Contact assemblies for electrical HV connections

Abstract

To provide a contact assembly which has a touch protection and is nevertheless easy to attach.SOLUTION: A contact assembly 1 for electrical HV connections has: a housing 2 including a touch protection 80 which has a through-opening 6 extending from a first housing end 10 to a second housing end 12 separated along an axial direction 8, where the housing has at the second housing end at least one radially inwardly protruding touch protection element 54 and has in the through opening at least one latching surface 46, which extends in a circumferential direction 28 and has a surface normal 78 directed towards the second housing end; and a contact element which can be inserted from the first housing end into the through-opening towards the second housing end in any desired angular position around the axial direction, such that at least one latching protrusion 72 latches to the at least one latching surface in each of the desired angular positions when the contact element is inserted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact assembly for an electric HV connection. [Background technology]

[0002] Contact assemblies are used in particular in the field of electrical engineering for making electrical connections in the high voltage (HV) range. Such contact assemblies may be part of electrical plug connectors, for example.

[0003] Contact assemblies typically include contact elements that can be inserted into and latched into a (usually electrically insulated) housing. Contact assemblies for high voltage or high current connections typically have touch protection that prevents a person's fingers from inserting into the housing and touching the current-carrying parts of the contact assembly. Such touch protection makes the installation process more difficult. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to provide a contact assembly that has touch protection and is nevertheless easy to install. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to the invention, this is a contact assembly for an electric HV connection, comprising: a housing including a touch protection portion, the housing having a through opening extending from a first housing end of the housing to a second housing end of the housing spaced apart from the first housing end along an axial direction; the housing has at least one radially inwardly projecting touch protection element at the second housing end; a housing, the through opening having at least one latch surface extending circumferentially around the axial direction and having a surface normal facing the second housing end; a contact element insertable from the first housing end into the through opening towards the second housing end at any desired angular position about the axial direction; A contact assembly is provided in which, when the contact element is inserted into the through opening, at least one latching projection of the contact element latches into at least one latching surface at each of the desired angular positions.

[0006] The touch protection prevents a person's finger or other object not belonging to the contact assembly from passing through a radial plane in which the touch protection is arranged along the insertion direction. This is achieved by at least one radially inwardly protruding touch protection element of the touch protection reducing the through opening at the radial plane, i.e., reducing the diameter of the through opening. The touch protection element is configured to reduce the diameter of the through opening at the radial plane to such an extent that a person's finger cannot pass through it in the axial direction. Thus, a human finger or an object whose diameter is small enough to be inserted into the through opening in the housing but too large to pass axially through the touch protection is prevented from reaching the live component. Live components that must not be touched under any circumstances by a human finger or another object that is not part of the contact assembly may be positioned, for example, beyond the second housing end. The touch protection prevents this, thus increasing the safety of use of the contact assembly.

[0007] In particular, the touch protection can comply with the specifications of the ISO 20653 standard. Contact with live parts by a user's human finger can be prevented, where the human finger is simulated by a test finger according to a common standard, such as DIN EN 60529:2000, which specifies a test finger length of 80 mm and a diameter of 12 mm. Other relevant standards can be VDE 0470 Part 2, IEC / EN 61032, VDE 0470 Part, or IEC / EN 60529, IEC / EN 60950, IEC 61010, IEC / EN 60335, IEC / EN 60745-1, IEC / EN 60034-5, and IEC / EN 60065.

[0008] The provision of at least one latching surface on the housing and at least one latching protrusion on the contact element creates a structural prerequisite for a form-fit connection between the latching surface and the latching protrusion. In this way, a contact element inserted into a through-opening can be form-fit latched to the housing and secured there. This can prevent or at least limit relative axial movement between the contact element and the housing. In particular, such a latch prevents or limits movement of the contact element in a direction opposite to the insertion direction. In this way, unintentional loosening of the contact assembly is prevented, and a more stable electrical connection is achieved.

[0009] The contact assembly according to the present invention also has the advantage that the contact element can be inserted into the housing in a polarization-free manner. The contact element can be inserted into the through opening at any angular position about the axial direction relative to the housing. Circumferential rotation of the contact element relative to the housing is independent of both insertion and latching. Assembly is simplified because the contact element does not need to be circumferentially aligned with the housing, and only needs to have its longitudinal axis coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the through opening.

[0010] When the contact elements are connected to a cable, twisting and potential damage to the cable can be prevented by allowing the contact elements to follow the rotation of the cable about its longitudinal axis, which inhibits harmful twisting. This is also true when the contact elements are latched within the housing, as they are free to rotate relative to the housing along the circumferential direction.

