Plug connector assembly and mating plug connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a plug connector assembly (100), comprising a plug connector (1) having a disk holder (3) with a plurality of contact disks (5) and a mating plug connector (2) having a contact element (9) with a head section (10) and a contact part (11), the contact disks (5) having a front section (7), the front section (7) having a front end section (8), and the contact part (11) having a rear end section (8). The head portion (10) has a front portion facing the mating plug connector (2), and wherein the head portion (10) has a collar (12) which protrudes beyond the contact part (11) and into which a recess (16) with an obliquely running recess outer wall (20) is introduced on the lower side (35), and wherein in a first position (P1) of the contact element (9) and / or of the mating plug connector (2), the contact element (9) and / or the mating plug connector (2) are in a second position (P2) of the contact element (9) and / or the mating plug connector (2). In a first position (P2) of the contact element (9) and / or the mating plug connector (2), the groove outer wall (20) is coupled in a first groove section (37) to the front section (7) of the contact disc (5) in a first radial position (R1), and in a second position (P2) of the contact element (9) and / or the mating plug connector (2), the groove outer wall (20) is coupled in a second groove section (38) to the front section (7) of the contact disc (5) in a second radial position (R2), the contact disc (5) is displaced in a radial direction (R) towards the contact part (11) and thereby electrically contacts the contact part (11) in a contact section (13) of the contact part (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a plug connector assembly and a mating plug connector. Background Art

[0002] Plug connector assemblies typically have a plug connector and a mating plug connector, which can be plugged together with each other. Plug connectors for high-current applications (e.g., for currents greater than 10 A, preferably greater than 50 A or even greater than 100 A), such as for electric vehicles or for automotive applications, usually have contact elements that have spring disks, such as annular or sleeve-shaped disk holders, and these spring disks are connected to (e.g., shielded) wires, for example, by means of mechanical crimping connections or by means of ultrasonic welding. In other cases, the disk holders can also be directly connected to a carrier element, such as a printed circuit board, for example, by soldering or by means of press-in contacts. Such plug connectors are configured to be connected to a mating plug connector, which has contact parts, for example, in the form of contact pins or contact blades. The plug connector can be plugged together with the mating plug connector, for example, along an insertion direction or a plugging direction. In the final state, the contact elements of the mating plug connector (which can also be referred to as mating contact elements) are in electrical contact with the contact elements of the plug connector. The spring disks of the contact elements of the plug connector should have a normal force (which can also be referred to as a contact normal force) in the finally plugged-together state, and this normal force ensures an electrical connection with the mating contact elements even under mechanical and / or thermal loads and within all manufacturing tolerances.

[0003] However, this normal force is usually limited because the insertion force should not exceed a specified level when the plug connector is connected to the mating plug connector. To reduce the high insertion force for the operator, for example, a rod structure or a slider structure can be provided to reduce the operating force during co-plugging. However, such rod structures or slider structures are usually complex and expensive and require a large movement space for operation, and they cannot prevent damage to the surfaces that rub against each other when the contact elements of the mating plug connector slide along the contact disks. Although the insertion force can be reduced and surface damage during the plugging process can also be reduced by a friction-reducing coating on at least one contact pair (contact element and / or mating contact element). However, this increases the cost and complexity of the manufacturing process of the corresponding contact pair, and it also cannot reliably avoid damage to the surfaces of the contact pair. In addition, this may increase the contact resistance in the region of the contact site.

[0004] In other application cases, the contact mating parts (contact element and mating contact element) can for example be configured as busbars (so-called "busbars"). Such contact mating parts can for example be screwed to one another in order to permanently establish contact. When screwing with an M4 screw for example, a so-called contact force or normal force in the range of 2000 N to 2500 N can be achieved. If an M5 or M6 screw is used, an even higher normal force can be achieved. However, such a screwed connection of the contact mating parts requires additional structural space for arranging the screw and the device for tightening or loosening the screw in the case of maintenance. In addition, before and / or after the contact mating parts are plugged together, a plurality of additional steps are required, which makes the assembly process complicated: the contact mating parts must be precisely aligned with one another in order to be able to tighten the screw, the screw must be placed, the auxiliary tool for tightening the screw must be placed, the screw must be tightened, and the auxiliary tool must be removed.

[0005] A plug connector for automotive applications and / or high-current applications is known from DE 10 2018 202 960 A1, wherein the contact element is embodied as a disk carrier. In order to reduce for the operator the high insertion force occurring during co-insertion (between the contact element and the mating contact element), a rod element is provided which is actuated during the insertion process of plugging together the plug connector and the mating plug connector.

[0006] A plug contact for high-current applications is known from DE 10 2017 213 093 A1, wherein the contact element is embodied as a disk carrier, and wherein a high insertion force (between the contact element and the mating contact element) must be overcome during the insertion of the mating contact element into the contact element.

[0007] A contact element of a plug connector is known from DE 10 2019 131 791 A1, wherein the contact element is directly connected to a printed circuit board, and wherein the contact element can be contacted by inserting a pin-shaped contact element of a mating plug connector.

[0008] A high-current printed circuit board plug connector having a disk carrier is known from DE 20 2008 005 394 U1, wherein the plug connector can be pressed into the printed circuit board by means of a socket and can thus be electrically contacted.

[0009] A plug-in connection of the Radsok structure type (Radsok plug connector) is known from WO 2007 / 107 208 A1, which has a socket of the Radsok structure type (Radsok socket) and a plug that can be inserted into the socket, and they form a plug connector assembly in the state of common plugging, wherein locking devices are constructed at the Radsok socket and the plug, and the locking devices can realize the specified fixation of the Radsok socket and the plug. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The understanding on which the present invention is based is that in the case of low normal forces (at one or more contact sites between the contact element and the mating contact element), in the case of high temperature fluctuations and / or severe vibration loads or jolting loads, the risk exists that unwanted relative movement may occur between the contact mating parts (contact element and mating contact element) and / or contact interruption may occur. In addition, the understanding on which the present invention is based is that for a high service life of the contact and / or for low heat generation at the contact site when transmitting high currents, as large a contact surface as possible between the contact mating parts is meaningful. In addition, the understanding on which the present invention is based is that a high insertion force during a large proportion of the stroke when commonly plugging the plug connector and the mating plug connector complicates the plugging process. In addition, the understanding on which the present invention is based is that during the plugging process - that is, during the stroke or most of the stroke (for example, more than 30% of the stroke, for example, from the pre-plugging position via the intermediate plugging position (first position) to the end plugging position (second position)) - the application of the normal force between the contact element and the mating contact element not only complicates and makes difficult the insertion process, especially if multiple plug connectors and multiple mating plug connectors are plugged together simultaneously, but also may damage the surfaces of the corresponding contact mating parts. Thus, when applying the normal force during the plugging process, the contact disk may, for example, leave grinding marks or scratches on the contact part to be contacted. This will damage or destroy the surface coating in an unwanted manner and will be harmful to multiple common pluggings and removals from each other, because such scratches or marks will cause jamming of the contact mating parts during the common plugging process or the removal process from each other. Here, a high insertion force (between the contact mating parts) may even undesirably reduce the number of contact mating parts in the plug connector, because in the case of a large number of contact mating parts, the insertion force may become so high even when using a rod structure or a slider structure that the operating force is no longer manageable for the operator. Finally, the understanding on which the present invention is based is that the coating of the contact mating parts reduces the electrical conductivity and increases the cost.

[0011] Accordingly, there is a need to provide a plug connector assembly that can connect or mate a plug connector with a mating plug connector (which can also be configured as a blade, for example) with as low a mating force as possible; the plug connector assembly simultaneously has a high normal force between the contact mating parts in the electrical contact state, the plug connector assembly has high electrical conductivity; the plug connector assembly provides as large a contact surface as possible between the contact mating parts; the plug connector assembly can achieve a durable, safe, reliable and uninterrupted electrical contact between the plug connector and the mating plug connector even under thermal cycling loads and / or mechanical loads, such as vibration loads or jolt loads; the plug connector assembly requires only a small structural space or assembly space for the contact process; the plug connector assembly can achieve safe operation (there is no risk of contacting conductive parts), wherein at least the contact mating parts (contact elements and mating contact elements) can be manufactured inexpensively and easily, and wherein the contact with the desired normal force can be achieved in an easy way and with as few steps as possible and even in complex structural space conditions.

[0012] In the same way, there may be a need to provide a mating plug connector having the performance described above.

[0013] Advantages of the present invention.

[0014] This need can be met by the subject matter of the present invention according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plug connector assembly, which is particularly used for high-current applications and / or high-voltage applications, particularly for automotive applications, particularly for electric vehicles (fully or partially electrically driven aircraft, ships, boats, electric bicycles, motorcycles may also belong to this).

[0016] The plug connector assembly has a plug connector and a mating plug connector for co - plugging with the plug connector. The insertion direction can also be referred to as the axial direction, for example. The plug connector has a disc carrier which has a base element and a plurality of contact discs. The contact discs are connected to the base element in the rear section. The contact discs project from the base element in the direction of the mating plug connector, and the contact discs have a front section which faces the mating plug connector. The mating plug connector has a contact element which has a head section and a contact part, where the contact part projects from the head section, and where the head section has a flange which projects radially beyond the contact part. A groove is introduced into the flange on the underside facing the disc carrier, where the groove extends at least partially inclined outwards at the groove outer wall facing the boundary of the flange. In particular, in the state of co - plugging of the mating plug connector and the plug connector, the contact element and / or the mating plug connector can be displaced between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the groove outer wall is mechanically coupled to the front section of the contact disc in a first groove section in a first radial position. In the second position, the groove outer wall is mechanically coupled to the front section of the contact disc in a second groove section in a second radial position, where in the second radial position, the contact disc is displaced in the radial direction towards the contact part, and thereby electrically contacts the contact part in the contact section of the contact part.

[0017] The groove can have, for example, in addition to the groove outer wall, a groove bottom and a groove inner wall. Advantageously, by means of the groove, it is possible to receive the contact disc in the groove, for example, with the front part of the contact disc or the part of the contact disc which projects furthest from the base element towards the contact element (with its end face). For example, in the first position of the contact element and / or the mating plug connector, it is possible to achieve the jamming of this front section. This in turn advantageously enables that when the contact element is displaced (further) from the first position into the second position, the front section of the contact disc always remains in a defined position, and the pressing - down process of the contact disc in the radial direction to the contact part is achieved in a particularly defined and reliable manner. At the same time, when displacing from the first position into the second position, tilting or skew of the head or the flange is prevented, which could be caused, for example in the absence of a groove, by the respective contact discs, the front section of which may be radially offset in position, for example due to manufacturing tolerances, etc. Thus, the groove jams the front section, and then when displacing into the second position, the plug - in connection can be correctly established in the contact section.

