Technique for preventing generation of arc when DC connection is disconnected by using an extension of a wire complex

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug-in contact device (100) that uses an extension part to extinguish an electric arc, which includes a main contact HA (112) and an auxiliary contact HI (114). The HA (112) and the HI (114) each include a first contact half HA1 (112-1) or HI1 (114-1) and a second contact half HA2 (112-2) or HI2 (114-2) that can be detachably plugged together. The HA (112) electrically connects the HA1 (112-1) and the HA2 (112-2) in the plugged state T0, while the HI (114) electrically isolates the HI1 (114-1) and the HI2 (114-2) in T0. In the released state T3, the HA1 (112-1) and the HA2 (112-2), as well as the HI1 (114-1) and the HI2 (114-2), are each electrically isolated. In a first intermediate state T1 between T0 and T3, the HA1 (112-1) and the HA2 (112-2), as well as the HI1 (114-1) and the HI2 (114-2), are each electrically connected. In a second intermediate state T2 between T1 and T3, the HA1 (112-1) and the HA2 (112-2) are electrically isolated, and the HA2 (112-2) and the HI2 (114-2) are electrically connected. The electronic switch unit (120) connects the HA1 (112-1) and the HI1 (114-1) in response to the transition of the plug-in connector (110) from T0 to T1. The two are separated in response to the transition from T1 to T3 and / or from T2 to T3.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for preventing the generation of an arc or extinguishing an arc by using an extension of a wire composite when a DC connection is disconnected or closed, and in particular to a plug contact device. Background Art

[0002] Different from AC applications, when disconnecting or closing a DC connection, arcs must be increasingly taken into account. This poses a particular challenge to plug connectors. On the one hand, the arc can damage the plug connector, including the housing components and the contacts. On the other hand, the arc can also pose a danger to the operator.

[0003] There are various solutions for extinguishing arcs with mechanical assistance means, such as sacrificial zones, or by means of so-called arc extinguishing magnets (based on the Lorentz force acting on the plasma of the arc) or based on the contact separation speed.

[0004] Another alternative is electronic arc extinguishing. This solution suppresses the arc with electronic components. Its principle is similar to that of an electronic switch. Like a mechanical switch, the circuit is interrupted. However, since there is no physical contact being disconnected, no arc will be generated therebetween. The circuit is interrupted by means of electronic components. Semiconductor devices such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), or varistors transfer the breaking capacity to the electronic components, thereby protecting the contacts. Such techniques are described in publications such as EP 2 742 565 B1, US 2018 / 0006447 A1, DE000020253749A1, and DE10 2007 043512 A1.

[0005] During normal operation, the current either continuously flows through the electronic device, which constantly generates power losses, or during the switching process, the current briefly flows through the electronic device and is then cut off, which is significantly better in terms of energy efficiency. In this case, additional auxiliary contacts need to be provided, which are parallel to one of the load contacts and enable the current to flow through the electronic device. These variants, which are described, for example, in the publications EP 2 742 565 B1 and US 2018 / 0006447 A1, can be integrated either in the plug connector housing or arranged in the patch panel or switchgear cabinet. The latter approach of centrally placing the electronic devices in the patch panel or switchgear cabinet has the advantage that any number of plug connectors can be operated with one module. For example, as described in the document EP 2 742 565 B1, corresponding diodes must be installed in the incoming line of each auxiliary contact so that no short circuit occurs between the different branches (Strang) of several plug connectors and the current of only the currently switched branch (or the plug connector to be disconnected or connected) flows through the electronic device.

[0006] The diodes described in the document EP 2 742 565 B1 allow several plug connectors to be supplied in parallel with a single electronic module, but this only applies to unidirectional networks. A characteristic of DC networks is that the energy flow can be bidirectional, for example, in a storage battery (secondary battery), where the storage battery can be both a source and a consumer of direct current. Similarly, an electric motor can operate as a consumer of direct current, but can also feed back energy in generator mode during braking. In the case of bidirectional applications, for example, when switching between the motor mode and the generator mode, the above diode circuit does not work. In this case, a much more complex circuit for each individual auxiliary contact would have to be implemented at a high additional cost.

[0007] A disadvantage of the known prior art is that the electronic device can only supply power to one plug connector on each branch, i.e., the first plug connector behind the electronic device. However, in applications, it often occurs that several plug connectors are connected in series. For example, a multiple socket can be plugged into a wall socket. Then other devices can be plugged into the multiple socket, and some of these devices can also be disconnected directly on the device via another plug. For example, a so-called cold device plug can be installed on the device. Therefore, it is not uncommon for several plug connectors to be connected in series. This can result in a large number of series connections through extensions and branches of the wire complex. The prior art does not provide a solution for connecting the other plug connectors connected in series behind the first plug connector in terms of the arc extinguishing electronic device. In this case, when one of the other plug connectors is disconnected, the arc extinguishing electronic device can neither prevent the generation of an arc nor extinguish the arc. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for preventing the generation of an arc or extinguishing an arc by using a series circuit composed of an extension portion of a wire complex or a plurality of plug connectors when a DC connection is disconnected or closed, and this technique can operate in both unidirectional networks and bidirectional networks.

[0009] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. Reasonable technical solutions and advantageous further solutions of the present invention are provided in the dependent claims.

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with partial reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0011] According to a first aspect, there is provided a plug-in contact device for preventing the generation of an electric arc or extinguishing an electric arc by using an extension of a wire complex when a DC connection is disconnected or closed. The plug-in contact device includes at least two plug-in connectors located at the ends of the extension of the wire complex, and each of the plug-in connectors has a main contact (HA) and an auxiliary contact (HI). The HA of each of the at least two plug-in connectors includes a first contact half (HA1) and a second contact half (HA2) that can be detachably plugged together. The HA of each of the at least two plug-in connectors is designed to conductively connect HA1 and HA2 in the plugged state (T0) of the relevant plug-in connector. The HA of each of the at least two plug-in connectors is further designed to electrically isolate HA1 and HA2 in the released state (T3) of the relevant plug-in connector. In addition, the HA of each of the at least two plug-in connectors is designed to conductively connect HA1 and HA2 in a first intermediate state (T1) of the relevant plug-in connector that is between the plugged state (T0) and the released state. In addition, the HA of each of the at least two plug-in connectors is designed to electrically isolate HA1 and HA2 in a second intermediate state (T2) of the relevant plug-in connector that is between the first intermediate state (T1) and the released state. The auxiliary contact (HI) of each of the at least two plug-in connectors includes a first contact half (HI1) and a second contact half (HI2) that can be detachably plugged together. The HI of each of the at least two plug-in connectors is designed to electrically isolate HI1 and HI2 in the plugged state (T0) of the relevant plug-in connector. The HA of each of the at least two plug-in connectors is further designed to electrically isolate HI1 and HI2 in the released state (T3) of the relevant plug-in connector. In addition, the HA of each of the at least two plug-in connectors is designed to conductively connect HI1 and HI2 in the first intermediate state (T1) of the relevant plug-in connector. In addition, the HA of each of the at least two plug-in connectors is designed to conductively connect HI1 and HI2 in the second intermediate state (T2) of the relevant plug-in connector. Wherein, HA2 and HI2 of the relevant plug-in connector are conductively connected. In addition, HA2 of the first plug-in connector is conductively connected to HA1 of the second plug-in connector.

[0012] The pluggable contact device further includes an electronic switch unit. A first terminal of the electronic switch unit is conductively connected to HA1 of the first pluggable connector, and a second terminal of the electronic switch unit is conductively connected to HI1 of the first pluggable connector and HI1 of the second pluggable connector. The electronic switch unit is designed to conductively connect the first terminal and the second terminal or reduce the impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the transition of one of the at least two pluggable connectors from the mated state (T0) to the first intermediate state (T1) of at least one of the pluggable connectors. The electronic switch unit is further designed to electrically isolate the first terminal and the second terminal or increase the impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the transition of one of the at least two pluggable connectors from the first intermediate state (T1) to the second intermediate state (T2) of at least one of the pluggable connectors and / or the transition from the second intermediate state (T2) to the released state of at least one of the pluggable connectors.

[0013] In an embodiment of the pluggable contact device according to the first aspect, HA of each pluggable connector can conductively connect HA1 and HA2 in the mated state, while HI of each pluggable connector can electrically isolate HI1 and HI2 in the mated state. In the released state, HA1 and HA2, and HI1 and HI2 can be electrically isolated respectively. In the first intermediate state of the pluggable connector between T0 and T3, HA1 and HA2, and HI1 and HI2 can be conductively connected respectively. In the second intermediate state of the pluggable connector between T1 and T3, HA1 and HA2 can be electrically isolated, while HA2 and HI2 can be conductively connected.

[0014] According to the first aspect, HA can also be referred to as a load contact.

