FR3127644A1 - Connector - Google Patents

Abstract

TITLE: Connector Connector comprising a contact housing (2) for an opposing contact (30), a contact blade (3), * the contact housing (2) having a first wall (21) and a second wall (22) opposite, * the slat (3) is between the first wall (21) and the second wall (22). The casing (2) is mainly made of a first material (M1). The strip (3) is in a first material (M1) in a first segment (4) and mainly in a second material (M2) in a second segment (5) adjacent (4). The shear modulus of the second material (M2) is equal to at least 1.5 times the shear modulus of the first material (M1). Figure 2a

Description

Connector

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connector.

STATE OF THE ART

According to the state of the art, various electrical connectors are known for receiving an opposing contact element. Such connectors can be made in a single piece, that is to say from a metal strip (usually a copper alloy) or sheet metal by stamping and bending. One-piece contacts in copper alloys have relatively low primary holding forces in the contact chamber. In addition, they present a high risk of plastic deformation during insertion and a tendency to relaxation, (of different levels depending on the alloy), the normal contact forces decreasing with time and temperature; for example the contact forces exerted by a contact lamella on an opposite, plugged-in contact element; the risk is therefore that of a premature interruption of the contact. Such a one-piece connector is known from document DE 10 2007 040 937 B3.

Two-part contacts are also known. In this case, an elastic outer part (also called over-spring or outer contact case) is made of steel as a single element that is folded over an inner contact part made separately in another sheet (also called "half of contact ") ; the latter is made of a material having good electrical conductivity, such as, for example, copper. In this way, the primary retaining force in the contact chamber can be increased, since this is then exerted by the separate outer contact part made of steel. In addition, the over-spring made of steel supports the force of the contact strip. Such a conductor in two assembled parts, which consists of an inner contact part and an elastic outer part first manufactured separately is known from DE 102 48 809 A1.

Improving the mechanical properties of one-piece connectors, which must also have high electrical conductivity, requires the use of thicker sheets or of special copper alloys. These alloys must increase the modulus of elasticity or shear modulus of copper, which in itself is soft, and ductile so that even for a low sheet thickness, one obtains necessary primary holding forces and that the normal force of contact exerted by the contact lamellae on the opposite, plugged-in contact element is maintained for the life of the connector. However, the use of thicker sheets is often impossible because of the dimensions imposed on the connectors. Using highly engineered copper alloys is more expensive than using normal copper or simple copper alloys.

Two-part contacts are complicated and expensive to make because to make the elastic outer part or the over-spring, a special stamping-bending tool is needed, that is to say another element in the tool. stamping-bending; the two parts, first manufactured separately (internal contact part and elastic external part) must be assembled after their manufacture. In addition, the doubling of the material at certain places can greatly limit the possibilities of miniaturization of such contacts in two parts.

PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

There is thus a need for connectors which meet the high mechanical requirements concerning the primary holding forces in the contact chamber receiving the connector in a satisfactory manner, and which, as a variant or in addition, meet, in a durable manner, the high mechanical requirements. concerning the normal contact force with respect to an opposing contact element, engaged in the connector and which has only a low relaxation and furthermore can be manufactured in a simple and economical manner. It is further desirable for the connector to have high electrical conductivity in the segments through which the current passes.

DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the subject of the invention is a connector comprising: a contact housing oriented in an axial direction to receive an opposite contact element, a contact strip, the contact housing having a first wall and a second wall opposite relative to the radial direction; transversely to the radial direction; the contact blade is provided in the contact housing between the first wall and the second wall and with respect to the radial direction; the contact housing is made mainly of a first material; a first segment of the contact blade is made of a first material and a second segment adjacent to the first segment; mainly in a second material in the second segment between the first segment and the first wall overlaps the first segment and the first wall; the shear modulus of the second material is at least 1.5 times the shear modulus of the first material or the modulus of elasticity of the second material exceeds by at least 1.5 times the modulus of elasticity of the first matter; the contact housing and the contact lamella are made as a stamped part bent from a single sheet.

In other words, the connector has a contact housing oriented in the axial direction to receive an opposing contact element as well as a contact blade. The contact housing has a first wall and a second wall which oppose with respect to a radial direction transverse to the axial direction, the contact leaf in the contact housing being between the first wall and the second wall with respect to the radial direction. The contact housing is made mainly of a first material. The contact blade has a first segment, made primarily from the first material, and a second segment adjacent to the first segment is made primarily from a second material. The second segment is between the first segment and the first wall. This second segment overlaps the first segment and the first wall. The shear modulus of the second material is equal to at least 1.5 times the shear modulus of the first material. Alternatively or additionally, the modulus of elasticity of the second material is equal to at least 1.5 times the modulus of elasticity of the first material. It is thus provided that the contact box and the contact lamella are made from a single sheet in the form of a stamped-bent part.

