space, the clamping actuator being operable through the opening of the connector holder and through the opening of the clamping frame.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the connector system has a carrier on the underside of which the connector holder is arranged. Furthermore, the connector system has at least one electrical functional unit, which is arranged on the carrier, in particular on an upper side of the carrier, and which is electrically connected when the connector is accommodated in the connector receiving space. The plug-in contact device can be connected to a voltage source which is designed to supply the electrical functional unit with electrical energy. The electrical functional unit can in particular be an induction heating device of an induction hob. The plug holder can be designed to electrically connect the induction heating device to the voltage source when the plug is accommodated in the plug receiving space.

In this way, the plug-in contact device can establish an electrical connection between the voltage source and the electrical functional unit, the establishment of the electrical connection being simplified and the electrical connection established being designed as securely as possible at the same time.

The subdivision of the application into subheadings and individual sections does not limit the general validity of the statements made under them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine Schnittansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Steckkontakteinrichtung mit einem Klemmaktor mit einer Schraube,

Fig. 2

eine Schrägansicht der Steckkontakteinrichtung aus Fig. 1 ohne Klemmrahmen,

Fig. 3

eine Schrägansicht einer Kontaktbuchse der Steckkontakteinrichtung aus Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

eine Seitenansicht der Kontaktbuchse aus Fig. 3, in der ein Stecker aufgenommen ist,

Fig. 5

eine Schrägansicht eines Stecksystems mit der Steckkontakteinrichtung aus Fig. 1 und einem Steckerhalter in einem auseinandergezogenen Zustand,

Fig. 6

eine Schnittansicht des Stecksystems aus Fig. 5 in einem zusammengesteckten Zustand,

Fig. 7

eine Schrägansicht einer alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform der Steckkontakteinrichtung mit einem Klemmaktor mit einem Exzenter,

Fig. 8

eine Seitenansicht der Steckkontakteinrichtung aus Fig. 7 mit einem Klemmrahmen in einem ersten Zustand,

Fig. 9

eine weitere Seitenansicht der Steckkontakteinrichtung aus Fig. 8,

Fig. 10

eine Seitenansicht der Steckkontakteinrichtung aus Fig. 7 mit dem Klemmrahmen in einem zweiten Zustand,

Fig. 11

eine weitere Seitenansicht der Steckkontakteinrichtung aus Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

eine Schnittansicht einer alternativen erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform der Steckkontakteinrichtung mit einem Klemmaktor mit einer Schrägflächenkopplung,

Fig. 13

eine Schrägansicht der Steckkontakteinrichtung aus Fig. 12 ohne Klemmrahmen,

Fig. 14

eine Schrägansicht der Steckkontakteinrichtung aus Fig. 12 ohne Leiterplatte und ohne Betätigungsvorrichtung.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the drawings and are explained in more detail below. In the drawings show:

1

a sectional view of a plug-in contact device according to the invention with a clamping actuator with a screw,

2

an oblique view of the plug contact device 1 without clamping frame,

3

an oblique view of a contact socket of the plug-in contact device 1 ,

4

a side view of the contact socket 3 , in which a plug is accommodated,

figure 5

an oblique view of a plug-in system with the plug-in contact device 1 and a connector holder in an expanded state,

6

a sectional view of the connector system figure 5 in an assembled state,

7

an oblique view of an alternative embodiment of the plug-in contact device according to the invention with a clamping actuator with an eccentric,

8

a side view of the plug contact device 7 with a clamping frame in a first state,

9

Another side view of the plug contact device 8 ,

10

a side view of the plug contact device 7 with the clamping frame in a second state,

11

Another side view of the plug contact device 10 ,

12

a sectional view of an alternative embodiment according to the invention of the plug-in contact device with a clamping actuator with an inclined surface coupling,

13

an oblique view of the plug contact device 12 without clamping frame,

14

an oblique view of the plug contact device 12 without printed circuit board and without operating device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

1 shows a plug-in contact device 100 with a total of four contact sockets 20, wherein in the sectional view of 1 two female contacts 20 are shown cut and one female contact 20 is shown uncut. All four contact sockets 20 are identical in structure, which is why the structure of the contact sockets 20 can be described using a representative contact socket 20, which is shown in Figures 3 and 4 is shown.