[0015] According to a second aspect, there is provided a plug-in contact device for preventing the generation of an electric arc or extinguishing an electric arc using an extension portion of a wire complex when a DC connection is disconnected or closed. The plug-in contact device includes at least two plug connectors located at the ends of the extension portion of the wire complex, and each of the plug connectors has a main contact (HA). The HA of each plug connector includes a first contact half (HA1) and a second contact half (HA2) that can be detachably plugged together. HA1 includes a load contact portion (LA1), an isolation portion (TA1), and an auxiliary contact portion (HI1). The HA of each of the at least two plug connectors is designed to conductively connect LA1 and HA2 in the plugged state (T0) of the relevant plug connector, and electrically isolate HI1 from HA2. The HA of each of the at least two plug connectors is further designed to electrically isolate LA1 and HI1 from HA2 in the released state (T3) of the relevant plug connector. In addition, the HA of each of the at least two plug connectors is designed to electrically isolate LA1 and HA2 and at least bring TA1 into contact with the contact point of HA2 in a first intermediate state (T1') of the relevant plug connector between the plugged state (T0) and the released state (T3). In addition, the HA of each of the at least two plug connectors is designed to conductively connect HI1 and HA2 and electrically isolate LA1 and HA2 in a second intermediate state (T2) of the relevant plug connector between the first intermediate state (T1') and the released state (T3). Wherein, HA2 of the first plug connector is conductively connected to HA1 of the second plug connector.

[0016] The plug-in contact device further includes an electronic switch unit. A first terminal of the electronic switch unit is conductively connected to LA1 of the first plug connector, and a second terminal of the electronic switch unit is conductively connected to HI1 of the first plug connector and the second plug connector. The electronic switch unit is designed to conductively connect the first terminal and the second terminal or reduce the impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the transition of one of the at least two plug connectors from the plugged state (T0) to the first intermediate state (T1'). The electronic switch unit is further designed to electrically separate the first terminal and the second terminal or increase the impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the transition of one of the at least two plug connectors from the first intermediate state (T1') to the second intermediate state (T2) and / or from the second intermediate state (T2) to the released state (T3).

[0017] An embodiment according to the first aspect and / or the second aspect can implement a plug-in contact device that (for example, in the case of series connection) does not have to be provided with a diode on the auxiliary contact. The auxiliary contact can also be referred to as a control contact. In order to be able to dispense with the diode, the following is provided: the contact halves (HI1 and HI2 according to the first aspect or HI1 and HA2 according to the second aspect) are electrically isolated in the plugged state, for example by means of partially insulated pin contacts (as HI1 with an isolation part according to the first aspect, or as HA1 with a part of HI1 and TA1 according to the second aspect). Such an auxiliary contact or a plug connector including such an auxiliary contact can also be referred to as an "X conductor". The technology for preventing or suppressing arcing when a plug connector with an auxiliary contact ("X conductor") is disconnected and / or closed can be transmitted to the series-connected plug connectors by the plug-in contact device according to any one of the above (first and second) aspects, for example by integrating an additional conductive connection between the series auxiliary contacts and / or an additional conductive connection to an electronic switch unit (also referred to as an arc extinguishing electronic device) in the plug connector by means of an additional transfer contact (also referred to as a "Y contact"). The additional transfer contact is connected to the auxiliary contact in the plug connector and thus also to the electronic switch unit. An additional wire (or "core wire") is correspondingly provided in the extension of the wire complex leading to the subsequent plug connector to establish a connection to the central electronic switch unit.

[0018] The extension of the wire complex can include an extension cable. As an alternative or in addition, the extension of the wire complex can include a wire harness and / or wires distributed in a building installation facility and / or wires installed on a unit in an industrial layout. For example, the "X conductor" can be distributed in a multi-core cable or laid as a separate wire (for example, by means of a branch behind one half of each plug connector).

[0019] The extension of the wire complex can be assigned to a power distribution network or an electrical installation.

[0020] Further embodiments of the plug-in contact device according to one of the above aspects will be described below. As long as the first or second aspect is not explicitly mentioned, these embodiments are related to both of the above aspects.

[0021] HA1 of each of the at least two plug connectors can include a pin contact, and HA2 of each of the at least two plug connectors can include a socket contact. As an alternative, HA2 of each of the at least two plug connectors can include a pin contact, and HA1 of each of the at least two plug connectors can include a socket contact.

[0022] As an alternative or additional solution, according to the first aspect, the HI1 of each of the at least two plug connectors may include a pin contact, and the HI2 of each of the at least two plug connectors may include a socket contact. As a further alternative or additional solution, according to the first aspect, the HI2 of each of the at least two plug connectors may include a pin contact, and the HI1 of each of the at least two plug connectors may include a socket contact. HI is designed, for example, such that in the mated state (e.g., full plug-in state), there is no conductive connection between HI1 and HI2 (e.g., between the pin contact and the socket contact).

[0023] Only when the DC connection is disconnected (i.e., transitioning towards the release state), the circuit will be closed through an electronic switching unit (abbreviated as electronic device), preferably when transitioning to the first intermediate state. This preferably occurs before an arc is generated on the previous main contact (HA) or before an arc is generated in the absence of HI (according to the first aspect) or HI part (according to the second aspect), for example, when transitioning to the second intermediate state. At this time, the arc will trigger the electronic switching unit (abbreviated as electronic device), for example, based on the voltage drop between the first and second connectors, and then the current will conduct through HI or HI part and the electronic device. Then, the electronic device directly interrupts the circuit (e.g., after a time span shorter than the typical time span from the second intermediate state to the release state), thereby achieving a load-free disconnection of the electrical connection (and / or a load-free disconnection of HI or HI part) without generating an arc. An exemplary mode of operation of this electronic device is described in the published case EP 2 742 565 B1.

[0024] In a plug contact device having several parallel plug connectors (also known as branches), an embodiment of the plug contact device can be achieved by the electrical separation (preferably physical separation or electrical isolation) of the auxiliary contact (HI) according to the first aspect or the auxiliary contact part (HI1) according to the second aspect of the plug contact device in the mated state to separate each branch from each other.

[0025] Here, the electrically isolated state can also be referred to as the open state. The conductive connection state can also be referred to as the closed state.

[0026] In addition to the main contact (HA) - and the auxiliary contact (HI) according to the first aspect - each of the at least two plug connectors may further include a mating contact (GE) and / or a ground contact (PE, also known as "physically"), which can also be referred to as a second main contact. The GE and / or PE of each plug connector may each include a first contact half and a second contact half.

[0027] The first contact half GE1 of GE may include a pin contact, and the second contact half GE2 of GE may include a socket contact. As an alternative, GE2 may include a pin contact and GE1 may include a socket contact. As an alternative or in addition, the first contact half PE1 of PE may include a pin contact, and the second contact half PE2 of PE may include a socket contact, or PE2 may include a pin contact and PE1 may include a socket contact.

[0028] The main contact (HA) of the first plug connector may be connected or connectable to the positive pole of the DC power supply. The mating contact (GE) of the first plug connector may be connected or connectable to the negative pole of the DC power supply. GE and / or PE may be conductively connected in the plugged state (T0), the first intermediate state (T1; T1'), and the second intermediate state (T2), and may be electrically isolated in the released state (T3).

[0029] The electronic switch unit may include at least one semiconductor switch. The electronic switch unit may be connected in series with the HI (according to the first aspect) or HI1 (according to the second aspect) of the at least two plug connectors. The HI or HI1 of each plug connector may be selectively connected in parallel with the HA of the relevant plug connector by means of the electronic switch unit. The electronic switch unit may also be referred to as an arc extinguishing electronic device.

[0030] The electronic switch unit may be further designed to conductively connect the first terminal and the second terminal or reduce the impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the transition of one of the at least two plug connectors from the released state to the second intermediate state (T2) and / or from the second intermediate state (T2) to the first intermediate state (T1; T1'), and to electrically separate the first terminal and the second terminal or increase the impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the transition of one of the at least two plug connectors from the first intermediate state (T1; T1') to the plugged state (T0).

[0031] The electronic switch unit may be designed to conductively connect the first terminal and the second terminal to enable bidirectional current flow or two current directions. The bidirectional current flow can be ensured by a rectifier.

[0032] One pole of the DC power supply of the DC connection, preferably the positive pole of the DC power supply, may be conductively connected or connectable to the HA1 according to the first aspect (or LA1 of HA1 according to the second aspect) of the main contact of the first plug connector and / or the first terminal of the electronic switch unit. One pole of the electrical device, preferably the positive pole of the electrical device, may be conductively connected or connectable to the HA2 of the main contact of the second plug connector and / or the HI2 of the auxiliary contact (according to the first aspect) of the second plug connector.

[0033] As an alternative or additional solution, one pole of the DC-connected DC power supply, preferably the positive pole of the DC power supply, can be conductively connected or conductively connectable to HA2 of the main contact of the second plug connector and / or HI2 of the auxiliary contact of the second plug connector (according to the first aspect). One pole of the electrical device, preferably the positive pole of the electrical device, can be conductively connected or conductively connectable to HA1 (or LA1 of HA1 according to the second aspect) of the main contact of the first plug connector and / or the first connection of the electronic switch unit.

[0034] For example, the DC power supply can include a rechargeable electrical energy storage device (preferably a secondary battery), and the electrical device can include an electric motor (E-Maschine). The electric motor can (preferably temporarily) operate in generator mode, in which the current direction of the direct current is reversed by the plugging contact device (preferably for recuperation).

