DE102011111581B4 - Method for producing an electrical plug-in contact connection, connector device and connector pair - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for producing an electrical plug-in contact connection between a first plug-in contact element (110) and a second plug-in contact element (210), the first plug-in contact element (110) being part of a plug-in connector device (100) and the second plug-in contact element (210) being part of a counter-connector device (200). A method comprising the steps listed in the following order: (a) providing the first male contact element (110) which is in a spatial configuration which does not permit electrical contacting with the second male contact element (210), then (b) connecting the connector device (100) with the mating connector device (200) without electrical contact being established between the first plug contact element (110) and the second plug contact element (210), then (c) mechanically locking the connector device (100) with the mating - Connector device (200) and then (d) establishing an electrical contact of the first plug contact element (110) with the second plug contact element (210), characterized in that method step (c) comprises the following method step: moving the connector device (100) relative to the counter - connector device (200) up to a latching position, so that the connector device (100) and the mating connector device (200) latch together without electrical contact being established between the first plug contact element (110) and the second plug contact element (210), and - Method step (d) comprises the following method steps: d1) moving the connector device (100) and/or a sliding element held by the connector device (100) relative to the mating connector device beyond the latching position and d2) transferring the first plug contact element (110) into a one electrical contact with the second plug-in contact element (100) and- the following method step follows method step (d): e) moving the connector device (100) and/or the sliding element back into the latching position, with the electrical contact remaining.

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing a plug-in contact connection between a first and a second plug-in contact element. Furthermore, the invention relates to connector devices and a connector pair comprising the connector device and a mating connector device.

• Beispielsweise ist ein Steckverbinder für flexible Flachbandleiter aus DE 100 65 354 A1 bekannt. Dieser Steckverbinder weist ein Steckergehäuse mit darin gelagerten Kontaktelementen und ein einen Flachbandleiter tragendes Gegensteckergehäuse auf. Beim Zusammenstecken der beiden Gehäuse wird die elektrische Kontaktverbindung hergestellt. Zur Fixierung des Flachbandleiters im Flachbandleiter-Gegensteckergehäuse ist eine Sperrklinkeneinrichtung vorgesehen, die das Einschieben des Flachbandleiters bis zum Anschlag nicht behindert und erst wirksam werden kann, wenn der Flachbandleiter ordnungsgemäß im Gehäuse fixiert ist. Die Sperrklinkeneinrichtung ist so angeordnet, dass sie das Stecken des Gegensteckers in das Steckergehäuse behindert, wenn der Flachbandleiter mit der Sperrklinkeneinrichtung nicht ordnungsgemäß fixiert ist (go-nogo-Einrichtung).

Such methods and devices are known and are used in various applications, for example for the production of plug-in connections in the telecommunications sector, in the power distribution of power generation systems and in the motor vehicle sector:

• For example, a connector is made for flexible ribbon cables DE 100 65 354 A1 known. This connector has a connector housing with contact elements mounted therein and a mating connector housing carrying a ribbon conductor. The electrical contact connection is established when the two housings are plugged together. To fix the ribbon conductor in the ribbon conductor mating connector housing, a ratchet device is provided which does not prevent the ribbon conductor from being pushed in as far as it will go and can only become effective when the ribbon conductor is properly fixed in the housing. The ratchet device is arranged in such a way that it prevents the mating connector from being inserted into the connector housing if the ribbon conductor is not properly fixed with the ratchet device (go-nogo device).

Another way of securing an electrical plug connection is a locking device in the form of an assembly receipt. Such a device is out DE 103 46 367 A1 known. The freely rotatable HF right-angle connector described therein comprises a housing and at least one contact, the contact being mounted in the housing by means of an axial lock in the housing. The assembly receipt sits on a locking arm and can be moved in the plug-in direction. To lock the plug-in connection, the assembly receipt is pushed back in the direction of the plug and to unlock it in the original position. The assembly receipt serves to fix, for example, a locking arm, by means of which the right-angle connector can be attached to a plug via a locking lug attached to it.

In order to stabilize the sliding movement of a movable contact element in a connection terminal in a pressure contact for power applications, in DE 196 34 434 C2 describes a plug-in connection between the pressure contact and a fixed mating contact. For this purpose, a contact device is provided which has an elastic and electrically conductive bearing and contact strip which is arranged between the connection terminal and the contact element for making contact. The counter-contact, which comes into contact with the fixed counter-contact and is acted upon by a spiral spring and slides in the connection terminal, prevents a movement perpendicular to the axis of the movable contact element, so that reliable contact is made between the movable contact element and the fixed counter-contact. Incidentally, the pressure contact is capable of generating sufficient contact pressure by the action of the coil spring.

In order to reduce the insertion force required to produce a plug-in contact connection, for example in US 5,235,743A a surface coating on a connector and on a matching connector receptacle is described. For this purpose, the plug and the plug receptacle are coated with a mixture of Teflon and a powder of tin, nickel or the like.

Out of DE 10 2004 002 402 B3 describes a high-current-carrying connection device with a contact sleeve which, under a large number of practical circumstances, enables reliable and permanent electrical multi-point contacting between a pin element arranged on the inside and a socket arranged on the outside with simultaneous mechanical tolerance compensation. For this purpose, the contact sleeve has an annular collar section at a front end, around the outer circumference of which are arranged elongated spring elements which are separated from one another by longitudinal slots and are pre-bent inwards towards the pin element in a desired contact area. This creates a contact seat there. On the outside of the contact sleeve at the target contact area, a spring ring supports the spring force of the spring elements.

Another embodiment of a contact piece for an electrical plug connection is in DE 100 05 297 A1 described. For ease of manufacture, the contact piece is formed from a one-piece contact element and a casing. The contact element has both a connection area and a cage-like socket part that is permanently twisted in the circumferential direction and has a plurality of lamellae that extend parallel to the axis before the twisting and are spaced apart from one another. The contact piece is made from an electrically conductive and permanently elastic band material. The shroud is in the form of an over the contact area of the contact element pushed protective sleeve formed from a corrosion-resistant material of high strength. With such a contact, the contact pin rests securely against a plurality of strip-shaped lamellae of the contact piece when plugged in, which is why this type of plug-in connection can be used reliably even with relatively high electrical loads.

Out of DE 10 2005 040 952 A1 an electrical zero-force connector with a surrounding housing and with a unit connection is also known. The surrounding housing has receptacles for several sleeve contacts. The sleeve contacts each have a base body that forms contact lamellae and a clamping sleeve that is displaceable relative to the base body. The unit connection has plug pins that make contact with the sleeve contacts. A fixing housing can be latched to the surrounding housing in a pre-locked position and in an end-locked position. When it is attached to the surrounding housing, the aggregate connection releases a locking device of the fixing housing on the surrounding housing and transfers the fixing housing from the pre-locked position to the final locked position. At the same time, the clamping sleeves are pushed along the body of the sleeve contacts and the clamping sleeves press the contact lamellae onto the plug pins of the unit connection. It is stated that the contact force required for secure contacting of the socket contacts is created by the attachment force of the assembly connection to the connector part and only after the plug pins of the assembly connection have been inserted into the socket contacts. However, a disadvantage of this connecting device is that there is no guarantee that the connection will also be mechanically secured when the electrical contact is made. For this reason, in an unfavorable case, the electrical connection can not be established properly and can have a high contact resistance, which can lead to damage or even destruction.

