Electrical contact assembly, electrical plug connector assembly and method

Abstract

An electrical contact assembly for connecting two elements is described. It has an insertion section and a receiving space defined by a double sleeve with a coaxial inner sleeve and outer sleeve. The insertion section comprises an insertion sleeve which fits into the receiving space so as to come into contact with the sleeve. The section has a plurality of fingers which are arranged in an inner ring and an outer ring around a central axis with an insulating sleeve between them. The fingers are designed to flex and ensure reliable electrical contact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to electrical contact assemblies for electrically contacting two elements and to electrical plug connector assemblies, the electrical plug connector assembly comprising: a socket or receiving member and a complementary plug or insertable member, which are capable of being connected to each other at corresponding connection ends oriented toward or towards each other during connection; and fasteners for releasably securing the male member to the female member in the connection position to ensure electrical connection between the components of the connector assembly and each other. The invention also relates to electrical plug connector assemblies and methods of manufacturing electrical contact assemblies and / or electrical plug connector assemblies. Background Technology

[0002] Such electrical contact assemblies and electrical plug connector assemblies are commonly known in the art. These are typically relatively space-consuming, meaning they are quite large and therefore require more space. Furthermore, in order to connect two components to each other at the connection point, proper alignment of the male and female components relative to each other is usually required. This is often tedious and time-consuming, especially when the area where the components are installed is not always visible to the user, i.e., when the connection of the two components must be performed without the user's visual access.

[0003] Prior art in this field includes various methods for addressing these challenges. For example, U.S. Patent No. 11,901,587 discloses a battery pack with a connector design featuring a hollow conductive member and a resilient connecting element. This design aims to provide improved electrical contact and easier alignment during connection.

[0004] Starting from the aforementioned prior art and its associated disadvantages, the objective or technical problem of the present invention is to at least partially avoid the aforementioned disadvantages, and more specifically, to provide an electrical contact assembly that is easy to manufacture and particularly easy to use. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This technical problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims disclose further features to better implement the invention.

[0006] This technical problem is solved by an electrical contact assembly that includes the following features: Preferably, the annular receiving space is defined by a double sleeve comprising at least two sleeves (preferably having different radii) arranged coaxially with respect to a central axis (preferably a rotational central axis), namely an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, the outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve at a radial distance from the inner sleeve, such that the preferably annular receiving space is defined between the outer wall of the inner sleeve and the inner wall of the outer sleeve, and is open at the insertion opening of the receiving space.

[0007] The electrical contact assembly further includes a preferably annular insertion section capable of being inserted into a preferably annular receiving space. This preferably annular insertion section includes an insertion sleeve designed to insert into the receiving space. This is achieved by the size (preferably radius) of the preferably annular insertion section such that it abuts against the outer sleeve and / or inner sleeve at the connection position. Due to the fit between the receiving space, i.e., the inner and outer sleeves, and the insertion sleeve, no separate fasteners are required. Fastening can be achieved through the appropriate design of the mating sleeves, i.e., the receiving double sleeves and at least one insertion sleeve.

[0008] The preferred annular insertion section comprises a plurality of fingers extending about a central axis (preferably a rotational central axis), with intermittent spaces between the juxtaposed fingers. Each finger connects to a base at its proximal end and extends distally from the base to a distal free end. The fingers may be resilient solely by their design, but it is particularly preferred that these fingers be further biased to press against a receiving sleeve at the connection position to obtain an even better electrical connection.

[0009] If the finger members include an outer finger ring and an inner finger ring, with the inner finger ring arranged closer to the central axis than the outer finger ring, preferably rotating the central axis, then even more reliable electrical and mechanical connections can be achieved.

[0010] An insulating element, preferably an insulating coating, insulating layer, insulating fingers, or insulating sleeve, extends between the outer and inner finger rings. This insulating element, preferably the insulating sleeve, can be arranged in the space between the outer and inner finger rings so that the finger rings can be connected to a power source with different polarities.

[0011] This technical problem is solved by an electrical plug connector assembly that includes the following features: The socket includes a receiving space, preferably annular, for receiving the plug.