[0035] At least the first plug connector can include a transfer contact (WL) having a first contact half (WL1) and a second contact half (WL2). WL1 of the WL of the first plug connector can be electrically connected to the first connection of the electronic switch unit and / or HI1 (respectively according to the first and second aspects). WL2 of the WL of the first plug connector can be conductively connected to HI1 of the second plug connector (respectively according to the first or second aspect). Optionally, the second plug connector can also include a transfer contact (WL) having a first contact half (WL1) and a second contact half (WL2). WL1 of the WL of the second plug connector can be conductively connected to HI1 of the second plug connector (respectively according to the first or second aspect) and / or WL2 of the first plug connector.

[0036] WL1 of the first plug connector or each plug connector among the at least two plug connectors can each include a pin contact, and WL2 of the first plug connector or each plug connector among the at least two plug connectors can each include a socket contact. As an alternative, WL2 of the first plug connector or each plug connector among the at least two plug connectors can each include a pin contact, and WL1 of the first plug connector or each plug connector among the at least two plug connectors can each include a socket contact.

[0037] When the second plug connector or other plug connectors are disconnected or closed, the WL through the first plug connector can activate the electronic switch unit by connecting the conductive connection of the second plug connector or other plug connectors (HI according to the first aspect) or the conductive connection between HA2 and HI1 (according to the second aspect) to the electronic switch unit via WL. In particular, when the series plug connector far from the electronic switch unit is disconnected, the voltage difference between the first terminal and the second terminal of the electronic switch unit can be changed through the conductive connection of HI or HI1, thereby changing the impedance of the electronic switch unit.

[0038] The WL can be designed as a signal contact, a communication contact or a data contact. As an alternative or supplement, the WL can include a coaxial contact having other contacts (such as signal contacts).

[0039] The outer contour of the pin contact of HA and / or the inner contour of the socket contact of each of the at least two plug connectors and / or the outer contour of the pin contact of HI (according to the first aspect) and / or the inner contour of the socket contact of the relevant plug connector can have a circular, oval or polygonal cross-section. The HA and / or (according to the first aspect) HI and / or WL and / or GE and / or PE of the relevant plug connector can be hermaphroditisch. For example, the first contact half HA1 and GE1 can be designed as socket contacts, and the first contact half PE1 can be designed as pin contacts.

[0040] The electronic switch unit can include at least one semiconductor switch, which is adapted to reduce the impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal or conductively connect the first terminal and the second terminal when a voltage is applied between the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0041] The electronic switch unit can be designed to enable current to flow bidirectionally between the first terminal and the second terminal. The electronic switch unit preferably can include a rectifier bridge to achieve bidirectional current flow. The electronic switch unit can include a rectifier bridge linked to at least one semiconductor switch. For example, the rectifier bridge is linked to one or several semiconductor switches, which selectively conductively connect and separate the first terminal and the second terminal, or selectively increase and decrease the impedance between the first terminal and the second terminal. Two opposite terminals of the rectifier bridge can include the first terminal and the second terminal of the electronic switch unit. The other two opposite terminals of the rectifier bridge can be interconnected or can be interconnected through semiconductor switches and / or RC elements and / or capacitors and / or varistors and / or thermistors.

[0042] The electronic switch unit may include two semiconductor switches connected in series with each other in opposite directions, and these semiconductor switches are each connected in parallel with a diode in the blocking direction. The parallel-connected diodes may function as a bypass in the blocking direction of the semiconductor switches. Optionally, the electronic switch unit may further include a trigger circuit that is adapted to close the semiconductor switches when a voltage is applied between the first terminal and the second terminal. Further optionally, the trigger circuit may include a rectifier bridge.

[0043] As an alternative or in addition, the electronic switch unit may include a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and / or an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and / or an RC element having a capacitor and a varistor and / or a thermistor.

[0044] The plug-in contact device may include at least two first plug-in connectors and two second plug-in connectors and an electronic switch unit, and each of the plug-in connectors has HA (and also has HI according to the first aspect). The first terminal of the electronic switch unit may be conductively connected to HA1 of each first plug-in connector's HA (according to the first aspect) or LA1 of HA1 (according to the second aspect). The second terminal of the electronic switch unit may be conductively connected to HI1 of the relevant first plug-in connector (respectively according to the first and second aspects). The first plug-in connector halves of the at least two first plug-in connectors may be connected to the same DC power supply and / or connected in parallel.

[0045] The at least two plug-in connectors may further each include an opposed contact (GE) having a first contact half (GE1) and a second contact half (GE2) for making a DC connection to the opposite pole with respect to the relevant HA. Preferably, the GE of each plug-in connector may be designed to conductively connect GE1 and GE2 in the plugged-in state (T0) of the relevant plug-in connector, the first intermediate state (T1; T1') of the relevant plug-in connector, and the second intermediate state (T2) of the relevant plug-in connector. The contact half GE1 or GE2 may be longer than the contact half HA1 (according to the first aspect) and LA1 (according to the second aspect) or HA2 of HA. In particular, the contact half GE1 or GE2 of GE may have the same length as the contact half HI1 or HI2 of HI according to the first aspect and HI1 of HA1 according to the second aspect.

[0046] Each of the at least two plug connectors may further include a ground contact (PE) having a first contact half (PE1) and a second contact half (PE2). The PE may be designed to conductively connect PE1 and PE2 in the mated state (T0) of the associated plug connector, the first intermediate state (T1; T1') of the associated plug connector, and the second intermediate state (T2) of the associated plug connector. The contact half PE1 or PE2 may be longer than the contact halves HA1 (according to the first aspect) and LA1 (according to the second aspect) of HA, and / or longer than the contact halves HI1 or HI2 of HI (according to the first aspect) and longer than HI1 of HA1 (according to the second aspect), and / or longer than the contact halves GE1 and GE2 of GE.

[0047] Each of the at least two plug connectors may include a first plug connector half and a second plug connector half. The first plug connector half may include HA1 of HA (and may further include HI1 of HI according to the first aspect). The first plug connector half may further include WL1 of WL and / or GE1 of GE and / or PE1 of PE. The second plug connector half may include HA2 of HA (and may further include HI2 of HI according to the first aspect). The second plug connector half may further include GE2 of GE, WL2 of WL, and / or PE2 of PE. The first plug connector half may also be referred to as a socket. The second plug connector half may also be referred to as a power plug.

[0048] The first plug connector half and the second plug connector half of the plug connector may be mechanically connected in the mated state. The first plug connector half and the second plug connector half of the plug connector may be spatially separated in the released state.

[0049] Each plug connector half may include a housing.

[0050] The HA (and HI according to the first aspect) of each plug connector and optionally WL and / or GE and / or PE may each have a longitudinal axis. The HA1 and HA2 (and HI1 and HI2 according to the first aspect) of the plug connector and optionally WL1 and WL2 and / or GE1 and GE2 and / or PE1 and PE2 may be mated and separated along their longitudinal axes, respectively. The longitudinal axis of HA (and the longitudinal axis of HI according to the first aspect) and optionally the longitudinal axis of WL and / or GE and / or PE may be parallel to each other. As an alternative, the HA1 and HA2 (and HI1 and HI2 according to the first aspect) and optionally the WL1 and WL2 and / or GE1 and GE2 and / or PE1 and PE2 may be mated and separated along a transverse axis that is transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0051] For each of the at least two plug connectors according to the first aspect, the extension of HI (load side) HI2 or (DC power supply side) HI1 of each plug connector relative to the contact point corresponding to the relevant HI's (load side) HI2 or (DC power supply side) HI1 of (DC power supply side) HI1 or (load side) HI2 can be longer than the extension of HA's (load side) HA2 or (DC power supply side) HA1 relative to the contact point corresponding to the relevant HA's (load side) HA2 or (DC power supply side) HA1 of (DC power supply side) HA1 or (load side) HA2. The extensions can be determined along the longitudinal axis in the mating direction in the mated state. The contact half on the load side can be determined by the conductive connection of HA2 and HI2. The contact half on the DC power supply side can be determined by the series connection of HI1 and the electronic switch unit (in the case of the second plug connector, by the series connection with WL of the relevant first plug connector) and the conductive connection of the electronic switch unit and HA1. For example, HA2 and HI2 on the load side can each include pin contacts. The extension of the pin contact can start from the contact point of the relevant socket contact HA1 or HI1 (e.g., as the zero point), including the length of the relevant pin contact along the (DC side) mating direction in the mated state. The pin contact of HA can be shorter than the pin contact of HI.

[0052] HI2 or HI1 of the at least one plug connector according to the first aspect can include an isolation portion. The isolation portion can produce an electrical isolation effect from the contact point corresponding to HI's HI2 or HI1 of HI1 or HI2 in the mated state (T0) of the relevant plug connector.

[0053] The extension of the isolation portion of HI2 or HI1 according to the first aspect can include an insulating portion distributed in a surrounding manner along a partial extension of HI2 or HI1. The partial extension of HI2 or HI1 can be shorter than the extension of HA's HA2 or HA1 relative to the contact point corresponding to the relevant HA's HA2 or HA1 of HA1 or HA2. The extension along the longitudinal axis can be determined in the mating direction in the mated state. For example, HI2 can include a pin contact with a surrounding insulating portion as the isolation portion. The isolation portion (viewed from the mating direction) can include the outer partial length of the pin contact.