Out of DE 10 2008 061 934 A1 a single-pin high-current connector for wind turbines is known. A plug and a coupling contact are housed in a plug housing and a coupling housing, respectively. The connector has a locking mechanism that produces an audible click when the plug and socket are fully mated. Ring-shaped spring elements, which are clamped between the plug contact and the coupling contact when plugged in, form the actual electrical contact.

For high-current applications, it is important that the electrical contact resistance between the contact partners is as low as possible and that the electrical connection is absolutely reliable. Because with high-current connections, special attention is paid to low electrical resistance. Electrical losses occurring at the electrical connection points reduce the efficiency of the plug-in connection and cause the contacts to heat up, as a result of which adjustments to the cable cross-section and, if necessary, the production of refined contact surfaces may be necessary. The contact resistance can be advantageously influenced by the selection of a suitable contact material whose properties affect the conductance, the material thickness and the number of contact points.

However, the known plug-in connections have the disadvantage that reliable contact-making cannot be achieved easily in high-current applications and at best only if only a few contact connections have to be made at the same time. If, on the other hand, a multi-pole plug-in connection is to be made, it may be necessary under certain circumstances that a considerable amount of force is required to plug the contacts into one another. In the case of plug-in connection components that do not require a great deal of force when plugging in in such cases, the plug-in connection may not be reliable, so that the plug-in connection is not very efficient and the connection may even be destroyed or at least destroyed due to the resulting high contact resistance due to strong heating can be damaged.

From the DE 195 44 942 C2 , the WO 1996/013081 A1 as well as the DE 10 2005 062 889 A1 generic methods for producing an electrical plug-in contact connection between a first plug-in contact element and a second plug-in contact element are known.

From the DE 10 2005 043 694 A1 discloses an electrical connector with a plug-in socket provided for the insertion of an electrically conductive contact pin, which has contact lamellae which are prestressed towards one another and which extend from a base body counter to the insertion direction of the contact pin and, when the connector is in a ready-to-insert initial state, has an upper side and an opposite underside of the Limit plug receptacle between them, and with an elastic expanding element, which is supported in the initial state against displacement in the insertion direction of the contact pins by at least one detent and holds the contact blades in an elastically tensioned open position. Next is the at least one detent by inserting the contact pins beyond the point of contact with the spreader element in such a way that the spreader element releases the contact blades for contacting the contact pins.

The object of the present invention is therefore to find measures for reliable contact making, which is produced by a simple plug-in connection between the contact partners, in high-current applications.

This object is achieved by the method for producing an electrical plug-in contact connection according to patent claim 1, a connector device according to patent claim 6 and the connector pair, comprising the connector device and a mating connector device, according to patent claim 8. Preferred embodiments of the invention are given in the subclaims.

Insofar as individual elements, facilities, devices, arrangements and means forming the subject matter of the invention are specified in the singular in the description and in the claims, for example a first plug-in contact element or a second plug-in contact element, the corresponding terms are also to be understood in the plural , For example, a plurality of first plug contact elements or a plurality of second plug contact elements, and vice versa, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, these terms should also be replaced by "at least one" or "at least one".

The method according to the invention is used to produce an electrical plug-in contact connection between a first plug-in contact element and a second plug-in contact element, the first plug-in contact element being part of a plug-in connector device and the second plug-in contact element being part of a counter-connector device.

According to the present invention, the first plug contact element and the second plug contact element only come into contact with one another after the plugging process has been completed, so that electrical contact between the two elements is made dependent on the connector device being locked to the mating connector device.

1. (a) Bereitstellen des ersten Steckkontaktelements, das sich in einer ein elektrisches In-Kontakt-Bringen mit dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement nicht erlaubenden räumlichen Konfiguration befindet,
2. (b) Verbinden der Steckverbindervorrichtung mit der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung, wobei das erste und das zweite Steckkontaktelement in der das elektrische In-Kontakt-Bringen nicht erlaubenden räumlichen Konfiguration verbleiben,
3. (c) Mechanisches Verriegeln der Steckverbindervorrichtung mit der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung und
4. (d) Herstellen eines elektrischen Kontaktes des ersten Steckkontaktelements mit dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement, während die Steckverbindervorrichtung und die Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung mechanisch miteinander verriegelt/arretiert sind; zur Herstellung des elektrischen Kontaktes wird das erste Steckkontaktelement verformt.

The method according to the invention comprises the method steps listed in the following order, with additional method steps before, after and/or between the specified method steps being provided:

1. (a) providing the first male contact element which is in a spatial configuration which does not permit electrical contacting with the second male contact element,
2. (b) connecting the connector device to the mating connector device, wherein the first and the second plug contact element remain in the spatial configuration which does not allow the electrical contacting,
3. (c) mechanically locking the connector assembly to the mating connector assembly, and
4. (d) making electrical contact of the first male contact element with the second male contact element while the connector device and the mating connector device are mechanically locked/locked to each other; to produce the electrical contact, the first plug contact element is deformed.

The plug contact device is complementary to the mating plug connector device having the second plug contact element. The connector device is preferably formed by a connector housing and the mating connector device by a connector receptacle. In principle, the connector device can also be formed by a connector receptacle and the mating connector device can be formed by a connector housing. The connector housing is inserted into the connector receptacle to establish the electrical contact. The second plug contact element is preferably formed by the male part of the plug connection and therefore by a contact pin. The first plug contact element is preferably formed by the female part of the plug connection and therefore by a contact opening. In principle, these two configurations can also be interchanged (the first plug-in contact element with a contact pin and the second plug-in contact element with a contact opening). Both connector devices also have housing parts, such as for electrical insulation and mechanical protection from the outside. In addition, the two devices each include an electrical contact transition to an electrical line, for example to a cable or a ribbon conductor or to conductor tracks of a printed circuit board.

The mechanical locking of the connector device with the mating connector device according to method step (c) includes moving the connector device relative to the mating connector device up to a latching position, so that the connector direction and the mating connector device latch together without electrical contact being made between the first and the second plug contact element. So that the contact partners (first and second plug-in contact element) do not touch and accidentally make electrical contact, a sufficient distance between them and a suitable guide must be provided.

• d1) das Bewegen der Steckverbindervorrichtung und/oder eines von der Steckverbindervorrichtung gehaltenen Schiebeelements gegenüber der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung über die Verrastposition hinaus und
• d2) Überführen des ersten Steckkontaktelements in eine einen elektrischen Kontakt mit dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement herstellende räumliche Konfiguration.

Furthermore, the production of an electrical contact of the first plug-in contact element with the second plug-in contact element according to method step (d)

• d1) moving the connector device and/or a sliding element held by the connector device relative to the mating connector device beyond the latching position and
• d2) converting the first plug contact element into a spatial configuration that produces electrical contact with the second plug contact element.