This results in the advantage of a one-piece connector, which is simple to manufacture and which, at the same time, has a high, durable normal contact force for the contact lamella, since this is supported by its first segment against the second segment made of a mechanically more rigid material; this eliminates the need for any separate over-springing and thus makes it possible to have a lower thickness of the first material for the first segment compared to a connector in which the normal permanent contact force is provided by the second segment in a second material. The fact that the second segment to the second material which provides the mechanical strength of the first segment of the contact strip thus makes it possible to combine the advantages of the connector in a single part with those of the connector in two parts. For the first material, one can, for example, use a very economical material because this material is not necessarily a special alloy. At the same time, it is possible to use a stamping-bending tool with a simpler shape and thus more economical because there is no separate over-spring that is then folded over the contact housing. As the over-spring of the usual realizations is manufactured with a second stamping-bending tool, avoid this second stamping-bending tool (to make the over-spring) and the tool which folds it on the contact housing.

By way of example, it is advantageous for the first segment or the first material to have a very high electrical conductivity. It may, for example, be the electrical conductivity of the first material which is equal to at least three times and preferably to four times the electrical conductivity of the second material.

The expression according to which the first segment is made mainly with the first material means that the first segment of the contact strip is made of more than 50% in the first material, for example, at least 70%, preferably more than 85 % and in a particularly preferential way, more than 95%. The deviations from a production made entirely with the first material can be linked, for example, to the manufacture by the stamping-bending process or even to a possible covering of the surface of the first material which is, for example, applied to reduce friction or protect against corrosion. Such a surface coating can exist before the stamping-bending operation, but it can also be applied subsequently to the manufactured connector. Likewise, the above considerations apply to the expression that the second segment is mainly made from the second material, i.e. more than 50%, for example, at least 70%, preferably over at least 85% and particularly preferably over 95%.

The second segment is located between the first segment and the first wall in the radial direction.

Since the connector has a contact lamella, there is the advantage of a particularly safe mechanical contact of the opposite contact element in the engaged state. The contact strip is preferably deformable in an elastically reversible manner. It can, for example, be elastically prestressed in the radial direction, for example, with respect to an opposing contact element, which plugs in, so that in the engaged state of the opposing contact element, there will be a defined normal force or normal contact force, for example between 1N and 10N, for example 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N, 5N, 6N, 7N, 8N, 9N, 10N, or in other embodiments, a higher contact normal force in the radial direction. This makes it possible to produce the connector in a particularly stable manner with respect to contact breaks under vibration stresses.

The connector may have, precisely, a contact blade. But, it can also have several contact blades, for example, two, three, four, five, six or more contact blades. In such a case with several contact lamellae (a set of contact lamellae), at least one of the contact lamellae is oriented on the first segment which is mainly made of the first material and a second segment which is mainly made of the second material and which is connected to the first segment (in particular directly); the second segment is between the first and the first wall and it overlaps the first segment and the first wall.

Advantageously, several contact strips of this set of contact strips of this device project relative to the first and to the second segment; it may thus happen that some of the first segments are located between the second segment and the second wall or the second segment and a third wall or the second segment and a fourth wall, etc. and overlap the respective second segment and the respective wall or sandwich them between the second segment and the respective wall.

In a particularly advantageous manner, each of the contact lamellae of the set of contact lamellae of such a construction projects from the first segment and from the second segment. It can be provided that for contact lamellae which face each other in the radial direction, a contact lamella of the first embodiment formed from the first and the second segments and that the opposite contact lamella does not have a second segment in the arrangement described above or the combination of materials. In such an embodiment, an excessive thickness in the radial direction is avoided while having a high, durable normal contact force, since one of the contact lamellae has the second segment which also exerts a force in the direction of the lamella. contact located on the opposite side.

The first material preferably has a high electrical conductivity, so that the electrical resistance of the current path from the opposite contact element through the front lamella to the connector and from there continuing to a line provided on the connector is particularly weak.

The two materials (first material and second material) can have the same thickness. However, different thicknesses are also provided.

By way of example, the first material has a first thickness and the second material has a second thickness. It is possible, for example, to provide that the first thickness and the second thickness are less than 0.5 mm. The first thickness or the second thickness can range between 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm and, for example, be equal to 0.2 mm or 0.25 mm or 0.3 mm. In other developments, the second step is in a range between 0.05 mm and 0.3 mm being, for example, equal to 0.05 mm or 0.1 mm or 0.15 mm or 0, 2mm. The first thickness can also correspond to the thicknesses indicated or to the thicknesses of the material. Provision is made, preferably, for the second thickness to be less than the first thickness. Thus, for example, the first thickness will be equal to at least 1.2 times the second thickness. This makes it possible to develop a second thinner material, reducing cost and weight and nevertheless ensuring a normal, stabilized and permanent contact force exerted on the contact strip.

