LU501224B1 - Connector with a first and a second sensor element for detecting a leakage current, arrangement with two connectors and method for detecting a leakage current in a connector - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector (100, 200) for forming a plug connection in a plugging direction (X) in order to transmit electrical energy and/or electrical signals, the plug connector (100, 200) having an insulating material housing (101, 201) with a plug section (102, 202) in which at least one first contact element (111, 211) and at least one second contact element (112, 212) are accommodated to form a mating face (103, 203), the at least one first contact element (111, 211 ) and the at least one second contact element (112, 212) are arranged at a distance from one another, with at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and at least one second sensor element (122, 222) is arranged and configured in the insulating material housing (101, 201) in such a way that a leakage current (KS) between the at least one first contact element (111, 211) and the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) , And/or to detect a leakage current (KS) between the at least one second contact element (112, 212) and the at least one second sensor element (122, 222). The invention also relates to an arrangement (300) with a first plug connector (100) as a charging plug and with a second plug connector (200) as a charging socket, and a method for detecting a leakage current (KS) in a plug connector (100, 200).

Description

Connector with a first and a second sensor element for detecting a LU501224

Leakage current, two-connector arrangement and method of detecting one

leakage current in a connector

The present invention is in the field of electric mobility and relates to a

Connector designed as a charging socket for an electrically driven vehicle and/or as a charging plug for a charging station for transmitting electrical energy and/or electrical signals. The connector has at least a first and a second

Sensor element for detecting a leakage current between at least a first

Contact element and at least a second contact element to monitor the

Ensure the connector's insulation resistance and, above all, be able to detect insulation faults. The invention also relates to an arrangement with two connectors and a method for detecting a leakage current in a connector.

In the field of electromobility, a standardized charging process is usually used for the charging of accumulators in an electrically driven vehicle (electric vehicle).

Connector used in the form of a charging plug to form a plug connection with a standardized connector in the form of a charging socket. the respective

Connectors can be specified, for example, according to the standard IEC 62196-3-1, which also

DC charging processes for electric vehicles with a pilot contact element and a

Concerns control contact element. To ensure appropriate compatibility for training a

To ensure plug-in connection are requirements for the geometric dimensions of the

Connectors, especially with regard to the mating face, normalized and standardized. In addition, environmental requirements, clearances, creepage distances and overvoltage categories in

Standards and specifications established.

Insulation strengths of electrical components and parts made of insulating materials are tested in grounded networks, for example with the help of monitoring devices. However, there are no solutions for detecting insulation faults between the

Potentials at the negative pole and at the positive pole in connection with direct current charging systems for

Electric vehicles, whereas line protection is required and specified by the manufacturer of the

charging system must be specified.

Devices for detecting insulation faults and thus in

Related leakage currents known.

From the international patent application no. WO 2020/114593 A1 is a device for

Measuring the so-called leakage current is known with the aid of two electrodes, the electrodes being arranged in a leakage current path. An energy store in the form of a capacitor is electrically connected to the electrodes so that it can be charged by the leakage current.

As soon as a predetermined voltage value is reached or exceeded, it transmits

Radio module, which in turn is connected to the energy storage, a corresponding

radio signal.

The German patent application no. DE4100586 A1 relates to a high-voltage

DC voltage system with an active part to which DC voltage is applied, which is supported by means of an insulating part in relation to system parts that are at a lower potential. The

The active part is supported by the insulating part and a grounded metal enclosure. An electrode is applied to or integrated into the insulating part to prevent leakage currents from the active part along the

To capture surface of the insulating part. Step at the high-voltage direct current system

Leakage currents along the surface of the insulating part flow from the active part via the

Insulating part into the electrode and from there through a conductor, a detection network and through another conductor to the lower potential of the metal casing. As soon as the leakage currents are critical

Reach values, a signal is initiated in the detection network, preferably a light signal, which is used either for a direct display or through the signal output in a

Evaluation unit is sent.

For further prior art, reference is made to the published publications WO 2004/089207 A1,

DE 10 2013 220 178 A1, DE 102008 022 373 A1 and EP 2115398 B1, DE 10 2018 130 830 B3, - NL7309539, DE 10 2015 200 203 AL and DE 10 2010 042 394 A1.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved connector for the transmission of electrical energy and / or electrical signals, preferably for charging an electrically powered vehicle (electric vehicle), in which one

Monitoring of the insulation strength and especially a detection of insulation faults, preferably between contact elements for the transmission of electrical energy in the form of

Direct current is guaranteed. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention, a

Two-connector arrangement and a method for detecting a leakage current in one

provide connectors.

The object is solved by the features of claims 1, 13 and 14. More LU501224

Exemplary embodiments and applications of the present invention result from the dependent claims and are explained in more detail in the following description with partial reference to the figures.