[0018] Furthermore, through such grooves, it is possible to advantageously further increase the additional contact surface between the contact disk and the contact element. This is because by displacing the contact element into the second position, the portion of the front section that is stuck in the groove can ultimately only expand in the radial direction in the groove, since the axial space available for the contact disk is shortened. This is particularly applicable when the contact disk is mechanically contacted and compressed by the groove bottom in its front region. This expansion in the groove causes the groove to be filled to a greater extent with the components or materials of the contact disk, and thus results in a larger contact surface. In addition, by more vigorously filling the groove with the material of the contact disk, the force exerted by the contact disk on the groove wall and the groove bottom in the groove is also increased, which increases the contact normal force of the contact disk relative to the boundary surfaces of the groove (groove wall and groove bottom). Thereby, a further contact path is advantageously achieved in the groove, which increases the redundancy of the contact site, reduces the contact resistance, and advantageously improves the reliability and lifespan of the plug connector assembly and especially the contact site.

[0019] A chute guide is advantageously realized through the inclined and extended outer wall of the groove. Through this chute guide, the contact disk is targeted to move or displace in the radial direction towards the contact component. In this way, the displacement can be influenced in a targeted or more targeted manner. In addition, through the shape of the inclined surface, a stroke-force curve can be advantageously constructed. Through this stroke-force curve, the conversion of the axial stroke of the contact element to the radial stroke of the contact disk can be set when the contact element is displaced from the first position to the second position. By setting the inclined surface, the application of the normal force can be advantageously adapted to the corresponding specified structural space conditions and the available stroke from the first position to the second position.

[0020] Through the mechanical coupling of the outer wall of the groove and the second groove section in the second position, the contact surface between the contact disk and the contact element is advantageously further increased. This is because then not only does the contact disk contact the contact component (radially) (using the inner side of the contact disk), but the contact disk also contacts the head section, especially in a fully specified manner at fully specified locations, i.e., in the groove, at the outer wall of the groove, and thus at the outer side of the contact disk. Thereby, the number of contact sites between the disk carrier and the contact element is advantageously increased, the contact resistance is reduced, and the robustness against vibrations, thermal loads, and manufacturing tolerances is improved.

[0021] Furthermore, it is advantageously achieved that the engagement or the common plugging of the plug connector and the mating plug connector can be carried out with minimal force or with a very low insertion force, and the contact normal force of the mating plug connector is only actually applied by means of contact at the end of the plugging process. In a common disk carrier, during the insertion process of the contact elements of the mating plug connector, the contact disk must be radially widened outwards in the region of contact with the disk (the so-called "Aufschnäbelpeak" in the case of the insertion force), and during further travel, the frictional force between the contact disk and the contact element must also be overcome. Different from the common disk carrier, only an increased force needs to be applied at the end of the insertion process or the engagement process, and this force is required so that the contact disk can apply the contact normal force to the contact element. This force in the insertion direction only needs to be applied from the first position to the second position, rather than being applied during the plugging travel before reaching the first position. This advantageously simplifies the assembly process. Furthermore, it is advantageously also possible to achieve larger manufacturing tolerances, since skewing caused by the insertion force is prevented, and furthermore, it is advantageously also possible to correct the arrangement of the plug connector and the mating plug connector during the assembly process. In addition, the engagement process and / or the plugging process can also be advantageously distributed to different, spatially separated machines or workstations in the production line: In a first step, the plug connector and the mating plug connector and / or the contact elements and the disk carrier are, for example, only commonly plugged or engaged until the first position is reached. This is carried out with minimal force or with a very low insertion force. In this first position, the contact disk and the contact part advantageously already overlap. In a second step (which can, for example, also be carried out at another workstation or by other machines or fitters), the contact normal force can then be applied and thus the desired electrical (and also mechanical) connection can be constructed. In this way, pre-assembly can be achieved. For example, it can also be feasible that the pre-assembly process is, for example, mechanically secured, for example by means of a master latch, so that the pre-assembled plug connector assembly can be transported to another location without problems and without separation.

[0022] Furthermore, this advantageously prevents damage or destruction of the surfaces of the contact elements and the contact disk during the engagement process along a long travel (for example, starting from the overlap of the contact point of the contact disk - contact element and the contact part of the contact element until the contact section of the contact part). This also enables multiple common pluggings and removals of the plug connector and the mating plug connector from each other (for example, for repair, maintenance, etc.), which advantageously improves the durability of the plug connector assembly and the components connected thereto.

[0023] Furthermore, compared with common plug connectors, the number of contact pads can be advantageously increased and / or the normal force applied by the contact pads in the end plugging position can be increased. As an alternative or in addition, a material with a higher spring constant or a higher modulus of elasticity can be used for the contact pads. Thereby, improved electrical conductivity can be advantageously achieved during the service life, the thermal load on the contact mating part in the contact area can be advantageously reduced (lower contact resistance), and the plug connector assembly can thus have, for example, increased robustness with respect to thermal cycling loads, vibrations, and / or manufacturing tolerances. Since an increased axial force must only be applied at the end of the plugging process (on the (especially small) stroke from the first position to the second position) in order to apply the contact normal force acting radially, a actuating element can be arranged, for example, at the plug connector and / or the mating plug connector, which, despite a possibly limited operating stroke, still has a particularly high force conversion (e.g., greater than 10:1 or greater than 50:1 or greater than 100:1). In the case of a small structural space and little movement space for such an actuating element, the proposed invention can be realized, and a remarkable force conversion can be achieved overall by simple means. Such an - optionally provided, but not mandatory and thus not essential - operating element or actuating element can be configured, for example, as a lever or a slide. Such an actuating element can be arranged, for example, at the plug connector housing or the mating plug connector housing. The actuating element can have, for example, a chute structure that interacts with a complementary pin or bolt on the mating element (if the actuating element is arranged, for example, at the plug connector or the plug connector housing, the bolt or pin can be arranged at the mating plug connector or the mating plug connector housing).

[0024] Furthermore, by the mechanical contact or mechanical coupling of the second groove section with the front section of the contact pad in the second position, the number of contact points between the contact element and the disk carrier is advantageously increased. Compared with the case where only the contact part is in mechanical and electrical contact with the contact pad, for example, at least a doubling of the contact points can be achieved. Thereby, the electrical conductivity is advantageously increased, the electrical contact resistance is reduced, the redundancy of the contact points is increased, the thermal load on one or more contact sites is reduced, and further improved robustness with respect to (radial) manufacturing tolerances and with respect to (radial) vibrations and / or jolting loads is also achieved.

[0025] The insertion direction can be defined, for example, as the direction along which the mating plug connector and the plug connector are plugged together. The insertion direction can preferably be defined, for example, as the direction along which the contact element is displaced relative to the disk carrier to achieve contact. The insertion direction can also be referred to as the axial direction, for example.

[0026] The radial direction extends perpendicular to the insertion direction, for example. The circumferential direction surrounds the insertion direction, for example.

[0027] The groove can be arranged, for example, between the boundary of the contact part and the flange.

[0028] The first radial position can be, for example, an external radial position. This first radial position can be, for example, further away from the contact element along the radial direction than the second radial position. The second radial position can be, for example, an internal radial position, which is closer to the contact element than the first radial position.

[0029] In the first position, a radial clearance can be formed, for example, between the contact disk and the contact part of the mating plug connector. Thereby, a (nearly) force-free engagement process or insertion process or co-insertion process up to the first position can be advantageously supported or enabled.

[0030] A spacing (hereinafter referred to as the third spacing) can be formed between the first radial position and the second radial position. This spacing can be, for example, greater than the radial clearance between the contact disk and the contact part in the first position. This spacing can be, for example, at least 5% larger than the radial clearance, preferably at least 10% larger.

[0031] The groove can be formed, for example, circumferentially. The groove can surround the contact part along the circumferential direction. The groove can be formed, for example, closed, such as annularly closed. The groove can have a uniform cross-section along its extension.

[0032] The groove can extend particularly inclined at the outer wall of the groove such that a semi-funnel shape can be recognized when looking towards the inside of the groove.

[0033] The outer wall of the groove can be formed, for example, inclined over most of its extension, for example, along at least 80% or even at least 90% of its extension. The extension of the outer wall of the groove can extend from the boundary to the bottom of the groove. Thereby, the groove can be manufactured particularly easily.

[0034] The slope of the inclined surface can be formed constantly, in a straight line manner. However, the outer wall of the groove can be formed with a concave or convex curved inclined surface. Thereby, the insertion force on the stroke from the first position to the second position can be advantageously set in a prescribed manner. Thereby, the jamming of the contact disk can also be simplified.

[0035] The outer side of the groove can, for example, have two or more groove sections with different slopes. A continuous or stepped transition from one slope to the next can be constructed between the groove sections. The groove can, for example, have a vertical groove outer wall (parallel to the insertion direction) in the second groove section or even have an inclined surface extending away from the contact part (in the direction of the upper side of the flange), so that an undercut is constructed in the flange. Thereby, it is advantageously achieved that the plug connector assembly is automatically stabilized in the second position. This is because the contact disk then - for example due to its elasticity - cannot exert a radial force on the inclined surface that presses the contact element in the direction from the second position towards the first position. If an undercut is constructed in the second position, then in order to release the contact element from the second position, an even slightly increased release force must first be applied to move the contact disk out of the undercut.

[0036] The disk carrier can, for example, be designed such that contact elements, in particular their contact parts, can be inserted into the interior space of the disk carrier. The base element of the disk carrier can, for example, also be referred to as a shoulder or be designed as a shoulder, and the contact disk is fastened to this shoulder. The base element and the contact disk can, for example, be integrally formed, for example, from a single-piece sheet metal. They can, for example, be designed as a stamped and bent part. The contact disk can, for example, be designed to contact, in particular electrically contact, the contact part.

