Plug-in system for the electrical connection of a functional group of a component that can be installed on a motor vehicle, as well as motor vehicle with the plug-in system and method for evaluating the electrical connection

Abstract

A plug-in system (20) for electrically connecting at least one electrical functional group (16) of a component that can be installed on a motor vehicle to an electrical supply, comprising a first functional group-side connector (20A) and a second vehicle-side connector (20B), wherein the connectors (20A, 20B) automatically connect and make contact when the component is installed on the motor vehicle, wherein a first circuit (I) is integrated into the connectors (20A, 20B) of the plug-in system (20) and at least one sensor (20B-4) is arranged in or on the at least one of the connectors (20A, 20B), characterized in that the first connector (20A) is a plug and the second connector (20B) is a socket or vice versa, wherein the socket has a receiving space for the plug and a contact plunger receptacle (20B-2) for a contact plunger (20A-1) of the plug opposite it,wherein the plug has a contact plunger receptacle (20A-3) which is opposite a contact plunger (20B-3) of the socket.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connector system for electrically connecting at least one electrical functional group of a component that can be installed on a motor vehicle to an electrical supply, which comprises a first functional group-side connector and a second vehicle-side connector, wherein the connectors automatically join together and contact each other when the component is installed on the motor vehicle, wherein a first circuit is integrated into the connectors of the connector system and at least one sensor is arranged in or on the at least one of the connectors.

[0002] The plug-in system is intended, among other things, for the reversible connection of vehicle seats that can be removed from a motor vehicle.

[0003] Document WO 2006 / 066564 A1 discloses a vehicle seat comprising a seat mounting base for securing the vehicle seat in a vehicle and a seat body for aligned attachment to the seat mounting base, as well as at least one plug connection with at least one vehicle-side plug connection component and one seat-side plug connection component. The plug connection components are interlockingly connectable, with the vehicle-side plug connection component of the seat mounting base and the seat-side plug connection component of the seat body each being assigned such that the two plug connection components are automatically connected when the seat body is aligned with the seat mounting base.

[0004] The document DE 197 45 652 A1 relates to a device for contacting electronic components (e.g., seat occupancy detection sensor, seat belt buckle switch) in a removable vehicle seat, which can be mechanically released from its body-side anchorage by means of a seat release device. To ensure non-destructive de-contacting when removing the seat, in one embodiment, a plug connection must first be manually disconnected by the operator to unlock the seat. Only then is the seat unlocked. Another embodiment provides an electrical plug connection that automatically contacts or de-contacts the seat during installation and removal through the relative movement of the seat.

[0005] The document DE 101 25 826 C1 proposes a removable vehicle seat which is characterized in that the mechanical fastening device is also designed for electrical energy and / or data transmission.

[0006] The document DE 197 02 874 A1 describes an electrical connection device for a component containing at least one electrical functional group, in particular for a motor vehicle seat with at least one sensor, actuator, and / or actuating element. The motor vehicle seat comprises a first electrical connector associated with a body or attachment part, and a second electrical connector associated with the component, which can be joined to the first electrical connector to establish electrical contact. It is provided that the first and second electrical connectors can be joined together when the motor vehicle seat is attached to the motor vehicle.

[0007] Finally, DE 102 58 837 B3 discloses a possibility for controlling and supplying power to a large number of restraint components in a variably installed vehicle seat. The vehicle seat is equipped with at least one system bus for controlling and supplying power to the individual restraint components of the vehicle seat. Furthermore, means are provided for electrically contacting the system bus during installation of the vehicle seat.

[0008] The prior art also includes the documents US 2007 / 0 114 846 A1, US 2007 / 0 117 433 A1, EP 0 881 145 A2, EP 0 865 114 A1, DE 20 30 264 A and DE 10 2004 063 524 A1.