[0011] When the contact element is inserted into the through opening of the housing, the at least one latch protrusion latches into at least one latch surface, regardless of the angular position of the contact element relative to the housing about the axial direction. Therefore, the contact element inserted into the through opening can freely rotate circumferentially relative to the housing without releasing the latch between the contact element and the housing. Such a non-polarized latching ensures that the contact assembly remains operable even when the contact element moves circumferentially relative to the housing. This, for example, increases the stability and security of the electrical connection established by the contact assembly.

[0012] The above invention can be further improved by the following features, each of which is preferred and which can be combined with one another as desired.

[0013] According to a further preferred embodiment, the through opening can have a plurality of latching surfaces spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, and the contact element can have a plurality of latching protrusions arranged adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, and when the contact element is latched in the housing, at least one latching protrusion can abut against the latching surface over its entire circumferential width at each angular position of the contact element relative to the housing.

[0014] According to a further preferred embodiment, the through opening can have a plurality of latching surfaces spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, and the contact element can have a plurality of latching protrusions arranged adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, and when the contact element is latched in the housing, at least one latching protrusion can abut against the latching surface over its entire circumferential width at each angular position of the contact element relative to the housing.

[0015] According to further aspects, the latch surface and the latch protrusion have the following differences: the circumferential width of at least some of the latch surfaces is different from the circumferential width of at least some of the latch projections; the number of latching surfaces is different from the number of latching protrusions; a circumferential distance between at least some of the latch protrusions that are adjacent in the circumferential direction is different from a circumferential distance between at least some of the touch protection elements that are adjacent in the circumferential direction; It can have at least one of:

[0016] The geometric or numerical ratio between the latch surface and the latch protrusion can be used to adapt the overlap area between the latch surface and the latch protrusion to the respective application, in this context it is possible to ensure, for example, the overlap required for a certain latching force.

[0017] In one configuration, the at least one touch protection element forms a stop against which the contact element rests when inserted into the housing, particularly when the contact element is fully inserted into the housing. In this way, movement of the contact element relative to the housing along the insertion direction is limited. When the contact element is fully inserted into the housing and the latch protrusion latches into the latch surface, movement of the contact element relative to the housing opposite the insertion direction is also limited. As a result, the contact element is secured against movement along the axial direction, preventing interruption of electrical contact in the contact assembly, particularly due to dislodgment or loose contact of the contact element. Such a contact assembly enhances the stability of the electrical connection.

[0018] The majority of the latch surfaces may lie in a common plane extending perpendicular to the axial direction, and similarly, the majority of the latch protrusions may lie in a common plane extending perpendicular to the axial direction.

[0019] Both the latch surface and the latch protrusion may have the same circumferential width. Preferably, several of the plurality of latch protrusions may each abut against the latch surface over their entire circumferential width. In particular, each of the latch protrusions may abut against a different latch surface.

[0020] The cross-sectional area of ​​the touch protection element may decrease radially inward. The touch protection element may have a maximum cross-sectional area at a point radially furthest from the central axis of the housing. Similarly, the touch protection element may have a minimum cross-sectional area at a point radially closest to the central axis of the housing.

[0021] The touch protection element can preferably have a bevel on its end face facing away from the first housing end. In particular, the bevel may be inclined radially inwardly towards the first housing end in relation to the axial direction. The bevel may be, for example, flat or curved, for example as part of a cylinder stub shell surface.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, circumferentially adjacent touch protection elements of the plurality of touch protection elements can be separated from one another by a respective gap, and at least a portion of the plurality of latch surfaces can be respectively arranged in the axial direction in the extension of at least one gap. In both cases, it is preferred that the plurality of latch surfaces can be arranged in the axial direction in the extension of at least one gap. The gap and the latch surface can be coplanar in the axial direction.

[0023] The circumferentially spaced gaps between the touch protection elements represent a manufacturing advantage in the injection molding process: parts of the injection mold can be easily inserted into the housing in an axially molded manner to form the latching surfaces.

[0024] According to a further preferred embodiment, the width of the latching surface in the circumferential direction may be at most the same as the width of the gap in the circumferential direction. Alternatively, the width of the latching surface in the circumferential direction may be the same as or greater than the distance between two adjacent touch protection elements in the circumferential direction. Such a configuration can be easily manufactured, for example, as part of an injection molding process, in which an injection molding tool can be inserted into the housing through the gap to form the latching surface. The contact assembly according to this embodiment is preferred in terms of manufacturing technology.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the present invention, when a contact element is inserted into a housing, at least one of the plurality of latch protrusions can latch onto at least two latch surfaces. When a force acts axially on the contact element, the mechanical load between the at least one latch protrusion and the latch surface is distributed across the at least two latch surfaces, reducing the material load on the latch surfaces. Additionally, according to this embodiment, the contact elements are redundantly latched, thereby improving the operational reliability of the contact assembly.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the latch surface can form an end of a base extending axially from the first housing end to the second housing end, facing the second housing end. This configuration reduces the mechanical load on the housing and the latch surface, since the mechanical stress generated between the latch protrusion and the latch surface is uniformly distributed throughout the base body. This has a favorable effect on the service life of the contact assembly.