[0037] The contact disk can, for example, be fastened at the front section to another base element or head element or another shoulder, so that the contact disk extends between two base elements or between the base element and the head element. The contact disk can thus be connected to each other in the front section, for example, by means of the head element. However, it can also be provided that the contact disk, for example, has a cantilevered or free end in the front section or is cantilevered in the front section. For example, it can be provided that the contact disks are not connected to each other in the front section. Such free ends can, for example, directly point in the direction of the mating plug and thus represent an end side of the contact disk in the direction of the contact element. However, there can also be embodiments in which the contact disk bends at its free end or by means of its free end and, for example, points in the radial direction or even in the direction of the base element. In this case, a part of the front section constitutes the end side that extends farthest away from the base element in the direction of the contact element.

[0038] The contact part can, for example, project from the head section of the contact element in the insertion direction. The contact part can, for example, be configured as a pin or a plug or a contact blade, generally: configured as a male contact part. The contact element can, for example, have a mushroom shape, where the contact part represents the stem of the mushroom-shaped part and the head section represents the cap of the mushroom-shaped part. In a longitudinal sectional view, the contact element can, for example, have a T shape. The contact element can project from the head section by at least 2 mm, preferably at least 5 mm, and particularly preferably at least 10 mm.

[0039] The displacement between the first position and the second position can, for example, take place in the insertion direction. The first position can, for example, be an intermediate plugging position in which most of the plugging travel (e.g., more than 70%, preferably more than 90%) between the contact part and the contact element has been completed. Here, the travel in which the contact part and the contact element overlap when viewed in the radial direction can be referred to only by way of example as the plugging travel. The second position can, for example, be an end plugging position.

[0040] In the first position, a gap can, for example, be formed between the contact part and the contact disk (in the case where the contact part and the contact disk overlap simultaneously). Such a gap can, for example, enable a radial clearance between the contact part and the contact disk.

[0041] In the second position, the contact disks can, for example, clamp the contact part between them. Here, the clamping can, for example, be configured in the radial direction. Here, the term "clamping" can be understood to mean that the contact part - in the case where the contact disks are assumed to be held in the second radial position, for example, by the second groove section of the groove outer wall - is held non-separably between the contact disks or is held by the contact disks. Thus, the contact part is clamped or held between the contact disks when viewed in the radial direction. In other words: with respect to the space defined by the contact disks, the contact part has an interference in the second position with respect to the contact disks (in the case where there are only two approximately opposing contact disks, the interference can, for example, be configured with respect to the spacing between the contact disks).

[0042] It can, for example, be stipulated that the contact disks enclose the contact space. The contact disks can, by way of example only, be arranged around the contact space when viewed in the circumferential direction. The contact part can be in the contact space in the second position by means of the contact section and can be contacted there (in the contact space) by the contact disks.

[0043] In other words: The contact space can, for example, be constructed radially internally between the contact discs. The contact space can, for example, be part of the internal space of the disc carrier. The contact parts of the contact element can, for example, be inserted into the contact space in a first position and a second position. The contact space can, for example, have an interference with respect to the contact part in a state where they are not fully plugged together (i.e., during the insertion process or the engagement process up to the first position), especially in the radial direction. In the fully plugged-together state, especially in the second position, the contact part can, for example, have an interference with respect to the contact space (especially in the radial direction).

[0044] The contact discs can, for example, be constructed elastically reversibly. This means that when the contact element returns from the second position to the first position, the contact discs are displaced back to their initial position (i.e., displaced radially away from the contact part). Thereby, the pulling-out process can also be advantageously achieved without the need for a large pulling-out force and / or without damaging the surface of the contact mating part. Furthermore, a new plugging process or engagement process can then be achieved without force or with a gap between the contact disc and the contact part, preferably at least (approximately) up to the first position.

[0045] The contact element can, for example, be designed integrally. The contact part and the head section can, for example, be designed such that they cannot be separated from each other without being damaged. For example, it can be provided that the head section and the contact part are rigidly connected to each other, especially cannot be displaced relative to each other. As an alternative, it can be provided that the contact part can be displaced relative to the head section, for example, along the axis of the contact part. The contact part can, for example, move through an opening in the head section. The contact part and the head section can, for example, be made of a conductive material, for example, the same material. In an alternative embodiment, the head section and / or the flange can, for example, be made of a material different from the contact part, for example, an insulating material, wherein the head section and / or the flange are only constructed or provided or used to apply an axial force to the front section of the contact disc when displaced from the first position to the second position.

[0046] The contact part can, for example, be constructed as a pin or a contact blade, etc. The contact part can, for example, generally be constructed as a male contact part that can be inserted into a disc carrier as a female contact part.

[0047] The contact part can, for example, have a diameter in the range between 2 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 4 mm and 20 mm.

[0048] Each disc or contact disc can, for example, have a thickness in the range between 200 µm (200 micrometers) and 3 mm, preferably between 400 µm and 2 mm. The disc width or the width of the contact disc can, for example, be greater than the thickness of the contact disc.

[0049] For example, it can be stipulated that the diameter of the disk carrier is at least 20 µm, preferably at least 50 µm larger than the diameter of the contact member.

[0050] Unless otherwise described, the expression "comprising" is used synonymously with the expression "having".

[0051] In an improved embodiment, it is stipulated that in the second position, the contact disks each contact the contact section with a contact normal force of at least 1 N, preferably at least 5 N, in the radial direction. For example, the contact normal force of the contact disks, in particular of each contact disk or a plurality of contact disks, is respectively in the range between 5 N and 50 N, or even between 5 N and 200 N. Thereby, a particularly safe and reliable contact is advantageously achieved, which has a low contact resistance over its service life even during vibrations, under thermal cyclic loads or other operating conditions. Thereby, it is possible to advantageously limit the heat generation at the transition between the contact mating parts to a minimum even at high currents, for example exceeding 50 A or even exceeding 100 A. In addition, it is possible to advantageously reduce the structural space, weight and material usage in the contact area, in particular at the disk carrier, because a reliable contact achieved by means of a high contact normal force enables a smaller number of contact sites. In addition, the service life of the plug connector assembly is advantageously increased.

[0052] In an improved embodiment, it is stipulated that the base element of the disk carrier is constructed in a circumferentially closed manner. Thereby, it is advantageously achieved that the disk carrier is constructed particularly stably and that the contact disks cannot expand the base elements apart from each other in the second position. This advantageously enables a particularly reliable and long-lasting application of the contact normal force.

[0053] For example, it can be stipulated that the base element or the shoulder or shoulder region of the disk carrier is constructed in a circumferentially closed manner.

[0054] The base region can, for example, have a circular or oval cross-section in the force-free state (i.e., before assembling the mating plug connector). However, in principle, a polygonal cross-section of the base element, for example triangular, quadrilateral, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, can also be envisaged. Cross-sections with more than eight corners can also be envisaged.

[0055] Enclosed closed shapes can be achieved, for example, by rolling up an initially flat stamped-bent part made of, for example, sheet metal. In order to keep the base area closed, a material-locking connection can be provided, for example, by a welding process or an adhesive process or a soldering process. However, a form-locking connection can also be provided. For example, at least one eyelet or a cutout with a neck area can be constructed at the end of the base area, the neck area having a flat or narrow neck, and at least one pin with a shape complementary to the eyelet or the cutout (groove-spring principle) can be constructed at the other end of the base area. After rolling up the stamped-bent part, at least one pin can then be inserted into at least one assigned complementary eyelet or cutout, so that the base element cannot be unfolded again. By means of the form-locking connection, a particularly easy and cost-effective and temperature-stable connection can advantageously be achieved.

[0056] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that the first position and the second position are spaced apart from each other along the insertion direction by at most 5 mm, preferably at most 2 mm, and particularly preferably at most 1 mm. Thereby, it is advantageously achieved that the contact mating parts (contact disk and contact component) can only rub against each other along a very small, especially axial, travel distance, and thereby surface damage is prevented or the damage is limited to a very small travel area. Furthermore, an insertion connector assembly can be advantageously provided which only requires a very small structural space along the insertion direction. Finally, for example, if a actuating element is provided for reducing the operating force, a particularly high normal force can be advantageously applied in this way. If the travel distance between the first position and the second position is, for example, 1 mm and the travel of an optional actuating element (such as a sliding element or a rotatably supported lever element) is 100 mm, a force conversion of 100:1 can be achieved. The entire travel of the actuating element and thus the entire force conversion can thereby be used for applying the contact normal force. It is not necessary to waste a part of the actuating travel for a part of the engagement travel. Furthermore, for example, the force conversion can be advantageously constructed very uniformly along the actuating travel, for example, by means of a substantially linear chute path with a uniform slope in the actuating element. Because only the travel distance from the first position to the second position is required, and not the entire engagement travel, for the optional actuating element. As an alternative, the actuating travel can be reduced under the same force conversion, thereby saving structural space or free space for actuating the actuating element.

[0057] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that in the first position, the radial clearance between the contact disk and the contact member is in the range between 5 µm (5 micrometers) and 200 µm (200 micrometers) or in the range between 20 µm and 100 µm. Advantageously, this enables a high contact normal force to be constructed with a short distance between the first position and the second position. In addition, a high force conversion can be advantageously achieved in this way, since only a very small radial travel is required for contact or only a very small clearance needs to be closed. For example, if an axial travel of 1 mm between the first position and the second position is provided and the clearance or radial clearance is uniformly 100 µm around, a force conversion of 10:1 can be achieved. At the same time, with such a small radial clearance, the insertion process or engagement process can be advantageously achieved with little force acting, for example, at least before the first position. Such a small clearance can also enable a particularly compact structural form of the disk carrier and / or the plug connector in the radial direction.

[0058] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that the contact disk extends at least partially inclined from the base element towards the contact member, or extends inclined towards the contact member or the contact element, or protrudes inclined from the base element towards the contact element. Advantageously, this enables the contact disk to be arranged closer to the contact member in the first position, and the radial clearance or clearance can then be smaller compared to when the contact disk extends straight upwards (i.e., parallel to the insertion direction) or extends inclined radially away from the contact member. In addition, the base element can thereby be arranged more radially away from the contact member, so that advantageously the contact member can pass through the base element in the state of co-insertion without colliding with it (thus a greater insertion depth can be achieved). The contact member can, for example, be inserted into a guide element (e.g., an opening with only a slightly larger diameter) and / or a locking element (viewed in the insertion direction) below the base element, and thereby the orientation of the contact member can be better defined or stabilized. Furthermore, advantageously, the displacement of the contact disk radially towards the contact member can be achieved more easily and reliably, since the contact disk already has a preferential direction radially towards the contact element in the force-free state.