[0012] Preferably, the annular receiving space is defined by a double sleeve comprising at least two sleeves (preferably having different radii) arranged coaxially with respect to a central axis (preferably a rotational central axis), namely an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, the outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve at a radial distance from the inner sleeve, such that the preferably annular receiving space is defined between the outer wall of the inner sleeve and the inner wall of the outer sleeve, and is open at the insertion opening of the receiving space.

[0013] The plug also includes a preferably annular insertion section that can be inserted into a preferably annular receiving space of the socket. This preferably annular insertion section includes an insertion sleeve designed to insert into the receiving space of the socket. This is achieved by the size (preferably radius) of the preferably annular insertion section such that the preferably annular insertion section abuts against the outer sleeve and / or inner sleeve at the connection position. Due to the mating system between the female and male components, i.e., the socket and the plug, no separate fasteners are required. Fastening can be achieved through the appropriate design of the mating sleeves, i.e., the receiving double sleeves and at least one insertion sleeve.

[0014] An insulating element, preferably an insulating sleeve, extends between the outer and inner finger rings. This insulating element, preferably the insulating sleeve, can be arranged in the space between the outer and inner finger rings so that the finger rings can be connected to a power source with different polarities.

[0015] In other words, sockets and plugs can be designed as coaxially extending sleeves or rings that can be pushed into each other in any orientation with their connecting ends facing each other; these connecting ends are also ends with insertion openings, or simply put, electrical contact assemblies can generally consist of two double sleeves or rings that can be pushed into each other at their connecting ends and then connected to each other to transmit current.

[0016] The receiving section consists of two sleeves, also known as a "double sleeve," and includes an opening at the connection end. The insertion section on the male component includes at least one sleeve that can be inserted into the insertion opening of the annular receiving section to ensure a reliable electrical connection for current flow.

[0017] A key advantage of this invention is the provision of a large contact surface for current flow, which makes electrical contact assemblies particularly suitable for high-current and low-voltage applications requiring easy assembly of components to achieve electrical connection. This is typically useful in the "low-voltage, high-power" domain, sometimes referred to as "safe voltage," primarily for voltages below 48V, but with high currents, such as 325A.

[0018] Because the two connectable sleeves can be pushed into each other in any orientation, the orientation of the two components relative to each other about the axis of rotation is irrelevant. Once the male component is pushed into the female component or the two components are connected to each other, a safe and reliable electrical connection between the two components of the electrical contact assembly is achieved. Therefore, the electrical contact assembly and the electrical plug connector assembly are "rotationally invariant," meaning that the components can be connected to each other in any orientation relative to each other. This makes the invention particularly suitable for demanding situations requiring mating connectors with heavy-duty cables at odd angles and / or for automated connections.

[0019] The sleeve or sleeve structure is easy and cost-effective to manufacture because the base can be simply cut from a sheet metal part by stamping, laser cutting or plasma cutting and bent into a sleeve having its circular or annular form.

[0020] In summary, the present invention provides a low-voltage, high-current plug connector assembly that is particularly cost-effective to manufacture and whose components are particularly easy to assemble.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, electrical contact assemblies and electrical plug connector assemblies can offer the advantage of bidirectional current flow, meaning that each contact of the assembly—that is, each finger and sleeve pair—can be connected to a different potential. This design allows for versatile electrical connections and enhanced functionality in a wide range of applications.

[0022] When used in electrical plug connectors, the electrical contact components can achieve a stable electrical connection unaffected by rotation, thus exhibiting rotational invariance.

[0023] Preferably, the socket may include an insulating element on the outer surface of the outer sleeve and the inner surface of the inner sleeve. Preferably, the insulating element comprises a layer of plastic, such as polycarbonate or nylon.

[0024] The plug assembly is particularly suitable for high-voltage DC or AC applications, preferably up to 48 volts, up to 100 Hz in the lower frequency range, and up to 250 amps in AC.

[0025] To secure the plug and socket, or the two components, together even more firmly in the connection position, the preferred annular insertion section comprises a plurality of fingers extending about a central axis, preferably a rotatable central axis, with gaps between the juxtaposed fingers. Each finger connects to a base at its proximal end and extends distally from the base to a distal free end. The fingers may be resilient solely by their design, but it is particularly preferred that these fingers be further biased to press against a receiving sleeve in the connection position for even better electrical connection.

