EP2860829A1 - Electrical contact element, connector and manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

One aspect relates to an electrical contact element for a connector, comprising: a line contact region, to which an electrical line can be fastened, - A plug contact region, which is electrically contacted with a complementary contact element of a complementary connector, wherein the plug contact region is formed by forming substantially cylindrical or prismatic and a connector and a method for forming the contact element.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical contact element for a connector, a connector and a method for producing an electrical contact element.

Electrical contact elements are used in electrical connectors to make electrical contact between an electrical cable and a complementary connector. For this purpose, the contact elements are at least partially rigid, in order to withstand mechanical stress during the insertion of the connector in the complementary connector.

Especially in the transmission of high-frequency electrical signals via such connectors, the quality of the electrical connection between the contact element to corresponding complementary contact elements of the complementary connector is of crucial importance. In particular, the electrical contact resistance between the two should be as low as possible and as constant as possible as a function of the frequency.

For this purpose, the surface of the contact element, which is designed to come into contact with the complementary contact element, usually processed, for example, turned over to a cylindrical shape. In particular, the mechanical processing of the contact element leads to a complex production process.

It is therefore an object to provide an electrical contact element, a connector and a method for producing the contact element, wherein the Production of the contact element or the connector is easier and faster feasible.

This object is achieved by an electrical contact element having the features of claim 1, a connector having the features of claim 7 and a method having the features of claim 8. Preferred embodiments are subject of the dependent claims.

Electrical contact element according to one aspect

• einen Leitungskontaktbereich, an welchen eine elektrische Leitung befestigbar ist,
• einen Steckkontaktbereich, welcher mit einem komplementären

One aspect relates to an electrical contact element for a connector, comprising:

• a line contact area, to which an electrical line can be fastened,
• a plug contact area, which with a complementary

Contact element of a complementary connector is electrically contacted, wherein the plug contact region is formed by forming substantially cylindrical or prismatic.

Advantageously, the contact element can be produced in a simple and rapid manner, wherein the plug contact region has an increased mechanical strength due to the substantially cylindrical or prismatic shape.

The electrical contact element is formed from an electrically conductive material, in particular a metal, wherein an electric current can flow from the plug contact region to the line contact region. The line contact region of the contact element can be electrically contacted or electrically connected to an associated electrical line. In order to enable a permanent electrical contact between the electrical line and contact element, the electrical line to the line contact area is releasably or permanently attached. Accordingly, the plug contact area with a associated complementary contact element of the complementary connector electrically or mechanically contacted. Therefore, an electric current can flow from the electric wire via the contact element to the complementary contact element.

The plug contact region is formed by forming substantially cylindrical. The term "substantially cylindrical" describes that the plug contact region may have small deviations from the cylindrical shape, such as a rounded end surface or deviations from the desired radius to about 10 percent, preferably to about 5 percent. Preferably, a lateral surface of the plug contact region corresponds without deviation of a cylindrical surface, that is with deviations smaller than the measuring accuracy. In other words, the plug contact region can also be cylindrical.

Alternatively, the plug contact region may also be formed substantially prism-shaped. In this case, the base area of the prism can be an n-corner with n ≥ 6, preferably n ≥ 8 and in particular n ≥ 12. Preferably, n ≦ 24, more preferably n ≦ 20, even more preferably n ≦ 16. For example, n = 6, n = 8 or n = 12. It will be understood that deviations from the prismatic shape within the limits of production and measurement tolerances will occur can. In particular, the end face may be formed by a pyramid or a truncated pyramid, wherein the base surface preferably corresponds to the base of the prism.