[0009] The document US 2007 / 0 117 433 A1 describes an electrical power supply system comprising a vehicle interior trim element that is selectively mountable within the vehicle interior. The trim element comprises an electrical load device and a detachable connector for receiving electrical energy to operate the electrical load device. A power supply terminal is electrically connected to a power supply and detachably attachable to the detachable connector. A circuit measures the impedance of the electrical supply system and selectively supplies power to the power supply terminal. The detachable connector is connected to the power supply connector when the trim element is selectively mounted on the vehicle and is disconnected from the detachable connector when the trim element is removed from the vehicle.The circuit interrupts the current supply to the power supply terminal if the impedance is outside a specified range. The circuit connects the current to the power supply terminal if the impedance is within the specified range.

[0010] Document EP 0 881 145 A2 discloses a voltage supply device for providing a supply voltage for electrical devices in an aircraft cabin. This device has a socket to which the electrical device can be connected using a plug. The socket has plug detectors that detect the presence of the plug in the socket. A power supply device is provided remotely from the socket and is connected to the socket via a signal line and a supply line for the supply voltage. The power supply device switches the supply voltage to the socket when the plug detectors report the presence of the plug to the power supply device via the signal line. The supply lines and the socket are only live when the insertion of a plug has been detected.

[0011] The publication DE 20 30 264 A teaches a coupling element for connecting electrical cables, consisting of a plug part provided with plug pins and a socket part provided with contact sockets for receiving the plug pins. The conductive connections between the cable wires and the plug pins, on the one hand, and the contact sockets, on the other hand, are designed to be interruptible within the respective coupling part. The plug pins and the contact sockets are only connected to the cable wires when the plug and socket parts are mated together.

[0012] The document DE 10 2004 063 524 A1 discloses a device for adjusting the length of a wiring harness in a vehicle seat, preventing the seat rails from becoming trapped by adjacent parts of the seat during movement of the seat in a forward-backward direction. This significantly improves the safety of passengers in the vehicle. A spring, which engages a seat wiring harness on its outer side and clamping jaws on its inner side, is housed in a seat wiring harness cover. The spring is allowed to rotate about an axis by the clamping jaws, which are forced into a rotational movement about an axis.

[0013] US 2007 / 0 114 846 A1 describes a power system comprising a vehicle interior trim element that is selectively mountable within the vehicle interior. The trim element includes an electrical load device and a detachable connector for receiving electrical energy to operate the electrical load device. A power supply terminal is electrically connected to a power supply and detachably attachable to the detachable terminal. A circuit determines the position of the detachable connector relative to the power supply connector. The detachable connector is connected to the power supply connector when the trim element is selectively attached to the vehicle and is disconnected from the detachable connector when the trim element is removed from the vehicle.The circuit interrupts the power supply to the power supply terminal when the proximity of the detachable terminal to the power supply terminal is outside a specified range and turns the power supply on when it is within the specified range.

[0014] In summary, for the electrical connection of an installable and removable component in a motor vehicle, at least one plug connection is provided which must be manually disconnected by the operator or which is automatically contacted or decontacted by the relative movement of the seat when the component is installed and removed.

[0015] The starting point for the invention is a self-locating connector system, as described, for example, in US 2007 / 0 114 846 A1, which automatically enables contact between two components through a plug connection. This eliminates the need to manually connect or disconnect the connector itself by separately plugging and unplugging the connector.

[0016] The invention is based on the object of creating an automatic plug-in system for electrically connecting at least one electrical functional group of a component that can be installed on a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle seat, to an electrical supply, which on the one hand has a high safety standard and on the other hand restricts the adjustability of the component as little as possible.

[0017] According to the preamble of patent claim 1, the plug-in system according to the invention for electrically connecting at least one electrical functional group of a component that can be installed on a motor vehicle to an electrical supply comprises a first functional group-side plug-in connector and a second vehicle-side plug-in connector, wherein the plug-in connectors automatically join together and contact each other when the component is installed on the motor vehicle, wherein a first circuit is integrated into the plug-in connectors of the plug-in system and at least one sensor is arranged in or on the at least one of the plug-in connectors.