According to a first general aspect, the invention relates to a connector for

Formation of a plug-in connection essentially in a plug-in direction in order to transmit electrical energy and/or electrical signals, the plug-in connector having an insulating material housing with a plug-in section in which, to form a plug-in face, at least one first

Contact element and at least one second contact element are accommodated, with the at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element being arranged at a distance from one another, with at least one first sensor element and at least one second sensor element being located between the at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element in the Insulating material housing are arranged and configured, a leakage current between the at least one first contact element and the at least one first sensor element, and / or a leakage current between the at least one second

To detect contact element and the at least one second sensor element.

The at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element are preferably each designed as a load contact element for transmitting electrical energy.

The connector according to the present invention can be used as a charging connector and / or as

Be formed charging socket, which are configured to form a plug connection with each other.

With the present invention, a connector is provided, for example, in which

Damage and, above all, dangers caused by leakage currents can be avoided.

Furthermore, in the connector according to the present invention, an entry and / or

Presence of a medium, preferably an electrically conductive liquid medium, recognized and appropriate measures are taken, such as the initiation of a

Switching off the charging process of an electrically powered vehicle (electric vehicle).

Thus, for example, the ingress of water through a break or crack in the

Insulating housing of the connector can be detected. In this way, for example, molluscs and other foreign bodies can also be detected.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, it can be provided that the at least one first sensor element and the at least one second sensor element are arranged at a distance from one another, and that the at least one first sensor element is assigned to the at least one first contact element in order to channel the leakage current at a

Induce surface of the insulating material, and / or that the at least one second

Sensor element is assigned to the at least one second contact element to a

Bring about channeling of the leakage current on a surface of the insulating material.

As a result, the occurrence of a leakage current on the surface of the insulating material between the at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element can be optimally detected.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one first sensor element and/or the at least one second sensor element is/are located at least in sections in a wall section of the insulating material housing, preferably for delimiting the plug-in section in the plug-in direction and/or preferably at a narrow point between the at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element is integrated, preferably integrally and/or non-positively integrated, with the

Wall section, at least in sections, essentially in the plug-in direction and/or in

Substantially extends perpendicular to the plug-in direction.

The wall section can be a side wall section inside the plug-in section and can also be designed to hold or carry the at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element. It is also possible that the wall section extends at least in sections essentially in the insertion direction and is arranged between the at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element.

It is possible that the at least one first sensor element and/or the at least one second

Sensor element is formed and is integrated in the wall section in such a way that the

Wall section and the at least one first sensor element and/or the at least one second

Sensor element form at least one substantially planar face, which is preferably in

Is essentially aligned perpendicular to the plug-in direction and / or which preferably the

Plug-in section limited in the plug-in direction.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one first sensor element and/or the at least one second sensor element is essentially plate-shaped and/or is essentially flat and/or preferably to form an essentially planar end face a wall section of

Insulating housing connects essentially flush.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one first sensor element and/or the at least one second sensor element, preferably in

Essentially in the plug-in direction, at least through the wall section, and/or preferably extends into the plug-in section at least in sections, and/or that the at least one first sensor element and/or the at least one second sensor element is at least in sections essentially cylindrical or essentially pin-shaped or is essentially lance-shaped.

It is possible that the at least one first sensor element and the at least one second

Sensor element each comprises at least one electrode or is designed as an electrode.

The electrode can be made of an electrically highly conductive material, preferably a metallic one

Material to be trained. Preferably, the electrode has a very low impedance and/or resistance, for example less than 1 ohm.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one first sensor element and the at least one second sensor element are connected to one another, preferably are connected to one another outside of the plug-in section in order to

Cross current, which preferably results from a leakage current to detect between the at least one first sensor element and the at least one second sensor element.

It is possible that the at least one first sensor element and the at least one second

Sensor element is connected to a monitoring unit, wherein the monitoring unit is configured to evaluate a leakage current present on the at least one first sensor element and/or a leakage current present on the at least one second sensor element.

The monitoring unit can have at least one current measuring element, preferably in the form of a Hall LU501224

Include probe element, wherein the at least one current measuring element is preferably configured to measure at least a current magnitude of the detected leakage current.

According to a further aspect of the invention it can be provided that the

Monitoring unit comprises at least one comparison element, wherein the at least one

Comparison element is configured, a leakage current detected on the at least one first sensor element and/or a leakage current on the at least one second sensor element

Reference current, preferably with a predetermined or with a predefined

Reference current, to compare and preferably a shutdown of the transmission electrical

Initialize energy via the connector.

It is possible that the insulating housing for draining the at least one first

Contact element and the at least one second contact element at least one

Discharge element, preferably each having a discharge element, and the at least one

Discharge element, preferably the respective discharge element, is arranged and configured in the insulating material housing in such a way that a medium located in the plug-in section, preferably a flowable or pourable medium, can be discharged from the plug-in section.

According to a second general aspect, the invention relates to an arrangement for

Formation of a connector to transmit electrical power and / or electrical signals, comprising a first connector as disclosed herein, wherein the first

Connector is designed as a charging connector, and a second connector as disclosed herein, wherein the second connector is designed as a charging socket, and preferably when forming the plug connection, the at least one first sensor element of the first

Connector, the at least one first sensor element of the second connector and the at least one second sensor element of the first connector, the at least one second

Contacted sensor element of the second connector, preferably via a spring element.