The term "forming" describes manufacturing processes in which the material of the contact element, in particular a metal, is plastically brought into another shape. In this case, a urgeformtes, for example, a cast, rolled or stamped starting material, that is, the preform is formed into the final contact element. The material retains its mass and cohesion during forming. As a result, reshaping in the sense of the invention differs from a general deformation of the material in that the shape change is deliberately brought about, while a deformation represents an untargeted elastic or plastic deformation, for example in the case of Bending during insertion of the contact element. Further, neither material is added nor removed from the contact element during forming. Thus, in particular, forming does not involve machining, such as turning, milling, grinding, drilling, etc., or machining to be added to materials, such as casting, soldering, welding, coating, anodic or cathodic deposition of material on the surface.

The plug contact region may have been formed in particular by pressure forming. In other words, the deformation of the preform takes place under prevailing compressive stress. Preferably, the plug contact region may be formed by pressing between two dies or by embossing between dies. Alternatively, the plug contact region could be formed by upsetting in a cylindrical shape. Further alternatively, the plug contact region could be formed by rollers.

Preferably, the contact element is integrally formed from electrically conductive material. For example, the contact element may be formed from a metal stamped part (the preform) which has been shaped in the plug-in area. Therefore, the contact element may preferably have a greater width extension than thickness extension, in particular in the region of the line contact region, while width extension and thickness extension in the region of the plug contact region are approximately the same due to the substantially cylindrical shape. Due to the one-piece design, the electrical conductivity within the contact element is advantageously particularly low in resistance, since there are no joints where a contact resistance occurs. Also, high-frequency electrical signal are passed through the contact element with low distortion. The contact element may in particular consist of a copper alloy, for example a copper-tin alloy or a copper-nickel alloy. To reduce the electrical contact resistance in the line contact area and / or in the plug contact area of the Line contact area and / or the plug contact area with gold, silver or an alloy thereof to be coated or plated or galvanized.

Preferably, the plug contact region of the contact element is formed free of cavities. In other words, the deformed plug contact region may be solid. This advantageously results in an increased mechanical strength in the plug contact area compared to other areas of the contact element. In particular, the plug contact region is not formed as a hollow cylinder or hollow prism, but as a solid cylinder or solid prism.

Preferably, the plug contact region of the contact element is at least partially linear along an insertion direction E in the complementary connector inserted. Advantageously, the electrical contact between the contact element and a complementary contact element of the complementary connector can be effected by inserting the plug contact region of the contact element along the insertion direction E into the complementary contact element. The insertion direction E is oriented in particular parallel to the cylinder axis of the substantially cylindrical plug contact region. The plug contact region has a sufficient rigidity along the insertion direction E, whereby insertion into the associated complementary contact element is made possible. The plug contact region may have a diameter of about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm, preferably about 0.6 mm or about 1 to about 2 mm. The longitudinal extent of the plug contact region may be about 3 mm to about 10 mm, preferably about 4 mm to about 6 mm.

Preferably, the line contact area is designed as an insulation displacement contact, as a sleeve, Lötfahne or Kabelklemmbereich. As a result, advantageously, an electrical line can be contacted with the contact element in a simple and reliable manner. For example, the electrical line can be connected tool-free with a trained as insulation displacement contact line contact area. In the event that the line contact area is formed as a sleeve, the electrical line can be inserted into the sleeve and clamped or squeezed become. Alternatively, the electrical line can be soldered to the contact element, for which purpose the line contact area is expediently designed as a solder tag.

Preferably, the contact element further comprises at least one attachment region with which the contact element can be fastened to an associated complementary attachment region of the connector. For example, the attachment area may be resilient or resilient. As a result, after insertion into a contact element receptacle of the connector, the contact element can latch or latch there or engage with the contact element receptacle in such a way that the contact element is fixed in the contact element receptacle. The attachment region can be formed in one piece with the contact element, for example by punching a latching element or a projection.

The term "resiliently deformable", as it is understood in the context of this invention, describes that the at least one attachment area after a mechanical load or elastic or plastic deformation by a force in a loading direction substantially back to the original shape and / or position returns. The mechanical loading or deformation of the at least one fastening region takes place, for example, during the insertion of the contact element into an associated contact element receptacle, whereby a force in the loading direction is applied to the at least one fastening region by means of the wall of the contact element receptacle.