The contact socket 20 is a one-piece stamped and bent part made of sheet metal and is in the form of a hollow cylinder. It is advantageously made from a single piece of sheet metal or strip and bent or bent together in the manner of a tube or round cylinder. Next, the contact socket 20 is electrically conductive. A number of fastening elements 22 for through-hole mounting of the contact socket 20 on a printed circuit board 10 are arranged at a lower end of the contact socket 20 . In Figures 3 and 4 it can be seen that the contact socket 20 has a total of six fastening elements 22 in the form of protruding pins. The fastening elements 22 are inserted through corresponding passage openings in the printed circuit board 10 and soldered to the printed circuit board 10, see FIG 1 . The fastening elements 22 also connect the contact socket 20 electrically to the printed circuit board 10.

Opposite the fixed end is a free end of the female contact 20. At the free end, the female contact 20 has a first clamp leg 24, a second clamp leg 26, a third clamp leg 28 and a fourth clamp leg 30, see also 3 . The first clamping leg 24 is arranged opposite the second clamping leg 26 and the third clamping leg 28 is arranged opposite the fourth clamping leg 30 . In this case, two adjacent clamping legs are separated from one another by a gap 32 . All clamping legs 24, 26, 28, 30 are evenly distributed and arranged at the same angle to one another.

All terminal legs 24, 26, 28, 30 delimit a plug receiving space 130 between them for receiving a plug 180. The plug receiving space 130 has a longitudinal axis 132. 4 shows the contact socket 20 with the plug 180, which is accommodated in the plug-receiving space 130. FIG. The plug 180 is also a one-piece stamped and bent part made of sheet metal and is in the form of a hollow cylinder. There is a loose fit between the plug 180 and the contact socket 20, preferably with a few tenths of a millimeter of play, in particular 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. Due to the loose fit, the plug 180 can be inserted into the contact socket 20 without force. However, simply inserting the plug 180 into the contact socket 20 has not yet established a secure electrical contact. especially not for the high currents that are to be expected when operating an induction heating device.

The first clamping leg 24 has a first clamping projection 25 with a first insertion slope 34, the second clamping leg 26 has a second clamping projection 27 with a second insertion slope 36, the third clamping leg 28 has a third clamping projection 29 with a third insertion slope 38 and the fourth clamping leg 30 has a fourth clamping projection 31 with a fourth lead-in slope 40 . A respective clamping projection 25, 27, 29, 31 is arranged on an upper edge of the corresponding clamping leg 24, 26, 28, 30 and is bent upwards or downwards in the radial direction in such a way that the clamping projections 25, 27, 29, 31 the connector receiving space 130 enlarge. They form the funnel-like lead-in slopes 34, 36, 38 and 40 at the same time.

A respective insertion bevel 34, 36, 38, 40 faces the connector receiving space 130 and is designed to position the connector 180 more easily within the connector receiving space 130 when the connector 180 is inserted into the contact socket 20. When plug 180 is inserted into plug receiving space 130 , plug 180 is pushed toward printed circuit board 10 in the direction of longitudinal axis 132 . If the plug 180 hits one of the insertion bevels 34, 36, 38, 40 when it is inserted into the contact socket, it slides along this insertion bevel 34, 36, 38, 40 until it is aligned largely concentrically with the contact socket 20 and slightly completely in the contact socket 20 can be used.

show further Figures 1 and 2 that the four contact sockets 20 are distributed evenly and arranged at the same angle to one another around a clamping actuator 80 . The clamping actuator 80 is formed with a screw 82 and a thread 84 in which the screw 82 is accommodated. The thread 84 is formed on a threaded means 86 in the form of a clamp. The threaded device 86 is also attached to the printed circuit board 10 with protruding pins, in particular soldered. A longitudinal axis 83 of the screw 82 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 132 when the screw is received in the threads 84 . The screw and the thread 84 are arranged between the circuit board 10 and the clamping frame 50 . In particular, the screw head of the screw 82 bears against the clamping frame 50 . The clamping frame 50 has an opening 52 through which a tool, in particular a screwdriver, can be guided from above to turn the screw 82 . If the screw 82 is unscrewed from the thread 84 with the screwdriver, the screw head acts against the clamping frame 50 and pushes it away from the printed circuit board 10 . That goes in the same way the other direction. In other words: the screw 82 is designed to move the clamping frame 50 relative to the printed circuit board 10 in a clamping direction 60 by turning it. The clamping direction 60 is parallel to the longitudinal direction 132 of the contact socket 20 and perpendicular to the circuit board 10. When the screw 82 moves the clamping frame 50 in the clamping direction 60, a distance between the clamping frame 50 and the circuit board 10 increases.