[0027] The base may have the shape of a hollow cylindrical segment. A ground area of ​​the base may extend along the axial and circumferential directions, and the base may protrude in the radial direction.

[0028] Furthermore, the base can be formed by the wall of the through opening, which simplifies manufacturing, particularly as part of an injection molding process, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the base may be axially flush with the gap between two circumferentially adjacent touch protection elements, so that during the injection molding process, the slider can be inserted into the housing through the gap at the second housing end to mold the base, which simplifies the manufacturing process.

[0030] The base may be configured such that at any point in the circumferential direction it is not wider than the gap between two touch protection elements that are circumferentially adjacent to the base and are flush with the base. In addition, the base may be arranged so as not to overlap the touch protection elements at any point in the axial direction. In particular, the axial distance between the end of the base facing the first housing end and the end of the base facing the second housing end may be smaller than or equal to the axial distance between the end of the base facing the first housing end and the side of the touch protection element facing the first housing end.

[0031] According to a further aspect, the housing can have a plurality of bases, and circumferentially adjacent bases can be separated from one another by recesses. The recesses can extend axially continuously from at least the latching surface to the first housing end.

[0032] During manufacture as part of the injection molding process, the slider extending to the touch protection element can be inserted axially through the recess, which considerably simplifies the formation of the mold.

[0033] According to another preferred embodiment, an annular depression can be arranged between the base and the second housing end. The annular depression forms a structural prerequisite for allowing the contact element to be latched onto the latch surface at any angular position around the housing. The latch protrusion can make form-fit contact with the latch surface only if the latch protrusion and the latch surface overlap radially. When the contact element is inserted along the insertion direction, the latch protrusion is initially deflected or elastically deformed radially inward by the base. To be able to overlap the latch surface, the latch protrusion must be able to move radially outward again with a snap-in movement after passing through the base along the axial direction. This is possible if an axially extending recess is provided between the base and the touch protection element, which recess can accommodate the latch protrusion. The preferably provided annular recess has the advantage that the latch protrusion can move radially outward at any point along the circumferential direction after passing through the base. In addition, annular recesses are easy and cost-effective to manufacture in terms of manufacturing techniques, for example as part of an injection molding process.

[0034] The circumferential recesses of adjacent bases may merge into the recesses, and in particular, the recesses may merge into the recesses without an abrupt change, in which case the radial offset between the recesses may be zero at the axial point where the recesses merge into the recesses.

[0035] Additionally, the recesses can extend between the touch protection elements, in which case the radial offset can be zero at the axial point where the recesses merge into an area extending axially and circumferentially between two adjacent touch protection elements.

[0036] The smooth transitions between recesses, indentations and areas between adjacent touch protection elements have the advantage of being easy to manufacture, particularly as part of an injection molding process.

[0037] According to a further preferred embodiment, the latching surface can be formed by a rebound end facing the first housing end, the rebound extending axially from the housing face between two adjacent touch protection elements. Alternatively, the rebound can rebound radially. Such an arrangement is preferable in terms of manufacturing technology, since the rebound can be easily accessed by a tool via the second housing end. The rebound can therefore be manufactured easily and cost-effectively.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, circumferentially adjacent springs can be separated from one another by protrusions, which can extend axially from the latching surface to the touch protection element. In this embodiment, in the latched state, the latching protrusions of the contact element abut the sides of the adjacent protrusions, thereby limiting circumferential movement of the contact element latched into the through opening. This prevents or limits relative circumferential movement between the contact element and the wall of the through opening, thereby reducing wear on the contact element and the wall of the through opening.

[0039] The protrusions can protrude radially inward. Furthermore, the protrusions can extend axially in the shadow of the touch protection element where they terminate. In particular, the protrusions between the springs in the axial direction on the first housing end side can be integrated circumferentially from the latching face to form an annular protrusion. In particular, the annular protrusion can extend axially from the latching face to the first housing end.

[0040] In a further aspect, the width of the latch protrusion in the circumferential direction may be smaller than the width of the latch surface in the circumferential direction. Such a ratio between the width of the latch protrusion and the width of the latch surface increases the likelihood that the latch protrusion will abut the latch surface across its entire width. In this way, the material load on the latch protrusion can be reduced.

[0041] In particular, the width of two circumferentially adjacent latch protrusions, including any optional gap between the two latch protrusions, may be at most the same as the circumferential width of the latch surface.