[0018] The object is achieved in conjunction with the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 in that the first connector is a plug and the second connector is a socket or vice versa, wherein the socket has a receiving space for the plug and a contact plunger receptacle for a contact plunger of the plug opposite it, wherein the plug has a contact plunger receptacle which is opposite a contact plunger of the socket.

[0019] The invention is also achieved according to claim 15 by a method for evaluating a secure electrical connection of a plug-in system comprising a first functional group-side plug-in connector and a second vehicle-side plug-in connector, the plug-in connectors of which automatically join together and contact each other when a component is installed on a motor vehicle, whereby at least one functional group of the component is connected to an electrical supply of the motor vehicle.

[0020] According to the invention, a first circuit is integrated in the plug connectors of the plug-in system and at least one sensor is arranged in or on the at least one plug connector, wherein the first circuit and the at least one sensor are monitored, recorded and evaluated, wherein a confirmation of the installed state (installation state) of the component on the motor vehicle is only output when the first circuit is closed and the at least one sensor has been triggered by the plug connectors being joined together, so that as a result, a reliable installation confirmation of the at least one electrical functional group of the installed component is advantageously available.

[0021] Advantageously, the redundant arrangement of the first circuit and the sensor in the plug-in system enables the verification of the safe installation confirmation as a result by means of two independent redundant monitoring paths.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closed state of the first circuit is verified by monitoring, detecting, and evaluating a predeterminable first resistance in the first circuit. The evaluation takes place within a first resistance range.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the open state of the first circuit is verified by monitoring, detecting, and evaluating a predeterminable second resistor located within a second circuit and connected to the electrical supply lines of the first circuit. The evaluation takes place within a second resistance range. The method is explained in more detail in the exemplary embodiment.

[0024] Since the electrical functional groups, particularly in a motor vehicle seat, represent passive safety systems (side airbags, belt tensioners), this increase in the safety of the connector system leads to increased passive safety, which leads to an increase in customer benefit within the framework of the EuroNCAP assessment.

[0025] According to claim 8, a motor vehicle having at least one electrical functional group of a component installed on the motor vehicle with an electrical supply is characterized in that the electrical connection of the functional group is made with the plug-in system according to one of the invention.

[0026] Preferably, the motor vehicle has the first connector on the functional group side and an electrical conductor track via which it is connected to the at least one electrical functional group of the component.

[0027] The vehicle-side second connector of the motor vehicle has an electrical supply line via which it is connected to the electrical supply (voltage source) of at least one electrical functional group of the component.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrical conductor track and the electrical supply line of the motor vehicle form the first closed circuit via the joined and thus contacting connectors. The unjoined connectors result in the first circuit not being closed, since the electrical conductor track and the electrical supply line are not in contact.

[0029] According to the method, the closed state of the first circuit is verified by monitoring, detecting and evaluating a first predeterminable resistor arranged in the electrical conductor track of the first circuit.

[0030] The open state of the first circuit is verified within the method step by monitoring, detecting and evaluating a second predeterminable resistor, which is arranged in a second circuit and is connected to the electrical supply lines of the first circuit.

[0031] This advantageous, because simple, procedure is explained in detail in the description of the embodiment.

[0032] The exemplary embodiment also explains in more detail how the monitoring, recording, and evaluation are carried out, as well as the sensor arrangement. The additional sensor-based monitoring, recording, and evaluation as a redundant monitoring path is particularly advantageous, as sensors are now inexpensive and reliable systems. It is suggested to use either a mechanical sensor or a contactless sensor.

[0033] The plug of the connector system, which is also explained in more detail in the exemplary embodiment with reference to the figures, has at least one contact pin receptacle into which at least one contact pin of an electrical supply line of the socket engages when the component is installed on the motor vehicle. The plug further has at least one contact plunger receptacle into which at least one contact plunger of the socket engages when installed. The function of the at least one contact pin receptacle and the at least one contact plunger receptacle is explained in more detail in the exemplary embodiment.

[0034] The socket of the plug-in system, which is also explained in more detail in exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures, has at least one contact pin on one end of an electrical supply line, which, when the component is installed on the motor vehicle, engages in at least one contact pin receptacle of the plug.