It is possible for the first plug connector in the form of the charging plug to have the spring element, preferably precisely one spring element. Additionally or alternatively, it is possible that the second connector in the form of the charging socket, the spring element, preferably exactly

Spring element having. The spring element can be arranged at least in sections in the plug-in section, preferably between the at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element. It is possible that the spring element is at least partially in the wall section of the insulating housing, preferably to limit the LU501224

Plug-in section in the plug-in direction and/or preferably at a constriction between the at least one first contact element and the at least one second contact element is integrated. The spring element can be connected to the at least one first sensor element and/or to the at least one second sensor element.

It is also possible for the at least one first sensor element and/or the at least one second sensor element to be designed as a spring element at least in sections and/or to comprise a spring element at least in sections. The spring element can preferably extend at least in sections essentially in the plug-in direction in the plug-in section.

This can, for example, be further ensured that by means of the first

Connector in the form of the charging connector and the second connector in the form of

Charging socket can be monitored with regard to the formation of leakage currents or creeping currents and vice versa.

According to a third general aspect, the invention relates to a method for detecting a leakage current in a connector, the connector being configured as disclosed herein, wherein a leakage current is detected by at least one first sensor element and/or by at least one second sensor element; the detected leakage current in a

Monitoring unit is compared with a reference current, preferably with a predetermined or with a predefined reference current, and at least one shutdown of

Transmission of electrical energy is initialized as soon as the detected leakage current

reference current exceeded. The method according to the present invention can preferably be carried out, inter alia, with the monitoring unit which is configured for this purpose and has corresponding components and elements as disclosed herein.

To avoid repetition should purely on the device of the invention

Features that are directed towards the connector and/or are disclosed in connection therewith also apply as disclosed according to the method and can be claimed and vice versa.

The exemplary embodiments and features of the present invention described above can be combined with one another as desired. Further or other details and advantageous effects of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures.

Show it:

1A shows a connector face with a connector section of an embodiment of the connector according to the present invention as a charging connector in a perspective view;

FIG. 1B shows the connector from FIG. 1A in a schematic representation; FIG.

2A shows a mating face with a mating section of an embodiment of the connector according to the present invention as a charging socket in a front view;

FIG. 2B shows the connector from FIG. 2A in a schematic representation; FIG.

3 shows the plug connector from FIGS. 1A and 1B and the plug connector from FIGS. 2A and 2B with at least partial formation of a plug connection in a schematic

Depiction;

4 shows an equivalent circuit diagram of the connector from FIGS. 1A and 1B with a

monitoring unit.

Identical or functionally equivalent components or elements are identified in the figures with the same reference symbols. For their explanation is partly also on the

Referenced description of other embodiments and / or figures to avoid repetition.

The following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures serves for the purpose of further illustration or clarification and is intended to define the scope of the present invention

In no way limit the invention.

Figure 1A shows a perspective view of a mating face 103 with a mating portion 102 of an embodiment of a connector 100 according to the present invention as

charging plug. The connector 100 is designed as a charging connector for forming a plug connection with a connector 200 according to the present invention as a charging socket (see

Figures 2A to 3) configured essentially in the plug-in direction X to transmit electrical energy and / or electrical signals. The connector 100, 200 is thus in one

Embodiment configured as a charging plug 100 and configured in a further embodiment LU501224 as a charging socket 200 for an electric vehicle or as a charging socket 200 of an electric vehicle.

For reasons of clarity, a grip element of the connector 100 is shown in FIG. 1A

Handling and a connection portion of the connector 100 for a charging cable

Connection to a charging station of a charging station not shown. The connector 100 is preferably firmly connected via a charging cable with a charging station of a charging station, wherein the

Charging station provides electrical energy for charging batteries of electrically powered vehicles (electric vehicles).

The connector 100 in Figure 1A is preferably specified according to the IEC 62196-3 standard or is preferably based at least in part on the requirements of the IEC 62196-3 standard. In other words, the connector 100 can be combined charging system (CCS)

Be designed and / or specified connector system standard as a so-called combo-2 charging connector. It is alternatively possible that the connector 100 after another

Standard or according to another standard or according to another specification, for example according to the "CHAdeMO standard" or according to the "Chaoli stacked specification" and/or is specified.

The connector 100 includes an insulating material housing 101, that is, a housing made of an insulating material with inherent electrical insulating properties. The male portion 102 is

Part of the insulating housing 101. An end face of the plug-in section 102, preferably in the plug-in direction X, is used to form the plug-in face 103 of the connector 100. The

Insulating material housing 101 can be designed in several parts. The insulating material housing 101 can be produced, for example, by at least one casting process and/or by at least one injection molding process with an insulating material.

The connector 100 is preferably used for charging accumulators of electric vehicles by means of direct current and for this purpose comprises a first contact element 111 and a second

Contact element 112. A charging voltage applied to the contact elements 111 and 112 during a charging process can be in a range from 400 V to 800 V, for example, and is therefore relatively high.