In 1 it can be seen that a lateral surface of the four contact sockets 20 is surrounded by the clamping frame 50 . The clamping frame 50 is a one-piece plastic component and isolates the contact socket 20 from one another. In particular, the clamping frame 50 insulates the clamping projections 25, 27, 29, 31 of a contact socket 20 from the clamping projections 25, 27, 29, 31 of an adjacent contact socket 20. The clamping frame 50 has four openings 54 in total. Each of the contact sockets 20 is arranged in one of the openings 54 . Each opening 54 has continuous clamping bevels 56, in particular funnel-like, which form a continuous surface and which interact with the clamping projections 25, 27, 29, 31 of the contact socket 20. If the screw 82 is turned out of the thread 84 and pushes the clamping frame 50 away from the printed circuit board 10 in the direction of the clamping direction 60, the clamping projections 25, 27, 29, 31 slide along the clamping bevels 56 and are pressed together by the clamping frame. By unscrewing the screw 82 from the thread 84, all the clamping projections of the four contact sockets 20 are advantageously pressed together simultaneously and in the same way by the clamping frame 50. As a result of the compression, the connector receiving space 130 narrows and the clamping legs 24, 26, 28, 30 are each pretensioned. If a plug 180 is accommodated in the plug receiving space 130 of the contact socket 20, as in FIG 4 shown, the intended play between the contact socket 20 and the plug 180 is reduced by the compression of the clamping projections 25, 27, 29, 31 in such a way that the plug 180 is clamped in the contact socket 20. If the plug 180 is clamped by the contact socket 20, there is a frictional connection between the screw 82, the thread device 86, the printed circuit board 10, the contact socket 20, the plug 180 and the clamping frame 50.

Alternatively, in an embodiment that is not shown, the contact socket can have tabs on which an insulating plate with the thread for the screw rests. In this embodiment, there is a frictional connection between the screw, the insulating plate, the lugs of the contact socket, the plug and the clamping frame. In this embodiment, the printed circuit board is not included in the frictional connection, which is why it does not experience any mechanical stress as a result of the connector being clamped. This can advantageously increase the service life of the printed circuit board.

If the plug 180 is clamped by the contact socket 20, the plug 180 can only be pulled out of the contact socket 20 with a plug pull-off force from the plug receiving space 130, which is relatively large. This plug pull-off force must be selected in such a way that the clamping between the clamping legs 24, 26, 28, 30 and the plug 180 can be overcome. About the screw 82, a strength of the clamp between the clamping legs 24, 26, 28, 30 and the plug 180 can be adjusted and thus the required plug removal force. The greater the distance between the clamping frame 50 and the printed circuit board 10, the stronger the plug 180 is clamped by the contact socket 20 and the greater the plug pull-off force. The clamping can therefore be adjusted via the screw 82 in such a way that the plug pull-off force is greater than the forces that occur during operation of the plug-in contact device 100 or the associated device. Actually, the plug should no longer be removed, at least not without loosening the clamp. In this way, a secure electrical contact is established between the plug 180 and the contact socket 20, but this can also be easily released again.

To release the electrical contact and to remove the plug 180 from the contact socket 20 without force, the screw 82 is screwed back into the thread 84, as a result of which the prestressing of the clamping legs 24, 26, 28, 30 can be released. The preload on the clamp legs 24, 26, 28, 30 causes the clamp frame 50 to be pressed down or against the screw 82 and the distance between the clamp frame 50 and the circuit board 10 is reduced when the preload is released. As a result, the clamping frame 50 moves towards the printed circuit board 10 in the opposite direction to the clamping direction 60. Furthermore, the clamping projections 25, 27, 29, 31 slide along the clamping bevels 56, so that the connector receiving space 130 widens again when the pretension is released. The plug receiving space 130 is expanded in such a way that the aforementioned loose fit occurs again between the plug 180 and the contact socket 20 and the plug 180 can be pulled out of the plug receiving space 130 without force.

figure 5 and 6 show a plug-in system 200 which has the plug-in contact device 100 and a plug holder 150 . The plug holder 150 has four retaining pins 160 on which four identical hollow cylindrical plugs 180 are seated, possibly connected with a press fit. Each of the retaining pins 160 has a latching lug which engages in a corresponding latching recess in the plugs 180 when the plugs 180 are pressed onto the retaining pins 160 .

The plug holder 150 can be inserted into the plug-in contact device 100, with figure 5 a pulled state of the connector system 200 is shown and none of the plug 150 in the Plug receiving spaces 130 of the contact sockets 20 is added. In 6 an inserted state of the plug-in system 200 is shown, with the plugs 180 being accommodated in the plug-receiving spaces 130 of the contact sockets 20 .