[0059] If the disk carrier encloses a contact space (into which the contact element or its contact member is inserted) inside it, it can be provided that the contact disk extends at least partially inclined radially inwards from the base element or protrudes inclined radially inwards or extends inclined radially inwards.

[0060] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that the plug connector has a contact chamber with an outer wall, wherein the disk carrier is arranged in the contact chamber and the base element is arranged adjacent to the outer wall inside the contact chamber.

[0061] This advantageously enables the disk carrier to be assembled particularly easily and reliably in or on the plug connector. The disk carrier can, for example, be inserted or pushed into the contact chamber. Thereby, the disk carrier is automatically arranged at the correct position in the plug connector. In addition, a particularly large electrical transition surface from the disk carrier to the plug connector can be advantageously constructed in this way, which reduces the contact resistance. The contact chamber can, for example, be conductively constructed and electrically contacted with the base element at least in the second position, for example from the outer side of the base element to the inner side of the outer wall of the contact chamber. In addition, a complex press-fit into a printed circuit board or the soldering or welding of the disk carrier on a carrier substrate or an electrical component can be advantageously omitted in this way.

[0062] It can be provided, for example, that the outer wall of the contact chamber abuts against the base element in the force-free state of the disk carrier or is spaced apart from the base element only by a small (radial) gap, for example by a gap of at most 500 μm, preferably at most 200 μm and particularly preferably at most 100 μm. In this way, on the one hand, the disk carrier can still be easily and ideally force-free inserted into the contact chamber, while the disk carrier is, however, very precisely positioned with respect to the radial direction, which ensures an easy and reliable mating process with the mating plug connector.

[0063] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that the base element is supported at the outer wall of the contact chamber in the second position. This advantageously enables, due to the coupling with the outer wall of the groove during the travel from the first position to the second position, that the radial displacement of the contact disk towards the contact part does not cause the base elements to expand (too violently) apart from each other, and / or that the contact disk is displaced not in the radial direction but in the axial direction (when transitioning from the first position to the second position). Advantageously, the material thickness of the base element can also be reduced or a material with a lower modulus of elasticity can be used in this way, which can achieve cost advantages.

[0064] In addition, the electrical contact between the base element and the contact chamber in the second position is advantageously improved in this way, since the base element thereby forms a secure mechanical and electrical contact with the contact chamber due to being supported at the outer wall.

[0065] The support can, for example, be carried out in the radial direction.

[0066] For example, the radial movement of the base element (for example when the contact element is displaced from the first position to the second position) can be limited to less than 500 μm, preferably less than 200 μm and particularly preferably less than 100 μm due to the outer wall of the contact chamber.

[0067] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that the inner wall of the groove is configured flush with the outer wall of the contact member. Thereby, the contact disk is advantageously clamped at the contact member particularly closely (viewed in the radial direction). In addition, a particularly high pressing force or a particularly high contact normal force of the contact disk onto the contact member can be advantageously generated thereby. Furthermore, it is advantageously avoided that the contact disk has to overcome a step between the contact member and the inner wall of the groove, and thereby the surface of the contact disk is particularly well protected against scratches or other damage.

[0068] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that the first angle of the outer wall of the groove with respect to the insertion direction is in the range between 2° and 45° or in the range between 3° and 15°.

[0069] Thereby, a particularly high force conversion is advantageously achieved by means of the inclined surface of the outer wall of the groove. In this case, the displacement distance of the contact disk in the radial direction towards the contact member is at most as large as the axial stroke from the first position to the second position. Thereby, the operating force can be reduced even in the case of a high contact force to be generated. Thus, a force conversion is advantageously produced which renders the actuating element for reducing the insertion force redundant or supplements and enhances the actuating element in its function.

[0070] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that the contact disk contacts the groove at least at two sides respectively. This advantageously enables further increasing the contact surface or the contact points. Thereby, the robustness against adverse operating conditions is increased and the contact resistance is reduced. As already described above, the groove has three faces or sides: the inner wall of the groove or the inner side of the groove (in the direction of the contact member), the outer wall of the groove or the outer side of the groove (in the direction of the boundary of the head section), and the bottom of the groove or the bottom side. The bottom of the groove can extend, for example, transversely to the insertion direction.

[0071] For example, it can be provided that the faces or sides of the groove contacted by the front section are twisted relative to each other by at least 30°. Thus, in the second position, on the one hand, the bottom of the groove and the inner wall of the groove can be contacted by the front section of the contact disk, or the bottom of the groove and the outer wall of the groove or all three walls can be contacted by the front section.

[0072] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that the contact disk bends away from the contact member in the radial direction in the front section.

[0073] This advantageously provides an insertion funnel for the contact part, which simplifies the engagement process of the contact element in the disc carrier and enables the engagement process even in the case of manufacturing tolerances without damaging the front section. At the same time, this simplifies the radial displacement of the contact disc during the transition from the first position to the second position, since the flange can mechanically contact the specified support surface. In addition, this advantageously enables an improved force introduction from the outer wall of the groove into the contact disc in the radial direction. This can improve or increase the contact normal force or contact pressure of the contact disc in the contact section of the contact part.

[0074] For example, it can be stipulated that the bend is configured at a second angle of at least 30°, preferably at least 60° and particularly preferably at least 110° relative to the insertion direction. Bends of more than 180° can even be envisaged. In this case, the free end can again point to the contact disc.

[0075] The contact disc can be bent radially outwards, for example, in the front section or by means of the free end. The contact disc can, for example, bend outwards or away from the contact part beyond the cross-section of the base element.

[0076] In an improved embodiment, it is stipulated that the mating plug connector can be displaced along the insertion direction from the pre-insertion position, where the contact part does not yet overlap with the contact disc, at least up to the first position with a force of less than 5 N, in particular without any force acting.

[0077] This advantageously enables the engagement or common plugging together of the plug connector and the mating plug connector to be achieved largely without force or with a very low insertion force, and the contact normal force is only actually applied to the contact elements of the mating plug connector at the end of the plugging process. In a common disk carrier, during the insertion process of the contact elements of the mating plug connector, the contact disk has to be widened radially outwards in the region of the contact disk (the so-called "opening peak" in the case of the insertion force), and the frictional force between the contact disk and the contact elements also has to be overcome during further travel. Different from this common disk carrier, according to the invention, an increased force only has to be applied at the end of the insertion process or engagement process, which is required so that the contact disk can apply the contact normal force to the contact elements. This advantageously simplifies the assembly process, and furthermore, larger manufacturing tolerances can also be advantageously achieved because skewing due to the insertion force is prevented, and furthermore, during the assembly process, the arrangement of the plug connector and the mating plug connector can also be advantageously corrected. In addition, the engagement process and / or the plugging process can also be advantageously distributed to different, spatially separated machines or workstations in the production line: In a first step, the plug connector and the mating plug connector are, for example, only commonly plugged or engaged until a first position is reached. This is achieved largely without force or with a very low insertion force. In this first position, the contact disk and the contact part advantageously already overlap. In a second step (which can, for example, also be carried out at another workstation or by other machines or assemblers), the contact normal force can then be applied and thus the desired electrical (and also mechanical) connection can be constructed. In this way, pre-assembly can be achieved. For example, it can also be feasible to (reach the first position) mechanically secure the pre-assembly process, for example, by a master latch, so that the pre-assembled plug connector assembly can be transported problem-free and anti-separately to other places.

[0078] Furthermore, this advantageously prevents the surfaces of the contact elements and the contact disk from being damaged or destroyed during the engagement process over a long travel (for example, from the contact point of the contact disk - contact element and the contact part of the contact element starting to overlap until the contact section of the contact part). This also enables the plug connector and the mating plug connector to be commonly plugged and pulled out from each other multiple times (for example, for repair, maintenance, etc.), which advantageously improves the durability of the plug connector assembly and the components connected thereto.

[0079] Furthermore, compared with common plug-in connector components, it is possible to advantageously increase the number of contact pads and / or increase the normal force applied by the contact pads in the end plug-in position. As an alternative or in addition, a material with a higher spring constant or a higher modulus of elasticity can be used for the contact pads. Thereby, it is possible to advantageously achieve improved electrical conductivity during the lifetime, advantageously reduce the thermal load (lower contact resistance) of the contact mating parts in the contact area, and the plug-in connector component can thus have increased robustness, for example, with respect to thermal cycling loads, vibrations, and / or manufacturing tolerances. Since, according to the invention, only an increased axial force must be applied at the end of the plugging process (on the (particularly small) stroke from the first position to the second position) in order to apply a contact normal force acting radially, it is possible, for example, to arrange a actuating element at the plug-in connector and / or the mating plug-in connector, which actuating element, despite a possibly limited operating stroke, still has a particularly high force conversion (e.g., more than 10:1 or more than 50:1 or more than 100:1). In the case of a small structural space and little movement space for such an actuating element, the proposed invention can be realized, and it is possible to achieve a remarkable force conversion by simple means overall. Such an optionally provided, but not necessarily required and thus not essential, actuating element or operating element can be configured, for example, as a rod or a slider. Such an operating element can be arranged, for example, at the plug-in connector housing or the mating plug-in connector housing. For example, it can have a chute structure that interacts with a complementary pin or bolt at the mating element (if the operating element is arranged, for example, at the plug-in connector or the plug-in connector housing, the bolt or pin can be arranged at the mating plug-in connector or the mating plug-in connector housing).

[0080] The term "force-free" can be understood such that the engagement or co-plugging of the plug-in connector and the mating plug-in connector requires only an insignificant force consumption or an insignificant plugging force at least before the first position, and in particular, it is not necessary to overcome an opening peak for pressing the contact pads apart from each other or the frictional force between the contact mating parts. In particular, in the case of power contacts for high-current applications or high-voltage applications, a joining force or co-plugging force of less than 10 N, preferably less than 5 N, and particularly preferably less than 3 N can be regarded as "force-free".

[0081] In an improved embodiment, it is provided that in the second position, the bottom of the groove mechanically contacts the front section of the contact pad such that the contact pad is displaced in the radial direction towards the contact part, and thereby the contact pad applies an additional contact normal force in the radial direction to the contact section of the contact part.

[0082] In other words: By means of the mechanical contact of the groove bottom with the front section of the contact disk, the groove bottom applies, in particular, an axial force to the respective contact disk. The contact disk is thereby compressed in the axial direction, whereby the contact disk is displaced in the radial direction towards the contact part, and thus the contact normal force is increased.

