Plug connector part for contacting in multiple spatial directions

A plug connector part for electrical connection to a counter plug connector part includes: a housing; and a plurality of contacts arranged on the housing such that the plurality of contacts are electrically contactable from different plugging directions by counter contacts of the counter plug connector part. An angular location of the contacts relative to the housing is fixed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2019/083242, filed on Dec. 2, 2019, and claims benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2018 132 142.2, filed on Dec. 13, 2018. The International Application was published in German on Jun. 18, 2020 as WO 2020/120186 under PCT Article 21(2).

FIELD

The invention relates to a plug connector part for electrical connection with a counter plug connector part, a plug connector arrangement and a plug connector having such a plug connector part, and a method of assembling a plug connector part.

BACKGROUND

Such a plug connector part for electrical connection to a counter plug connector part comprises a housing and a plurality of contacts arranged on the housing in such a manner that they can be electrically contacted from a plurality of different plugging directions by corresponding counter contacts of the counter plug connector part.

Plug connector parts are usually contacted axially, in particular when a fixed side (socket) and a movable side (plug) are used. For a contacting of two fixed sides, for example of battery modules among each other or in a rack, it is internally known to the applicant from practice to realize a contacting via a fixed assembly by means of current rails having screw terminals, to use connecting cables with plug and socket here as well, or to connect the modules electrically to one another frontally via two fixed plug connectors. In these cases, a major challenge is regularly the compensation of tolerances due to a possible skewed mating of the modules to one another in relation to the contact system, which should not be damaged.

In the use of battery modules, but also in a general context, it is desirable to enable plug connectors that can be used as flexibly as possible, so that the same plug connector part can be used in as many different applications as possible.

From DE 10 2014 102 555 B4, an electrical device is known that comprises a plug-in contact element with a plug-in contact portion, which is designed as a pendulum contact loosely mounted in an insulating material housing, wherein the plug-in contact portion has at least two different plug-in directions. By providing different insertion directions, increased flexibility is achieved in the use of the electrical device. However, the solution known from DE 10 2014 102 555 B4 is too fragile for some applications.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,246,357 B2 describes an electrical connector comprising a first main body and a second main body connectable to a counter plug connector part, wherein the second main body is pivotable relative to the first main body. In relation to the second main body, the plugging direction of a counter plug connector is therefore always the same. This solution is also too fragile for some applications due to the swing hinge.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a plug connector part for electrical connection to a counter plug connector part, comprising: a housing; and a plurality of contacts arranged on the housing such that the plurality of contacts are electrically contactable from different plugging directions by counter contacts of the counter plug connector part, wherein an angular location of the contacts relative to the housing is fixed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an improved plug connector part.

Accordingly, it is provided that the angular location of the contacts relative to the housing is fixed.

In this manner, despite the provision of a plurality of different plugging directions, a particularly robust bearing of the contacts can be achieved, which enables an improvement of the plug connector part with regard to a flexible usage in a particularly large number of applications. In addition, the plug connector part is improved to enable a particularly simple structure.

A fixed angular location includes negligible movement of the contacts due to normal manufacturing tolerances. Alternatively, a completely immovable arrangement of the contacts on the housing is provided. In one embodiment, the contacts are permanently molded into the housing.

Optionally, the contacts are each in the form of a blade contact. Blade contacts can be formed to be very robust.

The housing can comprise a contact holder from which the contacts, in particular in the form of blade contacts, project in such a manner that they can be electrically contacted selectively from one of the plurality of different plugging directions by the counter contacts of the counter plug connector part. In this manner, a particularly flexible plug connector part is provided with a particularly simple structure.

In one embodiment, the contacts are arranged on the housing in such a manner that they can be electrically contacted from three or exactly three different plugging directions by the counter contacts of the counter plug connector part. This can further increase the flexibility of the applicability.

Optionally, two of the exactly three plugging directions provided are aligned antiparallel to one another. Alternatively or additionally, the third of the three plugging directions is oriented perpendicular to the remaining two. The three plugging directions correspond, for example, to “from below”, “from the front” and “from above”. This allows the plug connector part to be used in a particularly wide range of applications.

The plugging directions can be predetermined, in particular all of the possible plugging directions. This enables a particularly robust design for these plugging directions.

Optionally, the housing comprises a touch guard that partially covers the contacts to protect against contact. The touch guard can define openings through which the contacts from the different plugging directions can be electrically contacted by the counter contacts of the counter plug connector part. For example, the touch guard defines at least one opening for each plugging direction. This enables flexible usage with a high level of safety at the same time.

In one embodiment, the housing is configured to be mounted to a wall, such as a housing wall of an electrical apparatus.