The contact housing has, for example, a rectangular or round or triangular or oval section.

The realization of a connector can be done, for example, by providing a metal sheet or strip for a bending and bending tool; the metal sheet or strip has two areas with different materials, the first material and the second material inseparably connected (which cannot be separated without destruction), for example, by a melting or casting process, a welding process, printing process, bonding process or the like. In principle, it is also possible to join two sheets of different materials (a first material and a second material) directly before the stamping and bending operation from two sheets or two non-separable metal strips, joined into a single sheet metal or single metal strip, for example, by welding directly followed by the stamping-bending process to manufacture the connectors. It is also possible, in such a case, to provide that the step of assembling the sheet metal or of the strip of metal formed from two sheets or of two strips of metal is done in the same tool in which the stamping-bending is carried out. . But, it is also possible to provide two separate tools, for example, an assembly tool and a stamping-bending tool.

By way of example, it is expected that after having supplied the single sheet metal of the contact housing and of the contact blade with its first segment and its second segment (as well as, where appropriate, other elements of the connector) in one step or in a series of steps, cutting and stamping from the metal sheet or strip; after the stamping operation, there is a stamping plate. Thus, in another step or at the same time as the stamping, we can also make a plastic deformation (printing) of certain elements, for example, of the first or second segment of the contact lamella, for example, in a first segment or second segment of the contact lamella, an elastically reversible spring preload is applied, which acts, for example, in the radial direction in the finished connector. In addition, by way of example, in another step, the second segment of the contact blade is folded (and if necessary other elements of the connector such as, for example, a hooking tab, etc.) , along a fold line transverse to the axial direction, of approximately 180°; thus the second segment of the contact lamella comes to rest in the vicinity of the first contact segment of the contact lamella.

In addition, by way of example, that in another step, the various segments of the stamping plate are deformed at the fold lines which are substantially or precisely parallel to the axial direction to obtain the contact housing; the second segment of the contact strip rests between the first wall of the contact housing and the first segment of the contact strip while overlapping the first segment and the first wall at least partially, for example, by at least 25% of its length or over at least 50% of its length or over at least 70% of its length. Thus, in this succession of steps given solely by way of example, the second segment of the contact lamella is surrounded by the first wall and the second segment of the contact lamella or is sandwiched in the radial direction. The first segment which mainly has the mechanically less hard first material rests on the second segment made mainly with a second harder material and allows to exert, in a permanent way, a normal force of contact, high on an opposite contact element engaged in the connector (for example plugged in).

The sequence of steps described above is given as an example only and different steps can be interchanged or deleted. In addition, other steps can be provided.

In the context of this description, the expression "comprising" is synonymous with "having" unless otherwise indicated.

It should also be pointed out that the conjunction “or” used in the description and in the claims has the double meaning of the logical function “or” inclusive and “or” exclusive. This conjunction thus advantageously replaces the expression and/or.

Since the connector is designed as a contact sleeve (socket contact), the advantage is that the connector is produced in a particularly simple manner as a stamped-bent part. In addition, advantageously, there is a particularly safe and reliable contact of the opposite contact element. In addition, the connector contacts the opposing contact element in a defined shape.

According to one development, the connector has a connection zone for attaching an electric line, this connection zone joining the contact case or the contact blade (for example, its first segment or its second segment); the connection zone is made mainly with the first material; the connection area with the contact housing and the contact lamella is made from a single sheet as a stamped-bent part. This results in the advantage that the connector is particularly compact. In addition, the connector is particularly simple and economical to produce in this way.

The expression according to which the connection zone is mainly made of the first material means that it is made with more than 50% of this first material, preferably more than 70%, preferably more than 85% and in a way particularly preferential, more than 95%. The considerations developed above concerning the necessary contents of the second material or the surface coatings apply analogously to the connection zone.

The connection area may include, for example, a pair of crimping lugs or two pairs of crimping lugs (insulation crimp and conductor crimp). It is also conceivable that the connection zone comprises connecting lugs for connecting the wires of the line or for connecting the line or even a welding surface for welding the line. It is also possible to envisage making the connection zone as a connection by cutting and clamping.