[0054] LA1 and HI1 of HA1 according to the second aspect can be arranged coaxially along the longitudinal axis. HI1 can be arranged in front of TA1 along the longitudinal axis in the mating direction, and TA1 can be arranged in front of LA1 of HA1 along the longitudinal axis in the mating direction.

[0055] TA1 of HA1 according to the second aspect can include a surrounding insulating portion.

[0056] According to any of the above aspects, HA1 or HA2 of the relevant HA may have only one contact point along the longitudinal axis. As an alternative or in addition, HI1 or HI2 of the relevant HI may have only one contact point along the longitudinal axis. Description of the Drawings

[0057] The further features and advantages of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Among them:

[0058] Figure 1A and Figure 1B are two embodiments of a plug-in contact device with an extension having a main contact, an auxiliary contact, an electronic switch unit, and a wire complex according to the first aspect;

[0059] Figure 2A and Figure 2B are two embodiments of a plug-in contact device with an extension having a main contact, an electronic switch unit, and a wire complex according to the second aspect, wherein the first contact half of the main contact includes a load contact portion and an auxiliary contact portion;

[0060] Figure 3A and Figure 3B are Figure 1A and Figure 1B an exemplary disconnection process of an embodiment of the plug-in contact device in;

[0061] Figures 4A to 4C are Figure 2A and Figure 2B an exemplary disconnection process of an embodiment of the plug-in contact device in;

[0062] Figure 5 is a third embodiment of a plug-in contact device implemented as a duplex plug-in system, as Figure 1B an extension of the plug-in contact device in; and

[0063] Figure 6A and Figure 6B are two embodiments of a bidirectional electronic switch unit. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0064] Figure 1A and Figure 1BShows two embodiments of a plug-in contact device for preventing the generation or extinguishing of an arc using an extension of a wire complex when a DC connection is disconnected or closed, the plug-in contact device generally being designated by the reference numeral 100. The plug-in contact device 100 includes two plug-in connectors generally designated by the reference numeral 110, each having a main contact (HA) 112 with a first contact half (HA1) 112-1 designed as a socket contact and a second contact half (HA2) 112-2 designed as a pin contact. In addition, each plug-in connector 110 further includes an auxiliary contact (HI) 114 with a first contact half (HI1) 114-1 designed as a socket contact and a second contact half (HI2) 114-2 designed as a pin contact. The HA2 112-2 and HI2 114-2 of each plug-in connector are conductively connected. The HA1 112-1 of the first plug-in connector 110 (right side in the figure) is conductively connected or conductively connectable to one pole (preferably the positive pole) of the DC power supply 130. The HA2 112-2 of the second plug-in connector 110 (left side in the figure) is connected or connectable to the load 140. In addition, the HA2 112-2 and HI2 114-2 of the first plug-in connector 110 are conductively connected to the HA1 112-1 of the second plug-in connector 110 through an extension 300 of the wire complex, which is exemplary designed as an extension cord here. The extension cord 300 includes a second plug-in connector half 110-2 of the first plug-in connector 110, a first plug-in connector half 110-1 of the second plug-in connector 110 and their conductive connection.

[0065] The first plug-in connector 110 (optionally also the second plug-in connector 110) includes a transfer contact WL 150 having a first contact half WL1 150-1 and a second contact half WL2 150-2. The first contact half WL1 150-1 of the first plug-in connector 110 (and the second plug-in connector in the optional case) is conductively connected to the HI1 114-1 of the same plug-in connector 110. The WL2 150-2 of the first plug-in connector 110 is conductively connected to the HI1 114-1 (and WL1 150-1 in the optional case) of the second plug-in connector 110 through the extension cord 300. The opposite-pole contacts 116 of each plug-in connector 110 each include a first contact half GE1 116-1 and a second contact half GE2 116-2, wherein the GE2 116-2 of the first plug-in connector 110 is conductively connected to the GE1 116-1 of the second plug-in connector 110 through the extension cord 300. In addition, the GE1 116-1 of the first plug-in connector 110 is connected or connectable to the opposite pole of the DC power supply 130, preferably the negative pole, while the GE2 116-2 of the second plug-in connector 110 is connected or connectable to the load 140.

[0066] The electronic switch unit 120 is connected in parallel with the socket contacts (HA1) 112-1 of the first plug connector 110 via the first joint 122. The HI1 114-1 and WL1 150-1 of the first plug connector 110 are connected in series with the electronic switch unit 120 via the second joint 124. The plug contact device 100 is in Figure 1A and Figure 1B the mated state T0, in which the pin contacts HA2 112-2, WL2 150-2 and GE2 116-2 of each plug connector 110 are conductively connected to the associated socket contacts HA1 112-1, WL1 150-1 and GE1 116-1 of the associated plug connector 110 via the associated contact points (113 for HA and 115 for HI). The pin contact (HI2) 114-2 of each plug connector 110 is Figure 1A and Figure 1B electrically isolated from the contact point 115 of the associated socket contact (HI1) 114-1 via an isolation part 117 including a surrounding insulation part in the mated state T0 shown.

[0067] Figure 1A and Figure 1B The electronic switch unit 120 in includes an RC element ("resistor capacitor"). The RC element can be designed as a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) or an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). As an alternative or in addition, several RC elements (for example, an IGBT and a MOSFET) can be connected in series. In addition, the electronic switch unit 120 optionally includes a rectifier bridge (not shown). For example, by reversing the current direction, the braking energy of a motor operating in generator mode can be recovered.

[0068] Figure 1B The illustrated embodiment further includes a ground contact PE 118 that each plug connector 110 has, and the ground contact has a first contact half PE1 118-1 designed as a socket contact and a second contact half PE2 118-2 designed as a pin contact. The PE2 118-2 of the first plug connector 110 is conductively connected to the PE1 118-1 of the second plug connector 110 via an extension wire 300.

[0069] Figure 1A and Figure 1B The plug contact devices 100 shown are in the mated state T0 respectively. Contacts such as HA112, WL 150 (of at least the first plug connector), GE 116 and optionally PE 118 of each plug connector are conductively connected. The contact HI 114 of each plug connector is electrically isolated by means of an isolation part 117, which is, for example, a surrounding insulation part.

[0070] As Figure 1A and Figure 1B shown in the embodiments of, an additional transfer contact point 150 must be integrated into a plug connector to enable the transfer (Weitergabe) of the auxiliary contact ("X conductor") 114. In the plug connector 110, a connection from the auxiliary contact 114 to the additional transfer contact point 150 is established by means of a "Y tap". In Figure 1A and Figure 1B 's embodiments, the "Y tap" includes socket contacts 114-1, 150-1 of the auxiliary contact 114 of the first plug connector 110 and the transfer contact point 150-1, and these socket contacts are electrically connected to the electronic switch unit 120. As Figure 1A and Figure 1B shown, the transfer contact point 150 can be smaller (e.g., in terms of the cross-section and / or longitudinal axis of the pin contact) than the main contact 112 and / or mating contact 116 of the same plug connector 110. If an extension cord 300 or a certain device is now inserted into the plug connector 110, the transfer contact point 150 will be transferred (e.g., viewed from the direction of the DC power supply 130) to the auxiliary contact 114 of the next plug connector 110 through the pin contact and an additional wire ("core wire"). Through the corresponding "Y tap" in this next plug connector 110, the transfer contact point 150 can also be optionally transferred to the next plug connector 110 (shown in dashed lines). Since the auxiliary contacts 114 of the serially arranged plug connectors 110 are fully inserted, these auxiliary contacts are in an insulated position (i.e., the isolation part 117 abuts against the contact point 115 of the auxiliary contact 114), so that they are electrically separated from both the electronic control unit 120 and other (e.g., serially connected) plug connectors 110. If one of the plug connectors 110 is disconnected, the corresponding auxiliary contact 114 will move to the conductive position and establish a connection with the electronic control unit 120. In this case, the electronic control unit 120 will extinguish the arc generated when any one of the serially connected plug connectors 110 is disconnected. In addition, a feature of the transfer contact point is that it can be used as a signal contact, communication contact, or data contact to, for example, enable communication between the DC power supply 130 and the load 140 or transmit other status information.

[0071] Transferring the auxiliary contact by means of an additional transfer contact point can act on the contacts as shown in the embodiments of Figure 1A and Figure 1B , and can also act on the coaxial contacts as shown in the embodiments of Figure 2A and Figure 2B . In addition, the transfer contact point can also be combined with another contact through a coaxial contact to achieve the purpose of transferring the auxiliary contact.