In accordance with one aspect, a plug connector arrangement is provided comprising a plug connector part according to any embodiment described herein. The plug connector arrangement can further comprise an angle adapter which can be mounted or (in particular reversibly) mounted on the housing of the plug connector part in such a manner that the contacts of the plug connector part (which can be contacted per se from a plurality of, e.g. three, plugging directions) can be electrically contacted from exactly one plugging direction only by the counter contacts of the counter plug connector part. This allows additional functions, such as increased protection against moisture and dirt, while maintaining the flexibility of the applicability of the plug connector part. The angle adapter comprises, for example, two closed walls extending at an angle of, for example, 90° to one another.

In a further development, the angle adapter can optionally be mounted on the housing in one of several different alignments relative to the housing, wherein the alignment determines from which plugging direction the contacts of the plug connector part can be electrically contacted by the counter contacts of the counter plug connector part. Thus, only one angle adapter is needed for a plurality of different possible plugging directions, which keeps the number of parts low.

Optionally, the angle adapter comprises a seal. The seal can be arranged in such a manner that, in the mounted state (of the angle adapter on the housing of the plug connector part), it seals the angle adapter against the housing of the plug connector part, e.g. against liquids and/or dirt.

In one embodiment, the angle adapter comprises a guide for the counter plug connector. This enables particularly safe contacting. For example, the guide advances parallel to the corresponding plugging direction.

In accordance with an aspect, a plug connector is provided comprising a plug connector part and a counter plug connector part matching therewith, wherein it is provided that the plug connector part is formed according to any embodiment described herein. Optionally, the plug connector comprises the plug connector arrangement including the plug connector part and the angle adapter according to any embodiment described herein.

The counter plug connector part can have a housing that provides a plurality of alternative fastening locations for the counter contacts, in such a manner that the counter contacts can be selectively mounted thereon (in particular by means of a counter contact holder) at one of a plurality of positions relative to the housing of the counter plug connector. This can allow for further variability in application. In particular, a first position of the counter contacts on the housing of the counter plug connector part can enable contacting using the angle adapter and a second position can enable contacting without using the angle adapter.

The counter plug connector part may comprise a seal that, when the plug connector part is connected to the counter plug connector part, seals the housing of the counter plug connector part from the housing of the plug connector part or from the angle adapter optionally mounted to the housing of the plug connector part.

In an embodiment, the invention provides a method of assembling a plug connector part for electrical connection to a counter plug connector part, in particular the plug connector part according to any embodiment described herein, comprising the following steps: Providing a housing and a plurality of contacts arranged on the housing in such a manner as to be electrically contactable from different plugging directions by counter contacts of the counter plug connector part, wherein the angular location of the contacts relative to the housing is fixed; selecting one of the different plugging directions; and electrically contacting the contacts with the counter contacts by plugging the counter plug connector part to the plug connector part in the selected plugging direction.

The method may utilize the plug connector and/or plug connector arrangement according to any embodiment described herein.

The plug connector part1comprises a housing10and a plurality of contacts11. The contacts are attached to a contact holder102of the housing10. The angular location thereof relative to the housing10is fixed. In the present example, the contact holder102and the contacts form a contact strip having a plurality of contacts11, some of which are formed differently in the example shown, and alternatively may be formed identically. The contacts11are in the form of blade contacts, see in particularFIG.1B. The contacts11are each in the form of a flat plate.

The contacts11are arranged on the housing10in such a manner that they can be electrically contacted (from the point of view of the plug connector part1) from a plurality of, specifically exactly three different plugging directions A, B, C by means of corresponding counter contacts of a suitable counter plug connector, see in particularFIG.1A. For this purpose, the contacts11advance on the housing10(specifically on the contact holder102) in such a manner that they can be touched by corresponding counter contacts approached from any of the three plugging directions A, B, C in order to establish a safe electrical contact.

In order to safely separate the individual contacts11from each other, a separating piece106is arranged between each two adjacent contacts11. The separating pieces106may be integrally formed with the contact holder102.

The housing10comprises a base body100. The contact holder102is integrally formed with, or alternatively mounted to, the base body100. The base body100comprises a plurality of fastening locations103, in this case four, in the form of holes for screw or riveted connections in the example shown. By means of the fastening locations103, the base plate100may be attached to a housing wall of an electrical or electronic apparatus.FIG.1A to1Dfurther show an optional assembly adapter4, which can be plugged onto the base plate100via guides107, e.g. for pre-positioning or as an alternative fastening means for attachment, e.g. to a housing wall.

Of the three plugging directions A, B, C, two plugging directions A, C are antiparallel to one another, and the third plugging direction B is perpendicular to the other two plugging directions A, C. If the plug connector part1is mounted on a substantially vertical wall in such a manner that the contacts11are arranged side by side along the horizontal, then the plugging directions A, B, C correspond to a plugging “vertically downward” (plugging direction A), “horizontally” (plugging direction B) and “vertically upward” (plugging direction C). The plugging direction B extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the contacts11. The plugging directions A and C are perpendicular to one another and perpendicular to a straight line on which the individual contacts11are arranged next to one another.