• e) Bewegen der Steckverbindervorrichtung und/oder des Schiebeelements zurück in die Verrastposition, wobei der elektrische Kontakt bestehen bleibt.

Process step (d) is more preferably followed by the following process step:

• e) moving the connector device and/or the sliding element back into the latching position, with the electrical contact remaining.

• Indem die Steckkontaktverbindung nicht bereits während des Verbindens der Steckverbindervorrichtung mit der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung hergestellt wird sondern erst dann, wenn beide Teile fest miteinander verbunden sind, kann zum einen die für das Verbinden erforderliche Kraft ausschließlich darauf begrenzt werden, dass die beiden Teile mechanisch miteinander verrastet werden. Eine zusätzliche Kraft zum gleitenden elektrischen Verbinden der beiden Steckkontaktelemente während des Ineinander-Schiebens der beiden Vorrichtungen miteinander ist somit nicht erforderlich. Daher sind auch keine aufwändigen Maßnahmen zur Verringerung der Gleitreibung der Kontaktflächen wie beispielsweise bei der Steckkontaktverbindung von US 5,235,743 A erforderlich. Selbst bei komplex aufgebauten vielpoligen Steckern ist keine erhebliche Steckkraft aufzuwenden.

The method according to the invention and the connector devices according to the invention have significant advantages over conventional methods and devices for producing a plug-in contact connection:

• Since the plug-in contact connection is not made during the connection of the connector device to the mating connector device, but only when the two parts are firmly connected to one another, the force required for the connection can be limited exclusively to the fact that the two parts latch mechanically with one another become. An additional force for the sliding electrical connection of the two plug contact elements during the telescoping of the two devices with one another is therefore not required. Therefore, no complex measures to reduce the sliding friction of the contact surfaces such as in the plug-in contact connection US 5,235,743A necessary. Even in the case of complex, multi-pole plugs, no significant plugging force is required.

The method according to the invention and the plug-in connector devices according to the invention also enable reliable energy transmission in the plug-in connection if it is intended for high-current applications. This makes it possible, among other things, for the invention to also be used, for example, for plug connections for charging a battery of an electric vehicle at a charging station.

In a first variant of the method with a prestressed first plug contact element, this is locked in a prestressed state before the plug contact element is connected to the mating plug contact element. For this purpose, the contact area, the first plug-in contact element, is widened by external forces. Until the initially prestressed first plug contact element relaxes, it remains widened, which ensures that the contact partners do not touch.

To convert the first plug contact element into the spatial configuration producing an electrical contact with the second plug contact element according to method step (d2), the locking of the first plug contact element is canceled or only partially canceled. For this purpose, a targeted intervention is made in the connector device, so that the first plug contact element relaxes. As a result, the contact area can narrow and electrical contact can be established.

In the position in which it rests against the second plug contact element, the first plug contact element is no longer under tension or only has a residual tension. This residual voltage can also be used, for example, to automatically release the two plug contact elements from one another again if the mechanical locking of the connector device with the mating connector device has failed.

1. (a) Bereitstellen des ersten Steckkontaktelements, das sich in einer ein elektrisches In-Kontakt-Bringen mit dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement nicht erlaubenden räumlichen Konfiguration befindet und das in einem vorgespannten Zustand verriegelt ist;
2. (b) Verbinden der Steckverbindervorrichtung, insbesondere des Steckgehäuses, mit der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung, insbesondere mit der Steckeraufnahme, d.h. bevorzugt wird das Steckgehäuse in die Steckeraufnahme eingesteckt; die beiden Steckkontaktelemente gelangen in der eingeführten Stellung aber noch nicht in einen elektrischen Kontakt miteinander;
3. (c) Bewegen der Steckverbindervorrichtung gegenüber der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung bis zu einer Verrastposition, sodass die Steckverbindervorrichtung und die Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung mechanisch miteinander verrasten und sie damit mechanisch verriegelt sind, ohne dass bisher ein elektrischer Kontakt zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement hergestellt wird;
4. (d) Bewegen der Steckverbindervorrichtung und/oder eines von der Steckverbindervorrichtung gehaltenen Schiebeelements gegenüber der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung über die Verrastposition hinaus; daraufhin wird die Verriegelung des ersten Steckkontaktelements aufgehoben, sodass das erste Steckkontaktelement in die den elektrischen Kontakt mit dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement herstellende räumliche Konfiguration überführt wird; dadurch wird ein elektrischer Kontakt zwischen dem ersten Steckkontaktelement und dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement hergestellt, denn das erste Steckkontaktelement kann aufgrund der Entriegelung durch Bewegung seine Spannung abbauen und dadurch mit dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement in Kontakt kommen;
5. (e) Zurück gleiten der Steckverbindervorrichtung bzw. des Schiebelements zurück in die Verrastposition.

Thus, the method according to the invention in the first method variant with a prestressed first plug contact element comprises the method steps listed in the following order:

1. (a) providing the first male contact member in a spatial configuration disallowing electrical contact with the second male contact member and locked in a biased condition;
2. (B) connecting the connector device, in particular the plug housing, with the mating connector device, in particular those with the plug receptacle, ie the plug housing is preferably plugged into the plug receptacle; however, the two plug contact elements do not yet come into electrical contact with one another in the inserted position;
3. (c) moving the connector assembly relative to the mating connector assembly to a latched position such that the connector assembly and the mating connector assembly mechanically interlock and are thus mechanically locked without electrical contact being made between the first and second male contact members;
4. (d) moving the connector device and/or a sliding element held by the connector device relative to the mating connector device beyond the latching position; then the locking of the first plug contact element is released, so that the first plug contact element is converted into the electrical contact with the second plug contact element producing spatial configuration; This creates an electrical contact between the first plug contact element and the second plug contact element, because the first plug contact element can reduce its voltage due to the unlocking by movement and thereby come into contact with the second plug contact element;
5. (e) The connector device or the sliding element slides back into the latching position.

The connector device is thus mechanically locked and the electrical connection is securely established.

In this case, therefore, a prestressed first plug contact element is assumed, the voltage of which can be used to produce the electrical plug connection when the first plug contact element is unlocked.

1. (a) ein erstes von der Steckverbindervorrichtung gehaltenes elastisch verformbares Steckkontaktelement,
2. (b) eine Vorspannvorrichtung zum Spannen des ersten Steckkontaktelements, sodass das erste sich in dem vorgespannten Zustand befindende Steckkontaktelement beim Verbinden der Steckverbindervorrichtung mit der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung nicht in eine räumliche Konfiguration gelangen kann, die ein elektrisches In-Kontakt-Kommen mit dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement erlauben würde,
3. (c) eine Auslösevorrichtung zum Lösen der Spannung des ersten Steckkontaktelements, sodass das erste und das zweite Steckkontaktelement in eine elektrische Kontaktstellung gelangen, und
4. (d) ein Rastelement zum mechanischen Verrasten der Steckverbindervorrichtung mit der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung, sodass die elektrische Kontaktstellung fixiert ist.