[0072] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Two exemplary embodiments of a plug-in contact device for preventing arcing or extinguishing arcs using an extension of a conductor assembly when opening or closing a DC connection according to a second aspect are shown, generally designated by reference numeral 100. The plug-in contact device 200 comprises two plug-in connectors, generally designated by reference numeral 210, each having a main contact (HA) 212 with a first contact half (HA1) 212-1 designed as a coaxial pin contact and a second contact half (HA2) 212-2 designed as a socket contact. Each HA1 212-1 of the plug-in connector 210 comprises a load contact portion (LA1) 219, an auxiliary contact portion (HI1) 214, and an isolating portion (TA1) 217 designed as a surrounding insulating portion. In the mating direction along the longitudinal axis of HA 212, HA1 212-1 of the associated plug connector 210 is designed coaxially with HI1 214 in front of a surrounding TA1 217, which in turn is arranged (outwardly) in front of LA1 219. The LA1 219 and HI1 214 of each plug connector 210 are electrically isolated on the outer surface of the associated HA1 212-1 by the surrounding insulation of the corresponding TA1 217. Furthermore, the LA1 219 and HI1 214 of each plug connector 210 are separated axially by the same insulation or another insulation. The LA 219 of the HA 212 of the first plug connector 210 is electrically conductively connected or can be electrically conductively connected to one pole (preferably the positive pole) of a DC power source 230. Via the contact point 213 of the HA2 212 - 2 , the LA 219 of the second plug-in connector 210 is connected or connectable to the corresponding pole of the load 240 .

[0073] The electronic switching unit 220 is connected in parallel to LA1 219 of the first plug connector 210 via a first connection 222. HI 214 of the first plug connector is connected in series with the electronic switching unit 220 via a second connection 224. LA1 219 of the second plug connector 210 is electrically conductively connected to HA2 212-2 of the first plug connector 210 and the second contact half 250-2 of the transition contact 250 via a conductor complex extension 400, which is designed as an extension wire in this example. Optionally, the second plug connector 210 also includes a transition contact 250, whose first contact half 250-1 is electrically conductively connected to HA1 214 of the same plug connector 210 and WL2 250-2 of the first plug connector 210.

[0074] like Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown, the plug-in contact device 200 is in the mated state T0 of two plug-in connectors 210, where the LA1 219 of each pin contact 212-1 is conductively connected to the associated socket contact (HA2) 212-2 through the corresponding contact point 213, and the associated HI1 214 is spatially separated from the corresponding contact point 213. Each plug-in connector 210 further includes an opposed contact 216 having a first contact half GE1 216-1 and a second contact half 216-2. The GE1 216-1 of the first plug-in connector 210 is conductively connected or can be conductively connected to the opposite pole of the DC voltage source 230, and the GE2 216-2 of the second plug-in connector 210 is conductively connected or can be conductively connected to the load 240. The GE2 216-2 of the first plug-in connector 210 is also connected to the GE1 216-1 of the second plug-in connector 210 through an extension cable 400.

[0075] The first half 210-1 of each plug-in connector 210 each includes HA1 212-1 and GE1 216-1, and in the case of the first plug-in connector 210 (and optionally, in the second plug-in connector 210), each also includes WL1 250-1. The second half 210-2 of each plug-in connector 210 each includes HA2 212-2 and GE 216-2, and in the case of the first plug-in connector 210 (and optionally, in the second plug-in connector 210), each also includes WL1 250-2. The GE2 216-2 of the first plug-in connector 210 is conductively connected to the GE1 216-1 of the second plug-in connector through the extension cable 400. The extension cable 400 includes the second half 210-2 of the first plug-in connector 210, the first half 210-1 of the second plug-in connector 210, and all the conductive connections between the contacts of the two plug-in connectors 210.

[0076] As Figure 2A and Figure 2B shown, each GE1 216-1 can be designed as a pin contact, and each GE2 216-2 can be designed as a socket contact. As an alternative, each plug-in connector 210 can be of a single type, having a GE1 216-1 designed as a socket contact and a GE2 216-2 designed as a pin contact.

[0077] Figure 2B The illustrated embodiment further includes a ground contact PE 218 provided for each plug-in connector 210, which has a first contact half PE1 218-1 designed as a socket contact and a second contact half PE2 218-2 designed as a pin contact. The PE2 218-2 of the first plug-in connector 210 is conductively connected to the PE1 218-1 of the second plug-in connector 210 through the extension cable 400.

[0078] In Figure 2A and Figure 2B In the illustrated embodiment, LA1 219 of HA1 212-1 of the first plug connector 210 is connected to one pole of the DC power supply 230, such as the positive pole, and HA2 212-1 of the second plug connector 210 is connected to the same pole of the load 240. GE1 216-1 of the first plug connector 210 is connected to the opposite pole of the DC power supply 230, such as the negative pole, and GE 216-2 of the second plug connector 210 is connected to the corresponding pole of the load 240. In Figure 2A and Figure 2B , the plug contact device 200 is in a normal operating state.

[0079] Figure 2A and Figure 2B The electronic switch unit 220 in

[0080] Figure 3A and Figure 3B shows HA 112 and HI 114 of the plug connector 110 according to the first aspect during the implementation of the disconnection operation, respectively. Figure 3A Shows HA 112 and HI 114 of the plug connector 110 in the first intermediate state T1, such as when the DC connection is disconnected, where HA1 112-1 and HA2 112-2, as well as HI1 114-1 and HI2 114-2, are all conductively connected (through their respective contact points 113 or 115). The electronic switch unit 120 is passive in the first intermediate state T1. In particular, the resistance of the RC element of the electronic switch unit 120 can be high resistance in the first intermediate state T1.

[0081] Figure 3BHA 112 and HI 114 of the plug connector 110 in the second intermediate state T2 are shown, where HA1 112-1 and HA2 112-2 are electrically isolated because HA2 112-2 is spatially separated from the contact point 113. An arc is generated between the contact point 113 of HA2 112-2 and HA1 112-1 of the plug connector 110. The electronic switch unit 120 is activated through the first connector 122. The activation causes the electronic switch unit 120 (or its RC element) to become conductive. In particular, the RC element can be of low resistance in the second intermediate state T2. HI1 114-1 and HI2 114-2 are still conductively connected through the contact point 115 in the second intermediate state T2. The direct current now flows from the DC power supply 130 through the electronic switch unit 120 and HI 114. When the second plug connector 110 is disconnected, the current is conducted through the WL 150 of the first plug connector 110 in the mated state T0 shown in Figure 1A and Figure 1B The electronic switch unit 120 preferably includes a timing element that interrupts the current flowing through HI 114 after a predetermined time span. The interruption of the current can occur temporally prior to the electrical isolation of HI 114, GE 116, and PE 118.

[0082] In an optional third intermediate state (not shown) of each plug connector, the contact points HA 112, HI 114, WL 150, and GE 116 are electrically isolated, while the ground contact point PE 118 remains conductively connected. In the (not shown) release state T3, all contact points HA 112, HI 114, WL 150, GE 116, and PE 118 are electrically isolated. In the release state T3, the two contact halves 110-1 and 110-2 of the plug connector 110 can be spatially separated.

[0083] Figures 4A to 4C HA212 of the plug connector 210 according to the second aspect during the disconnection operation is shown respectively. Figure 4A HA 212 of the plug connector 210 in the first intermediate state T1' is shown, where the isolation part 217, which can be designed as a wrap-around insulation part, of HA1 212-1 abuts against the contact point 213 of HA2 212-2. LA1 219 is electrically isolated from HA2 212-2. An arc is generated between the contact point 213 of LA1 219 and HA2 212-2. The electronic switch unit 220 is activated through the first connector 222. If the second plug connector 210 is disconnected, then through the states shown in Figure 2A and Figure 2BThe WL 250 of the first plug connector 210 in the plugged state T0 shown activates the electronic switch unit 220. The activation causes the electronic switch unit 220 (or its RC element) to become conductive. Optionally, the HI1 214 of the plug connector 210 has been conductively connected to HA2 212-2 through the contact point 213.

[0084] Figure 4B HA 212 of the plug connector 210 in the second intermediate state T2 is shown, where the auxiliary contact part HI1214 abuts against the contact point 213 of HA2 212-2. TA1 217, which is designed as a wrap-around insulating part, is located outside the socket contact HA2 212-2. HI1 214 is conductively connected to HA2 212-2 through the contact point 213. At this time, direct current flows from the DC power supply 230 through the electronic switch unit 220, HI1 214 of the plug connector 210 in the disconnection process, and HA2 212-2. As long as the second plug connector 210 is disconnected, the current will flow from the DC power supply 230 through Figure 2A and Figure 2B LA1 219 of the first connector 210 in the plugged state T0 shown. The electronic switch unit 220 preferably includes a timing element that interrupts the current flowing through HI1 214 and HA2 212-2 of the plug connector 210 in the disconnection process after a predetermined time span. The occurrence of the current interruption can be earlier in time than the electrical isolation of HI1 214 and HA2 212-2 and / or the electrical isolation of the GE 216 and / or PE 218 of the relevant plug connector 210. After the current interruption, the first half 210-1 and the second half 210-2 of the plug connector 210 can be separated without generating an electric arc.

[0085] Figure 4C HA 212 of the plug connector 210 when transitioning from the second intermediate state T2 to the release state T3 is shown. This transition can also be referred to as the third intermediate state. In this state, HI1 214 is electrically isolated from HA2 212-2. In addition, GE 216 is electrically isolated, while the ground contact PE 218 remains conductively connected. In the (not shown) release state T3, all the contacts HA 212 (LA1 219 of HI1 214 and HA2 212-2), GE 116, and PE 118 of the plug connector 210 are electrically isolated. In the release state T3, the two contact halves 210-1 and 210-2 of the plug connector 210 can be spatially separated.