An electrical connector according to one aspect

One aspect relates to a connector with at least one contact element according to the invention. The connector may have a contact element holder for receiving at least one contact element. For this purpose, the contact element holder for each contact element having an associated contact element receiving, in which the contact element at least partially recorded and fixed. It is understood that the connector may have two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more contact elements.

The connector may comprise a housing in which the contact element holder is arranged. The housing may be formed for example of metal or plastic. In particular, the housing may be made of die-cast zinc, die-cast aluminum or impact-resistant polyamide or ABS. By the contact element holder, a single or a plurality of contact elements may be held, so that each of the contact elements in an associated contact element of a complementary connector can be inserted. For this purpose, the contact elements can be aligned parallel to each other. In particular, the longitudinal extent of the plug contact regions of all contact elements are aligned parallel to one another.

Method for producing an electrical contact element according to one aspect

• Bereitstellen eines Vorformlings aus einem elektrisch leitfähigen Material mit einem Leitungskontaktbereich und einem umzuformenden Bereich;
• Umformen des umzuformenden Bereichs des Vorformlings zu einem im wesentlichen zylindrischen oder prismatischen Steckkontaktbereich.

One aspect relates to a method for forming a contact element comprising the following steps:

• Providing a preform made of an electrically conductive material having a conduction contact area and a region to be reshaped;
• Forming the area of the preform to be formed into a substantially cylindrical or prismatic plug contact area.

Advantageously, the contact element can be formed in a simple manner by two processing steps. As a blank, a metal sheet is usually provided, from which a preform is punched out. The provision of the preform may in particular comprise stamping the preform from a metal sheet. This stamping step allows easy mass production of the preforms. Depending on the requirements of the electrical conductivity, different metal sheets can be provided as raw material in a simple manner. After stamping, this is done in certain areas Forming the preform to form the plug contact region of the contact element.

The plug contact region can be cylindrical or prism-shaped, wherein the base of the prism can be an n-corner with n ≥ 6, preferably n ≥ 8 and in particular n ≥ 12. Preferably, n ≦ 24, more preferably n ≦ 20, even more preferably n ≦ 16. For example, n = 6, n = 8 or n = 12.

If the plug contact region is formed substantially cylindrical, then the step of forming by means of a tool with a semicircular cross section can take place. For this purpose, the stamped part or the preform is inserted into the tool and pressed. Subsequently, the stamped part or the preform is rotated and put back into the tool and pressed so that essentially a circular cross-section, possibly with two noses or the like arises on the sides. Although it may be that the cross-sectional area in this approach is not ideal circular. However, it has been found in the present invention that this approach may have an advantage over conventional male parts in which the front part is rotated and the rear part is stamped. In the conventional plug-in parts, both parts are inserted into one another, thereby creating a transition between the turned and punched part. However, according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, if the front part is not rotated but deformed, such a transition can be avoided. This may more than outweigh the disadvantage of a possibly not ideally circular cross-sectional area of the plug contact area, since the forming or embossing of the plug contact area leads to a better overall signal transition compared to the rotation.

Preferably, the forming takes place by cold forming or hot forming. Advantageously, the cold working is efficiently carried out without heating the preform.

In hot working, the preform is heated to a temperature above the recrystallization temperature of the raw material prior to forming. As a result, recrystallization regularly occurs during the deformation, which counteracts solidification of the raw material, so that the plug contact region advantageously remains flexible or deformable. As cold forming a forming is referred to, in which the preform in the cold state, for example at room temperature, is transformed, so that it comes in the plug contact area to a solidification of the material.

Preferably, the method comprises the step of forming at least one fastening region with which the contact element can be fastened to a complementary fastening region of the connector. The fastening region can be formed in one piece with the contact element, for example by punching a latching element or a projection.