[0035] The socket further comprises at least one contact plunger receptacle, into which the at least one contact plunger of the plug engages when the component is installed on the motor vehicle. The function of the contact pin of the socket and the contact plunger receptacle will also be explained in more detail in the exemplary embodiments.

[0036] A further feature of the invention with respect to the motor vehicle is that the electrical conductor track, which in the exemplary embodiment is arranged on the plug, is designed as an electrical conductor track in the manner of a coil spring.

[0037] This advantageously allows the component to be rotated relative to the connectors of the plug-in system, which are automatically assembled and, in particular, fixedly arranged and contacted on a vehicle floor of the motor vehicle. This advantageously does not restrict the adjustability of the component, in particular a motor vehicle seat, relative to the vehicle floor.

[0038] Further preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the remaining features mentioned in the subclaims.

[0039] The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 a vehicle seat, in particular a rotatable vehicle seat with a self-contacting plug-in system; Fig. 2A, 2A-1 the self-contacting plug-in system in the non-contacted state and a corresponding schematic diagram; Fig. 2B, 2B-1 the self-contacting plug-in system in the contacted state and a corresponding schematic diagram; Fig. 3 a scale with resistance ranges to explain the evaluation of the contact in the plug-in system and the associated installation conditions of the vehicle seat.

[0040] Fig. 1 shows an example of a component that can be installed in a motor vehicle seat, in particular a vehicle seat 10, which usually comprises a seat part 12 and a backrest 14 that is adjustable relative to the seat part.

[0041] The vehicle seat 10 further comprises at least one electrical functional group 16. In their most general, summarized designation, electrical functional groups are understood to mean, for example, electrically powered sensors and / or electrically powered actuators and / or electrically powered actuating elements.

[0042] Electrically operated seat heating components or an electrically operated seat occupancy sensor are also understood as electrical functional groups.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical functional group 16 is a restraint device that is ignited pyrotechnically. For example, a belt tensioner that increases the passive safety of the occupants and / or a side airbag is installed in the vehicle seat 10 as a pyrotechnically ignited restraint device 16. The restraint device 16 is arranged in the seat part 12 in the exemplary embodiment and in Fig. 1 is only shown schematically using the rectangle.

[0044] The vehicle seat 10 is connected to a vehicle floor 22 via a seat frame 10A. In the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a coil spring 18, shown only schematically, is arranged between the retaining means 16 and a plug-in system 20.

[0045] The coil spring 18 is a long conductor track housed in a housing, with, for example, two connections, which unwinds or winds up in the housing when the vehicle seat 10 is rotated. This principle ensures a mechanically stress-free line connection 18A between the plug-in system 20 on / in the vehicle floor 22 and the rotatable vehicle seat 10. The coil spring 18 has an electrical line resistance that is independent of the rotational position of the vehicle seat 10 and thus constant. The illustrated embodiment has the advantage that the vehicle seat 10 can be designed as a rotatable individual seat. To date, the use of such a coil spring 18 has only been known in connection with the contacting of an electrically controlled airbag in a rotatable steering wheel with the vehicle's control unit.In this respect, the use of the coil spring 18 for contacting a rotatable vehicle seat 10 having an electrical functional group 16 with a control unit of the vehicle is proposed within this patent application.

[0046] According to Fig. 1, the plug-in system 20 is arranged in or on the vehicle floor 22.

[0047] The plug-in system 20 is connected, on the one hand, via the conductor track 18A of the coil spring 18 on the functional group side, in particular on the vehicle seat side, to the electrical functional group 16, which in the exemplary embodiment is a pyrotechnic restraint device 16.

[0048] On the other hand, sensor lines 20B-41 are connected to a sensor 20B-4 ( Fig. 2A, Fig. 2B) and electrical supply lines 20B-21 for igniting the pyrotechnic restraint device 16 are connected to the plug-in system 20. The plug-in system 20 will be referred to in connection with the description of the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B is discussed in detail.