[0086] In each embodiment, the auxiliary contact 114 or the auxiliary contact portion 214 is electrically isolated from other contacts in the mated state, in particular from the main contacts 112, 212 of the plug connectors 110, 210 and the associated mating contacts 116, 216. Therefore, a short circuit cannot occur in the system. It is also easy to implement a parallel arrangement of several branches.

[0087] Figure 5 The plug contact device 100 is shown having three first plug connectors 110 and a second plug connector 110 connected by an extension 300 (e.g., an extension cord) of a wire complex. Each plug connector 110 and each extension cord 300 are structurally identical to the same components according to Figure 1B and are each presented in the mated state T0 in the figure. Each HI 114 is electrically isolated by the isolation part 117 in the mated state T0. On the side of the DC power supply 130, all the HI114 of the first plug connectors 110 are connected in parallel at point 126. Therefore, all the HI 114 of the first plug connectors 110 are conductively connected to only one (common) electronic switch unit 120 through the second connector 124. The (common) electronic switch unit 120 is conductively connected to the HA 112 of all the first plug connectors 110 connected in parallel at point 127. All the GE118 of the first plug connectors 110 are connected in parallel at point 128.

[0088] When any one of the first or second plug connectors 110 is disconnected, as referred to Figure 3A and Figure 3B described, the associated HI 114 transitions to the conductive first and second intermediate states T1 and T2 and establishes a connection with the electronic switch unit 120. When one of the second plug connectors 110 is disconnected, a connection with the electronic switch unit 120 is established through the associated extension cord 300 and the WL 150 of the associated first plug connector 110.

[0089] Through the plug contact device 100, in particular through the isolation part 117 of the auxiliary contact HI 114 and the connection established by means of the transfer contact point 150 according to the first aspect (or the isolation part 217 between the load contact portion 214 and the auxiliary contact portion 219 according to the second aspect), when using the extension cord 300 (or 400), it is possible to dispense with the necessity of providing other components (in particular diodes) in or on the first contact half HI1 114-1 or the auxiliary contact portion 214.

[0090] The plug connectors 110 in other (plug-in) branches are not affected by the disconnection of any plug connector 110 and the resulting arc in the associated HA112 and the current in the associated HI 114, because the HI 114 of each of these plug connectors remains electrically isolated from the (common) electronic switch unit 120. That is, during normal operation, even when using an extension cord, there will be no short circuit between different branches. Only when more than one plug connector 110 in different branches may be disconnected simultaneously, will there be a problem similar to that described in the patent specification EP 2 742 565 B1. If two (or more) plug connectors 110 in different branches are disconnected simultaneously, there may be a short circuit between these two (or more) branches.

[0091] Another embodiment (not shown) includes a multiple plug-in system having a plug connector 210 according to the second aspect and an extension 400 of the wire complex.

[0092] (such as Figure 5 as shown in the embodiment of) the multiple plug-in system can be extended to the building installation level. Accordingly, the electronic switch unit (such as switch unit 120) will not be integrated in the multiple plug-in system, but will be centrally integrated, for example, in the secondary power distribution system of a room or a floor. Therefore, the aforementioned auxiliary contacts (such as HI 114) must be connected to the electronic switch unit (such as switch unit 120) through additional wires. Since no control lines or signal lines are involved, this connection can also be referred to as an "X conductor".

[0093] Figure 6A and Figure 6B Two embodiments showing bidirectional electronic switch units 120, 220 including a rectifier bridge are presented. The rectifier bridge can be connected to HA1 112-1 or LA1 219 through the first connectors 122, 222, and can be connected to HI1114-1, 214 through the second connectors 124, 224.

[0094] In Figure 6A the embodiment shown, the other two (internal) connectors of the rectifier bridge are connected to each other through a parallel circuit composed of a semiconductor switch and an RC element with a variable resistance, where the impedance of the semiconductor switch can be changed with the help of a (dashed-drawn) control signal. Through the diodes of the rectifier bridge, a specific polarity is ensured at the (other two) internal connectors, regardless of the polarity externally applied to the first and second connectors, and enables current to flow bidirectionally through HA 112 (or HA2 212-2 and LA1 219) and HI 114 (or HA2 212-2 and HI1 214).

[0095] In Figure 6BIn the illustrated embodiment, the electronic switch units 120, 220 include means for protecting against reverse polarity connection, which means for protecting against reverse polarity connection includes two semiconductor switches connected in series with each other in opposite directions and one diode connected in parallel in the blocking direction ( Figure 6B on the left side in Figure 6B ). The diodes connected in parallel function as a bypass in the blocking direction of the semiconductor switches. In addition, Figure 6B the electronic switch units 120, 220 in

[0096] include a trigger circuit that connects the other two (internal) terminals of the rectifier bridge (

[0097] on the right side in Figure 1A ). The trigger circuit changes (e.g., reduces) the impedance of one or both of the two series-connected semiconductor switches according to the externally applied polarity by means of a control signal (shown as a dashed line). As an alternative, unipolar semiconductor switches can also be used. Figure 1B Extending the incoming line of the electronic switch unit (e.g., switch unit 120) may still be an obvious practice for those with a technical background and does not constitute a technological innovation in itself. However, in the prior art, for example, in the patent specification EP 2 742 565 B1, each plug connector (e.g., consisting of a socket unit on the DC power supply side and a plug unit on the load side) must be equipped with a diode, which is either provided in the plug connector or at least somewhere in the auxiliary line (designed as a control line). In the plug-in contact device (e.g., plug-in contact device 100) of the present invention, these diodes are replaced by the safe electrical isolation of the auxiliary contacts (e.g., HI 114), or are replaced by the auxiliary contact part with an (insulating) isolation part (e.g., isolation part 117), which separates the metal contact mating parts of the pin contact and the socket contact from each other in the plugged state. The design of the round pin and the round socket is only exemplary. Such an isolator can also be used for single-type contacts or flat contacts. Since in the plugged state, all the (e.g.) auxiliary contacts (e.g., HI 114) of the plug connectors (e.g., plug connector 110) according to the first aspect are in the non-operating position on their respective (insulating) isolation parts (e.g., isolation part 117), no short circuit will occur between different plug connectors. Similarly, HI1 214 according to the second aspect is electrically isolated from HA2 212-2 in the non-operating position. When the plug connector is disconnected, a conductive connection with the electronic switch unit (e.g., switch unit 120) is established. Figure 3A and Figure 3B and Figure 5In an embodiment according to the first aspect as shown, each of at least two plug connectors has socket contacts as HA1 112-1, HI1 114-1, WL1 150-1, GE1 116-1, and optionally PE1 118-1, and pin contacts as HA2 112-2, HI 112-2, WL2 150-2, GE2 116-2, and optionally PE2 118-2. In other (not shown) embodiments, the pin contacts and socket contacts are interchanged. Additionally, each plug connector half can be in any hermaphroditic combination.

[0098] In the case of Figure 2A and Figure 2B as well as Figures 4A to 4C shown in an embodiment according to the second aspect, each of at least two plug connectors has pin contacts as HA1 212-1, WL1 250-1, GE1 216-1, and optionally PE1 218-1, and socket contacts as HA2 212-2, WL2 250-2, GE2 216-2, and optionally PE2 218-2. In other (not shown) embodiments, the pin contacts and socket contacts are interchanged. Additionally, each plug connector half can be in any hermaphroditic combination.

[0099] Furthermore, the extensions 300, 400 of the wire complex are presented in Figures 1A to 5 as pluggable halves with the first and second plug connectors 110, 210. Further possible (not shown) embodiments of the plug contact device include at least one extension of the wire complex that includes, at a first end, one half of a plug connector according to the first aspect and, at a second end, one half of a plug connector according to the first aspect. As an alternative or addition, the extension of the wire complex can include, at both ends, two different plug connector halves according to the same (i.e., first or second) aspect. The first end can optionally correspond to the DC source side end or the load side end of the extension (e.g., designed as an extension cord) of the wire complex. Such an extension cord can also be referred to as a patch cord (e.g., between two plug connector systems).