Fiaurenbeschreibung

Figur 1:

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform des Kontaktelements;

Figur 2:

eine perspektivische Schnittansicht eines Kontaktelementhalters eines Verbinders mit einer Vielzahl der in Figur 1 gezeigten Kontaktelemente;

Figur 3:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines ersten Teils eines Verbinders;

Figur 4:

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines zweiten Teils des in der Figur 3 gezeigten Verbinders.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

FIG. 1:

a perspective view of an embodiment of the contact element;

FIG. 2:

a perspective sectional view of a contact element holder of a connector with a plurality of in FIG. 1 shown contact elements;

FIG. 3:

a perspective view of a first part of a connector;

FIG. 4:

a perspective view of a second part of the in the FIG. 3 shown connector.

The FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a contact element 1 with a line contact region 3, a plug contact region 5 and a mounting portion 7. The line contact region 3 is formed in the preferred embodiment shown as an insulation displacement contact to an electrical line of a cable 29 (in FIG. 4 shown) to electrically to contact. Alternatively, the line contact region 3 can also be designed as a sleeve, solder tail or clamping region in order to contact the electrical line with the contact element 1 electrically and mechanically. The trained as insulation displacement contact line contact area 3 advantageously allows a simple and reliable electrical contacting of the electrical line. As a result, the electrical line can be electrically contacted, in particular without tools, with the contact element 1, as a result of which the contact element 1 can advantageously be used in field-connectable connectors.

The plug contact region 5 is formed substantially prism-shaped, wherein the base of the in the FIG. 1 shown prism represents an octagon. It is understood that prisms can also be provided which has a hexagon, a toe-corner, a dodecagon or a polygon with a higher number of vertices than twelve. Alternatively, the plug-in region 5 may be formed substantially cylindrical. Longitudinal axis A of the prism or cylinder, which forms the plug contact region 5, is oriented parallel to an insertion direction E, along which the contact element 1 at least partially in a complementary connector (not shown) is inserted to the contact element 1 with a complementary Electrically connect contact element of the complementary connector.

The term "substantially prismatic" or "substantially cylindrical" describes that the plug contact region 5 may have small deviations from the prism shape or from a cylinder, such as a rounded end face 5a, which in particular in the direction of insertion E conical or can taper to facilitate insertion of the contact element 1 in the complementary contact element. Furthermore, the plug-in contact region 5 along a thickness direction D, which is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction E, or along a width direction B, which is also substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction E, a deviation from a desired thickness or a desired width to about 10%, preferably about 5% exhibit. The contact element 1 may preferably have a greater width extension along the width direction B than the thickness extension along the thickness direction D, in particular in the region of the line contact region 3. In contrast, the width extension and thickness extension in the plug contact region 5 may be approximately the same due to the substantially cylindrical shape.

The fastening region 7 of the contact element 1 can have a resiliently deformable latching element 7a, with which the contact element 1 in a contact element receptacle of a connector (in the FIG. 2 shown) can be attached. Due to the resilient deformability of the latching element 7a, a mechanical loading of the latching element 7a along a loading direction B 'leads to a deformation or displacement of the latching element 7a. As soon as the mechanical load along the loading direction B 'is eliminated, the latching element 7a substantially returns to its original shape and / or position. In particular, resilient deformability includes elastic deformability.

In addition, the attachment portion 7 may include an engagement member 7b configured to engage with a complementary engagement member of the contact member receiver (in FIG FIG. 2 shown) engage to inhibit a displacement of the contact element 1 within the contact element receptacle. When in the FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown, the engagement element 7b has a section that tapers along the insertion direction E, on which, opposite to the insertion direction E, there is an undercut. For example, material of the contact element receptacle can penetrate into the undercut by a plastic and / or elastic displacement in order to achieve frictional engagement or positive engagement with the engagement element 7b.

