EP4010949B1 - Electrical plug connector - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connector according to claim 1.

Such plug connectors are usually used for audio applications, in particular as loudspeaker plugs, sometimes also as plugs for the power supply of electrical devices. A preferred application are housings for connectors for connecting speakers and amplifiers for two standards of cable connectors that are to be plugged into an associated built-in socket in the speaker or amplifier. One type of cable connector has a central pin-shaped connector extension and a circular connector extension surrounding it, while on the other hand typical jack plugs can also be provided as cable connectors. In particular, the present invention relates to the plug receiving parts of an electrical plug connection, which is designed to produce an electrically conductive plug connection with a complementary plug part, with electrical contacts being arranged in both plug connectors. The connector receptacles are often designed as built-in sockets, also known as chassis connectors. They have a circular ring-shaped to produce an electrical plug connection Insertion opening, on the side wall of which at least one electrical contact element is provided, as for example from the AT 387 871 B1 is known. This contact element can be contacted by a contact element of a pluggable mating plug of the plug connection, which has a circular plug-in extension for plugging into the circular plug-in opening of the plug receiving part.

Also known is a built-in socket which, in addition to the annular insertion opening, has a central insertion opening which also has an electrical contact element on a side wall. In addition to the annular plug-in extension, the associated mating plug of the plug-in connection has a central pin-shaped plug-in extension for plugging into the central plug-in opening. Such plug connectors are particularly widespread as loudspeaker plugs.

Are also known, among other things for the production of cable connections between amplifiers and speakers, plug connections, the plug part is formed by a jack plug. Jack plugs are, for example, in the US5911601A and the US5527190A and the references cited therein.

For example, to connect loudspeakers and amplifiers, two standards of cable plugs, which are to be plugged into an associated built-in socket in the loudspeaker (or amplifier), are widely used, with one type of cable plug, as already mentioned, having a central pin-shaped plug extension and one of these surrounding annular connector extension and in the other of these standards as a cable connector is provided a jack plug. In order to avoid additional effort in terms of the components but also in terms of wiring work to be carried out for the use of both systems, AT 410 865 B1 proposed a switching device so that the usual polarity of the contacts for these different types of connectors can be maintained.

From the EP 1503463 A1 in turn, a built-in plug socket of an electrical plug connection with a socket housing is known, which has a central plug-in opening and an annular plug-in opening surrounding the central plug-in opening and delimited by a partition from the central plug-in opening. There are first and second electrical contact elements, with a central plug extension being able to be inserted into the central insertion opening and an annular plug extension of a mating plug being able to be inserted into the annular insertion opening, and a first one being arranged on the central plug extension electrical mating contact element can be contacted with the first contact element and a second electrical mating contact element arranged on the annular plug extension can be contacted with the second electrical contact element. Alternatively, a jack plug can be inserted as a mating plug into the central insertion opening and a shaft of the jack plug and a contact bulb of the jack plug arranged at the free end of the shaft can be electrically contacted.

In the US2006/0205288 A1 a contact element is disclosed which is designed for mounting on a circuit board and for contacting a contact pin that can be inserted parallel to the contact element. The outermost end section of the contact element is convexly curved counter to the direction of deflection and also has a concave curvature in the transverse direction, which is arcuately applied to the end section of the contact pin.

The EP 1401056 A1 discloses a plug receiving part of an electrical plug connection, in particular for audio applications, the housing of which has a central receiving space which is delimited by an intermediate wall with an inside and an outside, and an annular receiving space surrounding the intermediate wall, with both receiving spaces forming insertion openings for a complementary mating connector. Electrical plug contacts are arranged both on the inside and on the outside of the partition wall, which have a metal strip-shaped body which has a fastening area and a free arm protruding from the fastening area with a contact area at its free end and a resilient arm lying between the contact area and the fastening area area. In the usual areas of application of these connector receptacles for audio applications, in particular as loudspeaker connectors, sometimes also as connectors for the power supply of electrical devices, it must be possible to transmit relatively high currents, with low contact resistance being important, for which very good conductivity on the one hand, but also good spring properties on the other be required so that the plug contact is pressed against its mating contact with sufficient force. The proposed contact element has a fastening area and a free arm protruding from the fastening area with a contact area and a resilient area, the contact area being curved. To stiffen the free arm, a bulge and a corresponding trough are formed on the side of the strip-shaped body opposite the bulge, with the resilient area of the strip-shaped body in the area of the bulge or Hollow is curved seen in cross section. This has a positive influence on the spring properties and the curvature guarantees a good starting angle in all directions, even when making contact.