The first contact element 111 and the second contact element 112 are each identified as LU501224

Load contact element configured and essentially sleeve-shaped, at least in sections, in order to mechanically connect a complementary, i.e. a correspondingly configured and designed contact element 211, 212 of a plug connector 200 (see Figures 2A to 3) at least mechanically with a form fit and/or at least partially with a force fit when a plug connection is formed accommodate between the connector 100 as a charging connector and the connector 200 as a charging socket essentially in the plug-in direction X. Both the first

Contact element 111 and the second contact element 112 are each surrounded or encased by an insulating material sleeve 107 and 108 and thus a sleeve made of insulating material. The first contact element 111 and the second contact element 112 are accommodated in the plug-in section 102 and arranged at a distance from one another. The distance between the first

Contact element 111 and the second contact element 112 is referenced in FIG. 1A

marked D.

Walls and / or wall sections of the plug-in section 102, preferably comprising the

Insulating sleeves 107 and 108 are preferably integrally formed in one piece. However, it is alternatively possible, for example, that the insulating sleeves 107 and 108 to protect the

Contact elements 111 and 112 as individual parts, that is, as individually manufactured components or

Elements, in corresponding wall sections of the plug-in section 102 and thus of the

Insulating housing 101 are screwed, for example.

The connector 100 includes the other contact elements 113 to 115, which are accommodated or arranged in a further area of the plug-in section 102 in corresponding insulating material sleeves (not specifically identified in FIG. 1A) and are only briefly described below. The contact element 113 serves as a protective contact element (so-called PE

contact element). The contact elements 114 and 115 are used to transmit electrical signals between a charging station and an electric vehicle via the connector in the course of a

loading process. The contact element 114 represents the so-called pilot contact (Control Pilot/CP) and the contact element 115 represents the so-called proximity switch (Proximity Pilot/PP) and, in other words, are used for communication between the charging station and the electric vehicle during the charging process.

The charging connector 100 includes other components and elements on which before

Background of the present invention is discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 1B shows the connector 100 from FIG. 1A in a schematic representation. The LU501224

The representation in Figure 1B preferably focuses on the contact elements 111 and 112 of the

Connector 100, which, as already described, transmitted electrical energy as load contact elements. The illustration in FIG. 1B clearly shows that the contact elements 111 and 112 are accommodated or arranged in the insulating material sleeves 107 and 108 at least in sections.

Due to the relatively high electrical voltages that occur and the corresponding

Arrangement of the contact elements 111 and 112 in the insulating material housing 101, more precisely in the plug-in section 102 of the insulating material housing 101, so-called leakage currents KS can occur during operation of the connector 100 along a section of surfaces of the insulating material.

Such a distance is also referred to as a so-called creepage distance and preferably represents the shortest distance along surfaces of the insulating material between conductive elements, here between the contact elements 111 and 112.

Such Kriechstôme KS can both for the connector 100 as a charging connector, the

Connector 200 as a charging socket and thus for an electric vehicle in the course of a

Charging process, as well as for a user of the connector 100 as a charging connector in the course of

handling can be dangerous. Mainly to protect users from the effects of electrical

To protect operating voltages which are applied to the contact elements 111 and 112, a sufficient dimensioning of creepage distances and also of so-called air gaps is required. An air gap is preferably the shortest distance in air between two conductive elements, here between the contact elements 111 and 112.

Leakage currents KS mainly result from a change in the insulation properties of the

insulating material. Such changes are often caused by corresponding environmental conditions in which the connector 100 is operated. For example, favored

Moisture, dust and / or dirt within the male portion 102 the formation of

Leakage currents on surfaces of the insulating material. So-called

Insulation faults, the insulation strength is thus reduced. In the case of the connector 100, this occurs primarily between the charging lines, i.e. the contact elements 111 and 112.

Figure 1B shows an example and schematically shows the course, that is, the creepage distance, along which a leakage current KS with a corresponding electrical voltage from the first

Contact element 111 migrates in the direction of the second contact element 112 (or vice versa, depending on the electrical polarity or polarity of the contact elements 111 and 112).

In order to avoid the development of such a sometimes dangerous condition, the

Connector 100 according to the present invention, a first sensor element 121 and a second sensor element 122, which are arranged and configured in the insulating material housing 101, the leakage current KS between the first contact element 111 and the second

Contact element 112 to detect at least. The first sensor element 121 and the second

Sensor element 122 is preferably (spatially) arranged between first contact element 111 and second contact element 112 . Furthermore, the first sensor element 121 and the second

Sensor element 122 spaced apart. The first sensor element 121 is preferably designed as an electrode or comprises at least one electrode. The second

Sensor element 122 is preferably designed as an electrode or comprises at least one

Electrode. In other words, the first sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122 are arranged and configured, a leakage current KS occurring between the

To detect contact elements 111 and 112 or to detect what is the case with an insulation fault and thus with reduced electrical insulating properties of the insulating material. With others

Words are the first sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122 between the than

High-voltage potentials acting contact elements 111 and 112 are arranged, the first

Sensor element 121 is assigned to the first contact element 111 and the second sensor element 122 to the second contact element 112 .