[0042] According to one possible embodiment, the housing can be formed by injection molding. In this way, the housing and thus the contact assembly can be manufactured cost-effectively as part of an automated production.

[0043] The present invention will be described in more detail below by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this context, if the technical effect associated with an individual feature present in the following embodiments is not important according to the above embodiments, the feature can be omitted. Conversely, if the technical effect associated with a feature mentioned above but not present in the following embodiments is important for a particular application, the feature can be added to the embodiment.

[0044] In the following, the same reference signs are used for elements that correspond to one another in terms of structure and / or function. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0045] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a contact assembly according to a possible embodiment; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a housing according to a possible embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a contact assembly according to a possible embodiment before a contact element is inserted; [Figure 4]1 is a schematic perspective view of a contact assembly according to a possible embodiment in a latched state; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] In the following, the structure of the contact assembly 1 will first be described with reference to FIGS.

[0047] The contact assembly 1 comprises a housing 2 and a contact element 4 .

[0048] The housing 2 has a generally cylindrical through opening 6 that extends along an axial direction 8 from a first housing end 10 to a second housing end 12. A longitudinal axis 14 of the through opening 6 extends along the axial direction 8.

[0049] The through opening 6 has a cylindrical wall 16 that is part of the housing 2. Circular end faces 18 of the cylindrical through opening 6 are located at both the first housing end 10 and the second housing end 12. A first end face 20 of the through opening 6 located at the first housing end 10 serves as an access opening 22 through which the contact element 4 can be inserted into the through opening 6 along the axial direction 8. The insertion 23 of the contact element 4 into the through opening 6 can occur along an insertion direction 24, which extends along the axial direction 8 away from the first housing end 10 toward the second housing end 12.

[0050] The housing 2 may further comprise at least one base 26, which may be formed by the wall 16 of the through opening 6. The housing 2 preferably has a plurality of bases 26 arranged adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction 28. In particular, the bases 26 adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction 28 may be separated from one another by a recess 30. In this case, two adjacent bases 26 are spaced apart in the circumferential direction 28 by a distance 32. At the same time, the width 34 of the recess 30 in the circumferential direction 28 corresponds to the distance 32 in the circumferential direction 28 between two adjacent bases 26.

[0051] The base 26 has a hollow cylindrical segment shape including a first end face 36 and a second end face 38. The end faces 36, 38 are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axial direction 8. The first end face 36 of the base 26 is located at the first housing end 10. In particular, a plane 40 of the first end face 36 of the base 26 is located at a plane 42 of the first end face 20 of the through opening 6. The second end face 38 of the base 26 is spaced from the first end face 36 of the base 26 in the axial direction 8 by a base width 44. The second end face 38 of the base 26 is located at a point in the axial direction 8 between the first housing end 10 and the second housing end 12 in the axial direction 8.

[0052] The contact assembly 1 is provided with at least one latching surface 46. The at least one latching surface 46 is arranged in the through opening 6 and extends along the circumferential direction 28. In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the second end face 36 of the base 26 is provided as the latching surface 46. The latching surface 46 can thus be formed by the wall 16 of the through opening 6.

[0053] The latching surface 46 does not have to be formed by the base 26, but may instead be formed by an end 48 of the spring-back portion 50 facing the first housing end 10. This will be briefly explained below with reference to Figure 2. In particular, the spring-back portion 50 can spring radially outward 52. The spring-back portion 50 extends in the axial direction 8 from the latching surface 46 between two adjacent touch protection elements 54. In this case, the spring-back portion 50 merges into a gap 56 located between the two adjacent touch protection elements 54.

[0054] Adjacent spring-back portions 50 in the circumferential direction 28 may be separated from one another by protrusions 58. In particular, the protrusions 58 may protrude radially inward 60. The protrusions 58 extend in the axial direction 8 from the latching surface 46 to the touch protection element 54. In a region 62 between the first housing end 10 and the latching surface 46, the protrusions 58 may be integrated in the circumferential direction 28 to form an annular protrusion 64. The annular protrusion 64 extends in the axial direction 8 from the first housing end 10 to the latching surface 46.

[0055] The following description will again refer to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0056] The latching surfaces 46 have a width 66 in the circumferential direction 28, which may be the same for all of the latching surfaces 46. A surface normal 68 of the latching surfaces 46 extends along the axial direction 8 and faces the second housing end 12. In particular, the surface normal 68 of the latching surfaces 46 extends along the insertion direction 24. The latching surfaces 46 are spaced apart from the second housing end 12 in the axial direction 8. The latching surfaces 46 are adapted to contact complementary contact surfaces 70 of latching protrusions 72 of the contact elements 4. In this way, for example, a form-fit connection can be established, preventing relative movement between the contact elements 4 and the housing 2 along the axial direction 8.