The JP H0878081A as well as the US2001014560A1 show a socket which is used for round plugs for vehicle charging plugs or a crimp contact for a pin with a round cross-section. The contact elements of both arrangements are approximately cylindrical, with a number of elongated webs separated by punched-out sections being arranged in the central casing area. The webs are twisted along their length.

According to the JP H0878081A the webs are slightly widened in their middle section, so that when twisted, a contact edge protrudes into the receiving area for the connector pin. When this is plugged in, the connector pin partially rotates the bridge back against its initial rotation, whereby the contact between connector pin and bridge is always maintained by the contact edge of the bridge.

The US2001014560A1 on the other hand, webs are disclosed which are deflected laterally from the longitudinal axis along their longitudinal extension and then protrude into the insertion opening for the pin in the finished contact element and form a contact edge with the pin.

The object of the present invention was to achieve a good starting slope and the transferability of high currents through good electrical contacting with a simpler construction of the connector and its contact elements.

This object is solved by a device according to the claims.

The device according to the invention is characterized in that the first contact element is arranged in the area of the outside of the cylindrical intermediate wall running parallel to the axis of the insertion openings, is convexly curved in the direction away from the central longitudinal axis of the housing and can be deflected resiliently in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the housing, and that the side edge of the contact element facing the contact pin encloses an acute angle in its front section facing the contact pin with the path of the contact pin during insertion, viewed in the direction of the deflection of the contact element. In the geometric sense, it is the path of the contact pin and the tangent to the contact point of the contact element crooked straight lines, since these are not in the same plane. When the contact pin is pushed into the housing according to the invention, its front end, usually designed as a rounded structure, first comes into contact with the side edge of the contact element of the housing and deflects it elastically from the rest position as it is pushed in further and slides along the side edge. This relative movement with sliding along - similar to the principle of cutting scissors - takes place until the front section of the contact pin has moved onto the flat side of the contact element. The contact pin can then either be advanced or by rotating the complementary connector - be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis of the contact element away from the side edge of the contact element on its flat surface - for example in the course of a bayonet-like locking of the connector.

An embodiment is preferred in which the deflectable section of the contact element is convexly curved counter to the deflection direction, resulting in gentle mechanical contacting between the contact pin and contact element and an advantageous force or resistance curve during the production of the plug connection.

The apex area of the curved section of the contact element preferably lies in the area of the foremost section of the contact pin when the complementary plug connector is fully inserted. This ensures that the contact element is optimally pressed against the contact pin and that the contact surface between the two electrical contacts is as large as possible.

A further preferred embodiment provides that the contact element is convexly curved transversely to its longitudinal axis in the direction of the contact pin. This second curvature is a curvature transverse to the longitudinal axis of the contact element and can only affect the side edge that comes into contact with the contact pin. However, the curvature can also affect both side edges, which then leads to a contact element that is curved normal to the plane between the side edges and/or has a sickle-shaped shape.

Again, it is advantageous if the apex of the curvature is in the area of the foremost section of the contact pin when the complementary connector is fully inserted. Even when the contact pin is pushed in along a straight path in the inventive Housing then gets the contact portion of the contact element in optimal contact with the front portion of the contact pin. This advantage is further enhanced if, at the end of the production of the plug-in connection, the complementary plug-in connector is twisted against the lateral curvature of the contact element, for example for secure latching of the plug-in connection.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of a connector according to the invention is characterized in that the front section of the contact element which interacts with the contact pin is twisted in the direction of the contact pin. This twisting in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis of the contact element and in the direction of the path of the contact pin facilitates on the one hand the gentle and constant deflection of the contact element when the contact pin is pushed into the housing and also the sliding of the contact pin onto the surface of the contact element, be it in Longitudinally of the contact element and / or in its transverse direction. It also ensures optimal contacting at all times and in every relative position of contact pin and contact element.

A variant is preferred in which the twisting increases steadily from the tangential section to just before the front end of the contact element.

Instead of making the side edge of the contact element that comes into contact with the contact pin curved, it is also possible for a contact element with a twisted front section to achieve the desired curvature in relation to the path of the contact pin in that the side edge interacting with the contact pin is parallel to the longitudinal center of the Contact element runs and seen in the direction of deflection of the contact element acute angle between the path of the contact pin and the side edge is caused by the rotation of the contact element. As a result, the contact element can be manufactured more easily, since only straight side edges are required, with a gentle course of force nevertheless in the course of inserting the contact pin and deflecting the contact element.