According to one development, the second segment is in mechanical contact at a first point with the first wall, in particular in a detachable manner without destruction; the second segment is in contact at a second point with the first segment, by a mechanical contact in particular detachable without destruction. It is expected that the second point is not located on the junction edge between the first segment and the second segment. Thus, advantageously, the first segment of the contact strip is supported in a particularly reliable and stable manner; the normal contact force can maintain an acceptable, sustainable level. For example, the first point has a larger first contact area between the first wall and the second segment than the second point which has a second contact area between the first segment and the second segment. The first contact surface or the second contact surface preferably have respectively a first normal to the surface (first contact surface) or a second normal to the surface (second contact surface) which extends mainly in the direction radial (+/-40° with respect to the radial direction). Thus, a normal contact force of the first segment will be distributed on the opposite contact element by the second segment over a large surface of the contact housing which reduces the pressure exerted on separate points of the contact housing and thus avoids relaxation. or deformation of the contact housing.

At the same time, by the second segment, the punctual pressure exerted on the first segment is increased to permanently apply a high normal contact force on the opposite contact element. Preferably, the second segment is in permanent mechanical contact with the first wall and the first segment (contact which separates without destruction). Preferably, the second segment is applied in a detachable or free manner against the first wall or against the first segment. This may also be the case for the opposite contact element which is not engaged. The second segment thus preferably serves not only as an abutment or elastic buffer, for example against vibrations or for large movements of an opposite, plugged-in contact element, but permanently participates in the application of the force normal of contact to develop a prestress, in particular elastically reversible in the radial direction. At the same time, a material connection is removed between the second segment and the first wall or between the second segment and the first segment; the junction edge between the first material and the second material is not taken into account here; this simplifies manufacturing.

Since the contact strip has a printed contact point, this advantageously produces a defined contact point on the opposite contact element in the plugged-in state. In addition, advantageously, there is a particularly low transition resistance by the engagement of the opposite contact element.

The fact that the second point is at most 2 mm, particularly preferably at most 1 mm and extremely preferably at most 0.5 mm away from the point of contact, has the advantage that the mechanical assistance provided by the second segment or the support of the first segment produces a force component in the radial direction, as large as possible and thus it best supports the normal contact force.

This means in particular that the second point considered in the axial or lateral direction is distant at most by 2 mm, preferably at most by 1 mm and in a particularly preferential manner, at most by 0.5 mm with respect to the point of contact , that is to say at an axial distance of at most 2 mm, preferably of at most 1 mm and in a particularly preferential manner, of at most 0.5 mm with respect to the point of contact. For example, this axial distance between the respective center of the second point and the point of contact is defined in this way. This means that the second point is not a point on the junction edge between the first material and the second material.

According to a development, a part of the contact casing or a part of the first segment of the contact lamella is made with the second material. For example, the front part of the contact housing or of the first segment of the contact lamella facing the opposite contact element is made at least in part with the second material. In addition, it is possible, for example, to provide that by stamping, the elements which form the contact housing have at one end still a part composed of the second material of the metal strip or of the sheet. It is also possible to envisage a process for transforming the parts of the stamping platen which are formed from the part of the sheet containing the second material. Thus, advantageously, by way of example only, a front surface of the contact housing facing the opposite contact element or the first segment of the contact strip will be more robust, for example, to be more resistant to bad weather. attempts to insert the opposite contact element. It is possible, in this way, to advantageously produce a mechanical reinforcement on a lateral surface parallel to the axial direction or lateral wall (for example, the first, the second, the third or the fourth wall) of the contact housing.

According to a development, the contact case is closed at the periphery, in the peripheral direction rotating around the axial direction. This has the advantage that the connector, during its engagement in the contact chamber of a connector housing, will not be damaged, even if significant forces are exerted during plugging. This is particularly important, for example, for miniaturized connectors, having sheet thicknesses less than 0.5 mm, even less than 0.4 mm and even less than or equal to 0.25 mm. It is furthermore advantageous that in this way the contact lamella is surrounded like a cage or a box. The contact blade will be well protected against external actions, against deformation, for example, the engagement of the connector in a contact chamber. One also has the advantage that the stability of the contact housing is increased in this way, for example, against radially acting forces because the walls of the closed form support themselves by stabilizing. In addition, it is advantageous in this way that the forces which act radially from the outside on the contact strip (in particular on its first segment) can always press against the contact housing, which increases the stability of the connector and also promotes the long-lasting maintenance of the normal contact force.

According to one development, the connector has an outwardly projecting hooking tongue which can be elastically reversibly deformed inwardly. Thus, it is provided only by way of example, to make the hooking tab mainly with the second material. By way of example only, the hooking tongue can be made on the contact housing or on a wall of the contact housing, in particular in a single piece with the latter. The hooking tab advantageously allows a particularly high primary holding force when the connector is engaged in the contact chamber of a connector housing. The hooking tongue can deviate obliquely, radially outwards with respect to the connector.

One can have embodiments which have precisely a hooking tab. But it is also possible to have embodiments having more than one hooking tab, for example, 2, 3, 4 or more hooking tabs. In such a case, it is advantageous for each of the hooking tabs to be made at least mainly with the second material.