In a first variant of the connector device according to the invention, which is particularly suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention for producing the electrical plug-in contact connection in the first method variant, the connector device with a prestressed first plug-in contact element comprises:

1. (a) a first elastically deformable plug contact element held by the connector device,
2. (b) a biasing device for biasing the first male contact element so that when the connector device is connected to the mating connector device, the first male contact element in the prestressed state cannot enter into a spatial configuration which enables electrical contact with the second male contact element would allow
3. (c) a triggering device for releasing the tension on the first plug contact element, so that the first and the second plug contact element reach an electrical contact position, and
4. (d) a latching element for mechanically latching the connector device to the mating connector device, so that the electrical contact position is fixed.

In a second variant of the method with a non-prestressed first plug contact element, this is located before the connector device is connected to the mating

Connector assembly in an unbiased state. In this case, the contact force is only generated after the plug connection is fully closed. In order to establish the electrical contact with the second plug contact element according to method step (d), the first plug contact element is converted into a spatial configuration which produces electrical contact with the second plug contact element and is thereby converted into a pretensioned state. In order to keep the contact forces stable, a corresponding locking of the connector device with the mating connector device is required. Until this contact force lock is closed, the restoring forces cause the contact to open, which rules out improper mechanical contacting. The voltage generated can thus be used to automatically release the two plug contact elements from one another again if the mechanical locking of the connector device with the mating connector device has failed.

1. (a) Bereitstellen des ersten Steckkontaktelements, das sich in einer ein elektrisches In-Kontakt-Bringen mit dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement nicht erlaubenden räumlichen Konfiguration befindet und in dieser Konfiguration verriegelt sein kann und das nicht vorgespannt ist,
2. (b) Verbinden der Steckverbindervorrichtung, insbesondere des Steckgehäuses, mit der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung, insbesondere mit der Steckeraufnahme, d.h. bevorzugt wird das Steckgehäuse in die Steckeraufnahme eingesteckt, ohne dass ein elektrischer Kontakt zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement zustande kommt,
3. (c) Bewegen der Steckverbindervorrichtung gegenüber der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung bis zu einer Verrastposition, sodass die Steckverbindervorrichtung und die Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung mechanisch miteinander verrasten und sie damit mechanisch miteinander verriegelt sind, ohne dass bisher ein elektrischer Kontakt zwischen dem ersten und dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement hergestellt worden ist,
4. (d) Bewegen der Steckverbindervorrichtung und/oder eines von der Steckverbindervorrichtung gehaltenen Schiebeelements gegenüber der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung über die Verrastposition hinaus; dabei wird entgegen der Spannung des ersten Steckkontaktelements eine Kraft auf dieses ausgeübt, sodass das erste Steckkontaktelement in die den elektrischen Kontakt mit dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement herstellende räumliche Konfiguration überführt wird; dadurch wird ein elektrischer Kontakt zwischen dem ersten Steckkontaktelement und dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement hergestellt; durch das Ausüben der Kraft auf das erste Steckkontaktelement kann das erste Steckkontaktelement vorgespannt werden; diese Kraft kann von der Steckverbindervorrichtung oder von einer mit der Steckverbindervorrichtung in Verbindung stehenden Verstellvorrichtung auf das erste Steckkontaktelement ausgeübt werden; und
5. (e) Zurück gleiten der Steckverbindervorrichtung bzw. des Schiebelements in die Verrastposition.

Thus, the method according to the invention in the second method variant with a non-prestressed first plug contact element comprises the method steps listed in the following order:

1. (a) providing the first male contact element which is in a spatial configuration which does not allow electrical contact with the second male contact element and which can be locked in this configuration and which is not biased,
2. (b) connecting the connector device, in particular the connector housing, to the mating connector device, in particular to the connector receptacle, ie the connector housing is preferably plugged into the connector receptacle without electrical contact being established between the first and the second plug contact element,
3. (c) moving the connector assembly relative to the mating connector assembly to a latched position such that the connector assembly and the mating connector assembly mechanically interlock and are thus mechanically interlocked without electrical contact between the first and second male contact members having been made is,
4. (d) moving the connector device and/or a sliding element held by the connector device relative to the mating connector device beyond the latching position; in this case, a force is exerted on the first plug contact element counter to the tension thereof, so that the first plug contact element is converted into the spatial configuration which produces electrical contact with the second plug contact element; this establishes electrical contact between the first plug contact element and the second plug contact element; by exerting the force on the first plug contact element, the first plug contact element can be prestressed; this force can be exerted on the first plug contact element by the connector device or by an adjustment device connected to the connector device; and
5. (e) The connector device or the sliding element slides back into the latching position.

The connector device is thus mechanically locked and the electrical connection is securely established.

In this case, in contrast to the first-mentioned variant, it is assumed that the first plug-in contact element is not prestressed, with mechanical stress being generated during the plugging process. According to the invention, part of the tension can also be generated before the locking position is reached, namely during the connection of the connector device to the mating connector device, preferably during the insertion of the connector housing into the connector receptacle, according to method step (b).

1. (a) ein erstes von der Steckverbindervorrichtung gehaltenes elastisch verformbares Steckkontaktelement,
2. (b) eine Verstellvorrichtung zum Überführen des ersten Steckkontaktelements in eine räumliche Konfiguration, die es erlaubt, einen elektrischen Kontakt mit dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement herzustellen, sobald die Steckverbindervorrichtung mit der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung vollständig verbunden ist, sodass das erste und das zweite Steckkontaktelement in eine elektrische Kontaktstellung gelangen, und (c) ein Rastelement zum Verrasten der Steckverbindervorrichtung mit der Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung, sodass die elektrische Kontaktstellung fixiert ist.

In a second variant of the connector device according to the invention, which is particularly suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention for producing the plug-in contact connection in the second method variant, the connector device with a non-prestressed first plug-in contact element comprises:

1. (a) a first elastically deformable plug contact element held by the connector device,
2. (b) an adjusting device for converting the first plug contact element into a spatial configuration that allows electrical contact to be made with the second plug contact element as soon as the connector device is fully connected to the mating connector device, so that the first and the second plug contact element are in an electrical Get contact position, and (c) a latching element for latching the connector device with the mating connector device, so that the electrical contact position is fixed.

In this case, the adjustment device is designed to generate a voltage of the first plug contact element. With the help of this voltage, the connector device can be released from the mating connector device again automatically if the mechanical locking has failed.

According to the invention is also a plug-in connection pair, which includes the plug-in connector device according to the invention, preferably the plug-in housing, and the mating plug-in connector device, preferably plug receptacle. The mating connector device can be latched to the connector device and has the second plug-in contact element, which can enter into an electrical plug-in contact connection with the first plug-in contact element of the connector device.