The contact element is preferably guided coaxially to the direction of insertion at its end closest to the insertion side, with the contacting surface of the first contact element lying between its end sections - that is the end of the contact element fixed to the housing and the other end which is guided coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

An advantageous embodiment of such a plug connector has two contact elements which are arranged on opposite sides of the partition wall with respect to the axis of the insertion opening, are convexly curved in the direction away from the central longitudinal axis of the housing and can be deflected resiliently in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the housing.

In order to be able to contact the second type of complementary plug connector, at least one second contact element is arranged in the central insertion opening and can be resiliently deflected away from the central longitudinal axis of the housing.

Material and weight savings as well as a structure with small dimensions allows a variant of the connector, which is characterized in that the partition, which separates the central insertion opening and delimited annular insertion opening from each other, is at least partially hollow. Alternatively or in addition to this, the intermediate wall can also be provided with at least one groove-like recess. At least one of the contact elements is arranged in the cavity or in the groove. Two grooves or cavities are preferably provided, each of which receives one of the contact elements. The intermediate wall can also be designed as a hollow cylindrical ring having openings or grooves which receive the contact elements or allow them to protrude into the area in which the contact pins or similar contact elements of the complementary connector connect during and after the mating lie down.

Such a connector is preferably designed as a so-called "chassis socket" as described in the preceding paragraphs, the housing of which is designed as a socket-shaped housing that can be inserted into a plate, housing wall or the like and has a projecting flange on the insertion side for mounting on the plate, housing wall od. The electrical contact elements are fixed to the bottom of the socket-shaped housing at the rear end, which is opposite the insertion opening for the complementary connector.

An advantageous embodiment for use with jack plugs is characterized in that the central insertion opening is designed to accommodate a jack plug and there are contact elements for the shank of the jack plug and a contact bulb of the jack plug arranged at the free end of the shank, which has at least one contact with the first Contact element electrically connected first contact lug, from which the contact bulb of the jack plug can be contacted, and a second contact lug electrically connected to the second contact element, from which the shank of the jack plug can be contacted, wherein a pushing element cooperating with the first contact element is present, which for Contacting the first contact element with the first mating contact element of the mating connector when inserting the mating connector is displaceable from the annular connector extension in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the housing.

Further advantages and details of the invention are explained below with reference to the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in the attached drawing.

Fig. 1

Eine Einbausteckerbuchse als bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel für einen erfindungsgemässen Steckverbinder,

Fig. 2

Einen Kabelstecker zur Herstellung einer Steckverbindung mit der Einbausteckerbuchse der Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

Einen Klinkenstecker zur Herstellung einer alternativen Steckverbindung mit der Einbausteckerbuchse der Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

Eine Vorderansicht der Buchse der Fig. 1

Fig. 5

Einen senkrechten Längsschnitt durch die Buchse der Fig. 1,

Fig. 6

Einen Längsschnitt durch die Buchse der Fig. 1 in Querrichtung, senkrecht auf den Schnitt der Fig. 4,

Fig. 7

Einen Querschnitt durch die Buchse der Fig. 1, senkrecht auf deren Längsachse, in Richtung VII - VII,

Fig. 8

Einen Querschnitt durch die Buchse der Fig. 1, senkrecht auf deren Längsachse, in Richtung VIII - VIII,

Fig. 9

Eine Explosionsdarstellung der Einbausteckerbuchse der Fig. 1,

Fig. 10

Eine perspektivische Ansicht einer ersten Ausführungsform eines Kontaktelementes zur Herstellung des elektrischen Kontaktes mit einem Steckerstift des Kabelsteckers,

Fig. 11

Eine Seitenansicht des Kontaktelementes der Fig. 10,

Fig. 12

Eine Draufsicht auf das Kontaktelement der Fig. 10,

Fig. 13

Einen Querschnitt durch ein Kontaktelement der Fig. 10 in Höhe der Linie XIIIXIII der Fig. 12,

Fig. 14

Eine perspektivische Ansicht einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Kontaktelementes zur Herstellung des elektrischen Kontaktes mit einem Steckerstift des Kabel steckers,

Fig. 15

Eine Seitenansicht des Kontaktelementes der Fig. 14,

Fig. 16

Eine Draufsicht auf das Kontaktelement der Fig. 14,

Fig. 17

Einen Querschnitt durch eine Kontaktelement der Fig. 14 in Höhe der Linie XVII-XVII der Fig. 16,

Fig. 18

Einen Querschnitt durch eine Kontaktelement der Fig. 14 in Höhe der Linie XVII-XVII der Fig. 16,

Fig. 19

Einen Querschnitt durch eine Kontaktelement der Fig. 14 in Höhe der Linie XVII-XVII der Fig. 16, und

Fig. 20

Einen Querschnitt durch eine Kontaktelement der Fig. 14 in Höhe der Linie XVII-XVII der Fig. 16.

