IP Library Granted Patent US 8,287,297
Granted Patent B2
US 8,287,297 · App. 13/068,206 · Granted Oct 16, 2012

Clearance compensation unit

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,287,297
App. No.
13/068,206
Granted
Oct 16, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a clearance compensation unit for a plug connection, in particular an electrical RJ plug connection, comprising a plug connector and a counter connector, the clearance compensation unit comprising a clearance compensation spring which has at least two spring portions in such a way that clearance between the plug connector and the counter connector can be compensated in at least two dimensions by means of the spring portions, it being possible to push the plug connector against another spring portion of the clearance compensation spring or against a limit stop of the counter connector. The invention further relates to a plug connector; a counter connector; in particular a plug, a built-in plug, a coupling or a socket; a housing therefor; or a support collar; preferably for an electrical RJ plug connection, comprising a clearance compensation unit according to the invention.

Claims (20)

1. Clearance compensation unit for a plug connection in particular an electrical RJ plug connection, comprising a plug connector and a counter connector, wherein the clearance compensation unit comprises a clearance compensation spring which has at least two spring portions in such a way that clearance between the plug connector and the counter connector can be compensated in at least two of three axes by means of the spring portions, it being possible to push the plug connector against another spring portion of the clearance compensation spring or against a limit stop of the counter connector.

2. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 1 , wherein in each case at least one spring portion of the clearance compensation spring is provided to compensate clearance in a particular orientation, and clearance between the plug connector and the counter connector can preferably be compensated in three axes, approximately perpendicular to one another, by means of the spring portions.

3. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 1 , wherein one relevant spring portion of the clearance compensation spring is a planar spring portion, and one spring portion preferably comprises a disc spring, a spring shackle, a leaf spring, or a concave or convex curve, and/or one spring portion is preferably formed as a disc spring, spring shackle, leaf spring, or concave or convex curve.

4. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of the clearance compensation spring is preferably formed so as to be approximately I-, L- or U-shaped or closed and/or is in the form of a partial circle or a partial ellipse, at least in portions, and the clearance compensation spring is preferably configured as a single-piece cage spring which is open at least at the two end faces thereof and preferably also at the top face thereof, the clearance compensation spring preferably being formed symmetrically, in such a way that the plug connector can be centred when it is inserted into the clearance compensation spring or the counter connector.

5. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 1 , wherein the clearance compensation spring comprises a base wall from which a side wall preferably extends approximately at right angles, or from two opposing sides of which two side walls preferably extend at right angles, the base wall comprising a disc spring or being formed as a disc spring, or the base wall being formed as a leaf spring or, at least in portions, as a spring shackle, and the side wall being formed as an inwardly curved leaf spring or the side walls being formed as inwardly curved leaf springs.

6. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 1 , wherein the clearance compensation spring is configured to be approximately U-shaped in cross-section comprising a base wall and two side walls, and the base wall comprises a disc spring, the base of which is mounted in a recess of the counter connector, and the two side walls of the clearance compensation spring are formed as inwardly curved leaf springs, at least in part.

7. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 1 , wherein the clearance compensation spring is configured to be approximately U-shaped in cross-section comprising a base wall and two side walls, and the base wall is formed as a leaf spring or is made up of two interconnected spring shackles, and the base wall comprises a locking recess with which the clearance compensation spring is mounted on a projection of a wall in the counter connector, and the two side walls of the clearance compensation spring are formed as inwardly curved leaf springs, at least in part.

8. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 1 , wherein a side wall of the clearance compensation spring has a spring shackle which is preferably cut or punched out of said side wall, in such a way that the plug connector can be pushed counter to the insertion direction thereof, in which it can be inserted into the counter connector, by the spring shackle, it preferably being possible to push a locking means of the plug connector against a locking means of the counter connector.

9. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 1 , wherein the clearance compensation spring comprises at least one insertion tongue, which projects outwards away from the clearance compensation spring, for simple insertion of the plug connector into the counter connector, the insertion tongue preferably being provided on a front end face of the clearance compensation spring in such a way that it projects laterally outwards from a side wall, and the two side walls preferably each comprising an insertion tongue, in particular in the centre thereof.

10. Plug connector; counter connector; in particular a plug, built-in plug, coupling or socket; a housing therefor; or a support collar; preferably for an electrical RJ plug connection, comprising a clearance compensation unit according to claim 1 .

11. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 1 , wherein the axes include horizontal, vertical and axial.

12. Clearance compensation unit for a plug connection in particular an electrical RJ plug connection, comprising a plug connector and a counter connector, wherein the clearance compensation unit comprises a clearance compensation spring which has at least two spring portions in such a way that clearance between the plug connector and the counter connector can be compensated in at least two dimensions by means of the spring portions, it being possible to push the plug connector against another spring portion of the clearance compensation spring or against a limit stop of the counter connector, wherein the clearance compensation spring is configured to be approximately U-shaped in cross-section, and a base wall of the U-shaped clearance compensation spring comprises a first spring, and two side walls of the U-shaped clearance compensation spring are formed as second springs.

13. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 12 , wherein the two side walls of the U-shaped clearance compensation spring base wall are formed at least in part as inwardly curved leaf springs.

14. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 13 , wherein the U-shaped clearance compensation spring base wall comprises a disc spring, the base of which is mounted in a recess of the counter connector.

15. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 12 , wherein the U-shaped clearance compensation spring base wall is formed as a leaf spring or is made up of two interconnected spring shackles.

16. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 15 , wherein the base wall comprises a locking recess with which the clearance compensation spring is mounted on a projection of a wall in the counter connector.

17. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 12 , wherein the clearance compensation spring comprises at least one insertion tongue, which projects outwards away from the clearance compensation spring, for simple insertion of the plug connector into the counter connector.

18. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 17 , wherein the insertion tongue preferably being provided on a front end face of the clearance compensation spring in such a way that it projects laterally outwards from a side wall.

19. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 18 , wherein each of the two side walls comprises an insertion tongue.

20. Clearance compensation unit according to claim 12 , wherein the clearance between the plug connector and the counter connector can be compensated in at least two of three coordinate axes by means of the spring portions.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 16, 2015
From: TYCO ELECTRONICS AMP GMBH
To: TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
Reel/Frame 036617/0856 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2011
From: SCHMIDT, RALF; BOECK, WERNER
To: TYCO ELECTRONICS AMP GMBH
Reel/Frame 026325/0920 →