[0083] Advantageously, the mechanical contact of the groove bottom with the front section of the contact disk (further) increases the number of contact points between the contact element and the disk carrier. The number of contact points is further increased compared to the case where only the contact part is in mechanical and electrical contact with the contact disk or compared to the case where, in addition, the front section of the contact disk is also in mechanical and electrical contact with a second groove section. Thereby, the electrical conductivity is advantageously increased, the electrical contact resistance is reduced, the redundancy of the contact points is increased, the thermal load of one or more contact sites is reduced, and also an improved robustness with respect to (radial) manufacturing tolerances and with respect to (radial) vibration and / or jolt loads is achieved. This is because the contact between the groove bottom and the front section of the contact disk is configured in the axial direction and is thus orthogonal to the preferably radially acting or configured contact site between the contact disk and the contact part. Furthermore, advantageously, the contact normal force exerted by the contact disk on the contact section is also further increased, which improves the robustness of the plug connector assembly. In addition, by means of this axial mechanical contact, it is advantageously also possible to tolerate, for example, manufacturing tolerances of the groove. In the case where the radial guidance of the contact disk by the groove is not sufficient to achieve a sufficiently large radial displacement of the contact disk, the axial force application can then compensate for this deficiency.

[0084] In the case of contact disks arranged opposite each other, for example, it can be provided that the groove bottom mechanically contacts the contact disk in the front section of the contact disk such that the contact disk is displaced radially inwards during the travel of the contact element from the first position to the second position, and thereby an additional contact normal force is applied to the contact part in the contact section. In the second position, the contact disk is then displaced radially inwards and contacts the contact part in the contact section.

[0085] In the second position, the groove bottom can, for example, contact the front section of the contact disk axially and thereby apply an axial force to the contact disk, which axial force causes the contact disk to be displaced in the radial direction towards at least a partial section of the contact part. In the second position, the groove bottom can in particular be pressed axially onto the front section of the contact disk.

[0086] In particular, in the case of contact discs arranged opposite one another, it can be provided, for example, that the bottom of the groove mechanically contacts the contact disc in the front section of the contact disc in such a way that the contact disc is displaced radially inwards along the travel of the contact element from the first position to the second position, and thereby an additional contact normal force is applied to the contact part in the contact section. In the second position, the contact disc is then displaced radially inwards and an additional contact normal force is applied to the contact part in the contact section.

[0087] Already during the travel from the first position to the second position and in the second position, the bottom of the groove can, for example, contact the front section of the contact disc axially and thereby apply an axial force to the contact disc, which axial force causes the contact disc to be displaced at least in sections in the radial direction towards the contact part. In the second position, the bottom of the groove can in particular be pressed axially against the front section of the contact disc.

[0088] According to another aspect of the invention, a mating plug connector is proposed, in particular for high-current applications and / or high-voltage applications.

[0089] The mating plug connector is suitable or designed for co-plugging with a plug connector which has a disc carrier with a plurality of contact discs. The mating plug connector has a contact element which has a head section and a contact part, where the contact part projects from the head section, where the head section has a flange which projects radially beyond the contact part, where a groove is introduced into the flange on the underside facing the disc carrier, where the groove extends at least in sections obliquely outwards at the outer wall of the groove facing the boundary of the flange, where the contact element and / or the mating plug connector can in particular be displaced between a first position and a second position along the insertion direction in the state of co-plugging with the plug connector, where the outer wall of the groove is designed to be mechanically coupled to the front section of the contact disc in a first radial position in a first groove section in the first position, where the outer wall of the groove is designed to be mechanically coupled to the front section of the contact disc in a second radial position in a second groove section in the second position, where in the second radial position the contact disc is displaced in the radial direction towards the contact part and thereby electrically contacts the contact part in the contact section of the contact part and in particular clamps the contact parts between them.

[0090] This advantageously provides a mating plug connector which enables a (near) force-free engagement process over a large distance of the insertion process, and which at the same time can achieve a defined application of contact normal force during the travel from the first position to the second position. The other advantages described above are also obtained for the proposed mating plug connector. Description of the drawings

[0091] Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which embodiments should not, however, be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0092] Wherein: Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the plug connector assembly in the non-contact state is shown; Figures 2a to 2c A perspective schematic view of two different disk holders of the plug connector is shown ( Figure 2a and 2b ), and a top view of the stamped sheet as the initial state of the disk holder is shown ( Figure 2c ); Figure 3a and Figure 3b A schematic cross-sectional view of the plug connector assembly with a mating plug connector in a first position ( Figure 3a ) or a second position ( Figure 3b ) is shown; Figure 4 A schematic cross-sectional view of another plug connector assembly with a mating plug connector in the second position is shown; Figure 5a and Figure 5b A schematic cross-sectional view of another plug connector assembly with a mating plug connector in a first position ( Figure 5a ) or a second position ( Figure 5b ) is shown. Detailed Description

[0093] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the plug connector assembly 100 in the non-contact state, for example in the pre-insertion position, is shown. For the sake of clarity, neither the actuating elements (such as rod elements or sliding elements) for reducing the operating force during common insertion, nor the plug connector housing, nor the mating plug connector housing are shown here. Such elements are known from the prior art and do not represent the main elements for the practicability of the present invention.

[0094] The plug connector assembly 100 is hereby only exemplarily configured for high-current applications (for example for transmitting at least 10 A, preferably at least 50 A and particularly preferably at least 100 A) and / or high-voltage applications (for example for at least 100 V, preferably at least 200 V and particularly preferably at least 500 V).

[0095] The plug connector assembly 100 has a plug connector 1 and a mating plug connector 2 for being plugged together with the plug connector 1, here by way of example, in an insertion direction E, wherein a radial direction R extends perpendicularly to the insertion direction E and wherein a circumferential direction U circumferentially surrounds the insertion direction E. The insertion direction E can also be referred to as an axial direction. The plug connector 1 has a disk holder 3, which has a base element 4 and a plurality of contact disks 5. The contact disks 5 are connected to the base element 4 in a rear section 6. The contact disks extend from the base element 4 in the direction of the mating plug connector 2 and have a front section 7, which faces the mating plug connector 2 and here by way of example has a cantilevered end 8.

[0096] It goes without saying that the contact disk 5 can in principle be designed to be connected to a further base element in its front section.

[0097] The disk or contact disk 5 of the disk holder 3 here first bends radially inwards or first extends obliquely toward the contact part 11, obliquely or bent or displaced upward (towards the free end 8) starting from the base element 4. In the front section 7, the contact disk 5 is then bent away from the contact part 11 in the radial direction R, wherein the free end 8 of the contact disk 5 forms the end side 33 facing the mating plug connector 2 in this example. By the bending of the front section 7, an insertion funnel is provided in this example, wherein the contact disk 5 is formed at the end side 33 at an angle in the range of between 10° and 35° with respect to the axial direction, for example.

[0098] The plug connector 1 here also has, by way of example, a contact chamber 14 with an outer wall 15, wherein the disk holder 3 is arranged in the contact chamber 14, wherein the base element 4 is arranged in the interior of the contact chamber 14 adjacent to the outer wall 15. The contact chamber 14 can be designed to be electrically conductive, for example. The contact chamber 14 is arranged on, at or in the first component 50.

[0099] The disk holder 3 can be electrically connected to the first component 50, for example, by means of its base element 4. Depending on the embodiment, the disk holder can also be mechanically connected to the first component 50, for example, by means of a press-fit connection and / or a solder connection or the like.

[0100] The first component 50 can be designed, for example, as a printed circuit board 51 or as a busbar or so-called "busbar". The first component can also be directly connected to an electrical power component, such as an inverter, an AC / DC converter, a battery, an electric motor, etc., or can be designed as such a power component. Therefore, a particularly simple embodiment of the plug connector 1 is shown here. It goes without saying that the plug connector 1 can also have a plug connector housing in which the disk holder 3 is arranged in other embodiments.

[0101] The mating plug connector 2 has a contact element 9 with a head section 10 and a contact part 11 . The contact part 11 projects from the head section 10 , here by way of example, in the plug-in direction E. The head section 10 has a collar 12 , which projects in the radial direction R beyond the contact part 11 .

[0102] The contact element 9 is here exemplarily electrically connected to the second component 60, for example, as shown here or by a wire or by a busbar, etc. The second component 60 can be configured, for example, as another power component, for example, as an inverter, a motor, a battery, etc. However, the second component 60 can also be a printed circuit board or a wire connected to another power component.

[0103] exist Figure 1 3 , it can be seen in dashed lines that a groove 16 is introduced into the collar 12 on the bottom side 35 facing the disk holder 3. The groove 16 is arranged here by way of example between the contact element 11 and the boundary 17 of the collar 12. The groove 16 extends outwardly at an angle at least in sections (here: from the bottom side 35 to the groove bottom 30 of the groove 16) on the groove outer wall 20 facing the boundary 17.

[0104] In a top view onto the underside 35, the groove 16 has here, by way of example, the shape of a half funnel, wherein the inclined walls are arranged radially on the outside. The groove 16 also has a groove inner wall 18, which is designed flush with the contact part outer wall 19 of the contact part 11. The groove inner wall 18 can extend, for example, parallel to the axial direction. The groove 16 here, by way of example, surrounds the contact part 11 along the circumferential direction U. The groove is here, by way of example, designed in an annular closed manner. The groove here—only by way of example—has a uniform cross section.

[0105] The contact element 9 and the mating plug connector 2, in this case by way of example, can also be displaced, in particular in the state of being plugged together with the plug connector 1, between a first position P1 and a second position P2, in particular along the plug-in direction E (see for example Figure 3a , Figure 3b , Figure 5a , Figure 5b ). The first position P1 can be referred to as a pre-contact position or an intermediate plug-in position, for example, in which the contact element 11 can already overlap the contact disk 5, for example, along at least 50% or at least 70% of its longitudinal extension. The second position P2 can be referred to as an end contact position or an end plug-in position, for example, in which the electrical connection is formed in the target state. Figure 1The position shown, for example, can be referred to as a pre-insertion position, in which, for example, the actual insertion process has not yet caused the overlapping of the contact disk 5 and the contact member 11, or the contact member 11 overlaps the contact disk 5 only at its front end with a very small proportion (e.g., <20% or <10%).