They each show in a greatly simplified, schematic representation:

1

A built-in socket as a preferred embodiment for a connector according to the invention,

2

A cable connector for making a plug connection with the chassis socket of the 1 ,

3

A jack plug for making an alternative plug connection with the built-in socket of the 1 ,

4

A front view of the socket of the 1

figure 5

A vertical longitudinal section through the socket of the 1 ,

6

A longitudinal section through the socket of 1 in the transverse direction, perpendicular to the cut of the 4 ,

7

A cross section through the socket of the 1 , perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, in direction VII - VII,

8

A cross section through the socket of the 1 , perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, in direction VIII - VIII,

9

An exploded view of the panel jack of the 1 ,

10

A perspective view of a first embodiment of a contact element for making electrical contact with a plug pin of the cable connector,

11

A side view of the contact element 10 ,

12

A top view of the contact element 10 ,

13

A cross section through a contact element of 10 in line XIIXIII of the 12 ,

14

A perspective view of a further embodiment of a contact element for making electrical contact with a plug pin of the cable plug,

15

A side view of the contact element 14 ,

16

A top view of the contact element 14 ,

17

A cross section through a contact element of 14 in line XVII-XVII of the 16 ,

18

A cross section through a contact element of 14 in line XVII-XVII of the 16 ,

19

A cross section through a contact element of 14 in line XVII-XVII of the 16 , and

20

A cross section through a contact element of 14 in line XVII-XVII of the 16 .

The position information selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., relates to the directly described and illustrated figure and these position information are to be transferred to the new position in the event of a change in position.

Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be pointed out that some elements are shown not to scale and/or enlarged and/or reduced in size for a better understanding of the structure.

The invention is described using a preferred exemplary embodiment of a built-in socket, also called a chassis socket, of which a typical exemplary embodiment is shown in the drawing figures. 1 shows this socket in a perspective view. It is used to establish an electrical plug connection with a mating plug of the type shown in 2 represents, as well as alternatively with a jack plug in 3 shown type.

the inside 1 illustrated electrical connector in the form of a built-in socket has a housing 1, in which a central insertion opening 2 and an outer annular insertion opening 3 are present. The housing 1 is made of electrically insulating material or is electrically insulated from the contact elements 13, 14. The outer insertion opening 3 surrounds the central insertion opening 2 coaxially, the two insertion openings 2, 3 being delimited from one another by a likewise coaxial cylindrical partition 4. The intermediate wall 4 runs over at least part of the circumference of the insertion openings 2, 3, preferably over more than half of the circumference. Guides 31 can be provided in a known manner, which facilitate the twist-free insertion of a complementary connector (see 2 ) ensure in the outer annular insertion opening 3 and allow subsequent rotation about the central axis of the connector, in particular to mechanically lock the connector. Such an embodiment of the connectors is for connecting, for example, loudspeakers and amplifiers with two types of cable connectors thought. A type of cable connector (see 2 ) has a cable connector housing 5 and a central connector pin 6, wherein at least one contact pin 9 is arranged on the pin 6 on its cylindrical outside. This central plug pin 6 is surrounded at a certain distance by a cylindrical or annular plug extension 7, on the inside of which contact pins 8 are typically also arranged. On the other hand, the connection with typical jack plugs (see 3 ) with only one contact pin 101 protruding from the housing 10.

Basic versions of the built-in connector according to the invention provide a connection option with only one type of cable connector. An insertion opening and a guide for a complementary cable connector are provided, which is equipped with at least one electrical contact pin. All of the features explained below also apply in a simplified form to these basic versions.

By means of a contact flange 11 with mounting holes 12, the built-in connector can be installed and fixed in a control panel, in a wall of a device or the like.

For the establishment of the electrically conductive connection, for each insertion opening 2, 3 there is at least one elastically deflectable flat tongue-shaped electrical contact element 13, 14 in the housing from the path of the contact pin 8, 10 of the respective cable connector, which it covers in the insertion opening 2, 3 1 attached. This contact element 13, 14 made of electrically conductive, preferably metallic material protrudes at least partially into the respective insertion opening 2, 3, at least in the absence of a complementary plug connector. When the complementary connector or its contact pins 8, 10 are inserted into the insertion opening 2, 3, the contact elements 13, 14 in the housing 1 can be contacted, whereby the electrically conductive connection between the cable connector and built-in connector is established. On the rear side of the housing 1 opposite the insertion opening 2, 3, the contact elements 13, 14 are guided outwards and form the contact lugs 131, 141 on the rear side.