[0057] To enable good contact between both the contact surface 74 of the latch protrusion 72 of the contact element 4 and the latch surface 46, the latch surface 46 may be, in particular, a planar plane 74. The latch surfaces 46 shown in FIG. 1 lie on a common latching surface plane 76 that extends perpendicular to the axial direction 8. In particular, a normal axis 78 of the latching surface extends along the axial direction 8 and the insertion direction 24.

[0058] At least one touch protection element 54, and in a preferred embodiment, multiple touch protection elements 54, are arranged at the second housing end 12, and these touch protection elements 54 are arranged adjacent to each other and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction 28. The single touch protection element 54 or multiple touch protection elements 54 form a touch protection portion 80.

[0059] The touch protection element 54 may have the shape of an inclined truncated pyramid 82. The touch protection element 54 has a base region 84, a top surface 86, two side surfaces 88, a first end surface 90, and a second end surface 92. The base region 84 of the touch protection element 54 lies in the plane of the wall 16 of the through opening 6. The top surface 86 of the touch protection element 54 lies parallel to the base region 84 of the touch protection element 54. The base region 84 includes a point 94 at which the touch protection element 54 protrudes furthest radially inward 60 into the through opening 6.

[0060] The first end face 90 of the touch protection element 54 extends perpendicular to the axial direction 8. A normal axis 96 of the first end face 90 extends along the axial direction 8 and faces the first housing end 10. The second end face 92 of the touch protection element 54 is a beveled surface 98 facing away from the first housing end 10. The beveled surface 98 may be flat or have a curved shape, for example the curved shape of a cylindrical shell segment. The beveled surface 98 has a normal axis 100 that is inclined relative to the axial direction 8 and the radial direction 102. The radial direction 102 extends perpendicular to the axial direction 8 and the circumferential direction 28. In particular, the normal axis 100 of the beveled surface 98 faces away from the first housing end 12.

[0061] The touch protection element 54 also has a cross-sectional area 104 parallel to the base region 84 and the top surface 86. In particular, the cross-sectional area 104 is located between the base region 84 and the top surface 86 in the radial direction 102. The cross-sectional area 104 decreases radially inward 60. As a result, an axial width 106 of the touch protection element 54 decreases radially inward 60. The axial width 106 of the touch protection element 54 represents the axial distance 8 between the first end surface 90 and the second end surface 92 of the touch protection element 54. The maximum cross-sectional area 108 is located at the base region 85 of the touch protection element 54, and the minimum cross-sectional area 110 is located at the top surface 86 of the touch protection element 54.

[0062] The touch protection elements 54 are attached to the wall 16 of the through opening 6 and project radially inward 60. In particular, the touch protection elements 54 can be formed integrally with the housing 2 or with the through opening 6. In either case, a gap 112 can be arranged between adjacent touch protection elements 54 in the circumferential direction 28. The gaps 112 separate adjacent touch protection elements 54 by a distance 114 in the circumferential direction 28. The gaps 112 have a width 116 in the circumferential direction 28. A longitudinal axis 118 of the gap 112 extends along the axial direction 8 at a point 120 in the circumferential direction 28, where the gap 112 has half the width 116 in the circumferential direction 28.

[0063] At least a part of the latching surface 46 is arranged in the extension of at least one gap 112, so that the gap 112 and the latching surface 46 are coplanar in the axial direction 8. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 , the longitudinal axis 122 of the base 26 and the surface normal 68 of the latching surface 46 arranged on the respective base 26 extend along the axial direction 8 and along the longitudinal axis 118 of the gap 112. The width 45 in the circumferential direction 28 of the base 26 or the width 66 in the circumferential direction 28 of the latching surface 46 here corresponds to the width 116 in the circumferential direction 28 of the gap 112 arranged in the axial extension to the base 26 or the latching surface 46.

[0064] The housing 2 further includes an annular recess 124 located between the base 26 and the second housing end 12. In particular, the annular recess 124 can extend in the axial direction 8 from the second end face 38 of the base 26 to the first end faces 90 of the touch protection elements 54 arranged in the circumferential direction 28. The annular recess 124 can thereby extend between two adjacent touch protection elements 54. In this case, the gap 112 between the two adjacent touch protection elements 54 and the annular recess 124 merge into each other, preferably continuously.

[0065] In addition, the annular recess 124 can extend between two adjacent bases 26. In this case, the recess 30 between the two adjacent bases 26 and the annular recess 124 merge into one another. In particular, there may be no abrupt transition between the recess 30 between the two adjacent bases 26 and the annular recess 124. In this case, the inner diameter 126 of the through opening 6 in the annular recess 124 is the same as the inner diameter 128 of the through opening 6 in the recess 128.