The in the FIG. 1 shown embodiment of the contact element 1 is integrally formed. In an exemplary manufacturing method, a metal sheet is provided from which a preform is punched out. In this case, the punch is moved along the thickness direction D to the preform from the To punch out metal sheet. Consequently, the punching edge 9 produced during punching is oriented parallel to the thickness direction. During punching, the insulation displacement contact 3 and the engagement element 7d can be formed. Optionally, the preform can be bent in regions, for example, to form the locking element 7a of the mounting portion 7. Furthermore, the preform can have further bending areas 9a, wherein the bending can be carried out simultaneously with or after punching.

By a partial deformation of the preform of the plug contact region 5 is formed or formed. The forming takes place in a manufacturing step, in which the material of the preform is partially brought plastically into another shape. As a result, the punching edge 9 in the deformed plug contact region 5 is usually reshaped in such a way that the punching edge 9 is no longer recognizable as such. While the cross section of the preform in a surface which is perpendicular to the insertion direction E, is formed substantially rectangular, the cross section of the deformed plug contact region 5 of the contact element 1 is substantially circular or oval or a polygon or n-corner with n greater than five. For example, the plug contact region 5 may have a hexagonal, an octagonal or a dodecagonal cross section. By forming the preform, the contact element 1 is formed.

The plastic forming is material-preserving, so that the preform and the contact element 1 have an identical mass. The forming can be carried out in a simple manner by means of embossing tools or dies (upper die and lower die), wherein a negative mold of the plug-in contact region 5 to be formed is formed between the embossing dies or the dies. For forming the preform this is at least partially introduced into the forming tools, ie the embossing tools or dies, and then applied by the forming tools with pressure, whereby the material of the preform transforms to fill the formed in the forming dies negative mold and thereby assume the desired shape , As a result, reshaping differs in particular from one machining such as turning, in which the preform material is removed to achieve the desired cylindrical shape. Since, in contrast to a machining, the material of the preform in the region of the plug contact region 5 is retained, the preform may have less material in this area in order to achieve a desired final thickness of the plug contact region 5 of the contact element 1. It is understood that the plastic forming of the preform can be carried out both as cold forming and as hot forming. Advantageously, cold-working the preform allows for faster processing since it is not necessary to heat the preform. At the same time, during cold forming, the strength increases in the formed area, that is to say in plug contact area 5 of the contact element. As a result, the contact element 1 in the region of the plug contact region 5 has a higher strength, so that the plug contact region 5 is stronger mechanically loadable during insertion. In contrast, the toughness is reduced by the cold forming. If a reduction of the toughness is not desired, the forming can alternatively be carried out as hot forming.

In order to achieve good electrical conduction properties of the contact element 1, the contact element 1 can be formed, in particular, from a metal sheet which consists of a copper alloy, for example a copper-tin alloy or a copper-nickel alloy. The choice of the alloy of the contact element 1 is due to the necessary mechanical and electrical properties of the contact element 1. To improve the electrical contact resistance, the contact element 1 can at least partially plated or galvanized with gold, silver or a gold-silver alloy. As a result, corrosion of the contact element 1 on the plated or galvanized regions is advantageously avoided.

The FIG. 2 shows a perspective sectional view of a contact element holder 11, which has a plurality of contact element receptacles 13, in each of which an associated contact element 1 is arranged and fixed. Of the Contact element holder 11 is formed of an electrically insulating material, preferably a plastic such as polyamide, ABS, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polycarbonate. To equip the contact element holder 11 with the contact elements, in the in FIG. 2 In the embodiment shown, eight contact elements 1 are held by the contact element holder 11, two options are available.