With the methods and devices according to the invention, there is in particular the possibility that the connection between the two plug contact elements is automatically separated again without electrical contact having been established if the mechanical latching between the plug device and the plug receiving device is not achieved. This means that an electrical contact between the two plug-in contact elements is only established when the mechanical connection between the plug device and the plug receiving device is established safely and reliably. A situation in which the electrical contact is made despite the lack of latching, so that there may be a lack of a firm mechanical connection Problems with the power transmission arise and the plug connection can then possibly be damaged or even destroyed, is thus safely and reliably avoided. In particular, the contact forces required for the contact function can be used to electrically disconnect incompletely closed plug connections. Particularly in the second variant of the method and the second variant of the device with a non-preloaded first plug contact element, the voltage generated when connecting the plug device to the plug receiving device can serve as an energy store for automatic release of the two devices if the mechanical latching does not engage. But also in the first variant of the method and the first variant of the device, when the connector device is connected to the mating connector device, an energy accumulator can be built up, which leads to the automatic release of the two parts from one another if the mechanical locking does not take place.

When connecting the connector device to the mating connector device according to method step (b) and/or when making the electrical contact of the first plug contact element with the second plug contact element according to method step (d), a mechanical force can be generated which counteracts the connection of the two parts. As a result, the connector device and the mating connector device are then automatically separated from one another again, and the electrical contact of the first plug contact element with the second plug contact element is not established if the mechanical locking of the connector device with the mating connector device according to method step (c) fails.

Thus, in addition to minimized friction of the contact partners and minimized frictional wear, the plug-in reliability is increased. This also maximizes the number of mating cycles.

The mechanical locking, in particular mechanical latching, of the connector device with the mating connector device can be carried out in the usual way with first latching elements, for example latching lugs, projections, springs, edges and/or blocks on the one device to be locked/latched and corresponding second latching elements, for example latching recesses or likewise latching lugs, projections, springs, edges and/or blocks on the other device to be locked/latched, specifically on the two devices to be connected, in each case corresponding to one another. Alternatively or additionally, a rotary coupling with screw, bayonet and/or other connecting elements can also be provided on the two devices to be connected, in each case corresponding to one another, or alternatively a connection via snap locks or the like.

The triggering device according to the first variant of the connector device is used to release the tension of the first plug contact element. Since the first plug contact element in this variant is under tension in the position in which it is not in electrical contact with the second plug contact element, the first plug contact element is held in this position by the prestressing device. In order to move the first plug contact element into the position in which it comes into electrical contact with the second plug contact element, the prestressing device must release the first plug contact element. For this purpose, the triggering device triggers the pretensioning device and thus releases the tension on the first plug contact element. The triggering device is therefore coupled to the pretensioning device and is adapted in terms of its design to the construction of the pretensioning device. The prestressing device can be released, for example, by moving the prestressing device out of a holder in which it holds the first plug contact element under tension. The triggering device can thus be an actuator, for example, which moves the prestressing device in the release direction of the holder. Alternatively, the triggering device can also be an actuator that acts in a direction of rotation and converts a prestressing device into a release position in a direction of rotation.

The triggering device is in turn triggered by the connector device being locked/latched to the mating connector device and, if necessary, being moved beyond the locked/latched position. For example, the triggering device can be actuated directly by the movement of the connector device relative to the mating connector device beyond the locking/latching position, for example by mechanical contact of the connector receptacle with the triggering device in the plug housing, so that the triggering device is released from a latched position.

Furthermore, the first plug contact element is formed by a retaining socket part and a coiled wire spring, and the prestressing device is formed by a clamping socket part. The retaining sleeve part is provided with at least one opening which runs on a peripheral line of the retaining sleeve part. The coiled wire spring surrounds the retaining bushing part, is held in the at least one opening and engages through it relaxed state at least partially through. The clamping socket part also surrounds the first plug-in contact element, has a channel-shaped recess parallel to the position of the coiled wire spring and can be displaced parallel to its longitudinal axis. The channel-shaped recess is open towards the coiled wire spring. In the relaxed state, ie when the wire spring is not deformed and has a circular cross section, the wire spring rests at least in sections on the second plug contact element because it can then reach through the openings due to the smaller cross section. This relaxed state is achieved when the channel-shaped recess of the clamping sleeve part is placed over the wire spring and creates space for expansion, so that its deformation in the radial direction is reversed. To tension the wire spring, the clamping bushing part is pushed over the wire spring so that the channel-shaped recess no longer lies over it and it is deformed in the radial direction due to the smaller gap between the at least one opening in the retaining bushing part and the inner wall of the clamping bushing part. Due to the deformation in the form of a flattening, the wire spring is lifted out of the at least one opening and thus lifted from the contact position on the second plug contact element, so that the wire spring cannot make electrical contact with the second plug contact element in the tensioned state.

The retaining bushing part and the clamping bushing part can preferably have a cylindrical shape. In this case, these two parts are preferably arranged coaxially with one another. One or more openings can be present in the retaining bushing part. Since the opening(s) serve to enable the wire spring to be able to reach through them in order to make electrical contact with the second plug-in contact element, they must be sufficiently long to enable this reaching through. A plurality of openings are preferably aligned with one another in order to enable the wire spring to reach through all openings. However, the opening(s) must not impair the stability of the retaining bushing part, so that the pieces of the holding bushing part separated from the opening(s) must still be firmly connected to one another.

So that the wire spring can be released again from the contact position on the second plug contact element by axially displacing the sliding element so that the groove-shaped recess is moved away from the wire spring, the openings are preferably equipped with side walls that are beveled in such a way that the deformation caused by the sliding process on the clamping bushing part lifts the wire spring out of the opening(s), these slanted side walls serving to ensure that the wire spring flattens out and slides on the cross-section change caused by the deformation.

In an alternative embodiment of the connector device according to the first variant of the invention, the first plug-in contact element is formed by a torsionable contact socket part (hyperbolic contact), which has a plurality of hyperbolically deformable lamellae spaced apart from one another, and rests against the second plug-in contact element in the relaxed or only partially tensioned twisted state. In the non-twisted state, the lamellae preferably run parallel to the axis. In this embodiment, the pretensioning device is formed by a rotatable actuator which deflects the torsionable contact socket part from a contact position on the second plug contact element by at least partially eliminating the torsion and thereby places it in the pretensioned state.

In the non-twisted state, the contact socket part has a maximum inner diameter that allows the contact socket part not to bear against the second plug contact element. In the twisted state, the contact socket part is tapered (with hyperbolic bending of the lamellae), so that its inner diameter is reduced and the contact socket part comes into contact with the second plug contact element.

Alternatively and according to the second variant of the connector device, both the contact socket part can also be twisted in the tensioned state and the torsion can be at least partially eliminated in the non-tensioned state. In this fourth preferred embodiment of the connector device according to the invention according to its second variant, the first plug contact element is prestressed in the position in which it comes into contact with the second plug contact element (contact position), and is in the position in which it does not contact the second plug contact element in Contact comes, not or only partially prestressed. In this embodiment, the first plug contact element is therefore tensioned when it is twisted and thus transferred into the contact position.