[0066] The contact assembly 1 further includes a contact element 4. The contact element 4 has a generally cylindrical shape extending along a longitudinal axis 130 of the contact element 4. The contact element 4 has a diameter 132 that is sufficiently small to allow the contact element 4 to be inserted into the through opening 6 of the housing 2. An outer surface 134 of the contact element 4 also has a generally cylindrical shape, which may be complementary to the wall 16 of the through opening 6 of the housing 2. The contact element 4 may be, for example, a socket.

[0067] At one axial end, the contact element 4 has a front end face 136. During insertion 23, the contact element 4 is oriented so that the contact element 4 enters the through opening 6 of the housing 2 first with the front end face 136.

[0068] The contact element 4 includes at least one latch protrusion 72 having a width 140 in the circumferential direction 28. The at least one latch protrusion 72 is configured for form-fitting engagement with at least one complementarily configured latch surface 46 of the housing 2. The contact element 4 preferably includes a plurality of latch protrusions 72 arranged adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction 28. In particular, the latch protrusions 72 arranged adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction 28 may be equally spaced apart in the circumferential direction 28 and may have the same width 140 in the circumferential direction 28.

[0069] 1-4, the latch protrusion 72 is illustratively configured as a latch finger 144. However, numerous other configurations of the latch protrusion are possible, for example, as a locking latch or locking spring.

[0070] The latch protrusion 72 extends along a longitudinal axis 144 from a basis 146 to a free end 148. In an unloaded state 150, an angle 152 exists between the longitudinal axis 144 of the latch protrusion 72 and the longitudinal axis 130 of the contact element 4.

[0071] Preferably, a base 146 of the latch protrusion 72 is joined to the outer surface 134 of the contact element 4 in a material-locking manner. In particular, the latch protrusion 72 can be formed integrally with the contact element 4. In the unmounted state 150, a free end 148 of the latch protrusion 72 is spaced in the radial direction 102 from the outer surface 134 of the contact element 4. The latch protrusion 72 is adapted to flex or resiliently deform in the radially inward direction 60. When the latch protrusion 72 is maximally flexed in the radially inward direction 60, the longitudinal axis 144 of the latch protrusion 72 extends along the longitudinal axis 130 of the contact element 4. In this state, the latch protrusion 72 rests in a trough-shaped recess 154, which has a shape complementary to the latch protrusion 72 and is recessed in the outer surface 134 of the contact element 4.

[0072] The free end 148 of the latch protrusion 72 has a contact surface 70 that is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 144 of the latch protrusion 72. In particular, a normal axis 156 of the contact surface 70 of the latch protrusion 72 extends along the longitudinal axis 144 of the latch protrusion 72. The more the latch protrusion 72 deflects radially inward 60, the smaller the angle 152 between the longitudinal axis 144 of the latch protrusion 72 and the longitudinal axis 130 of the contact element 4. The contact surface 70 of the latch protrusion 72 is configured to contact the latch surface 46 of the housing 2. In this manner, a form-fit connection between the latch protrusion 72 of the contact element 4 and the latch surface 46 of the housing 2 can be achieved.

[0073] The insertion 23 of the contact element 4 into the housing 2 will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0074] At the start of insertion 23, the contact element 4 is positioned in the axial extension of the through opening 6 of the housing. The front end face 136 of the contact element 4 is located in the access opening 22 of the first housing end 10. The longitudinal axis 130 of the contact element 4 extends along the central axis 158 of the housing 2, along the longitudinal axis 14 of the through opening 6, and along the insertion direction 24.

[0075] During insertion 23, contact element 4 can have any angular position 160 in circumferential direction 28 relative to through opening 6. As long as longitudinal axis 130 of contact element 4 extends along longitudinal axis 14 of through opening 6 and along insertion direction 24, contact element 4 can be inserted into through opening 6 of housing 2 at any desired angular position 160 in circumferential direction 28.

[0076] For insertion 23, contact element 4 is pushed through access opening 22 and into through opening 6 of housing 2 along insertion direction 24. In this process, front end face 136 of contact element 4 moves toward second housing end 12. After contact element 4 is inserted into through opening 6 of housing 2 along insertion direction 24 an axial distance 162 between front end face 136 and base 146 of latch protrusion 72, base 146 of latch protrusion 72 initially contacts first end face 36 of base 26. The point where first end face 36 of base 26 contacts latch protrusion 72 is referred to as contact point 164.