In the exploded view of the 9 it can be seen that the housing 1 is closed and preferably also sealed by a rear wall 15 on the side opposite the plug-in side for the complementary cable connector. Pins projecting from the rear wall 15 onto the housing 1 or elements 151 running in the circumferential direction are used to guide and orient the rear wall 15 relative to the housing 1 and, if designed with undercuts, also as a means for locking the rear wall 15 to the housing 1. Alternatively or additionally, the rear wall 15 can also be bonded to the housing by gluing, welding, preferably Ultrasonic welding, screwing or the like. Be connected. Through openings 152 in the rear wall 15, the contact lugs 131, 141 are guided to the outside.

The intermediate wall 4, which separates the central insertion opening 2 and the annular insertion opening 3 defined therefrom, is at least partially hollow. Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate wall 4 can also be provided with at least one groove-like recess. At least one of the contact elements 13, 14 is arranged in the cavity or in the groove, with contact elements 13, 14 accommodated within the intermediate wall 4 protruding through recesses 41, 42 oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 1 into the insertion openings 2, 3. Two grooves or cavities are preferably provided, each of which receives one of the contact elements 13, 14. The intermediate wall 4 can also be designed as a hollow cylindrical ring having openings 41, 42 or grooves which receive the contact elements 13, 14 or allow them to protrude into the area in which the contact pins or similar contact elements of the complementary connector during and come to rest after making the plug connection.

The contact element 13 projecting into the central insertion opening 2 can be deflected resiliently in the direction away from the central longitudinal axis of the housing 1 in order to receive the contact pin 101 of a jack plug 10 .

On the other hand, the outer contact element 14 protruding from the inside into the outer, annular insertion opening 2, in addition to the spring-elastic deflectability that is also provided in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the housing 1, is also designed in a way that provides a good starting bevel for the contact pin of the cable connector as well as the transferability of high currents is guaranteed by good electrical contact. For this purpose, the side edge 142 facing a contact pin 8 of a cable connector (see the Figures 14 to 20 ) of the contact element 14 in its front, the contact pin 8 facing section 143 with the path of the contact pin 8 during insertion in the direction of Seen deflection of the contact element 14 includes an acute angle. In the geometric sense, the path of the contact pin 8 and the tangent to the contact point of the contact element 14 are skewed straight lines, since they do not lie in the same plane. When the contact pin 8 is pushed into the housing 1 according to the invention, its front end, usually designed as a rounded structure, first comes into contact with the side edge 142 of the contact element 14 of the housing 1 and deflects it elastically out of the rest position as it is pushed in further and slides along the side edge 142 out of. This relative movement with sliding along - similar to the principle of cutting scissors - takes place until the front section of the contact pin 8 has moved onto the flat upper side 144 of the contact element 14. The contact pin 8 can then either be advanced further or by rotating the complementary plug connector - for example in the course of a bayonet-like locking of the plug connection - transverse to the longitudinal axis of the contact element 14 away from the side edge 142 of the contact element onto its flat surface 144. When the complementary connector is fully inserted, a flat contact section 145 of the contact element 14 is then in contact with the contact pin 8 adjoining the side edge 142 and ensures optimum electrical contact. The contact element 14 is convexly curved in its front, deflectable section 146 counter to the direction of deflection.

When the complementary connector is fully inserted, the apex area of the curved section 146 of the contact element 14 is preferably in the area of the foremost section of the contact pin in order to ensure optimum contact. This ensures that the contact element 14 is optimally pressed against the contact pin 8 and that the largest possible contact surface is present between the two electrical contacts. The preferred exemplary embodiment of a contact element 14 also has a convex curvature in the direction of the contact pin 8, which is particularly advantageous in the case of connectors in which, when the cable connector is inserted into the chassis connector, the contact pin 8 of the cable connector is initially slightly outside the longitudinal center of the curved and elastically deflectable section 146 (in 16 approximately parallel to the contact element 14, but slightly above its longitudinal center; in the Figures 17 to 20 perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and initially to the left of the curved section 146 of the contact element 14). The contact pin 8 is first guided along the legs of a pair of scissors along the side edge 143 of the contact element 14 and directs the curved section 146 further and further counter to the curvature until finally - and typically at the greatest deflection of the contact element 14 - the front section of the contact pin 8 of the cable connector runs onto the flat surface 144 of the curved section 146 of the contact element 14. Typically, the cable connector and built-in connector are then rotated relative to each other in order to lock the connector. This movement takes place in 16 with the contact pin 8 lying approximately parallel to the contact element 14 downwards in the plane of the drawing, towards the longitudinal center of the curved section 146; in the Figures 17 to 20 the contact pin 8 would be perpendicular to the plane of the drawing and would be pushed from left to right along a circular arc section to the right onto the flat surface 144 of the contact element 14 in order to finally come to rest in the contact area 145 .