In any case, it is advantageous if the torsionable or twisted contact socket part has lamellae that run between a first and a second socket base and are connected to one another by them, so that the contact socket part is formed by a lamellar grid with parallel struts, an upper chord and a lower chord.

Whether the contact socket part is tightened in the twisted or not twisted state or not tightened in the not twisted state or twisted state depends on the manufacture: In the first case (tightened in the twisted state), the contact socket part is essentially perpendicular to, for example, by forming the lamellae a socket base and in the second case (clamped in the non-twisted state) by forming the lamellae at an angle of <90° to the socket base. The lamellae can be produced, for example, by being stamped out of sheet metal, which is then bent and rolled to form the contact socket part. In this respect and in relation to other features, such as a protective sleeve that can surround the contact socket part DE 100 05 297 A1 referenced, the disclosure content of which is hereby incorporated into the present application. So that the torsion is carried out exclusively in the elastic range, the contact socket part is elastically deformable.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung der Verfahrensschritte des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens, erläutert am Beispiel der zweiten Verfahrensvariante, durch symbolhafte Darstellung einer Steckverbindervorrichtung und einer Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung, die jeweils in schematischen Schnittansichten dargestellt sind;
• 2 eine erste Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbindervorrichtung in einer schematischen Querschnittsdarstellung; in einer das zweite Steckkontaktelement nicht berührenden Stellung (a); in einer das zweite Steckkontaktelement berührenden Stellung (b);
• 3 eine zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbindervorrichtung in einer schematischen Querschnittsdarstellung; in einer das zweite Steckkontaktelement nicht berührenden Stellung (a); in einer das zweite Steckkontaktelement berührenden Stellung (b);
• 4 eine dritte bzw. vierte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Steckverbindervorrichtung in einer schematischen Querschnittsdarstellung; in einer das zweite Steckkontaktelement nicht berührenden Stellung (a); in einer das zweite Steckkontaktelement berührenden Stellung (b);
• 5 eine fünfte nicht-anspruchsgemäße Ausführungsform der Steckverbindervorrichtung in einer schematischen Querschnittsdarstellung; in einer das zweite Steckkontaktelement nicht berührenden Stellung (a); in einer das zweite Steckkontaktelement berührenden Stellung (b).

The present invention is explained below using various exemplary embodiments, which, however, are not to be understood as limiting protection. They show in detail:

• 1 a schematic representation of the method steps of the method according to the invention, explained using the example of the second variant of the method, by symbolic representation of a connector device and a mating connector device, which are each shown in schematic sectional views;
• 2 a first embodiment of the connector device according to the invention in a schematic cross-sectional view; in a position (a) not touching the second plug contact element; in a position (b) in contact with the second plug contact element;
• 3 a second embodiment of the connector device according to the invention in a schematic cross-sectional view; in a position (a) not touching the second plug contact element; in a position (b) in contact with the second plug contact element;
• 4 a third or fourth embodiment of the connector device according to the invention in a schematic cross-sectional representation; in a position (a) not touching the second plug contact element; in a position (b) in contact with the second plug contact element;
• 5 a fifth non-claimed embodiment of the connector device in a schematic cross-sectional view; in a position (a) not touching the second plug contact element; in a position (b) in contact with the second plug contact element.

The same reference numerals designate elements with the same function in the figures.

• Erfindungsgemäß wird gemäß einem ersten Verfahrensschritt zunächst ein erstes Steckkontaktelement 110 einer Steckverbindervorrichtung 100 bereitgestellt. Beispielsweise handelt es sich um eine Mehrzahl von Kontaktfedern 110, die hülsenförmig um eine gemeinsame Achse angeordnet sind. Die Steckverbindervorrichtung kann beispielsweise ein Steckgehäuse 100 sein. Ferner wird auch ein zweites Steckkontaktelement 210 einer Gegen-Steckverbindervorrichtung 200 bereitgestellt (1a). Das erste Steckkontaktelement 110 befindet sich in einer ein elektrisches In-Kontakt-Bringen mit dem zweiten Steckkontaktelement 210 nicht erlaubenden räumlichen Konfiguration. Das erste Steckkontaktelement 110 ist in dieser Stellung zunächst nicht von den Kraftspeichern 115, 116 beaufschlagt. Diese Kraftspeicher 115, 116 sind beispielsweise Federkräfte, die durch eine elastische Verformung des ersten Steckkontaktelements 110 hervorgerufen werden können. In der vorliegenden Stellung gemäß 1a ist das erste Steckkontaktelement 110 nicht vorgespannt.

1 shows schematically individual process steps of the process according to the invention according to the second process variant:

• According to the invention, a first plug contact element 110 of a connector device 100 is initially provided in a first method step. For example, there is a plurality of contact springs 110 which are arranged in a sleeve-like manner around a common axis. The connector device can be a connector housing 100, for example. Furthermore, a second plug contact element 210 of a mating connector device 200 is also provided ( 1a ). The first plug contact element 110 is in a spatial configuration that does not permit electrical contact with the second plug contact element 210 . In this position, the first plug-in contact element 110 is initially not acted upon by the force accumulators 115, 116. These force accumulators 115, 116 are, for example, spring forces that can be caused by an elastic deformation of the first plug contact element 110. In the present position according to 1a the first plug contact element 110 is not biased.

In a second process step ( 1b ) the connector device 100 and the mating connector device 200 are connected to one another: In the present case, the second plug contact element 210 and the first plug contact element 110 are moved relative to one another without contact, ie inserted/plugged into one another. Even after plugging in, there is still no electrical contact between the first plug contact element 110 and the second plug contact element 210 .

Subsequently, the connector device 100 is mechanically locked/latched to the mating connector device 200 . This is not shown separately.

In a further method step according to the invention, after the mechanical locking of the connector device 100 with the mating connector device 200, an electrical contact is made between the first plug contact element 110 and the second plug contact element 210 ( 1c ). To this end, the two forces work memory 115, 116 on the first plug contact element 110 and press it against the second plug contact element 210. This force can also be used to automatically separate the connection of the connector device 100 from the mating connector device 200 from each other again if the locking/locking has failed .

In the 2-5 are special embodiments of connector pairs according to the invention, each in a position in which the connector device and the mating connector device are not in electrical contact (a), and in a position in which the connector device and the mating connector device are in electrical contact (b ), shown. The representations shown show the elements only in the cross-sectional representation, with rotationally symmetrical elements only being represented over the respective sectional plane. The second plug contact element 210 shown in each case is a plug of a plug receptacle (not shown). The first plug-in contact element 110 shown in each case is part of a plug-in housing (not shown). In the illustrations, the plug housing and the plug receptacle are already connected to one another, ie plugged into one another, so that the first plug contact element 110 and the second plug contact element 210 are each opposite one another.