The first sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122 are each arranged and designed in such a way that the leakage current KS can be channeled to corresponding surfaces of the

Insulating housing 101, that is, preferably on surfaces of the plug portion 102 to bring about. As can be seen from Figure 1B, a leakage current which is formed migrates or runs

KS starting from the contact elements 111 and 112 in sections along the outer

Surfaces of the insulating material sleeves 107 and 108 in the direction of a transition region which is formed by the wall section 104 of the insulating material housing 101. The wall section 104 extends essentially in the insertion direction X at least partially and thus from the

Plug-in section 102 into the interior of the insulating material housing 101 and forms an end face 106.

The first sensor element 121 is at least partially in the wall section 104 of the

Insulating housing 101 integrated. Preferably, the first sensor element 121 with the

Insulating material of the wall section 104 is materially and/or at least non-positively connected or at least partially integrated therein. In other words, the first LU501224

Sensor element 121 can be integrated in wall section 104 by at least one pouring process and/or by at least one spraying process of the insulating material. It is additionally or alternatively possible for the first sensor element 121 to be pressed into the wall section 104, preferably essentially in the insertion direction X. Analogously to the first sensor element 121, the second sensor element 122 can also be correspondingly integrated into the wall section 104.

The wall section 104 with the first sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122 delimits, among other things, the plug-in section 102 in the plug-in direction X and creates a constriction in

Regarding the creepage distance of the leakage current KS. As can be seen from Figure 1B, the first is

Sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122 formed and such in the

Wall section 104 integrated in that the wall section 104 and the first sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122 form at least one essentially planar face 105 . The essentially flat end face 105 is aligned and/or arranged essentially perpendicular to the plug-in direction X. The essentially planar end face 105 preferably delimits the plug-in section 102 in the plug-in direction X. The first sensor element 121 and the second

Sensor element 122 are each formed essentially flat on at least one end face, and close to form the essentially planar end face 105 in each case at the

Wall section 104 flush.

The first sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122 extend, preferably in

Substantially in the insertion direction X, at least through the wall section 104. It is possible for the first sensor element 121 and/or the second sensor element 122 to extend at least in sections into the plug-in section 102, preferably essentially in the

Plug-in direction X. The first sensor element 121 and/or the second sensor element 122 in this exemplary embodiment of the plug connector 100 can be designed, at least in sections, to be essentially cylindrical or essentially pin-shaped or essentially lance-shaped. After the first sensor element 121 and / or the second sensor element 122 the

Penetrates wall section 104, it is possible, in addition to the leakage currents KS forming in the plug-in section 102, to also detect leakage currents KS outside the plug-in section 102 and thus inside the insulating housing 101, i.e. inside the connector 100.

The first sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122 of the connector 100 are connected to a monitoring unit 130 . As can also be seen from the representation in FIG. 1B, the first sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122 are electrically connected to one another. The monitoring unit 130 is preferably part of the connector 100 LU501224 or alternatively arranged in a charging station which is connected to the connector 100 via a charging cable. The monitoring unit 130 is configured, one on the first

Sensor element 121 and / or applied to the second sensor element 122 and detected

Evaluate leakage current KS. The monitoring unit 130 includes appropriate electrical and / or electronic components and elements and can preferably be equipped with its own, ie separate housing to environmental influences such as

To avoid moisture, dirt and/or dust and their harmful effects. Thus, for example, an ingress of water into the insulating material 101 on the opposite side of the plug-in section 102 and a resulting leakage current KS or current flow can be detected, that is, inside the insulating material 101, without the

Monitoring unit 130 itself is damaged or impaired in its function.

After the first sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122 access to the

plug-in section 102, a leakage current KS in the area of the plug-in section 102, which originates from the first contact element 111 and/or the second contact element 112, can also be detected and evaluated by the monitoring unit 130.

To evaluate a detected leakage current KS, the monitoring unit 130 includes a

Current measuring element 131, preferably a current meter in the form of a Hall probe element 131.

The Hall probe element 131 is preferably configured to provide a current level at which it is sensed

to measure leakage current KR. It is possible that, apart from a Hall probe element 131, other types or configurations of current sensor elements configured to measure at least a current magnitude at the detected leakage current KR can also be used or included.

Furthermore, the monitoring unit 130 preferably includes a comparison element 132, preferably in the form of a current measuring amplifier 132, which has a shunt resistance element and is configured to at least detect the leakage current KR, i.e. the

To compare probe element 131 measured current of the leakage current KS with a predetermined or with a predefined reference current and at least one shutdown of

Transmission of electrical energy through the connector 100 via the first and the second

To initialize contact element 111, 112, preferably via a communication element 133 of

Monitoring unit 130. The communication element 133 is configured

Communication signals with a charging station and/or with an electric vehicle in the course of a

transmit and receive charging. In other words, this is LU501224

Communication element 133 configured to generate signals and to transmit to a charging station for appropriate control and / or to an electric vehicle during a charging process. The communication element 133 is also configured to receive corresponding signals from a charging station, ie a control unit of a charging station, and/or from a

Electric vehicle, that is to receive a charging controller of an electric vehicle. Thus, preferably via the contact element 114 as a pilot contact in an electric vehicle

In the course of a loading process, information about a critical operating state of the

Connector 100 are transmitted. A controller of the electric vehicle can then also initiate a shutdown of the transmission of electrical energy.