[0026] These fingers constitute a particularly preferred design for fasteners. The connection function is performed by an insert sleeve, preferably including the fingers, due to the interacting sleeve.

[0027] If the plug also includes a double sleeve with fingers, that is, two rings of fingers, namely an outer finger ring and an inner finger ring, with the inner finger ring arranged closer to the axis of rotation than the outer finger ring, then even more reliable electrical and mechanical connections can be achieved between the plug components and the socket.

[0028] Furthermore, the finger rings of the electrical contact assembly and / or electrical plug connector assembly can be arranged such that the fingers of the inner finger row are located between two adjacent fingers of the outer finger row, thereby creating two alternating rings of outer and inner fingers.

[0029] To further improve the conductivity of the electrical contact components and / or electrical plug connector assemblies in the connected state, the outer fingers can be designed to abut against the inner surface of the outer sleeve, oriented towards the central axis, and the inner fingers can be designed to abut against the outer surface of the inner sleeve, oriented away from the axis of rotation. This design allows for the creation of two connectable double sleeves: a continuous double sleeve, preferably a receiving double sleeve or socket comprising two continuous sleeves, and a finger-type double sleeve or plug having fingers at the connecting ends and also continuous at the opposite ends, i.e., having a base.

[0030] Preferably, the outer finger is biased radially outward relative to the central axis, i.e., the inner axis, and preferably the inner rotation axis, and the inner finger is biased radially inward relative to the central axis.

[0031] Preferably, the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are electrically insulated from each other by an insulating element arranged in a preferably radial space between the two sleeves, so that the sleeves can be connected to a power source with different polarities.

[0032] To facilitate attachment to power lines, the components, namely plugs and sockets, may include connecting latches, which are preferably located opposite the connection end, i.e., away from the connection end. Most preferably, the latches are made of a one-piece design from sheet material used to produce the conductive sleeve.

[0033] If these connection latches are not provided, plugs and / or sockets can be designed for crimping, soldering, or screwing power lines.

[0034] An insulating component can be part of an insulator.

[0035] To further improve insulation, the insulating element may not only include an insulating surface, but may also be designed as an insulator that surrounds or partially surrounds the member. Most preferably, the insulator may be designed as an insulating sleeve that encloses the socket both externally and internally, i.e., on the surface that the user touches during operation.

[0036] Insulators can be designed to insulate plugs and sockets from each other.

[0037] In addition, to simplify operation and further improve the electrical connection between components, the insulator can be designed to bias the fingers radially outward and / or radially inward.

[0038] Most preferably, the insulating element, preferably the insulating surface, comprises plastic and is preferably created by injection molding. The component is preferably made of metal, most preferably a stamped or cut sheet metal part, which is then bent into a corresponding double-sleeve or double-finger shape.

[0039] Due to the circular nature of the electrical contact components, designing them as push-pull connectors is particularly preferred.

[0040] Preferably, the electrical plug connector assembly includes a cover and a housing that can be closed by the cover, wherein one element of the plug or socket assembly, i.e., the assembly consisting of a plug and a socket, is arranged in the housing, and another element of the assembly is arranged in the cover.

[0041] Preferably, the electrical plug connector assembly is arranged within a surrounding or encasing housing, preferably made of metal. The housing preferably comprises a tubular housing body, a housing sleeve surrounding the plug on one side, and a cover surrounding the socket on the other side. The housing may include a push-pull connector, which can be activated by pulling an external actuating ring to connect and disconnect the electrically push-pull connector. Furthermore, a sealing device such as an O-ring may be provided between the housing and the cover.

[0042] The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing an electrical contact assembly or electrical plug connector assembly according to one of the aspects discussed above, comprising the steps of: cutting first and second sheet members from a conductive sheet material, preferably copper or brass sheet, wherein a first shape of the first sheet member and a second shape of the second sheet member are substantially the same, however, having different surface areas; and then forming the first and second sheet members into generally annular members, each annular member comprising an inner annular segment and an outer annular segment, the outer annular segment being located at a greater radial distance relative to a rotational center axis than the inner annular segment, to define a corresponding annular receiving space between the inner and outer annular segments. The annular members are designed such that they can be inserted into each other at connection ends, and when connected to each other in a connection position, these connection ends are oriented toward each other.