In 2 shows a first embodiment of a connector pair with a first plug contact element 110 of a connector device, for example a plug housing, and a second plug contact element 210 of a mating connector device, for example a connector receptacle. The first plug contact element is formed by a plurality of contact springs 110, only one of which is shown, which are arranged in parallel and spaced apart and which together form a resilient contact sleeve which surrounds the plug 210. The contact springs 110 are attached at one end 111 (not shown). At the opposite end 112, the contact springs 110 are freely movable unless they are held in place by a biasing device 120. The contact springs 110 are in the position in which they are lifted from the plug 210 under tension ( 2a ) and are de-energized or at least partially relieved when they come into contact with connector 210 ( 2 B ).

The pretensioning device is formed by tensioning hooks 120, of which 2 also only one is shown. The pretensioning device is formed by a plurality of tensioning hooks 120 which are arranged in parallel and spaced apart from one another and which are each associated with a contact spring 110 so that they can hold the contact springs 110 individually in a position lifted from the plug 210. The clamping hooks 120 together form a clamping sleeve which surrounds the contact springs 110 . The clamping hooks 120 are held rigidly in a holder (not shown) so that they do not allow the contact springs 110 to be deflected.

According to 2a the contact springs 110 are lifted off the plug 210 by the clamping hooks 120, so that no electrical contact can be established between the contact springs 110 and the plug 210. According to 2 B the contact springs 110 are on the plug 210, so that an electrical contact is made. For this purpose, the clamping hooks 120 have released the contact springs 110 so that they have been deflected against the plug under their own stress. So that the clamping hooks 120 can release the contact springs 110, these in turn have to be released. A triggering device (not shown) is used for this purpose, which in turn is triggered after the connector device has been locked/latched to the mating connector device.

By locking the connector housing with the connector receptacle, the clamping hooks 120 are released by means of the triggering device, so that the contact springs 110 deflect against the connector 210 and establish electrical contact. The provided for the tripping triggering device can according to the embodiment of DE 10 2005 040 952 A1 be formed, for example in the form of the fixing element described in this document, which releases the clamping hooks from a fixed position, this fixing element being displaced by the insertion process.

An example of a locking connection with a locking edge and a locking hook is in the embodiment of DE 10 2005 040 952 A1 shown for the connection of the local housing with a unit connection. Such latching elements can also be used for locking/latching the connector device shown here with the mating connector device.

In 3 a second embodiment is shown. In this case, the first plug-in contact element 110 is formed by a coiled wire spring 117 and a holding socket part 118 . The retaining socket part 118 surrounds the plug 210. The coiled wire spring 117 rests on the surface of the retaining socket part 118 and also surrounds it. The coiled wire spring 117 rests on an opening 119 . So that the stability of the retaining bushing part 118 is not impaired by the opening 119, this does not extend over the entire circumference of the retaining bushing part 118 but only over a part, with not just one Perforation 119 but several mutually aligned perforations 119 may be present (not shown). The retaining sleeve part 118 is rigid, while the coiled wire spring 117 is elastically deformable in a direction perpendicular to the spring axis (radial direction), so that it is flattened when deformed and has a circular cross-section in the non-deformed state.

Furthermore, a clamping bushing part 130 surrounds the retaining bushing part 118 and the coiled wire spring 117. The clamping bushing part 130 has a channel-shaped recess in the form of a bead 131. The collet sleeve portion 130 is substantially parallel and coaxially aligned with the retainer sleeve portion 118 . The retaining bushing part 118 and the clamping bushing part 130 are held by their ends 114, 132. The clamping bushing part 130 can also be displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to the holding bushing part, so that the bead 131 can be placed over the coiled wire spring 117 . If the bead 131 is not placed over the coiled wire spring 117, the gap between the retaining bushing part 118 and the tensioning bushing part 130 is small, so that the coiled wire spring 117 is deformed (see Fig 3a ). Due to the deformation, the coiled wire spring 117 is flattened and becomes wider, so that it rests on the opening 119 . If the bead 131 is placed over the coiled wire spring 117, it has a larger space available so that its deformation can be reversed. This reduces its width so that it can reach through the opening 119 and come into contact with the plug 210 (see FIG 3b ).

In this embodiment, the first plug contact element 110 is therefore in the position in which it is not in contact with the plug 210 in a prestressed position (deformed coiled wire spring 117), while the first plug contact element 110 is in the position in which it is in contact with the plug 210 , is in the unbiased position.

In order to release the first plug contact element 110 , the clamping bushing part 130 is to be displaced in a direction parallel to the axis of the plug 210 and the holding bushing part 118 . In order to initiate this displacement, the collet part 130 can in turn be moved by a trigger device (not shown), which in turn is released or moved by the fact that the plug housing and the plug receptacle are moved past their locking/latching position. The provided for the tripping triggering device can according to the embodiment of DE 10 2005 040 952 A1 be formed, for example in the form of the fixing element described in this document, which releases the clamping bushing part from a fixed position, this fixing element being displaced by the plugging process.

The latching connection used for latching the connector device shown here with the mating connector device can, for example, in turn have a latching edge and a latching hook as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG DE 10 2005 040 952 A1 be realised

In 4 a third or fourth embodiment is shown. In this case, the first male contact element 110 is formed by a female contact part 140 which is made from sheet metal with laminations 145 spaced apart from one another and which is shaped (bent and rolled) into a sleeve, the female contact part 140 . The contact socket part 140 surrounds the plug 210. The lamellae 145 are connected on one side to a first end-side sleeve base 141 and on the other side to a second end-side sleeve base 142, in particular in one piece. In 4 the sleeve 140 is shown cut away. The sleeve 140 is in a first position in which it is not twisted ( 4a ), under tension and in a second position in which it is twisted ( 4b ), under no tension (third embodiment), or in a first position in which it is not twisted ( 4a ), under no tension and in a second position in which it is twisted ( 4b ), under tension (fourth embodiment). In the untwisted state, it is spaced from plug 210 and therefore does not make electrical contact. In the twisted state, it lies against the plug 210 and therefore makes electrical contact. In the twisted position, the lamellae 145 are hyperbolically deflected inwards and thus enable electrical contact with the plug 210.

The female contact part 140 is fixed at a first end 143. The other end 144 of the sleeve 140 is to be rotated in order to transfer the first male contact element 110 (in the form of the torsionable sleeve 140) from the twisted state to the non-twisted state and vice versa. An actuator (not shown) is used for this purpose, which introduces a rotational force into the contact socket part 140 on one side. As in the cases of the first and second embodiment, this actuator can be released or moved by a triggering device. To do this, the connector housing and the connector receptacle must be moved beyond their locking/locking position.

The latching connection used for latching the connector device shown here with the mating connector device can, for example, in turn have a latching edge and a latching hook as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG DE 10 2005 040 952 A1 be realised

In 5 a fifth embodiment is shown, in which the first plug contact element is formed as in the case of the first and second embodiment by a plurality of contact springs 110, of which only one is shown, which are arranged parallel and spaced apart and which together form an elastic contact sleeve , which surrounds the plug 210. The contact springs 110 are attached at one end 111 (not shown). At the opposite end 112, the contact springs 110 are freely movable. In this case, the contact springs 110 are not under any tension in the position at a distance from the plug 210 ( 5a ), while in the position in which they abut the plug 210 ( 5b ), under tension.