[0049] The connector system 20 comprises two connector components. The connector system 20 comprises a first connector 20A and a second connector 20B as main components.

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment, the first connector 20A is located on the functional group side, on the seat side, and is designed as a plug. The second connector 20B is located on the vehicle side (on / in the vehicle floor 22) and is designed as a socket. It is understood that the connector system 20 can be reversed, so that the first connector 20A is located on the vehicle side and the second connector 20B is located on the seat side.

[0051] The socket has a receptacle for the plug. The socket also includes a contact plunger receptacle 20B-2 for a contact plunger 20A-1 of the plug.

[0052] A switching contact is formed in the contact plunger receptacle 20B-2, which functions as switch S2 within a second circuit 2. The second circuit II and the switch S2 are shown schematically.

[0053] The aforementioned electrical supply lines 20B-21 for igniting the pyrotechnic restraint device 16 are connected to the socket, each of which has a contact pin 20B-1 at its end, which protrudes into the receiving space of the socket.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiment, the electrical supply lines 20B-21 are so-called ignition lines, which are designed and arranged for igniting the pyrotechnic igniter of the pyrotechnic restraint means 16.

[0055] The two ignition cables are connected to each other on the socket side via the second circuit II. Fig. In the illustrated state, in which the plug and socket of the connector system 20 are not in contact, a second predeterminable resistor R2, which is, for example, 1 kΩ, is assigned to the closed circuit II shown in Figures 2A and 2A-1. The functional effect achieved by monitoring and evaluating the formed second circuit II will be explained in more detail below.

[0056] In addition, a sensor 20B-4 is arranged in the socket, which is connected, for example, to ground on the one hand via the already mentioned sensor lines 20B-41 and on the other hand is connected to a control unit of the vehicle (not shown in detail).

[0057] As shown, in a first embodiment, sensor 20B-4 is a mechanical sensor that is mechanically triggered when the plug is inserted into the socket. It is proposed to design the mechanical sensor as a resistance-coded switch, whereby sensor 20B-4, in conjunction with the control unit, is evaluated in a resistance-coded manner via a resistance measurement.

[0058] A second design variant proposes using a Hall sensor that detects whether the plug is inserted into the socket without contact. The Hall sensor's evaluation is performed, for example, by measuring the current at a current interface in the control unit.

[0059] The plug has two contact pin receptacles 20A-2 opposite the two contact pins 20B-1 of the socket, in which plug contacts are formed to which the conductor track 18A on the function group side, in particular on the vehicle seat side, is connected.

[0060] The plug further comprises a contact plunger receptacle 20A-3, which is opposite the contact plunger 20B-3 of the socket. A switching contact is formed in the contact plunger receptacle 20A-3, which functions as a short-circuit bridge, switch S1, within a first circuit I. The first circuit I and switch S1 within the first circuit I are shown schematically, and the circuit I connects the two conductors 18A of the vehicle seat-side conductor track 18A to each other.

[0061] The one in the Fig. In the illustrated state, in which the plug and socket of the connector system 20 are not in contact, a first predeterminable resistor R1 is assigned to the closed first circuit I shown in Figures 2A and 2A-1, which is, for example, 2 Ω. This resistance of 2 Ω is applied in the exemplary embodiment by an ignition bridge in the igniter of a pyrotechnic igniter of the pyrotechnic restraint device 16. The functional effect achieved by monitoring and evaluating the formed first circuit I will be explained in more detail below.

[0062] In the following, the functions and effects of the invention are described in a summary of the Fig. 1 to 3.

[0063] The Fig. 2A and 2A-1 show the non-contacted connector system 20, which corresponds to a first state "vehicle seat 10 not installed." The switch S2 of the second circuit II on the electrical supply lines 20B-21, the ignition lines responsible for igniting the pyrotechnic igniter of the pyrotechnic restraint device 16, is closed. A voltage from the voltage source U is applied to the electrical supply lines 20B-21. This allows the resistance present in the second circuit II to be diagnosed in the control unit. In the exemplary embodiment, according to the Fig. A second resistance range ΔR2 from 900 Ω to 1100 Ω is monitored, recorded, and evaluated using the scale shown in Figure 3. If the specified resistance R2 of 1 kΩ is determined within the second resistance range ΔR2, the installation status of vehicle seat 10 can be determined as "vehicle seat 10 not installed."