[0106] Here, in the first position P1 (see, for example, Figure 3a and Figure 5a ), the outer wall 20 of the groove is mechanically coupled to the front section 7 of the contact disk 5 in the first groove section 37 in a particularly outer first radial position R1. Exemplarily, a radial clearance is formed between the contact disk 5 and the contact member 11 of the mating plug connector 2 in the first position P1 here.

[0107] In other words: The groove 16 catches the contact disk 5.

[0108] The radial clearance can, for example, be configured as the clearance 29, in which a first distance D1 is formed between the contact disk 5 and the contact member 11 (see Figure 3a and 5a ).

[0109] In the second position P2 (see, for example, Figure 3b , Figure 4 , Figure 5b ), the outer wall 20 of the groove is mechanically coupled to the front section 7 of the contact disk 5 in the second groove section 38 in a particularly inner second radial position R2, in which the contact disk 5 is displaced in the radial direction R towards the contact member 11, and thereby electrically contacts the contact member 11 in the contact section 13 of the contact member 11, and particularly clamps the contact members 11 between them (particularly when observed along the radial direction R).

[0110] The first position P1 and the second position P2 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction or along the insertion direction E by a second distance D2 (see Figure 3b ).

[0111] The first radial position R1 can be spaced apart from the second radial position R2 in the radial direction by a third distance D3 (see Figure 3a , Figure 3b , Figure 4 , Figure 5a , Figure 5b ). The third distance D3 can, for example, be configured to be at least as large as the first distance D1 (radial clearance) in the first position P1, preferably larger. The third distance D3 can, for example, be at least 5% larger than the first distance D1, preferably at least 10% larger. Thereby, particularly safe contact and particularly high contact normal force are achieved.

[0112] The second position P2 can be achieved starting from the first position P1, for example, by an axial force acting on the contact element 9. The contact disk 5 is guided along the outer wall 20 of the groove when the contact element 9 is displaced from the first position P1 to the second position by mechanical coupling with the outer wall 20 of the groove (or by abutting against the outer wall 20 of the groove), and is displaced at least partially in the radial direction R towards the contact member 11 due to the inclined surface of the outer wall 20 of the groove. Thus, the contact disk 5 is pressed against the contact member 11 in the contact section 13 at the latest in the second position P2.

[0113] The disk carrier 3 can be made of a material with good electrical conductivity, such as copper or a copper alloy, for example. The contact disk 5 can be constructed elastically reversibly with respect to the displacement of the contact element 9 from the first position P1 to the second position P2. This means that when the contact element 9 is displaced back from the second position P2 to the first position P1 or even further, the contact disk is displaced back (approximately) to its initial position, which the contact disk occupies in the initial state without the action of force. Subsequently, a new plugging process can be carried out, which again causes the contact disk 5 to be displaced radially towards the contact member 11 in the second position P2 of the contact element 9 and causes electrical contact of the contact member.

[0114] The front section 6 of the contact disk 5 can be advantageously clamped by the groove 16, for example, and thus arranged in the correct radial position at or in the flange 12, for example, already in the first position P1. If one or more contact disks 5 are damaged or bent, i.e., for example, the end side 33 is not in the correct radial position, or if the contact element 9 is placed slightly radially offset, one or more bent contact disks can be (especially radially) automatically centered in the groove 16 and / or the contact element 9 can be automatically centered radially. If there is a significant bending of one or more contact disks 5, tilting of the contact element 9 may occur because some contact disks 5 are clamped in the groove 16 while other contact disks 5 are outside at the lower side 35 of the flange 12. Such tilting can be used by the assembler or the machine as a sign of a problem. Thus, the assembly quality can be advantageously improved.

[0115] By at the latest in the second position P2 (see Figure 3a , Figure 3b , Figure 4 , Figure 5a , Figure 5bThe front section of the contact disk is received or arranged in the groove 16, such that, for example, even under relatively strong vibration loads or thermal cycling loads, the contact disk 5 is advantageously stopped to prevent it from slipping out of the contact position (radially). Thus, it is not easily possible for the end side 33 to be displaced radially outwards briefly (e.g. due to an impact), and for the contact disk 5 to thereby change its curvature (e.g. in the second bistable state, in which the contact disk 5 folds outwards radially at the height of the contact section 13).

[0116] The insertion direction E can also be defined as the direction given by the displacement direction of the contact element 9 when contacting the disk carrier 3.

[0117] In Figure 2a and Figure 2b perspective schematic views of two different disk carriers 3 of the plug connector 1 are shown.

[0118] Figure 2a The disk carrier 3 is shown, in which the contact disk 5 extends first obliquely upwards and inwards (radially towards a contact part 11 not shown here) starting from the base element 4.

[0119] In other words: the contact disk 5 extends at least partially obliquely towards a contact part 11 (not shown here) starting from the base element 4.

[0120] The free end 8 of the contact disk 5 is bent here exemplarily such that it forms a hook or an eyelet respectively. Here, the front section 7 forms the end side 33 of the contact disk 5, which faces the contact element 9 and its flange 12 of the mating plug connector 2. On this end side 33, for example, the groove bottom 30 of the contact element 9 can mechanically contact the respective contact disk 5, and in addition to the slide-type guidance by the inclined groove outer wall 20, an axial force can also be applied to the contact disk during displacement from the first position P1 to the second position P2. The contact disk 5 engages with the first and second groove sections 37, 38 (see Figure 3a , Figure 3b , Figure 4 , Figure 5a , Figure 5bThe mechanical coupling of ) is further achieved in the coupling section 39 outside the end side 33 (or further away from the contact part 11) when observed radially. The free end 8 is bent at an angle relative to the contact section 13, and this angle can, for example, be in the range between 150° and 230°, and is approximately 180° relative to the insertion direction E here. Such a formed disk carrier 3 has a particularly smooth end side 33 and a particularly smooth coupling section 39 for coupling with the first and second groove sections 37, 38, especially without sharp ends. Compared with the free end 8 that forms the end side 33 or the coupling section 39, the end side 33 and the coupling section 39 also have relatively large contact surfaces. Thereby, the following risks are minimized: the end side 33 skews at the inclined groove outer wall 20 and / or the end side 33 is embedded in the groove bottom 30 when an axial force is applied to the contact element 9, which may make it difficult to loosen the plug connector 1 and the mating plug connector 2. Additionally, advantageously, such a formed front section 7 with a strongly bent free end 8 can particularly well fill the groove 16 in the head section 10, and advantageously increases the contact surface between the contact disk 5 and the contact element 9. Finally, as Figure 2a The bent free end 8 in can advantageously simplify the transportation and assembly of the disk carrier 3. Because thereby the following risks are minimized: for example, different disk carriers 3 used as bulk parts hook onto each other or their free ends are damaged during transportation, such as plastically bent. The end side 33 constructed in this way can additionally have the function of an insertion funnel, which enables the contact part 11 to be inserted particularly easily and without jamming into the interior of the disk carrier 3 (into the contact space of the disk carrier 3).

[0121] Figure 2b The disk carrier 3 is shown, in which the free end 8 of the contact disk 5 similarly first extends radially inwards or inclinedly towards the contact part 11 not shown here and then bends radially outwards (away from the contact part 11), as Figure 1 in the disk carrier 3 of. The free end 8 or the section or part of its side facing the contact part 11 (not shown) exemplary constitutes the end side 33 here. Figure 2b The disk carrier 3 shown in can be manufactured particularly easily. Due to the slightly radially outwardly bent shape at the free end 8, a smaller friction surface is achieved between the groove outer wall 20 and the contact disk 5. Additionally, here it is also advantageously prevented that the free end 8 is embedded in the groove bottom 30 in the case of an axial force acting on the contact element 9. A sliding surface is provided, which particularly easily converts the axial force acting on the groove bottom 30 into a radial movement of the contact disk 5 towards the contact part 11 (here: radially inwards).

[0122] In Figure 2a andFigure 2b In both embodiments, the base element 4 of the disk holder 3 is designed to be closed around the base element 4 only as an example. The base element is designed to be closed in an annular shape as an example. The disk holder 3 designed in this way encloses an interior space 34 which can also be referred to as a contact space. The contact part 11 of the contact element 9 can be inserted into this interior space 34. The contact process (between the contact part 11 and the contact disk 5) takes place in this interior space.

[0123] Figure 2c As for example Figure 2a or Figure 2b The initial state of the disk holder 3 shown in FIG. 1 shows a top view of a stamped plate. Therefore, this is a preliminary stage of the disk holder 3 which is still two-dimensional in the end.

[0124] exist Figure 2c In the figure, the base element 4 can be seen on the underside and a plurality of contact disks 5 can be seen protruding upwards from it. Figure 2c On the left side, two pins 25, which are round in this example, can be seen, which are connected to the base element 4 by means of a neck region with a smaller diameter. Figure 2c Two recesses 24 (also with neck regions) complementary to the pins 25 can be seen on the right. In order to design the disk holder 3, the two-dimensional stamped shape can be pressed or pressed, for example, first in such a way that the desired course of the contact disk 5 is produced (for example, first a section extending radially inwardly toward the contact element 11 obliquely, and then a front section 7 extending radially outwardly with a more or less sharply curved free end 8). The disk holder 3 can then be formed by a winding process, wherein the pins 25 are clamped or inserted into the recesses 24, and the disk holder 3 is kept dimensionally stable by means of the form-locking connection of the base element 4 with its own structured therein. In other embodiments, the base element can be connected in a materially locked manner (for example, soldered, welded, adhesively bonded, etc.). In still other embodiments, the base element can be simply wound and / or, for example, stamped here, so that it itself maintains a predetermined shape, for example, a ring-closed structure.

[0125] Figure 3a and Figure 3b shows a first position P1 ( Figure 3a ) or the second position P2 ( Figure 3b ) is a schematic cross section of a plug connector assembly 100 of a mating plug connector 2. The contact discs 5 located to the left and to the right of the contact element 11 can be seen respectively. In addition, it can be seen schematically how the first component 50 is electrically connected to the plug connector 1 and how the second component 60 is electrically connected to the mating plug connector 2. For the sake of clarity, the Figure 3a andFigure 3b Nor is there shown an actuating element for reducing the insertion force, even though such an actuating element (e.g., a lever element, a sliding element, etc.) can be optionally provided.