[0100] The present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments, but it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made and equivalents can be used to replace them. Additionally, numerous modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or particular material to the teachings of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but includes all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0101] Description of Reference Numerals

[0102] 100, 200 plug-in contact devices

[0103] 110, 210 plug-in connectors

[0104] 110-1, 210-1 First plug-in connector half

[0105] 110-2, 210-2 Second plug-in connector half

[0106] 112, 212 main contacts (HA)

[0107] 112-1, 212-1 First contact half (HA1) of the main contact

[0108] 112-2, 212-2 Second contact half (HA2) of the main contact

[0109] 113, 213 Main contact points

[0110] 114 auxiliary contact (HI)

[0111] 114-1 First contact half of auxiliary contact (HI1)

[0112] 114-2 Second contact half of the auxiliary contact (HI2)

[0113] 115 Auxiliary contact contact point

[0114] 116, 216 opposite pole contact (GE)

[0115] 116-1, 216-1 first contact half (GE1) of the opposite contact

[0116] 116-2, 216-2 Second contact half (GE2) of the opposite contact

[0117] 117 Isolation section of auxiliary contact

[0118] 118, 218 grounding contact (PE)

[0119] 118-1, 218-1 First contact half of the grounding contact (PE1)

[0120] 118-2, 218-2 Second contact half of the grounding contact (PE2)

[0121] 120, 220 electronic switch units

[0122] 122, 222 first joint

[0123] 124, 224 Second connector

[0124] Parallel circuit of 126 auxiliary contacts

[0125] Parallel circuit of 127 main contacts

[0126] Parallel circuit of 128 opposite-pole contacts

[0127] 130, 230 DC power supplies

[0128] 140, 240 loads

[0129] 150, 250 transfer contacts (WL)

[0130] First contact half of 150-1, 250-1 transfer contacts (WL1)

[0131] Second contact half of 150-2, 250-2 transfer contacts (WL2)

[0132] 214 First auxiliary contact part (HI1)

[0133] 219 Load contact part (LA1)

[0134] 217 Isolation part (TA1)

[0135] 300, 400 extension wires

[0136] T0 mating state

[0137] T1, T1' First intermediate state

[0138] T2 Second intermediate state

[0139] T3 release state

Claims

1. A plug-in contact device (100) for preventing the generation or extinguishing of an electric arc using an extension (300) of a wire complex when a DC connection is disconnected or closed, comprising: At least two plug connectors (110) located at the ends of the extension (300) of the wire complex, each of the plug connectors having a main contact HA (112) and an auxiliary contact HI (114), wherein the HA (112) of each of the at least two plug connectors (110) includes a first contact half HA1 (112-1) and a second contact half HA2 (112-2) that can be detachably plugged together, and wherein the HA (112) is designed to - conductively connect the HA1 (112-1) and the HA2 (112-2) in the plugged state (T0) of the associated plug connector (110), - electrically isolate the HA1 (112-1) and the HA2 (112-2) in the released state (T3) of the associated plug connector (110), - conductively connect the HA1 (112-1) and the HA2 (112-2) in a first intermediate state (T1) of the associated plug connector (110) between the plugged state (T0) and the released state, and - electrically isolate the HA1 (112-1) and the HA2 (112-2) in a second intermediate state (T2) of the associated plug connector (110) between the first intermediate state (T1) and the released state, wherein the auxiliary contact HI (114) of each of the at least two plug connectors (110) includes a first contact half HI 1 (114-1) and a second contact half HI2 (114-2) that can be detachably plugged together, and wherein the HI (114) is designed to - electrically isolate the HI 1 (114-1) and the HI2 (114-2) in the plugged state (T0) of the associated plug connector, - electrically isolate the HI 1 (114-1) and the HI2 (114-2) in the released state (T3) of the associated plug connector, - conductively connect the HI 1 (114-1) and the HI2 (114-2) in the first intermediate state (T1) of the associated plug connector, and - conductively connect the HI 1 (114-1) and the HI2 (114-2) in the second intermediate state (T2) of the associated plug connector, and wherein - the HA2 (112-2) and the HI2 (114-2) of the associated plug connector (110) are conductively connected; and - the HA2 (112-2) of the first plug connector (110) is conductively connected to the HA1 (112-1) of the second plug connector (110); and An electronic switch unit (120), the first connector (122) of which is conductively connected to the HA1 (112-1) of the first plug connector (110), and the second connector (124) of which is conductively connected to the HI 1 (114-1) of the first plug connector (110) and the second plug connector (110), wherein the electronic switch unit (120) is designed to conductively connect the first connector (122) and the second connector (124) or reduce the impedance between the first connector (122) and the second connector (124) in response to the transition of at least one of the plug connectors in the plug connector (110) from the plugged state (T0) to the first intermediate state (T1), and to electrically isolate the first connector (122) and the second connector (124) or increase the impedance between the first connector (122) and the second connector (124) in response to the transition of at least one of the plug connectors in the plug connector (110) from the first intermediate state (T1) to the second intermediate state (T2) and / or the transition of at least one of the plug connectors in the plug connector (110) from the second intermediate state (T2) to the released state.

2. A plug contact device (200) for preventing the generation of electric arcs or extinguishing electric arcs when a DC connection is disconnected or closed by using an extension (400) of a wire complex, comprising: At least two plug connectors (210) located at the ends of the extension (400) of the wire complex, each of the plug connectors having a main contact HA (212), wherein the HA (212) each includes a first contact half HA1 (212-1) and a second contact half HA2 (212-2) that can be detachably plugged together, and wherein the HA1 (212-1) includes a load contact portion LA1 (219), an isolation portion TA1 (217), and an auxiliary contact portion HI 1 (214). The HA (212) of each of the at least two plug connectors (210) is designed to - conductively connect the LA1 (219) and the HA2 (212-2) and electrically isolate the HI 1 (214) from the HA2 (212-2) in the plugged state (T0) of the relevant plug connector (210). - electrically isolate the LA1 (219) and the HI 1 (214) from the HA2 (212-2) in the released state (T3) of the relevant plug connector (210). - in a first intermediate state (T1') of the relevant plug connector (210) between the plugged state (T0) and the released state (T3), electrically isolate the LA1 (219) and the HA2 (212-2), and at least bring the TA1 (217) into contact with the contact point (213) of the HA2 (212-2); and - In a second intermediate state (T2) of the associated plug connector (210) between the first intermediate state (T1) and the release state (T3), electrically connect the HI 1 (214) to the HA2 (212-2), and electrically isolate the LA1 (219) from the HA2 (212-2), and wherein the HA2 (212-2) of the first plug connector (210) is electrically connected to the HA1 (212-1) of the second plug connector (210); and An electronic switch unit (220), whose first terminal (222) is electrically connected to the LA1 (219) of the first plug connector (210), and whose second terminal (224) is electrically connected to the HI 1 (214) of the first plug connector (210) and the second plug connector (210), wherein the electronic switch unit (220) is designed to electrically connect the first terminal (222) and the second terminal (224) or reduce the impedance between the first terminal (222) and the second terminal (224) in response to the transition from the mated state (T0) to the first intermediate state (T1'), and to electrically separate the first terminal (222) and the second terminal (224) or increase the impedance between the first terminal (222) and the second terminal (224) in response to the transition from the first intermediate state (T1') to the second intermediate state (T2) and / or the transition from the second intermediate state (T2) to the release state (T3).

3. The plug contact device (100; 200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic switch unit (120; 220) is further designed to electrically connect the first terminal (122; 222) and the second terminal (124; 224) or reduce the impedance between the first terminal (122; 222) and the second terminal (124; 224) in response to the transition of one of the at least two plug connectors (110; 210) from the release state to the second intermediate state (T2) and / or the transition from the second intermediate state (T2) to the first intermediate state (T1; T1'), and to electrically separate the first terminal (122; 222) and the second terminal (124; 224) or increase the impedance between the first terminal (122; 222) and the second terminal (124; 224) in response to the transition of one of the at least two plug connectors (110; 210) from the first intermediate state (T1; T1') to the mated state (T0).

4. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one pole of the DC-connected DC power supply (130; 230) is conductively connected or conductively connectable to the HA1 (112-1; 212-1) of the main contact (112; 212) of the first plug connector (110; 210) or the LA1 (219) included in the HA1 (212-1) and / or the first joint (122; 222) of the electronic switch unit (120; 220), and wherein one pole of the electrical device is conductively connected or conductively connectable to the HA2 (112-2; 212-2) of the main contact (112; 212) of the second plug connector (110; 210) and / or the HI2 (114-2) of the auxiliary contact (114) of the second plug connector (110); and / or wherein one pole of the DC-connected DC power supply (130; 230) is conductively connected or conductively connectable to the HA2 (112-2; 212-2) of the main contact (112; 212) of the second plug connector (110; 210) and / or the HI2 (114-2) of the auxiliary contact (114) of the second plug connector (110), and wherein one pole of the electrical device is conductively connected or conductively connectable to the HA1 (112-1; 212-1) of the main contact (112; 212) of the first plug connector (110; 210) or the LA1 (219) included in the HA1 (212-1) and / or the first joint (122; 222) of the electronic switch unit (120; 220).

5. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 4, wherein one pole of the DC-connected DC power supply (130; 230) is the positive pole of the DC power supply (130; 230).

6. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 4, wherein one pole of the electrical device is the positive pole of the electrical device.

7. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least the first plug-in connector (110; 210) comprises a transfer contact point WL (150; 250) having a first contact half WL1 (150-1; 250-1) and a second contact half WL2 (150-2; 250-2), wherein the WL1 (150-1; 250-1) of the WL (150; 250) of the first plug-in connector (110; 210) is electrically connected to the first joint (122; 222) of the electronic switch unit (120; 220) and / or the HI 1 (114-1; 214), and the WL2 (150-2; 250-2) of the WL (150; 250) of the first plug-in connector (110; 210) is conductively connected to the HI 1 (114-1; 214) of the second plug-in connector (110; 210).

8. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 7, wherein the second plug-in connector (110; 210) comprises a transfer contact point WL (150; 250) having a first contact half WL1 (150-1; 250-1) and a second contact half WL2 (150-2; 250-2), wherein the WL1 (150-1; 250-1) of the WL (150; 250) of the second plug-in connector (110; 210) is conductively connected to the HI 1 (114-1; 214) of the second plug-in connector (110; 210) and / or the WL2 (150-2; 250-2) of the first plug-in connector (110; 210).