[0064] In addition, a redundant evaluation of the sensor 20B-4, which is redundantly arranged for reliable detection of the installation status and has not yet been activated in the non-contacted connector system 20, takes place in the control unit. Depending on the design variant of the sensor 20B-4, for example, the voltage (mechanical sensor) or the current (Hall sensor) is monitored, recorded and evaluated and redundantly leads to a statement about the installation status of the vehicle seat 10. According to Fig. 2A, the sensor 20B-4 redundantly detects that the “vehicle seat 10 is not installed”.

[0065] When the plug is inserted into the socket, the interface between the retaining device 16 and the control unit to which the ignition cables are connected is closed. The contact plungers 20A-1, 20B-3 retract into the contact plunger receptacles 20B-2, 20A-3.

[0066] The Fig. 2B and 2B-1 show the contacted plug system 20, which corresponds to a second state, "vehicle seat 10 installed." The contact plunger 20A-1 of the plug is now retracted into the contact plunger receptacle 20B-2. This opens switch S2 of the second circuit II. At the same time, the contact plunger 20B-3 of the socket is retracted into the contact plunger receptacle 20A-3 of the plug. This opens switch S1 of the first circuit I. The short-circuit bridge (switch S1) provided for the safety of the ignition bridge in the pyrotechnic restraint device 16 when the vehicle seat 10 is not installed is now open.

[0067] The first circuit I is now formed by the ignition lines and the electrical conductor track 18A of the clock spring 18, since the contact pins 20B-1 are also retracted into the contact pin receptacles 20A-2, whereby the first circuit I between the control unit of the vehicle-side second connector 20B (socket) and the vehicle seat-side first connector 20A (plug) is closed.

[0068] The voltage from the voltage source U is now applied to the electrical conductor 18A of the coil spring 18 via the ignition cables. Within the now closed first circuit I, the resistance R1 present there can be diagnosed in the control unit. In the exemplary embodiment, according to the Fig. A first resistance range ΔR1 from 1.5 Ω to 6 Ω is monitored, recorded, and evaluated using the scale shown in Figure 3. If the specified resistance R1 of 2 Ω is determined within the first resistance range ΔR1, the installation status of the vehicle seat 10 can be determined as "vehicle seat 10 installed."

[0069] In addition, the previously mentioned redundant evaluation of sensor 20B-4 takes place in the control unit. The sensor 20B-4 responds when the connector system 20 is connected. The previously described evaluation of sensor 20B-4 leads to a redundant statement about the installation state of the vehicle seat 10. According to the Fig. 2B and 2B-1, insofar as the sensor 20B-4 has responded, the redundant determination can be made that the “vehicle seat 10 is installed”.

[0070] The advantages of the invention are that the plugging and unplugging of the electrical connection between the electrical functional group(s) 16 (for example, restraint means) within the plug-in system 20 takes place automatically during installation or removal of the vehicle seat 10.

[0071] A system status “Vehicle seat 10 installed” / “Vehicle seat 10 properly contacted” or “Vehicle seat 10 not installed” / “Vehicle seat 10 not properly contacted” can be detected more reliably than before thanks to the redundant evaluation.

[0072] If there are 20 errors in the contacting of the connector system, these are displayed to the user.

[0073] The self-contacting of the electrical functional group 16 of the vehicle seat 10 with the electrical supply lines 20B-21 is particularly advantageous since, as an improvement over the prior art, the user no longer has to operate an additional plug when installing or removing the vehicle seat 10.

[0074] Furthermore, the solution with the arrangement of the clock spring 18 allows the plug-in system 20 to be easily used for rotatable vehicle seats 10. This clearly shows that the plug-in system 20 can also be used for non-rotatable vehicle seats 10 without the clock spring 18.