In 6 the electrical connections between the plugs 180 and the contact sockets 20 are not yet established. In order to establish the electrical connections between the plugs 180 and the contact sockets 20 or to release electrical connections that have been established again, the screw 82 must be able to be actuated. Therefore, the connector holder 150 has an opening 155 through which the screw 82 can be actuated from above. The opening 155 of the plug holder 150 is concentric with the opening 52 of the clamping frame when the plugs 180 are received in the plug receiving cavities 130 .

In Figures 7 to 11 an alternative embodiment of the plug contact device 100 is shown. For a better understanding, the same reference numbers are used for identical and functionally equivalent elements. In that regard, the above statements on the Figures 1 to 6 referenced, so that essentially only the existing differences will be discussed below.

The clamping actuator 80 has a one-piece eccentric 88 with an actuating device 90 in the form of a lever that can be actuated by a user. The eccentric 88 is arranged between the circuit board 10 and the clamping frame 50 . The actuating device 90 protrudes beyond the clamping frame 50 . In other words: the clamping actuator 80 is rotatably mounted on the clamping frame 50, in particular with a swivel joint. The eccentric 88 is designed to move the clamping frame 50 relative to the printed circuit board 10 in the clamping direction 60 when the actuating device 90 is rotated, in particular by approximately 180°.

By rotating the eccentric 88, the eccentric 88 transfers or raises the clamping frame 50 between a first state and a second state. The distance between the circuit board 10 and the clamp frame 50 in the second upper state of the clamp frame 50 is larger than in the first lower state of the clamp frame 50, and the connector receiving space 130 is smaller in the second state of the clamp frame 50 than in the first state of the clamp frame 50. With others In other words, in the first state of the clamping frame 50, the plug 180 is accommodated in the plug receiving space 130 with a loose fit, that is to say loosely, and no secure electrical contact has yet come about. In the first state, the plug 180 can be inserted without force into the plug receiving space 130 or can be removed from the plug receiving space 130 without force. In the second state of the clamping frame 50 the plug 180 is clamped between the clamping legs 24, 26, 28, 30 and the secured electrical contact has come about.

Figures 8 and 9 show two different side views of the plug-in contact device 100. In both figures, the clamping frame 50 is in the first state, ie at the bottom.

Figures 10 and 11 show the side views of the plug contact device 100 of FIG Figures 8 and 9 with the difference that the clamping frame 50 is in the second upper state. Compared to the first state, the eccentric 88 has now been rotated through 180°, as a result of which it has pushed the clamping frame 50 away from the printed circuit board and increased the distance between the clamping frame 50 and the printed circuit board 10 . The eccentric 88 is designed to move the clamping frame 50 independently from the first state to the second state or from the second state to the first state when the eccentric 88 has already been rotated by 120°. Therefore, the eccentric 88 only has to be rotated through 120° in order to transfer the clamping frame 50 between the first state and the second state. However, it can also be rotated further, possibly without any effect, in order to lie flat again after a rotation of 180° and possibly snap into place by means of a locking device.

In Figures 12 to 14 an alternative embodiment of the plug contact device 100 is shown as has been described above. For a better understanding, the same reference numerals are used for identical and functionally equivalent elements and to that extent can be referred to the above statements Figures 1 to 11 referenced, so that essentially only the existing differences will be discussed below.

12 12 shows that the clamping actuator 80 has an actuating device 90 and a bevel coupling. The actuating device 90 is arranged between the circuit board 10 and the clamping frame 50 and bears against the circuit board 10 . The actuating device 90 has a centering pin 96 which is arranged in a form-fitting manner within a corresponding centering opening 98 in the clamping frame 50 . If the actuating device 90 is rotated, the actuating device 90 rotates about the centering pin 96. An axis of rotation of the actuating device 90 is perpendicular to the printed circuit board 10 and parallel to the longitudinal axis 132 of the contact socket 20. The actuating device 90 can be rotated by a maximum of 45° here.

