CONTACT ELEMENT

• US 20080214032A1
• Filed: 02/29/2008
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schunk Kohlenstofftechnik GmbH (Ludwig Schunk Stiftung E.V.)
• Original Assignee: Schunk Kohlenstofftechnik GmbH (Ludwig Schunk Stiftung E.V.)
• Inventors: Neuweger, Henrik, Lippert, Hans, Ringleb, Ulrich
• Granted Patent: US 8,323,039 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/162
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/142 Their counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/20 characterised by the material thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 41/00 Non-rotary current collectors for maintaining contact between moving and stationary parts of an electric circuit end pieces terminating in a hook or the like H01R11/12; current collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/24 Assembling by moulding on contact members

Abstract

The invention concerns a contact element (10) with a sliding contact element (11) for fitting flush against an electrically conductive rail and a support element (12) for connecting the sliding contact to a contact plug (13), which serves as a connector to an electric conductor, wherein the sliding contact element, the support element, and the contact plug are parts of a moulded part which is constructed as a single unit.

Claims

1. A contact element (10) having a sliding contact element (11) for fitting flush against an electrically conductive rail and a support element (12) for connecting the sliding contact to a contact plug (13), which serves as a connector to an electric conductor,

characterised in that

the sliding contact element, the support element, and the contact plug are parts of a moulded part which is constructed as a single unit.

2. The contact element as recited in claim 1,

characterised in that

the sliding contact part (11) has a material composition of differing from that of the support element (12).

3. The contact element as recited in claim 1,

characterised in that

the contact plug (13) has a material composition of differing from that of the support element (12).

4. The contact element as recited in claim 1,

characterised in that

the contact plug (13) and the sliding contact element (11) have a matching material composition.

5. The contact element as recited in claim 1,

characterised in that

the sliding contact element (11), the support element (12), or the contact plug (13) have an essentially homogeneous material composition.

6. The contact element as recited in claim 1,

characterised in that

the sliding contact element (11), the support element (12), or the contact plug (13) has a gradient incorporated in the material composition thereof.

7. The contact element as recited in claim 6,

characterised in that

the material composition of the contact plug (13) incorporates a gradient such that a greater concentration of the components in the material composition that affect solderability is present in the free end of the contact plug.

8. The contact element as recited in claim 1,

characterised in that

at least sections of the contact plug (13) have a circular cross section (20) in the direction of the current flow.