This or these latching tab(s) may also be referred to as "primary latching tabs" or "primary locking elements". They can be made so that when the connector is engaged, they catch on an undercut in the contact chamber of the connector housing so as to allow the connector to be extracted from the contact chamber (without damage) and without the need for a release tool. For durable locking of the connector, a secondary locking element is provided which is, for example, slid into the connector housing to come behind the undercut of the connector so that the latter cannot be extracted from the contact chamber.

According to a development, the first material is chosen from the group comprising: copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, which thus has the advantage of a particularly high electrical conductivity of the connector. There is the advantage of a low electrical resistance between the connector and the opposite contact element because this opposite contact element is in electrical contact with the contact strip. It is furthermore advantageous for the electrical resistance of the path or of the current path to the line connected to the connector to be low. It is also advantageous for the passage resistance from the connector to the electrical line connected to the connector to be low. Finally, there is the advantage that the stamping process and the bending process are simple because the materials proposed as raw materials can be plastically deformed in a simple way and with reduced means. Finally, there is the advantage of not using very expensive alloys which, although of higher conductivity, have a higher mechanical resistance (modulus of elasticity or shear modulus), for example, than copper or alloys of economic copper.

Alternatively or additionally, the second material is chosen from the group comprising: steel, spring steel. This has the advantage of a particularly economical realization of the connector. Steel or spring steel are deformable metallic materials that have a high shear modulus or elastic modulus and are economical. A second segment of the contact lamella can thus comprise the second material proposed so that the contact lamella of the connector for a very reduced dimensioning will have, for example, material thicknesses of around 0.4 mm or around 0, 3 mm or about 0.2 mm or even about 0.15 mm or about 0.1 mm which will be mechanically reinforced or supported in this way to have a permanently high normal contact force and not to have any relaxation which would negatively influence the normal contact force of the contact lamella. When using the second material, for example also in the case of an optional hooking tab or in the front part of the contact housing, there is the advantage of a high primary holding force, for example exerted by the hooking tongue opposing the extraction from the contact chamber of a connector housing or a high resistance to deformation of the contact housing in the event of poor engagement of the element of opposite contact.

The present invention will be described below in more detail using connector embodiments, shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

drawing of a stamping plate with bend lines for one embodiment of a connector,

schematic longitudinal section of the connector made from the stamping plate of the ,

schematic section of a connector made from the stamping plate of the ,

schematic partial perspective view of the connector of Figures 2a, 2b.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

There shows by way of example a schematic representation of a stamping platen 7 with folding lines 50, 52 for one embodiment of a connector 1 (see FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c). After its realization by different bending steps, this connector is in the form of a contact sleeve also called female contact.

On the stamping plate 70 shown, the various components of the connector 1 are already cut stamped and partly already folded or printed.

The connector 1 (see the views of Figures 2a, 2b, 2c) comprises a contact housing 2 oriented in an axial direction (A) to receive an opposite contact element 30 as well as a contact blade 3; the contact housing 2 has a first wall 21 and a second wall 22 opposite to each other with respect to the radial direction (R) transverse to the axial direction (A). The contact strip 3 is between the first wall 21 and the second wall 22 in the contact housing 2, with respect to the radial direction (R); the contact housing 2 is made mainly of a first material M1 for a first segment 4 and mainly of a second material M2 for a second segment 5 adjacent to the first segment 4. The second segment 5 is provided between the first segment 4 and the first wall 21; it overlaps the first segment 4 and the first wall 21. The shear modulus of the second material M2 is at least equal to 1.5 times the shear modulus of the first material M1. In this embodiment, the modulus of elasticity of the second material M2 is equal to at least 1.5 times the modulus of elasticity of the first material M1. In this embodiment, the first material M1 is copper or a more economical copper alloy and the second material M2 is steel. The contact housing 2 and the contact blade 3 are made from a single sheet 6 in the form of a stamped-bent part. The first material M1 has a first thickness (d1) and the second material M2 has a second thickness (d2). The first thickness (d1) and the second thickness (d2) may be equal as shown here. But these thicknesses can also be different.

The contact box 2 of this embodiment is closed like a box. It has here, for example, a rectangular section. The contact box 2 present here, for example, has a first wall 21 which is a kind of cover of the contact box 2, for example, a kind of inner cover. The contact housing 2 also has a second wall 22 which here is a kind of bottom of the contact housing 2. In this embodiment, the second wall 22 is pre-bent radially inwards and has a contact point 9 In this exemplary embodiment, it thus has, in addition to the function of stabilizing the contact housing 2, the function of being (another) contact blade. The contact housing 2 of this embodiment has a third wall 23 and a fourth wall 24; the third wall 23 is a kind of first side wall and the fourth wall 24 is a kind of second side wall. The contact case 2 in the finished state of manufacture (see, for example, FIGS. 2b, 2c) is made here with a closed periphery in the direction of circulation (U) around the axial direction (A).