[0077] Further insertion 23 of the contact element along the insertion direction causes the contact point 164 to move along the longitudinal axis 144 of the latch protrusion 72 from the base 146 of the latch protrusion 72 to the free end 148 of the latch protrusion 72. As a result, the latch protrusion 72 deflects radially inward 60. This reduces the angle 152 between the longitudinal axis 144 of the latch protrusion 72 and the longitudinal axis of the contact element 4, and thus the latch protrusion 72 moves toward the complementary trough-like recess 154 in the outer surface 134 of the contact element 4. Once the contact point 164 reaches the free end 148 of the latch protrusion 72, the latch protrusion 72 is prevented from further deflecting radially inward 60 by the first end face 36 of the base 26. In this state, the latch protrusion 72 is fully received in the trough-like recess 154 in the outer surface 134 of the contact element 4. The diameter 165 of the contact element 4 in the recessed area 166 extending along the axial direction 8 then corresponds to the diameter 168 of the contact element 4 at the front end face, so that the contact element 4 can be pressed further into the through opening 6.

[0078] After the contact element 4 is further pushed along the insertion direction 24 by the base width 44, the free end 148 of the latch protrusion 72, which has been deflected radially inward 60, comes into contact with the second end 138 of the base 26. Next, when the contact element 4 is further pushed along the insertion direction 24, the latch protrusion 72, which has been deflected radially inward 60, is no longer pressed by the base 26 into the trough-like recess 154 of the contact element 4. Therefore, the elastically deformed latch protrusion 72 rebounds radially outward 52 due to its restoring force. In this case, the latch protrusion 72 is received in the annular recess 124 of the wall 16 of the housing 2.

[0079] In this state, the contact elements 4 are latched in the housing 2 .

[0080] As the contact element 4 moves further along the insertion direction 24 in the latched state 170, the front end face 136 of the contact element 4 abuts against the first end face 90 of the touch protection element 54 disposed at the second housing end 12, thereby limiting further movement of the contact element 4 along the insertion direction 24.

[0081] When the contact element 4 is moved in the latched state 170 in the direction opposite to the insertion direction 24, the contact surface 70 located at the free end 148 of the latch protrusion 72 abuts against the latch surface 46 of the housing 2, thereby limiting the movement in the direction opposite to the insertion direction 24.

[0082] If the axial distance 172 between the free end 148 of the latch projection 72 and the front end face 136 of the contact element 4 is less than the width 174 of the annular recess 124, the contact element 4 latched within the housing 2 will have play in the axial direction 8. Nevertheless, as previously described, the axial movement of the contact element 4 relative to the housing 2 will be limited.

[0083] In the latched state 170, the contact element 4 can be rotated in the through opening 6 along the circumferential direction 18 as desired. At each angular position 160 in the circumferential direction 28 between the contact element 4 and the through opening 6, it is ensured that the contact element 4 remains fixed against movement in the axial direction 8. In particular, at each angular position 160 of the contact element 4, it is ensured that at least one latch protrusion 72 of the contact element 4 latches into at least one latch surface 46 of the housing 2. Furthermore, the contact element 4 can have at least one latch protrusion 72 at each angular position 160 in the circumferential direction 28, which latch protrusion 72 abuts or latches into the latch surface 46 over the entire width 140 in the circumferential direction 28. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 Contact Assembly 2. Housing 4 Contact Elements 6 Through opening 8 Axial Direction 10 first housing end 12 second housing end 14 Longitudinal axis of through opening 16 Wall 18 End face of through opening 20 first end surface of through opening 22 Access opening 23 Insertion 24 Insertion direction 26 base 28 Circumferential direction 30 recess 32 Circumferential distance between adjacent bases 34 Circumferential width of recess 36 First end face of base 38 Second end face of base 40 Flat surface of first end face of base 42 Plane of first end surface of through opening 44 axial base width 45 Circumferential width of base 46 Latch surface 48 End of bounce section 50 Bounce section 52 Radial outward 54 Touch Protection Elements 56 Gap between two touch protection elements 58 Protrusion 60 radially inward 62 Area between the first housing end and the latch surface 64 Annular protrusion 66 Circumferential width of latch face 68 Surface normal of latch surface 70 Latch protrusion contact surface 72 Latch protrusion 74 Flat surface 76 Latch Surface 78 Normal axis of latch surface 80 Touch protection part 82 Inclined truncated pyramid 84 Touch protection element base area 86 Touch protection element top surface 88 Touch Protection Element Side 90 First end face of touch protection element 92 second end face of touch protection element 94 The point that protrudes farthest inward in the radial direction 96 Normal axis of the first end face of the touch protection element 98 Slope 100 Normal axis of the slope 102 Radial 104 Cross-sectional area of ​​touch protection element 106 Axial width of touch protection element 108 Maximum cross-sectional area of ​​touch protection element 110 Minimum cross-sectional area of ​​touch protection element 112 Gap 114 Circumferential distance between adjacent touch protection elements 116 Circumferential width of gap 118 Longitudinal axis of gap 120 Circumferential location 122 Longitudinal axis of base 124 Circular depression 126 Inner diameter of through opening in annular recess 128 Inner diameter of through opening in recess 130 longitudinal axis of contact element 132 Contact element diameter 134 Outer surface of contact element 136 Front end face of contact element 138 second end of base 140 Circumferential width of latch protrusion 142 Latch Finger 144 Longitudinal axis of latch protrusion 146 Base 148 Free end 150 Unequipped 152 angle 154 Trough-shaped depression 156 Normal axis of contact surface 158 Housing central axis 160 angular position 162 Distance between the first end face of the base and the base 164 Contact Points 165 Diameter of contact element in recessed area 166 Recessed Area 168 Diameter of contact element at front end face 170 Latch engaged state 172 Distance between the free end and the front end face 174 Width of annular recess