[0043] The first and second sheet members can be shaped such that they form annular sockets and / or plugs, preferably insert sleeves, as generally annular members.

[0044] Preferably, the forming involves bending or sheet metal forming.

[0045] To further improve the connection characteristics of the components, the manufacturing method may additionally include a step of galvanizing the sheet components or ring components.

[0046] To simplify user operation, insulation can be provided or applied to the ring-shaped component. Insulation can be not only a surface, but can also include an insulator that provides a conductive metallic portion that substantially surrounds the component, preventing the user from contacting the metal parts when connecting the components to each other.

[0047] In the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings, reference is made to the drawings that form part of this description and are shown to illustrate specific embodiments by which the invention can be practiced. In this regard, directional terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” etc., are used with reference to the orientation of the described drawings. Since components of the embodiments can be positioned in a variety of different orientations, directional terms are used for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting in any way. It should be understood that other embodiments can be used, and structural or logical changes can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. The following detailed description should not be construed as restrictive.

[0048] In the context of this description, the terms “connected,” “linked,” and “integrated” are used to describe both direct and indirect connections, as well as direct or indirect integration.

[0049] Unless otherwise stated, indefinite and definite articles refer not only to a single component but should be understood as "at least one". This term includes the words mentioned above, their variations, and similar meanings. Furthermore, it should be understood that the terms "approximately", "substantially", and similar terms used in connection with the dimensions and characteristics of components of the present invention do not describe the described dimensions and characteristics as strict limitations or parameters, and do not exclude minor variations in their functional similarity. At least, the descriptive portion with numerical parameters also includes variations of these parameters based on mathematical and manufacturing principles in the prior art, such as rounding, deviations and other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.

[0050] In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar elements are given the same reference numerals where appropriate, and the same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same parts or features.

[0051] Reference mark lines are lines that connect reference marks to the part in question. On the other hand, arrows that do not contact the part point to the entire unit they are pointing to.

[0052] Incidentally, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Some areas may be exaggerated to illustrate details. Furthermore, the figures may be significantly simplified and do not include every detail that might exist in the actual embodiments.

[0053] Electrical contact components and electrical plug connector assemblies according to the present invention are described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. All features of the corresponding embodiments are disclosed independently of other features of the examples of the corresponding embodiments. Similarly, the features described above and those further described in detail below can each be used individually according to the invention or in any combination of several features. The embodiments shown and described should not be construed as a list of conclusions, but rather as exemplary features for the description of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0054] The attached diagram shows... Figure 1 Isometric front view of a ring-shaped plug with fingers, the fingers without insulation; Figure 2 Isometric front view of a ring socket without insulation; Figure 3 According to the fact that it does not have insulating parts Figure 2 Isometric rear view of the ring socket; Figure 4 According to the fact that it does not have insulating parts Figure 1 An isometric rear view of the ring-shaped plug; Figure 5 Used to create Figure 1 and Figure 4 A top view of an uncurled sheet component of an internal or external annular plug as shown; Figure 6 According to: : with plastic insulation Figure 1 Isometric front view of the ring-shaped plug; Figure 7 According to: : with plastic insulation Figure 2 Isometric front view of the ring socket; Figure 8 According to: : with plastic insulation Figure 3 A ring-shaped socket; Figure 9 According to: : with plastic insulation Figure 4 A ring-shaped socket; Figure 10 Along Figure 12 An enlarged cross-section of the electrical plug connector assembly in the assembled position, taken along centerline XX; Figure 11 Along Figure 12 An enlarged cross-section of the assembled electrical plug connector, taken along centerline XI-XI; Figure 12 Along Figure 10 A front view of the enlarged cross-section of the assembled electrical plug connector, taken along centerline XII-XII; and Figure 13Isometric view of the electrical plug connector assembly arranged in its encased metal housing in the unconnected position. Detailed Implementation

[0055] Figure 1 and Figure 4 The isometric perspective front and rear views of the ring plug 2 without insulation are shown. The ring plug 2 defines a ring insertion section having a plurality of fingers 2.1 (only one is indicated by reference number for clarity), with gaps between the juxtaposed fingers.