First, the contact element holder 11 can be provided, for example, be formed as an injection molded part of a thermoplastic material. In the body of the contact element holder 11, a number of contact element receptacles 13 corresponding to the male contact elements 1 is formed. In each of the contact element receptacles 13, an associated contact element 1 along the second insertion direction E 'are introduced to arrange the contact element 1 in the contact element holder 11. By inserting the contact element 1 into the contact element receptacle 13, the engagement element 7b of the contact element 1 can engage the wall of the contact element receptacle into engagement or frictional engagement. As a result, a displacement of the contact element 1 is inhibited relative to the contact element holder 11 against the second insertion direction E '. Furthermore, by inserting the contact element 1 into the contact element receptacle 13, the wall of the contact element receptacle 13 can come into mechanical contact with the resiliently deformable latching element 7a, wherein the latching element 7a is deformed along the loading direction B '. The wall of the contact element receptacle 13 may have a recess in the wall 13a as a preferred complementary latching element 13a, so that the latching element 7a can engage in the complementary latching element 13a, when the contact element 1 is inserted into the contact element receptacle 13 along the second insertion direction E ', that a predetermined Anordenposition is reached. In the Anordenposition there is a displacement of the locking element 7a due to the resilient deformability of the locking element 7a against the loading direction B ', so that there is an engagement or locking of the locking element 7a with the complementary locking element 13a. With others Words, the contact element 1 is fixed in the Anordenposition within the contact element receptacle 13.

As a second option, the contact element holder 11 may be formed around a plurality of provided contact elements 1. For example, the contact member holder 11 may be formed as an injection molded member of a thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic polymer when a plurality of contact elements 1 by means of a holding device (not shown) is held in position, so that between the contact element holder 11 and the contact elements 1 is an intimate connection results. As a result, the contact elements 1 are permanently connected to the contact element holder 11. The contact element receptacles 13 then correspond to the gaps in the material of the contact element holder 11, which are due to the presence of the contact elements 1.

Like in the FIG. 2 As shown, the contact elements 1 may be arranged along a circular line in the contact element holder 11. In this case, the contact elements 1 and in particular the latching elements 7a may be arranged such that the loading direction B 'is oriented radially outward or inward for all contact elements 1. In other words, the contact element holder 11 may be formed axially symmetrical about an axis of symmetry, wherein the axis of symmetry is preferably oriented parallel to the insertion direction E.

The FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a first part 15 of a connector with a in the FIG. 2 The contact element holder 11 is arranged in a housing 17, which preferably consists of metal or impact-resistant plastic. The housing 17 of the first part of the connector 15 has a terminal configuration 17a, which makes it possible to insert a second part 19 of the connector along a third insertion direction E "at least partially into the housing 17 of the first part 15 of the connector.

The FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the second part 19 of the connector with a housing 21 having a complementary terminal configuration 21a, which is engageable with the terminal configuration 17a. In particular, the terminal configuration 17a and the complementary terminal configuration 21a may be bolted together. The housing 21 may also be formed of metal or impact-resistant plastic.

The second part 19 of the connector further comprises a line holder 23, in which a plurality of line receptacles 25 is formed. The line receivers 25 are designed to receive an associated electrical line 27 at least in regions. The electrical leads 27 are part of a cable 29 which is guided along a fourth insertion direction E '"through a passage opening of the housing 21 of the second part 19 of the connector, wherein the sheath of the cable 29 is removed at least in the region of the line holder 23 to the electrical lines 27 along a spreading direction S, which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the fourth insertion direction E '"radially abzuspreizen or bend, so that the electrical lines can be accommodated in each case an associated line receptacle 25. The cable 29 can be secured to the housing 21 by means of the strain relief 31. In particular, the strain relief 31 may be designed as a PG screw connection.