Claims

1. A contact assembly (1) for electrical HV connections, comprising: A housing (2) including a touch protection portion (80), the housing (2) having a through opening (6) extending from a first housing end (10) of the housing (2) to a second housing end (12) of the housing (2) spaced apart from the first housing end (10) along an axial direction (8); the housing (2) has at least one touch protection element (54) protruding radially inward at the second housing end (12), and the through opening (6) has at least one latch surface (46) extending circumferentially (28) around the axial direction (8) and having a surface normal (78) facing the second housing end (12); a contact element (4) insertable into the through opening (6) from the first housing end (10) towards the second housing end (12) at any desired angular position (160) around the axial direction (8); When the contact element (4) is inserted into the through opening (6), at least one latch protrusion (72) of the contact element (4) latches into the at least one latch surface (46) at each of the desired angular positions (160); the at least one latch surface (46) forms an end (138) facing the second housing end (12) of a base (26) extending in the axial direction (8) from the first housing end (10) to the second housing end (12); an annular recess (124) disposed between the base (26) and the second housing end (12); The at least one latch projection (72) is received in the annular recess (124).

2. 2. The contact assembly (1) of claim 1, wherein the through opening (6) has a plurality of latch surfaces (46) spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction (28), and the contact element (4) has a plurality of latch protrusions (72) arranged adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction (28), and when the contact element (4) is latched to the housing (2), at least one latch protrusion (72) abuts against a latch surface (46) over the entire width (140) extending in the circumferential direction (28) at each angular position (160) of the contact element (4) relative to the housing (2).

3. The latch surface (46) and the latch protrusion (72) have the following differences: the width (66) of at least some of the latching surfaces (46) in the circumferential direction (28) is different from the width (140) of at least some of the latching projections (72) in the circumferential direction (28); - the number of latching surfaces (46) is different from the number of latching projections (72); a distance in the circumferential direction (28) between at least some of the latch protrusions (72) adjacent in the circumferential direction (28) of the plurality of latch protrusions (72) is different from a distance in the circumferential direction (28) between at least some of the touch protection elements (54) adjacent in the circumferential direction (28); The contact assembly (1) according to claim 2, comprising at least one of:

4. 4. The contact assembly (1) of claim 3, wherein adjacent touch protection elements (54) in the circumferential direction (28) among the plurality of touch protection elements (54) are separated from each other by gaps (112), and at least a portion of the plurality of latch surfaces (46) is respectively arranged in the axial direction (8) in an extension of at least one gap (112).

5. 5. The contact assembly (1) of claim 4, wherein a width (66) of the latching surface (46) in the circumferential direction (28) is at most the same as a width (116) of the gap (112) in the circumferential direction (28).

6. 3. The contact assembly (1) of claim 2, wherein when the contact element (4) is inserted into the housing (2), at least one of the plurality of latch protrusions (72) latches into engagement with at least two latch surfaces (46).

7. A contact assembly (1) as described in claim 1, wherein in a latched engagement state (170) in which the contact element (4) is latched within the housing (2), the at least one latch protrusion (72) is accommodated in the annular recess (124).

8. 2. The contact assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the base (26) is flush with a gap (112) between two touch protection elements (54) adjacent in the circumferential direction (28) in the axial direction (8).

9. 2. The contact assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (2) includes a plurality of bases (26), and adjacent bases (26) in the circumferential direction (28) are separated from each other by recesses (30).

10. A contact assembly (1) as described in claim 1, wherein the axial (8) distance (172) between the free end (148) of the at least one latch protrusion (72) and the front end face (136) of the contact element (4) is smaller than the axial (8) extending width (174) of the annular recess (124).

11. 11. The contact assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the housing (2) is formed by injection molding.

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