[0126] The flange 12 of the contact element 9 here has a groove 16 at its lower side 35 facing the contact disk 5. The groove 16 here has a groove outer wall 20, which extends obliquely outward toward the boundary 17 of the flange 12 in the first groove section 37 and has a first angle W1 different from zero with respect to the insertion direction E. In the second groove section 38, the groove outer wall 20 extends vertically or parallel to the insertion direction E. This groove outer wall can also extend radially outward substantially (when viewed from below to above in Figure 3a and Figure 3b ), and thus forms an undercut or a pocket-shaped recess with a narrow neck. Through this design of the groove outer wall 20 in the second groove section 38, a self-locking of the plug connector assembly 100 in the second position P2 is advantageously achieved. In other words: In the second position P2, the front section 7 of the contact disk 5 (e.g., by a spring-like force acting radially outward, away from the contact part 11) cannot apply an axial force component to the groove outer wall 20, which would cause the plug connector 1 and the mating plug connector 2 to shift apart from each other.

[0127] Furthermore, for example, it can also be envisaged that the lower side 35 of the flange 12 is curved concavely and is thus lower at the boundary 17 than in the region of the contact part 11 or than in the starting region of the groove outer wall 20. In such a case, the lower side can form a continuous surface without a step (such as caused by the groove 16, for example).

[0128] Figure 3a The first position P1 during the common plugging of the plug connector 1 and the mating plug connector 2 is shown. The contact part 11 already overlaps with the disk carrier 3 to a very large extent (approximately 100%) (overlap along the insertion direction E). The first groove section 37 of the contact element 9 loosely abuts or rests on the coupling section 39 of the contact disk 5. No or only a small axial force (e.g., only gravity) or radial force is applied from the contact element 9 to the contact disk 5. A first radial position R1 is generated at the contact site between the contact disk 5 and the groove outer wall in the first position P1. For the purpose of illustration, the second radial position (see Figure 3b ) that is only reached in the second position has been shown here. The first radial position R1 on the radially outer side and the second radial position R2 on the radially inner side are spaced apart from each other by a third spacing D3. The third spacing D3 is here exemplarily greater than the first spacing D1.

[0129] The plug-in connector 1 has a contact chamber 14 with an outer wall 15, in which a disk carrier 3 is arranged, and a base element 4 is arranged inside the contact chamber 14 adjacent to the outer wall 15.

[0130] The contact chamber 14 additionally has a bottom 26 in this exemplary case. A bottom cutout 27 is arranged in the bottom 26 of the contact chamber 14, into which the front end 31 of the contact member 11 (here: the cantilevered end of the contact member 11) can be inserted, for example, in the second position P2 (see Figure 3b ). In this way, for example, the correct radial positioning of the contact member 11 in the second position P2 can be ensured or the positioning tolerance during joint plugging can be reduced.

[0131] In Figure 3a it can additionally be recognized that a radial gap is formed between the contact disk 5 and the contact member 11 of the mating plug-in connector 2 in the first position P1, here in the form of a gap 29.

[0132] The mating plug-in connector can, for example, be displaced from a pre-plugging position (a position of the mating plug-in connector that is higher than in Figure 3a and in particular in the case where there is no overlap of the contact member 11 and the contact disk 5 or the contact section 13) at least up to the first position P1 of the mating plug-in connector 2 with a force of less than 5 N, in particular without force, in the insertion direction E.

[0133] The displacement without force or the displacement with a force of less than 5 N particularly relates to the force required to overcome frictional forces, opening forces, etc. The force required to overcome gravity during, for example, overhead assembly should not be considered here.

[0134] In the first position P1, the radial gap between the contact disk 5 and the contact member 11 is, in this exemplary case, in the range between 5 µm (5 micrometers) and 200 µm (200 micrometers) or in the range between 20 µm and 100 µm, for example 20 µm or 30 µm or 40 µm or 50 µm or 60 µm or 70 µm or 80 µm or 90 µm or 100 µm or 130 µm or 160 µm or 200 µm. In other words: the gap 29 causes the radial gap and is based on a first spacing D1 (in the radial direction R) in the range described above (for example, between 5 µm and 200 µm, etc.).

[0135] It can be well recognized that, in this exemplary embodiment, the contact disks 5 are bent away from the contact member 11 in the radial direction R in the front section 6. They are bent here, by way of example, at a second angle W2 with respect to the insertion direction E, which second angle is, by way of example, slightly greater than 180° and can only by way of example lie in the range between 185° and 260°. The second angle W2 can also be completely omitted in other embodiments or it can, for example, be at least 30°, preferably at least 60° and particularly preferably at least 110°.

[0136] Furthermore, it can be recognized in Figure 3a that the contact disks 5 extend here, by way of example, obliquely inwards or obliquely towards the contact member 11 starting from the base element 4 in their rear section 6. The third angle W3 between the contact disks 5 and the insertion direction E can, for example, lie between 5° and 40°, preferably between 10° and 35°.

[0137] Figure 3b The contact element 9 in the second position P2 is shown (solid line, the previous first position P1 from Figure 3a is shown in dashed line). The front end 31 of the contact member 11 is inserted into or arranged in the bottom clearance 27 of the bottom 26 of the contact chamber 14. The bottom clearance 27 can, for this purpose, have, by way of example, a particularly slight interference with respect to the front end 31 (for example up to 500 µm, preferably up to 250 µm). However, a press fit can also be configured, that is to say, the front end 31 has a particularly slight interference with respect to the diameter of the bottom clearance 27. In this way, the contact element 9 is guided and / or stopped in the radial direction 9, whereby it is advantageously ensured that a permanent and reliable contact can be achieved even under adverse operating conditions (such as vibration loads, thermal cycling loads, etc.).

[0138] The first position P1 and the second position P2 are, by way of example, at most 5 mm apart from one another along the insertion direction E, preferably at most 2 mm apart from one another and particularly preferably at most 1 mm apart from one another. This axial spacing is shown by the second spacing D2.

[0139] In other words: The second position P2 is spaced apart from the first position P1 by the second spacing D2 (viewed along the insertion direction E).

[0140] In the second position P2, the groove outer wall 20 in the second groove section 38 (here: the vertical part of the groove outer wall 20) is mechanically coupled to the front section 7 of the contact disk 5 in a particularly inner second radial position R2, wherein in the second radial position R2, the contact disk 5 is displaced along the radial direction R towards the contact member 11 and thereby electrically contacts the contact member 11 in the contact section 13 of the contact member 11 and particularly clamps the contact member 11 therebetween (particularly when observed along the radial direction R).

[0141] In other words: During the (axial) travel from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the inclined groove outer wall 20 presses onto the coupling section 39 in the manner of a slide guide with a radial force component and thereby forces the contact disk 5 to be displaced or tilted or shifted radially inwards, that is, towards the contact member 11 along the radial direction R. Thereby, the contact member 11 is loaded with a contact normal force in the contact section 13 by means of the contact disk 5, which contact normal force acts substantially along the radial direction R here by way of example.

[0142] In this exemplary embodiment, it is stipulated that in the second position P2, the contact disk 5 contacts the contact section 13 with a contact normal force along the radial direction R of at least 1 N, preferably at least 5 N, respectively.

[0143] In addition to the contact between the plug connector 1 and the mating plug connector 2 by means of the contact disk 5 in the contact section 13 of the contact member 11, additional current conducting paths are constructed, which extend via the coupling section 39 in the front section 7 of the contact disk 5 to the groove outer wall 20. These contact sites extend radially outwards here by way of example, that is, in a direction opposite to the contact sites in the contact section 13 of the contact member 11.

[0144] This results in a particularly reliable and secure contact. Because on the one hand, the number of contact sites is significantly increased thereby (doubled here). On the other hand, a particularly robust contact is provided due to the contact sites or touch sites that are substantially directed away from each other to resist mechanical influences from different directions (such as vibrations or thermal cycling stresses) and manufacturing tolerances.

[0145] In Figure 3bIn addition, it can be recognized that the base element 4 is supported on the outer wall 15 of the contact chamber 14 in the second position P2. This support is carried out substantially along the radial direction R in this exemplary case. Due to the outward radial pressure exerted based on the elasticity of the contact disk 5, the contact disk 5 can press the base element 4 radially outward, that is, tilt or displace it. This displacement is restricted by the support portion on the outer wall 15 where the base element 15 is supported. This stabilizes the disk carrier 3. Thereby, the contact normal force of the contact disk 5 on the contact section 13 can be maintained or set in a defined manner.

[0146] Optionally, a locking element 28 is additionally shown purely schematically, which locks the second position P2 to prevent loosening. The locking element 28 is shown here only symbolically or schematically as a clip, which clamps the contact element 9 and the contact chamber 14 together and thereby locks to prevent the plug connector 1 and the mating plug connector 2 from displacing away from each other.

[0147] Figure 4 A schematic cross-section of another plug connector assembly 100 in the second position P2 is shown, where the plug connector assembly 100 is similar to Figure 1 or Figure 3b the plug connector assembly structure in

[0148] However, from Figure 4 the plug connector assembly 100 and the plug connector assembly from Figure 3b are mainly different in that the outer wall 20 of the groove has a continuous, linear inclined surface here. The first groove section 36 and the second groove section 37 thus have the same slope. Thereby, the groove 16 can be manufactured particularly easily.

[0149] In addition, the plug connector assembly 100 from Figure 4 and the plug connector assembly from Figure 3b are different in that in the second position P2, the bottom 30 of the groove mechanically contacts the front section 7 of the contact disk 5, such that the contact disk 5 displaces along the radial direction R towards the contact part 11, and thereby the contact disk 5 exerts an additional radial contact normal force on the contact section 13 of the contact part 11.

[0150] In this way, the chute guidance achieved by the outer wall 20 of the groove and the resulting radial displacement of the contact disk 5 are additionally supported by the axial compression of the contact disk 5. The contact between the bottom 30 of the groove and the end side 33 of the contact disk 5 further increases the number of contact sites and the contact surface. In addition, these current paths are constructed along the axial direction, which further increases the robustness of the contact part with respect to, for example, mechanical loads or thermal loads from different directions and also with respect to manufacturing tolerances.

[0151] In this exemplary embodiment, the groove inner wall 18 is designed flush with the contact element outer wall 19 , so that the contact disk 5 can rest particularly closely on the contact element 11 and high normal contact forces can be achieved particularly easily in the contact section 13 .