9. The plug-in contact device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the HA1 (112-1; 212-1) of each of the at least two plug-in connectors (110; 210) comprises a pin contact, and the HA2 (112-2; 212-2) of each of the at least two plug-in connectors (110; 210) comprises a socket contact, or, wherein the HA2 (112-2; 212-2) of each of the at least two plug-in connectors (110; 210) comprises a pin contact, and the HA1 (112-1; 212-1) of each of the at least two plug-in connectors (110; 210) comprises a socket contact; and / or Each first contact half HI1 (114-1) of the auxiliary contacts of each of the at least two plug connectors (110) includes a pin contact, and each second contact half HI2 (114-2) of the auxiliary contacts of each of the at least two plug connectors (110) includes a socket contact, or, each second contact half HI2 (114-2) of the auxiliary contacts of each of the at least two plug connectors (110) includes a pin contact, and each first contact half HI1 (114-1) of the auxiliary contacts of each of the at least two plug connectors (110) includes a socket contact.

10. The plug contact device (100) according to claim 7, wherein the WL1 (150-1; 250-1) of the first plug connector or each plug connector of the at least two plug connectors (110; 210) includes a pin contact, and the WL2 (150-2; 250-2) of the first plug connector or each plug connector of the at least two plug connectors (110; 210) includes a socket contact, or, the WL2 (150-2; 250-2) of the first plug connector or each plug connector of the at least two plug connectors (110; 210) includes a pin contact, and the WL1 (150-1; 250-1) of the first plug connector or each plug connector of the at least two plug connectors (110; 210) includes a socket contact.

11. The plug contact device (100; 200) according to claim 9, wherein the outer contour of the pin contact of the HA (112; 212) of each plug connector of the at least two plug connectors (110; 210) and / or the inner contour of the socket contact and / or the outer contour of the pin contact of the auxiliary contact HI (114) of the relevant plug connector (110; 210) and / or the inner contour of the socket contact has a circular, oval or polygonal cross-section, and / or, wherein the HA (112; 212) and / or the auxiliary contact HI (114) and / or the transfer contact WL (150; 250) of the relevant plug connector (110; 210) is of a single type.

12. The plug contact device (100; 200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic switch unit (120; 220) is designed to enable current to flow bidirectionally between the first connector (122; 222) and the second connector (124; 224).

13. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electronic switch unit (120; 220) comprises at least one semiconductor switch adapted to reduce the impedance between the first connector (122; 222) and the second connector (124; 224), or to conductively connect the first connector (122; 222) and the second connector (124; 224), when a voltage is applied between the first connector (122; 222) and the second connector (124; 224).

14. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 12, wherein the electronic switch unit (120; 220) comprises a rectifier bridge linked to the at least one semiconductor switch.

15. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 13, wherein the electronic switch unit (120; 220) comprises two semiconductor switches connected in series with each other in opposite directions, each semiconductor switch being connected in parallel with a diode in the blocking direction.

16. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 15, wherein the electronic switch unit (120; 220) further comprises a trigger circuit adapted to close the semiconductor switches when the voltage is applied between the first connector (122; 222) and the second connector (124; 224).

17. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 16, wherein the trigger circuit comprises a rectifier bridge.

18. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plug-in contact device (100; 200) comprises at least two first plug connectors (110; 210) and two second plug connectors (110; 210) and an electronic switch unit (120; 220), each of the plug connectors having HA (112; 212) and / or HI (114), and wherein the first connector (122; 222) of the electronic switch unit (120; 220) is conductively connected to the HA1 (112-1) of the HA (112; 212) of each first plug connector (110; 210) or the LA1 (219) included in the HA1 (212-1), and the second connector (124; 224) of the electronic switch unit (120; 220) is conductively connected to the HI 1 (114-1; 214) of the associated first plug connector (110; 210).

19. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least two plug-in connectors (110; 210) each further comprise a bipolar contact GE (116; 216) having a first contact half GE1 (116-1; 216-1) and a second contact half GE2 (116-2; 216-2) for the bipolarity of the DC connection with respect to the associated HA (112; 212).

20. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 19, wherein the GE (116; 216) is designed to conductively connect the GE1 (116-1; 216-1) and the GE2 (116-2; 216-2) in the plugged state (T0) of the associated plug-in connector (110; 210), the first intermediate state (T1; T1') of the associated plug-in connector (110; 210), and the second intermediate state (T2) of the associated plug-in connector (110; 210).

21. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 19, wherein the at least two plug-in connectors (110; 210) each further comprise a ground contact PE (118; 218) having a first contact half PE1 (118-1; 218-1) and a second contact half PE2 (118-2; 218-2), wherein the PE (118; 218) is designed to conductively connect the PE1 (118-1; 218-1) and the PE2 (118-2; 218-2) in the plugged state (T0) of the associated plug-in connector (110; 210), the first intermediate state (T1; T1') of the associated plug-in connector (110; 210), and the second intermediate state (T2) of the associated plug-in connector (110; 210).

22. The plug-in contact device (200) according to claim 21, wherein each of the at least one plug-in connector (110; 210) comprises a first plug-in connector half (110-1; 210-1) and a second plug-in connector half (110-2; 210-2), and wherein the first plug-in connector half (110-1; 210-1) comprises the HA1 (112-1; 212-1) of the HA (112; 212) and the GE1 (116-1; 216-1) of the GE (116; 216) and / or the PE1 (118-1; 218-1) of the PE (118; 218), and the second half of the plug-in connector (110-2; 210-2) comprises the HA2 (112-2; 212-2) of the HA (112; 212) and the GE2 (116-2; 216-2) of the GE (116; 216) and / or the PE2 (118-2; 218-2) of the PE (118; 218).

23. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 7, wherein the HA (112; 212) and / or the HI (114) and / or the rotary contact point WL (150; 250) each have a longitudinal axis, and wherein the HA1 (112-1; 212-1) and the HA2 (112-2; 212-2) and / or the HI1 (114-1) and HI2 (114-2) of the HI (114) and / or the first and second contact halves WL1 (150-1; 250-1) and WL2 (150-2; 250-2) of the WL (150; 250) can be plugged together and separated along their longitudinal axes respectively, or, wherein the HA1 (112-1; 212-1) and the HA2 (112-2; 212-2) and / or the contact halves HI1 (114-1) and HI2 (114-2) of the auxiliary contacts of the plug-in connector and / or the contact halves WL1 (150-1; 250-1) and WL2 (150-2; 250-2) of the rotary contact point WL (150; 250) can be plugged together and separated along a transverse axis, the transverse axis being transverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

24. The plug-in contact device (100) according to claim 23, wherein the HI2 (114-2) or the HI1 (114-1) of the HI (114) of each plug-in connector of the at least two plug-in connectors (110) extends longer than the HA2 (112-2) or the HA1 (112-1) of the HA (112) with respect to the contact point (113) of the HA1 (112-1) or the HA2 (112-2) corresponding to the HA2 (112-2) or the HA1 (112-1) of the relevant HA (112), wherein the extension in the plugging direction along the longitudinal axis is determined in the plugged state.

25. The plug-in contact device (100) according to claim 24, wherein the HI2 (114-2) or the HI1 (114-1) of the HI (114) of the at least one plug-in connector (110) includes an isolation portion (117), and wherein the isolation portion (117) produces an electrical isolation effect from the contact point of the HI1 (114-1) or the HI2 (114-2) corresponding to the HI2 (114-2) or the HI1 (114-1) of the HI (114) in the plugged state (T0) of the relevant plug-in connector (110).

26. The plug-in contact device (100) according to claim 25, wherein the extension of the insulating portion (117) of the HI2 (114-2) or the HI1 (114-1) includes an insulating portion distributed in a circumferential manner along a part of the HI2 (114-2) or the HI1 (114-1), and relative to the contact point (113) of the HA2 (112-2) or the HA1 (112-1) corresponding to the relevant HA (112) of the HA1 (112-1) or the HA2 (112-2), the partial extension of the HI2 (114-2) or the HI1 (114-1) is shorter than the extension of the HA2 (112-2) or the HA1 (112-1) of the HA (112), wherein the extension in the insertion direction along the longitudinal axis is determined in the inserted state.

27. The plug-in contact device (200) according to claim 23, wherein the LA1 (219) included in the HA1 (212-1) and the HI1 (214) are coaxially arranged along the longitudinal axis, and wherein the HI1 (214) is arranged in front of the TA1 (217) of the HI1 (214) in the insertion direction along the longitudinal axis, and the TA1 (217) is arranged in front of the LA1 (219) of the HA1 (212-1) in the insertion direction along the longitudinal axis.

28. The plug-in contact device (200) according to claim 2, wherein the TA1 (217) of the HA1 (212-1) includes a circumferential insulating portion.

29. The plug-in contact device (100; 200) according to claim 23, wherein the HA1 (112-1) or the HA2 (112-1; 212-2) of the relevant HA (112; 212) has only one contact point (113; 213) along the longitudinal axis, and / or the first contact half HI1 (114-1) or the second contact half HI2 (114-2) of the relevant auxiliary contact HI (114) has only one contact point (115) along the longitudinal axis.

Images