[0075] As explained, the installation status can be verified redundantly. The evaluation is carried out redundantly via the two described paths to increase safety.

[0076] A first path is the non-closed first circuit I “vehicle seat 10 not installed” or the closed first circuit I “vehicle seat 10 installed”, which is monitored, recorded and evaluated in each case - as explained - via the resistors R1, R2 diagnosable in the first circuit I within assigned resistance ranges ΔR1, ΔR2.

[0077] A second path is formed by the response behavior of the sensor 20B-4, which responds when the “vehicle seat 10 is installed” or which does not respond when the “vehicle seat 10 is not installed”.

[0078] A significant advantage of the plug-in system 20 is that not only is the electrical functional group 16 contacted to the electrical supply lines 20B-21, but the switches S1, S2 and the redundantly arranged sensor 20B-4 are actuated simultaneously.

[0079] Finally, please note that the resistance values ​​R1, R2 and resistance ranges ΔR1, ΔR2 are only examples. The values ​​outside the Fig. The resistance ranges ΔR1, ΔR2 "vehicle seat installed" or "vehicle seat 10 not installed" shown in Figure 3 are also evaluated. A resistance value within these ranges is identified as a fault condition of the connector system 20.

[0080] The system status “Vehicle seat 10 installed” or “Vehicle seat 10 not installed” is only displayed if both redundant paths show a unique matching evaluation result during the evaluation.

[0081] This means that if, for example, it is detected based on the first path that “the vehicle seat 10 is properly contacted”, the installation state “vehicle seat 10 installed” is only output as a result if the second path (sensor evaluation of the sensor 20B-4) comes to the same result.

[0082] For example, if the first path detects that “vehicle seat 10 is not contacted,” the installation state “vehicle seat 10 not installed” is output as the result, even if the second path (sensor evaluation of sensor 20B-4) comes to a different result, namely “vehicle seat 10 installed,” and vice versa.

[0083] The plug-in system 20 can also be designed for several electrical functional groups 16 of the vehicle seat 10 and scaled accordingly with regard to the resistances R to be evaluated. List of reference symbols 10 vehicle seat 10A Seat frame 12 Seat part 14 Backrest 16 electrical functional group 18 Clock spring 18A functional group / vehicle seat side cable connection 20 plug-in system 20A first connector 20A-1 contact plunger 20A-2 contact pin receptacles 20A-3 contact plunger holder 20B second connector 20B-1 contact pins 20B-2 contact plunger holder 20B-21 electrical supply lines 20B-3 contact plunger 20B-4 Sensor 20B-41 sensor cables 22 Vehicle floor I first circuit S1 switch (short-circuit bridge) II second circuit S2 switch R resistors ΔR1 first resistance range ΔR2 second resistance range U voltage source

