# US 10,770,848 B2 · Connecting element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,770,848 B2 - Document ID: US10770848B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/318,407 - Filed: 2017-07-06 - Published: 2019-09-19 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-18 - Assignees: Stäubli Electrical Connectors AG - Applicants: Staubli Electrical Connectors AG - Inventors: Andrea Mastrovito - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10770848B2 ## CPC - H01R 25/162: {Electrical connections between or with rails or bus-bars (rails having primarily a non electrical function H01R4/64)} - H01R 4/4881: {using a louver type spring} - H01R 13/113: {co-operating with pins or blades having a rectangular transverse section} - H01R 13/187: with spring member in the socket - H01R 2201/26: for vehicles - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A connecting element (1) serves to establish electrical contact between two busbars. The connecting element (1) comprises a housing (2) with an interior (20) and a contact element (3) which is mounted in the interior (20). The contact element (3) comprises at least one resilient contact web (32) and defines a substantially flat plane (39). The contact element (3) divides the interior (20) along the plane (39) into at least a first receiving space (21) for receiving a first busbar (4) and a second receiving space (22) for receiving a second busbar (5), wherein the contact element (3) establishes electrical contact between the first busbar (4) and the second busbar (5) by way of the at least one contact web (32). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connection element for establishing an electrical contact between two busbars, wherein the connection element comprises: a housing with an interior; and a contact element, which is mounted in the interior, wherein each of the two busbars can be inserted into the housing along an inserting direction, wherein the contact element divides the interior along a plane into at least one first receiving space to receive a first busbar and a second receiving space to receive a second busbar, wherein the contact element can establish an electrical contact between the first busbar and the second busbar, wherein the contact element is mounted by several bearing points in the interior of the housing, and wherein at least one of the bearing points protrudes from a side wall into the interior, the side wall lying in a transverse plane oriented transversely to the plane, and the bearing point for the contact element providing a movement limitation in at least one translatory direction, wherein one of the at least one of the bearing points is a single bearing point, which starting from a middle position of the contact element provides a movement limitation for the contact element in a translatory direction, wherein said single bearing point is provided by a bearing surface, and wherein the bearing surfaces lying closer to an entrance opening, as seen in the inserting direction, are situated at a greater distance from the wall coming into contact with the busbar than bearing surfaces lying further away from the entrance opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connection element as claimed in claim 1, wherein said translatory direction runs substantially at right angles to the plane, and the contact element is mounted preferably floating in said bearing point. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connection element as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said bearing points is a double bearing point, which starting from a middle position of the contact element provides a movement limitation for the contact element in two oppositely running translatory directions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The connection element as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least three, preferably four double bearing points are arranged, wherein two double bearing points protrude from a first side wall into the interior, and wherein one double bearing point or two double bearing points protrude from a side wall situated opposite the first side wall into the interior. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The connection element as claimed in claim 3, wherein the double bearing point has a slot to receive the contact element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The connection element as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slot in one direction at right angles to said plane is configured broader than the thickness of the contact element, such that a play is provided between the slot and the contact element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The connection element as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slots within one group of bearing points are offset from each other with respect to the plane. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The connection element as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slots lying closer to an entrance opening, as seen in the inserting direction, are situated at a greater distance from the wall coming into contact with the busbar than the slots lying further away from the entrance opening. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The connection element as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bearing points are webs bent out from the housing and protruding into the interior, the webs being inclined preferably at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle being between 10° and 170°, and wherein the slot is arranged at the free end of the web and extends into the web at an end face closing off the free end, the slot being open in the end face. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The connection element as claimed in claim 1, wherein from a first side wall at least two single bearing points protrude into the interior, wherein one of the two single bearing points limits the movement in one of the translatory directions and wherein the other of the two single bearing points limits the movement in the opposite translatory direction, and wherein from a side wall situated opposite the first side wall at least two single bearing points protrude into the interior, wherein one of the two single bearing points limits the movement in one of the translatory directions and wherein the other of the two single bearing points limits the movement in the opposite translatory direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The connection element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing surface within one group of bearing points are offset from each other with respect to the plane. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The connection element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing points are webs bent out from the housing and protruding into the interior, the webs being inclined preferably at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle being between 10° and 170°, and wherein a bearing surface is arranged at the free end of the web. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The connection element as claimed in claim 1, wherein two bearing points opposite each other with respect to the interior are present, wherein these two oppositely situated bearing points starting from a middle position of the contact element provide a movement limitation for the contact element in two oppositely running second translatory directions, the second translatory direction running substantially transversely to the inserting direction and parallel to the plane. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The connection element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing points are webs bent out from the housing and protruding into the interior, the webs being inclined preferably at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle being between 10° and 170°. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The connection element as claimed in claim 14, wherein the slot is arranged at the free end of the web and extends into the web at an end face closing off the free end, the slot being open in the end face, and/or wherein a bearing surface is arranged at the free end of the web. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The connection element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the contact element is mounted floating in the interior in two third translatory directions running opposite to each other, extending parallel to the inserting direction, so that the contact element can move in this third translatory direction within certain limits, limits being provided by an end stop. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The connection element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing is provided by a wall, two side walls formed at opposite edges from the wall and protruding substantially perpendicular from the wall, and by side edges formed on the side walls. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The connection element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has one or more installation openings, which are preferably arranged such that access to the contact element for a tool can be provided and/or wherein the contact element has one or more installation openings in which a tool can engage. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The connection element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has guide elements in the area of the entrance openings, making it easier to insert the busbar and/or wherein the end stop is part of the guide element. ### Claim 20 A connection element for establishing an electrical contact between two busbars, wherein the connection element comprises: a housing with an interior; and a contact element, which is mounted in the interior, wherein each of the two busbars can be inserted into the housing along an inserting direction, wherein the contact element divides the interior along a plane into at least one first receiving space to receive a first busbar and a second receiving space to receive a second busbar, wherein the contact element can establish an electrical contact between the first busbar and the second busbar, wherein the contact element is mounted by several bearing points in the interior of the housing, wherein at least one of the bearing points protrudes from a side wall into the interior, the side wall lying in a transverse plane oriented transversely to the plane, and the bearing point for the contact element providing a movement limitation in at least one translatory direction; wherein one of said bearing points is a double bearing point, which starting from a middle position of the contact element provides a movement limitation for the contact element in two oppositely running translatory directions; wherein one of the mentioned bearing points is a single bearing point, which starting from a middle position of the contact element provides a movement limitation for the contact element in one translatory direction; wherein the double bearing point has a slot to receive the contact element; and wherein the slot in one direction at right angles to said plane is configured broader than the thickness of the contact element, such that a play is provided between the slot and the contact element. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The connection element as claimed in claim 20, wherein from a first side wall at least one double bearing point protrudes into the interior and wherein from a side wall situated opposite the first side wall at least two single bearing points protrude into the interior, wherein one of the two single bearing points limits the movement in one of the translatory directions and wherein the other of the two single bearing points limits the movement in the opposite translatory direction. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The connection element as claimed in claim 20, wherein the slot lying closer to an entrance opening, as seen in the inserting direction, are situated at a greater distance from the wall coming into contact with the busbar than the slots lying further away from the entrance opening. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The connection element as claimed in claim 20, wherein the bearing points are webs bent out from the housing and protruding into the interior, the webs being inclined preferably at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle being between 10° and 170°, and wherein the slot is arranged at the free end of the web and extends into the web at an end face closing off the free end, the slot being open in the end face. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The connection element as claimed in claim 20, wherein the single bearing point is provided by a bearing surface. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The connection element as claimed in claim 24, wherein bearing surfaces lying closer to an entrance opening, as seen in the inserting direction, are situated at a greater distance from the wall coming into contact with the busbar than the bearing surfaces lying further away from the entrance opening. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The connection element as claimed in claim 24, wherein the bearing points are webs bent out from the housing and protruding into the interior, the webs being inclined preferably at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle being between 10° and 170°, and wherein a bearing surface is arranged at the free end of the web. ### Claim 27 (depends on 20) The connection element as claimed in claim 20, wherein the double bearing point has a slot to receive the contact element, and wherein the single bearing point is provided by a bearing surface. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The connection element as claimed in claim 27, wherein the slot in one direction at right angles to said plane is configured broader than the thickness of the contact element, such that a play is provided between the slot and the contact element. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The connection element as claimed in claim 27, wherein the slots or bearing surfaces lying closer to an entrance opening, as seen in the inserting direction, are situated at a greater distance from the wall coming into contact with the busbar than the slots or bearing surfaces lying further away from the entrance opening. ### Claim 30 (depends on 20) The connection element as claimed in claim 20, wherein the bearing points are webs bent out from the housing and protruding into the interior, the webs being inclined preferably at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle being between 10° and 170°, and wherein the slot is arranged at the free end of the web and extends into the web at an end face closing off the free end, the slot being open in the end face, and/or wherein a bearing surface is arranged at the free end of the web. ### Claim 31 A connection element for establishing an electrical contact between two busbars, wherein the connection element comprises: a housing with an interior; and a contact element, which is mounted in the interior, wherein each of the two busbars can be inserted into the housing along an inserting direction, wherein the contact element divides the interior along a plane into at least one first receiving space to receive a first busbar and a second receiving space to receive a second busbar, wherein the contact element can establish an electrical contact between the first busbar and the second busbar, wherein the contact element is mounted by several bearing points in the interior of the housing, wherein at least one of the bearing points protrudes from a side wall into the interior, the side wall lying in a transverse plane oriented transversely to the plane, and the bearing point for the contact element providing a movement limitation in at least one translatory direction, wherein one of said bearing points is a double bearing point, which starting from a middle position of the contact element provides a movement limitation for the contact element in two oppositely running translatory directions, wherein the double bearing point has a slot to receive the contact element and wherein the slot in one direction at right angles to said plane is configured broader than the thickness of the contact element, such that a play is provided between the slot and the contact element. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein said translatory direction runs substantially at right angles to the plane, and the contact element is mounted preferably floating in said bearing point. ### Claim 33 (depends on 3) The connection element as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least three, preferably four double bearing points are arranged, wherein two double bearing points protrude from a first side wall into the interior, and wherein one double bearing point or two double bearing points protrude from a side wall situated opposite the first side wall into the interior. ### Claim 34 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein the slots within one group of bearing points are offset from each other with respect to the plane. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein the slots lying closer to an entrance opening, as seen in the inserting direction, are situated at a greater distance from the wall coming into contact with the busbar than the slots lying further away from the entrance opening. ### Claim 36 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein the bearing points are webs bent out from the housing and protruding into the interior, the webs being inclined preferably at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle being between 10° and 170°, and wherein the slot is arranged at the free end of the web and extends into the web at an end face closing off the free end, the slot being open in the end face. ### Claim 37 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein one of the mentioned bearing points is a single bearing point, which starting from a middle position of the contact element provides a movement limitation for the contact element in one translatory direction. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The connection element as claimed in claim 37, wherein from a first side wall at least two single bearing points protrude into the interior, wherein one of the two single bearing points limits the movement in one of the translatory directions and wherein the other of the two single bearing points limits the movement in the opposite translatory direction, and wherein from a side wall situated opposite the first side wall at least two single bearing points protrude into the interior, wherein one of the two single bearing points limits the movement in one of the translatory directions and wherein the other of the two single bearing points limits the movement in the opposite translatory direction. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The connection element as claimed in claim 37, wherein the single bearing point is provided by a bearing surface. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The connection element as claimed in claim 39, wherein the bearing surface within one group of bearing points are offset from each other with respect to the plane. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) The connection element as claimed in claim 39, wherein the bearing surfaces lying closer to an entrance opening, as seen in the inserting direction, are situated at a greater distance from the wall coming into contact with the busbar than bearing surfaces lying further away from the entrance opening. ### Claim 42 (depends on 38) The connection element as claimed in claim 38, wherein the bearing points are webs bent out from the housing and protruding into the interior, the webs being inclined preferably at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle being between 10° and 170°, and wherein a bearing surface is arranged at the free end of the web. ### Claim 43 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein two bearing points opposite each other with respect to the interior are present, wherein these two oppositely situated bearing points starting from a middle position of the contact element provide a movement limitation for the contact element in two oppositely running second translatory directions, the second translatory direction running substantially transversely to the inserting direction and parallel to the plane. ### Claim 44 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein the bearing points are webs bent out from the housing and protruding into the interior, the webs being inclined preferably at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle being between 10° and 170°. ### Claim 45 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein the slot is arranged at the free end of the web and extends into the web at an end face closing off the free end, the slot being open in the end face, and/or wherein a bearing surface is arranged at the free end of the web. ### Claim 46 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein the contact element is mounted floating in the interior in two third translatory directions running opposite to each other, extending parallel to the inserting direction, so that the contact element can move in this third translatory direction within certain limits, limits being provided by an end stop. ### Claim 47 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein the housing is provided by a wall, two side walls formed at opposite edges from the wall and protruding substantially perpendicular from the wall, and by side edges formed on the side walls. ### Claim 48 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein the housing has one or more installation openings, which are preferably arranged such that access to the contact element for a tool can be provided and/or wherein the contact element has one or more installation openings in which a tool can engage. ### Claim 49 (depends on 31) The connection element as claimed in claim 31, wherein the housing has guide elements in the area of the entrance openings, making it easier to insert the busbar and/or wherein the end stop is part of the guide element.