This second curvature in the front section of section 146 of contact element 14, which is curved in any case parallel to the direction of deflection, towards contact pin 8 of the cable connector is a curvature transverse to the longitudinal axis of contact element 14 and perpendicular to the direction of deflection of section 146. It can also only relate to the contact pin 8 closer to a side edge 142, which first comes into contact with the contact pin 8 of the cable connector when the plug connection is made. However, the lateral, second curvature can also affect both side edges, which then leads to a crescent-shaped shape of the deflectable section 146 transverse to the direction of deflection.

The apex area 147 of the lateral curvature is preferably located in the foremost part of the curved section 146, between the front end of the contact element 14 and the area 145 of the curved section 146, on the planar surface of which lies the foremost section of the contact pin 8 when the complementary connector is fully inserted. This allows the contact pin 8 to slide along the side edge 142 when the cable connector is pushed in, with the contact point between the contact pin 8 and the contact element 14, in particular its curved section 146, shifting more and more and moving from the greatest distance to an imaginary connecting line of the contact pin 8 with the central axis of the Cable connector finally migrates to this connecting line. In the course of twisting the cable connector relative to the housing 1 of the built-in connector, the longitudinal center of the contact area 145 of the Contact element 14 in the connecting line and contact pin 8 and contact area 145 are in optimal contact with one another, both in terms of the contact area and the contacting force.

The above-mentioned advantages of the contact pin 8 sliding gently and scissor-like onto the contact element 14 can also be achieved with an embodiment of the contact element 14 whose front section, which comes into contact first with the contact pin 8 of the cable connector, is curved around the longitudinal axis of the contacting, curved section 146 is twisted. Both structural features can also be implemented together in the contact element 14, and a corresponding embodiment of the contact element 14 is also shown in the drawings. The twisting in the front area of the curved and deflectable section 146 facing the contact pin 8 is particularly evident in FIGS 17 to 20 to recognize.

The side edge 142 of the contact element 14 that comes into contact with the contact pin 8 can - in a projection in the direction of the deflection of the front section of the contact element 14 - also be designed curved with respect to the path of the contact pin 8 in that the front section around its own Axis is twisted. The extent of the torsion can preferably also change along the length of the deflectable section 146 of the contact element 14, with the greatest torsion being provided in the frontmost area, which area first comes into contact with the contact pin 8 of the cable connector. The 17 shows a cross section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the contact element 17 just before this point, along the line XVII-XVII of 16 , so that the severely twisted section of the contact element can be seen from the direction of the contact pin 8.

The next cross section of the 18 is set on a little farther from the anterior end, along the line XVIII-XVIII of the 16 , and shows that the twisting at this point is already significantly smaller than in 17 . In the projection in the direction of deflection of the contact element 14, the side edge 142 is therefore somewhat further away from the longitudinal central axis, as would correspond to a real curvature of the front section 146 of the contact element.

At the apex of the curved section 146 of the contact element 14, the curvature is then already very small, as in 19 can be seen, taking a cross-section along the Line XIX-XIX of 16 shows. This section of the contact element 14 then transitions immediately behind it—offset in the direction of the contact lug 141—into the flat section 149 that is not twisted and therefore parallel with respect to the section 149 fixed in the rear wall 15 . The following section of the deflectable section 146 then continues from the apex of the curvature without twisting to the flat, plate-shaped section 149, which is used for attachment in the rear wall 15, and then merges into this section 149. This position is in 20 shown in cross section taken along line XX-XX of 16 is laid. In summary, it could also be expressed in such a way that the torsion increases steadily from the tangential section to just before the front end of the contact element.

As already indicated above, the rotation about its own longitudinal axis of the deflectable section 146 results in a spatial path for the contact point of the contact pin 8 of the cable connector inserted in the housing 1, which, viewed from radially outside of the contact pin 8 but in the direction of the deflection of the contact element 14, is from one greater lateral distance from the longitudinal center axis of the contact pin 8 up to congruence with a connecting line that runs parallel to the direction of deflection and passes through the center axis of the contact pin 8. In this way, the desired curvature occurs in this projection in relation to the path of the contact pin 8. The tangent to the side edge 142 runs at each contact point along the above-mentioned path skew to the longitudinal center axis of the contact pin 8 or to the longitudinal center axis of the contact element 14, which passes through the longitudinal center axis of the section 149 or the contact lug 141 is given.