By inserting the second part 19 of the connector with the cable 29 arranged thereon along the third insertion direction E "in the first part 15 of the connector, the connection configuration 17a engages with the complementary connection configuration 21 a, so that both connector parts 15, 19 connected to each other At the same time, the insulation displacement contacts 3 of the first part 15 of the connector are received against the third insertion direction E "in the associated insulation displacement receptacles 25a of the lead receptacle 25, whereby the electrical leads 27 located in the lead receptacles 25 are cut through the associated insulation displacement contacts 3 and be contacted electrically. With others In other words, the electrical and mechanical connection of the two parts 15, 19 of the connector takes place by mating the second part 19 and the first part 15 of the connector along the third insertion direction E. After the two parts 15, 19 of the connector have been joined together, the cable 29 and the connector is electrically and mechanically connected to one another, thus making up the cable 29. The connector may in particular be designed as a plug connector which can be inserted along an insertion direction E into a complementary connector (not shown) to connect the cable 29 with another electrical connector In particular, the connector may be an M12 connector which is designed to produce an Ethernet connection in accordance with category 6 _A (CAT 6 _A ) The connector shown in the figures is advantageously field-assemblable a cable 29 in the field, ie at the site without Special tool, to be assembled. Thus, only a knife or a wire stripper is necessary to partially remove the insulating jacket of the cable 29 and cut off the protruding parts of the arranged in the line receptacles 25 electrical lines 27. The subsequent electrical contacting and attachment of the connector with the electrical leads 27 of the cable 29 then takes place without tools.

Preferably, the second insertion direction E 'is oriented parallel to the insertion direction E. Further preferably, the third insertion direction E "is oriented parallel to the second insertion direction E ', particularly preferably also to the insertion direction E. More preferably, the fourth insertion direction E'" is oriented parallel to the third insertion direction E ", particularly preferably to the second insertion direction E ' In particular, the four insertion directions E, E ', E "and E'" may be mutually oriented or identical.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contact element

3

Line contact area / insulation displacement contact

5

Plug contact area

5a

face

7

fastening area

7a

locking element

7b

engaging member

9

punching edge

9a

bending area

11

Contact element holder

13

Contact element receptacle

15

first part of a connector

17

casing

17a

Hookup

19

second part of the connector

21

casing

21a

complementary connection configuration

23

Conductor holder

25

line recording

25a

IDC recording

27

electrical line

29

electric wire

31

Strain relief

A

longitudinal axis

B

width direction

B '

load direction

D

thickness direction

e

insertion

e '

second insertion direction

e "

third insertion direction

E ' "

fourth insertion direction

S

the spreading

Claims (13)

Electrical contact element (1) for a connector comprising: a line contact region (3) to which an electrical line (27) can be fastened, a plug contact region (5) which is electrically contactable with a complementary contact element of a complementary connector,
wherein the plug contact region (5) is formed by forming substantially cylindrical or prismatic. Contact element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the contact element (1) is integrally formed from electrically conductive material. Contact element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plug contact region (5) of the contact element (1) is formed free of cavities. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug contact region (5) of the contact element (1) at least partially linearly along an insertion direction E in the complementary connector can be inserted. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the line contact region (3) is designed as an insulation displacement contact, as a sleeve, Lötfahne or Kabelklemmbereich. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one fastening region (7) with which the contact element (1) can be fastened to an associated complementary fastening region (13) of the connector. Contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug contact region (5) is formed by forming substantially prismatic and has an n-angular cross-section with n ≥ 6 or n ≥ 8 or n ≥ 12. Connector comprising: at least one contact element (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Method for forming a contact element (1) comprising the following steps: - Providing a preform of an electrically conductive material with a line contact region (3) and a reshaped area; - Forming the reshaped portion of the preform into a substantially cylindrical or prismatic plug contact region (5). Method according to claim 9, wherein the preform region to be formed is formed into a substantially prismatic plug contact region (5), the plug contact region (5) having an n-angular cross-section with n ≥ 6 or n ≥ 8 or n ≥ 12. A method according to claim 9, wherein the portion of the preform to be reshaped is formed by means of a tool of semicircular cross section into a substantially cylindrical plug contact region (5). The method of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the forming comprises cold working or hot working. Method according to one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising the step: - Forming at least one fastening region (7), with which the contact element (1) to a complementary mounting portion (13) of the connector can be fastened.

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