[0056] The insertion section of the plug component 2 includes two rings of fingers: an outer finger ring and an inner finger ring. The inner finger ring is positioned closer to the rotation center axis R than the outer finger ring. Furthermore, the finger rings are arranged such that the fingers of the inner finger ring are located between two adjacent fingers of the outer finger ring, but still include space between the two juxtaposed fingers. In this way, two finger rings with alternating fingers are created, defining the insertion section of the annular plug 2.

[0057] Figure 2 and Figure 4 The isometric perspective front and rear views of the ring socket 4 are shown. It is also formed solely from conductive sheet material, preferably brass or copper sheet material, by stamping and bending, without insulation. The ring socket 4 includes an inner sleeve 4.2 and an outer sleeve 4.1. The outer sleeve 4.1 has a larger radius than the inner sleeve 4.2 and surrounds the inner sleeve 4.2 at a radial distance created by the latter. The inner sleeve 4.2 and outer sleeve 4.1 are created by bending appropriately shaped sheet metal, i.e., sheet metal with a consistent rectangular surface not interrupted by the fingers and connecting latch 4.3 on one side of the base, to give them different radii, such that the annular receiving space is defined between the outer wall of the inner sleeve 4.2 and the inner wall of the outer sleeve 4.1. The distance between the smaller outer wall of the inner sleeve 4.2 and the larger outer sleeve 4.1 defines the annular receiving space for receiving the annular male member 2, particularly the ring of the fingers 2.1.

[0058] In order to connect plug 2 and socket 4 at the connection position and allow current to flow, the insertion section of the ring plug 2 only needs to be inserted into the ring receiving space with socket 4 and plug 2 in any orientation relative to each other.

[0059] The fingers 2.1 of the outer finger row on the annular male member 2 are designed, currently biased, to abut against the inner surface of the outer sleeve 4.1 of the corresponding annular female member 4 at the connection position, and the inner fingers 2.1 are designed to abut against the outer surface of the inner sleeve 4.2 of the annular female member 4 at the connection position. The terms inner and outer sleeve surfaces refer to their orientation relative to the axis of rotation R. At the rear end, which is oriented away from the connection end (oriented toward each other during connection), the plug 2 and socket 4 include connection latches 2.3 and 4.3 for connecting the annular conductive member to the corresponding cable or wire.

[0060] Figure 5 A top view of the sheet component is shown. The sheet component is stamped or cut from a conductive sheet material, preferably brass or copper sheet material, and then bent to create an annular plug 2, which has an annular base 2.2 (when bent) and fingers 2.1 extending distally from the base 2.2 to the corresponding distal free end. Each finger 2.1 is connected to the annular base 2.2 at its proximal end and extends distally from the base 2.2 to the distal free end of each finger 2.1. Opposite to the fingers, in the middle of the base 2.2 is a connecting latch 2.3, currently preferably in an integral design with the male component 2.

[0061] Figure 5 The sheet metal shown is used twice to create an inner finger row and an outer finger ring by using two sheets of metal of different lengths and bending them into annular rings with two different radial diameters, as shown. Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, but with a different finger arrangement 2.1, the inner ring fingers are located in the space between two juxtaposed outer fingers, and the fingers never contact each other in the assembly position.

[0062] Therefore, the first shape of the first sheet member and the second shape of the second sheet member are substantially the same; however, they have different surface areas.

[0063] Each annular member in the form of a finger-like ring includes an inner annular segment and an outer annular segment, wherein the outer annular segment is located at a greater radial distance relative to the rotation center axis R than the inner annular segment, to define a corresponding annular receiving space between the inner and outer annular segments. The annular members are designed such that they can be inserted into each other at their connecting ends, which are oriented toward each other when connected to each other in the connecting position.

[0064] Similar to Figure 5The sheet metal material shown is used to create the annular socket 4, namely the outer sleeve 4.1 and the inner sleeve 4.2. These sheet components are also shaped into generally annular components, namely the outer sleeve 4.1 and the inner sleeve 4.2. The only difference is that the sheet metal components do not include... Figure 5 The finger-shaped component 2.1 is shown. Therefore, the sheet metal component and... Figure 5 The type shown is the same, but without the finger-like parts; that is, it is made from a continuous base to create a continuous inner sleeve 4.2 and outer sleeve 4.1, without the cutouts used to create the finger-like parts 2.1. Alternatively, the socket can be made from metal tubing of different sizes.