The foremost section 148 of the deflectable section 146 of the contact element 14 is preferably designed as a guide section which is mounted in a guide structure of the housing 1, in particular the intermediate wall 4, so that it can be displaced parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 1. However, movements of the foremost end section 148 of the contact element 14 transverse to its longitudinal direction are prevented by the guide structure, typically bag-like recesses at the end of the recess in the intermediate wall 4 or at the end of the groove worked out in the intermediate wall 4 and accommodating the contact element 14. At the contact point of the end section 148 on the housing 1, there will also be a longitudinal movement, ie a movement in the direction of the main longitudinal axis of the housing 1, forwards in the direction of the insertion opening or visible surface of the housing 1, when the contact element 14 is pushed away by the contact pin.

The contacting in the central insertion opening 2, into which a central pin 6 of the cable connector, such as in 2 shown, with at least one mounted on its outer wall contact pin 9, preferably two opposing contact pins 9, of a cable connector can also be accomplished with a contact element 13 with a simpler shape. Such a contact element 13 for the central insertion opening 2 is in the Figures 10 to 13 shown in detail. It can also be seen here that the contact surface 135 lies essentially at the highest point of the convexly curved section 136 of the contact element 13 .

The contact element 13 preferably also has a tongue-shaped section 136 that can be deflected in a spring-elastic manner, which is also convexly curved in the same way as in the case of the contact element 14, counter to the direction in which it can be deflected, as in FIG 11 is clearly visible. When the cable connector is not plugged in, at least this curved section 136 protrudes from a receiving structure in the intermediate wall 4 into the plug-in opening and into the path of the contact pin 9 to be plugged in. The end section 138 of the contact element 13 is also preferably guided parallel to the longitudinal axis of the built-in connector and the side edge 132 runs in the foremost section of the contact element 13 at an angle to the longitudinal center axis of the contact element 13 and also at an angle to the path of the contact pin 9 when it is inserted into the insertion opening 2.

The basic sequences and processes correspond to the features explained so far, with the exception that due to the smaller relative movements transverse to the longitudinal axes of the contact elements 9 of the cable connector and 13 of the built-in connector, the twisting of the resilient section 136 is not necessary.

It should also be mentioned that the central insertion opening 2 of the built-in connector can also be used to establish a plug connection with the contact pin 101 of a conventional jack plug - as in 3 shown - can be designed. The contact element 13 is then in addition to the contact area with the shank of the contact pin 101 also provided with contact areas for the contact bulb 102 located at the free end of the contact pin 101 of the jack plug. For this purpose, at least one first contact lug is preferably electrically connected to the contact element 14 protruding outwards into the insertion opening 3, from which the contact bulb 102 of the jack plug can be contacted, and a second contact lug is electrically connected to the contact element 13 protruding into the interior of the inner insertion opening 2 , From which the shaft of the contact element 101 of the jack plug can be contacted is provided. Furthermore, a pushing element cooperating with the contact element 14 is advantageously present. In order to contact the contact element 14 with the contact pin 9 of the cable connector when it is plugged in, this is displaced from the ring-shaped plug extension in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the housing 1 . <b>List of Reference Signs</b> 1 Housing 143 laterally curved section 2 Central insertion opening 144 flat top 3 Outer insertion opening 145 Contact area with contact pin 4 partition 146 curved, springing area 5 cable connector 147 apex of lateral curvature 6 cones 7 Cylindrical connector extension 148 guided end section 8th contact pin 149 specified section 9 contact pin 151 Element for guidance and locking 10 jack plug 11 mounting flange 152 Recess for contact tab 12 mounting hole 13 contact element 14 contact element 15 back panel 31 guides 41 opening 42 opening 101 contact pin 102 contact onion 131 contact flag 132 side edge 133 Section with sloping side edge 135 Contact area with contact pin 136 curved, springing section 138 guided end section 139 specified section 141 contact flag 142 side edge

Claims (12)