The plug connector part1further comprises an (optional) touch guard101, here in the form of a cage. The touch guard101defines openings for counter contacts from all three plugging directions A, B, C. For a counter plug connector plugged in plugging direction B, the touch guard101alone defines the openings. For plugging directions A and C, the touch guard101and the separating pieces106together define the openings. Optionally, some of the contacts are 11 load contacts. The touch guard101protects against contact with the contacts11, in particular against contact with the load contacts.

In particular, due to the arrangement of these openings, the three plugging directions A, B, C are predetermined and arbitrary other plugging directions cannot be selected.

As can be seen in particular fromFIG.1A, the plug connector part1comprises means for specifying a particular orientation of the counter plug connector, in this case in the form of a plurality of clearances105at end portions of the contact holder102and the contact guard101. These interact with projections on the counter plug connector part, described in more detail below, to prevent wrong plugging.

FIG.1Cfurther shows an optional angle adapter3. The angle adapter3can be plugged onto the contact holder102with the contacts11(and optionally the contact guard101), specifically in the plugging direction B. In the plugged-on position, the angle adapter3is latched by means of latching elements104projecting from the base body100of the housing10and thus fixed to the housing10.

The angled connector3comprises a continuous, planar side wall and a continuous, planar bottom wall that are at right angles to one another. In a plane perpendicular to the side wall and parallel to the bottom wall, the angle adapter3defines a plug-in opening34through which the counter plug connector can be inserted in order to make electrical contact with the contacts11. By plugging on the angled connector3, the openings for the counter contacts for the two non-selected plugging directions are thus covered.

The angled connector3further comprises, here at opposite longitudinal ends, guides30for guiding the counter plug connector part into secure connection with the plug connector part1. Latching elements32are also formed on the guides30for latching with the counter plug connector part in the plugged-in position.

FIG.2A to2Dshow a counter plug connector part2designed to match the plug connector part1described above. Together, the plug connector part1and the counter plug connector part2form a plug connector.FIG.2Bshows an enlarged view of a section shown inFIG.2A.FIGS.2A and2B, on the one hand, andFIGS.2C and2D, on the other hand, show two different configurations of the counter plug connector part2, which will be explained in further detail below.

The counter plug connector part2comprises a housing20having a counter contact holder204on which a plurality of counter contacts21are mounted. The counter contacts21are each designed to make secure contact with a blade contact, e.g. to be force-fitted thereto. The counter contact holder204is attached to the rest of the housing20, in this case by means of screws26, wherein other fastening means are also conceivable. To this end, a plurality of sets of fastening locations202are formed on walls of the housing20, wherein the opposing contact holder204may be selectively fastened to one or another of the sets of fastening locations202. While in the configuration in accordance withFIGS.1A and1Bthe counter contact holder204is mounted at a position near an opening201defined by walls of the housing20, in the configuration in accordance withFIGS.2C and2Dit is mounted at a position recessed in an interior space spaced apart from the opening201. Thus, the counter contact holder204is mountable to the remainder of the housing20in at least two different positions.

The housing20further comprises latching elements200in the form of hooks, which can be latched to the latching elements104of the housing10of the plug connector part1or to the latching elements32of the angle adapter3. Here, the latching elements200are arranged on manually operable spring elements in such a manner that a latched connection can be released.

On the side facing away from the counter contacts21, the counter plug connector2comprises one or a plurality of cable outlets203, in this case two. The counter plug connector part2is a movable part and is not mounted on a housing wall or the similar.

In particular, it can be seen inFIGS.2A and2Bthat a respective projection206is formed adjacent to outer contacts21of the counter plug connector part2, which projection206is formed asymmetrically in such a manner that the counter plug connector part2can be inserted (in each plugging direction A, B, C) in only one predetermined orientation in order to avoid false contacts. In the present case, the projections206each form a rib.

FIG.3A to3Cshow the insertion of the counter plug connector part2into the plug connector part1in the plugging direction A. For this purpose, the angle adapter3has been mounted on the housing10of the plug connector part1in such a manner that of the three predetermined plugging directions A, B, C only one, plugging direction A, is available.

In this plugging direction A, the counter contact holder204is mounted in such a manner that the counter contacts21protrude from the rest of the housing20(in this case a grommet of the counter plug connector part2), in particular are not or not completely arranged in the interior space delimited by the opening201of the housing20. When the counter plug connector part2is inserted, the counter plug connector part2is guided along the guides30of the angle adapter3. The counter plug connector part2is inserted into a plug opening34defined by the angle adapter3. In this case, the angle adapter3accommodates a part of the counter plug connector part2.