Claims

[1] Plug-in system (20) for electrically connecting at least one electrical functional group (16) of a component that can be installed on a motor vehicle to an electrical supply, said plug-in system comprising a first functional group-side plug-in connector (20A) and a second vehicle-side plug-in connector (20B), wherein the plug-in connectors (20A, 20B) automatically join together and contact each other when the component is installed on the motor vehicle, wherein a first circuit (I) is integrated into the plug-in connectors (20A, 20B) of the plug-in system (20) and at least one sensor (20B-4) is arranged in or on the at least one of the plug-in connectors (20A, 20B), characterized bythat the first connector (20A) is a plug and the second connector (20B) is a socket or vice versa, wherein the socket has a receiving space for the plug and a contact plunger receptacle (20B-2) for a contact plunger (20A-1) of the plug opposite it, wherein the plug has a contact plunger receptacle (20A-3) opposite a contact plunger (20B-3) of the socket. [2] Plug-in system (20) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one sensor (20B-4) is arranged in the first connector (20A) on the functional group side or in the second connector (20B) on the vehicle side. [3] Plug-in system (20) according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one sensor (20B-4) is a mechanical sensor or a contactless sensor, in particular a Hall sensor. [4] Plug-in system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the plug has at least one contact pin receptacle (20A-2) into which at least one contact pin (20B-1) of an electrical supply line (20B-21) of the socket engages in the installed state of the component on the motor vehicle, wherein the plug has at least one contact plunger receptacle (20A-3) into which the at least one contact plunger (20B-3) of the socket engages in the installed state. [5] Plug-in system (20) according to claim 3, characterized by that the plug has a receptacle for the at least one sensor (20B-4). [6] Plug-in system (20) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the socket has at least one contact pin (20B-1) of an electrical supply line (20B-21) which, when the component is installed on the motor vehicle, engages in at least one contact pin receptacle (20A-2) of the plug, wherein the socket has at least one contact plunger receptacle (20B-2) into which the at least one contact plunger (20A-1) of the plug engages when the component is installed on the motor vehicle. [7] Plug-in system (20) according to claim 4, characterized by that the socket has a receptacle for the at least one sensor (20B-4). [8] Motor vehicle with at least one electrical functional group (16) of a component installed on the motor vehicle with an electrical supply, characterized by that the electrical connection of the functional group (16) is made with a plug-in system (20) according to one of claims 1 to 7. [9] Motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized bythat the first connector (20A) on the functional group side has an electrical conductor track (18A) via which it is connected to the at least one electrical functional group (16) of the component. [10] Motor vehicle) according to claim 9, characterized by that the electrical conductor track (18A) is designed in the manner of a coil spring (18), whereby the component is rotatable relative to the automatically assembled and fixedly arranged and contacted plug-in connectors (20A, 20B) of the plug-in system (20). [11] Motor vehicle according to claim 8, characterized by that the vehicle-side second connector (20B) has an electrical supply line (20B-21) via which it is connected to the electrical supply of the at least one electrical functional group (16) of the component. [12] Motor vehicle according to claim 11 and one of claims 9 or 10, characterized bythat the first circuit (I) is closed when the electrical conductor track (18A) and the electrical supply line (20B-21) are contacted via the joined connectors (20A, 20B), wherein the first circuit (I) is not closed when the electrical conductor track (18A) and the electrical supply line (20B-21) are not contacted via the unjoined connectors (20A, 20B). [13] Motor vehicle according to claim 12, characterized by that a first predeterminable resistor (R1) is arranged in the electrical conductor track (18A) of the first circuit (I). [14] Motor vehicle according to claim 12, characterized by that a second predeterminable resistor (R2) is arranged in a second circuit (II) and is applied to the electrical supply lines (18A) of the first circuit (I). [15] Method for evaluating a secure electrical connection of a plug-in system (20) comprising a first functional group-side plug-in connector (20A) and a second vehicle-side plug-in connector (20B) according to claim 1, the plug-in connectors (20A, 20B) of which automatically join and contact each other when a component (10) is installed on a motor vehicle, whereby at least one functional group (16) of the component (10) is connected to an electrical supply of the motor vehicle, characterized bythat a first circuit (I) is integrated in the plug connectors (20A, 20B) of the plug-in system (20) and at least one sensor (20B-4) is arranged in or on the at least one plug connector (20A, 20B), wherein the first circuit (I) and the at least one sensor (20B-4) are monitored, recorded and evaluated, wherein a confirmation of the installed state of the component (10) on the motor vehicle is only output when the first circuit (I) is closed and the at least one sensor (20B-4) has been triggered by the joined plug connectors (20A, 20B). [16] Method according to claim 15, characterized by that the closed state of the first circuit (I) is verified by monitoring, detecting and evaluating a predeterminable first resistance (R1) in the first circuit (I) within a first resistance range (ΔR1). [17] Method according to claim 15, characterized bythat the open state of the first circuit (I) is verified by monitoring, detecting and evaluating a predeterminable second resistor (R2) which is arranged in a second circuit (II) and which is applied to the electrical supply lines (18A) of the first circuit (I), within a second resistance range (ΔR1).

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