1. Electrical plug connector, having a housing (1) which has a central insertion opening (2) and an outer annular insertion opening (3), wherein the outer insertion opening (3) coaxially surrounds the central insertion opening (2) and is delimited from the central insertion opening (2) by a likewise coaxial cylindrical intermediate wall (4) which extends at least over part of the circumference of the insertion opening (2), having at least one guide (31) for a complementary plug connector (5, 10) having at least one electrical contact pin (8, 9, 101), wherein the guides (31) ensure the torsion-free insertion of the complementary plug connector (5) into the annular insertion opening (3) and enable subsequent rotation about the central axis of the plug connectors (1, 5), wherein at least one planar and tongue-shaped electrical contact element (13, 14), which can be resiliently deflected from the path of the contact pin (8, 9, 101) in the insertion opening (2, 3), is fastened in the housing (1) and, in the absence of a complementary plug connector, projects at least partially into the insertion opening, wherein, when the complementary plug connector (5) is fully inserted, a planar contact section (134, 144) of the contact element (13, 14), adjoining the side edge (132, 142) in the transverse direction, rests in contact with the contact pin (8, 9), and wherein the at least one contact element (14) is arranged in the region of the outside of the cylindrical intermediate wall (4), extending parallel to the axis of the insertion openings (2, 3), and can be deflected resiliently in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the housing (1), characterized in that the at least one contact element (14) is curved convexly in the direction away from the central longitudinal axis of the housing (1), and the side edge (142) of this contact element (14) facing the contact pin (8, 9) encloses an acute angle with the path of the contact pin (8, 9) during insertion as seen in the direction of deflection of the contact element (14) in its front section (143) facing the contact pin.
2. Plug connector according to claim 1, characterized in that a deflectable section (136, 146) of the contact element (13, 14) is convexly curved against the deflection direction, wherein preferably a vertex region lies in the region of a foremost section of the contact pin (8, 9) when the complementary plug connector is fully inserted.
3. Plug connector according to claim 2, characterized in that the contact element (14) is convexly curved transversely to its longitudinal axis in the direction towards the contact pin (8), wherein preferably the vertex region (147) lies in the region of the foremost section of the contact pin (8) when the complementary plug connector (5) is fully inserted.
4. Plug connector according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a front section (143) of the contact element (14) cooperating with the contact pin (8) is twisted in the direction towards the contact pin (8).
5. Plug connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the twist increases steadily from a tangential section (145) to just before a front end (148) of the first contact element (14).
6. Plug connector according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the side edge (142) cooperating with the contact pin (8) extends parallel to the longitudinal center of the contact element (14) and the acute angle between the path of the contact pin (8) and the side edge (142), as seen in the direction of deflection of the contact element (14), is caused by the twist of the front section of the contact element (14).
7. Plug connector according to claim 6, characterized in that the contact element (14) is guided coaxially to the insertion direction at its end (148) closest to the insertion side, wherein the contacting surface of the first contact element (14) is located between its end sections (148, 149).
8. Plug connector according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that two contact elements (14) arranged on opposite sides of the intermediate wall (4) with respect to the axis of the insertion opening (2) are curved convexly in the direction away from the central longitudinal axis of the housing (1) and can be deflected resiliently in the direction towards the central longitudinal axis of the housing (1).
9. Plug connector according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that at least one second contact element (13) is arranged in the central insertion opening (2) and can be deflected resiliently in the direction away from the central longitudinal axis of the housing (1).
10. Plug connector according to claim 9, characterized in that the intermediate wall (4), which separates the central insertion opening (2) and the annular insertion opening (3) delimited therefrom, is at least partially hollow and/or provided with at least one groove-like recess, wherein at least one of the contact elements (13, 14), preferably both contact elements (13, 14), are arranged in a cavity or a groove-like recess, wherein the contacting surfaces (135, 145) project from the cavity or the groove-like recess.
11. Plug connector according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the housing (1) is designed as a socket-shaped housing insertable into a plate, housing wall or the like and has on the insertion side a projecting flange (11) for mounting on the plate, housing wall or the like, and the electrical contact elements (13, 14) are fixed at the rear end to the base of the socket-shaped housing (1).
12. Plug connector according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that the central insertion opening (2) is designed to receive a jack plug (10) and contact elements are present for the shank (101) of the jack plug (10) and a contact bulb (102) of the jack plug (10) arranged at the free end of the shank (101), which contact bulb (102) has at least one first contact lug electrically connected to the first contact element (14), by which the contact bulb (102) of the jack plug (10) can be contacted, and a second contact lug electrically connected to the second contact element (13), by which the shank (101) of the jack plug (10) can be contacted, wherein a thrust element is present, which interacts with the first contact element (14) and can be displaced from the annular plug projection in the direction towards the central longitudinal axis of the housing (1) in order to make contact between the first contact element (14) and the first mating contact element of the mating plug when the mating plug is inserted.

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