In principle, there could also be other sections of the contact housing 2 and possible shapes in which the contact housing 2 is partially or even largely open, that is to say with an unclosed periphery; these are, for example, side walls of contact housings 23, 24 which are perforated or a perforated contact housing bottom (second wall 22) or perforated contact housing cover (first wall 21).

According to Figures 1, 2a, 2b, 2c the contact blade 3 has a contact point 9 printed. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the contact point 9 is in the first segment 4. It projects radially inwards so that an opposite contact element 30, engaged, will be in electrical contact with certainty. and mechanical with a defined point.

The second segment 5 is in mechanical contact at a first point P1 with the first wall 21. This mechanical contact can open here by way of example, without destruction, that is to say that the second segment 5 is applied against the first wall 21 without being connected thereto, for example, by a connection by the form. The second segment 5 is in mechanical contact at a second point P2 with the first segment 4. This mechanical contact is here, for example, detachable without destruction; this means that the second segment 5 is applied against the first segment 4 without being connected to the latter, for example, by a material connection. The second point P2 is not, in particular, a point on the junction edge between the first material M1 and the second material M2. By way of example, it is here closer to the free end of the second segment 5. In this way, the second segment 5 is sandwiched between the first segment 4 and the first wall 21 by being integrated therein and it can lean at the first point P1 against the first wall 21 and transmit the pressing force via the second point P2 to the first segment 4 of the contact strip 3.

Preferably, the second point P2 is at most 2 mm, preferably at most 1 mm and in a particularly preferential way, at most 0.5 mm from the point of contact 9 of the first segment 4. This distance is measured, in the axial direction A; it is thus a lateral distance. In this way, the supporting force of the second segment 5 acts on the contact point 9 of the first segment 4 preferentially for large parts in the radially inward direction, i.e. on an element opposite contact 30, which is plugged.

In this exemplary embodiment, the connector 1 has only by way of example, in addition, a connection zone 7 for fixing an electric line 8; the connection zone 7 is adjacent to the contact box 2 or to the contact blade 3; the connection zone 7 is mainly made of the first material M1; the connection zone 7 with the contact box 2 and the contact strip 3 are made from a single sheet 6 in the form of a stamped-bent part.

The electric line 8 here comprises, by way of example, an insulation 81 which surrounds an electric conductor 82. The electric line 8 of this embodiment can be brought into electrical and mechanical contact, that is to say be connected or be fixed to the connector 1 in the connection zone 7 using the insulation crimping lugs 72 and the conductor crimping lugs 71 with the connector 1 or be connected to the latter or be fixed to the connector 1. There also has other possibilities of electrical and mechanical contacting, for example, by bonding, by welding, brazing, by cutting and clamping, etc. It is not essential to provide a connection zone 7.

In this embodiment, the connector 1 is made purely by way of example, as a latching tab contact. For this, the connector 1 comprises a hooking tab 10 projecting outwards (here an inclined tab) and which can move inwards in an elastically reversible manner. The hooking tongue 10 is here, by way of example, mainly formed in a second material M2. The hooking tongue 10 is here, by way of example, installed or produced in an element radially outside the first wall 21 or it is produced in a hooking plate 21 by being disengaged by stamping. The attachment plate 25 according to another embodiment, is also close to the second wall 22, the third wall 23 or the fourth wall 24 (each time beyond this wall 22, 23, 24).

The hooking plate 25 forms part of the stamping platen 70. It is curved during bending, for example, along a bending line 50, transversely to the axial direction A, over 180° (see the arrow bearing the reference 200 at the ). It thus arrives in its place, radially outside the first wall 21 (see , 2a). The attachment plate 25 can be considered as belonging to the contact box 2. The connector 1 can also have no attachment plate 25 or be made without attachment tab 10. It is also possible to provide several attachment tabs 10. The hooking tab 10 ensures the primary hooking of the connector 1, for example, in a contact chamber not shown here of a connector, the hooking tab 10 coming to take, for example, behind a part against - draft of the contact chamber. This embodiment of the hooking tongue 10 mainly in the second material M2 makes it possible to achieve greater primary holding forces, that is to say unhooking forces for an otherwise identical dimensioning as would be the case. of a realization with the first material.