Figure 2A shows a front view of a mating face 203 with a mating portion 202 of a

Embodiment of the connector 200 according to the present invention as

charging socket.

In addition to being configured and/or designed as a charging plug 100, the connector according to the present invention can also be configured and/or designed as a charging socket 200. With the connector as a charging connector 100 and the connector as a charging socket 200, a

Plug connection are formed essentially in the plug-in direction X to electrical

To transmit energy and / or electrical signals. This is clearly shown schematically in FIG.

The plug connector 200, as a charging socket, has essentially identical components and elements and/or components and elements with at least identical function with respect to the components and elements of the plug connector 100 described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. In other words, the connector 200 forms a

Mating connector to connector 100.

Accordingly, the mating face 203 with the mating section 202 is part of the insulating material housing 201 of the connector 200. The insulating material housing 201 of the connector 200 can be produced, for example, by the same method as the insulating material housing 101 of the

Connector 100. The connector 200 is as a charging socket to the connector 100 as

Charging connector designed more or less complementary in terms of geometric dimensions and includes in the plug-in section 202, a first contact element 211 and a second

Contact element 212 for the transmission of electrical energy. The first contact element 211 and the second contact element 212 are arranged spaced apart from one another as load contact elements and are configured to form a plug connection with the contact elements 111 and 112 of the connector 100 . The contact elements 211 and 212 are in this case complementary to the

Contact elements 111 and 112 are essentially pin-shaped.

Furthermore, the connector 200 includes the contact element 213 as a protective contact element (so-called PE contact element), the contact element 214 as a pilot contact (Control Pilot/CP) and the

Contact element 215 as a proximity switch (Proximity Pilot/PP). The contact elements 213 to 215 are associated with each other when a plug-in connection is formed between the plug connector as charging plug 100 and the plug connector as charging socket 200 essentially in the plug-in direction X and make contact with one another in order to provide the corresponding communication functions between a charging station and an electric vehicle during the course of a charging process.

Under appropriate ambient conditions, a leakage current KS can set in between the first contact element 211 and the second contact element 212, which is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2B shows the connector 200 from FIG. 2A in a schematic representation.

A first sensor element 221 and a second sensor element 222 are designed in such a way and between the first contact element 211 and the second contact element 212 in one

Wall portion 204 of the insulating material 201, which is preferably a middle or central

The wall section of the plug-in section 202 is integrated, at least in sections, in such a way that the wall section 204 and the first sensor element 221 and the second sensor element 222 form a substantially flat end face 205 . The first sensor element 221 is also arranged at a distance from the second sensor element 222 . The essentially flat end face 205 is aligned and/or arranged essentially perpendicularly to the insertion direction X.

Preferably, the substantially flat end face 205 limits the plug-in section 202 in the

Plug-in direction X. The wall section 104 forms outside of the plug-in section 202, ie in the

Inside the insulating material housing 201 of the connector 200, the end face 206.

As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 2B, the first sensor element 221 and the second sensor element 222 extend through the wall section 204 to the corresponding ones

end faces 205 and 206. With the sensor elements 221 and 222 it is possible to add another

Leakage current KS inside the connector 200, that is, within the insulating housing

To detect 201 of the connector 200 as a charging socket. The detection and evaluation LU501224 takes place analogously to the connector 100 using a monitoring unit 230. The

Monitoring unit 230 is preferably configured and/or designed identically to monitoring unit 130 in FIG. 1B, and includes a current measuring element in the form of a Hall

Probe element 231, a comparison element 232 in the form of a current sense amplifier and a

Communication element 233.

2B also shows that when an electrically conductive medium M, such as water, is present in the plug-in section 202 (shown here in the area of the first contact element 211), a corresponding leakage current KS occurs and at least with the first

Sensor element 221 can be detected, which is evaluated analogously to the above description and, for example, via the communication element 233 in the form of corresponding signals to a

Charging station and / or can be passed on to an electric vehicle.

To in the plug-in section 202 of the designed as a charging socket connector 200 located medium M, which can often be an electrically conductive medium M, from which

To remove plug-in section 202, the connector 200 can also be a first

Have discharge element 241 and preferably a second discharge element 242.

The first discharge element 241 and the second discharge element 242 can, for example, each as a

Channel or be designed as a hose. The first discharge element 241 is the first

Contact element 211 associated and the second discharge element 242 is the second

Associated with contact element 212 and serves to empty the plug-in section 202 of the corresponding medium M.