The ramp coupling includes a plurality of first ramp surfaces 92 and a plurality of second ramp surfaces 94 . 13 and 14 12 show that the male contact device 100 comprises four first inclined surfaces 92 and four second inclined surfaces 94. FIG. the first sloping surfaces 92 are integrally formed at the bottom of the clamping frame 50 and second sloping surfaces 94 are integrally formed at the top of the actuator 90 . The first inclined surfaces 92 are evenly distributed around the centering opening 98 and arranged at the same angle to one another, and the second inclined surfaces 94 are evenly distributed around the centering pin 96 and arranged at the same angle to one another. If the actuating device 90 is arranged between the circuit board 10 and the clamping frame 50, see FIG 12 , the inclined surfaces 92, 94 are parallel and face each other, in particular the inclined surfaces 92, 94 touch. The inclined surfaces 92, 94 are not parallel to the circuit board 10, their angle thereto can be 30° to 60°.

When actuator 90 is rotated, inclined surfaces 92, 94 cooperate to slide along one another. Because of the incline, the clamping frame 50 is pushed away from the printed circuit board 10 or it can move towards the printed circuit board 10 . Instead of the lever as the actuating device 90 , a tool could also be gripped through the opening 98 in a manner similar to the first embodiment in order to rotate the second inclined surfaces 94 .

Claims (15)

1. Plug contact device (100) for electrically connecting a plug (180) to a contact jack fastened on a printed circuit board (10), having:

   - the printed circuit board (10),

   - the contact jack (20) with:

   - a first clamping member (24) with a first clamping projection (25), and

   - a second clamping member (26) with a second clamping projection (27),

   - wherein the first clamping member (24) is arranged opposite the second clamping member (26) and the two clamping members (24, 26) limit a plug receiving space (130) for receiving the plug (180),

   - a clamping frame (50) surrounding the contact jack (20),

   - a clamping actuator (80) designed to move the clamping frame (50) relative to the printed circuit board (10) in a clamping direction (60) when the clamping actuator (80) is operated,

   - wherein the clamping frame (50) interacts with the first clamping projection (25) and the second clamping projection (27) such that the plug receiving space (130) is narrowed when the clamping actuator (80) moves the clamping frame (50) relative to the printed circuit board (10) in the clamping direction (60),

   characterized in that the contact jack (20) has:

   - a third clamping member (28) with a third clamping projection (29), and

   - a fourth clamping member (30) with a fourth clamping projection (31),

   - wherein the third clamping member (28) is arranged opposite the fourth clamping member (30), and the first clamping member (24), the second clamping member (26), the third clamping member (28) and the fourth clamping member (30) limit the plug receiving space (130) for receiving the plug (180),