This avoids other embodiments of the lamella attachment 10. In other embodiments, would have, for example, a recess in the attachment plate 25 or in one of the walls 21, 22, 23, 24 with a recess into which an elastic element of a contact chamber can penetrate and thus hook the connector 1 in a contact chamber of a connector housing, in particular ensuring the primary hooking; instead of a recess you can only have an undercut part. In such an embodiment, it is also advantageous for the recess (or the undercut part) to be provided in or on the hooking plate 25 or in particular made mainly in the second material M2 hooking 25 or in particular made mainly in the second material M2. This allows for dimensions, which are otherwise identical, better mechanical stability than if such an undercut were in an element made of the first material M1 and having the same thickness or the same solidity.

There shows how the connector 1 can be made, by way of example, after having already released, by stamping, the sheet metal 6 resulting from a first step and according to which, in another step, the elements described above have already been released. top of the connector 1 from the sheet 6 as well as furthermore, purely by way of example, of which the contact lamella 3 or at least its first segment 4 have been brought into an elastic shape and the contact point 9 printed in sheet 6. At the , the drawing platen 7 is still practically in the 2-dimensional shape of the sheet 6. The sheet 6 or the strip of metal of the drawing platen 70 has two zones made of different materials, the first material M1 and the second material M2 secured to each other (in a non-separable manner without destruction); it is, for example, a casting process or a welding process or a printing process or a bonding process.

In another step 200 of this embodiment, the second segment 4 released by stamping is folded (see the arrow); this is the fold line 50 oriented transversely to the axial direction (A) and which is located substantially on the junction edge between the two materials M1, M2. Folding takes place over approximately 180° so that the pressed shape or the element of the second segment 5 of the contact strip 3 comes into contact with the pressed shape of the first segment 4 of the contact strip 3. Moreover, in this embodiment, the attachment plate 25 with the attachment tab 10 comes close to the stamped shape of the first wall 21. In another method step, given by way of example, the housing of the contact 2 by placing the four walls 21, 22, 23, 24 along the fold lines 52 which are substantially or precisely parallel to the axial direction A to form a box or bent to obtain a box. The folding is thus done, so that the second segment 5 of the contact strip 3 arrives between the first segment 4 and the first wall 21 by overlapping the first segment 4 and the first wall 21 at least partially and preferably over more than 50% of its length and very preferably over its entire length. Thus, in this succession of steps given solely by way of example, the second segment 5 is sandwiched between the first segment 4 and the first wall 21. It thus makes it possible to exert an elastic force in the radial direction (R ) on the first segment 5 by pressing itself against the contact box 2. During the described shaping of the contact box 2, the attachment plate 25 also arrives with the attachment tongue 10 in its final position, of the first wall 21 here radially on the outside. The attachment plate 25 can be, for example, made in the form of another cover of the contact box 2, here by way of example, in the form of an outer cover which is radially beyond the first wall 21 functioning as inner cover. The hooking tab 10 can already be made before step 200 of the first bending from the support plate 70 or the hooking plate 25.

It is also possible to have other stamping patterns or other series of bends consisting first of all of bending the contact housing 2 before, then that the attachment plate 25 is folded with the attachment tongue 10 along the fold line 50 at an angle of approximately 180°.

In addition, the choice of materials described, by way of example above, does not constitute an essential characteristic of the invention; one can, in principle, consider other pairs of materials insofar as the second material M2 has a modulus of elasticity at least 1.5 times as large as that of the first material M1 or as long as the second material M2 has a shear modulus which is at least 1.5 times as large as that of the first material M1. One can, for example, choose the first material M1 in the following group: copper, copper alloy, aluminium, aluminum alloy, silver, silver alloy, gold, gold alloy. As a variant or in addition, the second material M2 is, for example, chosen from the group comprising: steel, spring steel, iron.

According to another characteristic, the connector 1 comprises at least one coding tab or at least one engagement ramp (for example, at the front end, 90 facing the opposite contact element 30). Such elements are formed, preferably, in the second material M2, because the latter is mechanically stronger.

In addition, it is possible, for example, in another embodiment, to provide that a part of the contact housing 2, in particular the front part of the contact housing 2 facing the opposite contact element 30, is made in this second material M2 (rear part 92 of contact housing 2 here facing the connection zone). These embodiments are possible separately or in combination with other stamping patterns of the stamping platen 70 (see ). The contact housing 2 can, in this way, still be mainly made with the first material M1, but at the locations with high mechanical stress, it must (partly) have the second material M2.

According to another characteristic, the second segment 5 is made partly in the first material M1. This may concern, for example, the bending or bending zone 11 in which the first segment 4 is connected to the second segment 5. Such a bending zone 11 can be, for example, in a range of up to 3 mm, preferably at most up to 2 mm and particularly preferably at most 1 mm and even more preferably up to 0.5 mm, eg 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm , 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm around the junction edge between the two materials M1, M2. This makes it possible to fold the second segment in a particularly simple way.