[0065] Sheet components or ring components can be galvanized.

[0066] Figures 6 to 9 The isometric perspective front and rear views of components 2 and 4 with insulating elements 6 and 7 are shown. In the case of the mother component 4, an external insulating element is created on the outer side of the outer sleeve 4.1, here in the form of an insulating sleeve 6.1, and an internal insulating element is created on the inner side of the inner sleeve 4.2, here in the form of an insulating sleeve 6.2. Additionally, as... Figure 8 As shown, the rear sides of the outer insulating sleeve 6.1 and the inner insulating sleeve 6.2 are connected to each other at the rear, allowing only the connecting latch 4.3 to extend.

[0067] like Figure 6 and Figure 9 As shown, the insulating member 7 on the annular male member includes an insulating ring 7.1 located in front of the distal end of the finger 2.1. Thus, at the connection end of the annular male member 2, there are insulating fingers 7.2 extending from the insulating ring 7.1 to the base 2.2 of the annular male member 2. These insulating fingers 7.2 are arranged on the outer side to press the fingers of the inner finger ring radially inward, and on the inner side to press the fingers of the outer finger ring radially outward. Therefore, the insulating ring 7.1 includes insulating fingers 7.2 adapted to the space between the fingers 2.1 of the outer and inner finger rings of the annular male member 2 to bias the fingers 2.1 radially inward or radially outward, and thus further improve the conductivity and mechanical connection at the connection position inserted into the annular receiving space of the female member 4. Figure 9 As can be seen, the insulating sleeve 7.3 also extends between the outer finger ring and the inner finger ring to securely fix the two finger rings of the annular male member 2 inside the sleeve and prevent displacement.

[0068] Even if insulating parts 6 and 7 are in Figures 6 to 9 The insulating elements are shown as insulating sleeves 6.1, 6.2, and 7.3. The insulating elements may also take other forms than sleeves, such as insulating coatings or insulating layers. Insulating elements 6 and 7 may comprise plastic, preferably created by injection molding.

[0069] Figure 10 and Figure 11 Showing along Figure 12 The enlarged longitudinal sections of components 2 and 4 at the connection point are taken from lines XX and XI-XI. For example... Figure 10 As best seen in the image, the inner fingers of the inner finger ring of the annular male member 2 are biased against the outer side of the inner sleeve 4.2 at the connection position. This means that when inserted into the annular receiving space, these inner fingers are pressed radially outward to ensure the electrical and mechanical connection between members 2 and 4. Correspondingly, the outer fingers of the outer finger ring are pressed against the inner side of the outer sleeve 4.1 at the connection position to achieve the same effect.

[0070] Figure 13 An isometric view of an electrical plug connector assembly is shown, with its electrical contact components located within a housing comprising a tubular body 8 in which a plug 2 is located and disposed, and a cover 10 in which a socket 4 is located and disposed. Thus, when the cover 10 is attached to the body 8, the plug 2 is electrically connected to the socket 4, and the cover 10 is mechanically connected to the body 8. The body 8 is then closed by the cover 10. Externally to the body 8 is a relatively movable actuating ring 12, as part of a ball-locking mechanism, for releasably attaching the cover 10 to the body 8. A ball lock can engage with a groove 10b provided on the outer peripheral surface of an insertion sleeve 10a disposed on the plate-like cover 10, which can be inserted into the tubular body 8. Therefore, the electrical plug connector assembly is designed as a push-pull connector. Preferably, the housing is made of metal.

[0071] Reference number R Rotation center axis 2 plugs 2.1 Finger-shaped components 2.2 Base 2.3 Connecting latch 4 sockets 4.1 Outerwear 4.2 Inner Sleeve 4.3 Connecting latch 6 Insulating components 6.1 External insulating sleeve 6.2 Internal Insulating Sleeve 7 Insulating components 7.1 Insulating Ring 7.2 Insulating Finger 7.3 Insulating sleeve 8. Shell Body 10 lids 10a sleeve 10b groove 12 pull rings.