In particular, it can be seen fromFIG.3C, which shows a cross-section through the plane A-A drawn inFIG.3B, that the angle adapter3is plugged over the contact holder102having the contacts11and is sealed against the housing10in a liquid- and dust-tight manner by a seal31, presently in the form of a circumferential seal.

The angle adapter3is not mandatory, but can improve guidance during insertion and provide sealing. Together with the plug connector part1, the angle adapter3forms an arrangement or a set.

FIG.4A to4Cshow the insertion of the counter plug connector part2into the plug connector part1in plugging direction B. In this plugging direction B, the angle adapter3is not used, but the counter plug connector part2is plugged directly onto the contact holder102having the contacts11(and the touch guard101plugged over it) and latched with the latching elements104of the housing10.

For this plugging direction B, the counter contact holder204is mounted in such a manner that the counter contacts21are completely arranged in the interior space delimited by the opening201of the housing20, see in particularFIG.4C. An outer circumferential seal22of the counter plug connector part2seals the housing20of the counter plug connector part2from the housing10of the plug connector part1.

FIGS.5A and5Bshow the insertion of the counter plug connector part2into the plug connector part1in the plugging direction C. For this purpose, the angle adapter3has been mounted on the housing10of the plug connector part1in such a manner that of the three predetermined plugging directions A, B, C only one, plugging direction C, is available. Specifically, the angle adapter3is mounted on the housing10rotated 180° relative to the housing10compared to the plugging direction A arrangement. The remaining function is substantially the same as plugging in accordance with plugging direction A.

FIG.5Bfurther shows a back side, e.g., inner side, of the plug connector part1having a plurality of inner contacts12.

By mounting the angle adapter3on the housing10of the plug connector part1, one of the three possible plugging directions A, B, C can thus be predetermined. Further, the angle adapter3is designed to attach the counter plug connector part2to the plug connector part1.

FIGS.6A and6Bshow the plug connector1having a mounted angle adapter3for plugging direction C when mated with an alternatively designed counter plug connector part2′. The counter plug connector part2′ in accordance withFIGS.6A and6Bcomprises a wall plate5intended for mounting on a housing wall of an electrical or electronic apparatus. The electrical or electronic housings having the plug connector part1and the counter plug connector part2′ are moved relative to one another in such a manner that, from the point of view of the plug connector part1, the counter plug connector part2′ is inserted in the plugging direction C.

The angle adapter3comprises guides35on the outer sides, which are engageable with matching rails50of the wall plate5. The guides35are designed, for example, to form a tongue-and-groove guide. Alternatively, the guides35are inclined to form a dovetail guide. This allows a particularly large amount of weight to be absorbed in the guide.

FIGS.7A to7C and8A to8Cshow the two configurations of the counter plug connector part2in accordance withFIG.2A to2Dwith the protruding arrangement of the counter contacts21(for the vertical plugging directions A, C,FIG.7A to7C) and with the retracted arrangement of the counter contacts21(for the horizontal plugging direction B, seeFIG.8A to8C).

In particular, it can be seen that the housing20of the counter plug connector part2has screw domes of different lengths, each of which provides the selectable fastening locations202at its open ends. For example,FIG.8Ashows that in the retracted configuration, the longer shear domes remain unused.

FIG.9A to9Cshow in particular the angle adapter3and the circumferential seal31thereof.FIG.9Cshows in cross-section that the angle adapter3can be inserted into a circumferential groove on the base body of the housing10, against which the seal31can also be brought into sealing contact.

Particularly inFIGS.9A and9B, it can also be seen that latching elements33in the form of latching lugs are provided at the longitudinal ends of the angle adapter3, which can be brought into latching engagement with the latching elements204of the housing10.

Further, it can be seen that the guides30of the angle adapter3protrude against the respective plugging direction A, C, so that the counter plug connector part2,2′ is guided into a secure, electrical contacting engagement. The guides30each comprise guide walls that are parallel to one another.

When assembling the plug connector part1for electrical connection with the counter plug connector part2;2′, the procedure is thus as follows:

First, the plug connector part1is provided (see in particularFIG.1A).

Then one of the different plugging directions A, B, C is selected (see in particularFIG.1A).

Then the contacts11are electrically contacted with the counter contacts21by plugging the counter plug connector part2;2′ to the plug connector part1in the selected plugging direction A, B, C (see in particularFIG.3A to5B).

The plug connector part1can thus be electrically contacted in three degrees of freedom, thus enabling particularly flexible usage. The plug connector part1and the counter plug connector part2,2′ are particularly suitable for usage with battery modules.FIG.9Aschematically shows a battery module in dashed lines. In accordance with an aspect, a battery module having a plug connector part1is provided. The plug connector part1is arranged on one side of the battery module, for example. The battery module can thus be contacted from above, below and the (front) side and can thus be electrically connected to other battery modules in a particularly flexible manner.

REFERENCE LIST