FIG. 3 shows an arrangement 300 for forming a plug connection in order to transmit electrical energy and/or electrical signals. For this purpose, the arrangement 300 comprises the connector 100 from FIGS. 1A and 1B, which is designed as a charging connector, and the connector 200 from FIGS. 2A and 2B, which is designed as a charging socket. The plug-in connector 100 and the plug-in connector 200 form a plug-in connection as the first and second plug-in connector 100, 200 essentially in the plug-in direction X. When the plug connection is formed, first sensor element 121 of plug connector 100 makes contact with first sensor element 221 of

Connector 200, preferably via a spring element 301. The spring element 301 can, for example, with the first sensor element 121 of the connector 100 or with the first

Sensor element 221 of the connector 200 may be connected. This allows, for example, a

Detection of leakage currents KS (not shown in Figure 3 for reasons of clarity) LU501224 either through the connector 100 or through the connector 200 and thus through a single connector 100, 200.

Figure 4 shows an equivalent circuit diagram of a connector 100 from Figures 1A and 1B with the

Monitoring unit 130, wherein the connector 100 is preferably used, inter alia, for

Detection of the entry of an electrically conductive medium M is configured in the plug-in section 102 or in the interior of the insulating housing 101 by detecting a leakage current KS.

Figure 4 shows the voltage ratios with the partial voltages U1, U2 and U2 between the two contact elements 111 and 112 and the two sensor elements 121 and 122 along the

Creepage distance of the leakage current KS, which are represented by the partial distances D1, D2 and D3. D2 characterizes the partial distance as the resulting geometric between the first

Sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122. The sum of the partial voltages U1, U2 and U3 results in a total voltage UG between the first and the second

Contact element 111, 112.

The resistance of the insulating material between the first contact element 111 and the first

Sensor element 121, as well as between the second contact element 112 and the second - sensor element 122 is symbolized by a resistor R_I. Depending on which one

Conditions of the connector 100 is exposed to change the resistances R_! accordingly and become smaller, leading to the formation of leakage currents KS along the

Surface of the insulating material of the insulating material housing 101 leads. The values of the resistors R_! can, for example, be more than 10 MOhm in the normal case, that is to say when no leakage currents KS form.

The one existing between the first sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122

Resistor R_12 is due to the electrical connection with each other in the area of

Monitoring unit 130 very low. Thus, the electrical voltage U2 between the first

Sensor element 121 and the second sensor element 122 very low, for example less than 1V.

By continuously monitoring the current at the first sensor element 121 and/or at the second sensor element 122, especially when no charging process is taking place, i.e. an electrical voltage is already present but the charging process has not yet started,

with a change, i.e. an increase in an insulation fault that is slowly becoming apparent or an insulation weakness in the insulating material that is slowly becoming apparent, LU501224 can be detected, preferably by the monitoring unit 130.

The monitoring unit 130 and preferably the comparison element 132 of

Monitoring unit 130 is configured, exceeding a measured current, preferably a current measured by the current measuring element 131 current at the first

Sensor element 121 and / or the second sensor element 122 to detect in relation to a reference current and preferably to initialize at least one shutdown of the transmission of electrical energy as soon as a detected leakage current KS exceeds the reference current.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, a large number of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the idea of the invention and therefore fall within the scope of protection. Preferably, the present invention also claims protection for the subject matter and features of

Subclaims independent of the claims referred to.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS LU501224 100 connector 101 insulating material housing 102 plug-in section

103 mating face 104 wall section 105 end face 106 end face

107 insulating sleeve 108 insulating sleeve 111 contact element (load contact element) 112 contact element (load contact element) 113 contact element

114 contact element 115 contact element 121 sensor element 122 sensor element 130 monitoring unit

131 current sensing element/Hall probe element 132 comparison element/current sense amplifier 133 communication element 200 connector 201 insulating housing

202 plug-in section 203 plug-in face 204 wall section 205 end face 206 end face

211 contact element (load contact element) 212 contact element (load contact element) 213 contact element 214 contact element 215 contact element

221 sensor element LU501224 222 sensor element 230 — monitoring unit 231 current measuring element/Hall probe element 232 comparison element/current sense amplifier 233 communication element 241 dissipation element 242 dissipation element 300 arrangement 301 spring element

D distance

D1 part distance

D2 part distance

D3 part distance

KS leakage current

M medium

U1 partial voltage

U2 partial voltage

U3 partial voltage

UG total voltage

R_I resistance

R_12 resistor

X plug-in direction * ok kk

Claims (14)