   wherein the clamping frame (50) interacts with the first clamping projection (25), the second clamping projection (27), the third clamping projection (29) and the fourth clamping projection (31) such that the plug receiving space (130) is narrowed when the clamping actuator (80) moves the clamping frame (50) relative to the printed circuit board (10) in the clamping direction (60).
2. Plug contact device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping actuator (80) is designed to move the clamping frame (50) relative to the printed circuit board (10) against the clamping direction (60) when the clamping actuator (80) is operated, wherein the clamping frame (50) interacts with the first clamping projection (25) and the second clamping projection (27) such that the plug receiving space(130) is widened when the clamping actuator (80) moves the clamping frame (50) relative to the printed circuit board (10) against the clamping direction (60).
3. Plug contact device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clamping direction (60) is parallel to a longitudinal axis (132) of the plug receiving space (130), the clamping direction (60) preferably being vertical to the printed circuit board (10).
4. Plug contact device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping actuator (80) is designed to alter a distance between the clamping frame (50) and the printed circuit board (10) when the clamping actuator (80) is operated, wherein the clamping frame (50) interacts with the first clamping projection (25) and the second clamping projection (27) such that the plug receiving space (130) is narrowed when the clamping actuator (80) increases the distance between the clamping frame (50) and the printed circuit board (10) and that the plug receiving space (130) is widened when the distance between the clamping frame (50) and the printed circuit board (10) is reduced, or wherein the clamping frame (50) interacts with the first clamping projection (25) and the second clamping projection (27) such that the plug receiving space (130) is narrowed when the clamping actuator (80) reduces the distance between the clamping frame (50) and the printed circuit board (10) and that the plug receiving space (130) is widened when the distance between the clamping frame (50) and the printed circuit board (10) is increased, wherein the clamping frame (50) preferably has a first state and a second state, wherein the clamping actuator (80) is designed to move the clamping frame (50) between the first state and the second state, wherein the distance between the printed circuit board (10) and the clamping frame (50) is greater in the second state of the clamping frame (50) than in the first state of the clamping frame (50), and wherein the plug receiving space (130) is smaller in the second state of the clamping frame (50) than in the first state of the clamping frame (50).
5. Plug contact device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping frame (50) has angled clamping surfaces (56) which interact with the first clamping projection (25) and the second clamping projection (27) such that the plug receiving space (130) is narrowed when the clamping actuator (80) moves the clamping frame (50) relative to the printed circuit board (10) in the clamping direction (60), wherein the clamping projections (25, 27) slide along the angled clamping surfaces (56) due to the movement of the clamping frame (50) in the clamping direction (60) and are pressed towards one another, narrowing the plug receiving space (130), and the plug receiving space (130) is widened when the clamping frame (50) moves relative to the printed circuit board (10) against the clamping direction (60), wherein the clamping projections (25, 27) slide along the angled clamping surfaces (56) due to the movement of the clamping frame (50) against the clamping direction (60) and move away from one another, widening the plug receiving space (130).
6. Plug contact device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first clamping projection (25) has a first angled insertion surface (34) and the second clamping projection (27) has a second angled insertion surface (36), wherein the first angled insertion surface (34) and the second angled insertion surface (36) face the plug receiving space (130), and wherein the first angled insertion surface (34) and the second angled insertion surface (36) are designed to position the plug (180) inside the plug receiving space (130) when the plug (180) is inserted into the plug receiving space (130), wherein the first clamping projection (25) is preferably arranged on an upper rim of the first clamping member (24) and is bent outwards, enlarging the plug receiving space (130), and wherein the second clamping projection (27) is arranged on an upper rim of the second clamping member (26) and is bent outwards, enlarging the plug receiving space (130).
7. Plug contact device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact jack (20) has a number of fastening elements (22) for throughhole mounting of the contact jack (20) on the printed circuit board (10), and the contact jack (20) is fastened on the printed circuit board (10) with the fastening elements (22), wherein the fastening elements (22) are preferably protruding pins.
8. Plug contact device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first clamping member (24), the second clamping member (26), the third clamping member (28) and the fourth clamping member (30) are evenly distributed and arranged at the same angle to one another.
9. Plug contact device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping actuator (80) has a bolt (82), an eccentric cam (88) or a angled-surface coupling, wherein the clamping actuator (80) preferably has the bolt (82) and a thread (84) corresponding to the bolt (82), wherein the bolt (82) is received by the thread (84), wherein a longitudinal axis (83) of the bolt (82) is parallel to a longitudinal axis (132) of the plug receiving space (130) and wherein the bolt (82) is designed to engage the clamping frame (50)or be fastened to the clamping frame (50) and to move the clamping frame (50) relative to the printed circuit board (10) in the clamping direction (60) by rotating the bolt (82).
10. Plug contact device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the clamping actuator (80) is the eccentric cam (88), wherein the eccentric cam (88) is rotatably arranged between the printed circuit board (10) and the clamping frame (50), wherein the eccentric cam (88) has an operating device (90) for operating the eccentric cam (88) and wherein the eccentric cam (88) is designed to move the clamping frame (50) relative to the printed circuit board (10) in the clamping direction (60) when the eccentric cam (88) is rotated.
11. Plug contact device (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the clamping actuator (80) is the angled-surface coupling, wherein the clamping frame (50) has a first angled surface (92) of the angled-surface coupling and wherein an operating device (90) of the clamping actuator (80) has a second angled surface (94) of the angled-surface coupling, wherein the operating device (90) is rotatably arranged between the printed circuit board (10) and the clamping frame (50) and wherein the first angled surface (92) and the second angled surface (94) are designed to interact such that the clamping frame (50) is moved relative to the printed circuit board (10) in the clamping direction (60) when the operating device (90) is rotated.
12. Plug contact device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug contact device (100) has a plurality of contact jacks (20), preferably a plurality of identical contact jacks (20), wherein the plug contact device (100) has in particular four contact jacks (20), the contact jacks (20) being preferably evenly distributed around the clamping actuator (80) and arranged at the same angle to one another.
13. Plug contact device (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that the clamping frame (50) electrically insulates the contact jacks (20) from one another, in particular at least in the direction of a direct connection between the contact jack (20).
14. Plug system having a plug contact device (100) according to any of the preceding claims and a plug holder (150) with the plug (180), preferably having a carrier on whose underside the plug holder (150) is arranged and at least one electric function unit arranged on the carrier and electrically connected when the plug (180) is received in the plug receiving space (130).
15. Plug system according to claim 14, characterized in that the plug holder (150) has an opening (155) through which the clamping actuator (80) is operable when the plug (180) is received in the plug receiving space (130), the opening (155) preferably being arranged centrally.

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