Claims

1. An electrical contact assembly for electrically contacting two elements, Includes an insertion section and a receiving space for receiving the insertion section. The receiving space is defined by a double sleeve comprising at least two sleeves (4.1, 4.2) arranged coaxially with respect to a central axis (R), namely an inner sleeve (4.2) and an outer sleeve (4.1), the outer sleeve (4.1) surrounding the inner sleeve (4.2) at a radial distance from the inner sleeve (4.2), such that the receiving space is defined between the outer wall of the inner sleeve (4.2) and the inner wall of the outer sleeve (4.1), and is open at the insertion opening of the receiving space. The insertion section includes an insertion sleeve designed to be inserted into the receiving space, wherein The dimensions of the insertion section are such that the insertion section abuts against the outer sleeve (4.1) and / or the inner sleeve (4.2) at the connection position, and wherein... The insertion segment includes a plurality of fingers (2.1) extending about the central axis (R), with intermittent spaces between the juxtaposed fingers (2.1), each finger (2.1) connecting to a base (2.2) at its proximal end and extending distally from the base (2.2) to a distal free end. The finger (2.1) comprises an outer finger ring and an inner finger ring, the inner finger ring being arranged closer to the central axis (R) than the outer finger ring. The insulating element, preferably an insulating sleeve (7.3), extends between the outer finger ring and the inner finger ring.

2. The electrical contact assembly according to claim 1, The finger rings are arranged such that the fingers (2.1) of the inner finger ring are located between two adjacent fingers (2.1) of the outer finger ring. This creates two alternating rings of outer and inner fingers (2.1), where The outer finger (2.1) is designed to abut against the inner surface of the outer sleeve (4.1) of the mother component (4), and wherein The inner finger (2.1) is designed to abut against the outer surface of the inner sleeve (4.2) of the mother component (4).

3. The electrical contact assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein... The outer finger (2.1) is radially outward biased relative to the central axis (R), and The inner finger (2.1) is radially biased inward relative to the central axis (R).

4. The electrical contact assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insulating element is part of the insulator (6, 7).

5. The electrical contact assembly according to claim 4, wherein... The insulators (6, 7) are designed to bias the fingers (2.1) radially outward and / or radially inward.

6. The electrical contact assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the insulating element comprises plastic, preferably created by injection molding.

7. The electrical contact assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the assembly is designed as a push-pull connector.

8. An electrical plug connector assembly, comprising: A conductive plug (2) and a complementary conductive socket (4), the conductive plug (2) and the complementary conductive socket (4) being capable of connecting to each other at their respective connection ends oriented toward each other during connection, having an electrical contact assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The socket (4) includes a receiving space for receiving the plug (2), wherein The plug (2) includes an insertion section that can be inserted into the receiving space.

9. The electrical plug connector assembly of claim 8, wherein at least the socket (4) includes an insulating element on the outer surface of the outer sleeve (4.1) and the inner surface of the inner sleeve (4.2).

10. The electrical plug connector assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein... The plug (2) and the socket (4) include connecting latches (2.3, 4.3), preferably located opposite the connecting end.

11. The electrical plug connector assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising a cover (10) and a housing (8) closable by the cover (10), wherein one element of the group consisting of the plug (2) and the socket (4) is arranged in the housing (8), and another element of the group is arranged in the cover (10).

12. A method of manufacturing an electrical contact assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or an electrical plug connector assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 11, the method comprising the following steps: First and second sheet components are cut from conductive sheet material, preferably copper or brass sheet. The first shape of the first sheet component and the second shape of the second sheet component are substantially the same, however, they have different surface areas. The first and second sheet components are shaped into generally annular components, wherein Each annular component includes an inner annular segment and an outer annular segment, wherein The outer annular segment is located at a greater radial distance relative to the rotation center axis (R) than the inner annular segment, thereby defining a corresponding annular receiving space between the inner and outer annular segments. The ring-shaped components are designed such that they can be inserted into each other at the connecting ends, and when connected to each other into the connecting position, these connecting ends are oriented toward each other.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein The forming process involves bending or forming sheet metal.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, The method further involves the step of galvanizing the sheet member or the ring member.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, The method further relates to the step of providing an insulating element on the ring member.

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