So that the contact springs 110 come into contact with the plug 210 against their tension when the plug housing and the plug receptacle are plugged into one another and locked/latched with one another, an adjustment device in the form of an adjusting bushing 150 is provided, which surrounds the contact spring 110 . The adjusting bushing 150 has an inwardly curved bead 151 which abuts against bevels 113 in the contact springs 110 and deflects the contact springs 110 towards the plug 210 when the adjusting bushing 150 is displaced in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the contact sleeve. A triggering device (not shown) can be used to bring about this movement, which can then be released and trigger or move the adjusting bushing 150 when the plug housing and the plug receptacle are locked/latched with one another and have also been moved towards one another. The provided for the tripping triggering device can according to the embodiment of DE 10 2005 040 952 A1 be formed, for example in the form of the fixing element described in this document, which releases the adjusting bushing from a fixed position and moves it in the direction of the run-up slope 113, with this fixing element being displaced by the plugging process.

In 5a the position is shown in which the contact sleeve, consisting of the contact springs 110, is in the non-prestressed state and spaced from the plug 210. By moving the adjusting bush 150 to the left, its bead 151 runs against the bevels 113 on the contact springs 110 so that these are deflected towards the plug 210 . As a result, they come to rest on the plug 210, so that an electrical contact is made.

The latching connection used for latching the connector device shown here with the mating connector device can, for example, in turn have a latching edge and a latching hook as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG DE 10 2005 040 952 A1 be realised

Reference List

100

Connector device, connector housing

110

first contact element

111

fixed end of the contact spring

112

free end of the contact spring

113

leading edge

114

fixed end of the retaining bushing part

115

first power store

116

second energy store

117

coiled wire spring

118

retaining bushing part

119

breakthrough

120

tension hook

130

bushing part

131

channel-shaped recess, bead

132

fastened end of collet part

140

contact socket part

141

first sleeve base

142

second sleeve base

143

fixed end of the torsion sleeve

144

End of the torsion sleeve on which a rotary actuator acts

145

slats

150

Adjusting device, adjusting bush

151

bead

200

Mating connector device, connector receptacle

210

second contact element

Claims (8)

Method for producing an electrical plug-in contact connection between a first plug-in contact element (110) and a second plug-in contact element (210), the first plug-in contact element (110) being part of a plug-in connector device (100) and the second plug-in contact element (210) being part of a counter-connector device (200). , comprising the method steps listed in the following order: (a) providing the first plug contact element (110), which is in an electrical contacting with the second plug contact element (210) impermissible spatial configuration, then (b) connecting the connector device (100) to the mating connector device (200) without electrical contact being established between the first plug contact element (110) and the second plug contact element (210), then (c ) Mechanical locking of the connector device (100) with the mating connector device (200) and then (d) establishing an electrical contact of the first plug contact element (110) with the second plug contact element (210), characterized in that - method step (c) following method step comprises: moving the connector device (100) relative to the mating connector device (200) up to a latching position, so that the connector device (100) and the mating connector device (200) latch with one another without electrical contact being made between the first plug contact element (110) and the second plug contact element (210) is produced, and - method step (d) comprises the following method steps: d1) moving the connector device (100) and/or a sliding element held by the connector device (100) relative to the mating connector device beyond the latching position and d2) transferring the first plug contact element (110) into a spatial configuration that produces electrical contact with the second plug contact element (100) and - the following method step follows method step (d): e) moving the connector device (100) and/or the sliding element back into the locked position, whereby the electrical contact remains. Method for producing an electrical plug-in contact connection claim 1 , characterized in that the connector device is formed by a connector housing (100), that the mating connector device is formed by a connector receptacle (200) and that method step (b) comprises the following method step: inserting the connector housing (100) into the connector receptacle (200 ) . Method for producing an electrical plug-in contact connection claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the first plug-in contact element (110) is locked in a prestressed state in method step (a) and that in method step (d2) it is converted into the spatial configuration that produces electrical contact with the second plug-in contact element (210) in that the locking of the first plug contact element (110) is canceled or at least partially canceled. Method for producing an electrical plug-in contact connection claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the first plug contact element (110) is in a non-prestressed state in method step (a) and that in method step (d1) it is in a stressed state and in a spatial position that produces electrical contact with the second plug contact element (210). configuration is transferred. Method for producing an electrical plug-in contact connection according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when connecting the plug-in connector device (100) to the mating plug-in connector device (200) according to method step (b) and/or when making the electrical contact of the first plug-in contact element (110) with the second plug contact element (210) according to method step (d), a mechanical force is generated which counteracts the connection, so that the plug connector device (100) and the mating plug connector device (200) are separated from one another again and the electrical contact of the first plug contact element (110 ) is not produced with the second plug contact element (210) if the mechanical locking of the connector device (100) with the mating connector device (200) according to method step (c) fails. Connector device (100) for establishing an electrical plug-in contact connection, the connector device (100) being complementary to a mating connector device (200) having a second plug-in contact element (210), comprising: (a) a first elastically deformable held by the connector device (100). Plug contact element (110), (b) a pretensioning device (120, 130) for tensioning the first plug contact element (110) so that the first plug contact element (110) which is in the pretensioned state when connecting the connector device (100) to the mating connector device ( 200) cannot get into a spatial configuration that allows electrical contact with the second plug contact element (210), (c) a release device for releasing the tension on the first plug contact element (110) so that the first plug contact element (110) and the second plug contact element (210) reach an electrical contact position, and (d) a latching element for latching the connector device (100) with the mating connector device (200) so that the electrical contact position is fixed, characterized in that the first plug contact element is formed by a retaining socket part (118) and a coiled wire spring (117), the retaining socket part (118) being provided with at least one opening (119). which runs on a peripheral line of the retaining bushing part (118), and wherein the coiled wire spring (117) surrounds the retaining bushing part (118), is held in the at least one opening (119) and at least partially reaches through it in the relaxed state, and that the prestressing device is formed by a clamping socket part (130) surrounding the first plug contact element (110), having a channel-shaped recess (131) parallel to the position of the coiled wire spring (117) and being displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first plug contact element (110), or the first plug contact element (110) is formed by a torsionable contact socket part (140), which has a plurality of hyperbolically deformable lamellae (145) spaced apart from one another and rests against the second plug contact element (210) in the relaxed, twisted state, and that the pretensioning device is formed by a rotatable actuator which deflects the torsionable contact socket part (140) from a contact position on the second plug-in contact element (210) by at least partially eliminating the torsion and thereby puts it into the prestressed state. Connector device (100) according to claim 6 , characterized in that the connector device is formed by a connector housing (100), that the mating connector device is formed by a connector receptacle (200) and that the connector housing (100) can be inserted into the connector receptacle (200). A pair of connectors comprising the connector device (100) according to any one of Claims 6 or 7 and a mating connector device (200), wherein the mating connector device (200) can be latched to the connector device (100) and has a second plug-in contact element (210) which has an electrical plug-in contact connection with the first plug-in contact element (110) of the connector device (100). can enter.

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