As a variant or in addition, the first segment 4 or the contact box 2 can be produced (preferably on the front part 90) partially with the second material M2, in particular in the folding zone 11. This makes it possible to produce a front end more robust of the connector 2 to protect it against plugging of the connector 1 into the contact chamber or plugging errors of the opposite contact element 30 or even to produce a robust contact blade 3 resistant to bad plugging.

In the present exemplary embodiment, for reasons of clarity of the drawing, a connector 1 has been shown, the folding of which along the folding line 50 or the folding line 50 takes place on the junction edge between the two materials. M1, M2.

It is also possible to have a first thickness (d1) of the first material M1 which differs from the second thickness (d2) of the second material M2. Thus, for example, the first thickness (d1) of the first material M1 for the contact casing 2 and the first segment 4 of the contact strip 3 can be less than the second thickness (d2) of the second material M2. There is thus the advantage of a saving for the first material M1, generally the most expensive because the first segment 4 is mechanically stabilized by the second segment 5. Also, in the opposite case, for example, the first thickness (d1 ) is approximately twice the second thickness (d2), for example, the first thickness (d1) is equal to 0.3 mm and the second thickness (d2) is equal to 0.15 mm. This makes it possible to produce a particularly thin connector 1 having high mechanical strength and with less relaxation of the normal contact forces. In the present embodiment, the first thickness (d1) and the second thickness (d2) are identical for reasons of legibility of the figures; technically this allows a particularly easy handling, for example, of the sheet guide 6.

NOMENCLATURE OF THE MAIN ELEMENTS

1 Connector

3 Contact strip

4 First segment of the contact strip

5 Second segment of the contact strip

6 Sheet

7 Connection area

8 Power line

9 Touchpoint

10 Hooking tab

11 Bend area

21 First wall

22 Second wall

23 Third wall

24 Fourth wall

25 Hanging plate

30 Opposite contact element

50 Bend line

52 Bend line

70 Stamping platen

71 Conductor Crimp Tab

72 Insulation Crimp Tab

90 Contact housing front end

92 Rear end of contact box

A Contact housing axial direction

d1 First layer

d2 Second layer

M1 First subject

M2 Second subject

P2 Second point of contact

R Radial direction transverse to the axial direction

U Peripheral direction

Claims (10)

Connector including:
- a contact housing (2) oriented in an axial direction (A) to receive an opposite contact element (30),
- a contact blade (3),
* the contact housing (2) having a first wall (21) and a second wall (22) opposite with respect to the radial direction (R), transversely to the radial direction (R),
* the contact blade is provided in the contact housing (2) between the first wall (21) and the second wall (22) and with respect to the radial direction (R),
* the contact case (2) is mainly made of a first material (M1),
* the contact blade (3) is made of a first material (M1) in a first segment (4) and mainly of a second material (2) in a second segment (5) adjacent to the first segment (4),
* the second segment (5) provided between the first segment (4) and the first wall (21) overlaps the first segment (4) and the first wall (21),
* the shear modulus of the second material (M2) is equal to at least 1.5 times the shear modulus of the first material (M1), or
the modulus of elasticity of the second material (M2) is at least 1.5 times the modulus of elasticity of the first material (M1),
* the contact housing (2) and the contact blade (3) are made in the form of a stamped part bent in a single sheet (6). Connector according to claim 1,
the connector (1) being designed as a contact sleeve. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
in which
- the connector (1) comprises a connection zone (7) to be fixed to an electric line (8),
- the connection zone (7) is adjacent to the contact box (2) or to the contact blade (3),
* the connection zone (7) is made mainly of the first material (M1), and
- the connection area (7) is produced with the contact housing (2) and the contact lamella (3) in a single sheet (6) as a stamped-bent part. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
in which
* the second segment (5) is in mechanical contact at a first point (P1) with the first wall (21), in particular a detachable contact without destruction,
* the second segment (5) in a second point (P2) which in particular is not located on the junction edge between the first segment (4) and the second segment (5) is in mechanical contact, in particular opening without destruction, with the first segment (4). Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
in which
the contact blade (3) has a contact point (9), printed, in particular in its first segment (4). Connector according to one of the two preceding claims,
in which
the second point (P2) is at most 2 mm away, preferably at most 1 mm from the contact point (9). Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
in which
a part of the contact housing (2) or a part of the first segment (4) in particular a front part (90) facing the opposite contact element (30) of the contact housing (2) or of the first segment (4) is made in the second material (M2). Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
in which
the contact box (2) is peripherally closed in a flow direction (U) around the axial direction (A). Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
in which
the connector (1) comprises a hooking tab (10) projecting outwards and which can be moved inwards in an elastically reversible manner. Connector according to one of the preceding claims,
in which
the first material (M1) is chosen from the group comprising:
copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy or
the second material (M2) is chosen from the group comprising:
steel, spring steel.