[0152] In this exemplary embodiment, the contact disc 5 contacts the groove 16 at at least two sides. The at least two sides are preferably spaced apart from each other by at least 30° (which can be understood here as an angle in the image plane shown, not an angle along the circumferential direction U). The contact side is exemplarily the groove inner wall 18 (the contact point can be spaced apart from the contact section 13 in the axial direction). The other contact side is exemplarily the groove bottom 30. In this exemplary embodiment, the groove outer wall 20 is also contacted by the contact disc 5. The front section 6 of the contact disc 5 is pressed in the groove 16 due to the axial force effect achieved by the contact element 9 in the second position P2, and fills the groove 16 significantly more strongly in the second position P2 than in the first position P1. In this way, the contact surface between the contact disc 5 and the contact element 9 is significantly increased, thereby (significantly) increasing the electrical conductivity of the plug connector assembly 100 and reducing the contact resistance. In addition, the number of contact points is advantageously increased. This advantageously increases the redundancy of the contact points, so that the plug connector assembly 100 can be better protected against failures.

[0153] The optional locking element 28 for fixing the second position P2 is designed here merely as an example as a slide which in the second position P2 can be guided through the locking recess 36 in the bottom 26 of the contact chamber 14 and penetrate the recess 32 in the contact component 11 in the region of the bottom recess 27 .

[0154] In this exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the first angle W1 of the groove outer wall 20 is in a range between 2° and 45° (that is, in a range of 2°-45°) or in a range between 3° and 15° (that is, in a range of 3°-15°) relative to the insertion direction E. For example, at least in the first groove section 37, the first angle W1 can also be in this range in other embodiments.

[0155] Thus, when the contact element 9 is displaced from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (ie, by a distance corresponding to the second distance D2, see Figure 3a and Figure 3b), in addition to the axial force action, it is ensured that the contact disk 5 moves in the radial direction R toward the contact element 11 with a predetermined stroke and thus exerts the desired contact normal force in the contact section 13 by the contact disk 5. In addition, it is achieved that the gap 29 (see Figure 3a )closure.

[0156] Figure 5a and Figure 5b shows a first position P1 ( Figure 5a ) or the second position P2 ( Figure 5b ) is a schematic cross section of a further plug connector assembly 100 of a mating plug connector 2.

[0157] In this embodiment, the disk holder 3 is directly connected to the first component 50 , wherein no separate contact chamber 14 is provided, but may optionally be present.

[0158] The contact element 9 is received or arranged in a mating plug connector housing 61. The contact element is supported or arranged here, for example, at its head section 10 in a contact element chamber 62 and is preferably secured relative to the axial direction.

[0159] The groove 16 has a cross section similar to Figure 4 The collar 12 projects radially outwards via the groove 16 in order to be able to be received or arranged or fastened in the contact element chamber 62 in a form-fitting manner.

[0160] In the cross section shown, two mutually spaced latching elements 52 can be seen, which are arranged on the first component 50 and project from the first component 50 in the direction of the mating plug connector 2. The disk holder 3 is arranged between the two latching elements. The latching elements 52 here have an undercut as an example.

[0161] In the cross section shown, two mating latching elements 63 can be seen on the mating plug connector housing 61, which protrude from the mating plug connector housing 61 in the direction of the plug connector 1 and each have a hook element. The mating latching elements 63 can be designed in the form of resiliently reversible locking lances or latching elements, in particular in the radial direction R. The contact element 9 is arranged between the mating latching elements 63.

[0162] exist Figure 5aIn the first position P1 shown in the figure, the mating latching element 63 can be placed on the latching element 52, for example, and thus advantageously provide the fitter with tactile feedback for reaching the first position P1. In other embodiments, it can be provided, for example, that when the first position P1 is reached (or even before it is reached), an inseparable connection is formed between the plug connector 1 and the mating plug connector 2, so that the entire component can be transported in this state.

[0163] The mating latch element 63 can be guided past the undercut of the latch element 52 on the path from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (in the exemplary embodiment shown, deflected radially outward) and in the second position P2, resiliently and reversibly springs radially inward back into its starting position, so that the mating latch element engages with its hook element behind the undercut of the latch element 52. In this way, an unintentional release of the contact element 9 from the second position P2 in the direction of the first position P1 is prevented. The latch element 52 and the mating latch element 63 thus form a locking element 28.

[0164] The disk holder 3 is hereby exemplarily similar to that from Figure 2b The disc holder structure.

[0165] The contact element 9 is in the first position P1 ( Figure 5a ) has a radial gap relative to the contact disk 5, wherein a gap 29 is formed between the contact element 11 and at least one contact disk 5. In the second position P2 ( Figure 5b ), the contact disk 5 is not only coupled to the second groove section 38 in the coupling section 39 or mechanically and electrically contacted, but also (mechanically) contacted with the groove bottom 30 at or in its front section 7. These contact disks are compressed (between the flange 12 or the groove bottom 30 and the base element 4) by the axial force of the flange 12 or the groove bottom 30 and are thus displaced in the radial direction R toward the contact part 11, so that these contact disks electrically contact the contact part in the contact section 13 and in particular load it with a predetermined contact normal force. These contact disks can, for example, clamp the contact part 11 between them.

Claims

1. A plug connector assembly especially for high-current applications and / or high-voltage applications, the plug connector assembly (100) having: -- a plug connector (1); -- a mating plug connector (2) for co-plugging with the plug connector (1); wherein, the plug connector (1) has a disc carrier (3), which has a base element (4) and a plurality of contact discs (5), wherein the contact discs (5) -- are connected to the base element (4) in a rear section (6), -- project from the base element (4) in the direction of the mating plug connector (2), and -- have a front section (7) facing the mating plug connector (2), wherein the mating plug connector (2) has a contact element (9), which has a head section (10) and a contact part (11), wherein the contact part (11) projects from the head section (10), wherein the head section (10) has a flange (12) that projects radially (R) beyond the contact part (11), wherein a groove (16) is introduced into the flange (12) on the underside (35) facing the disc carrier (3), wherein the groove (16) extends at least partially obliquely outwards at the groove outer wall (20) facing the boundary (17) of the flange (12), wherein the contact element (9) and / or the mating plug connector (2) can be displaced especially in the state of co-plugging with the plug connector (1) especially along the insertion direction (E) between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), wherein in the first position (P1), the groove outer wall (20) is mechanically coupled to the front section (7) of the contact disc (5) in a first groove section (37) in a first radial position (R1), and a radial clearance is especially formed between the contact disc (5) and the contact part (11) of the mating plug connector (2), wherein in the second position (P2), the groove outer wall (20) is mechanically coupled to the front section (7) of the contact disc (5) in a second groove section (38) in a second radial position (R2), wherein in the second radial position (R2), the contact disc (5) is displaced along the radial direction (R) towards the contact part (11), and thereby electrically contacts the contact part (11) in the contact section (13) of the contact part (11) and especially clamps the contact part (11) between them.

2. The plug connector assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein, in the second position (P2), the contact discs (5) contact the contact section (13) with a contact normal force of at least 1 N, preferably at least 5 N, in the radial direction (R).

3. The plug connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The base element (4) of the disc carrier (3) is configured to be circumferentially closed, in particular annularly closed.

4. The plug connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the first position (P1) and the second position (P2) are separated from each other along the insertion direction (E) by at most 5 mm, preferably at most 2 mm and particularly preferably at most 1 mm.

5. The plug connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the first position (P1), the radial clearance between the contact disc (5) and the contact member (11) is in the range between 5 µm and 200 µm or in the range between 20 µm and 100 µm.

6. The plug connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the contact disc (5) extends at least partially inclined towards the contact member (11) starting from the base element (4).

7. The plug connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the plug connector (1) has a contact chamber (14) with an outer wall (15), wherein the disc carrier (3) is arranged in the contact chamber (14), and wherein the base element (4) is arranged inside the contact chamber (14) adjacent to the outer wall (15).

8. The plug connector assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein, the base element (4) is supported in particular in the radial direction (R) against the outer wall (15) of the contact chamber (14) in the second position (P2).

9. The plug connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the contact member - outer wall (19) is configured flush with the inner wall of the groove (18).

10. The plug connector assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein, the first angle (W1) of the groove outer wall (20) with respect to the insertion direction (E) is in the range between 2° and 45° or in the range between 3° and 15°.

11. The plug connector assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein, the contact disc (5) contacts the groove (16) in particular at least at two sides.

12. The plug connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the contact disc (5) is bent away from the contact member (11) in the forward section (6) in the radial direction (R), in particular at a second angle (W2) of at least 30°, preferably at least 60° and particularly preferably at least 110° with respect to the insertion direction (E).

13. The plug connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, the mating plug connector is displaced along the insertion direction (E) from a pre - insertion position in which the contact member (11) does not yet overlap with the contact disc (5) at least until the first position (P1) with a force of less than 5 N, in particular without force acting.

14. The plug connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, In the second position (P2), the bottom (30) of the groove mechanically contacts the front section (7) of the contact disk (5) such that the contact disk (5) is displaced in the radial direction (R) towards the contact member (11), and thereby the contact disk (5) applies an additional contact normal force in the radial direction to the contact section (13) of the contact member (11).

15. A mating plug connector, in particular for high-current applications and / or high-voltage applications, for co-plugging with a plug connector (1), the plug connector having a disk carrier with a plurality of contact disks, wherein, the mating plug connector (2) has a contact element (9) having a head section (10) and a contact member (11), wherein the contact member (11) projects from the head section (10), wherein the head section (10) has a flange (12) that projects radially beyond the contact member (11), wherein a groove (16) is introduced into the flange (12) on the underside (35) facing the disk carrier (3), wherein the groove (16) extends at least partially obliquely outwards at the outer wall (20) of the groove facing the boundary (17) of the flange (12), wherein the contact element (9) and / or the mating plug connector (2) can be displaced, in particular in the state of co-plugging with the plug connector (1), in particular along the insertion direction (E) between a first position (P1) and a second position (P2), wherein the outer wall (20) of the groove is designed to mechanically couple to the front section (7) of the contact disk (5) in a first radial position (R1) in a first groove section (37) in the first position (P1), wherein the outer wall (20) of the groove is designed to mechanically couple to the front section (7) of the contact disk (5) in a second radial position (R2) in a second groove section (38) in the second position (P2), wherein, in the second radial position (R2), the contact disk (5) is displaced in the radial direction (R) towards the contact member (11), and thereby electrically contacts the contact member (11) in the contact section (13) of the contact member (11) and in particular clamps the contact member (11) between them.

Images