EXPECTATIONS 1. Plug connector (100, 200) for forming a plug connection in a plug-in direction (X) in order to transmit electrical energy and/or electrical signals, the plug connector (100, 200) having an insulating material housing (101, 201) with a plug-in section (102 , 202) in which at least one first contact element (111, 211) and at least one second contact element (112, 212) are accommodated to form a mating face (103, 203), the at least one first contact element (111, 211) and the at least one second contact element (112, 212) are arranged spaced apart from one another, with at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and at least one second sensor element (122, 222) are arranged and configured in the insulating material housing (101, 201) in such a way that there is a leakage current (KS) between the at least one first contact element (111, 211) and the at least one first sensor element (121, 221), and /or to detect a leakage current (KS) between the at least one second contact element (112, 212) and the at least one second sensor element (122, 222). 2. Connector (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and the at least one second sensor element (122, 222) are arranged at a distance from one another, and wherein the at least one first sensor element (121, 221 ) is assigned to the at least one first contact element (111, 211) in order to channel the leakage current (KS) on a surface of the insulating housing (101, 201), and/or wherein the at least one second sensor element (122, 222) is assigned to the at least is associated with a second contact element (112, 212) in order to channel the leakage current (KS) on a surface of the insulating housing (101, 201). 3. Connector (100, 200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and/or the at least one second sensor element (122, 222) is/are located at least in sections in a wall section (104, 204) of the insulating material housing (101, 201), preferably to delimit the plug-in section (102, 202) in the plug-in direction (X) and/or preferably at a narrow point between the at least one first contact element (111, 211) and the at least one second LU501224 contact element (112 , 212) is integrated, preferably integrally and/or non-positively integrated, the wall section (104, 204) extending at least in sections in the plug-in direction (X) and/or perpendicular to the plug-in direction (X). 4. Connector (100, 200) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and/or the at least one second sensor element (122, 222) is formed and integrated in the wall section (104, 204) in this way that the wall section (104, 204) and the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and/or the at least one second sensor element (122, 222) form at least one flat end face (105, 205) which is preferably perpendicular to the direction of insertion (X) is aligned and/or which preferably delimits the plug-in section (102, 202) in the plug-in direction (X). 5. Connector (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and/or the at least one second sensor element (122, 222) is plate-shaped and/or is flat and/or preferably flush with a wall section (104, 204) of the insulating housing (101, 201) to form a flat end face (105, 205). 6. Connector (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and/or the at least one second sensor element (122, 222), preferably in the plug-in direction (X), at least by extends through the wall section (104, 204) and/or preferably extends at least in sections into the plug-in section (102, 202), and/or wherein the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and/or the at least one second sensor element ( 122, 222) is at least partially cylindrical or pin-shaped or lance-shaped. 7. Connector (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and the at least one second sensor element (122, 222) each comprise at least one electrode or are each designed as an electrode. 8. Connector (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, LU501224 wherein the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and the at least one second sensor element (122, 222) are connected to one another, preferably outside the plug-in section (101, 202) are connected to one another in order to detect a cross current between the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and the at least one second sensor element (122, 222). 9. Connector (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and the at least one second sensor element (122, 222) is connected to a monitoring unit (130, 230), the monitoring unit (130, 230) is configured to evaluate a leakage current (KS) present on the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and/or on the at least one second sensor element (122, 222). 10. Connector (100, 200) according to claim 9, wherein the monitoring unit (130, 230) comprises at least one current measuring element (131, 231), preferably in the form of a Hall probe element (131, 231), wherein the at least one current measuring element (131 , 231) is configured to measure at least a current magnitude of the detected leakage current (KS). 11. Connector (100, 200) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the monitoring unit (130, 230) comprises at least one comparison element (132, 232), wherein the at least one comparison element (132, 232) is configured to have one on the at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and/or to compare a leakage current (KS) detected on the at least one second sensor element (122, 222) with a reference current, preferably with a predetermined or with a predefined reference current, and preferably to switch off the transmission of electrical Initialize energy via the connector (100, 200). 12. Connector (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insulating material housing (101, 201) for draining the at least one first contact element (111, 211) and the at least one second contact element (112, 212) has at least one discharge element (241 , 242), preferably each having a discharge element (241, 242), and the at least one discharge element (241, 242), preferably the respective discharge element (241, 242), in the insulating housing (101, 201) is arranged and configured to discharge a medium (M), LU501224 preferably flowable or pourable medium (M) located in the plug-in section (102, 202) from the plug-in section (102, 202). 13. Arrangement (300) for forming a plug connection in order to transmit electrical energy and/or electrical signals, comprising a first plug connector (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first plug connector (100) is designed as a charging plug (100), and a second connector (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second connector (200) is designed as a charging socket (200), and preferably when the connector is formed, the at least one first sensor element (121) of the first connector (100) the at least a first sensor element (221) of the second connector (200) and the at least one second sensor element (122) of the first connector (100) contacts the at least one second sensor element (222) of the second connector (200), preferably via a spring element (301) . 14. A method for detecting a leakage current (KS) in a connector (100, 200), wherein the connector (100, 200) is preferably configured according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12, wherein: e a leakage current (KS) through at least one first sensor element (121, 221) and/or by at least one second sensor element (122, 222); e the detected leakage current (KS) is compared in a monitoring unit (130) with a reference current, preferably with a predetermined or with a predefined reference current; and e a shutdown of the transmission of electrical energy is initiated as soon as the detected leakage current (KS) exceeds the reference current. * ok kk